Sunday observer 28 07 2013

CMYK

The Sunday

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

RELATIONSHIP

Pg. 15

Importance Of Sex In Marriage

• Vol . XI NO.4,007 •

ENCOUNTER

SUNDAY, JULY 28, 20 13 • N 100.00

Pg. 22

The Comrade Governor Has Done Wonderfully Well - Dr. Akemu

Agreement

ASUU Urges Stakeholders To Intervene

DR. Adebayo Akinsanya, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, has urged stakeholders in the education sector to intervene in the current crisis.

Akinsanya appealed to the stakeholders to prevail on the Federal Government to implement the 2009 Agreement it had with the union to save Nigeria’s education from imminent collapse.

He told newsmen in Ijebu-Ode yesterday that the Federal Government

universities to be among the first 500 in the world and yet it refuses to fund the education sector.

“How can Nigeria

universities achieve this noble idea without adequate funding and proper repositioning of the citadels of learning in this Continues on pg.2

was not sensitive to the plight of the union by failing to fulfil its own part of the agreements.

According to him, government’s insensitivity to the all important sector is killing the standard of education in the country.

“Government said it wants the nation’s

Mark Bemoans Journalists’ Harsh Working Condition ... Canvasses Factual Reporting, Life Insurance

By JOSES SEDE

PRESIDENT of Senate, Senator David Mark has decried what he described as harsh conditions in which Nigerian journalists are made to do their jobs.

Speaking yesterday, while declaring open a 2-day workshop on “Understanding The Dynamics of the

Legislature And The Role of The Media” for National Assembly Corespondents in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, the Senate President canvassed adequate life insurance for journalists.

He also stressed the need for factual reporting and constructive criticism so as to help mould a Continues on pg.2

PERSPECTIVE Does God Really Exist?

Pg. 27

L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Mr. Festus Keyamo and Chief Frank Ovie-Kokori, former National General Secretary, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers during the condolence visit of APC leaders to Mr. Keyamo on the death of Senator Pius Ewherido, in Warri, Delta State weekend.

POLITICS & ISSUES Education:

Pgs. 16/17

A Catalyst For National Development

NEWS Mark Bemoans Journalists Continued from pg 1

perfect society, where the citizens are better informed and encouraged to be law abiding.

“Report the facts the way you see them so that you can fulfill your function to educate, entertain and inform the people; there is no way you educate with falsehood, there is no way you entertain with falsehood, there is no way you inform with falsehood”, he continued.

The Senate President further acknowledged that there was time for everything, but noted that when the time for criticism comes, it should be done constructively and not a mortal attack aimed at bringing down the person or administration.

He also noted that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and that legislature is the main instrument of democracy because the legislators represent the voices of the people.

Sen. Mark also observed that as legislative journalists, a lot have been placed on their shoulders, stressing that people who are far off and whose access to the Legislative House is near impossible, depended upon news reports that are churned out in the media by the correspondents.

To this end, he enjoined the legislative correspondents to endeavor to be guided by national interest, patriotism, and honesty. He also urged the social media to see themselves as instruments of development and not

ASUU

Continued from pg 1 country’’?

He said that the current strike was not about allowances for lecturers, but about government doing what was needful to save the education system from collapse.

Akinsanya, however, said with the way things were, there was no sign that the strike would be called off soon.

“Where has ASUU gone wrong in demanding for funding of the universities, intervention to states universities, and autonomy of our universities system,’’ Akinsanya asked.

He said that the union should not be blamed for the challenges facing the university system, but on government which failed to abide by the UNESCO budgetary allocation to education sector.

mischief.

The Senate President also commended Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom state for the speed and determination to transform the state and make it an example of a system that works.

“It is amazing that Godswill could possess the political will and courage to do things like this and with great speed; he has been focused, he has closed his ears to distractions and pursued his focus successfully.

The real transformation is in\ Akwa-Ibom, let every person come and see for themselves; some governors have built their ’s in the media; we have cases of underground tunnels, cases of overhead bridges, cases of

dams claimed to have been built by certain state governments but when you come, nobody can show you anything”, he further noted.

Earlier, Gov. Akpabio explained that it was his resolve to prove that government can work, that has resulted to the landmark achievements his administration has put in place.

He expressed his commitment to ensure industrialization of AkwaIbom and match it with modern economies, adding, “we have managed 80% Capital and 20% Recurrent; politics is not all about frivolity, politics is not about megalomaniac, politics is not about violence, politics is about the good of the people”.

Dissolution Of Marriage Not Solution To Marital Problems - Don

THE Director Centre for Women, Gender and Development Studies (CWGDS), Dr Ihuoma Asiabaka, has called for caution in dissolution of marriages by judicial and traditional institutions.

Asiabaka, an Associate Professor in the School of Management, Federal University of Technology Owerri, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen yesterday.

She said that to dissolve a marriage was not the best way to approach marital problems, but to rise up to the challenges of marital problems.

She said that couples must seek God’s intervention when faced with marital challenges and must apply every means of dialogue to tackle such problems.

Asiabaka said that most divorces often led to crises that could destroy families, especially if children were

involved, noting that issues were better handled inside marriages rather than outside.

She noted however that many Nigerians often did not follow the rules guiding divorces such as the payment of alimony after marriage dissolution.

She therefore recommended “ a high degree of tolerance among the couples’’, to work out differences in marriage.

The director advocated for secondary school education as a minimum qualification a woman should attain before going into marriage.

According to her, secondary

Allah De Stood For Excellence In Journalism - Oshiomhole GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described the late Alhaji Alade Odunewu who died at the age of 85 as a consummate journalist who

Beneficiaries Laud Fadama III MR. Chile Ekeke, the General Secretary, Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTC), yesterday warned Nigerians not to allow their languages and cultures go into extinction.

Ekeke said this while speaking in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

He further warned that if this should happen, the parents, guardians and teachers should be held responsible.

The secretary specially pointed accusing finger at the Igbos, whom he said were fund of speaking English language to their wards even at home.

“I feel bad about it, I have had occasion to confront the younger ones about this issue, especially those who live in a place where they are surrounded by our own people.

“I find it difficult to believe that one could not speak his language within the confines of his home.

“I think the parents, government and the school system should take the blame because in our time, you don’t wake up in the morning to greet our father good morning.

“We greet in Igbo language and cultures are also observed, ‘’ he said.

Ekeke stressed: “in our time, we started reading Okeke tara ose oji, meaning, Okeke ate kola-nut pepper fruit.’’

“When we moved to the standard class, we read the Igbo pamphlet called Azu Ndu (Fresh fish) which was introductory to read in Igbo.

“We read all other standard texts for teaching Igbo language at O’ Levels within my first four years in the primary school.

“You can’t get such in this present time, and it is one of the problems we have in this country, we decline to embrace our cultures and languages.

“Embracing our language and culture is what would lead us to technological growth.

He said that the school system and the parents must ensure that the various languages were not lost in their respective regions.

“Personally, I think there is a need for a personal indoctrination of our people.

“We need to get people to talk about these things at all levels. I don’t see any problem in a child being bilingual.

“A child can learn the local language and English at the same time easily.

“It is left for us to ensure we enforce a lot of all these things. It is very disturbing

when you see parents from the same tribe speaking English at home, “ he said.

Ekeke, who went into the memory lane, said that in the past as a young boy, he participated in the Sunday Schools, and masquerades during festivals, adding that all these were not happening presently.

“In my place, you belong to the age grades and we mixed up with the Hausas, Yorubas and other tribes in Aba then and we learn each

other’s culture.

“During Moslem festival then, the Hausas came to our mission schools, dancing with their drums and we were always excited to come out and join them.

“Nobody drove them away or made any trouble with them, despite being a Christian community.

“There was coexistence in Aba then to make everybody have a sense of belonging and share arts and cultures, ‘’ he said.

RCCG Holds 61st Annual Convention

By IKHUREIGBE ERNEST

THE Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) will on August 5th – 11th, 2013 hold her 61 st Annual Convention.

A release from the secretariat states that it will commence with the ordination of men and women of God, who desire spiritual upliftment.

The General Overseer of the church, Pastor E.A. Adeboye has also declared that this year convention is a special and unique one meant only for serious and expectant persons, that desire divine transformation.

He, however, advises anyone who is not yet ready for a change to stay away as God has promised to touch

education will give a woman a certain level of exposure, which if well applied in marriage, would yield good result.

She advised parents to take on the responsibility of coaching their children on the art of building strong relationships before marriage and also giving them the proper training before aspiring to be husbands and wives.

Asiabaka pledged that her organisation would continue to organise seminars and workshops on marriage and crises management to tackle marital challenges.

the lives of the willing and the obedient souls.

The programme will showcase the presence of other powerful men of God from within and outside the country.

There will also be a thanksgiving service on Sunday 11th August 2013 in all parishes of RCCG.

stood for excellence in the journalism profession.

In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Comrade Oshiomhole said “Allah De, as he was fondly called, was a true journalist in the true sense of the word and he helped shaped the nation’s modern journalism as practised today.

“His journalism history which saw him rise from a reporter, to sub-editor, to columnist, to Editor before eventually becoming Editorin-Chief and CEO, a journey which saw him pass through several newspapers is a story hewed in hard work, perseverance and excellence.

“Allah De will not only be missed by his family and friends in the journalism profession, but by all of us who had the privilege of reading his columns, some of which remain relevant even in today’s Nigeria.

“While I commiserate with his family, the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Guild of Editors and indeed the whole media family, I pray God to grant the deceased eternal rest in his bosom and his family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Abducted Expatriate Released

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

THE expatriate engineer working with Setraco Construction Company reportedly abducted by gunmen in Benin City over a forth-night ago has been released.

Tony Yuosse, Lebanese, was said to have made

contact from Obiaruku, Delta State where he was freed.

The spokesman, Edo Police Command, DSP Moses Eguavoen said he was freed last Thursday.

It will be recalled that a soldier was shot dead during his abduction on Upper Mission Road extension, Benin City.

NEWS Education Stakeholders Call For More Textbooks To Cover New Curriculum SOME teachers and proprietors weekend reviewed implementation of a new curriculum as the 2012/2013 academic session drew to an end, and called for production of more text books to cover all areas.

They told newsmen that some of the topics are in separate books while others are sourced from the Internet.

The principal, Binta International High School, Ejigbo, Mr Razak Ugwi, told NAN that some of the topics in the newly introduced subjects were not covered in the recommended text books.

“Some of the newly introduced subjects such as Civic Education, Insurance, Computer Studies and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) are not in recommended text books.

“We have yet to get a text book that contains all the topics in the new subjects,’’ he said, adding that teachers had resorted to sourcing some materials from the Internet.

Ugwi noted that the new subjects in the curriculum were introduced without providing teachers the needed materials, making implementation difficult.

The proprietor, Prevailer Schools, Ijegun, Mr Austeen Agali, said the unavailability of adequate text books forced teachers to carry out extensive research on the Internet.

“The challenge has somehow made teachers to do academic research from books and the Internet,’’ he said.

A teacher, Mrs Juliet Tedheke, also told NAN that some topics

being taught in Mathematics in Senior Secondary School class two (SSS2) were not covered in the text book recommended for the students.

“The SSS2 topics only have three of the topics in the recommended text book while the remaining ones can only be found in advanced mathematics books,’’ Tedheke, who teaches the subject, said.

A Civics Education teacher, Mr Gerald Emejom, said some graduates were trying to fill the vacuum created by the introduction of new subjects by putting some topics together into books.

“The Civics Education topics were gathered and put into print by some graduates who took advantage of the newly introduced topics, but it is not available for all the classes yet,’’ he said.

A parent, Mrs Lizzy Omojuwa-Oboh, who has two children in secondary school, complained that they tried to make her to buy several books as all the topics are not available in one book.

“I have bought so many books for my two girls in trying to meet up with their academic demands, yet the topics were not

covered, “ she said.

However, the proprietor, Holy Family Schools, Ikotun, Mr Patrick Amaechi, said the new curriculum had an edge over the former one.

“Though some of the topics are not found in single text books, the idea is bringing about a unified progression from the primary to the secondary school,’’ he said.

It will be recalled that a new curriculum for senior secondary school was introduced in September 2011 and implementation started in the 2012/2013 session.

THE Cross River Police Command has arrested an armed robbery syndicate that operates between Taraba and Ikang in Bakassi Local Government Area of the state.

Briefing newsmen weekend in Calabar on security situation, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Kola Shodipo, said the gang was into illegal arms dealings and car theft.

He said the five-man gang was arrested with one Audi 80 with registration No. EA 80 ABC and one Mercedes 190 with registration No PU 854 AAA, believed to have been stolen.

“They were also arrested with the sum of N300,000 cash meant for the purchase of two AK 47 Rifles, ‘’ he said.

He gave the names of the suspects as Lawal Bako, Abdulahi Isa, Umaru Haruna,

Alhaji Ahmadu and Aniete Etim, an ex-militant leader in the Bakassi Peninsula.

The commissioner said all the suspects are from Taraba.

Shodipo said that on July 14, the command arrested two robbery suspects who specialised in robbing supermarkets and pharmaceutical shops in parts of Calabar Metropolis.

He gave the names of the suspects as Hopeman Etim (22) and Edem Effiong (21).

Shodipo said one locallymade pistol and two cartridges were recovered from them, adding that one Highlander Jeep with registration No. EKY 158 BH was recovered from a doctor in Abi Local Government Area’s place.

The commissioner said 20 assorted cell phones, two unregistered motorcycles, two flat screen television sets, two

electric welding machines and one generator set were also recovered from them.

He said the command also arrested 20-year-old Gentle Moses at Bogobiri area of Calabar for negotiating to sell a 15-yearold Richard Lawrence from Akwa Ibom for N1.5 million.

