Sunday observer 25 08 2013

Page 1

THE SUNDAY

1

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

CMYK

The Sunday

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

HEALTH WATCH

Pg. 9

The Risk Factors Of Breast Cancer

• Vol . XI NO.4,011 •

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 • N 100.00

RELATIONSHIP

Reasons For Cheating (1) Pg.15

Constant Mobile Phone Usage, Threat To Brain Cell - Expert

A MEDICAL Practitioner with Federal Medical Centre, Ekiti, Dr. Kayode Oyebode, yesterday said that constant use of mobile phones could damage the brain. Oyebode said this phones excessively can while fielding questions cause brain cancer with newsmen in because the composition Osogbo. of the brain tissues is He said that the heat more prone to chemical generated by cell phone changes if exposed to was capable of damaging radiation. brain cell. “Certainly, this “The use of mobile radiation from mobile

phones adversely affects our nervous system, especially memory. When making call, do not put your mobile closer to

your ears,” he warned. He advised that after dialling, left ear should be used because using the right ear can affect the

brain directly. Oyebode advised people to use earpiece, wireless headphone and other preventive

measures while making or receiving calls. He also advised Nigerians to always stick

to medical instructions, as many tend to turn deaf ears to what they knew was harmful to them. Continues on pg.2

Gunmen Kill 4 Policemen In Ehor By OSE EHEBHA

FOUR policemen of Ehor Police Division, Uhumode Local Government Area of Edo State were weekend attacked and killed by armed robbers along the Benin-Okene Highway. The incident, which occurred between Ehor and Iruekpen towns, left the Divisional Police Officer and a corporal of the station seriously injured. S U N D A Y OBSERVER gathered

from an eyewitness that the armed men opened fire on the policemen on sighting their van. The eyewitness, who refused to be named, said he suspected the gunmen were kidnappers that had operated in Auchi. He said the heavily armed men caught the police team who were on regular surveillance, unaware, adding that the DPO was lucky to survive, as he was shot in the arm. When SUNDAY Continues on pg.2

POLITICS & ISSUES Pgs. 16/17 ASUU Strike:

Theh Blame Game Not The Solution

L-R: Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyattu Rufa’i, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu at the meeting of the SGF with Pro-Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of Public Universities in Abuja weekend.

SHOWBIZ

Pgs. 20/21

Cossy At It Again, Poses for Heart Breaker


THE SUNDAY

2

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

NEWS THE Personal Assistant to the Vice Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Area, Mr. Peter Ayevhe has called on the people of the local government to support and pray for the administration of Hon. Emmanuel Ozemede Momoh. Mr. Ayevhe made this known recently at Fugar when he granted audience to newsmen. He described Hon. Charles Eshiesimua and Hon. Momoh as men God sent to deliver the people of Etsako Central to the promise land stressing that the era where those elected to pilot the affairs of governance forget about the people is over in Etsako Central. According to him, the administration of Hon. Eshiesimua and Hon. Momoh has impacted positively on the

Patients Stranded In FMC, Umuahia As Strike Progresses national officers.

AS the strike by federal health workers continues, activities at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, have been paralysed, reports say. Officials of the various unions in the early hours of Friday barricaded the medical centre and barred union members from entering the premises, leaving the patients stranded. Prospective patients as well as relations of patients already on admission were not allowed entry into the hospital. The Chairman of the joint union in the centre, Mr Okoro Ogbonnaya, said the action was in line with instructions from the

“We are demanding for our rights and I don’t think our actions will affect patients that are already on admission,” he said. He said the strike would continue pending further directive from the national officers of the unions. Ogbonnaya appealed to government to heed the voice of reasoning and act fast to save patients from further pain. Meanwhile, patients in the hospital have voiced their frustration following the strike. At the Obioma and Nkasiobi wards, pregnant women earlier

SSS Arrests 42-Yr-Old Man For Allegedly Defrauding FCT Minister Of N3m THE FCT Command of the State Security Service (SSS), has arrested a 42-year-old suspected fraudster, Sambo Takat, for allegedly defrauding the Minister of the FCT, Sen. Bala Mohammed, of N3 million. Mr Ibrahim Halilu, the Command’s Deputy Director, operation, told newsmen that Takat, who resides in Wuye District, Abuja was arrested on August 8. He alleged that the suspect defrauded the minister, after he cloned the minister’s cell phone

Brain Cell Continued from pg.1

Oyebode said many Nigerians indulged in making use of phones, especially motorists and pedestrians while driving, warning that the action was risky. He urged Nigerians to be agents of societal change by laying good examples for others. “Prevention is better than cure; it is better to do what is right so that others can learn from you than to cause harm to yourselves and others.”

number. “Takat used the phone number to give instruction to the Chief of Staff to the Minister via text message to deposit N3 million into his Account. “The amount was withdrawn same day by the suspect,’’ he said. According to him, Takat used his account in one of the new generation banks to commit the crime.

booked for delivery were sent home by doctors on duty because there were no nurses and midwives to attend to them. Mrs Veronica Onuogu, a nursing mother, said the patients were already stranded. “We don’t have nurses and midwives to care for us and they no longer give us food,” Onuogu said

Brain Cell Continued from pg.1

OBSERVER arrived the scene, there was heavy security presence, as police from neighbouring towns were mobilized to the scene. The atmosphere was glooming at headquarters of Ehor Police Division, as police officers on duty were observed to be wearing sad countenance. None was however willing to comment on the incident, as they claim they were not in position to grant press interview.

Only a healthy persons can deliver assignments given to them.” He said the exercise was a yearly event aimed at improving the health of the staff, bringing them together to be able to interact freely and strengthening their relationships. “Also, we are not only encouraging the staff to participate in the exercise, we encourage our families to join in the exercise.” lso speaking at the occasion, the Head, Medical Services in the ministry, Dr Uchenna Ikeogho, said the exercise was health based. Ikeogho said it was their duty,

lives of the people of the local government adding that Eshiesimua and Hon. Momoh are good combination. In his words “I want to use this medium to call on our people to rally support to the present administration as it has impacted positively on the lives of our people in the areas of Health, Education, human and capital development “the Personal Assistant added”. He asserted that at the end of the present administration in the local government, the people of Etsako Central would be glad that they noted for Hon. Eshiesimua and Hon. Momoh

adding that in less than four months in office the people are already feeling the impact of governance.

commander of the brigade, Brig.-Gen. Okwudili Azinta, for the successful completion of the projects within six months after resuming office. “I am very happy to have the likes of Brig.-Gen. Azinta in my team, working with him in this capacity is highly appreciated,’’ he said. He charged officers at the command to emulate Azinta with a view to adding their contribution and values toward the development of the command. Olaniyi later told reporters that most of the structures renovated and commissioned were built in 1904. He charged the officers to exhibit good maintenance

culture to sustain the projects. Also speaking, Azinta expressed happiness at the projects. The commander said the army needed such recreational facilities to keep fit and strong for the job. He charged officers of the command to make good use of the facilities provided them, adding that a good maintenance culture would help to sustain the projects. The Security Adviser to Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Mr Rekpene Bassey, said that the state was working closely with the military to ensure safety of residents, investors and tourists.

• Hon. Charles Eshiesimua

Army Gets Gun-Boats To Fight Oil Theft In Niger Delta

THE GOC, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj.Gen. Adebayor Olaniyi, said on Friday in Calabar that the army had acquired gun-boats to fight oil theft in the Niger Delta region. Olaniyi said this while inaugurating five projects at the 13 Brigade Command, Calabar. He said that oil was the major revenue source for the country and stressed the need to preserve it for economic growth of the country. “Officers of the Nigerian Army are very alert on the waterways; if anybody is caught stealing the country’s oil, he or she will face the law no matter how highly placed the person may be,’’ he warned. He expressed delight at the programme, adding that the commissioning of the projects in the command would enhance operations and welfare of personnel. The projects include minisupermarket, warrant officers’ mess, lawn tennis court, colonial block and transit accommodation. He commended the

Permanent Secretary Tasks Govt Institutions On Physicalas medical Exercise personnel, to ensure

ALHAJI Aliyu Ismaila, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, yesterday called on government institutions to regularly organise health walk for their staff to keep them healthy and fit. Ismaila made the call during the 2013 Health Walk, tagged “ Walk for Your Heart ‘’ organised by the ministry. The permanent secretary said it was only when workers are healthy that they would be able to perform their assignment effectively. “ I want to encourage government institutions to embark on this kind of exercise.

Personal Assistant Canvasses Support For Eshiesimua, Momoh’s Administration

that the staff are fit and healthy. She said that apart from giving them drugs when they were sick, medical personnel also promote such exercises to keep them healthy “As we walked, we have increased our blood circulation, which helps the organs to oxygenate. I advise people to do this daily as health is wealth,‘’ she said Reports say that the exercise saw participants walking from the headquarters of the ministry in Area 10 to the Old Parade Ground where they also engaged in other physical exercises.

IG Warns Police Against Excessive Use Of Force THE Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, has warned all police personnel against excessive use of force and unjustifiable application of lethal weapons contrary to standing rules of engagement. He gave the warning in a circular addressed to all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Command Commissioners of Police, Heads of Department and Formations across the country. Abubakar warned that officers who violated the rules of use of weapons would be punished, according to the circular a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Friday The IG urged officers and men of the force to be mindful of the constitutional rights of the citizenry, while performing their statutory duties. Abubakar reminded the AIGs and CPs that the ban on road blocks subsists and should therefore ensure strict enforcement. He restated his commitment to

reforming and returning the police to the path of professionalism in line with international best practices and the transformation agenda of the Federal Government. He also expressed the resolve to rid the force of all forms of corruption, and charged the personnel to desist from such practice. Abubakar enjoined them to abide by the Code of Conduct and Professional Standards for members of the force. He called on the X-Squad, an internal Police Department that monitors enforcement of discipline within the force, to step up its monitoring of the personnel to stem corrupt practices in the force. He, however, commended the public for their understanding, cooperation and support for the Force in the face of the current security challenges. The IG noted that are the key factor in the task of policing Nigeria and solicited their continue collaboration in efforts to expose societal ills, including those n the force.


THE SUNDAY

3

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

NEWS

UMTH Opts Out Of Strike HEALTH and other allied workers at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), have opted out of the ongoing strike on humanitarian ground. A reporter who visited the hospital at the weekend, reports that normal work was going on in all wards, in spite of the strike. Doctors, nurses and other health workers, were seen attending to patients. An official of the Joint Health Workers Union at the hospital, told newsmen that the workers decided to opt

out of the strike after a meeting on Thursday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the decision was taken because of the security challenges facing the state. “We cannot afford to go on strike now because of the peculiarity of our situation in the state. Often times, dozens of persons are attacked or injured by suspected insurgents and the victims might be security personnel or civilians. “Definitely, they will require help from the hospital

and if we decide to go on strike, who will look after them,” he said.

He pointed out that the hospital staff had refused to join strikes in the past for

similar reason. “Since 2009, we had not participated in any strike because we are one of the front-line states of Boko Haram insurgency.

“Even before the current strike, we have had serious battle with the authorities over welfare matters but we did not go on strike for the same reasons,” he said.

NUJ Seeks Better Pay Package For Journalists THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), B Zone, has advocated an upward review of salary and allowances of its members across the country. Mr. Dele Atunbi, the NUJ Vice-President in the zone, made the call in a statement issued over the weekend in Akure. He lamented the poor salaries being paid to journalists, saying the development was responsible for the challenges being witnessed in the media industry. “The union is unhappy that with the extra hours media practitioners put into their job, remuneration in the industry is still poor. “This is when compared to what their colleagues are earning in most advanced countries in the world, “he said. He said journalists in government institutions earn less than other public servants inspite of the hazards they are exposed to on daily basis. “To correct this imbalance and economic slavery, the

Zone advocates the evolution of Media Salary Structure that is commensurate with the economic realities in the country,” he said. He called on government at all levels and other employers to evolve a living wage for journalists.

A cross section of the members of Rehabilitation Initiative for Counselling and Health Care (RICH) NGO, including Rev. Mother Assumpta Nwulu and the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Gabriel Ofeze (middle) after the unveiling of the RICH logo.

Archbishop Akubeze Inaugurates NGO By JAMES INEGBEDION

THE Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, his Grace, Most Rev. (Dr) Augustine Obiora Akubeze, has formally inaugurated an NGO tagged Rehabilitation Initiative for Counseling and Health Care (RICH). The Inauguration which took place at the Catholic Youth Centre, St. Paul Catholic Church premises on Airport Road, Benin City was held recently amidst pomp and ceremony. In a key-note address delivered by the Vicar General. Rev. Fr. Augustine Ehigie, who stood in for Archbishop Akubeze,

counseling was described as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and one of the seven spiritual works of mercy which needs professional advice so as to reveal the face of God in humanity. According to His Grace. Most. Rev. Dr. Augustine Akubeze, counseling speaks from the human face of God as epitomized in Christ Jesus who offered people the Goodnews of hope based on faith and love which is kept safe in heaven for us. He lauded the founder and visioner of the RICH Rev. Mother Assumpta Nwulu and her members, whom he described as real Christians who are non-political and detribalize. He commended

Rev Fr Imasua Marks 5th Year spiritual and social harmony in Anniversary the church. By PIUS EDE REV. Fr. Kenneth Chiwenike Imasua recently celebrated his 5th year priestly anniversary in a grand style at the Church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Eyean Benin City. Ordained August 16th, 2008 by His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr Michael O. Elue, Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Rev. Fr. Imasuen used the occasion to call on the Heavenly Father to grant him his grace to obtain daily spiritual victories in this

world and over the devil while praying the Father to enable him to be as faithful as the blessed virgin Mary, so as to share her glory with the father in heaven. He used the event to appreciate the BVM, family and friends of the two year old parish for their perseverance and support in the progress of the church. He noted with satisfaction that having been coming from outside to officiate, now the parishioners have been able to build a parish House within a short time, and called for the sustenance of the current

The brief but colourful ceremony featured dance, songs by Holy Childhood Association (HCA) Ijoba-Orun dance and a presentation by a seminarian, Brother Cyprian Duru. The anniversary which was attended by who is who in the BVM family, was witnessed by the Rev. father of the Blessed Teresa Catholic Chruch Uwelu, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Ajufo, Rev. Fr. Jerome Idobe of Mary the Queen, Iguosa, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Imhanle of St Gabriel Parish Urora and Rev. Fr. Dominic Chukwudi of St Jude, Iwogban Quarters, all in Benin City.

them for the philosophy behind the counseling, which she said is very vital and advised them to emulate Christ because without Christ, nothing could be done in this life. “ Only a little faith can move mountain. Goodness does not ask questions and any good work done for a person is like the image of God. If you love those who love you, you have done nothing”. You must love those in prison, the less privileged in the society”, Archbishop Akubeze enthused. He advised Christians to allow their lights to shine like those in the RICH NGO who have embarked on praiseworthy adventure to bring hope to the hopeless and the afflicted who need comfort and security. “A good counseling is a good assurance that heals the mind and soul. So, counseling cannot be undermined”, His Grace further said. Also speaking, the Representative of Guest of Honour, Bishop Dr. Chibuzo R. Okpoko, Rt. Rev. Obafemi Adeleye, promised to render necessary assistance to the founder RICH, Rev. Mother Assumpta Nwulu morally and spiritually. He sued for maximum support from those present and lauded the Catholic Church for the way

she cares for the less privileged in the society and her developmental strides. Rt. Rev. Obafemi Adeleye, who is a Methodist Church Bishop for Edo-Delta Province, vowed to sell the idea of the RICH NGO program. Wife of the guest of Honour, Mrs. Alice Okpoko and her children graced the occasion earlier in his opening speech, Chairman of the occasion, Professor Gabriel Oteze, H.O.D. Geology/ Petroleum Studies, Western Delta University, Oghara, likened the activities of RICH NGO to that of St. Vincent De Paul Society members who render assistance to the poor in the

society. He commended Rev. Mother Assumta Nwulu for helping to put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged. According to him, the RICH NGO needs over N50 Million for a take-off as an NGO and enjoined those present to ensure the success of the occasion by contributing their quota generously. Highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of the RICH NGO LOGO by the Vicar General of the Benin Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Ehigie on behalf of the Archbishop of Benin Metropolitan see,, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze.

Glorious Life Of Christ Ministry Holds Convention THE Glorious Life of Christ Ministry Inc. is billed to hold a 3 days power packed convention tagged ‘ Higher Life Convention 2013’ with the theme ‘Heaven: A prepared place for prepared people; How prepared are you’. According to a statement made available to SUNDAY OBSERVER, the convention will commence on the 28 th of August and continue till the 1 st of September, 2013. It would feature salvation, deliverance, healing,

miracles, signs and wonders, songs ministration and lots more.

Pastor A.P. Ebesunu


THE SUNDAY

4

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

NEWS Infrastructural Dev, Key To Quality Living - Dabiri

Casket containing the remains of the composer of Nigeria’s National Anthem, late Pa Benedict Odiase on arrival at the Police College, Ikeja for a commendation service in Lagos State, weekend.

NAFDAC War ns Ebonyi Residents Over She said that the people were Consumption Of Non Iodised Salt being adequately informed on THE National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Ebonyi residents against the consumption of non-iodised salt. Mr Richard Anichukwu, Head, Ebonyi NAFDAC Office, gave the warning at the weekend at Amachi Development Centre of Abakaliki Local Government Area, during its Grassroots Enlightenment Programme. Reports indicate that various communities in Ebonyi produce non-iodised salt in large quantities which are mostly consumed by the people in its non-refined form. Anichukwu noted that consumption of non-iodised salt has many health hazards, which include: goitre, liver complications, among others. “You should disregard the notion that non-iodised salt is good for womb cleansing, as it, instead, contains high concentration of iodine that damages the foetus,” he said. Anichukwu said the people should use only iodised salt in small packages of between 250gm and 500gm and not noniodised ones normally in big bags meant for industrial purposes. “You should also use salt that

is packaged for domestic consumption and not those that are normally spread on open spaces and sold in various quantities. “Spreading salt on open space allows its refined iodine content to evaporate, making it lose its nutritional value,” he said. He said NAFDAC embarked on grassroots enlightenment of the populace to educate it on its activities. “We are particularly concerned about the people’s careless purchase and consumption of drugs or unregulated products and their failure to report violators who aid and abate faking and counterfeiting of drugs. “The people are advised to only purchase and consume drugs or products with NAFDAC certification while rejecting and reporting fake or counterfeits products and their dealers,” he said. Anichukwu said the agency had declared war on manufacturers of drugs and other consumables, who used their homes and other unauthorised areas to manufacture fake products. “They have now relocated to China and other industrialised

countries and the people should seek the authenticity of imported products they use. “One veritable way of checking this is through the agency’s scratch and text system where users scratch the enclosed lid on products and send the content to the agency, to verify the product’s authenticity,” he said. Mrs Celestina Uburu, Acting Coordinator of the centre, thanked NAFDAC for the programme.

THE Federal Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), has developed a business plan for effective management of chemicals in the country. This is contained in a document obtained by our correspondent from the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja. The document is entitled :“ Business Plan on Priority Needs to Enable Further Strengthening of the Legal and Institutional Infrastructures for Sound

Management of Chemicals (SMC) in Nigeria for 20142018.’’ According to the document, the plan was developed to address pressing priority needs to enable further strengthening of the legal and institutional infrastructures for SMC in Nigeria. “The plan was developed in line with the UNEP Legal and Institutional Infrastructures for Recovering Cost of National Administration (LIRA) guidance document in response to the commitment of the government.

“After three years, a large number of people must have attained the voting age of 18; so it is important to give them the necessary orientation on voting. “Plans are underway to organise the enlightenment programmes in the central and northern Cross River. “NOA is a Federal Government agency that changes attitude and enlightens the citizenry on government initiatives, programmes and welfare,’’ she said.

their men ahead of the election. The Chairman of the occasion, Mrs. Theresa Omarachong, said it was important for NOA to enlighten voters on how to conduct themselves during the election. “If every registered voter comes out to vote, there will be no room for rigging.’’ Omarachong advised the youth to shun violence during and after the election. Mr. Patrick Otu, the Chairman of Cross River Independent Electoral Commission, said that

conducting and announcing election results. Otu urged voters to come en mass to vote, adding that they should shun the rumour that the commission was adopting special candidates for the election. He urged registered voters to come out as early as 8.00 a.m. on election day with their voters’ cards for accreditation and voting. Otu, however, advised political parties to present credible candidates for elections.

the need to be cautious of the products they consumed. “We would encourage them to make use of the health centres in the area and big hospitals in the city instead of patronising quacks, who sell fake products in chemists,” she said. The Traditional Ruler of Amachi Community, Mr Nkashi Nwokocha, said that traditional rulers would be involved in propagating the message against the use of fake drugs and products.

join hands with African leaders to make Africa a better place. Dabiri also stressed the need to adequately develop Badagry because of its tourism potential, adding: “Badagry is an ancient city that is blessed with so many tourist attractions. “It should be developed because it can serve as a major source of revenue for the government. So we would make sure we develop it to its full potential.’’ Dabiri also decried the issue of citizenship for returnee Diaspora Africans, adding that a lot of them faced the challenges of carrying citizenship of their host countries. “In Ethiopia, most of Diaspora Africans who have returned to the ancestral land, live in a state of administrative illegality since the only statue offered by the current government is that of investors’’ she said. She advised governments of various countries to make their environment “most friendly for returning Africans’’. Mr Jah Evejah, one of the founders of Cultural Embassy of Pan-African Diaspora, who narrated his encountered in trying to resettle his family in Africa, said there was a wide gap between “the dream and reality’’. “To get back to Africa for repatriated Africans who decided to reintegrate to their African ancestral root, there is a wide gap between the dream and reality.

