Nigerian observer 02 11 2013

THE WEEKEND

Weekend

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

PUBLISHED SINCE OCTOBER 6, 1990 • Vol.XI NO.3,208 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013 • N 100.00

COMMENT

Stella Oduah As Jonathan Example- Page 6

Aura Energy Ltd Takes Over JEDC, Promises Stable Electricity

THE Federal Government has handed over the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) to Aura Energy Limited, an international electricity company that bought the outfit.

The international governments had tried to electricity company privatise the power bought JEDC in the sector without success, power privatisation so we want to commend exercise in the country.

President Goodluck JEDC distributes Jonathan for taking the electricity to Plateau, bull by the horns.’’

Benue, Gombe and He added that the Bauchi states. decision to privatise the In a brief speech power outfits was to rebefore the formal hand energise the sector and over, the Managing make it effective and Director of JEDC, Mr urged electricity workers Fidelis Obishai, to see the development described the as a challenge to put in development as a their best toward stable landmark feat in the power supply. quest for stable Obishai described the electricity. sale of the power outfits He said “so many as a child of necessity,

and thanked labour unions for ensuring that the exercise was concluded without labour casualties.

He advised the new owners to focus on training and retraining of workers for easy transition from the public to the private sector.

In his remarks, Alhaji Tukur Modibbo, the Chairman, Aura Energy Limited, expressed happiness that electricity workers had embraced the power reforms, and particularly lauded their cooperation in the sale and take-over processes.

He said “we learnt that PHCN workers are

against the sale of the power outfits, but what I have seen here are workers who are ready to ensure its success.

“I want to advise the workers to brace up to work in a suitable environment that will

reward merit, excellence and hard work, where promotion will be based on quality, rather than the number of years in service.’’

Modibbo said electricity workers had always endured dangerous

environments with so much attacks and harassments by people who had no knowledge of the workers’ modus operandi.

He promised a better working environment for those willing to work.

In his remarks, Governor Jonah Jang promised to create the right environment for the company to function and asked the new owners to connect the two local governments that had Continued on page 4

Body Of Late Akhigbe To Arrive In Nigeria Today

THE body of late former Chief of General Staff, Vice-Admiral Mike Akhigbe, is expected to arrive in Nigeria today, the newsmen reports.

Nigeria’s ConsulGeneral in New York, Amb. Habib Habu, told newsmen that the body

would depart New York on Friday night.

“Earlier on Friday, a church service in honour of the former Naval chief will take place at the Holy Family Church located at 315E, 47th Street in New York,’’ he said.

It would be recalled

that Akhigbe died on October 28 at the age of 67 in New York.

Habu said members of staff in the offices of the Nigeria Permanent Representative to the UN and the Nigerian Consulate had been encouraged to attend the service.

AWARD: Hon. Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Tertiary Education, Barr.

Washington Osifo presenting an award to one of the winner from University Preparatory Secondary School, Benin City.

CABER CRIME

Nigeria Will Lose $15million To Cyber Theft Related Cases By 2020 - Page 19

COMMENT

2015: Possible

Flashpoints Page 9

THE WEEKEND

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

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N ws

40-Yr-Old Widow Caught With A Dead Day-Old Baby

L-R: Pastor Monday Aigbe, Acting General Manager, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), Hon. Aanena Jemitola, Commissioner for Art, Culture and Tourism, Edo State and Deaconess (Mrs.) Florence Ebomoyi-Idundun, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry during the Commissioner visit yesterday. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM A 40-year old widow who simply identified herself as Mujidat was caught on Wednesday with a dead day old baby she hid inside a sack around her residence at 2, Reverend Alimi Street, NEPA Phase I, Ijagemo in Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.

It was gathered that the dead baby was part of the results of her waywardness and act of prostitution she engaged herself since the death of her husband known as Baba Mushin three years ago.

According to source, a High Chief Babatunde Balogun residing in the community allegedly caught the Mujidat, mother of seven when she was trying to dispose the baby at about 5 p.m the same day.

When questioned on the content of the sack, she claimed she was coming from the market where she bought

Publisher In Jail For Issuing Dud Cheques

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

A media publisher in Lagos, Tony Iwena is now cooling his feet in Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos for allegedly issuing dud cheques to the tune of N13.05 million on the order of an Ikeja High Court.

Iwena, who lives at 1, Otuyelu St., Oke-Ira in Ogba, Lagos, is being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge bordering on fraud and issuance of dud cheques.

The publisher who was

charged along with his company, Tonad Publishing Ltd pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge and was ordered to be reminded in prison custody till the next hearing on his bail application.

The EFCC counsel, Mr. M.K. Bashir, alleged that the accused committed the offences sometime between October 14 and 21, 2010 at Mushin.

He alleged that Iwena issued three Union Bank cheques for the sum of N13.05 million in favour of Star Chem Industries Ltd. “The cheques were

dishonoured on presentation at the bank and he has committed offences that contravened Section 1(1) of the

Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004”, Bashir submitted to the court.

The presiding judge of

THE Police has arraigned Happy Danjuma, 27, in a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State for criminal conspiracy, cheating and breach of trust The prosecutor, Sgt. Joseph Ahua, told the court that Mrs. Lami Samija of Church Road, New Karu, reported the matter at the

New Karu Police Station on Sept. 23.

Ahua alleged that the accused who resides at New Karu conspired with the husband, Mr. Kyanta Danjuma, and deceived the complainant into giving them N320,000 to help in settling a case in court.

The prosecutor added that instead of settling the

Police Arraign Woman, 27, For Criminal Conspiracy, Cheating, Breach Of Trust

working with the transport unions to sensitize them.”

Fashola reiterated that out of over 10,000 roads in Lagos, the law restricted motorcycles from plying only 475, which were highways, if such motorcycles were not up to the 200 cc capacity.

He said the law also provides that in the over 9,000 roads where there is no restriction, the riders must wear safety helmets and not carry more than one passenger.

case, the accused bought a Honda vehicle with the money.

He said the woman hid herself from the complainant till she was arrested, adding that the husband is now at large.

Ahua said the offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating and breach of trust contravened sections 97, 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr. Jeremiah Danladi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with a surety in like sum.

Danladi said the surety must be a reasonable and responsible person residing within the jurisdiction of the court and must have a landed property.

He adjourned the case to November12 for further hearing.

August 26.

Auta said sometime in 2011, the complainant entrusted N2,150,000 to the accused to help him purchase some bags of maize.

He alleged that the accused collected the money and converted it to his personal use, adding that all attempt to reach him after he had collected

the sum proved abortive.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

If convicted under the two sections of the law, Mohammed could be imprisoned for 10 years or fined or be punished with both.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the

Fashola Draws Battle Line With Traffic

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM Violators THE Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola has drawn a battle line with Policemen and Military officers who violate the state’s Road Traffic Law, as he vowed to decisively prosecute them accordingly.

Describing the incessant violation of the State’s Road Traffic law by these uniform men as unbearable, Fashola declared that such bad eggs must be dealt with without mercy.

Speaking during the presentation of the 2014 budget proposal to the Lagos State House of Assembly at Alausa in Lagos on Wednesday, the governor decried the attitude of policemen and military officers who break the traffic law with impunity.

He said, “Let me say to them clearly, that it is bad enough if law enforcement personnel violate the laws they are constitutionally paid to enforce, it is the height of impunity if they do so in uniform”.

Fashola said while the

traffic law was being obeyed by many Lagosians, “I cannot say the same for a few law enforcement agents and few military personnel who have either turned enforcement into an extortion exercise for money or have seen themselves as above the law by violating our traffic laws and BRT Laws.

“That uniform is the symbol of the authority of the State and it is funded from tax payers’ money. I have news for those bad eggs who give law enforcement a bad name in this country. We will bring you to justice and make examples of you; before you bring dishonour to these timeless institutions that have produced officers and true gentlemen,” he vowed.

However, Fashola said he was happy that the traffic law, since its commencement had been working and had recorded huge success, saying that he was elated that one year after, things had taken shape in the transportation sector in the state.

Reeling out statistics, Fashola said: “Traffic

the High court, Justice Olutoyin Ipaye ordered that 53-year-old Iwena should be kept behind bars pending the determination of his bail application fixed for 11 November.

accidents have reduced from 646 reported accidents in August 2012 to 118 reported accidents in July 2013, and deaths from motorcycle accidents have reduced from an average of 12 per month to one per month and indeed no deaths were recorded in August, September, and October.

“We are concluding plans to implement the next phase of the law, and we have been

some household items.

However, on a closer look, Balogun discovered that the sack contained a dead day old baby the woman allegedly had just delivered as there was still sign of just delivered woman on her.

He then called the attention of the other residents to come and assist in taking to hospital for medical attention who later resolved in inviting the CDA in the area before taken her to the Police for security reason.

Some neighbours of the woman revealed to our correspondent that they did not pity the woman as she alleged to be dating different men for monetary gains for some times and all efforts to convince her to start trade failed.

“Probably, when she knew that her action dating men has turned to pregnancy and she started using different drugs to abort it which may have affected the baby and led to the death. She will surely tell her story to the Police”, the source said.

It was also gathered different and strange faces, especially men have been noticed visiting her residence day and night, even some people with the community who always snick in and out of the house built by her late husband popularly known as Baba Mushin who died about three years ago.

According to source, the woman denied that she was planning to throw away the baby because of an alleged paternity mess, claiming that a welder turned block maker near her residence was responsible for the pregnancy that resulted in the birth of the dead baby she was caught with.

She claimed she took delivery of the baby by herself because she found it easy and therefore did not go to any hospital or sought anybody’s help.

Members of the Community Development Association (CDA), in the area were learnt to have accompanied the woman and her sack of baby to the IsheriOshun Police Division where the matter was reported. At the time of this report, the woman was still being interrogated.

Efforts to get the Police angle on the matter proved abortive as our correspondent who went to the Police Station directed him to meet the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for confirmation.

Police Arraign Businessman, 30, For Breach charges.

THE police on The magistrate, Mrs Of Trust, Cheating Simisola Thursday arraigned a Adeniyi, granted businessman, Murtala Mohammed, 30, of Sabon Wuse, Abuja in a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, charged with criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The prosecutor, DSP Yusuf Auta, told the court that Surajo Haruna of the same address reported the matter at the police station in Zone 7 on

the accused bail in the sum of 100,000 with two reasonable sureties in like sum.

Simisola said one of the sureties must be a public servant and both of them must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

She then adjourned the case to November 20, 2013 for further hearing.

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N ws VP To Handover PHCN Assets To New Owners THE Vice President Namadi Sambo will officially hand over the physical assets of the 14 PHCN Successor Companies to the new owners on November 1 This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

The statement signed by the Head of Public Communication of BPE, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe said the event would also hold simultaneously at the headquarters of the PHCN Successor companies across the country.

It, however, said that Sapele Generation Company (SGC) would not be affected by the exercise since National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has directed its legal committee to undertake a comprehensive legal status of the company.

According to the statement, the decision followed the failure of the preferred bidder to complete payment.

The statement listed the Successor Companies to be handed over and their new owners to include: Abuja Distribution Company (KANN Consortium Utility), Benin Distribution Company (Vigeo Power Consortium).

Others are Eko Distribution Company (West Power & Gas), Enugu Distribution Company (Interstate Electrics Ltd) and Ibadan

Distribution Company (Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing).

Ikeja Distribution Company (NEDC/KEPCO Consortium), Jos Distribution Company (Aura Energy), Kano Distribution Company (Sahelian Power SPV), Port Harcourt Distribution Company (4Power Consortium) and Yola distribution Company (Integrated Energy Distribution &Marketing Ltd).

It also listed generation companies to include: Shiroro (North-South Power Company), Kainji (Mainstream Energy Solutions), Geregu (Amperion Power Distribution) and Ughelli (Transcorp Ughelli Power).

The statement quoted the Director General of BPE, Mr Benjamin Dikki as saying that the hand over was a culmination of 14 years of effort by the NCP, BPE and other key stakeholders.

It recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had formally handed over share certificates and licences to the 14 new owners who had made 100 per cent payment of their bid amount.

The Electric Power Sector Reform Implementation Committee was set up in year 2000 with the mandate to proffer an appropriate legal and regulatory framework for the sector.

Osun Orders For Armoured Tanks To Fight Crime GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun said his administration had placed orders for armoured tanks from China to fight crime in the State.

The governor disclosed this at “Gbangba Dekun’’ forum with the people of Ede, Ede South Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the State Government is doing everything possible to ensure adequate security and protection of lives and property in all parts of the state.

“I have placed orders for armoured tanks from China to be stationed in Ejigbo, Ode-Omu, Ede and Iwo among other towns”, stressing that armed robbers would have no option but to flee the state.

Aregbesola said the armoured tanks “are so sophisticated that people inside it can easily view everything outside but nobody can see the operators from outside.”

The governor disclosed that a development plan was underway to turn around the infrastructure in some major towns including Osogbo, Ilesa, Iwo, Ede and Ejigbo.

He said such towns would

receive maximum attention from the state government such that all the facilities befitting city centres would be put in place to boost development.

The governor, however, hinged the success of the plan on the improvement in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Aregbesola, who was a former Commissioner for Works in Lagos State, said increased IGR was the secret of development in that state.

The Okaibo designate of Urhomehe and father to the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Manson Odubu (right) address the Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin Kingdom during a courtesy visit to the palace. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

Nigeria Will Surpass IMF Growth Projection Of 7.4 Percent, Says CBN DR Sarah Alade, a Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said that Nigeria would surpass the International Monetary Fund (IMF) growth projection of 7.4 per cent for it in 2014.

Alade, who is the Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, made the statement in Lagos at the presentation of the IMF 2013 Regional Economic Outlook for SubSahara Africa.

She said that the average projection for Sub-Sahara African countries was six per cent in 2014 due to strong investment demands.

Alade also said that inflation was expected to maintain its downward trend to less than six per cent by the end of 2014.

She said the goals could be achieved through prudent monetary management and the Federal Government’s transformation agenda as well as the growing non-oil sector of the economy.

She said that Nigeria had exceeded its peers in the region due to increased trading partners as well as be-

ing able to handle political and domestic constraints.

Alade also said that most investors coming into the country had taken advantage of the tight monetary measures put in place by the government.

She said that it was important that Nigeria must ensure that inflows into the country could assist and create short-term macro-economic stability.

Alade said that when such inflows got out of the system, they would create instability which could spill over to the

Umeh said experts had also traced many cases of ectopic pregnancy to early exposure to sexual activities.

An ectopic pregnancy, or eccysis, is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity.

She explained that teenagers were more likely to experience complications during delivery because their internal organs were not properly developed to carry such tasks.

According to her, the implication of this, in some instances, is that the pregnant teenager later suffers from

sectors are concluded and successfully implemented on time, then we might see growth beyond 7.4 per cent.

“Again, it depends on the timing,’’ she added.

The Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said that economic managers had to be more proactive and active in terms of preparing for changes in future Rewane said that there would be a lot of volatility in commodity prices, production as well as security issues during the election year.

Code Of Conduct Tribuna Chairman Solicits Assistance Of Donor Agencies THE Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Umar has solicited for greater partnership with donor agencies to aid its effective performance.

This is contained in a statement from the office of the chairman in Abuja, issued by

Expert Advises Teenager On Dangers Of Early Pregnancy

DR Maureen Umeh, an obstetrician at the National Hospital Abuja, on Thursday advised teenagers against indulging in activities that could result in early pregnancy as such could be inimical to their health.

Umeh said this in a lecture she delivered at an inter schools debate competition on: “Cell phones, television and Internet are responsible for the rise in teenage pregnancy cases in the world” in Abuja.

She said that unsafe abortion by teenagers could lead to fertility problems later in their lives.

short, medium and long terms financial instability.

She, however, said that government would ensure that some policies were put in place to manage the inflows to mitigate risk.

The official said that such policies included macro-economic and financial stability policies which were efficient and effective.

“Let me say that we will push growth beyond 7. 4 per cent depending on the structural transformation we are doing.

“If these reforms in power, agriculture and in all other

Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).

Dr Nnenna Uzodi , who organised the debate for some schools in the FCT, said apart from the health implications of teenage pregnancy, it could truncate the educational development of girls.

Uzodi, who is a medical doctor undergoing national service in the FCT, said her clinical experiences inspired her to organise the debate.

She said her experiences had shown that many teenagers died due to complications arising from pregnancy.

the Head of Press and Public Relations of the tribunal, Mr. Ibrahim Al-hassan.

According to the statement, Umar made the call while receiving the Country Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), Mrs. Mariam Sissoko in his office.

“The tribunal needs assistance in the area of logistics, information technology and capacity building of the workforce which, will make the tribunal adjudicate cases before it more effectively and efficiently.

“The chairman expressed delight with the UNDOC over its resolve to partner with the CCT by intervening in its efforts to fight corruption in the country,’’ the statement said.

The chairman said that the tribunal was one of the major institutions handling corruption cases that affect public officers in the country.

“Considering the quantum of responsibilities before the tribunal, especially against the backdrop of its meagre budgetary provision, such help would make the tribunal discharge its functions

more effectively.

Earlier, according to the statement, the Country Director said the visit was to formalise the signing of a ‘Compact Agreement’ with the CCT. She said that this assistance would include the provision of one Hilux Jeep, legal hardware and software items to facilitate e-library research for the tribunal.

Sissoko said her organisation was not to substitute government in its responsibilities to the tribunal but to collaborate with it in fighting corruption.

She observed that virtually all the anti-graft agencies in the country had similar budgetary constraints which she claimed affected the effective discharge of the duties of such institutions.

The Country Director advised the anti-corruption and donor agencies in Nigeria to come together and brainstorm on how to address issues relating to budget and duplication of mandates.

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N ws Edo State Will Come Top In 2014 Certificate (MOS) National Championship - Barr Osifo

THE Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Tertiary Education, Barr.

Washington Osifo has assured students in Edo state that the state will come top in 2014 Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) National Championship for students.

Making this assurance during the awards presentation ceremony of 2013 Certiport Microsoft Office specialist (MOS) National Championship for students which took place at Imaguero Secondary School, Benin City, the Commissioner said that “1 am well convinced that as we begin to journey through what we are going through in information technology as the modern ways of teaching, I am sure next year will surely be better than this year”.

While congratulating those who came to Edo State and take everything home, I want to assure you, the students from this state, the opportunities are equal, it does not make you less superior, congratulate your colleagues that are holding today in the spirit of Competition”.

Barr. Osifo stated that it is a fair, decent pragmatic contest and that it is through a process that is genuine and transparent that the best will come, so for today congratulate your colleagues because they participated and they are the best for today like I said it does not make you less superior.

The Commissioner who noted that our society is failing and need somebody to drive it to the next level, said all we need to do is to ensure at any level, only the best is given the opportunity to drive the process, saying that the moment we start giving the chance for the best the operate in all sectors, we shall then be able to get the best drive and leadership.

In his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. J. A. Okojie, Executive Secretary, National University Commission, represented by Mr. Alex Ewuruje Assistant Director, Students Affairs, expressed his gratitude to the Managing Director of Readmanna for organizing such a laudable competition, saying that National

By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR

courtesy visit to the Benin Monarch, yesterday.

Chief Manson Odubu said he was at the palace to seek royal blessing for his elevation to Okaevbo of Urhomehe community.

He informed the royal father that the visit became necessary after the community’s decision to obtain royal endorsement for the ceremony.

Responding, the Oba of Benin expressed appreciation for the visit.

The Eson of Benin, Chief Amos Osunbor as well as the Eribo of Benin Kingdom, Chief John Oviasogie congratulated Chief Manson Odubu on his new status in Urhomehe, and the blessing by the Oba of Benin.

Spokesman for the

University Commission (NUC) identifies with the Project and is therefore reedy to support the program.

He encouraged more students and individuals to participate in this program as ICT can provide easy access to online registration in Universities.

Earlier in a key note address, the Guest Speaker, Mrs. Joan Abolo, Regional Bank Head, UBA PLC highlighted some of the ways technology enhance education to include helping Students to learn at their pace, reducing the cost of education amongst others.

High point of the occasion was the presentation of awards to the winners of 2007, 2010 and 2013 championship by the Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Tertiary education, Barr. Washington Osifo.

The Managing Director, Information Communication Technology Agency, Edo State Mrs. Yemi Keri used the opportunity to flag off the 2014 Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist National Championship for Students.

Omo N’Oba Endorses Dep Gov Father As Okaevbo

THE father of Edo State Deputy Governor and the Okaevbo designate of Urhomehe Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Chief Manson Umweni Odubu has gotton the endorsement of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa for his installation on the 15th of this month (November 2013) as the Okaevbo of Urhomehe.

The endorsement was made when Chief Manson Umweni Odubu accompanied by his eldest son, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu and family members paid a

Quiz Competition Meant To Catch Them Young BENIN CITY- Edo State Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Hon. Annena Jemitola has said that the purpose of the proposed cultural quiz competition organised for children is a state government programme aimed at discovering talents among children.

Hon. Jemitola who stated this when she paid a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarter of Bendel Newspapers Company yesterday stated that the competition has the support of the state government, adding that the competition will be keenly contested for as a way of encouraging talents among youths.

- Commissioner Responding, the general manager of Bendel Newspapers company pastor Monday Aigbe commended the Commissioner for the initiatives and assured of assistance in whatever capacity especially in the area of publicity.

He stated that BNCL is solidly behind the initiative, adding that the company is ready to ensure that the quiz competition is a huge success. “The fact that you are here today shows the seriousness of the event and we are ready to give you the necessary support, he added.

emissaries from the community, Chief Richard Aimuyebo said chief Odubu is the eldest man in the entire community, and as such qualified to be the Okaevbo, hence their mission to get royal blessing for the installation ceremony to kick off on the 15th of this month.

Edo State Commissisoner for Art, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Aanena Jemitola, 3rd from right with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Deaconess (Mrs.) Florence EbomoyiIdundun, 2nd right, Pastor Monday Aigbe, Acting General Manager, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited in 4th right with Management Staff of the Company during the visit to BNCL yesterday. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

Clan Head Condoles Late Akhigbe’s Family

By LAMAI CASSIUS/GIFT ONAGHAMA LATE Vice-Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe (GCON) has been described as a national hero and military gentleman who through his intelligence rose to the peak of his career in the Nigeria navy as one time Chief of Naval Staff and later Chief of General Staff which made him the military vice-president under General Abudulsaam Abubakai’s administration between 19981999.

This assertion was made at Fugar, the administrative headquarters of Etsako Central local government by the Oliola of Anegbettee, the Clan head of South Uneme Clan, HRH Alhaji G.Y.M. Ugbodaga (JP) shortly after paying a condolence visit to the family house of late admiral Akhigbe in Fugar.