Shodipo added that the command also arrested two suspected cultists from Army Day Secondary School, Eburutu Barracks and Technical Secondary School, Ikot Effanga Mkpa, Calabar.

He said that the two students - Godwin Ekpo (20) and Francis Jonah (19) - conspired and stabbed to death Boniface Odinaka who was the labour prefect of Army Day Secondary School.

The commissioner said the two students had confessed to

CRSG Rues Loss Of Accreditation By School Of Nursing THE Cross River Commissioner for Health, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, said the loss of accreditation by the State Schools of Nursing was a wake-up call to strengthen the institutions.

She spoke in Calabar at a meeting she convened to review the performance of the schools in the last accreditation visit by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria

the crime and would be charged to court soon.

Moses, who was arrested in Bogobiri area of Calabar, told newsmen that the devil pushed him to try to sell his friend for money.

“It was the devil that pushed me. I actually did not know what happened to me,’’ he said.

One of the gun runners, Lawal Bako from Taraba, told newsmen that they sell their arms to Boko Haram members and other inter-tribal warlords in the north.

The police boss said that all the suspects would be charged to court soon.

(NMCN).

She said the ministry was studying the recommendations of the council and pledged government’s willingness and commitment to ensuring that all the schools regained accreditation.

The commissioner expressed hope that the meeting would go a long way in ensuring that necessary steps were taken to ensure the accreditation of the schools.

The South-South Zonal Officer, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Mr Sampou Daniel, commended the ministry for convening the meeting.

Daniel assured of the council’s readiness to work with the State Government to uplift the quality of nursing education and the profession.

The Acting Director of Nursing Services, Cross River Ministry of Health, Mrs Christy Essien, said the meeting would impact positively on the health and wellbeing of the residents of the state.

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that the cashless policy was aimed at reducing crime and boosting the economy of the nation.

Mr Eric Eleonu, Deputy Project Lead, Shared Services Officer, CBN, made the remark in Port Harcourt during a sensitisation campaign on the policy for the media and business associations.

Eleonu explained that cashfuelled vices like kidnapping, election malpractices and fraud would be reduced by the policy.

“Cash is an integral element that fuels several crimes in Nigeria; cash causes robbery, kidnapping and election rigging,’’ Eleonu said that cash usage brought about high cost of cash handling and processing, revenue leakages, inefficient treasury management and corruption.

He said in order to reduce such heavy cash handling

and its demerits, an alternative payment channels would have considerable positive impact on the economy.

Eleonu said this was why many channels like automated teller machine (ATM), Point of Sale (POS) mobile payment systems and internet banking, were devised to ensure heavy cash reduction in the system.

He explained that the cashless policy did not mean that there would be no cash in the system since it did not include the market traders selling periwinkles or fish.

Eleonu said that the policy had more to do with those individuals and corporate organisations handling from N500,000 to N1million daily or handling third party cheques above N150,000.

He said the policy was beneficial to Nigerians, especially those doing one business or the other to safeguard their business from fraud.

C/River Police Command Smash Inter-State Armed Robbery Syndicate

L-R: Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Christian Oboh; Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku and Executive Director, Petroleum Training Development Fund, Dr. Oluloye Oluwole and Secretary, Sure-P, Mr. Akachukwu Nwankpo at a Ministerial Platform in Abuja weekend.

CBN Says Cashless Policy Reduces Crime

NEWS Oredo Chairman To Collaborate With Agencies To Fight Human Trafficking

L-R: Lagos Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, his Information counterpart, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Hakeem Bello at a news conference by the Health Commissioner to allay fears of Muslim Pilgrims over Middle Eastern Corona Virus, in Lagos weekend.

Father Of Twins Appeals For Aid

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM

A FATHER of eight months old twin, Ene and Abba in Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Friday Ejebor (aka Markay) is presently in shambles in an attempt to make ends meet while at the same time trying to contend with the daily upkeep of the children.

The situation was made worse for Ejebor after his

wife and mother of the children left, apparently in abandonment of the home and has since not returned.

Ejebor told The SUNDAY OBSERVER that since his wife left home, life has not been an easy one for him as he had to rely on menial jobs.

Which more often than not were not forth coming for him to be able to take good care of the children (boy and girl).

Ejebor who was sighted by our correspondent with the

children looking unkempt in a wheelbarrow when he was returning from the farm said he returned from farm one day only to discover that his wife had packed his belongings out of the house.

According to him, there was no prior notice or misunderstanding between them that could warrant her having to pack out of the matrimonial home and wondered what led to her action.

While noting that he had

to daily carry them in the wheel barrow, to wherever he is going, he appealed to philanthropists and other well meaning individuals to come to his aid as the task of fending for himself and the twins has become a heavy burden for him.

THE chairman, Oredo Local Government, Hon. Osaro Obazee has restated his commitment to collaborate with all necessary agencies in order to stop human trafficking in the state. The chairman who stated this at a meeting with members of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), held at the council secretariat, described human trafficking as a form of slavery which should not be condoned by any human society.

Hon. Osaro, while addressing the group commended their initiative towards eradicating the scourge in the local government area and promised his full support and assistance in the furtherance of the fight against anything that wars against the norms of the society.

Earlier, the zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Oluchi Ebiringa who led the team on a courtesy visit to the council boss briefed him on the need to synergise with NAPTIP and stressed the need for the council to collaborate with them.

According to Mrs. Ebiringa, the agency chose to

CDAs Urged To Register To Attract Commissioner for Information Dev and Orientation, Mr. Louis

COMMUNITIES have been called upon to register their community Development Associations, CDAs, in other to benefit from donor agencies in terms of development projects.

Making playing host Ijaw political office in

Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.

The motion was entitled: “The Need to investigate improper allocation and cases of land racketeering in the mass housing scheme, land swap scheme and allocation of commercial and residential plots by the FCT from 2010 to date.’’

El-Sudi said that the Minister of FCT, Sen. Bala Mohammed, in the discharge of his duties approved various initiatives like the Mass Housing and Land Swap Schemes to corporate and private individuals.

According to him, several hectares of land have been allocated to corporate entities under the schemes.

He said that the allocations in the past four years had generated widespread concerns from informed Nigerians.

The lawmaker also said that the identities of the

beneficiaries were shrouded in secrecy.

“The secrecy emphasises the fact that beneficiaries do not have requisite experience of property development elsewhere and may not have the financial power to realise the aims of the allocation,’’ ElSudi said.

He cited the instance of an organisation like the Malaysian Gardens that had leveraged on similar schemes to acquire huge expanse of land in the FCT. According to him, some of the said corporate entities, who are beneficiaries of the huge allocation, are not incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

He also expressed concerns that corporate entities had the same directors with different addresses of promoters which, according to him, is suggestive of land racketeering.

He, therefore, urged the house to look into the matter.

the call while to members of vanguard in his Benin, the

Reps Investigate Cases Of Land Allocation In The FCT

The father and his twins

THE House of Representatives has constituted an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate all cases of lands allocated by the FCT Administration from 2010 to 2013.

The eight-member committee, which had Rep. Bimbo Daramola (ACN-Ekiti) as its Chairman, was mandated to ascertain records of successes and or abuses which border on racketeering.

The committee is also expected to investigate the Mass Housing and Land Swap Schemes with a view to identifying beneficiaries and their financial, managerial and technical competence.

The committee is expected to report back to the house within four weeks.

The resolution followed a motion by Rep. Ibrahim ElSudi (PDP-Taraba), which was unanimously adopted without debate when put to vote by the

visit Oredo Council first because the local government has the largest residents within the state; hence, there is a need to sensitise women and girls on the havoc posed to their lives by engaging in such act and empowering them to prevent involvement in such act.

The zonal office of NAPTIP was established in 2004 and is in charge of Edo State and Delta State.

Meanwhile the council Boss also promised to liaise with the state Ministry of Environment over the proposed relocation of Ogba Market in order to save it from demolition. He made the promise during a meeting held between the council Boss and the Ogba Market Women Leader.

The Chairman added that the aim of the proposed relocation of the market was as a result of the ongoing construction of Airport Road.

Leader of the group, Mrs. Mary Odia, who spoke on behalf of the women frowned at the initiative and promised to provided another space around the already existing market in order for their market not to be relocated. They however appealed for the provision of more shops in the market.

Odion expressed government’s desire to develop communities across the state.

The commissioner who was represented by the permanent secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Dakpokpo commended the members for coming together under the umbrella, urging them to maintain peace to pave way for development.

Mr. Odion told them to feel free to approach the ministry for assistance if any community or social problem should arise as there was a department in the ministry to take care of that.

Speaking earlier, President of Ijaw Political Vanguard, Hon. Roman Ejemi who said the association comprises vibrant Ijaw Political Youths and leaders of thought across Edo State, commended Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole for his developmental strides in the state.

Hon. Ejemi further congratulated the commissioner on his reappointment lauding him for the large publicity his Ministry and Parastatals are giving to Edo State.

E. A. ADEBOYE On Sunday

Danger Of Silence Memorise:

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:3 THERE are several lessons to be learnt from the Shunammite

are used to calling one person or the other over the most trivial matter.

What happens if there is crisis and there is no one you can call? Start trusting in the Lord. God wants you to grow. If only you can exercise

filters out, and probably becomes common knowledge, then you will end up overseeing strangers. Are you trustworthy as a leader?

Moreover, when she got to the man of God, she grabbed his feet,

“ If you are loose tongued and what is shared with you in secret filters out, and probably becomes common knowledge, then you will end up overseeing strangers.” woman of 2 Kings 4:18-26, one of these is that in her time of need, she cried persistently for help until she got it.

Another aspect for which she must be commended is that when her son died, she did not immediately set out for the man of God but first exercised her faith by placing the boy on the bed of the man of God. It was when the matter was beyond her faith that she set out to meet the man of God. Today, many Christians are very lazy. They hardly exercise their faith in times of crisis. They

your personal faith, no matter how small, it will begin to grow.

When the boy failed to wake up on the bed of the man of God, she decided to take the matter to the man of God himself. Sighting her from afar, Elisha sent Gehazi his servant to her but she failed to disclose her problem to him. This raises the question of credibility and integrity.

If as a minister of God, people cannot share confidential matters with you, it may be that you rate quite low in integrity. If you are loose tongued and what is shared with you in secret

resolving not to leave him. The reason many people are still nursing their problem is because they are too quiet. If you keep quiet God will assume that you are enjoying the situation, so He too will be silent on the matter. A widow of one of the sons of the prophets had a serious financial problem that could have led to her untimely death and she kept quiet. It was when she cried out that God arose for her. What situation are you or your family in? Cry out today and the Lord will come to your rescue.

KEY POINT It is your outcry that tells God you truly need what he thought you needed

WORLD NEWS Bulgaria PM Refuses To Quit, Says Protest Hamper Reforms BULGARIA’S prime minister pledged on Friday to stay in power despite daily street protests demanding his resignation, but said his government’s lack of broad public support would delay major reforms that the Balkan nation needs.

Thousands of Bulgarians, mostly young and welleducated, have been staging noisy rallies outside the parliament in Sofia for nearly seven weeks against Plamen Oresharski’s government, saying it is corrupt and dominated by murky business interests.

The protests briefly turned violent on Tuesday night when more than 100 lawmakers, ministers and journalists were trapped inside the parliament building

for nearly eight hours, but the rallies have been mostly peaceful and good-natured.

“The insecurity and political crisis are affecting the business climate, but we have a clear plan of action and we are pushing forward,” Oresharski said in an interview at his office in the grandiose communist-era Council of Ministers building.

“When we speak of resignation, that is an easy personal decision to make but would be irresponsible for the country... I have heard no convincing arguments explaining how resignation would automatically solve the problems of the country.”

Oresharski, 53, a gentlyspoken former finance minister and an economist by

Bulgarian newly-elected Prime Minister Oresharski walks away after delivering a speech in the parliament in Sofia

training, said his government would stick to a previous spring forecast of 1 percent economic growth for this year and said it should be slightly better in 2014.

“But much will depend on how the political crisis unfolds,” he said, adding he was open to dialogue with the protesters.

The protests erupted in June after the Socialist-led coalition named a media magnate to head the National Security Council without debate, a move widely seen as an example of private interests controlling state institutions.

Bowing to the protesters, parliament swiftly cancelled the appointment but the rallies have continued unabated.

Oresharski said the protests had forced his government to be more effective but acknowledged that they had made enacting major reforms difficult.

Bulgaria faces a number of problems, including a fast ageing population, ailing health care and education systems and an ineffective labor market, economists say.

“Large-scale reforms cannot start as they require broad public support but those that are supported such as improving transparency, rules of competition and protection of consumers are going ahead,” he said.

Other priorities include improving tax collection, cutting red tape and tackling graft with reforms of public procurement and the revenue agency - key breeding grounds for corruption.

Dutch Embassy In Kenya Warns Of Attack Against Foreigners THE Dutch embassy in Kenya has warned of a possible attack against foreigners, shortly after police in the east African country discovered a large quantity of explosives on a bus in the capital Nairobi.

Kenya has seen a series of grenade and gun attacks since October 2011, when its troops went into neighbouring Somalia in pursuit of al Qaeda-linked insurgents it blames for kidnapping security personnel and Western tourists from its territory.

Kenyan police said on Wednesday they had discovered 403 rolls of

ammonium nitrate explosives inside boxes apparently containing books on a bus in Nairobi, but had few details about who was behind the parcels.

Government spokesman Muthui Kariuki said some embassies had been spooked

by Wednesday’s discovery, but he was adamant that there was no threat to foreigners in Kenya.

“The country is safe, there is nothing to worry about,” he said on Friday. “The government is in control.”

