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Lola Rae: I’m waiting till 32 to have a relationship } 19

FEB 14: the

buhari debate

}6

lConflict over suit seeking APC candidate’s disqualification

It’s sheer waste of time

- Awa Kalu, SAN

OMO BABA I FELT LIKE DYING WHEN A FAN TOLD ME I WAS UGLY }21

quincy ayodele i was just a village girl who knew nothing about love }13

ARMS CACHE: S'COURT QUASHES LIFE SENTENCE ON LEBANESE }8

14 days to go... elections debate ANYAOKU TO INEC Nigeria votes

2015

ria Nige

s vote

2015

group refutes allegation of bias }5

DON’T POSTPONE FEBRUARY ELECTIONS }9

jonathan in calAbar, commissions city’s first flyover }5

2

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

Contents | 31.01.15 INSTYLE

The Fitted Kaftan Creative designers keep reinventing kaftans for men.

The vogue now is the fitted kaftan which gives some classy edge to the wearer’s looks

}15

SHOWBIZ

In the Mix Foster Zeeno is called the “mix master”, a fitting sobriquet that stems from his works with top artistes like P-Square, Tuface, D’Banj and Dagrin

}22

THE ARTS

Icons on Canvas A debut exhibition by Kate Yemisi Williams held in Lagos recently pays tribute to some iconic figures in Nigerian arts

}18

SPORT

Flying High Assistant coach of the junior national football team, Flying Eagles, Nduka Ugbade, is optimistic of a successful outing at the African Youth Championship in March

}25

DESTINATION

Agodi Resort’s Makeover A collaboration to revamp the long abandoned Agodi Gardens, in Ibadan, gets underway with residents hoping it won’t be short-lived

}42

TV&RADIO

Yaws n Myn A hilarious sitcom that airs on Television Continental and centred on the comedian Yaw and two younger siblings cracks up the audience

}44 Plus: Street Diary 10 | Love&Living 35 | TV&Radio 18

SATURDAY

Comment

A vote against excessive borrowing

T

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has cautioned the Federal Government against borrowing on the strength of the nation’s rebased Gross Domestic Product.

The National Bureau of Statistics had in April, 2014 rebased Nigeria’s GDP to better reflect the country’s changing economic configuration.

The subsequent recalculation put the country’s GDP at $510bn and boosted the size of the economy by over 60 per cent, making it the 26th largest in the world. In its annual growth projection, the World Bank declared that Nigeria’s economy had seen expansion to 4.5 per cent from 4.2 percent in 2014. The apex bank had also projected that Africa’s GDP would grow by 5.2 per cent yearly between 2015 and 2016.

However, the bank on January 20, in its World Economic Outlook, lowered Nigeria’s growth outlook to 4.8 per cent from 7.3 per cent estimated in October, 2014 due to falling oil prices. The President, LCCI, Mr. Remi Bello, in a statement, cautioned the Federal Government against relating debt to the rebased GDP. He noted that a large component of the rebased GDP was not revenue- generating. He observed that there was a disturbing trend with the debt provision in the 2015 budget as the figure had risen to N943 billion from the 2014 allocation of N712 billion. While reviewing the country’s debt portfolio in the 2015 budget, the LCCI boss said about 25 per cent of the nation’s revenue would be used for debt servicing this year. He said what was more disturbing was that the debts were not incurred for developmental purposes. As a percentage of revenue, the debt service provision is over 25 per cent. As a percentage of infrastructure budget, it is 906 per cent; as a percentage of capital bud-

get, it is 148 per cent. The trouble is that the bulk of the debts (mainly domestic) stemmed from recurrent spending. They were not incurred for developmental purposes. This makes the servicing even more burdensome on the economy and the citizens. We would like to caution once more to avoid relating debt to the re-based GDP in determining borrowing on the nation’s threshold. This is because a large component of the rebased GDP is not revenue generating. If the current trend of debt accumulation continues, it is only a matter of time for debt service provision to completely crowd out capital expenditure in the budget.”

In several editorials, we have consistently emphasised the exigent need for the prudent management of the economy, we have also raised alarm at the rate domestic debts is being stockpiled by the three tiers of government in a very reckless manner, we have also had cause to caution on the need to reduce the size of government, reduce the number of ministries, political office holders and their aides as well as their remunerations.

With the dwindling oil fortunes, Nigeria must get to the brass task of doing things moderately, cutting wastages and blocking loopholes, if not ,the economy of the country will completely collapse.

The management of the national economy is not rocket science, neither is it a tea party, but the point is that the government must get its priorities right and follow them up in a nationalistic manner in the overall interest of the country. If money is borrowed moderately and deployed to do the right things, it can stimulate the economy to perform better, however, excessive debt burden can cripple and dangerously disorganise the economy.

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ondemnations yesterday trailed weekend attack on campaign buses of President

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

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

NEW TELEGRAPH

Money Line

MONDAY,

JANUARY

Stock Watch

Afromedia: Incapacitated adverse regulation by

37

Interview

Okonjo Iweala, a mismatch economy, says Enwegbara for Nigerian

A

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

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

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

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

08) EXCHANGE .

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

Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Jan. 08) USD . . . . l Foreign N390 ......... .

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

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Feb 14: APC blows hot

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

T

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

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

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

voters register across the country.

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DEGRADATION

Dayo Ayeyemi

Sancti ty of Tr uth

No. 33

42-43

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

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

p.22

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}7

Vol. 1

Insurance

Claims: Policyholder’s Leadway conflict with deepens

38

What's neWs

15

12, 2015

Naira walks tight rope knocks CBN as ICAN

35

Business

Customs miss 2014 revenue target by N223bn

The Nigeria Customs (NCS) revenue Service has fallen billion or by 19 one year. per cent in the N223 last

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

} 32

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Saturd /newtelegraph

Vol. 1 No. 327

Monday, January 12, 2015

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31 JANUARY 2015

Jonathan promises Lagos-Obudu rail line Clement James, and Muritala Ayinla, Temitope Ogunbanke

T

Calabar and Lagos

he campaign train of President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his All progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, General Muhammadu Buhari, hit Cross River and Lagos states, with both candidates pledging to impact positively on the standard of living of the masses, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, security, health among others.

While President Jonathan promised that if reelected, he would extend the railway line from Lagos to Obudu Mountain Resort, Buhari promised to compensate Lagos, if elected as the president in the next month's election.

The President, who has been widely criticised for not visiting the state since 2011, said he would give priority to the project as well as complete the East West road which is expected to terminate in Calabar.

Speaking yesterday in Calabar, President Jonathan said if a rail line was constructed to the resort,

5

l Buhari in Lagos, promises to tackle insecurity, unemployment there would be more activities around it.

“I have been to the Obudu Mountain Resort and I saw its strength as well as its weakness. If a rail line is constructed and linked to the resort, it will provide great opportunities for tourists, especially with the presence of a cable car.

When I return as President, I will construct a rail line from Lagos to the Obudu Mountain Resort which is in the Eastern Corridor,” the President said.

In his remark, the state Governor, Liyel Imoke, promised the President that the state would deliver 1.1 million votes for him.

The governor, who led his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Seriake Dickson, said the state had always remained a PDP state, which was why it would give the President block votes.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan has inaugurated the multi-billion 6.8 kilometres Airport Bypass with an interchange bridge named after him in Calabar.

Speaking at the inaugura-

tion in Calabar, the President eulogised Imoke for his leadership style, saying he was an iconic symbol of good representation of the party.

He said: “This is a great story which symbolises the vision of PDP, to create environment that will stimulate and help people in commerce, industry and social integration. For the government and people to notice that they need a bypass from the airport to divert traffic and decongest the city is indeed an exhibition of visionary leadership.”

On the naming of the road after him, the President said: “I want to thank you very sincerely for immortalising me with the naming of this all important road after me. I pray that the day I will leave office, I will leave enough footprints that people will use in remembering me.”

Meanwhile, Buhari, addressing party faithful, at the APC presidential campaign in Lagos, took a swipe at the PDP-led federal government for spending over $28billion on power sector without anything to show for it.

He said power generation

in Nigeria had not moved more than what the country inherited in 1999, despite the huge amount spent on power from 1999 till date.

“APC has identified three fundamental issues that need to be tackled immediately. They are insecurity, the dwindling economy, bribery and corruption.

When I become president, these things will become a thing of the past,” he said.

Also speaking during a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, at his palace on Lagos Island, Buhari warned that any officer posted to Lagos with selfish motive would have himself to blame.

Buhari was accompanied by his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, APC gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, and former Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, among others.

Buhari accused the Federal Government of aban-

doning Lagos despite its huge economic advantage, saying Lagos State had been left to maintain the federal government infrastructure.

He said: “In Lagos State, all the responsibilities have been left to the state government. The state was left with

enormous decayed infrastructure, which should have been for their interest. Lagos State has been keeping and maintaining them, but the Federal Government has not been sympathetic enough to take the responsibility of what they left behind.”

Military arrests officers over fall of Baga ...as troops liberate Michika Emmanuel Onani and Ibrahim Abdul Yola

T

he Nigerian military high command has arrested officers in command positions in the sacked Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Baga, Borno State.

This is as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops have sacked Boko Haram insurgents from Michika in Adamawa State, after a successful operation in the town.

The senior officers are to answer questions on the circumstances that led to the successful attack by Boko Haram on January 3, and the subsequent lost of sophisticated military hardware and weapons.

Though, a statement by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, did not say categorically that the unnamed officers were arrested, it was learnt that they are being detained,

and may likely face court martial.

Olukolade's statement reads: “Meanwhile, Nigerian officers in key command positions of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) are in the process of accounting for their actions leading to the loss of weapons, men and location in their area of responsibility in the mission area.

“This is a normal military procedure in major operations or after encounters. The essence is to extract and collate relevant information for subsequent missions. It could also lead to or determine appropriate disciplinary action where necessary.”

On the recovery of Michika, DHQ’s spokesman, Olukolade, said: "An extensive mopping up operation to search for arms or strand ed terrorists and other casualties is ongoing in Michika after troops sacked the terrorists who have been operating in the town and it's environ."

Presidential debate: Organisers refute allegation of bias

T

he Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) has refuted media reports, particularly the allegations L-R: Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Patience and of bias levelled against it by Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, during the Presidential rally in Calabar…yesterday the All Progressives Con PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN gress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO), for the boycott of its Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buahri, and his running mate, Prof. to violence. must “address national is- litical parties every three Cajetan Mmuta Yemi Osinbajo, in the FebOba Erediauwa spoke sues that would improve months.”

BENIN ruary 1 and 8 presidential through the Benin Forum, the standard of living of Members of the forum debates by NEDG. posited that the “process of he Oba of Benin, Oba which is an advisory body millions of Nigerians.”

In a statement issued by The forum, in a state- contesting political offices Akpolopolo Erediau- to the ancient palace in a its Chairman, Media Pubwa, yesterday chided statement made available ment signed by its Chair- ought to be based on prinlicity Committee, Mr. Tony politicians for turning poli- to newsmen in Benin, the man, Chief David Edebiri; ciples and a progressive Akiotu, NEDG said it was and General Secretary, conscience.” tics into an avenue for trad- Edo state capital. wrong for the APCPCO to It added that, “Today, it It frowned at the rising Henry Ogbudu, SAN, ing commodity rather than refer to the Broadcasting address core national issues political tension in the pol- said: “Nigeria will remain. is the All Progressives ConOrganisation of Nigeria that would raise the stan- ity and blamed it to the at- Nigeria will not disinte- gress. Two month's time, it (BON) as the organiser of is the Peoples Democratic dard of living of Nigerians. titude of many politicians grate.” the debate whereas “BON The body stated that, Party (PDP) and in the next The monarch also dis- who resort to campaigns of is just one amongst the missed the rumour making calumny and in the process “Politicians of these days three months, it is back to other organisations that the round that the nation turned politics into an ave- take politics as a traded the APC. Such characters constitute the group.” would disintegrate should nue for trading commodity. commodity. Consequent- are not helping in the buildThe statement added He said politics other ly, many of them oscillate ing of a stable cultural (and) the outcome of the Februthat: “The debate is not ary general elections lead than what obtains presently between the two major po- political ethos.”

Oba of Benin chides proponents of polls postponement

T

organised by governmentcontrolled stations as was alleged in the press release under consideration and no medium in spite of its membership of BON controls nor determines the activities, actions and programmes of the group.

“Presently, BON is made up of both the federal, state and privately-owned broadcast stations and the current Chairman is Mr. Sola Omole, the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).”

On the issue “unhidden bias” and the allegation of the possibility of integrity compromise on the questions, NEDG said the methodology which had been universally acknowledged is to acquaint contestants of possible areas of questioning which covers the entire spectrum of societal wellbeing.

6

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

VICTORIA ISLAND Nigeria’s foreign reserves fall to $34.38bn

N EWS I N BRIEF

ST

Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves fell to $34.38 billion by January 28, down to 20.3 per cent from $43.16 billion a year earlier, owing to draw downs by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to defend the local currency, naira.

Data from the apex bank yesterday showed the reserves of Africa's biggest economy have steadily declined, falling 0.43 per cent month-onmonth from December, when they stood at $34.53 billion.

The naira has remained under pressure, trading outside the central bank's target band of N160 to N176 to the dollar as oil prices plunge. This is despite a devaluation meant to find the currency's true value and shore up Nigeria's foreign reserves.

17,820

The total area (in sq. km) of Kuwait.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

MINNA Umaru wins Niger East senatorial election

The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday declared Mr. David Umaru of the All Progressives Party (APC) as winner of the Niger East Senatorial by-election ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to return the certificate of return to him.

Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Bako, who gave the verdict at the Niger State High Court 7 in Minna, said Umaru scored 79,779 votes as against Zagbayi's 68,525 votes.

Bako, who read the judgment, said an order directing INEC is hereby granted to issue certificate of return to Umaru as senator representing Niger East.

FCT Army gets new spokesman

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen Kenneth Minimah, has appointed Colonel Sani Usman as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR).

Usman, who took over formally from the outgone DAPR, Brig.Gen Olajide Laleye, at a brief handover ceremony at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) in Abuja, yesterday, said he was conscious of the expectations and demands of his new office, considering the raging Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

While thanking the COAS for finding him worthy to serve as the image maker of the Nigerian Army, he enjoined officers and soldiers in the directorate, to redouble their efforts at achieving set goals.

Until his new appointment, Usman was the spokesman for the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Borno State.

30,288

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Belize in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

37%

The crude birth rate of Eastern Africa in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice-Presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; his wife, Dolapo; Mrs. Aisha Buhari and APC PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, at the party’s presidential campaign rally in Lagos...yesterday

Why APC is boycotting presidential debate –PDP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE The ruling party accuses Buhari of lack of intellectual ability to deal with issues.

Onyekachi Eze

P ABUJA

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to participate in the presidential debate being organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), is to shield from Nigerians and the international audience the intellectual laziness and inability of its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, to constructively engage contemporary national issues in a live television and radio debate.

Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi FaniKayode, said the APC knew that Buhari would flunk it if he is subjected to

l Study reveals presidential poll too-close-to-call the rigours of debate on issues of national governance and development.

He said he was aware that the APC had already expressed its concerns, when approached by an international news channel for a debate, about the intellectual acumen of Buhari, and had assured the news channel that it was only comfortable with its vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who has capacity to feature brilliantly on the programme.

“We have just read a report in the media credited to the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation that the party would not allow its candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, to participate in the radio and television presidential debate organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).

“Whilst we will not bother ourselves with the many reasons adduced by the APC, we wish to state that we see the APC decision as an attempt to

shield its presidential candidate from displaying his intellectual laziness and inability to constructively engage contemporary national issues in a live television and radio debate,” Fani-Kayode said.

He added that PDP had envisaged that the APC would be reluctant to expose Buhari to the rigours of a live television debate because the opposition party knows that its candidate would flunk it.

“Should the APC fail to participate in the debate, it would also show the disdain both the party and its candidate have for the Nigerian people, denying them the opportunity to make informed choices on the basis of what each candidate will articulate as propositions on issues that will be raised.

“We are convinced that Buhari does not have what it takes to sustain a coherent argument on germane issues of governance and development,” Fani-Kayode boasted.

Meanwhile, the presidential contest between President Jonathan and Buhari is too close to call, according to the latest Afrobarometer opinion poll.

Two thousand and four hundred prospective Nigerian voters were interviewed for the Afrobarometer poll, with equal representation across the country, and a margin of error + or - 2 per cent.

A senior member of the Afrobarometer team that conducted the study, Nengak Daniel, said the survey was scientific and a true reflection of the prevailing situation on the ground.

“When we asked people who they were going to vote for, we found out that apart from the leading political parties, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition (APC), all other parties stand a very slim chance of winning. Only six per cent of people said they were going to vote for them,” Daniel said.

Legal experts differ over suit against Buhari Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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gainst the backdrop of two separate suits slammed on the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, seeking his disqualification from the February 14 presidential poll over alleged perjury and forged certificate, legal experts have differed over the legality of the suit.

While Chief Awa Kalu (SAN) said the suit was a waste of time, Chief Amaechi Nwaiwu, said it was the constitutional duty of the police to investigate and prosecute Buhari for the alleged offence.

Two separate suits have been instituted against Buhari before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and an Abuja Magistrate court respectively.

The first suit was filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Chike Okafor, before the Federal High Court, wherein he is seeking an order compelling Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove or delete the name of Buhari and his party (APC) in the list of persons and political parties eligible to contest for the office of the President.

Okafor had hinged his suit on the ground that there was no evidence that Buhari possessed the academic qualifications he claimed.

Listed in the suit are Buhari, APC and INEC as first to third defendants.

The second suit which was filed by one Ufot Jones and two others through their counsel, Ugochukwu Ezekiel, before an Abuja Magistrate Court, was a criminal one.

The complainants had

premised their suit on the allegation that Buhari gave false evidence to a public officer.

The complainants cited Buhari as the only defendant in the suit.

The complainants alleged that Buhari gave false evidence to a public officer contrary to Section 157 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 158 of the Penal Code Law. Reacting to the suits, Nwaiwu said Buhari should be investigated by the police and be prosecuted if eventually found guilty of perjury and forged certificate.

Commenting further, Amaechi noted that the University of Cambridge result sheet attached to the school result released by Government College Katsina has an alteration on the Mathematics column which suggests an attempt at concealment.

“Where there is an allegation of forgery, the Nigeria Police has the powers on a complaint to investigate, interrogate and prosecute any person found to have committed forgery of a document or committed perjury.

“The Nigeria Police under Section 21 of the Constitution and the Police Act has the powers and duty to investigate and prosecute such offences. We call on the Inspector General of Police to investigate, interrogate and prosecute any person upon a complaint found to have committed perjury or forgery of school certificate,” Nwaiwu stated.

“The matter is an exercise in futility. If you look at Section 318 of the constitution, it has sub sections that define school certificate which included any qualification accepted by INEC,” Kale stated.

Debate: Buhari’s reasons to boycott unacceptable, says Okorie Johnchuks Onuanyim and Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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he presidential candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has faulted the reasons advanced by the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to boycott the presidential debate organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG), saying it is a "great disappointment."

Okorie, in a statement from the Director General of his campaign organisation, Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji, said Buhari should have a rethink on the plan and jettison the voice of his advisors.

According to him, the scheduled presidential de-

bate among all 14 presidential candidates and their running mates is one such event in the current development of democracy in Nigeria that should not be boycotted.

He said: “The news that the APC presidential candidate, General Buhari, will not participate in the scheduled debates is a great disappointment.”

Buhari, Jonathan, and Okorie were scheduled to go mano-a-mano in the third session of the debates scheduled for February 8.

Speaking further, Okorie said: “The Chekwas Okorie Presidential Campaign Organisation (COPCO) believes the leadership of the most significant and largest democracy on the African continent should not be acquired by avoiding what may be difficult questions."

31 JANUARY 2015

Police arrest four for defacing Ugwuanyi’s posters

ENUGU Cholera: Enugu donates drugs to three hospitals

l Ezea: Suspects not APC members Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

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he Police in Enugu State have arrested four men suspected to be thugs allegedly sent by the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deface the billboards and other outdoor advertising signs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

The suspects, who are detained at the New Haven Divisional Police Station in Enugu were said to have been arrested on Thursday by policemen, who were on routine patrol in the area.

However, the governorship candidate of the APC in the state, Chief Okey Ezea, told Saturday Telegraph, that those PDP was claiming were thugs hired by him were not even APC members but contractors working on his electric-pole billboards being

installed in the state capital.

But the PDP in its reaction yesterday alleged that “frantic efforts by Ezea who stormed the police station with a retinue of tough-looking men suspected to be political thugs, to free the suspects, met a brick wall when the Divisional Police Officer refused all his entreaties, insisting that the matter must be properly investigated.”

In a statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity of PDP Campaign Organisation, Chukwudi Achife, the party described the incident as “the height of political brigandage and desperation on the part of the APC. “The APC and its governorship candidate in Enugu State cannot make the minutest headway in any ward in Enugu State, talk less of winning the election, so as usual they have resorted to senseless violence as it were," it added.

Avoid provocative statements, herbalists warn politicians Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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ational Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Ekiti State, has warned politicians against provocative statements and actions that can lead to bloodshed in the country.

They also said that they are taking steps to ensure violence-free polls come next month.

They have also thrown weight behind the reelection bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The body gave the en-

dorsement during its first meeting of the year held in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, where over 4,000 members from across the 16 local government areas of the state converged to offer prayers for the country, particularly for smooth general elections.

Briefing journalists after taking the decision, the state Chairman of NANTMP, Chief Jacob Orisamika, described Jonathan as a humble personality, who could be trusted with power.

He, however, urged Nigerians to vote massively for President Jonathan for the ongoing transformation in all sectors to permeate all the strata of the Nigerian society.

Promasidor pledges to uphold professionalism in journalism Ezekiel Adesawe

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owards rewarding excellence and professionalism in journalism in Nigeria, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, has said it will continue to support the profession in Nigeria, especially in this year’s entries for its annual Quill Awards.

The ‘Promasidor Quill Awards’ is a platform for journalists in the country to be rewarded for news reportage on Industry, Education, Corporate Social Responsibility and Nutrition issues all year round.

Managing Director of Promasidor, Mr. Olivier Thirty, said this at a media briefing to kick-start this year’s annual awards.

Also speaking at the me-

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dia briefing, Head of Legal/ Public Relations, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, said the role of journalists in the society informed his organisation’s commitment to rewarding excellence and professionalism in journalism.

Enahoro, while addressing journalists said this year’s edition, which would feature in seven categories Best report on Nutrition, Best report on CSR and Industry, Best report on Education, Best report on Children, Future Writer of the Year, Brand Advocate of the Year, and Best Photo Story of the Year, was an indication that his company was committed to rewarding outstanding and professional journalism in the country.

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The Enugu State Government has donated antibiotic drugs worth N500, 000 to three hospitals with patients affected with gastroenteritis in Nsukka, Udenu and Igboeze South Local Government Areas.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. George Eze, made the presentation during a fact-finding tour to the affected areas with the outbreak of the disease yesterday in Enugu.

Eze said his visit to the three affected hospitals confirmed that the Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, was passionate about healthcare delivery in the state, especially the vulnerable group, under five and pregnant mothers.

N93.98m The total capital importation value of the Servicing sector in 2008.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

EZEAGU Ekweremadu makes N5m offer to councils

Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, has placed a N5 million offer to any council area in his Enugu West senatorial district that would cast the highest number of votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February general elections.

Speaking at the PDP campaign rally which was held at Ezeagu Local Government, Ekweremadu said N1million would be attached to each of the five elections which include presidential, Senate, House of Representatives, governorship, and state Assembly, amounting to a total of five million for the entire polls.

He also said: “In and out of office, Chime remains my leader and his programmes will be my programmes."

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WARRI Jonathan asks for new date for Gas City ceremony

President Goodluck Jonathan has asked for a new date for him to visit Delta State to perform the shelved ground breaking ceremony of the $16 billion EPZ Gas City in Ugborodo, Delta State.

The state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who said this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists in Warri, said the President had directed the state government to liaise with his protocol to arrive on a date for the event.

He, however, said the President had insisted that the agreed date should not be before the February 14 presidential and national assembly elections.

Intra-community strife had delayed the ground breaking ceremony which was to have taken place earlier last year.

14%

The percentage of coverage of antiretroviral medicines for preventing mother-to-child transmission in low and middle-income countries in 2005.

Source: Who.int

5,320.8m The estimated total population of the world in 1990.

Source: Un.org

Dickson, Clark, Nyame, others back Jonathan’s re-election bid ENDORSEMENT

The president's re-election bid gets a major boost from some eminent Nigerians.

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

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ome ethnic minority stakeholders across the country have risen from a one-day summit with the theme “national integration, stability and the 2015 elections” in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, with a call on the minorities across the country to forge a united front in working for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson; his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd); foremost Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark; former Governor of Taraba State,

Rev. Jolly Nyame; onetime Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Senator Femi Okunrounmu, were among dignitaries that attended the summit.

Speaking at the event, Dickson renewed his call on Nigerians to appreciate the fact that the greatness of the country derives from its ethno-cultural and religious diversity.

The governor, who spoke while declaring open the first National Summit organised by the Congress for Equality and Change (CEC) in Yenagoa, said such common understanding would help in building a united and egalitarian Nigeria as envisioned by the founding fathers of the nation.

Expressing his belief in the oneness of the country, the governor decried the attitude of some politi-

cians, who fan the embers of violence and sow seeds of disunity among the different ethnic nationalities that make up the country.

Earlier, the National Chairman, CEC, Senator Ameh Ebute, had explained that the summit was organised to alert the nation to the dangerous trends in the ongoing electioneering, whereby tribal and religious sentiments, rather than achievements in office dominate the various political speeches.

The second aim of the summit, according to him, was “to educate and inform the minorities in the country that the February 14 Presidential election is not about Jonathan, but about the future and political emancipation of the minorities in Nigeria”.

In his remark, Clark said the election of President Jonathan had not only

brought liberty to the minorities, but also ensured unprecedented development to the country.

Clark, who also called on Nigerians to vote for the PDP, however urged members of the party in the North, particularly Adamawa State to rise above the antics being employed by detractors to rob the PDP of its success.

In their goodwill messages, Nyame, representing North East, his Anambra counterpart, Ezeife (South East), and Okunrounmu representing the South West, all pledged their support to actualise President Jonathan’s reelection bid.

Others who spoke at the event include Mr. Matthew Attah Akwe (North Central), Dauda Ibrahim (North West) and Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, representing the South-South.

L-R: Member, Selection Committee, Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, Prof. Akin Mabogunje; Chairman, Selection Committee/ former Secretary-General, Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and member of the committee, Mr. Bola Akingbade, at news briefing to unveil the winners of the 2014 prize for Leadership in Lagos …yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

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31 JANUARY 2015

BAUCHI

ADO-EKITI

Bird Flu: Bauchi bans Regular salary payment’ll ensure movement of poultry products industrial harmony- NUT

N EWS I N BRIEF

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The Bauchi State Government says it has banned the movement of poultry products into the state from states battling with the outbreak of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu).

Desk Officer, State Avian Influenza Control Programme, Dr. Ibrahim Bello, announced the ban in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Bauchi.

The Federal Government had confirmed the outbreak of Bird Flue in 11 states of the federation.

Bello said: “The Department for Animal Resources and Nomadic Resettlement has banned the movement of poultry, especially from the states that have recorded outbreaks."

6.25% The percentage of individuals using the internet in Botswana in 2008.

Source: Itu.int

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ekiti Council, has appealed to Governor Ayo Fayose to sustain the regular payment of salaries and other benefits accrued to workers to ensure industrial harmony.

Coming on the heels of the NUT's expression of gratitude to the governor for paying their outstanding August salary with a pledge to continue to support and cooperate with his government to succeed.

In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti and signed by the state Chairman, Kayode Akosile, and Secretary, Gbenga Ajibade, the union said it was surprised that the governor could still consider paying the outstanding salaries at a time like this when the state was battling with lean purse and heavy commitment.

ASABA Zeb Ejiro backs Okowa

Top movie producer/director, Zeb Ejiro, has joined the campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship hopeful, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in Delta State.

Ejiro, who is the chairman, Electronic Media Sub-committee, had told associates in Lagos recently, that Okowa’s campaign blueprint had already started yielding dividends.

Contained in the programme, according to Ejiro, is Okowa’s sustainable peace policy, his support programme for security agencies, and how he intends to combat crime.

“Okowa with an all encompassing programme is a thorough person who would not ignore the health sector for agriculture sake,” he said.

505,000 The total population of Cape Verde in 2012.

Source: Un.org

£23,327 The average weekly salary of Spain’s La liga players in 2013-2014 season.

Source: Soccernet.com

Arms Cache: Supreme Court sets aside life sentence on Lebanese businessman STAY OF ACTION

Lebanese sentenced for terrorism sought redress which has consequently yielded a stay of action.

T

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Supreme Court yesterday set aside the life imprisonment slammed on a Lebanese, Tahal Roda, by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over terrorism charges.

Roda was in 2013 charged to court alongside Mustapha Fawaz and Abdullah Thani, co-owners of one of Abuja’s largest supermarkets, Amigo Supermarket, and Wonderland Amusement Park, also in Abuja by the Department of State Security (DSS).

The trial court, however,

freed Fawaz and Thani of the charges, while Roda was found culpable and sentenced.

Dissatisfied, he approached the Court of Appeal, which upheld the jugment.

Still not satisfied, Roda through his counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), approached the apex court based on the premise that the court lacked geographical jurisdiction to hear and convict him.

He also argued that the charge in which he was tried was unknown to the Nigerian law.

Delivering judgment, Justice Musa Datijo agreed with the appellant that the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court lacked geographical jurisdiction to sit on a case that happened in Kano State where there is another division of the court.

The court further held that there was no link between

the charge brought by the Federal Government and the appellant that could have warranted the conviction.

In conclusion, the court, however, set aside the trial and the conviction of the appellant.

The Federal Government had dragged the accused persons, Fawaz, Thahani and Rodo to court over terrorist activities bordering on illegal importation of firearms.

The Nigerian military had uncovered heavy weaponry in a building in Kano allegedly owned by the Lebanese.

Nigerian authorities subsequently sealed off two buildings in Abuja - Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park, also co-owned by Fawaz.

The Lebanese were also accused of being members of Hezbollah, the Lebanon - based group considered

a terrorist organisation by the United States.

During the trial, Simon Egede, who is the prosecuting counsel, maintained that the accused persons were guilty of the charges, especially based on the evidence given by the witness.

Egede said Hezbollah was a terrorist group and should be treated as such.

He explained that any organisation that was involved in bombing and destruction was a terrorist organisation and therefore prayed the court to convict the accused.

Raji, however, opposed the submission of the prosecuting counsel, saying Hezbollah had not been pronounced a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian Government.

He said Hezbollah was like any other group and, therefore, prayed the court to acquit and discharge the accused.

Your anti-democratic tendencies will haunt you, Jang tells Buhari Musa Pam Jos

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lateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, has said the people-oriented policies of President Goodluck Jonathan have made him to have the toga of a democrat, while the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, is a dictator.

He said Buhari’s antidemocratic tendencies and negative records would speak against him at the forthcoming Presidential poll on February 14.

Jang, who stated this at a campaign rally in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state, to drum up support for the governorship candidate of the

Ohanaeze laments deplorable state of roads in South-East Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

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he apex Igbo sociocultural and economic organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday reacted to the ongoing carnage on federal roads in the SouthEast geo-graphical zone of the country, urging the Federal Ministry of Works “to embark on immediate salvage measures through an interim action, to stop this disturbing situation.”

Commenting on recent road crashes along the Enugu-Port Harcourt federal highway as well as last Thursday’s accident on a perennially bad spot on the Enugu Ngwo axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway involving yam traders from Nnewi in Anambra State, Chairman of the new Caretaker Committee of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief

Ralph Obioha, said Ndigbo would no longer continue to take excuses from the government, but would want the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately do something on such death spots to stop the carnage forthwith.

On Thursday, our reporter ran into a rescue operation at the accident scene involving women traders, who were returning with their goods (yams) loaded in a Mercedes 911 lorry and it was a pathetic scene.

The women on sighting journalists taking shots of the scene cried out in their numbers to the state and federal governments to come to their aid in view of the huge losses they incurred in the accident on that bad spot that had in the past claimed many lives and ruined many businessmen and women.

Edo commissioner defects to PDP Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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L-R: Wife of the Vice-President, Hajiya Amina Sambo; Kaduna State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Peter Everton and the state Governor, Mukhtar Yero, at the Women Empowerment Programme, in Kaduna…yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Senator Gyang Pwajok, said the APC presidential candidate humiliated a lot of people while in power as a military head of state.

He said: “Buhari humiliated politicians as head of state, I was in the military with General Buhari and we in the military knew him very well. If I am General Buhari, I would have bowed out of the presidential race, what Buhari did to politicians in the past would haunt him in the present and future.

“Buhari allowed the military to get to his head and was going about jailing innocent citizens and politicians and he is still saying he would renovate Kirikiri prisons."

ith less than two weeks to the February general elections, Edo State Commissioner for Investment and Public Private Partnership, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, yesterday made a surprise move to join the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

He, however, did not resign his appointment before he defected to the PDP. Idahosa joined the PDP with some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ovia South West Local Government Area.

He was received into the party by the state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih.

