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Vol. 1 No. 332

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N150

How cancer dimmed Bracket’s career after Yori Yori } 19

general elections

Boko haram states in big dilemma Shettima, Borno Gov.

Gaidam, Yobe Gov.

Ngilari, Adamawa Gov.

lsans, others warn on exclusion of North-East from Feb polls l PDP, APC, INEC speak TUNDE OYESINA, ONYEKACHI EZE and TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

A

cross section of legal experts have said that the results of

the Presidential poll will be invalid if elections are not conducted in the troubled North-East states comprising Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

Their comments was informed by the scepticism expressed a few days ago

by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, with regard to the possibility of holding election in those states due to insecurity.

Speaking against this background, a former

Attorney-General of Abia State and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Awa Kalu, noted that exclusion of some states from the presidential elections will render the final results invalid.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

28 days to go... Bird Flu: Lagos confirms outbreak, Nigeria votes

2015

ria Nige

s vote

2015

EVELLE: No time for guys who didn’t want me when I had just two shirts }22 OZEKHOME’S BOMBSHELL

BUHARI NOT QUALIFIED TO CONTEST }6

WORK WITH ORJI says no cause for alarm }6 KALU, MU’AZU TELLS }7 Military to CNN: Your report on ABIA GOV AND STATE soldiers’ welfare smacks of blackmail PDP }9 }5

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Contents | 17.01.15 STREET DIARY

A Stripper’s Tale Suddenly, Lagos is witnessing a surge in the number of strip clubs. A Saturday Telegraph correspondent operating incognito visits one for a firsthand experience

}10

CONVERSATION

No Frills Fitness Fitness and lifestyle coach, Morenike Akinloye, talks about a less strenuous programme for people who feel mostly horrible about their size and stature

}13

INSTYLE

Spruced for the Harmattan With chills in the morning, extreme heat in the afternoon and dry, dusty winds, it’s a bit tricky picking an appropriate dress during the harmattan

}15

THE ARTS

Buoyant Brushstrokes An exhibition of works by self taught artist, Emmanuel Ekong Ekefrey, opens at the Moorehouse, Ikoyi, Lagos, highlighting his interest in sociological themes

}18

SPORT

Still the Greatest As the legendary Muhammad Ali turns 73, this Saturday, a look back at some of the big fights and triumphs that made him the greatest

}30

DESTINATION

Seaside Allure The rural coastal fringe appears to be the new frontier for hotel developers. A new entrant, Ibray Seaside Resort and Suite, shows further why there’s an obsession for the Lagos countryside

}42 Plus: Street Diary 10 | Love&Living 35 | Faceoff 48

SATURDAY Comment

N

Jonathan in Maiduguri

o sane nation prays for war or any kind of crisis. Government is about the people, any leader who goes to bed while his country is on fire does not deserve his position, for there cannot be development in the midst of terror.

Last Thursday, President Goodluck Jonathan braved all odds to visit crisis torn Maiduguri. The trip came at a time many believed the President was more interested in working for victory in the forthcoming February 14 Presidential election than finding a way round the insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country.

In the heat of campaigns, it is commendable that Dr. Jonathan took some hours off to go see first hand, the plight of his countrymen and women in Maiduguri. The visit also was an opportunity to interact with troops on whose shoulders the responsibility of keeping the country peaceful lie.

For thousands of compatriots who have become refugees , the opportunity offered itself to tell their leader what they go through daily in their own country.

Dr. Jonathan’s words that government will not abandon them is reassuring even if it does not bring back the dead or heal the scars of terrorism. At least, for the first time, so many of them know that all hope is not lost.

For the troops, nothing could be as morale-boosting as shaking the hands of your Commander-inChief. There have been sorry tales coming from the frontlines and gory tales trailing their efforts in defence of fatherland.

The President also had the opportunity to see things for himself. He did not need to rely on briefing from the Security chiefs to assess the situ-

ation. What would take a round of meetings in far away Aso Villa to act, possibly took a few hours to react.

And in all this, the country benefits.

The visit to Maiduguri will also send a message to the terrorists.

Now they are confronted with the fact that after seeing things for himself, the President has every reason not to consider any further waste of time on how to end the insurgency.

Ordinarily, a President should feel free to visit any part of his country with the normal retinue of Presidential military cover. But Jonathan flew to Maiduguri like a Field Marshall going to war. And to think of the fact that not very far away from Maiduguri ,are Nigerian towns under the control of Boko Haram.

Having gone through this harrowing experience, we expect tougher decisions from the President and his defence team. We demand that more attention be paid to troops who are in battle confronting the marauders.

It is also hoped that people should not make political capital out of the trip to the North-East. There may be allegations that Dr. Jonathan’s trip was only made to boost his chances at the polls. The visit should be seen for what it is, a leader listening to the voice of his people.

Whatever it is, we should look at the positive side. At least, the president mingled with those who feel it all. And what they need now is not politics, they need government to stem the Boko Haram aggression.

The only story that can make them forget a little about their predicament is news of the end of insurgency.

Homes destroyed can be rebuilt but lives lost cannot come back.

Lives can take a new shape when the dust settles. President Jonathan should follow up on the visit with action that will bring back the North East and of course, restore Nigeria.

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Telegraph Adam&Eve

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY, 2015

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News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

5

Destruction of Jonathan's billboard: Owerri tense as DSS arrests Okorocha's aide Ndubuisi Ugah and Steve Uzoechi

B OWERRI

arely 24 hours to the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Imo State as part of his presidential campaign for the February 14 election, an aide to the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who is also the General Manager of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), Chief Emma Ugorji, has been arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) for allegedly defacing and destroying the President's billboards and flex banners.

The action, which was allegedly traced to personnel of the OCDA was said to have led to the arrest of the general manager.

Prior to the development, Owerri, the state capital, had been branded by the President’s billboards and banners by the PDP, which had intensified its preparations ahead of President Jonathan’s visit to the state.

However, it was gathered that some of the banners have been defaced, a development which led to the arrest of the governor’s aide.

It would be recalled that last year when Jonathan visited the state to receive defectors and returnees into the PDP, a similar incident occurred with all contin ued from page 1

"If you look at the provision of the Electoral Act, the constituency for presidential election is the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

And the winner will emerge through a simple majority provided he polls 25 per cent in two-third of all the states.

"The first point is if a candidate gets outright two-third of 36 states plus or minus the three NorthEastern states. Where there is a state of emergency, there is no problem. A legal problem will arise if election is not conducted at all and a candidate also failed to achieve 25 per cent in all the 36 states. It is going to be difficult not to conduct election in three states and still expect to get 25 per cent of the votes cast in such states.

"If no vote is cast in the state, no one can get twenty-five percent in such state and as such, the overall result will become invalid," Kalu stated.

Jega at a forum organised by the African Policy Research Institute, Abuja, was quoted to have said the elections would not hold in the three troubled states unless there is significant improvement in the security situation.

l ‘I will deepen South-East's industrialisation' l Buhari in Benue, pledges to tackle insecurity the banners, buntings, flex goodwill messages and decorations at the Imo airport destroyed by another close aide to the governor, an incident that also led to the arrest of the perpetrators.

Only recently, the billboard of the PDP governorship candidate for Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, located at the Township School area along Wetheral Road, Owerri, was also destroyed by agents of the OCDA.

Ihediohia Campaign Organisation had lamented the destruction of the billboard by OCDA, saying all the necessary fees including internally generated revenue (IGR), APCON and OCDA land space charges were fully paid.

In another development, President Jonathan yesterday took his presidential campaign train to Ebonyi and Abia states, where he pledged to boost the industrialisation chain of the South-

East geo-political zone.

President Jonathan, who is the and PDP presidential candidate also said he would revived all ailing companies in the state to ensure massive employment for the teeming population of the youth.

Speaking in Abakaliki, while addressing PDP supporters as part of his presidential campaign rally tour across the county, the president assured Ebonyians that he would industrialise

the state, if re-elected for second term in office.

The president, who arrived the Abakaliki Township Stadium, the venue of the rally, at about 12:15p.m.,was received by unprecedented crowd, in the 171 electoral wards of the I3 local governments of the state with a road show acknowledging cheers accompany by his campaign team.

He also promised to show love for and partner with traditional rulers to improve the living conditions of the rural populace if re-elected.

He said Ebonyi State was one of the states that

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Muazu and the First Lady, Patience Jonathan, at the party’s presidential rally in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State…yesterday

General Elections: Boko Haram States in big dilemma "A place like Borno State that is being ravaged by insurgents, and unless something drastically is being done to the internallydisplaced persons there to return, the state governorship may be difficult, if not impossible under the circumstances.

“To be realistic, we must say that it may be impossible to conduct elections everywhere, in every local government, in every constituency in those three insurgency affected states,” he said.

A day later, at the presentation of voters' register for the conduct of next month's general elections to registered political parties, Jega said elections would hold in the three states except in some local government areas occupied by insurgents.

But this did little to alter the impression that his earlier doubts had created.

An Abuja-based lawyer, Wahab Olatoye, also corroborated Kalu's views.

"We must look at the constitutional provision for conducting presidential election.," he said, adding

that "the constitutional provision is that a candidate must get one-quarter of the votes cast in two-third of the federation before he will be declared president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"And if that is the case, to exclude three states from the exercise will invariably render the whole exercise invalid and such can be contested in the court of law.

"Also, the population of registered voters in the states in the North-East too will be another factor that will determine the validity. At least there will be about three million voters from such region.

To remove three million votes is a disaster.

"Not organising elections in that part of the country will create a default in the presidential poll. It is either there is no election at all or election should be deferred until there is absolute peace in the region. If election is only conducted in 33 states, the results cannot be announced because it will breach the provision of the constitution for presidential election".

Another Senior Advo-

cate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali, agreed that not conducting election in some parts of the country will surely affect the overall result of the presidential poll.

He however stated that presently there is no state of emergency in the NorthEast and that INEC had no reason for not conducting election in the region.

"Undoubtedly, under the Electoral Act, INEC has power to postpone elections in any part of the country. But it must be because there is emergency situation in such places. As we are talking today, there is no more emergency in any part of Nigeria.

"So if there is no emergency declared anywhere, it will look a bit out of place and illegal to say election will not hold in some parts.

For presidential election, the whole country is the constituency.

"The constitution does not envisage a situation where a quarter or thereabout of the country will not take part in a presidential election. I believe that given the situation we have

today, legally and factually, there is no state of emergency anywhere. It will be illegal to say election will not hold," Ali stated.

But Godwin Obla, SAN, disagrees. He argued that a winner could still emerge even if three states were excluded as long as the constitutional requirement was met.

"The difference will only come during governorship election because it has a certain number of local governments that must be won by a candidate before he can be declared a winner. If you ask the question, can a candidate still get two-third of 25 per cent? That of governorship will have question mark but that of president is not likely to be affected."

The chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu, has similarly dispelled the notion that the presidential election might be inconclusive. Idowu argued that it's only in Borno State that a substantial territory had been overrun by Boko Haram, noting that the situation in Yobe and Adamawa was tolerable.

the PDP relied on in terms of gaining more votes, adding that he would reconcile all aggrieved members of the party who left because of one thing or the other to come back for the interest of the people.

The president further said Ebonyi State was one of the new states that needed adequate attention due to the un taped abundant solid mineral resources in the state and re-assured the people that they would not be forgotten in the scheme of things.

In his speech, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim and former governor of the state, Dr. Sam Egwu, said Jonathan believed that politics was all about giving the people a sense of belonging.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari, yesterday pledged to tackle insecurity, unemployment and corruption if elected during next month's general election.

Buhari, who was speaking at the APC Presidential rally, which took place at the Ibrahim Babangida Square in Makurdi, Benue State, said “Insecurity, lack of jobs and corruption are vicious circle we will tackle.

Go and see the trillions of dollars that has been spent on security in this country in the last four years."

"Even in Borno the governor has done a great thing by creating camps for internally-displaced persons. So those people whose local government areas are occupied by insurgents will migrate to these camps and vote. INEC has stated that internally-displaced persons will vote," Idowu explained.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, was somewhat evasive on the subject. Metuh simply said the PDP is taking INEC by its words that elections will hold in every part of the country.

"So far, we have no reason to doubt INEC." For the All Progressives Congress' National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, INEC's initial promise to conduct election in the three states should be the ultimate bond.

He said: "INEC said on Thursday that it is going to conduct elections for people who are displaced. INEC is going to conduct elections even in Borno State. They even say they are going to conduct election in camps where displaced people are.

Why will peowple say there won't be election in some parts of North-East?"

6

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

FCT

ONITSHA

ILORIN Fire destroys goods worth N300m Public Complaints Commission Afonja leader backs Buhari

N EWS I N BRIEF

ST

Goods and property worth over N300 million were destroyed in a fire outbreak in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday, witnesses said.

The fire, which burnt down a two-storey building at 9, Nweje Lane in Odoakpu area Onitsha, started around 1.30 p.m.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the building and goods belonged to Chief Gibson Chukwujindu, who is the Director of Gibson Interlink Nigeria Limited, a known dealer in tailoring and clothing materials.

The Chief Operating Officer, Okpoko Fire Service Station, near Onitsha, Mr. Ikechukwu Nzegwu, told NAN that the only occupant of the building escaped unhurt but that the entire structure was reduced to rubbles.

resolves 12,976 cases

The Chief Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Justice George Uloko (rtd.), yesterday said the commission resolved 12,000 cases in 2014.

Uloko, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja, said over 38,000 complaints were received within the period.

“During the 2014 investigative year, effective January 1 to December 31, 2014, the commission received a total of 38, 326 complaints. This included all complaints that were brought forward from previous years and we resolved 12, 976 complaints as at December 31, 2014 leaving a balance of 28, 000 complaints,” he said.

Uloko said bulk of the complaints were on pension matters, adding that efforts were being made to work out modalities on how to resolve more of pension complaints.

66%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Belgium in 2008.

Source: Itu.int

National President of Afonja Descendants Union (ADU) in Ilorin, Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulkareem Kasum, has thrown his weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammad Buhari.

Kasum, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said Buhari has the capacity to bring about positive change in several spheres of the Nigerian life. He said the APC standard bearer is a tested leader who is incorruptible and transparent in all his activities.

He said: “General Buhari only happens to be a disciplined, incorruptible, transparent humanist who believes in the equality of all men as enshrined in the two major religious books.”

61%

328,388

The estimated literacy rate of Nigeria in 2012.

Source: Nigeria.usembassy.gov

The total number of connected fixed wired or wireless lines of Nigeria in April 2014.

Source: Ncc.gov.ng

Hold me responsible if Amosun fails, says Obasanjo Kunle Olayeni

F

Abeokuta

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday endorsed the re-election bid of Ogun State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Obasanjo, who sought the support of the Igbo residents in the state for Amosun, said he (Obasanjo) should be held responsible if the governor fails in his second term.

The former president spoke when he played host to a delegation of Igbo leaders from Lagos and Ogun States at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta.

He explained that the governor had performed creditably, adding that his choice of Amosun was borne out of personality and not party consideration.

Obasanjo said: “In 2011, we were not together;

though we were together before and I did campaign against him. But see what he has been able to do in the last three and half years in the state, I cannot sacrifice performance for party.

“I never dream of having a bridge on dry land in Ogun State in my life time. Yes, we have Ogun River where there is a bridge. But on a dry land, go to Ijebu, Sagamu, Ota; what am I seeing? Bridges, not even one, two, three.

“This is a development that some of us in our 60s, 70s, even 50s would have thought would be a mirage during our lifetime. Apart from this, it will bring development that future governments shall be major beneficiaries.

“So, my people, I am not talking about other elections. I have come to tell you that in order to appreciate what this personality has been able to do in the last three and half years, let us give him our votes.”

Bird flu: Lagos confirms outbreak, says no cause for alarm Muritala Ayinla

T

L-R: The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Gen. Mohammadu Buhari; Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume and Benue State APC governorship candidate, Dr. Samuel Ortom, during the party's campaign rally in Makurdi...yesterday

Buhari is not qualified to contest —Ozekhome CLARIFICATION

The ambition of the APC presidential candidate appears to be in limbo as a lawyer says he is not fit to contest the election

C

onstitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has said the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, is not qualified to contest the February 14 presidential election.

Ozekhome, who spoke yesterday on Africa Independent Television (AIT) Kakaaki, on Buhari’s raging certificate saga, said the APC presidential candidate did not comply with the provisions of the electoral law in filling the nomination form he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) According to him, “I know that Nigerians would

be curious why is this matter just coming up for the first time and that after all this man has contested the last three Presidential elections.

“Well I wish to state that I have done, by God’s grace, a lot of election petition matters and I know that up till 2011, INEC form simply provides that candidates should state their qualifications. In other words, just say that I have O’Level; I have B.Sc; I have BL etc; then, you go and sit down.

“But right now, the rule has changed. Form CF001, says apart from filling your qualifcations, you must attach them; you must attach photocopies of your qualifications; and, to attach means to bind; it means to glue-to.

As we are looking at your form that you have filled, I have to see your NYSC certificate, all your qualifications /certificates must be attached to your form.

“So, if you do not attach them, you have not satisfied the minimum requirements; it is therefore not proper to refer INEC to go

on a wide-goose chase, go and look elsewhere for my qualifications.”

Ozekhome said that General Buhari referring INEC to the Secretary of the Military Board for his credentials is like an applicant referring the interviewer to the last place he or she worked.

According to him, “It is like, as an applicant, you want a job, you come before your interviewers; your interviewers say, we have looked at the form you filled for this job; we have seen your certificates; and you say, the last place I worked, they have photocopy of my certificates, go and ask them.

“That is wrong. The military board we are talking about will also be in possession of the document of the respected general. But, before he submitted the document to the military board, it is taken that he had possession of his own documents; all he needs to do is to attach the photocopy of his document to his form; and, if there is any question

to be asked, you can refer to the places where you went to school; mind you, not the military board.”

Ozekhome said section 131 of the constitution was very clear that the candidate must have not below school certificate level, or its equivalent, and its equivalent means GCE, WASC, NECO among others. Those are its equivalents.

“Now, if you do not have any of these qualifications, what you will do is to apply to WAEC or NECO, and say my certificates are lost, burnt or stolen by armed robbers; I will want you to issue me a letter certifying that I have this qualification.

“That was what happened in the case of the Vice-President, Muhammadu Sambo, because I have been following this case very seriously, because it is very crucial to our democratic norms and values. I am interested in how we can expand the space, deepen and widen the aptitude of democracy.”

he Lagos State Government yesterday confirmed the outbreak of Avian Influenza popularly known as bird flu in the state, even as it assured residents that measures had been taken to avert the spread of the disease, especially to human beings.

Briefing journalists on the efforts taken by the state government, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative, Prince Gbolahan Lawal and his counterparts in Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who confirmed this, said the infected birds were brought to Lagos from northern part of the country during the last Christmas and New Year festival.

Lawal said the Veterinary Department in the state's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives received a report of high mortalities

of birds in poultry markets across the state during the period.

This, according to him, made the state to send the sample of infected birds to the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State, where the birds tested positive to the deadly virus.

He said: “Bird samples collected by the department and sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State, have unfortunately been found positive for the H5 strain of the Avian Influenza popularly known as bird flu.

“Samples collected from a poultry farm in Badore have also been confirmed positive and a zoological park based in Victoria Garden City presently experiencing high mortality of wild birds in captivity is on the suspicion list and it is being investigated.”

Mob stones ‘alleged’ member of Boko Haram to death Muhammad Ahmad Kano

H

undreds of Muslim faithful, who were on their way to the mosque yesterday, chased and killed a man suspected to be a Boko Haram member for allegedly carrying bomb and guns.

The unidentified man was said to have been trailed before being stoned to death by the people, shortly before the commencement of yesterday’s prayers at the Kano Central Mosque.

It would be recalled that the mosque had in recent time suffered many bomb

attacks, which had resulted in the death of hundreds of innocent citizens, a development, which forced residents to be security conscious, particularly at their places of worship on every Friday.

Commenting on this, the spokesperson for the state police command, Mr. Musa Magaji Majiya, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said immediately the command was alerted, policemen were quickly drafted to the scene but were however, surprised that no trace of the alleged weapons mentioned was found with the suspect.

17 JANUARY 2015

Saraki: APC not being personal with Jonathan Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

F

ormer Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has denied insinuations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) takes delight in insulting the personality of President Goodluck Jonathan in the build up to the February general elections.

Speaking in Ilorin, Saraki said rather than abuse the president, the APC had only been drawing the attention of the federal government and Jonathan to issues based on available facts.

He said: “PDP said we are abusing Mr. President. We are not abusing Mr. President. We have all the respect for the Presidency; we are talking of facts and figures.

PDP and Mr. President promised Nigerians security, is there security today?

You promised power, is there light today? You promised to fight corruption, is there any change today? You promised to provide job for all our youths, any job today?

These are not present today.

“We are not being personal, we are talking about issues. We are not talking about having leaders based on religion, Christian, or Muslim, we are not talking whether you are from North or South, we are not talking whether you are Hausa, Yoruba or Ijaw. We are talking about who will make Nigeria better.”

Saraki had, while leading the flag-off of the APC campaign in the state on Thursday expressed the need to make Nigeria better than it is now, adding that only the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammud Buhari, had what it takes to drive the needed change.

DHQ: FG committed to terror war l ...says CNN interview a blackmail Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

he Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has reiterated the Federal Government's commitment to the war on terrorism, which it said, is demonstrated in the reequipping of troops in the frontline of battle.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, made this position in a statement on the DHQ's official website yesterday.

Olukolade described as ‘blackmail’ a purported interview granted the Cable News Network (CNN), by an unidentified soldier, who claimed that troops were not well-equipped.

He deplored the extent to which some foreign media have chosen to undermine the Nigerian Military.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

He, however, said the relevant security agencies, will definitely investigate the ‘blackmail’ against the nation.

Describing the CNN's interview as "satanic", Olukolade said: "The Federal Government and the military leadership are concerned, committed and focused on the ongoing fight against terror.

“The orchestrated blackmail propaganda by entrenched interests as clearly illustrated by the ultra-biased CNN report will not deter the military.

“The motive of this satanic CNN’s report should be of concern to all patriots and Nigeria’s well wishers.

We believe that appropriate security agencies will also work on the root of this blackmail against the nation. The fight is not for the Military alone.”

7

ONITSHA FCT UMUNYA Nigeria can’t conduct free, fair Navy takes security awareness Visit more insurgency ravaged areas, APC tells Jonathan to riverine communities election-Obidigbo

NEWS IN BRIE F

ST

The embattled All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in the last governorship election in Anambra State, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, has said Nigeria cannot afford a free and fair election because of the level of corruption in the country.

Obidigbo stated this in an interview with Saturday Telegraph at his country Home, Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area. He said: “I don’t pray for a free and fair election in Nigeria. There is so much impunity in the country and God will not even answer such prayers. What I pray for is a less violent free election.

“Let God bring people of good will, who have the interest of this country at heart."

The Nigerian Navy said on Friday it had concluded plans to sensitise riverine communities in Anambra to possible security threats on the nation’s waterways.

The Commanding Officer of the Navy Outpost in Onitsha, Navy Capt. Mike Oamen, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha, Anambra State, that awareness campaign was to strengthen the level of security in the state.

Oamen said: “We intend to make sure we show presence in all these communities and try to inform them on the possible threats that could happen on water.”

6,669

88,000

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

Source: Blatantworld.com

The estimated number of Americans above 65 years with Alzheimer’s in Minnesota in 2014.

Source: Alz.org

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for finally finding the courage to visit Maiduguri to pep up the gallant troops battling the Boko Haram insurgency, but said the President has more trips to make to Chibok, Buni Yadi and Potiskum, Yobe State among others.

In a statement issued in Makurdi on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the President should follow up his visit to the epi-centre of the Boko Haram battle with visits to the parents of the 219 missing Chibok girls as well as the families of the boys who were killed at the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, last year.

94

The sex ratio of women to 100 men (international migrants) in Bahamas in 2010.

Source: Un.org

Dickson assures Jonathan’s wife of her safety PLEDGE

Bayelsa State governor assures the First Lady of her safety in the state Chris Ejim

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Yenagoa

arely 48 hours after some youths allegedly warned the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, not to visit Bayelsa State, the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday assured the first lady that the state remains home to her and President Goodluck Jonathan and every citizen of the country.

…says threat messages handiwork of the opposition The governor, who admitted that the statement about the threat in some sections of the media, was just brought to his attention, said government and the people of the state would accord President Jonathan, his wife and other members of the first family their due honour, respect and reception in the state, "as we have always done."

He said it was also the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the first family, especially during visits and other related activi-

ties within and outside the state.

Dickson gave this assurance while reacting to a story credited to a group, ‘Bayelsa Youth Vanguard,’ captioned 'Don’t come to Bayelsa, youths tell Patience Jonathan,' published in some national dailies.

Describing the publication as most unfortunate and uncalled for, the governor warned groups planning to cause any breach of the peace by attacking the first lady to have a rethink, as such action was totally unnecessary and against the collective will and aspirations of the government

and people of the state.

According to him, the time calls for every group and association in the State to be united and speak with one voice, instead of whipping up unnecessary sentiments that will portray us as a house divided against itself.

He, however, warned persons or groups singing discordant tunes to steer clear, as the security agencies had been alerted to deal decisively with anybody or group of persons who attempt to disrupt the planned PDP campaign rally slated for February 5 in Yenagoa.

Ex-Osun governor warns against politics of bitterness Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

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senatorial candidate for Osun West on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Isiaka Adeleke, yesterday warned politicians to stop campaign of calumny and blackmail against one another all in the name of wanting to desperately emerge at the polls as winners in the forthcoming elections.

Adeleke, who issued the warning, while speaking at a programme organised to mark his 60th birthday at his residence in Ede, said politicians should shun politics with bitterness and play the

game according to the rule to make it an interesting one.

The senatorial candidate who was also the first executive governor of the state further reminded politicians of the peace pact signed in Abuja to make the exercise a violent free one and charged them to tolerate one another in the course of politicking.

He further preached against political acrimony and pulls him down politicking, which could cause confusion in the country.

Adeleke, who appreciated God for sparing his life to mark his birthday, charged the electorate to cast their votes for him in the forthcoming election.

L-R: Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Prof. Godswill Obioma; Chairman, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius A. Okojie; Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe and Representative of the Guest Speaker, Prof. Tauheed Adedoja, at the 4th Convocation lecture of NOUN in Lagos…yesterday

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

8

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

IDUMOTA

ADO-EKITI NBA charges FG to grant judicial autonomy

N EWS I N BRIEF

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The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) yesterday advised the Federal Government to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary to enable its striking workers to call off their strike.

The Chairman of Ikole-Ekiti Branch of the NBA, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti.

Adeyemi said the strike action embarked on by the workers did not only affect lawyers, but everybody in the society.

He said there were some duties that members of the public could have done in the court like swearing affidavits which they could not do because of the strike.

Another fire engulfs Berlin Market in Lagos

Goods and property worth millions of Naira were yesterday destroyed by fire at the popular Berlin Market, near Mandilas on Williams Street, off Marina in central Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the incident occurred four days after five buildings were razed in the popular Balogun Market located also in central Lagos.

NAN could not immediately ascertain the cause of the fire but the people who spoke said it could not be unconnected with the people who slept there.

They also alluded to the fact that many of the people who reside in the market and the traders used generators because of inconsistent power supply.

216m The estimated number of malaria cases that occurred worldwide in 2010.

Source: Nigeria.usembassy.gov

90

The sex ratio of men to 100 women in the 60+ age group in Hong Kong, China in 2012.

Source: Un.org

ASABA Uduaghan tasks monarchs on voters’ education

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has challenged traditional rulers to educate their subjects on the need to collect the permanent voters’ card.

Uduaghan made the call yesterday while addressing the traditional rulers council of Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State when he led PDP candidates for the February general elections to pay them a courtesy visit at the Palace of Obi of Akwukwu-Igbo, HRM Obi David Azuka.

Some of the traditional rulers who were present included the Ugoani of Okpanam, Obuzo of Ibusa, representatives of Ogbelani of Illah and the Regent of Ebu.

13 The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of developing countries in 2006.

Source: Itu.int

Gunmen attack Wike’s campaign team AMBUSH

The River State PDP governorship candidate campaign team attacked by gunmen Emmanuel Masha

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Port Harcourt

ome unidentified gunmen opened fire on the campaign team of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Nyesom Wike, during his campaign rally in Abua/Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Wike, alongside the party chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah and some other party stalwarts were in the palace of the traditional ruler of Abua, King Kalay Obugeh, to seek his blessing and support, when the gunmen allegedly opened fire on Wike’s supporters, who were outside the pal-

ace.

An eyewitness said the hoodlums fired from a nearby bush, but were repelled by security operatives that accompanied Wike to the area, adding that there was exchange of gunfire for almost 20 minutes between both parties, until the hoodlums fled the scene.

The source added that Wike and his supporters were trapped, and that more security operatives from nearby police stations joined in repelling the hoodlums.

Wike, who later addressed crowd of supporters that turned out for the rally, alleged that the attack had political undertone, and urged the police to investigate the incident and fish out the perpetrators.

He said: “I enjoin the police to fish out those behind this dastardly attack. I tell you, we know those who are involved in this. We shall go after them. They will never run away. The

Commissioner of Police must have to find out those that carried out this attack this afternoon.”

Wike further alleged that: “You cannot do that here when I come to Abua to campaign and come to Port Harcourt to rest. They must face justice. Wherever they are they must face justice. The former chairman of Abua/Odua Local Government Area, Udi Odum, is involved. The current Chairman of the caretaker committee of Abua/Odua Local Government Area, Gift Igoma, is involved.

Tell them I am coming after them. They will never run away.

“Look at this beautiful local government being ravaged by insecurity. It is the business of the government to protect lives and property of the people.

But what has their own government done? Give us the opportunity and we will restore peace in this community.

“It is not your portion

to die prematurely in this way. It is not your portion to run away from your homes. Government owes you a duty to protect you.

And that is why if you allow PDP to form this next government, our priority, first, will be to protect you and your property so these hoodlums will not come here and kill you.’’

Commenting on Wike’s allegation, Udom, who is an APC chieftain, blamed the attack on cult war between the Icelanders and Geenlanders.

He also alleged that the attack was instigated by the PDP in order to give the APC and its leaders in the local government a bad name.

“What is happening is essentially a cult war between Icelanders and Greenlanders who are largely PDP members. I am not a member of the PDP. We are currently involved in a rigorous political campaign for our party here,” he said.

Boko Haram threatens Nigeria’s Rating, says Moody’s Ayodele Aminu

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ttacks by Boko Haram are adding pressure to the Nigeria’s credit rating as plunging oil prices continues to undermine the nation’s growth, global rating firm, Moody’s Investors Service, has said.

The violence may be “weighing on investor demand for Nigerian assets at the moment,” Matt Robinson, manager of the Africa sovereign ratings team at Moody’s, told Reuters by phone from London. “We’re certainly seeing pressure on the currency; we’re seeing pressure on Nigeria’s bond prices, so it’s one of an array of downside risks.”

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer and most populous nation of more than 170 million people, will hold elections next month in the face of increasing vio-

lence by the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram.

Its attacks during a six-year campaign to impose Islamic law in the country have led to the deaths of more than 13,000 people, according to the government.

Moody’s rates Nigeria’s debt at Ba3, the three levels below investment grade, with a stable outlook.

A halving in the oil price since June last year has undermined Nigeria’s economic outlook, weighing on the nation’s credit rating quality, Robinson said. Windfall gains from higher oil prices in previous years weren’t necessarily saved in the sovereign wealth fund, he said.

Oil accounts for 75 percent of government revenue in Nigeria. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) devalued the currency for the first time in three years in November as foreigncurrency reserves declined.

Markaz organises prayers for peaceful elections Shola Adefuwa

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uslims in Lagos State yesterday prayed for peaceful conduct of the general election in the country.

The prayer session which was tagged ‘Special Supplication for Peace and Harmony for the forthcoming general election’ was held at Markaz Islamic and Arabic Training Centre in Agege area of Lagos State.