The Dutch embassy issued a security warning on Thursday evening advising its residents to stay away

from places where foreigners congregate. It said it had received indications that an attack could take place on Thursday or Friday.

“We advise you throughout Kenya to be extra vigilant and to avoid such places,” the embassy said.

A spokeswoman for the Dutch embassy in Nairobi confirmed the warning was sent to Dutch citizens living in Kenya, but could not provide any extra information.

Past attacks in Nairobi, on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast and regions bordering Somalia, have rattled investors and tourists in east Africa’s biggest economy.

Rudeness To French President, No Longer An Offence

BEING rude to the French President is no longer an offence after parliament agreed on Thursday to amend legislation dating back to 1881 in favor of freedom of speech.

Whereas before any rude remark risked an automatic fine for “offending the head of state,” the president is now reduced to the same category as ministers and parliamentarians and would need to have a judge prove there had been slander or defamation.

The change came after the European Court of Human Rights ruled in March that France violated a demonstrator ’s right to

freedom of expression when it fined him for holding a banner up to former President Nicolas Sarkozy reading: “Get lost, jerk.”

That slogan has been infamous in France since Sarkozy used the same words in 2008 to insult a man in a crowd who refused to shake his hand, and the court judged that left-wing activist Herve Eon was being satirical with his protest banner.

It said his conviction and 30euro ($40) fine were out of proportion to his protest and that his right to freedom of expression had been violated.

SCIENCE has once again stepped up to the plate, in a manner of speaking. A new study says that singing “Happy Birthday” actually makes cake taste better.

The study, published in the upcoming issue of the journal Psychological Science, finds that the ritual of singing before eating a slice of cake, or any other dessert, increases one’s appreciation of the treat. The result is that the food ends up tasting better, at least in our minds.

The “Happy Birthday to You” song hasn’t even been around for 100 years, though the Guinness World Records does

call it the most recognizable song in the English language.

So, is it the song itself or the ritual?

University of Minnesota psychologist Kathleen Vohs found that this ritual even extends beyond singing to include such practices as how one opens a candy bar wrapper.

Do you have any personal routines when it comes to eating your food? For example, do you treat yourself to a doughnut on Friday mornings at work? Vohs found that personalized eating habits like this, carried out in “repeated, episodic and fixed behaviors” result in us enjoying that doughnut all the more

Anyone found by a judge to have slandered the president still runs the risk of a fine of up to 45,000 euros.

President Francois Hollande has so far shown a thick skin, however, as critics have given him a string of unkind nicknames like “Flanby”, a brand of wobbly caramel pudding or “Mr. Little Jokes”.

Odd News Compiled By PAUL OKOMAYIN

Judge Fines Woman Who Cursed At Jury Selection A PENNSYLVANIA woman has been fined $500 for cursing because she was frustrated with being picked to serve on a jury.

The Erie Times-News (http://bit.ly/1bQA4hF ) reports Erie County Judge Ernest DiSantis levied the fine Wednesday on Kathleen Port.

DiSantis told the Erie

Singing ‘Happy Birthday’ Makes Cakes Taste Better

Rescued Florida Sea Turtle Headed For Las Vegas Casino “Retirement” AN ailing 320-pound, green sea turtle, believed to be about 50 years old, was packed in a customized FedEx crate to be shipped to Las Vegas on Thursday to give it a better home at a luxury casino.

The turtle, named OD, after a dive charter boat that rescued it in 2008, has been cared for at the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital for almost five years.

It cannot be released due to an irreparable collapsed lung that left it floating on its side.

Officials at the Turtle Hospital decided OD needed a better home with a larger and more stimulating environment.

The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas offered to give OD a home for his “retirement” at its 1.6-milliongallon aquarium which already houses several sea turtles.

“He’s ready now for a forever home ... where he can live out his life,” said Turtle Hospital Manager Bette Zirkelbach.

FedEx is providing free air transportation for OD for the 2,400-mile trip to Las Vegas in a specially moisturized and foam-padded crate, accompanied by Zirkelbach and Turtle Hospital founder Richie Moretti.

because of the anticipation built up in our minds.

“Whenever I order an espresso, I take a sugar packet and shake it, open the packet and pour a teeny bit of sugar in, and then taste,” Vohs told the Daily Mail. “It’s never enough sugar, so I then pour about half of the packet in. The thing is, this isn’t a functional ritual, I should just skip right to pouring in half the packet.”

In other words, her own personalized consumption habit is an integral part of her enjoyment of that espresso.

But there’s good news as well for those watching their waistlines: The ritualistic satisfaction can be applied to any food, including healthier options like fruits and vegetables.

In the experiments, Vohs asked control groups to eat chocolate bars in two different manners. The first group was told to methodically eat half of the bar, wait for a set period of time, then unwrap and eat the other half. Those in the second group of testers were allowed to randomly eat the chocolate bar however they preferred. Vohs found that the first control group reported a higher satisfaction level and were even willing to pay more money for the

chocolate bars.

Her second significant finding was that this ritualistic enjoyment applied only to our own personal behaviors.

Meaning that Vohs wouldn’t likely get any enjoyment out of

watching someone else incrementally add sugar to her espresso. In fact, she might find the process frustrating, since the logical part of her brain knows that she simply wants more sugar added.

FORMER U.S. President George H.W. Bush shaved his salt and pepper combover locks in solidarity with a 2-year-old boy who lost his hair from leukemia treatments, his office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Bush, 89, and members of his security detail, shaved their heads to support Patrick, the son of one of Bush’s security detail.

Photos released by Bush’s office show 26 other security staff posing with Bush and Patrick, all of whom have only a light dust of peach fuzz atop their heads. The last name of the boy was withheld at the request of his family.

The security detail members also launched a w e b s i t e , www.patrickspals.org, to assist with the toddler ’s medical bills.

Bush, who served as president from 1989 to 1993, and his wife Barbara, lost a

woman she was “totally out of line” and explained jury service is a duty of citizenship.

Port, whose phone number is unlisted, apologized several times but was fined nonetheless.

She told the judge she was upset because jury service would make her miss work and cost her income.

DiSantis says Port could have claimed a hardship on her jury service questionnaire, but did not.

Port was also thrown off the jury, which was picked to hear an illegal weapons case.

George W Bush Shaves Head In Support Of Boy With Leukemia 4-year-old daughter, Robin, to leukemia nearly 60 years ago this October.

Washington D.C., Least Honest City In America - Study

FOR the second year in a row, residents of our nation’s capital have proven themselves the most likely to steal a dollar from your pocket. At least, that’s according to one unusual new study, which found Washington, D.C. to be the least honest city or state in the nation.

The makers of Honest Tea conducted the survey, which involved setting up an unmanned booth with bottles of their product on display.

Customers were asked to use the

honor system and leave $1 for each bottle of tea they took.

In the end, 80 percent of Washingtonians paid for their beverage. But that was still far less than the national average of 92 percent.

“As a company, Honest Tea values transparency,” National Honesty Index spokesman Dan Forman told Yahoo! News. “To touch on this, the company thought creating a light-hearted

social experiment that takes a look at honest in America would be a good way to start a conversation about honesty and how society values it. “ And to add to the irony of the experiment, Honest Tea CEO Seth Goldman said he had his bike stolen while traveling to the D.C. booth. He said he had even chained the bike up before leaving it for a few hours.

Now, a tea test is far from the final word on a city or state’s total measurement of honesty.

But this is not the only study to find D.C. atop some less than ideal rankings. For example, a 2012 study found that workers in D.C. curse on the job more than of their colleagues around the nation.

This is the fourth year that Honest Tea has conducted their little experiment, during which they visited all 50 states and 61 locations in total.

CRIME

Deeper Life Pastor In Rape Escapade WHEN a University female student or married woman is sexually assaulted, quickly, many would blame her for indecent dressing or seductive behaviour. But what would one say when innocent female children suffer similar fate, especially in the hand of a clergy who ordinarily is seen as a role model and an epitome of good moral.

The case of a 47year-old Pastor, Eze Fidelis alleged to have simultaneously defiled nine and 11 years old girls, and that of a professional blocks moulder Mr. Ogbe Felix said to have waylaid, raped and dispossessed two married women of their monies and phones in Benin City, recently and many others especially in recent time prompted many to ponder what might have accounted for such gender violence.

This is coming in the wake of one Ogbe rape of two women after a night attack and

As Another Rapes 2 Women ...Satan Tempted Me - Pastor Eze

BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

dispossessing them of their GSM cell phones during separate operation. The event occurred on Saturday July 6 and Monday July 8, 2013.

The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Mr. Foluso Adebanjo while parading 32 persons for various criminal offenses at the State Police Headquarters, Benin City identified Pastor Eze Fidelis of the Deeper Life Bible Church and one Ogbe Felix as paedophile and rapist, respectively.

The police boss disclosed that on Thursday, July 11, 2013 a man observed that his daughter was walking abnormally and upon enquiry, his daughter told him that she had pain resulting from sexual intercourse she had with Pastor Eze Fidelis of Deeper Life Bible Church.

Mr. Adebanjo further stated that the

Some criminals paraded by the Police

suspect also had unlawful carnal knowledge of another girl, aged 11 years and had engaged in the unwholesome practice with his two victims for a year now.

Commissioner Adebanjo further revealed that on receiving the report on Felix Ogbe, operatives of the command went into covert operatives which resulted in his arrested in his hideout.

“He made confessional statement to the two separate crimes; items robbed from the two victims included N150,000.00, recharge cards valued at N7,000 and one Tecno phone”, Mr. Adebanjo added.

He however condemned the act, assuring that the police is ready to expose and prosecute such elements in the state.

“We will not relent on this promise until

we rid the state of criminal activities”. He stated.

ask for money, even though they have stopped my church, we were still interacting,

Pastor Fidelis Eze

Speaking with The S U N D A Y OBSERVER, Pastor Eze Fidelis stated that “sometimes last year one Joy whose parents were members of my church and one Anthonia came to my house. Though she normally came to borrow my wheel borrow to fetch water,

that was why Joy had assess to my house.

“So, on that fateful day, she came to my house with her friend Anthonia; she asked for money, I told her I don’t have money; that moment in my palour, Satan tempted me and I asked them to undress, they undress voluntarily my wife

and son were not at home, so I started with Joy, I tried to penetrate I could not, I left Joy, I tried Anthonia, I could not penetrate also, realising that they were under-aged I left them that was all”.

Pastor Eze further revealed that the father of Joy was later told and the man called him to find out as he admitted and pleaded for forgiveness.

He stated that the man forgave him without reporting to the police and wondered why he was later arrested by the police for an offense he claimed to have committed last year.

On his part, Ogbe Felix stated that “I rape two mature women; about 12 midnight, I blocked them, the first one when I do, as she wan shout, I hold am for neck, nain I “broke am”.

“The second one way I broke na only phone I see for her pocket”, he added.

Ogbe Felix however stated that when the relatives of the woman stormed his residence the following day, the stolen phone and his property were removed from his room.

“The police boss disclosed that on Thursday, July 11, 2013 a man observed that his daughter was walking abnormally and upon enquiry his daughter told him that she had pain resulting from sexual intercourse she had with Pastor Eze Fidelis of Deeper Life Bible Church.”

Legal Measures For Adapting And Mitigating Climate Change VARIOUS legal instruments exist internationally and locally in adapting and mitigating climate change in the country.

United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) The UNFCCC was opened for signature at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janiero (popularly called the earth Summit). Article 2 of this convention is set to achieve the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow the ecosystem to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. It has been noted that one of the achievements of the Rio Conference was to place environment issues on the high agenda of the international community, a further step from the Stockholm Declaration to-

wards more international legal obligations to protect the environment.

Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC This protocol sets binding numerical activities for the limitation and reduction of gas emission including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydro fluoracarbons, per fluoracarbons and sulphur hexafluoride for the industrialized and transition countries between the periods of 2008 to 2012. No numerical targets for the reduction of emissions was set for the developing countries, but they are required to report on their commission parties included in Annex 1. In achieving their quantified emission limitation and reduction commitments under Article 3, in order to promote sustainable development, they are required to implement elaborate policies and measures in accordance with their national economy; protection and enhancement of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal protocol: promotion of sustainable forest management practices, forest and reforestation; research and development of new

Environment With UKIRI CLEMENTINA

and renewable forms of energy, of CO2 sequestration technologies and of advanced and innovative environmentally sound technologies.

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer This convention toward the protection of

rate scientific research and systematic observations; and to exchange information in the legal and technical fields.

Signatories to this convention are required to adopt legislative and administrative measures to control, limit, reduce or prevent hu-

depletes the Ozone Layer.

Under the Montreal protocol, the aim is to cap and phase-out within a set time frame the consumption and production of listed controlled substances which depletes the ozone layer.

Article 2A of the pro-

human health and environment against the adverse effects from human activities which modifies the ozone layer; adoption of agreed measures to control human activities found to have adverse effects on the ozone layer; in corpo-

man activities within their jurisdictions which tend to have more modification on the ozone layer and cooperate with the international bodies to implement effectively this convention.

Montreal Protocol on Substances that

tocol controls CFC’s.

Under this article, each party is required that for the twelve-month period commencing on the first day of the seventh month following the date of entry into force of this protocol, and in each twelve month period thereaf-

ter, its calculated level of consumption of the controlled substances in Group 1 of the Annex A does not exceed its calculated level of consumption in 1986.

Nigeria ratified this agreement on 1st January 1989.

Copenhagen Climate Change Summit 2009.

A framework for international climate change mitigation as a successor to the Kyoto Protocol after 2012 was agreed upon there. The document recognized climate change as a great challenge and actions should be taken to keep any temperature which increases above 20C. The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol have helped to strengthen civil society participation in climate change mitigation.