HRH described the death as shocking as he never expected such news from a

man whom he proudly called his brother as they were always coming to spend holiday in Anegbette after their school at St. Paul Anglican grammar school, Igarra between 1961-1965 when the senior brother Chief Joseph Akhigbe Alemon was a teacher in the community and went to Kaduna together in 1966 before he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

The traditional ruler who was visibly touched over the death of admiral said has never seen any brilliant man like Mike as he was always coming top throughout their schooling at Igarra but very gentle and hope it was his intelligence that made him to attain the highest rank in the Nigeria navy.

He said the death of admiral Akhigbe has left a big vacuum not only in the local government, Edo state but the country at large as he was

one time military governor of Ondo and Lagos states. He said such a person is very difficult to find in a community as he was a free minded person, adding that he would have stayed longer to enjoy his retirement.

Late admiral Akhigbe single handedly created the present Etsako Central Local Government and ensured that Anegbette was part of the local government and recounted how he first awarded the Anegbette road through PTF to Dantata Construction Company before the contract was revoked by President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in 1999.

The traditional ruler prayed God to give the family and everyone he may have left behind the fortitude to bear the loss saying he may have lived a short life but well fulfilled and left a legacy for the people which will make his name live forever in our lips.

Planned Confab Will Succeed - Braithwaite A senior advocate of Nigeria, Dr Tunji Braithwaite, has said that the planned national dialogue for Nigeria would not fail.

Reports say that Braithwaite said this while speaking at a consultative forum of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue in Lagos.

Reports say that the Committee led by Sen. Femi Okorunmu met with various ethnic, civil society and pressure groups in Lagos to

seek advice on the conduct of the planned dialogue.

The Committee, set up by President Goodluck Jonathan on October 1. was to facilitate the convening of a national conference by the Federal Government.

Braithwaite told the forum that “the planned dialogue is divine and cannot fail.

“Previous conferences may not have worked out but that does not mean that this one will fail.

“I have looked at the oppositions’ reasons and their

NDE Rehabilitates 48 Skills Acqusition Centres Nationwide THE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has said it had acquired and rehabilitated 48 skills acquisition centres in 16 states of the Federation.

The NDE Director-General, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, stated this at the disbursement of resettlement equipment to graduates of National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (NOAS) training programme of the NDE in Kano.

He said the centres, which had since commenced operation, were rehabilitated in collaboration with the MDGs office to provide standard training to unemployed youths across

- DG

the country.

Mohammed, represented by a Director, Malam Lawal Kuki, said the NDE was currently rehabilitating additional skills acquisition centres in Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Kwara, Oyo states and the FCT. He said the decision to provide the graduates with resettlement tools was aimed at preventing them from wasting their skills and relapsing back into the unemployment market.

“This will also enable the directorate to test skills competence acquired over the period of their training.

reasons for thinking the confab will fail and realised their grounds lacked conviction” he said.

According to him, participation at the confab is a lifetime opportunity that must not be missed by any ethnic group or others in Nigeria.

“Anyone condemning this conference because it is put together by President Jonathan is wasting their time because there is no going back on it,” he said.

Braithwaite, a former presidential candidate of the National Advanced Party (NAP), noted that Nigeria could not afford to remain in the artificial conception given to it by the colonial masters.

“53 years after, Nigeria is still celebrating enslavery” he lamented.

Braithwaite noted that the 1999 constitution that is still in use in Nigeria was only “fit for the dustbin”.

“Nigerians must evolve their own constitution. We expect all leaders to support any move to give Nigeria a new and better constitution” he added.

It was also reported that at the forum were representatives of the Afenifere and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

Others were the Yoruba National Assembly, Campaign for Democracy and the Yoruba Unity Group among others.

Aura Energy Ltd Takes Continued from page 1 Over JEDC been left out to the national grid.

In his message to the ceremony, Vice President Namadi Sambo said the process took more than five years and expressed happiness that it ended successfully.

Sambo, whose address was read by Dr Folashade Yemi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, said the power

reforms had unbundled the power outfit into 18 companies - six for generation, one for transmission and 11 distribution firms.

“The quest was to improve efficiency, reduce losses, create employment and ensure quality and cost effective electricity to Nigerians,’’ the vice president added.

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“The PDPs administration has lacked the human face and the milk of humane kindness flowing in its veins. So what does President Jonathan want to celebrate but the incarceration of the souls of hundreds of millions of Nigerians who are in the dungeon of pain and suffering.”

National Confab: Pass The Acid Test THE recent pronouncement by president Goodluck Jonathan to provide a befitting platform for all Nigerians including the various ethnic nationalities and other stakeholders to discuss and jaw jaw on various issues that has been plaguing the very existence of the Nigerian nation is a very welcomed development.

The age-long agitation for a sovereign. In National Conference in particular as different from a national conference or w h a t e v e r nomenclature is a very earnest development that should be given a d e q u a t e consideration.

For once, it is my hope and belief that the nation should get it right this time around, as the proposed conference would provide the much needed opportunity for Nigerians to assuage the raging and burning fire beneath the belly of the Nigerian nation.

Though many patriots have reasoned in recent times that anything short of a sovereign national

conference would not hold water however the proper and wise thing to do as I confirmed in this column many months ago is that only a true national conference would create but a true level playing ground for all the various ethnic nationalities on how to voice their opinions on how to move the nation forward and if we are to remain as one nation one people.

Conversely many other patriots claims that anything other than a sovereign national conference would be a ruse, another jamboree leading to further waste of time, resources and more palaver.

Ironically, Nigeria as a nation today is a mixture of the absurd, and the bizarre. The nations sunk in the phantasmagoria world of darkness and illusion.

Today, Nigeria is a nation that is wrapped up in the ridiculous, were all things evil and satanic is wide spread with disdain and impunity over all that is good and normal.

Today, Nigeria as a nation exists under a

very abnormal and subnormal conditions which is generally repulsive and not acceptable in civilized and developed climes.

Thus, it remains to be seen if the national confab and its resultant fallout would vigorously

approval. Arguably for me, this idea would amount to a sell out, as the exercise would be an exercise in futility, null and void.

If anything, if the conference is to translate and transform the aberration that is

If the proposed national confab is to pass the acid test as being the basis on which to fashion out a new constitution based on the proclamation of “we the people” and if the new constitution drafted would be

Nigeria, then the report must be backed by the power of sovereignty of the people.

Thus if indeed the national conference is to have any legitimacy, and legality, then it must be subjected to a REFERENDUM – only then would the document confirm the sovereignty of the people.

subjected to a REFERENDUM by all Nigerians then the sovereignty of the people shall prevail.

For long, we have continued to relie on a constitution that is not based on the sovereignty of the people, and this is truly abnormal and deceptive to say the least. So if President

Jonathan

and dynamically have any impact or any significant influence on the way and manner in which Nigeria is governed.

As a matter of fact the crux of this piece is related to president Jonathan’s decision that the national confab’s report would be brought before the National Assembly for

Jonathan goes ahead to present the report of the confab to the National Assembly for approval so be it.

But it is known generally, that the National Assembly have never been in favour of any sovereign national conference on the basis that their cannot be two sovereignty.

Conclusively, if the outcome of the proposed conference is not subjected to a referendum for representative of Nigeria nationalities and interest group to discuss the fundamental issues of their national existence and experience and come up with a new constitutional frame work that is subject a referendum by the people” then the whole issue of the national conference would have been nothing but another Jamboree, another failure, that may ultimately lead to the disintegration and conflagration of the Nigerian nation. But God forbid. Thus subjecting the report of the confab to a REFERENDUM, means passing the acid test.

“If the proposed national confab is to pass the acid test as being the basis on which to fashion out a new constitution based on the proclamation of “we the people” and if the new constitution drafted would be subjected to a REFERENDUM by all Nigerians then the sovereignty of the people shall prevail.”

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Stella Oduah As Jonathan Example

THOSE who expect President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to buckle and flush Princess Stella Oduah, the Minister of Aviation down the toilet under the torrential brewing scandal called “$1.6 million BMW Cars Scam” are as naive as the President himself. He needs Ms Stella Oduah in that morally bankrupt industry to criminally rates in unearned billions of Naira for his 2015 presidential election the way she did in 2011. Long before Dr Jonathan openly canonised corruption at the ‘Presidential Media Chat’ as part of his itineraries to mark the nation’s 53rd Independence Anniversary a few weeks ago, Nigerians are fully aware that the president has been wedded to graft interminably, and that only death will do them part.

In that Presidential Media Chat, Dr Jonathan vaguely opined - because he talks before he reasons - that Nigeria problem is not corruption. May be it is premeditated. Presidential minders told me that the president merely wanted to take the shine out of his main political challenger, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, whose historical anticorruption credential as Military Head of State is beyond reproach. Perhaps, admitting that corruption is the major setback for Nigeria as a nation would have meant that one; the President has ceded a great deal of the battle ground to the opposition against the backdrop of 2015 presidential election.

Second, it would have meant an admittance to being corruption, a virus to which he has been tenaciously entangled since he took office.

President Jonathan took the nation’s anti-corruption war a century backward when he decline to declare his assets publicly on assumption of office, even after his government signed a pact to that effect. He said at the time that it is not compulsory for him to declare his assets openly since no law made it expressly mandatory for him to do so. All entreaties to Dr Jonathan to follow the foot steps of his predecessor, the late President Umar Yar ’Adua was never heeded.

The Nigeria-US Binational commission on transparency signed a

communique in Washington DC on June 4 and 5, 2012 by the then US Deputy Secretary of State, Bill Burns and Nigeria was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Martin I. Uhomoibhi. The fourth paragraph of the communique signed by both countries at the meeting read thus: “both countries recognized and reaffirmed commitments to transparency and accountability from local to national levels that include

By ERASMUS IKHIDE

couple with the fact that his predecessor did the same.

He defied the pressure pilled on him to lead by example if he hopes to win the war against official graft.

Since then, Nigeria has refused to join the Open Government Partnership, OGP, a forum of about 55 countries determined to promote open governance

• President Goodluck Jonathan

strong community efforts. To support those commitments, Nigeria intends to widen its budgetary transparency efforts to include public asset declarations by parliamentarians and other senior public officials.”

The President, in his ungainly and boyish style said a few weeks that, “The issue of asset declaration is a matter of principle. I don’t give a damn about it, if you want to criticize me from heaven. The issue of public declaration I think is playing to the gallery. You don’t need to publicly declare any assets. If I am somebody who wants to hide it is what I tell you that you will even believe.” One would have thought that the rancorous crises that attended his own presidential ascendancy would have buoyed President Jonathan to declare his asset without being prodded to do so,

and a culture of accountability around the world. To join the forum however, Nigeria would need to ensure that assets declaration by senior public officials and elected officials is in place. The OGP is an international initiative aimed at securing concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, increase civic participation, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to make government more open, effective, and accountable.

This is exactly what Dr Jonathan detests and would continue to object to, so long it opens the floodgate to siphon hundreds of billion of Naira to prosecute his undeserving continuation in power beyond 2015.

How then do we expect the ministers selected by a larcenous president under the cover of a compromised

legal system whose financial records of how wealthy or poor is copiously wrapped in veiled pretence of a less charitable anti-corruption code? The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC had a case against President Jonathan as the Governor of Bayelsa State. He was among the 19 former

Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.

Each of the Falcon 7X jets was purchased in 2010 at a cost of $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m. However, the actual price on the average of the Falcon 900 is put at $35m; Gulfstream IVSP, $40m; Gulfstream V, $45m; Boeing 737 BBJ, $58m; Cessna Citation, $7m; and Hawker Siddley 125-800, $15m.

This brings a combined estimated value of the PAF to $390.5m (N60.53bn).

Industry experts are wont to say that airlines spend between 15 and 20 per cent of the cost of an aircraft on

• Stella Oduah, Aviation Minister

Governors who had a case with the EFCC at the time.

The case was discontinued the moment he was selected as the Vice-President to the late President Yar’Adua. His wife, Patience Jonathan was also on the EFCC’s list among those to face prosecution for money laundry. That too has also been discontinued!

The repulsive rot in the Aviation industry merely mirrors the larger picture of the graft induced Administration of Dr Jonathan where Presidential Air Fleet is lager than three national airlines with 10 aircrafts in its fold. According to findings, the PAF include two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, a Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and a Gulfstream IVSP. Others are one Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and

its operation yearly. They opined that averagely, a little less than one-fifth of the cost of the plane is spent every year on insurance, flight and cabin crew, maintenance, fuelling, catering and training. The Nigerian Air Force’s website says the PAF’s current staff strength consists of 47 NAF officers, 173 airmen/airwomen and 96 technical and administrative civilians.

Going by the fact that at least 15 per cent of this amount is spent annually on operating the PAF, it means about $58.57m (N9.08bn) is being spent annually on running the planes in the Nigerian PAF, making Nigeria one of the most expensive PAF in the world.

It will be out of place for Nigerians to wishfully anticipate, even to demand a beat transparency and accountability from a government that thrives

essentially on the selection of certified crooks who see public office as mining ground of their own share of the national cake. It is the same Dr Jonathan’s poverty of ambition - Power without purpose and answering the name ‘President’ regardless of his ineptitude and woeful failure that drives Ms Stella Oduah to the pure vanity and lost for obscene opulence.

Sadly, this Teflon travesty of womanhood has not brought in any fresh initiatives and has failed to react brilliantly to the problems militating against aviation industry since her appointment. It removes from her flowing elegance and beauty, the very innate majestic talents and highest aptitude require of princess that she claims. She is more concerned cruising in posh armoured cars in flashing jewels than the safety of air travellers.

Nigerians are used to Dr Jonathan’s numerous ego trip queries and commission of enquiries that produce White Papers for his White Paper Government, WPG. This one on “$1.6 million BWM Cars Scam” will not be difference. At a time planes are fallen off the nation’s airspace like the migrating stock encountering poisonous substance in the middle of the air; at a time the nation’s aviation industry is competing for the bottom of the ladder with war-tore country like Somalia as the poorest airport in African, at a time Foreign airlines coming to Nigeria rely on their in built Total Radar navigational equipment for air safety within the Nigeria airspace gives the barefaced looting an i n t e r n a t i o n a l embarrassment.

Nigerians have been badly led enough and it is my firmly held conception that we need to come emphatically clear on this and point out that Dr Jonathan neither can nor should be an obstacle to our unyielding commitment to put the nation on the part to greatness. Until Nigerians resolve and appreciate the potency of their electoral power to chase failed leaders like Dr Jonathan out of power with their votes, the present nightmare will be a child’s for the anarchy that is to come next time.

Erasmus Ikhide write from Lagos, Nigeria.

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The Grounding Of The EFCC, ICPC

THOSE who are concerned about the systematic killing of the two anti-graft institutions by top governmental officials for their selfish reasons, may not be wrong after all.

Reason: the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), one among the two anti-graft bodies, known for being much more active than its lazy counterpart-the Independent Corrupt Practices and Allied offences commission (ICPC), is reportedly broke and can not pay her huge bills owed to the few private solicitors that perennially handle their cases.

On the other hand, the ICPC which is more or less a toothless bull dog has almost being grounded to a ruthless stop due largely to leadership inertia, incapacity and total lack of charisma on the part of their leaders/hierarchy to wage war against corruption.

Painfully, the near-demise of these strategic publicly funded anti-graft agencies coincided with the period whereby large scale cases of corruption and economic crimes have manifested among public office holders especially in the electricity power sector embroiled with wide spread allegation of under- hand dealings in the ongoing privatization of publicly owned Electricity power firms to some private business persons drawn largely from suspected fronts of top government officials.

Apart from the electricity power sector, another segment of the nation’s economy entangled in corruption and large scale economic crimes is the pension scheme especially the Nigerian police’s pension scheme in which cases of theft of over N32 Billion are ongoing at ridiculously snail -speed by the EFCC at various Federal High Courts against top government officials drawn from the office of Head of Service of the federation including a serving permanent secretary in the Nigerian Presidency.

In this piece however, our attention will dwell extensively on the process of privatizing various electricity power plants to private buyers most of whom are allegedly linked to top government officials

in the presidency. The wife of President Jonathan and the vice President Mr. Namadi Sambo have both been linked to the company purportedly run by Chief Emeka Offor that reportedly took over the Enugu Electricity Company. They have all but denied these widespred allegations.

One question that has yet to be answered is why these two anti-graft institutions were surreptitiously crippled and rendered incapacitated about the same time that this corruption-ridden transfer of Nigeria’s

By EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO

old vehicle for the purposes of selling it off at very ridiculous give-away price?

This will surely be termed penny-wise-pound foolish.

Before providing further and better published proofs of the above claim, let me draw the attention of the reading public that the names of the private sector

• Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC boss

electricity power firms to the private sector is happening?

Secondly, facts emerged that the power firms belonging to the people of Nigeria were sold by the current government for N404 billion even when collectively these plants gulped N3.2 trillion of tax payers money to fix back to optimal functional shape.

Why should Nigeria sell off these vital electricity power plants at these ridiculous rates even after injecting enormous quantity of public fund to revive and/ or modernize them therefore making it look as if they were sold at the laughable rate of two for – One Kobo?

I ask, which wise man/ woman wanting to dispose off his/her old car will almost spend a fortune good enough to purchase a brand new car just so as to fix the

buyers that have or are now possessing these power plants are the same persons that have featured in virtually all the privatization transactions that have ever happened ever since this widely criticized privatization policy was implemented right from the days of President Olusegun Obasanjo up until the current dispensation.

What the above point demonstrates is that the privatization exercise may be less than transparent even as equity and fair play never took place in the whole scenario.

Now to the important but irritating fact that government spent N3.2 trillion to fix the power plants but sold them N404 billion, one of the nation’s newspapers known for investigative stories- Daily Trust recently published

huge volumes of evidence to prove this allegation in its Tuesday October 1st 2013 edition.

In very specific and unambiguous presentation, Daily Trust reports that on the last day of September, 2013 the federal government handed over its spun off power companies

several power reform programmes in the past 14 years of civilian rule, much of it wasted, so says the newspaper.

The PHCN was split into six generation, 11 distribution and one transmission companies.

All the generating and distributing firms were sold separately for N$2.5 billion (about N404 billion) in total.

A House of Representatives inquiry in 2008-2009 found that at least $15 billion dollars had been spent in the power sector, most of it stolen,

• ICPC Boss

to private buyers who paid a total of N404 billion to acquire assets into which investment of over N3.2 trillion was made in the past 14 years.

Government presented share certificates and licences to the new owners of six power generation companies and nine distribution firms that reportedly completed payment of their bid amounts.

Those public companies now sold were among the 18 successors of the now moribund Power Holden Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

PHCN was broken up in a privatization process that is aimed at ending debilitating power shortage in the country, Daily Trust reported.

At least N3.2 trillion (about $ 20 billion) has gone into

with no commensurate result.

So I ask, why the privatization exercise if ultimately the country would have to cough out huge sums of public fund to fix the power firms just so that these favoured private buyers can have them at give -away- prices? This is certainly absurd.

Were the rules governing privatization that complies to global best practices followed and if yes, is the exercise not a total negation of the economic objectives of Nigeria as enshrined in chapter two of the Nigerian constitution which frowns at economically empowering only but few Nigerians at the expense of the greatest happiness of the greater population of Nigeria?

In his book titled; “Privatization and public good: the rule of law

challenge”, Dr. Sam Amadi had as far back as year 2008 warned thus; “Regulation is one process of ensuring that something close to a perfect market exists after privatization.

Again, regulation helps to overcome the dangers of privatization, including that privatization may become a process of creating a monopoly or entrenching an unfair market power”.

If truth be told, the process of selling off publicly owned electricity power plants built at very high rate and later sold at ridiculous amount to same persons in the private sector associated with all the privatization exercises since the last 14 years, is less than transparent and indeed violates relevant section of the Nigerian constitution including but not limited to section 16(2) (c) which provides that “the Nigerian state shall direct its policy towards ensuring that the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group”.

Again, section 15(5) of the Constitution provides thus; “The Nigerian State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power”.

In this instance of privatization of Nigeria’s power plants, there are clear and present danger that under the table dealings took place but sadly the anti-graft agencies that ought to wage anti-corruption war are busy waging administrative lobby to convince both the legislature and the executive arms of government to increase the scope of financial resources to be paid to them to enable them survive. As the late Musc Icon Fela would sing, “Dead body get accident, this is double wahala for dead body and the owner of the dead body”.

Nigeria is at a crossroad and indeed Nigerians have found themselves between the deep blue sea and the hard rock but the citizenry must not go to bed but must actively wage advocacy battle to ensure that those diverting public fund to their private accounts are brought to account for these huge crimes before the competent court of law.

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National Conference: It Is Timely

THE reports making the waves that the strong man of Lagos politics and former governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is alleging that the timing for the confab is wrong, political, suspicious, that it appears to be a Greek gift and, advised Nigerians to be wary of such. He accused the President of trying to be smart with the timing of the confab now, bearing in mind that it is just few months to the election. No doubt, Asiwaju is entitled to his opinion as I am and, he has expressed it but, on this his opinion on the timing of the confab, he cannot be right to my thinking.

I have warned before that politicians can only go for elections if and when Nigeria is still standing as a country.

The deep hatred, intolerance, disrespect we have against fellow Nigerians has become alarming and, it is only desirable for us as a country to come together and talk now, the timing cannot and should not be a barrier.

We cannot always play politics with every government policy and national goal, more so, that which will lead to achieving peace, unity and development. It is obvious, glaring that Nigeria has become killer field, where every week media reports estimate the

number of people killed as thousands. The military are becoming overwhelmed by the powerful and coordinated effort of the militants, most Nigerians had thought that with the declaration of war against the militants by the combination of all

By UZODINMA NWAOGBE

time, we can hold the confab before the elections, for goodness sake, the confab can last for not more than three months if the right structures, leaders and most importantly the dia-

Jonathan

security outfits in the country that Boko Haram is a goner but alas, we are dead wrong. We are now more convinced that what we need more to live together as Nigerians, to right the wrongs of the past, to accommodate all irrespective of religion, ethnic and political leaning is this talk and, talk we must!

Asiwaju Tinubu missed it here. There can never be the right

problems lies on this conference, if that is the case, why postpone it and to when? Most conferences are usually for the resolution of very knotty issues and, in our case we have very

interference from either.

Certainly, the confab would come before or after the elections not during so either way, no elected President would resume work on May 29 and inaugurate a committee for the conference instantly. Our lead-

Tinubu

logue allowed to go on without any spanner thrown into the wheel of progress by government, NASS, religious, ethnic groups or big politicians. It is this sort of confusion from the likes of Asiwaju Tinubu that could derail the confab. My thinking is that leaders like him should posit better ideas, challenge Mr. President on the success of this confab, recognizing that the solution to Nigeria’s myriad of

many challenging and threatening issues that we must attend to if Nigeria must remain one.

