CMYK
The Sunday
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968
NATION
Pg. 9
• Vol. XI NO.4,077 • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 20 14 • N 100.00
FRASHION & STYLE ELATIONSHIP
Pg. 19
Power Of Unity In Marriage
Booing The Bully President
Don’t Hide Under Religion To Perpetuate Violence - Sultan
COMMISSIONING: Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor State of Osun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo State dance during the commissioning of the rebuilt Asoro Grammar School in Benin City, weekend.
THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Saturday urged Nigerians to live in peace with one another, put aside their cultural and religious differences for the overall development of the country. The Sultan, who was represented by the Wazirin Katsina, Dr Sani Lugga, made the plea at the 4th National Convention of the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) in Lagos. The theme of the convention was ‘One Humanity Under God’. According to Sultan Dasuki,“God created us with different colours, languages, cultures, races, countries, states and villages because He wants us to appreciate one another in unity in spite of our differences. “It is the God we worship,
who brought us together as Nigerians, we must understand and respect one another, without which we can never attain peace. “Without peace, we can never progress, develop or enjoy the fruits of this life; above all, without it we cannot serve our creator the way He ordained”. The sultan said that both Islam and Christianity preached peace, and that people should stop pretending to be defending the religion through violence. He explained that this was because the same religions made peace legal and made violence illegal. According to him, the activities and teachings of Boko Haram are Continues on pg.2
Only APC Can Rescue Nigeria
GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun has commissioned 12 blocks of 37 Classrooms at Asoro Grammar School, the rebuilt Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua and the Isua-Uzenema Road in Esan NortEast Local Government Area of Edo state saying the All Progressives Congress is the only party that can take Nigeria out of the shackles of poverty. Speaking over the City, being part of weekend at the ceremonies to celebrate the commissioning of the Asoro 6th Anniversary of the Grammar School in Benin Government of Comrade
PERSPECTIVE Music and Image of Women In The Media Pgs. 12/13
Adams Oshiomhole, Ogbeni Aregbesola said a responsible government would always do everything in its power to give the citizens the best, “A responsible government will always struggle to ensure that all citizens have access to the best. I come to let you
HEALTH
- Aregbesola
know that the greatest legacy you can have from your parents and from any responsible government is education. Pg. 15
How To Be Energetic Without Drinking Energy Drink
Said he: “APC is the only party that can take Nigeria out of the shackles of poverty. As a matter of fact, the only visible programme that the
PDP does is development of poverty. Don’t call them Peoples Democratic Party, but Poverty Development Party. “The difference between APC and PDP is that the PDP pockets our money to develop poverty, but we in APC spread our wealth to
SOCIETY Coping With Physical Disabilities In A Dignified Way
Continues on pg.2 Pg. 23
PDP House Of Reps Primaries Hold By BERNADETTE IDALU
THE PDP primaries held yesterday across the nine Federal Constituencies in the State to nominate the party’s flag bearers ahead of the February 2015 general elections. The process went on peacefully in the Oredo and Ikpoba Okha/Egor Federal Constituencies as aspirants and delegates conducted themselves in peaceful manner and were not violent about the result of the primary elections. At the primaries held for the Oredo Federal Constituency, Dr. Ogbeide Ihama emerged winner with 26 votes while Victor Enoghama got 8 votes just as Osaretin Edosomwan
got I vote. Osahon Igiebor got no vote. However, one vote was voided. Johnson Agbonayinma won at the Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency with a total of 37 votes. He was closely followed by Jude IseIdehen who got 26 votes. Dr. E.F. Omokaro got 3 votes but two votes were voided. Johnson Agbonayinma who was in tears at the results of the election appreciated all who stood for him. The Ikpoba-Okha woman leader, Mrs. Esther Okperan prayed God to protect his life. PDP delegates and leaders voiced their opinion concerning the primaries – Chief Lucky Imasuen was
Don’t Hide Under Religion
Continues from pg.1 condemnable and should not be associated with Islam. “I urge Nigerians to embrace peace, love, unity and respect for our different religions. “We must continue to pray and re-examine ourselves to ensure that we do that which is right for a better Nigeria,’’ he said. In his keynote address, the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mustafa Pulat, stressed the need for Muslim leaders in the world to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the problems facing the Muslim world. Pulat said the rate at which some groups who claimed to be Muslims killed innocent people called for concern. According to him, Islam preaches peace and not violence. The ambassador said that Turkey would support Nigeria to combat terrorism and ensure that peace is restored. In his remark, Mr. Kamor Disu, Executive Chairman of MPAC, called for love and understanding among Muslims and Christians in the country for peaceful coexistence. Disu urged youths not be to be used as tools for violence but agents of change that will impact positively on lives, love and care for people unconditionally. According to him, we are all one before God and He has called us to embrace unity, morals and sanctity of life. MPAC organizer of the lecture is an incorporated public service agency working for the defence, empowerment, promotion of individual liberties, religious, civil and political rights of
Muslims. It also operates on the core Islamic values of justice, mercy, human dignity, freedom, sanctity of human life and equality for all.
impressed by the conduct of the delegates and aspirants stating that winning the primary election does not mean winning the general elections. He therefore sued for peace since this was just the beginning of the journey. Prince Rich Arisco
Osemwingie stated, that the elections were very democratic, urging winners and looser to work together. Mr. Agharese Idubor observed that the event was a civil happening, which was peaceful with no tension despite the fact that there were many aspirants.
Ministry Of Niger Delta To Train 30 Youths On Seafaring THE Ministry of Niger Delta is to train 30 youths as seafarers in the region. Reports say that the seafarers programme is part of series of skill acquisition programmes being organised by the ministry. The Minister of Niger Delta
Rochas Promises To Provide Free Education If Elected President IMO state Gov. and APC presidential aspirant has promised to provide free education to Nigerian if elected president in 2015. Okorocha spoke in Sokoto on Saturday when he addressed the state’s delegates to the December 10 national convention of the party. The Imo governor said,” I have done it in my schools spread across Nigeria and I will do it again if elected as President. “ Currently, there are over 12,000 indigent children in my schools with scores of them from the north,” he
added. Okorocha also said that he is aspiring to become the nation’s president not to make wealth, power or get fame. According to him, his main pre-occupation as the President of Nigeria was to bring the desired change in the country. He underscored the need for social justice, equity and fairness in the management of the affairs of Nigeria. The aspirant further said that he would work to tame the twin monsters of poverty and unemployment stressing however that Nigerians
problem to the society”, he said. The Governor said, “A badly trained child is a terror on the society, armed robbers, miscreants and vagabonds do not come from heaven, they are nurtured by men through negligence. He advised the people to protect the high investment made in education by the government against vandals. In his remarks Governor Adams Oshiomhole said in 2008 when he assumed office Asoro Grammar School, like several other ones had classrooms ridden with potholes and without roofs, adding that Edo children cannot be taught under inhuman conditions. Oshiohole said “I say that we cannot have a future when our children learn under dehumanizing conditions. When we ask our children to show love to our country, the country must be seen to have shown love to the children. If children are educated and brought up under inhuman condition, they grow up angry and bitter against society. “I believe that we of the All Progressives Congress recognize that the foundation for equality, fairness and justice is that the young ones must not be exposed to such rigid device such that the children of the rich study in comfortable private schools and the children of the poor are dumped in environment that look like old fashioned pig house. “When a child grows up feeling inferior on account of
the circumstances of the parents, he suffers from that complex almost through his life. In order to ensure that nobody has excuse of not sending their children to school, we have eliminated all forms of charges that PDP had imposed on our children in the public schools in the past. That vision and commitment is what informed the policy of school transformation in the state”, he said. Oshiomhole said: “This afternoon, I feel fulfilled that we have come not to lament how the previous PDP government underdeveloped the state, we have come in our commitment that our lot is not to lament the failure of yesterday but to be inspired by the opportunity of today and the promise of tomorrow. This school is an eloquent statement of that commitment”. In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Higher Education, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Florence Idahor traced the history of the state transformation agenda in the education sector. She said before the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, education in the state was in shambles, stressing that students and pupils learnt in environments that were not conducive. The Asoro Grammar School is made up of fourteen blocks of 37 classrooms, staff offices, principal block and a borehole.
‘APC Can Rescue Nigeria’
Continues from pg.1 develop the people, to make them happy and wealthy. Wealth does not come through laziness but through hard work”, he said. “Education is not just how to speak English, fraudulent people also speak good English. It is not to speak good English but to communicate your idea well. If you are not deaf and dumb, you should have the capacity for good communication. But it is not the end of it. Education is the ability to live a decent life independently. “That is what the APC government under the leadership of Adams Oshiomhole is striving to give you. I am therefore advising you do not let this opportunity slip by. This is your gold, your diamond and your platinum with you. You can be anywhere in the world. With sound education you have no barrier. “With sound education you can be president of the world. Governorship should not be aspiration, Presidency should be your aspiration and by the grace of God; you will be the president of the world. I am happy that Governor Oshiomhole is doing what he is doing here. “It is not only in education that he is doing wonders. He is building channels to drain storm water such that our houses will not be flooded and our lives will not be miserable. He is tarring roads and above all he is investing in our future. And the meaning of that is when you grow old, you will not be a
NEWS
should trust him based on his track records and the love for sustainable peace and unity of the nation. Okorocha also pledged to stem the tide of insecurity, illiteracy, poverty, militancy and kidnapping, among other social ills currently plaguing the nation. “ The problems of Nigeria are indeed very surmountable and I promise to do my best to improve the situation of the country,” he promised. The acting Chairman of APC in the state, Alhaji Usman Danmadamin-Isa said that Okorocha’s visit to Sokoto was a home coming. The chairman stated that Okorocha was elect-able due to his sterling qualities, promising that delegates from the state will vote for him.
Affairs, Dr Stephen Oru, disclosed this at a briefing organised for youths in Lagos that the programme would be one of the several initiatives being executed by the ministry. He said the essence of the programme was to check youth restiveness in the region. The minister said the training was meant to encourage youths to engage in meaningful economic activities by acquiring skills in various trades and occupations. Oru said that this would provide decent and sustainable sources of income for youths. The minister said the scheme would subsequently advance the overall socioeconomic well-being of the people in the region. He said the ministry would carry out the training in collaboration with Generil Maritime Consultants Nigeria Ltd. “The youth are to be trained to meet the international standards and competencies as set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under STCW 95 Convention. “With this training, the trainees can be employed as ratings on board by any Nigerian and foreign ship,’’ Oru said.
Hon Omagbon Bags NUJ Award By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE FOR her innovative and result oriented performance in office, the Chairman, Ovia North-East Local Government Council Barr. (Mrs.) Lucky Omagbon has been honoured by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council. The prestigious award of outstanding Performance in office was conferred on Mrs. Omagbon on Friday at an Award and Fund raising ceremony organized by the Union as part of activities marking the 2014 NUJ press week. Presenting the plaque of honour to the council chairman, the NUJ Vice President Zone F. Comrade USA Uzaka said the award was in recognition and appreciation of her developmental stride in the council area. Comrade Uzaka noted that the quality of service of the council boss in the area of infrastructure development and economic regeneration at the local government no doubt stood her out among council chairmen in the state which invariably endeared her to the NUJ award
committee. Speaking after receiving the award on behalf of the council chairman, Hon. Dumez Ugiagbe, Vice Chairman of the Local Government, expressed delight over the recognition and thanked the media practitioners for the honour done his boss Mrs. Omagbon. He said that he was not surprised such an award is coming from a respected professional body like the NUJ because they are the watchdogs of the society considering how the council chairman was able to turn around the fortunes of the local Government which was in financial doldrums before she assumed office.
• Hon. Lucy Omagbon
NEWS Efficiency In Governance Panacea To Macro-Economic Instability THE Vice Chancellor, Veritas University, Prof. Michael Kwanashie, said efficiency in governance was the solution to the nation’s macro-economic instability occasioned by dwindling revenue. Kwanashie said this in Abuja on Friday in a paper
he presented at the NorthCentral Summit of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). The paper was entitled: The Challenge of Professional Managers in Implementing Nigeria’s Transformation Agenda. He said Federal
Government’s austerity measures in the face of sliding oil price should focus on efficiency in resource management. The don said there was need for government to reduce its excessive spending on luxuries that, do not add value to the
- Don
nation’s economic development. “It is unfortunate that while government was enjoying the euphoria of the result of the re-based GDP, the poor were getting poorer due to noninclusiveness in the growth.’’ Kwanashie urged professional managers to be driven by moral and ethical standards to ensure the realisation of the transformation agenda of the government. “If we are not driven by our own moral and ethical values, the transformation agenda will be a mirage.
“You are all professional managers and you are all responsible for the fate of this country because there are good policies, but implementation has been poor. “The ideological context of management has created a very serious challenge to Nigerian people and that difficulty arises out of choices made by professional managers and leaders”, he said. The President of NIM, Dr Nelson Uwaga, said the effect of the drop in oil price at the international market could be surmounted through prudent management of resources. Uwaga said the
devaluation of naira as one of the measures adopted by the government to strengthen the economy would have negative impact on the citizenry. He said government should look inward and review some of the policies such as waivers, which he said impeded revenue generation. “Devaluing the naira will create a lot of hardships but it is a necessary evil that we have to bear, but government must protect the masses”, he said. He said that NIM members have a role to play in stabilising the economy by imbibing the value of accountability.
Deputy Comptroller Of Prisons Jailed 7 Yrs For Fraud
Commandant, Nigerian Army Peace-keeping Centre, Maj.-gen. Sanusi Mu’azu (R), Decorating The Best Student, Sgt. Monday Philip, With Chief Of Army Staff Award Medal, At The Graduation Of Warrant Officers’ Academy Course 24/2014 In Jaji, Kaduna State weekend
A HIGH Court sitting in Okene, Kogi, at the weekend sentenced a Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Joseph Idachaba,
INEC Warns Workers Against Extortion
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at the weekend said it did not direct any of its workers to collect money from eligible voters before or after registering them. The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Lagos State, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, told newsmen that the commission would not hesitate to decisively deal with any worker engaging in the act. Ogunmola spoke with newsmen in Lagos against the backdrop of complaints from people in some wards in FESTAC Town and Ikotun, that they were asked to pay before being registered. INEC began Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) on
December 3, in nine local government areas of Lagos State, not covered from November 12 to November 19, when it was held in 11 council areas. The exercise will end on December 8. “I invited somebody this morning from Badagry because of this allegation, but he denied it. “We are saying that such a thing should not arise. “Some miscreants too will go and write names of nonexisting people and say that anybody that comes should pay money to replace those in the list. “We have not directed anybody to do such a thing; if we have concrete
evidence, we are ready to deal with perpetrators. “Corp members are under the NYSC scheme and can be easily dealt with. “That is why we do not engage anybody that we cannot deal with once it is
High Rate Of Mental Disorder Contributes To Low Productivity - Psychiatrist A PSYCHIATRIST, Dr Emmanuel Owoyemi, said at the weekend the high rate of mental disorder among Nigerians was contributing to low national productivity. Owoyemi told newsmen in Lagos that Nigeria was losing billions of naira
Don Urges Soil Preservation For Agric “The soil is still fertile, the PROF. Ngozi Nnam, Dean, Development reason why we record poor Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has called for the preservation of the soil for agricultural development. Nnam made the call in Nsukka at the weekend during the celebration of the 2014 World Soil Day. She said the soil should be preserved since it was the foundation of agricultural development and ecosystem sustainability. She said in spite of the importance of soil to humanity, soil degradation had continued to increase due to inappropriate practices and inadequate
governance of the essentialnatural resources. “It is undisputable fact that soil is the foundation of agricultural development and ecosystem sustainability. “Without soil, there will be no food; no water to drink; no place to build commercial and residential houses and no place for domestic and wild animals to live. The don said the country would not achieve food security unless it first achieved soil security. “When the soil is well preserved, farmers would record bumper harvests.
made known to us,” he said. Ogunmola said that it was the responsibility of the electoral officer to make sure that equipment for registration worked perfectly. He said that INEC, had provided everything required for a smooth exercise.
to seven years in prison for defrauding the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) of over N1.4 million. The convict and another staff of the prison, Ruth Onoja, were arraigned for fraudulently transferring N1,403,114.09 from NPS bank accounts to that of a ghost staff named, Mohammed Ugbede, in February. They had been stranding trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, falsehood and
harvest some time is because we have failed to protect and preserve the content of the soil, ‘’She said. The Head of Department of Soil Science of the university, Dr Peter Ezeaku , said December 5 had been set aside all over the world to create awareness on the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system. “We should take good advantage of the day to create, educate, promote as well as create awareness on the importance of the soil to the existence of mankind.
annually to mental disorder among its citizens. According to him, when citizens are depressed and mentally unstable it will impact negatively on national productivity. “Human depression eventually will lead to economic depression and economic depression itself too can lead to human depression. “Looking at the society we are in today and looking at Nigeria as a case study, you will find out that may be years of not giving attention to one is now leading to the other. “When a man is depressed the person will begin to lose interest in one‘s pleasurable activities, the person will start withdrawing, the person will start having mood swings and weaknesses, tiredness, pains.
“So many things will begin to happen; and different people present depression in different ways. “Most of the attitudes and characters you see outside there, sometimes, are signs of depression (and) because of all these problems productivity level will be low. “When citizens of a nation become depressed and there is low productivity across the board, there will be low GDP.“ Owoyemi, however, urged government at all levels to place high priority on mental health by providing funds for infrastructure as well as employment and training of personnel. According to him, a mentally stable populace reserves the tendency to be productive for national development.
fraud leveled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In his judgment, Justice Josiah Majebi, said that the prosecution had proved the case beyond all reasonable doubts. Majebi, however, acquitted the convict on charges of conspiracy and falsehood. He also discharged and acquitted the second respondent for failure by the prosecution to establish the charge of conspiracy linking her to the crime. The prosecution said that Ugbede later paid the amount into Idachaba’s account. The judge said that the convict had initially admitted commission of the crime in his statement, but later turned around to deny it. “The claim of the 1st accused (Idachaba) that he does not know Opia Mohammed Ugbede, who was alleged to have paid the money into his account is but an afterthought. “To believe the story of the 1st accused in the face of the overwhelming evidence adduced by the prosecution is to believe the holiness of a bishop hanging a talisman on his neck,” the judge said. He said that the prosecution had established that the 1st respondent knowingly misrepresented Ugbede as a staff of NPS with the intention to defraud the service.
NEWS Coroner Fixes Dec10 For Ruling On TB Joshua’s Application To Stay Proceedings THE coroner investigating the building collapse at the Synagogue Church of All Nations on Friday fixed December 10 for ruling on an application filed by the church’s Founder, Prophet Temitope Joshua. The Coroner, Mr Oyetade Komolafe, fixed the date after arguments from Joshua’s counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, and counsel to Lagos State, Mr Akingbolahan Adeniran. Reports say that the inquest was instituted under the Lagos State Coroner’s System Law No. 7 of 2007 for the purpose of unraveling the cause of the incident. Reports say that 116 persons were killed when a six-storey building collapsed in the church’s compound on September 12. Joshua had in the application asked the court to stay proceedings on issues relating to calling of witnesses in respect of the building’s approval or material tests of the collapsed building.
The cleric also asked the coroner to suspend further actions on an invitation to him to appear before the inquest to give evidence. He asked that proceedings should be stayed pending the determination of a suit he filed against the coroner before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court. Moving the application, Ojo argued that there was a nexus between the application before the coroner and the suit pending before the high court. He said that the application before Okunnu was for a judicial review to ascertain whether Komolafe had exceeded the statutory jurisdiction of the coroner’s court. “We may be right; we may be wrong, but what we are saying is that this coroner’s court has been extending, and it is still extending its inquisitions into areas outside the statutory jurisdiction of the coroner’s court.