It was led by Sheik Muhammadu Raji Sulaiman and other prominent Muslim clerics including the Rector of the institute, Sheik Habeebullahi Adam Al-Ilory.

Sulaiman said the prayer session was organised by Muslim faithful in the state so that the election would be free, fair and devoid of violence.

He said: “We organised this prayer so that God will guide and guard us as we

choose our leaders. I believe that it is going to be peaceful, there won’t be any war as some people are insinuating. There won’t be any problem. Nigerians will understand one another.

Before and after the election, there won’t be any problem.

“There won’t be war, Nigeria will not break up.

Those who are predicting our break-up as a nation will be disappointed. We are going to come out stronger after the election by the grace of God.” Sulaiman advised politicians to be wary of their utterances, noting that those who had been destined to win would surely emerge.

He said those who lost the election should not instigate violence but should rather wait for another time, adding, "the losers should work in harmony with the winners for the progress of the country."

Do-or-die approach will mar general elections, says Nkire

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L-R: ANAMCO Chairman, Mr. G.U Okeke; Secretary to Enugu State Government; Mr. Patrick Okolo, Managing Director of National Automotive Council of Nigeria, Mr. Aminu Jallal, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke and President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Udemba Jacobs, cutting a tape to mark the roll out of SHACMAN Trucks at the ANAMMCO plant, Emene, Enugu…recently

member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Sam Nkire, has said the only way there will be violence in the February elections is if the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) goes into the contest with a mindset to win by all means.

According to him, the presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari and his party members had lost elections in the past without resorting to violence.

He added that all eyes would be on PDP and its members who might lose

their first election since 1999.

Nkire promised that APC would not breach the recent non-violence agreement reached by political parties, as according to him, the PDP is the only party that had “all it takes to make war and peace.”

On the chances of APC at the polls, Nkire said everything was turning around for the good of APC and the country, stressing that the spate of defections into APC was enough indication that Nigerians were coming to the end of the 16-year rough journey with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

17 JANUARY 2015

Ekiti to repeal laws creating 19 LCDAs Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State Government has begun the process of repealing the laws creating 19 local council development areas (LCDAs), which were created in the twilight of the administration of former governor Kayode Fayemi.

The current administration of Governor Ayo Fayose, at its executive council meeting in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, approved the repeal of Local Government Creation Laws 8 and 10.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Dipo Anisulowo and the Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, said the action was to reduce the cost of governance in the state.

“In the light of this, the executive arm of government is going to send an executive bill to the state House of Assembly to repeal those laws,” Owoseni explained.

The LCDAs were created

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

by Fayemi to bring the number of LGs in the state to 35.

However, controversy has dogged the exercise even when it was mooted and legal issues are still pending in various courts over it.

Anisulowo said other decisions taken at the meeting included the approval of Prince Afolabi Adeyemi as the Ojurin of Ijurin-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state.

Until his appointment as the traditional ruler of Ijurin-Ekiti, Adeyemi was a deputy director in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja.

Also, the council approved the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) projects worth over N1.2 billion in some local governments.

The projects included classroom buildings, boreholes, hospital equipment, and furniture among others.

The affected LGs are Moba, Irepodun/ Ifelodun, Emure, Ise/Orun and Ido/Osi.

IJEBU-ODE Ogun teachers commence strike

NEWS IN BRIE F

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Public primary and secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, were yesterday shut as members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) embarked on a strike.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the strike was in response to the inability of the state government to meet the demands of the teachers.

The Secretary of the NUT in Ijebu-Ode, Mr. Olajide Ogunleye, said the action was in compliance with the state unions' directive as communicated to all chapters.

According to him, the state wing of the NUT had served the state government the notice of strike since January 9.

7%

The percentage of the population of men above 60 years in American Samoa in 2012.

Source: Un.org

CALABAR

ALABA INEC holds stakeholders’ forum on IDPs next week

Cross River a model state, says World Bank Country Director

World Bank Country Director, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, has said Cross River State is a model in the implementation of the Bank’s projects and programmes in the country because of its approach to governance.

Marie-Nelly, who was represented by the Team Leader, Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Mr. Amos Abu, said the Bank was delighted to be associated with the state because, “It has a very formidable and fit for purpose project management unit that has continued to set the pace for best practices in the implementation of our projects in the country.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to hold stakeholders’ forum on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja next week.

The commission will also hold a two-day National Youth summit to sensitise youths on peaceful conduct during next month’s general elections.

INEC bulletin issued yesterday said the forum was in line with the commission’s determination to ensure that persons displaced from their homes as a result of insecurity in the country, participate in the elections.

5,424

The estimated number of male circumcisions done in Botswana in 2009.

Source: Who.int

9

N340.7m The IGR realized from other revenue sources of Niger State in 2011.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Work with Orji Kalu, Mu’azu tells Abia gov, state PDP

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he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has charged Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji and the state chapter of the party to work with the former Governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP candidates are delivered in the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at a campaign visit of the president at the Umuahia township stadium yesterday, Mu’azu said he and other party members at the national in Abuja have been working with Kalu at the national level in a very smooth and cordial relationship, as he had been fully reintegrated into the party.

He charged the state arm of the party and the governor to also do the same to enhance their chances of winning the state for the president and other party faithful, who were running elections on the platform of PDP as the party cannot afford not to lose his potentials.

In his speech, President Goodluck Jonathan promised to make the youths and women the focus of his administration if re-elected in the February presidential election.

This, he stated, even as the national chairman appealed to the party stakeholders and leadership in the state to work with Kalu.

He said the youths would receive greater encouragement even as 35 per cent affirmation for women

would be sustained.

According to him, this government recognises the vital role women play in the development of the nation and has appreciated that by giving reasonable and responsible appointments to women.

“The PDP government and the government of Jonathan and Namadi Sambo is a government of action, a government that keeps to promises no matter how little; we don’t belong to the class of politicians that say one thing and mean another.”

The president, who arrived Umuahia at 4:13p.m. from Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, said Nigerian youths were creative as demonstrated in Nollywood and the music industry.

He said they needed more encouragement which his administration would provide, stressing that his government had set up a fund in the Ministry of Finance for Youth entrepreneurship, saying the Federal Government was committed to creating two million jobs every year.

A scene of fire incident at Berlin Market, Lagos…yesterday

APC won’t succumb to PDP threat, says Wamakko BOLDNESS

Sokoto State governor vows to resist any attempt by the PDP to win the state.

Umar Danladi Ado

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Sokoto

okoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its supporters in the state will not succumb to intimidation or threat by the ruling Peoples Democratic

l Sokoto ready to host Jonathan Monday Party (PDP).

He also described politicians waiting for President Goodluck Jonathan to snatch and hand over power to them in the state as "hopeless politician."

Wamakko, who said this on Thursday in Shagari town, at the flagoff of the party’s local government campaign tour for its governorship candidate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambawal, said the fate of APC in the state was in the

Firm introduces new marketing strategy for Alomo Bitters Dele Alao

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asapreko Company Nigeria Limited has introduced a marketing activation platform as part of steps to empower consumers to have access to genuine Alomo Bitters at all times.

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

This, the company said, was against the backdrop of the criminal faking of the brand.

Managing Director, Kasapreko Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kojo Nunoo, said that in the course of the campaign, which had already start-

ed, brand differentiation and consumer education had been integrated to make more Nigerians informed about the features that distinguish Alomo Bitters from the imitated version and other substandard bitter products in the market.

hands of God. He expressed optimism that the party would win the election, urging supporters of the party in the state to mobilise more support that would ensure the emergence of Tambawal as governor and other candidates of APC. Earlier, Tambawal had commended the leadership qualities of the governor for stabilising APC in the state.

He also noted that the political wisdom of Wamakko in refusing to succumb to both internal and external pressures to impeach his deputy, Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, despite their political differences was worth commending.

Meanwhile, arrangements have been concluded for the hosting of President Goodluck Jonathan and his vice-president, Namadi Sambo in the state on Monday.

In a statement signed and made available to journalists yesterday in Sokoto, by the Deputy Coordinator, Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo Campaign Organisation in Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Gidado, the President and his campaign team would be received at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport by PDP stalwarts in the state.

To this end, the statement said various committees had been set up to ensure the success of the ceremony billed to take place at the Shehu Kangiwa square in the state metropolis.

Its further urged the people to come out en mass to confirm to the President that the state was indeed a PDP state and they are willing and ready to vote him again so that he would continue with the good work of transforming Nigeria.

SATURDAY

Voices Does it matter if couples don't share similar political views? p.12

Street Diary SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015

10

A STRIPPER'S TALE:

'We spend all we earn on looking good and taking care of ourselves'

W

It's said - even if in hushed tone - that you haven't really experienced Lagos night life if you haven't experienced its decadent but, admittedly, burgeoning culture - strip clubs. Well, last week saw me plodding along Joel Ogunnaike Street, Ikeja, towards The Cave, perhaps the best known among the lot, and wondering what my poor wife would say if she got a hint of where I was headed that night. LANRE ODUKOYA recounts an interesting encounter with a stripper

e had met on a Friday, a typically busy day at clubs, and there were dozens of men in the bar. She’s no green horn, you could tell from the manner she would seamlessly recognise every face even in the blinding disco lights that hovered. We schemed to exchange contacts, absence of a will is absence of a way. And our next meeting was on a Monday, for them (strippers), a work-free day over bottles of Orijin and Star lager beer. Nana doesn’t do spirits, her bravado stops at smoking marijuana.

Her story was fairly straightforward (it seemed well-rehearsed though) and read like a book of slim volume. She’s 21 from a Malian father while her mom hails from Benue State. Nana has been stripping at The Cave for a year and two months and she believes there can’t be a better bar for the trade she plies. “I was introduced to The Cave by one of my friends who is no longer here.” I asked why her friend no longer worked there.

“This place is good, but there’s so much discipline. You must adhere to the rules or you leave. My friend was becoming too headstrong. I even placated her many times, I reminded her where we were coming from but she wouldn‘t listen.”

Her friend brought her to The Cave from De Javu (a club on Victoria Island, Lagos) where she stripped for several months but “the reason she brought me here was because the place was called ‘Island’ for fun; the guys coming there don’t spend as much except on a few lucky days. And most of those days, the management shortchanged us.” So, they don’t do the same here? “You know this is GRA, some big boys stay around here and others who even come to pick roadside babes have heard about this place, so they come to explore and once they do, they never want to go elsewhere again.”

But what’s at The Cave they won’t find anywhere else? “I beg, no dey wind me (don't patronise me, please). If other places better, wetin you sef dey find here?," she queried, switching from well spoken English to pidgin. "Honestly, who wants to leave the sight of over twenty beautiful strippers just on the stage while over ten of us are busy giving you lap dance? You go fear na. We’re clean

babes, most of us go school even if we no finish.”

I was curious to know how they were paid. “You know we all have our rooms inside this complex, so that takes away accommodation problem. When you work hard (strip hard) and the men appreciate you with money after the N5,000 gate takings o, there are staff who pick the money on your behalf and they count how much you are able to make, so it’s from that they give you a percentage I don’t want to tell you after

the show. And if you like any of us and want a quickie, you would pay N20,000.

You’ll pay to the manager and he’d give us our share. But if you want to take any of us out, you will arrange with the management and it’s between N40,000 to N60,000 a day.”

I told her she's a beautiful and smart lady, and asked if she has any romantic feelings. “Na long thing be that and na talk for another day.” I prodded her, reminding her that my intentions may be genuine. That seemed to relax her. “Ok, do you know I have a four-year-old daughter? When I was 17, a guy I was dating got me pregnant and my mother insisted that I should marry him. I wanted to abort but my mother said ‘no way’. Ok, I was living with the guy with my pregnancy, he behaved well for a little time, but later he started beating and starving me. I knew I was going to just have the baby and leave him. And that was what happened?” Where were you living then?

“My family raised me in Sura area. Do you know Isale Eko very well?” I nodded in affirmation. “That’s where my family is.” So if the man comes here and sees you, how will you feel? “He cannot see me.” What if he does? “I’m a chameleon, even if he comes here when I’m working, he can never recognise me. You should know na.”

"I know most you if not all of you don’t answer your real names; what’s your real name? I must first start relating with you as my best friend from now, so I must at least know my friend." She took a long hard look at me as if sizing me up. “I have never spoken to a stranger about myself the way I have spoken to you.

What else do you want? Should the man-

A stripper photo:blackjuicycreampies.com

I will never tell you my real name until I’m sure I can trust you

agement know I’m speaking to you like this, I will be fired.” But I’m looking at our lives beyond this place, we can be better people, friends and if you promise to change, maybe I will give you more than you ever expect from a stranger. “I will never tell you my real name until I’m sure I can trust you.”

On the average, how much do you make in a week? “It depends, maybe N30,000, N20,000, it’s not really stable.” But what do you do with that money? How much savings do you have? "We spend most of what we earn to look good and take care of ourselves. I can't really tell you that this is how much savings I have."

If you find someone who really wants to date you, will you quit stripping? “I don’t know o, but I think I will change if I can trust the person.” I asked about her educational background and she didn't seem to like that.

“Do I sound like an illiterate...” "No, I didn’t mean to insult you. I was just wondering what we can get with your certificate," I replied. “I was 17 when I got pregnant and I was in SS3. I was ashamed and couldn’t finish.”

At this point, I could glimpse she felt a sense of disappointment about her past and really wanted to discontinue the chat.

Then we drifted away to talk showbiz, her favourite games and in no time, she got her groove back.

"But what kind of job would you like to do?" “I like hair styling. All of us cannot be in banks.” Which area of Lagos would you like to open your salon? “I like Egbeda area, the place is busy and as busy as it is, they hardly report criminal cases there.”

At The Cave, a big bottle of Orijin sells for N600, likewise Star lager beer and in almost two hours, the bill swelled to N5,400. Now, Nana, the paranoid stripper is letting loose and building up streaks of trust gradually. She would later do her own probing. “I think I like you, even when we were working, I noticed you just paid and said ‘it’s okay’ when I wanted to give you a dance. Are you married?”

I’m happy you asked, but this is the most important area of my life that I would love to share with you the next time we see.

“No, I want to know now”, she insisted, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

I would be coming back to see her, I promised. "It’s a long story and you know I have to drive back home, the traffic is building up already." She hopped out of her seat in a huff and as I made to call her name, she looked back again, pensive, returned to the table but refused to sit. She muttered, “are you for real?” I told her, I was. I hit the road not long afterwards, wondering how often she hears such patronising comments. And, of course, hoping that my wife wouldn't read this!

11

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 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 start my speech on a sad note. Our national chairman was attacked in his residence by armed robbers. We are supposed to be protected by Federal Government and if people in Abuja are not safe, who is safe?’ – Gov Amaechi reacting to the assault on the residence of the APC national chairman by unknown gunmen suspected to be assasins.

‘The wind for change has come. Whether you like it or not, you could see it that the people want change. The atmosphere is very stuffy, the fresh air never existed.

What is expected of every one of us is to ensure that every possible step, every legal step that would be in line with due process, every step that would be seeing as peaceful means of effecting a change must be adopted’, Gen Buhari trading barbs with President Jonathan at a presidential campaign rally in Owerri.

The search for daily bread…

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

The incredible Nigerian politician Dear Editor, I have a lot of respect for the Nigerian politician. He is the smartest on planet earth. The Nigerian politician discovered that the Nigerian pastor (or religious entrepreneur), has taken the mind of the average Nigerian captive. Let’s be honest: a man who can convince people who wear slippers to his church to contribute money to buy him a private jet must be a marketing genius. The politician decided to tap from this.

The opposition APC noticed that President Jonathan was literally the candidate of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. They envied the seven million voters under the banner of the church. What to do? They selected a senior pastor from there as Buhari’s running mate. Today the RCCG vote is split. One of my colleagues, a deaconess, no longer believes the president is the anointed one.

The opposition turned attention to the Igbo Catholic vote. Few weeks ago, the First Lady went to Adoration Ministries in Enugu to be graciously endorsed by Rev Mbaka. I do not know if the opposition went to see the reverend or they appealed to higher church authorities.

Few days ago, the same reverend reversed the endorsement. In fact, he does not even want President Jonathan to contest the election, he wants him to resign.

Every politician is looking for one pastor or the other to tell the electorate that he is God’s annointed. Nigerians are no longer debating the issues or the capability of the candidates to lead them out of the Egypt of poverty and insecurity. They are arguing over ‘what saith the Lord?’.

I weep for my country Moffat Ekoriko, Publisher, London

‘Buhari did nothing as head-of-state’ Dear Editor, As head of state in the 80’s, what was the impact Gen Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress,APC, presidential candidate created for his father’s land?. Don’t forget that alteration does not always amount to improvement. Any one who can wait long enough will win. He who turns up his nose at his work quarrels with his bread and butter,so be wise. If you condemn Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, also have it in mind that Goodluck is a small fire that warms Nigeria because he is a far better option.

Tanko Abdullahi, Minna

IGP condemns political violence Dear Editor, The Inspector-General of Police , Mr Suleiman Abba has condemned the political violence in Port -Harcourt and Jos, where property belonging to both the PDP and APC were damaged.

Force Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu (Assistant Commissioner of Police), said in a statement that Abba expressed displeasure over the pre – election violence which he described as an ugly development.

He however assured that the perpetrators of those “unacceptable and heinous acts’’ would not go unpunished as the police would do all it would take to bring them to justice .

While reacting to the violence, the IG reminded politicians, party supporters and well meaning Nigerians, that politics is a means of empowering some with power and entrusting them with the commonwealth for the benefits of all.

Likewise, Abba reminded them that politics needed to be played with sense of decorum, devoid of religious , ethnic and other forms of primordial sentiments ACP Emmanuel Ojukwu, FPPRO

The trouble with energy drinks Dear Editor, A man, identified as one Elijah Nwankwo, from Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has allegedly died after drinking eight cans of Bullet Energy drink, following a bet with a friend.

This was contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, on Friday.

Amaraizu, in the statement, said the deceased had on Thursday took the bet with one Chikwado Nchionu, to drink eight cans of the energy drink simultaneously Ahaoma Kalu, Lagos

‘It is being investigated, there was report made to the police that the national chairman of APC’s house was invaded around 1.30a.m. We are looking into it, no arrest has been made’, FPPO Emmanuel Ojukwu, ACP reacting to the attack on the APC chairman’s house in Abuja.

‘What you gave to us, we have not disappointed you. We have a number of projects in Oyo State. The Federal Government projects are so many. Under the Millenium Development Goals alone, we have done so many projects that I can not enumerate. Under the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND), we have spent over N10billion in intervention in tertiary institutions- federal and state- in Oyo State alone’, President Jonathan in Ibadan during the presidential campaign tour at Mapo Hall.

‘Without any doubt, terrible atrocities have been comnmitted against innocent Nigerians in Baga by the rampaging terrorists who attacked and have been operating in the town since January 3’ Gen Chris Olukolade reacting to reports that about 2000, instead of 150 people were killed in the Baga attack ‘We have no more economy in the North following the insecurity in the region because no economy can grow without peace and security. Without peace, there can not be enough capital and can not grow economy without capital. The money we have in our nation is not enough to boost our economy , so the bunch of the money we to grow our economy must come from outside and with the insecurity, no investor will come and invest in our country’, Gov Isa Yuguda lamenting the opportunity cost of insurgency on the northern economy ‘The increasing deployment of female suicide bombers or in some cases, male bombers dressed as women, is the latest evidence of Boko Haram’s murderous inventiveness and attunement to global terror’s rules of engagement’-Nigerian Tribune editorial of Jan 13, 2015.

He has done well and because God is truly with him the person coming against him is a repetitive personality who wants to be President. But I know this is the last race he is going to run. - Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, pitching for support for the candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 polls.

SATURDAY

Voices

SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2015

Does it matter if couples don’t share similar political views?

Not at all Each person usually holds a different view on matters, especially political matters. So each person should be allowed to express his or her feelings on such issues but should not make it take over the family’s affair.

They are free to express themselves Everything depends on the understanding between both persons so that they don’t use Nigeria’s matter to cause trouble in their home. Am not a counsellor, but I think since both of them are not politicians they are free to express themselves.

– Adebisi Elizabeth, businesswoman

– Segun Adenekan, businessman

I don’t mind if we share different views Personally, I cannot decide for her. Anything she wants to do, she can do, any person she wants to support, she can support. If we argue about politics we will still come back together and resolve everything. That makes us family. I don’t mind if we share different views.

– Wale Adewunmi, security guard

Everyone is entitled to his opinion It depends on their level of understanding Well, it depends on their level of understanding but my candid opinion is that I don't think it matters. But on the other hand, it does because if they both don’t understand that what they are in for shouldn’t interfere with their relationship then, there is bound to be issues in the home. So it all depends on their level of understanding.

– Christian Amuzie, businessman

They should share same political opinion Yes, to me it does because since they are married and they are no more two but one and since the teeth wouldn’t say it is not in need of the mouth without which there is no dwelling place for it. So they both must be in agreement, walking together with the same political opinion.

– Olatunji Yusuf, civil servant

No, you are only bound together by marriage but have different opinions on people and issues. So, I don’t think it should matter if it comes to issues as such. You cannot reason the same way with your wife so everybody is entitled to their opinion.

– Bakare Abiodun, businessman

I don’t discuss politics with my spouse I am not interested in politics. Mine is just to go and vote. I don’t discuss politics with my spouse. It does not matter what party or what views he has. It has nothing to do with me. Therefore, I don’t think it should matter.

– Mrs. Banjo, confidential secretary

It shouldn’t affect their relationship I see no reason why different political views should affect the kind of relationship that has been existing between them. They are not getting paid for voting for anyone or supporting a party, and even if they are getting paid, it makes no sense.

– Wanapere Ebiakpo, businessman

It doesn’t matter but love counts It does not matter because our intention, our views, our focus and our aims differ. The fact that you are married does not mean you must share the same opinion. The only same opinion is to love each other as God has decreed. I may love a political party and she may love another one. It all depends on the manifesto of the political party and her ambition in life. It does not affect the relationship. Politics should not come into anything that has to do with marriage; politics is external.

– Njoke Jerome, civil servant

We have to be careful

It doesn't follow because we all cannot have the same opinion on some issues. But we have to be careful not to let it get out of hand so it doesn’t cause any problem in the family.

– Ibironke Adeniji, entrepreneur

Difference in views shouldn’t affect our relationship

It does not matter what views my spouse holds about politics. At home we may have different opinions. I am a Chelsea fan; my wife supports Manchester United, but we still do not allow it affect the relationship. We do not have to have the same views. Aside from sports and politics, the relationship will always be our relationship.

– Adewale Adejani, civil servant

Politics should not be a barrier in marriage It does not matter that couples share different opinions. The only thing that unites couples is marriage.

Each other’s opinion should be respected. As a result of that, politics should not be a barrier.

Individual opinions should be respected. Any marriage that politics causes a stir in is not well anchored, because, you are married to your spouse and not politics. We support different parties because of individual differences.

– Onyekwere Valentine, civil servant

It should not be treated with levity

Yes, it matters a lot and should not be treated with levity. The couple might be fully into politics and may represent different parties, they can even be running for same position and if they are not careful, it may ruin their home.

–Ayobami Kudirat, trader

compiled by

john edu, AYILARA DAYO and CHIAZOR PEACE UDUH

12

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015

SATURDAY

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle Steal the spotlight with knee-high gladiator sandals p.16

Morenike

Akinloye

TV & Radio A glimpse into other jobs p.44

Love&Living

Fitness without Breaking Out Morenike Akinkoye is a fitness and lifestyle coach based in the United States.

But the electrical engineer is returning to Nigeria to tutor people who feel mostly horrible about their size and stature. The CEO of Makkoy Fitness speaks with LANRE ODUKOYA about her new found passion, family and style.

Help, I’m sleeping with my unchle’s wife p.37

You were first of all an electrical engineer and then you made a career switch to fitness training; what informed this?

Honestly, my passion for fitness came from my frustration with it. Though I had not bothered with any physical activities most of my life I had been relatively slim. I was proud to tell people I never worked out whenever it came up. You know the whole “I naturally look like this” deal (chuckles)? My stamina was zero because even if I tried, I could not run to save my life, but like most “skinny or fat” people, I figured as long as I looked good I had nothing to worry about. Fast-forward to five years ago when I met my wonderful husband.

The kilos just started piling on. People called it the love weight. I became chunky and was very unhappy with how I looked and felt, so I made my first attempt at getting fit: two-hour gym sessions and dieting - which really meant eating “disgusting” foods because they must be better but I saw no results. I was so upset. Then I enrolled in the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Fitness Instructor program to dive even deeper. Initially, I did not even plan to get certified I just wanted to learn. The more I

Hospitality

D’Czars Hotel: Rustic beauty for royals p.39

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

learned, the more upset I got.

What would you say influenced your choice of engineering?

I went to secondary school at Adesoye College Offa, Kwara State. I was there for six years and had the best memories and friends that are still close to me today. My first few years, I was not considered very sharp. I was lazy and scoring 90s on a test was just fascinating to me. Who does that at that time? But I am that person, who will do anything I put my mind to. On my JSCE, I had like seven credits.

I saw my results and was like, ‘oh well, it’s okay’. Then I saw one of my teachers and he said “Great job, Morenike!” And I felt really disappointed. “Is that all this man thinks I am capable of.” That was the first straw. So usually, in your 4th year, you get a choice, “Arts or Sciences”. I automatically went the Art’s route. I was in literature class that day, it was second term, and the teacher made a joke or something. I responded with some snooty answer, along the lines of “I don’t have to be here, I can be a science student if I want.” He laughed so hard. It was too insulting. I had already missed a term of science classes, but I marched out of the class and to the vice principal’s office and muttered, “I want to change to science”. He looked confused, tried to talk me out of it, then eventually said he would call my parents. A week or so later, he told me he had talked to my parents and they said I could switch believing that I could do it. Of all the decisions my parents ever made for me, this one definitely changed my life. The challenge was fire in my belly. I got notes from friends, made my own notes and studied hard. During the process I fell madly in love with physics and maths which eventually influenced my decision to become an electrical engineer.

By graduation, I went from seven Cs in JSCE to all distinctions in SSCE. Is your new found passion going to be more rewarding?

Oh, very much so. It already is. Your opinion of the person you see in the mirror each day can really define who you are. So every time I help someone rebuild their confidence, feel better, improve their perception of

AKINLOYE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

‘I do not make clients cut out any foods or workout a certain way’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 3

themselves, it is an amazing feeling. Helping a client get healthy and fit truly gives joy and fulfilment that words can’t explain and that fulfilment exceeds anything I had experienced in the past.

How long have you practiced as a fitness coach in the US and how easy did you achieve this?

I have been working with people on their fitness journey for about 2 years now and got certified as a fitness instructor about a year and a half ago. Like I mentioned earlier, I am a Certified AFAA Fitness Instructor and it took me about 6 months to get certified. The certification exams were intense, but so worth it.

How does the Makkoy Ignition Programme work?

The Makkoy Ignition Programme is a six to twelve weeks fitness programme designed to help clients reach their fitness goals with ease and sustain them. It is renowned for; Knowledge Empowerment, Exercise training and Food Dissection.

Unlike many other programs, the Makkoy ignition program is not extreme on either exercise or food. All meetings are via Skype or Facetime so they are super convenient.

Based on lessons learned during weekly coaching sessions, clients learn how to balance various aspects of fitness. For most clients, exercise is not even required within the first two weeks of the six-week program. That is what I mean when I say we

learn how to make small changes that go a long way.

Throughout the programme, I do not make clients cut out any foods or workout a certain way; instead they build their lifestyle and determine the changes that make sense for them based on their learning. What that does is that it makes fitness a lifestyle rather than a crash course. Life will always happen, and understanding the basics allows you to adjust and change your fitness routine as it happens. So you always know how to get the results you want whether you change jobs, have a baby, move to a new city or whatever.

What has been the most exciting feedback you’ve got from a client?

Oh, I have so many of these. But I think one of my favourites was from a client I had who started her program exactly six weeks before her planned trip to Vegas.

In our first meeting, she told me she used to be a dancer when she was younger. She was so confident and never had a problem with her body. As she grew older she stopped dancing and had gained a weight.

She had been working tirelessly to try to lose it but nothing seemed to work so her friend to her about Makkoy and she figured she would give it a shot.

In our wrap up meeting she was so excited and grateful so much that she said, “I will like thank you, this programme was much more than I expected. I have lost 4kg in six weeks. I feel much better, I don’t wake up feeling uncomfortable. I have so much energy throughout the day.”

She went on and on about it and this was where it got real “Moren, I have not worn a swimming suit since I stopped dancing.

I was always so disgusted by my body…

Moren I bought a swimming suit for my trip to Vegas” and my heart melted.

What other things excite you about life?

Forgive me for being corny, but my wonderful husband, Ife. He is literally the best thing since sliced bread and has been such a huge rock and support for me. Every time my dreams are not big enough, he kicks it up a notch and to have him as a partner in everything, words cannot explain. I also seriously believe that everything I go through in life is for several reasons, but one main reason is so that I can help someone else who will go through it. So, my life experiences are very priceless to me. Family, building memories, helping people and giving people hope to me, that’s what life is all about.

What does style mean to you?

Style is an expression of oneself. I think it is very personal but it is appreciated by different people irrespective of their background or culture.

Who would you rather call your role model and why?

My mum is a pretty Amazon and I have never met anyone that sees life like she does. She finds a way to be encouraged when there is nothing to smile about. She always knows God is in control. She tries to fix herself before asking the next person to

Delighted Makkoy client after personalised therapy

Akinloye

...another under her magic wand

change. She finds the sweetest way to say the most annoying things: “Moren darling, you’re looking so pretty... when are you going to fix your hair”, whenever she knows I just got it done but she doesn’t like it. She never speaks negative into her situation, so much so that one of the things I admire most she never called any of us a negative names. Her worst was, “You’re not silly in Jesus name.” She is such a strong woman and has been the best mum, the best wife and the best friend, I wish everyone would get a chance to learn from her like I have.

What memories do you have of your childhood?

My parents have been married for about 30 years now and I think they did such an amazing job of raising us. When I think of having my own kids, I ponder on how my parents were able to be so liberal yet so strict, or how we got so much but somehow were not spoiled. Not to brag on my siblings or anything, but they are such amazing people. I have an older brother, a little, well not so little sister, and a younger brother. I was really going to say baby, but he is so grown. They are kind, loving and would give their arm if you needed it.

Growing up, my parents didn’t have that many friends and so our family was everything. I loved it. We built so many awesome memories. Everyone always knew that no matter what happened in life, family would be there for you. It is amazing how much that has stuck and how as adults everyone is still so encouraging and supportive of each person’s goals and dreams.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

15

fashion etiquette Wear simple bracelet and accessories

T Dress appropriately for the harmattan

T

Angela Davies

Cashmere scarf for women

Men's cardigan

Cardigan with hood for children

hese days, with the harmattan often associated with chills especially in the morning and extreme hotness in the afternoon, it is a bit difficult dressing appropriately for everyone.

However, everyone has to protect themselves from the excessive cold.

You will not want to dress up just for the cold and later regret your outfit choice by afternoon when the heat becomes unrelenting.

So to prevent your skin from cold as well as cracking and drying, it is ideal to dress appropriately to face the harsh and fluctuating weather.

For the working women, aside wearing trousers, skirt or pant suit, you can also wear blazers and cardigans over your dress shirt or top. But, they should be decent so that you can conveniently take them off when you feel hot. Go for trendy cardigans in length of your choice. Also, cotton long sleeve shirts are vital; they cover your arms and as such prevent direct contact with the dry air.

It will also be appropriate to wear dresses and skirts that are below the knee. The longer the skirt or dress the better to help protect your legs as well as prevent them from being exposed to the harsh weather therefore turning white. For a casual outing, you could opt for jeans trouser or pant with dark colour body hugs and sleeveless cardigan, long sleeve dresses, turtleneck outfit as well as sweater dresses to keep you warm and also make a fashion statement despite the cold weather.