The 2015 election cannot in anyway be an issue as far as the confab is concerned. The body (INEC) responsible for organizing elections in this country is not the same as the committee responsible for putting the confab together. The two bodies are clearly different in every way and manner and as such would work without

ers must sometimes excuse themselves from unnecessary politics for the advancement of Nigeria. The attitude of most political opponents of the leading party at the centre is to fault everything that comes from the presidency without analyzing and understanding the benefits. For years Asiwaju and many Nigerians have shouted for the convocation of national conference, now it is here but, because

“Good or bad, President Jonathan will live the Presidential Villa, our mandate as Nigerians is to contribute our quota to have this country succeed irrespective of who is in power.

We must as stakeholders be constructive in our criticisms, so as to bring out the best in our leaders for a better Nigeria.”

President Goodluck Jonathan is the one convening it and taken the credit, then it is No – we must rubbish it.

In the past, Mr. President refused to accept National Conference for Nigeria because according to him we have the National Assembly where we can go and lay down all our troubles but, we continued pressing it on him that the assured way for Nigeria’s stability, peace and progress is still the National Conference as NASS cannot be any solution. For him to now turn around to reason with advocates of the conference, he indeed deserves our encouragement, support for the success of it. Good or bad, President Jonathan will live the Presidential Villa, our mandate as Nigerians is to contribute our quota to have this country succeed irrespective of who is in power. We must as stakeholders be constructive in our criticisms, so as to bring out the best in our leaders for a better Nigeria.

This talk is to take us out of political clashes, religious killings, ethnic and communal cleansing, to promote respect for our citizenship, reorganize our resources and civil service for the benefit of all, reduce wastages and unnecessary spending because of our over bloated democracy. When your children are daggers drawn, you do not postpone settlement because it is Sallah, the joy of your celebration is that you and your children celebrate the mood in peace. There is no better time to talk than now, for it is only the living that would go to the polls.

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C mment 2015: Possible Flashpoints

THE 2015 general elections are some months away but in politics especially in the Nigerian context, a thousand years is like just the next day so most aspirants of political offices in 2015 are already galvanizing their machinery to take part in that elections that would remarkably become a defining period of Nigeria’s national life.

Political and human rights scholars know that elections are essential ingredients for the sustenance of vibrant democracy and the constructive participation by the people to ensure peaceful, fair and transparent conduct of elections are imperative and indeed finds support in several provisions of both local and international humanitarian laws.

Mr. Manfred Nowak in his book “HUMAN RIGHTS: handbook for parliamentarians” reasoned that citizens of all democratic nations must become owners of the process that would lead to free and fair election of political office holders who would provide transparent services for the growth and advancement of such nation(s). Articles 21 of Universal Declarations of Human Rights and Article 25 of the International Covenant on civil and political rights (CCPR) support the aforementioned.

Democracy, Mr. Nowak said, is premised on the idea that all citizens are equally entitled to have a say in decisions affecting their lives.

R. N. Munshi in his book; “World famous Quotations”, stated

that “elections are periodic features of politics” and philosophers view politics as the techniques for administering a nation state.

Nigeria has since 1999 recorded violence in most elections both at the state, sub-national and national levels leading to avoidable deaths of citizens.

In the 2011 elections in which President Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated General Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), hundreds of innocent Nigerians were massacred in violent unrests that trailed the announcement of the results especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria.

Bauchi and Akwa Ibom States in both Northern and Southern parts of the country were the most affected. In Bauchi state, several young graduates of Southern extraction posted to do their national youth service were killed by street urchins and hoodlums who were allegedly sympathetic to General Buhari who lost that election but several months after that violence no one has either faced the wrath of the law nor has the federal government put machinery in motion to avoid a repeat.

There is every possibility that Bauchi state may witness a repeat of this bloody post-election violence given that the current minister of FCT Senator.

Bala Mohammed is eyeing

By EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO

the governorship seat and the incumbent Mr. Yuguda is not favorably disposed to allowing the current Abuja minister to succeed him in 2015 because of the obvious fact that though Senator Bala Mohammed was a special assistant to him (Governor Yuguda) before he

such a powerful politician to succeed him since he (Bala Mohammed) will no longer play second fiddle to the governor if he succeeds him.

In Akwa Ibom State, members of the then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party clashed in 2011 leading

• Godswill Akpabio

(Bala Mohammed) hit the goldmine of politics with his election as a Senator and his elevation later to the office of minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the wake of the assumption of office by President Jonathan courtesy of the doctrine of necessity promoted by the Senate of Nigeria to enable the current President succeed his then boss now late Umaru Musa Yaradua who left for medical treatment abroad without handing over to his then deputy.

Yuguda may not be comfortable allowing

to the killing of over three dozen innocent civilians and several assets belonging to the Akwa Ibom State government were burnt by hoodlums angry that the ruling Party manipulated the outcome of that election.

Political pundits have recently identified Akwa Ibom as one flashpoint whereby effective proactive measures must be put in place to avoid a repeat of the scenario that violently played itself out soon after the 2011 election.

I was recently in Akwa Ibom and from

what my organization were told, that state is one of the flashpoints that if not checked could witness serious post-election conflict not just between political divides but even within the ruling Party (PDP) whereby a recent cabinet change carried out by governor Godwill Akpabio swept away one of the most a m b i t i o u s governorship aspirants.

This man who is said to find support among some key members of the Abuja political establishment because of his speculated healthy financial status, has however denied that he was stockpiling arms to cause chaos in the 2015 election should he lose out in the emerging power configuration.

There are also allegations in certain quarters that some politicians with enormous wealth whose sources of money in their hands are questionable may also want to constitute a threat to peace similar to the ugly scenario in 2011 if their selfish political agenda are not met.

These persons are said to have unprecedented confidence in their enormous monetary fire power to deploy these resources to unleash unquantifiable violence on the state to disturb the peace and cause violence.

This is the political and existential dilemma which must be arrested without further delay through peaceful and constructive dialogue

by all political stakeholders including those persons that are currently having running political battle with the current powers-that-be in Akwa Ibom state for the sake of the future of the good people of that state and especially women and children who are always the greatest victims of any politically motivated crises.

Sadly, there is no evidence to show that children of the political elite died during the 2011 pre-and post election violence in Akwa Ibom State.

“In politics, no one knows the extent to which such monies could be deployed.

The rise in the crime rate in Enugu between 1999 and 2007 was traced to the deployment of illicit money at the governorship elections with which small arms were put in the hands of the political thugs.

We fear same for Akwa Ibom state”, so say our some members of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria who wrote our national executive committee to intervene by waging media advocacy to promote peace and social justice in their home state.

This is the reason for this EARLY WARNING SIGNAL that we are serving through the media so all hands in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria must be on deck to ensure that 2015 election in that state and indeed all parts of Nigeria do not experience a repeat of the horrible and horrendous bloodshed that characterize the 2011 elections.

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P litics IN recent months I have had a cause to comment on several issues concerning Rivers State. This is because these happenings have far reaching significance beyond the geographic confines of that state. I am heartened that prominent Nigerians like former Head of State,

The Political Impasse to reveal their true identities. The only thing I can say is that I am gratified that the same positions that I have canvassed on the issues of Rivers State are in accord with those

By UCHE IGWE asked, what is it that Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is fighting for? Is it for his pocket or any ambition or for the liberation of Rivers

Jonathan

Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and eminent jurist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) have on several occasions condemned the lawlessness and impunity that have become the style of those who are assaulting the state and its leadership.

There are those who have chosen to dismiss my observations as driven by pecuniary benefits, others have threatened, insulted, and even called me names in order to tarnish my image. Many of these often faceless commentators have opined that I have been paid to express my views in the public domain. I have chosen not to honour them with any response until they summon the courage

uted to shaping the kind of leader he has become. The first is that the verdict automatically disconnected him from his immedi-

ministration but for the fact that his candidature developed a k-leg mid-way. The straightening of the k-leg by judicial intervention now freed Mr. Amaechi from those who he

agape. They could no longer come back to the Amaechi camp after the court pronouncement. Governor Amaechi therefore had an opportunity to remodel the political

would have owed an eternal debt of gratitude for enthroning him.

The second thing was that the ruling created a crack within their larger political family such that it allowed Amaechi to begin to re-assemble his own structure. Many politicians who supported him before the k-leg had crossed over to work with his cousin who was then holding brief before the Supreme Court ruling came. It was like a thunderbolt that took many people unawares and unsettled the political equation.

Those who jumped over and were already playing prominent ‘lucrative’ roles in the temporary administration of Sir Celestine Omehia were caught with their mouths

structure across board with those who remained with him.

Looking at these historical issues closely, one will gain considerable insight into the difficult issues the Rivers State Governor had before him as well as the depth of his courage and his navigational skills.

He had to completely overhaul the system he inherited to re-engineer it to pursue his vision for the state. It is noteworthy that Amaechi had to ‘rebel’ against the very system that produced him.

He grew through it and probably understood its shortcomings more than any of his peers and was poised to change it as soon as the opportunity came calling. It was said to be a disfunctional, arbi-

Amaechi

expressed by these distinguished statesmen mentioned above.

In the puerile imagination of my masked critics, these patriotic men, like me, might have been paid also. If so, then so be it.

Rather than being demoralized in line with the intents of my detractors, their criticisms have emboldened me to begin to probe further into the political impasse in Rivers State, and express my disgust at the deafening silence of the federal government. I have also curiously tried to unpack things by myself in terms of what could be the intentions of different actors. For instance there are those who suggest that the Governor of Rivers State is the one who is fighting and then I

people from the claws of stomach politics?

Since the day the Supreme Court pronounced Mr. Amaechi as the duly elected Governor of Rivers State in 2007, two symbolic things have happened which contrib-

CP Mbu

ate political family. As someone who has been a prominent member of the kitchen cabinet of the former administration, his emergence in 2007 as governor would have become a mere extension of the former ad-

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o In Rivers State P litics trary and despicable system. But it was also heavily entrenched and whosoever did move against it must be prepared to pay a price.

That person must be ready to be torn in between the short term interests of a powerful few and the long term interest of the powerless majority. Amaechi chose the side of the powerless in an uncommon bravery and whatever price he is paying today is partly a direct consequence of that choice.

After being Speaker for eight years and almost rounding up a second tenure as Governor, what else should Amaechi be looking for? Why will he not allow those who are fighting desperately to take over the soul of the state to have their way?

At least so that he can spend the remaining months of his tenure with peace of mind and to sleep with his two eyes closed. It is difficult to believe that any leader will be driven by anything except commitment to expose his life to such amount of risk as Mr. Amaechi has done just to protect his vision.

As someone who used to be on the other side, Mr. Amaechi understands the DNA of those who are now bickering to take over Brick House. He knows the risks in confronting them squarely.

But he also knows what could befall Rivers people( a people he feels indebted to), in case of the misfortune of the return of these power thirsty scavengers. That primitive distributive chop-chop democracy

Soyinka

Falana

Wike

which was at the verge of destroying Rivers State irreversibly would return again. Brick House would regain its fame or notoriety as a pilgrimage centre of sharing. Stomach infrastructure will begin to flourish while physical infrastructure will begin to diminish as in the days of old. God forbid!

However, as well intentioned as one may speak about his vision and approach, the Rotimi Amaechi administration has got its own share of mistakes too. Those must not be lost in the narrative.

His pet empowerment project known as Rivers Money for Rivers People was not a complete success. It was intended to allow for an economic trickle-down effect from government projects on indigenous contractors and service providers. However some of the indigenous contractors under this scheme claimed technical capabilities that they did not possess and so could not deliver jobs given to them to specification and in record time, to the dismay of the Governor. The Rivers Monorail project is one other project that has drawn a lot of criticism for the Amaechi administration. Many people have validly argued that project may be useful in the long term but expensive.

They have faulted it for not being a priority for the state at this time especially given that the first phase started from a part of town that is not known for so much traffic gridlock.

Others have gone ahead to even question the Governor’s interest in the leadership of their umbrella association and argued that he should not have contested the Nigerian Governors’ Forum

election at all. Given all of these, will one say that Amaechi record as governor is less exemplary? For me, leadership is not about being perfect or flawless. It is about vision, courage, commitment, values, transparency, compassion for the led and leaving a place better that how one found it.

Let those be the yardsticks that will be used to measure any at the end of the day including Mr. Amaechi. Let the role to passing a verdict at the appropriate time be left to history and posterity. However many pundits who have made any objective assessment of the situation in Rivers State have come out with the same conclusions that things have progressively improved under the current leadership. There are those who think otherwise.

They have their right to dissent but let their submissions be based on hard facts and verifiable evidence rather than speculations. It is my contention that the current political standoff in Rivers State is not about Rotimi Amaechi as a person, his desires or any ambition.

It is battle between performance and mediocrity; transparency and opaqueness; ethical universalism and competitive particularism. It is about the Rivers people and their choice between a government that takes care of the needs of the majority and another one that services only the greed and lordship of the few.

In the final analysis, if Soyinka, Abubakar, and Falana are on the same page in these matters as my humble self then why should I owe anyone any apologies?

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o US Drones And World Insecurity F reignXtra

By ABDULRAZAQ O HAMZAT

SINCE the beginning of time, there have always been conflicts, crisis and wars. This implies that, there have always been insecurity and threats to peaceful living.

History established that, powerful nations have always championed cause of oppression and aggression against the less powerful nations, and this manifests in form of c o l o n i a l i s m , expansionism, slavery and so on.

Before the emergence of modern nations, wars and conflicts are limited in effect; limited in the sense that, the effect of conflicts are mostly restricted to the parties involved.

Though, there are examples of non-actors in conflict situations that were sometimes affected, but the examples are minimal until U.S emerged as the world super power.

According to research, United State of America today poses more threat to world peace than any other threat. History and available evidences show that, for every war or armed conflict in any part of the world, be it in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Europe or other parts of the world, the history of escalation and sustenance of such conflict can be traced back to the activities of the U.S, directly or indirectly. Evidence also shows that, The U.S pioneered the greatest threat to insecurity in the world.

Arm proliferation which may be defined as spreading of small arms, which are weapons designed for use by individuals like pistols, assault rifles, sub machine guns and light machine gun could also be light weapons,

which can be deployed and used by group of two or more people.

They include grenade launcher, portable antiaircraft and anti-tank guns, as well as recoilless rifles, even missile launcher and mortar less than 100mm, or atomic bombs and other weapons of mass destruction, be it nuclear, biological or chemical, among the state and non-state actors, particularly the criminal mass of people and rogue states.

• Musharaf

(Traveston and Bennett 1997.).

The manufacturing and spread of such weapons are mostly from the super-power nations which US is the most powerful and the availability of such weapons in the hand of criminally minded groups is said to be the major threat to world peace.

Again, evidences show that, such weapons are easily bought in U.S to be transported outside the region.

The historic origin of arm proliferation in the modern world can be

• Barack Obama

traced to 1939, when Albert Einstein wrote a letter to the then U.S president, Mr. Roosevelt, informing the president on the need to carry out a project on the U.S atomic bomb and its possibilities. This letter gave birth to the American Manhattan Project in September 1942. But prior to the launching of that project, a soviet scientist, Georgi n.

Flerov wrote the soviet state defence committee in June 1942 on the need to produce a uranium bomb. This period marked the beginning of arms race in modern

history.

Thus, according to C.M Robert: On December 2, 1942, the first chain reaction was achieved at the University of Chicago. Studies have it that, the incident of World War II has had some devastating consequences on mankind as well as global system. The world has been greeted with proliferation of variety of assaulted weapons and agents of mass destruction, where a mutual difference has taken the form of mutual Assured destruction (MAD). The war has marked a new phase in the history of human tragedy. ‘’In 1945 for example, America infested two Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with pestilence through the use of atomic bombs, which killed tens of thousands of people, as many became deformed. Today, after 67years of the U.S bombardment of these two cities, the local people as well as ecosystem still suffers the effects of devastating damage caused by those military actions.’ ‘’During the Potsdam conference (July 24,1945),Josef Stalin Continued on page 13

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o

F reignXtra US Drones And World Insecurity

Continued from page 12

of old Soviet Union was informed by the U.S president, Truman on the intention of the U.S to attack Japan,unless Japan surrender, a very destructive bomb that had been developed by the U.S. This bomb would have much devastating and catastrophic effects on human and materials resources. The bomb was atomic bomb.’’

(NOUN INR212) It was after the U.S show of power and oppressive display chemical weapons that prompted the USSR to follow suit and engage in massive arm manufacturing which now poses a great danger to the world. ‘’The comparable soviet achievement came on December 24, 1946. The Soviet Union did not produce sufficient plutonium for a nuclear bomb best until 1949. More than four years after the U.S test at Alamagordo, New Mexico (Roberts, 1974.)’’ ‘’Studies also have it that, After the innovation of the U.S in the development of atomic bomb, the government of soviet union reacted swiftly by calling on its scientists and engineers to defend their homeland by building atomic bomb in no time. The reaction of the USSR government was to check the U.S monopoly of atomic energy or military supremacy, particularly when there was already a cold war

existing between the west and east divides.

Again, after Soviet Union invention of atomic bomb, a series of caution were made between the U.S and USSR because of their equal power relations to mutual destruction.’’ ‘’Five months after the first soviet nuclear test, the U.S president, Mr Truman announced the intension of the U.S to develop a hydrogen bomb, a quantum jump in explosive power with the aim of maintaining arms superiority. By November 1, 1952, Hbomb (Hydrogen Bomb) was experimentally achieved in the U.S after the august 12 soviet invention.

Initially, these weapons were conceived for delivery by bomber aircraft, A- bombs (atomic bombs),but the vastly greater explosive power of the H-bomb made missile delivery practical in spite of the considerably inaccuracy in the guidance systems in early model of ICBMs.’’(NOUN INR212) This period attracted affection for missile artistry by the then two super powers.

(The U.S and USSR) and by 1955, the two super powers had achieved deliverable H-bomb capabilities, but striving vigorously to achieve Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capabilities.

U.S later launched its first nuclear powered

submarine and development of huge B-52 bombers. On 26 of august, 1957, the soviet government announced the first test of an ICBM and six weeks later, she also announced the Sputnik project. Other ballistic missiles already developed were intermediate and medium range ballistic missile (IRBMs and MRBMs). The two super powers later developed (ABM) Anti Ballistic Missile which the soviet developed to provide limited defence against the U.S Minuteman Missiles.

The U.S developed ABM system before the Soviet Union. The U.S first began with NikeZeus and then developed the then more advanced Nike X. Also in the 1960’s, the U.S developed MRV (Multiple Warhead Reentry Vehicle) carrying a cluster of war heads for a buckshot effect.

The U.S also considered in quick succession, the building on the independently guided Multiple Warhead (MIRV). In Texas meeting, the U.S also considered the development of Poseidon, a new MIRV missile for Polaris submarine. (NOUN INR212).

In order to further check the American supremacy in strategic military build-up, the soviet built new ICBMs,particularly the massive SS-9s as well as many nuclear powered ballistic

• David Cameron

• Russian President

missile submarines often known as Yankee Class (Y Class),which could match the U.S‘ Polaris submarines.

The Soviet also developed surface to air missile (SAM).

China and some other countries have joined

“History and available evidences show that, for every war or armed conflict in any part of the world, be it in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Europe or other parts of the world, the history of escalation and sustenance of such conflict can be traced back to the activities of the U.S, directly or indirectly.”

the world nuclear powers, and there is an on-going debate on the development of nuclear energy by Iran, which most western nations believe that it would spell a bad omen to the majority of the world population, if the U.S coined member of Axis of Evil, Iran develops it. (NOUN INR212).

Today, every country wants a chemical weapon in fear of being attacked by the US. It is worth noting that, as much as the U.S enjoy free flow of arm production, sales and delivery to ally nations

which has been observed as a major threat to world peace, it never seized in such pursuit, but instead wanting to deny other nations of the privilege of enjoying such liberty by coining a relatively unknown name (member of Axis of Evil) to denigrate some nations.

One of the reasons given by the U.S is that, these countries may supply some of the terrorist organizations in the world to carry out their nihilist and destructive operations against their target state and non-state actors.

What many observers of the global system are concerned about is, when did the U.S became the watch dog of the world to determine who does what? At present, U.S is the producer of drones and major producer of weapons of mass destruction despite the ban on such production by the U.N. With the constant terrorist attacks across the world, one begins to wonder where these terrorists’ organizations get their weapons from. There is a ban on the development of some weapons which may be categorized as weapon of mass destruction by the world body, united nation, but notwithstanding, U.S and some other super powers enjoy the production of these weapons against the law of the U.N without caution.

It is safe to conclude that, the super supers cannot continue to enjoy the liberty of manufacturing or keeping their already manufactured chemical weapons while denying other nations from doing same. If one country shouldn’t have a chemical weapon, no country should.

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n $1.6 Million BMW: Coscharis The Big

A alysis

Criminal And The Tokunbo Car Ban NIGERIA battles to comprehend the level of corruption among officials of our present Jonathan government as rehighlighted by an award deserving, timely revelation Sahara Reporters made, that our Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah had the Ministry purchase two bulletproof BMW’s for 225 milion naira from Coscharis for her.

But as the news captions pour out over Stella, the air-plane crash record holding aviation minister’s shameless usurping from the Nigerian masses, an equally important focus our attention and captions should be the Cabal owned Coscharis motors.

In actuality, the singular offence of Nigeria’s ministry of Aviation as is, is the diverting of our money to purchase antibullet vehicles for the minister; well that’s apart from them first lying and pretending that the story was a rumor. But when the ridiculously inflated price of the vehicles is considered, the potential criminal at this time is Coscharis motors.

Coscharis motors, soon likely to be one of Nigeria’s so-called car manufacturers, with this deal, according to the report, supplied cars that sell in Europe and America for about $160,000 to our ministry for $1.6million.

That is 10 times higher, aiming for the staggering 1000% profit mark.

Assuming Stella Oduah and the ministry were utterly incompetent and did not know they were being cheated, just like lots of Nigeria’s masses do not know that by buying Dangote cement for N1800 a bag at double and triple the price worldwide, they are being cheated by Dangote company who happily declares double profit quarterly returns; the culprit we have right now and as accountable as minister Stella and the ministry of Aviation is Coscharis motors. In addition to Stella and the ministry, EFCC must also

investigate Coscharis motors. They should investigate the deal involving Coscharis supplying of the 200 cars to Nigeria’s First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan’s AFLPM summit. It is important lawyer Femi Falana clearly lists Dr. Cosmas Maduka and his Coscharis motors as a co-defendant.

What did Dr. Cosmas Maduka’s company sign off to? How do they sign up for such deals to help defraud our nation of the masses’ much needed funds? How often does he supply cars to our ministries at such inflated prices to fatten pockets?

How does Coscharis feel when they aid and abet the ministry in stealing money meant for education, for security, for construction of roads, and divert these funds into their pockets?

Do these cabal-run companies have any sense of a conscience at all?