Man Seeks Dissolution Of 5 Years Marriage Over Alleged Infidelity A MAN, Ugochukwu Anyanwu, at the weekend pleaded with an Ojo Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his five-year -old marriage over alleged infidelity by his wife. Anyanwu told the court that his wife, Emmacule,was having extra marital affairs with several men. “The trouble is too much; she has gone to the extent of bringing one of the men into my house on the pretence that he is her brother,” he said. He claimed that his wife had been relating with the man on Facebook. “I have all their conversations; I can no longer love such an adulterous woman,’’ he submitted. He added that the wife was fond of destroying household items. “In fact, a terrible incident is that she has removed a two months old pregnancy,” he said. He told the court that the marriage was blessed with two boys and one girl, but should not continue because of his wife’s attitude. “I am asking for divorce because this marriage is already broken down and replaced with lack of love and threat to life,” he said. Responding, 27-year-old Emmacule told the court that she had never slept with any man apart from her husband.
She said that she would want to continue with the marriage but would want to have the custody of her children if her husband insisted on divorce. “All that my husband is claiming is not true; I still love my husband and my marriage; I do not want to destroy the life of my children. “My problem is that my husband does not respect me as a wife; he locks and beats me up, and in trying to defend myself, properties are destroyed,” she submitted. She said she lost the pregnancy to a fight with her husband when he brought another lady into their house.
Deacon Nosakhare Eghobamien (President/Founder, Nosakhare Model Education Centre), receiving NUJ Prestigious Award of Excellence in recognition of his contribution to the development of Education Sector. Photo: IMHANZETO BRIGHT.
NNPC Rules Out OPEC Split Over Production down the taps unless conference must have THE Nigerian National Output turn they were guaranteed market consulted widely with all Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has ruled out the possibility of split in Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) over disagreement on daily oil production output by member nations. Mr Ohi Alegbe, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Department, NNPC, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. Alegbe said that the issue of split in OPEC did not arise in the organisation’s meeting last week and described the conference as a success. He said the conference reached a consensus on output and the election of Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, as first female President of the OPEC. He added that the organisation would not just take any decision without due consultation with relevant stakeholders. “It is assumed that before reaching any major decision on crude volumes, the
stakeholders, including the EU, Russia and some other crude consumption blocs,’’ he said. It will be recalled that the 12-nation cartel had decided to maintain the production level of 30 million barrels per day, same as it had been producing for three years. The decision resulted to disagreements among member nations, especially the poor ones.
Canada Fund for Local Initiative (CFLI) to train journalists to report gender and sexuality with precision. “The training will expose journalists to skills, newsroom attitude research and publication of a resource guide book to support the coverage of their beats,’’ the statement said. It said urged journalists in Lagos and Abuja covering issues of gender and sexuality to avail themselves of the training programme. It added that the organisation was currently
share in the highly competitive arena, particularly in the U.S. A flood of cheaper oil from U.S. shale rock has contributed to the global oversupply. OPEC’s decision against cutting oil production, despite a global glut in supplies, had triggered collapse in crude prices and prompted a fall in trading. The cartel, which is
the suit are the Lagos State Government, the state attorney-general and the commissioner of police in the state. The applicants had sought a declaration that their alleged arrest, remand and forceful deportation from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra, in 2012 by the government, on the ground that they were non-indigenes of Lagos, was a violation of their personal liberty and freedom of movement. The applicants had prayed the court to declare that the alleged action was a violation of Sections 35, 41(1) and 42 of the Constitution and Articles 6,12, 2 and 28 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. They asked the court to award damages in the sum of N2 billion against the Lagos State Government and its agents for the alleged breach of their rights. The applicants had also sought an order of the court compelling the respondents to apologise to them in at least three national dailies. Justice Kurya held that there were conflicts in the affidavit evidence tendered by both parties, which ought
to be resolved by oral evidence. He said that efforts were made to serve the respondents with the court processes. “Efforts have been made to get the respondents served, and from the proof of service, they have been served consequent upon which they filed their counter-affidavit. “The respondents’ case is a complete denial of the facts and circumstances as put forward by the applicants. “The respondents said in their affidavit that they did not deport the applicants to any place outside the territory of Lagos State at anytime. “They said that, in furtherance of state government’s policy to cater for the welfare of citizens irrespective of their origins, the applicants were rescued from different parts of the state while they were begging for alms and engaging in vices. “The respondents said that those who could not provide details of their places of residence or businesses were taken to a rehabilitation centre at Majidun, Lagos, and given an opportunity to acquire vocational skills.
Lagos Govt Wins Case Over Deportation Of JUSTICE Musa Kurya of Onitsha Indigenes the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos at the weekend entered judgment in favour of the Lagos State Government in a suit filed by some people alleging a breach of their rights. The applicants, Rosemary Nathaniel, Friday Ndukwe, Grace Igbochi, Ugulori Tutua, Chinyere Nicholas and Osondu Mbuto filed the suit on their behalf and 77 others, seeking the enforcement of their rights. Joined as respondents in
Canada Partners NGO To Train Journalists In Reporting Gender, Sexuality THE National Coordinator, Projekhope, Mr Steve Aborisade, at the weekend said the Canadian Fund for Local Initiative (CFLI) would be partnering with the NGO to train journalists in reporting gender and sexuality. Aborisade said in a statement that the training scheduled to hold in Lagos and Abuja, was aimed at enhancing the capacity and skills of journalists in reporting gender and sexuality issues. “Projekhope, an NGO in Nigeria, is partnering with the
There have been fears in some quarters that the disagreement among member nations on the 30 million barrels per day output could lead to split in OPEC. OPEC had faced pressure from its poorer members, notably Venezuela, to cut output as collapsing prices slashed their precious revenues. However, its powerful Gulf members rejected calls to
calling for applications from interested journalists on or before December 20. “A call for application is currently open to reporters who will like to participate in the training programme. “Interested participants are encouraged to send a request for application packets to training@projekthope.org. “Training is free, while the support of the CFLI also covers cost of transportation to and from the training venue for selected journalists,’’ he said.
WORLD NEWS Ukraine’s Poroshenko Tells Army Not To Give Up Donetsk Airport THE whole of Ukraine will be within reach of the “enemy” if its armed forces lose control of the international airport in the eastern city of Donetsk to separatists, President Petro Poroshenko said on Friday. Poroshenko issued the warning after another night of intense fighting with Russian-backed rebels at the airport, part of a new spasm of violence in a conflict which has triggered the worst standoff between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. Ukrainian troops made a tactical withdrawal in the face of rebel mortar and artillery strikes then returned to their positions, the Kiev military said. Six Ukrainian soldiers were killed in clashes with the separatists in the past 24
hours, a military spokesman said, despite a three-month ceasefire. The latest fighting, which included fresh shelling on a district of rebel-controlled Donetsk in which a pensioner was killed, came just days before both sides were due to try to reinforce the shaky ceasefire by observing a “Day of Silence” on Dec. 9. Kiev and its Western backers accuse Russia of sending troops across the border and arming the rebels, charges Moscow denies. Poroshenko made his comments at a Kiev ceremony in which he awarded medals to some of the defenders who have hung doggedly on to control of the airport since May. “I am sure that we are defending there the whole of Ukraine,” he said. “If we give
Ukrainian President
up Donetsk (airport), the enemy will be at Borispil or Gostomel or even in Lviv,” he said. Borispil is the name of the capital’s main international airport and Gostomel is a small former military airfield outside Kiev. Lviv is Ukraine’s main city in the west. Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said the separatists had suffered “big losses” in three failed attempts to break through Ukrainian positions, including at Donetsk airport. Ukrainian and separatist leaders have pledged to observe the “Day of Silence”, intended to prepare for creation of a non-militarized buffer zone, from which the two sides will withdraw artillery and other heavy military equipment. The United Nations puts the overall death toll in the conflict at more than 4,300. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday agreeing a demarcation line between the rival sides was the crucial element that had stalled earlier truce efforts. “We expect the ceasefire to take effect in full from Dec. 9 ... The ceasefire was announced before. It led to a considerable easing in violence but not to a full (halt of fighting),” Lavrov said during a visit to Basel, Switzerland. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, also speaking in Basel, said: “We have human losses and human suffering every day. So it’s about real delivery, it’s about deeds and not just commitments and words.”
US Defense Secretary In Kabulas US Defense Secretary Chuck NATO Warwinds Down Hagel arrived in Kabul on Saturday on an unannounced visit to Afghanistan in the final weeks of NATO’s 13-year war against the Taliban. Hagel told reporters that Afghanistan had “come a long way” over the past decade and that a newly-elected Afghan government and its army were ready to take charge as the bulk of the international force departs by the end of the month. “As difficult, as challenging, as long as this has been — by
any definition, the country of Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan are far better off today than they were 13 years ago,” Hagel told reporters aboard his plane. “If, (for) no other reason, because they have the ability to decide their own fate, their own way, on their terms. They’re not completely there yet. But they’ve come a long way,” he said. The advances had come as a
Drone Kills 9 Alleged Al-Qaida Fighters In Yemen A security official in Yemen says a suspected U.S. drone strike in the country’s south has killed nine alleged alQaida militants amid the search for an American hostage. The official said early Saturday the strike targeted militant hideouts in the southern province of Shabwa. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to brief journalists. At least six suspected
militants were killed in an airstrike in the same province last month. The U.S. considers Yemen’s al-Qaida branch to be the world’s most dangerous as it has been linked to several failed attacks on the U.S. homeland. This strike come amid a search for American photojournalist Luke Somers, held by al-Qaida militants following his abduction in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in September 2013.
result of the “blood and treasure” spent by American, allied and Afghan troops, he added. Hagel, who is shortly to step down from office, is expected to meet with senior Afghan officials as well as talk to those US troops still deployed in the country. NATO’s combat mission ends on December 31, and will be replaced by a support mission of about 12,500 soldiers who will provide training and assistance for the Afghan security forces. About 130,000 NATO troops were fighting in Afghanistan in 2010 at the peak of the foreign intervention after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. Concern is growing for national stability as the US-led NATO military presence declines, with the Afghan army and police enduring high casualties in battle this year and a series of high-profile Taliban attacks in Kabul. President Barack Obama on Friday named Ashton Carter, a technocrat and academic with long experience working in the Pentagon, to replace Hagel as defence secretary.
E. A. ADEBOYE On Sunday
Good Neighbourliness MEMORISE: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend’ that sticketh closer than a brother”. Proverbs 18:24 Read: 2 Kings 4:1-8 Bible in one year Ezra 1-3 Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 THE widow of the dead indebted son of the prophets lived in a predominantly poor but friendly neighbourhood. This can be deduced from the response of her neighbours to her request for empty vessels. There are lessons to learn from this interesting story, one of such is that: you are living in the midst of opportunities. Where you live right now is where your miracles are. God will inspire you and like that widow, you will discover that your miracles are in your neighbourhood in Jesus’ Name. The point to note here is that, you must be friendly with the people living around you. Can you imagine what would have happened after Elisha told the widow to go to her neighbours for the vessels with which she must collect the object of her
miracles and she couldn’t because she was not friendly with them? Can you imagine what their response will be if she had fought all the people in her neighbourhood? The Bible in Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” In so many instances, you do not need to relocate from where you are to get your breakthrough. In Genesis 26:1-3, we come across another interesting story in which God commanded Isaac not to go down to Egypt. God commanded him to stay in Gerar despite the famine in that land. He stayed and God blessed him mightily. In like manner, God is going to prosper you no matter the economic recession in your
neighbourhood or in your country. There is a river in your neighbourhood that harbours a particular fish with a gold coin in its belly. All you need to do is to catch the fish, open its mouth and claim the coin that will enrich you for life (Matthew 17:27). There are some people in your neighbourhood, who have more money than they can ever spend in a lifetime. You only need to reach out to them with the message of salvation. Do you know that those that are extremely rich are hungry for the message of salvation? There was a young lady that preached to a rich man and he gave his life to Christ. This man became so filled with the joy of salvation that he decided to give something to this sister. He purchased a brand new car as a gift for this sister in appreciation for the salvation of his soul. What God did for that sister, He can do for you. Go out and be a good neighbour to those around you by offering them the message of hope and salvation. You will be surprised at how God can reward your labour of love. Be a good neighbour today by evangelising to the lost souls in your neighbourhood.
KEY POINT Go out and preach the gospel to your neighbours today.
“Go out and be a good neighbour to those around you by offering them the message of hope and salvation. You will be surprised at how God can reward your labour of love.”
Chimpanzees Have No Human Rights - NY Court IN the first case of its kind, a New York appeals court rejected during the week an animal rights advocate’s bid to extend “legal personhood” to chimpanzees, saying the primates are incapable of bearing the responsibilities that come with having legal rights. A five-judge panel of the Albany court said attorney Steven Wise had shown that Tommy, a 26-year-old chimp who lives alone in a shed in upstate New York, was an autonomous creature, but that it was not possible for him to understand the social contract that binds humans together. “Needless to say, unlike human beings,
chimpanzees cannot bear any legal duties, submit to societal responsibilities or be held legally accountable for their actions,” Presiding
Justice Karen Peters wrote. Wise said that he would ask the Court of Appeals, New York State’s top court, to hear the case.
Tommy, a 26-year-old chimp who lives alone in a shed in upstate New York in this undated photo.
North Korea Orders Everyone Sharing Leader’s Name To Change It - Report
NORTH Korea has ordered people who share the name of leader Kim Jong Un to change their names, South Korea’s state-run KBS television reported during the week. North Korea imposed similar bans on the use of the
names of its two former leaders, Kim’s father, Kim Jong II, and grandfather, Kim II Sung, as part of propaganda drives to build cults of personality around them. Kim Jong Un’s name is not allowed for newborns and
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walks as he inspects KPA Air and Anti-Air Force Unit 991, honored with the title of O Jung Hup-led Seventh Regiment, in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agenc
people who share the name must not just stop using it but must change it on their birth certificates and residence registrations, KBS reported, citing an official North Korean directive. Kim Jong II, the father of the current leader, issued the order in 2011, when his son was heir apparent, KBS said. The elder Kim died in December that year and his son took power. South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles ties with the North, could not immediately confirm the report but said it was plausible. “The ban is highly possible since North Korea had the same policy in the era of Kim Jong II and Kim II Sung,” a ministry official said. It is not known how many people there are in North Korea called Kim Jong Un, but Kim is a very common family name and Jong Un are common given names.
“This is just the first appellate decision in a longterm strategic campaign” to win rights for chimps and other intelligent animals, he said. Wise, representing The Nonhuman Rights Project, which he helped found in 2007, was seeking a ruling that Tommy had been unlawfully imprisoned by his owner, Patrick Lavery. Wise argued that the chimp should be released to a sanctuary in Florida. According to Wise and other experts, it is the first case anywhere in the world in which an appeals court has been asked to extend human rights to animals. Lavery said that he agreed with the judges, adding that Tommy received state-ofthe-art care and was on a waiting list to be taken in by a sanctuary. “It will be my decision where he goes and not someone else’s,” he said. Peters wrote for the court that while chimps could not be granted legal rights, Wise could lobby the state legislature to create new protections for chimps and other intelligent animals. The decision, which upheld a 2013 ruling by a state judge, came after Wise during the week urged a separate court in Rochester to order the release of a deaf chimp named Kiko from a cement cage at his owner’s home in Niagara Falls. Wise has also filed a third case on behalf of two chimps that live at a state university on Long Island. The case is Nonhuman Rights Project v. Lavery, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, No. 518336.
Odd News Compiled By
CHRISTIANA AKHIGBE
Man Fled Crash To Avoid Yelling Girlfriend POLICE in New Jersey say a man told officers he fled the scene of an auto accident because he “didn’t want to deal with his girlfriend yelling at him.” They say David Scarpa was having an argument with his girlfriend Sunday night when he backed into a utility pole in Cumberland County. The caller who reported the hitand-run said he heard people “yelling” and then
heard a bang and saw debris on the ground by the pole. Police say the 21-yearold Scarpa then took off and didn’t report the accident immediately. Scarpa went to police headquarters to turn himself in Monday. Police tell The Press of Atlantic City (http://bit.ly/ 12cW6ss) that Scarpa has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving.
Man Charged For Sunbathing Nude In His Yard A JUDGE is issuing an arrest warrant for a 77year-old Utah man who police say was sunbathing nude in his backyard next to a church parking lot. Court records show the $5,000 cash-only warrant was issued Tuesday after Myron Lee Kipp failed to show up at a court hearing in his lewdness case. The Farmington man has pleaded not guilty to seven misdemeanor counts of lewdness, four involving a child.
Defense attorney William Albright didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment. Police say Kipp’s neighbors reported he was sunbathing nude in his backyard. His yard has a chain-link fence with no privacy slats. Police say several parents said their children could see him, but Kipp told an officer he could do want he wanted on his property.
Huge Utah Nativity Scene Breaks Guinness Record MORE than 1,000 people dressed as angels, wise men and religious royalty gathered at a park in Provo, Utah, and set a new Guinness record for the largest live nativity scene. The event during the week featured a variety of performers who made videos posted on YouTube. It is also expected to serve as a backdrop for a music video. Guinness World Record judge Michael Empric determined there were 1,039 participants in the production, along with a camel, donkey and sheep, the Daily Herald of Provo reported. That tops the record of 898 people last year at a nativity scene in the United Kingdom. Organizers, however, said
breaking the record was secondary to emphasizing religious faith over Christmas-season shopping. “We wanted to do it simply to show the world what Christmas is all about,” said Derral Eves, one of the producers. “It is not all the presents, but it is about the true gift of Christmas — Jesus Christ.” The event was planned and put together in less than a month — thanks in large part to about 50 families that helped sew all the costumes, Eves said. Some of the costumes had batterypowered lights attached as trimming. One woman sewed about 75 costumes, said Valerie
Harmon, who organized the costume effort. “It was sort of like an old-
fashioned community sewing bee,” Harmon said. The event was promoted
In this undated photo provided by the Davis County Jail Myron Lee Kipp poses for a booking photo, in Utah. A judge is issuing an arrest warrant for the 77-year-old Kipp, who police said was sunbathing nude in his backyard next to a church parking lot.
Surgeon Disciplined For Removing Wrong Kidney
More than 1,000 participants gather at Rock Canyon Park in Provo, Utah, in an attempt to set a world record for the largest recreation of a live Nativity scene.
A California surgeon has been disciplined for removing a prisoner’s healthy kidney and leaving the diseased one intact. The state medical board last week placed Dr. Charles Coonan Strait on probation for three years, the Orange County Register reported during the week (http/bit.ly/ 1CF8Zwq). The board said Strait, a urologist who has had his license for 41 years, relied on memory to decide which kidney to remove because he
didn’t have access to the patient’s complete medical records. The operation at Fullerton’s St. Jude Medical Center involved a 59-year-old federal inmate. The hospital was fined $100,000 by the California Department of Public Health because CT scans were left in an office on the day of the surgery. The hospital now mandates such images be submitted before a procedure is scheduled, a spokeswoman said.