Finally, you should not forget your Cashmere scarf to wrap around your body if you don’t want to wear a blazer or long sleeve shirts. Its thickness will surely keep you warm.

For the men, wearing a complete suit or blazer with complementing trousers and shirt to the office is important. Blazers could be worn formally or casually with plain pants, jeans or even chinos. Also, if you don’t want to wear a blazer on your shirt, you could opt for a lovely cardigan or black leather jacket. It is also not a bad idea to wear denim top and pant.

When it comes to shirt whether for the office or casual outing, cotton and linen shirts are just perfect. This is because aside preventing excessive sweating, they also keep you warm.

One colour to avoid wearing all the time right now is white as it easily attracts dirt’s.

Also, in or around your house or neighbourhood, you could wear head warmer, tie muffler scarf around your neck, wear gloves and socks depending on how cold you are.

When it comes to the children, parents should ensure that they are properly covered. This is not the time for children to be frequently dressed in shorts or outfits that will expose their body. Dress them up in trousers, long sleeve polo shirts, cardigans, dress or top with leggings and other suitable clothing to protect, keep them warm and comfortable. Also wear them covered shoes if possible with socks.

Generally, wearing dark colour clothing will help keep you warm.

When it comes to foot wears, covered shoes are ideal. Men should wear covered shoes, boots or sneakers. However, if you decide to wear sandals, then, you should wear thick sock to keep your feet warm. Women too should wear more of covered shoes than open toes. You should still look stylish and not unattractive during the harmattan period.

here are women who cannot do without stacking up bracelets to add beauty and creativity to their hands. In fact, for them the more they stack, the more satisfied they are. And, most times these bracelets are made with different materials, which come in various sizes and colours as well.

There is nothing wrong in stacking up bracelets as you desire, however, where the problem lies is when your stacked up bracelets jangle noisily with every movement you make, therefore causing distraction for the people around you.

In other not to be a fashion nuisance wherever you go, the rule is that your bracelets should be noiseless. Many women are fans of fashion accessories but you should know that you should not wear accessories that make noise.

The rule is to always use simple jewellery and do not use too many accessories

16

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Accessories to live for

Knee-high gladiator sandals Steal the spotlight with knee-high sandals, which could be combined with a number of above the knee outfits, ANGELA DAVIES writes.

W

hether you are visiting a friend or attending an informal event, a pair of knee-high gladiator sandals will complete your fashionable look.

They are edgy, distinct and always stand out because they cover the length of your leg, accentuate your feet with style and calls for the attention they deserve.

These sandals are extremely versatile as you can take them from casual to elegance with just the right outfit. You can opt for the flat or heels gladiator sandals style depending on your style preference.

However, ensure you are comfortable in the one you opt for.

To see the splendour of the knee high gladiator sandals, wear them with short dress, skirt or shorts that sit above your knee. Also, your freshly-painted toe nails will add a charming flair to your knee high gladiator sandals with a subtle peek.

The sandals come in different styles, materials and colours but it is preferable to choose black, brown or metallic colours for easy coordination with your outfits. Metallic knee high gladiator sandals are perfect for women who want to keep their clothes simple but balance it with a trendy shoe or accessory.

With knee high gladiator sandals, you will definitely get noticed. So take a break from your traditional sandals and wear the versatile knee high gladiator sandals to spice up your style and look. You should know that when wearing this sandal; try to make it the only focal point of your dressing.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

17

MY STYLE

Facts

Fun, flirty and over-the-top

Nigerian-American designer, Lola Faturoti’s grandmother was a designer of traditional Nigerian clothing. However, she got global perspective on the world of fashion as a young girl through her mother who travelled a lot and brought back different styles of clothes from around the world for her.

Stylish media personality and budding actress Layole Oyatogun’s style is somewhat erratic. That's driven in part by a longing to be the cynosure of all eyes in her outfits, ANGELA DAVIES writes.

How would you define your style?

My style is very fun, flirty and sometimes over the top. And sometimes I just like to dress it down. So I can say my style is very unpredictable. I like to make a grand entrance when I am in the mood.

What determines the kind of outfits you wear?

The event and my mood. If I am attending is a black tie event, I know that I have to be elegant. Also sometimes my mood determines how I dress. But I try to bring it on most of the time.

What kinds of outfits occupy the most space in your wardrobe?

I have so many long dresses because I do a lot of red carpet events.

I also have a lot of jeans and fun, short, playful, flirty dresses because I like to look stylish but still very comfortable. Comfort is key in my wardrobe.

Clothing item you will never be caught wearing?

They say never say never, but I don’t think I will wear hammer pants.

Fashion accessory you cannot do without Sunglasses, I am actually using it to hide a defect. My eyes turn red when I am tired or under the sun for too long time. So you will always see me with my very fashionable sunglasses.

What's the most expensive fashion

Beauty

H

ow would you feel if you take off your socks or even remove your legs from your shoes in front of family, friends and even colleagues and an unpleasant smell hangs in the air? It could be really embarrassing.

Smelly feet could drive away friends and loved ones if not properly handled.

To get rid of sweaty, smelly feet, you should try these easy steps.

When it comes to your feet here is what to do: • Wash, rinse and towel dry feet properly. For best result, properly towel dry the space in between toes then moisture. Water or sweat creates a fertile breeding ground for bacteria.

• To ensure there are no dead skin cells or dirt, scrub your feet with puma stone and pamper your feet over the weekend when you don’t have to rush taking your bath. Better still; get a pedicure done by a professional.

• Change your socks from time to time.

Also, when you wash your socks,

accessory you have ever bought?

A pair of shoes.

Best designer I like Monique Lhuillier her pieces are very classy and beautiful. I like Karl Lagerfeld too, he is supreme in the fashion world. I also like Gucci.

In Nigeria, I like Toyin Lawani of Tiana Styling and Deola Sagoe.

Signature perfume Crystal Noir by Versace. The fragrance is wonderful.

The earliest known shoes are sandals that date back to approximately 7, 000 B.C.

How do you love your make up?

I like it subtle for that beautiful chic look. Sometimes I like a pop of colour as well.

What is your fetish?

Shoes, I love high heel shoes because I am not very tall.

In Ancient Greece, lipstick fell out of fashion among highclass citizens and was instead used to identify prostitutes. In fact, it was the law that prostitutes could not go out without wearing lipstick, lest they “deceive” men.

Fashion role model I don’t have a fashion role model as such but I admire a lot of people’s style.

Jewellery that appeals to you I like statement neck pieces. I love to look fab, so anything that looks stylish and make me the cynosure of all eyes is fine with me.

How do you love your hair?

I love fixing shoulder length weave-on with lots of curls.

The first mini skirt was created by designer Andre Courreges in 1965 and it ended four inches above the knee.

Best colour I love pink; it brightens me up. I don’t like dark colours because I am dark-skinned.

Tips to get rid of sweaty, smelly feet

Properly dry feet

turn them inside out to wash away dead flakes of skin.

• Wear open footwear whenever possible as this helps air out your feet and keeps them exposed to the sun.

This will also aid in killing the bacteria that may form due to sweat.

• Use talcum powder. It is an astringent so it will keep your feet dry. It also act

Leaving crumpled newspapers inside shoes help dry them overnight

as a great way to neutralise any smell.

• Change insoles of your closed shoes regularly. However, if you cannot do this, then rotate shoes. You should air out a particular pair or two in the sun for a day or two while you wear another one. If you have just a pair, try and get another pair because wearing a pair of shoe always will definitely

Wash your socks inside out

lead to smelly feet.

• You should also put baby powder or baking soda in your shoes and socks to help dry out any future odours.

• Also, you should air your shoes immediately you get home. But, if it is at night, leaving crumpled newspaper inside your wet shoes will dry them overnight.

SATURDAY

The Arts SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2015

From Ekefrey, bold, buoyant, brushstrokes of Beautiful Colours

B

Tony Okuyeme eautiful Colours, a solo exhibition by Emmanuel Ekong Ekefrey opened yesterday at The Moorehouse, Ikoyi, Lagos. This exhibition which runs till January 31, offers the public, particularly, art collectors, critic, artists and art aficionados the opportunity to see his new works and savour his thematic engagement and experimentation with colours, brushstrokes, among others.

Ekefrey is a self-trained artist, born in 1952, in the heartland of Ibibio, in present day Akwa Ibom, and the son of a renowned carver.

The Ibibios have their own music, dance, language, and Ekefrey’s paintings reflect the culture and myths of his own Ibibio people and also the life in the metropolis of Lagos where he lives and paints.

Ekefrey paints with an abundance of forms, figures, lines, and colours that give a striking dynamism to his work. He has been exhibited throughout Europe, and is said to paint in order to glorify Africa.

He paints urban masquerades, scenes from everyday life at the crossroads of different human destinies with humour. Ekefrey’s works “are a tangle of forms, figures, lines and colors that produces an impression of extraordinary beauty and dynamism”.

His works are to be seen globally in a feat of visual gymnastics that

make man become part of his paintings.

Ekefrey has his own style he created known as uyai. “He applies his paint as the canvas lies flat on the ground. This explains why the onlooker loses the perception of a horizon line.” He has exhibited his works in the major art centers of Europe as well as USA. In 2008, he was invited to show his works in an international exhibition titled “Expresiones Africanas” in Caracas, courtesy of Alliance Francaise network in Venezuela and Nigeria.

He said: "I paint objects in order to beautify Africa." The most striking formal characteristic of Ekefrey's paintings is the use of largesized canvases left unstretched.

First of all, the artist draws his figures on the canvas; then he paints them, using industrial pigments, or recently, using oil paints. The total effect produced by his "allover" technique is that of a cutting up and interpenetration of each figure with the next one, which evokes the movement of a dance.

Ekefrey's themes “strike a balance between the affirmation of an ethnic identity (Ibibio legends, ritual ceremonies such as the masquerade linked to the secret Ekpe society), and the affirmation of what might be termed a national identity through the treatment of themes that deal with the multiplicity of cultures within the Nigerian federation”.

18

Reflection with

Tim Akinleye 08098668480

timorousray@gmail.com

CHANGE No word is loved with more ambivalent passion Than the consistent constancy of change.

For it seems to me above all, that change, Whether derided or dreaded, Will come when it is caused.

Nature bares change in her wings: That the stars, the sun, the seas; The plants, the birds dare not cease To live, to align, to adapt to change.

Though it may sound but strange: Change, dreaded by many, is desired by all.

God reckoned with change in Abraham, That he might change enough, To contain His blessings.

Seasons must change to bring new yields.

New Year brings many to the shores of change; Time changes to bring the seasons, Seasons change to birth the year, Years change to start an end Here comes a chance to make a peaceful change To change the status quo And move forward to new realities To new ways of doing things In life, some doors must close For some others to open up

Book Review

Moses Kadiri

A city's dark tale M

any reasons will make a reader want to read Seun Salami's latest book, The Sex Life of a Lagos Mad Woman. The title is particularly enticing; the style of writing, storytelling, and his advocacy for the mentally-challenged who once had a past are other compelling points. Written by a young Nigerian writer, the story is captivating, and intriguing.

The book which has generated reviews and reading sessions across the country is a collection of short fiction written over a period of time. Six of the stories have been published online, but others are fresh stories.

"The main subject of the story is a mad woman that l observed over a period of time and l noticed that she was pregnant and l started wondering how a mad woman could get pregnant?

What would have led to that encounter? I began to think about that and that gave birth to the story," Salami said.

The author advocates for welfare, protection, for every insane person in the society there was a past. "And we see these every day, some of them have the baby, and they are protective of the

babies," he notes.

The author who has two other books, The Young Shall Grow, and The Son of Your Father's Concubine said he did not imagine the rave reviews and the acceptance would come so early. "To be honest, l am very surprised by the acceptance the book is getting," he said.

"I think the title is a bit attractive. That first point of contact is okay."

The book was published in Nigeria

by Bookvine, but printed in India. "It is a quest for excellence and making it better. The last book l wrote was printed in Nigeria and we saw the difference; the response and acceptance.

We decided to take to a step further and do an excellent book."

The author who holds MSc in mass communication from the University of Lagos said: "This is my second collection of stories. l am not a new writer, but the acceptance of this book is nothing compared to the first one l wrote. l have also grown as a writer from when l wrote the first book," he added.

According to Moyo Larmie, copy editor at Bookvine and project manager for the release, the book is "completely different proposition from The Son of Your Father’s Concubine, his first work.”

Some doors of new opportunities though Require the courage of steel to open them Change is the oil of life It changes all else but remains permanent Some changes bring life and some death Some change to break the law Some change to abide by it Peaceful change must come to Nigeria Leadership must change Follower-ship must change Better drivers required for the economy Rule of law needs a facelift And insurgency must be matched With the superior might of state machinery.

Things must be done differently So a new Nigeria may emerge A prosperous Nigeria Where our God-given resources Are harnessed for the benefit of all.

All rights reserved © Copyright Tim 2015

SATURDAY

Evelle Life before and after winning Nigerian Idol

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ShowBiz

Stella Damasus On condom-bearing tale

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SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2015

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Fighting cancer, our biggest challenge, says Bracket The musical group, Bracket, comprises two self-motivated songsters, Nwachukwu Ozioko (Vast) and Obumneme Ali (Smash) and need we say the duo became a household name with their popular hit tracks, ‘Yori Yori’ and ‘Ada Owerri’ just a few years ago. But sadly in 2013, Vast was diagnosed of cancer which invariably set them back. The group in this interview with EDWIN USOBOH and LANRE ODUKOYA reflects on its career, rivalry with new kids on the bloc, new project and plans for 2015.

Your latest single, ‘Alive’ is getting a lot of buzz at the moment, could you tell us about it?

Smash: Like the last time we met, we discussed our ‘Bracket Cancer Foundation’ and we know the reason we planned that.

It was because Vast had cancer, but he’s beaten the cancer by God’s grace and he’s been able to survive it. What we passed through, we wouldn’t wish another person to come even close to it. That’s why we’re trying as much as possible to see if we can get sponsorship and it worked out for us.

At least, we know two or three persons can survive cancer through our foundation every year. Even if at the end of the day, the person does not win the survival battle, at least we can help. I have seen a situation where someone is diagnosed with the ailment and they don’t even have the fund to treat the person. It’s not because his people didn’t want to treat him, but because the fund was just not there.

So, that’s exactly why we did that song, ‘Alive.’ Alive is more like you are thanking God because you survived, and we had Diamond and Tiwa Savage on the videos we shot in South Africa and it was actually premiered recently on TV stations.

Who wrote the song?

Smash: We were in America when the inspiration came. Vast brought an idea of the lead chorus and I remember that we were with Flavour N’abania that day, so we were all in the studio at that time and everybody was just bringing in different ideas, me and Flavour and that was how the song came up and it was good. And we started thinking of who the best person was to work with on the song. We wanted to work with Davido, but he was really busy and we couldn’t get him in America then. So, we waited till we returned to Nigeria so we could pick a date with him, and this was in July last year. And when we got to Nigeria, we didn’t have the space and he didn’t have the time too, so we went to South Africa again where we met Diamond and we decided to do a song together.

Not much was really heard from Bracket in 2014 Vast: I think the misunderstanding there is that when some people say, ‘after YoriYori we haven’t heard anything from you guys.’ We smile, because I know we have a big competition right now in the industry and people pay more attention to the new school. The rave of the moment gets all the attention, so that’s why we don’t really know

that some older artistes have new songs doing well. I remember we did a song titled ‘International Baby’ in 2014. While I was still in the hospital, we shot a song with Clarence Peters titled ‘Temperature,’ then later we did another song called ‘Mama Africa,’ but I am sure if I play the song now, you would say you’ve not heard it before. But, I wouldn’t blame anyone who says, ‘I didn’t hear anything from Bracket,’ because we have new schools that people are paying more attention to. And the funny thing is that aside from Lagos, I can bet you we are bigger than a lot of these artistes outside, we sell outside, even outside Nigeria. When we go outside the country, most of these so-called big artistes can’t even compete with us. A lot of people don’t know, we don’t have to make noise about it. In other African countries, they listen to albums, but in Nigeria, we don’t have the patience to listen to an album. I know we can perform over 20 songs at the same time on stage and people will be shouting and singing along with us, because they listen and know all the songs. I remember when we did a show in Anambra State, we were with our manager that day. The songs we presented to Jimmy Jatt that we were going to perform were about 14 that day and Jimmy was like, ‘who does that?’ Even the big artistes, the highest they perform is five songs in a show. But, the funny thing was that when we started performing, the audience knew our songs and they were singing along with us. So, when you go to Bracket's diary you have the time to check it out and discover you actually know some of these songs.

Do you think Bracket has what it takes to compete with these new artistes?

Smash: Well, if we don’t have what it takes I think we could have gone back home. The truth is that in Nigerian music industry, it’s more fame than fortune.

We’d rather get that fortune than fame.

There are so many things that we can do that most of the artistes they call the big act can’t do.

When you hype the person in the media, he or she gets the fame. I am a realistic person.

I’d rather have that little than being hyped.

When I get to some certain places, they expect me to do things and I can’t deliver. I’d rather be in the middle where I am making more than be in the front and make less. If you tell me a song like, ‘Nana’ isn’t competing in Lagos, it’s a big lie. If that

Smash Vast

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 1

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Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Actor Damola Olatunji sails through bigamy

B

ubbly Yoruba actor, Damola Olatunji, played the fast one on his wife, Roliat, last year and the secret affair blew open sooner than the culprits had envisaged. Incidentally, the partner in crime is Bukola Awoyemi popularly known as “Arugba”, the virgin conveyer of the Osun calabash of purity (a role she played in Tunde Kelani’s movie). Damola and his mistress had a swell time outside the confines of the former’s matrimonial home. The duo who were said to have met at a movie location and got entangled may have become a couple for life. The romance started after Damola who has always been a big fan of the actress finally got the opportunity of coming in contact with her and both kicked it off from there. Meanwhile, Damola’s wife was based in the UK, a situation that made the dalliance with Awoyemi almost seamless. So drunk in love did the duo grew that Roliat later got wind of the amorous affair and began to blow hot in their marriage which has barely survived two years. The bubble burst as Roliat was no longer able to contain the grief caused her by this public ridicule. She spoke out about how she was already losing his man to Awoyemi who had claimed to be her husband's friend. Little did she know that the bond had produced some

Weird MC partners D’Tunes in new song

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ip-hop act, Weird MC, may have resumed business after the career lull.

The singer is currently working with Difference Entertainment head honcho and multiple hit producer, D'Tunes, on a new album. The working relationship was made known when D'Tunes who helped Iyanya become a household name posted a picture of him with the Allen Avenue star with the caption "Guess who's back at yaa, @weirdmcofficial.” Weird MC's last album was After Da Storm which was released in 2006. It featured the hit single Ijo Ya produced by Don Jazzy and since then the weird one has gone to bed, quitting the stage for emerging raves.

Damola and wife

good news to them, but on the reverse, a sad reality for her to deal with. Awoyemi had proceeded on the nine-month course and the father is Damola. On January 5, Awoyemi was delivered of a set of twins in the US. We learnt that elated Damola had a quiet family introduction with Awoyemi’s family and the actress is expected to re-

Awoyemi

turn to Nigeria any moment from now. In the mean time, Roliat had been placated and the poor lady, from all indication, has resigned to fate. Whether Awoyemi will move into Damola’s home upon return or remain in Magodo (Awoyemi’s family house) which used to be their tryst, your guess is as good as ours.

Stella Damasus and the condom-bearing tale

E-BRIEFS

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20 years after, Basketmouth returns to secondary school

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ow time flies and the clock will not stop ticking for one day. Well, popular Nigerian comedian, Bright Okpocha aka BasketMouth, has decided to pay his alma mata a surprise visit after 20 years. The comedian recently went visiting the secondary school, United Christian Secondary School Apapa, Lagos, where he had graduated from and was so delighted to see that the school was still able to maintain its discipline.

According to him, "United

Christian Secondary School, Apapa, Lagos. And today I visited my secondary school, seated on the same seat (at least the same corner) I sat 20yrs ago in my classroom." BasketMouth was also surprised to have found out that he and well-known Nigerian music producer, MasterKraft, both attended the same school.

He posted the pictures he took with the students of the school in his class and in the position where he likes sitting which was at the rear.

few days ago, Nollywood sweetheart, Stella Damasus, put on her Instagram page a post on how some Christian women deal with their cheating spouses. She asked if it was right for a married woman to put condoms in the suitcase of her cheating husband because she does not believe in divorce.

Dwelling on the same issue a short while ago on her show, 'Undiluted with Stella Damasus’, on i2radio in Atlanta, USA, the actress said she will not accept her husband to continue to cheat on her. “If a man cheats once and you catch him, your reaction to his cheating would determine what happens the next time. If I have tried everything and he continues, then I’m sorry, I wouldn’t stay there. I would never be the one to put condoms in his suitcase.

“I’m sorry darling, you putting a condom in a suitcase will not change him. Instead of putting condoms, write a note telling him how much you love him and ask him to protect you and your home,” she said on the programme. The charming actress runs the show on Mondays. Ironically, the lady who had sauntered out of two marriages is in fierce romance with Daniel Ademinokan, a man still presumably married to another woman. Not only did Ademinokan abscond without paying the rent at their Magodo, Lagos, apartment, he reportedly left with the only son from his marriage to actress Doris Simon. Though, the estranged couple has found a middle ground to deal with their matrimonial woes, Simon is yet to be romantically linked with a man.

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18. JOLT 22. ILA 23. EAT 24. OBS 25. TON 26. HAMSTER 15. PATENT 19. ORON 20. BALM 21. CAT

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Showbiz

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‘Our songs do better elsewhere than in Lagos' C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 9

song was sung by Davido or Wizkid, I can tell you it would have been a hit all over the place. The song is doing so well in places like Port Harcourt, Owerri and so on. There are certain things you see, you can’t kill yourself, you can’t do anything; all you need do is just do you best. When you see certain happenings in Lagos sometimes you are confused, but when you go outside Lagos, you get a lot of encouragement and discover you are bigger out there than you are in Lagos. I remember going into a particular concert last year, there were big artistes and we were told we would perform last, close the concert and we were shocked because we told them that we had a bigger artiste among us who was supposed to close the show. They made us understand we were big names in Port Harcourt and I was surprised, so at the end of the day, we knew what they meant and again we had more songs than the so-called big artistes.

So, what you are saying is that you are bigger in the East than in Lagos?

Vast: All day all night. For example, Flavour’s album right now is very big in the East, Port Harcourt. But in Lagos it’s not doing so well. When you go to the East even parents, little children know us and know our songs, but here in Lagos, it is the other way round. I give kudos to those artistes who know how to play their game here in Lagos, we have even tried keeping up the pace, and it isn’t easy. Any artiste that has lasted up till six years in the industry has tried.

What are you doing to change the people’s perception? We all know Lagos is the commercial hub, what are you doing to get back the shine?

Vast: It’s not like nothing has been done, even when I came back from the hospital we had an interaction with the media. Even when we did ‘Mama Africa’ we gave it a massive promo here in Lagos. Sometimes, I even want to ask people like you, is there anything we could do to improve the situation? We are also seriously working on a management team because I believe when you have a proper management/PR team with a good song, you can fly. But when you don’t have a good song, no matter how you push it, it won’t sell. It all depends on the perception of people.

You can hear a song now, and you don’t even know the artiste who sang the song and you will like it. It’s either you are here or there, and the major thing is you must achieve something and that’s one thing we are grateful to God for. We aren’t just Nigerian artistes, we are international artistes. If you make it in Lagos and you don’t have other markets you are going to have a problem. Lagos is like a use-and-dump ground. When we sang ‘Yori-Yori,’ a lot of songs came up at that period too. I can’t mention them now, but at the end of the day, we were travelling to other African countries for concerts. We started from Sierra Leone, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and all the other African countries before we toured the Francophone countries, which is our biggest market right now. But when I sit now to ask myself, where are those artistes whose songs blew in Lagos then? I can’t find them again. I still thank God we were able to cross over.

Perhaps, you are not looking at the trend in Lagos, you see a lot of nudity in upand coming artistes’ videos, they sing about drugs and all sorts, why won’t you just do what sells the music in Lagos?

We are looking at the trend. If you listen to Timaya’s song, ‘Sakho,’ you will know the trend is moving somewhere else, but we must not do the same thing.

That will not make us also sing about nakedness, we don’t want to do that and we will not do that. We don’t sing only love song, you can take your time and listen to ‘Mama Africa.’ It has a very rich lyrical content, not just about love like most people think.

growth after five years, then it’s gone.

The last time you were interviewed, you said while the doctors were treating you, they warned you to stay away from sex for five months.

Have you resumed active sexual life now?

(Chuckles) Yes, I have gone to do sperm check and every other check-up. The reason they advise you to stay away from sex is because during that time, if you have sex and results in pregnancy, the baby might be at risk of having the ailment.

What was going through your mind when you were diagnosed with cancer? Did you ever think you were going to die?

Yeah, before the treatment, when they told me had I cancer, the doctor said, ‘I hope you survive.’

I was like, ‘is this how I am going to die?’ I had to brace up and prayed to God to show me love and He did. People around me started showing me love all over the place. So, when you get that love in that kind of situation, you will be of good courage.

As at that time, didn’t you ever think of quitting or moving on without him?

Smash: No. I never thought, nor did it occur to me to do that. Never! The only thing I was thinking about was if something bad happens, what will I tell people?

How do I even stand his mom? Yes, people knew he was sick, but they didn’t know how bad it was. At a time, I was going through my phone, the next thing I saw was that Goldie was dead, I was shocked. And it became scarier, I was like ‘which kind situation be this?’

Before we got to London, one of our friends told us that his friend’s brother was suffering from Leukemia (cancer of the blood). And trust white people, they told the guy he only had five weeks to live. Sadly so, by the time we got to London, we were told that the guy with Leukemia died the previous day. It was like a film trick. All those things weren’t encouraging and our biggest challenge was that we were the only ones encouraging each other. We never received any call from home with regards to finances, that’s why when I see others going through such and they don’t have the funds, I feel bad. Some people saw that we had spent so much and felt for us, so they decided to introduce us to an NGO, but we couldn’t get help because we are not citizens of their country. They wanted to help us, so that they could reduce the payment, but all that was not possible.

Is Vast now certified cancer-free?

Yes, I have been cured. But I have to continue to see the doctor for the next five years. I have done that for over a year now. I go there every four months for what they call scan, it’s expensive, but I have to do it; life first. The essence of doing the scan When should your fans expect you next album? is to check tumour growth; they will immediately

By God’s grace April this year, we just need a treat it if it does happen. If there isn’t any trace of song that will grip the airwaves in Lagos. We don’t

just want to drop an album, that’s why we keep on dropping singles for now. I want to remix ‘Nana’ and we are looking at a better option of the people we need to renew the song with. There is a song we did with Tiwa Savage and Diamond that I believe people have not heard of; when you hear that song, I am sure you will like it. We don’t just want to release an album when people might not even notice it, that’s why we are still waiting.

We have seen groups come a long way, but later break up, do you think anything would ever make you guys break-up?

After all we have passed through, we don’t think the idea of breaking up will ever come to our minds. God has actually shown us we are bound to be in this game. Even when we used to be three later, one of us left and we became two, it was Ali Baba who first saw us and made that joke that we are Coke and Fanta, so we blend well. So, the issue of breaking up has never come to our minds and

by God’s grace it will never happen.

What are your mega plans for 2015?

By God’s grace, the song we just released, ‘Alive’ with Tiwa Savage and Diamond, we hope gets bigger, and then we still want to do the remix of ‘Nana.’ If these two songs do well then, we are going to drop our album in April, our album is almost ready. We also plan to launch our foundation ‘Bracket Cancer Foundation’ this year.

Why do Nigerian artistes prefer to go to South African and London these days to shoot videos?

Smash: The major factors I will say is the weather and location, not because you want white girls in your video, no. Most times, our weather is not friendly for outdoor shoot. But in South Africa and London, their weather is balanced for whatever video you want to shoot. Then it is easier to get old costume over there than here in Nigeria, most time too you discover the amount in shooting over there is even cheaper or equivalent to what is obtainable here. After all, why will I go to South Africa to shoot a video when I need to pay for my flight, accommodation, location when I can easily get it done here? Like I said, weather and location are the major reasons.

On the average, how much does it cost shooting a video here in Nigeria and in South Africa?

It depends on the director, most of the times, South Africa is even cheaper or almost equivalent.

You can get a video of two million, three million even five million. Another thing that discourages people shooting in Nigeria is that the director can keep you in a location; meanwhile, over there you can get it done in six hours and visit so many other locations. And you also know the problem of electricity supply here. The director will have to bill you based on that too.

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Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Evelle: No time for guys who didn’t want me when I had just two shirts Nigerian Idol season four winner, Zibili Evelyn Ibhade known by her showbiz moniker, Evelle, is a vocal powerhouse to watch out for. The 23-year-old singer has released two tracks, ‘I’m naughty’ and ‘Kilimanjaro’ to prove that she’s not just a fluke. In this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA, the sultry entertainer recounts her grass to grace story, romance tale and the melodramas that characterised her foray into the Nigerian Idol haunt.

Who was the contestant that gave you the toughest time winning Nigerian Idol 4?

It was actually ID who was the first runner-up.

Have you always been afraid that she might send you packing someday?

Initially, I didn’t suspect that she might be the one that would give me that amount of stress, but when we were getting to the end of the show, she totally buckled up and she began to tell me, ‘you have to brace up or we’ll kick you out of this show.’ That really helped me get tougher on myself because as a matter of fact, I was a bit relaxed before later putting my best into it. But I must acknowledge that everybody in that competition was good. I was scared at every stage of the competition because during eviction shows, I always had the second to the lowest votes all the time till the end of the show.

A year down the line, what has changed about you?

A lot has changed and the first is that I’ve started doing music full time. I used to do music on a parttime basis but it has become a career for me now.

I put my band together. I put out a song already dubbed, I’m Naughty. And there’s another song playing on radio now called ‘Kilimanjaro,’ I will release the video for ‘I’m Naughty’ in February.

Are you planning any collaboration?

I’m not doing that anytime soon, I really want to ride on my own wings for a little while before considering any collaboration.

Don’t you think collaborating with any A-list singer might accelerate your transition to greatness?

I just feel like this is what everybody is doing and it’s not working for them, when you keep doing one thing and it’s not working, you just have to try something else.

That's not true, many up and coming singers get career boost from A-list artistes after collaboration I think it's just a personal thing sincerely. It's not that I won't do collaboration but it's just going to take about six months or so. I don't want to do it right now that I'm still fresh from Nigerian Idol show so that it won't start looking like they are going to use established artistes to promote me.

Away from music, what else do you do?

I totally love to dance. If I wasn’t doing music, I probably would be a professional dancer. And I also do accessories, beaded jewellery, wire works and so on.

Music is like my life; when I’m sad, I sing and when I’m happy, I sing too

You’re a pretty young woman aside being a star, how have you been handling male advances?

Before now, I’ve always had more male fans. So, I don’t have any problem handling men. Though, I’m currently not in any relationship and I don’t intend to go into one any time soon. This thought of having boyfriend is all getting scary to me now because when I was working in a restaurant, as a waitress and cashier, I had just a pair of jeans and two shirts. I would wear one shirt today and another tomorrow and quickly wash the other shirt.

For about five months, I wore only two shirts. And guys didn’t see any reason they should take me out

to shop or get me something. All of a sudden when I can afford to get something for myself, that’s when they’d bombard me with the request: ‘can I take you out to shop?’ I see it as something really fake, I can’t fathom it. So many people are coming right now and it’s difficult to know who is real.

If you find the man of your dream today, will you say no to him?

(Chuckles) Well, let’s leave that to God, I cannot decide for Him. Before the Nigerian Idol experience, what was life like for you?

I was doing live music with Raddison Blu, Eko Hotel and Wheat Baker Hotel. I would play jazz, reggae, R&B and so on. I was also working with an entertainment company called ACI, it supplies musical equipment and lights. I was basically a singer before Nigerian Idol came along.