FG/UNEP Dev Business Plan For Chemical Management

NOA Sensitises Voters For LG Election In Cross She urged heads of security the commission had the election in the state, most voters River agencies in the state to mobilise responsibility of screening, would have forgotten the rules. THE National Orientation Agency (NOA) weekend in Calabar began a sensitisation programme on the September 21 local government election in Cross River. The State Director of NOA, Ms. Florence Osang, said it was important to start the programme from the state capital before proceeding to local government areas. She said it was organised to enlighten voters, adding that after three years of such an

THE Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Rep. Abike Dabiri, has called on African Governments to put in place infrastructure that would enhance the quality of living on the continent. Dabiri made the call at the annual Badagry Festival symposium held at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) in TopoBadagry, Lagos State. The theme of the symposium, held annually to commemorate the late Marcus Garvey, is “Reintegrating with the Root’’. Dabiri said the development of infrastructure would help in realising the “Back to Africa’’ dream of descendants of Africans sold into slavery during the inglorious slave trade era. “African governments should focus on infrastructural development as this would enhance the quality of living in the continent. “By enhancing the quality of living in the continent, it would serve as a significant improvement to the lives of Africans. “We need infrastructure to develop this continent because infrastructure comes along with great things,’’ Dabiri said. According to her, the development of infrastructure will also encourage descendants of Africans sold into slavery during the inglorious slave trade era to return home. The chairman stressed the need for wealthy individuals to

“It was developed for environmentally sound management of chemicals, through a life cycle management approach to chemicals and their waste in Nigeria. “The plan recognises the Nigerian Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) implementation plan, which signifies Nigeria’s commitment towards sound management of chemicals (2011-2016) , that was endorsed in March 2011 by relevant national stakeholders.’’ The document stated that the plan was designed for five years implementation, commencing from 2014 to 2018, to achieve sound management of chemicals. It stated that it was necessary to strengthen institutional capacity, build the capacity of professional officers and raise the level of understanding of the populace about risk of chemicals in order to reduce environmental pollution. On evaluation mechanism, it said that the Federal Ministry of Environment through its National Committee on Chemicals Management (NCCM) would play a coordinating role in implementing the plan. “It will be implemented in

cooperation with relevant ministries, institutions and civil society organisations according to its mandates and responsibilities. ‘The ministry will also play a coordination role in organising technical meetings, conclusion meetings on planning implementation, planning formulation, or project proposal development for implementing the works identified in the plan. “In order to review the effectiveness and efficiency of the plan implementation, the ministry and all stakeholders, especially the NCCM shall establish two main evaluation mechanisms. “The first evaluation is to do a mid-term evaluation that will be organised in the middle of year 2 or 3, while second evaluation is to do the total evaluation of the achievements of the business plan implementation at the end of the programme,’’ it said. The document stated that the second half of the 2013 should be the time for Nigeria to prepare the Business Plan (BP) and make it ready for implementation. However, it said that the BP had proposed many activities but operational budget, other resources needed and the potential partners, were yet to be known.


THE SUNDAY

5

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

E. A. ADEBOYE On Sunday

Prophesy Into Your Situation MEMORISE: A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. Proverbs 13:2 Read:Proverbs 13:2-3 situation you are concerning a FOR over three going through, God is situation is when it years, there had been saying something. is still hopeless, no rain. Suddenly, Have you heard what helpless and bleak. Elijah emerged and God is saying. In Genesis 1:1-3, it said he heard the Concerning that was in the midst of sound of much rain. situation of chaos, emptiness This ultimately led to joblessness, God is and darkness that a turn around. We saying something. God spoke. What ought to learn some Concerning that need are you saying in lessons from this for a spouse. God is that situation of story. saying something. r e p e a t e d “And Elijah said Concerning that state disappointment? unto Ahab, Get thee of famine or financial Stop confessing up, eat and drink; dryness, God is negative things, but for there is a sound saying something. start speaking God’s of abundance of But have you heard word into your rain.” 1 Kings what the Spirit is negative situation. 18:41. saying to you about As you speak His In the midst of so that situation? Before word or promise much famine and you know the next into your dark dryness, the man of thing to do, first know situation, God’s light is released and God heard the what He is saying. inaudible. Amos 3:7 In addition, after as you continue to says before God does the man of God heard prophesy the word, anything, He would something, he spoke the light of God first reveal it to at it out – that is, he continues to spread least one of His announced it or in that situation until prophets. Revelation prophesied about it it completely takes 2:7 says the Spirit is even when the over the situation, saying something but situation appeared leaving you with it will take only those bleak. The best time nothing but a who have spiritual to prophesy or testimony. Confess ears to hear the divine announce what God God’s word into message. This shows has spoken to you your situation from today. that in the unpleasant

ACTION POINT For the next 30 days, make prophetic declarations about yourself, family work, ministry and destiny everyday.

WORLD NEWS US Soldier Apologises For Massacre Of RAGING on steroids, fear and to attack two villages, 16 Afghans night insecurity, Staff Sgt. Robert exhibiting an unimaginable Bales threw himself into one of life’s great stress relievers: chopping wood. He sawed and hacked from morning till almost dusk, attacking a large tree he and his soldiers had laid low near their remote outpost in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. It wasn’t enough. Hours later, after drinking with his buddies, the soldier outfitted himself with a 9 mm pistol and an M-4 rifle, and headed out in the middle of the night to commit one of the worst atrocities of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars — the slaughter of 16 men, women and children in two nearby villages. Some screamed for mercy. Others didn’t even have a chance to get out of bed. For the first time, Bales apologized for the attack as he addressed six jurors determining whether his life sentence will include the possibility of parole. Responding to gentle questioning from one of his defense attorneys, Emma Scanlan, the 40-year-old said

he’d bring back the victims “in a heartbeat” if he could. “I’m truly, truly sorry to those people whose families got taken away,” he said in a mostly steady voice. “I can’t comprehend their loss. I think about it every time I look at my kids.” Bales, 40, pleaded guilty in June in a deal to avoid the death penalty. He did not recount specifics of the horrors in court Thursday or offer an explanation for the violence, but he described the killings as an “act of cowardice, behind a mask of fear, bulls— and bravado.” He said he hoped his words would be translated for the nine villagers who traveled from Afghanistan to testify against him — none of whom elected to be in court to hear from him. The father of two from Lake Tapps, Wash., was serving his fourth combat deployment when he left his outpost at Camp Belambay, in Kandahar province, in the middle of the

brutality as he gunned down his victims and set some of their bodies, stacked like wood, on fire with a kerosene lantern. His attorneys have made much of Bales’ repeated deployments and suggested that posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury may have played a role in the killings. But they offered no testimony from psychiatrists or other doctors, saying they saw little point in making the case a battle of the experts. Instead, they had Bales and some of his fellow soldiers to testify about the difficulties they endured and the images that stuck with them after earlier tours in Iraq. They rested their defense after Bales finished speaking, and closing arguments were scheduled Friday morning. If the defense can convince two of six jurors that Bales deserves leniency because he was a good soldier who simply snapped, he would be eligible for parole in 20 years.

South Korean Unification Ministry, head of the North Korean working-level delegation Park Yong Il shakes hand his South Korean counterpart Lee Duk-haeng, right, as he crosses border line to hold their meeting at the Peace House of south side of the border village of Panmunjom, which has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War, in Paju, South Korea, weekend.

Koreans Agree To Reunion For The refugees in both directions. Most First time in 3 Years don’t even know whether their relatives are still alive because the

NORTH and South Korea agreed weekend to allow reunions next month of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, the first such meetings in three years and the latest conciliatory gesture from the North after a spring that saw it threaten Seoul and Washington with missile strikes and nuclear war. One-hundred people from each country will be allowed to meet family members Sept. 2530 at North Korea’s Diamond Mountain resort, South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which is responsible for relations with the North, said in a statement. Forty people from each side will also

be allowed to hold talks by video conference on Oct. 22 and 23, and the countries agreed to meet later to discuss possible November reunions. There’s immense relief in Seoul that people who have often languished for decades with little or no word about loved ones in North Korea will at last meet and that Pyongyang’s threats and warlike rhetoric have died down — but there’s also wariness and deep mistrust. Analysts say North Korea often follows provocations with charm offensives meant to win much-needed aid and diplomatic concessions. Millions of families have been separated since the Korean War, which saw huge movements of

two countries bar citizens from exchanging mail, phone calls and email. South Koreans who want to meet relatives must apply for a permit, and applicants are then chosen by lottery. Most of the people applying for permits are over 70, and already nearly 56,000 of the roughly 129,000 applicants have died. Each of the past reunions brought together weeping family members who embraced each other, desperate for details and news. They were separated again a few days later. No Korean has received a second chance to meet their relatives, according to South Korean Red Cross officials.

“As you speak His word or promise into your dark situation, God’s light is released and as you Obama Defends Govt Sur veillance The president conceded the continue to prophesy the word, the light of God Programme should “continue to improve the NSA had “inadvertently, safeguards” of these initiatives. accidentally, pulled the emails” Barack Obama His remarks on CNN’s “New continues to spread in that situation until it is PRESIDENT of some Americans. But he also acknowledging he must “do a Day” show Friday came in the said the programs are necessary, job” of giving Americans wake of new revelations that the completely takes over the situation, leaving you better “these aren’t unique to the NSA” confidence in the programs the electronic spying program the United States has to National Security Agency has scooped up as many as 56,000 with nothing but a testimony. Confess God’s deployed to guard against emails and other and adapt “in the right way” to the confluence of terrorist threats terrorism. communications annually over word into your situation from today.” and rapidly advancing Obama says the administration three years by Americans not connected to terrorism.

technology.


THE SUNDAY

6

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Nazi Goering’s Cigar Up For Auction

A collection of cigar that is made for Hitler’s deputy Hermann is up for auction sale. The cigar is expected to fetch 800 and 1,200 pounds were removed from the cellars of the Nazi officer’s home in Brandenburg at the end of the Second World War. They are held in boxes

bearing the words “Sondernfetigung Reichsmarshall Hermann Goering” which means “specially made for Reichsmarshall Hermann Goering”. Goering’s initial, his personal coat of arms and the supplier’s name, Gildemann Ltd, Cigar Manufacturers, BerlinHamburg, are also printed on the box. The cigars will go under the hammer at an auction at Golding Young and Mawer auctioneers in Lincoln

on behalf of a private vendor who inherited the cigar from a relative. “These unusual items are in untouched condition and are certain to attract collectors of cigars and third Reach Memorabilia.” After the Second World War, Goering was tried at the Nuremburg Trials and found guilty of war crimes. He was sentenced to death by hanging, but committed to suicide by ingesting a Cyanide capsule while waiting to

be executed.

Odd News Compiled By EJIROGHENE ONOJETA

First Gay Wedding At 39,000 Feet WHEN lynley Bendall and Ally Wanikau walked down the aisle to exchange matrimonial vows the fasten-seat belt signs

were off. The couple celebrated the legalization of gay marriage in New Zealand by getting hitched in a plane at

Bag Containing Cash Dumped At to locate who the Doorstep discovery and detectives help money belongs to. A householder in York got a surprise as she went to put her rubbish out, only to discover a bin bag full of cash at her doorstep. The bag, which was crammed with thousands of pounds of used bank notes, had been left on the doorstep of a former vicarage in the city. The occupants of the property immediately contacted police to let them know of the

are now appealing for

following a horrific car crash opened his eye when he heard his team had won their opening game. Wayne Thorne, 33, had just started his second season in charge of Larkhall Athletic FC, when he was involved in a head-on collision. He spent a week in an induced coma following the horrific crash after suffering injuries including a ruptured artery and 16 crushed ribs. But he was “given the

boost he needed” when wife Mandy, 32, broke the news of his team 43 victory during an away match at Bridport in Dorset. The collision happened when Mr. Thorne was travelling home from his job as a kitchen fitter in Cirencester. Mr. Thorne was rushed to hospital in Bristol, where doctors found he had torn the main artery in his heart, shattered 16 ribs, which punctured his lung and

39,000ft (11,900m). Along for the ride was Jesse Tyler Ferguson, star of the ABC sitcom Modern FamilyToday marks the first day same-sex couples could marry in New Zealand, where the law was changed in April. About three dozen same sex couples planned to marry in towns and cities throughout the country. Ms Bendall and Ms Wanakau were flying high after winning a promotion by national carrier Air New Zealand. They have been together for 13 years and have three foster children.

Georgia Man Arrested For Laughing

Win Revives Coma Football A football manager in Manager broke his sternum, The Bath Chronicle an induced coma Reported.

DUSTIN Drabot, a man who attended a city council meeting in East Point, Ga., said he was forcibly removed from the meeting because he started laughing. “it’s not crime to giggle”, Drabot said. “I don’t even remember laughing to be honest with you. I smirked and other people in the audience laughed. But I was in the front row”. “If I did laugh, it

wasn’t a loud obstructionist laugh. It was a ‘Huh, hahaha’ under my breath,” Drabot said the incident started when Mayor Ear nestine Pittman walked out of the meeting before it was adjourned, and Drabot said the whole audience laughed. The city’s Mayor pro tem Mercer Reed took over the meeting from there, and said it was far more than that. Reed

said Drabot overly distracting and laughed disruptively a number of times during the meeting. One witness said the man not only interrupted the meeting but also damaged a wall in the building and broke the eyeglasses of two arresting police officers. Drabot plans to argue in court the local police used undue levels of force against him

Man Stands on Philadelphia Street To Beg for refusing to yell a something good is going to happen.” For Jobs job technician and he lost his

A man who stands on a Philadephia financial district street wearing a suit and holding a jobwanted sign says he’s had six job interviews on the side walk. Mark Mercer, 54, said he started standing on the street his sign reading “I don’t want your change. I NEED A JOB”, and as handed out more than 100 resumes, the Philadephia Daily News reported. Mercer said he was fired in his customers service

job at car dealership also, because of his impaired hearing. Mercer, who wears his only black suit while standing on the street said he and his two St. Bernard dogs, Stanley and Oliver are now sleeping in his 1994 Ford Tempo. However, Mercer said he is optimistic about the future. “My life is in God’s hands” he said. “I’m going to be fine. I believe

Govt official strips to work


THE SUNDAY

7

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

•PURITY: Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God”. Live a clean lifestyle. If you want to see

Sunday Sermon With Bishop Clement Ehidiamhen

man maybe grateful for what you are doing in the house of God, but it should not be the sole reason for doing what you are doing.

What Attracted God’s Attention For Daniel’s Intervention (2)

God in your case, then live a pure life, it is commonly said that no one is pure but I want you to know that not everybody is dirty i.e. not everybody exhibits a dirty lifestyle. Not everybody do what you do. That saying is an anti-purity adage that if you want to follow it, you may never live a pure life. God expects us to work towards perfection inrespective of any circumstance we might find ourselves, as it was said of Daniel in chapter 6:4 “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him”. •PRAYER: Daniel had a daily appointment with God through prayers not just for petition alone but for adoration and communication to keep their relationship in tact. Please note that Daniel did

not pray because the decree was enacted neither did he fling his windows open to be seen by all that he is praying just to disobey the king and to test the ability of God in matters relating to intervention, rather it was his lifestyle which was a habit that he could not do without. How many people today can make prayer a lifestyle? A lifestyle of prayer is an invitation of God’s presence and His presence guarantees intervention. It was said of Daniel in chapter 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime”. •FAITHFULNESS IN SERVICE TO GOD: Daniel was just a servant of God, but wholeheartedly was committed, dedicated and

faithful towards the service of God. Even the King

to you that God takes record of your services

render an acceptable service. This was the

“It is commonly said that no one is pure but I want you to know that not everybody is dirty i.e. not everybody exhibits a dirty lifestyle. Not everybody do what you do. That saying is an anti-purity adage that if you want to follow it, you may never live a pure life.” Darius attested to this about Daniel in chapter 6:19-20 after the enemies succeeded in throwing him into the lion den thinking that he would be devoured by the lion. Then the King arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lion. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel; and the King spake and said to Daniel, “oh Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou served continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” Has it ever occur

rendered towards Him? Your service to God forms a part of your worship to God. It actually talks about your value for Him and His work on earth. To every service, there is a reward. 1Corinthians 15:58 says “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”. Upright service: One thing is to render services to God through your local church, another thing is to

difference between Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis. Both offered sacrifice one was accepted and the other rejected. There is a great difference between a good work and right work. Every good work is not the right work but every right work is a good work. And this is doing right thing at the right time in the right place. For instance, you are working in accounts department and for your sake the organization is moving forward but you as an individual sees the office as avenue to loot money even when your bosses are not aware. You are doing a good job but not an upright service. Upright service is that service that is not done due to eye service i.e. you don’t serve God in any department of the church because you want to get the approval of man or gratitude of man, though

Upright service is doing it well even when nobody is there to notice you. Joseph in the book of Genesis 39, was faithful to the master and to God even in the secret when no human eyes was watching him. Ephesians 6:6 says “Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 2Chronicle 15:7 says “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded”. So to enjoy God’s intervention like Daniel Amidst seemingly. Challenges, then you must live towards perfection i.e. living with the consciousness of heaven in mind in everything you do. You must be prayerful, knowing very well that prayer communication is one of the keys to unlock the door of God’s intervention on man’s affairs and it bridges man’s relationship with God. Then finally, you must become relevant to God through service. With these you can become an asset that calls God intervention anytime, anywhere. God bless you as you put the principles from the life of Daniel in chapter 6 to work, may it begin to work for you in Jesus name.

“There is a great difference between a good work and right work. Every good work is not the right work but every right work is a good work.”


THE SUNDAY

8

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

The Ups And Down Of Agriculture To Global Warming

ACCORDING to Wikipedia, Agriculture, also called farming or husbandry, is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms for food, fiber, biofuel, drugs and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the development of civilization. The study of agriculture is known as agricultural science. The history of agriculture dates back thousands of years, and its development has been driven and defined by greatly different climates, cultures, and technologies. However, all farming generally relies on techniques to expand and maintain the lands that are suitable for raising domesticated species. For plants, this usually requires some form of irrigation, although there are methods of dryland farming; pastoral herding on rangeland is still the most common means of raising livestock. In the developed world, industrial agriculture based on large-scale monoculture has become the dominant system of modern farming, although

there is growing support for sustainable agriculture (e.g. permaculture or organic agriculture). In Collin Dunn’s 6 Ways Agriculture Impacts Global Warming, Living/ Green Food, published November 19, 2009, he gavethe following accounts. Sure, agriculture provides us with the food we all eat every day. But do you know how those agricultural practices impact global warming? Turns out there’s some pretty big impacts, on both the sustainable and industrial sides of the equation; employing sustainable practices, like organic agriculture, has huge potential to help in the fight against global warming, and maintaining the status quo with widespread industrial agricultural practices will continue to be terribly detrimental for the climate. Positive Impacts Carbon sequestration in soils We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Organic agriculture can remove from the air and sequester 7,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per acre per year. The Rodale Institute study found that staggering number when properly executed, organic agriculture does not compromise yield. As a matter of fact, in drought

years, it increases yield, since the additional carbon stored in soil helps it to hold more water. In wet years, the additional organic matter in the soil wicks water away from plant roots, limiting erosion and keeping plants in place. Both of those attributes will also benefit organic ag’s ability to adapt to the higher highs (and lower

lows) of climate change. Agriculture as carbon cap and storage Scaling up from soil to the entire industry, the agricultural sector could be “broadly carbon neutral” by 2030, effectively negating the agricultural industry’s

humongous carbon footprint. We would avoid emitting a whopping 2 gigatonnes — that’s 2 billion metric tonnes — of carbon dioxide. Given that, practicing sustainable agriculture, along with reducing deforestation, is far more effective and billions of dollars cheaper than investing in carbon cap and storage at the world’s

power plants. Local food systems and greenhouse gas emissions Combined with the two big green steps mentioned above, local food systems can help reduce agriculture’s impact on global warming even

“Practicing sustainable agriculture, along with reducing deforestation, is far more effective and billions of dollars cheaper than investing in carbon cap and storage at the world’s power plants.”