Law Makers On The Fence “NOTHING is new under the sun.” An old man had been frustrated, which led him out of office. He wanted to be a President for life. A youth had felt that he or she had been pushed out in the “political industry,” and some youths still keep referring to the times some Heads of States and Presidents were between the ages of 28 and 38. They are sad that these people, who had their chances as youths are still fighting to rule in their seventies after retirement. A woman had hoped that tomorrow may be better if given a space to make input in governance. Akin to the Blessed Mother Mary, she had kept in her heart the hardship that spreads tentacles all over the world. She kept wondering how comfortable some leaders are, watching poverty walking naked on every street in the towns and villages. The question that lingers in the paradox of power is how many people really seek leadership positions with the sole aim of promoting and sustaining the common good. In a world where no one is sure of tomorrow, she fights for a place in God’s creation through women empowerment. While she fights against violence against women, He is nervous that the world could be better if she is allowed to take control of governance. After all, a responsible woman would be too shy to jump a fence in the view of cameras. In the context of the mad pursuit for power and material gains, this question has actually been asked: “Where is the joy of service?” “Is it the “servantleader” or the served that enjoys this joy?” What joy does a lawmaker derive in
By CORNELIUS AFEBU OMONOKHUA
jumping the fence? He said that he had to “scale the fence to defend democracy.” Perhaps one could argue that he jumped the fence out of zeal and patriotism for the common good of the nation. Perhaps, he jumped the fence to stop the terrorists from sniffing out life from the innocent citizens. These arguments may be difficult to sustain if we consider other debates that have trailed this fencejumping episode. Some have argued that whoever and whatever created the circumstances for the “monkey” jump should be blamed. Others think that the National Assembly Abuja riot of November 20, 2014 is not new. It appears to be the natural and normal rehearsal of some law makers considering the method, means and process that brought them into the house. Someone had reduced the qualification only to the ability to raise money to buy a party ticket to qualify for elections. Some think that integrity and moral competence had only played a second fiddle in the selection or election that produced some of them. Once, I had a meeting with some Local Government Councillors. The main agenda of the meeting was to prevent a riot. They had protested over their Furniture allowance. They had threatened to burn down the Local Government Secretariat and impeach the Local Government Chairman. That meeting gave me a clue to their background, and the content of their character. The meeting reminded me of the students who piloted
riots in the secondary schools and Universities in the various student unions and cults when I was a student. Given the behavioural pattern of some law makers at the Local Government and State levels, one could further argue that the fence jumping display by the law makers of the National Assembly in Abuja only
demonstrated their inability to use law makers at all levels have resulted to showing off their expertise in acrobatic, boxing, wrestling, judo and carat in the course of their State and National Assembly meetings. The Abuja saga is not the first time a law maker had told a colleague, “if you say that again, I will slap you!” When a legally elected person takes to physical violence instead of using the legislative power to
F
ocus
show good example to the ordinary people on the street, one would question the relevance of the electoral process and exercise. Also, the actions of some elected persons call to question, their qualification, both in education and the level of their formation, enlightenment and awareness. The antisocial saga exhibited by our elected
to choose between them and repudiate some among them. Worse still, feeble and sinful as he is, he does the very thing he hates and does not do what he wants. And so he feels himself divided, and the result is a host of discord in social life” (GS. 10) In the face of this anxiety and uncertainty, there is need to talk about service and the attendant joy. It is
leaders look like a dichotomy of human personality and existence. The Second Vatican Council captured this dichotomy in a better and vivid way: “The dichotomy affecting the modern world is, in fact a symptom of the deeper dichotomy that is in man himself. He is the meeting point of many but feels untrammelled in his inclinations and destined for a higher form of life. Torn by a welter of anxieties he is compelled
in a divided world that man is called to find joy and happiness. It is a world of dichotomy that a woman is called to spread her beautiful flowers of love. The man is a sign of strength while the woman is a sign of love. The qualities that make service worthwhile and the joy that follows it are divine providence, courage, reciprocity, respect and sense of shame. Reflecting on divine providence, what easily comes to mind is the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6, 11). This is called the prayer of the “squirrel” in Etsako. The squirrel only demands a day from God. Theologians call this, the sacrament of the moment. We could ease our tension by narrating the story that led to this prayer. The world kept running in a blaze and many people were trapped in the past and frightened by the
“Some have argued that whoever and whatever created the circumstances for the “monkey” jump should be blamed. Others think that the National Assembly Abuja riot of November 20, 2014 is not new. It appears to be the natural and normal rehearsal of some law makers considering the method, means and process that brought them into the house.”
future. The squirrel saw danger all around: the threat of the snakes in the forest, the danger of the farmer’s traps, the anger of the hunter’s bullets and the ferocity of the lion’s roaring. The squirrel asked: “Will the palm tree ever provide palm fruits again? Quivering and frightened, the squirrel questioned itself; “what shall I do?” It began to hoard palm fruits and groundnuts. That did not provide the desired security. It decided to jump from tree to tree. But the fear of snakes in the palm trees became another obstacle. The poor Squirrel resorted to prayer. Very early in the morning before any activity the squirrel prayed: “My God, save me today and not tomorrow”. Every day the squirrel repeated this prayer. In answer to the prayer, God provided it with groundnuts and palm fruits daily. Also God daily protected it from the snares of the poisonous snakes. The squirrel learnt to sing to the snake like a mother singing lullaby to lull the child to sleep. It thus became a proverb in Etsako: “The squirrel demands only a day at a time from God.” Each moment and each day, God provides for the squirrel and protects the squirrel. The hunter stopped hunting the squirrel because the bullet became more expensive than the squirrel itself. The prayer of the squirrel akin to the Lord’s Prayer teaches us to live one day at a time. The past must be allowed to rest in the past and be forgotten in order to move on. The future is in God’s hands and it may never come. Only the present is what we are sure of. Let us seek the face of God in our challenging moments like normal and civilized human being.
Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja and Consultor of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City (omonokhuac@gmail.com).
MR. Seyi Thomas, a 43year-old man from Kogi, has never voted in any election in the past as a result of what he described as the cumbersome electoral processes during elections.
“One of the major reasons for voter apathy and resultant low participation of citizens in elections can be attributed to the low level of public awareness of electoral matters,’’ he said. Jega noted that the
vote. “If one has experienced such kind of situation at a polling unit, he or she may be very reluctant to go through that process again,’’ she said. To ensure massive voter
voters during elections. Onah particularly stressed the need to ensure voter safety on election days, saying: “Voters should be sure that their lives are not exposed to danger in the course of performing their civic
Searchlight
comprehensive voter education in the country,’’ he said. Osaze-Uzi said that the
their voting rights in the 2015 general elections. “For instance, we are already persuading
inauguration of National Inter-agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity (NICVEP) by INEC at all levels of government was one of the tools of driving
Nigerians to collect their permanent voter cards, which is the first tool of accreditation for voting,’’ Yunusa said. Similar sentiments, Prof. Mariatu Tunuche of the Department of Political Science, Kogi State University, said that in efforts to address voter apathy, political parties must demonstrate internal democracy, right from their primaries. Besides, Tunuche stressed the need to put in place a mechanism that would make elected officials accountable to their constituents – the electorate. “These measures will go a long way to motivate eligible voters to go out and discharge their civic responsibility during voting periods,’’ she said. All the same, Jega, the INEC chairman, said that the commission could conveniently pledge that it would organise credible, free, fair and transparent elections, which would be much better than the 2011 polls, come 2015. He stressed that INEC was working closely with security agencies to ensure the people’s safety on election days, assuring that the INEC leadership would never allow its workers, the voters and electoral materials to face unnecessary risks. “Our hope and prayer is that in those areas where there are security challenges, the challenges will be minimised, while sufficient normalcy and stability are restored for us to be able to conduct the elections,” he said Jega further explained that INEC would ensure that nursing mothers, the elderly and persons with disabilities were given priority attention whenever they came out to vote. Going by these assurances, observers believe that with adequate voter education, less cumbersome voting procedures and adequate security, voter apathy will be minimised considerably in the 2015 general elections
Addressing Voter Apathy Via Voter Education
Thomas also says that he would prefer to sleep in his house or go to farm on election days, rather than participating in any election that “would benefit only a few citizens. “However, a friend was able to convince me to vote in 2011; I reluctantly went to the polling unit but I could not vote due to some logistic problems facing the electoral body. “The most annoying part of it is that it is only during campaign periods that you see politicians seeking our vote; once they are elected into power, they vanish and you may not see them again until next election. “Besides, does my vote count anyway? Why should I go and waste my time when my vote will not count?’’ Thomas asks. From all indications, Thomas is not the only Nigerian with such a negative mindset, as one of the major challenges facing elections in the country is voter apathy. The development has become a serious concern for the government and INEC, the electoral body, as preparations toward the 2015 general elections gradually reach a crescendo. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has repeatedly decried the issue of voter apathy in the country. Jega said that although democracy had come to stay in Nigeria, majority of the citizens still exhibited apathy toward elections, going by the statistics on voter turnout compiled on various polls conducted across the country.
By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA
problem of voter apathy still subsisted in the country, in spite of the enormous resources which INEC and other bodies had committed to voter and civic education. However, Prof. Roseline
turnout in the 2015 general elections, Onah underscored the need for INEC, government, political parties and the
responsibility.’’ Meanwhile, INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Oluwole Osaze-Uzi, said that since
Onah of the Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, identified low literacy level, violence, intimidation and lack of public trust in the electoral process as some of the factors responsible for voter apathy. She also pointed at the cumbersome election processes, “especially when voters have to queue for a long time before they could
National Orientation Agency (NOA) to give priority to voter education. She also advised INEC to adopt measures that would ensure that voting processes were not cumbersome, adding that the measures should also entail how to promote credible elections. She also urged the government and its relevant agencies to safeguard the safety of
democracy was all about the people’s choice, INEC would always strive to educate the electorate on how to make the right choice. Osaze-Uzi said that apart from tackling the issue of voter apathy, the commission was educating voters to eschew anti-social behaviour, electoral malpractices, violence and other aberrations that could hinder the integrity of the forthcoming election. “We are at the forefront of the campaign for robust and
“Jega said that although democracy had come to stay in Nigeria, majority of the citizens still exhibited apathy toward elections, going by the statistics on voter turnout compiled on various polls conducted across the country. One of the major reasons for voter apathy and resultant low participation of citizens in elections can be attributed to the low level of public awareness of electoral matters”.
voter education in the country. He was optimistic that the inter-agency committee would work to ensure the success of the 2015 general elections. He, nonetheless, said that commission had initiated other measures that would build the confidence of the electorate on the 2015 elections. According to him, the measures include the use of permanent voter cards and card readers for the elections. Nevertheless, Osaze-Uzi underscored the need for all political parties to partner with INEC in efforts to sensitise the voters to their expectations during the polls, saying that parties should ensure that their supporters came out to vote. Dr. Tanko Yunusa, the National Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), said that political parties, INEC and nongovernmental organisations had started mobilising eligible voters to exercise
Booing The Bully President
THE students of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU demonstrated at the weekend that there is a reason to hope for a better Nigeria. They demonstrated in certain terms that the sweeping and repressing dictator is gradually loosing his popularity by the day. It’s a clear signal of forbiddance, denunciation and outright rejection in less than three months to the presidential election. Leaders who suffer the same humiliating fate as Mr Jonathan in the hands of the electorate hardly recover from it. In addition, those who have observed Jonathan at close quarters describe a well-meaning but naive politician who became dazzled by servile servants and found himself out of his depth. However, he contributed to his own problems, for example by picking a silly fight with Tambuwal and the destructive invasion of the opposition’s membership database office in Lagos. And he lost the plot! On that day, President Jonathan, notable traditional rulers in the southwest and politicians had attended the Yoruba Unity Summit organised by the Committee on Yoruba Progress, southwest geopolitical zone of the country where the president was endorsed for his re-election in the 2015 general election. But the placardwielding students of the institution who had converged at the Oduduwa Hall, venue of the conference to protest what they termed “rot in the educational sector” booed and stoned President Jonathan while entering the presidential chopper few minutes after the
By ERASMUS IKHIDE
summit. The irate protesters were shouting “ole” “ole” (“thief”, “thief”) at the president and other notable politicians who attended the event. They displayed placards with inscriptions like: “We Condemn Jos Killing of Students, Students Are Not Chicken”, Don’t Sell Education As You Sold Electricity.”, We Demand Total Reversal of 2014 Hiked School Fees, We are Not Responsible For Jonathan’s Ineptitude.” among other inscriptions. The students who were in their hundreds barricaded the road leading to the school’s sports centre where the chopper wearing the seal of the Federal Government and marked Nigerian Air Force, NAF280, requesting that President Jonathan should address them before departing the campus. In the ensuing unrest, the convoy of President Jonathan was delayed for few minutes as the students refused the President and his entourage passage to board the chopper despite pleadings by some security operatives. While the President was boarding the chopper, some students continue to aim pebbles at the chopper before security operatives dispersed them. Although none of the thrown missiles touched the president. Some students who had examinations also expressed their displeasure at the condition they were subjected to owing to President
Jonathan’s visit to the campus. The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose who attempted to pacify the angry students was booed as students chorused ‘thief on him. It shows that Mr
say Mr president was never hooted; a falsehood the merest child would be expected to see through in this modern age of “Instant Media.” The Ife student protest simply blew up their delusion of president Goodluck Jonathan’s make-believe popularity for exerting superficial form of democracy. It was a clear strategy to pervert freedom of
Nation
resolve to see his back from Aso Rock in 2015. It is heartwarming that the firebrand students of OAU have grasped the strength of the new nationalism, Mr President’s antidemocratic, anti-national tide to ride it and put the nation on the path to progress. There is no better time to demonstrate, from this unlikely quarters that has remained docile for too
• President Goodluck Jonathan President endorses the blatant impunity of Governor Fayose and equated himself to a political rascal and phantom governor whose less than two months in office brought the nation and Ekiti people to scorn. But the President’s hardheaded media minders gobbled up a shabby account of the Ife incident. This was done before the dust from the protest has settled. They
expression for reactionary political ends. It is common knowledge political justice is the blackest page in the life of President Jonathan’s administration when you factor in the brutal crushing of fuel subsidy protesters in Lagos in 2011. But for wise counsel and his 2015 ambition, the president would have ordered the mauling of the students whose anger against his tottering government are growing in the masses’
“The students were simply saying: we will no longer tolerate a government that is built on the swindling idea of the majority. We want change! What good was government which promised to develop education at elections and defaulted?”
long, that the faith of Nigerians have been destroyed in the economic structure of the nation. They now know that since the Naira has been devalued by President Jonathan last week that the stipend from their parents cannot buy a straggly bunch of carrots, a half peck of potatoes, a bowl of garri, a few ounces of sugar, and a pound of flour. The students were simply saying: we will no longer tolerate a government that is built on the swindling idea of the majority. We want change! What good was government which promised to develop education at elections and defaulted? Was this not a fraud upon the people? And was not the PDP, which pride itself as the largest party in Africa to blame for the disaster? The visit of Mr President to OAU for political reasons touched off an outburst of anger and hysteria among the students who have
been stranded in the bitter jungle of educational forest. The paralysing blow the Ife students protest wrought on President Jonathan’s reelection bid is not merely passive, but it resonates at the core of his government’s failure to arrest the virtual decay he inherited from the previous PDP governments. They have taken a lead in the Nigerians’ struggle to extricate the people from the strong hold of poverty and the ruination of their future by crass political ruling class. Who would believed that OAU students would muster the courage to hauled stones and sticks at President Goodluck Jonathan? With the combined fierce looking security men of all hues who are rambunctiously overzealous for want of security acumen would have unleashed terror on the students and lit the campus for all they care. Election is around the conner and Mr President would have his deposit were he to crush the uprising. One of the major crisis that will dampened Mr Jonathan’s reelection is the lack of visible development in the last six-year of his administration. But he claimed he has revamped the agriculture-based economy, even though it didn’t add food to poor denizens’ table. Now, he has moved swiftly to devalue the Naira by 8%, much to the gratification of the International Monetary Fund but the displeasure of impoverished Nigerians, who will soon bear the pain of stringent reforms was not considered. This is the moment of truth: Mr Jonathan should redirect his fascistic manacle strength to tackling the far-reaching corruption debacle. Since he took office, his government was said to have embezzled more than 5 trillion Naira, which made his government the most corrupt since Nigeria gained flag Independence. The time to act is now. Time is running out. • Erasmus Ikhide wrote in from Lagos, Nigeria. Tel: +23480 5622 5515. Follow me on twitter @erasmusikhide
The Queen Mother -Iyoba Of Benin THE Iyoba was the only woman to occupy one of the highest offices in Benin. In the political hierarchy. She was classed with the highest ranking town Chiefs. The office of Queen mother was introduced in the early 16th century. “Iyoba” in the Benin Kingdom means “the mother of the king (Oba)” who ruled from 1504 to 1550, she played a significant role in the rise and reign of her son, she has been described as a great warrior who fought relentlessly before and during her son’s reign as the Oba (King) of the Edo people. The Queen mother was introduced by his son Esigie out of the gratitude for the decisive support of his mother, who with her magical power and acute mind had helped him during military campaigns, of the thirty-eight Obas of the present day dynasty, however, only seventeen were able to install their mother as Iyoba. Idia mobilized an army around Esigie which defeated Arhuaran, and Oba Esigie became the 16th king. After her death, the Oba commissioned a bronze head which is placed on one of the ancestral alters dedicated to the Iyoba. As a reference to their official function, the Queen mothers are depicted with, bead regalia like high ranking male dignitaries by the time she died, probably by the end of he first quarter of the sixteenth century, she had substantially altered Benin’s dynasty history as well as defined its course of history. she was the power behind the throne, before Esigie became the Oba. The establishment of the institution of Iyoba (mother of the Oba) not only accorded power to royal mothers in the running of the Kingdom, most profoundly, it shifted the longstanding administrative protocol that conferred power to females from daughters, who are of royal blood, to wives, who are non-royals. Without Idia’s political savory, it is doubtful if Esigie would have succeeded his father as Oba. This point is not made often enough even though her cultural inventions are freely acknowledged, in the political domain, she has also been credited for using her knowledge of the occult to seize the throne of Benin for her son and to defeat the enemies of her son. The yearly orhue festival dramatize’s the sacrificial food offering she made to
help her son become Oba (Black mum 1991:60-61). Idia emerges as an extraordinarily powerful personality who continues to loom large in Benin cultural imagination. She is extolled for “fighting with a doubleedged sword and for being “the womb of Orhue” (pure white kaolin clay). The tributes and accolades to Idia draw attention to her various actions in the service of Benin, but in a random, disconnected way that mutes the audacity and far reaching nature of her achievements. Idia earned the accolade “womb of Orhue,” because she was a mother who gave birth to a son who although was chronologically the third in line, dramatically ended up becoming the Oba of Benin, but much more importantly, this womb created her pathway to ultimate power. Herein lies the special-ness of her womb. It was a womb that defied all odds, halted the famicide of mothers of Obas, and radically transformed Benin empire. Even if Idia was a young woman, she was not naïve, she possessed skills which few people had. Idia entered the royal household after she caught the fancy of Ozolua during a dance performance in the capital. Once the Oba initiated the marriage process, her parents knew she would become an Oba’s wife and eventually took the precaution of medicinally seasoning and cooking” their daughter for her future life. This preparation strengthened her to cope with whatever vicissitudes palace life would throw at her the “strong willed” Idia and her parents would have surmised that life as an Oba’s wife may be tumultuous, but indeed an excellent route to power and wealth. The trouble with Idia’s facial scarification is that it promotes the omniscience of Oba Ozolua and all other
BRIO With FRANCIS ODUPUTE
Oba’s in history. Although the goal is to protect the Oba from poisoning psychological control, or some other dreadful act by a wife, today it works to cow Oloi and to enthrone the ideal of a good wife as unambitious and submissive, it discourages the very real possibility that a future wife may be strong willd and ambitious enough
and knowledgeable woman poses to their power. Once she has completed (such initiation, no antidote, short of death or madness, could reverse the knowledge acquired or close off the expanded consciousness. The office of the Iyoba defines a position of supreme moral authority and power officially the occupant of the office was he
powers, rather she shares it up, strengthen, it, and functions as his strong political and moral centre while guaranteeing his safety in the turbulent politics of the kingdom, for all this do work constitutionally, an Iye Oba’s maternity has to be
to look to her marriage as an avenue power. She may then try to fortify herself medicinally and physically before she becomes a royal wife, Obas and Chiefs were well aware of the danger such a strong, force-filled
supreme mother of the nation as well as the political mother of the Oba. While she supersedes him by virtue of her womb and maternal role, she does not need to threaten nor undermine his political
transformed radically reconstituted at the supranational level so that the occupant is no longer an individual to whom she was his mother no longer exists. When she passed away, a head was cast to
The Queen mother generally backed her son’s efforts to extend the reach of the Benin Kingdom and acquire greater power and wealth throughout southern Nigeria. King Esigie built a palace for his mother there, assigned villages to provide for her, and bestowed many privileges of rank, dress and symbols of power and prestige on her.
commemorate her. Oba Esigie commissioned works to decorate her alter, displaying them. Some of which pyramid bases of some all the early heads of the Iyoba are modeled like life-size, the high coral bead collar reaches up to the mouth and the head as a whole is planted on a flat base with rope design, it is carefully and well executed, but the expression is frozen and stiff. The distinctive features of Queen mother hairdo are there. The elements are the same. The hairdo is graceful curvy hairdo is covered with a lattice net of coral beads with strings of beads tringed around the base of the head. The Queen’s facial features are sensitively modeled and rendered with naturalism. Her eyes are half lowered and cast downwards, her finely drawn lips are slightly open. The overall painting and smooth carving surfaces convey elegant restraint. This head is among the most famous and admired images of Benin, Nigeria in the art of west Africa. The Head of the Iyoba is covered with a bead - like cap, showing that is a Queen mother, she has got mark strings on her forehead, two straight marks on her forehead. Her neck is covered with bead, so many beads on her neck, showing royalty, Iyoba is a very great woman who fought for her son to be the king. Her eyes are wide open, looking like a courageous woman. The Queen mother generally backed her son’s efforts to extend the reach of the Benin Kingdom and acquire greater power and wealth throughout southern Nigeria. King Esigie built a palace for his mother there, assigned villages to provide for her, and bestowed many privileges of rank, dress and symbols of power and prestige on her. She responded by raising an army (the only woman reputed to have gone to war) and supporting her son’s military campaigns to the north against the Igala people. In all the Iyoba of Benin is a great woman and the Benin people still look up to her till date. S o u r c e s : “Art of the Royal court of Benin” by snoeck, 1981, New York. “The Royal patronage of the Arts” by Jenda.