Then the likes of Dr. Cosmas Maduka, Aliku Dangote and other government camarilla Cabal will declare themselves businessmen and entrepreneurs and employers of Nigerian labor, whereas all they are is thieves in fancy suits with fancy operations that help the criminals in power transfer Nigerians wealth into all their pockets, then with bans and higher tariffs, compel Nigerians to buy from them and them only while pretending to be valuable for “employing” slave Nigerians to manufacture the products they sell at double and ten times the price.

It is well understood that with the more strict global regulations on money laundering, under the Obasanjo administration, more appealing methods of laundering and stashing wealth were developed.

These included working with the cabal like Dangote, Otedola and the like, who helped to “sanitize” the money, invest it locally in industries given sole rights to maximize profits in money doubling and

By Dr. PEREGRINO BRIMAH

tripling and people placating companies, and then the money can be exported legally and used to buy-up and set up

motors are in bed with Minister of Trade and Industry, Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga, lobbying for the minister to ban the

companies can complete the signing of lucrative manufacture deals and have an oligopoly of Nigeria’s car supply.

Are Nigerians really going to allow their entire

• President Goodluck Jonathan

• Stella Oduah, Aviation Minister

companies and properties all over the world. What the current administration is allegedly again doing through Access bank, AA. Rano Oil and Godbless Azibapu’s Azikel Group, etc. This is what we all witnessed, with documents, Coscharis involved in, thanks to this ground breaking report.

Currently cabal run companies like Coscharis, Stallion group and Elizade

importation of used/ Tokunbo cars, a 374,000 Nigerian employing industry, so their

automobile procurement options to be in the hands of this type of allegedly criminal companies who are willing to defraud the nation in cahoots with the corrupt ministries? Dr. Cosmas Maduka rightly said that what Nigeria urgently needs is an environment for the middle class to grow, power, roads, etc. How can we achieve this if big companies like his help the government defraud us of the money to establish cottage industries?

These type of greedy companies that sign off to deals that sell cars to Nigeria at 10 times the price, without even an atom of conscience, with

government banning importation of tokunbo cars and the only possible competition; at what rates will they sell cars to Nigerians?

Some have suggested that the ministry should ban the importation of private jets, to encourage local manufacture. It is criminal that our government will sabotage our future and transportation options in the hands of their friends and bedmates like Coscharis, without first having provided us Subway and other alternative cheap public transportation options, as India and South Africa, the countries the minister reportedly studied, first did, in addition to first manufacturing cars, before dreaming of raising tariff’s in a pseudo-ban.

The Nigerian house of representatives has already signed off on this tariff-ban, so as to raise the value of their shares with these companies.

A Nigerian reacted, that in this country, when a poor man steals an indomie food sachet from an individual, he is paraded and reprimanded in jail, but when our cabal and corrupt government officials steal millions to billions from millions of Nigerians, with the new and improved OBJ fancy stealing mechanisms, he is “serving his country,” and does not get paraded by the enforcement.

The thought of the destiny of Nigeria’s poor masses is really scary as the callous and insanely greedy cabal work with our government to handcuff and rob the nation dry.

Nigerians simply demand the same justice for the rich as it is for the poor.

“These type of greedy companies that sign off to deals that sell cars to Nigeria at 10 times the price, without even an atom of conscience, with government banning importation of tokunbo cars and the only possible competition; at what rates will they sell cars to Nigerians?”

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s

I sues Edo Language May Go Into Extinction If...

IT is very obvious that with the neglect of our Edo language teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools in the state, Edo language may go into extinction in four to five generations to come.

Today in our homes, one could hardly hear adults speaking the mother tongue (MT) to themselves in the market places, meetings, marriage ceremonies, prayers, even in traditional parties and family meetings get together where minutes are read in English.

Instead of speaking it to their children, they resort speaking Pidgin English at home for domestic messages saying that English language is spoken by civilized people globally.

Many children wanted infact to learn and speak their mother tongue even in schools, but they have been denied the opportunity to the extent that a teacher can punish a child who speaks his or her mother tongue (Edo)

in the class.

Most children however regret not speaking their mother tongue especially when they are in the midst of others (elders) who speak theirs mother tongue fluently when discussing important issues that border on the culture of the people.

Some children feel lost in their homes and that something is missing in their life especially communicating with others. We have obligations to the present generations and generations yet unborn who should one day inherit our customs (language) sufficiently irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or where they reside on the globe. We parents must work to make our language (Edo) a reality in recognition of our heritage. It is our duty to do so. It is their fundamental human rights.

The children should not be blamed for not being able to speak the mothers tongue (MT) hut the parents, ministry of education

By OSEMWEGIE ERO and the school proprietors who have failed to make the teaching of our indigenous languages possible in the schools. In order not to let the Edo language go into extinction, the Oba of Benin Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Oba Erediauwa CFR, established an Edo Language Committee 1989 in collaboration with the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) to develop and standize the authography so that it might not go into extinction.

The committee worked assiduously and standized not only the language, but produced an Edo Language Medullar Curriculum which has been approved by the Ministry of Education and the Nigeria Educational Research Development Council (NERDC) Abuja. It has been sent to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and NECO examination bodies in West African

sub region.

Let the Edo parents stand up, talk, about the gains in learning, speaking and teaching our children the mother tongue which is the strong pillar in capturing our culture, folk tales, folk lore’s, morality, patriotism, philosophy, ethics, love of our neighbour, citizenry and the greatest tool with creative talents for a societal change.

Our ambitions are so much high on what we want the Edo children to learn from the language that will make a great academic change through out the rest of their lives.

Book Project Based on this prospect made so far by the Edo Language Committee under the leadership of the lyase of Benin Chief S.O.U Igbe, the committee with approval of the Benin Traditional Council, has embanked on a Book Project (BP) for both pri-

“It is in the light of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s repeated statements that Edo Language should be taught in schools that give hope to every one in the state but the none implementation of this clarion calls by the governor, the ministry of Education has done more havoc than good in the wheel of this much needed subject in our schools.”

mary and secondary schools in order to meet up with the demands of the teaming population of primary school children and the West African Examination Council standard and other examination bodies The Edo language Committee is quick and happy to say that it has written a new Edo Language Books for primary 1 - 6 and it has reached advanced stage of printing in the press.

It is the ultimate aim as it has been decided by the Benin Traditional Council and the Language Committee to produce one thousand each of Edo Books 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively totally 6000 (six thousand) copies each to be sent to all primary schools freely to the seven Local Government Council Areas in Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State for a start. It has reached advanced stage of production.

Finance To produce such magnitude of Edo primary school books 1- 6 making of 6000 copies each to the seven L.G.A totally 42,000 copies, will definitely cost millions of naira. To fully succeed in the Edo Language book project being carried out by the Benin Traditional Council Committee on Edo language, requires no doubt the collective efforts of every adult citizen of Edo state, be you business men, women, philanthropists, politicians chiefs all chairmen of Local Government Council Areas and all men who love our mother tongue (MT) not to be come

extinct.

Unless we come to the aid of the teachers and children with free books particularly in the primary schools, the impunity with which the ministry of Education neglects the Edo language will sink the la1nguage into extinction.

It is in the light of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s repeated statements that Edo Language should be taught in schools that give hope to every one in the state but the none implementation of this clarion calls by the governor, the ministry of Education has done more havoc than good in the wheel of this much needed subject in our schools.

The situation is critically worrisome.

We don’t want the language to go into extinction or oblivion.

Speaking our language makes us to appreciate the realities of what we are made of and be proud of our root, with charity for all, with fairness in the right societal change, political renaissance, cultural revolution psychological therapy, attitudinal reorientations, religious rebirth and leadership into action for a social change. If we fail to learn and speak our (MT) and become adult representing our districts in a wider perspective, we will be moving from wrong to wrong as this has affected Nigerian leaders of today in their respective societies.

Are Nigerians To Academic Degrees Conscious?

SOMETHING tells me that Nigerians, whether at home, or in Diaspora, are very highly educated, indeed one of the most educated people in the whole wide world. We love academics, and it will not be too far from the truth, if I say that Nigeria has the highest number of persons per capita (Degree holders as a percentage of the population), with undergraduate and Post-graduate degrees in the whole world.

An analysis of US census data revealed that Nigerians-living in the US- don’t only value education but surpass all other US ethnic groups, in the acquisition of academic degrees. According to a US census data in 2006: “37% of Nigerians living in US had Bachelor’s degrees; 17% held Master’s degrees; and 4% had Doctorates degrees.” Comparatively, the same census data revealed that “Only 19% of White Americans had Bachelor’s degrees; a tiny 8% held Master’s degree, and only minute 1% of white Americans had PhDs.” The story would be the same if you beam your searchlight to the UK. Shift your survey lenses and you will see that Nigerian PhDs and Professors run South African universities and to some extent a significant proportion of US Professors are of Nigerian parentage, 90% of whom got at least their first degrees (Bachelor’s degree) from Nigerian universities before relocating to these foreign lands to do their post-graduate degrees.

The question in my mind, therefore is “Why, with all these many highly qualified Nigerians, home and abroad, are we so lagging behind the rest of the world in all endeavours of study, particularly in Science and Technology, where Nigeria is paying very high prices because of its pre-historic and antiquated technology and infrastructure? Could the reason be that our graduates in almost all spheres of study “rote-learn” and lack underlying knowledge behind those fanciful degrees? And possibly rote-learning and reading just to pass examinations, without grasping the underpinning knowledge of those degree courses we like flaunting and totting about are to blame for our lack of progress in application of knowledge for development. Nigeria may not be alone in this poor application of knowledge: It appears to be an African malaise, but then again Nigeria trumps every other country in the world- when it comes to acquiring degrees and post graduate studies, never mind poor African states that Nigeria should be leading in all spheres of endeavour.

Nigeria is seriously lagging behind Europe, America, China, Japan, Singapore, India, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia- indeed below some third world countries when it comes to building a Nigerian car, Airplanes, Jets, Sewing Machine, Trucks, Industrial machines for our Factories ( if they still exists); Biotechnologists and Green-Energy policy and production. Our Computer Software Engineers-also produced in large numbers and scattered across the world, many in Nigeria- cannot yet produce adequate and applicable Software to drive the poor state of the economy and socio-political conditions of

By TONY ISHIEKWENE

Nigeria. They still rely on Software written and produced in UK, US, India and even Taiwan and Malaysia to do anything- whether it is in Medicine, Architecture, Accountancy and Payroll, or even Security and Control programs (Any wonder Nigeria can’t deal decisively with the rag-tag “Boko Haram,” six months after billions of Naira, military might and lives were committed to the mis-adventure?)

Let’s even leave Science and Technology out of it for now and check out other areas of studies that needed only little application of brain work, with no Engineering tools and technological equipments, seriously lacking in Africa, required to make real impact across the globe, when juxtaposed against countries of the world, including Europe, North and South America and even Asia.

Let’s go to Social Sciences and Business management. What are our Economists (many with PhDs in Development Economics, public Finance, and Monetary Economics) doing, or have been able to achieve?They have not been able to develop any theory of significance to the world of Economics; non have ever won the Nobel prize for Economics, despite their large numbers, and long history of producing PhDs in that area of study, neither have they being able to develop economic models that would transform the mess-called Nigerian economy- bedevilled by corruption, poor income distribution and abject poverty among the vast majority of its people in the midst of untold wealth in the hands of a tiny band of Locusts and Leeches- for over 30 years that we have been producing PhDs and Professors of Economics in large numbers.

Our Accountants are even more pathetic! They think the world of Accounting ends with passing the equally pathetic ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) examinations; they do not take seriously CPDs (Continued Professional Development), and so are our Lawyers in the legal profession. I have argued in several forums that Nigerian Accountants and lawyers are to blame, largely, for the high level of wastages and endemic corruption in public and private organisations across the land. Nigerians waste so much time and resources in so many areas of their lives, yet Nigerian Accountants cannot put a monetary value to time wasted on Strikes, School closures, shut down of businesses on Election days (very ridiculous indeed, for elections that will be rigged anyway!), and even closures to register to vote ( Voter registration exercise for the 2011 elections cost School closures across Nigeria for 3 weeks because Prof Jega and his gang of wolves in INEC promised Electronic voting, committed so much resources and gullible Nigerians time and money to electronic registration, whereas they knew they will aid and abet the ruling party to do manual “Thumb-Printing in the real general elections held April, 2011!) Too much time wastage and laziness going

on there in Nigeria and nobody (No half-decent Cost and Management Accountants to cost all these wastages of time and money, including opportunity costs of such closures of Schools and Businesses!) No one seem to care to count the losses, or have the capacity to profile all the Costs elements and quantify them in Naira terms. As a result government declare all sorts of meaningless holidays, shutting private business up, to celebrate Nigeria winning African cup of nations and such other mundane and ridiculous celebrations and sometimes “bereavements!”

I cannot think of any field of study where Nigeria and Nigerian graduates and PhDs have excelled in: Not even in the humanities, Arts and Philosophy has any Nigerian beat the best of the world, except perhaps the modest gains in the area of Creative writing and Literature where the superlative Wole Soyinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, and late Chinua Achebe won a few prizes in Literature- including the “Booker prize” but still could not win the Nobel Prize, probably because of politics, as the world class award could not be given to two Nigerians in an era, after Soyinka had won it in 1986.

I think the way forward is to place less emphasis on Academic degrees and focus more on Vocational Education. There are just too many universities in Nigeria today, most, of not all are underfunded and passes for no more than “glorified” Secondary Schools- both in infrastructure and quality of their products. Nigeria can’t be parading over 100 universities- all poorly and inadequately funded- yet we do not have enough or appropriately trained Artisans in the system. It is a recipe for disaster!

Our Carpenters ( Cut and Nail, and can’t measure a straight line, because of poor training from Road-Side Carpenters, ill-trained themselves) Plumbers, Mechanics, Bricklayers, Hair Dressers, Cloths Machinists, Electricians needs to be trained? This is the 21st century, for goodness sake! Our Artisans are pure junk; that’s why I argued with Bolivia Ojumah ( a hospitality and hotel management analyst) that our Hotels may look super from the outside but internally the finishing and decorations are poor compared to world class standards. Nearby Ghana are producing decent Artisans and that’s because they have good vocational study centres. Somebody should tell President Jonathan that we don’t need a new university in Otuoke, Bayelsa state, his home village, instead that place should be turned into a vocational study centre or College. Vocational Colleges have the additional benefit of producing graduates who are capable of opening their own businesses- becoming job creators instead of job seekers- unlike the half-baked graduates , totting fake degrees about, endlessly searching for non-existing jobs in a near comatose economy, the products of poor education occasioned by inadequate and poorly funded universities, with corrupt, ill-equipped lecturers, who are producing misfits ( not fit-for-purpose ) graduates in this 21st century when the world is turning into a truly global village.

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i

D scourse SINCE 2005, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Aviation has had no fewer than six Ministers. Three of them lasted less than a year. The self-serving Femi FaniKayode who was dismissed in 2007 managed a grande total of 209 days.

Particularly dispiriting about Fani-kayode’s dismissal is that it looked as if it marked the beginning of something new in the ministry. He became the first minister of aviation to be arrested, detained, and arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. His tenure had turned out to be tainted by scandal and allegations of fraud.

Much of the responsibility for the mess belongs to Fani-Kayode. The man who lays claim to being the most successful aviation minister for Nigeria since 2002 had shown a breathtaking lack of leadership.

Although there was no record of plane crash during his tenure at the ministry, which he attributes to hard work and prayers, the ministry’s greatest undoing has been over Fanikayode’s own murky financial affairs which climaxed at the Federal Government’s loss of a whopping 19.5bn Naira Aviation Intervention Fund.

Aviation Intervention Fund, one of the recommendations of the Paul Dike Committee was floated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to salvage the aviation sector. The fund was intended, among other reasons, to take care of infrastructure of four of Nigeria’s international airports. Again, it was to be made available to airline operators as long term soft loans for upgrading their operations.

Before Fani-Kayode’s appointment in 2006, Professor Babalola Borishade had served sixteen months as minister for aviation and recorded five major plane crashes in which 453 persons perished. This record appeared to be a rehash of Borishade’s woeful performance as education minister between 2001 and 2003. As education minister, Borishade had humiliated the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and devalued university education. His only legacy remains the closure of Nigerian universities for seven months. And so after the ADC Flight 53 crash in October 2006, President Olusegun Obasanjo had no option than bow to pressure and ease him out of office

Nigeria Aviation: H

By CHIGOZIE CHIKERE

as aviation minister.

Since Fani-Kayode’s dismissal in 2007, four other ministers have served in the ministry among who is the current and substantive

Femi-Kayode have called for the sack of Stella Oduah as Aviation Minister. The question for Fani-Kayode and the rest is whether

dearth of airlines that stand out for being profitable, international and growing, coupled with a crop of stubborn and insolvent

lost within the vicinity of airports, what impact then has leadership changes in Nigeria’s aviation ministry made in reducing air mishaps and improving efficiency prior to 2011?

Nonetheless the report goes

• President Goodluck Jonathan

• Stella Oduah and the controversial armoured cars

Minister for Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah.

The crash of Dana Air Flight 992 of June 3, 2012 in Lagos and subsequent ones, up to the Associated Airlines Flight 361 disaster of October 3, has drawn the attention of Nigerians to the resurgence of plane crashes. Thus addressing the Senate in plenary on October 9, the Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma described the ugly situation as suggestive of a deep-seated system problem that must be unraveled and resolved in order to avert further and unnecessary loss of lives.

The Senate had summoned the Aviation Minister and the Directors-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA and of National Airspace Management Agency, NAMA to explain the resurgence.

While the Deputy Senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, had explained that the essence of the summons was not to indict but for the ministry to partner with the National Assembly in the quest for safer airspace, Nigerians at some quarters including

investors to manage, the ministry has an efficiency time-bomb ticking underneath it. It may be able to source for funds to develop infrastructure and to bankroll investors comfortably for the time being, but the specter of plane crash serves as a reminder that stakeholders in the aviation industry need to deviate from this blame game now and allow the ministry consolidate for greater efficiency to stop the bomb from exploding.

What is more, stability in international business of any country depends to a large extent on efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the aviation industry, which acts as the vehicle for safe and easy air travel across long distances. The Economist of June 18, 2011 quoted the International Air Transport Association, IATA as saying that African airports are among the costliest in the world and offer shoddy service. This assessment indicates that running and service costs alongside service quality are the most significant variables for measuring efficiency of air services.

Besides, if cost here should include human lives

reports of air mishaps means that the huge capital projects executed in the aviation sector since 2011 including the refinancing of the once siphoned Aviation Intervention Fund and the zero import duty policy for aviation spare parts has been a misconceived disaster.

The answer is of interest not just within the aviation ministry. Such is the merrygo-round of ministers that it is easy to assume that whoever runs the show makes no difference to the performance of one of Nigeria’s most critical ministries in the service sector. Now Oduah’s performance in the past two years is about to be eclipsed by the criticisms and aspersions of detractors who would stop at nothing in their clamour for the minister’s fall and for the perpetuation of the hire and fire syndrome.

But that dangerously underestimates the importance of aviation to Nigeria and the challenges the ministry is facing. With huge capital investments and the demand for more funding relative to the size and position of the industry among ministries and agencies involved in international business, the

on to say safety has improved a lot, but not enough. Too many planes are old and tired to the point that European Union, EU had to ban some smaller African airlines from European airspace.

Incidentally this was in 2011 and much has improved since then.

In view of a recent of mishaps, Nigeria re scored above 65 per ce airspace safety and rated 12th safest av globally on Internat Civil Aviation Organis

ICAO scale. There ar reliable evidences Nigeria’s National Air C which seized oper since September would take to the skies before the end of Oc This would, no d address the issue of o tired planes raised by

THE WEEKEND

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

i Hire and Fire Ministry

string cently ent on d was viation tional sation,

e also that Carrier ration 2012 s again ctober. doubt, ld and y IATA.

D scourse

Some commentators have alleged that the only visible improvement in aviation infrastructure so far is on terminal rehabilitation.

However this is far from the truth given the magnitude

and quality of the safetycritical equipment and infrastructure as well as certified manpower that the present administration has put in place in the past two years. This ranges from remodeling of airport terminals across the country including the once-neglected Akanu Ibiam International

Airport Enugu to Total radar Coverage of Nigeria, TRACON, Airfield lighting and Multilateration equipment, Wind shear alert systems, and several other state-of-the-art electronic navigation and landing aids, as well as NCAA’s Revised Civil Aviation Policy which places high premium on safety.

Reports from the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, AIPB reveal that Pilot error was responsible for the embarrassing crash of Associated Airlines Flight 361. So, contrary to insinuations about leadership failure, the agency explained that the preliminary readout and analysis of the flight recorder indicated that the aircraft was in bad shape technically yet the Pilot ignored the warning from the onboard computer voice.

However far-fetched it seems at this sorry juncture, the aviation crisis presents a chance to progress to a new sort of strategy, based more around policies than personalities. Besides its fiscal problems, the industry has a vast array of ageing infrastructure that will be a draw on the public purse.

Presently, there are 22 airports operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN and Governorship candidates in some states are promising more, yet the airports can hardly pay for their own maintenance.

Past

administrations with their hire and fire approach have failed utterly to deal with these problems.

But President Goodluck Jonathan by means of the quantum and quality equipment and infrastructure he has put in place at the airports so far, coupled with the creation of a bailout fund to assist airlines in strengthening their fleet and becoming

competitive, has demonstrated a political will to put Nigeria’s aviation industry on track. The minister, however badly her ministry has fared in the news recently, should capitalise on that by forming strong and good working relationships with the presidency, aviation parastatals, industry stakeholders and the ministry’s technical and ideological peers, rather than

joining issues with those who evince hostility toward her. Getting rid of obsolete aircrafts and non-performing airlines from Nigeria’s airspace would be a sign of real change.

There is hope therefore that aviation industry transformation having gone this far is an indication that the much envisaged reform is in the offing. The sad fact is that someone who during

his tenure as aviation minister did not put in place any project, policies, institutional reform or safety infrastructure for prevention of air mishaps is leading the pack of critics and calling on good people of Nigeria to begin to view the aviation industry’s performance through his own blurred, skewed, distorted and obscure lenses.

Aviation Industry And Small Crimes

THE stench of arrogance, lies, deceit and corruption in the government of President Goodluck Jonathan oozes that no amount of image-laundering cologne will cure. Loyalists and aides never forget to remind us that Mr. Jonathan is a good man, a gentleman, a respecter of rule of law, God-sent leader, bla bla. But why would a man with such wonderful attributes that would make Basir AlAssad commit suicide, continue to flirt around terrible individuals? Do I perceive a case of rewarding undiluted loyalty or unequaled friendship?I am very amazed.

In those days, questionable characters in whatever arm of government possess a bit of decorum.

Many of them, albeit renowned brigands stole with a measure of sympathy. They looted in a way only their family members, concubines, close staff and associates found out.

The masses were kept in the dark, at least most of the time. Fast forward to 2013, all sectors, including the ever-green GRAFT, have undergone huge transformation, robust growth and tremendous development, which are visible to every Nigerian at home and in the Diaspora.