What was your earliest influence into music?

It was in church, I started singing as a kid chorister.

It sounds like a cliché but the truth it I started singing at four in the children choir of Foursquare Church.

When I was about 15, I joined adult choir and since then I’ve been doing music. Music is like my life; when I’m sad, I sing and when I’m happy, I sing too.

And everybody in my family sings because I grew up watching my dad sing in an Edo State cultural band.

Did you grow up in Edo? No, I grew up in Lagos. I was born and brought up here.

Which school did you attend and what did you study?

That is the shocker because you’re talking to a young woman who dropped out of school when she was in JSS3. Ever since, I did not continue. I later did my GCE and have my O'Level. I’m just preparing to get back to school. I just enrolled into Full Sail University in New York to study music production and sound engineering.

Did your status as a secondary school drop-out not unsettle you at certain point in life?

Yes, it did. Even standing here to grant this interview is a product of self-development that I’ve imbibed through the years.

Why couldn’t you finish at secondary school?

We had serious financial issues in my family and the only thing I could hold on to for survival was music. I had to do some studio sessions and back up jobs so as to get something to put in my pocket and save. Music back-up job payments don’t come regularly. That was another reason I couldn’t save enough to keep me in school. When I left secondary school, I was practically living on stipends friends assisted me with to survive. I used to tell my friend to correct me if I spoke any wrong English because I knew there was no way I could return to school.

That was the only way I could learn. I started reading books, novels and watching a lot of movies to improve my diction. And the fact I learnt pretty fast helped me because everything you hear from me now is as a result of personal development. There were times I would be in a crowd and I would have ideas but unable to talk because I was still learning.

I was able to build my self-esteem.

How old are you now?

I’ll be 24 in February.

17 JANUARY 2015

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LANRE ODUKOYA

Iyalode Adunni Bankole laid to rest

Ibidun Ighodalo dazzles Lagos for the umpteenth time

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he burial ceremony of Chief Adunni Adetayo Bankole, took place this week. Adunni Bankole (née Adebowale) a prominent matriarch of the Nigerian social sphere, was the wife of Ogun State politician, Chief Olayiwola Alani Bankole, and step mum of the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Saburi Bankole. She died two weeks ago at a private hospital in Ilupeju, Lagos, after a protracted battle with diabetes and heart- related ailment. She was aged 55. Her death occurred just a few hours before the commencement of the wedding ceremony of her second daughter, Mopelola Zeenat. The funeral arrangement kicked off last Monday with a special prayer session at her family residence in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. On Tuesday, January 13, the Christian wake and praise night session was held at Anchor Events Centre, Agidingbi, Lagos in her honour. On Wednesday, January 14, the funeral service was held at the Anchor Events Centre after which internment followed at Atan, Ebony private cemetery in Lagos.

Bankole, who held the title of Iyalode of Gbaguraland, Abeokuta, till her death, is survived by her husband, an aged mother, siblings, four children Oluwatoyin, Mopelola, Owolabi Jnr and Modesola, and a grandson, Oluwadarasimi.

Iyalode Bankole had many titles in her kitty. She was Iyalode of Gbagura and Iyalode of Ojo and at the last count had 15 chieftaincy titles. She was also the United Nations Ambassador for Peace. Many did not know that she was also the national grandmatron of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

Born in Abeokuta on March 29, 1959, Iyalode Bankole had her training at the London College of Journalism and London Business and Travels College, Oxford Street, in England, where she was trained as a journalist and public relations practitioner. Prior to traveling to England in the '70s, Iyalode Bankole practiced as a reporter in the then Oyo State Broadcasting House. When she came back from England, she practiced public relations in a bank before floating a public relations company.

She had a brief stint with many corporate organisations before going into selling of lace and electronics. She later floated Sublime Children Hyper Mart on Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos, where she sold children’s clothing. As a businesswoman, she didn’t jettison her journalism background. She used to maintain a column in Encomium Magazine, which she ran for many years.

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bidun, wife of Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of the Trinity House is reputed for her Midas touch in transforming mundane settings into exquisite spaces that serve as feasts for the senses. Her dream and vision of transforming Lagos into a fantasyland during Christmas and the New Year celebration has been coming to fruition with her company clinching the deal to make a jaw-dropping spectacle out of the city of Lagos. And for about six years, the pretty ex-beauty queen has wowed all with the re-invention of the art of decor. This Christmas like several others, if you noticed the lights and displays that adorned heritage structures, sites and parks which gave the city a twinkling glow at night, you’d give it up for the lady’s ingenuity.

Magical lights, ornaments, capricious decor, displays and garlands created a breathtaking spectacle. Lagos became a wonderland with a very distinct seasonal spirit. Leisure travellers, Nigerians in Diaspora and tourists swarmed Lagos to share in the enchanting sights, from displays of peacock inspired sets, to ships, dazzling lights and other mesmeric decor.

Dayo Adeneye pitches tent with Gov. Amosun F

amous on-air-personality turned politician, Otunba Dayo Adeneye (a.k.a D-One), has been appointed as a member of the Media and Publicity Committee for Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s second term project. D-One, who contested for a seat at the State House of Assembly under his Odogbolu constituency, has remained upbeat and supportive of his party, All Progressives Congress. The affable Ijebu chief whose appointment was recommended from the top hierarchy in the Amosun’s Campaign Organization is to pull his weight to galvanise support for the governor and his party. He’s to be part of a think tank to invent media strategy that will earn the party the desired mileage and help its success at next month's general election. D-One went into politics in his home state's land politics with over two decades experience spanning education, broadcasting and media business management.

On Michael Ibru’s 85th birthday O

lorogun Michael Ibru's 85th birthday in December would have been celebrated with pomp by family and friends, but his current state of health wouldn't allow for merrymaking. The day had come as quietly as it passed and no one seemed to notice.

The chairman of Ibru Group of Companies has been bedridden for some time now due to

Parkinson disease. We learnt that the octogenarian is in a US hospital responding gradually to treatment. The day was only commemorated by prayers of healing offered to the aristocrat by his family and friends. Olorogun Michael Ibru, is blessed with seventeen children, the most prominent being Oskar, who is the heir apparent to the Ibru dynasty.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2015

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Sport Splash 25

EPL

AFCON 2015:

Swansea test Chelsea's might without Bony p.28

Fireworks begin in E’Guinea • It will be explosive -Owolabi

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Adekunle Salami Cote d'Ivoire's Wilfried Bony

Tribute

Celebrating evergreen legend, Ali, at 73 p.30

Cote d'Ivoire's Gervinho

The Team

Vincent EboigbelAssistant Editor Ajibade Olusesan l Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing

Algeria's Nabil Bentaleb

Cameroun's Vincent Aboubakar

ixteen African countries will today begin hostilities as the 30th edition of the African Cup of Nations starts in Equatorial Guinea. This is Africa’s biggest football fiesta. Four different centres will host the competition but the opening and final matches hold at the 35,000-capacity Bata Stadium. Malabo, Ebebiyin and Mongomo are other centres. It all started in 1957 in Sudan with only three countries on parade. They were Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. 18 different countries have hosted the continental football competition so far.

However, only 14 countries have been able to lift the trophy at one time or the other. Interestingly, the Pharaohs of Egypt have won it seven times.

Cameroun and Ghana have won it four times each and will be gunning for the fifth title in Equatorial Guinea. Cameroun’s Samuel Eto’o is the all-time highest scorer of the competition with 18 goals. He has retired from international football and will not be part of the AFCON 2015 event to perhaps increase his historic tally. The hosts got the nod of the Confederation of African Football after Morocco refused to host following the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease.

A former international, Felix Owolabi, was at the Nations Cup in 1978, 1980 and 1982. He was a prominent member of the national team then known as the Green Eagles. Owolabi described the competition as a big forum for youths on the continent to showcase their talent to the world.

He said the Nations Cup had come of age and Africa benefitted especially when the world became a global stage with advanced telecommunications all over.

Owolabi said: “When we were playing it was not as big as it is today. The attention of the world will be on Equatorial Guinea because of this competition.

Scouts will be all over looking for fresh talents while clubs outside Africa and within will also be monitoring the progress of the players.

“The Nations Cup over the years has also helped some countries to upgrade or build modern facilities to global standards. Some smaller countries have hosted the event in the past and are now better equipped. A good example is South Africa. The country developed facilities and it all started with the hosting of the Nations Cup in 1996. Imagine Equatorial Guinea as host. They will also gain in terms of facilities upgrade CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

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Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire) Four-time African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure, will undoubtedly be the most high-profile star to watch in Equatorial Guinea as Cote d’Ivoire seek to win the Africa Cup of Nations title for the first time since their only previous success in 1992. And with his doggedness and incisive passes, not forgetting his impressive goal scoring ability, fans of Les Elephants will be hoping Toure can replicate his impressive form for Manchester City in the famous orange colours of his country.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been one of the most consistent African strikers in Europe in recent times and has made the final five-man shortlist of nominees for the CAF African Footballer of the Year award in the past two years and he will be in Equatorial Guinea to further confirm his status as one of the continent’s top players, even though he has not been able to lead his country past the AFCON quarterfinals. But after scoring twice and providing four assists as the Panthers finished top of their 2015 AFCON qualifying group ahead of Burkina Faso, the Borussia Dortmund striker will be hoping to lead his country to a historic last-four appearance in Equatorial Guinea.

Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroun) With Cameroun's all-time leading scorer Samuel Eto'o missing out of the 2015 AFCON after retiring from international football, Vincent Aboubakar is expected to lead the Indomitable Lions’ quest for a fifth AFCON title, especially after impressing during the qualifiers where he grabbed four goals as the Central Africans finished top of their qualifying group ahead of Cote d’Ivoire.

Strong, fast and very deadly in front of goal, the 22-year-old, who scored 16 goals for French side Lorient last season before making a summer switch to FC Porto, will be out to prove to officials of the Portuguese side that he deserves to be playing much more regularly than he currently does for the former European champions.

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17 JANUARY 2015

AFCON 2015

Stars on parade The Africa Cup of Nations gets underway today in Equatorial Guinea. IFEANYI IBEH takes a look at some of the players expected to star at the championship.

Super Eagles of Nigeria celebrate winning the AFCON in 2013

Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) Ghana's all-time leading scorer, Asamoah Gyan, has scored more goals than any other African at the World Cup and has won numerous awards as a player.

But the Ghana captain is yet to win a major international tournament with the Black Stars, who will be keen to finally land an AFCON title after securing topfour finishes in the last four editions albeit without winning the trophy.

The scorer of three goals in the qualifiers for AFCON 2015, Gyan is now expected to build on his fine goal-scoring form for his country as they try to navigate past a tough group stage where they will be up against Algeria, Senegal and South Africa.

Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria) Not since Sunday Oliseh has an African player showed so much creativity playing in front of the backline as Nabil Bentaleb has displayed in the colours of his beloved Algeria and English Premier League side, Tottenham.

The youngster performs the important role of shielding the back four from danger while also contributing to the attack with precise passing reminiscent of the iconic Nigerian midfielder who played a pivotal role for the Super Eagles on their way to the 1994 AFCON title. Algerians will be hoping Bentaleb can do likewise and lead their side to a second AFCON title, 25 years after their only success.

Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso) Two years ago, at the last AFCON in South Africa, Jonathan Pitroipa emerged as the biggest star of the tournament as Burkina Faso marched all the way to the final before succumbing to a lone goal defeat at the hands of Nigeria. The Al

Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Past Winners Year Champion Host 1957 Egypt Sudan 1959 Utd Arab Rep. Und Arab Rep. 1962 Ethiopia Ethiopia 1963 Ghana Ghana 1965 Ghana Tunisia 1968 Congo DR Ethiopia 1970 Sudan Sudan 1972 Congo Cameroon 1974 Zaire Egypt 1976 Morocco Ethiopia 1978 Ghana Ghana 1980 Nigeria Nigeria 1982 Ghana Libya 1984 Cameroon Cote d'Ivoire 1986 Egypt Egypt 1988 Cameroon Morocco 1990 Algeria Algeria 1992 Cote d'Ivoire Senegal 1994 Nigeria Tunisia 1996 South Africa South Africa 1998 Egypt Burkina Faso 2000 Cameroon Ghana/Nigeria 2002 Cameroon Nigeria 2004 Tunisia Tunisia 2006 Egypt Egypt 2008 Egypt Ghana 2010 Egypt Angola 2012 Zambia Gabon/Eq. Guinea 2013 Nigeria South Africa

team, Mali coach, Henryk Kasperczak, may need the Roma player’s calming influence in the centre of midfield as they face Guinea, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire in the group stage.

Ghana's Asamoah Gyan

Senegal's Papiss Cisse

Jazira of the UAE star will be in Equatorial Guinea hoping to continue from where he left off last time around in the hope of leading the Stallions to a historic AFCON title after finishing as the top scorer of the qualifying campaign with six goals in as many matches.

oon, Bony’s impressive goal scoring form, which saw him bag more goals in 2014 than any other EPL player, could serve as a motivational boost for the 25-year-old as the West African nation look to win a first AFCON title since their only previous success in 1992.

Wilfried Bony (Cote d’Ivoire) With the legendary Didier Drogba no longer around, the man now charged with the responsibility of leading Cote d’Ivoire’s charge for goals in a Cup of Nations group that also includes Cameroon, Guinea and Mali will be new Manchester City signing Wilfried Bony.

Although he netted only once during their qualifying run, as Les Elephants finished in second place behind Camer-

Seydou Keita (Mali) Seydou Keita may be 35 and may not be as fast as he was during his AFCON debut in 2002, where his dazzling skills led the Malians to a fourth-place finish on home soil, but he still has an eye for a killer pass and will be hoping he can do enough to help the Eagles make an appreciable impact at what is his seventh AFCON appearance.

With few leaders to call upon in his

Papiss Cisse (Senegal) The Teranga Lions of Senegal will need to be at their best in order to progress to the knockout rounds from a tough group featuring Algeria, Ghana and South Africa. But they will be confident of their chances with Papiss Cisse leading a frontline that also has his former Newcastle United teammate, Demba Ba, and Stoke City star, Biroum Diouf.

The in-form Cisse will be hoping his fine form for struggling English Premier League side, Newcastle, can be replicated at the AFCON as Senegal look to win a first ever continental title.

Yosouf Mulumbu (DR Congo) There are very few teams in Africa that can boast of having a player with the physical attributes of Yosouf Mulumbu, who not only does the dirty job for his

17 JANUARY 2015

Saturday, January 17 E'Guinea V Congo 5:00 PM Burkina Faso V Gabon 8:00 PM Sunday, January 18 V Congo DR 5:00 PM V Cape Verde 8:00 PM

Ghana Algeria

Monday, January 19 V Senegal 5:00 PM V S' Africa 8:00 PM

• As Gabon tackle B’Faso Charles Ogundiya

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Tuesday, January 20 Ivory Coast V Guinea 5:00 PM Mali V Cameroon 8:00 PM Wednesday, January 21 E'Guinea V B'Faso 5:00 PM Gabon V Congo 8:00 PM Thursday, 22nd January Zambia V Tunisia 5:00 PM Cape Verde V Congo DR 8:00 PM Friday, 23rd January Ghana V Algeria 5:00 PM South Africa V Senegal 8:00 PM Saturday, 24th January Ivory Coast V Mali 5:00 PM Cameroon V Guinea 8:00 PM Congo Gabon

Sunday, 25th January V B'Faso 7:00 PM V E'Guinea 7:00 PM

Monday, 26th January Cape Verde V Zambia 7:00 PM Congo DR V Tunisia 7:00 PM Tuesday 27th January Senegal V Algeria 7:00 PM South Africa V Ghana 7:00 PM

Cote d'Ivoire's Yaya Toure

Wednesday 28th January Cameroon V Ivory Coast 7:00 PM Guinea V Mali 7:00 PM

country and English club side, West Brom, but also creates goal scoring opportunities for his teammates despite spending most of the time on the pitch positioned in front of his backline.

With no AFCON title to their credit since 1974, Mulumbu could prove to be the catalyst DR Congo need to reclaim their status as one of the continent’s top sides.

Mame Diouf (Senegal) Stoke City winger, Mame Diouf, has since the start of the English Premier League season mesmerised opposing defences with his speed and skill and will be sorely missed by fans of the Potters throughout Senegal’s involvement at the AFCON. With five goals for Stoke so far, despite playing from a wide position, fans of the Senegalese team will be hoping Diouf can replicate his club form for his country and even turn provider for his teammates.

Yannick Bolasie (DR Congo) Not much was known of Yannick Bo-

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Hosts Equatorial Guinea battle Congo in opener

Preliminary Round MATCHES

Zambia Tunisia

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Burkina Faso's Jonathan Pitroipa

lasie outside of the DR Congo prior to his impressive displays last season for English side Crystal Palace who finished a very impressive 12th in the EPL standings. But the forward will be a marked man in Equatorial Guinea as the 1974 AFCON champions look to progress to the knockout rounds from a group that also has Cape Verde, Tunisia and

DR Congo's Yannick Bolasie

Zambia.

However, Bolasie is fast becoming a growing force in Africa and has emerged as his country’s key man in recent times as exemplified in his country’s impressive 4-3 victory over Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan, where his pace, dribbling ability and eye for a pass persistently tormented the Ivoirians.

AFCON 2015: Fireworks begin in E’Guinea c o n t i n u e d F R O M pa g e 2 5

and there will a boost in the country’s economy.

“Part of the gains is also the fact the profile of Africa rose because the world started seeing the competition. We had just one slot for the World Cup initially.

It later became two, then three and now five. That is massive benefit for Africa.”

On his expectations in the event proper, the football administrator said it was difficult to explicitly predict the winner of the event because the time countries were had domineering advantage over others was over. He said

the North Africans used to dominate but later the West came up strongly and the event is now open in every edition.

He said: “It was a case of Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt but that has changed now. Imagine Egypt and Nigeria failed to win tickets to this competition. Because of what we saw in the qualifiers, it is better to see the preliminaries before looking at likely winners.

“Zambia at a time surprisingly won it, South Africa did the same and Nigeria also won the last edition when it was least expected. More surprises will still be witnessed this time. People are tipping Algeria, Ghana and Camer-

oun but I think this is simply based on the consistency of these teams. In the Nations Cup, many other factors will come to play and it is the survival of the fittest.”

Owolabi said the absence of Nigeria was very sad but it would not take the shine off the continental football showcase.

“It is unfortunate Nigeria won’t be attending even as defending champions. It is a shame but I am sure we are still going to see good football, good organisation and fresh talents on display. This is our own World Cup. It is a big party,” he stressed.

ost Equatorial Guinea will today open the Africa Cup of Nation against Congo.

Having agreed to stage this year's AFCON after Morocco pulled out due to Ebola scare, they changed their head coach with the competition just days away.

Their preparations have been far from ideal as the squad was left with the need to adapt to a new head coach with just days before the finals.

Equatorial Guinea's coaching disarray makes their task even harder despite the fact they will enjoy home advantage.

Andoni Goikoetxea was fired without explanation and replaced by the women's national team coach Esteban Becker.

Their opponent Congo have Frenchman Claude Le Roy at the helm and will be hoping his impressive record in seven previous AFCON competitions will provide them with the experience they need to go far in the tournament.

He won the tournament with Cameroon in 1988, having finished runners-up with the same team two years earlier; he came third with Ghana in 2008 and was a semi-finalist with Senegal in 1990.

Only once - in the last edition of the tournament, as coach of DR Congo - has he failed to reach the quarterfinals.

His chances of success this time are limited, as Le Roy himself acknowledges.

"We are the only team which does not have a single player who has taken part in the Cup of Nations before," he said. "They were all children the last time, but we are lucky to be able to take part in the opening game."

Congo last won the tournament in 1972 but will be confident of at least progressing from a relatively weak Group A after impressing in a tough qualifying pool that also included South Africa, Sudan and Nigeria.

The match will take place inside the 35,000-capacity Bata Stadium at5pm Nigerian time and it will be the biggest shock in the history of the tournament if the "National Thunder" becomes the 12th hosts to lift the trophy.

Meanwhile, Gabon will be playing the second match of the opening day against Burkina Faso, the same team they played during the qualifiers.

The Panthers qualified from a difficult group including Burkina Faso, Angola and Lesotho, and will hope to at least match their run to the quarter-inals in 2012 when they co-hosted with Equatorial Guinea.

Burkina Faso enjoyed a fairytale run to the final in the 2013 AFCON where they were finally beaten by Nigeria.

But they find themselves in a pool that contains their qualifying group conquerors Gabon and a Congo side under the stewardship of the wily AFCON fox Le Roy. Despite almost qualifying for the World Cup Finals in Brazil and their 2013 AFCON heroics, this tournament may prove a bridge too far for the Burkina team to cross.

Lightning-quick forward, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund, is the obvious star of Gabon's team, all eyes will be on him against Burkina Faso and against other teams in the group.

Aubameyang scored both of his nation's goals in their 2-0 win over Burkina Faso during qualifying and will undoubtedly be a handful for defenders throughout the tournament.

iverpool midfielder Jordon Ibe is set to return to Anfield after being recalled from his loan spell at Derby County.

The 19-year-old talent has already played 24 times for the Rams this season, 20 of which in their Championship campaign, helping them to second in the table.

And it appears he will not be shipped out elsewhere, with Liverpool keen on keeping the youngster at Anfield for the time-being.

Last season, Ibe was loaned out to Birmingham, where they staved off relegation on the final day of the season The Reds have struggled through the first half of the Premier League season, currently sitting in eighth, behind West Ham.

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Ibe set for Liverpool recall

ecesa have joined in the race to sign Inter Milan player Ibrahima Mbaye.

Mbaye was heavily linked with Bologna and a deal was reportedly close but Cesena are now the favourites to land the Senegalese player.

Cesena are banking on the relationship between the youngster and their coach coach Mimmo Di Carlo who last season gave lots of confidence and playing time to Mbaye during his tenure in Livorno.

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Cesena join race for Mbaye

Mbaye

ntonio Nocerino looks set to join Parma on loan, with reports indicating he will depart current club Torino.

The midfielder has been on loan at the Granata from Milan since the summer, but has failed to make an impact, managing just two starts in Serie A so far this season.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio’s website, the Gialloblu are on the verge

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Nocerino on verge of Parma move

Digard

FFN can confirm that OGC Nice midfielder Didier Digard is in advanced talks with Bordeaux about signing a pre-contract to join Willy Sagnol’s side this summer.

Contractual details are close to being confirmed and it will then be up to both parties to make a final decision. There are some murmurs that Bordeaux might be tempted to lodge a formal bid for Digard this month as they are worried about the competition they face to sign the player for free, notably from Olympiakos.

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S wansea City will entertain Chelsea FC at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday. The last time these two teams met, their records were both unblemished, but the Blues were the ones who kept it up, ending the match with a 4-2 home victory.

The Swans are now a man light after the 25 million pound transfer of Wilfried Bony to Manchester City, so they will have to depend on Bafétimbi Gomis and Marvin Emnes to lead the line.

They will certainly miss the Ivorian striker; he scored 34 goals in 70 appearances whilst at the club, meaning they were basically guaranteed a goal from him every two games. Bony was also the Premier League’s top scorer during the last calendar year with 20 goals, topping the likes of Sergio Aguero.

He wouldn’t have been able to face Chelsea anyway, as he will be representing the Ivory Coast in the African Cup

of Nations, but his departure leaves a huge void. The club should be looking to bring in a suitable replacement for the forward — they are after all, 25 million pounds richer.

Swansea will also have to get on without Sung-yeung Ki, who will be out with South Korea in the Asia Cup. Important midfilders Jefferson Montero and Jonjo Shelvey will miss the match as well; Montero is out with an injured hamstring, while Shelvey will be serving the last of his four-game suspension (punished for catching Liverpool’s Emre Can in the face with his arm).

The Blues bounced back from a torrid New Year’s Day performance against Tottenham, with a 2-0 home victory vs Newcastle. Supporters will be hoping that they have put the bad results behind them, and that they can go on another run.

Cesc Fabregas — who continues to be

Tadic

an instrumental player — believes that the team is ready to push on after their form dipped over the festive period.

“We have recovered from the Christmas schedule. It was tough but we feel that we had a few days to rest.”

“Things didn’t go our way, but credit to Tottenham, they played a good game.

But that’s it, we are just looking to move forward now.”

Swansea test chelsea's might without bony

Global Football Special

Bordeaux in advanced talks with Digard

EUROPE TRANSFERS

www.newtelegraphonline.com

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agliari coach Gianfranco Zola has justified the drastic rotation he applied to his side for Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Parma in the Coppa Italia by saying they need to focus on their Serie A campaign.

Zola fielded a makeshift starting XI at the Stadio Tardini, making 10 changes to his team and even playing captain and midfielder Daniele Conti in the heart of a three-man defence.

"It was something new that we wanted to try," Zola told his club's official website. "Daniele did a good job, but I always expect more from somebody like him, no matter what position he plays in.

"We would have liked to have shown more respect for this competition, but at the moment we simply have other priorities. I'm nevertheless satisfied with what the team did. Some light is starting to shine through, although at times we also show that we're lacking conviction and we're afraid."

Parma go on to face either Juventus or Hellas Verona in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals, while Cagliari, who have a six-point advantage over the Gialloblu in Serie A, can now focus all of their efforts on getting out of the bottom three.

Two points currently separate the Sardinians, who sit in 18th place, from safety and Sunday's trip to Udinese should see Zola restore his first-choice starting XI.

Zola: Serie A more important to Cagliari

Zola

28 Sport SATURDA 17 JAN

Nocerino

World-record holder Paula Radcliffe will race her final marathon in London in April.

The 41-year-old Briton, whose last marathon was in Berlin in September 2011, has not competed in the London Marathon for nine years.

The three-time London Marathon winner set her world record of 2 hours, 15 minutes, 25 seconds on the streets of the British capital in 2003.

She is not among the named elite entries for the April 26 race, and is due to announce her plans for the race on January 30.

Rafael Nadal said he's ''working as hard as I can'' to be ready for Monday's start to the Australian Open following a right wrist injury and appendix surgery which sidelined him for most of the last six months of 2014. ''I'm back, and I'm healthy, but it's hard to come back after such injures,'' Nadal said. ''I will hope for first round, second round, and take the wins as they come.''

Nadal

Younis Khan has said that he will continue to play as long as he is fit and is able to sustain his hunger for the game. The 37-year old Younis, who made a comeback to the one-day side after being dropped last September, also ruled out focusing on only Tests to prolong his career.

"I don't have such thing to just play Test matches. My body is in front of you, I don't get stiffness in my body. Whenever I will feel that my body is not allowing me to play I will go and retire," Younis said in Lahore. "I have some plans and I hope I succeed in them. I don't get this life back and it makes you happy when your national anthem is played in other countries. I am a proud Pakistani and will try to serve my country. I will continue to play as long as I am fit."

Younis Khan

SPORT BRIEFLY

Paula Radcliffe

Ibe

of agreeing a deal to take the Italian international to Tardini on a similar loan agreement until the end of the season.

29-year-old Nocerino spent the second half of last season on loan at English Premier League side West Ham United, but failed to secure a permanent deal.

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alencia are hoping to consolidate on their recent run as they face Almeria today in the La Liga.

Although Valencia have never been able to go back to the top of the league, they nevertheless maintained an intimidating form throughout the competition.

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They have consistently been part of the top six in the past 17 weeks and were part of the top two on six non-consecutive occasions.

Thus far, Los Che have yet to succumb to their enemies as of their eight fixtures in both La Liga and Copa del Rey. Almeria fell into the drop

Di Maria

zone once as of the 18th week of the season, and were only able to rank higher than the 10th spot once. The past few weeks were a mixture of hits and misses for the side, with wins they achieved against Real Betis, Celta, and Malaga, a draw with Getafe, as well as a defeat from Sevilla.

Valencia host Almeria

PR will hope to end their torrid recent run against Manchester United when they host Louis van Gaal's side in the Premier League on Saturday.

The men from Loftus Road have not tasted victory over United in any competition since a 4-1 triumph at Old Trafford on New Year's Day 1992, in the final season before the Premier League's inception.

Since then, QPR have drawn three and lost 13 of the past 16 meetings between the two clubs, but Harry Redknapp's side can take heart from their strong home record this season.

QPR have taken 15 points from last seven league outings at Loftus Road, recording four wins and three draws.

That is in stark contrast to their away form, which has seen them lose all 10 encounters - a desperate run which sees them come into Saturday's clash second from bottom.

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QPR look to stop Man United

azio will be without star man Felipe Anderson for the next three weeks, after the attacking midfielder suffered a sprained knee.

The Brazilian has been in sensational form for the Biancocelesti, scoring five goals and creating five in his last five Serie A appearances.

However, the club has announced today that the former Santos man will face three weeks on the sidelines after an injury in training.

“Thursday morning, during training at Formello, Felipe Anderson suffered a sprain of the left knee on the medial collateral ligament.

“The assessment this afternoon at Paideia clinic in Rome have ruled out the presence of associated meniscal tears.

“The player will therefore undergo a period of rest and medical care which is currently estimated at three weeks unless there are complications.”

Anderson out for three weeks

Anderson

usan Tadic grabbed the headlines with the only goal of the game as Southampton won 1-0 at Manchester United last weekend to leapfrog their opponents into third place in the Premier League.

And he is likely going to repeat that feat against a Newcastle side still under the stewardship of caretaker manager John Carver following the departure of Alan Pardew to Crystal Palace.

While Tadic has found the net on only three occasions this season in the Premier League, two of those goals have come in his last two league outings and he now appears to have found his scoring touch.

After opening his account in October in the 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland, he netted in the 2-0 home win against Arsenal on New Year’s Day before that winner at Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old Serbia midfielder will be hoping to make life difficult for a Newcastle defence who have conceded 14 goals in 10 games at St James’ Park, including five in the last two home outings in a 3-2 victory over Everton and 3-3 draw with Burnley.

With defeats in their last two games – a 1-0 loss in the FA Cup at Leicester and a 2-0 reversal at leaders Chelsea last weekend – the Magpies are clearly suffering from a lack of leadership at the helm.

Carver is currently operating on a match-by-match basis following the surprise departure of Alan Pardew to a relegation battle with Crystal Palace.

Although the 49-year-old has stated he wants the managerial role on a permanent basis, owner Mike Ashley seems more likely to plump for a bigger name and this uncertainty appears to be affecting the Magpies, who have yet to win under Carver. Tadic – and his team-mates – will be eager to capitalise on that.

D

Tadic set to punish Newcastle

P PTS 18 43 18 40 18 31 18 30 18 30 18 27 18 27 18 26 18 25 18 25 18 24 18 23 18 21 18 19 18 18 18 18 18 17 18 15 18 9 18 9

saturday

Aston Villa v Liverpool Burnley v Crystal Palace Leicester v Stoke QPR v Man Utd Swansea v Chelsea Tottenham v Sunderland Newcastle v Southampton Sunday West Ham v Hull Man City v Arsenal

Premier League

La Liga saturday Sociedad v Vallecano Valencia v Almería Villarreal v Bilbao Sunday Getafe v Real Madrid Atletico v Granada Deportivo v Barcelona

P 17 18 18 17 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

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

PTS 42 41 38 36 35 32 31 26 21 20 20 19 19 17 17 17 16 16 14 14

P PTS 21 49 21 47 21 39 21 37 21 36 21 34 21 33 21 32 21 30 21 27 21 26 21 22 21 22 21 21 21 20 21 20 21 20 21 19 21 19 21 17

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

TABLES

FIXTURES

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

Serie A

rench club Nice have not given up hope of coaxing FIFA into a Uturn over Hatem Ben Arfa after the world governing body put a block on him playing again this season.

French club Nice have not given up hope of coaxing FIFA into a U-turn over Hatem Ben Arfa after the world governing body put a block on him playing again this season.

The 27-year-old playmaker, a free agent after his release from Newcastle, joined the Cote d'Azur side last Monday but was not available for Saturday's win over Lorient as he awaited international clearance.