What Have You To Say On The Invasion Of The National Assembly By The Nigeria Police Force? POLICEMEN allegedly acting on the instruction of the secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Ayim Pius Ayim and the National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki locked the gates to the National Assembly (NASS) preventing the speaker and other honourable members from gaining access to the Assembly Complex thereby preventing the house from carrying out its assigned duties. The invasion has generated so much anger from the public. Naked Truth brings some of the reactions to you.
Osose
It is absurd for men of the House of Representatives to be locked out by the Nigeria Police Force. These men are men of authorities, and are to be treated with respect.
It is Babarric, Undemocratic - Osaretin Okhomina The invasion of the National Assembly by the Nigerian Police Force is to say the least evil, barbaric and anti-democratic. It is uncalled for, for the National Assembly to be stopped from carrying out its assigned responsibility by the constitution. It is a call to anarchy and that is where this country is systematically gliding. There is something the presidency and the Force Headquarters are telling us. Again, it is not good for the newly confirmed Inspector – General of Police, to allow himself and his cronies to be used to truncate Democracy. Nigerians will hold him responsible in the event of a break down of laws and order. The presidency in itself is not playing by the rules. The quest for power by all means, is the driving force behind all these nonsense. Somebody should be told for the sake of decency that power is transient and not forever. And once this is understood, there will be peace in this country. The Police Have Deviated From Their Call Duties - Joseph Musa
function, then the country would be in the state of lawlessness. It is disheartening to see those who are supposed to protect the law are now the ones preventing the law from taking its full course. In conclusion, the Nigeria Police Force has deviated from their call duties and responsibilities to the country because what they did in the National Assembly was very wrong and it is unacceptable to the Nigerian citizens. It Is Absurd - Benjamin Blessing
Throwing of tear-gas into the National Assembly is a bad thing. Fume from teargas canisters is very dangerous to human health, and the Honourable members do not deserve the kind of treatment the police meted out on them. Ignoring the speaker of the House Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is absurd; he is a man of high standing. Even if there is any form of argument or misunderstanding among the House members it should be settled amicably among themselves not
With
CITIZEN KOLA OKHAKHU
bring in a third party. Paying deaf ears to the speaker and putting the lives of elderly men at risk is un-called for. The Act Violated The Hallowed NASS - Akpomukoro Anderline The invasion of the National Assembly by the Nigerian Police Force was due to the defection of Speaker of the House Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC). The Nigerian Police Force did a very bad thing as to open tear gas on the arcade of the Complex after several legislators, who had escorted the speaker, successfully beat the police condone to smuggle him inside the main complex of the National Assembly. Finally I will say that the Nigerian Police Force are taking laws into their hands without allowing him to complete his tenor in office.
IG of Police, Sulieman Abba It is absurd because looking at the issue critically, other political office holders and others have been defecting or will I say carpet crossing and we have not heard of fighting but because one man speaker of the House of Representatives defected, it becomes a battle royal whereby he needed to vacate his seat. The National Assembly has a specific function, which is to make laws for the order and good governance of the country. And if the Nigeria Police Force is hampering this
N
aked Truth
It Was Unlawful - Osolobri Blessing What the police did to the members of House of Representatives was bad because they do not have the right to go against the legislators. It was unlawful for the policemen to drop tear gas on the environment because it is harmful to human’s health, no matter the situation, those people out there, were people’s fathers, uncles and brothers and prominent men of the country, and men of timber
“Ignoring the speaker of the House Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is absurd; he is a man of high standing. Even if there is any form of argument or misunderstanding among the House members it should be settled amicably among themselves not bring in a third party. Paying deaf ears to the speaker and putting the lives of elderly men at risk is un-called for.”
and calibres. So to me what the policemen did was act of wickedness,. The Invasion Is A Contradiction In Term - Helen Ogidi No other event lately perhaps dramatizes the growing contradictions of Nigeria’s fourth Republic better than the police invasion of the sacred ground of the National Assembly, ostensibly acting on “order from above” The contradictions are simply mind bogging and stand condemned in all ramifications. The police action, which spurred a litany of indecorous reaction by the lawmakers themselves, is inexcusable. The goal of governance, which is to improve the well-being of the people, seems to have taken the back stag while brigandage deployed in self-service has taken the forestage of national political life. The Police Need To Be Sanctioned - Ocheli Sylvia Adaeze The invasion of the National Assembly by the Nigerian Police Force is illegal, reckless, i r r e s p o n s i b l e , undemocratic and threat to national peace and security. It is an unconstitutional and treasonable act by the officers of the Nigeria Police and Department of State Security service. By invading the National Assembly to prevent the law makers from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, the Nigerian Police Force under the leadership of IGP Suleiman Abba and the DSS have violated the constitution and ought to be sanctioned according to the Nigerian law. It is therefore advisable for the police service commission (PSC) and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to commence investigation and recommend appropriate prosecution of the personnel responsible for this act of shame and treason.
G E N E R AT I O N after generation, music has
naked with intentions
the of
time that the people women like a recognized and give collector’ s item is women the respect how they displayed
Perspective
Music And Image Of Women In the Media
revolutionized cultures around the globe. Every generation goes through a trend of music that greatly inspires that specific era on what to wear, how to act, and what to say. Music is something that everyone can connect with and as it continues to evolve, so will society. There is one genre that has continuously stirred up conversation and sparked many debates regarding the direction it is taking, its listeners. Only one genre has had the gumption to speak out against the government on a regular basis. Only one genre has found a way to make every other genre cater to its style and inescapable appeal. Since the 1980’s, hip-hop has changed the way people think, but not always in a positive manner. It is clear that hip-hop has been a trend setter and has guided our culture over the last couple of decades. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, corporate sales have taken over the content of hip hop music, motivating artists to take different approaches to selling music. Nowadays, popular rap music includes derogatory lyrics about women and videos typically showing women half-
By AYOBAMI OGUNGBE/KINGSLEY MBADUGHA
obtaining more listeners and viewers. Unfortunately, sex sells in our society, and the media has uncovered this fixation. Hip-hop has convinced a large portion of society that this is how women should be treated, but new times call for new measures and it is
that they truly deserve. In the rap world, women represent success, and they are treated almost as accessories: a means for rappers to prove that they have made it to the top. It is not that rappers feel that women are inferior, but they feel treating
their new-found success. Artists always try to have the hottest girls in their videos which makes other people, predominantly young men, think “Wow! They are definitely living the good life!” The purpose of this façade is to simply make money, but
rappers do not realize the extent to which their music is affecting the younger generations. When children watch television and see someone throw money in the air, with lots of cars and women, that image is stored in their minds as the definition of
“In the rap world, women represent success, and they are treated almost as accessories: a means for rappers to prove that they have made it to the top. It is not that rappers feel that women are inferior, but they feel treating women like a collector’ s item is how they displayed their new-found success.”
success they begin to nurture the idea that in order to achieve success, you have to have beautiful women by your side. For example, in a song entitled “Successful”, artist Trey Songz says “The money, cars, clothes, the hoes…I suppose…1 just want to be successful.” The chorus of this song is a perfect example of the mentality that artists relay to their listeners. After the community hears the same message repeatedly, it should be no surprise that kids will start to repeat this behavior, causing a chain reaction. In the beginning, women were hardly mentioned in lyrics and videos,. If you look back at the RUN DMC days, Reverend Run and the gang always rapped about different life experiences. Hip-hop was ton, refreshing, and new. There are a lot of innovative artists that are still keeping hip-hop fresh and exciting such as Kanye West, Common, Mos Def, and Lupe Fiasco. For example, in a song entitled “Hurt Me Soul,” Lupe Fiasco says “I used to hate hip-hop.. yup, because the women are degraded. But Too Continues on page 13
...Of Women In The Media Continued from page 12
Short made me laugh, like a hypocrite I played it A hypocrite I stated, though I only recited half omitting the word bitch cursing I wouldn’t say it. Me and dog couldn’t relate, until a bitch I dated. Forgive my favorite word for hers and hers alike, but I learnt it from a song I heard and sort of like”. Lupe expresses his concern for the current state of hip-hop and through his music he is continuing to spread the message in order to influence each and every listener. Due to commercialism, hiphop has sold out women in efforts to attain more recognition. Looking at the majority of songs that have been on the Billboard’ s Top ]OO List, it is evident that this is the case. Songs like Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” and Ludacris’ “What is Your Fantasy” attest to the idea that sexual content is often the cause of higher sales. Catchy songs like these are the reason that
Perspective
society has learned to accept false impressions of women and it is crucial that society joins together in order to put an end to this type of thinking. How do the women feel about their image
the videos are African-American, The average AfricanAmerican woman is affected by hip-hop culture the most, because there is a direct correlation. When people see African-American
videos, they become negatively influenced by what they see. This is exactly how false images are spread throughout the c o m m u n i t y. Television has even taken notice and uses hip-hop as a means of
several women fighting to be with one famous man. It’s almost as if society thinks it is okay to treat women in this manner, since it is justified in many songs and other forms of media. Hip-
in the media? It is safe to assume that many are outraged at the fact that they are being portrayed in a derogatory manner. Considering hip- hop consists of mainly African-American artists, a lot of the women featured in
women dancing and strutting in the videos, a lot of people form a general idea about them and believe that all African-American women behave in that manner. When young African girls see these women in
reaching out to viewers. For example, shows like Flavor of Love are a product of what the media has generated from the rap influence. The show is extremely disrespectful towards women, depicting
hop has almost made it okay for people to talk about women with such disgraceful terms. It is time the c o m m u n i t y recognizes what is going on and do something to change the perception of women to a more positive and uplifting image. On paper, women are perceived as equals; however, the media has continued to work against this idea through different outlets, such as music. Hip-hop has changed the faces of
“It is time the community recognizes what is going on and do something to change the perception of women to a more positive and uplifting image.”
women in the community from a more positive image to a more negative one. As long as the community allows the industry to put out these videos and sing these songs containing these false messages, we will not change our ways. We must recognize what is occurring and put an end to it before it gets too far out of hand. As shown throughout history, our actions will have an effect on the outcome of the situation, which is why it is crucial for everyone to put an end to the problem at hand. As a hip-hop fan, I am not asking you to put down your headphones, turn off your television, or stop downloading music from your favorite artist. As an advocate of hip-hop, I am solely asking you to think about what you are listening to. Supporting the artists, that are out there putting out positive messages and making good music is the only way to end this problem. In a commercially focused business, it is essential that we support these artists by purchasing their music. Help make their music be heard and in return we can take hip-hop to another level.
General Care And The Need For Self Examination AS a Black woman, you are not subject to any basic conditions of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause that are not shared by all women. If certain diseases or malfunctions occur more frequently among Black women, the reasons are e n t i r e l y environmental, not anatomical. Such problems, therefore, being socioeconomic in origin, are not insoluble. The first priority in this regard for all women should be an ability to examine oneself without fear and to do it regularly. This is by no means to replace professional medical examinations of the lower body, but unless you make selfexamination a habit, you may not know that you need medical attention until the disorder is very severe. You should be the first to know if something is amiss with your body. That is impossible in this area unless, with a strong light and a mirror, you are
Beauty Shop With GLORIA OMORUYI
prepared to check out your more intimate parts either in the bathroom or on the bed. This should be a routine, natural part of your health program, and there is absolutely nothing
treasured possession, your body. Numerous women’s groups across the country are spreading a new awareness of this aspect of practical home preventive medicine. Birth
all women in family planning clinics. Such knowledge is not dangerous unless it seeks to completely replace the role of the professional doctor and institution, so that we are not taken advantage of by
to examine ourselves and be able to detect conditions that require attention. However we should not attempt to become diagnosticians. All of the most minor irritations and
vulgar or embarrassing about becoming visually acquainted with what is part of your most
control, selfexamination, and all phases of female health are becoming widely available for
others. It is very vital that we are able to understand how our bodies work. Coupled with this is the ability
infections must be brought to the attention of a qualified physician. PERSONAL
“ You can never be free from vaginal infection, irritation, or objectionable adour unless you practice a conscientious ritual of personal hygiene. A bath or shower at least once a day is mandatory in this regard. Doctors have not agreed upon whether a bath is more effective than a shower or vice versa. Advocates of the bath suggest that the vaginal and anal areas receive a more thorough cleansing in the tub since they are completely immersed in water. Others feel that the constant flow of the shower is more hygienic. Your choice of either is not nearly as important as your activities therein”.
HYGIENE You can never be free from vaginal infection, irritation, or objectionable odour unless you practice a conscientious ritual of personal hygiene. A bath or shower at least once a day is mandatory in this regard. Doctors have not agreed upon whether a bath is more effective than a shower or vice versa. Advocates of the bath suggest that the vaginal and anal areas receive a more thorough cleansing in the tub since they are completely immersed in water. Others feel that the constant flow of the shower is more hygienic. Your choice of either is not nearly as important as your activities therein. You must take a mild soap and with fairly hot water, bathe the entire vulva, taking care to spread apart the libia and wash the numerous folds and creases that are ideal sites for the accumulation and growth of bacterial organisms. When feasible, it is very important that a woman bathe the vulva in the morning and after work. She should be especially aware of personal hygiene after sexual intercourse and bathe well.
ENERGY drinks are becoming a common choice for giving energy and strength during the
you’re in luck. There are natural ways to boost your energy without taking stimulants, which
day activities. However, they are not usually the best choice as they contain a lot of caffeine and sugar, and it may not work as well as claimed. How often do you rely on energy drinks for an energy boost throughout the day? That may not be a healthy habit. Drinking one to two energy drink daily could interfere with your heart beat and boost blood pleasure, if you’re sitting there wishing there was a better way to feel more energetic,
contain a lot of caffeine and sugar that raise the blood pleasure. 1. Eat Breakfast: Are you a breakfast skipper? That bad habit of skipping breakfast may be draining your energy. People who eat high-fiber, carbohydrate rich breakfasts score better on the test of alertness than their counterparts who do not enjoy a high quality breakfast. 2. Treat yourself with chocolate: Chocolate contains a lot of iron. If you’re
feeling fatigued, your body might be low in important minerals such as iron. Iron assist in
and fatigue that require people to get stimulants to boost their energy. Most adults need 8 hours
Health mean that your body creating a vicious don’t need water. By cycle of in activity. the time you feel Make it a habit to
How To Be Energetic Without Drinking Energy Drink By JOSHUA IGBOANLEN
transporting oxygen throughout the body, which assist the cellular processes, in addition with the red blood cell production. 3. Get enough sleep: Most people deprive themselves from sleeping. This is the most popular cause of low energy
of sleep every night. If you sleep late on weekends, it’s a sign that you don’t get enough sleep during the week. 4. Drink more water: Being dehydrated makes you feel tired and irritable. If an individual, is not thirsty that does not
thirsty it would have been too late. you are already dehydrated. Most people at least must take 8 cups of
water per day. The easiest way to know that you are drinking enough is to buy one of those “8glass” water bottles that are sold in most drugstores. 5. Take a walk: Sitting on the chair all day can drain your energy and make you feel stiff and tired,
take a walk everyday, and increase your energy levels. 6. Build a desire to achieve something: When you have a desire, it is a drive to achieve something and also tend to make you work harder to achieve the desired goal and once the goal is finished you will feel great. 7. Find a hobby that you can really enjoy: Having a hobby that you really enjoy helps a lot by sharing your situation with others and also in boosting your energy. Taking stimulants is not naturally good because it will boost the energy for a very short time, it also enhances the blood pressure in case of an high blood pressure patient; the caffeine in energy drink is very bad.
“Get enough sleep: Most people deprive themselves from sleeping. This is the most popular cause of low energy and fatigue that require people to get stimulants to boost their energy. Most adults need 8 hours of sleep every night. If you sleep late on weekends, it’s a sign that you don’t get enough sleep during the week.”