Not-minding the earlier crashes and near-crashes witnessed under her tenure, the country’s Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, thought it wise or was (wrongly) advised to forestall any fatality by muzzling out a personal security vote from parastatals saddled with the responsi-

By WALEODUNSI

bility of ensuring both personal security and collective safety of millions of travelers flying the nationís airspace! More appalling, is the fact that the latest scandal for which she has been indicted occurred only a month before the recent Associated Airlines accident that killed, sorry, re-killed a former governor and 14 others.

That our oyinbo-accent sister, daughter, wife and mother, needs more protection than her boss, President Jonathan, is not in any way an acceptable argument; that one requires two cars worth $1.6m (N255million) to effectively discharge official duties is ridiculous; that a government official finds it not abnormal to order agencies under her watch to cough out a quarter of a billion is shameful; that we had to hear the gist from the media further shows the level of insecurity and cover-up in governance; that the accused is still comfortable being the occupier of the office is a confirmation that integrity is no longer a watchword for service; that the President may not find this scandal enough reason to give the Minister the boot is even ridiculous and is paining me to the marrow!

Justifying the purchase, Joe Obi, the Ministerís media assistant, stated that his principal inherited a lot of baggage in terms of the terms of conces-

sions and lease agreements which were not in the interest of the government and people of Nigeria. To this end, according to him, adequate security cannot be handled with kid gloves. I ask: Why did it take more than two years after her swearing-in (July 2, 2011) to realize the urgency of self-protection from ìimminent threatî?

For Ms. Oduahís information, it is not only her ministry supposed enemies of the state are targeting. The Ministries of Finance and Agriculture are also on the radar of the bad guys; probably under more threat when compared to hers. She must be stupid to think that her confirmation that she requested the purchase of the automobiles portray her as sincere person. No maím, there is absolutely nothing to explain; records, receipts, documents and statements from aggrieved personnel gave you away already.

Federal Government freaks out when opposition leaders, organized Labour, commentators and activists applaud the Academic Staff of Universities Union (ASUU) for sustaining the ongoing action. But from the picture its reckless officials paint, isnít it clear that contrary to the ìwe cannot afford your demandsî claim, the country can in fact fulfill the contentious 2009 agreement? The striking lecturers are no idiots; they see,

hear and read about the countless financial mismanagement and wastage by the same people who claim no money!

In their tiny brain of illusion, our leaders think that they are smooth, sleek and smart. The sad part, however, is that a number of them are not only fools, but are living in foolsí paradise yet they know not. I mean if they are as brilliant as on paper, how is it possible that less-educated people catch them by the wrist? How is it possible that despite diversionary tactics, their secrets blow open eventually?

Ms. Oduah was bold to single-handedly spend N255million of our collective wealth in a frivolous manner and then say it is for the use of the establishment. Going by the outcry trailing the purchase, what if her successor decides to do without the ìutility vehiclesî? In a clime where voodooism is still in high practice, the next Minister could reject the cars for fear that Ms. Oduahís traducers have cast a spell on the fortified BMW 760s.

As weíve all seen, heavy cosmetic make-up can only cover the spots, blemishes and wrinkles our faces, it does not (and will never) do the magic on dishonesty, crass attitude, shady deals and corrupt tendencies. The President will do himself, his government and the nation a world of good by dropping this woman from his cabinet. I am counting on the hope that he will do this without further delay. I would not bet on it though.

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e Orji Kalu And The Igbo Consciousness P rspective

HIS consciousness about the plight of his Igbo people is proportionate and an important task to him, not only to make them attain the presidency in 2015, but, also, to transform their consciousness, which was seemingly battered by the Nigeria/Biafra war that ended in the warfront some forty-three years ago, but continues to rage before and after independence some fiftythree years ago.

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia State and the most honoured and awardwinning personalities in the world, sees violence as no longer an option for Ndigbo to match on to their destined abode in the Nigerian project, but only where any ethnic tribes that characterise the country wants to extirpate the Igbo out of the surface of the earth, just as Nigerians are seeing the countless and senseless killings of Ndigbo in many parts of the country, but, especially, in the northern part of the country.

Ndigbo have always related peacefully in Nigeria, but some tribes here are yet to understand that the best way to live in the country is to see others as human beings and not, as peoples who come from the blues that must be killed at any unprovocation. Ndigbo are living in Nigeria with pains.

And this is where Kalu’s consciousness to transform them comes in.

The consciousness of Dr. Kalu is not about himself, but that Nigeria should stop denigrating the Igbo and follow what a Brian Eno said thus: When you sing with a group of people, you learn how to subsume yourself into a group consciousness because a capella singing is all about the immersion of the self into the community. That’s one of the great feelings – to stop being me for a little while and to become us. That way lies empathy, the great social virtue.

It is this ‘great social virtue’ is what Kalu is championing for. But the

North which has been known as a servant of the British has always sung a discordant tone. Perhaps, because the British told the northerners that they were born to rule? But to Kalu, this mindset is despondence and will never restructure the many lingering problems that are besetting Nigeria.

It is not certain from where this hatred against Ndigbo in Nigeria emanated from. Perhaps, from this story that the problems of Nigeria are introductory as epitomised by the country’s founding Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who was so interested to abide by the dictates of the British colonialists, but did not believe in the unity of Nigeria. He was appointed into the Northern House of Assembly in January 1947; and two months later, into the Legislative Council (National Assembly).

The excerpts of his first speeches at the two legislative houses as published by his friend/ master and official biographer, Trevor Clark in the book, A Right Honourable Gentleman: The Life and times of Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, he submitted: “We are fortunate in having the British here as our guides and teachers.

They are great colonial administrators and they have great experience in developing and administering many tropical dependencies. I want all our British officers to realise that now is the time when we, as their pupils, need all their patience and courage, and the use of their knowledge and experience. If ever the Northern provinces change, as I know they must, I want them to change into modern Northern Nigeria, but not into some sort of artificial civilization which is not either European or African. The Northern provinces are now facing a great danger.

“Evil ideas are creeping into the North from outside sources. In all countries of the world you find men who thirst for power, who

Northern part of the country in the useless agenda that it does not like Western education (Boko Haram) which translates to (Book is Sin), when Balewa had added and said: “…Among the needs of the Northern provinces are mass literacy, and for the education of our boys and girls to go side by side.

We have only one

done wrong to the north by providing them with Western education, which has resulted to the targeting of Ndigbo in the north for prey for no just cause of theirs.

It is pertinent Ndigbo come together as one, because they are not loved in this feigned ‘one country’. For doubting Thomases, Sir Arthur Richards, colonial governor, doodled Balewa a laudatory note, on the

secondary school – we ask for five more, three for boys and two for girls. In the awards of scholarships, the Northern provinces should have more places, because the Western and Eastern provinces have been enjoying those opportunities for a long time. Now the time has come for the North, and we should like to make up for what we have lost. We are glad that it has come to the notice of government that the Northern provinces have not been receiving the use of their full share from the Nigerian government...”

Dr. Kalu would ask, of whom are those killing Ndigbo in the north because they said that ‘book is sin’ are following their footsteps, when a respected personality like Alhaji Balewa had clamoured for mass literacy to all the northerners, and the federal government has never gone back in this request. Ndigbo are not sure if the government has

parliamentary floor, immediately after Balewa’s speech thus: “There are some people in Nigeria who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of speaking for the whole country as one. A delegation of these people (made up of Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Michael Imoudu) toured parts of the Northern provinces. We did not then understand the real intention of that tour, and we naturally mistook it for one of friendship.

“We had never dreamed that it could ever possibly happen that these people could have thought of becoming our mouthpiece.

We should like the world to know that in the North we have got our own leaders, whom we have chosen ourselves, to be our rulers and our voice.

We do not want our Southern neighbours to interfere in our development. We have never associated ourselves with the activities of these people.

By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE agitate the government and disrupt the happiness of the people for the satisfaction of their own personal ambitions. I understand we have such a class of people in Nigeria. I do not know what right those people have to claim to be the voice of the North. We must do something soon in the North to show

• Orji Kalu

Britain and the world that these self-styled leaders do not and cannot in any matter or in any way represent us. We have our own leaders whom we have chosen”.

Balewa was reportedly declared to have further said at the inaugural meeting of the National Assembly: “We are still far from one country, despite the railway train and the motorcar which have created the opportunity of understanding among ourselves. This alone is not enough. We here are representatives of different communities, to discuss our common problems and to establish our future destinies. The success or failure of the Richards Constitution lies mainly with the unofficial members. We should not close our eyes to the fact that the Yorubas, the Igbos and the Hausas, who are the predominant tribes in the country, do not see eye (to eye)...”

Today, a senseless Islamic group is killing Ndigbo en masse in the

We do not know them, we do not recognise them, and we share no responsibility in their actions. We shall demand our rights when the time is ripe. If the British quitted Nigeria now at this stage, the Northern people would continue their uninterrupted conquest to the sea,” Balewa said.

This mentality continues today among the northerners that anybody who is not from the north elected as president will never rule them, hence bickering and tinkering and killing of the people from the old eastern region of this country. But OUK, as Orji Uzor Kalu is fondly called, is out to reunite all the countrymen and women to pursue collective ambition. He does not want anyone to be deceived, since Nigeria, as a country, has come to stay, and eschew aspirations that are along ethnic lines.

Although, he has not hidden his voice to tell the powers that are that Nd’Igbo are systematically and serially marginalised in Nigeria. He tells those in the government to forget the noise some shameless Igbo politicians make about federal presence in the zone, because there is none at all. He says that only a dreamer will not appreciate the renewed vigour with which Igbo build bridges and work together to reposition themselves in global affairs. And that the new consciousness, which gains momentum by the day, is being driven by the emerging realities in our national life.

It was in the days of the Balewas that Ndigbo are maltreated in Nigeria. Kalu would say that time has passed when Igbo used to sit on the fence and wait for things to happen naturally. Even Igbo elite (who used to be passive about the struggle for Igbo emancipation) are in agreement that the time has come for us to be more creative, daring (if need be) and persuasive in working for the actualization of the Igbo Project. This is the consciousness!

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

yNigeria Will Lose $15million To

C ber crime

Cyber Theft Related Cases By 2020 EVERY Nigerian who has reached the age of maturity in one way or the other must have become conversant with the phrase ‘yahoo-yahoo’. This is well known in the country as the act of using the internet to defraud citizens, organizations, public/ private companies both within and outside the country.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in 2007 alone, the banking sector lost N7.3 Billion to cyber crimes. The 2007 internet crime report ranked Nigeria as third on the list of top ten countries where cyber crimes are perpetrated.

Also in 2012 through internet fraud the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reported that Banks lost N20billion.

Across the globe $800billion is lost through cyber crimes annually.

A cyber survey conducted recently indicated that Nigeria is the most internet fraudulent country in Africa. Therefore this article concentrates only on the financial bases of cyber-crime.

Internet-fraud ranges from misuse of public web application system penetration, theft of property info/funds, denial of service, e-mail scams hacking, distribution of viruses, impersonation, inside net abuse, laptop theft, sabotage telecom fraud and website defacement among other things.

Cyber theft, another trend of modern day terrorism has painted the image of the country as hackers continue to rob accounts of customers and financial institutions at large.

The country has adopted a cashless regime; this would become another big challenge to the entire e-commerce system as Nigerians now carry out transactions with a high level of fearful caution. Therefore the most pressing question in my own opinion is; How prepared are we to embrace this policy?

It would be recalled that a world cyber security

conference was held recently in Abuja on September 17, 2013 with the theme, “cyber insecurity: A latent threat to National Security and economic development”.

Organized by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan who is the ITU’s child online protection cop champion.

This conference was organized to portray the issues regarding cyber security.

Cyber insecurity stands a traumatic challenge before the Nigeria Police, State Security Service (SSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of F i n a n c e , Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Companies such as MTN, Glo, Airtel, Etisalat and others including citizens who are prone to making financial transactions in their day to day activities.

During the conference, the Israeli prime Minister said that “online crime has worse consequences than war crimes, because of the colossal damage it causes”. Also a member of the ITU Dr. Tunde Lemo, Deputy Director of Operations at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said that “cyber-crimes are also very strongly perpetuated with banking and electronic fund transfers”.

Cyber crime has become so rampant in Nigeria’s information and Communications Technology ICT domain.

In this country, however, since social Networking has become a major pastime for majority of citizens especially the youths who currently spends most of their time at home devises means of equipping their internet knowledge to make quick cash in this manner. The evolution of technology is consistent and the introduction of every new method the criminal devotes new means and resources of detecting the lapses of the security invention of these Organizations then penetrates in and carry out their operations. These

By IFEAYOLU NNADOZIE

perpetrators in cyber theft are well informed, smart and versatile on matters concerning technology.

They are well organized and ahead of some security agencies in Nigeria.

They would sit in the comfort of their homes and

Minna Mr. Victor Ephikparobo Idonor, in my chat with him expressed his major concern on issues regarding the prevalence of cyber-crime and physical human insecurity. He also added that his team members in ‘Upgraded Era’ are on the mission to make merits out of this mere

divert huge some of money.

Consumers, investors, companies have been victims of these battering act every other day. It has not only brought credibility and ill repute problem to Nigeria but has retarded the interest of foreign investors.

Cyber-theft has become so worrisome that good young Nigerians who know how to dance to the tune of I.C.T assembled with an initiative to combat these menace. I was amazed when I came across a private cyber security agency. First of its kind in the country; some weeks ago named ‘Upgraded Era’. The company has mapped out strategies to safe guarding both human and internet dealings. The C.E.O, A Veteran, patriotic undergraduate of Cyber Security Science Department of Federal University of Technology

helm. He stressed that fighting cyber- insecurity required high level of intelligence to efficiently counter and break the bounds of these criminals whose intelligence and speed of committing the offenses is always intended to beat the security forces I therefore call on all the concerned Nigeria security agencies and Organizations in charge to speed-up their trains as they have faced torrid times fighting fraudsters who unarguably operate with high level of intelligence.

In 2004, the Obansanjo’s administration formed a committee aimed at checking and combating cyber-crime – ‘Nigerian cyber crime working group’ (NCWG) but this group seem to have fallen asleep not to long after it was formed.

If the CBN keep making reports of the losses that

Nigeria financial institutions are facing and no visible effort is being put in place, then more and more money would be lost before 2020, comparing the past records.

As a matter of urgency, regulatory agencies and law makers need to play an integral role. Since the National Assembly failed to enact cyber law much more

disasters are in view for the nation. They need to collaborate with the ministry of science and technology, National communications commission and telecom companies to pass a cybercrime law in order to protect consumers in the cashless scheme.

Nigerians are waiting for it to be passed into law.

Then we would know whether it will be an effective means in facing cyber-theft. There should be fraud detective units in the financial institutions.

There is need for adequate training of those who are in charge of various security agencies, however, in the security forces, knowledgeable officers in the affairs of computer technology should be recruited adequately as the need to awaken (NCWG).

Government should undertake the task to creating National data base

to foresee the affairs of cyber-crime investigation.

Awareness campaigns such as symposiums and conferences should be organized from top Government/private stakeholders down to the grassroots by the National Orientation Agency and other related co-operate bodies to enlighten the Nigerian citizenry on

computer security and cyber crime. It will also sensitize the users of Ebanking facilities such as ATMS, POS and other gadgets used in financial transactions. They should bear in mind that these gatherings are not an avenue for them to drink and feast on meals in Aso rock but to work assiduously towards making e-commerce system safe for the entire nation.

Therefore let us rise with the approach to secure the global village, mega Businesses from the protracted evil of cybertheft without further delays so as to enmasse the beginning of a new Era with ‘Upgraded Era’ in Nigeria.

To explore this contemporary invention. I therefore urge you to visit the UPGRADED ERA website on www.upgradedera.com.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

e

Stories

By EFEMWENKIEKIE OSAS KELVIN

W eKEND ENTERTAINMENT Chris Brown Asked To Stay 100 Yards From Another Human Being GRAMMY wining R&B singer, Chris Brown has been ordered by a Washington DC court to stay another 100yards from 20year old Parker Isaac Adams-the man he punched outside a club last week. The decision came this week, after the singer’s assault charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanour, on the bases that the injuries incurred by Adams were minor plus there were conflicting witness accounts of what happened. Brown’s bodyguard, Christopher Hollosy, who was also charged with one count of assault, had his felony also reduced to misdemeanour on the same reasons as Brown’s had been ordered to take a drug test, but the judge just vacated that order. It’s standard in such cases to order a drug test, but that he has been cancelled.

Brown however pleaded not guilty and was released without bail but has to stay 100yards from Adams. This may remind us of his 5years probation+500yards ban from his assaulted ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 just before the Grammy Awards.

Nevertheless, brown’s probation was recently revoked and he was given an addi-

tional 1,000 hours of community service in September.

A decision has vehemently blasted as ‘racist’. There are not doubts that Brown’s recent arrest could affect his

Judge may wait to see how the Washington case plays out before taking any action against Brown. “Just the fact that some guy says ‘he hit me’ doesn’t mean he’s in

November must be the new month of love as two of Nigeria’s most notable celebrity couples are prepping up to be joined in Holy matrimony. Delectable singer Tiwa Savage is getting married to her manager-fiance Tunji ‘T-Billz’ Balogun; so is Peter Okoye, one half the famous duo, P-square who’s warning to tie the knot with his longtime girlfriend and baby-mama, Lola Omotayo.

While the first lady of Mavin Records and her beau picked November 23, 2013 as their wedding date, Peter and Lola has fixed November 17, 2013 date to have their traditional marriage.

Last week, an excited Tiwa and her soon-to-be hubby travelled out to the U.K for shopping for some wedding items. Tiwa and T-Billz are expected back in Lagos soon. NET investigations reveal that the traditional marriage will be followed by a white wedding ceremony which is expected to hold on early 2014 in the Maldives an Island off the coast of the India Ocean. NET reported

Tiwa Savage Tiwa visited the Island in August, probably to make wedding arrangements. Tiwa and T-Billz’s relationship

Chris Brown

probation in the Rihanna assault case. Brown is due back in court on November 20, 2013 in Los Angeles to update a Judge on his probation or ask a Judge to impose additional penalties.

A Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, Steve Cron, said prosecutors and a

violation” of his probation, Cron said. “The potential penalties would depend on the exact wording of Brown’s sentence”, he added. What do you think? What exactly does Chris Brown need; a drug test or anger management for a year?

50cent Has Reached A Plea Deal In His Recent Domestic Violence As reported by the insurmountable TM2, it seems 50cent won’t be serving jail time for supposedly kicking the mother of an alleged child of his (Daphne Joy) and destroying some of her property. 50cent was initially charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic violence and four counts of misdemeanour vandalism for allegedly causing $7,100 in damage.

According to his attorney, the rapper negotiated a deal with prosecutors to have the domestic violence charged dropped as long as he pled no contest to one count of misdemeanour vandalism. He did so, and was sentenced to three years probation

Tiwa Savage, Peter Okoye Plan November Weddings

and 30days of community service. He must also pay $7,100 in restitution to Joy and attend counseling sessions.

The restraining order

50cent

against 50cent remains though – he’s obligated to stay away from both Joy and guns for the time being.

Peter Okoye

suddenly took a dramatic twist when he formally proposed on Tiwa’s 34 th birthday on February 5, 2013.

Peter and Lola have been quite open with their wedding plans. The November traditional wedding NET has confirmed it will take place at the Arc Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos. NET confirmed over the weekend, that comedian Gbenga Adeyinka, 1st and TV host, Helen Paul have been selected to anchor the event.

On August 6, 2013, Peter Proposed to Lola in a grand style, presenting her with a brand new Range Rover Evoque, bouquet of flowers and a stunning diamond ring. Together the couple have two children, four year old Cameron and nine year month old Aliona.

Arrangements are said to be in top gear as Peter is leaving no stone unturned to make the day an unforgettable one.

Jim Iyke Involved In Pregnancy Scandal

Actor James Ikechukwu, aka Jim Iyke, has been having tough times recently.

The actor preparing marrying his sweetheart, actress Nadia Buari, has been caught in the middle of a pregnancy scandal. The daughter of a Lagos based business man said she had been impregnated by Iyke.

The girl’s name is Nancy Alofinaka. She is said to be a graduate of Mass communication from the University of Calabar. Her pregnancy became a subject of controversial recently and when the father made her confess who was responsible, she said she had been having a secret affair with Jim Iyke.

According to her words, he is the father of her unborn baby. Nancy also alleged that Jim Iyke collected about N2million from her in

in Lagos; the response of Jim Iyke is awaited.

the guise that he needed money to do some renovation work in his apartment

Jim Iyke

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e

Stories By EDIONHON UYI THOMPSON

W eKEND ENTERTAINMENT I Beg To Sell CD’s In US Saloons To Survive -Banky W Many see the glamour but are ignorant of the hard work and pains that preceded Banky W’s fame and succ e s s .

In a chat recentely, Banky W shared his story - how he moved from being an undergraduate begging for audience at salons in the United States, to building a musical empire that has produced internationally acclaimed artistes like Skales and Wizkid.

He said “Everybody knows me to be the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of EME, but what people do not know is that EME started when I was in my third year in university in New York.

You see, we all dream, but it is important to think very big and start where you are because God never gives you everything but gives you enough to start. He said at that time, I knew I wanted to do music, but of course I understood nobody starts by

selling a million CDs or the big screen!

I worked in fast foods outlets, clothing stores and as a knife salesman, selling knives from door to door.

That’s where I gathered money to pay for studio recording time. I was recording with a close friend at that time.

After making that music, we printed a thousand CDs though we didn’t have any fan. I had one battered car that broke down virtually everywhere, so, we would print black and white posters, stick them on the sides of the car, sell from the car’s trunk and drive to salons to do marketing.

We would walk to the owners of the salons, greet politely, and ask them to let us entertain their customers.

Sometimes, some would kick us out and sometimes some would say yes. If told yes, after singing for a minute or two, we would sell our

CDs to the customers! That was the beginning!

A lot of people see you on

Banky W stage and see the success but do not know what you had to go through! I never had one really big break; it was always

Chris Brown For Help After Receiving Multiple Death Threats Chris Brown was all smiles at the Billboard Awards this weekend, but behind the scenes there were genuine concerns for his safety following a string of alleged death threats.

The 24-year-old singer’s concerned lawyer Mark Geragos is understood to have called the police after receiving a number of anonymous calls at his Los Angeles office during the week building up to this year’s Billboard event, which took place in Las Vegas on Sunday (May 19).

While details remain unclear, the caller is said to have referenced Brown – and the LAPD are taking it seriously enough to launch an official enquiry into the matter.

Geragos has a rich history of legal involvement with Brown, having previously represented him after he was

two steps forward and a couple backwards.

But I just decided that I was

charged with violently assaulting on his formal girlfriend Rihanna on the eve of the 2009 Grammy Awards.

going to make music work for me. That was why I moved on to a new salon each time any salon rejected me!