These conventions have also brought about a change in people’s understanding of climate change and how to combat it prior to this climate change, as it was largely seen as a technical matter.

REFERENCE. E X A M I N AT I O N OF THE LEGAL MEASURES FOR ADAPTING AND MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE. GROUP D. JUNE, 2013.

“In achieving their quantified emission limitation and reduction commitments under Article 3, in order to promote sustainable development, they are required to implement elaborate policies and measures in accordance with their national economy; protection and enhancement of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal protocol: promotion of sustainable forest management practices, forest and reforestation; research and development of new and renewable forms of energy, of CO2 sequestration technologies and of advanced and innovative environmentally sound technologies.”

Eating Healthy Or Just Pleasing Your Taste Buds (1)

NO man on earth can survive without food. Food to living things is like fuel to a car engine which keeps it moving. For people to stay strong and healthy, they must eat good food that is balanced diet that contains the six classes of food. People love eating different kinds of food based on their religion, cultural affiliation, family background and their environment. Vegetarians eat only vegetable food either due to religious beliefs or health consideration. While some eat anything that comes their way called food, so far as it is well prepared or right with their taste buds and a balanced diet.

In recent times, due to cultural integration and intermarriages in our society, food peculiar to different cultures, and continents are being shared, so long as they taste right. The introduction of the subject Food and Nutrition into our educational system have also brought about the awareness of different kind of food and their nutritional values. Also, restaurants these days make huge sums of money from the patronage they receive from customers on food. From birth to death, man always needs food, as good food enhances your health status, your vigor performance and in your working environment. Healthy individuals make up healthy families, as healthy families in turn make up a healthy society at large!

Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you

small steps, like adding a salad (full of different color vegetables) to your diet once a day or switching from butter to olive oil when cooking. As your small changes become habit, you can continue to add more healthy choices to your diet.

Every change you make to

ness, low energy, and headaches. It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying well hydrated will also help you make healthier food choices.

Exercise. Find something active that you like to do and add it to your day, just like you would add healthy greens, blueberries, or salmon. The benefits of life-

improve your diet matters.

You don’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to completely eliminate foods you enjoy to have a healthy diet.

The long term goal is to feel good, have more energy, and reduce the risk of cancer and disease. Don’t let your missteps derail you— every healthy food choice you make counts.

Think of water and exercise as food groups in your diet.

Water. Water helps flush our systems of waste products and toxins, yet many people go through life dehydrated—causing tired-

long exercise are abundant and regular exercise may even motivate you to make healthy food choices a habit.

Healthy eating tip 2: Moderation is key People often think of healthy eating as an all or nothing proposition, but a key foundation for any healthy diet is moderation.

But what is moderation?

How much is a moderate amount? That really depends on you and your overall eating habits. The goal of healthy eating is to develop a diet that you can maintain for life, not just a

By UKIRI CLEMENTINA/BINITIE ROSELINE

love, rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, stabilizing your mood, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you.

You can expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a tasty, healthy diet. This is why HELPGUIDE.ORG has enumerated the following healthy eating patterns for us to stay healthy while eating our favorites.

Healthy eating tip 1: Set yourself up for success To set yourself up for success, think about planning a healthy diet as a number of small, manageable steps rather than one big drastic change. If you approach the changes gradually and with commitment, you will have a healthy diet sooner than you think.

Simply instead of being overly concerned with counting calories or measuring portion sizes, think of your diet in terms of color, variety, and freshness. This way it should be easier to make healthy choices. Focus on finding foods you love and easy recipes that incorporate a few fresh ingredients. Gradually, your diet will become healthier and more delicious.

Start slow and make changes to your eating habits over time. Trying to make your diet healthy overnight isn’t realistic or smart. Changing everything at once usually leads to cheating or giving up on your new eating plan. Make

ealth Watch

H

With UKIRI CLEMENTINA

few weeks or months, or until you’ve hit your ideal weight. So try to think of moderation in terms of balance. Despite what certain fad diets would have you believe, we all need a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and

minerals to sustain a healthy body.

For most of us, moderation or balance means eating less than we do now.

More specifically, it means eating far less of the unhealthy stuff (unrefined sugar, saturated fat, for example) and more of the healthy (such as fresh fruit and vegetables). But it doesn’t mean eliminating the foods you love. Eating bacon for breakfast once a week, for example, could be considered moderation if you follow it with a healthy lunch and dinner–but not if you follow it with a box of

donuts and a sausage pizza.

If you eat 100 calories of chocolate one afternoon, balance it out by deducting 100 calories from your evening meal. If you’re still hungry, fill up with an extra serving of fresh vegetables.

Try not to think of certain foods as “off-limits.”

When you ban certain foods or food groups, it is natural to want those foods more, and then feel like a failure if you give in to temptation. If you are drawn towards sweet, salty, or unhealthy foods, start by reducing portion sizes and not eating them as often.

Later you may find yourself craving them less or thinking of them as only occasional indulgences.

Think smaller portions.

Serving sizes have ballooned recently, particularly in restaurants. When dining out, choose a starter instead of an entree, split a dish with a friend, and don’t order supersized anything. At home, use smaller plates, think about serving sizes in realistic terms, and start small. If you don’t feel satisfied at the end of a meal, try adding more leafy green vegetables or rounding off the meal with fresh fruit. Visual cues can help with portion sizes–your serving of meat, fish, or chicken should be the size of a deck of cards, a slice of bread should be the size of a CD case, and half a cup of mashed potato, rice, or pasta is about the size of a traditional light bulb. (To be continued in the next edition).

“Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love, rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, stabilizing your mood, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you.”

Counsels My Pastor Gave Me

How To Maintain Excellence In Your Life

EVERYBODY wants to succeed in life. But not too many people are indeed succeeding in life, for very obvious reasons. A lot of people start out with all the wrong ways, motives, and attitudes to real success in life, that at the end of the year they may end up amassing a lot of wealth, have fat bank accounts, fleets of cars, international connections, political powers, have all the good things of this life and yet remain self-deluded that they are “successful” in life. Alas!

These are the ultimate failure we have around us on Earth today.

Am I saying it is wrong to be wealthy? Am I implying that it is evil to have a lot of money and to enjoy the bounties of life? Am I even negating the truth that anyone just anyone can be a success in life? No! I am saying there is a way to succeed in life and a way not to succeed in life.

And if your desire is to succeed in life-to be fulfilled in life, then there is the way to that good success: start out by beginning your year from excellence.

What does it mean to begin my year from excellence? In summary, it means to begin my year with God and with His love for my neighbours.

That is the spirit of excellence in life! “in the beginning, God..” (Genesis 1:1) The spirit of excellence: The spirit of attitude of excellence is what distinguishes an individual from others and makes them stand out from the crowd. It is a long-groomed, cultivated and nurtured behavoural pattern of life that sets God up in ones heart as number one priority, a consistent disposition of heart that deposes self and upholds what please God as a rule of life. The spirit of excellence in context, is to begin from love (for God and for people).

The Apostle Paul was once admonishing the Corinthian church on oneness of believers as the body of Christ bound together by the Holy Spirit to grow through the supply each member makes with the ministry gifts he or she has received. As he punctuated on the diversity of ministries in the body of Christ and the entertained relevance and hierarchy of the spiritual gifts, the apostle

exhorted the Christians to “covet earnestly the best gifts..” the believers are at liberty to desire, receive and administer the best of the gifts of the spirits. And since the gifts are from God and for use to edify or benefit the body of Christ, carriers of these gifts or ministries need to deliver on their divine mandates with excellence.

Hence, Paul quickly added, ...“and yet show I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:13).

The question in your mind now should be, “so, what’s the more excellent way?”. To appropriately and adequately answer that question, I want you to peruse the entire next chapter of the book (Corinthians 13), paying more attention to verses 4 to 8, which reads: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind, charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth behave itself unseemly seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, enduringeth all things. Hopeth all things.

Charity never failed: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail, whether there be tongues, they shall cease, whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away.

Please try reading the entire chapter one more time, and then see if you can answer the following questions: 1. What is the relationship between your giftings, excellence and love, in contest?

2. What are the attitudes of mediocrity, as against the attitudes of excellence, in the light of the scriptures above?

What specific blessing do you desire in the new season of your life? How far do you want to succeed this year?

The beginning of supernatural progress comes only after a man has made it right with God. Beyond everything else, we need the blessing of his presence. That is the antedote for mediocrity and folly and that is the root of excellence.

Divine Guidance: Excellence is a product of divine guidance. The Prophet Jeremiah once, cried out saying. “0, Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that

walketh to direct his steps ...

(Jeremiah 10:23-24). He was right. No human being has the power to map out his life. Only God can determine how and where we go because he made each of us with specific plans and purposes in view.

Hello!

Do you really want to succeed this year? Have a well-mapped out plan for success and commit it to God for His scrutiny and direction.

He, alone knows where your prosperity is. Let him help you locate it. You must consider his instruction of utmost importance “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your way! Acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6 N1V).

Genesis chapter one, verse one: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Verse thirty one says: “And God saw” every thing that he had made, and, behold it was very good....” Read it again! The first verse says “in the beginning God ... “ and the last verse says “and God saw everything ... was very good”, what is the message and nugget here for us? If you want a good end, involve God in your beginning!

Cultivate his presence and leading: It is mediocrity and folly for you as a Christian to wake up everyday with a lackadaisical attitude towards prayer and bible reading. Don’t begin this year with the bad habit of being hasty to rush to work or keep other appointments of each day without first having a quality time with God. Learn to wake up early in the morning and seek God’s face for each day ahead of you, having already made a “todo” -list the night before.

Look at Jesus Christ, the bible says that very early in the morning, he’d wake up long before dawn and go to a scheduled place to pray. The grace and power that accomplished his life and ministry in the daytime were always a consequence of his habitual devotion to seeking God’s face.

Develop a habit of seeking God early in the morning.

Why early in the morning?

You and 1 know that that is the time our minds are still

very fresh and free from distractions. That is the time your spirit man is at its best to receive instructions from the spirit of God as you pray and or read the scriptures. At such time of the day, your reasoning and your understanding are sharper and excellent.

I tell you the truth, we bear more fruits when God leads and helps us than when we labour in our strength and wisdom. I have been there severally, so I know exactly what I’m saying. It is,

BRIO With Francis Odupute

however, a mark of excellent disposition, attitude and lifestyle for a man to be completely and consciously free from his own way, his own will and his own desires for those of God. Such a choice locates you as a truly wise person because it is only on the premise of self-denial and total submission to the will, plans and purposes of God that you can be led by God to excel in life this year.

Remember. Only God knows where your prosperity is.

Give Him the first place in your heart - and you have just begun your year from excellence!

Let’s back up a bit to the book of Daniel. Daniel chapter six, verse three says that “then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him.” In chapter five, and verse twelve we were told, “forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpretation of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel...”

How come all these were found in one ordinary young man.

Rereading Psalm 23

By MARY YOUNG

THIS is an eye opener.

Some probably never thought nor looked at this Psalm in this way, even though they say it over and over again. Let us see what new things we can learn from this Psalm as we see it from a new light. We are going to read it and apply meaning to each line. Let’s go!

The Lord is my Shephard; That is relationship!

I shall lack nothing; That is supply!

He makes me lie down in green pastures; That is rest!

That is refreshment!

He restores my soul; That is healing!

He leads me in the paths of righteousness; That is guidance!

That is purpose!

Year though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; That is testing as to fitness!

That is protection!

For you are with me; That is faithfulness and loyalty!

That is discipline!

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; That is hope!

With oil you have greased my head; That is consecration!

My cup is well filled; That is abundance!

Surely goodness and lovingkindness or mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; That is blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord (Jehovah); That is security!

Forever.

That is everlasting!

This is the end of the Psalm,

Psalm 23 I believe that you have seen many new things you may never have seen nor thought of while you read Psalm 23 before. So like I said at the beginning, it is an eye opener. I have personally experienced all the things I enumerated above. So face it, the Lord is surely with you forever.

I thought this was pretty special. What is most valuable and priceless is not what we have in our lives

materially, financially, academically and otherwise, but who we have in our lives.

That is what counts! My experience in everyday life has proven this to be true.

Please read Psalm 23 again with the above points in mind and see that you will enjoy it this time better than you have “ever” done. We all have the greatest person in the universe in our lives. Let us embrace him and see the truthfulness of Psalm in our lives. That greatest person in the universe is your creator, the God whose name is Jehovah. Listen to him and live!

What Are Your Views On Child Marriage?

THE recent furore raised by Nigerians over the alleged resolve by the senators in the National Assembly to pass a bill on Child Marriage is still eliciting response from various individuals across religious, professional, ethnic and political divide.

Naked Truth went out to seek the divergent views of the Nigerian Populace on this controversial issue that is raging in our polity. They are presented here for your reading delight.

Excerpts:It’s unacceptable – Osaretin Okhomina THERE comes a time in a country characterised by lawlessness that lawless people have no option than to begin to behave in lawless manner. The Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (with due respect) have become so mundane in their thinking and have thrown caution to the wind. A situation where issues of the learned are treated with levity, is indeed lawless.

Approving or passing a bill that seeks to allow early child marriage is taking us back to the dark age. How can men and women of honour leave issues that will have direct impact on the people, and settle for shadow. This again, is an aberration. I think some of the Senators have outlived their usefulness in the hallowed chamber and should be recalled by their constituencies. As for me, child marriage is not acceptable, the constitution of the country should be consulted to avert the impending doom the Senate wants to bring upon this country. Nigerians must arise and fight this evil. If our Senators have become so parochial and bereft of ideas, they should not forget what the scripture says in Prov.