The former APC chieftain said he left the APC due to what he called incessant abuse of President Goodluck Jonathan by Governor Adams Oshiomhole and that he joined the PDP to support the re-election of President Jonathan.

According to him, “The reason I am joining PDP is that I don't agree with the way Oshiomhole abuses our elders and President Jonathan. As a youth, I stand to support President Jonathan for the presidency.”

In his remarks, Orbih stated that more serving commissioners in Oshiomhole - led government have indicated strong desire to leave the ruling APC and join the opposition PDP in the state.

31 JANUARY 2015

Anyaoku opposes polls shift

FCT PDP lifts suspension of Bamanga Tukur

l Mbeki emerges winner of Obafemi Awolowo leadership prize Mojeed Alabi and Temitope Ogunbanke

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ormer Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has kicked against the call for the postponement of next month’s general elections by some individuals and groups.

According to Anyaoku, since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians of its readiness to conduct credible polls, it should be left to do the job, saying the calls were not only unnecessary but also unfounded and baseless.

Anyaoku, who doubles as the Chairman of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership’s Selection Committee, said this yesterday in Lagos, while

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announcing the immediate past President of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, as the winner of the award’s second edition.

He said, though, the award was instituted in 2012 as a product of the 2011 edition of the annual dialogue programme of the Obafemi Awolowo foundation, the timing of the announcement had nothing to do with the forthcoming election but was part of the culture of the Foundation to use the opportunity to mark the posthumous birthday of Awolowo.

“The institution of the prize is a direct outcome of the special dialogue held in July 2011 and themed; ‘Transformational Leadership and Good Governance: Lessons from the Awolowo Example.’

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The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday announced the lifting of the five-week suspension slammed on the former national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

The lifting of the suspension on Tukur was confirmed by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh.

Metuh stated that the decision was taken by the NWC and announced yesterday in Yola during the President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign rally in the Adamawa State capital.

Metuh also said the party commended and appreciated Tukur for mobilising Nigerians for the president’ re-election bid.

£1.2m

The average yearly salary of Spain’s La liga players in 2013-2014 season.

Source: Soccernet.com

IBADAN

IKEJA Polls: Group fixes prayer, fasting for Feb 7

A group, Goodluck Voters Forum (GVF), an official campaign affiliate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Goodluck Campaign Organisation has fixed February 7 to 9 as national fasting and prayer days for all Nigerians to appeal to God to bring lasting peace and development to the country.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the National Coordinator of GVF, Mr. Esanerovo Agbodo, said: “We are tired of incessant killings of innocent citizens

by Boko Haram militants. Moreover, now that the elections are around the corner, we need God’s hand more than ever before to facilitate the election of good leaders as well as to achieve successful and peaceful election in Nigeria."

19%

The percentage population of men in Hungary above 60 years in 2012.

Source: Un.org

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Eighth-day post-Fidau for Adeseun holds today

The eighth-day post-Fidau celebration of life reception for late Alhaja Fausat Folasade Adeseun, will hold today in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Adeseun, who passed on January 23, after a brief illness and was buried the following day according to Islamic rites, was born on February 28, 1941 in Ibadan.

In a statement released by her family, the post-fidau reception will commence at 2p.m. at GASO Event Centre, British America Tobacco Street,

by Ibadan Toll Gate, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan.

She is survived by children and grandchildren among whom is the Chairman of Rodot Group, Remi Adeseun.

6,000

The estimated number of deaths caused by diarrhoeal diseases mostly among children less than five years on a daily basis.

Source: Unesco.org

International tourist arrivals hit 1.1bn in 2014 Andrew Iro Okungbowa

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lobal tourism has continued to post impressive results since 2009 with the international tourist arrivals (overnight stay) figures for 2014 hitting an all time record of 1.1 billion (1, 138 billion).

This is coming from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometre’s report on the global industry’s performance in 2014 even as it projects international tourism to grow by three to four per cent this year, contributing to global economic recovery.

By this impressive performance, the arrival receipt was put at 51 million more than the figure recorded in 2013, translating to an increase of 4.7 per cent thereby making it the fifth consecutive year that the industry is recording above average growth rate since the world

economic crisis of 2009.

The Secretary General of UNWTO, Dr. Talebi Rifai, said tourism had in the face of world economic and other challenges remain resilient and enjoying progressive growth and providing millions of jobs for people and heading economic recovery by many of the countries.

“Over the past years, tourism has proven to be a surprisingly strong and resilient economic activity and a fundamental contributor to the economic recovery by generating billions of dollars in exports and creating millions of jobs.

This has been true for destinations all around the world, but particularly for Europe, as the region struggles to consolidate its way out of one of the worst economic periods in its history,” Rifai said at the opening of the Spain Global Tourism Forum in Madrid.

100,000 females for World Hijab Day walk in Lagos

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bout 100,000 Muslims are expected to partake in a walk to support the use of Hijab in Lagos State and Nigeria in general.

The walk is organised by the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit in commemoration of the annual World Hijab Day (WHD), which was started by Nazma Khan, a Bangladesh lady in New York in 2013.

The day came into being over misconceptions and wrong interpretations of what Hijab represents and denial of its usage in some parts of the World.

Commenting on the

walk expected to hold on February 1, Amirah (female president) of MSSN LSAU, Hajia Hafsa Badru, called for maximum participation of both Muslims and nonMuslims.

She said: “World Hijab Day will be observed in over 100 countries of the world. Non-Muslims are also invited to wear the Hijab for a day and share their experiences with the world.

“The Hijab Day in Lagos, Nigeria will feature the Hijab Walk with an expected hundred thousand sisters walking from Maryland through the streets of Lagos State. The event is strictly for females.”

L-R: Co-Executive Director, Tolerance Project, Interfaith Mediation Centre, Pastor James Wuye; Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ahmed Maharazu and Co- Executive Director of the centre, Imam Muhammad Ashafa, during the visit to NAN’s office in Kaduna …yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Nine killed as Fulani herdsmen overrun five villages in Benue ONSLAUGHT

Recurring Fulani herdsmen attack claims nine in Ukemberagya council ward.

Cephas Iorhemen and Muhammad Ahmad

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Makurdi/Lafia

unmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen yesterday attacked five villages in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, which is Governor Gabriel Suswam’s homestead, killing nine people and burning over 100 houses in the process.

The villages attacked were Chembe, Tse-Mue, Ifer, Mgbakpa and Oragbai, all in Ukemberagya council ward, which is four kilometres away from Anyiin, headquarters of the local government area.

The gunmen stormed the area about 5.48 a.m. and

l Police confirm attack on Al-Makura’s convoy started shooting sporadically into the air for several hours, leaving scores of people displaced.

However, the attack by the gunmen came on a day the Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the attack on Governor Tanko Al-Makura’s convoy in Mararaba Gurku area of Karu Local Government Area of the state.

Commenting on the incident, Suswam’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Joseph Anawah, an indigene of the area, told Saturday Telegraph that the attackers numbering about 100 used different routes to invade the villages.

The governor’s aide stated that the herdsmen traced some farmers to their farms and killed them, adding that most of those killed included people that were rendered homeless as a result of last year’s attacks on the communities

by the herdsmen and had returned to their villages to cultivate their farmlands.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. John Bako, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said two people were killed in the brutal attack.

The PPRO stated that the people were killed when the Peace and Reconciliation Committee set up by the state government to reconcile the Tiv and Fulani people were holding a meeting to fine-tune ways of ending the intractable crises.

He, however, said antiriot policemen had been deployed in the area to maintain peace and ensure the return of the displaced people to their homes.

Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Police spokesperson, Mr. Ugochukwu Theodore, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed the attack on the governor's convoy,

said the rear windscreen of the press crew bus was smashed by the protesting youths.

Theodore said the police were able to bring the situation under control and that no arrest had been made yet.

“The information at our disposal further reveals that the back windscreen of the governor’s press crew bus was damaged but no arrest has been made while investigation is going on.”

It was gathered that the youth had ambushed the governor’s convoy on its way back from an installation ceremony in Gurku, where the governor had presented staff of office to the Emir of Gurku, Alhaji Jibrin Waziri, as a second class chief.

Eyewitness accounts said youths pelted the convoy after the governor had passed and smashed the windscreen of the press crew bus and one other Volkswagen Sharon bus.

SATURDAY

Voices Is it right to go through your children's Facebook profile? p.12

Street Diary SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015

10

‘Dead man’ transfers N1m to female banker’s account D

Flora Onwudiwe etectives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State, were shellshocked after they discovered that a murdered businessman, whose killers are still evasive, has transferred N1million from his account via e-banking to an employee of Guaranty Trust Bank PLC (GTB) (name withheld).

The deceased, Mr. Chinedu Mba, 35, a businessman with chain of stores, was attacked and killed by unknown men in one of his shops in Jos, Plateau State, in October 2014.

After Mba was killed, his killers had made away with some of his documents, handsets and other valuables.

The police were called in to investigate the murder, but had no evidence to latch on. The family of the deceased was already getting over the death of their son, when they got a shocker.

A police source said: “ When the father of the deceased, Mr. Marcellus Mba, went to the bank to withdraw money, he discovered that his late son had used his missing phone to transfer over N1m to another account. He alerted the police and we reopened the case.”

Narrating how the deceased’s father discovered that money was missing from his son’s account, the police said: “The father was at Union Bank Plc., to withdraw some money in his deceased son’s account and discovered that N1m out of N2m had been withdrawn. He accused the bank officials of stealing the money from his son’s account but the bank denied it.”

The police and the bank started investigation. Union Bank started what it described as in-house investigation.

While the police kept surveillance on the bank, the bank placed a red alert on the deceased’s account.

As the police were trying to unravel the mystery behind the withdrawal, one Mr. Joseph Akpan went to the bank’s branch in Ilorin, Kwara State, to make another transfer. The bank officials deliberately delayed him, while they alerted the police.

Although 65-year-old Akpan claimed to be the deceased, his picture did not match that of the Chinedu when it was checked on the computer.

Akpan wanted to transfer the money from the account to the account of an employee of GTB. This was the same account the first money was transferred into.

“Before we arrested Akpan, he filled a Union Bank transfer form. In the form, he claimed to be the late businessman. He also filled Chinedu’s phone number as his own. He said he filled the phone number in case the bank wanted to reach him if there was any question over the transfer. Since he filled the deceased’s phone number, it means he is in possession of the phone and likely killed the man,” said the police.

When police searched Akpan, they found N20,000 on him. Stating his own side of the story, Akpan said that he used

I have told you the truth, I didn’t know the account belonged to somebody who was murdered

Akpan

to work with Pointer Security located at 12, Macdonald Road, Ikoyi, a private security firm in Lagos.

He claimed that the firm did not pay him for four years so he left when he was employed to work as a guard at Tin Can Island Port. He added that he later left the port when he was not paid for one year.

Akpan said: “All those years, my son shouldered the financial responsibility, until he said he was tired and suggested I relocated to Asutan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, my home town. In my town, I started selling fairly-used clothes and shoes. I used to travel to Benin Republic to buy

these items.

“I would leave Akwa Ibom to Lagos, then from Lagos I would find my way to Cotonou. I had N50,000 with me. I travelled in the Akwa Ibom State Transport Company and stopped over at Ojuelegba, Lagos. It was there I ran into my old friend Benson, whom I knew when I was a contract security man at Tin Can Island. He told me about this business and I shelved my trip to Cotonou.”

Akpan said that Benson was not too forthcoming on the nature of the business, adding that he followed Benson to Ilorin without thinking twice. According to him, from what Benson told him,

he knew it was a business that would fetch him good money. When they reached Ilorin, they lodged at Isaac George Hotel on January 6.

He said: “In the night, three men came.

Benson took them away, to discuss with them. I did not know what they discussed. On our way to the bank the following day, Benson first stopped over at MTN office, while I waited for him in the car. He didn’t take long before he came back. He had a new handset and a new MTN sim card, which he inserted into the phone and then gave to me.“Benson gave me a Union Bank transfer fund form and asked me to fill it. He said that I should assist him to submit the form at the bank.

I left Benson in the car with my wallet containing N30,000 while I had N20,000 with me.

“When police arrested me inside the bank, I told them that the person who brought me there was outside, waiting for me. When they went to look for Benson outside, he had zoomed off. He also ran away with my N30,000.”

Akpan said he was shocked and sad to hear that Chinedu whom Benson told him to impersonate, had been murdered. Police told Akpan that he would be allowed to go, if he could lead them to Benson, but he cried: “ I have told you the truth, I didn’t know the account belonged to somebody who was murdered. I don’t know how the police can locate Benson. I don’t even know his home. I only know that he speaks Edo, Yoruba and good English. We are about the same age.”

A policeman said: “Akpan and Benson must be responsible for the murder of Chinedu Mba since his father confirmed that his son’s phone was missing and his number was used in transferring the first money.”

Police said they were also going after the said employee of GTB.

70 garlands for the doyen of insurance Taiwo Jimoh

T

he serene environment of Goshen Beach Estate, Lekki, Victoria Island, shimmered with green and white colours symbolising Ansar Ud Deen Society of Nigeria brand, a member of which the celebrant is.

Special supplications from the holy Quran were made for the celebrant, Ahmed Olaniyi Salawudeen and his family, before cutting of the cake and toast.

An international Islamic preacher, Sheilk Muhydeen Ajani Bello, who was the officiating minister at the event urged the celebrant to be thankful to God for sparing his life till he joins the league of septuagenarians while acknowledging that the feat was worth celebrating.

His words partly read, “We thank God on your behalf for attaining the golden

age, because some of your mates for Muslims," he added. had passed away when you Salawudeen gradupeople were in school, even ated from the Colafter graduation they have lege of Insurance, Surbiton, London, all gone.”

Sheilk Muhydeen told having qualified as the celebrant and the guests a Chartered Insurthat all humans were of the ance Practitioner in same parentage, but on dithe year 1976. He is vergent purposes on earth an Associate Memwith a mission to impact lives. ber of the Chartered Insurance Institute of The Islamic scholar added Salawudeen that it was compulsory for every London and a Fellow of the human being to touch the lives of peoNigerian Council of Registered ple, either through one’s family member, Insurance Brokers as well as an Associfriends, neighbours regardless of religious ate Member of the Chartered Insurance belief.

Institute of Nigeria. He has served the “After you had touched people’s lives, Nigerian Council of Registered Insuryou can now come out and celebrate ance Brokers for many years as a Counwhatever you want to celebrate because cil Member before setting up Standard touching people’s lives is very important Group of companies.

11

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

NIGERIA ELECTIONS DEBATE GROUP (NEDG)

PRESS RELEASE

APC TO BOYCOTT BON ORGANIZED TELEVISION DEBATES Introduction: Our attention has been drawn to a Press Release with the above title issued on behalf of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO) credited to Mallam Garba Shehu of the Directorate of Media and Publicity.

The Issues Raised and Our Response: (i)

The 2015 Presidential Debates is being organized by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) of which the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) is just one amongst the other organizations that constitute the group.

(ii) The organizations that formed the NEDG and duly registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission are: The Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Alliance for Credible Elections, National Council of Women Societies of Nigeria, Electoral Reform Network, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Centre for Democracy and Development, Transition Monitoring Group, and DAAR Communications Plc. (iii) The Debate is not organized by government-controlled Stations as was alleged in the Press Release under consideration and no medium in spite of its membership of BON controls nor determines the activities, actions and programmes of the Group. (iv) The Chairmanship of BON, the umbrella body of Broadcast stations formed in 1973, usually rotates between the Voice of Nigeria, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

It has been this way from the inception of BON but the constitution is currently under review to allow for private stations to assume leadership of BON. (v) Presently BON is made up of both the Federal, State and privately-owned broadcast Stations and the current Chairman is Mr. Sola Omole - the Director-General of NTA. (vi) The founder and erstwhile Chairman of DAAR Communications Pic does not dictate the activities or decision of the NEDG Board of Trustees. To date, NEDG has organized Political Debates in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, and those Debates had been adjudged by most to be unbiased. Suffice to state that the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who was then the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) attended the 2007 Debates organized by NEDG. (vii) On the issue “Unhidden Bias” and the allegation of the

possibility of integrity compromise on the questions, the methodology which has been universally acknowledged is to acquaint contestant’s possible areas of questioning which covers the entire spectrum of societal well-being. This template is usually made available to all the contesting political parties and their respective campaign organizations. (viii) For over 16 years that the NEDG has been organizing Debates at the Federal level, some State Governorship Debates in Ondo, Edo, and Anambra States based on its integrity and reputation, the NEDG partnered with the Sierra Leone Media to organize Presidential Debate which was the first of its kind in the West Africa subregion. NEDG was equally invited to participate and organize Debates in some other countries most especially the United States of America. (ix) The methodology for the drawing up of the questions is indeed credible and faultless. The Committee responsible collates the questions that members of the public send to the Group. The questions are appropriately structured for broadcast; the Committee only seats a day before the debate and the totality of the questions used are selected by only one person. The questions are only released to the Moderators and Panelists live in the full glare of the entire audience and the viewing/ listening public during the Debates. (x) During the Debates which are live, when a Candidate is asked any question, all other candidate(s) are allowed to answer the same question(s) to ensure fairness and objectivity. (xi) We reached out to established appropriate contacts with the leadership of the APC and the Presidential Campaign organization of the Party and we shall continue to engage the party and its flag bearer; hoping that they will have a change of mind and seize the unique opportunity provided by the Debates to engage the citizenry of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and indeed the global community on their plans for leadership of the country through the articulation of their manifestos, programmes and policies for the citizens and ultimately the country. (xii) NEDG is the most credible and reliable debate organizing group in the African Continent that provides the widest broadcast platform for candidates aspiring to political office to reach the widest number of people instantaneously. (xiii) In conclusion, our avowed commitment is to elevate our political culture to the exalted realm of intellectualism and issue-based campaigns.

TONY AKIOTU

Chairman - Media Publicity Committee NEDG 2015 Presidential Debate Committee

SATURDAY

Voices

SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2015

Is it right to go through your children’s Facebook profile?

You have to checkmate your children

You have to, the same way you monitor their school work

Yes, it's a nice idea because it helps to checkmate and to know the kind of information and conversations as well as friends they relate and mingle with on the internet.

Yes, you can decide not to buy or allow them to use android or phones that have cameras but in case they do, you can pretend to use their phones for calls and then go through them when you see porn movies, you advice and lecture them on its implications. But it's a must you check on them as you check their assignments.

– Jackson Aiyanyo, businessman

It's good to protect them from negative influences

– Bakare Abiodun, entrepreneur

You should monitor them Viewing their profile is to monitor them because people are using social network for sex chat and they exchange nude pictures.

The worst is the whatsapp, these children are supposed to be studying and reading as well as researching information that will inspire their lives and not chatting with friends on irrelevant things.

– Akpan Rufus, police officer

It enables you to monitor and correct their vices There's nothing bad in it. If you are just checking to know your children’s communication act and it also enables you to correct any issue when and where necessary.

– Ayiedun Stephen, civil servant

It's advisable to check on them It is advisable you do so if there are any negative things you observe you will be able to talk to the child about it and also protect the future of the child.

– Okorika Margret, civil servant

It is a good idea and you should ensure you make the child see reasons why you are doing that. Because if he/she is chatting with the wrong persons who you don't know, it might likely influence them negatively. So it is a way of protecting their future from being destroyed.

– Oladele Olalere, engineer

It's right but done with discretion

There is nothing wrong in going through your child’s facebook profile. A parent could do so to keep tabs on their children. When it is all the time, it is more like spying on them and that is not proper.

– Ebosele David, service desk analyst

It's an invasion on your child’s privacy It is not right to go through their child’s facebook profile because it is invading the privacy of that child. Well, except the child is underage then the parents can check once in a while to make sure the child is safe because of the dangers on the internet these days.

– Amidu Ololade, student

It's okay It's not right It is wrong for parents to go through their children’s Facebook page because there are some things a child does and wouldn’t want his or her parents to know about or see. So, in this case it is wrong for a parent to do such.

– Mercy Njoku, worker

It is okay as a parent to go through your children’s profile just to know what they do outside, because it’s not everything they do outside they show at home, but surely everything they do outside they upload on the social media.

– Glory Okorie, student

compiled by

john edu, AYILARA DAYO, EZEKIEL ADESAWE and CHIAZOR PEACE

It's not right to do so It is not right for parents to invade their child’s privacy. I believe what you do not want people to do to you; you should not do to others.

Most parents know that when they were children, if there was facebook, they would not want their parents poking their noses.

– Temi Sogunle, student

Parents should not bother It is not right because when they (parents) check their children’s status on facebook, they will definitely start complaining about some things. In order to avoid complaining, parents should not bother to check at all.

– Bidemi Adams, teacher

You should be discreet You can check your child’s profile. But at the same time, do not let them know, or even complain directly or indirectly to them about it. If your children find out you are checking their facebook profile, they could be mischievous and they would definitely open another account, and post what they think you want to see on their pages.

– Eze Lucas, engineer

It helps to keep track of your child It is not a crime to check your child’s profile. This is because it may help you know what is really going on in your child’s life. It will also help you know what to counsel your child on. The thing is if you go through their profile, you do not need to let them know. Most children go through things and they put it up there.

–Collins Uduh, public servant

It depends on the maturity level of the child It depends on the age and the maturity of that child and also the kind of friends he or she moves with. If he is of a matured age why should I go through his facebook profile to check what he is doing?

–Edukere Susan, housewife

12

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015

SATURDAY

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle

Quincy

Adorn your wrist with skinny gold cuff bracelets p.16

aYODELE

TV & Radio At home with the Yaws p.44

Love&Living ‘He cheated on me while I was pregnant’ p.35

Herbal medicine would have been in oblivion but for me In 1996, she pioneered a movement in alternative therapy from hawking her wares on the streets of Lagos.

Quincy Ayodele, today has earned herself the sobriquet, ‘Queen of Herbs’, for her contribution to herbal medicine in Nigeria. The style-conscious entrepreneur shares the story of her traditional medicine practice with LANRE ODUKOYA and reflects on romance and family.

People call you Queen of Herbs, do you think you have done much in the traditional medicine industry to merit this honorific title?

Those who call me Queen of Herbs know to what extent I have contributed in terms of herbal medicine development. They know what I have been doing and to what extent I have worked in terms of natural medicine.

I started slimming with herbal medicine in Nigeria; I pioneered it, about 17 years ago. We are still there with branches springing up all over the places and we are getting stronger by the day. Those who call me the Queen of Herbs also know that I pioneered talking to the government about recognising traditional medicine in Nigeria and that was why I was made the first Secretary General of National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), the umbrella body that governs traditional medicine practice in the country. They also know that I am a World Health Organisation (WHO) expert in developing formula and traditional medicine representing Africa. Talking and practising traditional medicine in Africa and in Nigeria, many people know that if you really want to slim down or treat obesity using traditional medicine, which is my specialty, then you have to come to Quincy. I did not call myself the Queen of Herbs, it is the people who gave me the name, and they must have seen some of the things we have done at Quincy before giving me the nickname.

Hospitality At Jojein Resort, it’s splendid service in nature’s embrace p.39

Many people assume you pioneered traditional herbs in Nigeria, is it correct?

We at Quincy Herbal Slimmers pioneered the management of obesity using traditional herbs.

AY O D E L E

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

“ I am a girl who grew up in the village and what does a village girl do when a man comes to talk to her? You tell him to go and talk to your father.”

Those who have used your medicine say they are mostly purgative; why is it so?

For you to treat or manage obesity you have to cleanse the system. At Quincy Herbal Slimmers, we work on reducing excess body fat. I have to be very factual with you. Fat cells are living cells and you can exercise and the cells will stop growing or rather they will get shrink, but the moment you stop doing those things the fats will grow back. In my 17 years of practicing, I have found out that the best thing to do is to eliminate the fat. The idea is that the fat that has been eliminated cannot come back, except you start taking in new ones. If you eliminate the fat cells, you do so completely, but we do not encourage people to do it themselves. We encourage them to see professionals, because we do not want you to do something that will affect your organs and that is why you see that those who come to Quincy still look healthy even after undergoing CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

‘People think obesity is a small disease; it is not’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 3

the process of eliminating the fat cells.

You find out that there are added incentives to the treatment because there will not be a case of migraine, insomnia or related illness.

How do you go about eliminating fatty cells?

There are three ways of eliminating fatty cells from the body. If you are using a fat cell eliminating product, you would be told what you are using and the administration and prescription will be based on your body type and health condition. We do not eliminate body fat cell for our ulcer patients, but like I said earlier, we have three methods of eliminating, and purging is not the way we do it. You could either go for purging, sweat or urinate depending on your body condition and that is why we encourage our clients to come for examination before they use any of our herbs. Even if you offer to pay for home delivery service, we still insist that you come to the clinic so that we can examine you.

One has to pay through one’s nose to get your services, does this encourage patronage?

It is not true. Since we established Quincy Herbal Slimmers, we have not increased our prices and we know many of our competitors have done so several times. We have different charges depending on the product, or the treatment the patient is receiving, and they are rendered in a state-of-the-art facility.

This applies to all our branches.

If we have been practising for the past16 years and there has not been any complain about side effects, then you should know that it cost money.

Sometime ago, you opened a special kitchen, is the kitchen still in existence?

There are things Quincy Herbal Slimmers is into that many people do not know about. We are totally dedicated to treating obesity and this is done through different mediums. We have the Quincy Slimming Kitchen; it is a home delivery service. It used to be a major part of what we do, but at

a point in time, people started getting wrong impression that the kitchen was basically what we do and that is not true. Besides the Kitchen, we also have Slimming Water; we have Slimming Injection, we have Slimming Gum, and Sliming Ring. At Quincy, we are very busy and very restless because we have to keep up with research to meet the demand – and not Nigerian standard alone, but to meet up with international standard. We have branches everywhere even in the United States.

As a WHO expert, you have to keep researching on new formula and before you can talk about a formula at that level, you must have tried it.

You mentioned some of your slimming devices earlier; I understand how the Slimming Water, Injection and Gum work, but what about the Slimming Ring?

If it is possible to mix some things with water and you get the sliming water, it is also possible to mix some things with the ring and get a slimming ring. However, this is how the Sliming Ring works. You are asked to put it on a finger and it works like acupuncture. If you put the ring on a particular finger it sparks of metabolism for a particular purpose. If you put it on your index finger, it will work on your pot belle. There is also the one you can put on and it will work on your eyes. At Quincy, we specialise on just one thing and when you focus on one thing for 16 years, you discover other things that are related to your specialty. Here, we are specialist in the treatment of obesity. You will be surprised that they bring people in trucks to Quincy and since the person is too big to exercise, we have no choice but to eliminate the fat cells. Therefore, we professionally apply what we have to treat obesity. Many people think obesity is a small disease, it is not. It is a serious health condition and it requires expertise in handling it.

not know what I was doing. However, I schooled them. I let them know that there is no witchcraft in African traditional medicine. I let them know that God has opened the eyes of some of us to the medicinal value in some of these herbs. I just kept on telling people about the herbs, I kept on doing my thing and of course they were seeing the result and over time, it became a thing of pride. Now, I am happy that with persistence, governments are now trying to come on board by trying to pass the traditional medicine bill. Traditional medicine in Nigeria would have been forgotten, but I took it upon myself. I told people to call me whatever name they wanted, but I know what I was practising. People who patronise me know the result they get from the herbs they buy from me. At a point in time, the same people who were calling me names started preaching positively about what I do.

You were once quoted as saying you do not like going to the market, was this phobia developed after you became a household name?

In the market in my village of Olorunshogo, Mushin, a suburban community, the people in that market are not more than 50 and that is on a typical market day. Now, bringing me to Idumota or Oshodi Market in Lagos and seeing that kind of crowd is something that I was not used to. Anybody who is a village person will understand what I am talking about. The total number of hamlets in my village, where hailed is still 10 till now and the number of people that come to the market on a busy market day are not more than 50. Going to Iddo Market, where I saw thousands of people scared me and I started asking if these people were actually human beings. In the village, we have this impression that it is only dead people that go to the market in their multitude. My

How did you feel when people called names like witch doctor and mermaid in the past?

There is a popular saying that, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.”

All that happened because they did

“ My phobia for markets has always been with me from when I was young and I am still trying to overcome it.”

Two faces of the slimming queen...

Ayodele in simple polka dot shirt (left) and (right) in an elaborate traditional attire

phobia for the market has always been with me from when I was young and I am still trying to overcome it.

You have painted the picture of a village girl for yourself, were you really naïve when your husband asked for your hand in marriage?

I am a girl who grew up in the village and what does a village girl do when a man comes to talk to her, you tell him to go and talk to your father. Apart from that, that was my father’s way.

If any man wants to marry you, you must bring him to my father and if he approves then you can go on.

So you told your husband to go and meet your father when he told you he wanted to marry you? Were you not attracted to him?

What does a small girl know about attraction? I told him to go and meet my father and of course, after the wedding the attraction came into it. Another thing was that I had a good mother inlaw who took me as a new daughter.

She trained me on what to cook for my husband, how to take care of him and when it was time to get pregnant she also guided me. Affection or attraction, whichever name you might want to call it, was in existence because I was the one who gave him the hint to go and meet my father. After all, he was not the only man who talked to me for marriage. He appealed to me and that was why I gave him the clue to go and see my father. Other men came that I did not even give a glance.

What is that material thing you have a weakness for?

I am not crazy about fashion, vogue and labels, but I love perfumes. And when I got to know about perfume in those days I got addicted to it because my husband was always buying them for me.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

15

fashion etiquette

Fitted and classy kaftans for men

A

Angela Davies

lthough kaftan has been in vogue for both men and women for years, however, the fitted kaftan seems to be the vogue for men in recent times.

This simple yet alluring outfit instantly upgrades the wearer’s look. The fitted kaftan which comes in different unique styles and length can be worn to different occasion. Depending on your style, the length can be a little above your knee, on your knee or a little below your knees as long as it fits. The neckline style you choose also depends on your personal style. However, you could opt for square, rounded, V or high neckline.

You could add some oomph to your kaftan with tastefully and beautifully done embroidery for a distinct look.

The embroidery should be simple yet eye-catching and neatly done at the neckline, body or even sleeves. However, the embroidery colour should complement the colour of the outfit. Fitted and stylish kaftans could be designed with Ankara, linen, satin, damask or satin depending on your choice. This style usually comes with long sleeves to balance the look of the outfit.

Some tips are vital if you're wearing the fitted kaftan style: you may wear a complete set or wear the kaftan with a complementing trouser colour. Then coordinate your look with accessories and you are set for that event.

This outfit is suitable for men of all ages and body shapes. It is a great outfit for weddings, parties and other social functions. They are simple, yet comfortable and glamorous.

Never wear shoes that are tight

H

ow many pairs of shoes do you own that pinch and cramp your toes and heels?

When you try on a new shoe, no matter how lovely or attractive it looks, make sure that your toes do not feel pinched or cramped and that none of your toes are pushed over another toe.

This is to ensure that you don’t end up buying and wearing shoes that will make you walk in a funny way, leave blisters on feet, cause heel pain and deformed toes or even cause corns and other deformities.

It is always advisable to wear shoes that are appropriate for your foot shape and size. Therefore, the easiest way to prevent corns, calluses and blisters is to wear shoes that fit well. Never trade your comfort for fashion.

So, buying the right shoes is not just a fashion choice but one of the most important health decisions you can make as well.

16

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

Accessories to live for

Adorn your wrist with skinny gold cuff bracelets

Skinny gold cuff bracelets are chic accessories that will add some zest to your wrist and dressing, writes ANGELA DAVIES.

A

cuff bracelet is one that does not close on the wrist but simply rests on it with a gap or opening on the inside of the wrist. These bracelets are worn low on the wrist bone rather than pushed up the forearm. Skinny gold cuff bracelets are an excellent choice if you want to wear a statement piece.

Skinny gold cuff bracelets tastefully worn will accentuate any kind of outfits. They are easy and effortlessly chic to wear because of the cuff which makes them easy to put on and take off.

You can wear skinny gold cuff bracelets with any kind of outfit as they come in different shapes and styles which range from plain to sophisticated.

Simple but charming skinny gold cuff

bracelets should be worn during the day for that edgy yet chic look. However, those with a dash of diamond, pearl or emerald will sure make a luxurious statement especially at a night event. It will add some sparkle and glamour to your hands.

To properly flaunt yours, create a focal point by wearing only a skinny gold cuff bracelet on your wrist. Note that to make it last longer, cuff bracelets should be adjusted only once and that is when it was first purchased to make it uniquely your own fit and not bent each time you want to wear it.

So the next time you are thinking of an accessory that will glam up your look, think of gold cuff bracelet especially one with a dash of stone.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

Instyle

17

MY STYLE

A touch of class

Facts

Soprano singer and writer, Abiodun Koya, enjoys making fashion statements with her outfits. She does that with a combination of sassiness and class. ANGELA DAVIES writes.

How would you define your style?

My style is sometimes vintage, simple, smart and feminine. Also, sometimes it entails a little bit of sexiness with a touch of elegance and class.

What determines the kind of outfits you wear?

It depends on my mood and the occasion.

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

That will be evening gowns and couture dresses.

Then when it comes to casuals, you will see track suits because I jog a lot and also run errands wearing them.

Is there any outfit you will never be caught wearing?

I won’t go for anything that is too revealing.