• Governor Amaechi
THE contest for the Rivers State governorship seat can best be described as interesting as much as it is intriguing following the bizarre agitations among contenders urging the disqualification of their opponents or make sundry other demands. The contest for the governorship seat, which is a two straight fight between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC), has generated appreciable interest among Rivers people and indeed other Nigerians who have closely followed political developments in the oilrich state. At the heart of the contest is the controversy over which of the geoethnic or senatorial zones should produce the next governor of the state. While some stakeholders across the two political divides favour the next governor to come from the lowland region of the state, others believe that the contest should be left open for the best candidate irrespective of where he/she hails from. Although, the agitation for and against the official zoning of the governorship seat cuts across the two political
parties, it has been loudest within the PDP, which has dominated Rivers politics since 1999. The dominant role of the PDP in the contests can be felt in the number of gubernatorial aspirants, wishing to fly the party’s sole governorship flag in the February 2015 Governorship election. As a result, the party has about twenty gubernatorial aspirants, sixteen of which want the governorship ticket zoned to one of them. Interestingly, all of the
• Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja
gubernatorial aspirants except former Minister of State for Education Barr. Nyesom Wike come from the lowland region locally referred to as riverine and populated by the Ijaw, Ogoni, Kalabari and Ibani speaking people who are also claiming it is their turn to produce the next governor of the state and that all other aspirants except those from the riverine communities should be disqualified or barred from participating in the December 8, 2014 PDP Gubernatorial Primaries. Professor Israel Owate has been leading other crop of PDP guberaspirants from Rivers State on this crusade. It appears they are making little or no success in this regard as the man who they seek his disqualification appears to be more on ground that the 16 of them put together. Prof. Israel Owate, Prof. Dan Baridan, Fomer Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Barr. Nimi Walson Jack, Hon.Poweriso Samuel Hors Fall, Major Lancelot Anyanyan Senator Lee Maeba, Hou Tamunosisi Gago Jaja, Atamuno Ajugbo
Politics And
With HAMEED BRAIM
Rivers Gove On A Pla
Atamuno, Barr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs etc. have individually and collectively protested against the participation in the process by Nyesom Wike. This is where many political watchers have faulted what they refer to as the lazy approach of these aspirants to the very serious issue of vying for the office of governor of a State considering the right of any person to contest for any position he desires in line with the provisions of the constitution which guarantees freedom of association. Many have wondered why these guber spirants should bother themselves about who should be allowed to contest the party’s primaries or not instead of going to meet with the delegates who are to elect the party’s flag-bearer in the coming party primaries. It is important we put in perspective the grouse these elements have against the aspiration to Nyesom Wike. They fear and believe that Wike’s towering influence would be too much for them to contend with in a free and fair contest. The most important of course is their feeling that an Ikwere and up land person should not be allowed to succeed Governor Chibuike Amaechi who is the incumbent. To them, Wike, himself from Obio/Akpor LGA, an Ikwere man succeeding Amaechi would have dare consequences on the peace, political and social relationship among the different
tribes in the state. According to them, the politically denied reverine people would begin to feel marginalized in the state’s scheme of things and that won’t be healthy
against Nyesom Wike as it will not be enough to stop him because Wike himself being a grassroots man is miles ahead of them given his formidable political structure built across the
• Nyeson Wike, set to win PDP primaries
for the development of the state. In making this argument, they forget to note that election is a popularity contest where the majority view or position is respected. They seem to forget too that the office of governor is far too important to be offered on a platter to anybody no matter how important or highly placed. Therefore, the Rivers governorship race is no exception, and the earlier the conniving Rivers PDP guber aspirants realize this the better. They should stop this conspiracy game
23 local government areas of the state. Their argument that the lowland areas of the state is next to produce the governor of the state has no backing in the history of succession in the state. When in 1999 ExGovernor Peter Odili from the Rivers West Senatorial District defeated Ebenezer Isokariari of the then (APP) to assume the governorship of the state, the seat was not zoned to any particular area by the PDP as Chief Sergeant Awuse himself an Ikwerre man from Rivers East Senatorial District
partic prima In t 2007 electi aspira uplan areas
• Da
Gove Rotim slog prima Shark Harco of Spea himse from later Ama Mart Davi Pawa Horsf come as gover It i Mers and H
Issues
MAH
credited with the restoration of the life of the PDP when other aspirants looked the other way. As a result, many feel
ernorship atter?
cipated in the PDP aries. the build up to the 7 governorship ion, the PDP had ants from both the nd and lowland s. This was why
the Kalabari riverine area of Rivers State and should any of them won the primary, he would have been the governor instead of Amaechi. Therefore, the call for the disqualification of
akuku Peterside
ernor Chibuike mi Amaechi had to it out at the PDP ary election at the ks Stadium Portourt with the likes former Deputy aker Austin Opara elf an Ikwerre man Rivers East who stepped down for aechi, Senator tins Yellow, Hon. id Briggs, Hon. ariso, Samuel fall etc, all of whom e from Rivers West the out going rnor Odili. s note worthy that ses Yellow Briggs, Horsfall are all from
Nyesom Wike on the basis of where he hails from is to say the least irresponsible and wicked. This is so because they are attempting to deny Wike the right enjoyed by others in 2007. Wike who represents the new face of the PDP in Rivers following the defection of Governor Amaechi to opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) many believe has succeeded in recreating the party’s structure which were dislocated by Governor Amaechi’s exit using his NGO, the Grassroots Democratic Initiative. Wike is
that but for the doggedness of Wike in breathing life back to the PDP, the party would not have been an attractive platform for any one to attempt to use to achieve his or her dreams of becoming the governor of Rivers State. One would not but commend the leadership of the PDP who has been forthright in considering the myriad of petitions against Nyesom Wike by co aspirants and their cronies. The PDP National Secretariat had paid no serious attention to calls for the zoning of the governorship seat on the basis of ethnicity as craved by the guber aspirants and their supporters. One can easily feel why the umbrella party is reluctant to go the Aka Ibom way on the issue of zoning of the governorship seat. Unlike Akwa Ibom, Rivers do not have a seating PDP governor to mobilize support for the party in the build up to the February 2015 governorship election. They are indeed compelled to rely on any aspirant who in their opinion would be able to win votes for the party in the said election, and Wike appears to be meeting this expectation of the National Secretariat of the PDP. Indeed tomorrow Monday December 8, 2014 will tell who among the PDP aspirants would clinch the PDP gubernatorial ticket which has since been a subject of controversy. Monday outcome of the PDP primaries will to a large extent determine the
shape of the February 2915 elections. It is expected that some of the aggrieved aspirants might in protest want to shift camp to the Governor Amaechi APC. But this might also not happen as all the aspirants had been made to sign undertaking that they would stay back in the party and support who ever that emerged from the primary election. The APC in the state which has chosen its guber candidate in the person of Rep. Dakukuku Peter side would well want to capitalize on the mistakes or squabbles within the PDP to its advantage. It is left to be seen how much impact such would have in switching the electoral pendulum to its side considering the dominant nature of the PDP in Rivers State. Observers feel that the manner in which the APC chose its guber candidate has denied the party veritable opportunity of popularizing itself in the state through the instrumentality of hyped political activities involving the individual APC guber aspirants. . They argued that should the various aspirants, to the position allowed to freely canvass for votes from the candidates,
• Lancelot Anyanyan
Magnus Abe
many more persons would have had the opportunity to get to know the APC as a political party. The choice of little known Peterside instead of senator Abe, an Ogoni man, is expected to have negative impact on the young party in the state. Aside of the spontaneous protest against Peterside’s choice as the APC flag bearer by some Ogoni youths who felt the ethnic group had been shortchanged again in the political scheme of things by Governor Amaechi’s refusal the name Hon. Magnus Abe as the
party’s guber candidate, there are reported incidences of camp switching among hitherto APC supporters from the Ogoni region. To this group of people, the promise by Governor Amaechi to zone the APC governorship ticket to the Rivers South-East Senatorial Zone where the Ogonis are in the majority was the reason why they remained faithful to the party. But now, that is in the past as that promise has now been broken They wondered why Magnus Abe a serving Senator and former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, former Commissioner for Information and erstwhile Minority Leader in the Rivers State House of Assembly should be edged out for one with less political cridentials Many feel this might have a telling effect on the chances of the APC during the election which both the PDP and the APC consider a must win. While the PDP strives to recover the state it claims rightly belongs to it. The APC is bound to prove to the world that it can consolidate on its hold on to the state by ensuring it wins the next general elections in the state including the governorship seat.
Invite God When Fear Comes THE Devil’s plan is to turn people from their God, who they know can save and deliver them. It is observed that when the fear of the unknown from the devil comes up, the first thing that takes place is the loss of faith and loss of memory that the creator lives Gen 3:6. The consciousness that God has promised to be with you at every moment of life is lost and one would be engrossed in finding solution to avoidable challenges on hand. Gen. 3:1-6 the serpent cajoled Eve to disobey God. At the end, they lost out and were banished from the garden of Eden Gen 3:23-24. Beloved, as one journey through life, the Devil is not at rest at all to deceive, it tends to create the fear of the unknown in the minds of people. It create the impossibility of every possible venture to make
one seek other means of survival in life. He makes one to disbelieve that with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37. Some people have fallen away for the fear of the unknown and ignorance of God’s instruction. King Saul transgressed the commandment of the LORD and He said “because I feared the people and obeyed their voices. “1 Samuels 15:24. he did not only lose his crown, evil spirit took over his life and he became demonic. 1 Samuel 16:14. Jonah, the great Evangelist disobeyed the LORD to preach to the people of Nineveh, but he took to his heels and went the other way to Joppa. He was arrested and swallowed up in the belly of a special fish. Fear gripped him and in the belly of the fish where he was for three days and three night Jonah 1:17. he
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With RICHARD IMARHIAGBE
“CAN Two Walk Together, Except They Agree?” Amos3:3. The word of God will not work for you except you believe it. Let your heart agree with the following as you confess them daily and always out of your mouth; Heavenly father, thank you for today because you are not only my father but also my healer. Because I have been born again, I am your child and you are my father. Thank you father for your great plan of redemption did not only
pro vide for the remission of my sins and the new birth, but provided for the healing of my physical body. Thank you my father, for you do not only care for my soul but also for my body. Your word declares in Mat.8:1 7 that Jesus took my infirmities and sicknesses away. Because He bore my sickness and disease, I will bear them no more. Because He bore my infirmities and my sickness, I am healed. I am free. I no longer have sickness (mention the name
prayed and asked for God’s mercy. He received God’s mercy and proceeded to Nineveh, where over one hundred and twenty thousand repented of their sins and gave their lives to the LORD. Jonah 4:11 Jonah was spared and the inhabitation were saved through the powerful message of salvation Jonah 3:4-10. In 2Chronicles 20:1-15, Jehoshaphet was besieged by some nation. He cried to the LORD for fear of attack and defeat because the three nations were powerful. His fear disappeared when God assured him of taking over the battle. “for the battle is not (no longer) yours but God’s (verse 15). It is recorded that when Absalom rebelled against his father, David, David had to deplore all power with him to escape the wrath of the rebellious act
of his son. First he deployed Hushai to the camp of Absalom to counter the counsel of Ahithophel, who had joined force against him to allaign with his son, Absalom. He then prayed to the Lord to make all the counsel of Ahithophel a nullity. 2 Samuel 15:31. O LORD I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. God actually responded as requested and
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With ERNEST IKHUREIGBE
Ahithophel’s counsel was out rightly rejected and he ended up committing suicide. 2 Samuel 17:14, 2Samuel 17:23. Beloved, God has the power to counter every fear courted in the coven to destabilized you. Life journey can not be a thorough fire because there is always a testimony after every banished fear and challenges of life.
Isaiah 43 :2 state, “ when thou passest through the water, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee, when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flame kindle upon thee”. He is always there and would remain our source in all areas we desire Him. Remain blessed as you decide to reverence God.
“Beloved, as one journey through life, the Devil is not at rest at all to deceive, it tends to create the fear of the unknown in the minds of people. It create the impossibility of every possible venture to make one seek other means of survival in life. He makes one to disbelieve that with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Agree With God
of the sickness in your body). I no longer have disease because Jesus bore them for me. It is written in 1 Pet. 2:24 “by his stripes ye were healed.” If we were healed, I was healed. I am healed now by His stripes. It is also written in Deut.28:61 that sicknesses and diseases are a curse of the law but GaI3:13; says that Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. Therefore, I am completely redeemed from the curse of (mention the sickness or disease). I believe it in my heart and confess it with my mouth. Therefore, I am free! Thank you, Jesus.
“Jesus by His death destroyed the power behind sickness and the spirit of infirmity has no power to hold you in bondage of sickness anymore, except you co-operate with the devil by accepting his lies. Sickness is a lie of the devil and so don’t accept it.”
RESIST SICKNESS “Submit your selves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” James.4:7. Sickness doesn’t have right and power to impose itself upon us. Jesus took it away about 2000 years ago according to Mt.8v1 7. There is a spirit behind sickness and the spirit is called, the spirit of infirmity. Col.2v15 “And having spoiled principalities and power, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Jesus by His death destroyed the power behind sickness and the spirit of infirmity has no power to hold you in bondage of sickness anymore, except you co-operate with the devil by accepting his lies. Sickness is a lie of the devil and so don’t accept it. At the first sign of symptom, react by cursing it with the word of God. If you watch it and keep sealed lips, it wilt overwhelm you. Confession: My body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and not sickness. The Holy Ghost and sickness
cannot co-exist. Therefore, sickness cannot dwell in my body. I resist (mention the name). My body is not your temple in Jesus name. KEEP YOUR BODY UNDER “But I keep under my body, and bring it unto subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” lCor.9v27. Notice from this scripture that your body (your flesh) is not the real you. It says I keep under my body which means I bring my body into subjection. What did Paul in this scripture bring his body into subjection to? His spirit; so your spirit is the real you. You are a spirit living in a body. Your spirit has power over your body to subject it to control. Your spirit should be the one that dominate your body and dictate to it and not the body dictating to yo `ur spirit. This principle has to do with divine healing. Speak to your body and tell it to obey the word. Say to your body, “the word says you are healed
now”.
St op accepting symptoms. When you do that, you are keeping your body under control. Don’t ever allow your body dictate to you what to do or how you feel. But your spirit should tell your body how you feel and what to do. If your spirit is dominating your body• and the life of God is in your spirit, that life is going to be flowing into your body and keep it strong and healthy. That is divine healing. Rom.8VII, “But if the spirit of him that raise up Jesus Christ from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ from dead shall also quicken your mortal body (sick bodies) by his spirit that dwelleth in you.” Confession: I have authority over my body. My body, you cannot tell me how I feel. I am the one that tells you how I feel. I silence the voice of sickness in my body. My body, I declare to you, you are healed. You are okay. You cannot be sick in Jesus name.
WHAT does it mean to be united? It means to be one, to speak with one language, one mind, to operate as one body, to be in agreement with each other, to have common faith or goal. It also means to discourage any form of differences. Every family that wants to succeed must work in unity. At creation, God the father, Jesus, the Word, and Holy Spirit were united even evermore. There is power in unity. The word of God tells us in Genesis 11:1-8, how the people were united because they had all the definitions of unity as mentioned above to the point that even God voiced out that nothing could stop them. However He confounded their language because their intention was evil. The family comprises of the husband, wife and children. If they are united to walk in the will of God, nothing can stop them rather God will release His grace upon them. You may be asking, how is it possible for my spouse and I to agree in all things? We know you are two different persons from two different backgrounds, with different idea, experience etc. One person believes that things ought to be done this way and the other person thinks otherwise; this is were communication comes into play. Sit at a round table; lay it up plain and
discuss the issue. Tell the reason why it must be done this way or that way and why you think it should not be so. Place it side by side with the word or will of God. You will find out that you will come to a common purpose. But if it is the issue of I am the head of the house, therefore, my opinion stands or the wife sa-ys no, that she cannot be treated as nobody; I also have a say, then there will be trouble. You can disagree to agree. Always consider each other’s feelings before taking an action. Even if you try to agree, but it seems impossible, don’t go ahead saying your spouse is difficult. If you know that God is with you and in your marriage, then, pray that God will touch your partner ’s heart because if you go ahead, your action might boomerang. The word of God says, “can two walk together, except they agreed?” Let pride be eliminated and you will find out that it is easy to work in unity. The word of God in Psalm 133:1-3 tells us about the benefits of unity. It says that it is a good thing, a precious ointment; it is like the dew upon mountains. It brings anointing and increase, signs and wonders, miracles, placement and growth. It also brings freshness and testimonies. Above all, it is there that God commands blessing and
life evermore. Unity brings peace and where there is peace, the presence of God is there. Child of God, tell me what makes our marriage enjoyable than the presence of God. Let the
wife and children should be united to obey God in totality in order to have a peaceful marriage and eternal life. In the beginning after the creation of every
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prayerfully, etc. Matthew 18:19 says if two shall agree together concerning anything, God will do it. This means the power of
challenges or obstacles that may come their way. They enjoy synergistic effect because one shall chase a thousand and two
Power Of Unity In Marriage BY PIUS ABAH/ KINGSLEY AGESE
entire household be united for the will of God to be made manifest. Give your life to our Lord Jesus Christ now. He is the Prince of Peace. The knowledge and relationship with him give you desired peace you need in your life, marriage and home. Be united for a good purpose. The husband,
“Couples cannot work together in a marriage without first being in total agreement with each other. For a marriage to work, spouse must agree together and be connected in every way – physically, spiritually, emotionally, prayerfully, etc. Matthew 18:19 says if two shall agree together concerning anything, God will do it. This means the power of unity can penetrate any form of barrier.”
other thing, God created Adam. He saw that Adam alone will not be able to carry out the responsibility that he gave him and saw the need for a helpmate. He created Eve as a helpmate for Adam, to help him fulfill his destiny. Eve was created from Adam. They were part of each other and needed to function together as one to fulfill the God’s given goal for Adam (Gen. 2:24). Couples cannot work together in a marriage without first being in total agreement with each other. For a marriage to work, spouse must agree together and be connected in every way – physically, spiritually, emotionally,
unity can penetrate any form of barrier. One reason why couples are not having result in marriages is because they are not genuinely in total agreement with each other. Satan is having a field day and depriving couples of their marital blessings because they lack unity and oneness in their marriage. When couples are in unity, together with the Holy Spirit, they become a three fold cord that cannot easily be broken by anybody (Eccles 4:12). This makes them live in peace and harmony and it will become difficult for the enemy to pull them apart. Together they can overcome any
will put ten thousand to fight (Deut. 32:30). In marital relationships, couples need not see themselves as threat to one another but as complementing each other. The Lord brought your spouse to your life to make your life better and make up for what is lacking in your life, so co-operate with each other in agreement so you can enjoy the full package of marital blessings. Stop the devil from stealing, killing and destroying your peace, joy, fruitfulness, prosperity, blessings, abundance and covenant promises. Agree in body, spirit and soul and begin to enjoy heaven on earth in your marriage.
With VICTOR OMOALU - 08078811406
s h o W b i z
Mercy Aigbe Reacts To Husband’s Beating Story
POPULAR Yoruba actress, Mercy Aigbe Gentry, has denied the viral reports that her husband was recently beaten to a pulp. According to the Actress, the report shocked her when she came across it, wondering what those behind the rumour wanted to achieve in the first place. It went viral on the online media platform that Mercy’s husband, Lanre was recently beaten mercilessly by one of Governor Mimiko’s special aides, Bashorun Akinloye Akinboni, on November
26, 2014 at his hotel premises in Ikeja, Lagos in the presence of Gospel artiste, Atorise and popular Yoruba movie presenter, Segun Adisa. The same reports further claimed that Mr. Bashorun allegedly got angry and carried out the act on realizing that Mercy Aigbe’s husband had tried to play a fast one on him. The bone of contention behind the fight was that Mr. Bashorun had rented an apartment from Mr Gentry only to find out after payment that the
same house had been rented to Gospel singer, Atorise. “So when Bashorun Akinloye Akinboni went to his hotel last night and coincidentally met Atorise there, an argument ensued and Bashorun Akinloye Akinboni lost his temper and pounced on Larry Gent beating him to a Pulp. When the beating got too much and blood was gushing from all his body, Atorise took to his heels, leaving the venue
I Cry Over My Health Issues……..Tonto Dikeh N I G E R I A N S celebrate with its entertainers without knowing what they go through privately. Though, it is their private life, sometimes there are some things that should not be hidden from the loving fans as every persons were not created to be loved by all. Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, is loved by few, adored by many, yet little is known about this lovely actress life apart from several unhealthy speculations which she has never seen as an issue. Recently, the actress revealed that she has been having terrible back ache since she knew herself as a person which clearly means she grew up with the pains. Tonto explained that the pain is always serious at times that she cries alone indoors and had to use a neck pad to support herself. No wonder she is rarely seen outside except for movie shoot and some few events. “Been having this terrible back ache since I knew myself as a person. It gets really worse and sometimes it makes me cry,I have to use this neck Pad almost every day privately..