11:21, the wicked shall not be unpunished.

It’s an abuse of the female sex – Francis U. Odupute Marriage is ordained by God, so it is a good thing to marry and a right thing too, instead of involving in sexual sins. But I remember my father saying that boys don’t

marry, only men marry. It made so much sense to me because only adults should go into marriage and not children who don’t know how to make mature and right choices or handle responsibilities of life in the marriage union.

Universally, eighteen years is the accepted age of adulthood. In Nigeria you are not allowed to vote until you are an adult, as from 18 years. So why should someone, in the guise of religion or culture, perpetuate child marriage? It is criminal, inhuman and retrogressive all together. It must be discouraged because child marriage is an abuse of the female sex. Quote me!

Child marriage is a taboo to society – Osariemen Osemwegie Marriage is a legal union between a man and women as husband and wife. Early marriage or child marriage is very common in many part of the world claiming millions of victims with injuries, death, resulting from abuse or complication from pregnancy or child birth.

Most girls in the society marry before the age of 18 years and these girls are likely to die during pregnancy or child birth.

Early marriage or child marriage has caused so many problems in the society.

These problems are caused by cultural, social, economic and religious believe in many cases poverty is one of the biggest causes of child marriage where parents sell their children into marriage either to settle debts or to make money so as to live their present stage not

thinking of the consequences that may come out of their decisions. These children get married and do not have access to education.

Therefore I believe early

Child marriage denies girls educational opportunities – Esohe Dickson Early marriage is one of the most harmful practices. It

Naked Truth With CITIZEN EMMA KOLA OKHAKHU As a young child, who is not yet developed, she might have difficulty during child bearing that might result to loss of mother and child.

With little or no education, poor training will result to poverty when the supposed

• David Mark, Senate President

marriage or child marriage is a taboo to the society and must be condemned because the young onces are our future leaders and their future must not be toyed with.

It is condemnable – Victor Imade Early child or child marriage is an abuse to God and humanity. To me a child is one whose behaviour is not matured or responsible or a person without experience of life.

Yes, it is an abuse to God because in creation when God instituted marriage, it was not for children but rather for matured minds.

I want to say categorically that the idea of early child marriage or child marriage should be condemned in totality. It is even an error in Nigeria law to mention such because there are other good things the law-makers ought to put in place as to alleviate the sufferings of our children on the streets. I suggest that marriage in Nigeria should be from 18 years above as is done in developed countries like America and Britain, etc.

usually denies girls educational opportunities, leads to poverty and economic insecurity and has a serious negative impact on their health and decision making capacities. It also reinforces gender based violence and problems, poor families sell their children into marriages either to settle disputes or to make some money thereby escaping the cycle of poverty. Child marriage is also a product of cultural devaluation, women and girls are discriminated against. Child marriage often manifests itself in the form of domestic violence, marital rape, and deprivation of food, lack of access to information, education, health care and general impediments to mobility. My advise to government is to find lasting solutions to the issue of early child marriages.

Child marriage hinders growth and development – Winifred Osasobo Child marriage is a violation of human right, that hinder the development and growth of a girl child. The young child is faced with sociological, psychological and emotional trauma, which isolates her from her peers.

husband is no longer alive.

Most child marriages are forced marriage where the child consent is not considered before the union is contracted. A union is suppose to be ordained by God not man forcefully.

Early child marriage is not right because, those who come to ask their hand in marriage will never give out their own child to a man as old as they are, without the necessary education.

Whether you are a Muslim, Christian or a traditional worshipper, the truth still stands.

It’s a violation of

human right – Nwaokolo Isioma Child marriage may be defined as marriage before age eighteen (18), it is a violation of human right compromising the development of girls and often resulting in early pregnancy and lack of socialization, with little education and poor vocational training, reinforcing the gendered nature of poverty.

Child marriage is practised due to economic reason, where girls are seen as economic burden or valued as capital for their exchange value in terms of goods and money.

Control over sexuality; where child marriage is regarded as necessary for controlling girls sexuality which is directly linked to family honour and status.

Customs and tradition where child marriage is prevalent with strong social pressure on families to either confirm or face ridicule and family shame. Early marriage or child marriage leads to domestic violence, poverty and poor health.

Child bride is more likely to experience domestic violence and less likely to take action against this abuse.

Also, majority of young brides have limited access to contraception and reproductive health services and information. Early child marriage also leads to poverty, in which they tend to have more children and fewer independent income options.

I hereby urge the government to take a bold step in combating this evil, barbaric and archaic tradition of early marriage.

“. . . child marriage should be condemned in totality. It is even an error in Nigerian law to mention such because there are other good things the lawmakers ought to put in place as to alleviate the sufferings of our children on the streets.”

VOX POP

Your View On The Rivers State House Of Assembly Macabre Dance

RECENTLY, it was all over the mass media the fight that broke out from a political crisis at the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly Chambers.

It was a show of fists at the floor of the House which was to the glaring eyes of Nigerians, as the whole macabre dance was filmed, aired and circulated both on the internet, radio and television in reckless abandon like a bunch of adolescents troglodytes on anabolic steroids! This was an act of abject irresponsibility instigated and executed by a class of gloried thugs that have infested the body politic nation-wide. This act of our esteemed law-makers in the Rivers House of Assembly makes one wonders, if literacy, education and knowledge are independently isolated from one another the event was publicly perceived as a shame to Nigeria and a threat to our emerging democracy. In view of this, SUNDAY OBSERVER interns UKIRI CLEMENTINA, SALAMI BLESSING, BINITIE ROSELINE went to town to feel the people’s pulse on the issue.

Excerpts:-

An act of abject irresponsibility – Dr Silver Yeibake The Rivers House of Assembly fracas was quite a shocker! In this time and age I still find it hard to see its so-called lawmakers losing all restraints and going at each other.

us or how does one explain where a senior member of the House will pick up a mace, the symbol of authority to use it to hit his perceived opponent and to think that the man is now in a critical

These are models of our today’s youths – Paschal My views about this is that, that House is not in order because if it were, we wouldn’t have seen them fighting These are models of our today’s youths if they are behaving like this, then tell me how do they want the youths and leaders of tomorrow to behave? It’s not really nice seeing honourables fighting, that doesn’t tell well of them at all.

Why would our leaders be fighting – David Omos I don’t understand why our leaders will be fighting?

for an honourable member to fight, in fact the president should look into this, because its getting out of hand by the day.

These honourables are supposed to be leaders not fighters – Victor Osayi These honourables are supposed to be leaders not fighters. It makes me feel ashamed whenever I think about this issue because this is not how the past leaders were behaving in those days even if am not from there, we see them on the television and also read about them on papers. They should go back and put their house in order and also the president should talk to them because he is a father to all.

the Rivers State House of Assembly is a complete slight on our democracy as a nation. The thought that supposed honourable members who are lawmakers could condescend so low to engage in physical combat is unethical and unpolitical the law enforcement agents should arrest honourable Chidi for assault and attempted murder. This I

We preach democracy while we practice democrazy – Barr J.E. Akhaie My view on the Rivers State macabre dance is that it all boils down to the fact that we are not yet matured for democracy though we preach democracy, while we practice something else, “democrazy”. There is nothing democratic in some of our actions because in democracy, the will of the people prevails, but in this case, it is clear that it is the will of the leaders. In a situation wherein five members of a House want to overthrow the majority, it’s a shear madness, because that is not democracy. They are not matured democratically, they believe the use of force like the military is the best option to subdue opposition and in this case, oppression.

This military style we are used to adopting is still with

I am ashamed – Erhunmwunsee Violet My view about the fight is that I am ashamed of them, men who called themselves leaders and mirror of leadership that the children and the youth are looking up to were fighting each other and these are people called the honourable in our country. What are they inculcating into the children and youth by being engaged in a fight in the State House of Assembly a place where issues pertaining to the state are supposed to be discussed had been turned into a wrestling ring. They have forgotten that the young ones will be the leaders of this great nation tomorrow. What will be the mind set of the youth, if people who claim to be honourable men could fight to attain a position in a violence and undemocratic manner. They are doing more damage to our image that is already battered in the international scene because we are not the only ones watching, others are also watching us from afar.

They are not worthy to be leaders

condition in the hospital, just because you want to grab power, it is a show of shame.

My advice is that dialogue remains the best option.

They are to go there and represent the people not to go there and disgrace themselves. What are they going to tell the people that voted for them, is that not a shame? It’s a shameful thing

It is unethical and unpolitical – Ojeaga Samuel The crisis experienced in

believe will help curb issues like this from happening again in our country. In the nearest future, lets all remember that the world is watching.

– Hope Patrick My view about the fight in the River State House of Assembly is that I feel very sad. It shows that they are not worthy to be leaders. It shows that they are leaders who stole ballot boxes and those that used violence to get their positions and it is very shameful of them.

“There is nothing democratic in some of our actions because in democracy, the will of the people prevails, but in this case, it is clear it is the will of the leaders. In a situation wherein five members of a House want to overthrow the majority, it’s a shear madness, because that is not democracy. They are not matured democratically, they believe the use of force like the military is the best option to subdue opposition and in this case, oppression.”

NEWS EXTRA Cross River LG Workers To Join Nation-wide Strike Tomorrow THE Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Cross River chapter has declared its readiness to join in the threeday warning strike declared by Unified Local Government Service.

The nation-wide strike, which began on Monday, is to protest the failure of the Senate to vote in favour of full autonomy for Local Government Councils in the country.

Mr. Godwin Ayendi, the President, NULGE, Cross River chapter, said this in a release made available to newsmen in Calabar.

Ayendi called on all

employees of local government councils in the state to join the three-day warning strike as directed by the NEC of the union.

He said that the position of the senate was contrary to the views of majority of Nigerians on local government administration in the country.

He commended members of the House of Representatives for upholding the views of many Nigerians on local government autonomy.

“We the leaders of the union would continue to keep up the pressure until the National Assembly accedes to the wishes of the Nigerian people,’’ the statement said.

DR Awotein George, a senior lecturer in Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, on Friday, decried academic corruption in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

George told newsmen in Port Harcourt that some unscrupulous and greedy lecturers conspired with unserious students and assisted them to graduate through fraud.

“There are some students who do not attend lectures; they pay somebody to write their projects for them; they pay all their bills and get their degree.’’

The lecturer said the malpractice was responsible for many Nigerian graduates not being employable and

advised those involved to desist from it.

He noted that it did not only destroy the students involved, but the future generations of the country, adding that it was unacceptable.

The don said rather than students being interested and serious with their studies, they went after money adding, “now, we are begging students to come to class’’.

George, a lecturer in the department of Fisheries, however, noted that there were good and serious-minded students but said the percentage was low.

George, who is also a cleric, said it was possible for the larger unserious group to influence the serious-minded group.

THE University of Abuja has appealed for support in the building of Chinua Achebe Library/Reading Room in the school.

Mrs. Vicky Sylvester, the Head of Department of English and Literary Studies made the plea in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

She said that the institution was appealing for support from individuals, corporate organisations and government establishments.

She said that the institution would appreciate contributions toward the building, noting that “no assistance is small’’.

“The language laboratory is another structure that will be named after the literary icon.

“The building will be the only department central to the intellectual development of students in all disciplines.’’

She said that the

laboratory would serve other departments in the Humanities Faculty and would be a lifetime investments in the Federal Capital University.

The head of department said that the plan to build the library was to honour the late literary icon for his contributions to the development of African literature.

She said that the library would help resuscitate reading culture in the students.

“These are lifetime investments in the Federal Capital University and the only department central to the intellectual development of students in all disciplines,’’ she said.

Reports say that the department is working in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC to honour the late literary icon, Chinua Achebe.

Don Decries Academic Fraud In Tertiary Institutions

From left: Director, Legal Services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Kofo Abdusalam-Alada, Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins and Director, Corporate Communication, Mr. Ugo Okoroafor, at a News Conference on Revocation of the Operating Licence of Express Discount Limited in abuja weekend.

GOC Urges Officers, Men To Abide By Rules Of Engagement THE General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the army, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Olaniyi, has urged its officers and men to always abide by the rules of engagement in their operations.

“You are expected to maintain high ethical and professional standards whether in internal security, civil emergency operations or election duties,’’ Olaniyi charged them at a one-day workshop on election and disaster management in Onitsha, Anambra.

Olaniyi, who was represented by Col. Yusuf Shalangwa, said: “You must not loot in any civil or emergency duties you engage in. And you must work within your operational guidelines.’’

The GOC, however, said the army was ever ready to protect its officers and men who had discharged their responsibility professionally from unnecessary and unwarranted civil litigations.

In a paper titled “Military and Media Relations: The Way Forward,’’ Col. Hamza

Gambo, the Deputy Director of Army Information, said the army and the press had enjoyed a robust relationship.

“The collaboration is always there. And the Nigerian Army over the years has related positively and cordially with the public and the media.

“The army has created a special public relations and media relations department to further cement the closeness to the public and media,’’ he said.

Gambo said the army

Enugu Transport Ministry Generates installation of tracking N10m In 6 Months devices.

THE Enugu State Ministry of Transport generated N10.7 million between January and June, the Commissioner of Transport, Mr. Chuka Utazi, has said.

Addressing members of the state assembly committee on transport who paid an over-sight visit to the ministry, Utazi said the money was generated from the registration and renewal of papers for tricycles, buses and taxis.

He said that before now, the ministry was generating a little above N3 million per annum.

He attributed the success to the renewed vigour and

commitment to enthrone a sanitised transport system in the state.

The commissioner said the ministry was laying the foundation for record keeping, adding that it would soon relocate to its permanent site in Emene, Enugu.

“We intend to provide a data bank of all registered vehicles, work on our traffic lights, and prepare our testing ground in Emene,’’ he said.