Fashion item you cannot do without Lip gloss or lip balm because I don’t like my lips dry. When my lips are dry, I feel very uncomfortable and I cannot even function.

So I get seriously distracted by that. I just feel like I am limping on one leg.

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

It’s a bag.

Best colour I love sweet and calming colours like yellow, pink, cream and beige.

Beauty

Barnum

Stylist and fashion designer, Bubu Ogisi is the brain behind the label, IamISIGO established in 2009.

As a young child she loved watching her mother get dressed wondering when she would be old enough to dress up and wear heels. She decided to become a fashion designer when at 19 inspired by the fact that fashion is not just an art but a lifestyle.

Favourite designer I love Monique Lhuillier as well as one Japanese designer whose name I have forgotten.

Signature perfume Giogio Armani, the fragrance is soft, very feminine yet strong. And I love Vince Camuto.

Do you have a beauty routine?

I love to sleep, so I get my beauty nap and I drink lots of water too.

What kind of shoes hold a special appeal for you?

I love elegant shoes. I love high heels and then I do wear sneakers as well.

I have a lot of Jimmy Choo shoes. I also love Christian Louboutin shoes.

Pashmina shawl is made of Pashmina, which is a type of cashmere wool and originated from India

How do you like your makeup?

I love it elegant, simple and natural.

How do you love your hair?

I love the wine colour braids but I wanted to do something for a change.

Usually I wear the heavy Diana Ross hair.

Acrylic nails were invented by a dentist named Stuart Nordstrom in 1978.

If you were a fashion piece, what would you love to be?

Shoes.

Who are those fashionistas you most admire?

I love Katherine ZetaJones; she is always on point when it comes to fashion.

Jeans were the first trousers to put women and men on equal terms.

Koya

Why would anyone want an eyeball tattoo?

T

he sentencing of a convicted criminal with an eyeball tattoo in an Alaskan court has drawn attention to an unusual form of facial decoration - one that is less than a decade old, but winning new converts all the time.

Jason Barnum, 39, who pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a policeman, has ornate tattoos on his head and part of his face - teeth on his cheek, an eyeball in the middle of his forehead. But even more dramatically, the white of his right eye has been tattooed jet black.

Arguing for the prosecution, Anchorage Police Department Chief Mark Mew urged the judge to take a look at Barnum's face which, he said, showed the convicted criminal had "decided a long time ago that his life was about being hostile to people".

But, in tattooing his eyeball, was Barnum really expressing hostility to the rest of society? And if our eyes really are the window to our soul what else might a tattooed eyeball say about its owner?

The man who first experimented with injecting ink into an eyeball is a US tattoo artist who goes by the name of Luna Cobra. Far from wanting to look evil, the original goal was to look like the blue-eyed characters from the cult science

fiction film, Dune.

"There used to be a private body modification convention that happened every few years in Canada," Luna Cobra says.

"That year, an old friend had Photoshopped a picture of his eyes to look blue like in Dune. I told him, 'I think I can do that for real.'"

The next day, Luna Cobra took a syringe and practised on three brave volunteers.

"I'm aware of how insane that sounds, but I've been doing this type of thing for my whole life so I wasn't coming from nowhere with this," he says.

His technique, which he has modified over the years, involves injecting pigment directly into the eyeball so it rests under the eye's thin top layer, or conjunctiva.

A single small injection has enough ink to cover about a quarter of the eye. It takes several injections to completely cover the sclera, which is then coloured for life. He has done it for hundreds of people - in blue, green, red and black - from Singapore and Sydney to London and the US. "If you want to amuse yourself by decorating your eyeball, why not do it?" he says. "I do a lot of things that look like tie-dye or 'cosmic space'. I think it brings a realm of fantasy into everyday life."

– Culled from BBC

SATURDAY

The Arts SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2015

Celebrating icons on a canvas Kate Yemisi Williams is an artist and creative director of her budding fashion brand Vtto:re. She is an alumnus of University of East London and Ravensbourne, United Kingdom. Her debut exhibition titled I AM, held two weeks ago in Ikoyi, Lagos, opens a new vista in her career, showcasing her individuality, writes TONY OKUYEME. Yemisi

O

ne of the things that naturally get artists, art collectors, critics, art aficionados in Lagos who were at the exhibition of works by Kate Yemisi Williams is the title of the show, which is I.AM. The exhibition, as could be seen from the works, celebrates icons on the Nigerian art scene, including Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and Fela.

But I AM, she explains, is a creative body of work that will be explored in three parts on the subject of being an individual through a series of abstract illustrations.

“The first part which was exhibited at A Whitespace Lagos, honoured inspirational persons of African heritage and how through their craft, have inspired others. A celebration of being truly African, embracing every sense of the word and what it means to be an African in this age – expressing beauty, talent and grace,” she says, adding that the second part will also explore inspirational persons outside Africa whom through their craft and ingenuity have transcended geographic boundaries creatively and delightfully.

The third and last part will focus on her as an artist. “It will serve as a documentation of my experiences and the world around me, what kindles my art; a celebration of life becomes - I.AM Kate Yemisi Williams.”

Williams says that she has always been interested in art, particularly, abstract art. “I was born in Zaria, Nigeria. My daddy is from Barbados and my mummy is from Ogun State, Nigeria. I grew up here. I have always been interested in art right from when I was very little. I remember my mummy buying me my first book about Pablo Picasso.

“So from that journey, I have always done a little bit of drawings. I wanted to study fine art at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and by the time I got admission there, I also got some information from my uncle in the UK. He said that since I also do fashion drawings, I should sturdy fashion.

And I felt that if I study fashion I can still do my drawings – that is fashion illustration. So I took that big leap to the UK. and studied fashion design.

“Before going for master's degree I worked for about a year. After that, I felt that I needed to get back into my creativity, focus on it, take that big leap and start something. So this exhibition is like an official start for where I am pushing on with my creativity without looking back to anything else.”

Explaining further on the inspiration behind the exhibition, she said: “I AM comes with the idea of me as a person who believes in being an indi-

Prof. Wole Soyinka

Asa

vidual and how I wanted to develop that concept. So, I decided that I was going to have it in three stages. This first stage, I decided to look at Africa because that is where I am from, and I picked a few faces that inspire me, and not just me but I believe other people are inspired by them. I also wanted to capture certain elements of the personality celebrating their craft, through the colours, through the texture, through the details; some are more detailed than others. So it is mix of music, literature, Nollywood, modeling.”

Throughout her creative career, Williams, who has enjoyed numerous awards and international success at the Graduate Fashion week, 2009 in London, Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2011 and British Council International Fashion Showcase 2012, London, also shared her creative expertise as a judge at the L’Original Fayrouz Expression show, 2014.

A creative individual whose work is mostly inspired by Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian and

Frida Kahlo, she continues to build her abstract aesthetic while fusing contemporary and innovative thoughts which transcends into every aspect of her work in art and fashion. This is further explored in this exhibition.

“I AM is about being yourself, being an individual; it is about embracing that, and you can embrace through different areas, be it where you are in your work place; how you work; your ethics.

For me, I am showcasing that through my craft. And it is quite different because I have taking this whole new concept of geometry into portrait. And, of course, I AM is in three stages, like I said. The first and second are going to touch on a few familiar faces; while the last past will be coming back to myself and showcasing my individuality.

“I am still developing this last part of I AM. It is going to be me and the people around me. It is something I hope I can exhibit towards the end of the year.This is my debut exhibition.”

Williams recalls Things Fall Apart as a novel that had deep impression on her as child interest in art. “As much as what I know about Chinua Achebe is from when I was in secondary school, and of course Things Fall Apart, everybody knows about the book. I read Things Fall Apart when I was in secondary school. For me, Chinua Achebe was someone I wanted to look at after I thought about Wole Soyinka, because I felt that as a writer, I wanted to celebrate him in his element.

"Also, for me, Wole Soyinka is someone who everybody admires because he is truly an individual, his look, he has a distinct style – his hair, everything.

I wanted to capture that. It was more about capturing that part of him, and less about his works that everybody knows about. That is why I played around with making a few features quite distinct.

“I am a big fan of Fela. I have a few of my collections based on him. For me, Fela means so much, because, like he said, ‘music is the weapon. And through his music, he was able to talk about everything that was necessary to be talked about. I wanted to capture that coolness of him, his calm moments. And I wanted to celebrate him with his two sons – Femi and Seun.

Williams is not just an artist, she is also likes football. “I am a Chelsea fan, and I also wanted to celebrate Didier Drogba in particular because I think so far, from my own point of view, his work ethic on the field and outside shows that he is not someone who gives up. I remember the last championship and last minute he scored that goal that gave them trophy. So, again, I wanted to capture him, especially also because I am a Chelsea fan.”

18

Reflection with

Tim Akinleye 08098668480

timwriteswell@gmail.com

DIRTIER AFTER THE BATH The prospect of a second chance to life Is a dangerous incentive for suicide.

A heady backward march to Egypt, May dry the milk from our honey.

For while pensive elders, Our restive political woods watching, Alarmed grey hairs shivering For peace is about its leave take.

The market is full, frenzied trading underway. Awkwardly tilted necks of newborns, worrisome elders...

Ah! A preemptive truce a must!

Leading gladiators: Umbrelman and Brooman, Abuja must preempt Aburi!

Procure better peace, negotiate peaceful pact.

On the way to the Centre, Cats and dogs indeed it rained!

Flooding the roads with debris; Oh what a filthy and dirty way.

Umbrelman and Brooman Each, on his own, helpless, Did at each other stare Long enough to see the needful.

Eventually, Umbrelman his rival shields, While Brooman sweeps the way.

Like hands that tell the time they worked, Inching their way to the Peace Accord.

A fresh bath was unanimous: Issue-based rhetorics to woo Perplexed electorate. Pen to papers.

And a Peace Pact was born!

But soon afterwards, Moody mudslingers set to work; With renewed vigour, Decorum was dethroned.

Death wishes acquire new wings, Perching on the pages of our newspapers, Delicate Peace Pact pants for life; Peaceful transition on the horizon receding.

More than twenty million portions Of a state treasury Expended on planting discord, Insulting past leader to harvest chaos.

Grandiose divisive statements From bearded unofficial Spokesman, Presidential largesse desperate to keep; Calling on our kinsmen From the North, home to return.

Having been rattled by Peace Pact, Capable of wrecking Tompolo warship.

Bent on stirring the hornets’ nest; Motherland into war to throw.

Whereas, ten may march to war, But only one may live to recount.

Let Umbrelman show Nigerians Why he needs more than six years And why we may refrain From revoking his Aso Rock tenancy.

Brooman too must secure our conviction Beyond doubts why we should trust him With keys to the First House.

There's a leader fit only for a season, But none fit for all the seasons.

May the better man emerge For the betterment of Motherland.

May good overcome evil, Else, we may just get dirtier after the bath.

All rights reserved © Copyright Tim 2015

SATURDAY

Omo Baba I felt like dying when a fan told me I was ugly

p.20

ShowBiz

Tuface and the drama of ‘baby mamas'

p.21

SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2015

19

Lola Rae: I’m waiting till 32 to have a relationship You’ve been away for about 18 months; what happened?

It’s not quite 18 months, and really I’ve been going back and forth, I’ve been doing more of performances at gigs and my last song was released in May 2014.

What have you been doing since then?

Well, I’ve had a whole team change. I’m now with Twenty 20 media, I needed a new management team and luckily Kamal Ajiboye (Davido’s manager) came to the rescue and we’ve been re-branding, recording new songs, working on new materials and creating a new sound for the industry.

Now that you are back, what has changed?

A lot has changed; my new songs are quite different from what people are used to. It’s more current, it’s more hard-hitting and I’m having fun with it now as against when I took it too serious, back then the my sound was too serious. Now I just do my own sound and it’s not easy to put it in a specific genre. I’m working with more producers now and I’m really excited, I’ll be in the studios soon with Shizzi and possibly Legendary Beats. This year I intend to be more consistent because that’s what I’ve lacked in the past, there’ll be more collabos, more videos so you’ll see me more.

Why did you sign a management deal with Twenty 20 media?

I never wanted to be under a record label because I just don’t want to be prohibited from doing things or not really have a say in my own projects, because most times these record label guys have no idea about music or music business, they’ll just sit down and give orders because they have money. So I wanted a situation where I’ll be with someone that really understands music, understands the industry and the business angle of it, and that’s what Twenty 20 media brings. I’ve seen Kamal at work before and I see how he handles Davido’s projects, he’s a fantastic manager, and very professional especially in crazy circumstances.

UK-based Nigerian Singer, Lola Rae, is back in the country. The singer, 24, made a gallant entry into the music scene in November 2012 with her debut singles, Watch My Ting Go and High featuring Bridge (of L.O.S.), before going off the radar. She speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA about her career lull after a promising debut.

Is there a plan for an album this year?

I think I’ll want to release an album next year not this year, there are lots of plans already for this year, and I pray everything goes to plan.

Do you feel threatened by other female acts especially now that you are making a return to the industry?

I don’t think anyone needs to feel threatened, because the industry is already hard enough for female artistes so we should be united and support each other and not feel threatened. The guys don’t feel threatened, so why should we

feel threatened?

Which of the female acts will you like to work with?

I will like to work with all of them.

Already I worked with Tiwa Savage on the African rising project, I think Seyi Shay is amazing too.

Away from music, how would you describe your personality?

I’m extremely shy and I’m a very quiet person. Though when I’m on stage, I get very crazy and I’m very energetic, but I’m not like that in real life. Most times people that know me come to me and say, 'wow, I didn’t know you could do that'. I’m very family-oriented and I love music so much.

If music had not worked out for you, what else would you have done?

Somehow I would have worked in the music industry someway somehow, either as a manager, show promoter or something close. I’ve always wanted to do music and while I was in university I studied fashion but deep down I felt fashion is not what I really wanted to do, music is what I love. Even though fashion and music go hand in hand, but regardless I abandoned fashion for music and I’m so happy I did.

Have you ever thought of quitting music?

Yes, especially for female artistes.

There are so much trials and tribulations, there are certain things that you can’t say or do back to people even when they step on your toes because you have to be polite and maintain a certain level of decorum.

Are you married?

No, I’m not. I’m still young, I’ll be 24 next week, I can’t be married already, I should be getting married like 30-32 thereabouts.

Are you in a relationship?

Right now the only relationship I have is with Twenty 20 media.

What happened to your last relationship?

Honestly I don’t know. You know relationships are very political, sometimes you don’t even know what happens to them.

How would you describe your ideal man?

I’m not really based on looks, rather I’ll go for someone that can make me laugh. I can laugh at anything, and if you can just make me laugh, I swear I’ll be your best friend.

A lot of Nigerian albums dropped last year, which is your favourite?

Wow, there was quite a lot, but for me Olamide, Timaya, P-Square, Tuface and Wizkid’s album stood out for me.

Looking at your career now, would you say you are fulfilling it enough?

Not at all, I still have so much more to do. I want to be a trailblazer in the industry, there’s a lot of things planned.

20

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Toyin Aimakhu returns to hubby’s arms after break-up tale

L

ast Saturday, the Internet was agog with the shocking news of marriage break-up involving Toyin Aimakhu and her husband, Niyi Johnson.

The two Nollywood stars had married less than two years ago in Lagos and same explains why it was a rude shock to many. It was alleged that Aimakhu decided to call it quits on the ground of infidelity. However, Johnson, whose fame was bolstered after acting in the Tinsel series, was said to have run foul of his marital vow on a few occasions, an incident that kept his wife’s patience on edge. As the news gathered steam and more aspersions were hurled; from the blues, Johnson announced that he and his wife had settled their differences after the cruel news made

the rounds. His unedited words read in part: "With the heart of appreciation and sincerity we write: There's no fire without smoke. For every marriage and journey, there are moments of storm, that was our stormy and trying times. The recent event obviously made us know how important our marriage is and that a lot of lives and destiny are attached to ours. We never knew the weight our marriage carried until now, we discovered a lot of destiny and glory hangs on our own. May we not let God and you down. To the bloggers who blogged, we appreciate you. You might think you wrote news, but it turned out to restore our happiness and home back. So to all the bloggers, we say a big thank you. We've learnt our lessons, corrected our mistakes and

have chosen to move on. This event made us know who our friends and well wishers are.

We are short of words and filled with gratitude first to our parents, our spiritual parents, adopted parents, friends, colleagues and fanssssss...OMG!!!

Our fans, you guys are the best; for your calls, text messages, mails, pings, whatsapp messages, Facebook comments and messages. We love you all.

The Bible says ‘when we pass through fire, it won't burn us and through water, it won't drown us and whenever we pass through storms, it will not over power us (Isaiah 43:2-3).’

May God still all storms in our lives and make everyone happy. Whatever you hear from us henceforth shall be good news.

We wish you all the best and love you all.”

Wiseplus storms Unilag with pre-val concert

E-BRIEFS

Groups set to release Redeeming Love over incessant divorce

E

S

creenworks Media and Mercury Pointblank Production are set to tackle the rather high rate of collapsed marriages and disrespect for family values in our society with a new movie titled, Redeeming Love.

The movie promises to set a new standard in Christian filmmaking in Nigeria, says the president of Mercury Pointblank Production, Ogbor Kingsley.

He said that his organisation is pleased to venture into Christian movies and hopes the film will achieve its desired result.

“I sincerely hope that Redeeming Love will influence married people positively all over the world. There is an urgent need to come to the rescue of couples as marriages are facing serious turbulence. The movie is our own contribution to that institution,” he said.

Also, the vice president of Screenworks Media, Betty Olumowe added that, “in a world where weddings take preeminence over the actual marriage of couples living together as husband and wife forever the film, Redeeming Love, has become expedient.”

She further stated that with the high cases of divorce across the world, the film will go a long way to inform and educate married people about living as one and eventually drawing their attention more to Jesus. On his part, the film director, Afe Olumowe, says they are going to be casting from a large list of top actors from the industry as notable stars are already being contacted to play the parts. The cast, he added, will be made public in the coming days.

Tuface and the drama of ‘baby mamas' T

he social media was suffused with reports about the photo of Annie Idibia’s husband, Tuface, and mother of his three kids, Pero Adeniyi, caught sharing some salacious moments.

Annie was alleged to have made a surprise appearance at Rumours, the club where the old flame was allegedly rekindling, but she was prevailed upon and consequently led to a room to forestall a showdown. Regarding this story, Annie released a statement dispelling the tale that she was at the location at the time the pictures were taken while describing the scenario as “momentary indiscretion. "I am aware of the photos circulating (on) the Internet with my husband and Pero Adeniyi. I want

to state officially that I was not in that space at that time and therefore there was no confrontation between myself and Pero Adeniyi. Pero Adeniyi and this momentary indiscretion poses no threat whatsoever to my relationship with my husband. As a matter of fact for all of our children’s sake, I do encourage cordial relationships with parties involved. This year, my focus is solely on God, family and my career, which doesn’t give me the luxury of paying attention to any distractions. I thank you for your respect in this matter." On his own, the man at the centre of it all, 2face, has also reacted, urging everyone to get to know the truth while professing undying love for his wife as long as he lives.

ntertainment outfit, Wise Plus Concepts, is set to thrill Lagos with the maiden edition of its concert. Themed “Students on The Runway: A Pre-Valentine Concert”, the event will hold on February 6 at the University of Lagos.

Wise Plus Concepts intends to use the event to campaign against HIV/AIDS, and also stage a fashion show intended to promote decent dress culture on the campus among students and celebrities. The music segment will feature top artistes and comedians. The fashion show will spotlight celebrity fashion designers as well as budding designers on campus. Other activities lined up for the event are road walk, campaign tours to four higher institutions to enlighten students on healthy lifestyle. It will also feature a visit to an orphanage.

SOLUTIONS TO CROSSWORD PUZZLE B E N E F L

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10. ALLY 11. KILL 12. AD 16. SO 17. GORO

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18. MALU 22. KIN 23. ADO 24. OAK 25. ERE 26. ABILITY 15. BOMADI 19. ALOE 20. ANTI 21. FEE

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

21

I felt like dying when a fan told me

I was ugly, says Omo Baba Nigerian stand-up comedian, Olufemi Fagade aka Omo Baba, has finally found love, as he proposed to his girlfriend of six years in December. The comedian, who was part of the entertainers President Goodluck Jonathan had a meeting with recently, speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS It seems you’ve been quiet unlike most of your contemporaries who staged different shows, especially during the festive period. Why does it appear so?

I don’t know your definition of being quiet because I have been working. I don’t have a show out there that I call people to showcase or watch.

You can say I am not a show person, but for the regular job which is anchoring events, I was very active and I am still active. Also, I go for the paying shows along. Probably, that is where people are getting it wrong.

Though I rallied around some of my colleagues when they need my support, I am serious about getting paid for the jobs I do. I rather go to shows that there are no noise, publicity and red carpet and get paid than the ones that have everything but no pay.

You released some singles some years back and you were once seen acting. Do you still have plans for music and acting?

Like they say, ‘Jack of all trade, master of none.’ For you to have a say in a particular field, one needs to start with one before introducing the others. And it appeared comedy came first for me. Most people don’t even know I have been acting before comedy. In 2009, I had singles with the late Dagrin, Terry G, 9ice, Eldee among others. I would soon drop an album.

If you take things steadily, then you can be ‘Jack of all trade, master of all.’

Most of the jobs and invitations I get now are as a comedian. I am not trying to rubbish Nollywood people or musicians, but I can act and sing well.

When exactly did you get your breakthrough in comedy?

I would say every step I take is a breakthrough. I think it began for me when I was asked to play the drums on the assembly in school. It afforded me the opportunity to show my talent. But becoming prominent, I didn’t just wake up one morning and found myself there. I was making strides one after the other. I conquered the school and I conquered the church. But the major performance people got to know me with was Night of a Thousand Laughs, the volume 2 in 2003. I had missed the audition like three or four times before I finally featured. Though I have been on television doing other stuffs, you know it is a major show for comedians. So, I started getting calls that my face was seen on the cover of the CD in the traffic and so on.

Did you start out as a comedian?

While I was in school, I sang with a band and I painted at my own leisure time too. Comedy was something I had in me, but I wasn’t the lousy type.

I only talked when it was necessary.

So there was a particular day I was called to take charge of an event as the Master of Ceremonies at a Christ

Apostolic Church in Lagos. I don’t know the person they had contacted earlier, but he disappointed them. I did it and I got many people laughing. Right there, people started asking if I would be available to anchor one or two events for them. Even when I went deep into comedy, I still didn’t see it as money- making venture. I was doing it for the love of the art, but later discovered that it can actually pay my bills.

In what ways did your background influence who you are today?

My parents gave me the opportunity to do what I wanted to do since it wasn’t negative. And since they knew that I wasn’t going to paint the family bad, they supported me. They only asked questions about the time we would come back, the number of people going, places and security.

Everyone is talented in my house too.

Our first born is a successful journalist, but I normally like to keep things private. Though she is not in the country anymore, people who know her still know her. I am the last born; I have two brothers and two sisters.

How were your days as a schoolboy?

I was everything in school. I went to State High School and Oxford College in Lagos. For my university, I graduated from the Department of Industrial Relations and Personal Management, Lagos State University (LASU). I partook in cultural group, choir, basketball, football and table tennis. But I had a teacher that always reminded me the need to balance my academics and social life. We called him ‘master’ then.

You recently proposed to your girlfriend of six years; was this as a result of the pressure that most of your colleagues are married?

Fans have been asking me since 2002 when I would get married, but I am the advocate of ‘get married, stay married.’ I feel it is the time for me to do the right thing, not because I want to be like others. Marriage is never too late. I see younger and older ones getting married everyday and I have anchored over 500 weddings, so I believe I can advise couples even though I am not married yet.

How would you describe your fiancée?

She is simple and easygoing. I try to allow her to do things her own way.

For the marriage, when the time comes people will know.

How do you handle female fans’ excesses?

What I do is to put people where they belong. I am always careful how I treat people too because they could even be helpful later in shooting one’s career to the next level. Don’t forget that the person we would get married to we met them one day and somewhere. A lady could be my fan today

and becomes my business partner along the way too.

How do you cope when coming up with new jokes seem to be impossible?

That is not possible. A painter will remain a painter for life except you are not creative enough. For me, that low point is doing the wrong thing at a particular time. For instance, if I am in a gathering of lawyers, professors and the first thing I say makes no sense to them. So you must be aware of the calibre of people you are dealing with at a particular time. Saying a joke at the right time makes the job easier. I am not just a stand-up comedian; I anchor weddings, product launch, end of the year parties, dinners, awards, corporate events and a host of others.

Do you have any memory you don’t like to remember?

When I was working in 2003, a fan told me boldly that I was so ugly. I felt like dying because I always see myself as a fine boy. So when people started telling me the same thing, I just told them that even though I am ugly they can still call me ‘fine boy.’ That was how the fine boy thing began. It is like a blessing in disguise.

You were among the entertainers President Jonathan met with recently; was it a case of trying to buy you into his re-election bid?

He demanded to see entertainers in Nollywood, music industry and comedians too. I got a call and I honoured it. That was all.

What was the meeting all about?

To let us know what he has done, his plans if re-elected and other things about governance. He tried to shed light on some issues he felt the public had misinterpreted or are misinterpreting.

But frankly speaking, do you think the administration has done enough for the entertainment industry?

I would say yes. It was doing this administration that producers and directors have access to loans to make movies. It was doing his time we are experiencing a significant improvement in Nollywood. We are now rated, number two after Hollywood. When it comes to entertainment, he has been supportive.

Is there anything you wish to change about yourself?

I would rather not change anything.

22

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

‘Artistes should flaunt bling with discretion' He is called the "Mix Master" and has worked with many top-tier artistes in the Nigerian music scene. From P-Square, Tuface Idibia to Faze, Olu Maintain, Dagrin and D’Banj, Foster Zeeno has always been a bride to court. In this interview with DEBORAH MAKOJI, he talks about the growth of the entertainment industry and why he would rather stay behind the scene.

You are regarded as one of the best mixmasters in Africa. How would you assess the creativity level of Nigerian musicians?

Well, whatever they call me I appreciate them and I thank God. I am just doing my own thing and the fact is you have to be creative and let your creativity speak for you. The level of creativity in Nigeria is developing and you have a whole lot of people with different academic qualification in music now. It's not like those days that people regard the industry as meant only for touts and school dropouts; a lot of people are investing in the business now because it’s a developing one. Nigerian artistes are very creative. Anywhere there is growth there is a lot of creativity, music itself is creativity and music has taken a whole lot of responsibility off the government. It has created a lot of job opportunities for the youth.

One of the problems the country is going through is the insurgency problem but we have not seen Nigerian musicians involved in doing unity songs or organizing charity shows for the victims and the internally-displaced persons.

I don’t want to talk much when it comes to politics because of the political situation in Nigeria. It is crazy. Two things are tearing us apart; tribalism and religion in politics.

It is left to the religious leaders to sit back and look if what they are doing is actually the right thing. I have seen some artistes come together to sing songs of peace and love. But to speak on behalf of the artistes, you know it is a Nigerian factor that when two or three people gather to do something out of their own individual will, politicians will pick interest. They always see it from a political angle thereby messing up the whole thing because they will always give you an offer that will be difficult for you to refuse and I think that is why some of them are careful. I have seen actors coming out with their own initiatives to do peace songs for the internally-displaced persons, for instance, somebody like Tuface did a song entitled Vote no be Fight.

Nigeria rebased her economy last year and entertainment featured prominently on the was among the businesses that gave Nigeria its status as Africa's biggest economy; do you think the government has created enough enabling environment for the industry?

Yes, it has. This is the only government that has created a platform for creative people to be close to the government because I have been part of it. I have witnessed two events organized by the creative society at Eko Hotel & Suites, one of which

was a dinner with the creative society where the president came to interact with artistes. This current government has really helped the industry. As far as I am concerned other governments have come and gone but we have never seen any contribution than what the Jonathan government has done for the entertainment industry. You see Nigerian artistes go abroad to perform, people appreciate them and we are proud to move about with the green passport. Thanks to the government, the industry also contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s economy.

Another notion is that artistes no longer use their medium to speak truth to power. Why is that?

Few artistes do that. This government to an extent have passed the freedom of information law and we have freedom of speech and expression, that is why artistes can sing any kind of song even insulting the government and you are sure of safety.

Some artistes sing revolutionary songs that point towards the need for government to do better and expressing the plight of the masses through their songs. Although some artiste know the truth but the fear of being held responsible will not let them say it. Music is about entertainment and consciousness; artistes like Tuface and Eedris will entertain you and as well tell you the truth.

Apart from music, are you into any other kind of enterprise?

Apart from mixing and mastering, I am into media in general and other businesses.

We have seen production guys picking the microphones, when will Zeeno Foster toe that line?

Zeeno Foster is a behind-thescene guy though most times I have been tempted to do a single.

Not because everybody is doing it but because I want to tell the public that I can sing too. I know I am not a good singer but a bathroom kind of singer, but once in a while I will like to express myself musically, I

have not decided though.

Are you married?

For now I am not married but definitely I am going to marry soon. I have been living like a married man all my life because I am responsible. What else will a married man do that I am not doing.

There is nothing like a perfect being, just get someone with whom you are compatible and most especially, someone that is God fearing with a certain level of understanding and every other thing follows.

A woman with a good character is the most beautiful woman in the world. I don’t even know how to toast a lady.

What kind of perfume do you wear, what is the highest amount you have paid for a perfume, jewellery or clothes?

I love Givenchy and Versace cologne and body spray, that harsh sweet smell is what I wear because I know ladies like a man that smells good. I have paid $200 for a perfume and that is highest amount I have paid on a perfume. I am not a jewellery person but I like the African beads, rubber and leather wrist watch. I am not a gold person, if I like a rubber or leather wrist watch I can spend any amount that I can afford for it. I wear any clothe that is good and I am comfortable in, be it local or foreign.

What is your perception of the bling culture?

It is good for you to show off once in a while and better if you are showing off what you really have. Don’t show what you don’t have because I know this industry is that of make believe. My advice is that artistes should be careful while showing off so that the people looking up to them will not forget their creative abilities for that of material things. In general, don’t show off your material things; let your creativity speak for you because what you are proudly showing are rags to some persons.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

23

Investigations SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 31 JANUARY 2015

24

Dejected...

Virginia in front of her run-down apartment

Widowhood: The story of invisible women (2)

I

ndeed, widowhood is a dreadful experience in Igbo communities. It comes with shock, pain, sorrow and often suffering. The communities are of the belief that a man can hardly die a natural death.

Someone, especially their wives, are usually suspected to be responsible.

In some of these cultures, the grieving period begins as soon as the man is pronounced dead. That is where the whole drama starts. The wife and children are made to observe the compulsory traditions that are customary to her husband’s people.

It is worse if she is not from the same place with him.

These practices vary from community to community. While some would have the woman and her children clean-shaved and wear white

Isioma madike

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

Culture, tradition and law have been identified as the bane to safe widowhood practices in most Igbo communities. This is the findings of ISIOMA MADIKE, who combed some of these neighborhoods in a two-week tour or black mourning robes, others are ostracised and barred from going to places of worship. In other instances, the widow is only allowed minimal work.

While the poor woman is battling with the confusion and the accompanying distress, preparations for the burial ceremony starts most of which are very expensive, often without recourse to what the family will live on thereafter. If the man was rich, selfish uncles and aunts use such period to taste the forbidden fruit, which was, until his death, the wife’s exclusive preserve. Usually, they strategise on how these monies are spent.

However, if the man had a house considered not good enough, his people will build another or renovate the old one. The funeral is

needlessly delayed, lasting in most instances three to six months. Cows are slaughtered and lavish banquets held with good sums spent without recourse to the future of neither the wife nor the children. These happen without consideration that the intervention of death in life terminates lofty dreams, ambitions and aspirations of the couple. And that it brings final separation, leaving the living partner to carry on.

This is why pain, grief and depression are usually the companions of widowhood in these neighborhoods.

It is more pathetic when the widow has no formal education, skill or business to fall back on. It also represents a "social death", which robs them of their status and consigns the women to the very fringe of society

where they suffer the most extreme forms of discrimination, stigma and deprivation. Many of them fall within the poorest of the poor and least protected by the law. And their lives, determined by local, patriarchal interpretations of traditions and customs.

In the same Igboland, a widow, also known as nwanyi ajadu, usually passes through several stages of agony in life, as soon as she loses her husband, which invariably traumatises her and leaves her a nervous wreck. She first goes through the pain of taking care of her ailing husband. On his death she is denied part in planning for his burial.

Thereafter, the most excruciating pain of watching her husband’s siblings contest ownership of her husband’s property concludes her anguish. This is why widowhood is an ordeal in the life of an Igbo woman.

Her horror starts with the shaving of her hair, to isolation from people and even denying her a good bath for weeks. Her piteous state, occasioned by her unkempt body, leaves her looking like a mentally deranged

SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2015

SATURDAY

FREE

Sport Splash 25

Australian Open I’m ready for Serena battle, says Sharapova p.26

Interview

We will build the Super Eagles to win again – Amadu p.27

Premier League

Chelsea, Man City in title chase tangle p.28

Lifestyle

Yobo's pregnant wife announces sex of baby p.31

No team can stop F’Eagles in Senegal – Ugbade A

Vincent Eboigbe

The Team

Vincent EboigbelAssistant Editor Ajibade Olusesan l Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing

ssistant coach of the junior national team, the Flying Eagles, Nduka Ugbade, has said that no team in the African Youth Championship that takes place in Senegal has the capacity to hold his boys.