FIFA's transfer regulations state a player cannot play for more than two clubs in the same season.

Ben Arfa's appearance for Newcastle's under-21 team on August 25, before moving on loan to Hull, was considered an official match by FIFA, which barring a challenge to the decision will count him out of Nice duty this season.

F

Nice still hopeful over Ben Arfa

AY TELEGRAPH NUARY 2015

Sport

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30

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Celebrating evergreen legend, Ali, at 73

Muhammad Ali railing at former champion, Sonny Liston, to get up during their rematch in 1965 (inset) Ali pretends to throw a punch

F

Vincent Eboigbe rom George Chuvalo and George Foreman to Joe Bugner and Joe Frazier; from Ernie Terrell and Earnie Shavers to MacArthur Foster and Bob Foster, Muhammad Ali fought them all and more; all over the world from Tokyo to Lake Tahoe, from Kuala Lumpur to Zaire, from Vancouver to Jakarta, from Dublin to Frankfurt, from London to Zurich.

It was no surprise really as he had promised to be a busy champion, fighting at least three times in a year against any boxer who was ready to jump into the ring with him. It is even said he took on some fighters just so that they could earn a decent payday. It is a measure of the man. Ron Lyle, Jurgen Blin, Chuck Wepner, Al Lewis fall into this category.

But if there was one fight Ali should not have engaged in, well almost, it was the ‘Thrilla in Manila.’ He can be forgiven ultimately however because of the elevated nature of that bout and its place in the pantheon of boxing folklore.

That fight in a sweltering October night in 1975 completely cemented his place as the ‘Greatest’ which was what he had set out to achieve when he first put on boxing gloves as a kid.

But all the other fights after Manila were unimportant, even the rematch against Leon Spinks when he reclaimed the world heavyweight title - a then record third time - is not so consequential in the overall scheme beyond that record.

The bout against Larry Holmes was even more needless. Holmes a young fighter who was Ali’s sparring partner in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ could not understand why Ali, a supposed friend could direct some of those hurtful barbs at him before their fight in 1980. Holmes should have known better being aware

Your hands can’t hit what your eyes can’t see

of Ali’s predilection for ribbing his opponents, but apparently didn’t and carrying that grudge into the fight he brutally beat his former mentor.

Asked many years later about his impression of Frazier and Ali, Holmes responded that he would take a second to decide on anything concerning Frazier but would take a minute to decide on anything concerning Ali. Apparently there was still a carry over from that era.

That tends to be the way of the old sport.

Ali described that third and final bout against Frazier in Manilla as the ‘closest thing to death.’ Both pugilists had met twice before, first in 1971 after Ali’s exile in the ‘Fight of the Century in Madison Square Garden which Frazier won. Ali won the rematch but the world wanted a final showdown to decide who was indeed the greater of the two.

Ali had gone to the Philippines with Veronica Porche introducing her as his wife while still married to Belinda, further heightening the drama around the fight and Ali’s dalliance with the ‘foxes’ as he called the womenfolk. On fight night both boxers were out to destroy each other, they threw punches with murderous intentions; this was a direct function of Ali’s merciless taunting of Frazier who he christened the ‘Gorilla’ He perfected

his legendary poetic effusions on the hapless Frazier.

In fact his line: ‘It will be a Thrilla, a Killa and a Chilla when I catch the Gorilla in Manilla’ took the contest into a different orbit.

After one furious exchange during the fight, Ali cried out ‘Man but they said you was all washed up,’ to which Smoking Joe replied ‘someone somewhere sure lied.’ Ali won when Frazier couldn’t come out for the 15th round after legendary trainer Eddie Futch threw in the towel against Frazier’s wish.

Ali paid the greatest tribute to his old foe this way: “Frazier is a one-speed fighter. His heart is a lion. He would fight way beyond exhaustion, he would keep coming; his bones, sinews screaming ‘it’s either you kill me or get out of my way.’ I was throwing punches with power I was borrowing from tomorrow but Frazier won’t go down.”

Inside and outside the roped arena, Ali fought great battles even more so outside. He switched to Islam from Christianity just after winning the world title in 1964, changing his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali. He refused to be drafted to fight in the Vietnam War in 1967, saying ‘No Vietcong ever called me no nigger…’

All this combined to make him the most vilified person in America. Eventually his title and license were withdrawn and for nearly four years, Ali was out in exile but he was unbowed, remaining his effervescent self in the face of the

persecution.

Finally his license was restored in 1970 and the ‘Second Coming’ would effectively commence. He defeated Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena before taking on Frazier in 1971 in the first of their epic duels. Having never lost before, this fight showed an Ali that was on the wane. Before exile his fleetness of foot took him away from opponents’ reach. ‘Your hands can’t hit what your eyes can’t see,’ he told Liston when he first won the world title from the man he called the ‘ugly bear’ in 1964.

But now he was getting hit, he didn’t move as well as he used to. This is the Ali the world now had to get used to.

It is left in the realm of conjecture what those lost years would have been like, although many boxing buffs agree those would have been his best years.

From now on Ali had to be very creative, devising various means other than ‘floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee’ to deal with stronger fighters. His mastery of every conceivable boxing style meant he was able to do battle against peculiarly difficult boxers like Frazier and Ken Norton. A measure of Ali’s versatility is seen in his ability to stop George Foreman, a fighter so feared and devastating he destroyed both Frazier and Norton in round two.

Ali perfected the strategy that became known as the ‘rope a dope’ against Foreman in that fight in Zaire in 1974 where he reclaimed the world title.

Leaning on the ropes and inviting Foreman to hit him, Ali tricked the champion into a slugfest, occasionally bouncing off the ropes to snap combinations at the head of the relentless Foreman.

The bout followed this pattern, with Ali giving Foreman talking lesson as the boxing lesson was going on. Finally the falling down lesson followed in round eight when an exhausted Foreman was taken into the ‘half dream room.’

Before the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ Foreman had never been taken to the distance, he had never been to what Ali called the ‘half dream room’ and Ali had wondered how Foreman would react when he gets there. By the time Ali led Foreman to the 'room' with a combination of punches in round eight, good ol’ George couldn’t respond.

Flashing neon lights, alligators playing trombones and actors’ costume on the walls, that ‘s how Ali described the ‘half dream room, proved too much for him.

Parkinson syndrome had ravaged the champion since quitting the fistic business, trapping a razor sharp mind in a wasted body. But the old chap has never complained. He has borne it all with stoic equanimity. Just over a week ago, Ali was released from hospital after been admitted for severe urinary tract infection, summarising his situation in as many years.

Muhammad Ali, known as the ‘Louisville Lip’ in his early days for his facility with his tongue, gave the world so much pleasure and excitement, and it is gratifying to know that the old chap is still floating in this side of eternity as he turns 73 today.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Lifestyle

31

Those whose inner beings are attached to the Lord's Love are liberated. They control their sexual desires, and their lifestyle is the selfdiscipline of Truth.

- Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Fabregas savours holiday with girl friend

C

helsea star Cesc Fabregas enjoyed some time away from the cold British weather as he relaxed on a Caribbean island with his girlfriend Daniella Semaan.

With the Blues flying high at the top of the Premier League, Jose Mourinho allowed his players a short break away from west London, with Spaniard Fabregas opting to whisk his partner to Saint Barthelemy.

The pair frolicked in the sea, before basking in 30 degree heat on the French island... a far cry from the wind and rain of the English capital.

Fabregas has been a mainstay in the Chelsea side this season, featuring in 27 matches already.

Fabregas with girlfriend Semaan

Michibita

Formula 1 star, Button, enjoys life with model wife

N

ewlywed Jessica Michibita is clearly no longer the blushing bride as she flaunted her stunning figure - and derriere - on the beach in Hawaii.

The model was spotted wearing a colourful bikini top and thong button on the hot day while her new husband, F1 driver Jenson Button showed off his impressive physique in shorts.

The couple were enjoying their last few days in Hawaii after tying the knot on Christmas day.

No doubt Jessica is the happiest girl in the world after tying the knot with her man following a six-year courtship.

The pair split in 2011, but spoke constantly during their time apart and decided to give their relationship another go six months later.

Jessica wowed guests at her big day in a traditional white strapless wedding gown with a huge flowing veil, which had to be kept under control by her trusty bridesmaids.

Stories courtesy Dailymail

Shayk (inset) Ronaldo

Ronaldo parts ways with partner, Shayk

R

umours have been circulating this week that Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with Russian actress Irina Shayk has come to an end after she failed to show up in support of the Real Madrid man at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony on Monday night.

The speculation comes just weeks after it was reported that Shayk had fallen out with Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother over Christmas plans.

And now the rumours have been ramped up after she unfollowed his Twitter account this week with claims being made that she dumped him.

The picture will become clearer over the coming days, but whoever she dates next will need to have one hell of an ego to not feel inadequate to Ronny.

Brazil’s Ronaldo strikes big with £30,000 win at poker event W hile his namesake Cristiano Ronaldo was collecting a third Ballon d'Or on Monday, the original Brazilian Ronaldo was also a big winner... at a major poker event.

The World Cup winner, and former three time FIFA Player of the Year himself, collected $42,180 (£27,824) at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) Main Event in the Bahamas.

The tournament, which is still under way in the Bahamas, will see the winner collect a top prize of more than $1.4 million (£923,000).

The World Cup winner

moved into 26th place - further than any other sports star has ever reached The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid star beat

some of the world's top poker players on his way to cashing in - taking 26th place from a field of 816 players (top 4%).

32

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

33

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Journalism at its best l Indepth

l UnbIased

l CreatIve

Read Sanctity Of Truth

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Available in all 36 states and Abuja.

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Short Story SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

T

he death of Chief Audu Adoyi, as I later learnt was his name, was a big blow to both Madam Ene and my plans. The burial arrangements started almost immediately I knocked on the door to inform Madam Ene that Oga could not wake up.

She immediately went to verify. She got into panic immediately and ordered us to transfer all her belongings to the room with the corpse still lying there.

She then chose the best Hollandis wrapper she had and covered the body before she dramatically started wailing at the top of her voice, throwing herself on the ground and rolling all over.

People started gathering to find out what the problem was that shortly, the compound was filled with a crowd of people: men, women, children. The very old men came to verify if Pa Audu was dead by standing outside the hut and calling his name three times. After no response was heard, the men then gathered and held a meeting after which the body was taken away.

The women stayed back consoling Madam Ene. That same day, people were sent to inform his children in Makurdi about the death and thus started the burial rites.

Madam Ene, as the wife of the deceased, had to go through some widowhood rites as well.

The cleansing period started on the third day. Some old women of the village, mostly widows, came and stayed with Madam Ene, who was expected to be wailing constantly. The widows commenced building a smaller hut at the back of her late husband's house.

They worked tirelessly with earth dug out for the purpose until the hut was erected. Fresh palm fronds were cut for roofing the hut which was to serve as the mourning place where Madam Ene was to stay until the burial took place.

The women then shaved off every hair from her head, armpit and pubic region. The hairs shaved off Madam Ene, together with the clothes the deceased wore on the day he died were burnt and the ashes rubbed all over her body; her trial by ordeal had begun.

As a titled man and a chief in Idoma land, the burial was to be held 21 days from the day of death. Madam Ene according to the custom, would not take any bath until the 21st day. When the relatives of the deceased came, they remained outside the compound as the tradition demanded. Itodo had to buy a male goat and three white cockerels to be used as sacrifice to appease the spirit of the late husband.

Madam Ene remained inside the mourning hut all day and night, food was served her on broken pieces of earthen ware

Writer in focus:

Ahaoma Kanu

34

A Widow's Ritual

and she had to always eat with her left hand. She answered every call of nature inside the hut, a small bucket was made available for that purpose and the responsibility of disposing its disgusting contents fell on me.

I stayed with Madam Ene inside the hut on the days that the old widows were absent and noticed she had become nice all of a sudden. I couldn't help but have a great deal of pity for her.

"Why are they making you to go through this ordeal?" I asked her one night I brought her dinner.

"My child, that is the custom of our land," she replied as she started eating with her dirty unwashed left hand.

The odour in the room was unpleasant as well as the sight of Madam Ene; she wore the traditional black attire, which was not to be washed for the whole 21 days. On the night before the burial, Madam Ene was escorted to bath inside the bush. Two widows accompanied her as she took her first bath since the day her husband kicked the bucket.

She came back into the mourning hut with her back. On the morning of the burial, she was brought out and made to sit on the coffin of her late husband so that the elders, mostly very old men and titled chiefs like the deceased could interrogate her;

"The hairs shaved off Madam Ene, together with the clothes the deceased wore on the day he died were burnt and the ashes rubbed all over her body"

it was called her confession of innocence.

"Ene, did you kill your husband?" she was asked.

"No, I did not kill my husband," came the expected reply.

"Would you swear to that?"

"Yes, I will," she replied, still clad in her black outfit.

The man broke a piece of kolanut and said some prayers, then ordered for the deceased drinking cup or plate, which was brought. He continued with the incantations. When he finished, he poured some aromatic schnapps into the cup and was handed a small blue gallon of water from which he poured a quantity of the content into the cup.

"Audu, if your wife killed you, let us know now. But if she did not always protect her," He said raising the cup and dropping it on top of the coffin.

He then raised the piece of kolanut to the air.

"Audu if your wife killed you, strike her dead now as she eats this kolanut but if she did not, protect her from the spirit", he finished and dropped the kolanut into the cup.

Everywhere fell silent as all eyes were upon Madam Ene. She got up slowly and lifted the cup from the coffin.

"My husband, if I have anything to do with your death, strike me as I drink this water

and chew this kolanut," she said before dipping her fingers to pick the kolanut. Gently she raised the cup to her mouth and drank the contents. She then put the kolanut into her mouth and started chewing.

Immediately, the whole crowd burst out in jubilation, Madam Ene had passed her trial; she did not kill her husband. The whole people now started consoling her as her innocence had been proven. I asked Itodo what would have happened if the person was guilty.

"The person will just fall there and die. It is better they confess and be shamefully sent away than take the oath," he replied.

He then informed me that the water that was mixed with the aromatic spirit was the water used in bathing the corpse of the late husband.

I was terrified at what the widows were meant to undergo to prove their innocence even when a man dies naturally, to them, a woman must have a hand in the death of her husband.

The burial was a traditional one and masquerades danced and flogged people randomly.

Food was in excess and people ate and drank to their fulfilment. By the time night fell the whole place was empty except for the women that stayed back to help in cleaning the plates and compound.

SATURDAY

Dear Love Doctor, ‘I’m sleeping with my uncle’s wife!'

p.37

L ve&Lv ng

Life Experience

'I told my husband the truth that he is not the father of our son'

p.36

SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2015

35

'I almost divorced my wife due to lack of sex' Confession Many people walk away from an affair or marriage that isn't sexually fulfilling, but some people have good reasons to stay against all odds.

However, no matter how desirable sex may be in a relationship or marriage, this story shows that there is more to life and marriage than sex.

M

Michael Uchebuaku y name is Rotimi. I have been stuck in a loveless and sexless marriage with my wife of over 20 years. We have previously tried counseling with very little impact on our marriage.

We then did a marriage retreat through our church with about eight follow-up meetings. We did find from the meetings that our communication has greatly improved and we actually took small steps towards having some intimacy for the first time in a very long time.

The topic at one of the retreat follow-up meetings was sex and the topic was an explosion for us.

On the way home we had one of the worst arguments of our married life and the marriage seemed all but over.

The argument started because I told my wife the plain truth, which is that ever since I married her many years ago, she has never satisfied me in bed. In fact, I told her that I have patronised brothels and kept girlfriends all through the period of our marriage till date because of her sexless attitude towards me.

My wife felt very disappointed hearing me say these things and she replied by saying that she had always known that I never loved her and had never been faithful to her in marriage. She called me a dog and other names in her fury.

She even went as far as saying that she knows that I must have several illegitimate children outside wedlock.

I tried to defend myself by saying that I didn't have any other children apart from the ones she

bore with me. I blamed my wife for my so-called irresponsible behaviour. I blamed her for making me have to sleep with other women because she couldn't give me sexual satisfaction.

Later, after we had both calmed down and appeared reasonable enough, we had a meeting with each other and decided that it was best for us just to get a divorce and move forward with that. I was busy with looking for a place to live and someone else to love.

During the entire divorce process my wife and I were very nice to each other and through the many skills we learned at the retreat actually told each other about our real feelings and what we actually wanted.

The bottom line is that we have

We had a meeting with each other and decided that it was best for us just to get a divorce

four beautiful children and we both want a loving family for them. We both really did not want a divorce but it was the way life was pushing us. After giving it a second thought, I had decided not to divorce my wife because of sex.

I thought of all our children and for that reason, I finally decided to remain married to my wife for the sake of our beautiful and innocent children.

I have decided to sacrifice everything for the sake of my children and I think that is the honourable way to act. Divorcing my wife because of sex would make me look very selfish, like a man who only thinks about himself. But I feel it is better to sacrifice my sexual satisfaction for the sake of my children and marriage. After all, there is

more to life and marriage than sex.

Last night I had a nightmare of what life could be like living apart from my kids and wife and then actually dreamed of a sexual encounter with my wife. I and my wife had actually stopped having sex for some time.

I woke up early this morning and was thinking about the retreat we attended together. In the retreat they said that love is not just a feeling. It is something you have to decide to do or not do. If you decide to do it then it is a lot of work and communication is the key.

I made the decision this morning that I would once again decide to love my wife not only for the sake of our children, but more importantly for my own sake. That's because living without love in marriage is the greatest tragedy and it would kill me. So I woke up my wife with a gentle and kind hug this morning.

Holding her nicely, I told her that I have made the decision to love her again like I did when I first met her. I also told her that I plan to really work on our marriage.

For the first time in many years we had some very nice sex together and wrapped it up just holding each other for a few nice minutes. I know that we have a long way to go and the road will not be easy for either of us, but we have taken the first steps in loving each other again.

She now knows how important sex is to me as I have expressed my true feelings to her about the topic.

I will not let the fear of rejection or the fear of my wife's thoughts get in the way. I will be sure to communicate my feelings to her in a loving way so that she can understand where I stand on things.

For me and my wife we are headed back on the right track after such a rocky and bumpy road.

I know the road will be bumpy and have plenty of pot holes but I will do my best to keep the car of my marriage on the right track.

I want to tell all married men in my shoes that if you decide to really love your wife again and make it happen in your marriage, then you have a chance to get your marriage back for good.

I would also tell you that it is not easy to love and forgive someone who has refused to have sex with you for such a long time.

Sometimes I feel like I can never forgive my wife for refusing to have sex with me all that time. But if your real goal is happiness then sometimes you need to take a chance on yourself and the person you asked to be your spouse for life.

I am not a very religious person. But I really think that God is watching over my family and wants us all to find a way to make it work. I thank God that at last I’m no longer in a sexless marriage.

36

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Love News

Love Songs

George and Amal Clooney turn heads at the Golden Globe Awards

T

he couple of the moment made a grand entrance at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. Newlyweds George Clooney and Amal Clooney (née Alamuddin) stunned as they made their way down the red carpet, George in a sharp suit and Amal looking divine in a black Dior gown and white gloves. This is the pair's first big Hollywood event together -- and they made sure it was one to remember.

"As long as she doesn't get the train stepped on, I've succeeded," George told Ryan Seacrest of Amal on the carpet.

Julianna Margulies and Don Cheadle presented George with the Cecil B. DeMille Award during the ceremony, which brought out some A-list stars including Matthew McConaughey, Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyong’o and

'I Turn To You' When the world is darker than I can understand.

When nothing turns out the way I planned.

When the sky turns grey and there's no end in sight.

When I can't sleep through the lonely night.

Gwyneth Paltrow.

During his speech he thanked his new bride, saying, "It's a humbling thing when you find someone to love. Even better when you’ve been waiting your whole life ...

Amal, whatever alchemy it is that brought us together, I couldn't be more proud to be your husband."

George and Amal tied the knot in Italy in September after a whirlwind romance. The 53-year-old actor began dating the 36-year-old British-Lebanese human rights lawyer in October 2013 after initially meeting her in Italy. They became engaged in April 2014.

The last red carpet event they attended was Celebrity Fight Night in Italy benefitting the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center Gala on Sept. 7.

I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.

I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.

Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.

I turn to you.

When my insides are wracked with anxiety.

You have the touch that will quiet me.

You lift my spirit. You melt the ice.

When I need inspiration, when I need advice.

I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.

I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.

Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.

I turn to you.

Where would I be? What would I do?

If you'd never helped me through.

I hope someday if you've lost your way.

You could turn to me like I turn to you.

Courtesy: Daily Mail.

I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.

I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.

Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.

I turn to you.

Life Experience

'I told my husband the truth that he is not the father of our son' Michael Uchebuaku

M

y husband Eze and I have been married for 15 years.

We have one son, Chibuzor. Chibuzor is not Eze's biological son and for many years, Eze didn't know the truth because I never told him. I had never shared my secret with anyone and I'd hoped I would never have to.

Chibuzor was diagnosed with acute leukaemia shortly after he turned 10. He was immediately admitted to one of the teaching hospitals and from there my husband flew him abroad to a great hospital in the UK where he remained critically ill for many months.

The doctors told us that his best chance of survival was to have a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible.

We needed a compatible donor.

As Chibuzor's parents, we were to have our blood tested the following day. If neither of our blood types was compatible, then our other relatives would be contacted and his name would be put on the donor list.

At this stage, I realised it was inevitable that Eze would discover he wasn't Chibuzor's biological father. I had to tell him the truth that very evening. I felt that it was better he heard it from me than from the doctors the next day. You can just imagine!

That night after having dinner, I explained to Eze that he was not really Chibuzor's biological father and that I'd had a brief affair with a man in my office called Edward, during our marriage. Eze was filled with shock. Without a word, he stood up in a daze and walked away from me to his bedroom and locked himself inside the room and slept off.

I waited up for him all night on the sofa in the living room, for him to call me into the bedroom but he

didn't call me.

The following morning, Eze coldly told me that he would divorce me but not now. He said that he would remain with me for now for Chibuzor's sake because Chibuzor needed him.

He said that when Chibuzor was well again, he would file for divorce and leave me. From that time on, he refused to have anything to do with me outside of Chibuzor's hospital room and he slept on his own in the bedroom.

My blood type was not compatible with that of Chibuzor so I had to contact Chibuzor's biological father, Edward. He had moved to London with his wife before Chibuzor was born and we had long ago lost contact.

Edward was shocked to learn that I had become pregnant and given birth to his child as a result of our extra-marital affair. He was sorry to hear about Chibuzor's illness, but refused to help. He didn't want his wife to find out about the affair or about Chibuzor.

After many weeks of trying, we were not able to find a compatible donor for Chibuzor and we were reduced to simply waiting in the hope that one might eventually turn up.

It was as though all my sins were

Melanie C

Edward was shocked to learn that I had become pregnant and given birth to his child as a result of our extramarital affair

finally catching up with me; I was being severely punished for my infidelity and stood to lose all that I loved. I had already lost my husband and now I could lose my son!

Chibuzor became so ill that the doctors said that conventional medical treatment could do no more for him. All we could do was remain positive and do everything in our power to help support him in his fight against the Leukamia cancer.

Throughout this terrible, terrible time, Eze my husband was simply wonderful to Chibuzor.

He was loving and funny; an endless source of comfort, hope and strength. Chibuzor never suspected that behind Eze's cheerful facade, he was hiding so much hurt and anger.

Over a year later and against all odds, Chibuzor won his fight against cancer and returned home with me. For a short, precious time, we were once again a family. My joy at having my son safely home was tinged with sadness; because now that Chibuzor had fully recovered, Eze was free to leave me.

I was determined to be as calm and as strong as Eze had been for Chibuzor for all those months. If Eze wanted to leave, I would let him go with grace. He had already given me so much by helping to bring Chibuzor back home.

However, to my greatest surprise, later that night, Eze gently took my hand in his. With tears in his eyes, he asked me to please forgive him for his foolish, stubborn pride.

He said that it was no longer important to him whether he was Chibuzor's biological father or not. Chibuzor's long illness and recovery had made him realise what really mattered, which is that we were a very special family and we all belonged together.

Love Poem

Eric R. Hughes

The Unicorn's Ride Over your rainbow A unicorn flew, He was sent to find me...

He said by you.

"Climb aboard", he whispered, "We must go for a ride..."

And into a portal of light We rode inside.

The sky was so blue, The fields so green, With each explosion of light Was a wonderful scene.

So happy we seem And always together, There was no end to your dream, It just went on forever.

Then the unicorn said "I have one more surprise..."

So we took off quickly And pierced the sky.

Then I saw you sleeping And dreaming in your bed...

I caressed your hair gently And kissed you on your head.

The unicorn interrupted...

"I must now get you home, But now that you've seen her dream, May you never feel alone."

My heart is feeling heavy, A fire burns inside.

Thank you so much my darling For the unicorn's ride.

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

Romantic Joke

Getting revenge with marriage

Old Farmer Johnson was dying. The family was standing around his bed. With a low voice he sad to his wife: "When I'm dead I want you to marry farmer Jones."

Wife: "No, I can't marry anyone after you."

Johnson: "But I want you to."

Wife: "But why?"

Johnson: "Jones once cheated me in a horse deal!"

17 JANUARY 2015

Relationships & Love Advice

‘I’m sleeping with my uncle’s wife!' relationship with me. She loves my uncle and would never leave him.

I’m not interested in a serious relationship with her either. We just enjoy the sex. I know most people would disapprove but it doesn’t feel wrong to us when we’re together.

I’m single and have had a few one-night-stands, but the trouble is that I don’t enjoy sleeping with anyone else now.

From Victor.

Dear Love Doctor, I’m having an affair with my uncle’s wife. It’s only for the sex but it’s putting me off other girls.

I’m 25, she’s 42. They’ve been together nine years, so I was 16 when I first met her and there has always been some sexual tension between us.

My parents traveled out to Spain three years ago. They didn't want me to go with them so I spent several months living with my dad’s brother and his wife until I could afford a flat of my own later when I grow older. I grew very close to my aunt during this time.

My uncle had to visit his mum suddenly because she was ill, leaving me and his wife at home together. She confided in me in the evening that my uncle wasn’t interested in sex. He’s 52 so she thinks it’s his age and that it won’t get any better.

I became very aroused talking to her about sex and made a move to kiss her. She kissed me back passionately and we ended up having sex.

We have slept together whenever we could ever since but she says she’s not interested in a real

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Victor, No-strings sex-only relationships rarely work out like that for long. Feelings can’t be frozen and there are always sideeffects.

Your uncle is far too young to be written off sexually and his wife should be putting her energies into sorting out her marriage, not her nephew.

You’re betraying your uncle and his kindness in taking you in, which can’ t make you feel good about yourself, and sex with your aunt is putting you off developing relationships with girls nearer your own age with whom you could share a future.

Tell her it’s over and get out with your own friends. Focus on finding someone free who won’t have to be kept a guilty secret.

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*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

Odd News

T

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

he contents of the bowels of an Italian medieval warlord have revealed his nefarious cause of death nearly 700 years later.

It's commonly accepted that life expectancy in the Middle Ages was pretty low, hovering around the early 30s -- mainly because of the hazards of childhood. If a person made it to adulthood, the average was in the 60s -- but, although that's comparable with today's global life expectancy, the world was still a much more dangerous -- and openly vicious -- place.

It wasn't, for example, unusual for popes and kings to be assassinated.

Take Cangrande I della Scala. Born in 1291, he rose to rule Verona in 1311 at the age of 20, and was a skilled warrior and ruler, claiming several additional territories for his family's rule.

He was also the most prominent patron of poet Dante Alighieri, and was considered a brave, yet merciful man.

In the year 1328, at the age of 37, he took possession of the Padua region, after 16 years of bloody conflict. In 1329, he prepared to move on Mantua, formerly the seat of a trusted ally with whom he had become estranged, but postponed the action due to a change of government at Treviso, a territory long contested and the last slice of the Veneto region to fall into his control.

But his triumphal procession into

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37

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Modern forensics solves 700-year-old murder mystery Treviso was spoiled by a sudden, sharp illness. Rumour had it that Cangrande had become ill after drinking from a polluted spring a few days before. The most powerful man in Verona's history reached his lodgings four days after entering Treviso, took to bed and promptly died on 22 July 1329, at the age of 38. Immediately, rumours proliferated that someone had poisoned the nobleman.

Now, a study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has revealed that the rumoured poisoning was actually the case.

In 2004, the body of Cangrande was exhumed from its marble, still well preserved and naturally mummified. X-ray and CT scans revealed that much of the internal structure was intact, if dessicated. The team found evidence of osteoarthritis and tuberculosis, and, in the colon and rectum, traces of faecal matter.

It is this that the team then analysed, seeking clues to the substance that led to Cangrande's sudden death.

They found chamomile, a herb used nowadays in relaxing teas; black mulberry; and -- a complete surprise -- pollen spores of Digitalis, a deadly plant commonly known as foxglove.

This is consistent with the symptoms – diarrhoea and vomiting – Cangrande exhibited prior to his death, the team wrote.

"The gastrointestinal symptoms manifested by Cangrande in his last hours of life are compatible with the early phase of Digitalis intoxication and the hypothesis of poisoning is mentioned by some local historical sources," the study reads. "The most likely hypothesis on the causes of death is that of a deliberate adminis-

tration of a lethal amount of Digitalis."

As for who did the poisoning... well, that's likely to remain a mystery. Shortly after his death, one of Cangrande's physicians was hanged by his successor -- and the contents of Cangrande's intestines does support the theory that the physician was the one . A decoction of chamomile and black mulberry could have been given the nobleman to help soothe an ailment. Chamomile is a sedative and antispasmodic, while black mulberry is astringent. The foxglove could have been slipped into the medicine, masked by the other flavours.

That said, the man was not without a plethora of political enemies -- including his aforementioned successor, Mastino II. "The principal suspects are the neighbouring states, the Republic of Venice or Ducate of Milan, worried about the new regional power of Cangrande and Verona; at the death of Cangrande also his ambitious nephew Mastino, who became ruler of Verona in association with his brother Alberto, cannot be totally excluded as instigator," the study reads.

Courtesy: Daily Mail

38

Love&Living

True Story

I

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

‘My secret first husband'

grew up in a small town in rural Queensland. My only dream while I was growing up was to save as much money as I could to leave home and travel overseas. By the time I turned 18 I had enough money to go.

I spent months travelling through Asia and then on to Europe where I would get any job I could so I'd have enough money to travel to my next destination. After doing this for a few months I met some friends who were off to America. Having never been there before I decided to go with them. It was great! We bought a beat-up old car and went on a road trip across the States seeing all there was to see.

I eventually ran out of money in Las Vegas so I decided to stay there and get a job and enjoy being in totally different surroundings to the small town I grew up in. I got a job as a waitress in one of the big casinos and that was where I met Jeremy.

Jeremy worked on the card tables and was the most beautiful man that I had ever seen. He was tall, blonde and ridiculously handsome. He was also very clean-cut and after months of travelling and seeing men living out of backpacks this was very appealing. I used to take every opportunity to work near his table in the hopes that he would notice me. Eventually he did and we started dating.

Our relationship moved very quickly and after only six weeks we started living together. One night we were joking around about getting married and after a few drinks we decided that it would be a really funny thing to do. So we ran off to a small white chapel where 'Elvis' married us in true Vegas style. We were both so excited and kept laughing as we called each other 'husband and wife'.

The only downside was that I hadn't even told my parents that I was dating Jeremy so I was not too sure how a phone call from the other side of the

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

How to make foreplay fun for both of you continued from last week

Have a sexy mindset You need to have a sexy mindset to make sex fun always for you and your partner. Whether it’s wearing hot new lingerie all day, getting a wax, or texting your partner something you’re dying to do later, these little rituals can act as extended foreplay, says Walsh.

world telling them that I was married would go down, so I decided to tell them when the time was right.

Everything was great between Jeremy and me, I loved him and I loved the fact that he was my husband. It was after a few months that I started to notice the cracks forming in our relationship.