Environment With UKIRI CLEMENTINA further. The example that resident sustainability engineer Pablo used for calculation — cherries grown close enough to be transported by truck rather than airplane — won’t apply to everything, but the lesson is clear: Employing organic agricultural practices has significant potential to help mitigate climate change and strengthen local, seasonal food systems. Negative Impacts I n d u s t r i a l agriculture’s huge carbon footprint

On the other side of the equation, industrial agriculture — the practice currently employed by the majority of the developed world — has a hugely negative impact on global warming. The U.S. food system contributes nearly 20 percent of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions; on a global scale, figures from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) say that agricultural land use contributes 12 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Supporting industrial agriculture perpetuates these disturbing practices. Greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer and pesticide use

If we consider some of the embodied energy required for industrial ag, it gets worse. According to Will Allen, green farmer extraordinaire, including all the “manufacture and use of pesticides and fertilizers, fuel and oil for tractors, equipment, trucking and shipping, electricity for lighting, cooling, and heating, and emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other green house gases” bumps the impact up to between 25 and 30 percent of the U.S.’s collective carbon footprint. That’s a big jump. Land use changes and agriculture It’s not just the actual farming (if you can call it that) that makes industrial agriculture so detrimental. In almost every case, land use changes — say, deforestation, or paving over green space for suburban expansion — result in more surface warming. When deforestation occurs to create more agricultural land. That’s right, deforestation results in surface warming, with the exception being conversion to agriculture. The difference here is that we’re talking surface warming, rather than changing atmospheric conditions, and, while chopping down a forest might make it feel cooler, forests have a much greater potential to sequester carbon dioxide than does monocultural, industrial agriculture (and there goes the baby with the bathwater). The bottom line: The effect of land use conversion on rising surface temps is an underestimated component of global warming, and just because it feels cooler today than it did yesterday does not mean big-time climate change is right around the corner.


THE SUNDAY

9

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

The Risk Factors Of Breast Cancer

“ Y O U R mammogram is suspicious for breast cancer.” “Your biopsy was positive for breast cancer.” These are among the most terrifying words a woman can hear from her doctor. Breast cancer elicits so many fears, including those relating to death, surgery, loss of body image, and loss of sexuality. Managing these fears can be facilitated by information and knowledge so that each woman can make the best decisions concerning her care. Optimally, these issues are best discussed with the patient’s doctor on an individual basis. What follows is a review of information on breast cancer intended to aid patients and their families in their navigation through the vast ocean of breast cancer information and issues. Although breast cancer can occur in men as well as in women, this article is specifically about breast cancer in women. The following are risk factors for breast cancer: ·Age: The chances of

breast cancer increase as you get older. ·Family history: The risk of breast cancer is higher among women who have relatives with the disease. Having a close relative with the disease (sister, mother, or daughter) doubles a woman’s risk. ·Personal history: Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast increases the risk of cancer in the other breast or the chance of an additional cancer in the original breast. ·Women diagnosed with certain benign breast conditions have an increased risk of breast cancer. These

include a typical hyperplasia, a

ealth Watch

H

With UKIRI CLEMENTINA

“Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast increases the risk of cancer in the other breast or the chance of an additional cancer in the original breast.” condition in which there is abnormal proliferation of breast cells but no cancer has

their menstrual cycle at a younger age (before 12) or went through menopause later (after

developed. 55) have a slightly · M e n s t r u a t i o n : increased risk. Women who started

·Breast tissue: Women with dense breast tissue (as documented by mammogram) have a higher risk of breast cancer. ·Race: White women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, but AfricanAmerican women tend to have more aggressive tumors when they do develop breast cancer. ·Exposure to previous chest radiation or use of diethylstilbestrol increases the risk of breast cancer. ·Having no children or the first child after age 30 increases the risk of breast cancer. ·Breastfeeding for 1 ½

to 2 years might slightly lower the risk of breast cancer. ·Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. ·Use of oral contraceptives in the last 10 years increases the risk of breast cancer. ·Using combined hormone therapy after menopause increases the risk of breast cancer. ·Alcohol use increases the risk of breast cancer, and this seems to be proportional to the amount of alcohol used. ·Exercise seems to lower the risk of breast cancer.

“Exposure to previous chest radiation or use of diethylstilbestrol increases the risk of breast cancer. Having no children or the first child after age 30 increases the risk of breast cancer.”


THE SUNDAY

10

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

PERSPECTIVE

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole And Edo Language Teaching, Learning In Edo Schools THE governor of Edo State Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has consistently expressed his belief in the use and the teaching, learning and speaking of Edo language to our children as a mother tongue (MT) both at home and in schools in the state. previously trained at the The need to implement the N.C.E level were not also governor’s call of the employed by the state teaching and learning of Edo government as promised by language like any other Comrade Governor Adams subject taught in the schools Oshiomhole. The Edo cannot be over-emphasized. Students Studying Edo The non implementation of Language at the University of Governor Oshiomhole’s Benin are now in great statement is unfortunately dilemma they are being becoming a political threatened by the University statement in some quarters, authority, who has waited for which should not be, because so long for the students’ the materials with which to sponsors to pay their school teach the language (teachers fees but non forth coming. They have been informed and books) are available. Based on the governor’s that they will not be allowed pronouncement both in his to get their results and first term in office and even certificates even if they were in this second term some allowed to complete their cultural organizations in courses, One must praise the Benin, N.G.Os and some well known Benin politicians, University of Benin for being became interested. At that so magnanimous enough for moment, a Benin Cultural allowing these Edo students Heritage Centre (BCHC), a who had been deceived by philanthropic Cultural their sponsors to continue the Organization, sent as many as B.Edo Education for so long, 200 Edo students to study without payment. All hopes were based on the Edo language at the College of Education Ekiadolor, pronouncement of the Benin, for one year Diploma Comrade Governor, his Certificate with the intention intense interest in learning that at the end of their training and teaching Edo Language as Edo language teachers, which is a way of improving they would be employed in the education of the children the primary schools to teach of the state, but the implementation is not forth the language. They were all on coming. This has killed the scholarships and even had the student’s aspirations and intention that those who are enthusiasm to study Edo qualified to be admitted to Language. When the Edo Language read Edo language at the College of Education (N.C.E) Committee, set up by the Oba level and University of Benin of Benin, His Royal Majesty, for B. Edo Education would Oba Erediauwa, under the be sponsored. These crops of Benin Traditional Council, students and others with sometimes ago, to review and N.C.E certificates were standardize Edo Language admitted at the University of heard the pronouncement Benin. At the moment of made by the Comrade writing, 25 of them are in year Governor, there was three; 12 in year four and 10 information from certain in year five respectively, quarters that there were no teachers to be employed to reading B.Edo Education. Those in year four and five teach the language. The had acquired N.C.E Benin Traditional Council Certificates in Edo-English Language Committee headed before they were admitted to by the lyase of Benin Chief S.O.U Igbe then made an read B.Edo Education All these students were announcement over the radio, admitted into the University television and print media of Benin with the intention calling for those teachers with that they had been sponsored certificates raging from by the Benin Cultural Diploma and certificate in Heritage Centre Organization Education (N.C.E) and who sponsored the first group Bachelors decrees in Edo into the College of Education Language who could Ekiadolor, the N.G.Os and a discharge their duties from statement made by a highly primary up to post primary privileged politician institutions. The Edo Language campaigning for the Senate in Edo South Senatorial Distinct Committee registered 62 Edo - then. However, the students Language trained teachers hopes had been dashed to who are versatile with sound fiasco because their said knowledge of culture sponsors have refused to pay literature (oral and written) of their school fees at the Edo as the target language in the Edo state. The 62 names University. Also, those that had been compiled were sent to the

By CHIEF OSAYOMWABO OSEMWEGIE ERO

then Hon. Commissioner for Education in 2009 who received it from the committee and promised to act on it. The Edo language committee, in a seminar in 2006 had previously worked on a Modular construction on Edo Language Syllabuses for primary classes — 1 — 6, Junior Secondary School

schools, based on the National Policy on Education (N.P.E 1981) The Edo State Ministry of Education, Benin Traditional Council and Edo Language Committee then sent the new developed Modular Curriculum on Edo Language to the Office of the Director NERC at Abuja. It was received, registered and

Omo N’Oba Ukuakpolokpolo, Oba N’Edo, HRM Oba Erediauwa

Classes 1 — 3 and senior secondary school classes 1 — 3 under the auspices of the Edo State Ministry of Education and some expert officers from the National Education Research Council NERC) at Abuja worked through the guidelines on primary and secondary school curriculum development on languages. The curriculum experts were guided through with Nigerian children in mind for their curiosity, initiative, industry and manual dexterity on the use of mother tongue (MT) as a medium of instruction throughout primary and secondary

finally approved as one of the Nigerian Languages to be studied from primary level to senior secondary level. The developed Modular Curriculum on Edo Language had also been sent to the West African Examination Council (WAEC), (NECO) and other institutions. The Edo Language is now being studied and examined along with other approved Nigerian Languages and tested by WAEC and NECO in their annual nation — wide examinations, The earlier the people of Edo State realized the realities of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s call for the

teaching and learning of Edo Language, the better. If the statement is fully implemented, it will improve the standard of education, give solid cultural foundation to the Edo child, give him new concept about his environment, theories and laws that abound and improve his ingenuity in his language. Refusal to teach and make the children to learn his mother tongue will kill the intelligence in the children. Any defence one makes against the teaching of (MT) is defending the indefensible truth about student’s education in the child’s immediate environment. It is a lift for ignorance in knowledge. It is a fundamental right of the Nigerian child. We still commend the Comrade Governor intervention on the teaching of Edo Language in schools in the state. Teachers and the Ministry of Education have done more harm than good by not showing interest in teaching the (M.T) and therefore damage their reputation. Evading the teaching and learning of our language in schools is the responsibility of both the Ministry of Education and the teachers. It is an absolute duty of the Ministry and the teachers to implement it. The subject is now in the syllabus and the daily time table but one wonders why the teachers are edophobia in teaching Edo language. The Ministry of Education is identified as a tool for deepening the teaching of our Local Languages in the schools as other subjects are taught to our young ones. Let’s be truthful, with no doubt in our minds about the sincerity of teaching our language for he who fails to do so, makes the child to be like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind, There is no doubt that children who speak their mother tongue very well are known to be more proficient in other foreign languages and they can communicate better. The non teaching of our local language to our children is what looks like a finished

product of the negligence on the part of the teachers and the Ministry of Education. It creates retrogression, insensitivity in the academic environment of the child. His right to education is being denied. Language is a life giving aspect of the child’s right but our educators, who are aware of this fact, have undermined and rub the children of their eternal subject in the school. Failing to teach our children our local language is a part of the rot and mess the Comrade Governor should clean in our educational system, not only “operation show your certificate where some cannot spell or write their native names correctly. They don’t even know the meaning of their native names neither can they teach the children. The teachers constitute an impediment not only to our children, but also to themselves academically by refusing the teaching of our children their mother tongue in our schools. “What you sow, you shall reap”. The Comrade Governor of Edo State is great for his reendorsement, redefinition and re-introduction of the importance of teaching and learning our mother tongue as a medium of learning which involves the development of the skills, physical skill, character development, respect for elders and skills acquisition of vocational skills, sense of belonging and understanding, appreciation and promotion of the community’s cultural heritage. Based on the excitement which followed the announcement by the Comrade Governor and the approval of WAEC and NECO, examining Edo Language as a subject, many books have been published and are still being published following strictly the new developed Modular curriculum on Edo language to meet the need of the students studying Edo language in primary and secondary school using the approved standard Edo orthography prepared by the Edo language committee set up by the Oba of Benin.

“The earlier the people of Edo State realized the realities of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s call for the teaching and learning of Edo Language, the better. If the statement is fully implemented, it will improve the standard of education, give solid cultural foundation to the Edo child, give him new concept about his environment, theories and laws that abound and improve his ingenuity in his language. Refusal to teach and make the children to learn his mother tongue will kill the intelligence in the children.”


THE SUNDAY

11

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Naked Truth “If Nigerians cannot reside in any place of choice within the country then our leaders should come out boldly and tell us what is happening. Where else can they live? For Christ sake our leaders should stop this insanity. If foreigners are discriminating against us in their own land, must we discriminate against ourselves in our own country?”

With CITIZEN EMMA KOLA OKHAKHU within the country then our leaders should come out boldly and tell us what is happening. Where else can they live? For Christ sake our leaders should stop this insanity. If foreigners are discriminating against us in their own land, must we discriminate against ourselves in our own

to bitterness amongst her citizens. The federal government should intervene in the issue and resolve it in the best possible way so that vengeance will not be an issue in this situation. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos and Peter Obi of Anambra should come together to find a solution to the issue.

What Have You To Say On The Deportation Of Igbos From Lagos? Deportation to many is an act of returning citizens of a country from a foreign country to their country, but just recently, the term deportation took another meaning in Lagos State, Nigeria, when Igbos were deported from Lagos to their state of origin (Anambra State) by the Lagos State government. Naked Truth went to town to seek the reaction of well meaning Nigerians on the deportation of Igbos from Lagos State, in their own country. The opinions are presented here for your reading pleasure. Excerpt: It is a wise decision – Comrade Pius Ede This is a generalised question. One, Igbos are known to be very industrous and persevere in what endeavour they find themselves. Those of them in Lagos who chooses to engage in rituals, kidnapping and all manners of satanic tendencies should not be allowed to live among descent people. Courage is one of the

attributes of a good leader, the decision to flush them out off the city is a wise one, but it should not be restricted to the Igbos alone. Other tribes are also in the web of these vices. Anybody who defends a criminal should be thoroughly examined because he/she may be an accomplice. Leaders should be cautious in their decisions – Ikhureigbe Ernest

• Governor Obi of Anambra State

Any state government is empowered by the constitution to guarantee the security of her state as well as to ensure its growth. It also has the inalienable right to do all things within its power constitutionally until the court of law nullifies it or rules against such action. The Governor of Lagos State is sound in law as a SAN and I do think he should and would always explore the necessary avenues and procedures before embarking on any action. It’s however, imperative for governments and every individuals in the positions of power and authority to be cautious and courteous in whatever action that is taken in the course of life for posterity sake. Any act that could boomerang and elicit ethnic disparage within the Nation called Nigeria should be avoided. It is a sign of failure of government – Anugor Blessing Ifeoma It’s common for nations to deport citizens of other countries if such people contravene the law but its seldom heard that a citizen of a country is forcefully taken from one state in the country to another, no matter the circumstances. As it stands, it appears that non-indigenes resident in Lagos State stand the risk of being abducted by agents of the government detained under dehumanising condition for several months and finally deported in the odd hours to another city. A few things could be deduced from the ugly development, it is a sign of failure on the part of government because they cannot provide for the citizenry inspite of the stupendous wealth of the country. It also shows that

• Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State

human dignity has been eroded in the psyche of the people. Surely Nigeria is making itself a laughing stock in the comity of nations. However it provides Ndigbo an opportunity for introspection or selfsearching. Action is inhuman – Osaretin Okhomina That some Igbos were deported from Lagos to their home land, is an inhuman treatment metted on fellow Nigerians. This is a clear attestation that we are not one Nigeria because we are often told that Nigeria is one. If an Igbo is told in clear terms that Lagos State is not a place he should be, then who is now deceiving who? Sometime ago in Abia State some nonindigenes in their public service were repatriated home, and flimsy excuses were adduced to cover up this evil. If Nigerians cannot reside in any place of choice

country? Something urgent should be done about this error, else the country is heading for the rock. The spirit of brotherhood must be allowed to thrive in this land. By all and sundry. Those involved in this evil should know that Nigeria is indivisible, and allow Nigerians live in places of their choice. God bless Nigeria. It is a wrong decision – Richard Eweka The issue should be handled with care by both Anambra and Lagos State governors in order for it not to degenerate into a National issue. Looking at the situation, it is very wrong to deport Nigerians from one location to another in the same country. We are all Nigerians and should be free to live in any part of the country. The states involved should not over react to the issue so that it will not result

It is not a deliberate action – Edobor Harrison Deportation of Igbos from Lagos by the Lagos State government is not a deliberate attempt because those deported are lunatics roaming the streets of Lagos with no where to sleep and they don’t have any means of livelihood. The Lagos State government did everything to rehabilitate these mad people in a rehabilitation centre, and after rehabilitating them, they were asked if they wanted to return home to their states and they all said yes and so they were taken to their various states and with little money. My question is if after rehabilitation and they are left in Lagos, how are they going to survive or fend for themselves. So the best thing is to go back to their family. Not a bad idea – Okhueleigbe Omoye Faith The deportation of the Igbos from Lagos is not a bad idea because since they have been rehabilitated and taken came of they should be sent back to where they came from. I expected their people to be appreciative of what Fashola did rather than complaining through the media. Governor Obi of Anambra State should see it from a positive angle that Fashola of Lagos State meant well for them. This issue should not generate argument or hatred because the victims have been rehabilitated to a state of proper sanity. I know that as Nigerians, they have the right to live and reside wherever they wish to but never mind their return to Igbo land is not a bad ideal at all. They should go back to their families and loved ones.


THE SUNDAY

12

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

VOX POP

The Recent Teachers Screening In Edo State

THE recent exercise embarked upon by the Edo state government to screen its primary school teachers certificates has attracted different opinions. Some are of the view that the government is out for witch-hunting while others commended the action, arguing that the screening was called for to help checkmate the decadence in our education sector and to enthrust the future generation in the hands of highly trained, diligent and competent teachers. In view of this SUNDAY OBSERVER interns, Clementina Ukiri, Salami Blessing, Binite Roseline went out to feel the pulse of the people – excerpts. The man is working to improve the status of primary education in Edo State - Dr Silver Yeibake I support the Edo state government decision to invite 1300 of its primary school teachers for screening. To support this stand, let’s take a look at education generally, especially primary education. Education is generally designed to be a form of learning in which the knowledge, skills and habits of a group of people are transferred from one generation to the next through teaching, training, research. It frequently takes place under the guidance of others referred to as teachers, lecturers etc. The Organization for Economics, Co-operation and Development (OECD) defined three forms of learning viz: formal education is a system of schooling that involves institutionalized teaching and learning in relation to a curriculum which itself is established according to a predetermined purpose of the school in the system. In our country Nigeria, this is divided into pre school (kindergarten, nursery) primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Primary (or elementary) education consists of the first 5-7 years of formal, structured education. In general, primary education consist of six years of schooling starting at the age of 5 or 6. It fulfills the special needs of students during the first few years of their schooling life. Primary education has special goals that makes it an exceedingly important component of an educational system as a whole and because it is instituted during the child’s formative years, it goes a long way to influence intellectual development later in life for the aforementioned reason (a), leaving the delivery of high quality primary education in the hands of highly trained, diligent and competent teachers can not be overemphasized. Failure to engage the services of highly competent teachers will subsequently produce

generations of academic mediocres. So the Edo state government inviting 1300 primary school teachers with certificates and age record irregularities to appear before a verification committee to defend themselves is morally, ethically and legally sound. Since the summon is based on the findings during an audit embarked upon by the state Information and Communications Technology unit which showed that 789 teachers of the 1,379 obtained their primary school leaning certificates before they were eight years old, the Edo state government is

found that they are deficient so as to give them the requisite knowledge to be effective and competent teachers. Despite what some people say, this is a further prove that the man is working to improve the status of primary education in Edo state, rather than witch hunting. The current policy should be pursued with vigorous zeal - Prof Samuel Osemene The proliferation of schools in Nigeria has necessitated the need to screen our teachers. The current policy of the government in Edo State to screen teachers certificates is a welcomed development. There was a time teachers were required to attend Teachers Training Colleges in order to acquire the necessary skills to teach. In the past two decades, it appears the society has turned a blind eye to teachers, qualification. It is agreed by most people that teachers must be well accredited in order to be able to perform

exercise that should be done in the interest and benefit of our educational system. The exercise showed a lot deficiency in those who are enthrusted with teaching our young generation. I wish other states will do the same so we can put some quality back into the education sector. It’s a good idea – Mrs Helen The teachers screening exercise embarked upon by the Edo state government is a good idea, because most of these teachers are not properly trained, some of them are not even well behaved, they talk to you like market men and women. Some of them can not even read what they have written down which is very bad, they are our teachers, that is why they should be able to teach the children very. I also want the state government to look into their pay not only screening them. The screening exercise is

think is a nice one by the Edo state government. Screening of teachers in Edo state is good – Mr. Nkem Pius The screening of teachers in Edo state is good. I am very sure with this, the state government will be able to know teachers that are good and I also believe that the government will also fish out ghost workers among them. Some of the teachers are not just good at all. The woman they showed on TV the other day is a very good example of some teachers, a teacher who cannot read or write is not worthy to be called one. However, the government should try and be paying them on time.