He said that 27 major routes had been established for the operations of inter-city buses.

Utazi said the ministry was gradually phasing out the old privately owned taxis for new ones to enhance easy

The commissioners urged car owners, especially politicians, not to cover their number plates to avoid being prosecuted.

Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Iloabuchi Aniagu, said the committee was in the ministry to know how it was faring.

A member of the committee and leader of the assembly, Mr. Sunday UdeOkoye, commended the ministry for its efforts in sanitising the road transport system in the state.

He urged the commissioner to continue to sensitise motorists on road signs.

also needed the media in its internal security duties, especially for confidential information as well as projecting its achievements generally.

In another paper titled “The Press and Crisis Management during Natural Disaster: 2012 Anambra State Flood in Focus,’’ Lt.-Col. Bayode Adetoro of the 14 Field Engineers Regiment, Onitsha, said the media had the role of informing people to reduce causalities.

Adetoro, the Commanding Officer of the regiment, called on those in flood-prone areas to take action once they received alerts through the media or social media networks.

“With the media being at the centre, it will be easy to contain any natural disaster and emergency plans will be direct and clear to all stakeholders involved in the situation,’’ he said.

The workshop was organised by the 302 Field Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, ahead of the November Governorship Election in Anambra as well as Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) warning on possible flooding.

It was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, NGOs, human rights organisations, the media and the military.

UNIABUJA Solicits Support For Chinua Achebe Reading Room

Improving Your Child’s Potentials AS parents we all want our children to out-do us in every sense of the word, we desire to have intelligent, well behaved and gifted children, that makes us proud and fulfilled parents. But them becoming these and more lies on you parents, because no one has a more genuine interest in your child’s future than you do, so you find effective ways to achieve, maximise the child’s potentials and ensure that your wish comes to reality.

In ensuring all these, you have to put the basic into place by seeing that your child is healthy in all facets is the foundation to empowered him to succeed in life.

Nowadays, because of work and school runs the children tend not to have enough sleep because by 5 am, they are up preparing for school, you have to drop them before going to work to avoid lateness on both sides.

It is your responsibility as a parent to ensure that your child gets enough sleep, have regular medical care, practise good hygiene, getting the essential nutrients to help stimulate brain functions and growth. Research has shown that children who eat well, healthy breakfast before going to school concentrate and performed well, have

good cognitive functioning. When a child is healthy, it’s easier to help that child in the road of self discovery where you guide or spur him into discovering areas he would be better off in pointing out his passions, strengths and weaknesses ensure he is better equipped to make a healthy wise choice in future. That is why as a parent you need to monitor your child school progress, check his notes, assignments, projects and ask questions to evaluate him on what he has learnt.

Don’t leave everything to the teachers or the home lesson teachers, get actively involved, visit the school and find out how your child is being taught and the extra lesson if it is paying off.

In the same vein, don’t help to eliminate his mistake by editing your child’s homework so he can score 100% without any tutoring from you or the lesson teachers, because when he meets that same problem/ question in exam hall, you wouldn’t be there to help and nothing will prevent his real ability from showing, so, hiding your child’s real ability can’t help him to improve and he will learn to dissociate hard work from success. Instead encourage your child to

have an average ability in all subjects by teaching him to be persistent and

will not achieve anything in the long run. At the same time, doing all

Motherhood With Chelson SMS 08023457637 done and accomplishing them.

“When a child is healthy, it’s easier to help that child in the road of self discovery where you guide or spur him into discovering areas he would be better off in pointing out his passions, strengths and weaknesses.”

believing in himself, you also should praise his slightest improvement in every area and encourage him to do more hard work, Never use hurtful words and endless lectures, for it

these, praising and encouraging help him to be independent, help him to learn how to manage his time and get organised, by making daily or weekly checklists of things to be

Teach him not to procrastinate but to break down tasks into manageable sizes and get it done properly. Then, don’t compare your child to his friends other children or his sibling. It

is a well know fact that all children develop at varying pace. When you compare your child he tends to develop low self esteem, it makes him feel like a failure and can dim his chances of catching up in life.

Encouraging your child to be active in voluntary work either in church, school, community group and NGOs, helps to improve his skills and competence

while expanding his social circle and promoting his social awareness. It is also a way for your child to gain salient job skills and experience.

“Don’t compare your child to his friends, other children or his sibling.

It is a well know fact that all children develop at varying pace. When you compare your child, he tends to develop low self esteem, it makes him feel like a failure and can dim his chances of catching up in life.”

Importance Of Sex In Marriage

BY UKIRI CLEMENTINA/BLESSING SALAMI

ACCORDING to the online dictionary, sex is the sexual urge or instinct as it manifests itself in behaviour.

It’s also the property or quality by which organisms are classified as female or male on the basis of their reproductive organs and functions.

Miriam Grossman in a public discourse said this “Today’s sex education curricula are based on the widely accepted teachings of depraved human beings.

Once upon a time, sex education was a simple biology lesson students learned the facts of life and, with those facts, that sex is part of something bigger, called marriage. Teachers explained that this was the moral and healthy way to live. In those days, people understood that men and women are different and that their union is unique unlike any other relationship. It went without saying that boys grew up to become men, and girls women.

There were only two sexually transmitted diseases, and having one was a serious matter, certain behaviours were not normal, individuals who practiced them needed help, and a child’s innocence was precious.

Now things have changed, we now have comprehensive sexuality education. It includes discussion of identity, gender, reproductive rights, and discrimination. Children learn that they’re sexual from birth and that the proper time for sexual activity is when they feel

ready. They are taught that they have rights to pleasure, birth control and abortion.

The terms husband and wife aren’t used as the union of man and woman is one of several options and morality.

Well, that’s judging and judging is not allowed.

Suzanne Wright on webMD, told the story of two long-married couples who decided to find out if making love 385 nights can strengthen a marriage..

When lovemaking fell off their respective “to-do” lists, they ditched the sweats, bought sex toys and books, stepped up exercise, lit candles, and took trips. Then they chronicled their “sexperiment” in two recently released books, Just Do It: How One Couple Turned Off the TV and Turned On Their Sex Lives for 101 Days (No Excuses!)

by Doug Brown and 365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy by Charla Muller with Betsy Thorpe.

But will daily sex really help a relationship that’s hit a rough patch? Some experts say yes; others aren’t so sure.

As for the two couples who tried it, the Browns and the Mullers, both say the experiment strengthened their marriages in and out of the bedroom.

Charla Muller had been married for eight years to her husband, Brad, when she embarked on what she calls “the year of the gift” as a way to celebrate her husband’s 40th birthday. Rather than fixing anything wrong in her marriage, she writes that frequent sex made her

Relationship With Chelson SMS 08023457637

happier, less angry, and less stressed.

Doug Brown’s wife, Annie Brown, initiated the offer of daily sex after hearing about sexless marriages on Oprah.

He had a similar revelation after they started having daily sex. A feature writer for The Denver Post, Brown writes of releasing “an

beyond the bedroom. * Less Stress, Better Blood Pressure Having sex could lower your stress and your blood pressure.

That finding comes from a Scottish study of 24 women and 22 men who kept records of their sexual activity. The researchers put

infections.

A Wilkes University study had 112 college students keep records of how often they had sex and also provide saliva samples for the study. Those who had sex once or twice a week had higher levels of IgA, an antibody that could help you avoid a cold or other infection, than other students. * Sex Burns Calories

avalanche of flesh pleasures upon our relationship.”

“There’s a special sense of being desired that only comes from sex,” he tells WebMD. “You can be good at your job or at sports, but the daily confirmation you get through sex is a super feeling.”

When their marriages fell into the doldrums, two longmarried couples decided to find out if having sex every day could boost their relationships.

Here are other benefits of sex to couples. Kathleen Doheny, in her write up , 10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex, enumerated the following and exclaimed that the perks of sex extend well

them in stressful situations such as speaking in public and doing maths out loud and checked their blood pressure.

People who had had intercourse responded better to stress than those who engaged in other sexual behaviors or abstained.

Another study found that diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number of your blood pressure) tends to be lower in people who live together and have sex often. * Sex Boosts Immunity Having sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, or IgA, which can protect you from getting colds and other

Thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more. It may not sound like much, but it adds up: 42 half-hour sessions will burn 3,570 calories, more than enough to lose a pound. Doubling up, you could drop that pound in 21 hour-long sessions.

“Sex is a great mode of exercise,” Los Angeles sexologist Patti Britton, says.

It takes both physical and psychological work, though, to do it well, she says. * Sex Improves Heart Health A 20-year-long British study shows that men who had sex two or more times a week were half as likely to have a fatal heart attack than

men who had sex less than once a month.

And although some older folks may worry that sex could cause a stroke, the study found no link between how often men had sex and how likely they were to have a stroke. * Better Self-Esteem University of Texas researchers found that boosting self-esteem was one of 237 reasons people have sex.

That finding makes sense to sex, marriage, and family therapist Gina Ogden. She also says that those who already have self-esteem say they sometimes have sex to feel even better.

“One of the reasons people say they have sex is to feel good about themselves,” she says. “Great sex begins with self-esteem. If the sex is loving, connected, and what you want, it raises it.”

Of course, you don’t have to have lots of sex to feel good about yourself. Your self-esteem is all about you not someone else. But if you’re already feeling good about yourself, a great sex life may help you feel even better.

Some marriages and homes are at the verge of collapsing for lack of attention and intimacy, due to career building, age, and insensitivity. But with this revelation about the power of sex, it is clear that, that lost intimacy can be revitalize, thereby bringing your daily life with your spouse to a honey moon.

Now that you know why you should have sex with your spouse, start having sex regularly to keep that marriage sweet and smooth running, not just to save that marriage but to lead a happy, healthy and a fulfilled life.

“Of course, you don’t have to have lots of sex to feel good about yourself.

Your self-esteem is all about you not someone else. But if you’re already feeling good about yourself, a great sex life may help you feel even better.

Some marriages and homes are at the verge of collapsing for lack of attention and intimacy, due to career building, age, and insensitivity.”

THE place of formal Education in the over-all development of a society nay Nation can not be overstressed, this is evident when comparison is made between developed, developing and

(MDGs) come 2015.

The ASUU strike came at a time when Nigeria polytechnics Educational bodies, The Academic staff union of polytechnics (ASUPS), senior staff

2013 declared an industrial strike action as a result of the federal government’s failure to honour the Academic Earned Allowance (AEA) which formed a component of

under-developed countries across the world. Education is the best legacy a country can give to her citizen and the inalienable right of the citizenry of any nation. Also knowing that it improves the development of any society, hence, the need for the Nigerian government to provide qualitative education for her citizenry.

It is in this light that the current crises rocking the educational sector (Tertiary Institution) comes to mind, as Nigeria universities lecturers under the aegis of Academic staff union of Universities (ASUU) went on an indefinite strike on July 1, 2013, to show their displeasure at the federal government’s negligence of its constitutional duties towards the educational sector, since it is in charge of federal tertiary institutions, colleges of education, and polytechnics, unity schools and certain broad policy guidelines for the improvement of quality. The fact is that the current level is worrisome considering the importance of manpower development in Nation building.

Therefore, Allocation of enough funds to education budget should not be compromised under any guise, in order to actualize the universal education of the millemium development goals

Association of Nigeria polytechnic (SSANIPs) and non-Academic staff union (NASU) are in their 8th week of industrial strike action (although this has now been called off), their demands was that the federal government must implement the agreement reached with them in 2010. According to ASUP national president, Mr. Chibuzor Asomugha, the union has been agitating against the Non-Constitution of Governing councils of polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of Technology, release of federal polytechnics, NonCommencement of the NEEDS Assessment of the Nigeria polytechnics and the non-creation of a National Polytechnics Commission (NPC) which it preferred to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

While at the state chapters the union is also not happy with their state government refusal to implement the approved salary package (COMPCASS) and 65 years retirement age of academic staff in polytechnics, more so the decrepit state of infrastructures and teaching facilities in most state owned Polytechnics monotechnics and Colleges of Technology.

It is in a related development that ASUU on Monday July 1,

the 2009 agreement the government signed with the union. The 2009 Agreement according to ASUU apart from the AEA, also include funding Requirements for Universities, which the government agreed to stimulate with N100 billion and to beef it up to a yearly sum of N400 billion in the next three years; implementation of the NEEDS Assessment Committee, which identified the decay in infrastructural facilities across tertiary institution across the country.

According to ASUU former National president Prof.

Festus Iyayi “Academic staff has said enough is enough, we cannot continue to work under these conditions especially when government gave commitment in 2012 that this matter would be addressed, but up till now nothing had happened. What government has done in the past is to say that we are on strike because of money, now they don’t have that excuse.

It is true that part of the Agreement we have with the government also talked about academic allowance, but academics are saying that we are not interested in that, we are saying that government should rehabilitate facilities and once they are rehabilitated and they are up to standard, we will come

Politics And With

ANTHONY AIBANGBEE

Education: A Catalyst For back to work….No country develops without a sound educational system and the foundation is not the primary school incidentally, it is at the university level, because it is the university that trains other levels… that is why you must concentrate efforts on the university education, if you don’t do that, other levels of education will suffer and that is what has been happening in Nigeria.” This is the reason according to him, why Nigeria students who leave here and apply for programmes in the United Kingdom, United States and other countries for their master degrees, PhD or other postgraduate programmes are denied admission because their degrees are suspect.