He started hanging out with friends more, coming home late and was getting different shifts to me at work. It got to the point that between both of us working shifts we hardly ever saw each other.

After being married for only three months I decided to go and surprise him at work. He was on his break so I went to the staffroom where I found him kissing one girl who was sitting on his lap. I was devastated and marched into the room demanding to know what he was doing. He was very apologetic and told me that this was the first time anything had happened and that it would never happen again. Being young and in love I believed him.

Things worked well for a few more months then he started being distant and I had a feeling that he was cheating again. My suspicions were confirmed when I spotted

One night we were joking around about getting married and after a few drinks we decided that it would be a really funny thing to do

him with another girl one day when he was supposed to be at work. He didn't know that I knew and by this stage I was sick of the lies.

I went and saw a lawyer about getting an annulment.

He gave me the forms I needed and all I had to do was get Jeremy to sign them. I waited until Jeremy was quite drunk one night and told him that he needed to sign a tax form for work. I gave him the annulment and he signed it — he didn't even read what he was signing. I posted it off and waited for it to clear.

By the time the annulment came though I had saved enough money to go home so I packed my bags, left the annulment on the table with a note telling him that I knew about the other girl and that I was leaving. I got on the next plane home.

I have never spoken to Jeremy again and I occasionally wonder how he's doing but I am now happily married with a baby on the way and even though my family and husband know that I was in a relationship in America they don't know the extent of it and I have no intentions of ever telling them.

Courtesy: nine.com

Wedding Traditions

Shaving the bride's hair: China I n parts of China the last time you will see the woman you love with a full head of hair is before you marry her.

This is because a married woman is supposed to shave off all but a lock of her hair. This is considered a sign of beauty and cleanliness.

Courtesy: Irish Central.

Match Your Position to Your Mood Just like your dates range from romantic to passionate, your hookups should, too. Depending on the mood you’re in, get creative with your sex style, says Kerner. Craving emotional intimacy and eye contact? Go with Missionary. Feel like ripping each other’s clothes off the second you get home? Opt for Upstanding Citizenagainst a wall. Ready to take control? Hop on top for Reverse Cowgirl. You get the idea.

Play Up the Fantasy So how do you bring up the fact that you want to try a new position or light bondage? “Put the thing you’d like to do into the context of a sexy fantasy or dream that involves your partner,” says sex therapist Ian Kerner, Ph.D., author of She Comes First.

For instance, you can tell him you had a crazy-hot dream about shower sex last night or that you can’t get this Fifty Shades-style fantasy out of your head.

He’ll definitely get the hint.

Love Education

What is Miscarriage?

I

t is the spontaneous or unplanned expulsion of a fetus from the womb before it is able to survive independently. "his wife had a miscarriage" synonyms: spontaneous abortion, stillbirth "she's had a miscarriage" Pregnancy and Miscarriage A miscarriage is the loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. The medical term for a miscarriage is spontaneous abortion, but the condition is not an abortion in the common definition of the term.

According to the March of Dimes, as many as 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage -- most often before a woman misses a menstrual period or even knows she is pregnant. About 15% of recognized pregnancies will end in a miscarriage.

More than 80% of miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. Miscarriages are less likely to occur after 20 weeks gestation; these are termed late miscarriages.

What Are the Symptoms of a Miscarriage?

Symptoms of a miscarriage include: Bleeding which progresses from light to heavy Severe cramps Abdominal pain Fever Weakness Back pain If you experience the symptoms listed above, contact your obstetric health care provider right away. He or she will tell you to come in to the office or go to the emergency room.

Source: Wikipedia.

SATURDAY

Travel &Tourism SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2015

Chef's Corner

39

HOSPITALITY

Creating a signature taste for Swiss Spirit p.40 The bar section

Travel Personality Marek Zmyslowski: A commitment to building Jovago to biggest brand in Africa p.41

Facade of the hotel

Destination

Ibray Seaside Resort and Suite: A shining armour in Abule Ado p.42

D’ Czars Hotel and Suites: A rustic beauty for royals CHIAZOR PEACE UDUH and EZEKIEL ADESAWE visited D’ Czars Hotel and Suites, Ota, in Ogun State, and write on the grand dreams of the hotel whose growth has surpassed the brief period it has been in operation.

O

ta sits on a vantage spot as the gateway between Lagos and Ogun states. That unique position has over the years resulted in increasing population and commercial activities in the town which has also become home to different institutions and industries of note. The hospitality sector has also had its fair share in the town with D’ Czars Hotel and Suites, which recently opened for business raising the bar and signposting the best of hospitality in the sprawling town.

Located a few metres from the former toll gate, it boasts a colourful and appealing environment

with the façade exuding fascinating ambience. It comes across as hospitality home fit for the prince because besides its enchanting looks, the facilities are well apportioned and of a very high taste and standard, looking quite outstanding and classy.

It is like no other facility within its immediate environment and could compete with many of the highbrow hotels across the country as no effort appeared to have been spared to give it a beautiful scenery and comfort styled in elegance.

The chairman of the hotel, Salman Kasim, said the stylish and upscale look are driven by the desire to give Ota a property fit for royalty. According to him, the idea is to place it on the global hospitality map as a town with a top hotel catering to the needs of the wealthy travellers and leisure seekers with a distinctive taste.

Target The chairman explained that D’Czars Hotel and Suite is a place for people with discerning taste and style. The high standard is designed to appeal to people with an eye for aesthetics, luxury and maximum comfort.

Facilities It has 25 rooms which are classed into five distinct categories - Emperor Suites; Imperial Suites; Duke and Duchess Room; Majesty Room, and Prince and Princess Room. Each is stylishly done and fitted to reflect the name. All the rooms personify luxury and are attractive, artistic and compelling with a number of sophisticated amenities.

The hotel has Wi-Fi services, a restaurant that is all dazzling in terms of aesthetics while it offers African and continental dishes with a master chef heading the kitchen.

Its Gourmet Club offers guests a unique membership which entitles them to discounts and special treat from the restaurant and bar section.

You don’t have to be an in-house guest to enjoy this as it is made to suit the needs of those who seek fine outdoor dining and wining.

Its swimming pool which offers ample area for relaxation is very inviting with its rare display of elegance and arts. It also has a recreation club open to membership for both in–house and walk– in guests.

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS

FESTAC, LAGOS

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

One of the rooms

ABA LAGOS

ABA

High service delivery Besides the sophisticated and luxury facilities, Kasim who was a former Customs officer describes the hotel's services as premium, noting that it would be absurd to have "such a beautiful and modern edifice like this and not complement it with professionally delivered services".

The management, he said, has a hands–on approach as all the personnel in the various departments are well trained. “What we do is in the customers’ best interest. We gauge the customers’ interest, so that we improve when we have to".

According to him, the main challenge for those in the hospitality business is dealing with guests. But he's confident that D’ Czars Hotel and Suites has competent personnel to take care of that aspect.

The future Just about three months into operation, Kassim is optimistic about the hotel's future. He sees the hotel expanding to other cities in no distant time to becomes a strong independent brand to be reckoned with in the sector.

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

40

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

CHEF'S CORNER

Creating a signature taste for Swiss Spirit Eugene Amuro, Asaba-based Swiss Spirit Hotel's chef tells ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA of plans to make the hotel a unique and sweet home for dining out in the city.

BACKGROUND Chef Amuro learnt his craft from the home front over 15 years ago and then honed his skill working with different masters of the trade at various facilities. He started out with Cactus Restaurant on Lagos Island as a steward and later moved on to the butchery section. He was also at the British International School Lekki as a chef and later moved on to La Playa Suite in Lekki, At a point in his career, he worked with Southern Sun Ikoyi before travelling to Senegal to improve on his skill and on returning to Nigeria, he had stints at Margaret Restaurant and De Edge Hotel Port Harcourt before joining Swiss Spirit Asaba.

H

ead chef of Swiss Spirit Hotel Asaba, Eugene Amuro, is a dashing young man not given to too many words. He would rather let his presentations do the talking. Usually well garnished, colourful and inviting, they revealing his personality and commitment to treat guests of the hotel to the best culinary experience.

The hotel opened for business late last year, the first of such outlet in Asaba. As pioneer chef of a hotel in a city fast playing host to increasing numbers of hotels and other hospitality outfits, Amuro sure has his work cut out for him.

He goes about it in a very professional manner. ‘‘I am working to build the kitchen up,’’ he would say. What exactly does that mean? He says he and his team are just laying down the procedures, getting deliveries and working on the various menu for the hotel. But one thing guests can rest assured about is the fact that once done, Swiss Spirit Hotel Asaba would certainly be a most sought after dining and wining outlet.

This vision of Amuro is also in tandem with that of the hotel’s general manager, Lee Hess who says, he is developing a blueprint to make the new hotel the centre of leisure and entertainment in the city. As it were, Chef Amuro is one of the recruited allied to bringing this dream to fruition.

Presently, the hotel offers a good mix of both African and continental dishes, but Amuro is not hiding the fact that emphasis is placed on national (local) dishes, as

he hopes to treat guests to a blend of local delicacies from all parts of the country.

According to him, the signature of the hotel’s offering lie in the presentation, which he said would set the hotel apart from the crowd once created. ‘‘I am working on the presentation which is going to be quite different from others,’’ he said, adding that the ‘‘rich taste of the food is going to distinguish us as well".

If all goes well, Amuro would treat his guests to the chef's signature daily while every other day would feature special presentation alongside theme nights with focus also on African treats and the promotion of African salad. Mexican cuisine would also enjoy premium spot in his presentation. He is reputed to be a specialist on Mexican food having worked on it for so many years.

He is quietly experimenting with the Sunday brunch, a colourful and exciting blend of breakfast and lunch.

Amuro is also introducing a live grill station at the pool bar with a "point and kill" facility and Friday barbecue with a live band to serenade guests while a live cooking station is a future plan.

One of Chef Amuro's creations

Amuro

TRAVEL BEATS

Madrid earns second world city for conference tourism status Madrid last year leaped from being the fourth world city for conference tourism to the second position according the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranking as it garnered 186 meetings and stayed atop the Meeting, Incentives, Conference and Events (MICE) tourism destination in Spain.

In this last ranking, Madrid came next only to Paris and managed to overtake Vienna, a destination that had held first place since 2009 and which has now moved down to third place. Madrid also remains ahead of Barcelona, which has come in fourth.

In this last ranking, Madrid came next only to Paris and managed to overtake Vienna, a destination that had held first place since 2009 and which has now moved down to third place. Madrid also remains ahead of Barcelona, which has come in fourth.

The Spanish capital remained ahead of Barcelona, with 50 per-

cent of the ICCA-approved events being held at some of the 200 companies and organisations that are members of Madrid Convention Bureau.

For the first time ever, the city of Madrid is second in the prestigious International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranking.

For the 2013 edition, the capital has moved up from fourth to second place, thus moving onto the podium of the most valued international conference host cities at world level while remaining at the forefront of meetings tourism in Spain.

Madrid has not only moved up in this classification, which contains data on 1,678 destinations and is a benchmark in the conference organising sector, but it has also increased its number of ICCAapproved conferences. In total, the city has reached 186 conferences - a figure representing 13% more than in 2012 - a year in which Madrid also beat its own record and

reached fourth place.

This is the result of the firm commitment of the City Council, through Madrid Destino and the Madrid Convention Bureau, to the MICE tourism sector in Madrid.

Intense international promotion

work and collaboration with the Madrid tourist industry are the keys that have allowed the city's organisational capacity, and its excellent infrastructures and resources for holding events and meetings, to be acknowledged.

The Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke doing the Shoki dance with Peter and Paul of P-Square during the 2014 Carnival Calabar celebration

Starwood Hotels ends 2014 with 74 openings Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide ended the year 2014 strong with 74 new hotels offering about 15, 000 rooms opened in 26 countries across the world. It also signed 175 new hotels management and franchise deals in the out gone year, representing a 15 percent increase over that of 2013. This marked the fifth consecutive year of increased signings for the company and new deals netted since 2007.

The president and CEO of the global hospitality outfit, Frits van Paasschen, said: ‘‘with more than 1,200 hotels in 100 countries, we’re on the frontlines of global change and continue to see increasing demand for innovative, design-led brands, playing to Starwood’s strength.

“Our nine lifestyle brands continue to attract owners as does our loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®, which brings high-value guests to our hotels from around the world, driving more than half of our occupancy on any given night.”

The hotel is expected to continue on this historic record making path in 2015 as it has in the pipeline 300th hotel in Asia Pacific and China; 150th hotel in China (with all nine brands represented); 90th hotel in Africa and the Middle East; 175th Luxury hotel; 750th Upper Upscale hotel; and 300th Mid-Market hotel.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Travel & Tourism

41

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Marek Zmyslowski

A commitment to building Jovago to biggest brand in Africa Polish-born Marek Zmyslowski is the managing director of Jovago.com, an online portal for hotel bookings across the world based in Lagos. He speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on the success story of Jovago and developments associated with it and the hospitality industry.

J

The company ovago.com is an online hotel booking service with head office in Lagos and founded by Africa Internet Group with MTN as one of the investors. It is regarded as Africa’s number one booking portal, and provides its numerous users with the best hotel booking experience, as it is fast, transparent and easy-to-use.

Jovago.com has over 10,000 local hotel listings across Africa and over 200,000 hotels around the world.

Africa Internet Holding inventories also include Jumia and Kaymu.

Background Marek Zmyslowski, describes himself as internet geek and that tells exactly his enchantment and fascination and life-time engagement with the world of technology. Back in his native country, Poland, Zmyslowski successfully birthed two online platforms before moving over to Lagos, Nigeria and joined the Africa Internet Holding where he set up Jovago in August 2013.

Jovago boss other interests includes fashion and could actually be called a fashion jockey and sports enthusiast as he is a former snowboard instructor, holding a racing licence.

Inspiration “The idea came from analysing the trends in African online space and comparing them with online travel industries in more developed markets, like USA or Europe. Clearly, Africa (especially Nigeria) is showing the biggest potential of growth and is one of the hottest markets to build an online company,” he says of the inspiration which led to developing the online portal.

“Our mission is to open up every piece of bookable accommodation, in the countries we operate to round the world by bringing them online,” he says, insisting that the company is dedicated to offering the travelling public the best available accommodation options at friendly rates.

“We aim to provide the ideal accommodation for every kind of traveller at the best prices, whatever their needs. For us that means everything from five-star luxury suites to self-catering apartments and family run bed and breakfast (B/B), says Jovago head even as he adds that the operation of the company is very transparent. “We

try to present our partner properties 100 per cent honestly. If you stay with us and something isn’t as you expected, please let us know,” he says.

Economic gains According to him, the economic gains of the platform are numerous with basically every aspect of the society harvesting from its operations. To begin with, he speaks of the easy and access afforded the travelling public, providing more options at competitive rates, exposing different destinations and also bringing business to the door step of the hotels as well as opening the tourism flanks of the various states in Nigeria and cities across the world.

How it works He describes how the organisation operates: “Typically, we send our team to hotels across the country to sign them up and put the pictures and description for each hotel online.

The next step is to put these hotels live on our website so that customers can find and book them. This is where our customer service steps in to make sure that the reservation is made for the customer at the hotel and customer can either conveniently pay online or at the hotel and enjoy their stay.”

According to him, finding and booking hotel through the portal is very easy and simplified. He says, “All a customer needs to do is enter the hotel name, city or area that they are looking for a hotel in the search bar, select travel dates and click search. You will then be shown several options of hotels to choose from or redirected to the hotel page if you chose a specific hotel. Click book now and fill in your details in the form provided, then just select pay online or pay at the hotel. Once you have done this, your reservation is made and our customer service will contact you to confirm your booking.”

The Polish-born Jovago boss says the response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. “The response has been quite overwhelmingly positive. I think that subconsciously, Nigerians were waiting for this gap to get filled. People are very keen on the convenience of booking hotels online and it has really caught on in Nigeria. Our number of daily bookings has grown by over five times since we started.”

Zmyslowski

The challenge Operating such a global platform in the Nigerian environment must have its teething issues, and for him, some of these issues include the fact that, “Nigerians are still used to the traditional way of doing things like booking hotels. Our challenge is to continually demonstrate how easier, cheaper and more convenient it is to book hotels online.”

On revenue generation This is one area that Zmyslowski for now will like to keep out of the public domain as he offers thus: “I can proudly say our revenues grow by two digits numbers every month,” adding that, “though, we’re still a start-up, we’re focusing on growth and building the biggest brand in Africa which involves a lot of investments.

I can proudly say our revenues grow by two digits numbers every month

It’s an expensive venture Zmyslowski says it is, “much more capital intensive than one could estimate. Mostly people think all you need to run an online business is to have couple of computers, servers, domain and access to Internet.”

And operating in the Nigerian environment where infrastructure is a challenge raises the bar: “We are headquartered in Nigeria, where basic infrastructure costs are high (internet, electricity, etc), we are also hiring many talents in customer service, representatives responsible for building relationships with thousands of hotels, photographers to snap pictures of the facilities.

Also, because the online market is still at the very early stage of growth, we need to invest heavily in offline marketing, and that is generally more expensive than online marketing.”

On pricing It is a known fact that pricing in the hospitality sector is an issue as hotels across the country are generally regarded to be overpriced. How then is the online portal handing this issue?

“Mainly because hotel rooms available/rooms demanded ratio is higher

than in any markets, Nigeria remains one of the most expensive markets in the world (just after Russia). Hotels are relatively small, so they need to pump the margins to maintain the business, where overhead costs are high due to power issues,” Zmyslowski says.

However, he insists that, “Jovago is helping hotels grow revenues by educating them about dynamic rates management and adjusting hotel offer to be more competitive and consisting the very things a customer is actually looking for.”

Dealing with fraud “We have implemented the latest worldwide standards of online security on our website; no customer has ever been victim of any fraudulent activity.”

The challenge facing hospitality sector in Nigeria “Quality customer service is the main issue; this is however changing rapidly because of growing competition in the market.”

Nigeria tourism industry “Tourism in Nigeria is growing rapidly and is one of the top revenue generators in Nigeria. Nigeria has a wide range of tourist activities to offer. It is a coastal country and the main attraction for the tourists is the long beaches and the marine activities. Apart from this, the other attractions are the historical monuments, exciting trips to the tropical forests, exploring the wildlife, art and culture and the lifestyle of the country.”

The problem “I think the major problem facing Nigeria’s tourism industry is lack of visibility and access. Nigeria has a lot of tourist attractions which have not been fully explored. One of our missions here at Jovago is to help improve the visibility of the Nigerian tourism industry and we have partnered with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to make this a reality.”

42 Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Ibray Seaside Resort and Suite: The hospitality industry seems to be expanding as hotels and resorts keep springing up. WAHEED BAKARE, who was at the newly opened Ibray Seaside Resort and Suite, writes on the allure of the seaside resort, which is dedicated to the promotion of the finest culture in leisure and entertainment.

DESTINATION

‘G

ood thinking, good product,’ a business concept first introduced in the 50s by a Japanese business mogul, Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works Limited, has become a universal and succinct statement that stands out business owners that display great élan and business acumen.

This is why guests and visitors were not surprised that the initiative conceived by Mr. Hussein Jelil Shina, otherwise known as ‘Okanlomo,’ a few years back has finally made it to the physical stage and ready to whoa guests to its bowels and mark a difference in the higher competitive hospitality market, which daily welcomes new entrants of different blend and brands to its ever swelling ranks.

The good product, which turned out to be Ibray Seaside Resort and Suite is located at Abule Ado, a sleepy riverine community in Ibeshe, Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos.

The resort opened to the public formally on December 21, 2014 and its coming was heralded with a grand opening ceremony, which had all the elements of pomp and excitement and witnessed by selected guests most of whom where business gurus and the wealthy dukes around town.

Starting a hotel, according to hospitality experts, requires careful choice of a location and strategy, a good business plan, access to considerable financial resources, and a service where customers are treated as kings.

These cardinal principles, according to Shina, were not only considered but were religiously incorporated into the idea that birthed the resort, which can be described as exceptionally appealing, classy and exquisite in all its ramifications. It is not doubt a well delivered dreamed project and many of the guests at the occasion attested to this fact as many of them could not resist the temptation to shower praises on the originator of the dream while appreciating the finesse of the resort.

The choice of Abule Ado Abule Ado is a sleepy riverine community in need of development as not much has been done to improve on the lot of the community by way of turning it into a modern and business oriented community despite the presence of pockets of business outfits and depots. But what easily attracts attention is the serenity of the community with its pristine and natural pull very attracting to a first time visitor to the community.

The stretch of river which straddles the fringe of the community is one of the natural elements which have given it a different colouration and the alluring pomp that the community enjoys.

That the resort owner has decided to leverage on these natural elements in the location of the resort is something commendable and it is what sets it apart from any other resort.

It has the distinction of adoring and enchanting natural scenery that is not like any. When closeted within the resort, it is like quartered within calm and soothing cocoon as one is shielded from the bursting nature of Lagos. Here, holiday makers and patrons of the resort are sure to be treated to the best of the natural world of the resort where you have almost everything at your beck and call as the resort boast of array of modern and sophisticated hospitality gadgets which afford luxury and unhindered relaxation.

It is therefore, not surprising that for Mr. Shina, the choice of his rural community is a deliberate one, which among others is aimed at drawing attention to the community, exposing it rich potential to the public and putting it on the global tourism map as a destination of note.

“I chose a riverine community because this is my community and I should be able to do things that will showcase my community. I want a situation whereby people will come from the hinterland and see the wonder that we have here rather investing in an area like Ikeja or Victoria.

“If I go to hinterland to invest, that area will take the glory but I also want to beautify my community so that people who live in hinterland will also be talking about my own community too. There is no way you will talk about my hotel with-

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I chose a riverine community because this is my community and I should be able to do things that will showcase my community

out talking about my community,’’ he said while expressing confidence that the resort would in no distant time attract people to itself and the community. ‘‘This is my pride. Some people may not have any business that will bring them to my community but the hotel could be a reason why some will come to the area. They may say ‘let me even go and see the hotel they are talking about at Abule Ado,’’ said elated Shina who on this fateful day was a toast of the guests.

If there is one thing that Shina is proud of, it is the fact that his resort is very magnificent and stands out from the pack. “There are hotels everywhere but because of curiosity some people that never thought of coming to Able Ado may come here to see what is unique about our hotel. Although like I said earlier, people have done similar things, I believe some people will still come here to see what stands us out,’’ revealed the resort owner.

He acknowledged there were challenges in the course of building the hotel but said such could no longer be called obstacles since he was able to complete the project.

The challenge Setting up a gigantic resort in this kind of environment is a challenging one in itself when you consider the level of patronage. But for Shina, the challenge goes far beyond this level: “There is no way one could have this kind of investment without having challenges. But to the glory of God, we overcame those challenges. Of course, there were challenges from government, individuals and the community but since we were able to overcome those challenges, we can no longer call them challenges.

If they were actually challenges, we won’t be able to complete this project,” he said.

To complete the project, he said it took him about three years to achieve, adding, “I don’t have any money set aside to complete it, so, as the money comes we divert it to the project. This was how we completed it. You know if one is a socialite, when it is time to socialise, one will socialise. But I ensure that I was not carried away and got distracted because if care is not taken, those whom you socialises with may be the ones that will rebuke you if you did not do anything meaning-

Travel & Tourism 43

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

A shining armour in Abule Ado 8

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ful to better your lots. Although man proposes, God disposes, we still have to play our own part by making hay while the sun shines.”

The legacy Shina is no doubt a forward looking and shrewd businessman who is looking at leaving an enduring legacy for his children and family. That's the reason he decided to invest in the hospitality sector, which he said is a growing sector and certain to yield returns on investment over the years. He spoke glowingly of his humble background, which has informed his decision. “We thought things may not be rosy at all times. I knew I was brought up by my parents, how I struggled to make ends meet and keep hoping that tomorrow will be better. ‘‘Now that things are better to the glory of God, I felt since I struggled as a child to make ends meet, I thought it will not be wise for my children to also have the same experience I had as a child. Hence I need to leave a legacy worthy of emulation for them so that when they grow up, they already have a platform where they can build on and make early progress in life, he said.

According to him, his local environment was what shaped his decision

to invest in the hospitality sector: “It will not augur well for one to embark on spending spree without thinking of viable investment. There are various ways in which people have invested and I look at this environment and the idea of a unique investment came to my mind. If you look at this environment, you will see a lot of depots, an indication that oil business is thriving.

So, I thought of what area of investment I can go into that will also be of benefit to those working at the depots and benefit us too as investors. ‘‘The community belongs to our forefathers but they have sold a substantial part to government, rich men who built depots in the area. But we also thought of how we can benefit from these people, hence this idea came up. If we don’t think of how we can have huge investment, they won’t have any regard for us. After all, our forefathers had sold part of the land to them.

But as it is now, when we are talking in the community, they will listen to us.’’

Shina attributed the ability to put up such inviting edifice to providence.

“It is not by our might but by the grace of God that we were able to establish this. A lot of people wish to do a similar thing but do not have the financial ca-

1. Main building 2. Reception 3. Seaside bar 4. Swimming pool area 5. Night club 6. Restaurant 7. One of the rooms 8. Conference room

pability, those who have the financial wherewithal, may not even think in that direction.’’

Furthermore, he insisted that, ‘‘investment is very vital. One should be thinking of investment because of the future. We should also remember that nothing is permanent. So, we thought that if things are not as rosy as we expect it to be in the future, with this kind of investment, we have something we can fall back on.”

Shina, who started his foray into business as an estate agent, also said he felt there was need for him to diversify rather than put all his eggs in one basket. “In the past, I had built houses, sell some, rent out some but we are not getting enough returns on our investment, tenants come up with all manner of excuses so we thought we should diversify. This is an era where if a landlord is not careful, his tenant could send him to prison. This is the first time I am investing in hospitality business and I pray that God put blessing into it so that we will not have cause to regret.

“This is the first but I hope and pray that by the time I build another one, it will be far better than this. We have seen our mistake in the course

of building this and we hope to correct them in subsequent similar ones.

There is no going back since I have decided to invest in hospitality industry. In the next two to three years, we pray that we are able to build another one or two,” he added.

The resort Built on a wide expanse of land at the shores of a river, the two-storey edifice has a lot of services, which makes it the archetype of what holiday resort is expected to look like. This includes a seaside bar with assorted wines and spirit, a swimming pool with a bar, night club; a restaurant that serves local and continental dishes, open space that could be used for events, a boat ride for guests willing to have a feel of the waterway among others.

It has 40 spacious rooms, wellfurnished and decorated in exquisite taste. It has an array of well-trained staff that are ready to attend to customers’ needs.

Speaking on the facilities at the resort, Shina said, “we have 40 rooms, board room, swimming pool with a bar, nightclub, restaurant but we don’t have a hall. We have three boats, life guards. The boats will be permanently stationed at the jetty. Two of the boats can take at least 15 people while the third one can take 10. The boats are free once they are boarded by our guests.

Even if you are going as far as Lekki, V.I or Ajah our boats will take you there.”

Dining and wining would be a delightsome affair at the resort as the bar is not only well - stocked but it boasts a trained and experienced chef who is dedicated to giving world class gastronomic treats to the guests. “We will serve both local and continental dishes. All our employees are tested and trusted professionals. Our chef is very competent. I am not a food person but he has given me the assurance that all food requested by our customers will be prepared,” he added.

Grand treat The opening event was a grand one and perhaps a fore taste of what to expect in the days ahead as among the treats of the day was a hip hop artiste, ‘Small doctor’ who treated the audience to some renditions then came the turn of Fuji musician Wasiu Alabi, better known by the moniker, Pasuma while Olamide was the rave of the moment, as he dished out some of his hit songs like ‘Duro soke,’ ‘Story for the gods,’ ‘turn up,’ which climaxed with ‘Awon Goons mi.’ The audience did not only dance to the rhythm but sang alongside the musician who performed for about 30 minutes.

The performance was capped with Pasuma who treated the audience to scintillating performances, which lasted to the early hours of the morning. The event was compered by the duo of Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu, and Alariwo of Africa. Also in the house were a couple of artistes like Dayo Amusa, Tayo Oduoke otherwise known as Sikiratu Sindodo among others.

In attendance were popular Lagos socialites like Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Olumo), Koko Zaria, Ibrahim Dede, Oloto of Oto land, Oba Onibeji of Ibeji Kingdom, Oba Ofori of Ibeshe land, Oba Onimore of Imore land and Oba Adeniji Olojo of Ojo.

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

A glimpse into other jobs

T

ry my job with Olah is a programme where the host, Olah, invites various celebrities to try the job of different artisans. The show enables celebrities to leave what they know how to do best and put themselves in the shoes of different artisans.

The platform is actually to promote entrepreneurship among youths as well as encourage them to be job creators instead of job seekers.

For every celebrity who tries any job, he or she asks questions along the way, to also learn and know more about the job. But, they try these jobs with the help of a professional in that field. These celebrities are taken to diverse places to try different jobs which include weldering, teaching, cooking, roasting plantain, driving commercial bus among other jobs.

The two episodes shown recently were that of renowned Nollywood actor, Zack Orji and singer, Yemi Alade. While Orji tried the job of a hair dresser, beautiful Alade tried tailoring. Casually dressed in long jeans and sleeve shirt which he eventually rolled up, Orji briefly left acting for hair dressing. He was taken to a salon by the host Olah to assist in retouching a young lady’s hair.

Equipped with an apron and latex glove, he was set for his new job.

Guided by the stylist, he was able to apply relaxer to the hair and there after wash out the relaxer, roll, set and finally style the hair. Along the way, he asked questions about hair dressing and was given answers. For Orji, experiencing a job like hairdressing outside acting indicates that no job is easy.

Programme summary

Hard Facts

Nigeria info Mon-Fri @ 3pm Hard Facts is a structured platform aimed at informing, educating and stirring up healthy debates and discussions with listeners in a lively, engaging and entertaining manner. The programme runs for five hours and is hosted by Zoe and Chuks.

Seriously Speaking

Channels Sunday @ 6:00 pm The programme anchored by Adesuwa Onyenokwe focuses on topical issues, life experiences, challenges and successes of those who make the news. Guests cut across statesmen and women, celebrities from the arts and entertainment, entrepreneurs and others.

Entertainment Splash TVC Mon-Fri @ 1:00 pmam

Entertainment Splash also known as E-SPLASH is a youth focused daily live show anchored by Aka and Aj. The programme features live celebrity interviews, trending music videos, latest entertainment news, dance moves and more.

SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2015

This weekend MiTv

TELEVISION

Saturday 9:30 D’gallery 10:00 Salvation ½ hour 10:30 Sports World 11:30 Blissful Saturday 12:00 News 2:00 New Testament Voice 2:30 ABC 3:00 Train to win 3:30 Bad Brilliance 4:00 Learning in Pieces 4:40 Little Miss Jocelyn 5:15 Arrested Development 6:00 My Nigerian Dream 6:30 Family Booster moment 7:00 Jungle Ride 7:30 Monster Hit Banger 8:00 Ese Aro 8:30 Nollywood English

Olah, the show's host, Zack Orji and the stylist at the salon

Alade on her part was taken to ‘Lady B’ tailoring shop where the owner took her through the process of sewing a six pieces skirt.

The owner started with tracing the client’s measurement using tailor’s chalk after which Alade followed the trace to carefully cut out the pieces under close supervision. She asked questions along the way to which the woman readily answered. For Alade, she said she had learnt to work with a sewing machine even though she could not thread the machine but was grateful for the experience.

You can’t help but chuckle sometimes how these celebrities handle different work tools and try to fit into that job. But at the end, it is all about having fun and learning something new and different from their areas of specialisation.

It is encouraging that in between the programme, they show basic

information, tips and facts about each job tried by different celebrities. And sometimes they give the estimated start-up capital depending on the job. This is particularly a good idea for viewers nurturing the idea of starting that particular job.

In my view, the airing time is too short. Some viewers will want to know more about jobs they have interest in but may feel reluctant to make up their minds. Hopefully, seeing these celebrities take up such jobs excitedly might eventually help them decide.