You see no one is without issues but in all I’m a happy girl and am wearing my poison with swag praying that
someday the light would shine on my Back. Love you and Good night Lovers.
Tonto Dike
in one piece. Right now, he has bandage on his legs, arms and places
• Mercy Aigbe
Sarz Finally Plays Down Rumour Of Beef With Wizkid
N I G E R I A N entertainers sure know how to pull stunts on social media just to get media attention at all cost. Some weeks back, fast-rising music producer, Sarz, announced that he no longer works with Wizkid because ‘he no more has his time again’. He then disclosed that Wizkid will have to beg him (Sarz) to make beats for him (Wizkid) because what the singer allegedly did to him was very painful. When reminded by a fan that he (Sarz) produced a duet Wizkid had with 2Face, the producer noted that
Yes! I’m Pregnant Venita Akpofure POPULAR video cute man for that Confirms very vixen, Venita Akpofure matter. He is my sparked pregnancy rumours when she was spotted in what seemed to be like a baby bump in November. Well there’s no need to speculate anymore as Venita has confirmed to Nigeriafilms.com that she’s pregnant outside wedlock and happy about it, thus flaunts her
• Venita Akpofure
protruding belly with pride. Over the on going speculations, Nigeriafilms.com contacted her and the elated star said, “Yes I am pregnant and happy about it. I dont care what people thinks. I just got back into the country and doing just fine”, she confirmed. However, the Delta State born model cum actress has refused to clear who the father is but in an earlier interview with us, Venita confessed to being in love with a man who she had been dating for over a year. “Of course yes! I am in love. I am very much in love with my man. A
eyes cannot see when one is clothed.” the reports claimed.
Contradicting the story Mercy refuted the reports and insisted it was nothing but a false rumour to tarnish their images. “I was shocked when I read the story. It’s all fabricated and nothing of such happened. I wonder what the rumour peddler hopes to achieve, and seriously such fabricated story doesn’t move me one bit. I’m busy working on my new movie and new business venture. Too too focused to be moved by false stories! Like my people will say make dem continue! While I’ll keep shining! God is at work”!
honeypie. He is also in Nigeria but very similar to me; he has background from some other countries. He has same morale and aspiration like I do. I love him so much, that is the much I can say,” she said. “We were friends for a while before been intimate. We have been together for a year now,” Venita added. Venita was once described as the Nigeria’s hottest video vixen. She has featured in videos like Skales’ ‘Mukulu’, Tuface Idibia’s “Ihe Neme”, Ice Prince’s “Magician” Remix, Psquare’s “Alingo” and Timaya’s “Shake Ur Bum Bum.”
2Baba begged him for the job. He then wrote, “No LooL…i don’t have his (Wizkid) time anymore,” was his response when asked, “Do you still produce beats for Wizkid?” “Buh u produced his hennesy artistery song?” one of his fans reminded him, but he
AGN President Declares Wedding Intention COME Saturday December 19, 2014, AGN President and mother of three, Ibinabo Fiberesima will marry the love of her life, Uche Egbuka. The excited bride to be just released their official wedding card. This is Ibinabo’s first marriage as she had her three kids outside wedlock. Her husband to be, Uche, also has grown up kids.
• Ibinabo Fiberesima
replied, “Because 2baba begged me.” When another asked, “buh sarz n wiz dey always flow oh....what did wiz do to you?” he then disclosed that, “Hmmmm so much LoL.. can’t say it all,” boasting that, “he (Wizkid) will have to beg me cos it was painful.” But Nigeriafilms.com then contacted his manager regarding his tweets; we were told that there was no problem between them. Not too long ago, a photograph of Sarz and Wizkid having timeout together surfaced on the Internet, which we believed was to play down the beef rumour as being reported in some sections. “Real G’s BEEF all day! Everyday!! “Beef Track! Next week Monday! Another one produced by Sarz plus one new video,” the producer tweeted.
A Bane To National Development right from the beginning of human race has been bad leadership when all that was called human was not more than a two-digit figure, a negative force has been militating against the development of the ‘homosapiens. Till date, the effect
It is ironic that Nigeria should have been founded by intellectuals, for throughout most of her political history, the intellectuals have been mostly outsiders, servants or scape goats. Illiteracy has eaten the nation up to the marrows, and if proper care is not taken, more
residents, is the illegal influencing of the people in the exercise of public duty through payment of money or anything of value. Bribe has an effect, it changes a relation, and man who offers bribe gives away little of his importance. Owing to bad leadership, the nation is
How To Improve Leadership Style STEP 1 Research the definition of leadership and evaluate your own role as a leader. Determine if you have the characteristics many have before you. Determine areas where you might need improvement. Take
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leadership tendencies lies, will help you find the resources to improve developing a combination of leadership styles to create your own personal leadership style.
Determine your level of explicit knowledge, such as functional expertise you can share with your team and how best to share your knowledge from a leadership position.
Effects Of Bad Leadership On The Leader And The Led
and magnitude of this force bring about a clear distinction between nations of the human race. The word ‘developed’ is used to describe some nations while some other nations are referred to as undeveloped. In the present day the development of a country has to do with the growth in terms of human capital, economy, social improvement, democracy, building, national defence e.c.t. The militants who have been slowing down or stopping the growth of the nations today as a result of is Bad Leadership. If there is a spark of leadership function at all, it must lie in the ability to assemble a clearly articulated vision of the future that is at once, simple, easily understood, clearly desirable and energizing. Any leadership that lacks these ability is bad and unacceptable. A country that is underdeveloped is overmanaged and under-led. This implies that there is no visible proof of the utilization of the revenue or benefits derived from the resources. “True leadership must be for the benefits of the led or followers not for the enrichment of the leaders”. Nigeria, a country who has ironically attained the age of a grandmother is also piloted by bad leader. A country in the heart of Africa referred to as ‘Giant of Africa’. A number of factors accounts for the uproar of bad leadership in virtually all political offices of the federation. Some of them are: illiteracy and corruption.
By CHIDINMA CORNELIUS
thrashing is to come from the whip of bad leadership and consequently the doddery of economy.
suffering enormously at the hands, of the economic
inventory of your current leadership style and what
STEP 3 Evaluate your competency in leadership areas as well as your knowledge cache
A study of history shows that civilization that abandons the quest for knowledge is doomed to integration. William Shakespeare wrote “though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is often led by the nose by gold” corruption on the other hand is the most infallable symptom of constitutional liberty. The order of the day is that the nation depends on contraband for its economy and the upholding officials expect either more or less of their fair share. Corruption has engulfed the nation like flood water do. It is disappointing to know that bribery is now a common act among residents of the nation very paramount activity amidst
meltdown, uneven dispensation of resources, health and environmental hazards. Wealth and power are unevenly distributed in the Nigerian society A vast majority of Nigerians society struggle to earn a living and many cannot afford a dollar per day. The economic inequality has a severe effect on health, both for children and adults. One fifth dies before the age of five primarily from treatable disease such as malaria, measles, diahorea and pneumonia (United States Census bureau). Only 20% of rural Nigerians and 52% of urban Nigerians have access to health care due to the distances from clinics or inability to pay bills (world Health Organisation).
it is about your leadership skill that motivates others. STEP 2 Study the difference between your leadership style and the formal leadership style many managers, supervisors and team leaders employ. Understanding your own style and where your
in two distinction areas, explicit knowledge and tactic knowledge. Explicit information is that which you share with others while tactic knowledge is some what tangible and consist of subjective topics that are more difficult to transfer to others.
Access your tactic knowledge and decide which area the most effective way to use your intuitive skill as well as your analytical and critical thought processes. STEP 4 Practice using different forms of leadership techniques until you find effective ways to transfer knowledge, skills and power to your workforce. Experiment with blending different forms of leadership skill to find one that will benefit your people and needs of your employees. Continue reading bus journals if necessary and resources that improves your own skill and knowledge. And finally suggestion can also be derived from your subjects. Suffice it to state that the importance of transparency in leadership cannot be overemphasized. This is because a disciplined and principled leader will not only make a change in his/ her administration, but leave indelible mark in the sands of time by reproducing himself and setting good examples that upcoming generations will follow.
“True leadership must be for the benefits of the led or followers not for the enrichment of the leaders”. Nigeria, a country who has ironically attained the age of a grandmother is also piloted by bad leaders.
UNDOUBTEDLY, any disability, whether physical, mental or psychological, is by all means a harrowing experience to the victim. For instance, those suffering from one form of physical disability or the other often lament that their condition has deprived them of getting involved in many socio-economic and cultural activities within their society. Persons with physical
appreciable response from the commuters. “There is ability in disability; as a person, you must be determined to work to earn a living. I cannot fold my arms just because I am a cripple and say that I will not work. “Yes, I am a cripple but I am not crippled in other parts of my body. I can see, think and navigate my way to make a legitimate living for my
became crippled as a child because of polio infection, says that even though she is not happy about her physical condition, she gladly earns a living by selling phone recharge cards at a spot in the Area 10 neighbouhood of Abuja. She insists that the trade in recharge cards remains the best option for her, under the current circumstances, instead of begging for charity.
meaningful for them. Amauche says that such assistance can be in the form of soft loans to enable them to embark on viable economic activities or establish small-scale establishments. Sharing similar sentiments, Ahmadu Mohammed, a person living with physical disability, insists that a person’s physical state does not
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materials and he receives a lot of patronage from people who throng the area. He says that he has been using his proceeds from the business to take care of his wife and child for over two years. He, nonetheless, calls on government and other relevant organisations to
more accessible. Speaking on the plight of persons with disabilities, Hajiya Zainab Maina, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, says: “Disability and its attendant consequences have remained one of the major challenges
Coping With Physical Disabilities In A Dignified Way
disabilities include the blind, the cripple, the deaf and dumb and lepers, among others. Medical experts say that disability can be physical, mental and sensory, adding
that the forms of disability can be total or partial. They add that the disability can also be as a result of congenital defects, infection or accidents. Mohammed A. Mohammed, an official of the Kubwa branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), says that he became physically deformed due to a polio attack he had in his childhood days in Kano State. Mohammed, however, refuses to be deterred by his physical condition, as he often displays unusual dexterity in the way he handles his assignments near the pedestrian bridge on the Kubwa expressway, to the admiration of passers-by. He is usually seen by the bridge beckoning to commuters to board vehicles and ironically, he always gets
upkeep and those of my dependants,’’ he says
Mohammed does not hide his hatred for begging, as he advises others living with physical disabilities to shun begging and look for dignified ways of earning a living. His words: “It is more honourable to have a legitimate means of livelihood than begging for alms on the streets. “A person with physical disability can learn one kind of trade or the other which will make him or her selfreliant.’’ Mohammed is not alone in the group of persons with physical disabilities who are desirous of making it in life through sheer determination and hard work. Stella Amauche, another person living with physical disability, shares a similar viewpoint with Mohammed. Amauche, who reportedly
By NAOMI SHARANG
Amauche, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, concedes that she likes what she does for a living, adding that she intends to expand her business in the nearest future. She, however, appeals to the three tiers of government to come to the aid of persons living with disabilities, as part of efforts to make life
necessarily dictate his or her ability to do work and survive. “Once the mind is sane, a person should be able to think of what to do and not just to beg for alms on the streets,’’ he says. Positioned at the popular Berger Junction in Abuja citycentre, Ahmadu sells writing
increase their assistance to persons with disabilities. All the same, the 2011 World Report on Disability says that not less than 25 million Nigerians live with disabilities, with 3.6 million of them having very significant difficulties in functioning. In appreciation of the challenges facing people with disabilities, the United Nations (UN) designated Dec. 3 every year as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to focus on issues affecting this group of persons worldwide. The UN General Assembly, via a resolution, proclaimed the annual observance of the Day in 1992, saying: “The Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. “It also seeks to increase awareness of the gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.’’ The theme of this year’s celebration is “Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology’’. The theme focuses on the role of technology in efforts to break the barriers facing persons with disabilities and how to make devices to become faster, cheaper and
that threaten human existence.’’ She emphasises that considerable global attention has been drawn to the issues affecting persons with disabilities, particularly through the declarations of the United Nations (UN). Maina says that the Federal Government’s signing and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and 2010 confirms its commitment towards the development, care and welfare of persons with disabilities. The minister says that the government, through the ministry, has distributed aids and appliances to persons with disabilities; as part of efforts to assuage their plight and improve their well-being. “We have also expanded the empowerment programmes put in place for persons with disabilities,’’ she adds. Maina, however, calls on Nigerians to promote the interests of persons with disabilities, as part of the country’s transformation process. She particularly underscores the need to open all doors of opportunities to persons with disabilities and empower them in efforts to build an inclusive society. All in all, concerned observers insist that pragmatic efforts should be made to accord persons with disabilities their rights and privileges in the society so as to enable them to live meaningful lives.
“It is more honourable to have a legitimate means of livelihood than begging for alms on the streets. “A person with physical disability can learn one kind of trade or the other which will make him or her self-reliant”.
C The Best Teacher Story Time
THERE was a man who lived far from the city, he had only one son who knew nothing, but good times and luck. The lad has always come across illluck, but luck was on his side. His father has worked so hard to see him grow up as other children would crush challenges that always come across them. Cutting timber from the forest to make cart and building of houses has been the source of their living hood. One day, he decided to text how much challenges his lad can conquer as a grown up youth. “The measurement of a youth is in their strength he said. He told his son to get some timbers from the forest, the boy was excited “it has been long since I went to forest with father, at that time I was five years old he said quietly to himself. He took one of the rickety cart and annex the horse, but this time around luck was not on his side. His father was busy watching him, while his son annex the wrong cart. He told him necessity will teach you what to do, if there is any problem said his father.. The lad thought necessity are handymen inside the
By OKOROH EHIS
forest that help in terms of need arises. He later set out to the forest, got there, cut huge and gigantic timbers of trees working hard to arrange them not knowing the cart was faulty. After, a splendid job cutting and same time arranging timbers of tree on the cart, he then set for home. Riding on the port hole in the forest pulled out the first right wheel tyre immediately, he jumped out of the cart and shout for father handy helping men
in the forest. Necessity! Necessity!! Not even an ant responded to the call. He later quickly fixed the wheel tyre by himself and moved on, some minutes later while still on the way, going home the second wheel tyre fell out still shouting on top of his voice. Necessity! Necessity!! Necessity!!! He shouted. He received no response, he decided to fix it by himself and not ever again to call anybody which father said. This time around the lad pulled off
his shirt and gently repair the cart two wheel tyre to avoid repeatition of breakdown of the cart. Finally, he got home. His father was proud of him, but he was very angry with his father. He said to his son “I thought necessity has thought you a lesson”. The lad said “father you lied, but all I learnt is when a job need to be done: must be carried out well, if I was depending on necessity of yours; I would have wait forever. Now I know necessity has thought you a lesson, said his father.
With LOVETH EKEMOGIE
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Jokes
Empty Stomach Akpos: Mum, I’ve got stomach ache Mum: That’s because you have not eaten and your stomach is empty Akpos: Now, I know why daddy has headaches all the time His head must be empty too. - HELEN OGIDI
President’s Birthday Teacher: Who can tell me when President Goodluck Jonathan Was born? Akpos: (raises his hand) Teacher: Ok Akpos, tell us. Akpos: On his birthday. - KENNEDY UBREI
Fools
Abused Little Child By PRECIOUS AKHANEMHE
I will tell you now of a life of pain An abused little child, thrown away I would explain all the hate, laughter and insane attitude But you’d never believe a world would try To threaten my soul and straighten my curls To make me love men, to make me so cold While loving myself, one scared little girl While feeling so frail and feeling so old While feeling so wrong, while being a child While feeling insane, and not knowing why While shaking from fear, while screaming wild While wishing for death as he passes by And as a woman now, I feel like a prey An abused little child and thrown away.
Quotes
Bring My Gun By ABADA JOY
ONE day, thieves came to Akpo’s house. His father quickly noticed them and asked Akpos to bring his gun. After, Akpos brought him his gun, he told him to hide in the room. As the thieves entered, his father brought out the gun and pointed at them and they began to beg. Suddenly, Akpos came out of the room. His father, surprised, should at him to go back inside. Akpos, shouted back. “Daddy you forgot to put water in the gun. Akpos, father is currently in the hospital receiving treatment.
Mind Your Own Business By CHRISTIANA AKHIGBE
By BLESSING AGBEDIA Smile is the foundation of deceit, because it has numerous building materials. The past is gone, race the future, yesterday is
hildren’s World
gone, hold unto today, make amends, instead of regrets. Appreciation is not in words, but in character.
A boy was in a taxi eating chocolate then, he took another one a man next to him said “do you know that chocolate will damage your teeth”. The boy replied “my grand father lived 132 years”. The man asked “was it because of chocolate?” The boy replied “No, he was always minding his own business.
IT was a cold and quit night. The weather was freezing. A group of monkeys were on a tree. They were clinging to it’s branches. One of the monkeys said. “I wish we could find some fire. It will help us to keep warm”. Suddenly, they noticed many fireflies. One of them thought it was fire. He caught a firefly, put it under a dry leaf and started blowing it. Other monkeys joined him in blowing it. They continued for hours without seeing any fire. A bird noticed what they were doing and adviced them to stop and go into a cave and take shelter before they freeze to death. They ignored it and continued blowing. After some time they were tired and were almost freezing to death then, they remembered the birds advice and wished they had listened earlier. They set the firefly free and crawled into the cave in shame. Moral: Listen to advice, it might save your life. - HELEN ODIGI
IN today’s multifarious world in which abnormality has become normality in every facet of life that people have become so busy (doing nothing) living a lifestyle of excuses has become a tradition for
examination? As for the women, can that little illness stop you form doing “aproko” (gossip)? How about the men, the bread winners, when there is no food for your family, can little illness stop you from
many mouth claimed Christians. Despite the teachings of men of God. Many people who claimed to be Christians still wallow in the devilish act of excuses and they see it as a normal thing. It’s very appealing that the heart of so many people have become so much devoid of the fear of God, that they’re no longer afraid of sin. Little did they know that unnecessary excuses is a sin. Remember “he who knows what is right and fails to do it has already committed a sin”. However, let’s try to examined some excuses people who claimed to have decide to follow Jesus still give today. Somebody will say I could not come to church because I was not too strong! Perfect! Your point for not going to church is very genuine and must be respected that health is very important. But if I may ask, (student), can that little illness stop you from writing your promotion
going to hunt for food? The same person who could not go to church because of little illness is the same person out there doing the things healthy people cannot even do. Most at times, I wonder how people reason. That sickness that cannot deter you from writing your exams, doing aproko and other worldly things should not stop you from going to church. People also accredit their absenteeism from church to the devilish spirit of laziness/ tiredness. You hear people say “I could not come because I was very lazy/tired”. Can you be lazy/tired that you will not cook for your husband? Can you be tired that you will not carryout the task your boss gave you? It baffles me a lot when humans who claimed to be God’s children fear man than the Most High – Jehovah. Tiredness cannot stop you from going to work because the implication is too big yet it deters you from
going to church. Who is more dreaded? God or your Boss! That laziness that cannot stop you from going to work should not stop you from going to church. Furthermore, the duo twins of rain and sun are
from going to church? If all of us sit at home because of rain/sun what will happen to the church of God. If you are the type that rain/sun still stop from going to church, you are not born again. That rain/sun that
Religion granted? If you book an appointment with your boss, can you dare to sleep off? If you were to receive an award the next morning by 6am
of excuses is not and will never be the life of Jesus. Apostle Paul once said “I will serve God in seasons that are convenient and seasons
will you wake up late? How can people just be fearless of the
that are not convenient”. As such, respective of the situation, you must
dreadfulness of God? If you were to be genuine about this your devilish claim, have you ever asked yourself “why do I sleep off when it’s time to serve the most high”. It’s only a man who does not have the fear of God and is without the sprit of God that will continue to sleep off when it’s time to serve God. Let go off that devilish spirit. In a nutshell, a life of excuses is a devilish life. You cannot claim to have given your life to Christ and be giving excuses that are not necessary. The truth is, if you continue to give excuses, you will enter hell by excuse. The life
strive to always be at God’s presence. Bread and Butter Christianity of excuses, will do you no good than land you in hell fire. You must come to understand that if all of us continue to give excuses the church will not stand. As such, you must let go of that devilish act. It’s not the wish of God that anyone should perish but for them to repent of their sins and be saved. Any Christian who is living the life of excuses is a hell candidate. Let go of that act and register your name in Heaven. Oh my people “where is the fear of the Most High Jehovah”?