The team, made up largely of the graduates from the Golden Eaglets side that won the U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, has been together for about a year and is currently concluding preparations for the competition that gets underway in March.

In the Super 4 tournament meant to serve as further preparations not only for the Flying Eagles but also for the U-23 team in their

All Africa Games qualifiers and the four clubs representing Nigeria in CAF competitions on the continent, the U-20 side defeated Federations Cup winners, Enyimba 2-0; beat League champions Kano Pillars 2-1; before stopping Warri Wolves 1-0.

The heightened activity and the team’s superlative performance in all its friendly matches so far are consistent with what the coaches are trying to achieve, and they are also what give Ugbade the confidence that the Flying Eagles will be African champions yet again after placing third in the last edition in Algeria.

“I can tell you right now and with all the confidence that I can muster that the Flying Eagles will beat every team in Senegal. Our first match is against Senegal before we take on

Flying Eagles star, Taiwo Awoniyi in match against Tanzania Photo: Samm Audu

Congo, the final match is against Cote d’Ivoire and I hear people saying it is a tough group, but I can tell you that none of these teams will pose any challenge to us,” Ugbade said.

“What Manu Garba (head coach) and I are trying to do is to raise a team that will be unstoppable and we are very near that level. That is where my confidence derives from. Don’t forget that we did it with the U-17 and broke all manner of records; we are seeking to replicate that at the U-20 category.

“This level is a high performance one, that stage before the main senior team, so we cannot afford not to be at the very peak.”

The AYC runs from March 8 to 22 with the top four teams qualifying for the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand in June.

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Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

Kano Pillars target CAF Champions League trophy

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Charles Ogundiya

Shehu Abdullahi (right) in action for Pillars last season

PHOTO: backpagepix

igeria Professional Football League champion, Kano Pillars, have said their target this year is to win the CAF Champions League.

Speaking with our correspondent in Abuja at the ongoing Super Four championship, the General Manager of the team, Babangida Umar, said this edition would be different compared to recent years when the club failed to make it to the group stage of the continent’s biggest club competition.

“Last year we encountered some problems that affected our participation on the continent, but this time, our target is to win the Champions League.

“We started preparations early this time, the team camped in Kaduna since the beginning of the year and

Omokaro dreams big for 3SC

Australian Open:

I’m ready for Serena battle, says Sharapova N umber two seed, Maria Sharapova has said she is ready to do battle with her opponent in the final of the Australian Open today (Saturday).

The Russian superstar takes on World number one, Serena Williams, in the championship match in Melbourne Park.

Sharapova, who beat No. 10-seeded Makarova 6-3, 6-2, has lost her last 15 matches against Williams. Her only two wins in their 18 career meetings were in 2004.

She won the 2008 Australian title, but was comprehensively outplayed in her two other trips to the final - by Williams in 2007 and by Victoria Azarenka in 2012.

"I think my confidence should be pretty high going into a final of a Grand Slam no matter who I'm facing and whether I've had a terrible record, to say the least, against someone," Sharapova said. "It

Charles Ogundiya

N

ewly appointed assistant coach of Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Bright Omokaro, has said his motive for joining the club is to restore the lost glory of the Oluyole Warriors.

The man popularly called "10-10" during his playing days, said the team had the potential to be the best in the country and that he was looking forward to achieving greatness with the club.

Speaking with League Rendezvous after his appointment, the former Gray of Ede head coach said it was time the team won the league again.

“3SC just gained promotion and with the right mentality and support, the team can fight for the league crown this time around.

“I am not saying we are going to win the league this season, but we are going to fight till the end and hopefully we can get a continental ticket,” he said.

3SC last won the league in 1998 and have five league titles under their belt.

The club has won four Federation Cup trophies with the last trophy coming in 1995.

Omokaro, who played for the club in the past however said it would be great to be part of the crew that takes the team back to the days when 3SC were adjudged one of the best in the country.

Omokaro said: “It is not going to be a stroll in the park for us especially with the emergence of some top sides in the league, but I can assure the supporters of the club that we are going to make them proud this season.”

doesn't matter. I got there for a reason. I belong in that spot."

The five-time major winner opened the 2015 season in confident style by winning the Brisbane International title but had a close call in the second round, having to save match points against No. 150-ranked Russian qualifier Alexandra Panova.

"It's been a strange road for me to get to the finals, but I'm happy," Sharapova added.

"I felt like I was given a second chance. I just wanted to take my chances."

Oshodi thumbs up Ibile Games 2015 zzAs athletes appeal for support from federations Meanwhile, the athletes themselves have commended the state government s the Lagos State Secondary Schools for organising the games while also callSports Festival tagged Ibile Games ing on some of the associations to come 2015 continues today (Saturday), to their aid as they seek to do the country Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social proud in the years ahead.

Development, Wahid Oshodi, has rated the Speaking with our correspondent, a tournament high. gold medalist in the taekwondo event, While commending the school athletes Lawal Assisat, of Great Everly College, and officials for exhibiting spirit of Ikorodu, said that the laurel she won would serve as sportsmanship, Oshodi, who is a boost for her at the the chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the 2016 National School Sports Festival. competition, particularly praised the athletes for She however appealed to the conducting themselves Lagos State Taevery well while also assuring of the state’s kwondo Associacontinuing support for tion to organise regular competigrassroots sports.

“I want to assure tions and workyou that Lagos will shops to enable the athletes keep continue to invest in the development of sports at abreast of the latest the grassroots, to develop trends in the sport, Oshodi talents and nurture them to even as she appealed for become champions not only for the provision of taekwondo the state but for the country in general,” kits to further motivate the athhe said. letes to excel.

we later moved to Abuja for this (Super 4) competition from where the team will move to Ghana for another stage of preparation,” he said.

The League Management Company board member was also full of praise for the LMC for launching the competition meant to prepare the six teams for their various assignments in the year.

He said: “This competition is a big opportunity for all the teams to prepare for what is ahead of them. For us personally, we now have the opportunity to look at the lapses in the team and correct them ahead of our first match in the Champions League.

“Getting funds for quality friendly matches is not that easy, but a competition like this will afford the teams the opportunity to play quality matches ahead of their various assignments.”

Charles Ogundiya

A

LMC should encourage league reporters – Etu Charles Ogundiya

M

edia Manager of Warri Wolves, Moses Etu, has appealed to the League Management Company to find a way of encouraging media men covering the Nigeria Professional Football League so as to make their job easier.

Etu said such gestures would encourage the reporters to give their best and give the league the needed publicity.

“The LMC must recognise the journalists who are covering the

league religiously and help them with the tools that will ensure that they function properly, but this may not be in monetary terms.

“For instance, before the beginning of the season, the LMC should identify the authentic league reporters, give them laptops and other useful gadgets to aid their work,” he said.

“I monitor reports and I can categorically name the guys promoting the domestic league with passion.

“LMC needs to identify them, partner with them and give the league the boost it deserves.”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

The out gone year, 2014 The year 2014 was above average if not for the non-qualification of the Super Eagles the defending African champions to the 30th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, I would have said it was a very good year. We did well in the World Cup, having got to the round-of 16 and that is something we had not achieved since 1998. We last got to the second round in 1994 in United States of America. The Super Falcons did very well, they regained the African crown in Namibia having won the title for an unprecedented eighth time and also qualified for the World Cup in Canada.

I also want to say that both the Under 17 and U-20 boys did well too for qualifying for the U-17 and the U-20 African championships in Senegal and Niger this year. We shouldn’t also forget the excellent feat of the U-20 girls in Canada where they got to the finals. The U-17 girls also got to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Costa Rica. In all 2014 was a very good year in Nigerian football, and if not for the very unfortunate hitch that suffered with Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for AFCON it would have been a very wonderful year on the field of play. But outside the field of play it was a very turbulent year, the last six months of the year was turbulent for the Nigeria Football Federation and I want to believe that lessons would have been learnt so that we don’t have a reoccurrence in any year that we are having elections into the executive committee of the NFF. Senegal and Niger Championships The key to success in every tournament is very good preparation for the U-17 boys whose competition is coming in Niger Republic where they will open against host country, Niger. They sacrificed Christmas and New Year and the coaches are doing a wonderful job in Abuja, screening players and trying as much as possible to fortify the team in those areas they noticed weaknesses, we on our part want to ensure that going for that tournament in Niger Republic we give them quality friendly matches within and outside the country particularly against the teams that have qualified for the championships who are in Group B. We want to ensure that when they go there they are able to win the African crown and go to the World Cup later in 2015 in Chile. They will be defending the crown they won two years ago in United Arab Emirates.

We are confident that the Flying Eagles that resumed camp this month will also continue their preparations in Kaduna.

We are also trying to get them good friendly matches, so that when the go to Senegal they will be able to win the African crown for an unprecedented seventh time and in the process qualify for the World Cup in New Zealand later in the year.

The Under 23 team and All Africa games preparation The Under 23 team is also playing qualifiers for all Africa Games scheduled for in Congo Brazzaville. They have been training in Abuja and we

It is only those players that pass the MRIs that will be presented to CAF as eligible

Sport

27

We will build the Super Eagles to win again – Amadu Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu, outlines some of the federation's plans this year. He spoke with Comfort Chukwu in Abuja. Excerpts… will try to give them friendly matches against good African oppositions so that when they begin the qualifiers, they will be solid. The Super Falcons are going to be participating in the qualifiers for the All Africa Games against Mali and also for their Olympics Games; these are all the matches that the coaching crew will use to prepare the team for the World Cup in June/July in Canada. On the whole, these are the things we will be doing in 2015.

On the Super Eagles As for the Super Eagles we are going to begin the process of rebuilding in terms of personnel and instilling confidence; we will be involved in many friendly matches so that when the qualifies for the 2017 Nations Cup begin the Super Eagles would have regained their confidence and their

Amadu

ability to deliver in international tournaments.

MRI tests for Eaglets, MRI is an on-going exercise. Before the qualifiers started we had to do MRI for about 60 players that the coaches intended to use for the qualifiers and obviously some of those players when the next MRI is going to be done would have fallen out of the age bracket. When the coach finish the screening process he has to as quickly as possible do another round of MRI for the new players and for the other players that were in the pool so that we ensure that we have in January a pool of players from where we will select the ones that will participate in the Africa U-17 championships. Before they go for the U-17 championship the selected 41 players will also be taken through another rigorous MRI test.

Recall that two years ago when they went to Morocco, some players failed the MRI test, this is not because of any discrepancy but because bones fuse over time and those players had to be dropped. As soon as we have a list of about 50 players this January we will do a rigorous MRI test at the National Hospital, and it is only those players that pass the MRIs that will be presented to CAF as eligible to play in the Africa U-17 championship in Niger.

NFF’s Position on CAS’ ruling on Silvanus Okpala CAS is the final arbiter in all football related matters in Africa, Silvanus Okpala did not agree with the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation to terminate his contract. He went to CAS, he has every right to do so and CAS has passed its decision. His claims were up to the end of July 2014 but CAS has looked at all the evidences presented and they have ordered the Nigerian Football Federation to make payments to Okpala. We do respect this decision of CAS and as a law abiding and corporate organisation we will ensure that we pay Okpala all the money that accrues to him. Contrary to what the media has been reporting, his reinstatement is not part of the ruling by CAS. Avoiding such contentions in the future It is important that the sanctity of contract of employment entered into between parties should be respected.

Master and servants will always have areas of disputes, and I think it is important that when such matters arise parties should be able to sit and resolve them amicably for the good of the game. I have no grudge against Okpala going to CAS for instance, this is embedded in the contract and he was within his rights to have gone to CAS to seek for redress.

Marrone on the verge of Cordoba move

hen Paris Saint-Germain signed Lucas Digne for €15 million from Lille in the summer of 2013, he was expected to become the long-term successor to the veteran Brazilian Maxwell at the Parc des Princes.

L’Equipe suggested that the Parisians have their eye on Manchester City target, Layvin Kurzawa, ready to put him into battle with Digne for the starting left-back position.

It remains to be seen if AS Monaco would sell to another French team, especially as it would be unlikely that they would be lacking bids from foreign clubs for the services of the 22-year-old.

This season, Kurzawa has continued to impress at the Stade Louis II, winning his first full cap for Les Bleus and looking the much brighter option between the two young defenders.

W

PSG set to rival Man City for Kurzawa

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his could be the first day of the title race. Or possibly the last.

This weekend, all eyes will be on the contest between Chelsea and Manchester City.

In September, Chelsea visited the Eti-

much needed ground on their rivals.

Four months on and the situation repeats itself. Chelsea are again five points ahead despite being caught by City over Christmas who then let the gap appear again. This time the West London club

disadvantage of a shorter rest period.

However, Jose Mourinho has previously spoken of his love for a more demanding schedule, the facts are that the fatigue will surely take its toll on his players in the latter stages of the game.

It would be something very big to win the title two years in a row. But we need three points against Chelsea to close the gap”.

With both sides dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend, at home, and by

Chelsea, Man City in title chase tangle

Battle at the Bridge

Sport

helsea boss Jose Mourinho is ready to wait until the sum-

Mourinho desperate to land Verane

ilan are said to be close to signing Ezequiel Munoz from Palermo, with just a €500,000 difference between offer and asking price.

Rosanero President Maurizio Zamparini confirmed this week that the Diavolo were talking to the player, who can move for free at the end of the season.

However, Milan want to tie up a deal before then, to have Munoz available for the rest of the season.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, a deal is close, with Palermo asking for €2m and the Rossoneri offering €1.5m.

The website believes that a deal can be done on the last day of the transfer window on Monday.

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Milan close to signing Munoz

uventus midfielder Luca Marrone is on the verge of securing a loan move to Spanish side Cordoba.

The 24-year-old will spend the rest of the season on loan in Spain, before a decision on his future is made in the summer.

Marrone returned to Turin this summer, having spent the second half of last season at Sassuolo, but has failed to make a single appearance for Massimiliano Allegri’s side this term.

The midfielder will join up with fellow Juventus loanee Fausto Rossi at Cordoba, who currently lie 15th in La Liga.

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Global Football Special

EUROPE TRANSFERS

www.newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH

28 SATURDA 31 JAN

PTS 52 47 42 40 39 37 36 35 30 29 27 23 23 22 22 20 20 19 19 17

NO TEAM P 1 Bayern 17 2 Wolfsburg 17 3 Leverkusen 17 4 Gladbach 17 5 Schalke 17 6 Augsburg 17 7 Hoffenheim 17 8 Hannover 17 9 Frankfurt 17 10 Paderborn 17 11 FC Cologne 17 12 Mainz 05 17 13 Hertha 17 14 Hamburg 17 15 VfB Stuttgart 17 16 Bremen 17 17 Dortmund 17 18 Freiburg 17

PTS 45 34 28 27 27 27 26 24 23 19 19 18 18 17 17 17 15 15

Bundesliga

NO TEAM P 1 Chelsea 22 2 Man City 22 3 Southampton 22 4 Man United 22 5 Arsenal 22 6 Tottenham 22 7 West Ham 22 8 Liverpool 22 9 Swansea City 22 10 Stoke City 22 11 Newcastle 22 12 Everton 22 13 C/Palace 22 14 West Brom 22 15 Aston Villa 22 16 Sunderland 22 17 Burnley 22 18 Hull City 22 19 QPR 22 20 Leicester 22

Premier League

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

P 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

Serie A

P 19 20 20 20 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

La Liga

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

TABLES

PTS 49 42 36 34 34 31 28 27 27 26 26 25 25 24 20 19 19 18 12 9

PTS 48 47 44 41 39 38 32 27 26 23 22 21 20 20 18 18 17 16 16 15

Saturday Real Madrid v Sociedad Eibar v Atletico Granada v Elche Celta Vigo v Córdoba Sunday Levante v Bilbao Almería v Getafe Sevilla v Espanyol Barcelona v Villarreal

Serie A

Serie A Saturday Genoa v Fiorentina Roma v Empoli Sunday Sassuolo v Inter Milan Atalanta v Cagliari Cesena v Lazio Chievo v Napoli Palermo v Verona Torino v Sampdoria Udinese v Juventus Milan v Parma

Arsenal v Aston Villa Southampton v Swansea

Sunday

Hull v Newcastle Crystal Palace v Everton Liverpool v West Ham Man Utd v Leicester Stoke v QPR Sunderland v Burnley West Brom v Tottenham Chelsea v Man City

Premier League saturday

FIXTURES

mer transfer window before making an effort to sign Real Madrid star Raphael Varane, according to the Evening Standard.

The young Frenchman worked under Mourinho during the latter’s time in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, and it’s widely known that The Special One holds him in high regard. Having initially been brought in as a potential backup to the duo of Sergio Ramos and Pepe he’s shown exemplary development, and is now knocking on the door for a first-team place in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI. t ended miserably, but Borussia Dortmund are out to put 2014 firmly behind them - starting at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Borussia Dortmund will be out to put a horror end to 2014 behind them when they resume their Bundesliga campaign at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

In a scenario that few could have envisaged just six months ago, Dortmund - who have finished in the top two for the last four seasons, including championship-winning campaigns in 2010-11 and 2011-12 - start the year trapped in the relegation zone.

Jurgen Klopp's men have won just four of 17 league fixtures and a wretched record away from home, which has seen them collect four from a possible 27 points, has left them fighting to avoid the drop.

Dortmund's miserable league form becomes an even greater mystery when taking their excellent performances in the UEFA Champions League into consideration, but defender Mats Hummels said the squad has looked good in a mid-season training camp in La Manga.

"Apart from the injuries some players suffered, we've all worked very well," Hummels told Dortmund's official website.

I

Dortmund aim for fresh start

welcome City to Stamford Bridge.

After having to endure extra-time in Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup semifinal second leg against Liverpool, the Chelsea players will have the distinct

eicester City defender Danny Simpson says his side is bursting with belief ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The right-back will hope to make his 13th appearance in a blue shirt since joining the Foxes from Queens Park Rangers in the summer when Nigel Pearson’s men make the trip up to Manchester.

And Simpson, who rose through the ranks at the Red Devils, sees no reason why City can’t reproduce the performance that saw them come from 3-1 down to beat Louis Van Gaal’s men 5-3 on a memorable day at King Power Stadium in mid-September.

Boosted by Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup Fourth Round victory over Tottenham Hotspur, Simpson said: “For all of us we can have a good week and go to Old Trafford full of confidence."

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British number one Andy Murray admitted he and his entourage were pushed to the limit during his Australian Open semi-final win over Tomas Berdych.

Murray's fiancee Kim Sears was caught on camera swearing, which has prompted a number of social media comments.

Asked about what appeared to be an expletive-laden rant towards Berdych, Murray said: "In the heat of the moment you can say stuff that you regret. When there's a lot of tension surrounding something, which you [the media] created, it's completely normal that the whole first set everyone was tight."

Andy Murray

Paulista

A painting of boxer Amir Khan has gone on display in his home town of Bolton. The picture helped the artist, Christian Hook, win Portrait Artist of the Year.

It's now hung on the wall at Bolton Museum. And Amir says he's very proud.

Amir Khan

rsene Wenger is intending to put Gabriel Paulista – his £11.3 million new centre-back – straight into the Arsenal squad and potentially even into the starting team for Sunday’s match against Aston Villa.

Gabriel will be registered in time for the match and, with Wenger still concerned to manage Laurent Kocielny’s achilles tendon injury, there is a chance of him being in central defence alongside Per Mertesacker. In the absence of Mathieu Debuchy, there is also a possibility of him replacing Hector Bellerin at right-back.

More likely is that he will start from the bench but his inclusion in the squad, even after just a handful of training sessions, underlines how Wenger wants him involved and challenging for a place immediately.

Gabriel had been ever-present for Villarreal in La Liga this season and is match-fit although it is acknowledged by Wenger that a period of adjustment to English football is likely to be necessary. Wenger, though, will want Gabriel ready as quickly as possible as Arsenal prepare to compete across three competitions over the coming weeks.

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lower league opposition, the game will say a lot about which side has the guile and strength in bouncing back fighting in the return of the Premier League after its two week break.

Wenger unleashes Paulista on Villa

Manchester City winger Jesús Navas feels that the clash is a must-win game for his side in the pursuit of retaining their Premier League title. He said “We need to go there with maximum attitude.

Simpson eyes Man man united scalp

SPORT BRIEFLY

Fournier's men have picked up more points than Monaco, who are on a seven-match unbeaten streak in the league, and 12 in all competitions.

Monaco's form has been built on an excellent defence that has not been breached in the top flight since November 29.

Fernando Alonso claims that he has never felt better or more motivated ahead of a Formula 1 season as he prepares to begin his second spell with McLaren.

Alonso first raced for McLaren back in 2007, but left after just one year after a turbulent relationship with the team that many thought was irrevocable.

“Although the winter period is a time for rest and relaxation from racing, my motivation could not be stronger for the new season,” Alonso said.

“I’ve done a lot of training during the winter break, to reach my peak physical fitness, and I’ve been working hard in preparation for this new era of McLaren-Honda. I’ve never felt better, or more ready for a new season.”

Fernando Alonso

eonardo Jardim has played down Monaco's chances of fighting for the Ligue 1 title even if they can halt table-toppers Lyon's superb run on Sunday.

A 2-1 defeat to Lyon in September's reverse fixture left Monaco second from bottom.

Since then, though, only Hubert

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Monaco coach upbeat ahead Lyon showdown

Reus

had at the top of the table and 5 points clear of their nearest challengers – Manchester City, the game ended 1-1. The leaders missed the chance to extend their advantage while City failed to make up AY TELEGRAPH NUARY 2015

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tribute

Agbonavbare: 1966-2015 W

Vincent Eboigbe ilfred Agbonavbare was known as ‘Cigalo’ to everybody in Benin City, especially at Edokpolo Grammar School, where he was the undisputed number one goalkeeper.

The entire Benin City then was an academy, a ferment of youth football. School football also thrived; the Principal’s Cup and the Governor’s Cup had the capacity to pack the famous Ogbe Stadium, where some of the finals were played, to the rafters.

Agbonavbare was outstanding in the Edokpolo team that featured in several Principal’s Cup and the Governor’s Cup finals in those halcyon days; indeed he routinely rescued the school when proceedings extended to penalty shootouts. The shout of 'Cigaloooo' reverberating around the arena seemed to imbue him with super human reflexes.

Agbonavbare gave the fans in the old Bendel State and indeed the entire country so much unforgettable memories ... you couldn't forget those great Principal's Cup matches where he was called upon on many occasions to save the day. Everyone in Benin City excitedly looked forward to those battles, whether against Eghosa, Western Boys, Hussey College, Esi College or Otaru, where 'Cigalo' stood tall between the posts.

He played alongside some of the most talented schoolboy players in the history of the nation; little wonder the school completely dominated the old Bendel State at that time. Future national team stars like Friday Elaho, Austin Eguavoen, Austin Igbinobaro, Ndubuisi Okosieme, Roland Ewere, Isaac Semitoje, Osaro Obobaifo (later), were some of Agbonavbare’s team mates at Edokpolo.

Interestingly, Agbonavbare also played in an outfield position and he was no slouch either, but by then his prowess between the sticks had settled the issue of the best place for him.

Immediately after his secondary school education national duty beckoned and he was at the very first World Cup Nigeria qualified for: the World Youth Championship in Mexico in 1983. He never looked back afterwards and the highpoint of that career saw him winning the African Nations Cup in 1994 and also featuring at the World Cup in the United States that same year.

In between however, his national team career suffered a dip brought about by his more forgettable outing for Nigeria in the match against Togo in 1983 where the Eagles were trounced 5-2. The unflattering ‘Agbonibasket’ nickname that followed after that encounter does not do any justice to the undoubted quality of the former goalkeeper.

At club level, Agbonavbare played for New Nigeria Bank at home, but it is Rayo Vallecano of Spain, where he featured from 1990 to 1996, that he would be forever associated with. He made 76 La Liga appearances, the most for a goalkeeper at the Madrid-based club in the top flight; it is no surprise therefore that when he came down with cancer, an illness that also killed his wife three years ago, Rayo were in the forefront of efforts to raise money for his treatment.

He was treated in Florida in the United

The unflattering ‘Agbonibasket’ nickname that followed after that encounter (against Togo) does not do any justice to the undoubted quality of the former goalkeeper

States for five months before he was flown back to Spain where he had lived since retirement. In a recent match Rayo displayed a huge banner at the stadium praying for the quick recovery of the stricken star. This is a lesson for Nigerian clubs in how to rally round former players, a lesson in cultivating a sense of history that can serve to motivate young players.

This irreverence for past heroes is even more pronounced at the national level. Promises made to the Flying Eagles team to Mexico ’83 were never kept, those made in ’94 after Super Eagles’ Nations Cup triumph have similarly not been fulfilled.

Some former teammates of the exgoalie who died on Tuesday of cancer, although still in shock, capture the essential Agbonavbare.

Ndubuisi Okosieme Jesus Christ! What are you telling me Vincent? Was he sick? I didn’t hear anything. A couple of weeks ago we were reminiscing and Wilfred’s name came up; one of the friends I was with wanted to know what he was up to these days and I said he was in Spain without knowing he was even ill.

Oh my God! This is so sad. I’ve known him practically all my life right from our days in secondary school, playing in those unforgettable matches and later in the national team.

This is what I’ve been saying: a lot of the ex-internationals after national duty are living really miserable lives and it appears nobody cares to know how they are faring after retirement.

The authorities, the federation know what to do in terms of supporting former players, but they are not doing it, everybody is looking out for his own wellbeing only; that is the reason current players are always more interested in the money they can get now because they know nobody will remember them once they stop playing.

Don’t people who work deserve some form of benefits? Don’t public servants get paid after retirement?

Why is our case different? They say we were paid allowances, but public servants also get that. Now Wilfred is gone what happens to the family he left behind?

Augustine Igbinobaro I got the message from Taju Disu and someone else. Words cannot express what I am feeling right now.

Gone too soon. It is really sad.

For somebody who served the country like that I would want the government to assist the children in their education and in securing good jobs for them afterwards. That is the least that can be done. I also think they can honour Wilfred by sponsoring his burial ceremony and bringing his body home to be interred in his country.

Friday Elaho The news was such a surprising and shocking one to me; I am still reeling from the effect. I wasn’t expecting that to happen at this time, in fact I didn’t even know he was ill. He has been like a brother to me from when we were together at Edokpolo Grammar School; we won the Principal’s Cup and went on to play in the World School Games at that time before we continued in the national team.

As I talk to you now I still can’t believe that he is gone, it is as if he is still alive. We will all go one day but I wasn’t expecting Wilfred to die now. That is what we keep talking about that when the authorities hear of such cases they should act quickly to render help, but in most cases it is not like that. It is devastating.

Yisa Shofoluwe What can I say? It is sad. He was a good man. We were together in Mexico in ’83 during the World Youth Championship. I heard he died of cancer, his wife too, nobody knows where that came from. Everybody will die someday but not at the age Wilfred had taken his exit.

Another sad thing is the fact that the players union has been fighting for so long and all the effort to bring everybody together has been unsuccessful. If we had one unified body we can at least come to the aid of members who are in dire need.

There is no use belabouring the government angle, because the truth is we know what happens elsewhere, but we know our country, things never seem to work like in other places.

Clement Temile I’m still speechless. It is very sad that somebody like Wilfred who served this country with distinction can be ill and people didn’t know about it. Even if he couldn’t be saved but to at least bring him home so he could die in his own country.

Wilfred was a good friend of mine but were rivals in the early days. I played against him on many times, I was in Hussey College, Warri while he played for Edokpolo and we clashed in several Principal’s Cup finals. We also represented Nigeria at the World School Games before playing together for the national team.

I know that people will die, but at 48 I think that is way early. Many of our members have died in recent times and those deaths were from frustrations and poverty. I know that they say we are careless, that we didn’t invest our money but there are wealthy players in England for instance who are suffering from depression.

My thinking is that we need to find a way to give back to the ex players. We can have an arrangement in place where some money say N20k monthly can be given to these players and they will appreciate it. If we can even give a lump sum of say N5m that will go a long way to rehabilitate many of our people. This is where the players union is very crucial.

We need to be able to put our house in order and we are striving to do that.

May the soul of Wilfred rest in peace.

Friday Ekpo The death of Wilfred came as a shock to me. We have not been in touch for a while only for me to find out last week, I think, on the Internet that he was ill. The next thing that followed was that he had died. It is sad. Yes people die but at this young age it can be so painful. He was a good friend, nice guy who will be sorely missed. I pray for the family to have the grace to bear the loss, and my hope is that the children are taken care of in such a way that they will be proud that their father played for Nigeria.

I think if the federation had moved quickly the situation could have been salvaged, I don’t know if they too knew early enough, but he’s gone now.

The federation and the union must find a way to always respond quickly when issues like this come up, there is so much money coming into the union; the question to ask is what happens to the money?

31 JANUARY 2015

Yobo's pregnant wife announces sex of baby

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“The truth is you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed.

- Eminem

Abrahamovic and wife, Zhukova

Abrahamovic is married to 'baby-mama'

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rt megacollector Dasha Zhukova is customarily also referred to as Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s “domestic partner,” “girlfriend” or “baby-mama.”

But a new interview reveals she’s actually Abramovich’s wife.

A WSJ. Magazine cover story on Zhukova confirms that the couple “met in 2005 and were married a few years later; they have two children.”

Zhukova — who’s commissioned Rem Koolhaas to design her museum of contemporary art in Moscow — was fêted by the magazine at a private reception during Paris haute couture fash-

ion week on Tuesday night at the home of Lauren Santo Domingo.

Guests included Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour, Naomi Campbell, Mark Ronson, Carine Roitfeld, Riccardo Tisci, Joan Smalls, Alber Elbaz, Giambattista Valli, Diego Della Valle and Natalia Vodianova and Antoine Arnault.

We hear the crowd — including fashion fixtures Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, Bianca Brandolini and Tatiana Santo Domingo — partied at the bash co-hosted by Kristina O’Neill and Derek Blasberg two hours past its scheduled finish, even after a technical glitch that cut the music.

Shayk broke up with Ronaldo for infidelity

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ristiano Ronaldo's former gal-pal Irina Shayk broke up with the footballer because she believed the rumors that he is hooking up with other women, it has been reported.

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model was informed by various

Shayk

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Lifestyle

daeze Yobo has been revealed to be expecting her second child with her footballer husband Joseph Yobo.

The model and former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria had a secret baby shower at her Turkey home on January 24.

According to LIB, the expectant mother who already has a son, Joey Yobo, announced in an Instagram video that she is having another son saying: "I'm having a baby boy, another boy!".

Congratulations to the Yobo family.

Adaeze Yobo and friends

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sources that the Real Madrid star had affairs during their five-year, long-distance relationship, which led to the split around New Year's Eve, the New York Post reported.

The 29-year-old footballer was spotted with Brazilian model Andressa Urach in 2013.

Balotelli’s ex-girlfriend to reveal all on reality TV show

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ario Balotelli’s exfiancee Fanny Neguesha is set to bare all of the secrets about her relationship with the current Liverpool striker on an upcoming Italian reality television show, according to the Mirror, with Neguesha set to appear on L’Isola dei Famosi in the coming days.

The two called off their engagement in September, soon after Balotelli’s move from Serie A giants AC Milan to Liverpool, with the report suggesting that Neguesha’s modelling work had been one of the root causes of the split.

The publication also reported that Ronaldo was spotted partying with JR Smith and bikini-clad women nearby at Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas while Shayk was busy promoting her movie, "Hercules," with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in Los Neguesha Angeles.

Clancy

Don’t touch me Pregnant Crouch’s wife warns him

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bbey Clancy, the other half of Stoke City and former England striker Peter Crouch, has opened up about her pregnancy and said that she won’t let her husband anywhere near her currently because she is suffering from severe swelling that has made her body painful to touch.

Quoted by the Mail, Clancy seems to be having mixed feelings about the actual pregnancy itself, saying that it’s both a “miracle” and making her feel “fat and ugly”: “One part of your brain is going, ‘Oh my God, I’m so blessed, it’s a miracle’, and the other half is going, ‘I can’t bear this, I’m so fat, I’m ugly, I’ve got headaches, I’ve got spots, I feel sick.”

Clancy also said that she wouldn’t be letting Crouch anywhere near her “big boobs” due to the painful swelling: “Pete’s not too happy with me moaning every two seconds (and) the perks — the big boobs and that — he can’t go anywhere near because they’re too painful.”

Stories courtesy Dailymail

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woman. And her outlook epitomises abandonment, rejection, neglect and ugliness.

They are often left to raise their children alone. They also barely have time to grieve for long. More agonising is the discovery that in-laws are not as sympathetic as they should.

In most instances, before the dead is buried, a big scramble has begun for his belongings with nobody consulting the widow. Incidentally, the dominance of strong held traditions in some of these communities have helped suffocate efforts at reform.

Yet, when a man dies, his wife, in these communities, is habitually perceived as a stranger, one for whom provisions were not made. Her late husband’s properties are forcibly taken from her without regard for her children’s welfare. They are left without help, rejected and forsaken to flounder in hopelessness, forcing some of them to resort to prostitution and begging.

Many of them also find themselves at the mercy of their dead husband’s relatives, who often may want them as wives. At times, they may be as cruel as throwing the widow and her children out of the house if she refuses their advances.