Try my job is hosted by Oyedeji Olawunmi popularly known as Olah. The 15 minutes programme is shown on different television stations across the country. However, you can watch it on Television Continental (TVC) on Saturday at 7:10 pm and Lagos Television (LTV) on Sunday at 10:20 am.

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Nedu

A

ni Chinedu Emmanuel popularly known as Nedu is an accounting graduate of Madonna University, In Anambra State.

He currently works with Wazobia FM Lagos as a Pidgin English news presenter.

He is also an actor and singer. For him, if you are not listening to Nedu, you are Nedu missing big time.

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10:00 The Clone 10:30 Wrestling Sunday 9:00 Asiri Ihinrere 10:00 Woleola 10:30 The Clone 11:15 The Storm 12:00 News 12:30 Dabira L’eto 1:00 Nollywood English 3:00 Let the nations hear 3:30 Victorious Army 4:30 Covenant Discovery ½ hour 5:00 Nollywood English 6:00 Tax Talk 6:30 Quantum leap 7:30 Red Carpet 8:00 Who wants to be a millionaire 9:00 Mitv world News 9:30 Labe Orun 10:30 Atmosphere for Faith 11:00 Movie

LTV

Saturday 9:00 The Big Issue 10:00 TVC News 10:30 On the Town 11:00 Between the lions 11:30 Sports Week 12:00 News 12:30 Video Fashion 1:00 Nollywood Yoruba 2:30 Boombox 3:00 Arts Express 3:30 Golden Chance 4:30 Sports Week 5:00 Stand Up Nigeria 5:30 Stand by Me, My Beloved 6:30 Dawn in the Creeks 7:10 Try My Job 7:30 Silent Noise 8:00 Nollywood English 9:30 Events Diary 10:00 News 11:00 Wrap Up Sunday 8:00 Nollywood English 10:20 Try My Job 10:30 Nollywood English 11:00 Boombox 11:30 Sports Week 12:00 News 12:30 Nollywood English 2:30 House of Grace 3:00 Uncommon Grace 3:30 Golden Chance 4:00 News 4:30 Excellent Leadership

5:00 Hitlist N Cruzin 5:30 Boombox 6:00 Stand Point 7:30 Nollywood Yoruba 8:30 Ignite 9:00 Nollywood movie 10:00 News

RADIO

Radio Continental 102.3 FM Saturday 8:00 Box of Goodies 9:30 Good Living 10:00 Saturday Sports 10:30 Be my Guest 11:55 Healthy Living?

12:00 World News 12:15 World Beats 1:00 Fan Zone 2:30 Music 317 6:00 Entertainment Unscripted 7:30 Afrobeat Tonight 10:30 Old School Groove 12:00 Whispers

Sunday 7:30 Press Report 10:30 Think you know the Bible 11:00 Country Music 12:00 World News 1:00 Chart Busters 2:00 Lagos News 2:30 Palaver 4:00 Studio 102 5:15 Studio 102 6:00 Youth Connect 7:00 Woman's Own 8:00 Sunday Evening Groove 11:00 Symphonia

Independent radio 92.3 FM Benin Saturday 8:00 The Will To Win 8:30 Life Na Sense 9.00 Cupid 10.00 News on the Hour 10.30 Politics Today (Live) 11.30 One Thing at a Time 12:00 News at Noon 1.00 World News 4.30 Okuneyeku (Igbanke) 5.00 Saturday Sports Fiesta 7.00 Campus Life / Sms / Cards 10.35 Guys Are Talking

Sunday 7.30 Papers Review 8.25 Smdcommercials 8.30 Flava (BBC) 8.55 Commercials 10.00 News on the Hour 11.00 News Review 1.30 People Talk To People 3.00 News in Pidgin 5.30 I Salute Una 6.00 Heartbeat News 6.20 Ahenmwenmwan 10.00 Network News

SATURDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2015

SATURDAY

Politics 45

Politics

Yero pledges tit for tat in Kaduna over poster defacing p.47

Face-Off

In Edo, APC, PDP trade blame over expenditure p.48

Politics

I want to turn Delta around, says O'tega Emerhor p.50

Akanbi dares Jonathan

Show us how you fought corruption Pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and former President of Court of Appeal, Mustapha Akanbi, or Baba Akanbi to admirers, hides nothing from anyone about his concerns, particularly ridding Nigeria of corruption, laments to BIODUN OYELEYE, afresh, that the Jonathan administration is practically doing nothing to continue the battle he initiated to make Nigeria a corruption-free nation.

What informed your recent outburst against the Federal Government regarding the incidence of corruption?

If there is anything to the contrary? I challenge the President and his men to bring out their facts.

When I was chairman of the ICPC I did my best; we were able to apply the law as required. Section 6of the anti corruption law imposes three obligations on us as the anti-corruption body: one, enforcement which is to investigate and prosecute those who are corrupt; two, to prevent corruption by looking into the rules and regulations governing government intuitions and bodies and see which areas are opened to corruption and be able to plug it by preventing it. The third is education and so it is a three-prong attack on corruption and we were able to apply it. We were able to arrest those who were corrupt.

Initially, we were accused of catching only the small fishes but later, we went to town and we were able to arrest even members of the judiciary. We were able to arrest Permanent Secretaries, serving and retired ministers; we even arrested people like Adolphus Wabara, the then president of the senate. We were able to arrest customary court judges and what have you. We were able to take them to court. Some of them were discharged and acquitted but some of them were prosecuted and even removed from office such as the election tribunal presided over by one Justice Matilda; we took them to court and they were removed as judges from office.

But now, where do you hear anything like CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

Š Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

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Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

‘We are postponing evil day'

CONTINUED from PAGE 45

that? Who are they arresting? There had been a lull. In our days, Ribadu was also proactive in the EFCC, even to the extent of arresting the Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun and so many people who were superior to him and there was fear in every heart that once you got caught by the ICPC or EFCC, you were in trouble. Those days whenever I attended functions where they were doing launching, people would not want to put down something once they saw me. So at times, I took permissions to go away and only advise them that they only donate legitimate money, not ill-gotten wealth.

Is there anything like that again? Do you hear anything? Where people have been accused of corruption such as the Immigration affairs where so many people dies; they collected money but what has happened to the man? If there is anything to the contrary, Akanbi, challenged the President and his men to bring out their facts.

Is it the leader who is corrupt or the structures around him?

Look at the police pension scam; if a person is arrested, that is the end of it and these people are still roaming the streets, some of them even holding political offices. I learnt recently the President said he has bad advisers around him; how come? If he is bad, why was he appointed?

You heard about Oduahgate and now Oduah is contesting to go to the Senate. You have cases where Sanusi (as CBN Governor) complained about missing money or money not accounted for. Again, what happened? There are so many instances and the result is that crime is escalating, stealing and kidnapping on the increase etc. Now people don’t care and the more you take them to court some willing judges will not really be bothered about taking some billions so that he retires into wealth even if he is removed. So these are disheartening, it makes a mess of our people.

That’s why after the lecture when I was called aside to make comment, I said everything and Yusuf Ali said was it was correct; the level of corruption is on the increase; we are number 136 on the corruption index and poverty is there.

But the country’s economy is supposed to be the largest on the continent?

They say we are the largest economy but is it reflecting on the lives of the people, in a situation where people cannot pay salaries, where people cannot have three square meal a day?

Number two, if we say we are the largest economy where are the companies? There is hardly a day when I don’t buy diesel to fuel my generator. Now, the only way one can know whether we are making it or not is the day I stop buying fuel for my generator. Then I will know that we have stabilised; the day I don’t have people here coming to beg for money to offset hospital bills or pay school fees, these don’t happen in developed countries where the economy is well but I dare say that our economy cannot be good as long as there is corruption.

So the current administration is not doing enough to fight corruption?

Well, the president said he would do something and we have two months to the election. If they had achieved something, he can say it openly; give a list of those arrested by the police or ICPC or EFCC. Where are they? There is no record; nothing and the Transparency

International still rated us a corrupt nation. It is not a question of me saying that this government is not doing well; it is me saying that there are stark realities before us that corruption is not being fought; the stark reality before us is that people are getting poorer. I am not a Christian but I know there is a passage in the bible that says that he who has will get more and to him who has not, even the little that he has will be taken away from him; that is what is happening today as even the poor people are becoming poorer, the rich people are becoming richer. And who are the rich people? Where do those people get the money they are donating, where?

Are you asking Nigerians to make an issue of corruption in the coming elections?

Its a factor to be concerned with.

When people talk of Le Quan Yu, they don’t know or fully appreciated who he is. Those who were corrupt in Singapore would rather go and commit suicide than face him when he was handling the issue of corruption. When you go to Hong Kong, it is the same thing.

Ditto for Botswana and South Africa; although they say our economy is bigger. In Botswana, you don’t talk of corruption, they look at you like a criminal.

So the day we have a leadership which focusses its mind on fighting corruption, this country will be better.

Do you support calls for the postponement of the 2015 polls?

I don’t support postponement. If you do, then things will go on as usual; that is the effect of it. Are we happy with the situation now, not to talk of postponing? What Tunde Bakare (Convener of Save Nigeria Group), should preach is that Nigeria should reject corruption, Nigerians should fight for stable nation. I too have my fears that there may be trouble but God is there to take care of situations for us. What I think we should do is to educate our people

It is not a question of me saying that this government is not doing well

to vote correctly, to vote for the right person, and to vote true to their conscience and not allow themselves to be corrupted by anybody. If anybody has gotten stolen money to distribute well, let him distribute but let our people think of their God and their conscience and country. They should be nationalistic and patriotic. Why do you postpone the evil day? You postpone today things are not changing, you postpone again? Then there will be no freedom, no democracy. I don’t think it is a product of deep thinking.

If they look at it critically lets go. Then number two lets tell everybody that violence will do us no good, it is not the solution to our problem. Our voting card is our solution to the problem and our choice of who leads us is the solution to our problem. Why they are saying so is that people like Asari Dokubo have said that it’s either the present president or everything will go to shambles and we have people like El Rufai also speaking in tough languages and all these things; that is nonsensical. What is essential is that where peace and rest never dwell hope can never come. Where there is no peace there will be no progress, there will be no economic development and as Nigerians, as people who love our country we must fight for the peace of this country. Let nobody start causing trouble. You don’t go through an election by forcing people to do what they ought not to do. Also the present administration can if they say they have done very well then there is no need for them to be afraid. Those who are challenging them, too, if they know they want a country to rule, there should be no need for them to cause trouble. So All of us must preach and work for pace, a peaceful and fraud –free election. Then a warning note: I know Jega (INEC chairman).

I respect him, I knew him when he was a leader of ASUU, he was fairly close to me because his cousin was my

Chief Registrar, now Justice Jega of the Court of Appeal. So we interacted even when they were after him I knew all about it. He is an honest man; he is a straight forward man. But when you have around you crooks, you have problem. He should be more vigilant and make sure that his people do not succumb to pressure.

Have you tried to make your concerns known through official channels which you are familiar with?

What official channels? I don’t think government needs my advice. When Obasanjo was president and made me chairman of ICPC, he wanted to give me second tenure. I declined but people may not know that thrice he sent a plane to this town to come and collect me to get advice from me on certain decisions he had to take. On one of such occasions, he got both myself and Justice Babalakin.

When the Ekiti problem was there, he sent for me; I gave advice. If somebody wants my advice, I will give it but the only answer to it if they don’t call me I talk as I’m talking to you now and I also organise lectures on corruption and issues that will profit this nation. And all my organisations have been known to be in the vanguard of working for the good of this country but if maybe the president has an Attorney General, he is a lawyer like me. If he is giving correct advice we will know if he is not we will know. There are other people he has around him; the SGF was a former President of the Senate, he is there with him. They are there, he has all his advisers and they are receiving huge sums, humongous sums of money now what concerns me if the man doesn’t call me? He doesn’t need me.

But I don’t have problem. Nigeria is my constituency, Nigeria is my home.

I think I am doing more than my fair share in order to make Nigeria a great country and far better than I found it.

Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Jonathan’s re-election will end insurgency - Ogunlewe

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Barrister Moyosore Adedoyin Ogunlewe, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aspirant for Kosofe Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015, told TONY OKUYEME that the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan will put an end to insurgency in the country.

As an aspiring legislator in Lagos State House of Assembly, tell us your expectations in the coming elections?

We expect the youth of the country to take centre stage. We also expect violencefree and fair elections across the country.

At the same time, we expect the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win in Lagos and other states of the federation, with President Goodluck Jonathan securing re-election.

For about 16 years, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been in the saddle in Lagos State. Will the PDP will be able to upstage the ruling party, more so with young politicians like you as the arrowhead?

I, together with other candidates of the PDP, have brighter chances. We will dislodge the APC in Lagos because the people of the State are yearning for change. The wind of change is once again blowing across South west as it happened between 2003 and 2007 in the zone where the PDP shocked political pundits with overwhelming victories at the polls. It will happen again this year. It has started in Ekiti with the Governor Ayodele Fayose’s victory for PDP. The era of massive support for APC in Lagos, for example is gone. The people of the state, both indigenes and non-indigenes have realized the need for change in order to enhance their wellbeing after 16 years of being on the saddle in the state. Don’t forget too that the youth of the country have now realized that the future of this country depend on them hence their active participation now more than ever before.

We are in computer age backed by highly sophisticated technological advancement and scientific breakthrough So

Ogunlewe

it is the youth that are the nucleus and centre of great advancement and development both within and without from time immemorial. Take for example ,prior to and after independence from Britain in 1960,names such as the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Anthony Enahoro, who moved the motion for independence in 1957, at about 27 years of age and many others were vibrant youths of those period that later became the foundation and pillars of our the country today. We must not forget in a hurry the military prowess of men like Generals Olusegun Obasanjo, Yakubu Gowon, the late Biafran leader, Odumegwu Ojukwu,Musa Yar’Adua and Theophilus Danjuma. Others like Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida and many others I could not mention their names were youth that excelled in their opportunities to rule the country. Many of them are still alive. So the youth of today must not be neglected in the scheme of things. What I am saying is that, there is no progressive country in the world that we are trying to copy their system ever down play the youth in their quest for sustainable development and political advancement.

American President, Barack Obama, is another good example. Even in other parts of Africa, the list is endless. We, the youth have a lot to offer the country in this dispensation. I believe that I have the wherewithal to move my Constituency, Lagos and Nigeria as a whole forward with my membership of the Lagos State House of Assembly this year.

As the PDP candidate in Kosofe Constituency 1 what are your programmes for the transformation of your Constituency?

In the first place, the decision to represent Kosofe Constituency 1 in the Lagos House of Assembly wasn’t mine. It was the collective decision of the youth in the area, male and female .They believe that having mingle, cross-fertilise ideas on various issues affecting them, the State and the country at large , I can provide for them quality representation. My plan would focus on three areas: Youth empowerment and employment, health and Child care as well as Education. I will make youth empowerment my focal point if elected. Women and the aged will also be given adequate attention .I will drive legislation that will facilitate the establishment of the Ward Development Areas (WADA) framework as a fourth tier of government.

Yero

Yero pledges tit for tat in Kaduna

Vowing that his supporters will not sit by and watch the opposition tear down his campaign materials while flagging off his campaign last Monday, Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State said that henceforth, it would be tit for tat as IBRAHEEM MUSA reports.

N

aturally, Alhaji Muktar Ramalan Yero, the Kaduna state governor, is always cool, calm and collected.

However, these are not normal times and the governor, in recent days, has transformed beyond recognition. Combative, abusive and threatening, Yero is now in battle fatigues, ready to crush the opposition. Last Monday, the governor unveiled the ‘’new Yero’’, revealing a warmonger baying for blood. Before now, he preached peace, waved the olive branch and never rocked the boat in the last two years of his administration. However, five days ago, Yero fired from all six cylinders at his campaign flag off as his party members cheered on. Right now, the atmosphere is charged and Yero’s transformation, like a tidal wave, has stirred the political waters in Kaduna state.

Significantly, in the last two years, Yero had remained calm under fire both in speech and disposition. Usually, his speeches were like homilies and normally, he quotes the Qurán, appealed to people’s conscience and emphasised the bond that tied the people together. Thereafter, the governor will reel out his achievements, promising to do more. In style, content and delivery, Yero’s speeches were predictable and boring. Specifically, on new year day, he was at Kagoro for the Afan festival and the message was the same. Similarly, ten days later, Yero attended the 40th anniversary of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and the governor was on the same message. The governor, as chief host of the occasion, advised party candidates against violence as the forth coming election, according to him, should not be a do or die affair. Curiously, Yero’s transformation began the next day, especially during the opening of the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Office. Cautious and restrained, the governor picked his words carefully but delivered the message to the opposition All Progressives Congress(APC). No party, according to Yero, has the monopoly of violence but if the opposition insist on it before, during or after the elections, it will be taught how to embrace peace. The governor, without mincing words, asked members of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to return fire for fire. "Nobody should be scared of anybody’’, according to Yero, ‘’because the way some members

of the opposition have the power to fight, members of PDP also have the same power.’’ The next day, Yero’s metamorphosis was complete as the governor turned full circle, from being an even handed Dove, to a partisan Hawk.

On January 12, Yero flagged off his campaign and on that occasion, the kid gloves came off his fists. The governor, using bare knuckles, rained blows on the opposition as he jettisoned his written speech and spoke from his heart in Hausa. First and foremost, he accused his party men of cowardice in the face of APC’s onslaught.

The opposition, according to him, has been pulling down PDP billboards, attacking its vehicles and tearing its posters. However, PDP members are too scared, the governor noted, to even campaign let alone stand up against APC thugs. This situation, according to Yero, is unacceptable as elections are not for the lily-livered. ‘’Right now, PDP is in government both at state and federal level, yet the opposition is harassing us,’’ Governor Yero said, ‘’we will face greater humiliation if we lose power.’’ For this reason, Yero advised his party men to go all out and campaign and ‘’if anyone touches you, you should retaliate, after all none of them is a spirit.’’ Consequently, he challenged anyone to accost PDP’s campaign train and face the consequences.

Thereafter, Yero launched a pincer’s attack on APC and Malam Nasir El Rufai, its governorship candidate. El Rufai, according to the governor, claims that he is not from Kaduna state as his Curriculum Vitae shows that the ex Minister is from Katsina state. For this reason, Yero advised him to return home and fulfil his governorship ambition, instead of intruding in Kaduna state. El Rufai, as FCT Minister, did nothing for Kaduna or its people, either in his personal or official capacity, to warrant their votes. Not done, Yero challenged El Rufai to mention any project, person or community that he has helped or built in Kaduna state while he was in government.

Significantly, Senator Bala Mohammed, the current FCT Minister, has not only impacted positively on his Bauchi state, Yero had pointed out, he virtually built a mosque for Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi in Kaduna. However, El Rufai’s record is that of demolition, haughtiness and disrespect for elders, according to Yero.

FaceOff SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 17 JANUARY 2015

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‘APC is determined to ruin Edo State' Sir, your party the Peoples Democratic Pary recently raised an alarm over money that was spent by the Edo state government to commission some projects. What, in specific terms, are the real issues?

Well, in the last six years we have discovered that the state government led

by Governor Adams Oshiomhole has been reckless about the way he spends Edo people’s money. Over time, we have gradually told him privately and in public and told Edo people that if this government is not called to order, by the time it leaves in a year and half time, Edo State will be broke completely. And a lot of people have told us to be a bit calm in the way we draw the attention of government that the government is place and we should not all the time attack the governor the way we do but we told them we don’t attack the government that care for the welfare and well being of the people. And you noticed about a month ago, we tried to actually cease fire. But to our utmost disgust we discovered that if we keep quiet the state government will ruin the state before it hands over to the PDP government in a couple of years time hence we have to come out again. As it was drawn to our attention again, you have shown the media documentary evidence that this government just to commission a road that had been commissioned at least two times before now, we discovered that it has run out of creating ways of taking money from our coffers and now invited General Buhari and Senator Bola Tinubu to Edo State to cut the tape and took from us tax payers one hundred and forty two million naira for a ceremony that lasted for 30 minutes.

We don’t know if this money was given to people that came or if he removed it to line his pockets but we feel that Edo people deserve to know and Adams needs to be checked to discourage him from doing these sort of things. And we also discovered in our investigation and in our normal manner that to repair a toilet in governor’s lodge, not to build, it took another ten million, forty eight thousand naira. These are not mere allegations or that we are speculating; there are government documents in the purview of the public to confirm these matters and to even make matters worse, in one of the vouchers it was boldly written there that this money for projects to be commissioned, the names of Buhari and Tinubu were mentioned in the vouchers and we are wondering if whenever he invites people because in the past couple of years now, he has always invited certain Tambuwal to Edo. If that is how he draws down to our resources to entertain these people, these are the questions that we need to ask. What we do and what we say is for the benefit of Edo people. You notice that Edo State is one of the few states in the country where students do not get scholarship from the state government, where students do not get bursary from the state government and where youths are cheated and paid five thousand naira as minimum wage. We also discover that Edo State is probably the only state in the country where the teachers entitlements and allowances are not paid and when do. We also discovered that

As drama surrounding the allegation of about N142 million vouchers signed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) - led government to commission projects executed by Governor Adams Oshiomhole intensifies, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, the state Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), tells CAJETAN MMUTA that no one can muzzle the truth.

Edo state is the only state where fire service is not functional, where you have roads done by the federal government and the state government takes credit by trying to commission these roads.

So, Edo people have to know the truth and that is what we stand for and we are tired of hearing what did your government do in the past when we had the opportunity.

Now the question here is how certified are these documents with which you raised the allegations because the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation had it that the allegations are baseless and frivolous and that you people are used to such ugly trend?

It is laughable if the commissioner for Information, instead of him to deny or confirm an allegation, he talks about it being frivolous. The commissioner should tell Edo people that PDP is lying and N142million was not used to entertain Buhari and Tinubu. When they say that people will listen but anything short of that they have not answered and they have not talked about the issue. The issue is clear, we have said that there is a voucher in government house whereby the governor of Edo state signed and approved the sum of N142million to be used for the commissioning of roads, to cut tape. That is the allegation and in that voucher the names of Bola Tinubu and General Buhari were mentioned.

Nehikhare

The allegations are clear and one of the newspapers published the vouchers few days ago. So, the issue of we not having the moral right to discuss this is unacceptable because we actually have the moral rights because we are straightening the bridge for the Edo people and that is the position of the party. We will not let anybody bamboozle Edo people again. The past is the past. We are tomorrow’s people. We want Oshiomhole instead of keep referring to the past he should tell Edo people what he has done today to give us a better tomorrow.

There is accusation that the PDP planted moles within the present government to destabilise the government and to be retrieving these vital documents for it. What is your comment on that?

Well, planting moles in government

The allegations are clear and one of the newspapers published the vouchers few days ago

to retrieve documents I think is laughable. What is going on is that those in government house and governor’s office, those responsible for signing out our resources and carrying the files up and down are tired and disgusted with the impunity of the government.

That is why whenever we sit at our secretariat, high ranking members of this government because of the disgust of the way the government is doing things, bring these documents to us and beg us to please let Edo people know that this man is finishing our state, that this man is killing us. We don’t go seeking for them, they bring them; members of his government, the closest people to him because they are tired of the fraud.

They are tired that only one person takes all this money, he doesn’t let it go round amongst themselves and that the state is bleeding and we need to solve the hemorrhage. That is how we got the documents.

But why this unnecessary headache by the your party because one expects that when personalities such like Ahaji Tinubu and General Buhari visit a state, a sitting government is expected to spend certain amount of money to host them?

Our major stake in this matter is because of the frivolous, reckless and impunity being practiced by Edo State government, the state dosnt have money to do what it needs to do. Teachers are not paid, our students don’t get bursary and scholarship and besides they do not use a hundred and forty two million to come and cut tape. That is our issue; we are just trying to highlight to people that this man is not prudent with our resources; this man spends the resources of the state irresponsibly. Those are the issues and we want the people to actually know that and all these things are happening because he has a house of assembly that is dormant and not up to itself. So, we are asking Edo people to make sure that they vote in PDP controlled house of assembly in the next election to put to check the excesses of this government.

Your party was I you not in government for over ten years in the state. Are you not disturbed that Oshiomhole’s led APC administration has outweighed what your party did while in power?

On the contrary, can you point to any specific legacy that this government has? The minimum thing is a couple of roads but at what cost? And I can only point to one road which is the airport road where houses were demolished and compensation was not paid to the owners of the houses. The road that took four years to be completed but the PDP government of the past even though I was not a member of that government, but that government of the past left a lot of legacies; the College of Education at Igueben, Cassavita, Bendel Brewery, Edo Line and many other government businesses that were thriving under that last government. But under this government all those industries and government businesses have all collapsed because of the way government has been siphoning money out of the system. So, we have to actually take a step back before we can compare this government with the last government.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

Displaying documents, the PDP in Edo alleged that about N142million spent by the Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s government during Gen. Mohammadu Buhari and Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s visits to commission projects executed by the present administration. What do you have to say on this?

Well, in the first place, to you my colleagues journalists, whenever such allegations are made with such high figures, I always advise for critical analysis.

The so called vouchers that were presented, did you study the details? Were they meant for that purpose or were the documents reflective or equal to that amount? It will not be enough to say that because Buhari and co visited at a time government released some money for other things that it was solely for that purpose. In any case, what is the business of PDP as to how we received our leaders? The last time President Jonathan was here, Dan Orbih very recklessly boasted that everything that they used was imported from South Africa.

I don’t think that it costs N20million to bring such equipment from South Africa. And for a government that is supposed to be encouraging industrialization and technology not to be able to ensure that a reliable podium is constituted in this country, it shows they are paying lip service to the area of technical and industrial development. And so, I was expecting some serious reactions.

So I am saying that the figures they are releasing concerning how they received Buhari and all that, those ones are bogus because they have nothing to bear.

The concern of most is the manner Buhari’s and Tinubu’s names were displayed boldly on the said vouchers.

Don’t you feel such action may expose those personalities to public ridicule?

It doesn’t in anyway ridicule them at all. It depends; did they say that they signed for it as their pocket money? If the government is executing projects and they said come and commission these projects and such money is released for that purpose and they are saying that it was Buhari and others that are going to do this or that and not that the money was released to Buhari or Tinubu. The voucher never said so and it couldn’t have been so. I have not seen it now, it couldn’t have said that.

It would be for the purpose for which they had come here and what they had come here for is the project of the state government. So, how does that amount to two of them being the ones that received the amount?

The PDP contention is that such bogus sum was blown in just two days for two separate ceremonies and that it smacks of corruption and financial recklessness on the part of the ruling party to fritter away such amount.

That is what PDP understands when they talk about frittering because they don’t know the importance of project execution and implementation. That’s why they talked about frittering away such amount of money. Did they talk about the expenses that were related to the projects for which the sum was meant; for which these people came to commission? And so whatever was spent to commission projects that have been executed and whatever was spent to mobilise our people to ensure that everybody was part of it, are justifiable.

What is your reaction to the claim that the governor has no legacy projects and that he should have been talking about what he has done, instead of emphasising on what was done by past administrations?

Let’s take it one after the other; that the governor hasn’t left any legacy, it depends on what they mean by legacy.

The PDP is a party of prodigal sons and daughters and therefore, prodigality is

Erhahon

Our party has nothing to hide – Erhahon

Comrade Godwin Erhahon, Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, tells CAJETAN MMUTA, that claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleging contentious financial withdrawals are diversionary.

their own legacy. So, whatever the patriotic sons are doing, they surely will consider those ones as waste. If they cannot see the transformation of our schools, the red roofs, and they don’t see that as legacy; if they cannot see the roads, the airport road, go to Siluko road now and the teachers’ house that before now was not accessible, go and see what it is like now. Most of the things we are leading, the kind of roads and drainages are projects that will stand the test of time and therefore Edo people know better. You see the advert that the PDP is showing to counter our claim to development even on television? That advert helps us a lot and gives us the answer to all the questions put by PDP. For example, what the PDP is showing was what they left for us and what we are showing is the mess that PDP left for us. So you, as a journalist, you are supposed to ask them some these things for explanations. The Central hospital they are talking about, does it not surprise you that PDP is still showing what the Central Hospital was like immediately after the accident that happened? You see what is there now, does that reflect what they are showing. Surely no! That the PDP

Whatever was spent to commission projects that have been executed and whatever was spent to mobilise our people to ensure that everybody was part of it, are justifiable

can even mention Cassavita as part of their heritage shows that they don’t believe that Edo people have common sense or good memory to remember the past. The Cassavita they talked about, where were the products? Cassavita for which they wasted huge money! Did you ever hear that such project produced anything in this state? Was it ever in good state that it could produce anything? They left it and even before they left the carcass, they had sold it to themselves. Edo Flour mill that they left behind, was it working or functional?

The Edo Line they are talking of, the debt that the APC government inherited from PDP was what crumbled Edo transport service. I am happy that the Edo state government, under the APC, is doing something now to ensure that the company comes alive. But because they were prodigal leaders, they have almost sold the whole of those projects and squandered these assets that they become very, very unviable and so that was why government chosed to be careful not to fall into the pit that was dug for the state by these prodigal sons that are now led by Dan Orbih and co.

FaceOff | Politics

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The PDP also faulted the governor’s consistent public declaration of accountability, prudent management of resources and transparency. What do have to say?

Well, they will not see it because you know for a thief anybody who believes in stealing, whenever you have somebody who will have does not steal and think of the public, such people will always complain. Okay, who is this man complaining, Dan Orbih? Orbih was once second in command in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and that was the time that NNPC plunged down the drain. Today, he cannot point at Edo people that he gave job in the NNPC. So, the problem we are suffering in the oil industry now were part of the mismanagement of the NNPC by a board that Orbih presided over because the then chairman was, in most cases, junketting hence, virtually unable to perform the role that he ought to have performed. Such a person who has no legacy, whose prodigal and reckless attitude and wasteful management attitude which made it impossible for NNPC to establish more mega filling stations in Edo state, cannot see anything good in what a prudent governor like Adams Oshiomhole is doing.

Even the road to Ogbona, Orbih’s place; if you have been to that place, you will see how Oshiomhole turned done it but Orbih cannot see that because as somebody who believes in corruption, such money didn’t come to his pocket.

That is why the PDP has remained what it is. The road to Ogbona aside, PDP had been there for close to 10 years before Oshiomhole came in. The road was not passable even within Ogbona where there is a road, Orbih intended to construct while he was enjoying NNPC money. Today, he cannot finish it, he cannot even account to his people how he was unable to finish it. And so what is good for the people, cannot be good for their oppressors. So, what is prudent to the people, cannot be prudent to the exploiters.

The PDP’s position is that people who are close to the governor were the ones who made the documents available.

What do you say to this?

Well, first of all, as a journalist, you know for PDP to say so, it shows they are highly irresponsible because a responsible manager of information will not want to rubbish his source of information and the fact that they also go to that extent shows that what they are saying may not be exactly true. It also shows that we are not as partisan as they are. Even when we know that somebody is PDP and he is in our government, he is an Edo person. The governor is not the governor of APC, he is the governor of Edo State and so we accommodate all manner of persons in government; we are not going to say because you are PDP, you are to be promoted to the position of permanent secretary or director we deny you of that. No! As far as we are concerned, Edo state belongs to all of us. We have nothing to hide and so whatever they are releasing, I can assure you that if they are sure of the authenticity of what they are releasing or the interpretation of it, if they are sure these thing were fraudulent they would have gone beyond mere shouting and all that. So, for us we don’t bother, we have nothing to hide. We are ready to welcome everybody provided they don’t come here to steal. So, the agents of PDP who had free hands to steal government properties while PDP was in power, where are they now? They don’t have such access anymore because the APC government has ensured that through ICT, wastage is eliminated and recklessness is minimized in the whole system.

50 Politics Your recent endorsement by the Urhobo Progressive Union, seems to have led to speculation that your candidacy is largely tied to the UPU than the APC, considering the multi-ethnic nature of the state, don’t you think it may work against you?