One issue ASUU is drawing attention to is popularly called brain-drain. Braindrain means the manifest exiles of the best, for example the university college Ibadan (now university of Ibadan) produced, even as a colonial institution; the Achebes, Soyinkas, Eheruos and others. It means Nigeria’s Nobel laureate and another literary Icon namely professor Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe respectively are lecturing young students around the world, while being a semi-Mythical figure to Nigerian students the same age, because the framework does not exist for him to go round and talk to them. Braindrain means that instead of importing geniuses like the western world does, Nigeria exports the little she has, by mis-governance. It means that the late Chinua Achebe for

instance taught European children in Europe, the best that he taught are also there teaching European children while those who knew those who Achebe taught are in Nigeria doing what they can with our children. It also means that there is a Nigerian

means a Nigerian Christine Ohuruogo, won Olympic gold alongside another Nigerian Idowu Philips for Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympic while their motherland won none! This is what brain-drain is all about.

ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge said Nigeria’s economy

all se facili “Nig conti leade unive facili educ Conti count

President Goodluck Jonathan

on the board of the national Aeronautics and space Administration, NASA in America and Nigeria cannot locate the errant satellite built for her by China in space. It

had been taken over by Chinese, as leaders in Nigeria have refused to provide quality education to the people, while the Chinese government train its people in

– 30 budge Ghana comm budge do it,

“The Nigerian government must not pay of this all important sector, knowing full a catalyst for societal and national upliftm betterment of her citizenry, if given th deserves. The rot, dirt and shame in ou invariably affecting other sectors of our Prof. Ruqayattu Rufai, Minister of Education

Issues

trained their people, they have educated their people and their people can compete anywhere in the world, that is why our President is going to China to sign Memorandum of understanding (MoU).

countries national budget when smaller African states like Ghana (31%), South Africa and Tunisia are above Nigeria in the 2012 ranking of countries to meet the 26 percent mark, as we allocate a

inception in 2011 has cost the federal government through the budget, almost 535 billion naira with the 2013 budget amounting to 150 billion, which means each legislator goes home with at least 319.8 million each for the year.

educational sector is invariably affecting other sectors of our economy, as we have become consumers and dumping ground to other nations while our best human resources are exported in the

r National Development

ectors with the necessary ities. According to him geria’s economy will inue to dwindle except rs of the country provided ersities with adequate ities to give qualitative ation to the youths”. inuing, he said “If other tries are investing about 28

because we are under the dictates of International Monetary Fund (IMF), don’t we want to do what is right, must our children continue to go to Ghanaian university for education, must our people be leaving our country, be braindrained to other countries to go and develop their

percent of their annual et in education, typically a, even this year, Ghana has mitted 28 percent of its total et to education, if they can why not Nigeria?” Is it

economics, must we continue this way?

“Even now, what is happening is that the Chinese have taken over our economy simply because they have

y deaf ears to the plight ly well that education is ment, development and he priority attention it ur educational sector is r economy”

“Why can’t we do the same, why can’t we train our people and give them quality education so that we will also be exporting them to go and carry out assignments in other countries and then bring foreign exchange for our country and then we will need to be importing people to come and do some sundry projects in our country?”

Most of the key contracts now are being forwarded to Chinese companies; all our companies are down simply because we have not paid high premium to our education sector, that is what we are saying. Are we happy with what we are producing as graduates? We are not, that is what we are crying out for.

Let people understand that, it is the pride of an intellectual to produce a well rounded intellectual who is even better that himself, but that is not what we are having. We are having people because we don’t have the facilities to give them state-of-the-art training and we are crying out and people are telling us all sorts of things”.

People should not misconstrue the ASUU strike, as to mean the demand for salary increase, by lecturers.

Although many in the university system, who should not be there, if they had more efficient sources of livelihood, would infact think it is all about money. Any negotiation between the government and ASUU should be guided by this consideration. Government should undertake to provide effective and efficient governance; that in African tradition is measurable in the improvement in the quality of life of the people; increased life expectation.

Come to think of it, is this not the Nigeria that profess to have utmost importance attached to education, as clearly underscored in the National Policy on Education? The Federal Republic of Nigeria, in this policy adopted education as an instrument ‘per excellence” for effective national development of UNESCO which stipulates 26 percent of developing

paltry less than 9 percent from the 2013 national budget and yet it is applauded as the highest ever by the federal government. According to UNESCO, after series of research, this is the needed expenditure rate on education, to develop the mind of a nation to full potential.

If Nigeria as a nation profess to be in dire need of national development in all sectors, then why under-fund the educational sector? it might interest you to know that the human brain is the most potent machine on planet earth; the educated mind is the most efficient machine. This is the much reason China and other Asian Nations embarked on mass scientific education with less material resources than Africa, are now struggling with the western world as to who would make the better master of Africa.

In a more reasonable and discerning society, it will amount to evil and corruption to see 469 citizens eat up 9.2 percent of the entire country’s budget all in the name of Senators and House of Representatives members, while the more than 160 million Nigerians wallow in the mud of penury, and the educational sector get a paltry 8.4 percent to the applause of many. According to statistics, this present National Assembly (7th) since

Fagge, ASUU President

And yet when they come to the House, they are busy legislating on frivolous issues like child marriage, upward review of their entitlements and many others, when serious issues like the Petroleum Industry bill is there, when the rot and infrastructural decadence in our Ivory towers are so glaring for all to see, hence the need for immediate attention, making and implementation of policies to cushion the effect.

Although many are of the opinion that the educational sector is asking for too much, but a look at other sectors that have suffered or faced threat of collapse might give them a rethink. For instance, during the economic melt-down, the banking sector was revived with a total of N3 trillion and these were banks owned by the private sector; the Aviation sector was also rescued with N500 billion and even our entertainment sectors was given a life line in cash amounting to millions of dollars.

The Nigerian government must not pay deaf ears to the plight of this all important sector, knowing fully well that education is a catalyst for societal and national upliftment, development and betterment of her citizenry, if given the priority attention it deserves.

The rot, dirt and shame in our

new type of slavery called neocolonialism to other climes who know their worth and would appreciate them better.

This is the reason why we always seek for expatriate, foreign medical check-up or treatment and the new term ‘Nigerian’s in the diaspora’ who are not even dreaming of coming back home.

Education is not asking for too much, if our political elites can consume a large chunk of our yearly budget, then I don’t see any reason why they cannot be sacrificed for the education of our citizens in order to safeguard our today and tomorrow against the looming danger that lies ahead of us.

Although it is everyone’s wish that the strike issue is resolved and students go back to school, our leaders should be enlightened on the importance of education to the over all development of a nation, as no nation can develop beyond the educational level of her citizenry. If Nigeria wishes to be among the top 20 economies by the year 2020, then education should be put in the rightful position that it deserves in other to forestall economic, social, cultural, religious and political development on the country.

The education minister should do all within her power to arrest the ugly situation before much damage is done because an educated populace is a pre-requisite for national development.

Preaching Christ - His Own Unveiling (4)

AS you preach Christ, notice His own unveiling of His life, His state of being, which is sinlessness. In John 8:46. He challenges the Jews, “which of you convicts me of sin?” They couldn’t. They didn’t. There was no response, only to say he had a demon.

Christ’s self-conscious purity is astonishing in that it is totally unlike the experience of other believers. Every Christian knows that the nearer he approaches God, the more aware he becomes of sin.

However, with Christ, this is not the case. Jesus lived more closely to God than anyone else and was free from all sense of sin.

Do you remember his baptism and how the heavens were opened and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and a voice came? Matthew 3:17 says, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well – pleased”.

I Peter 2:22 says, “who

did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth”. In John 3:5, John said, “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him is no sin”.

Hebrews 4:14-15 says, “seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession for we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympatize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin”. Have you truly grasped the sinlessness of our saviour?.

I Peter 1:19 says, “But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”.

What was Judas’ response after he had betrayed Christ and they took Jesus and crucified Him? (Matthew 27:3-4) “I have betrayed innocent blood”.

As you preach Christ, notice His own unveiling of

His true identity as He receives the worship of others and does not condemn.

“And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in their language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us” (Acts 14:11). They wanted to worship Paul. Paul responds, “Why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you. It is not us you are to worship. It is God”.

Do you remember after the resurrection, Jesus made an appearance to His disciples, but Thomas was not there. When he came, the disciples said, “we have seen the lord” (John 20:25).

And Thomas response?

“Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe”.

And eight days later, the resurrected King of Kings and Lord of Lords comes again to where the disciples are, with Thomas, “peace be with you”. Jesus sees Thomas – “Reach here Thomas and touch and feel”.

R

eflections

With MOSES EVBUOMWAN

And Thomas response; “My Lord and my God”.

Luke 19:37-40 says, “then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying, blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees said to Him from the crowd, Teacher, rebuke your disciples. But Jesus

answered and said to them, I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out”.

Do you remember Jesus in the boat in storm – tossed sea? And all of a sudden, because of His holy presence, the storm ceased.

In Luke 14:33, “then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him saying, “Truly you are the Son of God”.

Jesus never, ever condemn those who bowed before Him to worship Him. He received their worship because He is worthy.

“Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe”.

Your Decision Decides unday Diet Your Destination

S

With ERNEST IKHUREIGBE

“AND when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed he saddle his ass and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father” – 2 Samuel 17:23.

What befell this man was premeditated and it was an answer to the prayer of the then King of Israel.

In 2 Samuel 15:31 David was reliably informed of Ahithophel’s conspiracy with his rebellious son Absalom to oust him.

Knowing fully well of the quality and efficacy of his counsel, David requested God to turn every of his counsel into foolishness.

As asked by the King, who the Bible recorded as a man after the heart of God. His

request was granted and the man – Ahithophel lost his relevance for betraying the confidence and loyalty to his master King David.

Beloved, whatever decision commended single-handedly or collectively against the will of God for selfish and wicked reason would always have it repression, on you or your children someday. It will surely come to bear someday.

Gal 6:7 says, whatsoever a man Soweth that shall he above reap”.

It is unfortunate that King Solomon, who decided to seek the Lord at the nick of time he ascended the throne of Israel turned out to be a symbol of disappointment unto himself and his generation.

I Kings 3:3-13. King

Solomon could be described as a man who loved God that he offered a thousand burnt offering unto Him. That act of uncommon offering provoked God to grant him an open cheque to whatever he desired. He decided on his own to ask for what would better the Israelites and Israel unto which he had a responsibility. His request according to the Bible pleased God. I King 3:30.

He was for his plausible request, granted what he

requested for and God bequeathed also unto him what he deserved I kings 3:12-13.

He was, however, promised longevity “if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes, and may commandments as thy father. David did walk”.

I kings 3:14. This was a choice and an expectation from the Lord.

Instead of keeping and be guided by God’s instructions with its attendant blessings, he deviated and lust after women and godless things.

“He had seven hundred wives, princesses and three hundred concubines and his wives turned away his heart”. (from his creator who crownd him) I King 11:3.

No wonder, this seed of deviation from God’s instruction had its toll on his children. He became wicked and did what his subjects could not bear.

Immediately Rehoboam his son ascended the throne, the people of Israel sought to know if he would take after his father’s

“It is very important to ask for God’s grace at all time so that whatever decision we take would not have a boomerang effect on us.”

draconic administrative stand I Kings 12:4.

He told them to come after three days (verse 5).

He wisely sought the counsel of his father’s counsellor and that of his peer group.

He disregarded the wise counsel of the old men that stood before his father and took the foolish counsel of his mates.

Beloved, his decision to disregard wise counsel scuttled the Kingdom. He lost 10 tribes of Israel to his own servant Jeroboam.

And when he realised that the ten tribes had pitched their tents with Jeroboam, he wanted to launch an attack on them. He was instructively warned against the move. I King 12:24 “for this thing is from me”, God warned him. It is very important to ask for God’s grace at all time so that whatever decision we take would not have a boomerang effect on us. Remain blessed as you define your stand on all issues of life.

“Dr. Vickery, whose Ph.D. is in chemistry, added that cosmetics “can significantly change how people see you, how smart people think you are on first impression, or how warm and approachable.”

Fashion & Style

With ROSE ORHIBHABOR

completely within a woman’s control, when there are so many things you cannot control.”

Bobbi Brown, the founder of her namesake cosmetics line, suggested

conclusion that makeup makes women look more likable — or more socially cooperative — made sense to him because “we conflate looks and a willingness to take care of yourself with

that focusing on others’ perceptions misses the point of what makes makeup powerful.

“We are able to transform ourselves, not only how we are perceived, but how we feel,” she said.

Ms. Brown also said that the wrong colour on a subject may have caused some testers to conclude that women with high-contrasting makeup were more “untrustworthy.” “People will have a bad reaction if it’s not the right colour, not the right texture, or if the makeup is not enhancing your natural beauty,” she said.

Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said the

a willingness to take care of people.”

Professor Hamermesh, the author of “Beauty Pays” (Princeton University Press, 2011), which lays out the leg-up the beautiful get, said he wished that good-looking people were not treated differently, but said he was a realist.

“Like any other thing that society rewards, people will take advantage of it,” he said of makeup’s benefits.

“I’m an economist, so I say, why not? But I wish society didn’t reward this.

I think we’d be a fairer world if beauty were not rewarded, but it is.”

Hmm, now you know what I know, get your make up kit ready for the big deal!

Make Up And Earn The Confidence Of Competence (2)

BY UKIRI CLEMENTINA

BUT some women did not view the study’s findings as progress.

2010), which details how “I don’t wear makeup, appearance unjustly nor do I wish to spend 20 affects some workers. minutes applying it,” said “The quality of my Deborah Rhode, a law teaching shouldn’t professor at Stanford depend on the colour of University who wrote my lipstick or whether “The Beauty Bias” I’ve got mascara on.”

(Oxford University Press, She is no “beauty

basher,” she said. “I’m against our preoccupation, and how judgments about attractiveness spill over into judgments about competence and job performance. We like individuals in the job market to be judged on the basis of competence, not cosmetics.”