I just kept going because I believe failure is when you give up. Albert Einstein said he tried a hundred times to make the light bulb. When he was asked what kept him going during the 99 times, he said: ‘I didn’t consider those 99 times as failure; rather, I considered them 99 ways that it didn’t work!’

We went about selling CDs and, on the days we

couldn’t sell much, we would sit down and be broke together. I remember my friend was a member of a church that usually served food after service. So, on the days we didn’t sell CDs and were too broke to buy food, we would attend service in that church so we could pack rice and store in the fridge.

At a point, being a student of industrial engineering, I was working for an engineering company and was recording as well. I would go to work from 7am till about 2pm and then go to school till about 8pm, and then drive two and a half hours to New York City where the studio that would let us record for less was, and record until about 2am.

I would then drive two and a half hours back home to be back at work at 7am the following day.

One day, I was driving home from work and was so tired that I fell asleep while on a bridge. I would have driven off from the top of the bridge to God knows where, if not for an on-going construction work. God really saved me!”

Banky also said that after a while, Banky’s hard work began to pay off and, even while in school, he began winning awards, beginning with the ‘Albany Idol’ competition. Other interna-

tional awards soon followed.

In 2008 when he decided to move to Nigeria after the completion of one of his albums, Mr. Capable, Banky was consistently told his genre of music ‘would never appeal to Nigerians and therefore wouldn’t ‘sell’.

As he got turned down, pressure mounted on him and his manager to change their genre of music but Banky strongly held on to another long-standing principle which had taught him to stand out by being unique rather than trying to imitate anyone’s skills. He therefore insisted on sticking to R&B, and this paid-off as he soon became a household name in the Nigerian entertainment industry!

Banky’s further advices other upcoming artistes “You cannot say enough about the grace of God and I therefore do not want to claim any form of glory. Falling down is inevitable but getting back up is optional!

Frankly, you can’t appreciate sunshine if you’ve never been through a heavy rain.

Yes, life is tough, but what do you do in those tough moments? Do you learn the lesson, stand up again, consider yourself stronger and keep going? Or do you sit down and feel sorry for yourself?

The graveyard, they say, is the richest place in the world because therein lies so many who died with their dreams.

So, my advice is, do not give up! If Banky can be where he is today, you can be where you want to be if you put your mind to it.”

Don Jazzy And Younger Brother Set Up Oil And Gas Company The Mavin CEO and his younger brother James Collins have set up an oil and gas company called Mavin Energy Limited.

James is the Chief Executive Officer of the company. According to their website, Mavin Energy is a 24hours door to door diesel delivery service which sup-

Chris Brown

plies diesels to homes, small/medium scale businesses, with also the intension to supply to public es-

tablishments, large industries, construction companies, power companies and both Federal/State Parastatals and Agencies.

“The Bad News Is I’m Epileptic” Rapper, Lil Wayne Reveals Reason For Seizures American rapper Lil Wayne, has revealed that he is epileptic and as result, he is prone to seizures when he doesn’t have enough rest and overworks himself.

Speculations have blamed use of seizures for the 30year-old’s constant health issues, but in a new interview, Wayne, whose new LP, I Am Not a Human Being II will be in stores on Tuesday, broke his silence on the issue.

“The bad news is I’m epileptic so I’m prone to seizures,” Wayne explained. “This isn’t my first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh seizure.

I’ve had a bunch of seizures.

Why all just never hear about

them. But this time, it got real bad because I had three of them in a row. With the third one, my heart rate went down to like 30 percent.

The reason being for the seizures is just plain stress, no rest and overworking myself.”

Wayne also stated that he has never experienced three consecutive seizures before and the last experience was more dangerous than the previous cases.

“I have people around me.

I’ve actually had [seizures] so much, they already know what to do. They already expect it. They already know how to handle it. Certain times I don’t even go to the

hospital but this time it was real bad because, like I said, it was three in a row. I’ve never

had three back-to-back like that and the third one was so bad.”

Don Jazzy

My Ex Left Me Because I Became Famous

Lil Wayne

Winner of the 2011 Big Brother Africa game, Karen Igho, has shared a series of intimate statuses on Twitter.

She says her ex boyfriend left her “because she became famous and he couldn’t deal with it”.

-Karen Igho Tweets She also advised that it is better to be single than to be in an abusive relationship.

The celebrity also confesses that one needs to have a tough skin in such kind of industry she is involved in.

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C unselling

With

Nervous Break Down SUPPRESSED fear can arise and cause all kinds of anxiety and distress.

There may be sensations of pain. The patient loses confidence in himself and wonders whether he is losing his mind. He is afraid for no reason at all.

A nervous breakdown according to Barry Sears is something like storm at sea. When a ship’s captain sees a violent storm approaching, he does not try to run from it. The storm moves too rapidly for that. What does he do, he gives orders to close the potholes and batten down he hatches.

The decks are cleared of everything that might be washed overboard.

Having made such preparations, he turns the ship and heads into the storm. The waves may be rough and the passengers may heartily wish they were back on land. But, the quickest way out of their dilemma is to face into the storm and sail through it. So, it is with any nervous illness.

Research has shown that a nervous breakdown is often a blessing in disguise. Many a person has not understood himself until he has gone through a severe illness like this.

A nervous breakdown is no accident. There is always a period of excessive worry and emotional strain prior to the illness.

This upsets the emotional balance of the mind so that, the patient is no longer able to control his feeling and impulses.

How some nervous breakdown begin – When a person exceeds his limits of endurance. Perhaps one has been working overtime for weeks without taking sufficient time for sensible meals and maybe going short on sleep.

Research shows that there this is no an imaginary illness. It is only too real. There is no sense in trying to tell yourself to snap out of it. You can’t your physical energy is at

a low ebb. You have pushed yourself beyond your limits. Once you were a kind, gentle person. Your friends enjoyed your company. Now you are short tempered and irritable. Every telephone all irritates you.

May be you have wondered at times whether life was worth living after all.

Most of this is due to fatigue. The whole body is suffering along with the mind and nervous system. What makes the trouble so much worse is the fact that, there is no barrier to hold back the myriads of nervous impulse that clamour for recognition within your tired brain.

Normally, you would laugh more of these off.

After a good night’s rest, your energies would normally be renewed. Now they are not. You have gone too far. You have no more reserve energy.

You are physically bankrupt.

All this did not happen overnight. You were shipping a long time before you or anyone else realizes it. Your habits of living may have had something to do with this. So, do not continue to drain your energies.

Nervous exhaustion produces striking changes in one’s behaviour and personality. It makes him act in strange ways. The normally well-behaved individual tends to become irritable, moody and depressed. On the other hand, he may become carefree and gay, even excitable what brings about this striking difference in his behaviour?

Nothing but the fact that he is nearing the point of

physical and mental exhaustion. Finally he may reach the pint where he loses all sense of self control.

The higher centres of the brain are the first to tell the effects of over work and worry. Loss of sleep results in fatigue so that a person’s judgment is impaired. He becomes ill with the physical deple-

these natural defenses are broken down through fatigue, illness, accidents or any other means, the whole of one’s vitality is undermined. This interferes with the individual’s ability to think clearly.

Overwork may sometimes, lead to a nervous break down. The cure for this is rest.

Many nervous break-

tion of his nervous energies. He may feel so weak that he can hardly move. He may be constantly depressed, losing all interest in life and unable to concentrate on anything for long.

There is a sense of despondency and perhaps of impending death.

There is nothing imaginary about these symptoms. They are only too real. Within the nervous system, there are natural safeguards that enable any normal person to avoid trouble when

downs arise from fear in one form or another.

Some people have a fear of dirty, others are afraid of crowds, animals, strangers, germs, closed doors, open spaces. The list is endless. The fears that haunt the patient’s mind are always related to some deep sensation or feeling within the body. It maybe a sudden unexplained weakness, associated with a rapid beating of the heart and a feeling of smothering.

Suddenly his whole mind is thrown into con-

“A nervous breakdown is no accident. There is always a period of excessive worry and emotional strain prior to the illness. This upsets the emotional balance of the mind so that, the patient is no longer able to control his feeling and impulses.”

O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608 fusion. He finds himself in a panic for no reason at all. The more he tries to force himself, the worse he feels. He loses his appetite, suffers from gastric disturbances and indigestion. Now he is

way to live. These are the age old secrets which the world is sorely in need of today. Most of the ills that afflict the human race and be alleviated by using the simple remedies that nature has so abun-

sure there is something seriously wrong with him.

He blames his organs for being sick when the real trouble lies within himself.

The right to happiness our children need to be taught that life is full of joy in spite of temporary setbacks and misunderstandings. To be happy we must all develop an optimistic attitude toward life. We must learn to forgive and to forget all the unhappy incidents in the past.

We must live for the future, using every means within our power to keep well and strong to the very end of our days.

Above all, we must place our trust in Divine Power, realizing that every life has a purpose, a goal toward which we are all unconsciously striving.

Life is rich and full of meaning for those who have really found the

dantly provided.

In following these ideas we can enjoy life to the full knowing that we have found the secrets of happy living.

Nature’s own remedies – in addition to all the wonderful new medicines now available, there are certain natural remedies that everyone can and should use. These are sunlight, fresh air, pure water, rest, exercise, a well-balanced diet and trust in divine power.

They are all available at almost no cost.

Sunlight is important for toning up the skin and for keeping germs under control. It is one of the nature’s finest tonics for the whole system, especially, when combined with fresh, pure air.

Pure water is also needed internally to keep the body machinery operating smoothly and efficiently at all times. Age

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013 is truly jammed? Then shorten it but don’t skip your workouts. The key to slimming success is consistency not perfection.

Weight loss plans never work for me, so I might as well just eat what I want”.

This is not true, in the past some plans didn’t work for you because you have given up too soon. Tell yourself “this

Beauty Shop With Gloria Omoruyi

ined, so it doesn’t matter what I eat, I will start all over again tomorrow”.

You may have slipped up, but you can bring

into a 2,000 calorie pigout. You don’t have to be perfect to succeed, just persist!

“Probably you have a schedule that is truly jammed? Then shorten it but don’t skip your workouts.

The key to slimming success is consistency not perfection.”

Weight Gain: Bringing Yourself Back

On Track WHERE food is concerned, all we need is a daily discipline. Some of us cannot resist the temptation of eating foods that we know will make us blow up, and most of us are unwilling to engage in regular exercise to burn out fats from our bodies. We cannot lose sight of the fact that one extra slice of bread per day adds up to ten extra pounds at the end of the year, and if we are not prepared to gain that weight but insist on eating the bread, ice-cream, chocolate or anything that comes across our way, then we must develop methods to burn up those calories.

As human beings, we have choices between choosing foods that we make us look trim, and we have choices between boxes of chocolates and ice-cream.

Agreed that in this part of the world our diet is based on carbohydrate foods such as yam, rice, cassava, e.t.c but we can still augment it with proteinous foods to make good its deficien-

cies.

The problem with us is that we do not listen to our conscience as we gulp every bit of starchy foods, and snacks such as cake, ice-cream and chocolates down our stomach.

For most of us, it is when the zip of our beautiful dress refuses to go above the middle line that we realize that, we have accumulated some weight. Even at that, some of us are still not keen on any type of exercise. Why not stand up in your briefest undies before a full length mirror and do a little running on the spot.

The sight of that surplus flesh wobbling up and down will be the perfect incentive for a daily discipline.

Exercise can make significant changes occur in the functional dimensions that are controlled by over-eating, bad posture, and lack of activity.

It may be too early now for some of you to notice any trace of fat from the goodies you have consumed over the weeks but it is better to always

have a time table for walking out. Don’t risk waiting for the fat to reflect before you swing into action.

If you really want to maintain your body shape or loose those extra fat, consistency is the key.

Although you will agree with me that undergoing a slimming course is not an easy task. At times there seem to be this little voice inside your head urging you to “eat, eat, eat, only this once won’t do you any harm,” while not stay back in bed or watch television, the voice tells you when you are trying hard to stick to your weight loss plans.

Some of us struggle with this voices in our head which sometimes say “I am too tired to work out”.

Then remind yourself of the benefit of exercise “exercise is energizing I will feel great as soon as I start” psyche yourself up even more by playing high energy music.

“I am too busy to work out” tell yourself my weight loss goals are top priority. I will find time to exercise. Probably you have a schedule that

time it is going to be different.”

“Today is already ru-

yourself back on track.

You don’t have to let a “400 – calorie cheat turn

THE WEEKEND

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

P renting

10 Reasons You Should Read To Your Toddler

A MUM had one of her fingers in her child’s tight grip as she read aloud from a colourfull illustrated story book. The two year old toddler had her other hand over the illustration of a rabbit in a little blue fancy jacket as mummy explained that a rabbit was a friendly animal.

Suddenly, with a gleeful shriek, the child squeezed and ripped the page in half.

Mummy lifted the book out of reach and looked sternly at her. She looked into mummy’s eyes trying, it seemed, to understand how mummy was feeling.

Mummy shook her head from side to side and told the staring child that ripping pages off books was not a good thing. Mother and child stared at each other for some seconds before the child smiled brightly and held on to mummy’s finger more tightly.

Are you one of those that wonder why one would bother to read to a two year old child that probably wouldn’t understand a word of what’s being read? Well, here are 10 reasons it’s good to read out loud to your child; it’s never too early to start!

A ‘Need To Know Basis…

Children need to be taught close to everything they learn.

You cannot leave it all to the school teachers to teach your tots how to read. While television may help superficially.

TV addiction will cause a negative long term effect.

Reading to them at an early stage however, will make books ‘familiar’ and welcome, so that they won’t struggle to keep up when school eventually starts.

While I wasn’t deliberately read to as a toddler, my dad was a script writer, among other things, and often had to rehearse the lines he had written for the leading characters he created. My first story book, an illustrated version of Hansel and Cretel, was given to me by my uncle who advised me to nurture a hunger for reading and learning as a key to success in life. That advice paid off.

Olympian Scholars Some fantasize about it while others experience itthe day the class teacher or proprietor/head mistress says, ‘Oh, your child is such a fast learner, one of the best in his class!’ Except for those very few ‘gifted’ children, most intelligent kids are intelligent only because there has been a conscious effort by their parents, and siblings in some cases, to practise reading with them when they were toddlers or engaged them actively in games that have to do with words (and

figures). So, another reason you should read to your child is so that he can catch up fast in his academics and become an Olympian scholar.

According to J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. in his article-Raising readers, Writers, and Spellers, teaching reading to preschoolers and being ready for kindergarten can be accomplished easily and informally with a little literacy activity each day in short durations.

Close Your Eyes And Imag-

fect. According to Tricia O’Brien, editor of American Baby, babies who were read to regularly from 6 months were able to develop twice of what she called ‘receptive knowledge’ at 18 months than those who were not read to regularly. That means they learn speech patterns, accents and intonations, and

help in understanding what career path you may need to help your child with.

Wow, My Brain’s a Camera Between the ages of 6 and 18 months, a child’s brain is at its peak. As you read to children, they imagine or visualize, developing an unwavering attention span, and so increase their capacity to re-

put your tot on your laps and hold the book in front of her?

This closeness allows her to bond with you. Through physical Contact, she feels the vibration of your voice and the emotions you try to bring alive as portrayed in the story book you’re reading. She plays with your hand and sometimes, places her

ine…

Reading to your toddler helps to build her imaginative skills. The stories illustration in books help your tot develop and exercise the ability to think vividly. This in turn helps her to be generally creative in the long term, especially when it comes to problem solving. That’s why it’s good to digress in the middle of a book and ask your tot questions about the story or to make a comment about his own personal experiences and how it relates to the book being read. This will help him reach a deeper level of engagement in the art and act of reading.

Talk Like A Grown Up! Reading to toddlers help them develop the ability to communicate clearly. It’s becoming common to hear adults express shock when they hear a tot say things that even some grown ups wouldn’t think to say. Does your tot surprise you like that?

Well, now you know why. All those books you’ve been reading to her do have an ef-

these they apply when they start talking. Books written for children are also believed to contain three times as many rare words than everyday talk, so, if you want your tot to make you proud when she starts to speak comprehensibly, go stock upon some kiddies books and Start reading to her.

A chapter a day...

A chapter a day drives the devil away! This is a popular saying that pertains to the Bible and religious pursuits.

In this case however, ignorance is the devil’ that will be sent fleeing as you start reading to your child as early as possible. This directly affects your child’s intelligence, world-view, and the ease with which he or she functions in the society in the short and long term, as he or she will be more interested in reading not just story books but any other written information that appears on other media as well. It is important of course, to observe which book your child is more interested in because it may

member these images.

Sometimes though, it’s the words and intonation that they latch on to or memorize.

If your tot has become fond of a particular book, deliberately live out a passage or a character and see if she will not notice. This is a good way to test her attention span and capability to recollect. You can also observe her recite poetry or passages of stories as she grows older.

As for their attention span, it may be a little difficult to get a restless child to sit through a hook. Don’t force them. If they want to flip to next page, allow them. In fact, read what is on that page with them. If they get too restless, take break, Just keep on doing this because no effort is wasted. Little by little, your child’s mind is being drawn into the adventurous world of b o o k s .

Books, Cuddles and Love.

When and how do you read to your child at bed time (as is popular in Hollywood movies) or when you come back from work? Don’t you

hands on the page. All these physical contacts deepen her bond with you or whoever is reading to her. Reading is therefore one of the best ways of bonding with your child and vice versa. According to Meredith Lord, a child develop professional, reading aloud offers a world of privacy, dignity, and love for both of you.

E! for Kids Don’t we have tons of fun when we mimic a friend or some celebrity’s/our boss’s voice when he’s not within hearing range? Of course, we do. Don’t you think it will be a lot more fun to your tot who is new to the nuances of the spoken word? When you read to your child, try to get into character. For instance, in the story the three bears, you can change your voice when you’re reading a dialogue between papa bear and mama bear or talk Pike you’re angry when a character in the story is angry. This will amuse your tot tremendously and will have her looking forward to the next read-

By MATHEW IMERHION

ing time. Yes! No matter what you think about books, reading can be entertaining to you and your tot.

SHH! LISTEN. As you read to your child she starts to imagine, the drama that is being played out in her minds eye keeps her quiet.

Unconsciously, the ability to listen is born and developed.

You may assume that the ability to listen is given much like common sense but look around you and I’ll bet you wont find many people who have the common sense to listen without interrupting.

This ability of listening properly is an ingredient that is needed to improve the quality of relationships all over the world, no matter the age bracket. In essence, reading to your toddler helps her develop the ability to listen and properly t o o .

When I grow Up...

Finally, and definitely not the least important your child will grow fond of some characters in the stories. This, as well as the lessons gleaned from these stories, are building blocks for the kind of person your child will grow up to be. Stories like Pinocchio can help build an honest character while a nursery rhyme like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star will help your child develop a reflective character, armed with this knowledge, you can consciously mould your child’s self- image and world view by putting some thought into the books you buy for your child.

Do you have any story worth sharing about your reading experiences with your child or wish to suggest Well, with these ten valuable reasons, we hope you’ll find reading to your tot enjoyable with the conviction that what you are doing is priceless. Those squeezed or ripped off pages of your tot’s books are comparably insignificant to the benefits of reading out loud to her. She’ll be g r a t e f u l for it in the near and bright future.

DID YOU KNOW Almost 90% of a child’s brain is developed by age five.

Making the most of these early years by putting in place effective and fun learning activities often ensures that children have what they need to possess an enviable level of intelligence as they grow older.

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o

S ciety SOME define it as simply drinking to get drunk.

A report by the United State of America (USA) National Institution on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism tried to be more specific. It said that binge drinking is “typically defined as consuming five or more drinks in a row for men, and four or more drinks in a row for women”.

Another instance described binge drinking as the modern epithet for drinking alcoholic beverages with the preliminary intention of becoming intoxicated by heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. It is a kind of purposeful drinking style that is popular in several countries worldwide and overlaps somewhat with social drinking since it is often done in groups.

The degree of intoxication however, varies between and within various cultures that engage in the event of extended abuse, even weeks. One of the longterm effects of alcohol misuse, binge drinking is considered to be a major public health issues.

More so, binge drinking is associated with a profound social human, economic costs as well as increase disease burden.

It is more common in males, during adolescence and young adulthood. Most binge drinkers are familiar with the risks associated with binge drinking. Heavy regular binge drinking is associated ethologic, cardiac, gastrointestinal, hematological immune, musculaskeletal organ system as well as increasing the risk of alcohol induced psychiatric disorders. A report review that one third of adolescents binge drink, with six percent reaching the threshold of having an alcohol related substances use disorder. Approximately one in 25 women binge drink during pregnancy, which can lead to petal alcohol syndrome and fatal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Binge Drinking: Its Problems In other words, binge drinking during adolescence is associated with traffic accidents and other types of violent behaviour as well as suicide. The more often a child or adolescent binge drinks and the younger they are, the more likely they will develop an alcohol, use disorder, including alcoholism.

A large member of adolescents who binge drink also consume other psychotropic substances.

Moreover, binge drinking has the propensity to result in brain damage, faster as well as a chronic “non stop” drinker (alcoholism), due to the neurotoxin effects of the repented rebound withdrawal effects. The once that occures during chronic (non-stop) drinking delays, alcohol – related brain damage compared to binge drinking which induces immediate and repeated insults to the brain and due to very large amounts of glutamate being released on a repeated basic, which over stimulates the brain after each binge finishes, resulting in excitoxing. The developing adolescent brain is thought to be particularly.

Susceptible to the neurotoxin effects of binge drinking damage occurring from drinking more than 4 or 5 drinks once or twice per month.

Somehow, there is no worldwide consensus on how many drinks constitutes a “ binge”; the term is often taken to mean consuming five or more standard drinks on one occasion.

For example the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NAAA) defines the term “binge drinking” as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to OO& grams percent or above. Heavy drink or rapid consumption over a short period of time with the intention of becoming intoxicated is often implied when the term is used colloquially, Since four or five drinks

By BIJOR CELESTINA OMOJEVWE

consumed over the cause of a whole day and as an accompaniment to meals will not have the same effect if the same amount is consumed over a couple of hours on an empty stomach.

Furthermore, there are also some effects such as health effects, which are

another person sexually as a result of alcohol. Within a 1-year period. Heavy drinkers cause approximately 1 & 3,000 rapes and sexual assaults, 197,000 robberies, 661,000 aggravated assaults, and 1.7million.