a nice one – Jude Teachers screening exercise in Edo state have been moving on well, we see the comrade governor visiting one place or the other making sure that things are in place for the exercise. I am very sure also that this screening will help the Edo state government to know the good and the bad ones in the sense that, most of these teachers don’t have the requirements needed as a good teacher, we all saw what happened the other day when a teacher could not read. It is really uncalled for, that is to say these teachers are not teaching our children well. I

last time and wants to punish them for that, then the purpose is defeated. But again you ask, how did teachers who can’t read or write their names find their way into the teaching profession that warranted the screening? Were they not screened at the point of entering? If you dig deeper, it goes to show that getting job in the country is not on merit but political patronage “who I know” syndrome. This is a fact, people are employed based on political lining. If people are employed based on merit and tested through interviews, why the rescreening? why

It is a glimmer of hope – Mr Felix Omoh Asun It is a good offer in the midst of decadence. If it’s coming from good intentions, it is a glimmer of hope for the sector but if for the purpose of vindictiveness because they (teachers) went on strike

Scrutinizing teachers’ certificates committed to the protection of the quality of its primary school teachers.I do not see this as marginalization of teachers, rather a means of quality control whilst giving the affected teachers opportunity to proffer logical and cogent explanations for the irregularities that were discovered. To show his commitment to quality primary education, the Edo state government asserted that if the facts reveal that there are teachers in the classroom, who do not have the requisite qualification, those who are not too old to teach, and capable of being trained, will be trained if it is

their functions. Bribery and corruption has permeated our educational system. There are many teachers who are not literate enough to be in the class room. We should commend the state government for engaging in this exercise in order to purge the unqualified teachers. I recommend to the state government to build more teachers training colleges in order to help alleviate this problem. The current policy should be pursued with vigorous zeal. It is a necessary exercise that should be done – Esedunme Victor I believe it is a necessary

only teachers? Why not the whole system? My advice is that it should be extended to other sectors. The responsibility of a teacher is to improve on the child’s intelligence capacity. Mrs Josephine Erhumwunsee. I so much appreciate what our comrade governor is doing. It will help fish out all those that are not qualified to be teachers yet they are receiving payment. It is impossible and absurd for somebody who is not even competent in his or her own field to teach. One is called a teacher because such a person is capable of impacting knowledge into those they teach. My advice is that any unqualified teacher should be removed regardless of who that teacher is because this will hamper the academic growth of the students (children). And I know this is a major reason children these days performe poorly in school. The responsibility of a teacher is to improve on the child’s intelligence capacity and not to diminish it. The screening should continue to enable them fish out others who are still hiding under teachers canopy. This development by the Edostate government will help to raise the fallen standard of education in the state. It is a wellcome development – Aibangbee Anthony. The ongoing screening exercise by the state government for primary school teachers is a wellcome development and with the startling revelations emanating from the exercise, I believe it was a process long over-due. It will be an avenue to fish out those with fake certificates, fake age declarations unqualified and ghost teachers from the system, so that our children will be taught by capable, competent and qualified hands in order for them to compete favourably with their counterparts from the private schools. Those alleging falsehood and witchhunting by the state government should for once see reasons while this screening is for the good of all, if they have the future of our children and nation at heart because this screening will not only provide qualitative education for our children but also gainful employment for our teeming unemployed graduates on the streets.


THE SUNDAY

13

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

NEWS EXTRA

Residents Seek God’s Intervention As River Benue Rises SOME residents of Makurdi, the Benue capital, have resorted to prayers for divine intervention, to prevent disaster following the rising water level on River Benue over the past few days. A correspondent who monitored the situation in Makurdi, said a cross section of the residents, especially those living along the river bank, were relying on God to avert a repeat of the flooding that occurred last year. Mr Dennis Tyowase, who resides in Wadata area of the capital, said that the water level on River Benue had risen beyond his imagination during the past few days. “The water started to increase gradually last week and we are monitoring the

situation. “For now, there is no cause for alarm, but people living around the banks of the river have decided to seek God’s intervention to avert a repeat of the flood that occurred last year. “We do not know exactly what will happen, so at this point, we are relying on God for his intervention. “By this time last year, we were not staying here, water had taken over our business areas; so, for now we thank God that the level of the water is still minimal,” Tyowase said. Ahmed Ali who resides in Wurukum area, said that people residing by the banks of the river had turned to Allah for divine intervention. “Allah is our only hope and helper; we have petitioned Him

Woman, 20, Bags 5 Years Imprisonment For Stealing Baby In Church

AN Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court at the weekend sentenced 20-year-old woman Juli Markus to five years imprisonment for stealing a four-month-old baby in a church. The Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Fati Tafida, said that the convict was guilty as charged and handed her the sentence without an option of fine. “From all the evidences before the court, it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime of stealing a baby. “She is, hereby, ordered to spend 1,825 days in prison without an option of fine,’’ Tafida said. The convict, who claimed to be a tailor, residing at Angwan Cement area of Life Camp, Abuja, was earlier arraigned on a one count of stealing a child. The Police Prosecutor, Simon Emmanuel, had earlier told the court that the baby’s father, Mr Obadiah Idi of Kado Village, reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station on June 30.

in our collective prayers to come to our aide; and we know he will not fail us. “The water level is not rising as fast as last year, but we will not relent in our prayers; we are left with nothing but prayers.” he said. Residents of Makurdi, especially those residing along the banks of the river are seeking divine intervention to prevent the recurrence of the 2012 flood disaster,the victims claimed that they were yet to be compensated. The N500 million flood relief grant released by the Federal Government for the rehabilitation of the victims in Benue, is yet to be disbursed by the state government. Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Eugene Aliegba, for his reaction on why the money had not been released, proved abortive as his mobile phones were switched off at the time of filing this

L-R: GOC, 3 DIV., Maj-Gen Ebiobowei Awala; Commander, 53 DIV. (Signals), Brig.Gen. Lucky Irabor and representative of the Chief of Accounts and Budget, Nigeria Army, Col. Jeremiah Faransa, at the 3 DIV.’s Finance training session in Jos, weekend.

He said that while the complainant was attending a Sunday church service with his family in Kado, the convict deceived his 11-year-old daughter, Rebecca, who was holding the baby, and collected the baby from her. Emmanuel said the convict then escaped with the baby to an unknown destination, but was found and arrested by the police. He said that during interrogation, the convict confessed to committing the crime, saying that she took the baby to Auta Balefi town in Nasarawa State where she sold him to one Christiana Zaka. Emmanuel said that Zaka, the convict’s accomplice, was later arrested and the baby, named Daniel, was recovered from her. Zaka, 43, is also standing trial on a one count of receiving a stolen child before the court.

Unemployment: Graduates Smile To Banks Washing Cars

A 37-year-old pastor, Kolawole Olugbenga, at the weekend appeared before an Ikorodu

Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with defrauding a member of his congregation of

GRADUATES have taken over most car wash businesses in Kaduna metropolis to end their endless search for formal jobs. Our correspondent who went round the city reported that the operators were making brisk business and smiling to the banks. Julius Samba, a graduate of the University of Maiduguri, who operates a car wash centre at Poly Gate, said he ventured into the business when he realised he was wasting

his “precious time searching for non existing jobs”. According to him, he washes as much as 25 cars on a good day and now makes between N80,000 and N100,000 a month. He said, “I would not go to work for anyone if offered a job now, with 8 persons working for me.’’ Mr kelechi Humphrey, who graduated from the University of Abuja in 2009 and now runs a car

Mr John Vatt, a patron said his street was bad and needed to wash his car before going out everyday, and commended the initiative of the youths in setting up car wash businesses. Another patron, Ahmed Usman, said car wash washing centres were contributing significantly to reducing unemployment and urged the government to create a special fund to support them.

Pastor Charged For Alleged Duping Of Congregation N214,000. Olugbenga, who lives at No. 19, Arowoshola Street, Imota area of Ikorodu, is

Court Discharges 2 Over Alleged Assault Of contravened Sections 171 AN Ikorodu Magistrates’ PHCN Officials and 172 of the Criminal Court in Lagos State at the weekend discharged two men charged with battering an employee of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) while performing official duty. The Magistrate, Mr B.A. Sonuga, said he struck out the case following a withdrawal application filed by the complainant, Mr Adeoye Temitope. “In view of the

washing outfit at Barnawa area of the city, said he makes as much as N120, 000 a month. He told explained that he charges between N300 and N500 depending on the nature of the car, and makes an average of N4000 daily. Humphrey advised unemployed youths to utilise their time positively, instead of resorting to acts that would be inimical to their future.

withdrawal application filed by the complainant, the case is hereby struck out of the cause list; the defendants are hereby released,’’ he said. Newsmen reports that the accused — Kunle Adeyemi, 22, and Adebowale Peter, 20 — both residents of First Gate, Powerline in Ikorodu, were arraigned on July 26 on a two-count charge of

battery and obstruction. According to the Prosecutor, Sgt. Iyabo Johnson, the accused battered Temitope while disconnecting electricity supply to their house. “The accused inflicted injuries on the eyes of the PHCN official, who was disconnecting electricity supply to the house for their indebtedness.’’ Johnson said the offences

Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N200, 000 each and two sureties each in like sum. Reports say that Sections 171 and 172 provide a penalty of three years imprisonment for anyone who unlawfully assaults or obstructs official(s) in the line of duty.

facing a charge of fraud. The prosecutor, Sgt. Iyabo Johnson, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in 2011. According to him, the pastor obtained the amount from a businesswoman, Mrs Mosunmola Fashola, on the pretext of praying over it. She explained that the amount was to be her initial capital with which the complainant intended to use to start a small business. The prosecutor said that after collecting the money, the pastor converted it to

his personal use and had since not refunded it. Johnson said that the offences committed contravened Sections 312, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 312 provides a penalty of 15 years imprisonment for fraud. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate, Mr B.A. Sonuga, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000, with one surety in like sum. Sonuga adjourned the case to September 5 for trial.


THE SUNDAY

14

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

SOCIETY

Are There Justified Grounds For Divorce?

Continued from pg. 11

easy”. The above are the words of Cathy Meyer who enumerated the following reasons as “four valid reasons for divorce”. Physical of Emotional Abuse: If he/she hits you once it will happen again. You should not stay in a marriage beyond that first punch, slap or shove. DO NOT make excuses for someone who hits you, DO NOT take the blame for someone hitting you. Violence is about a need to control and exert power over a spouse, it is not about loving a spouse. Domestic abuse comes in different forms. Your spouse may physically abuse you or emotionally abuse you. Yelling, screaming, name calling and put-downs are not acceptable forms of behavior. For your own safety and that of your children you need to leave. Infidelity:Once a cheater, always a cheater. Infidelity is much like domestic abuse; it is a behavior that will repeat itself. A spouse will cheat for many reasons, what you; the victim of infidelity needs to understand is that there is never a good reason. Economic Tensions: Have you heard the term, “financial infidelity?” If your spouse is spending money and putting an economic strain on the family they are committing financial infidelity. Your spouse may have a shopping or gambling addiction they are hiding from you. He/she

may be running up credit card debt that you don’t know about. The question for you is, do you allow someone else’s problem to bury you in debt or do you make no excuses? Being married to someone like this can mean years of recovery and they will usually repeat the behavior over and over again. Drug or Alcohol Addiction: You can’t fix an addict. For some reason though, those married to addicts stay in the marriage believing they can somehow illicit change. An addict changes when they make the choice to change. An addict does not change because they see their spouse or children suffer. They do not change until they hit rock bottom and only the addict knows what his/her rock bottom is. If you are lucky the thought of losing his/her family will mean a positive change in the addict. If you aren’t lucky and choose to stay in the marriage you can bet the addict will take their family down with them. In as much as there are valid reasons for divorce, it is best to save your marriage because of the many consequences that follows it. Consequence ranging from psychological trauma, social stigmatisation, emotional hurt and even having to deal with starting as like a single. Here as some ways you can avoid getting a divorce. 1. Act confident. Your spouse fell in love with a happy and balanced person whose world lit up every time he/she walked into the

room. It’s understandable you’re unhappy that he/she is pulling away from you, but the more you cling, need, and desperately try to hang on, the more unhappy you are (since it’s obvious by now that he/she is leaving

2. Empathize with your partner. Cater to their emotional needs first, then the material ones. Does your partner want to empty the bank account and buy a sports car? Say “I agree, it would be great fun to buy a

you), and the less and less you are the person he/she once fell in love with. Be honest with yourself: Would you want to spend the rest of your life with someone who’s been acting the way you have been acting lately? If you’re friendly, attentive, and fun to be around, he/she will want to be around you he/she will start to gravitate (slowly but surely) back to you. Try to be confident, but not arrogant, even if it is difficult for you.

flashy car. Let’s go to the auto show this weekend, pretend we’re filthy rich, and go for some test drives.” Notice how you bypassed (for the time being) emptying the bank account and instead focused on his/ her feelings. This brings you closer together. Does your partner say you don’t do enough chores around the house? Say “Yes, I agree, I don’t do any where near as much work around the house as you do. I understand how upset that must make you feel at times.” Notice how you bypassed (for the time being) actually doing the chores, and instead focused on her(his) feelings. 3. Address the physical and material needs and desires after establishing a common ground. If you’ve gone to the car show and had a great time, speak to each other if your partner wants to spend money you don’t have. If you begin to argue and your partner says “You never care about what I want!”, turn away from the spending issue and speak with them about how you want them to be happy, and that’s why you married them

in the first place, but that in the long run, neither of you will profit from being in debt. Let them know that you would like to make them feel loved and appreciated in a different, more sensible way. 4. Talk to your partner about your future. It does not help to pretend there is no problem. That will not

want to rebuild a strong bond with each other. 6. Be open to change. Agree to make changes in your routines or interaction if you feel it will help. Make clear that you will try your best, but it might take you some time to get used to them. Then really try your best and show that you are

make it disappear. Make time to speak with your partner openly. Prepare yourself for being emotionally vulnerable and lay it all on the table. Communicate your feelings and your willingness to acknowledge theirs. If you love them and want them to give you a chance and stay with you, tell them that. Offer to have counseling sessions or anything else you (or they) think might help you. 5. Be honest and ask for honesty in return. Tell your partner that even if they are not in love with you at the moment, the least you owe each other is respect. Respect means being honest to each other. If you want to know and you think you can handle it emotionally, ask them whether they are having an affair. Before you ask, think about how you will respond to the possible answers. If they are having an affair, tell them how much that hurts you, even if it feels counterintuitive. Tell them that you care about fidelity and that you vowed to be faithful to each other. Ask them to end their affair if you

sincere. Ask the same in return. 7. Make up your mind to let it go if none of the above helps. If your partner is having an affair and unwilling to give it up, don’t stay. You can only save your marriage together. If your partner simply does not want to, there is not much you can do, but you owe it to them and your relationship to genuinely try before throwing in the towel. • Listen to your partner. Let them talk and get things off their chest. It will help you understand what makes them unhappy and give you a chance to take action. Don’t despair. This is a scary time for you, but all you can do is really try. If it fails after all, don’t hate yourself. You gave it your best effort. You should not try to fix a broken relationship if your spouse is or has physically harmed you, your children, or your family or given any sign of physical aggression. Instead, you should seek immediate protection from physical harm. Contact your local shelter, police, family, or friends and tell them you need help.


THE SUNDAY

15

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Reasons For Cheating (1) CHEATING in a relationship has always been seen as an act of betrayal, hurting and not in love. People all over frown at cheating either when it happen to you personally, to someone close or someone you known, the feeling is usually of hurt. The betrayer is seen as the bad person, someone who is not appreciative, who does not care and so on. But how many of us have taken time out to find the reason, the motive behind any cheating act without being biased? Most of these cheats are not happy cheating on their spouses and must have done something to make the relationship work before cheating. Nobody goes into an affair with an intent to hurt the other partner for no just cause. Reasons abound for giving room for cheating, caused by either one of the couple or even both of them. Cheating on your partner is not an instaneous thing, it is something that would have crawled into your mind through thoughts or advised from friends and also seeing

others doing it without any problem. In every situation or endeavour, there is a reason for going into it, for doing it, so, there

When one partner is not sacrificing anything to the relationship or try to impress the spouse, it could lead to cheating

Sacrifice brings more love, satisfaction and intimacy to a relationship. Not getting what you want in a

Relationship With Chelson SMS 08023457637

which is marriage. When a partner or spouse is not ready for the higher level,

“Nobody goes into an affair with an intent to hurt the other partner for no just cause. Reasons abound for giving room for cheating, caused by either one of the couple or even both of them.”

are some reasons why people cheat on their spouses. Unwillingness to make sacrifice:

because everyone in love wants to be loved and willing to make sacrifice, so it needs to be reprociated.

relationship: We all want something out of every relationship entered into, especially to the higher level

human instinct tells you to begin looking for an alternative which in turn lead to cheating. It is not

about the sex but rather of seeking for some type of commitment, which may eventually lead to starting a family. Sour relationship: Relationship goes sour when either of the couple does not pay attention as he/her should, forgetting birthday, anniversary, valentine’s day, skipping Christians, New year eve is a sign of a soured relationship and it hurts a lot to people of deep emotional feeling (especially women). It makes the other partner feels unappreciated and this can be a dangerous point for cheating. Boredom: Couples get bored when the spark that ignited the fire at the begining of the relationship refuse to spark again, boredom sets in, everything now becomes a routine, no more paying of attention or having fun, no gateways again, no more romance, no dinner dates any more, be sure that the spouse will seek comfort in another arms.

“Not sacrificing anything to the relationship or try to impress the spouse could lead to cheating because everyone in love wants to be loved and willing to make sacrifice, so it needs to be reprociated. Sacrifice brings more love, satisfaction and intimacy to a relationship.”