I will not deny my Delta Central Senatorial District identity. It is natural for the ethnic nationalities that make up the state to have interest on who becomes the governor. There are two types of interests. This interest is responsible for the reason given by the Anioma for wanting to produce the governor. Delta Central will also give you their argument for wanting to produce the governor. The Isoko have also adduced their position regarding the deputy governorship slot. That is the right they exercise. The APC is a collection of a sizeable number of all the tribes in the state. It is the prerogative of the UPU as the umbrella body of the Urhobo to support me. I will accept that but it will not stop me from approaching other tribes because I will sell my programmes to every Deltan. I am not going to emerge as an Urhobo governor but the governor of all Deltans. My responsibility will be for the entire state. The Anioma has also endorsed but that will not turn me into an Anioma governor. We will take these issues along as we strive to emerge victorious. But I will encourage that we look beyond the issue of ethnicity because those are normal cultural instincts. Today the major issue in Delta State is how to bring about real development and the people want to change that.

Delta State is known to be a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party. Do you have what it takes to face the party at the election?

The mission of APC generally is to build a new direction in this country.

It is to build a formidable alternative political party such that Nigerians can have a choice. It is what has being practised in so many other countries like the United States of America where there are two strong parties that can come out to sell their programmes and policies. That is what is in this country today. As you can testify, Nigerians are beginning to ask questions about the direction the country is headed to.

They are also questions on whether we should continue with the kind of stagnation we have had in the past 16 years. There are suggestions that we try a new direction that promises a better deal for the uplifting of this country. It is this same question that we face in Delta State. I came from a business background. I am known to be a turnaround expert. I have been involved in that in the financial sector.

Are you not jittery over the reported emergence of the PDP candidate Sen Ifeanyi Okowa?

Okowa is not going to offer anything new. He is a product of the establishment. And he displayed that by picking his deputy from the same establishment. His deputy is related to a major agitator in the Niger Delta region. If you look at the linkage, you will discover that it is the same establishment. I represent the new vision in Delta State. I come from a private sector background. I am here to sell the new vision of APC in Delta State.

And the mission is to involve the electorate and every one that is unhappy with the current state of things. The focus is to galvanise them and create development and progress. Delta State is a multi ethnic state. You need to be able to carry all the tribes along. We need somebody who has the ability to

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

17 JANUARY 2015

I want to turn Delta around, says O'tega Emerhor Business guru and All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in Delta State in next month’s election, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, spoke about his ambition at a session in Lagos. BIYI ADEGOROYE captures the event

Emerhor

bring all the people together and tap from the diversity in the state. That is part of the plans that I have. I will put together a representative government that can move the state forward.

Delta is blessed with a lot of resources and also gets a lot of revenue in terms of allocation from the Federal Government. If you evaluate what is on ground today in the 16 years of PDP leadership in the state, you will come to the conclusion that our resources have not been well utilised to impact fruitfully on the economy of the state.

Indices of development are very clear about what I am saying. We still have a large index of unemployment in Delta State. Our youths are still roaming the street without future. Majority of the youths are commercial motor cyclists while others still engage in thuggery.

There is also a huge deficit of infrastructure in our state, the situation could have been better. The major roads connecting the cities are either under construction or not constructed.

Things cannot continue this way. We must put a deliberate effort to ensure that infrastructure is provided to allow the state improve its economic activities. Without infrastructure, economic activities cannot progress. The health and education sector have deficit in

terms of facilities and motivation of players in those industries. The public sector is now a ghost of itself because the facilities for teaching are lacking, while the physical structures are uninhabitable. I do concede that some structures have been constructed in some places, but there is a lot to be done. In the health sector, most of our public hospitals are unequipped and such situation cannot offer the best health care delivery. That has forced people to resort to private sector health facilities. We have put together a 10-point agenda to tackle these challenges.

These will be a trigger that will have a multiplier effect on the direction of economic activities in the state

What are the new strategies that you are likely to introduce into the governance of the state if elected governor?

We are going tackle unemployment as it relates to the youths and every stakeholder. In my first 100 days, I will put together a scheme that will be targeted at empowering these three sets of people. I am going to establish a N10 billion fund and call it the empowerment fund.

I intend to put in place access points for this fund. These points will be in the various local government areas as disbursement and train-

ing centres. We will target youths, women and middle tier businesses.

This will support people with ideas in realising their dreams. I will also work with the local government areas. Presently, the local government areas are experiencing deficit of funding in Delta, that makes them more distant from the people.

Most of the funding they get today, goes straight to pay for recurrent expenditure making them lack the strength for current expenditure.

They don’t do enough in improving the lives of those at the grassroots.

We will ensure a better service delivery at the local government level.

We will show interest in the infrastructure that will be developed and completed at the local government areas. We will make government participatory by expanding the space so as to meet the aspirations of every Deltan. There will be employment for a minimum of one million youths within the shortest time. These will be a trigger that will have a multiplier effect on the direction of economic activities in the state. When we succeed in doing this, Delta State will be a reference point in the country. We are listening to the voices of the masses who are tired of having the same kind of governance in the last 16 years.

What are the chances of the APC? The chances of victory have never been as good and potentially possible as it is today for the APC. The fact that there is an urge by Nigerians at the national level for a new direction, is also reflecting in Delta State politics. There is a groundswell urge in this direction.

Deltans are very committed to see that the situation that exists today does not continue. Everywhere we go, the support for us is overwhelming. And their desire is economic development and progress. They are aware that the other party is offering business as usual and they do not want to continue with that.

You were in the PDP… I contested for the governorship position of Delta State on the platform of the PDP. I found out that the space was conscripted and that there was no room for fresh ideas. That made me to leave the party because we need a platform that will encourage new ideas. We also worked with the opposition, although we won the election but the results did not reflect the will of the people. Most of the elections then, were practically rigged. When the APC was coming together, we the opposition in Delta State knew that it was going to be a major national movement. And we decided to collapse our structures into the APC. In 2013 there was an opportunity presented by the unfortunate death of the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the Senate. I participated in that rerun election on the platform of the APC. As some of you may be aware, that election was militarised and eventually rigged.

Perspectives

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17 JANUARY 2015

51

The burden of malaria in Nigeria

M

Uduma Okeh an’s vulnerability to mosquito-borne diseases and attempts to find lasting solutions to them date back to many centuries gone by. Mosquito causes more human sufferings and deaths than any other organism. While there are many pestiferous mosquito genera, the persistent blood-feeding female anopheles mosquitoes are the ones which transmit the deadly malaria plasmodium falciparum { a parasite-induced infection} into the red blood cells, to cause malaria to man. Malaria is a lifethreatening mosquitoborne disease which affects about 500 million people, causing between 1 and 3 million deaths annually in the world {WHO, 2004}. During the commemoration of the 2010 World Malaria Day, on Sunday, April 25, UNICEF declared malaria as the greatest killer of children in Nigeria.

In recent years, international agencies, including WHO and UNICEF, have been intensively involved in much of the Roll Back Malaria Campaigns. But the necessary partnerships and collaborations by the Federal Government of Nigeria and local corporate organizations to win this war against malaria have not been adequate.

The WHO said that 90% of malaria deaths are in Africa and that in every 30 seconds, a child dies of malaria. Globally, about 50% of all malaria deaths occur in just five countries: Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sudan, and Tanzania. Confirmed statistics from the World Bank showed that out of the 1.2 million people who died of malaria in 2009, one million were from Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria alone recording one-third of the deaths.

Indeed, the World Bank reckons that Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo account for about 40% of all deaths arising from malaria disease on the continent, and warns that it may be difficult to attain the UN Millennium Development Goals {MDGs} in Africa if malaria is not checked and eliminated in the two countries.

The cost of malaria to Africa is estimated at $12 billion annually in lost GDP. In Nigeria, for example, not less than 200 billion naira is lost to malaria annually in treatment costs, and close to

another 100 billion naira for prevention costs. In Lagos State, malaria accounts for up to 60% of hospital admissions. In Nigeria, there are over 110 million clinically diagnosed cases of malaria annually, which accounts for 60% of outpatients’ visits and over 30% hospitalizations. Poverty and dearth of established health institutions have further accelerated the wheels of malarial transmission, thereby making it the greatest single cause of deaths in Nigeria. The

Medical centres are always under-staffed, under-equipped, and low on medications, and other medical supplies geometric rise in Nigeria’s adults and infants mortality rates is also traceable to the scourge. Today, Nigeria’s infant mortality rate is 96 per 1,000 live births, and the country’s average life span has helplessly plummeted to

47 years, the same as Mali {2007 Estimate}.

The health sector in Nigeria suffers permanent gross neglect. Despite attempts to reform, many Nigerians lack access to primary healthcare, in large part because of

great majority of treatment centres are located in cities. Medical centres are always under-staffed, under-equipped, and low on medications, and other medical supplies.

Vectoring mosquitoes are still on the prowl and the burden of malarial transmission is reaching an Olympian height in the nation. To worsen off things, the emergence of the fast-killing cerebral malaria has made the burden devastatingly unbearable. Our efforts towards vectoring mos-

quitoes’ abatement and cushioning the impact of the burden of malaria failed woefully because every approach or strategy adopted as policy was only geared towards indoor mosquito control operations, while billions of mosquitoes are having field-day outside our homes unchecked.

The distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets {LLINs} and Indoor Residual Spraying {IRS} by the Government cannot solve the perennial malarial transmission problems in Nigeria.

52

Perspectives

N

igeria’s erudite economist and scholar, Pius Okigbo, over a decade and half ago poignantly observed that what was unfolding in the nation’s socio-political and religious spheres were comparable to an Athenian tragedy, but lacking the majesty of a Greek drama. Today, Okigbo’s verdict, strangely relevant, simply distils the damning failure of statesmanship - by the nation’s political intelligentsia and the human development tragedy that equates governance.

The unraveling of the Nigerian state; the reversal of the 1914 amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates by the British colonialist are possible doomsday

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17 JANUARY 2015

Will 2015 terminate 1914? scenarios despite the rosy optimism of many patriots. This reversal of history could be actualized by the subsisting ‘damning failure of statesmanship of the nation’s political intelligentsia and the human development tragedy that equates governance.’

It could be recalled that the Berlin Conference of 1884 convened by Otto von Bismarck, first Chancellor of Germany, over good whiskey and tea, formalised the scramble for Africa by European powers, eliminated most existing forms of African autonomy and defined new borders for Europe’s convenience. This is one

The Nation-State With Louis Achi

achilouis35@gmail.com strand. It is the contention of this writer that the formal breakup of Sudan on July 9, 2011 dramatizes the fact that boundaries drawn by that infamous conference are no longer sacrosanct.

Africa’s and Nigeria’s socio-political, religious and human development quandary is also intimately linked to the triple heritage thesis, first proposed by Ghana’s

Kwame Nkrumah, but given its most authoritative advocacy by Professor Ali Mazrui of Kenya.

This profound thesis simply states that Africa’s future lies within the framework by which it is able to navigate the dynamics of its Euro-Christian, Islamic and traditional heritage. Due largely to the Arab (second strand) and European colonialism in the

18th and 19th centuries, Africa inherited an incendiary mix of non-traditional religious ideals and sentiments that has done a lot to haze its sociological and continental trajectory.

The foregoing simply serves to provide a fundamental insight into why the Nigerian state is tottering on the precipice. The Boko Haram bloody insurgency, interethnic and ethno-religious tensions, extreme corruption and a dangerously fractured political intelligentsia speak to the fact that there is a sharp lack of vision and bipartisan consensus to resolutely address these fundamentals.

Moving forward, on February 14, the biologist from the swamps of Otuoke, Bayelsa State, President Goodluck Jonathan will confront Muhammadu Buhari, a Daura, Katsina State-born infantry general in what would appear to be the final battle for the soul of New Nigeria.

The ascendancy of President Jonathan, an Ijaw man from South-South, upset the arrogant traditional tripodal political footing of Nigeria’s mainstream politics – Hausa/Fulani, Igbo and Youruba.

It forced a recalculation of the Nigerian political chessboard and amplified Northern Nigeria’s sense quandary to no end.

A crisis is a pivotal moment in a person’s, a community’s or nation’s life that calls for some kind of response.

Currently, especially ahead of the impending general election, the nation is navigating a critical bend in its eventful national journey. According to US President John F. Kennedy, “When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters.

One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.”

Nigerians are speaking up and offering what they believe are options to head off a possible state collapse.

Dr. Tunji Braithwaite and Pastor Tunji Bakare at different times and varying nuances have counseled interim or transitional government to calm down things before going into a general election.

But many members of the Northern political intelligentsia who for some reasons believe the region is in a pole position to finally retrieve power are dismissive of such a scenario.

They may have a point and are actually entitled to their position. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is particularly shrill in insisting that power must return to the North and are practically celebrating victory.

Therein lies the danger.

Unfulfilled expectations can provide the spark to force the ‘Sudan Scenario’ on Nigeria. Pre-elections threats and exponential growth in the circulation of small arms in Nigeria are disturbing trends. The opposition has proclaimed it will institute a parallel government if it believes it was rigged out of victory. Similar perceptions previously have supplied the fuel for extreme, bloody post-election violence. The president has warned in his New Year broadcast that such scenarios would be intolerable by his administration.

Will 2015 reverse the amalgamation of 1914?

Will the nation’s grasping political elite and its leadership be able to confront these challenges and take focused action? The Dutch philosopher, Spinoza answers: “Man has the ability to shape his own destiny.”

So do nations!

Milestones

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Celebrating Anenih’s lifetime of achievements

or those of us who have the privilege of knowing Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih, Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), the Iyasele (Prime Minister) of Esanland, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the conferment of the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2014 on him by the Board and Management of The Sun Publishing Limited is an opportunity to celebrate this thoroughbred leader.

Interestingly, The Sun Publishing Limited would appear to have simplified my task of looking for appropriate words and expression to capture Anenih’s lifetime of achievements with its December 2, 2014 letter, by the Managing Director/Editorin-Chief, Mr Femi Adesina, informing him of the award.

The letter has virtually said it all: “…The Sun Board of Editors voted you in recognition of your decades of distinguished service to national development. You have served the nation in high profile offices such as Minister of Works and Housing, and Commissioner of Police. You were a member of the Constitutional Conference in 1994; President of Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); and also Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“As far as the political game in Nigeria is concerned, you have proved beyond doubts that you are a master of the game; the ultimate game changer. You have indeed made your mark as one of Nigeria’s most enduring politicians; statesman and patriot. Your persistent outstanding qualities make you a worthy and deserving recipient of the 2014 edition of The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award.”

The profound lines were apt summation of the Anenih persona. They must have largely accounted for his acceptance of the Award. He must also have been satisfied with the premises on which the decision to confer the Award on him was based. And, in his letter of acceptance to Adesina, he said: “I am writing to convey to you my acceptance of the Award and to let you know that I shall endeavour to be present at the ceremony to receive it. I also want to sincerely thank your organisation for this recognition and honour which I believe will, no doubt, motivate other Nigerians to make themselves available for the service of God, the nation and humanity. At the age of 82 years, I take the Award as most precious birthday present.

“Over time, The Sun has remained committed to its mission to present news with impact and objectivity and has passionately pursued this mission within its core values of teamwork, respect, innovation, integrity and professionalism. A look at the list of Awardees clearly reflects this spirit….” This is, ‘sincerely writing’, a well-thought-out response from a man of few words, an archetypical political leader, who has defined a trajectory through the eon and provided a reliable leadership for his teeming loyalists in Edo State and countrywide. This is the man whose portrait is hereunder painted to validate The Sun Award and all recognitions and honours that are there for him to tuck in his kitty.

Anenih had an outstanding performance in the police in which he enlisted after his secondary education. He participated in numerous training programmes that made him well-exposed, well-rounded and a seasoned superior police officer.

One of the highpoints of his police career

was his appointment as the first indigenous Commandant of the Police College, Ikeja, in 1975, replacing Mr Le-Clair, a Briton, who retired from the Force. He was subsequently transferred to Kano as Commissioner of Police from where he voluntarily retired in1976.

Leaving behind a legacy of distinguished service in the police, Anenih ventured into business and politics, two distinct fortes where he has cut a niche for himself and positively impacted the polity. As an astute businessman, his imprimatur was evident in the setting up of Yakon Motors and Yakon Chemists in Benin and in other parts of Nigeria; Nova Hotels with branches in Uromi and Benin City; Safeway Supermarkets in Warri and Electronics shop in Enugu.

His adventure into business was, however, truncated and nearly ruined by his detention from February 4, 1984 to August 4, 1985 during which time he was Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the old Bendel State.

For no specific offence committed, like other prominent politicians at the time, who had a large following and means to control public opinion, Anenih was clamped into detention by the Military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari and Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon in order to give the Bendel State Military Administrator a comfortable feeling at Government House in Benin City.

He survived the vicissitude and was able to consolidate and expand his business frontiers: he went into the oil palm farming, establishing plantations at Okhuo near Benin and at Ewohimi with prospects of expansion to other centres. Today, he has over 6000 hectares of oil palm estate.

His diversification of business interests is further demonstrated by his involvement in several other concerns.

He was a Director and the Nigerian representative in Adrian Volker Civil Engineering Company Nigeria Limited, a company that built the famous ONNE Port Complex; Director and Shareholder Agura Hotel, Abuja from 1985–1989. A

Anenih

The political colossus was in the centre stage of Nigerian politics of the June 12, 1993 elections, the annulment of that election and the battle to save the soul of Nigeria

major testimony of his business acumen was his election as the President, Benin Chambers of Commerce, Industries Mines and Agriculture between 1978 and 1984 and life Vice President of the chambers as a result of his distinguished service as President.

His foray into politics has even been more successful. It was in politics that Anenih made his name which has become a household one in Nigeria today. He became the Bendel State Chairman of NPN (1981–1983), on the request of President Shehu Shagari who definitely needed his profile, personality and discipline; National Campaign Director, General Shehu Yar’Adua Presidential Campaign Organisation (1990–1991), during which time General Yar’Adua gave him the name Leader because of Anenih’s leadership qualities; National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) (1992–1993), and Member, National Constitutional Conference (1994–1995). The political colossus was thus in the centre stage of Nigerian politics in the hectic and agonizing months of the June 12, 1993 elections, the annulment of that election and the battle to save the soul of Nigeria.

Remarkably his hands were visible in the making of Governors in old Bendel State and Edo State in 1983, 1991, 1999 and 2003. Equally remarkable was his role in the making of Presidents in 1979, 1983, 1993, 1999 and 2003 when he made invaluable contributions to the election of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He has been playing a leading role in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaigns for all subsequent presidential elections

53

On different occasions, Anenih had been called upon to take command as captain of the ship of political parties which were adrift in rough and tempestuous seas; and, he steered them safely to anchor. Believing that men are fallible and potentially prone to dishonesty, he learnt to work with men of various convictions, callings and visions showing a remarkable ability to adopt strategies to meet changing and challenging situations. Such has been his success in this regard that many have come to believe that, with him, failure is impossible and that he can fix any problem, no matter how daunting.

Indeed, his pivotal role in the return of democratic governance and the formation of the PDP earned him the position of Federal Minister for Works and Housing from 1999 to 2002 in the Obasanjo first term.

He left the ministerial appointment to become the Deputy National Coordinator of the Obasanjo Campaign Organization (2002– 2003). In the 2007 Presidential Election, Anenih, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, was a frontline member of the National Presidential Campaign Council, which successfully managed the party’s political campaign. Again, in the 2011 Presidential Campaign, he served in the position of Presidential Campaign Adviser, a position in which he is serving in the 2015 presidential campaign.

In recognition of his immense contributions to the success of the party, he has been appointed twice as the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) (January 2009 - December 2010 and December 2012 till date). So effective was Anenih’s role in the PDP that people felt he had a hand in every policy and plan of the Party. His unparalleled political sagacity has earned him the unique privilege of being the Chairman of the Party’s Board of Trustees twice between March 2004 and June 2007 and from February 2013 till date.

Thus in Nigeria’s political evolution, Anenih has proved to be a man of destiny, thrust forward by Fate, sustained by diligence, nurtured in realpolitik and pragmatism, admired by many and sanctified by providence. Indeed, acquired experience, demonstrated ability, proven competence, a sense of tolerance, patience and commitment have fashioned him to be a master planner, a fearless and dexterous politician, a far-sighted and astute businessman and a consummate political strategist.

One aspect of Anenih’s life which hardly anyone knows about is his philanthropy.

He is, by far, one of the most generous givers in our land. He has touched lives of individuals and institutions. For instance, in 2013, Anenih endowed a multi-million naira Geriatric Centre at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, the first Geriatric Centre in Africa. For his worth, he has been honoured by several universities: Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt; University of Benin, Benin City; Igbinedion University, Okada; and, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Apart from his revered traditional title of Iyasele of Esanland, several traditional rulers have also conferred chieftaincy titles on him. Anenih holds the National Honour of CFR. Add to the list The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award. These honours speak loudly and eloquently of the contributions of this quiet and taciturn colossus, kingmaker, master-planner and an uncommon statesman to humanity.

• Mr. Ojeifo, publisher and journalist, is based in Abuja.

54 Sport Extra

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Brazil announces Olympics ticket sales

As the Nations Cup kicks-off in E’ Guinea

O

rganisers of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics have announced details of its ticket programme for the 2016 Games.

Seventy percent of tickets will be reserved for residents of Brazil, said the Rio Committee.

Fans can register online now, but sales will begin in March. The first results of the draw will be announced in June.

7.5 million tickets will be available and more than half of them will cost $27 (£18; 70 reais) or less.

The cheapest tickets will cost $15 (£10; 40 reais) Details of ticket sales for the Paralympics, which will begin on September, 7 are yet to be announced.

Nigeria’s absence, a tragedy, says Odegbami

A

bad for our football especially as defending champions.

“I thought they would fumble and manage to pick the ticket and then prepare well to defend but I was shocked to be wrong. It is a big lesson to everyone.”

He however said the continental event remained the biggest in Africa and events in the coming weeks would confirm this further.

“It is Africa’s World Cup and we have plenty of talented players in Africa. The world is also watching us because unlike our own time, the event is now being driven by the media. I am expecting a highly interesting competition even though Nigeria is not taking part,” he said.

The competition kicks-off today with the encounter between Equatorial Guinea and Congo. Burkina Faso and Gabon will also lock horns today. A total of 16 teams are taking part in the event.

Adekunle Salami

former Super Nigeria international, Chief Segun Odegbami, has described as‘a tragedy’ the country’s failure to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations which starts today in Equatorial Guinea.

Odegbami said the disappointing performance of the Stephen Keshi-led team made many Nigerians to lose so much money in their respective endevours.

He said: “It is very sad and a big tragedy.

Since the Eagles lost out, I tuned off and I am sure many other people have bad tales to tell. I should be in Nations Cup but I am here in Nigeria.Football is a means of livelihood to many and that is why all those involved should not toy with it “Many plans in the works were stopped because Nigeria did not qualify. It is generally

Muhammad Ali back in hospital

T

hree-times former heavyweight world champion Muhammad Ali has been readmitted to hospital for treatment for a urinary tract infection.

Family spokesman Bob Gunnell said Ali, 72, was in a stable condition in an undisclosed hospital and was expected to be released on Friday.

Gunnell added: "There were further issues with the earlier diagnosis of a urinary tract infection."

Ali was released from hospital earlier this month following a two-week stay.

Argentina's Lionel Messi (left) against Nigeria's Kenneth Omeruo

Mobil schools sports final dedicated to Akpabio

Australian Open: Murray faces qualifier in opener

A

ndy Murray will play a qualifier in the Australian Open first round but faces a tough route if he is to reach a fourth Melbourne final.

The 27-year-old Briton, a runner-up three times, has been drawn in the same half as Roger Feder-

S

er and Rafael Nadal.

Murray could also face Grigor Dimitrov, the man who ended his Wimbledon reign last summer, as early as the last 16.

James Ward takes on Spain's Fernando Verdasco, while Heather Watson plays Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova.

Four-time champion Novak Djokovic begins against a qualifier and is in the same half as champion Stan Wawrinka, while Federer plays Yen-Hsun Lu and Nadal faces Mikhail Youzhny.

Murray

aturday, February 7 has been set aside to celebrate the grand finale of the Akwa Ibom State Schools Mobil athletics competition.

The organisers said in a press statement on Thursday, that there were plans to make the event the best ever.

The meet is billed for the ultra-modern Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo. “We have decided to dedicate this year’s final to Governor Godswill Akpabio for bringing this world-class edifice to our state,” the statement read.

The organisers remembered last year they had to take the students to U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar to give them a feel of standard facilities.

“Governor Akpabio will be the Special guest of honour in a “farewell capacity” as we open the stadium officially with a track and field programme after football has taken its turn.”

The sports minister Dr Tammy Danagogo will be the seventh minister to honour the athletics competition since its inception.

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE Countries in the World-4

KEY WORDS

SWEDEN IRELAND PORTUGAL SPAIN ANDORA FRANCE

MONACO SAN MARINO HUNGARY VATICAN CITY POLAND ALBANIA SLOVAKIA BELORUSSIA ITALY ESTONIA MALTA LATVIA

L Y A Y R A G N U H G

A D T G L A T V I A N

T N I I T A L Y O A D

V A C I C A T L A M P

I L A Y D N A L E R I

P O R T U G A L A N D

O C P G E S F A R N A M N A C R E I D N N O

I

R

E

L

S W E

D

A R O D N A I N O T S

E

N O M B W T E D R L A E O I A R K I U A N S V A S O B I L L A S A N V E

1

2

8

3

4 7

5

6

9 10

11

12

13

14 16 18 19 21

17

22

1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12

LGA in Adamawa state, (7).

Appropriate, (3).

And not, (3).

Pistol, (3).

Donkey, (3).

Second-hand, (4).

Late Herbert Ogunde's film, (4).

Mister, abbr., (2).

2 Town near Ibadan, (6).

23

3 Wander aimlessly, (4).

4 Make something certain, (6).

5 Not regulated, (4).

6 Pointed end, (3).

26

16 17 18 22 23 24 25 26

Editor, abbr., (2).

'Bring' in Hausa, (4).

Joggle, (4).

Town in Osun state, (3).

Munch, (3).

Obsolete, abbr., (3).

Unit of weight, (3).

Small rodent, (7).

DOWN 1 Suitcases and bags, (7).

20

24 25

15

ACROSS

13 Celebrate rowdily, (7).

14 Magical object, (6).

15 Document granting a right, (6).

19 Town in Cross River state, (4).

20 Soothing oil, (4).

21 Computer-aided trading, abbr., (3).

See solution on page 20

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

Toure, Eagles and the Nations Cup

T

wice consecutively, Ivoirian player, Yaya Toure, strolled into Lagos and went away with the most prestigious football award in Africa. Toure beat Mikel Obi to the 2013 Footballer of the Year Award and only last week, he also did the same to Vincent Enyeama. Without any iota of doubt, Toure deserves the award and he is already working towards the next edition. Current Nigerian players are barely average, and for Enyeama and Ahmed Musa to have been in the last five, it was a feat. Nigerian players have to play in big teams and they should be highly influential in such teams to stand a chance of winning the award. It is sad that the last time Nigeria won the award was in 1999 through Nwankwo Kanu. In the next two years, I see no Nigerian capable of winning the award except youngsters like Isaac Success and Kelechi Iheanacho break into limelight in a big way. Players like Emmanuel Emenike, Ogenyi Onazi, Victor Moses and Mikel Obi have the potential to prove me wrong in two years, but Nigeria will be playing fewer international games because of the Nations Cup miss. Only exceptionally consistent players make it to that level. It doesn’t come easy. It takes so much focus, hard work and discipline to be among the best.

The grooming of an Africa Footballer of The Year starts from the rebuilding process of the Super Eagles.

Players are always evaluated based on their performances for club and country. If the process is as solid as expected, we should see new faces in the team. They should be very energetic players who are ready to sacrifice on the pitch to make Nigerians happy with good results. The new breed have to be those who will put their careers and the country first and not money. In the friendly match that Nigeria lost 1-0 to Cote d'Ivoire last week, the Eagles made up of largely home-based players gave a good account of themselves. They fought for every ball and played for one another but the creativity was not there. There were good talents like Solomon Kwambe and Mfon Udoh on parade. However, the rebuilding process is yet to start since there is no substantive coach for the senior team. Those who featured in that match and the second one taking place today will not form the nucleus of the new team. More foreign-based players should have been invited for the two friendly ties to begin the new era. The NFF is not decisive and it is crucial for the team to have a leader that will set his own rules and how he intends to flow as the team leader.

Whenever the NFF is ready, Nigerians need a departure from the Stephen Keshi era. This is simply because that is the best way to raise a new team, have a new style, new Code of Conduct. This is also crucial to put a stop to the bonus row and all manner of internal wrangling.

The team also needs a Captain. Enyeama stepped in after Joseph Yobo took a bow but the goalkeeper is yet to be officially named as the skipper. Keshi of course is still lobbying to stay on but if he eventually gets the nod that is going to disrupt the rebuilding process.

As the Nations Cup starts today in Equatorial Guinea, the next three weeks will be a difficult period for millions of football fans in Nigeria. It will be agonising to be following the proceedings without the Super Eagles.

For us as journalists, getting stories in recent times has been a big issue because all stories on prominent players now are on the Nations Cup. The Eagles have turned Nigerians to mere spectators without any stake in the event. Companies are not ready to sponsor journalists to the tournament because Nigeria is not going to the party. Some deals signed by broadcast colleagues on the coverage were cancelled because of Eagles’ ouster.

However, we should learn to cope with this reality to enable us to enjoy the best of African stars expected on parade. I expect a big spectacle even without Nigeria because many of the qualifiers are doing well on current form. The Algerians are hot just like the Ghanaians and Camerounians, while nobody can afford to under rate the Yaya Toure-led Cote d' Ivoire. AFCON 2015 will be a big spectacle with surprises.

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17 JANUARY 2015

55

DESTINATION

Ibray Seaside Resort and Suite: A shining armour in Abule Ado

P.42

SATURDAY N150

Sanctity of Truth

SPORT

AFCON 2015: Fireworks begin in E’Guinea

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015

P.25

Man City vs Arsenal

Big battle of goal poachers E

Ajibade Olusesan tihad Stadium will play host to a mouth-watering encounter between Manchester City and Arsenal and both sets of fans will be looking to a South American talisman to win the game for them. Sergio Aguero for the home team and Alexis Sanchez for the visiting Gunners.

Aguero carries much of City’s goal scoring hopes whenever he starts, while English Premier League new boy, Sanchez, is clearly the Gunners' best player.

The prolific pair have enjoyed impressive starts to the current season, they both scored in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium as the match ended 2-2 but they will be looking forward to outdoing each other in this one.

Although there is still a doubt over the fitness of Aguero despite featuring in the 1-1 draw at Everton last week, you cannot doubt what the striker can do whenever is on the pitch. He was not looking so sharp at Goodison Park after spending some time on the treatment table but his fans will hope he fully regain his steel between then andtomorrow.

When it comes to scoring goals, which is the only currency strikers understand, Aguero has proved superior to Sanchez so far this season.

The 26-year-old has scored 14 times to his rival's 12, despite playing 601 minutes less than Sanchez.

However, Sanchez has been involved in more Premier League goals than any other player this season (19) – scoring 12 and assisting seven of Arsenal’s 37 goals.

And if he scores twice tomorrow he would become the first Arsenal player to score 20 goals in all competitions in his debut season at the club since Thierry Henry scored 26 in 1999-2000 season.

Henry himself thinks Sanchez is the best signing Arsene Wenger has made in six years. ” Arsenal were looking for a player that can deliver on a daily basis — and they have found one. He is brilliant, so is his work-rate. He can see the game incredibly as you saw with his part in the Koscielny goal against Stoke on Sunday,” he said.

Arsenal will be desperate to come out of this tie unscathed, they have lost on four of the last six visits to the Etihad, the last being 6-3 humiliation.

They want to keep pushing for the top four while their hosts will battle not to lose grounds to leaders Chelsea but whatever the outcome of the match be, the two strikers are likely to play major roles.

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