Simple assaults each year it has being associ-

associated with binge drinking and alcoholism, and known potential risk factor for suicide implanted sex, unplanned pregnancies, and an increased risk of HIV infection. 10 percent of women and 19 percent of men have reported being assaulted as a result of alcoholic males who drink more than 35 units of alcohol per week, report being physically hint as a result of alcohol and 15 percent report physically hunting others as a result of their drinking. Almost 16 percent of binge drinkers report being taken advantage of sexually, and 8 percent report taking advantage of

ated with high odds of divorce, social abuse, and poor job performance. It can also, have effect on the body including effects on blood homeostasis and its circadian variation, cardiac rhythm, alchemic heart diseases, blood pressure, white blood cell activity, female reproductive hormone levels as well as adverse effects on the fetus. And its has being associated with lower abdominal pain in women. Those who have long engage in binge drinking or abuse alcohol can develop ketoacidosis.

In essence, research has found that young college binge drinkers who drink 4/

“Moreover, binge drinking has the propensity to result in brain damage, faster as well as a chronic “non stop” drinker (alcoholism), due to the neurotoxin effects of the repented rebound withdrawal effects”.

5 drinks on more than 3 occasions in the past 2 weeks are likely to develop, alcoholism than non-binge drinkers, though the directions of causality remains unclear.

This is particularly intending as drinking for the sole purpose of getting drunk, remain a major health and social problem on college campuses and university campuses. To identifying these

cents. Increased changing of sexual partners, high rate of unwanted (teenage) pregnancy, higher rate of sexual transmitted diseases, infertility, damage to the fetus during pregnancy is associated with binge drinking, female binger drinkers are three times more likely to be victims of sexual assault, 50

groups, it is understood that student drinkers choose to engage in this behaviour as a means of fitting in with what is considered a social norm. Students are confronted with social pressure involving binge drinking and if ignored, risk being isolated from others. Though drinking is being portrayed by individual choice, drinking in colleges setting can also be refer to as collaborative choice. Top parties in campuses or college environment are an unsuspecting factors that contributes to binge drinking among campuses. And also, binge drinking causes traffic accidents among 15- 20-yearsold; some persons get involve in drinking why driving.

Thereby causes road accidents or traffic jambs. It has being found that 50 percent of all head injuries in adolescents in Nigeria are associated with alcohol consumption. While violence and suicide become the third most common cause of death associated with binge drinking among adoles-

percent of adolescent girls reporting sexual assault were under the influence of alcohol.

Research in humans, which utilized sophisticated brain scanning technology suggests that in adolescent teenagers drinking more than 5 drinks once or twice a month results in subtle damage to the teenagers developing brain tissue, particularly the white matter. At times, binge drinking also causes diabetes in human and blindness. There are various ways to help prevent binge drinking. Increasing the cost of alcohol or the excise taxes, restricting the number of stores who may obtain a license to sell liquor, and also implementing laws to guide under age drinking. These and many other approaches will reduce binge drinking.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

e

H alth

Menstrual Cycle And Its Problems MENSTRUATION is a periodic shedding of an endometrial which means the lining of the inside of the womb or the uterus accompanied by bleeding that occurs in women who are not pregnant. Infestation usually begins at puberty and it do end when the woman is at menopause age.

Menstruation last for 28 days for most female, the normal range of menstrual cycle is between 21-35 days. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, a hormone from the pituitary gland stimulate an egg follicle in the ovary to mature, the pellicle secretes estrogens hormones which make the eudiometrical thicken. The ovulation which is the release of an egg from the follicle usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

The empty follicle also produces progesterone hormone which makes the endometrial become swollen and thins with retained fluid. The fluid enables a fertilizer egg to implant itself in the production of the estrogens and progesterone diminishes reduced. The endometrium is shaded about fourteen days after ovulation. The uterine contractions force the menstrual discharge to be expelled into the vagina; it is accompanied by bleeding which may last for one to eight days.

Under normal condition, physical and emotional symptoms that many females get right before their menstruation are bloating, acne, fatigue, backaches, sorebreasts, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, food cravings, depression, irritability, difficulty, concentrating difficulty handling stress different girls may have some or all of these symptoms.

Although the exact cause of these symptoms is unknown, it seems that it occur because of the changing of hormone levels in the body and the changing of chemical level in the brain during the second half of the

menstrual cycle, the amount of progesterone in the body increases to about seven days before the menstruation starts level of both progesterone and estrogen start to drop. Menstruation that is

much of stress also cause irregular menstruation for example traveling form one country or state to another. A

abdominal (cramps) pains during the first few days of their menstruation; they are cause by a chemical in the body that

abnormal or irregular can include the variations in the internal between the duration of menstrual bleeding or the amount of lost of blood.

Some girls irregular menstruation is cause by disturbed balance of estrogen hormones, too

change to the method of contraception, unsuspected pregnancy or early miscarriage also can cause it. Some girl’s bodies seem to be more sensitive to these hormone changes than others.

Many girls experience

makes the smooth muscle in the uterus contract. But the good thing is that cramps usually last for a few days. An irregular menstruation can take two-three years for a girl that start her menstruation first for her body to develop a regular

By ONAGHAMA OSARIEMEN GIFT

cycle. During that time, the body is essentially adjusting to the influx of hormones unleashed by puberty.

The typical cycle of an adult female is 28 days, although some are as short as 21 days and others are as long as 35.

Changing hormone levels might make a girl menstruation last a short time during one month and a long time last up to a week, she may skip months, to get two periods almost right after each other or may alternate between heavy and light bleeding form one month to another. Any girl who’s sexually active and skips a period should see a doctor to make sure she is not pregnant.

Also let your doctor know if your cycle is less than 45 days, or if you do not let your period for 3 months at that time you first beginning to menstruate, you are advise to see a doctor for check up.

The absence of menstruation: girls who haven’t started their menstruation, by the time they are 15 years old or 3 years after they have shown the first signs of puberty have primary amenorrhea, which is usually caused by a genetic abnormality a hormone imbalance, or a problem with the way the reproductive organs developed. Hormone imbalances also can lead to secondary amenorrhea, which is when a girl who had normal periods suddenly stops menstruating for more than 6 months or three of her usual cycles. Since pregnancy is the most common cause or secondary amenorrhea, it should always be ruled out when a girl skips her periods.

Some hormone imbalances are pregnancy, other thing that can

cause both primary and secondary amenorrhea are stress, significant weight, loss or gain, anorexia (amenorrhea can be a sign that a girl is losing too much weight and many have anorexia), stopping birth control pills, thyroid conditions, ovarian cysts, other primary and secondary amenorrhea is excessive exercising.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by problems fibroids that being with growths, thyroid conditions, clotting disorders, inflammation or infection in the vagina.

If a girl has heavy menstrual pains that last longer than seven days.

Talk to a doctor, having cramps for a day or two each month is common, but if a girl has symptoms severe enough to keep her from her normal activities that last for more than 3 days, discuss it to your doctor.

To control menstrual pains is determine whether a problem requires treatment, the doctor will ask several question and do a thorough physical examination. But you will have to avoid cold water, cold drinks, sweet things like juice, bobble gum, sugar cane. Etc. avoid sugary things three-five days before your menstrual flow being or start. You need to have rest of mind at all time so as to prevent too much flow, if you are the type that her menstrual flow exceeds eight days and if it’s repeats by the second month you should see a doctor or a gynecologist because it is not normal rather it is usual. If your menstrual pains flow is unusual and it’s not constant you should know that something is not going well. Rather see your doctor or a gynecologist that is a medical doctor for examination or to exam you.

“MENSTRUATION is a periodic shedding of an endometrial which means the lining of the inside of the womb or the uterus accompanied by bleeding that occurs in women who are not pregnant.”

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

Today’s Diet

e

N ws

With Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Identify The Problem Memorise: Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, it is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. 2 Samuel 21:1 Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Bible in one year: Zechariah 1-3

KING Jehoshaphat was a man who loved and obeyed God. He had a good rating before God. All was well and everything was going on well with him. Then all of a sudden, three powerful kings gathered together and said he and his people would he their next target for breakfast. Like any of us, he was hit by an arrow f fear but he handled the situation so well that he got victory (2 Chronicles 20:1-4. We ought to learn one or two lessons from him. The first thing to note in obtaining sound victory is to identify the problem. There is need to know exactly what you are up against and what led to it. It is commonly said that a problem

well known is already half solved. This is true. If you are walking on a street and there are gunshots, a good number of people will not pause to determine where the gun shots are coming from they will just start to run even if they are heading from safety into the danger zone.

King Jehoshaphat clearly identified his problem. He knew the kings were coming to invade Judah. He knew the kings and also why they were coming. When you receive an attack, do you go to God to find out where it is coming from and why? If you do not carry out a detailed situational analysis of the problem, you may not be able to apply the correct solutions. This

is where Paul is different. He says when he fights he does not punch the air like many of us do. In other words, he would have identified the p r o b l e m and its nature before throwing punches, which is one reason he was always victorious. If the problem is not identified, you might end up fighting the wrong person. One of my sons was about to enter his office while e x c h a n g i n g pleasantries with some people and he banged his right knee hard against the door.

It was so bad that he had to stay still. While in pains he asked, ‘Lord, why?’ And Lord said, ‘Why have you abandoned the assignment I gave to you?

So he apologised and promised to start soon. But if he had not asked God, he would have been thinking enemies were at it, and that they want to condemn his leg.

Action Point: King Saul breeched an agreement with the Gibeonites and it brought a famine upon the land in the days of David (2 Samuel 21:19). Every famine has a cause.

Find out from God.

Joy Weds Stephen The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Joy Enogie Esemuede and Mr. Stephen Paul D Hont (based in Belgium) took place on Friday, November 1, 2013 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City. Amongst those present were Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Esemuede Ogbeide (bride’s parent(s), Mr. Joseph Owabor, Mr. Best Esemuede, Mrs. Grace Aiguosatile, family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows the couple at the Registry. Congratulations! Photo: SONNIE E. CHANGE OF NAME

AGBIBOA – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbiboa Ikpeminoghena Catherine now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aliu Emmanuel Usomine Ikpemi Catherine. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, Local Government Service Commission and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALASA – I formerly Miss Alasa Jeminetu is now known and called Mrs. Bawa Jeminetu.

All former documents remains valid. NYSC, Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OSAYANDE I formerly called Miss Maryam Osarense Osayande is now known and called Mrs. Maryam Osarense Egbeobauwaye. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

SULEMAN – I formerly called Suleman Tajudeen is now known and called Suleman Bright Tajudeen Asishana Alade. All former documents remain valid.

C o n c e r n e d authorities and the general public should please take note.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

i How To Know A Woman That L ving

MARRIAGE is one of the most important things and one of the most life changing endeavours any human will undertake in life. You have to be absolutely be happy spending time with day in and day out, and certain characteristics can make it a little clearer to you that she’s the one.

She Should Be Trust Worthy And Loyal A great wife loves her man flaws and all, and she takes time to show him how much she appreciates him everyday and will not be out doing something she shouldn’t be when you are apart. This type of woman is ready to go to war with you and take on whatever obstacle life presents.

She’s Emotionally Stable Your future bride should display confidence and she should have a real life of her own, been able to stand on her own emotionally and should be happily going in her own positive direction

Will Make A Good Wife

with no signs of emotional baggage.

Further more, she should be able to meet you at an intellectual level, constantly surprise you keep you on your toes and deepen your attraction past the physical.

The Two Of You Should Have A Similar Interests If there are things you both like to do, that’s a good sign you are entering a marriage of happiness and longevity.

She must Respects You The woman you decide to marry should be a genuine person who considers you in every situation and will be on your side. No matter what, she should not be the type that will be checking with other guys but will keep her attention focused on you the man in her life.

The Two Of You Must Have A Great Communication

By OKEKE IFEANYICHUKWU FRED

There is nothing more important in a relationship than communication and if you are considering making if official by marrying her, you have to feel comfortable talking with her about any and everything. The

more you communication with your woman, the less likely the two of you will get into arguments because you both will be able to talk about your problems instead of holding them in.

You Have Great

Intimacy Together The way you relate to each other in the bedroom has a big influence on whether the two of you will stay together after wedding, vows are exchanged, so the intimacy between the two of your should be on point.

The Two Of You Can Laugh Together Mutual laughter is an essential component of a strong and healthy marriage. Romance is much better if you can see some of in the little things and can have a laugh together.

Her Finances Are In Order When you get married you will accumulate debt together, but you don’t want to marry some one who is up to her neck in debt and has no income.

You may feel you should be taking care of her, but it still feel good knowing you have someone who has a reliable job, good

credit and is responsible when it comes to managing her money.

She’s Beautiful Inside And Out The woman you decide to marry should be beautiful on the inside and the outside and will only want to look good for you, but also for herself. This doesn’t mean that she has to look like a model, but she should be so well put together that you will be proud to have her on your arm and enjoy the sight of her in any light.

You Are Both In Agreement On Kids No marriage will thrive, nor perhaps will any marriage survive, in which one spouse wants children and the other rejects any notion of children.

When considering marriage, if both of you are in agreement on the notion of children, you will likely be entering into a pleasurable, long-term marriage.

did?

What he felt after doing it he did it? And what he feels afterward.

How does he feel now?

You are not saying that what the person did was right, but trying to understand the reason for his action.

You can also easily forgive by trying to figure out how you could have been partially responsible for what happened. You have to also try to figure out what you would have done to prevent it from happening, and how you can prevent it from happening next time. This is not to say that you are taking all the blames or taking responsibility. Away from the person, but to realize that you are not perfect and can also be a victim.

However, you can also forgive if you try to focus on the present by realizing that the past is over. Bring your focus back to the present

moment, it will help you to find the joy in life and stop thinking about the past. It will allow peace to enter your life. As you focus on the present, try focusing on your breathing. Imagine each breath going out of you is pain and the past being released from your body and mind and imagine each breath coming in is peace.

Let peace enter your life and go forward think no longer on the past, but of peace and the present.

Finally, feel compassion for the person, let the person know and realize that is forgiven. Feel empathy for the person and wish happiness for the person, let love for the person, help the person whenever he wants help from you.

As you forgive, you will notice that you will feel happiness, joy, peace and love in your heart. Above all you will leave a long and healthy life.

The Power Of Forgiveness ONE of the thorniest and most difficult things we humans are ever called upon to do, is to respond to evil with kindness, and to forgive the unforgivable. We have read and see people who have responded to hatred with love, but when it is demand of us personally our default seems to be anger, depression, hatred etc.

Forgiveness is letting go of the pain someone has cause you and moving on.

It doesn’t mean the person has caused you and moving on. It doesn’t mean the person will change his or her behaviour though or you can erase the past or forget what has happened easily, it is not easy to forgive, but you can learn to do it and you will see the wonders of forgiveness.

You may have been hurt at sometime in your life, you where treated badly, trust was broken, your heart was

hurt. You feel pain in your heart. Some times, that pain lingers for too long, you relive the pain over and over, and have a hard time letting it go. The pain cause you not to be only unhappy, but strain or ruin relationships, distract you from work, family and other important things, make you reluctant to open up to new things and people.

You might have also get grapped in a cycle of anger and hurt, because of what someone has done to your and your are holding onto pain in your heart, all you have to do is to let it go and forgive, no matter what the person has done to you. You have the power. I know that you are not going to do it in a second or a day, it can only take you time to get over it.

You need to let go of the pains, you need to forgive those that offended you because you know that

By OROBOR IMUETINYAN

“man is imperfect we may at times irritate or offended others and they may do the same to us”. You have to forgive others so that you can move on and be happy.

Study after study shows that one of the keys to long life and good health is to develop a habit of gratitude and let go of the past hurts by forgiving those who have offended you.

Do you want to live a long, happy and healthy life?

Then forgive the unforgivable. It is really had to forgive, but it is the kindest thing you can do for yourself. Your enemy may not deserve to be forgiven for all the pains, sadness and suffering purposefully or deliberately inflicted on your life, but you deserve to be free from this evil. As Ann Landers often said, “hate is like an acid, it damages the

vessel in which it is stored and destroys the vessel on which it is poured”.

Are you holding onto pains in your heart? Because of what someone you love or trust so much has done to you? Again you have to forgive the person no matter what he or she has done to you. If you are finding it difficult to forgive try the following steps bellow: Try to put yourself in that person’s shoes, by trying to understand the person’s reason for taking such action, you should also try to understand that the person is not a bad person but just did something wrong. You should also try to ask yourself this question.

What could he have been thinking when he did what he did? What could have happen to him in the past that made him did what he

THE WEEKEND

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

Golf: Johson Matches Course

Record To Lead In Shanghai Long-hitting American Dustin Johnson matched the Sheshan Golf Club course record to surge into a commanding five-stroke lead after the second round of the $8.5 million WGC-HSBC Champions tournament.

On a day when first round leader Rory McIlroy’s season-long struggles returned to haunt him on the back nine and pushed the Northern Irishman back into a tie for second with Americans Bubba Watson and Boo Weekley, Johnson was in a class of his own.

He plundered six birdies in the first seven holes en route to a nine-under-par 63 on another pleasant day at Sheshan to rocket up the leaderboard after ending the first day in a tie for eighth.

“I played really well the last two days,” said Johnson, who posted a 12-under-par 132 halfway total.

“Yesterday, I was one-over through nine holes and then played good on the front side,

which was my back side, and then I started right back up today and played really good on the front.”

Johnson is an aggressive player and he vowed to try to increase his lead, rather than protect it, over the final two rounds.

He has won seven times on the PGA Tour but is perhaps best known for blowing a chance to win the 2010 U.S. PGA Championship when he received a two-stroke penalty for grounding a club in a sandy lie on the 72nd hole that cost him a place in a playoff.

McIlroy, meanwhile, had threatened to run away with the tournament when he recorded three successive birdies to charge to 10-under after eight holes.

However, his swing deserted him on the back nine.

A poor drive at the difficult parfour 11th led to a bogey and it was a struggle from that point on as he battled to an evenpar 72.

Monaco Dismiss FalcaoReal Speculation Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has hit out at suggestions that Radamel Falcao could leave the club for Real Madrid in January, saying such a move would make “no sense”.

In an interview with Madridbased sports daily Marca, Vasilyev said the principality club had no intention of allowing the Colombian to leave just six months after signing him for a reported 60 million euros ($81.2m, £50.7m) from Atletico Madrid.

Vasilyev was speaking after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said on Spanish television in October that Falcao - currently Ligue 1’s leading scorer with eight goals - “was keen to come to Madrid”.

“Falcao signed a five-year contract and, if I have to say it a hundred times I will, there is no clause allowing him to leave,” said Vasilyev, who added that he felt it was “inappropriate” for a director of another club to talk about a player who was under contract at Monaco.

“We made a big effort to bring him here and it makes

Radamel Falcao

no sense for him to leave, either in the winter, the summer or whenever,” he went on.

In an interview with Marca at the start of October, the 27year-old Falcao had ruled out leaving Monaco during the January transfer window.

McIlroy identified his drive at the par-four 13th as the turning point of his round.

“I hit a bad drive up the left and that sort of knocked my confidence a little bit and I started to struggle from there,” he admitted.

“I just hit a couple of bad shots and then I guess I just let it affect me a little bit and then I started to doubt myself sometimes.

“I didn’t hit a lot of quality shots on the back nine. I missed the last six greens in a row, so a bit of work is needed on the range this afternoon.”

Weekley (67) made a sluggish start, hitting the ball poorly by his own admission, but a wayward shot into the water at his fifth hole seemed to light a fire inside him.

He sank a 25-footer to save par and promptly reeled off three straight birdies from his seventh hole.

Weekley, a self-confessed redneck from the Florida Panhandle region, was asked whether he enjoyed the Chinese culture.

“It’s fun. Just can’t understand them,” he said in his thick southern drawl, before adding he had no plans for sightseeing trips in China, because “I don’t need to see nothing”.

Watson, who hails from the same area as Weekley, shot a 69 that included a double bogey from the middle of the fairway at the 10th.

Dustin Johnson

Xabi Alonso Back In Real Starting XI

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is to name a much-changed starting XI for today’s Primera Division game at struggling local rivals Rayo Vallecano.

Madrid are currently midway through a run of five games in 15 days, coming off last weekend’s Clasico defeat in Barcelona and Wednesday’s helterskelter 7-3 win over Sevilla, and with a Champions League trip to Juventus coming next Tuesday, quickly followed by Real Sociedad at home in La Liga.

The Italian coach said this busy schedule meant he was going to manage his resources for the trip across the Spanish capital to Vallecas, as he wanted to keep his full squad as fresh as possible to ensure no more slip-ups in the title

It Is Better To Think Before Speaking, Says Ancelotti After Blatter - Ronaldo Row Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has welcomed Sepp Blatter’s apology for comments he made about Cristiano Ronaldo, but says the FIFA president ought to think more before he speaks.

Blatter enraged Madrid and Ronaldo himself by describing him as a “commander on the field”, whilst also saying he preferred four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi to the Portuguese when speaking to a group of students at Oxford University last week.

After complaints to FIFA by Madrid and the Portuguese Football Federation, Blatter apologised for any offence

caused and described Ronaldo as an “exceptional” player.

“It surprised me a lot, Cristiano is very professional.

He gives everything and I can’t say any more,” Ancelotti said on Friday.

“The damage is done. All the answers are good, but the damage is done. Sometimes before speaking it is better to think and count to 10. I do that many times.”

Ronaldo responded in the best possible manner on the field with a hat-trick in Madrid’s 7-3 thrashing of Sevilla on Wednesday.

And the former Manchester United man even performed a military salute in celebration of his first goal in mocking reference to Blatter’s comments.

Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema also scored twice and provided two assists each, but Ancelotti refused to confirm that those three would start up front against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday with Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Juventus in mind.

“I think I am going to rotate the players a little, that will be good for the game on Tuesday.

“Tomorrow we need to play with intensity. Some of the players that didn’t play against Sevilla are going to play.

“I don’t know if the same three will play together again

tomorrow, but they are in good shape, they have recovered well and don’t have any problems.”

The Italian did confirm that Xabi Alonso would make his first start of the season after making his comeback from injury in midweek, whilst Raphael Varane misses out as he is still struggling to play three games in a week after recent knee surgery.

Rayo have yet to take a point from Madrid since returning to the top flight over two years ago and have the worst defensive record in La Liga having conceded 27 goals in just 11 games.

race.

“I am going to make some rotations thinking of Tuesday’s game, just because I have fresh players,” Ancelotti said. “Tomorrow we need to play a game with intensity, so some players who did not feature against Sevilla are going to play. We need to win, while playing well.”

A midfield shake-up will see Xabi Alonso make his first start in five months, after coming through a substitute appearance against Sevilla unscathed, Ancelotti said.

“Xabi will start tomorrow, I do not know if he will last the whole game, but he is going to play,” he said. “In [Sami] Khedira’s position, [Luka] Modric could play, or [Angel] Di Maria or Casemiro, along with Alonso.

[Asier] Illarramendi’s characteristics are closest to Alonso [so he will not start].”

Di Maria could also come back in on the right wing, to allow Gareth Bale to have a rest after starting two games in the last week. Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez are options should centre-forward Karim Benzema get the evening off — although Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start as usual.