THE SUNDAY

16

THAT the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike for nearly two months now, is no longer news, what is news rather is the anxiety the stakeholders in the

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

country. Speaking with Journalists in Abuja on Tuesday shortly after the meeting with ASUU, the chairman of the Universities National

earned allowances, ASUU should reconsider its stance on the strike” Suswan emphasised. ASUU’s response was definite as its leadership remained adamant with its

Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (NEEDS) Implementation Committee Governor Gabriel Suswan indicated President Jonathan’s commitment to the early resolution of the ASUU strike through the offer of the N30bn for the payment of the earned allowances. Suswan who is also the Governor of Benue State said at the media chat, that ASUU ought to call off the strike based on the cumulative N130bn offer so far made by the government. “For shifting ground from no money to agreeing to assisting the Governing Councils of universities with the N30bn for the

President Nasil Isa Fagge insisting on the full implementation of the 2009 agreement it entered into with the federal government which the latter has been trying to renegotiate through the back door by its piecemeal offers as a response to ASUU’s definite demands based on the terms of the agreement. According to Mr. Fagge the objective of the ongoing strike action is to get the government to implement the 2009 agreement, particularly to implement the memorandum of understanding they reached in 2012. He emphasised that ASUU was at this point not making any demand but the implementation of what the government had by itself agreed to. It is important to note at this point that the current ASUU strike like similar ones in the past reveal the attitude of government towards the education of its citizens which has culminated in the fallen standard in the country’s education system with the critical stakeholders trading blames. While the teachers blame the government of poor funding of the sector for the fall in the standard of education, the government on its part has been ceaseless in attributing the problems in the education sector to the lack of commitment on the

Politics And With

ASUUStrike:TheBlameG

Faggae, ASUU President

education sector especially students and their parents are subjected to with the frequently raised hopes of a possible quick end to the strike which had been dashed earlier than were expected. The same scenario played out on Tuesday when representative of the government met with the leadership of ASUU. The students and their parents had waited with bathed breathe for a positive out come from the talks and possible suspension of the strike action which was declared on July 1, 2013. The same result of uncertainty as to when they would return to school was what they got as ASUU would not accept the government’s offer of N30bn out of ASUU’s N87bn demand for earned allowances. The government which had at the commencement of its engagement with ASUU posted a no money posture towards the FG/ASUU 2009 agreement has suddenly changed gear and offered another N100bn to be spent on infrastructure in public varsities across the

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim

HAMEED BRAIMAH

part of the teachers to the educational advancement of their pupils and students. But what are the non critical stakeholders who are watching from the sideline saying? while not a few blame the government for the poor governance structure which tend to place emphasis on frivolous spending as against funding critical infrastructures across all sectors of the economy, others blame ASUU for its quick resort to strike actions without considering the negative effects such action have on the schools academic calendars which according to them often get disrupted without any standard measure put in place to instigate lost periods on the part of the students who are always on the receiving end in any given strike action. This category of persons though not opposed to the rights of ASUU members to go on strike, feel that the right should be exercised with caution so that it doesn’t substantially contribute to the problems of the University which they wish to solve with the strike actions. They hold the view that ASUU is taking advantage of its elite, association status that commands media attention to make demands which its members know might be difficult for government to

implement, more so, that most of the agreements were obtained during strikes. Some measures of almtwisting off course employed. The most worrisome of the whole talks between government and ASUU towards resolving the

opinion that it hadn’t money to meet ASUU demands. Using the finance minister ’s exact words, ASUU demands are not implementable as government lacks the resources to meet them. Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala had given the

issues relating to the strike action, is the government obvious display of insincerity and lack of commitment to transparency and accountability in public funds management. The government at the commencement of talks with ASUU held the

government away when she made that public declaration of lack of funds to meet ASUU demands, the question on the lips of many Nigerians now is, where is the government getting the N130 billion it has offered ASUU which the union is yet to accept and call off the strike? what

are th Fed assist · of ed betw Ear billio Am

retirem years Esta fund a Tran to the Sett deve comp Niger Sett Moni

“Although the lecturers have insisted that th ultimate benefit of the nation’s university s being the better for it, the students do not position. They contend that the lecturers are interest of increased bonuses and improvem service with the plight of the students on camp


THE SUNDAY

17

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Issues

welfare than the issue of infrastructure development in public versities where the government has offered a whopping N100 billion. Although the lecturers

week old then. The government by this action further deepened the poor perception of the value of Polytechnic education vis a vis its University

have insisted that the strike action is for the ultimate benefit of the nation’s university system with the students being the better for it, the students do not seem to agree with this position. They contend that the lecturers are fighting for their selfish interest of increased bonuses and improvement in their condition of service with the plight of the students on campus the least considered. The students position is that ASUU’s commulative strikes have covered a period of over 30 months of their precious academic calendar between 1999 till date. They noted that the strike action only leave the lecturers better off with the students spending more years than necessary in school with the attendant cost implications for them and their parents most of whom barely earn enough to cater for their wards educational needs. The current ASUU strike has also exposed the discriminatory approach by government in dealing with issues affecting the different segments of the educational sector. It is worth noting that government interest in ending ASUU strike despites its imperfections has been exceptional. The speed being applied and the uttermost neglect of other aspect of our educational sector confirms the diminishing importance the government attach to education. This is so because the government showed little or no interest in the three months old strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) over sundry demands. The government only waded into ASUP strike after it had constituted a negotiating committee, handle ASUU strike which was barely a

counterpart which has over the years remained contentious in terms of the value of the certificates obtained from both institutions of higher learnings. Government at this point must learn to treat all its agencies and institutions with equal measure of respect and recognition with a view to achieving maximum returns on its investments in them. Despite government not yet in the 26 percent mark on education funding, it is a known fact that government spends a lot of money annually on the education sector. The question then goes; how does government spends its annual budgets on education, most of which it has been discovered get consumed by bureaucracy through the duplication of agencies that manage education in the country. The establishment of new universities by the Jonathan administration is a commendable one in that it widens the opportunity for the growing number of students seeking university admission annually. But this has thrown up major financial implications bordering on increased wage bills and infrastructural challenges. The government must equal give attention to the developmentof laboratories, libraries and research centres as it has shown in the development of building infrastructure to promote sound learning which will ultimately impact on the quality of outputs from the nations universities. It is instructive to note that government begins from now to tackle the issue of funding of education beyond ASUU strike. Sad enough, the crises in the education sector has now become object of

political chinaligan with the newly registered All Progressive Congress (APC) blaming the Jonathan administration for not meeting the ASUU

government action without coming up with credible alternatives. The government on its parts must set its educational policies right and implement

GameNotTheSolution

he demands of ASUU? deral government tance to state universities Progressive increase ducation budget to 26% een 2009 and 2020 rned allowances of N87 on mendment of pension/

ment age from 65 to 70 . ablishment of a pension administrator nsfer of landed property e universities ting up of research and lopment units by panies operating in ria. ting up of Budget toring Committee.

The government it was learnt on good authority has implemented all but two of these demands with the issue of earned allowances topping the chat of the yet to be implemented components of the agreement. This probably explains

why the lecturers have refused to bulge despite the pressure mounting from well meaning individuals and group urging them to call off the strike action. The lecturers it was learnt would want government to be more forth coming on the issue of the earned allowance which is particular to their members,

he strike action is for the system with the students seem to agree with this e fighting for their selfish ment in their condition of pus the least considered.”

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

demands thus suggesting that an APC government would acceed to all demands from the organised labour when it gets into power. No Nigerian can fall for this propaganda as we have all become wiser in our individual responses to such political stimuli. This is not in any way suggesting that the political party lacks the right to comment on any issue of interest, but one would have expected a more result oriented opinion on how to solve the nation’s educational problems through a well articulated educational programme capable of swaying public sympathy instead of the barrage of condemnation of every

them to the latter. The current ad hoc approach towards the implementation of its policies and programmes should be discarded. The nation was greatly scandalised when the Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the government lacked the resources to implement an agreement it entered into with ASUU. The fact remains that the nation has all the resources to over haul the nation’s socio-economic sectors but for the greed of the average Nigerian elite for slunch funds in government. This is the time for the political class to reorder its priorities by spending less on themselves and more toward attaining the developmental goals of the Nigerian nation.

Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue State


THE SUNDAY

18

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Compassionate Ministries (2) FIRST, let us look at compassionate ministry to the lost, unsaved unregenerate, alienated, and separatedfrom- God – Multitudes. As our spiritual guide, let us read 2Corinthians 5:18-20, “Now all things are of God, whop has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. “What an astounding appointment. Every disciple is given the ministry of reconciliation, and every disciple is declared “Christ’s ambassador” or earthly representative. And Jesus came “to seek and to save that which is lost”. What would happen if every disciple worldwide knew they were appointed to witness and win the lost to faith in Christ? I do not know of a more compassionate ministry. S e c o n d , compassionate ministry to

a stray Brother James 5:19-20 says, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” Ephesians 4:15 informs us of “speaking the truth in love”. Colossians 1:28-29 says, “him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ. To this end I also labour, striving according to his working which works in me mightily”. T h i r d l y ,

compassionate ministry to the one needing forgiveness. In Matthew 18:21-22, then Peter came to Jesus and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but to seventy times seven” One of the greatest hall-marks of the Christian faith is FORGIVENESS. When Jesus hung on the Cross, He said to His Father, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”. Unforgiveness is so opposite of the nature and

spirit of our indwelling Lord and Saviour. In Matthew 18, Jesus said two things about unforgiveness. Firstly, unforgiveness releases the torturers (or demons). Secondly, unforgiveness causes reinstatement of the debt through it had been forgiven. F o u r t h , compassionate ministry to the Maddening Marriage Mess. The fabric of a society is sewn with the blessing of God through strong homes and families. And one of the pastors’ major responsibilities is building biblical faith into that fabric.

R

eflections

With MOSES EVBUOMWAN

In Malachi 2: 13-16, God speaks, “and this is the second thing you do, you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying. So he does not regard the offering anymore, nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. Yet you say, “for what reason?” because the Lord had seen witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously, yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did he not make them one, having a remnant of the

“One of the greatest hall-marks of the Christian faith is FORGIVENESS. When Jesus hung on the Cross, He said to His Father, Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”.

God’s Promises unday Diet Never Fail

S

With ERNEST IKHUREIGBE

AT the time appointed, I will return unto thee, “according to the time of life”, Gen 18:14. So many had received God’s revelations through diverse means and have testimonies to attest to the faithfulness of God in their lives, but a lot, for one reason and the other, made God’s promise a nullity There are laid-down instructions and inherent blessings in life that we all must imbibe as a guide to a fulfilling life. God, as contained in the Bible, never compromises his stand and he religiously and accurately fulfills whatever he promises, even when the beneficiary doesn’t merit but for a reason and purpose best known to Him, He brings them to fruition. “for He saith to Moses; I will have

mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion’. Roman 9:15 Beloved, God is ever merciful and his mercies endures for ever. He is also reliable and dependable. Abraham was a man loved by God; at 75yrs, he was instructed to go on a journey far away from his root but where he was asked to go was unknown to him, he obeyed; he went out, not knowing whither he went” Hebrew 11:8. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” Hebrew 11:10. It is important at this juncture to ruminate and know what was the propelling force that moved this old man from his city in obedience as

spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. For the Lord God of Israel says that he hates divorce. For it covers one’s garment with violence, “says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously”, Build biblical character into your families in this time of the Maddening Marriage Mess.

instructed. In Genesis 12:2-3, the Lord made a solemn promise to him and being a man who allowed himself to be controlled by God’s instruction, rather than the burden or yolk of barrenness. He was also in full control of his household that whatever he decided was accepted and obeyed by his wife. No wonder, there was no objection from his wife when they moved out of Haran to an unknown but God’s known city God was not economical with the word concerning Abraham and Sarah. “Sarah thy wife shall bear

thee a son indeed; and thou shall call his name Isaac”, Genesis 17:20 Beloved, the Bible recorded that when the divine breaking news of a child from the womb of Sarah came, Abraham and Sarah did laugh, thinking how possible it could be at their old age. Genesis 17:7, “Abraham laughed; Gen 18:12 Sarah laughed within herself”. Whatever their laughter meant did not change God’s promise. For Sarah conceived, and bare

Abraham a son in his old age, at the SET TIME of which God had spoken to him. Gen 21:1-2 Let no one be unnecessarily agitated by the burden or challenges of life. There are certain life trials that would crop up in one’s life, it can only be surmounted if our focus is persistently on the LORD Jesus. Isaiah 43:2, Hebrew 12:2. There are certain life challenges that would be beyond the power of man

“Let no one be unnecessarily agitated by the burden or challenges of life. There are certain life trials that would crop up in one’s life, it can only be surmounted if our focus is persistently on the LORD Jesus. Isaiah 43:2, Hebrew 12:2.”

to curtail but there is a God, whose ability and authority is supreme; whatever he shuts in permanently closed, and whatever he opens cannot be shut by any power. Rev 3:7 says “he that openeth and no man shuteth, and shuteth, and no man openeth”. Beloved, no man can thwart God’s promises; whatever he commandeth stands. Lam 3:37, Psalm, 33:9. It is however, to remind you that one could make God’s promise a nullity if one fails to heed to his instruction. Eli failed to allow God’s promises on his generation to be fulfilled; also, Gehazi truncated his destiny. 1Samuel 1:12, 1Samuel 2:28; $:17-18; 2Kings 5:27. Finally brethren, God’s promises for his own is to be accomplished to the end; Jeremiah 29:11. May God help us to live within the confirments of his instruction so that we shall be beneficiaries of his promises.


THE SUNDAY

19

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Fashion Best Ways To Change Make & Style Up Styles As You Age Is your look age appropriate? AS you age gracefully, your hair color is not the only thing you’ll notice changing. As you get older, the condition of the skin will begin to transform. You may not only start noticing fine lines, but your skin may also be more oily or dryer over time. Thus your old makeup formulas and makeup application tips may not work well for your aging skin. Changing makeup application as you age is a great way to keep your skin looking fresh and beautiful. Use these tips to learn amazing way on how to change your makeup application to match your age: * Take a less-is-more approach with eye makeup Look for products with firming capabilities and use

By OBIEKWUYE QUEEN

them every day. When you were young chances are, you wouldn’t dream of living the house without throwing on your eye liner, brow liner, eye shadow and mascara. However as you age, there is less need for a multitude of products on your eye area instead, the main focus should be on keeping the eye area properly nourished to avoid the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Always apply eye cream with your ring finger, as it offers the gentlest touch and avoid damaging the sensitive skin under your age. After applying your firming product, dab a bit of concealer under each eye and blend it in until it’s virtually unnoticed. Apply a light coat of eye shadow, two or three coats of lengthening mascara

“One of the most under utilized beauty secrets lies in moisturing. Keeping your skin hydrated can mean the difference between seeing wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes or seeing soft beautiful skin.”

and you’ll be ready to go. * Keep your cheeks and lips rosey For a youthful age appropriate look, the cheeks and lips should be kept delectably rosey. Younger women often make the vital makeup mistake of putting on two much blush. As you age, if you use too much blush, you’ll only look like a clown! So keep your cheeks rosey by choosing a soft rose, blush cream. Apply it by massaging it into the apples of your cheeks until you get a soft glow. As you age, you’ll also notice the skin around your lips changing. Most often, women start to notice fine lines appearing making it difficult to keep lipstick in place throughout the day. One easy way to avoid your lipstick from “running” is by applying a tiny bit of foundation to your lips, lining your lips with lip liner and then filling it in with matching lipstick. * Use more and better moisturizer to battle wrinkles One of the most under utilized beauty secrets lies in moisturing. Keeping your skin hydrated can mean the difference between seeing

wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes or seeing soft beautiful skin. Brands like Sephora and Oil of Olay are ideal for aging women looking for hydrating skin care cream and mineral moisturizers. These brands understand the art of aging beautifully and create the best beauty products for all ages.

They will help with elasticity and keep you looking younger each year. * Keep it simple for a more timeless look Remember, before you are tempted to put on a load of makeup. You should take a good look at your self. Keeping your makeup simple is a good way to age gracefully, without damaging

With ROSE ORHIBHABOR

your skin or pores more than necessary. For a flawless look, you can simply use a brush to swipe on loose powder, add a cream blush to your cheeks, dab a concealer under your eyes, apply a few coats of mascara and be out the door! Remember, balance is Beauty


THE SUNDAY

20

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

S h o

Music

“I’m Not Ill, It’s Only Weight Loss - Ngozi Ezeonu FOR those who have speculated that Ngozi Ezeonu was ill because she now looks pale and fragile, the actress has come out to debunk that. According to her, she chooses to lose weight and has been on it for the past 10 years. ‘’I am not sick. I have been battling with my weight for ten years now and I have finally achieved what I wanted. I am not sick, it is my choice to lose some weight and I pulled it off. I feel good, losing weight takes a lot of discipline’, she said.

W

Chika Ike and hubby...in the beginning

Ex-Hubby To Chika Ike

Hold Your Peace

Ngozi Ezeonu...New look

Ailing OJB Jezreel Confesses Being Scared Of Death

b i

z

AILING music producer, OJB Jezreel, who a few days ago donated N200, 000 to Hearts of Gold Children Hospice situated in Surulere, Lagos State, has said before life line came his way, he was scared stiff with the thought of dying. The popular Nigerian producer, who was in the news soliciting the sum of $100,000 to undergo a kidney surgery in India, before the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi came to the rescue, confessed that

he was paralyzed with the fear of death before then. “What scared me most during that time was death, not just personally but because you get worried about what you will leave behind, your children, family and all that. You don’t know what will happen to them and that gets me worried and also a lot of things you are yet to achieve, so all that gets you worried and scared”, he said He said he now sees life more from the spiritual angle. “I see life more from a spiritual point of view, in the sense that I believe whether we like it or not, there are forces that are

making things happen and I thank God that these forces have made it happen for me. I now see life from a bigger picture, I believe life is not about naira and kobo, I see life from the strict sense”

talented artistes in Edo and Delta states. The two outfits are inviting interested persons for an audition scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 31, 2013, Benin City, beginning at 12 noon. According to a spokesperson for the organizers, Mr. Tayo Christopher Ashaolu, the audition is aimed at ensuring that only talented artistes are recruited for the series of

movies ready for production. He described the collaboration between Mankind Production and Chocolate Entertainment as a concerted effort to open new frontiers in the movie industry in Edo/Delta states. He urged all interested persons, especially those with passion for acting to come for the audition and secure a place for themselves in the emerging movie productions in the state.

Jezreel

Window Of Opportunity For Budding Artists

THE near-dormant movie industry in Edo state is set to get a boost as budding, performing and veteran artistes in the state now have a window of opportunity to showcase their talents. To this end, Mankind Production in collaboration with C h o c o l a t e Entertainment have concluded plans to provide a veritable platform for young and

Movies

TONY Eberiri, the ex. Husband to Chika Ike, has cautioned the Nollywood actress to desist from posting rubbish about him on social media. The husband, according to a source, strongly warned the actress to desist from accusing him alone as the architect of their marriage misfortune. Show Biz learnt that Eberiri has asked her to

put a stop to the campaign of calumny or face the wrath of the law. Recall Chika has gone viral; talking about her married life on social media and posting a picture she snapped in the court during her marriage case brouhaha. And just of recent, she was quoted, through her manager, as saying that she was a victim of

AFTER almost a year and a half of frolicking and rocking together, actress Monalisa Chinda and business man, Lanre Nzeribe have gone their separate ways. This is authoritative. According to a source close to the actress, Monalisa walked out of the relationship about a month ago. “Why they really broke up is of course only known to both of them but I know there was a lot of disagreement about a business venture they were to start together. Monalisa and Lanre were working on a magazine called “Monalisa” before their break up. They already got an office at Chase Mall on Adetokunbo

Ademola Street in VI, Lagos, employed staff and even worked on the first edition of the

domestic violence. All these have been debunked by the husband who said all she has been talking about is total gabble and has no substance at all. Close family source hinted that the husband has sent a strong warning to her to desist from such act as soon as possible or face the consequences.

Monalisa Chinda, Lanre Nzeribe Go Separate Ways magazine before they went their separate ways”, the source revealed.

Monalisa and Lanre


THE SUNDAY

21

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Theatre Concert With Love, Waje Campaigns For Flood SINGER Waje has taken it upon herself to raise funds for victims who were rendered homeless as a result of flooding. The campaign that has gathered momentum is vigorously pursued and it is said to have generated buzz among Nigerian celebrities, corporate bodies and

Waje

Victims

individuals. Anybody can contribute to the flood relief campaign; said the “I Wish I Didn’t Have Heart” singer. All you need to do is text Flood to 35388. It costs only N100. Please text now and help someone with a fresh start in life!

With FELIX OMOH-ASUN GSM: 07060576600

GLOBAL BUZZ Michael Scofield Actor Is Gay

WENTWORTH Miller, who played the lead character “Michael Scofield in Prison Break”, came out as a gay man recently via an open letter to the Saint Petersburg Film Festival, rejecting an invitation to attend a premiere there because of Russia’s recently-passed antigay laws.

Cossy At It Again, Poses For Heart Breaker

GOING through her twitter handle, Nollywood “bad gir”, Cossy poses on a stripper pole for the person who she claimed broke her heart. Displaying her voluptuous cleavage, she simply wrote: “He will surely miss this pic .twitter .com/ ecpo8uj4kv Cossy Ojiakor @cossydiva”

Wentworth Miller

Rapper DMX Arrested For Marijuana Possession

Bongos Ikwe Apppointed NFC Boss

KANAYO O Kanayo is not the only entertainer to get an appointment from the presidency. Veteran musician and creator of the soundtrack of popular 80’s TV drama series: “Cock Crow at Dawn”, Bongos Ikwue has been appointed the new chairman of the board of the Nigerian Film Corporation by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Bongos Ikwe

The 41-year-old actor wrote: “Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes. However, as a gay man, I must decline. I am deeply troubled by the current attitude towards and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like me are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly. Perhaps, when circumstances improve, I will be free to make a different choice. Until thenWentworth Miller”

Cossy Orjiakor posing for heart breaker

Mercy Johnson, Nse Ikpe-Etim And Clarion Chukwura Star In “Hustlers” ACE movie producer Elvis Chuks is back with a new production titled “Hustlers”, starring Mercy Johnson, Nse IkpeEtim, Clarion Chukwura, IK Ogbonna, and Chelse Eze. The movie is set to hit the cinemas across the country from November 2. The movie shows Mercy, Nse and Clarion in a totally different light.

Nse, Mercy and Clarion on the sleeve of the new movie

RAPPER DMX was arrested in South Carolina for possessing marijuana, two days before he was due to appear in court on drinkdriving charges. The musician, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was stopped by police on Tuesday after the truck he was in, broke a traffic rule. Officers then found three bags of the drug. The rapper’s press representative denied that drugs had been found in the vehicle. The alleged bags of marijuana were never

shown to DMX. He was later released and is back at his home in South Carolina.

DMX

Kanye West Sued For Putting photographer In Crutches KANYE West left an innocent photographer in crutches after a brutal assault at LAX when Kanye tried to wrestle away the paparazzi’s camera, says the photographer himself, and now he has filed a lawsuit against the rapper. Daniel Ramos appeared with his lawyer Gloria Allred at a news conference where Gloria announced the lawsuit for assault, battery and interference with Daniel’s civil right (in this case free speech). Daniel who called himself a filmmaker says he spent two weeks on crutches after the attack and has been walking with a cane for some time. Ramos Compiled By Okogba Emmanuel O.

is suing for unspecified damages.