This may be why the problem of widowhood makes women in Igboland the most vulnerable in the Nigerian society. They are exposed to indiscriminate abuses in all aspects of their lives. They bear the scars of their stigmatisation in a society whose sensibility has been lost to a jaded conscience. This practice continues to hold sway in many a community in the region. It goes from strange to bizarre and to the unimaginable; in some cases, archaic, barbaric and very cruel.

However, one of the worst adversaries that could confront any Igbo woman is the cruel fate of being forced out of her one’s cherished home, especially in the event of loss of her loved one. Such a dreadful circumstance has become the collective dilemma of two widows in Enugu State encountered recently by Saturday Telegraph.

The windows, Virginia and Nkechi come from two separate senatorial zones of the state. While Virginia hails from Amebor village in Isiakpu community, Nsukka local government area, Nkechi, who would not want her full identity disclosed, is from a community in Nkanu land in the Enugu East Senatorial zone. The widows are under threat of losing their homes built by their late breadwinners at present.

Virginia and her two sons have had to exile themselves in the meantime in the face of adversity. In the case of Nkechi, her children had encouraged her to retain their home. The house, however, has been contentious because the relations of the dead want to acquire the land on which it was built.

The parcel of land, according to Christian, one of Nkechi’s sons, was legitimately acquired by his late father. Barely literate, Christian does menial jobs while his distraught widow-mother is a peasant farmer.

He said, “my brothers dey do this tins because de know say we no get moni to take dem to court.”

According to him, his lecturercousin, along with his other uncles have been using their clout to thwart any move at settling the matter amicably. “They have also prevented us from rebuilding our dilapidated house,” the boy lamented.

Meanwhile, Virginia had to relocate to Abakpa Nike area of Enugu metropolis from where she occasion-

My husband’s relatives abandoned the corpse of their brother for me to bury ally goes to her late husband’s house.

She is currently consulting a rights group based in Enugu to help her fight her cause.

Stella Ndukaku, a widow from Akabo in Oguta council area of Imo State has a sore tell also. Her life took a drastic turn for the worse when her husband died in 2000. After the death of her husband, her in-laws made her the prime suspect without any verifiable evidence. “Because of this frivolous allegation, my husband’s relatives had to abandon the corpse of their brother for me to bury,” Ndukaku said.

She had carried the burden of her husband’s ill health all alone, as none of her husband’s families gave any meaningful support while her hus-

Investigations

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The widow with her daughters

band was on his sick bed. After the burial, her relationship with her inlaws went from bad to worse.

Ndukaku was harassed out of her husband’s compound, denied use of the family farm land and was left to fend for her children all alone. The resultant hardship forced her to send out some of her children as house helps.

Today, Ndukaku lives as a tenant in a dilapidated building, in the same village of her late husband. She only receives little help from her family and unnamed Pentecostal church in the neighbourhood.

“I really don’t suspect that anything was afoot until my husband died.

Whether it was a conspiracy or just plain malice, I still can’t tell. What I know is that I am literally alone in this commu-

Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State

Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha

Willie Obiano...Anambra State Governor

nity with nothing to call my own and more mouths than I can afford to feed.

Sometimes, they make me wonder if I am really part of humanity for nobody seems to bother what I’m going through; nobody wants to talk about the injustice I have had to bear,” she said.

At present, widows are discriminated and denied the right to inherit the property in many parts of Nigeria. Though, Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution generally speak of right to dignity of human persons, it, however, does not touch on the specificity of women's rights. That is to be free from harmful traditional practices, which includes widowhood practices, female genital mutilation, force marriage and others. These have, over time, constituted a continuing threat to the lives of women in Nigeria.

The constitution, supported by international law, also emphasises equal rights for women. But, paper rights, according to lawyers, are difficult to realise in societies where inequality is a long standing tradition, with men largely confirming that assets of women are ceded to the husband on marriage. Institutions where women and widows are instructed to seek redress and justice, regarding inheritance issues are scenes of contention between paper rights (as enshrined by law) and “living laws” (internalised by culture).

Under Igbo Customary Law, only male children inherit their late father's property on his death to the exclusion of the females and widow. The first son inherits his late father's estate and could devolve to his siblings, at his discretion.

Where there is no son, the deceased's eldest brother or male relative inherits.

And where the deceased is a polygamist and has many sons from several wives, the eldest sons of each of the wives may take part in sharing of the estate.

In the words of a gender commentator, Ushe Mike, “it is, indeed, agonising and pitiful that we still witness every day the incidence of a husband's property being snatched away from the widow. What happens at the death of a husband is to accuse the widow of her husband's death.

"And while she is still crying over the loss and trying to sort out herself over the accusation, her husband's property is being shifted somewhere unknown to her and before she realises what has happened, the property is no more hers. This is what happens daily in our 'civilised' society,” he said.

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Dear Love Doctor, 'He wants to divorce her because of me'

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L ve&Lv ng

Life Experience

'My family don't know that I'm a prostitute'

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SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2015

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'He cheated on me while I was pregnant' Confession When a woman falls pregnant, her body and moods begin to change and she naturally expects her husband to show her more love and commitment. However, in this story, a woman gets more than she bargained for after falling pregnant for her husband.

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Michael Uchebuaku

read a lot and I decided to quickly tell you my story. For some time now I’m confused about my feelings and I think that by writing the story it would be easier for me to find an answer.

I met Jim my husband while I was in my early twenties and he seemed like the nicest man on earth. He bought many gifts for me and made me feel like a woman loved and in love.

Whenever he was around me, I felt like I was in heaven, because his love seemed so pure and so beautiful. It didn't take him too long to propose. And it didn't take me too long to convince my parents that he was the one I wanted to marry. As far as I was concerned, no man could love me like Jimmy.

My mum tried to make me delay our marriage by saying that I was yet to complete my higher education. Actually, at that time, I was still in the university and I had hopes of graduating and getting a job which I would use to support myself and my parents. I never thought of getting married while I was still in school but Jimmy didn't think that way.

Jimmy was so desperate to marry me rather than wait for me to complete my studies, because according to him, he didn't want another man to snatch me after I had graduated.

In any case, Jimmy always had a problem of emotional insecurity. He always felt insecure in relationships.

I knew from the way he acted that he felt insecure. It was clear in his very jealous and obsessive attitude towards me. He almost went crazy whenever he saw me with any guy and he always wanted to know where I had gone and where I was going at all times.

In fact, some of my friends told me that he had been monitoring my movement by bribing some of them to give him constant information on my movements. I thought his actions were very immature, but I never confronted him over it.

In any case, I still agreed to marry

Jimmy because he had been so good to me and so respectful to my parents.

He appeared like a perfect gentleman even though he was very jealous and possessive but I didn't mind because I knew he loved me.

However, after marrying the man, with whom I thought I would spend the rest of my life, we started trying for a baby. After four years and several IVF attempts I finally got pregnant.

It was a hard pregnancy.

The whole time I felt that my husband was cheating. We had many conversations, and of course he denied it. It got to point where I started to think that I was crazy or just imagining things because of the pregnancy and stressed condition.

I decided to find out if I was right and I was not surprised because there

I decided to find out if I was right and I was not surprised because there he was cheating on me

he was cheating on me the whole time with an undergraduate girl and a cultist for that matter!

There I was pregnant and the man decided to date one stupid girl who decided to come to my home with a bunch of her friends one day to tell me face to face that she was a cultist and that she was going to take my husband away from me and that there was nothing could do about it.

When my husband returned home later that day, I told him how his girlfriend had come to our house with some of her so-called friends to threaten me. I told him to be careful and stop cheating on me to avoid meeting people like that who could threaten the peaceful existence of our family.

After that I was scared for the baby and myself. But after my husband said

he was “sorry” and that he “loved me” I decided to stay with him until I give birth and then make a decision.

My husband claims to have stopped dating that cult girl but she still calls me on the phone to threaten me. Most of the time she calls with an unknown number and for that reason I have stopped answering any call with an unknown number.

I have now given birth to a lovely baby girl. Currently my child is alive and well, a really happy baby, very loved by everyone, including her father. But I am still angry that my husband did this kind of thing to me. I cannot swallow the insult. He has lost my trust and in some ways my love. I think I will be better off without him.

Please tell me what you think.

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Love News

Love Songs

Kanye West says Kim isn't a gold digger

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anye West paid tribute to his wife Kim Kardashian in a speech about racism and interracial relationships at The BET Honors last Saturday, while accepting the Visionary Award at the event.

The rapper referenced a meeting with Louis Farrakhan Muhammad, Sr. - leader of the religious group Nation of Islam - where Kanye said it was 'groundbreaking' to see his reaction to his relationship with a woman 'not of color' reports Jezebel.

'For us to focus on the idea of love and not the idea of separation,' Kanye explained, before going into further detail about the stigma surrounding interracial relationships that he had encountered growing up.

'I used to hear people always talking about, "Man you know when an entertainer get on, of course you know he gon' go and get a white girl and blah blah blah and a white girl gon' get a rich black dude."'

Appearing to reference his own rap song Gold Digger, he then added about his wife Kim: 'But I wanna say that my wife has dated broke

black dudes. It got nothing to do with the money.'

Kanye then recounted a story about Kim and her late father, Robert Kardashian, after his Bentley was vandalized with 'n***a lover' scrawled across it, following his highprofile case defending OJ Simpson.

Revealing how a young Kim had asked her father why he had reacted so angrily, he said Robert told Kim: 'One day, you may have a black child…a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful black child…and it’s gonna be hard. You’re gonna see how hard it is.'

Kanye added: 'So true enough, we deal with racism because there are different races. Or the micro of it is that we focus on the different races as opposed to the macro, which is the human race.'

In October last year, Kim herself addressed racism in an essay on her official website, and claimed that had always felt that it was 'someone else's battle'.

But the new mother admitted that recently she had 'read and personally experiences some incidents that have sick-

Sugar I'm hurting, baby, I'm broken down

I need your loving, loving I need it now When I'm without you I'm something weak You got me begging, begging I'm on my knees I don't wanna be needing your love I just wanna be deep in your love And it's killing me when you're away, ooh, baby, 'Cause I really don't care where you are I just wanna be there where you are And I gotta get one little taste Sugar Yes, please Won't you come and put it down on me?

I'm right here, 'cause I need Little love and little sympathy Yeah, you show me good loving Make it alright Need a little sweetness in my life Sugar Yes, please Won't you come and put it down on me?

ened me and made me take notice.' Adding: 'I realize that racism and discrimination are still alive.'

She was perhaps referring to an incident in February last year, when Kim reportedly left an event in Vienna after she was approached by a man in 'blackface' impersonating her husband.

Kim added: 'I feel a respon-

sibility as a mother, a public figure, a human being, to do what I can to make sure that not only my child, but all children, don't have to grow up in a world where they are judged by the color of their skin, or their gender, or their sexual orientation.'

Kanye's speech will be heard in full when the shows airs on 23rd February.

Life Experience

'My family doesn't know that I'm a prostitute' Michael Uchebuaku

M

y name is Vanessa. Nobody at the university where I school knows my secret. Even members of my family don't know. At night, after lectures, I go to work as a prostitute in a brothel.

It started three years ago in my first year. I had arrived from my home town with only N5,000 in the bank. I desperately needed cash. I got a job at a supermarket near the school but my wages could not pay my house rent.

I couldn't work more hours because of classes and all the other jobs I applied for paid the same amount.

I had no social life and I always

Maroon 5

felt tired. Consequently, I was always running late for early classes. One morning after sleeping in, I burst into tears when the lecturer singled me out as I tried to sneak into class. The girl sitting next to me consoled me.

After the lecture, she asked me why I was always late and I told her. She smiled knowingly. "There is another way to earn money," she said. "Lots of money."

That stirred my interest. The girl, Yemi, was always dressed in the latest fashions with an expensive manicure and accessories. I had assumed her parents were rich but she said she paid for everything herself.

When I pressed her further, she told me she was a prostitute with class. She worked in a clean, safe

"Ever since, I've worked in the brothel three nights a week. I earn ten times what I did at the supermarket, for much less effort"

brothel and could introduce me with the owner.

It all happened quickly after that.

After a rather degrading "interview" in which I had to parade before the Madam in my underwear and answer all sorts of questions about my sex life, I was hired.

Ever since, I've worked in the brothel three nights a week. I earn ten times what I did at the supermarket, for much less effort. And it's not as bad as I thought it would be. My regular clients treat me with respect and I'm never forced to do anything I don't feel comfortable doing.

The hardest part is lying to my family and friends about where the money is coming from. They all assume I got a promotion at the supermarket but my mother grew suspicious when she dropped in one day and was told I no longer worked there.

I told her she must have spoken to one of the newer employees who didn't know me. I felt bad and I never want to have to do that again.

Thankfully I will graduate this year so I might get a real job, something I can tell everyone about and be proud of.

Although I don't have a boyfriend at the moment, there is a guy at the university who is showing some interest. If things get serious, do I tell him the truth?

I'm scared that it might disgust him. On the other hand, if I tell him and he still wants to see me, then I'll know he's worth keeping. It's a decision I'll make when the time comes.

My broken pieces You pick them up Don't leave me hanging, hanging Come give me some When I'm without ya I'm so insecure You are the one thing, one thing I'm living for I don't wanna be needing your love I just wanna be deep in your love And it's killing me when you're away, ooh, baby, 'Cause I really don't care where you are I just wanna be there where you are And I gotta get one little taste Sugar Yes, please Won't you come and put it down on me?

I'm right here, 'cause I need Little love and little sympathy Yeah, you show me good loving Make it alright Need a little sweetness in my life Sugar! (Sugar!)

Love Poem I Promise You light up my world, And make me forget all my fears, Your laughter brightens up my days, And chases away all my tears.

You are my every dream come true, No one else will ever do; Because only you can make me feel, The way I do.

My heart beats at least a million times, Whenever you cross my mind.

You’ve got a special way with me, You make me believe, In this love that we’ve found, And I promise I’ll never let you down.

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

Romantic Joke

Beauty

Before Linda became engaged, she was quite the beauty, and didn't mind letting her boyfriend know it, too.

"A lot of men are going be totally miserable when I marry," she told him.

"Really?" asked the boyfriend, "And just how many men are you intending to marry?"

31 JANUARY 2015

Relationships & Love Advice

'He wants to divorce her because of me' Dear Love Doctor, My name is Jennifer. I’ve been dating a guy for 13 months and he promised to marry me. We talked a lot and he showed love. Unfortunately, his former girlfriend just got pregnant for him without him knowing until five months after. The baby is now five months old, and the baby and the mother are living with the guy at home. He told me that he just wants the mother to finish breastfeeding the baby before he throws her out, that he doesn’t want to marry the mother of his baby. He said he never told her that he was going to marry her, and that she forced the pregnancy on him.

Right now, he is begging me to forgive him, that he really wants to marry me.

He says I should forgive him and accept his baby as my own. We love each other and I really need your counsel. I don’t know what to do.

From Jennifer.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Jennifer, I really think you should leave him alone to face his new life and responsibility as a ‘married’ man. He now has a five-month-old baby and it would be wrong for him to do away with the mother just like that and hand over the baby to you to take care of him/her!

Such an action would be highly irresponsible. Sometimes, when we are in love, we fail to see reality and understand when it’s over. Don’t jeopardize the life of a baby out of your selfish love for this man. Be selfless enough to let him go, for the sake of the baby and its mother. Sacrificing the mother of his baby and her

baby for your sake would be an extreme measure. Things have changed now, and as a result, your “love” for this man will only serve as a distraction to him now. It would serve as a distraction preventing him from facing reality that he now has a family and living up to his responsibilities as a father and husband.

Tell him to iron out his differences with his wife and make his marriage work. He should be patient and marry the mother of his baby, except they are extremely incompatible. He can work through his ‘marital’ problems. That is the truth. You’re only being a distraction to him now. Don’t dwell on the past love you shared with him, (because he now has a family and you ought to set him free so that he can be focused and take proper care of his family). Be thankful to God for the love you shared with him and move on. Things have changed now. Therefore, you must focus on the future ahead of you. Pray to God and be patient.

With time, you will get the right man for you. Don’t be selfish, sometimes you just have to let go even when you’re in love; especially when things don’t work out the way you planned. It may not be easy, but it’s okay to cry and get him off your mind. Let him go!. *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

H♥♥K UP...find your heart’s desire Women SEEKING relationship/ marriage ♥ Favour, 40, Igbo, in Asaba, a graduate looking for job, needs a slim man of 40-50 years, preferably a civil servant, widower or divorcee based in Delta, Rivers or Bayelsa state only. 08125106352. ♥ Divine wants a loving, working or business, widower (not a divorcee) of 35 years for marriage. He must be a graduate, tall, and a sincere pentecostal Christian man. 08169279907. ♥ Bola, 28, pretty, romantic and good looking, needs a graduate, reliable & working man for marriage. 08037604915. ♥ Grace, 35, chocolate, 6ft tall, single mother of one, needs a loving and caring man from 50 years and above for a serious courtship.

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MEN LOOKING FOR RELATIONSHIP/ MARRIAGE ♥ Ade, 34, Christian, Yoruba, working in the banking sector, desires a beautiful and working class lady between 25 to 31 years for marriage.

She must be serious minded, mature and willing to settle down. 09050735557. ♥ Chidera, 40, from Ebonyi, in PH, civil servant, needs a very busty lady of 23-31 years for marriage. 08037317375. ♥ Edwin, 37, a writer/businessman, needs a fresh graduate lady with vision, from the Southern or Northern part of the country.

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Lovers’ Answers Game: The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers.

A girl via 07031139789, is asking all men:

"Why do some men prefer to date a married woman even while she is still living with her husband?" *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

37

Blackberry Connection Omolola, 34, single mother, wants a man of 35-45 years, preferably a Yoruba man. BB pin: 2A9E3EAA. 09033643433.

• Connect with Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request.

• Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 to link up and for direct hookup.

Love Education

Odd News

How one day a week without alcohol lowers disease risk

Y

ou might think that knocking back a drink six days out of seven doesn't sound like the most virtuous of health plans.

But according to research, laying off alcohol for just one day a week could significantly reduce your risk of liver damage.

Scientists have previously claimed that people who drink large amounts are the most likely to develop alcoholic cirrhosis.

But now a study of 55,197 people has shown that drinking patterns can also influence your risk of developing the disease.

Volunteers were quizzed on their lifestyle, eating habits and waist circumference as part of the test. They were also asked to report their average alcohol intake in their twenties, thirties, forties and fifties.

Experts found that 342 of the study's participants were diagnosed with cirrhosis. They used the information to calculate 'hazard ratios' for liver disease in relation to drinking frequency, lifetime alcohol intake and beverage type.

The results, published in the Jour-

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

nal of Hepatology, showed that daily drinking appears to be a risk factor along with the total amount of alcohol consumed.

It found that drinking every day was far more dangerous for our health than consuming alcohol on five or six days a week.

Study also showed recent alcohol consumption – rather than lifetime drinking habits – is a stronger predictor of alcoholic cirrhosis.

And it found that wine is linked to

a lower risk of the disease compared with beer and spirits. Researcher Dr Gro Askgaard, from Copenhagen University Hospital, said: 'For the first time, our study points to a risk difference between drinking daily and drinking five or six days a week.

'We can speculate that the reason may be that daily alcohol exposure inhibits liver regeneration and worsens liver damage.'

Courtesy: Daily Mail

What is Sexually Transmitted Disease?

S

exually transmitted diseases (STD), also referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STI) and venereal diseases (VD), are illnesses that have a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior, includingvaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. While in the past, these illnesses have mostly been referred to as STDs or VD, in recent years the term sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been preferred, as it has a broader range of meaning; a person may beinfected, and may potentially infect others, without having a disease. Some STIs can also be transmitted via the use of IV drug needles after its use by an infected person, as well as through childbirth or breastfeeding. Sexually transmitted infections have been well known for hundreds of years, and venereology is the branch of medicine that studies these diseases.

Until the 1990s, STIs were commonly known as venereal diseases, the word venereal being derived from the Latin word venereus, and meaning relating to sexual intercourse or desire, ultimately derived from Venus, the Roman goddess of love.[1] Social disease was a phrase used as a euphemism.

Sexually transmitted infection is a broader term than sexually transmitted disease.[2] Aninfection is a colonization by a parasitic species, which may not cause any adverse effects. In a disease, the infection leads to impaired or abnormal function. In either case, the condition may not exhibit signs or symptoms. Increased understanding of infections CONTINUED on PAGE 38

38

Love&Living

M

y father left when I was three, so when I was growing up, it was always just mum and me.

The two of us were very close; sometimes I felt like mum was more of an older sister than anything else and she made a lot of sacrifices to be the best single parent she could be, giving up promising career promotions, material treats for herself and dating.

The biggest thing my mum gave up was finding another husband and I certainly didn't encourage her. I wanted it to be just the two of us forever!

So you can imagine how threatened I felt when Mike entered the scene.

Mike moved in next door, newly divorced and from interstate. The sparks between him and mum started to fly almost immediately. I would watch sullenly as Mike came around to ask for advice about the city; where the best restaurants were and which day was garbage collection day. At 15, just starting to be interested in boys myself, I could see where it was all going.

Sure enough, within a couple of weeks Mike was asking Mum to go and eat at those restaurants he'd been inquiring about and I knew I had to put a stop to it. I hadn't had a father for 15 years and I didn't need one now! And I certainly didn't want it to be Mike who, with his tall, dark and handsome looks and kind and generous personality, seemed way too good to be true. I was determined to show my mum that he was only going to break her heart.

I started off small. On the nights of her dates I would suddenly get sick so that the date would need to be cancelled. I figured Mike would only be so patient before he moved on to someone who didn't have a troublesome daughter for baggage.

That worked for a while, but it was only a matter of time before Mum wised up to my deceit. Even worse, Mike actually seemed to understand!

Apparently he had children too, who lived with their mother interstate, and he understood that it was hard to see your parent dating again.

When I found out that Mum and Mike started seeing each other over lunch instead, when I wasn't around, I was furious. But by then it was already too late. Within a few short

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

‘I ruined my mother's wedding' were supposed to be coming to the rehearsal dinner, were not coming at all! But far from blaming Mike, she blamed herself — for not proofreading the invitations properly! And Mike blamed himself too!

With a very small group of the family and the close friends who were in the know because they'd been invited verbally, Mum and Mike got married anyway. I spent the day overwhelmed by the guilt that, for nothing, I had ruined her special day.

Courtesy: nine.com

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

True Story months of Mike entering our lives, my worst fears were realised: he and my mum were engaged! I knew I had to up the ante if I was ever going to hope to sabotage their relationship!

I pretended to be really nice to my future stepfather as I planned my course of action. The only thing I could think of doing was to put a wedge between them. They were both pretty stressed out about the wedding so I knew that was going to be my target. I had to disrupt the wedding somehow, but I had to do it so it looked like Mike's fault.

It wasn't too long before the perfect opportunity came up. Being a wiz with computers, Mum decided that Mike should just make up the invitations on the home PC to save money. They worked on them for hours, changing fonts and coming up with fancy lyrics to invite their friends and family.

"I'll print them off tomorrow and post them," Mike promised, when they were finally perfect. I watched them secretly from my chair in front

What is Sexually Transmitted Disease?

of the television. I knew just what I had to do!

"Goodnight!" I announced cheerfully, letting them both know I was going to bed. I had to be above suspicion. I lay in bed for an hour, waiting for all the lights in the house to be switched off, then another half an hour to make sure all were sleeping. Then I got up and went to the computer. I opened the invitation file and in 30 seconds, I had changed the date of the wedding — to two weeks later! I had no idea if Mike would check the invitation again before he printed them, but I was willing to bet he wouldn't. They'd already spent so much time on them.

As the weeks went by, I waited to see if my plan would work. RSVPs began pouring in, but nobody seemed to realise that everybody's wires were being crossed! I couldn't wait until they did, and for the fight to begin! But it never did: nobody ever caught on! I began to get nervous as I realised the wedding was, in fact, going to go ahead — and it would be ruined!

I'll never forget Mum's face when she realised, the night before the wedding, that all the guests who

I opened the invitation file and in 30 seconds, I had changed the date of the wedding — to two weeks later!

M

any women complain that the men in their lives are not faithful. While this may be partially true, it is also true that not all men cheat. Women are often clueless about the reason why men cheated. Men have insecurities and when they are not shown sufficient attention, or if they are emotionally or sexually dissatisfied, they may cheat. It is also true that some men cheat because they are always looking for excitement, but many men also choose commitment and faithfulness. If you show your man that he is the only one in your life, and take care of him, there are fewer chances that he will leave you for someone else. Women have not been successful in ridding men of such behavior, but some women can do it.

So how can you keep your man happy? Here are a few secrets to keep your man from straying.

Give him good love If a man knows that he will get attention and love at home, he will not be anxious to find it elsewhere. If you do this, you can expect him to do the same for you. Treat him with care and let him know that he is important.

Wedding Traditions

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 7

like HPV, which infects most sexually active individuals but cause disease in only a few has led to increased use of the term STI. Public health officials originally introduced the termsexually transmitted infection, which clinicians are increasingly using alongside the term sexually transmitted disease in order to distinguish it from the former.

STD may refer only to infections that are causing diseases, or it may be used more loosely as a synonym for STI. Most of the time, people do not know that they are infected with an STI until they are tested or start showing symptoms of disease.

Moreover, the term sexually transmissible disease is sometimes used since it is less restrictive in consideration of other factors or means of transmission. For instance, meningitis is transmissible by means of sexual contact but is not labeled as an STI because sexual contact is not the primary vector for the pathogens that cause meningitis. This discrepancy is addressed by the probability of infection by means other than sexual contact. In general, an STI is an infection that has a negligible probability of transmission by means other than sexual contact, but has a realistic means of transmission by sexual contact (more sophisticated means—blood transfusion, sharing of hypodermic needles—are not taken into account). Thus, one may presume that, if a person is infected with an STI, e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, it was transmitted to him/her by means of sexual contact.

Source: nwh.org; Wikipedia.

Nine ways to keep your man happy, faithful and satisfied

Let him know the consequences Don’t tell him that you will leave him, tell him you will do the same. No man would be able to accept a cheating wife.

Tell him how much you love him So you both married because you love each other. You pledged your love, too. But if you send him an SMS text or put a love note on the refrigerator, it will have a better effect.

Stealing the Groom's Shoes: India

I

t is possible to settle family scores in parts of India before the wedding even starts. While walking to the altar the groom is required to take off his shoes. This is a sign for battle to begin. Everyone from the groom’s side of the family

is expected to protect the shoe as the bride’s family tries to steal it. If you want to imagine the scene, think of a rugby match with 300 people on each team.

Courtesy: Irish Central.

Stay sexy It is possible that your man has lost interest because you have changed significantly—emotionally and physically. Sexual attraction is important in keeping a relationship alive. You do not have to look like a supermodel, but maintain your original shape.

Also, you must initiate sexual intercourse. The feeling that he is desired will make him love and want you more.

SATURDAY

Travel &Tourism SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2015

Chef's Corner

Chef Moyo's delightsome treats

Travel Personality

Trevor Ward: Govt should recognise the potential of tourism industry to create jobs p.41

Destination

A makeover for Agodi Resort p.42

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

39

HOSPITALITY

Jojein Hotels and Resort: Splendid service in nature's embrace with some of the best amenities for guests' comfort. The presidential suites enjoys a kingly setting with a living room, dining set, a bar, kitchenette, guests' toilet and three bedrooms – en suite. There are also Wi-fi services, complementary drinks and beverages, among other personalised services.

Proprietors spend to give their hospitality homes an idyllic look. But it comes naturally for Jojein Hotels and Resorts, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who was at the facility recently.

J

ojein Hotels and Resort located along Airport Road, Oba Ile, Akure, Ondo State has everything good going for it: remarkable scenery accentuated by the natural environment, undulating landscape against the backdrop of artistically crafted rocky range.

One of the things that easily attract a visitor to the resort is the massive and expansive outlay, and this inspires some curiosity in the visitor to explore this expansive landscape and even the structures equally fit into this mode exuding good spatial flow and beauty.

Walking through the glass door on this fateful day of visit, one’s imagination was excited by the symmetric flow of the massive interior lobby area, which accommodates different service sections.

This includes the reception, different waiting lounges, meeting area, restaurant and even a game area.

Not many hotels have this kind of easy flow and uncluttered interior. The few that boast these don’t have the high number of set up and activities which Jojein has built into its attractively set up scenery with some elements of artistry. Artworks, such as sculpted wooden pieces and paintings are thrown into the mix.

'Tunde Oguntonade, an easygoing young man, is the general manager of the resort. After exchange of pleasantries, the first thing he says about the hospitality home is that Jojein Hotels and Resort is not a hotel, per se, but a holiday resort.

Conference It's increasingly a preferred location also for conferences such as business seminars, religious retreats, workshops, training sessions and birthdays and parties.

There is a wide array to choose from: Gani Fawehinmi Hall that can seat over 1,000 people; Conference Hall seating about 100 people; Mini–Hall seating about 600 people. The biggest is the Convertible Hall, which can accommodate about 3, 000 people.

Facade of the hotel

One of the rooms

This appears to be the standard explanation of the general manager to everyone, describing in details the various facilities and services on offer and those elements that distinguish it from others. He also tells you that there is no other resort of such gigantic and eco–friendly nature as his in Akure and even the entire state.

He has a point there though.

Festive and holiday periods are the peak business periods for the resort and also amongst its high level clients are corporate bodies, high networth individuals and even the state government.

And with the resort a key

Leisure/entertainment This is where the resort actually measures up as a real holiday resort because of its array of leisure and entertainment facilities for all classes of people. The list includes a restaurant; swimming pool, grill hut, four bars consisting of the pool bar, VIP bar, lobby bar and the club bar, which could host private parties or exclusive soirée partner in any time of the day the Sunshine and its use is mostly State Getbased on request. away (SSG), a There is also a tourism packgame for children age to drive tourfitted with swings, Oguntonade ist traffic to the state bouncing castle and other to be launched by the state play amenities for the children, government soon, Oguntonade a mini zoo with animals such as is optimistic the fortunes of the ostrich, monkey, turtles and a varesort would receive a boost. riety of birds. While some of the entertainment activities include Accommodation ladies night on Wednesday, Jojein The resort has 74 rooms, from dancing salon on Friday night (it super deluxe, standard, classic, is a club session for the elite) and deluxe, studio to ambassadorial live band/DJ session at the poolsuite and presidential suite, all side on weekends and dedicated tastefully fitted and equipped events during festival seasons.

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS B E N E F I TS

FESTAC, LAGOS

ABA LAGOS

ABA

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

31 JANUARY 2015

CHEF'S CORNER

Chef Moyo's delightsome treats Zimbabwean–born chef and founder and director at Culinary Arts Academy in Harare, Tranos Moyo, shares the recipe of a specially-created menu with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA.

Gourmet Menu Hors d’ourvres Pear and sour cherries salad with chicken breast and honey Chicken breast in garden greens swirled with balsamic dressing.

Soup Lightly curried butternut soup with macadamia nuts and garlic pesto

Pear and Sour Cherries Salad Ingredients (serves for four persons) • 2 Chicken with skin • 2 Ripe Pears • Sour black cherry without bone 50g • Julienne celery .............. 50 g • Orange Peel ..................20g • Linden Honey...............20g • Basil................................20g • Coriander.........................2g • Lemon

1 • Apple Vinegar..............2ml • Olive oil.........................5ml • Salt and pepper

Entree Oven baked filleted Nyanga trout Doria Refreshing lemon sorbet Beef fillet steak, pan fried served with polenta, mirage of fresh vegetables, and red wine sauce Grilled pork medallion with chateau potatoes, and sweet and sour sauce Chocolate curd cake with Chantilly cream and fresh strawberries

Method • Cut the skin of the chicken breasts forming small rhombuses to them cook better.

• Season and cover with a little honey and store in the fridge for 15 minutes.

• Peel the pears and dice them, then put in a bowl with water and lemon.

Here's how it's done...Moyo and some of his students during a live cooking session

• Cut cherries or sour black cherries in rings.

• Blanch the orange zest and julienne celery.

• Heat the chicken i a non-stick pan, first on the side of the skin and then o the other side.

• Bake at 180 C to finish the cooking.

• Drain the pears and season with coriander, salt, pepper, oil.

Apple vinegar and sour black cherries.

• Make a base of pears in the middle of a dish with a pasta cutter.

• Put the celery, orange zest and finely the scallop of chicken breast on it.

Garnish with baked dried and sliced pears, sour black cherries and honey dressing Ingredients • Fish stock/ Cooking liquor – 2 litres • 1.8 kg- white fish bones- wash the bones

• • • • • • • • • •

100g - white leeks 100g - celery 50g – onions 100g – fennel 20g – garlic 30ml- olive oil 200ml – white wine 2 litres -cold water 10g – parsley 20g- lemon –sliced

Method • Cook the chopped vegetables and garlic for few minutes to soften but without colouring them.

• Add fish bones/or fish and white wine for 5 minutes without colouring • Add water, bring to the boil and skim well and the lemon and parsley, then simmer for 20 minutes.

Cool and Strain and use it as required.

Chocolate curd Cake Ingredients • 200g- chilled butter

• 250 – Cake flour • 50g – Icing sugar Method Rub together to form bread crumbs, press into 2 X 20 cm floured rings and bake blend at 200C until lightly brown.