Sergio Ramos is free to play despite picking up his fifth yellow card of the season during Wednesday’s game at the Bernabeu, as Spain’s disciplinary committee is currently on a break. He is likely to be partnered in central defence by Pepe, with Raphael Varane having missed training on Friday morning as a precaution.

“Varane is a little tired, he is not going to play tomorrow so he can be ready for Tuesday,” Ancelotti said. “He played two games, we need to be careful with his knee. He played

Martino Not Worried About Messi Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says he is not concerned about Lionel Messi’s form following his return from a thigh injury.

The Argentine was sidelined by a thigh muscle strain for over two weeks and has not found the back of the net in his last three league matches for the Catalans.

However, Martino believes the 26-year-old has contributed in other aspects while he looks to regain his top form in front of goal.

“He (Messi) is very strong mentally,” said Martino. “I have no worries whatsoever

when it comes to him, the only thing we want is for him be match fit.

“Messi has gotten us used to him scoring three goals per game and anytime he doesn’t we think something is wrong.

“He can play well and not score, like what happened in Vigo.”

Messi has scored eight goals in nine league appearances for Barcelona this season with his last goal coming in a 2-0 win over Almeria late in September.

two games, so tomorrow he will rest to avoid problems.”

Dani Carvajal was also likely to come in at right-back, said Ancelotti, but not because of Alvaro Arbeloa’s performance against Sevilla when the Spanish international was whistled by his own team’s supporters.

“I believe Arbeloa played very well,” he said. “One part of the fans applauded him, another part whistled him.

They wanted more from him, and he reacted well. It is not a problem, but Carvajal is fresh and has a better chance to play tomorrow.”

Rayo have troubled Madrid on occasions in recent seasons at their tight Vallecas ground, but Paco Jemez’s team come into this game in woeful form, second bottom of the Primera Division table, and with a goal difference of minus 19 after just 11 games.

Ancelotti said that he nonetheless expected a tough test, and his side would need to be fully focused at all times.

“Tomorrow’s game is a derby, and each derby is different,” he said. “The last five times Madrid have won, but it has always been a difficult game. The team will play well, with good attitude and concentration to continue our moment, which is not bad.”

Lapses of concentration had cost Madrid goals against Sevilla, in a match Ancelotti suggested had been more entertaining for the fans than the coaches.

“I prefer a game where Real Madrid play well for 90 minutes, in attack and defence,” he said. “The game against Sevilla showed that in some moments we could have defended better, we needed to concentrate better, to not give many chances to the opposition team.”

Gerardo Martino, Barcelona’s Coach

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

Egypt To Start Camping For Black Stars Nov. 10

Super Sand Eagles Closed Camp Postponed

EGYPT will start preparations on 10 November for ‘mission impossible’ against Ghana at home in the return leg of the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier.

The Pharoahs will be seeking to overturn the 6-1 deficit from the first leg played in Kumasi on 15 October.

Egypt coach Bob Bradley will test his side’s preparedness for the task ahead with a friendly against Zambia on 14 November.

“Our preparations will start on 10 November in Cairo,” Egypt’s goalkeeping coach Zaki Abdel-Fattah told Ahram Sports on Thursday.

“Zambia are a great team.

It will be a good opportunity for the technical staff to choose our tactics before Ghana’s clash,” The match will be played at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo with the winner over the two legs advancing to Brazil for the World Cup finals.

Kwesi Appiah, Ghanas’ Black Stars Coach

Cairo Play-Off

Ghana Fires Warning To FIFA, You Will Be Held Responsible If...

GHANA has warned FIFA that it will be held responsible if something happens to their delegation to Egypt for this month’s World Cup playoff against the Pharaohs.

The world governing body ing turmoil in Egypt following approved the volatile Cairo as the ousting of President the venue of the second-leg Mohammed Morsi. match despite protests from That is because football the Ghana FA (GFA) over the has not been played in the security situation in Egypt. country over the past two The GFA wanted the match years before spectators beto be played at a neutral cause of the fear of violence venue because of the growerupting during matches.

Egypt have played all their qualifying World Cup matches behind closed doors which prompted Ghana to request for the change of the venue for the 19 November match.

However, FIFA rejected Ghana’s request saving the country will be safe for the Black Stars and their supporters to travel for the match.

Dasbak Ready For Int’l Squash Classics

LONGDI Dasbak, Nigeria’s number one female squash player, yesterday expressed determination to retain her title at the 2nd Lagos International Open Classics, scheduled for November 13 to November 16.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, reports that as the defending champion, Dasbak and Sodiq Taiwo, the male defending champion, would have to participate in the qualifiers for the tournament.

The qualifiers, where 16 national players, eight males and eight females would be selected, would hold from November 6 to November 9 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

Dasbak told newsmen in Lagos that although, she was not informed of the competition earlier enough, she has put her preparation in top gear.

“I need to qualify first, then I will take it from there,’’ the number one female player said.

Dasbak, who is currently undergoing a coaching course at the National Institute for Sports (NISports), at the National Stadium, Lagos, however, assured that late preparation was not a barrier.

“As a busy student, I was not informed early enough, but I will still give my best.

“I intend to retain my title and by God’s grace, I will give my all at the event.

“I know it is not going to be easy considering the fact that other players have improved themselves too, but I believe in my ability,’’ she said.

The Chairman, Lagos State Squash Association (LSSA), Sanya Akindele, had earlier told NAN that the 16 selected players would join the invited international players for the classics.

Akindele who, however, declined comment on the number of international players to be invited, said that Nigeria’s male and female defending champions would also fea-

ture in the qualifiers.

“Taiwo and Dasbak will still feature in the qualifiers, because, though they are defending champions, their international rankings are low, compared to that of the international players,’’ Akindele said.

Akindele added, however, that the international classics would help to improve the international rankings of the national players.

Now Ghana FA chief Kwesi Nyantakyi has warned the world governing body that it will be held responsible if any member of their delegation is harmed in Egypt.

“We will hold FIFA responsible because it is FIFA who owns the competition,” Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi said.

“And FIFA has relied on the advice of the government of Egypt to sanction the match and so if any mishap occurs FIFA must be held responsible and no one else.”

Nyantakyi said the GFA was surprised by Wednesday’s FIFA ruling to approve the match for Cairo given the prevailing turbulence in the north African

country.

“When FIFA ruled that the match should go on in Cairo we were a bit surprised considering the security situation in the country,” Nyantakyi said.

“But they took the decision based on the acceptance of the guarantees by the Egyptian government.”

The Black Stars won the first leg by 6-1 in Kumasi on October 15, while the return leg has been fixed for November 19 in Cairo.

The winner of the tie will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

ADAMU Ejor, the Coach of the Super Sand Eagles, yesterday said that the team’s proposed closed camp, scheduled to commence on October 25, had to be rescheduled because of logistics issues.

Ejor told newsmen in Lagos on telephone that the camp would commence on a yet-to-be disclosed date in November.

He added that the programme had to be postponed, to enable the authorities tie up all the loose ends, to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted session.

Reports say that the Super Sand Eagles are shaping up for the third edition of the forthcoming Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament, slated to hold from December 13 to December 15 in Lagos.

“By now, we are supposed to have ended the first phase of camping for Copa Lagos.

“But due to some reasons, the players are yet to be in camp. We don’t want a situation that will distract the players’ commitment when they are in camp,’’ he said.

Ejor told newsmen that this year’s edition of Copa Lagos would be more competitive than the previous editions.

The coach stressed that it was only through adequate preparations that the country could win the tournament, consecutively.

“Honestly, this edition will be different because Russia, the current world champions, and Senegal the African champions, will participate in this year’s edition.

“Other countries will be coming with the aim to win the tournament. So we will prepare well to have a good run this year,’’ he said.

Reports say that the Super Sand Eagles were the winners of the 2012 edition of the annual international beach soccer tournament.

...Black Stars Are Ready For Cairo Clash - Appiah Uchebo Shines In Brugge Derby

EX-Nigeria U20 star Michael Uchebo put up an eye-catching performance for Cercle Brugge to beat Club Brugge 2-0 in a local derby Thursday.

Former Enugu Rangers star Uchebo, who was on from the beginning to the end of the Belgian league match, provided the assist as Stephen Buyl scored in

GHANA coach Kwesi Appiah says his players are ready to play Egypt in Cairo later this month for the World Cup playoff return leg.

There have been reports

the 22nd minute.

DR Congo’s Kabananga Kalonji scored the second goal in the 79th minute.

Cercle Brugge are now 11th on the league table with 14 points.

Fellow Nigeria striker Kehinde Fatai was not listed for Club Brugge.

Uchebo has scored two goals in the Belgian league so far.

that some senior players of the Black Stars are unhappy with FIFA’s decision to approve the Egyptian capital as a safe venue for the match despite the deteriorating security concerns.

Appiah, whose side hold a 6-1 advantage from the first leg, has revealed his troops are not intimidated by the current tension in Cairo and ready to seal qualification.

“I called most of the players and informed them about what has taken place immediately after we received the letter from FIFA, and most of them were positive and that should be the spirit,” Appiah

said.

“My team is ready for Egypt and so we are not worried about the match venue for the game. FIFA’S decision is final and so we will have to accept that.

“We will go to Egypt and make sure we pick up a decent point from there. We have a solid team that is capable of doing anything against even stronger opponents.

“We will qualify to Brazil and Egypt cannot stop us.”

Ghana will camp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 11 November to prepare for the match.

THE WEEKEND

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

Wenger Coy Over Future Bid For Suarez

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger was unwilling to discuss the prospect of a renewed approach for Luis Suarez in January ahead of his side’s clash with Liverpool on Saturday. the game to speak about it.

Wenger sanctioned a “The details of all that couple of substantial bids to [Suarez bids] will maybe sign Suarez in the summer come out one day. Maybe not transfer window, but when in my book. In somebody asked if he planned to return else’s book.” with a new offer, he brushed Wenger went on to insist off suggestions that the Uruhe is satisfied with his strikguay striker remains a posing options this season, as sible target. he praised the efforts of “I am not focused on that Olivier Giroud for taking on now, 24 hours before this the mantle of Arsenal’s lead game,” is all Wenger would marksman. offer when asked whether he “Giroud has proven since would return with a fresh bid the start of the season that for Suarez in either the Januhe is tremendous striker ary transfer window or next and I’m sure he will be up summer. for showing that [against “You [the media] made it Liverpool],” Wenger said.

[Suarez bids] public. I didn’t “Giroud is a real centremake anything public. Look, forward who uses his he plays for Liverpool and at space, uses his power. He the moment he is doing very is really central. Suarez is a well. What is important for me player who goes on the is players who play for Arseflanks, who drops into nal and not those who could midfield and he is really a play for Arsenal. What is imdribbler.” portant is the players who will Suarez heads into the play against Luis Suarez.” game at Emirates Stadium Wenger was equally evahaving scoring six goals in sive when he was pressed his four Premier League on the moral issues surgames this season, while rounding his bid for Suarez, Giroud has scored eight with some Arsenal supporttimes in all competitions so ers questioning the wisdom far. of bidding for a player with a chequered disciplinary record.

ARSENAL manager “We have high moral Arsene Wenger accepts his ground and of course we side’s trophy-winning potentake information about the tial will be tested to the full moral level of the players and as he prepares for a chalwhen there are any restriclenging run of fixtures in the tions, we do not buy the playPremier League and Chamers,” Wenger said. “That is a pions League. debate I won’t go into now.

Today’s clash with highIt’s not the right place before

Luis Suarez

Evra Sets United Target PATRICE Evra has set Manchester United the target of recording ten straight wins to get their season back on track.

The Premier League champions have had a difficult start to the campaign, dropping points to the likes of West Brom and Southampton.

However, they are currently on their best run under manager David Moyes after winning their last three games.

But left-back Evra believes they need to turn their form into a series of triumphs to show they are “back in business”.

Evra told the Daily Mirror: “The problem is not that we are doing badly, it is because we are not doing things well enough. We’ve lost our consistency and we need to find it really quickly if want to win every trophy.

“We can’t win one game and draw the next one, or lose it. Now, every game is important.

“When we win ten games in a row, I will say Manchester United are back in business. At the moment, we’re not.”

United, who face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, have not recorded ten straight wins since their run of 11 consecutive victories in January and February of

...We Can Cope With Tough Run - Wenger

Chelsea Never Believed In Me - Sturridge DANIEL Sturridge feels that he could not succeed at Chelsea because his former club did not believe in him, and he is thriving at Liverpool now because they are doing just that.

Sturridge, 24, spent four years at Stamford Bridge after joining from Manchester City in 2009, but only managed 12 Premier League goals in that period as he found first-team opportunities hard to come by.

Hi January move to Anfield has reinvigorated his career, however, as he has scored 18 times in the league in this calendar year.

As well as his prodigious partnership with Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez, Sturridge credits manager Brendan Rodgers putting his trust in him as the reason behind the upturn in his fortunes.

“Brendan Rodgers knows what I need,” he said in the Daily Mirror. “I needed to be believed in, to play as a centre-forward at a club, and I didn’t get that at Chelsea.

“He gave me the opportunity to do that here. It’s great to be part of his philosophy.

He gets the most out of his players, and makes us want

to win for him.

“He’s just very good at man-management as well as the tactics and team stuff.

“When I went to Bolton [on loan in 2011], I was able to show what I can do because I was playing as a centre-forward. At Chelsea, I never got the chance to do that; but I’ve got that opportunity here.

“Brendan was a big part of me coming here because I knew about him from when I was at Chelsea.

flying Liverpool will be followed up with away games against Borussia Dortmund and Napoli in the Champions League, with domestic battles against Manchester United and in-form Southampton also on the horizon.

However, Wenger is in bullish mood as he prepares for a run of games that should give a clear indication of his side’s potential, urging his players to rise to the challenge and confirm they are ready to take on the best.

“It is an important period, of course, but I’m quite confident and you can see I am quite relaxed because I feel we will deal well with this period,” he said. “It is an opportunity for us to show our strength and I’m confident the players will be up for it.

“In this kind of game, you always find out about your squad, but I don’t have too much to find out. We are a very

stable team and, since Jan. 1, 2013, we have taken more points than anybody else. I learned about my team in the spring period, when they had their back to the wall and had to win every game. I know how strong these guys are and how much they want it.

“The mood [at Arsenal] is very strong, very united and very focused. We know where the priorities are — it is in the Premier League and Champions League. We are in a strong position in the Premier League and that’s why our mood is positive.

“Of course, we want to be title contenders and I think we are, Liverpool as well.

There are four others, or five, who are title contenders as well.”

Ahead of the meeting with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, Wenger said Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is beginning to unleash his side’s potential.

Mourinho Deflects Praise For Chelsea Form Onto Players

JOSE Mourinho believes the credit for Chelsea’s transformation this season should go to the club’s players and not the manager, he said yesterday.

Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel this week claimed the squad was developing a winning mentality this season following Mourinho’s return to the club for a second period in charge.

The midweek League Cup victory at Arsenal was Chelsea’s sixth successive victory and came on the

back of last Sunday’s 2-1 triumph over Manchester City that maintained Mourinho’s side’s position two points off the head of the Premier League table and strengthened their title claims.

Last season, the club became focused more on securing a top four finish rather than winning the championship but Mourinho insists the improvements have come from within the squad.

“I was not here to feel it last season,” said the Portuguese. “I just think that you

“He is at a massive club and in his first year he had ups and downs, but you could still feel even in the first year that he had a style of play to push through,” he said. “He manages that now in a more consistent way and you can see that the results are positive.”

Wenger accepts Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge pose a threat to his side, but he has a relatively simple solution to nullifying the potency of the Liverpool strike force.

“Our target is to have the ball and master the situation because we are dominating,” he said. “If we have the ball a lot, we don’t have to worry too much about our opponents. We keep these two players quiet as they are among the top strikers in the league.”

Wenger also addressed former Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin’s criticism of the supporters at the Emirates Stadium at his prematch news conference,

2009.

And Evra added: “We have to make sure we win games, even if we do it in a bad way or an ugly way. We need to win those ten games. We don’t have any choice.”

Patrice Evra

Man Utd Consider Move For Brooklyn Beckham MANCHESTER United are reportedly considering offering David Beckham’s son Brooklyn a place in their academy.

United’s coaching staff have been running the rule over the 14-year-old, according to The Guardian. Brooklyn was in the LA Galaxy academy during Beckham’s stint in Major League Soccer.

Brooklyn also played in Queens Park Rangers’ junior set-up this year.

Beckham took his son to United’s training ground in Carrington on Thursday with more sessions planned.

Beckham made 400 appearances for United, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League. He himself came up through the United academy, breaking into Sir Alex Ferguson’s firstteam alongside Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers.

Earlier this year, Beckham discussed the possibility of one of his sons following in his footsteps.

“As a parent, you always worry: ‘Have they got the hunger that I had as a kid?’” he said. “I’m as hard on my boys as my dad was. They always ask: ‘Did I play well?’ I’ll say: ‘You did all right, could have done better.’”

can only do things when the players are open for that.

“You can try and try but if the players are not open to your ideas, you fight and fight but at the end of the day you can’t do it.

“If we are living a positive moment, I think it’s up to them. I do my best to try to help but the players are working in a fantastic way.”

The return to form of striker Fernando Torres has been one of the features of Chelsea’s recent run.

Brooklyn Beckham with dad

Weekend Sport

CMYK

THE WEEKEND

32

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

Amoo’s Sunshine Contract Not Renewed THERE are indications that

Rio Olympies

Inadequate Funds Hindering My Preparations - Athlete BRITISH born Nigerian kayaka, Jonathan Akinyemi, yesterday said that inadequate funds were hindering his preparations for the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics in Brazil.

“The fact that I do not have enough funds has led me to work, in order to augment the little I have, which is affecting my training programme.

“I desperately need funds so I can train full time, like most of the other international canoe slalom athletes,’’ the multiple gold medallist at the recentlyconcluded Africa Canoe Slalom Championships in Kenya said.

In an electronic mail to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), UK-based Akinyemi said that it was only the support of the Nigeria Rowing, Sailing and Canoeing Federation that enabled him compete at the championships.

“Thankfully, my federation paid for my airfare for the African championships, otherwise I would not have been able to afford to attend the event.

Reports say that the athlete won two gold medals at the event which held from October 20 to October 26 in Kenya.

“It will be great if the National Sports Commission or a private sponsor can provide me with regular funding, so I can plan my training for Rio Olympics,” Akinyemi said.

His participation at the London 2012 Olympics in canoe slalom event was the first by any Nigerian in any of the water sports events.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets team

FIFA U-17: Eaglets Set To

Break Uruguay Hoodoo

GOLDEN Eaglets of Nigeria will today aim to halt Nigeria’s losing run against Uruguay this year.

In June, Uruguay full international team beat Nigeria 21 at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil and the South Americans recorded the same win at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey in a Round of 16 clash.

Besides gunning for the scalp of Uruguay, the Nigeria youngsters also seek a place in the last four of the U17 World Cup as they stay on course for a fourth world title at this age level, while Uruguay are yet to claim their first title.

This is the first time both

nations are meeting at this level.

Uruguay were the runnersup in the last edition of the competition after they lost to Mexico 2-0 in the final.

Uruguay have met African opponents at the U17 World Cup four times, lost twice and won twice.

In 1991, Uruguay lost 2-0 to Ghana and lost 3-2 to Ghana again in 1999 in the quarterfinals. They were victorious against Rwanda and Congo 1-0 and 2-1 respectively in 2011 edition.

Coach Advises NWF, Tech Officials On IWF Refresher Courses

REGINALD Briggs, the Head Coach, Rivers State Weightlifting Association (RSWA), yesterday charged the association’s technical officials to regularly attend International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) refreshers courses to enhance their profile.

Briggs told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that by so doing, the officials would have the opportunity of vying for positions at the global level.

He, however, urged the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) to always make information on IWF courses available for officials and also assist them to register for the

programmes.

“It is time we have our officials as members of the boards at the continental and inter-continental levels.

“This can only be achieved when officials are ready to boost their profile through constant attendance of international courses.

“Most times, officials are not even aware of the IWF courses. I appeal to the federation to always inform them early enough so that they will have enough time to prepare and register.

“Even when the officials cannot afford to sponsor themselves, probably because of the financial involvement, the NWF should be able to sponsor some

officials,’’ Briggs said.

He said attending IWF courses will also provide the officials the opportunity to empower themselves technically with current coaching methods and latest officiating rules.

“There are lots of benefits that our officials can gain by participating in international seminars which will boost their technical abilities to train athletes for improved performance.

“When they are in tune with current developments in coaching and officiating, they can be invited by the IWF as resource persons at international seminars or to officiate in international tournaments,’’ the coach said.

Nigeria assistant coach Nduka Ugbade has declared that the team are focused on going past Uruguay, most probably their sternest test yet in this competition.

“We don’t want to be bothered with the tag of a favourite and our philosophy remains the same, one game at a time,” Ugbade said.

“Our objective right from the start was to win our matches and we continue to be guided by that.”

“It is only in pools betting that you forecast matches, but

we are in for a serious business here.

“We don’t have to count the chicks before they hatch and we are looking forward to every game with a winning mentality.”

Officials have assured striker Kelechi Iheanacho will return for this game, while stand-in for injured Isaac Success, Taiwo Awoniyi, has earned high praise from several quarters including Ghana Black Stars skipper Asamoah Gyan.

the contract of designated Nigeria U23 coach Fatai Amoo will not be renewed by Sunshine Stars.

A top source said Amoo’s contract was not renewed because he failed to qualify Sunshine Stars for international football next year.

“Amoo’s contract was not renewed because he failed to achieve the set target which was a continental ticket, instead the team battled for survival,” the top source told MTNFootball.com “The word sack is not ideal because the coaching crew except the TA, Fatai Amoo, signed a year’s contract, which expired at the end of the season, so they are out of contract.

“Amoo joined the team at a point in during the season and had a contract to tinker the team till the end of the season.”

In same vein, the contracts of the technical crew of Sunshine Queens and Rising Stars were not also renewed because OSFA want to reposition the team.

Sunshine Queens had five coaches last season and the last was Kennedy Boboye, while Sunday Emmanuel, an ex-Sunshine Stars, and Apa United coach last handled Rising Stars.

Play Me As Striker And Get Goals, Emenike Tells Club EMMANUEL Emenike has promised to score more goals in Turkey if he is played as his club’s main striker.

The Nigeria striker has now scored three goals in his club’s last two games after going several games without a goal and he said he hopes to add to the tally.

He had told MTNFootball.com that his barren run was caused by the fact that he was being played on the wings and not as the top striker.

“Well, if I played as a striker, I can get goals as expected. Right now, I feel very good and fit,”he told fanatik.com.

“Nice weather we got.

Bursaspor and Galatasaray are our next two games, we

will maintain our leadership by defeating them.”

Fenerbahce lead the Turkey Super League table

with 22 points from nine matches.

Nigeria’s Emmanuel Emenike (middle) in action for Fenerbahce

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