Kanye West


THE SUNDAY

22

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

RELIGION THERE will be no place for sin in the kingdom of God because God will never give room for sin nor the committer of sins on that great day when the record of how we lived our lives here on earth will be played to everyone that was ever born into this world. Think twice now before it is too late for God is no respecter of persons, for the Bible says after death comes judgement. Now that you are still alive, you can settle your case before God here on earth, there is no repentance in the grave. Have we ever reasoned why our shadows move wherever we move? God set our shadows to monitor our activities here on earth as a record. I know that on the last day when we all shall appear before the throne of God, many will deny they never lived a sinful life when they were on earth. Is there anyway we can escape God’s judgement if we are found wanting? No, there is no escape route for sin or the committer of sin, even sin and sinner will be punished and cast into the lake of fire forever. So return to God now while He is still near, I mean close to you. Those who use the word “it doesn’t matter” will find themselves to blame. Why God will not tolerate an unholy person in Heaven is because heaven is His throne and the earth is His foot-stool, you can do whatever you like, and live the way you please here on earth, and at the end of time you will then face His presence to give account of how you spent your life here on earth. In the Garden of Eden, God sent His Holy Angel (Cherubim) to guide it after the fall of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve fell from Grace, which was His beautiful presence and Garden where He was always meeting with them at the cool of the day. Adam and Eve were thrown out of grace to grass where we call the world

Will There Be A Place For Sin In God’s Kingdom?

today, the word grace is actually a sinful world we are living in, but Jesus Christ came to separate us from the sinful world by giving hope of eternal life, if we are born again. I Cor. 5:17 says if any man is in Christ he is a new creature. There is hope for the believer in Christ. If you are not born again you are in crisis. Adam and Eve were cast out of God’s beautiful garden, because they were no longer pure in heart. For the Bible said in the book of (Matthew 5:8), Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. God’s eyes cannot behold sin or iniquity. If you are not pure in heart, then you are in sin, he that lives in sin cannot see God, for God is Holy and they that want to see Him must be Holy. The word ‘MUST’ is a commandment which we must all obey (Heb 5:8). The Lord Jesus has suffered for sin once and for all, and nobody will have any excuse for not being saved and cleansed by His Blood because Jesus blood purifies from dead works of darkness, I Peter 3:18. The most Holy place is God’s presence, were Jesus Christ has gone ahead of us to prepare for us a place in God’s Kingdom. Read Hebrews 9:22-24 and you will understand what I am trying to explain. There will be no place for sin in God’s presence on the great day which is coming very soon. Will your name be found in the book of life, for the bible says whosoever was not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. If you are living in sin, you are letting God down and if you let God down, God will also let you down and great will be the let

By HELEN BAZUAYE

down by God. Repent now or perish. The life you are living at present will tell whether you will have a place in God’s presence on that day, so if Christ puts away sin by the sacrifice of the Cross, why are some people still living in sin of slavery and bondage. God wants everyone to be perfect in living a Holy Life (I Peter 1:16) for God was perfect at creation, He knows He is the only one perfect and no other, but still He wants everybody to strive to live for perfection, because if you are not Holy, you can’t see Him (God) when this life is over, for life does not end

here on earth. Do you know that sinner will regret their stay on earth on the last day? Of course, anyone in his right senses knows that there will be no place for sin in the Kingdom of Heaven, sin will not know the gate of Heaven because God is Holy and Righteous. He wants the best for us all, He wants everyone to be like Him. He does not want anyone to practice the deeds of satan the devil because the deeds of satan will lead to destruction and condemnation of hell-fire. Adam and Eve were thrown out of God’s Garden because they disobeyed God and

“The life you are living at present will tell whether you will have a place in God’s presence on that day, so if Christ puts away sin by the sacrifice of the Cross, why are some people still living in sin of slavery and bondage.”

allowed sin into their lives, and as a result of their sin of disobedience, God cast them out of His presence. Will God Behold Sin? God’s eyes cannot behold sin, because God eyes are too Holy to see sin, I Peter 3:12, when Jesus was on the cross, because of the weight of sin which He took upon Himself on the cross, God turned His eyes (face) away from Jesus at that moment and Jesus cried aloud and said father why hast thou forsaken me. God Himself will punish sin on the last day, please search yourself whether you are in the state of His Grace. Sin has no place in God’s Kingdom because no unclean thing will be found in Heaven, I Thess 4:7, for God called you to a righteous life and not to uncleanness. There is no hope for sin because God hates sin, (Col 1:4). Remember that Jesus gave His life for your sins so that you might live and not die. Will There Be A Place For Sinners? There will be no place for sinners because both sin and

committer of sin have no place in the kingdom of God our Heavenly King. Anyone that is born of God cannot sin, if you still find yourself in sin, you are of the devil (I John 3:2-9), for the Bible says anyone who have hope in God and Heaven must be pure just as God is pure (I John 3:3). These are the last days, the devil wants to drag many souls to hell and as such, he brings sin and temptations your way in order for you to commit sin against God, for anyone who lives in sin is condemned already. Except you repent, you will definitely not enter the kingdom of God because the Bible says if you are in Christ, you are a new man, your old life is passed away, you now have a regenerated heart. (Romans 6:4 2 cor 5:17). If you want to follow after the way of Christ, you must forsake your sinful way of life in order to be granted a place in God’s kingdom, because there is no small sin or big sin, sin is sin, there is no “it doesn’t matter” in God’s Kingdom. In fact, those things that don’t matter before men matter before God, for the Bible says all unrighteousness is sin against God (I John 5:16) if you are a child of God, you will definitely overcome the sinful life of this world, ‘I John 5:4.’ There cannot be place for sin or sinners in the Kingdom of Heaven on that great day of the feast when all eyes shall be fastened on God, waiting to receive their portion from Him. It is either “well done thou good and faithful servant, come into my Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the earth or depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.” Strive to be among the 144,000 people that the book of Revelation 14 talked about. Heaven is real and Hell-fire is also real. For only in the Lord Jesus can you be saved indeed (Titus 3:5). Jesus is the hope of the Christian in this world, Proverbs 10:28. Don’t look away from the Lord Jesus, always look unto Him for help and salvation from sin, death. Serve God everyday, I Samuel 12:24, and have faith in God and know that you are God’s Holy Temple (I Cor. 3:17).


THE SUNDAY

23

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

ISSUES

Improving Your Emotional Health part of life as it causes sadness anxiety and stress. The good thing about people with healthy emotions, is that they have an ability to bounce back from adversity, trauma and stress. The ability is called resilience. They also have the tools for coping with

difficult situations and maintaining a positive outlook, they are focused, flexible, and creative in bad times as well as in good times. One of the key factors of resilience is the ability to balance stress and your emotions. The capability to recognize your emotions help to avoid getting stuck in

“The good thing about people with healthy emotions, is that they have an ability to bounce back from adversity, trauma and stress. The ability is called resilience.”

depression, anxiety, or other negative mood. Having trusted friends or people around, you can turn to them for encouragement, and support. This will also boost your resilience in tough times. Below is a list of emotionally and mental health tips that can improve your emotions. Ability to control your thoughts; thoughts have immense power and if they are controlled and directed well, we can

PEOPLE who are emotionally healthy are in total control of their behavior and their emotion. They have the mental ability to handle life challenges, build strong relationships, and recover from setbacks. Just as it requires effort to build or maintain physical health, so it is with your mental, physical and emotional health. Before we proceed, let defined emotional health. Emotional health can be seen as one overall psychological well-being. It also refers to the presence of positive characteristics, not just the absence of mental health problems and being free from depression anxiety or other psychological issue, but things to make you feel positive in order to achieve mental and emotional health. Below is a list of some mental or emotionally healthy people: * A zest of living and the ability to laugh

By WINIFRED OSASOBO:

and have fun * The ability to deal with stress and bounce back from adversity. * The flexibility to learn new things · An ability to build and maintain fulfilling relationships. · Self-confidence

and high self-esteem Being emotionally and mentally healthy doesn’t mean you never had bad experience through out or though times. Well, we all go through disappointment, loss and changes, while this seem to be a normal

achieve whatever we want to over come, both negative feeling and behaviour. For your emotion to be effectively controlled, programme your mind and set a vision to achieve. Communicate with purpose; clarity and be open to questions. Learning to listen to others with empathy and the ability to pick up emotional cues from others, would be of help. Know your strengths and weaknesses; focus on strengths and work on weaknesses. Acquire skills, and knowledge to fill up the lacunae. Reflective learning or learning from past experience will help you function effectively. Openness to feedback is very important to learning continuously. Overcoming any habit that may be detrimental to self development. Resilience or the ability to spring right back to normal. The face of adverse circumstance is an important constituent of emotional health. Admit your mistake; unless you learn to admit your own mistake, it will be impossible to learn from it and grow. Banish fear; fear is the greatest obstacle to success. Fear is unpleasant feeling aroused by threat of danger and causes one to think and act irrationally. How to deal with it is to over come fear of failure and take control over your life.


THE SUNDAY

24

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

LONG time ago in the history of the world,

Story Time

to it carnivorous behaviour. And till

Why The Forest Is The Lion’s Abode By ROSELINE BINITIE

God made the lion a head over other animals and humans and made the he-goat to live in the forest. The lion that was made the head over the animals and the humans ate any one that came across its way, this made God annoyed and called it on several occasions and warned it but the lion kept on eating the people and the animals that came its way. One day God made up his mind and banished the lion from the town and sent it into the forest and was forbidden by God to be ever seen in the town again and brought the he-goat out of the forest

into the town and made him head of the town. This is why till today

lions are not found in the town but in the thick

JOKES

Cap Of Imagination the phrase again. “let us put on our cap of imagination”, to his surprise each student brought out his/her cap and put on, and when the teacher exclaimed, “what is happening”? They chorused, “Sir, it is our cap of imagination”.

A Billion Naira Three men: an Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa were asked if given one billion naira each what they would do with it. The Igbo man said, “International business”. The Hausa man said, “Cattle business”. To our surprise the Yoruba man said, “my father, my grandmother are dead and buried without befitting burial ceremonies, I will give

tomorrow the he-goat will always be seen in the town because of its

With UKIRI CLEMENTINA 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890

POEM

By CLEMENTINA UKIRI

1, 2 Buckle My Shoe

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012

A certain teacher will always use the phrase, “Let us put on our cap of imagination to illustrate a point. One day, all the students in the class decided to bring their caps to school; as the teacher was teaching, he made

forest where it will not come in contact with people and animals

C

hildren’s World

them world class burial ceremonies”.

easily to eat and God made it a rare animal due

By BLESSING SALAMI

Hippopotamus There was a teacher who brought a calendar to school. In the calendar, was drawn Hippopotamus. He asked his students to pronounce the name of the animal in

the calendar. None of them could pronounce it. Then he said, if they couldn’t pronounce it he will flog all of them. Then, began a stammerer, “hip, hip, hipooo” all the students shouted Hurrah!

The Goat And The A Goat and a Chicken Chicken were walking and discussing along the road side, suddenly a car passed and splashed water on them, angrily the chicken hissed and

Stealer Stealer Chibuzor stole Elijah’s biro and it resulted in a fight, after which they were called to explain in the principle’s office. The following conversation ensued among them. Principal: Elijah, what happened? Elijah:Sir, this boy (pointing at Chibuzor na

friendly and omnivorous behavior.

thief. Principal: Frowns with ugly grimace at him What did I hear you speak? Pidgin English? Elijah:I’m sorry, infact and in short, this boy is a stealer, he is the stealer in my class

said, don’t mind them, that’s how they drive like Goat, the Goat smiled and said hmmmm! No wonder they die like chicken

Umbrella AN old man entered the office of another man with an umbrella. The man said, “how dare you carry an umbrella into my office?” Then the old man said, “if it is true that you rain insults on people, why shouldn’t I carry my umbrella into your office?”

1, 2, buckle my shoe 3, 4, Knock at the door 5, 6, Pick up stick 7, 8, Lay them straight 9, 10, A big fat hen 11, 12, Go to the bed 13, 14, Shoot your gun

Jack And Jill Jack and Jill went up the hill To fetch a pail of water Jack fell down and broke his crown And Jill came tumbling after

Hippopotamus Hip for the Hipopo Popo for the Hipopo And tamus for the Hippopotamus


THE SUNDAY

25

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

RELIGION

See God Face To Face

TODAY, people are only after getting certificates but not getting the knowledge. Many people pass through school but the school doesn’t pass through them. Many students study for exam because they want to tell others that they don’t want to fail their exam, not that they are eager for knowledge. Students tell lies that they have been given admission when they finish from secondary school. A girl who has just finished from the secondary school told her friend that she was given admission into University of Auchi. Some of her friends gained admission into various universities and the girl also wanted to be called a university undergraduate. Is there any university at Auchi?’ Another student lied to his parents that he was offered admission into a university in the north. He collects school fees, hostel accommodation money and pocket money from his parents and goes to stay in the school. During holidays, he will go home when other students are going home. When the holidays are over, he will collect school fees and allowances from his parents before returning to school. This was the way the boy tricked his parents from the first year till the fifth year in the university when the parents were looking forward to having a son who is a graduate. At the end of the fifth year, the boy lied to his parents again that he had completed his first degree course and started his Masters degree which will end in two years’ time. He was collecting school fees and allowances from his parents for the two years. It was at the end of the second year that he was able to pass his JAMB Exam, and. he was offered admission as a year one in the University. Any parent having a child in the university should be careful to know the authenticity of the child’s admission so as to avoid bringing untold problems on himself. Even if more opportunities exist for a

change, most people still prefer doing things which gives them maximum benefit with minimum input of their time and effort. Any person who ate food and is satisfied will start to make choice when another food is given to him. When a contractor is given a new project, he mobilises all his men, materials and machine, to site and the job progresses rapidly. After sometime, if the Client decides to increase the volume of work and the same Contractor is the one to handle the job, the Contractor will now be having more work to do. He will become lackadaisical about the job and the pace of work will slow down. This has led to non-completion of some government projects. If it is possible for a Contractor to get all his contract money paid without executing the project, he will agree. When government makes promises, they are aware that it is not a target which they can honestly achieve. In Nigeria, it is now taken for granted that to make life more abundant for us, we have to endure incessant and long traffic hold ups whenever failed portions of any road is under construction. The same foreign Contractors do the same job in other countries without any pain caused to the public. In Nigeria, they are called “go -slow- men -at work”. To defend Government effort in the area of public infrastructure, probe panels are set up to examine the immediate and remote causes of the failure to provide the infrastructure. Over the years, these have put away public attention from such projects and empowered some of our leaders to say one thing and do another or do none. As a result, half of their campaign promises are not fulfilled while in office. This world was not created by God through laziness and God did not’ create people to receive reward for doing nothing. In the Biblical story of the Talents, a Master wanted to travel out of his country and he called his servants to do some work for him while he is away. To one, he gave five talents, to another, he gave two talents, and to another,

By PRINCE BAYO OKUO

one talent. When the Master came back, the servants had traded with their talents and the one with five talents came back to the Master with five more talents, the one with two talents came back with two more talents. But the one with just one talent dug a hole and kept his talent. He did not trade with his talent like the other servants did. He came back to his Master with the talent. He said his Master used to reap where he did not sow, he use to gather seeds where

would have yielded him interest since he knew that his Master always reap where he did not sow. He said, to those who have, more shall be given to them and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. The unprofitable servant was cast out into the darkness. A child of God must therefore be profitable in the work or business he or she is doing so as not to be casted out like the unprofitable servant (Matt 25:14-30).

he did not scatter. When they met their Master, he said “Well done” to the two servants who brought 10 talents and 4 talents and called them faithful and profitable servants. He collected the one talent from the third servant and gave it to the servant who had 10 talents. He called him. a wicked and lazy servant and said he ought to have deposited his money in the bank where it

No condition is permanent. Things can still change tomorrow. A man was staying as a tenant in a room with his wife and four children since three years. The man lost his job and he was no longer able to pay his’ rent. His wife was a petty trader. The landlord cut off his electricity supply because he had unpaid electricity bills., To worsen matter, the landlord

threatened to removed the roof over the man’s room if he failed to pack out of the house within seven days. Despite pleadings by the man and his wife to’ be given some time to pay the rent, the landlord took off the roof over their room and exposed the tenant to rain and sun for several weeks. The tenant and his family experienced pains but God had a plan for them. During the trauma, the man got a job as a Registrar in a higher Institution and relocated there with his family and started anew life. The old landlord’s son was seeking admission into the Institution and his papers were brought to the man’s desk. Without any bias or illwill, the man rendered assistance to the son of his old landlord and he was admitted. The boy was shocked because he knew him to be his father’s former tenant forced out of their house. The boy wanted a hostel accommodation off campus and he was directed to the landlord of the hostel near the campus. It happened that the very house was owned by the Registrar. The boy was dumbfounded when he saw that the landlord was his father’s former tenant. But the man kept the apartment for him pending when he will pay the rent. Later, the boy’s parents came to the school to pay the rent and they were shocked to find that the man was their former tenant. They begged him for forgiveness and mercy. The Registrar forgave them. This is a small world. It pays to be kind and Godfearing. If almighty God forgives us our sins, why should ordinary mortals like the old landlord not do likewise. The old landlord

realised that no condition is permanent and he became a born again Christian. With God nothing is impossible, but with man things seem impossible. One thousand years is like one day in the eyes of God. A boy was asked to speak on the life of his father after his death. After speaking, the boy said he will join his father soon. Many people were shocked at the boy’s statement. But “soon” can be one hundred years. What look big to man is small before God. When things are hot, He sends down rain. When it is cold, He brings heat. If you get to the hospital, you will see people feeding through their nostrils, some through their waists. Why should people be complaining that money is their problem? In all things, give thanks to God. A woman went to the doctor to complain that there was excess water in her brain disturbing her. The doctor examined her head and found there was no excess water. But the woman continued to complain and believed there was water in her brain. On her next visit, the doctor gave the woman sleeping tablet. While she was sleeping, the doctor poured some milk inside a bowl of water. When the woman woke up, the doctor showed her the bowl of milky water as the water that was removed from her brain. Since then till today, the woman is no longer complaining of excess water in her brain. She believe that the doctor removed the water and she saw it with her naked eyes. Send your reaction on this message to EmaiI:pbo1030yahoo.com or call:07055599615.

“It pays to be kind and God-fearing. If almighty God forgives us our sins, why should ordinary mortals like the old landlord not do likewise. The old landlord realised that no condition is permanent and he became a born again Christian. With God nothing is impossible, but with man things seem impossible. One thousand years is like one day in the eyes of God.”


THE SUNDAY

26

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

SOCIETY

Honesty, Another Word For Blessings IT is a common axiom that “Honesty is the best Policy”. Reinforced time and time again from different sources like parents, teachers, religious leaders, the saying has become part of our daily diet. However, the truism in this statement cannot be over emphasized. We have seen countless occasions when people get rewarded handsomely at the end of the day because of display of honesty, even when it seemed the action was going to cost them their lives or means of livelihood. The story was told of a young boy who had to stop schooling at SS2 just because the necessary fund to enroll for his West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) final examination was nowhere. He had to serve as an errand boy for a white man in those days when white men were still almost everywhere in Nigeria. The boy was said to have come from a home where the father was late and his mother had to pick rejected heads of fishes by customers from the market to make a once-a –day meal and also crack palm kernel to eat at intervals. From the moment he stepped into his master’s house, he remained glued to the lesson of honesty he got back home and swore to give a good account of himself. The gist was that his master would leave large

sums of money with him and was made to handle all forms of businesses. He was diligent to the master. The white man never one day found him wanting. This prompted his boss to put under his care every single property he owned in Nigeria upon his retirement. From the numerous houses, to the companies he established, and cars, he dashed all to this young boy. The boy, who didn’t have a dime to his name, became a multimillionaire overnight. This enabled him sponsor his younger ones to the university. This is a story that illustrates one of the unending dividends of honesty Another typical example which everyone is used to is the biblical Joseph who warded off every form of temptation, one of which was that which

BY OKOGBA EMMANUEL .O. presented itself as Potiphar ’s wife, a scenario which is likely not to come to play in our present day. But for his honesty in dealing with his master’s wife the position of a governor would have eluded him and thus unable to save his family from the pangs of famine. That reminds me of a remark that “was it a

kind of values are not being inculcated into the hearts of the nowadays children who will eventually turn out to be leaders of tomorrow. Honesty as it is, should be practised in every sphere of our life. The benefits that accompany it are too numerous to mention. Some might say there are times where you need to tell a little lie to avert the

given us genuine reasons over and over again not to believe them the very moment they open their mouth to speak. Nigerians have now concluded that their endless list of manifesto is one of those steps they take in their bid to get to those positions. It is now a normal routine that they carry out and we just nod our heads in agreement just to make them stop talking and go, since we can’t go

“Honesty pays; for as many who have put it into practice, there is always a testimony of joy and happiness to share” typical Nigerian guy who found himself in Joseph’s shoes, he would have thrown caution to the wind, dammed the consequences and go ahead to lie with Potiphar’s wife”. This goes a long way to show how we are less concerned about posterity but focus mostly on temporary enjoyment. It goes with the saying that the right

possible outcome of telling the truth. There is nothing like a ‘little-lie’. It’s just like saying ‘a little sin’ whereas we know there is nothing like a ‘little sin’. Moreover, we have seen cases where that lie told could be detected by the offended person and this could aggravate the punishment that could have been maybe just a tongue-lashing. In Nigeria today, when we talk about ‘honestydeficit’ the first word or name that comes to nearly everybody’s mind are the politicians. This is because they have

there and there must be someone to occupy the seat. This is the very opposite of what the case should be. But not just politicians, even in the religious circle where sacredness and integrity should be found, we see religious leaders who tell lies just to enrich their purses. They “see” visions; carry out deliverances on members who exalt that title “man of God” above any other. In cognizance of the fact that there are still honest people living among us, the percentage cannot in

anyway be compared to that of the dishonest bunch. If Nigeria and the world in general intend to find solutions to its reoccurring challenges, honesty is one of the key ingredients that must be added to make the food of peace and harmony being cooked to have an overwhelming aroma. As a child, be truthful to your parents. When sent on an errand, return the money that comes out from the purchase. The fact that you bought it less than the original price does not give you the permission to spend the left over. Take that money back to them and a very good parent could end up giving you back that same money for being an honest child. As a politician, endeavour to make promises you can keep because like the saying goes “a promise made is a debt owed”. When you fail to keep your promises, have it in mind that posterity will definitely come to collect the debt from either you or your children. Honesty pays; for as many who have put it into practice, there is always a testimony of joy and happiness to share. Try being honest today and count the many blessings that follow.