Garnish with fresh cream, dust with icing sugar and cocco.

Ingredients • 500g – Cream cheese – strained to remove excess liquid • 500g – soft brown sugar • Vanilla essence • 50g Cocco powder • 8 eggs – split into 4 whole and 4 yolks Method • Beat the cream cheese slowly adding the sugar add the essence, cocco, 4 yolks and whole eggs.

• Whisk the 4 egg whites until stiff and fold into the above mixture.

• Fill the moulds and bake until set at 180 – 200 C.

TRAVEL BEATS

Gov Akpabio, Mbanefo, others win African Travel Times Magazine Tourism Awards African Travel Times, a monthly travel publication published and edited by one of Nigeria’s most widely travelled and award winning travel journalist, Lucky Onoriode George, has instituted a travel award in recognition of excellent and innovative performances by operators and institutions with the maiden award honouring a number of practitioners and organsiations.

According to him, awardees in the different categories would annually be selected and voted for by operators in the industry who understand the technicality and other issues involved in the industry rather than the public who lack the basic understanding and parameters for making such decision.

“Asking the travelling public that lack the technicality and experience of how the travel and tourism industry works to select the best

hotel, restaurant and even the best airline in an operating environment annually is wrong,” he said, insisting that it is this process that differentiates the new awards from others, as awardees will be selected by professionals in the various subsectors.

For the 2014 and the inaugural edition, the magazine is recognizing organisations and individuals that made giant strides in the industry.

“Based on the decision of our panel of experts, the following organisations and individuals emerged winners.”

The list of awardees includes: God is Good Motors - Best Emerging Transport Company in Nigeria; Eko Hotel & Suites - Most Supportive Travel and Tourism Organisation; Carnival Calabar - Best Domestic Tourism Product; ABC Transport Plc - Best Family Friendly Transport Company in Nigeria; Sally Mbanefo, Director General, Nigerian Tour-

Publisher, African Travel Times Magazine, Lucky Onoriode George, presenting ‘Tourism Personality’ 2014 Award to Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, in Abuja recently. ism Development Corporation (NTDC) - Tourism Personality of the Year; Gov. Godswill Akpabio - For Transforming Akwa Ibom State into an emerging Destination in Nigeria; Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt Most Resilient Performance Award in the Hospitality Industry.

George said that from this year, the awards ceremony will form part of

his publication’s annual travel and tourism dinner, an event that brings together industry practitioners, suppliers and related establishments.

The travel magazine, which debuted in 2011, has continued to garner increasing patronage and wide readership with its focus on Nigeria and Africa as well as the globe.

Harvest of awards for Abuja Sheraton FOR its excellent performances and contributions to the development of the society, awards have come the way of the hospitality home with the University of Benin, Student Union Government and the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Faraday Osasere, joining to vote the hotel as best in hospitality and outstanding quality in community engagement.

The hotel topped the category of best hospitality enterprises in the electronically – facebook and blog sites – conducted exercise between September 3 and 17, 2014.

The students also presented an award to the director of human resources of the hotel, Alhaji Shaibu Dauda, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development and empowerment of people.

Overwhelmed by this awards, the general manager of the hotel, Boris Bornman, described them as true reflection of the vision and commitment of the hotel to humanity. “The greater part of our goal this year was to dedicate ourselves to affecting lives positively via developing people. I am happy to say that we have achieved this and it is our pleasure to support humanity as well as put Nigeria on the map.’’

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31 JANUARY 2015

Travel & Tourism

41

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Trevor Ward: Govt should recognise the potential of tourism industry to create jobs Trevor Ward is the managing director of W Hospitality, a consultant and management firm, operating out of Lagos, Nigeria; he is widely travelled and with a vast experience in the travel industry, he speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on the scorecard of the industry in 2014 and what 2015 holds.

What is your assessment of the hospitality sector in 2014 and key indicators as to its performance?

2014 has not been as good as previous years. Both Abuja and Lagos were hit by actual, or the threat of, terror attacks and then by the Ebola crisis. Despite the fact that Nigeria had few actual cases of Ebola, unlike the tragedies in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, people stopped travelling to and within the country - they lacked confidence - for fear of the disease.

So hotels, which depended on people travelling for their rooms business, and restaurants and events centres also suffered, as people didn’t want to congregate where they might come into contact with an infected person. Whilst the risk was incredibly small, this was quite understandably human nature.

From around October, confidence returned, but not enough to compensate for the losses that were incurred previously.

What are your projections for 2015?

I believe we can be confident of a return to normality in 2015. The reasons for travelling to and within Nigeria are still there, the potential is huge. The election in February is likely to impact that month, as people return to their villages to vote. We must also be cautious about the reduction in oil price, which will mean lower spending by the oil and gas companies, but note that the sector is only about 15% of the economy, there are very many sectors that will continue to thrive, particularly services, including retail. Other possible clouds on the horizon are the weakness of the Eurozone, a major trading partner.

Cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt have continued to attract international brands and local hotel investors, why is this so and which are some of the cities you expect to attract more investors other than these two in 2015?

When you look at the last 10 years, Lagos had only Sheraton, Sofitel and Protea, they have been joined by InterContinental, Four Points, Best Western, Radisson Blu, Ibis and others. The international brands want to be in Lagos, and are actively courting investors.

Port Harcourt has fewer brands,

over the years?

In some places, mostly but not only in Lagos and Abuja, the industry has grown tremendously. Cross River State has tourism at the forefront of its agenda, and the opening of the Calabar International Convention Centre in early 2015 will be an incredible boost to the economy.

Ondo State also has an event centre opening in 2015, the Dome in Akure. These are the types of facilities that will boost domestic tourism, which has not been developed as well as it should have been.

The majority of so-called tourism attractions in Nigeria are actually unattractive, either because they don’t appeal to the market or, more often, have fallen into disrepair.

International leisure tourism is virtually non-existent, except for Nigerians in the Diaspora visiting friends and relatives.

Ward

which include Le Meridien and Best Western, but deals have been announced with Hilton and Radisson Blu to enter the market.

Other cities with brands coming up include Uyo (Hilton), Ikot Ekpene (Four Points), Makurdi, Asaba and Warri (Best Western) and Abeokuta (Park Inn). I expect to see activity in the near future in Kano, Ibadan, Enugu and others.

There are many cities in Nigeria that can sustain an internationally managed hotel.

Why is it that Abuja is not attracting international brands beside Sheraton and Hilton that have been there over the years?

There has been no lack of projects, and both Marriott and Carlson Rezidor have signed deals there, but they don’t seem to be progressing. In addition to the Hilton and the Sheraton, there are three Protea Hotels, and one Hawthorne Suites.

I know that many of the international chains want to be in Lagos and there are several deals which could be announced in 2015 - let’s hope those deals can come to fruition.

Lagos has released a list of its first ever grading and classification process for the hotels, what is your comment on this development?

This is a welcome initiative. I understand that a pilot programme is underway, which will lead to state wide implementation in due course.

Talking about pricing of Nigerian hotels and the level of patronage, is the market really there to sustain the number of hotels?

In many instances, particularly

BACKGROUND Trevor Ward is Managing Director, W Hospitality Group, Nigeria, Chairman, Hotel Partners Africa, Nigeria, Director, BDO Hospitality Consulting, Istanbul; highly experienced consultant with over 35 years’ experience and expertise in the global hotel, tourism and leisure industry. He has participated in and managed a wide range of consultancy projects, particularly in developing countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South America and Central Asia, and is considered to be one of the leading authorities on the African hotel industry.

In recognition of this, the W Hospitality Group was awarded the accolade of “Tourism Investment Adviser of the Year” at the inaugural Ai Tourism Investor Awards in 2008, and again in 2011.

Recognise the enormous potential of the tourism industry to create jobs, and then give it the resources it needs to develop

Lagos and Abuja, yes, the market is there, in some cases no; there is insufficient demand at the price required to make a return on investment. The economy of Lagos must be growing at least 10% annually, probably more, and as there is a direct correlation between Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and demand for hotel rooms from the corporate sector (which represents the majority of demand in the city), the demand must be growing at a similar rate. The opening of new hotels in Lagos has slowed to almost zero, so I don’t see much if any likelihood of over-supply.

What is your assessment of the Nigerian tourism industry in terms of its performance and development

Why do you think that despite our much talked about potential and attractions we are still unable to attract tourists to this country aside from business travellers?

Lack of serious attention given to the sector by the central government, lack of funding at both federal and state government levels (with notable exceptions such as Cross River State), and a lack of understanding of the sector on the part of those in charge.

What is your advice for the Nigerian government and the various operators to move the tourism industry forward?

Recognise the enormous potential of the tourism industry to create jobs, and then give it the resources it needs to develop. We hear so much about the government’s initiatives in the agriculture sector, and I applaud them, but we hear virtually nothing about what government is doing for tourism.

‘Tourism is life’ - What’s that supposed to mean? The message is ‘tourism is jobs, jobs, jobs.’

Tells about your W Hospitality in terms of its operations and progress over the years and what the future holds for the company?

We’ve grown in the past 12 years from it being just me, to a fantastic team of 10 professionals, working all over Africa on hotel project appraisals, operator selection and other assignments. In 2014, in addition to several locations in Nigeria, we worked in Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Cameroun, Angola, Uganda, Morocco, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia! I expect I missed a few, as well.

We seem to get busier and busier each year, and if our business is taken as a proxy for the growth of Africa’s hotel industry, in terms of new hotels opening, then we will witness good growth in the number of hotels on the continent.

We have just opened a representation office in Addis Ababa, a country we are very optimistic about, and a good base for our East African work.

42 Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

DESTINATION

A makeover for Agodi Resort SOLA ADEYEMO who witnessed the official launch announcing a collaboration to revamp the Agodi Gardens, Ibadan, last year writes on the new lease of life the tourist attraction would give the city's residents.

A Prolong

godi Gardens is as old as Ibadan, a rustic city built on the hills and eulogised by one of Nigerian foremost literary icons, Professor John Pepper Clark–Bekederemo, in one of his classic poem, Ibadan. It is reputed to be the second largest city in Africa. Besides, it holds a lot of attractions for the people and remains perhaps one of the glorious cities in Western Nigeria because of its ancient history with particular reference to its revered position and role played in the now defunct Oyo Empire.

Agodi Gardens, a sprawling eco– tourism enclave spanning about 62 hectares of lush vegetation with undulating and attractive plains, sandwiched between the state government secretariat and Premier Hotel, was once a top-rated tourism facility in the city, which attracted the high class and once served as playground for government officials, the high and mighty and those who appreciated its natural essence.

With its zoological garden – rich and abundant flora life, people trooped to the garden for solace. It was a first class garden for people to unwind and interact, especially during public holidays, festive periods and weekends. It was one place in the city that residents of Ibadan delighted in showing off and for visitors to the city it was a must see location. The import of this attraction wasn’t lost on the government who exercised proprietary right over it as no effort and resources were spared in the preservation and maintenance of the natural enclave to keep it in shape and make it a top notch in order for it to continue to attract the right patronage and interest while at the same time raking in revenue for the state government and the people of the city.

But down the line, the table turned as the gardens fell into bad management with the government abandoning its trust, estate and commitment to the garden and the people. With the abandonment and neglect, the people turned their attention elsewhere while mourning the sorry and decrepit state that their once befitting, historic and symbolic attraction has become.

The people accused successive governments of abandoning the public trust which the gardens represented. The once famous attraction was soon overgrown with weeds.

A new lease of life Not satisfied with this poor state of affair, the government of Oyo State last year decided to pay attention to the gardens with the aim of giving it a makeover and turning it once again to the number one tourist attraction that the garden was then.

For the governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the vision is to turn the natural attraction into a moneyspinning attraction for the state, as he envisioned it to net in N500 million revenue for the state annually. This is beside what the people of the city themselves would make from the attraction because of its economic potential and the economic activities that are expected to be generated from it.

Armed with this audacious ambition, the state government entered into partnership with a private firm, J. D. Capital, to transform it into a world class attraction fitted with multi-faceted facilities that would make it a full service garden.

With agreement signed between the government and the Mr. Makin Soyinka-led private developer firm, which interests cover infrastructure development, water transportation, prime real estate, entertainment/ tourism, oil and gas, marine and professional world class services, quietly mobilised to site to begin the renewal and transformation process of the old gardens.

With the first phase of the project achieved, the state government and the developer on December 14 last year put together a party to formally open for business and present the now transformed gardens to the public. It was a rich and colourful event, which was well-attended by officials of the state government and members of the public as well as the corporate community.

At the event, which was celebrated with fanfare, the state governor, Ajimobi, described the project as a dream come true, promising that it would generate N500 million to the state government coffers annually. According to the governor, his administration was motivated to embark on the reconstruction of the garden in view of its long years of neglect by successive administrations which had left the hitherto popular zoological gardens in a sorry state.

"Places like this are in South Africa, Dubai and other countries. This is what we want to recreate in Oyo State. We want people to come here from all over the world and enjoy themselves in a world-class hospi-

Entrance to the garden

Swimming pool area

Walk way

tality centre," the governor said, adding that ‘‘this is the best form of stomach infrastructure for the people of the state."

The governor also said the project forms an integer part of the restoration, transformation and repositioning agenda of his administration and that it is also a part of the pyramid of development in the state.

On its part, J. D. Capital, represented by its head, Makin Soyinka, said the reconstruction of the gardens into a resort centre was a confirmation of the clarity and vision of the Ajimobi administration in the area of infrastructural development

and tourism. He also commended the governor for his passion, which he said has brought about the development and growth of the state to the level it has reached today.

He described the project as marking the beginning of the journey to rejuvenation and restoration of the prime attraction, which he said would henceforth put the city on the global tourism space again. "Once upon a time, Ibadan was clearly on the world stage, the second largest city in Africa through the legacies of a legend of our time Papa Obafemi Awolowo, Cocoa House, first television station in Africa, free educa-

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

Travel & Tourism 43 lake and the natural landscape."

To achieve this perfect finish resort, he said corporate businesses and institutional investors would be needed.

Therefore, he urged corporate organisations, especially businesses within Oyo State, to help make the project a reality, "so we can all be part of writing the history in Oyo State. We need their support through sponsorships and partnerships. Your Excellency sir, we also use this medium to ask that you use your esteemed office to ensure corporate support and work with J.D. Capital to deliver on this elevated dream and vision," he said.

For the state Commissioner for Tourism, who has supervisory role over the project, Mrs. Adetutu AigbeAdeyemi, the project would enhance the cultural, economic and social activities of the people of the state with its re-enactment of the enviable dreams of the founding fathers of Yoruba land, like Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Children's playground

tion in Western Region and many more were the story of Ibadan," he recalled.

"Agodi Gardens was also a historical landmark but like most other things, did we lose this prime spot in Africa? Yes, it is now history. What has now happened? Our amiable, visionary, charismatic, hardworking decisive, people’s gomina has jumpstarted the process of placing Ibadan back on the global space.

The journey to the rejuvenation of our ancient and historic city, the rustic city of Ibadan, is clearly exemplified through what His Excellency has done with Agodi Gardens. It is a clear testament of the clarity of vision and purposeful leader-

ship of a great leader of our time. This dream and vision must not die or suffer any setback, rather must be celebrated and supported to ensure it goes to the next level," declared Soyinka.

"This is where J. D. Capital comes in to partner through the PPP structure to support the governor and people of Oyo State to bring the dream and vision to fruition. J. D. Capital is a multidisciplinary group of companies focused on infrastructure development, water transportation, prime real estate, entertainment/tourism, oil and gas, marine and professional world class services."

He also spoke on the renaming of

the garden which he said was part of the restoration and rebranding of the garden: ‘‘The first step in this rebirth process is the rebranding and creation of a brand identity for the garden. This has commenced with the renaming of Agodi Gardens to Agodi Resort and Conferences. ‘‘Why the new name anybody may ask. It is because the name needs to communicate the audaciousness of the dream. A clear evidence that we walk our talk: as we are all seated amid this fantastic display of lights, visually delightful scenery and action-packed fun and games arena for the children," he told the crowd of that witnessed the lighting of the Christmas tree, last month, performed by the country's first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Folake Solanke.

Facilities The garden, which has now become a very busy spot since last year when it opened to the public, is a lush and inviting green environment, eco– tourism friendly and lends itself to a savoury experience of nature at its best for anyone visiting. Among the amenities operational in the first phase is a swimming pool, children’s play ground with a number of swings and other facilities as well as horses, a zoological garden section, mini conference centre, restaurant, walk way lake, and a garden park with rich flora.

The grounds are well lit and fitted with chandeliers, which at night and during celebration at the resort, gives it a different colouration as the entire resort and its environs are flooded with bright and colourful lights.

Speaking on the second phase of the project, Soyinka said his company's focus between 18 and 36 months is to "transform Agodi Resort and Conference to a world class facility with 21st century eco-friendly type architecture, featuring an international conference centre with 1,000 sitting capacity on 8,000sq metres space with parking space for 300 cars. World class eco-friendly villas and different styled accommodation types with lease options and also to be used as the first ever time-share property in the country."

Furthermore, he revealed that "we are going to develop and maintain other recreational facilities within the resort such as the canopy walk, zoo and events centre to attract high profile destination events, such as weddings, concerts and many more. We shall build and maintain a standard golf range and a 3-hole back-to-back golf course overseeing the man-made

Festive occasion In choosing to open the resort in December, the government and the developer obviously made a fitting choice, as it was a beehive of activities all through the Yelutide period with both residents and visitors to the city spending most of their time at the resort to experience what many visitors described as one of the most rich and memorable celebrations of the year.

The operators of the resort and other event planners latched on to the new fervour and passion to host different colourful events at the resort.

One of the highlights was an international musical concert, which featured a number of international and Nigerian artistes who are the rave of the moment. The list included South Africa star, Mafikizolo and Nigeria’s trio of Tiwa Savage, Olamide and Wizkid.

Endnote With the new facility, a new flavour and vitality has been added to the tourism market of Ibadan and Oyo State in general. The people of the city appear happy with this development and are enjoying the new atmosphere and the excitement it has generated.

But the question on every lip is how far will the government and the private developer go with this audacious project?

The onus, the people say, is on the government to prove how sincere it is with this project, hoping that it would not go the way of other projects if in the shortest possible time the government is unable to rake in the huge money it has projected (N500 million) to earn yearly or not able to recoup the money it has invested in getting it off the ground to the level it is today.

One thing it must note and quickly too, is that tourism project of any kind is capital intensive and has a long gestation period. The government must be willing to wait for the project to reach it maturity level and most importantly, the private developer must see it as a business and not mere government patronage and run it as a business concern, especially as a tourism business, which has it fundamentals and elements.

Therefore, the private developer must learn the ropes by educating itself on how to manage a project of this nature and also strive to employ the right calibre of personnel who have the experience and knowledge required to manage the project. This is a testy venture, therefore, the government must take itself out of the picture and allow the private developer to run the project based on agreed terms of contract.

The people are watching and hoping that this historic project would not suffer a reversal in the days ahead.

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

Y

aws n Myn is a hilarious and educative sitcom that tracks the dysfunctional life of popular onair-personality and comedian, Steve Onu better known as Yaw and his two younger siblings, Raluchukwu and Chetachukwu.

Life was normal for Yaw until his parents left Nigeria to work in America, hence, leaving him to take care of his two grown up siblings. While Ral as he is fondly called sees himself as a great rapper, he is seen in the house as constituting a nuisance. He is not a focused man and so creates problems for Yaw all the time. Yaw does not support Ral’s singing career because he feels he is just wasting his time and should find something better to do with his life.

Then for beautiful Cheta, who cannot cook, finds pleasure spending so much time in front of the mirror admiring herself. Also thrown into the mix are their weird tenant and his wife, who they sublet one of their rooms to. They also have their grandmother who visits them occasionally and speaks just Igbo language. She does not care if they understand what she is saying or not. She even speaks Igbo to the gateman convinced that he understands her.

Finally, they have their Hausa gateman, a retired soldier, who tries to teach them discipline when they go out of line.

In the last episode titled, ‘Rap Artiste’, Biggy, Yaw and Ral’s relation came to spend some time with them. Biggy is on the fat side; hence, he does exercises every morning after which he settles down to a bowl of ice cream, bread, peppered chicken, juice, banana and roasted corn. When Yaw confronted him about his eating habit, he stated that the fact that he wants to shed weight, does not mean that he should not eat. In a space of days, their pantry was empty because of Biggy’s eating habit.

When Yaw could not handle Biggy’s eating habit anymore, he held a meeting with Ral and Martha their cousin who also came to spend some time with them from Port Harcourt. It was concluded at the meeting that Martha should always lock the pantry as well as keep the pot of soup she was cooking at the moment. Almost immediately, Biggy walked in holding a big bowl of eba and soup bowl and asked Martha to come and dish out some food for him. They were all perplexed at his sight especially the way he pushed

18

This weekend TELEVISION

GALAXY TV LAGOS

OGTV

6.00 Real Woman 6.30 Tropical Paradise 7.00 News 7.30 Squatterz 8:00 House 22 8:30 Nollywod English 10:00 News 11.00 Primetime Africa Sunday 8:00 Cartoon 8.30 Nollywood Yoruba 10.00 The Rave 10.30 Celebrity Zone 11.00 Reel Nollywood 11.30 Woman 2 Woman 12.00 Galaxy Party Time 1:00 NTFS 1:30 Solid Entertainment 2.00 Hour of salvation 2:30 Dawn in the Creeks 3.00 Democracy and the rule of law 5.00 Tropical Paradise 6.00 Destiny River 7.00 News 7.30 Beyond Doubts 8.00 Inspire Dot All 8:30 Nollywood English 9.00 Nollywood English 10.00 News 11:10 Movie

5:00 Asiri Ihinrere 7:00 Agbara Jesu Wa Sibe 7:30 Beautiful Liar 8:00 News 8:30 Missioner On The Move 9:00 Akoko Irapada 10:00 Midnight Cry 10:30 Ipile Aye By Elebuibon

Saturday 7:30 Two Faces 8:30 Movie 10:00 Sport Edge 11:00 Cow Belles 1:00 Ile Alayo 1.30 Editors Forum 2.30 Campus 360 4:00 Nollywood English 5.00 Destiny River

Yaw, Esoro and Funny Bone

Yaws unveiled

out his big stomach.

After eating, excited Ral told Biggy at the backyard that he wants to remix his rap song because he believes in his music career. So, they began to rehearse with the promise that Biggy will be his backup singer which he agreed to. A few minutes later, Danjuma the gateman interrupted their rehearsal with the flimsy excuse that he has been trying to make a phone call but the network has been busy. He added that it was caused by the noise they were making in the name of singing. Infuriated, they both asked him to leave their presence.

They hoped to continue the rehearsal after the minor disruption from Danujuma but instead Ral was disappointed to hear Biggy say that he cannot continue because his energy has already been

sapped with the little they had done so he is hungry again and that instantly ended the rehearsal without achieving any result.

The 30 minutes weekly sitcom presents unending drama and a life time laughs as every episode presents a unique situation. Sometimes, it also features other known and talented Nigerian actors who come in as grandmother, cousins, friends, girlfriend and aunt. Also, scenes are not limited to the house and the opening montage is colourful.

Raluchukwu is played by Stanley ‘Funny Bone’ Chibunna while Lilian Esoro played Chetachukwu. Yaws n Myn is produced by Yaw and it airs every Tuesday on Television Continental (TVC) at 8:30pm.

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

O

LabbizzyJoJo

molabake Shobulo populaly known as LabbizzyJoJo was born to a Togolese mother and Nigerian father.

She graduated as an industrialist and joined Rainbow 94.1FM in 2012.

Then she proceeded to the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria to acquire more skills in broadcasting.

Labbizzy fell in love

with the media, especially newscasting from childhood and would always mimic newscasters on different television stations even as she aspired to become one someday. Today, she presents ‘E Concern Me’ on Rainbow FM. Ask what her favorite food is, she says amala, gbegiri and ewedu with LabbizzyJoJo fresh fish.

Programme summary

Beautiful Liars

Turning Point

Sport Edge

It is a soap opera which portrays the lives of the wealthy, while embracing the greed, glamour and excesses of the affluent Nigerian.

Turning point is a Christian programme that teaches morality and the ways of Jesus Christ through preaching, testimonies, interviews and seminars.

Sport Edge presented by Tolu Shotade is a sports programme that daily updates listeners with the latest in the world of sport around the world.

AIT Saturday @ 10:30 pm

SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2015

Channels Sunday @ 8:30 am

Inspiration FM Mon to Fri @ 7:30

EKO FM

Saturday 8:00 Royal Ladies/From The House 10:30 Agbeyewo Irohin 11:00 Treasure Hunt 12:00 Mid Day News/Linlin 12:30 Inside Out With Agatha 2:00 Oro Igbala 2:30 Trip Learn 4:00 Idahosa & You 5:00 Winning Ways 5:30 Arambara 6:00 Ayedaade 7:00 Together 7:30 Voice Of Victory 8:00 News 8:30 Social & Community New 9:30 I Just Came Back 10:30 Getting Real With Phina 11:00 Asa Sunday 7:00 Am News 8:00 Glory To Glory 10:00 News For The Deaf/Drama 12:00 News/Linlin 12:30 Govt On The Move 2:00 Ise Ilu 2:30 The New Realm 4:00 Civillian Barracks

RADIO

Saturday 08:30 Weekenders Sport 10:15 Music Mix 11:00 Eve 12:00 News Summary 2:00 News Update 2:10 Familiar stranger 3:00 Top Ten Countdown 5:00 National News 5:15 MFM Hour 6:00 Youth mag 7:10 Voice of wisdom 9:00 World news 10:00 Radio party

Sunday 7:35 Window on the world 8:10 Tunes This Sunday 10:15 Music 12:05 Having You In Mind 2:00 News Update 2:15 Passing Glance 3:05 Rhumba Jamz 4:00 Music 5:10 Make It Happen 7:00 African news 8:00 Kingdom Life Half Hour 8:30 Sunday Night At The Organ 9:10 Something for Singles

Independent radio 92.3 FM (Benin) Saturday 7.00 Network News 8:30 Life Na Sense 10.05 Sports Ville 10.30 Politics Today (Live) 11.30 One Thing At A Time 12:00 News at Noon 3.00 World News Update 4.00 Network News 4.30 Okuneyeku (Igbanke) 5.00 Saturday Sports Fiesta 9:00 Party On 92.3 10.00 Network News 10.35 Guys Are Talking

Sunday 7.00 Network News 7.30 Papers Review 9.00 Sunday Morning Drive 11.05 Hearts to Heart 12.00 News at Noon 1.30 People Talk To People 3.00 News in Pidgin 5.30 I Salute Una 6.20 Ahenmwenmwan 7.00 Radio Express 9.00 Praise & Worship 10.00 Network News 10.35 Rock Me Slowly

SATURDAY, 31 JANUARY, 2015

SATURDAY

Politics 45

Cover

General Danjuma takes the battle to ex-militants p.47

right to vote, second to right to life, says odinkalu

Milestones

Auntie Elsie Ibru, 25 years after p.52

Perspective

If I were a politician… p.54

Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu is the Chairman, Governing Council of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In this interview with YEKEEN NURUDEEN and AMADI NNAMDI he says Nigeria and Nigerians are facing the most competitive elections in the history of the country. He argues it is hard to say who will win the presidential election between Presidential Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria has evolved beyond knowing who wins in such contest unlike previous elections.

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Describe human right protection in Nigeria in this era of democracy compared to the military era in view of the fact that some school of thoughts are accusing this present government of complacency in several human rights violations?

There is a fundamental difference between a government that claims electoral legitimacy and military rule. Military rule clearly is a government that does not claim electoral legitimacy. The difference is the fact that the constitutive instrument of a government that claims electoral legitimacy is itself the exercise of rights. The right to vote is second to right of life in my books in terms of significance. The right to choose who governs you is not a right you are entitled to under military rule. That is the underlying difference and because of that I don't think there is any basis of comparison between military rule and civilian rule. The other thing of course is that in terms of the underlying philosophy, reasoning and rationale of coexistence any rights you enjoy under military rule because the government fundamentally lacks legitimacy and indeed privileges are not rights, they are things that the military donate to you in their discretion, they are not rights per say. The rights you enjoy under civil rule are entitlements because you are part of constituting the government that protects them. That is a fundamental difference; there is no basis for comparison.

My generation is the last generation that saw

military rule in its full majesty. We experienced all of military rule with the interregnum of the Shagari regime, so nobody can convince me about military rule at all. We are the generation that were exiled for protesting the annulment of June 12 election.

Sixteen years of elective government, to what extent will you say government has upheld the fundamental of Human rights of Nigerian citizens?

Every society is imperfect and every generation is imperfect and in many ways life is a process of perfecting those imperfections. Nearly 16 years of civil rule, we have faced challenges but for the fact that we are still experimenting and trying itself is a progress. I now like to tell those who ask me that the fact that people fear that this elections will descend into a something we cannot manage is the biggest proof you have that Nigeria has made serious progress, believe it or not.

Now you see, in 1999, 2003, 2007 elections even 2011, we knew who would win. Today you cannot say this person will win this election hands down. At those elections there was only one party that was capable of winning because it commanded nationwide following.

All the other parties were spotty across the country. Today we have at least two parties that can say they have nationwide following.

And those elections we did not have opposition that could put government under the couch.

Today we have an opposition that indeed in all likelihood controls at least one chamber of the National Assembly and has lots of Governors now it cam claim. In 2007 Professor Maurice Iwu announced results without collation having been done in up to 14 states when you need to have done collation in at least in 24 states to know the winner of the election. Today, that will not happen. So what has that now led to?

We are now at the most competitive election in our history. That is why people are saying we are going to have problems because we have never had election like this. We have never had elections where you have more than one party that could win, where you have more than one party that was strong. So people fear that our institutions cannot supervise this election.

Obviously we have got the slight problem of the situation in the North East but besides that, this is really what it is about. It is a proof that elective government is evolving positively in Nigeria. I don't want to sugar coat the story and tell you everything is okay. It isn’t. We have a problem with violence. That is a characteristic of most post-authoritarian states because the institutions of states some how collapse after authoritarianism. They are not able to deal with freedom, that's what we got. Okay we have got insurgency in the North East. We are a country cannot count people, money or votes. We still have problems with organizing elections CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

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‘You can't compare military rule with democracy' C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 5

although we got better in 2011. For instance, we are now in a situation where we have fewer voters now than we initially had in 2011.

Then we had 73 million voters on roll. Today we have about 68.3 million voters or there about. So we still got those incongruities that we have to iron out. We still have issue of extrajudicial killings. We have got court systems that are shutdown in Rivers state and indeed across the country with the strike of judicial workers, so there are issues. Pensioners are in trouble, the hydro-carbon sector is still polluting places. There are lots of issues but if you don't have a government that works you don't even stand a snowball chance of being able to fix it.

Is 16 years not enough for us to have gotten it right after experimenting?

No. Sixteen years obviously is not enough if countries that have been practicing elective governance are still struggling after two centuries.

Sixteen years cannot be enough. I am not trying to grant Nigeria a safe pass. Look when the military destroy elective government, the one thing they do is that they destroy the legislature and the legislature really is the combustion room of elective government. That is the place where we have the people who are closest to the electorate. That is why every legislator goes to the legislature with electoral legitimacy. Every legislator is a principal. The military destroys the checks that create the balances that underpin elective government.

Now if you look at our constitutional history therefore, the longest serving legislator until this year was General Abacha. Do you know that General Abacha was a legislator in Nigeria since December 31st, 1983 until his death because he was continuously throughout that period a member of the Supreme Military Council which was the supreme legislative body in Nigeria? It is only this year that David Mark has overtaken him as the longest serving legislator in the country because he has served four terms in the Senate. Now that on its own tells you something that the memory of law making and civilian governance, the institutional memory of working the institutions of government wasn't there and when you don't have that institutional memory, when you have those breaks, you are not able to sustain a culture and that is a problem. So this is a first time in 16 years that we are been able to sustain the culture.

There are difficulties of course. There are cleavages and constraints that we are not able to manage. There is a fact that every parliamentary term has a vast turn over of parliamentarians so that you are not able to fix it because of the nature of the Nigerian system but at least we are experimenting, we are processing these things and somehow we are making tortured progress, but progress nevertheless.

Do you think INEC is really prepared for a credible general election based on what we have seen so far?

I hope they are. I can vouch for the Chairman of INEC Attahiru Jega, I can vouch for Augusta Ogakwun who is the Secretary of INEC. I know both of them very well. I have worked with them. Augusta was my senior

Odinkalu

in school and I have known Attahiru for about 25 years. I vouch for their integrity, passion and commitment to the country and to doing things right.

I also know that in INEC you've got people who have a long memory and history of not doing things right.

Who have been privy to organizing elections improperly. My hope is that under proper leadership they can do the right thing. Attahiru showed in 2011 that INEC could make progress.

So in 2007, 86 per cent of the elections ended up in court. In 2011, only 51 per cent ended up in court. That was a reduction by 31 per cent of the number of election petitions we had. That is a mark of remarkable progress.

So I will like to give INEC benefit of doubt, let's just keep hoping. That doesn't mean there are no problems.

The PVC problem in my view is at the back. I don't think that being in a situation in which with a roll of about 68 and a bit million voters we are in a situation in which only 38 million have PVCs and we have 30 million voters without PVCs and to whom we have to get 30 million PVCs in 30 days. I don't think that is acceptable.