Christians And Excuses By STANLEY UGAGBE
yet what some Christian use as excuses. The rain was too much and the such was too harsh so I could come to church. Yet, that rain/sun didn’t and cannot stop you from doing your own things! How can rain stop a true Christian from going to church? How can sun stop you
“How can sun stop you from going to church? If all of us sit at home because of rain/ sun what will happen to the church of God.”
cannot deter you from doing your own things, should not stop you from going to church. Truth be told, it takes understanding to serve this God. If you lack understanding, you will just be living a Christian life of I don’t care. A man without sense is like a building without pillars. I hope you understand. Going deeper than deep, some will say “I slept off”, I woke up late so I could not come”. How can you sleep off because it’s church time? How can you wake up late? Why do people take the things of God-The Most High for
IT’S so amazing and interesting what you’ll discover if you start exploring what God has put within you. You can only do this if you dare to move or act. Don’t just sit back waiting for something to
could defeat and conquer this giant, he knew what he was inside is bigger that the enemy. David took the courage and defeated Goliath with a brick of stone, and this act made him popular and recognized by humanity
explored their gift with courage. These people came out of their shell to do great exploits. Example of these people are Carlos slim, Dangote, Mike Adenuga and lots of others who never gave up their hope
The most intriguing things about fearful people is that they want to be known and recognized, they want things easy, they always want to take credit for doing nothing. Therefore pulling back the curtain of fear relieve
Living
to everything we do as human on Earth. Fear can lead to suicide and that is therefore an untimely
Fear brings torment according to 1 john 4:18, satan is always going to bring fear against us at
Pulling Back Curtain Of Fear
happen. Don’t allow the curtain of fear to take away your heart desires. Every time you feel fear in your life, it’s a manifestation of the kingdom of darkness, fear is the master spirit”. It’s the spirit satan uses to try to rule God’s people and keep them from coming under the lordship of the true master, Jesus Christ. Multitudes of people never fulfill the call of God in their lives simply because every time they try to go forward, the devil uses fear to stop them satan uses fear to keep people from enjoying life. Fear as we all know limit the ability and the potential of every living being who yield to the call and message sent by fear. Fear envelopes and keep man away from moving towards achieving goals set by man and God. The issue of fear is quite challenging and therefore denigrate the aims and objectives and it sometimes delimit the outcome of every projects set by man. In the Bible, fear caused so many men to achieve little or none, and this is because these people hearkened to the voice and the sound of fear. The people of Israel, that is, the military men who are supposed to show sign of braveness, rather accepted defeat through fear. The philistines giant, goliath who was feared by the whole of Israelites except for one man who refused to be scared or afraid because the man called David knew he
By JOSHUA IGBOANLEN/LAWRENCE OMORODION
even yet unborn. Esther is another woman who showed courage and her boldness uplifted her people and this act was also recorded in the Bible. We have had several business tycoons who has
because of fear. It takes courage to know a real man and not fear. The reason why some people always express fear is that they hate defeats and flaws. They do not want to be recognized with failure.
everyone of imaginary shadows and stagnancy, failure, setback and weakness of the spirit. God needs everybody to be strong and active in order to achieve what He has in store for us. There is a limit
death. It leads to different illness, e.g. heart failure which is also known as cardiac arrest, diabetics and others. So curbing the menace of fear is the beginning of healthy and purposeful life.
“Don’t allow the curtain of fear to take away your heart desires. Every time you feel fear in your life, it’s a manifestation of the kingdom of darkness, fear is the master spirit”. It’s the spirit satan uses to try to rule God’s people and keep them from coming under the lordship of the true master, Jesus Christ”.
various times. It’s one of his major weapons not a cap gun but a common. We must learn how to pull back the curtain of fear. Oftentimes, people stay where they are in life simply because they can not pull back fear. But do you know that fear Isn’t reality it’s only a thought in your mind. It’s just like that classic movie, the wizard of 0Z when Dorothy arrived at the Emerald city, the great wizard of 0Z appeared to be all powerful and mysterious and he made everyone tremble in fear. He seemed larger than life. But when Dorothy and her friends pulled Back the curtain, the “wizard” was just an ordinary man blowing smoke and pushing a lot of buttons. Look inside, think about all the things you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t been able to do them because of fear. Whenever you’re tempted to doubt your ability to start something new and accomplish something recognize that feeling as a symptom of fear, it’s not reality. Pull back that curtain of fear and believe that God is working in you. Isaiah 41:10 says fear not for I am with you. I believe God works gently with us to bring us out of bondage and into liberty if you we been afraid of some thing and desire to be free the time will eventually come when you/’’ have to face you fear and not run away from it just take Jesus hand, acknowledge that He is with you and do it. If you’re afraid of people with authority, the time will come when you’ll have to confront an authority figure and not cover in fear, God will have set the time He’ll be there, but you’ll have to choose whither to go through or run away. If you’re at one of these cross roads in your life, don’t stand still in terror and torments, but take His hand and go forward remember, fear bring impending danger, evil pain, discomfort and God bring you deliver from all of you fear.
L
iving
Cucumbers contain a hormone that is found helpful in the management of diabetes. A substance which stimulates the pancreas to generate insulin is part of the make-up of cucumbers and come in the extract of cucumbers together with the seeds. Help In Losing Weight Fast Due to its low calorie and high water contents, cucumber is an ideal diet for people who desire weight loss. The high water content and soluble fiber in
Health Benefits Of Cucumber
CUCUMBER is a long vegetable with dark green skin and light green flesh that is usually eaten raw. Just like water melon, pumkin, Eucchini, cucumber (cucumis sativis) belongs to the cucurbit class. Cucumbers have a high water content and are also low in calories and relatively low in nutrient compared to other vegetables. Cucumbers are the best most cultivated vegetables on this planet earth and known to be one of the best food for the body’s overall fitness. Often refered to as a super food, cucumber are often dispersed with pesticides, so it is important to buy organic ones or if possible, grow them yourself. WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CUCUMBER? There are so many health benefits of
cucumber. Some of them are listed below: Cucumbers are best for your blood pressure not withstanding the high level of water in a cucumber, they help to lower the blood pressure. People who want to see a quick reduction of their blood pressure and to relieve symptoms of hypertension use cucumber extract or juice. Cucumber assist in relief of joints and muscle Tissues
By VICTORIA OGWANENWU
Cucumber assist in reduction of inflammation and relief of pains for individuals who are suffering from some sorts of arthritis. They help to make the connective tissues stronger, gives more support to the particular bone and lower the inflammation which can be felt in the bones.
In addition, the pain which is felt by arthritis within the joints is lessened when cucumber extract is ingested. It is believed this is really in part as a result of the antiinflammatory response but that is not yet proven. Cucumbers Assist In Diabetes
cucumbers are incredible in riding the body of toxins from the digestive system aiding digestive function. Daily Consumption of Cucumbers is usually regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation. Revives The Eyes Placing chilled slices of cucumber on the eyes help in enhancing
visual, and it definitely help to reduce undereye totes and puffiness Hangover Cure To avoid a morning hangover or even headache; eat a few cucumber slices before sleeping. Cucumbers contain enough essential, B vitamins and electrolytes which assist in replenishing many essential vitamins and minerals, reducing the intensity involving both hangover and headache. Cucumber Fights And Prevent Breast Cancer Caffeic acid continues to be shown to have antiproliferative as well as apoptotic effects on people with breast cancer cells inside laboratory. A Korean case-control research comparing the diets involving breast cancer patients with that of a healthy control group of women found, that breast cancer patients take a significantly lower variety of vegetables, including cucumbers, compared to control group. Research also found out that ladies with breast cancer significantly eat less cucumber than those without breast cancer.
“Cucumber assist in reduction of inflammation and relief of pains for individuals who are suffering from some sorts of arthritis. They help to make the connective tissues stronger, gives more support to the particular bone and lower the inflammation which can be felt in the bones”.
Barriers To Success WE all dream of having millions in the bank, the ideal job, the luxury house, the dream car and the perfect partner, but first we must be aware of the common barriers to success that we are likely to run into before the could have the chance to achieve all things. Like the saying goes “wanting success and actually achieving success are two different things entirely. Therefore being aware of these debilitating and common barriers to success before hand will better prepare you to deal with any obstacles and challenges that get in your way. Forewarned is to forearmed”. So many of the successful men and women we have today in Nigeria faced a lot of challenges and obstacles but, preparation and hardwork makes them to conquer at last. Some of the barriers to success that need to be known before and dealt with are. Poor attitude Without doubt, our attitude is the biggest determination to what kind of results we get in life. Our attitude determines what we think and do, which ultimately determines what we create. How many by us fail to get off first base or simply follow through with our plans because we sabotage our ability and results with toxic thoughts and negative self-talk many of us today find it so difficult to scale through life challenges, because of the bad attitude we possess. If you must succeed and become great in life you must have a good attitude towards life, people and yourself. Lack of goals Without goals you have no map of where you want to go and what you want to achieve. So many people go through life without setting themselves any goals. If you must achieve
By PROGRESS EMAJEMITE
success, you must set a goal. That is, set out what you want to achieve, plan it and work it out. Goals are vital cog in achieving success. Start setting them!!!. Lack of creativity For someone of achieve his/her goals successfully he/she must naturally be intelligent. Have new ideas, execute them. Create new things that
leads us talking ourselves of starting anything. These denion of self doubt has prevented so many people from achieving success and realizing their goals. Some people think less of their ability to do a particular work and often ends up losing good opportunities. To become successful and great, you must be confident and
impossible and you are ready to quit, victory is near. This is true and that is why so many people loses their success at the edge of it. Giving up should not be part of you, if you must be successful. Fear of failure There is nothing wrong with having a fear of filling. Everyone fears failure. At some point Richard Branson and the
equip your ability. Many people lack ideas, instead they prefer going for couselling and coping other peoples ideas and works all the time. Self doubt Negative thoughts about whether were good enough to succeed often
also trust yourself and refuse to be controlled by this demon called “self doubt”. Giving up We’ve all been guilty of quitting at one time or the other. One of the quotes of Anthony Robins says. “When it looks
Bill gates of the world have been struck by the fear of failure. However, what you must ensure is never let it paralyze and stop you from taking action. The purpose of fear is not to restrict or inhibit but to heighten our senses,
“It is so easy to slip into our old lazy routines, sit back and just wait for things to happen. Unfortunately, nothing worth while is achieved without effort and hard work success only arrives when we do what it takes and when we go extra mile. Success is something we all want. However, realising notable success comes with many challenges. Hardwork doesn’t mean you should be a workaholic it simply means don’t be lazy.”
Motivation increase our focus and instill us with drive and determination. Bob Gass, the popular writer always say failing does not make you a failure, quiting does not learning from it does failing to see beyond it does. Weak planning Weak planning and implementation drastically reduce your chances of success. Proper strategic planning
is a key requirement if failure and disappointment are to be avoided like the saying that goes when you fail to plan well, you are planning to fail. Procrastination Try and do something everyday which will bring you closer to realizing your goals and don’t keep putting things off for tomorrow for your life is not a dress rehearsal you only yet one chance. Laziness It is so easy to slip into our old lazy routines, sit back and just wait for things to happen. Unfortunately, nothing worth while is achieved without effort and hard work success only arrives when we do what it takes
and when we go extra mile. Success is something we all want. However, realising notable success comes with many challenges. Hardwork doesn’t mean you should be a workaholic it simply means don’t be lazy. Listening to the doubters For you to succeed, avoid listening to negative comments or messages from family, friends and acquaintances. Their negative opinions will only serve to put you down questioning and doubting your abilities. Lack of discipline and self control Being able to resist distractions and temptations that get in the way of you achieving your goals is vital to ultimate success. Discipline and self control enables you to strick at things, persevere and follow through with any given tasks and projects. Talkativeness There is a saying that goes, “talk less and listen more”. Do not be a talkative if you must succeed spending more time talking about unnecessary things will only lead to failure and not success. Achieving a notable success comes with obstacles and hinderances. A good starting point is to firstly identify the major barriers to success so that you can then take the necessary steps and actions to accomplish all that you want. Achieving success is never straight forward. For some it may come easy but for the majority it takes a lot of time and hardwork to over come the barriers to success by following simple formula that ensures your goals achieve and your dreams are realised.
FIFA Dismiss Discrimination Claims As “Nonsense”
FIFA has prepared to stand their ground in a turf war with top women football players, dismissing as “nonsense” any suggestion that staging next year’s World Cup on artificial grass was discrimination. The bitter dispute between soccer ’s
Orlando Pirates Interim Coach ORLANDO Pirates coach Eric Tinkler says in football there’s no quick fix and he’s prepared to take responsibility when the team wins and lose. Tinkler has been appointed as the stand in coach for the Sea Robbers following the departure of Vladimir Vermezovic, he was speaking ahead of the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs. Known as Pantsula in his heyday, he said the reality is that the club needs a rebuilding process at the moment that must take place. “What becomes really important is what you see at Borussia Dortmund, the fans must support us, I know it’s normal for them to get disappointed,” said Tinkler. “Look at Borussia Dortmund, the club isn’t doing well but the supporters are always there behind the club.” “I’m prepared to take that responsibility for the results, not the players and they can take their frustrations on me not on the team. “They must not take their frustration on the team or the players, not to boo or force substitutions because that will not motivate the players.” The Bafana Bafana legend said he was disappointed with VV’s departure and it came as a shock but life must move on.
• Carlo Ancelotti
governing body and a group of players who have filed a lawsuit against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association continued to overshadow the buildup to Saturday’s glitzy World Cup draw for the June 5 to July 6 2015 tournament in six venues across Canada, all on artificial turf. FIFA president Sepp Blatter, whose organisation has been dogged by a wave of scandals and controversy
ranging from allegations of corruption in the 2018/ 2022 World Cup bidding process to the artificial turf row, will not attend the draw, leaving general secretary Jerome Valcke to field reporters questions at pre-draw press conference. Despite persistent threats by players’ attorneys, Valcke said FIFA had not yet been served and would probably be advised to steer clear of the
contentious subject. But the general secretary came out guns blazing, declaring any talk of discrimination as unfounded. “If anyone is saying the use of artificial pitch is a question of discrimination it is nonsense. It is completely crazy to say that. It has nothing to do with discrimination,” declared Valcke. “I can’t imagine no one will recognise what FIFA has done for the development
of women’s football over the last 15 years. “I’m amazed by the size and the scale of the discussion. “It is part of our statutes and regulations that artificial pitch can be used as natural grass to make sure we can play football everywhere.” Valcke arrived in the Canadian capital with the players’ lawyers pressing for a conference call with the general secretary to discuss the dispute. While Valcke had stated
earlier he would welcome dialogue with any and all players he added a condition on Friday saying he would only do it faceto-face and not over the phone. “I don’t have to speak to a lawyer. Why should I speak to anyone else but the players,” said Valcke. “I’m very happy to sit and discuss with the players but I will not discuss by phone because I am expecting to sit in front of people not via phone conference call.”
Roma manager Rudi Garcia took another swipe at title rivals Juventus on Friday, seemingly unable to forget his side’s controversial 3-2 defeat by the Serie A leaders in October. Asked on Friday if conceding nine goals (in 13 league games) was acceptable in comparison to last year’s team that had allowed only three, he retorted: “If I were to answer that we have let in six goals in 12 games I’ll make the headlines again.” Garcia is still stewing over Juve’s three goals that tv replays suggested should all have been disallowed, reaffirming a widely-held belief among fans across Italy that the Turin side benefit from favourable decisions. The first two goals, penalties converted by Carlos Tevez, were awarded for fouls that appeared to be committed outside of the box. Juve’s winner four minutes from time came from a fine Leonardo Bonucci strike,
although Roma keeper Lukasz Skorupski appeared to be impeded by substitute Arturo Vidal. Frenchman Garcia was so angry he pleaded for a revolutionary change in the way games are officiated. “We are in the 21st century. It is about time we started using technology,” he blasted. Last week, ahead of the Inter Milan clash, Garcia had spoken about the difference in points between the two teams. “Yes, it’s true Juventus are ahead by three points and we all know how,” he said. Second-placed Roma face 10th-placed Sassuolo at the Olimpico stadium on Saturday, the visitors one of only four teams to come away with points last season after a 1-1 draw secured with a last-gasp goal. “Sassuolo have not lost in seven games. They are doing really well and I remember what happened a year ago,” Garcia said.
Garcia Takes Another Swipe At Juventus
• Sepp Blatter
Real Madrid Have No Limits - Ancelotti
THE European champions are currently on a clubrecord 17-game winning streak and sit top of La Liga after 13 games. Madrid have also already secured first-place in their Champions League group having taken maximum points from their five matches and Ancelotti believes there is much more still to come, saying his players’ capacity for constant improvement is
there for all to see. “It is very hard to say if this team can get any better, but I think it can through hard work,” he told reporters. “The players are accustomed to playing a certain way and we must not place any limits on how good they can get. There are no limits. “We are working well and the players are doing a great job. This is a really good squad, one that takes its football very seriously. “We are a very large family, we have the utmost respect for each other and we have to be grateful for that. The most important thing is to keep winning and playing well.” While the coach had kind words for his players, he also rated his own performances so far this season very highly. “I’m personally on a great run,” said Ancelotti. “Things are going well, I have a great relationship with the players, we have shared objective
which we will fight for together. “Hopefully we can keep this run going for a long time. We can overcome anything with this squad.”
Allardyce Pleased With Carroll Over Bony
SWANSEA City splashed out a club-record £12million on Bony from Eredivisie outfit Vitesse Arnhem in 2013, the same year West Ham brought Carroll back to Upton Park on a permanent basis. The two Premier League rivals meet at Upton Park on Sunday and Allardyce said he made enquires about the Ivory Coast international before spending £15m on Carroll, who netted seven goals in 24 matches during his loan spell from Liverpool in 2012-13. Bony has gone on to score 22 goals in 48 Premier League appearances, while injuries have limited English striker Carroll to a mere two goals in 19 games but Allardyce still believes he got the better deal.