“Honesty as it is, should be practised in every sphere of our life. The benefits that accompany it are too numerous to mention.”


THE SUNDAY

27

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

RELIGION

True Repentance

HAVE you ever been so sure of yourself, ignorantly and consciously before.., it might be so funny, but this is a height I do not think, anybody wants to get to. At that point when you rely so much on your physical and mental strength to survive in this life’s terrain, you are susceptible and nearest to one of your falls. Scriptures was in full understanding of this terrain that is why it said: ‘wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall” I Cor. 10:13;. Proper understanding of this scripture comes to the mind, if you study the verses 12 and 14 of I Cor 10. This is however not saying that you should always forget your personality as a Christian, for “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God seed remains in him: he can not go on sinning, because he has been born of God” I John 3:9 (NIV) but that our strength to surmount and live above sin comes from following and adhering to the ever present framework made available for the survival of sons in this present generation, the seal of our salvation and teacher of all truths - The HOLY SPIRIT: immediately your confidence shifts from reliance on God to total reliance on the confidence you have in yourself, failure is knocking at your door. Also, the position of every Christian in this world is for him to play according to the rules and principles of the realm which he operates in (Eph 1:20,), when you leave your position of power and sonship to try to navigate spiritual truths with the principles of the world your boat might be sailing, but check it very well for leakages, before the water overtakes the boat and it capsizes. Paul had the understanding of his fallibility, explains his situation in Romans 7:17-25 and the verse in Romans 8: 1 is the stinger that acts as check and balances, and that is why he says that irrespective of the great revelations that is made available to him, a thorn was

given him in his flesh to keep him from being conceited, hence his strength now comes from the power of God upon his life, and upon that alone will he boast (2 Cor 12: 7 - 16). The place of properly laying this background, is for us to have something to fall back on when the going gets a little bit rougher, but please I do want us to know that His grace is sufficient for us to surmount every challenge that this world throws at us and His hand of infinite mercy is available at those points where we fall gullible to the wiles and caprices of this world. When we were yet sinners He died for us and loved us, talkless of now that we have being redeemed by His blood, who says he is not interested in us when we fall. Moreover, do not be deceived! Your misbehaviour does not take God away from you, rather it takes you away from Him, because your mind judges and condemns you. Then when you fall you are unworthy to stand before His presence and you run away,.. and when He comes in the cool of the evening after you have messed up and shouts Adam! Adam! we make excuses and hide ourselves from Him (as if we can). But when He comes, please do not feel that way, check out; at those points when you fall, Daddy always comes around you, ready to lift you up when you fall,., for He cares much (this is not a guarantee to sin, for there are blessings that come along with staying holy; it is better to grow up with little or no scars than plague your life with scars). For the sake of reference do not ever measure the distance away from God based on your acts, only God has the yardsticks for effective judgment. This most times is one of the pitfalls that a Christian experiences, “we lie with pride and when we hear fornication, it sounds like grave!” How do I know that, scripture equates disobedience and stubbornness with witchcraft, hatred and murder, outline liars as those that will

By OLUGBEMIRO MICHAEL .O.

have their part in the lake of fire, what now makes you think a sin is larger than the other. Do not base your remorse and repentance on the world’s measurement of sin, but just get back to your Father and hear what He wants you to do and how He wants you to think. The struggle with thought patterns and the presentations of the mind on issues bothering on sin kills most times faster than the sin involved. In this dispensation where you do not look for sin but sin looks for you to the innermost of hideouts, when it sees that you are growing and might not fall for the obvious, it comes in the subtle. The only way for us to survive is to get to know what the father has made available for us in all situations. At every point in time of our life, He has made available pathways to get back to Him, and that way is

II:29;). You cannot be so distressed that God cannot pick you up; you cannot be so dirty that God cannot clean you up; you cannot be so far that He cannot bring you near... no situation leaves you so worst, that the Father is not there for you. Furthermore, what differentiates a son from a servant is that, irrespective of the actions of a son, a father that loves the son will always look for ways to make sure the child is better. So also in this case, as God’s children (1 John 3:2) He will always look for avenues to bring you back to His ways, we as Christians are meant to be an extension of God our Father here on earth (we were created in His image and likeness), At every point in time, He is always ready to bring you back to His original intention, He demonstrated this by sending his only

Jesus; no wonder scripture says that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the Iife. ( John 14 6), knowing that way and how to go about it is easier when we learn of Him (Matt

begotten son to come and die for us at the cross of Calvary: Rom 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. I

am a son of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3: 26), He even gave us assurance of our sonship by giving us a seal i.e. His Spirit; Romans 8:1416 “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God..! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” Hence all the packages and goodies that are accrued to a son are befitting to me, when a child offends; the father does not kill him rather he scolds him, makes him understand and puts him on the right track. If our earthly father that loves us will do this for us, don’t you think much more will be done for us by our heavenly Father? God does not condemn His children, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1, NIV). Majority of the times in our bid to help God feel bad, we wallow in guilt, give ourselves punishments of all sorts and then pass judgments on ourselves. I am

than you have created. Do not allow the accuser of the brethren to push you out of the knowledge of your personality, in your bid to feel remorse. Any remorse that is not spirit led is a waste of time; it is just a consolation of the flesh. The seal of our salvation and our sonship is always available and ready to help us out in situations of falling, if only we listen to Him. Sometimes the fact that we knew, we heard Him talk before ‘falling makes the guilt stain tough to wash off, but there is no stain tougher than the blood of Jesus Christ. David understood the importance of the Spirit of God in the repentance process and that was why he prayed that “Create in me a pure heart, 0 God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence or take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me” (Psalm 51:10-12. NIV).

not in any way against remorse and repentance, it is essential and compulsory, but do not go to the extreme of condemning yourself and creating a bigger gap between you and Jesus

Repentance outside the Spirit of God is futile, and adherence to the spirit is important to keep guilt from you and equip you with the knowledge to surmount the challenges brought by the accuser.

“At every point in time of our life, He has made available pathways to get back to Him, and that way is Jesus; no wonder scripture says that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the Iife. ( John 14 6), knowing that way and how to go about it is easier when we learn of Him (Matt II:29;). You cannot be so distressed that God cannot pick you up; you cannot be so dirty that God cannot clean you up; you cannot be so far that He cannot bring you near... no situation leaves you so worst, that the Father is not there for you.”


THE SUNDAY

28

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Buffon Desperate For Champions League Glory GIANLUIGI Buffon is desperate to win the Champions League with Juventus before the end of his career, after missing out on the trophy in 2002-03. The experienced goalkeeper has yet to add the European Cup to his trophy cabinet and is eager for European success before hanging up his gloves The Serie A champions made it to the quarter-finals of European club football’s elite competition last season, where eventual winners Bayern Munich proved to be too strong, and the Bianconeri skipper is eager to go all the way this campaign. “Winning the Scudetto is obviously something that never stops satisfying you, but there’s no denying that the Champions League is something else. It is not a competition you win easily,” Buffon told TG1. “I already got to the Champions League final in 2003 and I really did not enjoy the experience of losing. “What would I give to win the Champions League? Let’s say I have six or seven years left to play, I’d happily give three or four years of my career to win it.” The draw for the Champions League group stages takes place in Monaco on August 29.

• Buffon

Flag Row Strains Schalke, PAOK Relations Ahead Tuesday’s Game

• Gareth Bale to Real Madrid

Gareth Bale To Earn 10m Euros Annually At Madrid

GARETH Bale is set to earn 10 million Euros a year after tax at Real Madrid, making him the club’s biggest earner alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, Spanish newspaper Marca has reported. The Madrid paper’s front page including World Cup winners announced that a 99 million Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Euros deal to bring Bale from Xabi Alonso, and established Tottenham had finally been internationals such as completed. Inside, a report was Germany’s Mesut Ozil and headlined ‘Just needs a France’s Karim Benzema. signature’ and claimed it was a Earlier this month, AS “question of hours” before the reported that Ozil and Benzema Wales international put pen to were unimpressed at being paper on a six-year contract at pushed down the salary scale at the Bernabeu. the club and claimed Ronaldo That deal will put him on did not like the idea of Bale more money than players replacing him as the world’s most expensive player. Madrid have offered Ronaldo a new contract that would increase his earnings to +18 million a year after tax, although knows the responsibility he the Portugal captain and his agent has. He has adapted in the best Jorge Mendes have reportedly not way possible into the group. yet responded to the offer. Physically he is working well Talk of the Bale deal, and the and taking advantage of the huge figures involved, moments he gets. The more time he gets on the pitch, the more he will bring to Barca. Nobody is assured of a place FORMER Bianconeri at this club. There are players winger Attilio Lambardo has who earn more, others less, but urged his old employers to we all must feel like possible make a move for the Portugal starters.” attacker before the close of the The new man is more likely transfer window to begin Barca’s Primera Attilio Lombardo feels that Division game at Malaga on Manchester United winger Sunday evening, given Leo Nani would be the perfect Messi looks set to miss the summer signing for Juventus, fixture with the thigh problem claiming the Portugal which saw him substituted at international would add half-time against Atletico something to the Serie A during the midweek Spanish champions they are currently Supercopa first leg 1-1 draw. missing. Alves looked to calm The Portugal international’s concerns in Catalonia that the future at the Premier League Argentine had a serious issue, champions is in doubt, with his contract set to expire in the saying it was normal for a summer of 2014. player to take precautions Lombardo is therefore when he felt something was wrong.

Alves Asks Neymar To Fight For Place DANI Alves says there is nothing unusual about Neymar’s first two competitive Barcelona appearances being as a substitute. The +57 million summer signing was introduced from the bench against both Levante and Atletico Madrid, leading some pundits to suggest that new coach Gerardo Martino was being unnecessarily cautious in introducing the Brazilian to the starting XI. Others have wondered whether Neymar himself might be disappointed not to have played a more prominent role so far. But blaugrana right-back Alves said every new player even ones as talented and expensive as Neymar - must fight to win their place in a squad as talented and competitive as Barcelona’s. “[Neymar] is very motivated to play,” Alves said. “He knows where he has come to, and the demands here. He

TENSIONS between Schalke 04 and PAOK officials have escalated ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League play-off second leg with the Germans accusing the Greeks of poor behaviour. Schalke were held to a 1-1 home draw by PAOK on Wednesday at Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins Arena, but tempers frayed after the first leg of the tie was blighted by crowd trouble, which PAOK officials could have done more to avoid, according to the German club. More than a hundred riot police were deployed into the Schalke block to remove a flag of the ultra supporters of Macedonian first division club Vardar Skopje — which had been flown by German fans to provoke the visiting Greek supporters due to the tensions between Greece and

surrounded Thursday’s Trofeo Bernabeu exhibition game, where the guest of honour was former Madrid great Raul Gonzalez, who played 45 minutes for Madrid and the other 45 for his current side, Qatari club Al Sadd. While no Los Blancos figure was willing to go on the record about Bale, Raul joked about the size of the transfer when he spoke to AS in the mixed zone. “If the Bale thing is not done, I would cost much less,” the 36-year-old said, proposing in jest that he could return to play for Madrid. The response to the deal in Catalonia has, unsurprisingly, been more sceptical. Mundo Deportivo asked its readers on Friday: “Is this man worth +109 million?” The Barcelona-supporting paper took that headline from Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport,

to show that others in Europe are questioning why Madrid are prepared to pay so much, particularly in times of economic hardship. Meanwhile, Sport claimed Chelsea’s move to hijack Tottenham’s deal for Willian was a move by current Blues coach Jose Mourinho to ensure that his former team Madrid missed out on Bale.

... Fee Shows No Respect For World, Says Martino BARCELONA coach Gerardo Martino has slammed Real Madrid over the reported 100 million Euros transfer fee they are set to pay Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale. The Santiago Bernabeu side are expected to imminently complete the signing of the

Juventus Should Sign Nani urging his old club to make a move for the 26-year-old, whom he holds in the highest esteem. “Nani would be the ideal addition for Juventus. He would make them even more competitive,” the former Bianconeri winger told Tuttosport. “He no longer seems as hard to sign as before now that United seemingly prefer [Antonio] Valencia on the right. “Juventus don’t have a player like him at the moment.” Nani joined United from Sporting CP in the summer of 2007 and has since made over

Macedonia. After the stadium’s security guards failed to remove the offending flag, German police officers used batons and pepper spray to remove it with around 30 supporters injured. But Schalke board member Peter Peters said PAOK officials should have warned them about potential trouble. “If such a flag can create so much turmoil, it is the duty of those responsible to point that out early in the mandatory safety meetings,” said Peters. “In the tense atmosphere of a game is completely the wrong time. “Schalke 04 could not have known that (about the flag).” Schalke’s officials have taken the unusual step of refusing to attend the prematch banquet between the two sets of club officials before Tuesday’s return leg at PAOK’s Stadio Toumba in Salonika in protest. Peters said the Greek officials are equally unhappy with their Schalke counterparts. “We have enormous problems with their behaviour,” he said. “Their fans’ anger had a significant potential threat and they could have done far more to calm their supporters, who have a reputation for being problematic. “Instead they busied themselves with accusing Schalke, that is not sporting behaviour and is not acceptable.”

- Lambardo

200 official appearances for the English champions, winning four league titles in the process.

• Nani

Welshman for a world record fee and Martino feels shelling out such an amount of money for one player is borderline offensive in such times of economic crisis. “How I feel about Madrid signing Bale for about +100m? He is an excellent player, but the fee that’s being mentioned shows a lack of respect for the world we live in,” Martino said at a press conference. Madrid already hold the record for most expensive transfer with the 94m Euros they paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, but Bale is likely to cost the Liga giants in excess of 100m Euros following Spurs insistence to only sell for an astronomical fee. The Bernabeu side have yet to finalise the signing of the 24-year-old Bale, but a transfer seems to be a matter of time as they have already prepared a special balcony on which to parade their new signing once the deal becomes official.


THE SUNDAY

29

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

NBB Of C Seeks Sponsorship For Boxing Growth

• Alex Ekhorowa set for international boxing bout in Benin City

REMI Abodurin, the Secretary, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), on Friday appealed to government and corporate bodies for sponsorship to enable the sport develop in the country. Aboderin told newsmen in Lagos that lack of sponsors was the major factor militating against both the amateur and professional boxing in the country. According to him, it was only the availability of sponsors that would make sports in the country attractive and gain international and global recognition. “To make it more attractive, we need the corporate world to come into it. And not just the corporate world, T.V stations also have to come into it. “Don King does not bring out money to promote professional boxing bout, he gets sponsorship and apart from sponsorship, also there is T.V rights. “The T.V stations pay him money to bring the two boxers to fight. For a Pacquiao, a Mayweather the T.V stations would have said okay we are ready to give you $50 million for the bout. “The money would be given to him and it has helped him to promote or to put together a show that the whole world would want to see,’’ he said.

Aboderin said that there were many corporate bodies and spirited individuals in the country that were ready to promote boxing in the country. “So that is why we are pleading with DSTV. They are doing so well in South Africa for boxing, they should also come into Nigeria boxing, Nigeria sports especially. “Because that is what they are doing in South Africa, we pay more money here in Nigeria; we have more of our subscribers to this network. “So we are pleading with them to also come into Nigerian sports and help us move it

forward that is the only way we can put together a show that would be attractive to the world. “We have the wherewithal, we have the boxers, we have the officials and everybody is on ground, we just want a little bit of encouragement from the government. “As in making laws that would make it mandatory for corporate organisation in Nigeria to sponsor all sports.“ Aboderin added that Nigeria was blessed with an enabling environment for sports as well as talents to make sports vibrant and do the country proud at international competitions.

ISMAILA Usman, the Chief Coach, Kaduna State Cycling Association, yesterday said that the National Productivity Award bestowed on him by the state government was a big surprise to him. Usman told newsmen on telephone that the award had further proved to him that hard work never go unnoticed. Reports say that the award was presented to the coach on

August 23 at the government house, Kaduna. “ I am honoured and happy that my efforts at developing sports in the state especially cycling have not been a futile exercise. “I am the only one in the state’s Ministry of Youth and Sports that was honoured which goes to show that hard work pays. “ The award would no doubt inspire me to work harder. I hereby promise not to relent on my efforts but ensure that sports especially cycling continue to develop in the state,” Usman said. The coach added that his goal was to make cyclists in the state world class beaters who could compete at the world level. He told newsmen that apart from a certificate of award, he had an undisclosed cash award.

Kaduna Cycling Coach Surprised By Award

Binitie Jnr Makes Case For Karate By NICHOLAS EBOIGBE

FORMER National Champion of Karate, Ayo Binitie Jnr believes that the only way Karate can grow in Nigeria is to make the sport a business. According to Binitie, the watch Karate because the members of Karate members pay fees too. Here Association should pay their we don’t. He suggested too monthly dues in order that that Karatekas should form clubs in Benin City the way they succeed. He requested corporate it is in Lagos. Benitie advised Karatekas organisations to fund the not to rely solely on the Martial Art (Karate) even as government because it the people, particularly the cannot attend to everything. Karatekas must see it as a “It is good to seek for business. funds from government but “People in Japan pay to

they should make effort to get finance from other courses so as to promote and

London 2012 Paralympics, in which able-bodied athletes did not win any medal. The Technical Director of the federation, Samuel Ekeoma, told newsmen on a telephone that the support would enable the paralympians to improve on their London performance. He said that the Federal Government alone should not be saddled with the responsibility of financing sports in Nigeria. “We need the support of

need for the Martial Artists to promote the sport as a form of entertainment.

Nigeria League Hotshot Olorundare Off To Turkey

NIGERIA league leading scorer Dele Olorundare has told MTNFootball.com he has agreed to join Turkish club Tavsanli Linytspor. Olorundare, who was on the verge of joining South African league club Maritzburg, will

2016 Paralympics: Para Power Lifters Urge Corporate, Individual Support THE Nigeria Parapowerlifting Federation, which made Nigeria proud at London 2012 Paralympics, on Friday called for corporate and private sponsorships ahead of its preparations for the 2016 Paralympics. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2016 Paralympics will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nigeria won six gold medals, five silver and a bronze at the

develop the sport better in the state”. He however stressed the

private bodies; their support will complement government’s efforts in ensuring that we win more medals in 2016,’’ he said. The director told newsmen that corporate bodies and wellmeaning individuals could support the body with equipment needed for training. ‘They can also support us financially to organise national competitions and to participate in various international competitions ahead of the Paralympics.

now lace his boots for the Turkish club along with compatriots Akeem Agbetu and Sani Gideon. The Jazzy Stars FC of Jos discovery, who has fired 12 goals in the on-going season, will fly to Istanbul, Turkey, today(Friday) through Lagos. Olorundare told MTNFootball.com he will talk on the deal when on arrival in Turkey. “I will tell you everything about the deal when I reach Turkey. That’s all I want to say for now,” Olorundare told MTNFootball.com Fellow Nigerian Gideon, who is on loan to Tavsanli Linytspor, told MTNFootball.com Olorundare is joining the team as the players have been informed. “We have been told we will

have another Nigerian player, Olorundare, joining me and Agbetu(Akeem) here. I learnt he is top scorer in Nigeria league, we were told already he is part of us. We are all expecting him here,” he

• Dele Olurundare

informed MTNFootball.com Olorundare is expected to sign a two-year deal after a routine medical in Turkey. The hard working striker has featured for defunct Babanawa FC, Nasarawa United and Sunshine Stars. He was also on the fringes of the Super Eagles.