I think the IDPs problem should have been foreseeable and foreseen and we should have had plans to manage the IDPs. In mitigation I have got to say that INEC is not the primary manager of IDPs. That is a problem for NEMA and Refugees Commission and maybe the National Security Advisers office, should have had a plan worked into which INEC could have adopted. I don't think it is fair to saddle the problem on INEC but that is there now and INEC has got to find a way to manage it on top of having to organize elections. So that problem was foreseeable and fixable.

That is also another issue. The card reader issue, I'm not sure the card readers have been tested under operating condition. If they have not been tested under operating condition the assumption is that perhaps a significant number may fail on the election

day and therefore what is the back up plan. So there are some of these details about which the country needs better reassurances and communication from INEC and I think better strategic communication from INEC would help the country.

Do you foresee a very clear cut victory for any of the two popular presidential candidates at the election?

I like to hope and wish to be a lot of things but Babalawo is not one of them. I’m sure that hopefully the votes would be cast and hopefully the votes would be counted and let the will of the Nigerian people prevail.

I’m comfortable with whatever Nigerian people choose.

I’m comfortable with whatever Nigerian people choose

My question is, do you see Party A or B having a clear cut or wide margin victory?

The rules are clear; the constitution is very clear on how you win.

They need to fulfil two requirements; they need to have the highest number of vote cast and they need to have achieved 25 per cent of the vote cast in at least two third of the country. today we are no longer dealing with the arithmetic of 12 2/3 we are dealing with 24 which is two third of 36 states. Whoever gets it according to the will of the people let them win.

Now, if your question is do I foresee a situation in which either of the candidate would be able to fulfil these requirements, I hope so.

Is it going to be an easy win?

Well, easy or not, if it were going to be easy people would not have to campaign. The reasons you have campaigns is that elections are never easy and that’s why you have people going from state never sleeping, doing meetings at 3am. That is it.

At a recent youth forum you raised the fear of this next month election

being beset by mass disenfranchisement, do you still have this fear?

I just told you that we a situation where we have 30 million voters who are not yet with PVCs and we are proposing to distribute 30 million PVCs in 30 days. That is problematic. I do not necessarily think that we have the capacity to do that the way we are currently configured.

That is my personal view. I suspect that some of those 30 million if not a significant number may end up without having access to the PVC. It means that they cannot vote. That does not mean that they cannot be relevant in some other forms in protecting mandate, encouraging people to vote, voters education and things like that but in terms of actual voting that's a problem.

When you add that number on roll plus the number of people who have turned 18 since 2011 who have not been able to register, plus the number of those who have been displaced and those who are formally displaced plus those who have informally migrated and therefore have lost access to their places of registration: my sense is that we have a significant number of people who will for reasons independent of the exercise of their will not be able to vote in the elections next month. And that in my view adds up to a statistically and demographically significant population that will be disenfranchised.

Let us talk about the enforcement of fundamental human rights in the country. The British government said it was unable to render any military assistance to Nigeria due to the human right abuse record of Nigerian Army. How is NHRC able to cope with this reality?

Which reality? What the British says or what our Military are alleged to or both? How am I supposed to cope with that or am I not supposed to cope with that? These are allegations by the people and I'm sure and like to hope that when the people are called upon they can substantiate the allegations. The most I can do is what is within my brief and I can’t comment on other people's decision.

Are you saying no complaint has come to you formally with regards to human rights abuse by the military?

I'm sure that you saw or heard of our report about Baga 2013.

You saw or heard of our report and decision on Apo killing. We have taken our decision, they are seeking judicial review. But the judge has the case himself so we are where we were before. How they went to court, how I'm quite comfortable with the decision and I'm happy for whoever won. It is a right by the way of people to seek judicial review. I would like to think we actually did the Nigerian state a service: an invaluable service. That's the commission. It showed courage and clarity by doing that. But I'm happy for people to challenge that to the extent of their rights. We have several other complaints pending. Honestly I can’t talk about complaints that are pending or that have not been completed. In times like these I don’t think it is entirely unforeseen or foreseeable that there should be complaints against security and uniform agencies.

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When the General takes the battle to ex-militants

Former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, has called for the arrest of ex-Niger Delta militants for making inciting comments but the ex-militants accused him of playing to the gallery, WAHEED BAKARE writes.

S

hortly after he was conferred with the traditional title of Jarmai Zazzau by the Emir of Zazzau on June 22, 2013, former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma, came hard on the leadership of the country for what he described as the near collapse of all sectors of the economy and the security challenges occasioned by the terrorists attacks in the North-East.

Although the occasion was expected to be a celebratory one in which the General’s friends, associates and families came to felicitate with him for adding another feather to his cap, Danjuma rather used the event to release his pent-up emotion and frustration against the leadership which he believes has done little or nothing to bridge the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

“I have taken many risks in my life for the sake of Nigeria and at the age of 75, I thought I have paid my dues. I just wanted to spend the rest of my life in quiet retirement, leaving the public arena for a new generation of leaders to improve on the modest achievements of my generation,” he said.

For a General who is not known to be garrulous, his Zazzau speech stirred up a hornets’ nest among the populace and shook the government of President Goodluck Jonathan even though the government played it down.

To show the importance that the government attached to the General’s speech, President Goodluck Jonathan summoned Danjuma to a closed-door meeting in Abuja less than 24 hours after he had described the economy as in tatters and warned the nation of the dire consequences of inertia on the part of the government to tackle the security challenge in the North-East.

Although details of the meeting, which a Presidency source described as one-on-one were not revealed, observers expressed no doubt that it was connected with Danjuma’s criticism and an indication that the government was ill at ease with the General’s position.

Since then, the General had returned to his quiet retirement. But on Wednesday, Danjuma took a verbal swipe on some ex-Niger Delta militants for making incendiary remarks capable of plunging the country into war.

The ex-militants including Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, Chief Government Ekpemupolo otherwise known by the sobriquet Tompolo, had drawn the ire of the General for threatening violence and the breakup of Nigeria should President Goodluck Jonathan lose next month’s presidential election.

At a meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, last weekend, which had in attendance Governor Seriake Dickson,

and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, the ex-militants said anything short of Jonathan’s victory would be unacceptable.

But the General wondered why such inciting and “reckless” statement was made and advised security agents to arrest them.

Danjuma, who spoke in Kano, observed that for a country passing through turbulence such inciting statement could further heat up the polity.

He said: “You should arrest AsariDokubo, Tompolo, Boyloaf and other Niger Delta militants for making reckless statements, which in any way do not mean keeping Nigeria as one entity and creating a war situation.”

He warned that no individual or group of individual could be bigger than Nigeria even if such people had found favour with the power that be.

“This kind of people, whoever they are, they should be arrested and prosecuted because their unguarded statements are so irresponsible that it might create serious tension among the Nigerian ethnic nationalities,” he stated.

Not done, Danjuma expressed his displeasure at the way and manner politicians are attacking one another during their campaigns without dwelling much on issues that would endear them to the electorate. He warned that unless the politicians retrace their steps on time, their utterances were invitation to anarchy.

He said: “Politicians should guard against making inciting statements that are capable of putting this country into serious trouble all in the name of campaigning.

“There should be also continuity in governance; where somebody stops, the next person should continue because even as a minister, the next person in the same government

Tompolo

Danjuma

If they slice our throat, we are going to slice their throat. They stoned the president, you will hear from us

Asari-Dokubo

wants to create his own programme and agendas.”

However, Tompolo, in a swift reaction advised Danjuma to keep his advice to himself and dismissed with a wave of hand the General’s call for the arrest of the ex-militants.

Tompolo, who spoke through his spokesman, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, told Saturday New Telegraph in an interview that Danjuma’s position amounted to double standard and wondered where the General was when some Northern leaders made a similar threat in the past.

He said: “Where was this Nigerian statesman when the former finance minister, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable if the president defeated the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari?

Where was this Nigerian when Dr. Junaid Muhammed made a similar statement that the North will go to war if power did not return to the Northern region? Where was this so-called Nigerian leader when former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar, former head of state, Buhari, all said in separate interviews that the nation will boil if Jonathan won re-election in 2011?

“We have no apologies for our stand. The nation called Nigeria belongs to us all and no one can intimidate and cow us out of this race. We are prepared to defend our lawful

votes on February 14.”

Prior to the ex-militants’ meeting in Yenagoa, Asari-Dokubo, had on January 21 warned that the All Progressives Congress’ convoy would be attacked whenever it visits the Niger Delta.

He said such reprisal would be a reaction to the attack on President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy during a campaign in Katsina, the Katsina State capital and Bauchi State.

Asari-Dokubo told reporters in Abuja that Jonathan’s kinsmen in the Niger Delta would not overlook the impudent attack on the president’s convoy, saying such would checkmate the irate youths in the North who had penchant for stirring election violence.

The ex-militant warlord said there was no basis for the President to have entered into the Abuja peace accord with the APC presidential candidate, Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and 12 others. In his view, the oath taken by the president to protect lives and property and to abide by the constitution supersedes such an accord.

He said: “There is an established pattern of pre and post-election violence in the North. In the '50s when the late Awolowo was campaigning in the North, he went with helicopters and he was mocked. People said he was flying over the houses and peeping at their wives.

“For every action, there will be an opposite and equal reaction. I knew that the signing of the accord was useless and it is a pity that the president subjected himself to sign such an accord. For me, it was out of place for a president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of a country. But the president is a humble person.

“So what happened in Katsina State is not a surprise. But don’t be surprised. We are putting the world on notice that they have started first.

When we reply, let nobody talk because we are going to reply. We did not sign any accord with them. They did not sign.

“Everybody should be bold enough to tell them that the rules of the game have changed. If they slice our throat, we are going to slice their throat. They stoned the president, you will hear from us. That’s the answer. We are going to respond disproportionately.”

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In Delta, fear of Tompolo is the beginning of wisdom In Delta State, a mystique woven around the former militant warlord, including the alleged capture of some journalists, conjure fear around Mr Government Ekpemulo, DOMINIC ADEWOLE reports from Asaba.

Who is Tompolo?

Like his name suggests, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo bestrides Delta State like a government with his name speaking for itself. He is a factor to be reckoned with, both in the politics of the state and the government of the day. Since he embraced the amnesty deal offered by late President Musa Yar’Adua’s administration over eight years ago, Tompolo has successfully carved a niche for himself.

The role he played in the just-concluded local government polls in the state and the primary elections of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state reaffirmed unequivocally the political hegemony of former governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori even during his moments of supposed adversity in far-away United Kingdom.

The political humiliation of Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan, aptly demonstrated in the failure of his candidate, by forces loyal to the former governor, including the former warlord, re-affirm this new political reality in the Big Heart.

Militant Tendency Between 2005 and 2009, the ex-warlord and his gang held the country to ransom, threatening to shut down oil exploration and exploitation from the creeks, more or less shutting down all facets of Nigeria’s economy which is what shutting down oil production activities would have amounted to. They were not only involved in the bombardment of oil facilities, several foreign oil workers were kidnapped, even as some disappeared in transit while the siege lasted, forcing international communities to withdraw and warn their citizens against working or partnering with Nigeria.

The militants demanded a fair share of the oil exploration proceeds in the Niger Delta region and adequate compensation for the large-scale devastation and degradation of host communities.The predicament forced late President Yar’Adua to hurriedly offer an amnesty for repentant militants who laid down their arms. The deal brought out many of Tompolo ‘boys’ from their hideouts in the creeks, but only on principle, not out of pressure or fear from the federal government. At least, that is the tale the ex-militants love.

Presidential Appointment He soon caught the attention of the Presidency and after the demise of President Yar’Adua, was commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan to man surveillance in the waterways against unwholesome activities of sea pirates. That controversial commission shot up Tompolo’s profile, making him a close ally of

President Jonathan.

Rejected by his ‘boys’ Enraged that he allegedly forgot his roots in a hurry, his ‘boys in the struggle’ who also joined him to surrender their arms between 2007 and 2008, became angry and accused him of ego-centricism and abandoning them after he secured the FG contract. Under various bodies and in several protest letters, his ‘boys’ urged President Jonathan to relieve him of the appointment, allegedly because he no longer represented his constituency.

The warned that failure to do this risked their resumption of armed militancy.

Involvement in the $16b Gas City crisis The last is yet to be heard about the crisis that erupted over the proposed $16 billion gas city project between the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities of Delta state. It was obvious that Tompolo’s vaulting influence allegedly spun dangerously after the relocation of the project from Koko, an Ijaw locality to Ogidigben, an Itsekiri axis of the state from where Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan hails.

President Jonathan was accused of partisanship in the relocation of the project because Governor Uduaghan is his close ally.

The Governor lamented this new twist in the matter: “I find it very unfortunate and objectionable that the President was accused of partisanship and has been asked to resign.

If the President has no love for Delta State, he would not have visited Delta State at least twice this year to inaugurate two projects in that part of the state. It shows he loves Delta State”. No fewer than 10 persons were killed in the mayhem that greeted the project’s initial relocation.

According to Uduaghan, the project was relocated to its present site at Ogidigben because of the favourable shallow waters at the initial location in Koko, stressing that Mr. President had no ulterior motive.

“This is a $16 billion project which was approved by Mr. President to be located in Delta State, the initial place the project was to be located was Koko but, because of the need for a deep sea port, it was relocated to Ogidigben.

“Let us join hands together peacefully to ensure that the project takes off as everybody will benefit from it irrespective tribe, I want to appeal to everybody to put aside our differences and ensure that the project takes off as investors are waiting, let us not use our hands to drive away investors.”

Till date, the politics surrounding the project has boxed President Jonathan into a tight corner, such that the President quashed his visit to the state to kick-start the project at Ogidigben after the militant axis of the Ijaw warned him to steer clear of the project and threatened to cause mayhem if he turned

Tompolo

deaf ears to their demand. Some journalists who besieged the project site ahead of the President’s arrival got their fair share of this titanic clash with 14 of them kidnapped by the militants.

Arm-twisting Governor Uduaghan?

On the eve of the polls in the state on October 25, 2014, Tompolo allegedly drove to the Government House, Asaba, and attempted to foist his brother, Mr. George Ekpemupolo, on the Governor as his candidate for the Warri South-West Local Government. The governor, Saturday Telegraph gathered, yielded to the ex-warlord’s demand and substituted George with the winner of the primary election in the council area for two reasons. Firstly, so that Tompolo might not truncate his peace and security agenda, having vowed to finish strong by May 29, 2015. Secondly, he plotted to use

the ex-militant leader, who has been loyal to Senator James Manager against him, having refused vehemently to trade his senatorial seat for the governor's botched senate ambition. But instead of Tompolo fufilling his part of the deal after the Governor had delivered his brother, he advanced forward for another demand for the ruling party’s ticket to go the House of Representatives. The exwarlord would have succeeded in the bid if the Governor did not allegedly have a rethink, retraced his steps and backed down for Senator Manager. “In connivance with his political leader, James Manager and his foot-soldiers, Tompolo frustrated the Governor’s senatorial ambition and went ahead to upset his plot to install a successor in 2015 by making sure that delegates from Ijaw council areas teamed up with the Aniomas (Delta North people) to vote against the Governor’s initial anointed aspirant, Sir

‘Tompolo, hero among Hon. Christian Moses Abeh, chairman of the Association of Chairmen of Registered Political Parties (ARPP) in Delta State, hails from the same senatorial district with High Chief Government Ekpomupolo, a.k.a Tompolo and tells DOMINIC ADEWOLE that the ex-militant warlord deserves the influence he is currently enjoying.

How do you rate Tompolo growing influence in the polity of Delta state?

I see the man in question, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo, as a man after God’s heart, the hand of God is upon him. That the young man found favour with the Federal Government after repenting as a militant alongside his teeming followers should not be anybody’s headache. He is free like any other citizen of Delta State and Nigeria to aspire for any political office or be appointed into office. If truly, for instance, he influenced the choice of the deputy governor of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forth-coming February 28 governorship election, as it is being speculated across the state, so be

it! It is a further proof that the young man is favoured by God. Tell me, who will be in his position and not do the same? The only unfortunate thing I see in the whole scenario is the fact that the incumbent Governor (Dr. Emmnauel Uduaghan) could neither produce his successor nor get his senatorial bid. The young man, as we were told, was allegedly used by a man (Senator James Manager) who holds sway in the senatorial district to intimidate him (the Governor) out of the race. Prior to this time, the young man (Tompolo), as we gathered as well, broke the hectic protocol at the Government House, Asaba and foisted his brother as a council chairman on the people. Till date, no complaint has emanated from his people.

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31 JANUARY 2015

He will not be forgiven until such a time when he has purged himself of all anti-party activities Tony Obuh and his last minutes preference, Chief David Edevbie”, an Ijaw chieftain in the ruling party who preferred anonymity said; part of the political brinksmanship that threw up Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the PDP’s governorship flag-bearer in the state.

Upstaging Chief Edwin Clark?

Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark is the foremost Ijaw leader, an oracle among Ijaw.

Whatever he utters on any issue, especially on politics, is a gospel truth. Speaking on the 2015 governorship ambition of Elder Godsday Orubebe, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Clark said. “There is no way he (Orubebe) can make it. He can never be governor of Delta state. He will not be forgiven until such a time when he has purged himself of all anti-party activities.”

The ex-minister, an Ijaw, eventually lost the contest to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, from Anioma to expose a ground-swelling ethnic solidarity: The way and manner Tompolo allegedly forced his brother on Governor Uduaghan; his jaw-dropping surveillance contract in the creeks as well as the definitive political battle between the governor and Senator Manager for the Delta South senatorial seat validate the prediction of the President-General of the Ijaw for Governor Outreach Movement (IGOM), a political pressure group, Comrade Fullpower Bussa, who vowed, in a statement, to resist an Itsekiri from the senatorial district (that Uduaghan represents), from unseating an Ijaw.

Governor Uduaghan might have underestimated this threat when he said, “I am not new in the politics of Delta state,” and maintained that “I am eminently qualified for Senate in 2015” because “the surviving political arrangement in Delta South favours the Itsekiris where I hail from in 2015”. This might have been why he insisted that “there was an unwritten zonal arrangement among the three ethnic nationalities in Delta South, which favours my people (the Itshekiris) in 2015. So, that makes me quite eligible to contest the election if I so desire.”

the Ijaw’

Abeh

Did he stop at that?

He did not, he allegedly went ahead to influence the choice of Pastor Kingsley Otuaro, an Ijaw man like him to be Senator Okowa’s running mate. If that be that case, this speaks volume of what he successfully reduced the incumbent Governor. This is beside the role he played before, during and after the primary elections of the PDP.

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The triumph of might As despicable as it is, the deployment of violence or threat of it to secure favours in Delta is yielding fruits, writes DOMINIK UMOSEN

T

he reported placement of Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State on the list of five so-called traitorous governors allegedly double-dealing with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, might be corollary evidence testifying to the soaring profiles of the former warlords under this present political dispensation namely, leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujaheedin Asari-Dokubo and Chief Government Ekpemupolo At a meeting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital penultimate week which has continued to generate ripples, the former warlords threatened fire and brimstone should President Jonathan lose re-election in the presidential election next month. If it was their intention to provoke controversy, the former warlords did not disappoint Nigerians who responded largely critically to this so-called battlecry, including former Defence Minister, Gen Theophilous Yakubu Danjuma who has demanded their arrest for allegedly constituting a threat to public peace during a critical moment in the country’s history. Speaking in Kano at the Kano State North West university, Danjuma said the trio should be arrested for making reckless and irresponsible statements that are capable of plunging Nigeria into war.

The failure of Gov Uduaghan to enthrone his choice of successor in the just-concluded Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries, particularly losing to a candidate backerd by Tompolo underscore the clout wielded by these former militants. And as if any one is still in doubt regarding the drastic reversal in their fortunes under this dispensation, the former militants responded cavalierly, insisting that they owe nobody any apologies for adopting their controversial stand.

More than anything else, this insistence bears eloquent testimony to the fact that Nigeria has transmogrified into some sort of Darwinian jungle where the easiest means any one can successfully pitch a claim to anything meaningful from the system is to flex his/her muscles and dare others who can not live with it to go to hell. The realisation of this fact provided inspiration for sustained militancy in the Niger Delta, eventually paying off when a minority, President Goodluck Jonathan, emerged from the rubble of the essentially self-serving doctrine of necessity.

While the doctrine betrayed the futile reluctance of some Nigerians to embrace the inevitability of involving the goodwill of every Nigerian in the beleaguered national project, especially minorities, in the consolidation of strategies for the political stability of the country, it also footnoted the fool-hardy resistance of others to the wailing need for compensation of victims of sustained political injustice.

According to a source close to the PDP hierarchy, Dr Uduaghan is suspected of nursing misgivings because after failing to install a successor, this may have translated into apathy towards his party and perhaps sympathy for the opposition which cashed into this by anointing an Urhobo as APC gubernatorial flagbearer for the state. That explains the enduring sense of fatality among those who were supposedly conquered politically; the instinctive acceptance of sustained manipulation of the second-class status even by the state and which may have inspired the anonymous head teacher in

This unfolding story in Delta State today aptly underlines the Tompolo phenomenon

Okerenkoko, near Gbaramatu in Warri, to insist that Government Ekpemulo, aka General Tompolo should face the consequences of his supposed exuberance of youth-radicalism.

The key ingredients of this supposed exuberance might be sketchy now but available evidence reveals that the major plank of the teacher’s grouse in prescribing his peculiar penance (or expulsion from school), was provided by the fact that even from an early age, a determined young radical was being steered in the direction of self-fulfillment by this enduring sense of inferiority. The early realization of this might have pointed the growing lad that the only guarantee of dismantling this paraphernalia of institutionalized injustice was to invest painstakingly in the rule of might as the only guarantee for him to become a future kingmaker who would one day determine who becomes what in society as it has since turned out.

This unfolding story in Delta State today aptly underlines the Tompolo phenomenon. The former bad boy not only went ahead to dare the military might of the nation, from his intrinsic radicalism but also fought that institution until late President Umaru Yar’ Adua came to the painful realization that only a befitting apology to the savagely-exploited people of the Niger Delta could assuage the righteous indignation of militants with offers of unconditional amnesty for those ready to renounce violence in 2009.

This offer was an elixir for peace which facilitated the resumption of oil exploitation that had been crippled by militancy in the ecologically-ravaged region. Most of the conditions that riled the people, inspiring militancy under the aegis of the Movement for the Emancipa-

Uduaghan

tion of the Niger Delta, MEND, were met by the FG but its leader, Mr Henry Orkar pines away in a South African jail; a fact which continues to generate tension among former comrades in the region.

It was not until 2014 that Ekpemulo decided to re-assert the fact that there is virtue in the Darwinian theory that might has no alternative in terms of achieving victory or result. When he throw his weight behind Mr. Kingsley Otuaro for the position of deputy-governor on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) many people, including his former teacher, never staked much faith in the virtue of arm-twisting.

But the former warlord muscled his way through every resistance and damned even the stiffest opposition to demonstrate that he needed no one’s consent to emerge an influence-peddler who is formidable enough to install his choice as deputy-governorship candidate of the PDP in the state.

In a graphic demonstration of the biblical truism that the kingdom of God suffereth violence and that only those violent enough can take whatever they want by force, Tompolo has given fresh significance to the fact that the gulf between theory and hypothesis is as simple as the understanding that the world of accomplishments belongs only to the strong, never to wimps or the faint-hearted. And that as long as he continues to flex a clearly bigger muscle, having his way on issues at all times remains permanently a fait accompli.

In the wake of this new power equation in the strategic state, even older kingmakers like the Ijaw patriarch and former federal information commissioner, Chief Edwin Clark, have had to concede, even if grudgingly, that the former militant must be factored into this unfolding reality. What many Nigerians do not just realise is that the rising profile of Tompolo equally translates into a reaffirmation of the undeniably unyielding grip that former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori still wields over the state he once ruled with fanfare. That Ibori, even from a United Kingdom jail where he has marked time for some years now, was able to influence who becomes what and who does not back home testifies, eloquently, to both his enduring political relevance and the unwavering loyalty of surrogates, including the former war-lord whose profile continues to soar.

50 Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

The Nation-State With Louis Achi

achilouis35@gmail.com

Will Abuja Pact Mutate Into Aburi Accord?

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etween January 4 and 5, 1967, at a meeting in Aburi, Ghana, an accord by delegates of the Federal Government of Nigeria (The Supreme Military Council) led

by Colonel Yakubu Gowon and Eastern Nigeria’s delegates led by Colonel Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu was reached. This was the Aburi Accord.

The pact was ostensibly the last chance at preventing all-out civil war which threatened. Accra in Ghana was chosen as venue because the Eastern Nigerian delegates and its leader’s safety could not be guaranteed anywhere within the western or northern part of the country at the time.

However, apparently under the weight of its inherent conceptual contradictions a costly, fratricidal war broke out thereafter in 1967 because leaders of the two sides, on returning from Ghana, gave different interpretations to the provisions of the accord.

Before this, on January 17 1966, following the crisis spawned by Nigeria’s first military coup led by Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu which killed key Northern leaders, the former civilian-led federal government handed over power to Major-General J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army who assumed headship of the state and established the Supreme Military Council.

Subsequently, on 24 May, 1966, he promulgated the Decree No. 34 putting into effect the decisions of the Supreme Military Council to establish a centralized administration for the country. Six days later widespread violence and riots broke out in Northern Nigeria. Thousands of Easterners were massacred.

In a counter-coup on 29 July, 1966, a group of Nigerian Army personnel of Northern extraction killed Major-General J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi.

Simultaneously, they attempted to annihilate all Eastern Nigerian army officers and men at Ibadan, Abeokuta and Ikeja in Western Nigeria and in Kaduna, Zaria and Kano in Northern Nigeria.

Nearly 200 officers and men of Eastern Nigeria origin were killed.

Those who escaped but later returned to their posts following assurances of safety were also eliminated. The pogrom was soon extended to Eastern Nigerian civilians resident in Northern Nigeria, Lagos and the West; and by September, 1966, the killings and molestations carried out by the combined forces of Northern Nigerian soldiers and civilians had assumed such large proportions that Easterners everywhere outside the East sought protection within their home Region.

The basic point here is that the Aburi Accord which could have headed off a full-blown civil war failed. The rest is history; or is it? Some 48 years later after that ill-fated pact in Ghana another momentous effort which speaks to the same imperative - the Abuja Accord - was scripted in Abuja on January 14, 2015.

The current political, regional and ethno-religious character cast echoes the scenario of 1967. Central to the un-

folding drama, often robed in different quirky, ‘respectable’ apparels is the desperation to retrieve or retain power. Supplying a most worrying dimension is that the country is actually on a war footing.

Moving forward, on January 14 in Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari, alongside candidates of the 12 other political parties met to cobble a peace protocol now labeled the ‘Abuja Accord’. The event tagged “2015 General Elections Sensitization Workshop on Non-Violence,” was jointly organised by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Interparty Affairs.

Significantly it was witnessed by icons like former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, amongst others.

The Abuja Accord speaks to the imperative of heading off a potential post-election crisis that could spell the end of one Nigeria.

Since the Abuja pact was cobbled, different violent clashes and incidents provide a warning that the choice before Nigerians are clear: manage the 2015 polls with utmost responsibility and play by the rules or possibly lose Nigeria. Two contrasting incidents give an indication of what might trend. When the two leading candidates for presidency, President Jonathan and General Buhari respectively, visited each other’s home state (Bayelsa and Katsina) what transpired were sharply contrasting. While Jonathan was attacked in Katsina, Buhari received a most polite welcome in Bayelsa. Even Asari Dokubo has threatened to reciprocate the Katsina attack against his kinsman.

One can argue that what Buhari gained in his polite reception in Yenagoa was cancelled out by the level of hostility and violence he experienced during his Port Harcourt, Rivers State outing. The point being made here is that willy-nilly, after the Abuja Accord, the subsisting atmosphere of politically motivated threats and outright violence is ratcheting up. A statistical graph will dramatise the unfolding scenario even better.

Several violent incidents have been recorded both in Northern and Southern states. Within the week, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State expressed disgust over what he described as the level of threat some northerners were facing for not supporting the presidential ambition of Buhari, warning that the type of siege mentality being inflicted on the people was the beginning of the failure of the opposition All Progressives Congress at the polls.

According to Lamido, “The fear of Buhari is the beginning of leadership failure; therefore Nigerians and the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, government must stand up to its mandate.” The APC is unlikely to be impressed by this candid position nor is PDP likely to rein in their own hordes any better. Therein lurks the danger to the Nigerian state – when the Abuja Accord mutates into the Aburi Pact!

As Akwa Ibom PDP chair readies the party for electoral triumphs Okon Nse Okon

O

bong Paul Ekpo is an experienced administrator, a leader of men who has given himself a big task in Akwa Ibom State, namely, to win all the elections for the PDP. As chairman of the ruling party in the state, Ekpo is determined to prove James George Janos, better known by his stage name, Jesse Ventura, wrong. Unlike Ventura, he firmly believes that political parties, in particular, the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, are veritable platforms for development, for delivery of democracy dividends to the people and are, therefore, the solution not the problem of the system.

Ventura, an Independent and former professional wrestler who served as the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, does not like political parties because he thinks they are the problem rather than the solution. He once said of the two main political parties in the United States: "I will not be a Democrat or a Republican. They are the problem, not the solution. We need to abolish political parties in this country.

To be fair to Ventura, this is a feeling many people sometimes get about political parties. Or, who hasn't once or twice felt that the two parties in Nigeria, the PDP and the APC, rather than mitigate the nation's political problems tend, really, to aggravate them through the aggressive and oft-violent ways they seek power and privileges?

Like America, Nigeria has two main political parties, the PDP and APC. The PDP has been the ruling party at the centre and in most of the states in the past 16 years. The fortunes of its state chapters have changed over the same period too, with the degree of such changes differing from state to state.

For instance, in Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Edo and Ekiti States, it lost power to the opposition AC (now APC) but has regained power in Ekiti. It also lost power to APGA in Imo State. But, in places like Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Ebonyi, Niger, Jigawa, Bayelsa, Delta, Benue States, among others, PDP has remained the party to beat since the inception of this democratic dispensation.

Among the state chapters, Akwa Ibom is easily the strongest. This is evident in the outstanding performance of the state governor and leader of the party in the state Obong Godswill Akpabio, whose development programme as governor is essentially

Ekpo

anchored on PDP manifesto. The party has even become stronger in the state since the emergence of Obong Ekpo as the state party chairman in October last year.

On October 8 last year, the Integration Committee of the party, which met with Akwa Ibom stakeholders in Abuja, confirmed Ekpo as the authentic chairman of the PDP. In a meeting attended by representatives of various interest groups in the state at the Legacy House, Abuja, at the instance of the Integration Committee, Ekpo got the official nod to chair the party in Akwa Ibom thereby bringing to an end the intrigues and bad blood that had dogged his election in a transparent process earlier carried out in Uyo. In attendance at the reconciliation meeting were former Governor Obong Victor Attah, Deputy Governor Lady Valerie Ebe, Obong Bassey Albert, Obong Umana O. Umana, Obong Nsima Ekere, BOT members Atuekong Don Etiebet, Senator Ibokessien, Senator Effiong Bob, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Helen Esuene, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk and a member of the National Caucus, Distinguished Senator Anietie Okon. Also in attendance were Hon. Nse Ekpenyong, Barr.

Ibanga Akpabio and a number of other state PDP stakeholders.

At the meeting, Ekpo presented a video CD of the State Congress to prove that he was legally and legitimately elected as Chairman of the authentic Akwa Ibom PDP executive committee. Ekpo's methodical effort to establish the validity of his election won him the sympathy and approval of many of the stakeholders who stridently condemned Chief Etiebet's petition against the process that led to Ekpo's emergence, describing it as an attempt to blackmail the party and bring disaffection within its ranks in the build-up to this year's general elections.

In his speech, a triumphant Ekpo promised to lead the state PDP aright, to put it on a sound footing so it could continue to drive the uncommon transformation, which has been going on in Akwa Ibom State in the past eight years under Chief Godswill Akpabio, a party loyalist to the core. He also pledged to ensure that the next dispensation in the state continues from where Akpabio will stop.

"I will Lead the Akwa Ibom PDP and ensure total success for the party based on the uncommon transformation strides of Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, which has put Akwa Ibom PDP in final triumph over the opposition...," Ekpo declared.

Thereafter, Obong Ekpo was officially recognized as the authentic chairman of the Akwa Ibom PDP by the chairman of the Integration Committee, Senator Iya Abubakar.

An elated Abubakar commended the people of the state for their maturity in handling the brief crisis and asked all to join hands with Chief Akpabio to make PDP win all the elections both in the state and at the centre this February.

A former commissioner for local governments and chieftaincy matters and a passionate party man who resigned to contest the party chairmanship, Ekpo believes that the sky is the starting point yet for the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, if only the party faithful would work together to deliver victories to the party at the polls come February 14 and 28. He said: "Today, we stand on the edge of a new frontier. The new frontier of which I speak is not a set of expectations we have of government. It is a set of challenges that demands all of us, I mean all of us, to live up to the task ahead of us next month. We must deliver all our units, all our wards, and all our LGAs and give PDP landslide electoral victory in all the positions."

• Nse Okon, a media consultant, resides in Uyo.

Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

'My life is indeed a mirade that should inspire youths'

What was growing up like?

Oh, what a story mine is! I really believe that the story of my life, especially that of my childhood and education, would help our young ones to imbibe the culture of industry, contentment, and complete trust in God; especially in this era of laziness and impatience among them. I am now Prof. Godswill Obioma - the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Education Research and Development Council [NERDC]. But I wasn’t born an executive secretary. Rather, I was born a very poor child by equally very poor parents. The president of the country says he was born to go to school without shoes but I’ll say people like us did not even have legs to wear shoes, not to talk of owning a pair; so that should give you a picture of how abject poverty affected my family. I was born in Aba – the commercial city of now Abia State- then East Central Nigeria, to a peasant couple, Okorie Obioma and Helen Obioma. Both devout Christians who worshipped in Assemblies of God Church wherein I was born, and dedicated at its 222 Clifford Road, Aba branch.

For livelihood, my parents were petty traders; while my father was unskilled in any handiwork and sold second-hand clothing in the open, not having a shade of his own. My mother fried and sold bean cake [Akara] at a nearby junction in our neighbourhood. This should give you an idea of how low the family economy was.

However, I was registered in school very early in life. At the age of four, I was already in primary school which was then called ‘’infant school’’.

When things went quite down for my parents economically, my father, having lost even the very little he had, moved residence to Abam Street, a ghetto of Aba. There we lived a room, the six of us. I finally finished my primary education in 1963 with a distinction and won a scholarship from the Eastern Nigeria Government to the Evangel High School, Umuahia, in preference to government schools because, by my parents’ reasoning, I should attend a mission school to continue the Christian values that my Sunday School had inculcated in me to ensure a rounded upbringing. Besides, government scholarship wasn’t particularly tied to governmentowned schools. The practice then was for pupils to take the Common Entrance exam into any school of their choice and, of course by then, mission schools were superior to those run by government. So I ultimately got into the Evangel High School, old Umuahia on Government scholarship and finished after the war.

What memories do you have of that school?

At Evangel High, I had a lot of financial problems because since my scholarship covered only tuition fees, I was responsible for my other needs at school. I come from a place known as Nkpa in the old Bende Division, so just imagine me trekking from Nkpa to old Umuahia every weekend to take foodstuffs back to school. I couldn’t even afford the transportation which was six pence or a shilling by round trip on locomotive train. So every Friday, I would trek to Nkpa from school

Prof. Godswill Obioma, University of Jos professor of education mathematics and evaluation has since 2005 been the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigeria Education Research and Development Council [NERDC] – the body charged with the onerous responsibility of brewing proactive researches and sustainable development indices to drive the nation’s education sector and tells OJIAKU KALU about pertinent issues in the sector. and on Sunday morning, trekked back to school – a distance of about 50 kilometres. Infact those of us who couldn’t afford the transport fare started about 5:30 in the morning and by 4:00 pm we reached Nkpa. That was how we managed throughout 1970 but in 1971, things improved because I was then able to get periodic donations from people [who helped me join public transport] and from this period, I had a tuition scholarship from the school besides the Government scholarship, as a reward for always coming first in class. So that was how I managed till the civil war; but at the end of the war, all government scholarships went down because there was no longer the Eastern State, eventually reinstated being the tuition-free regime by my school. When we wrote the WAEC examinations, I came out the best student in my school but unfortunately, couldn’t get into university because I was very poor. So I think my life is indeed a miracle that should sound a note of encouragement to the young ones that with perseverance and patience, you can succeed. And because I couldn’t get into university, I decided to take late entrance exams into the then Advanced Teacher’s Training College, now Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri. Somebody asked why I’d not gone to university like my mates, and I told him there was nobody to pay for me and he thereupon gave me five shillings to register for the ATTC [Owerri] entrance exams adding that perchance I could be successful.

Mind you, because UNESCO was then supporting the College, the challenge was to pass the entrance exam because that global body placed on its

Prof Obioma

I usually wrote about 20 letters to friends weekly, soliciting for help and most would respond with donations in envelopes

student recruitment a standard than that of other higher institutions in the country. So it was more difficult to get into the ATTC, Owerri than universities. I passed the exam but a big challenge emerged - I needed to go to Owerri by transportation as well as have some provisions. My father, out of desperation asked me, ‘’Obi, why are you going to ATTC Owerri; how are we going to support you there?’’

But my mother countered, ‘’My son would go there, even if that’s the last thing we did in this world!’’ She believed that as the first child, my getting a good education would enable me to coordinate better the family and ultimately train my younger siblings.

My parents had nine children and I am the first. So, she made what to me remains a monumental sacrifice - giving up the only wrapper [a george] she had saved during the war. She took me to the Uzuakoli market and sold it for 12 shillings to a Yoruba soldier; and right in the market, sent me with six shillings to continue on my journey to Owerri, while she returned to home with six shillings. That is the comedy of my success.

Upon getting into the ATTC Owerri, I studied a combination of Mathematics and Physics - which was very rare in those days. But because I was good in all my courses, plus a change in the College calendar which was in my advantage, I finished in two and half years, instead of the stipulated three.

Upon graduation in 1974, I was the overall best student, with distinction in all my subjects – Mathematics, Physics, and Education.

Done with the NCE, I took up a teaching appointment for two years, instead of proceeding proceeding for further studies, like most others– in line with my promise to support the family before anything else. I taught for

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two years at the Government College, Obiaruku, Edo State but transferred to Evangel High, Umuahia because then, management needed my help in my area of specialization.

After teaching briefly, I was admitted into university in 1977 and expectedly, had several direct entries: University of Nigeria, University of Ife, University of Lagos and a foreign scholarship to study Marine Engineering in the UK. Of these options, I chosed University of Nigeria, Nsukkato study Mathematics and Education - which was on bursary. This bursary was only for those opting for education in the sciences. I got into the university with bursary which I shared between myself, siblings and parents.

Despite the bursary, I was still challenged financially, due to my peculiar background. I usually wrote about 20 letters to friends weekly, soliciting for help and most would respond with donations in envelopes. At the end of the two-year programme, I topped my class again and because of this, my university recalled me as a Teaching Assistant and I went back to Nsukka after my National Youth Service. Because I was focused, plus combining teaching and studying, I ran through my Master’s degree [Measurement & Evaluation] within a year and two months instead of its two-year schedule. Interestingly, I got married in 1982 to then Miss Elizabeth Okengwu whom I met on campus and whose parents were both staff of UNN. Done with Master’s, I entered for my Ph.D, and while on it, I got overseas scholarships but my professors didn’t see that as priority. They argued that after my doctoral, I could travel the world as I chosed to. In 1985, I ultimately earned the Ph.D [Diagnostic Learning] and again, came out tops both in my class and the entire university. I got the Vice Chancellor’s award as the best Ph.D student, and thereafter taught briefly at the UNN for three years and transferred to the University of Jos. I became a professor in 1991[six years after my Ph.D] – accelerating from Senior Lecturer to full professor without the Reader’s rank as a result of my many publications.

Why was the NERDC set up in the first place?

First and foremost, there were four independent bodies before 1988. We had the Nigerian Educational Research Council (NERC), National Book Agency, Nigerian Language Agency, Comparative Education and Curriculum Adaptation Centre (CECAC). The then military government felt it would be better to coalesce them into one body to be solely charged with research and development. So they promulgated an Act for that [ and integrated the issue of development into research ] and all four bodies became the present National Education and Research Development Council - essentially to research in education that linked to policy; to develop Nigerian languages for teaching purposes; to carry out quality assessment to assist local publishers to do curriculum review at all levels, etc. So you now see that one part of the mandate was development, while the other part was research; that was how and why the NERDC was born.

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Milestones

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

Auntie Elsie, 25 years after Her many successes were indeed a function of her in-born essence oflove and her closeness to God. She not only devoted her time toserving God, but she also lived an exemplary Christian life. As one ofthe earliest side ladies of the All Saints (Anglican) Church, Yaba,she contributed immensely to the growth and development of the church and the formation of the Girl’s Guild. She also established a schoolfor the deaf children in her parish, among her many other laudableactivities.

Although St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Apapa, where she lived duringher lifetime, was founded after her death, it was Auntie’s prayer thata church of Anglican Communion should someday be established in herlocal community.

Hence, in order to fulfill heart’s desire, herdevoted children have since shown great dedication and commitmenttowards the growth and expansion of the church.

Auntie belonged to many social groups: She was Vice President of theYoung Women’s Christian Fellowship,

Her many successes were indeed a function of her in-born essence oflove and her closeness to God

Matron of the Ladies FriendlySociety, Busy Bees, Band of Hope, Men’s Christian Circle, ProgressiveYouth Association, Catholic Women’s Organsiation, St. Paul’s CatholicChurch, EbuteMetta and a member of the Inner Wheel Club.

She was alsoon the Executive Council of the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind,to mention but a few. And as a result of her selfless service tosociety, she was honored by the world renowned Women’s VoluntaryService Organsiation.

Auntie was blessed with four sons, three daughters and fifteen grand children. Since her

death, there have been additions to her ‘fruit tree’ as there are now seventeen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren!

Auntie was ‘SuperWoman!’ She was good at everything she put her hand to. Gardening, needlework, cooking, business, dancing and even singing. Above all, she was a loyal wife and a loving mother who made her house a home that filled every heart with special warmth and care, without forgetting to always put God first.

She was a pillar of strength and we will forever remember her good nature, humility, kindness and the ever ready welcoming warm smile that hardly left her face….

May your soul continue to rest in perfect peace, Amen!

• Elvina Ibru, is the last child of the late Mrs. Elsie Ibru.

change of nameS

ABAZIE:I formerly known and addressed as Miss Eunice Ogbonna now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eunice Chris Abazie. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, YOLA

E

Elvina Ibru lsie Nelly Michael Ibru, wife of Olorogun Michael C.O. Ibru, was bornon December 1st 1927 in Calabar, Cross River State, to the late Mr. Erwin Kruppo ofHamburg, Germany and the late Elean Bope Nkouta of Batanga,Cameroon.

Elean Bope later got married to the late Chief Reuben Menilla Pepple, who was the traditional Prime Minister of Bonny.

“Auntie” as she was fondly called, passed away on February 3rd, 1990, at the age of 62 years. And it was a period of fulfillment and dedication to God and mankind.

Sheenjoyed a very busy and fulfilled life and wholeheartedly dedicatedherself to God, family, friends and loved ones; to whom, she soreadily and unreservedly gave her sincere love and care.

Her early school years were spent in Rivers State; and she completedher primary education at Mary Hanney Memorial Girls’ School, Oron,Akwa-Ibom State.

Her secondary educa-

(Office of the Registrar)

tion was at St. Theresa’s College,Ibadan.

She later taught for several years at Mount Carmel School, EbuteMetta and Ladi-Lak Institute, Yaba, where she endeared herselfto staff and students alike. She was the leader of the Boy Cubs Pack,having attended a leadership course for Boy Cubs; and true to her zealand genuine interest in children, she generously donated a trophy tothe Lagos State Council for Competitions in Arts and Crafts by the BoyCubs Movement.

A calling that was the dream of women at that time soon attracted her to the United Kingdom in 1955 where she took an intensive course in Secretarial Studies.

On her return from England, she worked as the confidential Secretary to the General Manager of the then topmost newspaper, the West African pilot.

On the eve of Independence in 1959, she moved to the AfricanContinental Bank, where she again worked as the Confidential Secretaryto the General Manager. She held this sensitive post for

seven years,working tirelessly and demonstrating high sense of loyalty, confidenceand responsibility. Her hard work and efficiency soon earned her theenviable position of Personnel Manager, a post reserved for men atthat time! She held this position with dignity and excellence untilshe retired in 1973 to establish her own business.

Auntie was the Chairman and Managing Director of Flower Shop Ltd,Chairman of F. Steiner & Co. Ltd and Director in other companieswithin the Ibru Orgainsations; and despite her very busy and involvedbusiness life, she never failed to meaningfully participate inimportant social and welfare activities. In these areas, like in herbusiness life, she easily distinguished herself as a humanitarian, alover of children and a dedicated member of her church.

Auntie was a founding member of the Federation of Cameroon WomenAssociation; and following in the footsteps of her mother, she alsobecame the Grand Matron and Chief Adviser of the Group.

INVITATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION AND TENDER FOR THE YEAR 2013 TETFUND SPECIAL PROJECTS The Federal College of Education, Yola is by this advertorial inviting interested companies/ contractors to tender for the underlisted projects in the institution.

LOT 1.

Supply and Installation of Street Lights, Borehole Solar Panels and UPVC Pipes for Water Reticulation LOT 2.

Procurement of Interactive Boards, Projectors and Furniture for Academic Staff Pre-qualification documents to be submitted should contain, among other things the following; i.

Certificate of incorporation in Nigeria as a limited liability company, ii.

Tax clearance Certificate for the past three years issued by the FIRS iii.

Evidence of registration as an engineering/equipment contractor with the

Federal Ministry of works iv.

List of similar projects executed in the last three years v.

Evidence of financial capability to execute the job tendered for, vi.

List of key personnel to be assigned to the project with professional

qualifica tions vii.

Evidence of compliance with PENCOM Act and Remittances. viii.

Evidence of compliance with ITF and NSITF ix.

Evidence of VAT registration NON-REFUNDABLE PRE-QUALIFICATION AND TENDER DOCUMENTS Interested companies/contractors are to pay to the Bursary department the sum of N 40,000.00 as tender fees COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Tender documents containing detail of works can be obtained from the Works and Services Department SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS All pre-qualification and tender documents shall be placed and sealed in SEPARATE ENVELOPES and clearly marked “Pre-qualification to Tender for the Desired job” the two documents shall then be placed in a single outer envelope. The envelope containing the prequalification and tender documents is to be dropped in the Tender Box at the Works and Services Department not later than 10:00am on Monday 23rd February, 2015 and shall be opened on the same date. Late submission shall not be accepted.

Pre-qualification documents shall be screened to determine those qualified to tender before opening of the bids. Only those qualified shall be invited for the tender opening. Those not qualified shall have their bids returned unopened.

(Signed) Registrar

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

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Perspectives

M

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

If I were a politician…

an is the most complex of all creatures. This, perhaps, explains why he lives in a complex society where evil, good, sadness and joy mingle. The callous attitude of leaders who value their sybaritic lifestyle more than the common good of the people has made our dream of having an ideal society a mirage.

Many are of the view that politics is indeed a dirty game. But good men, they warned, would not have moral justification to complain if bad men are allowed to be at the helms of affairs. Democracy, apart from being a system of representative government, also connotes social equality and the right to take part in decision making. But in a situation where certain individuals claim to have the wisdom of Solomon when it comes to decision making, such individuals are impostors who dress themselves in the robes of democrats.

The evocative words of Edmund Burke, British statesman and parliamentary orator, that, “Those who have once been intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, can never willingly abandon it”, cannot be less apt as the nation begins another milestone in its political history from February 14.

Electioneering is at its peak, but the campaigns are more about mundane and frivolities rather than issues. Our political landscape is now awash with hogwash and worthless loads of swill as politicians are more concerned with how to pour venomous vituperation on one another rather than presenting their manifestoes to the electorate. The problem cuts across all the political parties and this makes one to remember the wave of nostalgia that made 1993 a gratifying election year.

It is evident that our politicians have lowered issues into the abyss and their brand of

Waheed Bakare on Saturday 08124877036 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com politics is now more about hate, abuse and incendiary utterances capable of heating up the polity. One thinks these would disappear from the radar of our politics after the so-called peace pact had been signed among political parties. But rather than abate, politics of hate and incitement keeps mounting.

From the advice of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that the electorate should resort to self-help by using juju to guide their votes on election day, threat to form a parallel government by the opposition if the election is “not free and fair”, to the flippant advertisement sponsored by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, the attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy in Bauchi and Katsina states, threat of voilence by ex-Niger Delta militants should President Goodluck Jonathan lose next month election, bombing of the All Progressives Congress secretariat in Port Harcourt and campaign ground in Okrika both in Rivers State are indications that most of our politicians are poor students of history.

The arrogance of our politicians is so deep to the extent that even if their flippant remarks have earned them strong indignation from the populace, they still find it difficult to use that monosyllabic word, sorry.

Rather, they will find inexcusable reasons to justify their unbridled utterances. They are easily deceived by their supporters who give them a clap and wear them the toga of

The arrogance of our politicians is so deep to the extent that even if their flippant remarks have earned them strong indignation from the populace, they still find it difficult to use that monosyllabic word, sorry a lion -brave, ferocious and fearless.

However, there is much wisdom in saying less than necessary. The less you say, the more profound you appear and this can easily earn you the respect of your listeners.

It is the hallmark of an ideal man. Caustic tongues are dangerous to the users and the society. It could easily instigate violence and even lower the esteem of the users. This is why the Yoruba liken spoken words to eggs.

Once they are out, they cannot be picked.

If I were a politician, the epic tale of Gnaeus Marcius, a great military hero of Ancient Rome, will interest me. The story, which I adapted from ‘The 48 Laws of Power’, that classic book by Robert Greene, is apt and

timely as the nation goes to the poll next month.

Marcius, also known as Coriolanus, won many battles for Rome, especially in the first half of the 5th Century B.C. He was a master strategist in military warfare and this earned him a lot of accolades from the Romans. But most Romans did not know him personally because he was most of the time at the warfront.

In 454 B.C., Coriolanus decided to enter into politics and see whether his military exploits could transform into political fortune. He contested for the high rank of consul. Tradition demanded that all candidates must address the electorate before the election. When it was Coriolanus’ turn, he displayed the scars he had fighting for Rome for 17 years. The people did not really listen to his lengthy speech, they were ensnared by emotion and wondered why a man could be so patriotic. His election was almost as sure as death.

On the Election Day, Coriolanus came to the forum but this time around he was accompanied by the entire senate and the aristocrats. The common people were worried about his brazen arrogance and over confidence on the day that mattered most.

But to him, his election was a done deal.

He spoke again, but this time, he addressed only the rich men who had accompanied him. He used his caustic tongue on his opponents and assured the people that he would bring riches to Rome. He was garrulous and arrogant throughout his speech.

The common people’s eyes became opened, they listened with rapt attention.

And they realised that all along they had dressed Corionalus in a borrowed robe. News of his speech soon spread like a wild fire in Rome and the people turned out against him and ensured he did not win.

He exposed himself as a “common braggart” by saying more than necessary.

2015: No election in Ogun but...

Soyombo Opeyemi

W

hen you have only one candidate standing for an election, I don't know how appropriate it is to still term such an exercise an election.

If people have already made their choice but still have to thump-print the ballot papers on Election Day in order to fulfill a constitutional provision, then it is merely an exercise in affirmation.

It certainly had all the trappings of serendipity. I had not set my eyes on my school mate, Segun, in close to two decades. Chance had taken me through NITEL junction by the Ado-Odo Ota Local Government secretariat on Friday, January 30, 2015, the first day of the ward-to-ward rally of Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the said local government.

Driving myself to many of these rallies had at least produced one fortuitous result. I had stopped briefly to make some purchases by the roadside only for me to be literally frozen by a grip from behind!

After the exchange of pleasantries and banter, the sudden knowledge of being in the government of Ogun State led to this piece.

Segun is of lachrymose disposition. I noticed tears stood on his eyes as he narrated his ordeal on Ota roads throughout the stay of his ward in the academy at Canaanland.

"I usually booked a day for any trip to Canaanland on account of this Ilo-Awela road and other roads

Gov. Amosun

in Ota. Show, you said you stayed in this area for some years, so you appreciate the daily horror, the trauma commuters were subjected to on this axis for many lamentable years."

"It's possible," he continued, "I never believed Ota could become like this.

Not in my wildest dream!"

I only volunteered some other landmark changes made by Amosun on the landscape of Ogun. And time seemed to stand still during that brief intercourse on the state of Ogun and Nigerian politics.

"Should a man like Amosun really campaign again to win re-election?" he wondered.

"Yes, every analysis, every study concludes Amosun is the man to beat.

He's expected to win a landslide. But then, he's everywhere, in every nook and cranny of the state. He is campaigning; his wife is also campaign-

ing - I'm seeing such for the first time in Nigeria. Although Amosun naturally enjoys being with our people at the grassroots."

"Really?"

"Of course, yes. But if you ask me, it is more of sensitisation than electioneering. The governor knows the people have already made their choice for him come February 28."

"So, why the stress?"

"Sheg, you know some people have already committed themselves to evil.

While Amosun and his wife are reaching out to the electorate, these men are held up in a cellar in their House of Fraud. The ward-to-ward campaign is none of their business. They only pretend to be campaigning. They already knew what they would do! We hear some of them are already buying off the PVCs. I believe they have more in their armoury."

"Then you people should not sleep!" he counselled.

"No, we won't. We will stop them in their tracks. But we need more prayers as well. Good will always triumph over evil but at what cost or price is always the case!"

"What about the contenders from other parties? What is their individual strength?" he asked.

"We have Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka (GNI) of PDP. Amosun scored three times his votes in 2011. And if he could lose with such a wide margin four years ago, what do you think will happen now that Amosun has been governor for such memorable years? So he's no threat by any stretch of the imagina-

tion."

"What about SDP, Labour, etc?"

"Well, Senator Akin Odunsi is the candidate of SDP. He's an elderly man; I don't think he can stand the rigour of ward-to-ward electioneering. And if you can't campaign rigorously, how can you win an election? You don't win election based on a few rallies here and there. Besides, there are rumours that he will step down at the last minute in order to raise the chances of the candidate of 'a close' political party, who is more popular than himself. He really does not stand any chance at all... I'm not sure I can remember the names of others except one Paseda of UPN. But there is always a reward of being called a former governorship aspirant. So you see the reason why there will really be no election in Ogun on February 28 but an affirmation of Senator Ibikunle Amosun for another four years. Even if all the opposition parties come together, their total votes will still amount to nothing. It happened in 2011 when Amosun was not yet the governor."

Sheg said he read about how the formation of SDP might affect APC. I explained that it was sheer deceit and mischief for anyone to talk about onetime crack in APC which happened long ago. Both APC and SDP parted company long ago. As a matter of fact, no one remembers what led to what anymore. The electorate sees APC as APC, PDP as PDP, SDP as SDP and UPN as UPN. We've all moved forward. The past belongs to the past.

• Soyombo writes from Abeokuta.

Sport Extra 55

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

31 JANUARY 2015

AFCON 2015: CAF considers to end drawing of lots

A

system to end the drawing of lots to separate teams that finish level in tournament groups is being looked at by the Confederation of African Football.

The process has been questioned after it was used to send Mali home from the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday at the expense of Guinea in Group D.

The teams finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored.

"We have to stand by the regulation but also think about how we improve it," said Caf media director Junior Binyam.

"It's not fair to have a team going out like this. It really is the worst decision - to have to make a decision this way - because everybody expected it would be decided on the field."

AFCON Fixtures Saturday Congo v Congo DR : 5pm Tunisia v E'Guinea : 8.30 Sunday Ghana v Guinea : 5:00 I'Coast v Algeria : 8:30

Victory Schools hold sports day Feb 6

Sport Slaming

T

he second edition of the Victory Group of Schools Inter House Sports will come up on Friday, February 6.

The Victory Group of Schools comprises Victory High School, Victory College, Victory Home School, Victory Institute of Catering, Victory Grammar School and Victory Home, Ojota.

They would all compete for honours against the other on February 6 at the playground of Victory High School, Ikeja.

The event commences at 11am and would be chaired by Hon. Moshood Abiola Mustapha, the chairman of Onigbongbo L.C.D.A.

Diego Costa gets three-match ban for stamp

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

Djokovic

T

C

helsea striker Diego Costa has been banned for three matches for stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can. The 26-year-old will miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge as well as games against Aston Villa and Everton.

The Football Association charge, which Costa denied, related to an incident in the 12th minute of Tuesday's League Cup semifinal second leg in London.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho said the incident was "absolutely accidental".

Costa, a £32m signing from Atletico Madrid, has scored 17 goals in 19 Premier League games this season.

The incident, which occurred in front of the dugouts but was missed by the match officials, was subsequently reviewed on video by referee Michael Oliver.

Chelsea cannot appeal the decision reached by the independent commission hearing.

Costa

O

ut-of-contract Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, will lead Delta/ Edo Ex-internationals out against the Rest of Nigeria team in a friendly match organised to support the candidacy of People Democratic Party governorship candidate in Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to Moses Etu, the chairman, Publicity Committee of the Friends of

op seed Novak Djokovic beat defending champion Stan Wawrinka in another dramatic five-set contest to reach the Australian Open final.

The Serb won 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-4 4-6 6-0 - the third year running they have played five sets at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic, chasing a fifth Australian Open title, will play Britain's Andy Murray in the final on Sunday.

He beat the Scot - who is in his fourth final at Melbourne Park - to claim the 2011 and 2013 titles.

Murray will have taken some encouragement from the length and quality of the second semi-final, however.

Ferrari targets two F1 wins F

Keshi, Okala to handle ex-internationals for Okowa Charles Ogundiya

Djokovic in Australian Open final

Okowa, the organisers of the event, another ex-international, Coach Emmanuel Okala, will handle the Rest of Nigeria team for the match which is scheduled to hold at the Warri Township Stadium on February 1.

Etu said in a press statement that Ex-Eagles defender, Sam Sodje, top the list of players in Keshi’s team. Others are Harry Blackson, Mobosa Brodericks, Duke Udi, Samson Ozogula, Sam Okpodu, Edema Fuludu, Prince Af-

ejukwu, Humphery Jebba and Davidson Owumi.

The list also includes Austin Popo, Tosan Blackson, Kenneth Nwomucha, Lucky Sunday, Joshua Kator, Sam Otis, Joseph Cole and Sebastine Okoh.

Those who will feature in Coach Okala’s team are Peter Rufai, Mutiu Adepoju, Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West, Emmanuel Amunike, Uche Okechukwu, Nduka Ugbade, Friday Ekpo and Emeka Ezeugo.

errari have unveiled the new SF15-T car they hope will start them on the long road back to Formula 1 success.

The Italian team have made major management changes, sacking a tranche of senior staff, following their worst season for more than 20 years in 2014.

New team principal Maurizio Arrivabene set the target of winning "at least two races" in 2015 after none last year.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel joins Kimi Raikkonen at the team as a replacement for Fernando Alonso.

SUPER FOUR RESULTS nigeria U-23 1-1 ENYIMBA wolves 3-1 pillars F'eagles 4-1 dolphins

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE Type of Cars

1

KEY WORDS ACURA CADILLAC AUDI BENTLEY BMW BUICK

2

CHEVROLET FORD CHRYSLER GMC DAEWOO HONDA DETOMASO HUMMER DODGE INFINITY FERRARI ASTON MARTIN

8

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11

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18 19

D

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22

ACROSS 1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12

Advantage, (7).

Occupying middle position, (3).

Town in Osun state, (3).

Air force fighter pilot, (3).

And not either, (3).

Affiliate something, (4).

Cause somebody to die, (4).

Advertisement, abbr., (2).

DOWN 1 Large piece of thick cloth, (7).

20

2 Sewing tool, (6).

23

3 Not coarse, (4).

4 Long, angry speech, (6).

5 Attack somebody, (4).

24

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16 17 18 22 23 24 25 26

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'Kola nut' in Hausa, (4).

Ex. ECOMOG Commander, (4).

Family group, (3).

Excited activity, (3).

Acorn-bearing tree, (3).

Before, (3).

Exceptional intelligence, (7).

14 LGA in Enugu state, (6).

15 LGA in Delta state, (6).

19 Southern African plant,(4).

20 Opposed to something, (4).

21 Payment for services, (3).

6 University teacher, (3).

26

13 Saving, (7).

See solution on page 20

F’ Eagles and the pre-season tourney

T

he ongoing pre-season tournament holding in Abuja is of significant interest to me in many ways. The discuss over whether the event should be called Super Four or Super Six is huge. Though six teams are competing for honours in the tourney, the name is still Super Four. The organisers, League Management Company, did well by bringing in two national teams - the Flying Eagles and the U-23 team- to boost the competition. It has been a very good tournament for all the teams because they are all preparing to represent Nigeria in various competitions.

Since the League is not yet in session, the competition is a fantastic build up for Kano Pillars, Enyimba, Dolphin and Warri Wolves because of their respective continental engagements. The two national teams will also be on duty in February and March respectively, hence, the overall idea is astounding. The technical crew of all the teams should take advantage of this noble idea. However, I would have loved to see such competition in Lagos, Warri, and Kano because of fans patronage. Spectators are part of the round leather game and without them something is missing in the set-up.

The Abuja National Stadium has been empty from the start of the competition despite the fact that fans are expected to enter free. The people of Abuja do not follow football well even when the Super Eagles are on parade, there is always apathy. The organisers should have introduced fanfare to create more awareness and woo the crowd. There is nothing bad in heavily publicising the competition and telling the fans that they will not only watch the games free, there are take home gifts to be won like Super Eagles jerseys, balls and lots of other items. The competition is also big enough to attract a sponsor if well-planned and marketed.

Spectators can boost the performance of the teams also and make the entire match more glamorous. What we have been seeing in Abuja in the past one week is bad. Two national teams and the best four teams in the country should ordinarily draw crowd.

At this time when the country is looking forward to a new Super Eagles, I would also have loved to see the substantive coach watch all or most of the pre-season games in Abuja. The Eagles have no coach for now and stand-in coach for the team for the two recently held friendlies, Daniel Amokachi, is far away in South Africa. He is working with Supersport as one of the analysts for the ongoing AFCON 2015 holding in Equatorial Guinea. The NFF is yet to name a coach and the scouts of the NFF are yet to start work.

I have seen so many brilliant talents in the ongoing competition and I wonder if the officials of the technical department of the federation are also on duty. The six teams playing in Abuja have some of the best players in the country.

The Flying Eagles have been particularly outstanding not only with the results but with the understanding of the game displayed so far. The team has shown the importance of continuity in the game. Manu Garba and his boys have shown readiness for the AYC scheduled to hold in Senegal in March. I am impressed with the work coach Manu and Nduka Ugbade have done with the team but there is a need to have cohesion in the midfield area of the team. It was a delight to see Skipper Musa Muhammed, Abdullahi Alfa, Mustapha Abdullahi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akinjide Idowu, Musa Yahaya and Chidera Eze in the line-up of the team. These were players from the victorious U-17 team that ruled the world in 2013 under the same coach. I believe in this team. Even without Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidebere Nwakali, who were both not released by Manchester City, the young lads are truly flying. It was learnt that Coach Manu also invited some of the players dropped from the Eaglets 2013 team. Little wonder, the understanding being displayed by the team. This team is the future of Nigerian football. Some of the players have the potential to compete for shirts in the Super Eagles and I hope NFF scouts and relevant authorities are following the progress of Manu’s boys because they are good enough as nucleus of the next team to the World Cup. If we expose these boys now, they will serve the national team for 10 years. This is another golden generation in the making and such continuity could be sustained as a model. Using the U-17 to gradually build the senior team is the objective of FIFA in setting up the age grade events, so let’s embrace it.

DESTINATION

SATURDAY

Sanctity of Truth

Diego Costa gets threematch ban

A makeover for Agodi Resort

P.42

N150

SPORT

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015

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Lampard returns 'home' looks to hurt Chelsea

F

Ajibade Olusesan or the first time in 14 years, Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard, will play at the Stamford Bridge not in the colour of the Blues but as an opponent when Manchester City arrive London today (Saturday).

Chelsea and Man City are locked in a decisive top-of -the -table clash but Lampard’s emotional return to the Bridge will be the biggest attraction.

Lampard is one of the greatest players in the history of Chelsea; he is the highest goal scorer for the club even as a midfielder. He scored 211 goals in all competitions for the Blues. In his time at the club, he won virtually all trophies in club football. Three EPL titles, the Champions League, Europa League, four FA Cups and two League Cups were in his trophy cabinet when leaving London last summer after 13 years.

Today, he will make a return, albeit as an opponent, to the same arena where he is revered as a hero and it will be interesting to see how he handles the feelings even though he is a thoroughbred professional.

He is going to slug it out with players with whom he fought several battles and dug out great results. He will attempt to break the hearts of the very fans he used to make happy.

The former West Ham player inflicted on Jose Mourinho’s men their first dent in their title charge when he scored a late equaliser during Blues’ 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium

earlier in the season. Although he did not celebrate the goal, Chelsea’s travelling fans were unhappy he ended their unbeaten run and stopped them from opening an eight-point gap on their fiercest rivals.

Today’s tie presents Chelsea another opportunity to open an eight-point gap on the defending champions, a victory for Mourinho’s men could be decisive in the title race but they know Lampard can stop it.

Lampard suffered a hip injury during the Dubai Tour two weeks ago but Coach Manuel Pellegrini has declared him fit for this tie. The former England international has scored five goals for Man City in his 17 appearances since he moved to the Eastland on loan from New York City FC and he is expected to start this game especially as City’s midfield generalissimo, Yaya Toure, is away.

His former teammate and friend, Mikel Obi, has advised the home fan to accord their legend respect but warned the midfielder there will not be room for sentiment.

Mikel said: “He was at the club a long time and I think the fans will be happy to have him back. He’s such a lovely guy. It will be strange to play against him here.

We both want to win and after the game we are both friends. But during the game there is no friendship – it’s strictly business.”

Lampard

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