• Rudi Garcia
Injury Leaves Nani Doubtful For Chelsea Clash
SPORTING may be without on-loan Manchester United winger Nani for their crunch Champions League clash with Chelsea after the winger suffered a thigh injury against Boavista on Friday night. The Portugal replaced by Andre Carrillo international had to be on 31 minutes after
Manchester City Have Made No Contact Over Barkley - Martinez
EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez says that Manchester City have made no approach to sign Ross Barkley ahead of the Toffees’ trip to the Etihad Stadium. Goal understands that the Premier League champions are confident of beating Chelsea to the England international, whom they feel could be secured in a +50 million deal. However, Martinez insists that the Toffees have not been contracted by City about Barkley and is optimistic that they can keep him. “We have a great relationship with City,” the Spaniard told reporters. “We signed Gareth Barry on loan from them and the relationship has always been good but there has never been an approach about Ross. Never. “Honestly, City are not trying to do that. Maybe, if you are a selling club, they could try that but we are not a selling club. “I think every game we play there is a link with one of our players. When we went to Wolfsburg it was Romelu Lukaku and, when you go to another ground, it is Kevin Mirallas.” Martinez is also tipping Barkley to impress at the Etihad as Everton hope to bounce back after losing to Spurs and drawing with Hull City in their last two outings. “Ross doesn’t care. He could play in the most intense game of football with the most intense atmosphere and the biggest meaning and all he sees is an enjoyment. That is the big attribute he
has,” the former Wigan man added. “His best games last season were against the top sides – Manchester City and Arsenal – and it has never affected him one bit.
injuring his right thigh while playing on the artificial turf at Estadio do Bessa. While he was able to walk off the pitch, the attacker faces a race against time to be fit for the crucial fixture at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, with the Portuguese side needing a point against
Jose Mourinho’s men to guarantee a place in the last 16 at the expense of Schalke. When asked if the 28year-old would be fit for the midweek game, Sporting boss Marco Silva told Sport TV: “Let’s see Nani complained of a thigh problem. “We will wait for the
results of our evaluations and try to understand what the injury is.” Three goals in 27 second-half minutes, including one from Nani’s replacement Carrillo, led Sporting to a 3-1 victory that moves them up to fourth in the table and extends their unbeaten run to six games.
Silva added: “The first half was somewhat complicated but we still had three clear opportunities. “In the second half we knew that scoring soon after the break would make things happen. We were clearly the better team.” Nani has been in fine form in the Champions League this season, starting all five of his side’s matches and scoring four goals, including an impressive solo effort against Maribor on Matchday Five.
Zambia Crush Amajita In COSAFA U20 Opener
• Messi and Suarez
Dominant Messi Marginalises Suarez
THE Arsenal coach says every new Barcelona arrival must learn to adapt to a more peripheral role in the Argentina international’s supporting cast The Uruguay international hit 31 goals in 33 Premier League games for Liverpool last season but is yet to find the net in five Liga outings for his new club. Wenger is confident the 27year-old will come good for Luis Enrique’s side but says the 27-year-old will have to adapt to a more peripheral
• Sterling and Brendan Rodgers
role behind the club’s - and the division’s - all-time leading scorer. “It’s not easy in a team where you have such a dominant figure as Messi,” Wenger told The Guardian. “The game naturally goes through the strong point so in
- Wenger
Barcelona the game goes through Messi. It means the other players become a bit more peripheral. “You could see now when you watch Barcelona, Suarez was a super dominant figure
Liverpool Star Sterling Has Reached Another Level This Season - Rodgers
THE England international was instrumental in the Reds’ push for the Premier League title last season but has scored only three goals in the
current campaign. Sterling turns 20 on Monday and Rodgers feels that he has made great strides despite Liverpool’s disappointing season so far. The Northern Irishman told reporters: “He has taken on extra responsibility, absolutely, and kicked on. I have reiterated to him his qualities and strengths, his pace, skill, his directness – that’s his game, “I think you have seen him develop into a very good young footballer. He’s not just someone who can run direct with the ball, he can play onetouch, he can play two-touch. He’s such a threat. “You looked at him the other night [against Leicester] against the boy [Ritchie] De Laet, who is a super-quick player. Raheem’s pace was frightening.
at Liverpool and sometimes you think: ‘Where is he?’ “I’m certain he will find his place but it’s not easy for the players there.”
TEN-man Zambia on Friday shocked Amajita 6-1 to win their opening Group B match at the 2014 Cosafa Youth Cup in Zimbabwe. Nchanga Rangers midfielder Patson Daka scored a hat-trick at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo handed Zambia an emphatic win over their regional archrivals. Daka scored all three goals in the opening 16 minutes starting with a volley in the 5th minutes before heading in his second goal in the 8th minute. The midfielder completed his brace with a close-range shot in the 16th minute.
Pardew Disturbed To Be Fourth Long-serving Boss
PARDEW will celebrate four years in charge of Newcastle United next week, with only Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger having been at the helm longer in the Premier League. Exeter City’s Paul Tisdale and Karl Robinson at MK Dons are the only other managers to have been in their posts longer than Pardew in the top four tiers of the English game. The Londoner has expressed his pride at remaining in the role for as long as he has, but believes it is a sad state of a affairs that so few managers are given the backing that he has had from Mike Ashley. “It’s credit to the chairman, and credit to me. I’ve had to dig in a few times, and so has he. Sometimes his flag is up the pole and sometimes it’s mine,” said Pardew. “I think we both knew that when we signed that long contract, there were going to be difficult days as well as
good days, for us both. “I’m quite pleased at four years, and to give some sort of history, this is probably the third team I’ve had in terms of a different look: The one I inherited, the one I had, and now this new one. I’m quite excited that it’s got a different sort of look to it and different strengths. “I am fourth in the 92, which is very disturbing. That isn’t a good stat at all. I’m not sure if it will change. “I don’t think any Premier League managers have left this year, which is unusual. So it is beginning to stabilise a little bit, but I might be speaking too soon. “Certainly the Championship is a bigger worry at the moment where I think nine months is the average tenure. I don’t how long it takes you to know your job, but nine months is certainly not long enough for a coach to know a football team or a football club.”
NTF Plans Big For Players THE Vice-President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Yemi Owoseni, on Friday said the federation would in 2015 build upon the good number of championships it had in 2014. Owoseni told newsmen at the ongoing Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Open Tennis Championships in Abuja that the federation held many championships in 2014 and this needed to be improved upon. “We thank God that we have had more tournaments this year, unlike in the previous years. This shows that the federation is trying hard to organise tournaments for players. “At least this year we had the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Cup, the Ekiti Governor’s Cup, which is different from the Lagos Governor’s Cup. “And now we are having this NPA event, which is the maiden edition. “Then, from here, they (the players) will be going to Kano for the Dala Cup, and before the year runs out we are still looking at another championship. “This is an improvement from what we used to have. But that does not mean that we have gotten to where we want to be. “We still hope to build on all these next year,’’ Owoseni said. On the NPA championships, the NTF vice-president promised that the championships would not lack continuity. “ We already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NPA, which is still standing.
Oshaniwa Sorry Over Eagles AFCON Miss
“The MoU is for five years and this is the first edition, which means in the next five years, the tournament will still continue,’’ Owoseni said. Reports state that the winners of the NPA championships’ men and women’s singles titles will receive N300,000 each, while the runners-up will get N200,000 each. The winners of the men and women’s doubles will get N100,000 each, while the runners-up will also share N75,000 each. The championships which began on Friday, Nov. 28 will end on Saturday. • Amaju Pinnick, NFF Chairman
NIGERIA’S international Juwon Oshaniwa has expressed regret following the Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations ouster. The African champions bungled their chance of defending the trophy they won in South Africa after playing a 2-2 draw against South Africa at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo. According to the Ashdod SC defender, the Cup of Nations blackout is a sad tale and has apologized on behalf of his Eagles’ teammate for letting the country down while assuring that the team will bounce back soon. “We are all yet to recover from the shock of our inability
NFF Electoral Committee Accepts Appeals Verdict THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Electoral committee on Friday said it has accepted the full report of the appeals committee over the annulled September 30 election in Abuja. Chairman of the NFF electoral committee Samson Ebomhe said his committee has received the detailed ruling of Barrister Okechukwu Ajunwa’s appeal body. Goal earlier reported that Ajunwa’s appeals committee nullified elections in four positions of the NFF executive board and the byeelection scheduled for December 11. “We have received the report of the appeals committee and as I talk to you I am presently studying the rulings,” Ebomhe said on Hot FM in Abuja. “I have sent the copies to my committee members across the country and they should be studying it too. We will have to meet and take the next line of action.
He also said his committee will decide in due time the scheduled bye-election into the vacated the positions of the President and Vice President, South-east and North-west positions of the NFF. The electoral body said they will take necessary steps in compliance with the verdict when his committee is done with studying of the report. “We would abide by the verdict of the appeals committee as properly constituted. “Nothing is cast in stone. If we envisage that seven days would not be enough we will get back to the appeals committee and seek for more time.” “We will abide by the verdict of the Ajunwa’s Electoral Appeals’
Sunday Pools Guide
Committee as properly constituted. What we need to do is first of all to quickly study the verdict as given.” The body also insisted that all cleared candidates willing
8 National Men’s Cricket Championship Gets Underway In Abuja THE eight edition of the National Men’s Cricket Championship organised by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) got underway in Abuja on Friday with five teams from five geo-political zones in attendance. The championship taking place at the Cricket pitch of the National stadium Abuja will end on December 7. Emeka Onyeama, President of NCF told newsmen that the championship was organised to select national
Week 22
Watford, Chesterfield For “X” SAYS DR. J. K. POOLS
A CRITICAL x-ray of the 49 programmed fixtures of this week 22, matches to be played on 13th/14th December 2014 I have soft spot for an “x” between Watford vs Wigan at No. 19 and Chesterfield vs Bradforde at 21. Again, they are Nos 19 and 21 both from Skyebet Football Championship and English Division one respectively. In the same vein, Scuntrope vs Crewe at No. 30 and Walshall vs Barnsley at 31 for one draw on Saturday. In summary No. 19-21-30 and 31 for at least two draws for your xmas celebration. Please pick out the two naked draws from them easily. A look at English Division one, I Fancy Doncaster vs Gillingham at No. 23 and Portvale vs Conventry at No. 28, Preston vs MiltonKDat 29 for one draw again. A look at the premiership , I however predict at least two draws on Saturday. The most likely draws come out from
to re-contest must withdraw their legal matters in court and at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in order to participate in the rescheduled election.
Arsenal vs Newcastle at No. 1,Crystal vs Stoke at 4 and Swansea vs Tottenham at 8. A look at the Championship, Charlton vs Blackpool at No. 14 Rotherham vs Nottmfor at 17 and Watford vs Wigan at 19 for at least two draws. Now those who want to celebrate xmas in grand style with three naked bankers should enroll before xmas. The draws are very, very naked. 07039275802. 8 Treble chance 1. Arsenal vs Newcastle 0-0 2. Crystal P vs Stoke 3. York vs AFC Wimbledon 1-1 4. Doncaster vs Gillingham 1-1 5. Scuntrope vs Crewe 2-2 6. Walshall vs Barnsley 2-2 7. Charlton vs Blackpool 3-3 8. Preston vs MiltonKD 3-3 3 Hot Pairs (A) 19-43 (B) 30-31 (C) 23-29. Good luck says Dr. JK Pools Box 34 Irrua or opposite Police Station Irrua Edo State.
team players in preparation for the 2015 Cricket World Cup scheduled for Hong Kong. “This is the national men championship; it’s usually a platform used by a team of selectors to choose those who will represent Nigeria in any international event that has to do with Cricket. “Usually we have this once every year in preparation for the World Cup which is coming up next year. “We have gathered here five states from five different zones after their playoffs in different zones.
to qualify for the Nations Cup but that is football for you,” Oshaniwa told Goal. “We must forget about our ouster and think of what we should do to ensure that we do not have a repeat of what befell us this year. “We as players will always be ready to wear the country’s jersey and also portray our nation well we are so that no one speaks abusively of it. We are sorry about our inability to qualify and we promise to do our best to ensure that it doesn’t repeat itself again next time,” he concluded.
Ex-Basketball Players Laud Nestle
SOME ex-basketball players in Nigeria on Friday in Lagos lauded Nestle Milo for the development of basketball in the country. They spoke to newsmen at the venue of the 16thAnnual Secondary Schools Basketball Championships taking place at the National stadium, Lagos. The players also praised the company for its continued sponsorship of this championship which started on Dec. 1 and will end on December 6. They said that the tournament had provided healthy platform for exposure of talents. Nkechi Akashili, the Milo 2003 Most Valuable Player, said that Nestle Milo had performed creditably in the development of the sport. Akashili described Nestle Milo as the best sponsor of basketball competition in the country. “Players now have a better floor, called Milo Floor, to play on unlike what was obtainable in the past years.
3SC Ready For Impact In Nigeria Premier League NEWLY promoted Nigeria Premier League side, 3SC of Ibadan have promised to bounce back into the top flight with a difference after securing a ticket to the elite division. The Oluyole Warriors got demoted to the lower league two seasons ago after some dreadful performances both home and away but they clawed their way back to the premier league for the Nationwide cadre. Media Officer of the club, Jubril Arowolo told Goal that the former league champions will not let mistakes repeat itself as they will do all it takes not to get demoted again. “We are grateful to God for
guiding us back to the premier league. It was not easy at all in the lower league we must agree and it only took the grace of God for us to achieve our set target at the beginning of the just concluded season,” he told Goal. “Our players are presently on holiday and very soon they shall be recalled for the start of the new season. We are going to stick with basically most of the players that guided us back to the premier league but we are not unmindful of some areas that are in need of fortification. We shall do that before the start of the season.”
Injury Leaves Nani Doubtful For Chelsea Clash
SPORTING may be without on-loan Manchester United winger Nani for their crunch Champions League clash with Chelsea after the winger suffered a thigh injury against Boavista on Friday night. The Portugal replaced by Andre Carrillo international had to be on 31 minutes after
Manchester City Have Made No Contact Over Barkley - Martinez
EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez says that Manchester City have made no approach to sign Ross Barkley ahead of the Toffees’ trip to the Etihad Stadium. Goal understands that the Premier League champions are confident of beating Chelsea to the England international, whom they feel could be secured in a +50 million deal. However, Martinez insists that the Toffees have not been contracted by City about Barkley and is optimistic that they can keep him. “We have a great relationship with City,” the Spaniard told reporters. “We signed Gareth Barry on loan from them and the relationship has always been good but there has never been an approach about Ross. Never. “Honestly, City are not trying to do that. Maybe, if you are a selling club, they could try that but we are not a selling club. “I think every game we play there is a link with one of our players. When we went to Wolfsburg it was Romelu Lukaku and, when you go to another ground, it is Kevin Mirallas.” Martinez is also tipping Barkley to impress at the Etihad as Everton hope to bounce back after losing to Spurs and drawing with Hull City in their last two outings. “Ross doesn’t care. He could play in the most intense game of football with the most intense atmosphere and the biggest meaning and all he sees is an enjoyment. That is the big attribute he
has,” the former Wigan man added. “His best games last season were against the top sides – Manchester City and Arsenal – and it has never affected him one bit.
injuring his right thigh while playing on the artificial turf at Estadio do Bessa. While he was able to walk off the pitch, the attacker faces a race against time to be fit for the crucial fixture at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, with the Portuguese side needing a point against
Jose Mourinho’s men to guarantee a place in the last 16 at the expense of Schalke. When asked if the 28year-old would be fit for the midweek game, Sporting boss Marco Silva told Sport TV: “Let’s see Nani complained of a thigh problem. “We will wait for the
results of our evaluations and try to understand what the injury is.” Three goals in 27 second-half minutes, including one from Nani’s replacement Carrillo, led Sporting to a 3-1 victory that moves them up to fourth in the table and extends their unbeaten run to six games.
Silva added: “The first half was somewhat complicated but we still had three clear opportunities. “In the second half we knew that scoring soon after the break would make things happen. We were clearly the better team.” Nani has been in fine form in the Champions League this season, starting all five of his side’s matches and scoring four goals, including an impressive solo effort against Maribor on Matchday Five.
Zambia Crush Amajita In COSAFA U20 Opener
• Messi and Suarez
Dominant Messi Marginalises Suarez
THE Arsenal coach says every new Barcelona arrival must learn to adapt to a more peripheral role in the Argentina international’s supporting cast The Uruguay international hit 31 goals in 33 Premier League games for Liverpool last season but is yet to find the net in five Liga outings for his new club. Wenger is confident the 27year-old will come good for Luis Enrique’s side but says the 27-year-old will have to adapt to a more peripheral
• Sterling and Brendan Rodgers
role behind the club’s - and the division’s - all-time leading scorer. “It’s not easy in a team where you have such a dominant figure as Messi,” Wenger told The Guardian. “The game naturally goes through the strong point so in
- Wenger
Barcelona the game goes through Messi. It means the other players become a bit more peripheral. “You could see now when you watch Barcelona, Suarez was a super dominant figure
Liverpool Star Sterling Has Reached Another Level This Season - Rodgers
THE England international was instrumental in the Reds’ push for the Premier League title last season but has scored only three goals in the
current campaign. Sterling turns 20 on Monday and Rodgers feels that he has made great strides despite Liverpool’s disappointing season so far. The Northern Irishman told reporters: “He has taken on extra responsibility, absolutely, and kicked on. I have reiterated to him his qualities and strengths, his pace, skill, his directness – that’s his game, “I think you have seen him develop into a very good young footballer. He’s not just someone who can run direct with the ball, he can play onetouch, he can play two-touch. He’s such a threat. “You looked at him the other night [against Leicester] against the boy [Ritchie] De Laet, who is a super-quick player. Raheem’s pace was frightening.
at Liverpool and sometimes you think: ‘Where is he?’ “I’m certain he will find his place but it’s not easy for the players there.”
TEN-man Zambia on Friday shocked Amajita 6-1 to win their opening Group B match at the 2014 Cosafa Youth Cup in Zimbabwe. Nchanga Rangers midfielder Patson Daka scored a hat-trick at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo handed Zambia an emphatic win over their regional archrivals. Daka scored all three goals in the opening 16 minutes starting with a volley in the 5th minutes before heading in his second goal in the 8th minute. The midfielder completed his brace with a close-range shot in the 16th minute.
Pardew Disturbed To Be Fourth Long-serving Boss
PARDEW will celebrate four years in charge of Newcastle United next week, with only Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger having been at the helm longer in the Premier League. Exeter City’s Paul Tisdale and Karl Robinson at MK Dons are the only other managers to have been in their posts longer than Pardew in the top four tiers of the English game. The Londoner has expressed his pride at remaining in the role for as long as he has, but believes it is a sad state of a affairs that so few managers are given the backing that he has had from Mike Ashley. “It’s credit to the chairman, and credit to me. I’ve had to dig in a few times, and so has he. Sometimes his flag is up the pole and sometimes it’s mine,” said Pardew. “I think we both knew that when we signed that long contract, there were going to be difficult days as well as
good days, for us both. “I’m quite pleased at four years, and to give some sort of history, this is probably the third team I’ve had in terms of a different look: The one I inherited, the one I had, and now this new one. I’m quite excited that it’s got a different sort of look to it and different strengths. “I am fourth in the 92, which is very disturbing. That isn’t a good stat at all. I’m not sure if it will change. “I don’t think any Premier League managers have left this year, which is unusual. So it is beginning to stabilise a little bit, but I might be speaking too soon. “Certainly the Championship is a bigger worry at the moment where I think nine months is the average tenure. I don’t how long it takes you to know your job, but nine months is certainly not long enough for a coach to know a football team or a football club.”