THE SUNDAY

30

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Kilmarnock Boss Hails Rabiu Ibrahim

BETTER days are finally here for Nigeria star Rabiu Ibrahim at Kilmarnock after new boss Allan Johnston hailed his magical skills. Rabiu, once dubbed heir apparent to the legendary Austin “Jay Jay’ Okocha, has featured for Nigeria at U17, U20 and Olympic team levels and he is on the fringes of a full international debut. But he has not been lucky with games at all the European clubs he had played for, but that might change now as he is working under a manager who has seen great prospects in the Nigeria central midfielder, who plays same pattern with him. Allan Johnston’s arrival at Kilmarnock in the summer might be the best thing that has happened to the midfielder. Eclipse of a rising star Ibrahim, 22, did not play a game for Sporting Lisbon, before he played two matches for PSV Eindhoven and one for Celtic and was then forced to pitch up at Rugby Park in January. He played only three games under Kenny Shiels – but Johnston’s arrival has seen Ibrahim identified as the team’s playmaker and the new manager said he believes Killie fans are only just starting to realise they’ve unearthed a gem. Johnston said: “When I arrived I didn’t know much about him (Rabiu), but I saw his skill straight away.

Rabiu Ibrahim

“He’s been brilliant, really creative. Some of his skill is unbelievable to watch. Rabiu quits Celtic “We’re just trying to work on his end product and add goals to his game. He’s started to put some crosses into the box and he’s always trying to look for that forward pass in behind that strikers love. “When you have people of his quality supplying crosses and passes, the players up front will score goals. “I took him off last week when we went down to 10 men. He played terrifically, but it doesn’t help when you’re a man down. “He is just getting his fitness as he’s not played a lot of football for a while – he’s just now getting used to being a firstteam regular rather than a sub. “He’s getting stronger and stronger. He has a great opportunity to do well here. He’s done so the last couple of weeks and has to make sure he continues that way.”

LMC To Liaise With IGP For Improved Security At Stadia

• Mikel John Obi

Mikel, Enyeama Snub Bonus Panel - Adeniyi

MIKEL Obi and Vincent Enyeama snubbed a panel to probe a bonus row involving the Super Eagles after a World Cup qualifier in Namibia. Chairman of the ministerial panel Segun Adeniyi made the revelation when he presented the findings of his panel to the Nigeria sports minister. Adeniyi disclosed that all efforts to reach Israel-based goalkeeper Austin Ejide also proved abortive. “We discussed with all the actors involved in the bonus row crisis, the technical crew, the leadership of the Nigeria Football federation, six homebased players and the team captain Joseph Yobo, who was not in Namibia but we

understand was carried along by his team mates,” he said. “We tried to call Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, but we could not get them, so we sent them SMS and it was only Joseph Yobo who returned our call.” However, the former presidential spokesman noted that their snub of the panel did not affect their job. “The refusal of the trio of Mikel, Vincent and Ejide did not affect the job of the panel because we already heard

Unknown Ojini Shines In Czech Rep UNKNOWN Nigerian striker Steven Ojini has received rave reviews in the Czech Republic after a hat-trick on his debut for FK Tatran Kadan. Ojini, who signed a two-year deal this summer with the Czech club, fired a treble even though his club FK Tatran Kadan lost 5-3 to TJ Krupka. The opposing team manager Pavel Caitaml saluted Ojini, saying he is a rare talent and deserves to be playing in a top division league. “What he did was not for a player who is playing in this level of the league, he should be playing in the top flight,” Caitaml praised the quality of Ojini. According to him, the Nigerian striker is incredibly

strong on ball, fast and well equipped technically. “Our defenders made some schoolboys errors, apart from that Ojini was technical and

• Steven Ojini

dangerous,”Caitaml added. Eugene Salami and Praise Onubiyi are the other Nigerians who have joined Czech Republic clubs this summer.

from all the parties involved,” he maintained. The panel has made some f a r - r e a c h i n g

recommendations as regards the welfare of the national team.

THE League Management Company (LMC) has been called upon to liaise with the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to provide adequate security for referees during league matches. Ademola Kiyesola, a former Secretary of Kwara United FC of Ilorin, made the call on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin. He noted that there were good referees in the league working with their conscience intact, in spite of harassment by hoodlums during match venues. Kiyesola said that if adequate security was provided during league matches, it would go a long way in improving the league, adding that special security should be provided for match officials during league matches. He also suggested that the welfare of referees should not be left in the hands of the home teams, and said that if the suggested measures were implemented the Nigerian league could compete favourably with the best in the world. “Our major problem right now is the issue of bad officiating and poor security at our stadia. Something needs to be done to redress the situation,’’ Kiyesola said. He also said the referees’ indemnity should be increased to an amount that the clubs would be able to pay, adding that any referee found wanting should be sanctioned.

FEPSGA Set To Host 2013 Games VICTOR Orji, President, Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA), has said that preparations have reached an advanced stage to host the 2013 FEPSGA games. Orji made the fact known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday on the sidelines of an award ceremony to honour some state governors, philanthropists and athletes, who made the 2012 FEPSGA Games successful. According to him, Benue and Ondo State Governments have accepted to host the games for the year. Orji, however, said that the sports club (FEPSGA) had yet to finalise the logistics for hosting the games. “We have not finalised on the logistics. In fact, other states came that they want to host the games. “ The Head of Service of Ondo State said the governor had accepted to

- President

host the games but that he would want to meet with us to know the logistics. “This is to know if the state can host the games this year, but if not, they will host the 2014 edition,’’ he said. Orji said “because we have not finalised, it may be difficult to work things out if more states should apply. “If more states apply to host, we will accept; this is why we do not want to announce a host state yet so that we do not change it later.’’ He said Benue was delaying in giving its final approval because of Gov. Gabriel Suswan’s involvement in the ongoing negotiation between the Federal Government and university lecturers. “Benue has agreed to host but it is just that the governor has not been around to append his

signature. “He has approved of the hosting and also made a position paper after we sent a proposal. “The governor is busy now with the ASUU/FG negotiation, if not, arrangements would have been concluded, but I think we will be going to Makurdi,’’ Orji said. He said “any state can still win the hosting right, so, everything is still open to states until we see an endorsed paper.’’ Orji said the games for the year would be unique as the sports club had declared war on the use of mercenaries for its sporting activities. He said that some teams from some Ministries, Departments and Agencies had been suspended for fielding mercenaries in past games. Orji added that FEPSGA congress members had resolved to tackle the issue before it escalated.


THE SUNDAY

31

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

Suarez Key In Transfer Plan - Wenger

LUIS Suarez may still be the key figure in Arsenal’s summer transfer plans despite the proposed move to the Emirates Stadium faltering late in the transfer window. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger conceded his bid to sign Suarez from Liverpool was doomed to fail earlier this week, but has now admitted his hopes of landing Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema may depend on his former target securing a move to the Bernabeu. When asked whether he felt Suarez moving to Real Madrid was crucial to his hopes of landing the France international, a guarded Wenger offer this response: “That’s part of the fact you need three agreements for anybody,” he stated. “It’s true that it is sometimes connected with other clubs, but we have to accept that.” However, if Madrid do lure Suarez to the Spanish capital, it would be another blow against Wenger’s ability to court a highly-rated player into a fruitful relationship with the club. “That can happen (a players joins another club). You’ve certainly tried to go out with a girl but find she has chosen someone else. You don’t commit suicide,” he said. “I don’t want to speak in detail about what has happened. One day, why not? “But now it’s not the moment to talk about that. I just said it’s over. We have to get on with our lives.” Meanwhile, Wenger claimed he has a queue of players lining up to sign for the club, as he looks to make good on his promises to spend big in the final week of the transfer window. Wenger stated he has been frustrated by his failure to land a host of top targets this summer, yet he insists the desire

of some of the game’s leading lights to join the Gunners burns brighter than ever. However, the Frenchman reigned in the temptation to solely spend big on a marquee player. “I can understand the interest in these types of signings, but it’s five per cent of the game,” he said. “For 95 per cent of the time it’s something more - the spirit inside the club, the values of the club. But today you feel that it is only about that (big signings). “I’m not against splashing out, but football is not only about that. “(But) many players want to join us and all the players who have been here want to come back here. It’s not because they like my face. “They want to come here because of the way we treat people and for the football we play, or try to play. Unfortunately we’ve not always managed to do it, but they find something here they want to know again.

City Close In On Martian MANCHESTER City are hoping to sign Martin Demichelis as they look to end their long search for another central defender. But they want Atletico Madrid to reduce their +5 million asking price for a player they signed on a free transfer earlier this summer, hoping to pay nearer +3 million for the 32-year-old. City manager Manuel Pellegrini worked with Demichelis when both were at Malaga and has made him his top target, a source told ESPN. And the 2012 Premier League champions have switched their attention to the Argentina international after accepting it was unlikely that Pepe would leave Real Madrid to sign for them. Demichelis, a former River Plate and Bayern Munich player, signed for Atletico when his Malaga contract expired this summer. City lost one central defender in the close-season when Kolo Toure joined Liverpool after his contract at the Etihad Stadium expired. Then Matija Nastasic missed the start of the season with an ankle injury, Vincent Kompany was ruled out for a month with a groin strain sustained in the opening 4-0 win over Newcastle and the versatile Micah Richards suffered a hamstring problem. It could mean Joleon Lescott is the only regular specialist central defender available for Sunday’s trip to Cardiff, although Nastasic is expected to recover in time to play. If not, midfielder Javi Garcia, who came on for Kompany against Newcastle, is likely to deputise while Dedryck Boyata, who has not played a competitive game for City since May 2011, is also in contention. Pellegrini said: “Nastasic has worked this week. We also have Javi Garcia and Boyata. We have three options so we will see who is best.” Kompany missed spells of last season with back and calf problems but Pellegrini denied the captain’s fitness is

• Wayne Rooney

Rooney Braced For United Start Against Chelsea

Manchester United will turn down Chelsea’s third bid for Wayne Rooney, a source has told ESPN. The Blues have already seen two offers knocked back by United for Rooney, 27, with Jose Mourinho stating that the England international is the club’s primary transfer target this summer. Chelsea are believed to be preparing a final bid of £40 million for Rooney, and Mourinho has confirmed it will be made after the two sides meet at Old Trafford on Monday. However, a source close to United says the club are far from

impressed at what they believe to be underhand tactics from the Blues to unsettle the forward ahead of their Premier League clash. The Manchester Evening News also quotes a United source as saying: “Our position on Wayne has not changed in the last 12 months and Chelsea know that. “There is lot of anger and a perception that the latest comments have been made purely to get into the player’s head before the match.”

The same MEN source added that United’s attempts to add to their squad are “ongoing”. Everton duo Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines

. . . Utd To Reject Chelsea’s Third Bid For Rooney MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes has revealed that Wayne Rooney could start Monday’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea despite being regularly linked with a move to the London club. Rooney, who has been the subject of two failed bids from

Sunday Pools Guide Week 07 Middlesbrough; Portvale For “X” SAYS DR. J.K. POOLS A critical X-ray of the 49 programmed fixtures of this week o7, matches programmed to be played on 31st/ 1st and September, 2013, I fancy the encounter at “Middlesbrough Vs Sheffield Utd at No19 and portvale vs wolves at 28 for an “X”, come rain or Sun at the weekend. In the same vain, Gillingham vs Bristol C at 24, Blackburn vs Bolton at 12, Derby vs Burnley at 16 and, Aberdeen vs St Johnston at 46 for at least two draws. In summary, No 12, 16, 19, 24, 28 and 46 for at least three draws. Scanning through the whole fixtures, starting from premiership, I have soft spot for an “X” between Norwich vs Southampton at 7. It is the only naked draw that is billed to end goaless. This very week, Portvale vs Wolves must result an “X”. The score is 0-0. Precisely, Portvale is a poological Key that is overdue to result a draw with two other naked draws in the local coupon. Therefore, Portvale vs Portvale plus two others. Pleases Nap it with N20,000 at the weekend.

remain targets, while Real Madrid pair Luka Modric and Mesut Ozil have also been linked with moves to Old Trafford.

This week, the best controversial-zone-point (C-Z-P) is Blackburn Vs Bolton at 12 and Derby vs Burnley at 16. Another HOT PAIR which is unfailing this week 07 is Portvale vs Wolve at 28, and sheff Utd vs Milton KD at 29. Again, nos 28 and 29 must for an “X”. Hot Line 07039275802 8 TREBLE CHANCE 1. PORTVALE VS WOLVES 0-0 2. SHEFF UTD VS MILTON KD 0-0 3. NORWICH VS SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 4. GILLINGHAM VS BRISTOL X 1-1 5. BLACKBURN VS BOLTON 2-2 6. BURNLEY VS DERBY 2-2 7. PORTVALE VS WOLVES 3-3 8. SHEFF UTD VS MILTON KD 3-3 3 HOT PAIRS (A) 28-19 (B) 12-16 (C) 7-24. Good luck, says DR. J.k Pools. Box: 34 Irrua or opposite Police station Irrua, Esan Central Local Govt Area, Edo State.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, has been suffering from hamstring and shoulder injuries. But the 27-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in last weekend’s opening win at Swansea, setting up goals for Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck. “Wayne has recovered and has a good chance of starting,” Moyes said. Earlier Friday, Moyes reaffirmed United’s stance that Rooney will not be sold to Chelsea. Mourinho has suggested he will make a third bid for the England international following Monday’s game at Old Trafford. But when asked if there had

EPL RESULTS Fulham Southampton Newcastle United Hull City Everton Stoke City

1 1 0 1 0 2

-

3 Arsenal 1 Sunderland 0 West Ham United 0 Norwich City 0 West Bromwich 1 Crystal Palace

Today’s Matches Tottenham v Swansea City White Hart Lane, London Cardiff City v Manchester City Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff Tomorrow’s Pairing Manchester United v Chelsea


THE SUNDAY

CMYK

32

SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2013

FG Repatriates 22,000 Illegal Immigrants - Minister GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo has cautioned those formenting trouble in communities to have a re-think and desist from it. Okorocha gave the warning while announcing the traditional ruler nominees in four communities in Owerri. The communities are Alulu and Okpala-Umuekwunne in Ngor-Okpala, Oboh IhiteAfokwu in Ahiazu Mbaise and Izinobi in Ihite Uboma community. The nominees are Mr Cletus Nwaogu for Alulu, Mr Kinsley Nwaiwu for OkpalaUmuekwunne, Mr Thomas Nwokedi for Oboh while Mr Romanus Anyalemechi was for Izinobi Community in Ihite Uboma. The governor noted that settling disputes in the affected communities became necessary to foster unity in the state, and urged those whose chieftaincy tussles had been resolved to accept the result in good faith. Okorocha reminded them that no community could develop in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony. He promised to use his position to make sure that all communities with chieftaincy disputes, resolve them amicably. Meanwhile, the people of

Obike in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area and Awara in Uguta Local Government Area have protested against the outcome of the traditional rulers elections conducted in their areas. They claimed the elections were fraught with irregularities. The placard carrying groups stormed Government House chanting songs and demanding audience with the governor. Mr Christopher Onyeka, who spoke on behalf of the group, said due process was not followed. He alleged that some youths who were not members of the community were sighted standing behind the opponents of their candidate Mr Martins Uju. Onyeka called on the governor to cancel the election and investigate the matter as well as conducting a fresh election that would be free and fair. The people of Awara Autonomous Community, on the other hand, were protesting the declaration of the result of their election as inconclusive when, according to them, it was free and fair. They asked the governor to declare their candidate Mr Andrew Okwebunwa winner of the election.

DR MacJohn Nwaobiala, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, has called on African countries to redouble their efforts, strategies and policies aimed at teachers’ development. Nwaobiala made the call at the Meeting of Senior Officials of the Third Pan African Conference on Teacher Development (PACTED III), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a statement said. The statement , issued by Mr Olu Lipede, Director Press and Public Relations of the ministry, in Abuja said it was necessary to increase the quality of teachers and education in the continent. “The place of education in Africa’s development agenda is no longer in doubt and the articulations of the means of achieving those goals have never been Africa’s problems. “But the critical issues remain the conscious, committed, judicious and continuous application and implementation of the right mix of the articulated strategies, based on socioeconomic and cultural

peculiarities,” he said. The permanent secretary noted that there was an urgent need to take stock of efforts and re-strategise where necessary. He said this was to ensure that Africa remained on the path of achieving its goals in line with the MDGs and African Union Second Decade of Education in Africa (20062015) Action Plan. “It is globally to recognise that teachers are critical to the success of any educational goal, a nation may not rise above the quality of its teachers. “Africa needs products of educational institutions that are globally competitive and have the requisite skills to propel the continent into the desired position in global affairs, ‘’ he said. Nwaobiala noted that issues relating to teacher education, development and working conditions should be top priorities at continental, subregional and national levels. He called on African nations to speed-up their developmental agenda,

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (5th right), Minister of State, Dr. Yerima Ngama (middle) and Board members of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank at their inauguration in Abuja, weekend.

Be Pragmatic, Stay Competitive THE various organisations in the country have been advised to be pragmatic in order to survive and stay competitive. Mr Ajibade Peters, the Director-General, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry, gave the advice in Badagry, Lagos State at the closing ceremony of the fourth in a series of the 2013

African Countries Urged On Teachers’ Dev

adding: “we must bridge gaps in teacher issues if we want to achieve our goals. The permanent secretary also said there was need for synergy, networking and harmonisation of efforts by all groups to avoid duplication of roles and wastages. He urged member states to do more of working than talking if educational systems in Africa would deliver on the various commitments by 2015.

- ASCON DG

ASCON regular courses. He stressed the need for organisations to adapt fast to recent challenges, including the economic meltdown, technological innovations and globalisation. “Though many people will argue that their organisations are doing a good job at managing those changes, there are many of them that have been adversely affected by these changes. “This suggests that managing change is an onerous task involving continuous alignment of an organisation’s strategies, structures and processes. He said any organisational change should be preceded by personal change, noting that some senior managers often spent time at off-site meetings arguing over the need for change. “After such meetings, they issue memoranda to the

organisation and assume that everyone will see the brilliance of their decisions, drop what they are doing and perform in new ways without asking questions. According to him, there is no such thing as i n s t a n t a n e o u s transformation, and asking an organisation to change without giving it the resources to do so is a fool’s errand. “Change should be pursued in the context of a clear goal, be it personal, group, organisational or societal,” the DG said.

NJC Indicts Ex-CJ Gummi THE National Judicial Council (NJC) indicted former Chief Judge of FCT High Court, Justice Lawal Gummi, for undue judicial interference. The council disclosed this in a communiqué issued at the end of its 63rd meeting in

Jonathan Tasks Parents On Peace

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan urged parents and guardians to partner the Federal Government in its effort to ensure peace in the country. Jonathan made the call in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital, at the funeral service for l a t e M r s Ta i w o A b a t i , mother of Dr Rueben Abati, the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity. The president was represented by Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, his Chief of Staff, at the service held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Igbehin Abeokuta.

Jonathan appealed to parents to ensure that children were brought up in the fear of God and according to acceptable societal norms. The president noted that many of the crimes and social vices in the country were perpetrated by youths who allowed themselves to be used by some elders for selfish interest. He described many of the youths as victims of wrong indoctrination, adding that it was the primary responsibility of parents, particularly mothers,

He urged the graduating participants to be lawabiding citizens and to join hands with government to make Nigeria a better place. A participant, Mrs Obiabumuo Ekene, applauded ASCON’s efforts, and urged organisations to send their employees for training. “For the past two weeks I have been here, I have gained a lot, and I urge organisations to send their employees here. “The facilitators teach well, the environment is very conducive and everything is working well here,” she said. Reports say that 35 senior public officers participated in the programme.

to provide proper tutelage for their wards at an early stage. The president expressed the belief that once good virtues were instilled in children, they would serve as defence against undue influence. The president, however, commended the deceased, saying, “the good character being exhibited by Mr Abati are testimonies that he was properly brought up.” He called on mothers to play their roles in the ongoing transformation agenda by mentoring their children at an early stage.

Abuja. The council accused the judge of undue interference in the case between Nestello Gateway Group and Gov. Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara, a former National Assembly member. According to the statement, the meeting deliberated on the report of a committee that investigated a petition forwarded by Nestello against the judge. The statement by the acting director, Information, Mr Soji Oye, said the council accepted the findings of the committee. It said the judge interfered in the execution of the judgement delivered by Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Abuja. “Council also found that the interference of Gummi in the execution of the judgment as

Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531 Editor. ROSE ORIBHABOR (08026716192). Lagos Office: 3/4, Amode Close, Kudirat Abiola Way, By Olushosun Bus-Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja.. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631. All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.