But Professor Etcoff

argued that there has been a cultural shift in ideas about self adornment, including makeup. “Twenty or thirty years ago, if you got dressed up, it was simply to please men, or it was something you were doing because society demands it,” she said. “Women and feminists today see this as their own choice, and it may be an effective tool.”

Dr. Vickery, whose Ph.D. is in chemistry, added that cosmetics “can significantly change how people see you, how smart people think you are on first impression, or how warm and approachable, and that look is

Music

Movies

“My Soldier, My Best Friend, I Love You” - Nadia Buari Tweets Jim Iyke

Jim Iyke and Nadia Buari

W

FROM all indications, the love between Nollywood “bad boy”, Jim Iyke and Ghanaian Beau, Nadia Buari, has been rekindled. The on and off lovers seem to have found their bearing again.

Going by the tweets between them, the fire of love has consumed them once again. Over and over they have both denied any romantic relationship, but the tweets have

I Slept With Men For Money

my family,” 21 year-old Nigerian Funke Akindele and hubby ... walking their Recall she was always female representative at separate ways around 2 shot in the past, the Big Brother Africa – their liaison was said to The Chase, Beverly Osu have produced a four has confessed to her months old pregnancy for housemate boyfriend, him but she later aborted it.

Angelo that she slept with All this she told the South men for money, short of African representative saying she was a whom she has developed prostitute. affection for while in the Beverly disclosed that, BBA House. She also said at one point in her life, that her mother was she was sleeping around deported from the US. to make ends meet and to Hear what she said about take care of her family 2shot, “I never regretted while her mother was ‘drinking, smoking, away in the USA. clubbing, partying, meeting Listen to her: “I’ve with people’ except dating done all sorts. I’ve slept my ex-boyfriend, 2shotz.” with men for money when I had to take care of

dismantled all that.

“My soldier, my best friend, my biggest support @JimIyke, thank you for your support. I love you. #wearetogether”, Nadia writes, while Jim replies: “My gorgeous amazing as u charter a new course on ur directorial debut on set Diary ofImogenBrown.

God bless ur hustle.”

Can you beat that!

not really know the value of art. The nation still sees the arts as subject matter.

No particular workshop for artists and film makers. Arts is neglected in our country, it is reflected in the way we reason. Government must seriously invest in the sector to have the desired impact”, he stressed.

Prince Aiwerioba, who spoke with ShowBiz said the sector has the capacity to generate revenue and massive employment, saying for the country to be well positioned to reap from it government must take a drastic action and redefine its stance toward the sector.

Aiwerioba, who is also the president of Africa Art

I Haven’t Done It For 10 Years

Genevieve Nnaji: THIS is a story many will doubt. Sultry actress Genevieve Nnaji claims no man has climbed her in the past 10 years. Though controversy has swirled round her romantic life like flies over rotten mango, she is claiming no man has entered her in the last 10 years.

Genevieve said in an interview: “I have been single for so long, it

hasn’t been easy, even when D’banj came along with his thing that wasn’t long, he kept saying NO LONG THING.... NO LONG THING….I never knew that was what he meant, till I saw it. It was even shorter than his harmonica….we couldn’t settle down. Luckily for me, I have found a man now to spend the rest of my life with”. “True, for more than 10 years now no man for me”.

C A R O L I N E Danjuma actress and mother of two returned to Nigeria few days ago after attending a one month crash course at the London Academy of Freelance Make-Up where she graduated as a Total Pro Creative Specialist. Caroline is getting ready to set up her own beauty centre in Lagos.

The stunning pretty and sexy record label boss who is presently married to Musa Danjuma, the wealthy

younger brother of business tycoon and former Minister of Defence, General TY Danjuma, was a popular Nollywood actress way back.

Caroline Danjuma Opens Beauty Centre

Beverly Osu

Entertainment Sector Needs Government Intervention

FOR the Nigerian entertainment industry to attain height of excellence, governments at the difference levels must give it a push. This is the view of Prince Bob Aiwerioba, chief executive officer of Tropical Palms Art Hotel and the resort centre, Sunbeach, located at Ekenwan area of Benin.

It is the opinion of the entertainment impresario that for Nigerian the arts to take its rightful place in the comity of countries reaping bountifully from the sector, the country must consciously create an enabling atmosphere and the willingness to invest in it. “The state of the arts is still very far from perfection. The nation does

Genevieve Nnaji

- Bob Aiwerioba

Foundation, South- South and a consummate painter said the arts could be used for solving nation’s problems. “Arts is neglected in our country, it is reflected in the way we reason. You can develop the country with creativity because creative reasoning shapes the environment.

Through creative reasoning you settle issues in the country in acceptable way. Government should shed more light on the sector. When there is problem artistes you bring artistes together, try to solve it by consulting them.

But for now our government is not ready for

that, it believes more in sciences than in the arts”, he emphasized.

He believes the government has to shed more light on the arts to create things in such a way that would be beneficial to the whole country. He urged the government to provide artists and filmmakers workshops stuffed with equipment to enable Nigerian arts to be at par with global reality.

He noted that the Africa Art Foundation from time to time carries out talent hunt for young painters among

Contd on pg 21

Caroline Danjuma

Lagbaja’s Daughter Weds, Attends Without Mask

Lagbaja

THE first daughter of masked Afro beat musician Abisade Ologunde, popularly known as Lagbaja, married her longtime beau, Olamide Obilana,

at Motherland in Opebi recently.

Moyosade attended Pennsylvania state University school of Management where she bagged a Masters in business administration and now works as a change management specialist at a US firm.

But the clicker was during the wedding, guests were forbidden to take photos so as not to unmask the father of the bride, Lagbaja, who came without his usual mask.

Theatre

Concert

Basket Mouth Buys Honda Car For Wife As COMEDIAN, to be ecstatic Birthday Gift about his lovely Basket Mouth who is one of the most travelled N i g e r i a n entertainers, bought a brand new 2013 Honda for his wife as her birthday gift. Elsie Uzoma Okpocha was a year older on July 14th. Said

wife, who sources say does not complain about h u b b y excesses, Basket Mouth was said to have bought the car in appreciation of her devotion.

Basket mouth and wife

Basket Mouth & wife

Seun Kuti Confesses Using Marijuana SEUN Kuti, the last born of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti recently admitted in an open interview that he takes marijuana ‘Igbo’ to cool off and relax.

Hear what he said, “The Indian hemp should not be abused.

It is good for mankind.

I take but not for performance. I take it to relax and cool off.

It is ideal for good sleep, arouses

appetite, used to treat cancer, relieves pains, clears the head and relaxes the nerves.”

He continued: “Our government sees ‘Igbo’ as illegal because it is a black man’s inheritance and not from white people; maybe if it was from Europe like cigarette, it would have been legalised.

We are just fake people who don’t believe in our own abilities, but only rely

on anything from the West. If Oyinbo man says something is right, then it is right and if they say it is bad, then it is bad. Our government should first provide me with the basic, social amenities before telling me to stop smoking ‘Igbo’ because I take it to reduce the psychological frustration I get from government’s inabilities.

usual for them. This decision was reached after the body held a strategic meeting recently in Lagos at which several other critical decisions were taken.

Rising from the meeting which took place at the board room of the society in Opebi, Ikeja, a member of the board, Efe Omorogbe

said, “we reviewed the compliance level with respect to music copyright royalty payments in Nigeria and came to the conclusion that while there are several users who have shown that they want to play by the rules, there are those who are playing games.

“They erroneously believe that they can conspire, delay and successfully confront

sponsoring talents in music sector, to bring them together and create our crew, we will look for market, in and outside country.”

His resort centre, Sunbeach, which he said it is geared toward elevating arts to the front burner, is a family resort where parents could relax with their wards by the pool side. Also fun seekers looking for an exquisite and tranquil environment need not seek further, for Sunbeach is the place to be. It is opened all day

long. The centre covers all areas of entertainment.

He urged other sates of the federation to emulate Lagos by activating social life in their respective states that is by encouraging artistes especially Nollywood practitioners to grow in their states. In the same vein, he called on scriptwriters and film directors to look beyond marketing their end products in this shore by producing excellent works acceptable worldwide.

With FELIX OMOH-ASUN GSM: 07060576600

GLOBAL BUZZ

Kanye, Kim Splash $1 Million On Gold Plated Toilet It has been revealed that the‘ couple has splashed out a whopping $750,000 on four gold plated toilets for the sprawling abode.

Kimye now joins the likes of other famous celebrities and members of the royalty who also have gold plated toilets seats featured in their homes.

Kanye has also repeatedly splurged on six special edition beds from a company which supplies London’s Savoy hotel, the total coming to $1million.

The couple are also said to be blinking out their

Kanye West kitchen with a Swarovskiencrusted fridge freezer and almost $1 million worth of Electrolux appliances

Beyonce Hair Gets Stucked Into Fan On Stage Beyonce Knowles got up close with a fan on stage when her hair got tangled up in it. The Grown woman singer got trapped by the huge cooling device, when she

Seun Kuti

Beyaonce

was performing her hit “Halo” in Montreal, Canada on Monday. The songbird carried on singing like a true professional, impressively managing not to miss a note of the song despite her predicament. She calmly sat on a ledge in the pit to carry on performing to the audience while stage hands struggled to set her long curly locks free.

And despite the potential seriousness of the situation, the 31year-old chart-topper managed to see the funny side, later posting a hand-written note on her Instagram page where she mocked the incident.

Jermaine Jackson COSON Declares War On Copyright Wants To Meet P-Square Defaulters

THE board of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the country’s sole approved collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings, has resolved to go tough on copyright royalty defaulters as the body disclosed that it would no longer be business as

COSON and continue the era of free music. They are badly mistaken and clearly do not understand the passion, total determination and zeal that drive the work of COSON.” Omorogbe, who is the CEO of Now Muzik and manager of several top Nigerian

...Entertainment Sector Contd from pg 20 secondary schools children across the country.

“The organization organizes art shows sponsored by Nigeria Breweries and others. Areas that are not stimulated are our concern. We go round schools for young talent.

Every Sunday evening young artistes in Benin come to Sunbeach to showcase their talent for the purpose of discovering and nurturing them. We have agents sourcing for them. We intend to go audio,

artistes such as 2Face Idibia, J- Martins, Sheyi Shay, Tunde and Wunmi Obe, Sunny Neji, etc., said, “those who are ready to work with COSON will find out that we are very reasonable and friendly. I however assure those who want a fight that they will badly regret the day they decided to engage COSON in a fight.”

THE video tribute to the late king of pop Michael Jackson in the song “personally” by sensational twins P-square has caught the attention of one of the Jackson brothers; Jermaine Jackson in the US who has announced he wants to meet P-square.

The message from Jermaine was posted on Psquare YouTube channel.

He said “it’s not every day that a phenomenal band comes along……P-square, they are absolutely sensational with the showmanship, the singing, the dancing”, Jermaine was completely blown away.

He expressed his gratitude to the group for their ‘heartfelt tribute’ which featured the twin brothers and dancers’ imitating the dance moves of the music legend.

Jermaine Jackson

Johnney Depp Is Blind

JOHNNY Depp has revealed that he is completely blind in one eye. The “Lone Ranger” star, who is rarely photographed without a

Efe Omorogbe

Johnny Depp

pair of tinted glasses, claims he has been ‘basically blind as a bat’ in his left eye since birth and the problem is impossible to correct.

The 50-year-old actor, who is also near-sighted in his right eye, told the July issue of Rolling Stone magazine that all his glasses are prescribed and he relies heavily on them. He explained “Everything is just very, very blurry; I have never had proper vision”. The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star said he can only see a few inches from his face if he is playing a character that does not wear glasses or sunglasses.

Compiled By Emmanuel O.

Okogba

ENCOUNTER

The Comrade Governor Has Done DR Augustine Akemu is the Principal of a Christian private school here in Benin City. In this interview with SUNDAY OBSERVER, he spoke extensively on the importance and contributions of private schools to the society, why he chose to be a teacher and the challenges in the profession. He also commented on the Oshiomhole administration and expressed his satisfaction on the development and innovations in the state, while commending the Comrade Governor and urging him to continue his good works, he also urged the Governor to create a level playing field for private schools to thrive in the state. Below are excerpts of the chat for your Sunday delight.

Why did you choose becoming free from sin, obeying the word to be a teacher?

Well I never thought of God which I taught living I will be a teacher all them, my life. My plan was righteously and also to be a medical God is helping them to personnel, but during go to higher schools. my higher school days, Some are medical I did not qualify to read doctors now, some are medicine in the college accountants, some are in the University of lawyers and some are Benin, so I studied one engineers. In Benin of the sciences and here, in Canada, in the ended up being a USA, even in Europe, they are there. teacher.

What are the What are your challenges of running motivations and satisfaction in the a private school and how do you tackle cause of your job?

I am satisfied being a them?

The challenges have teacher because of the fact that I am not only been so numerous. We a teacher but also a have the challenge of preacher of the word of the internet which God. So, as I teach cause students to keep Biology which I read in browsing pornography the higher school, I which is against our also preach God’s ethics here. We have word to the students. It the challenge of gives me joy and immorality, secret satisfaction when I see cults, and parents the children I taught coming to fight teachers here because

Wonderfully Well the students were disciplined for misbehaviour. We also have the challenge of students coming late to school everyday because they say they live very far from

- Dr. Akemu

in this area of challenges, through the grace of God we are able to tackle many of them. Presently, they are no more challenges but stepping stones to

changes in public schools for the first time, as regards infrastructures. But there is still the problem of lack of manpower in public

greater heights.

How have you coped in terms of patronage with the upgrade of public schools in the state?

Our Comrade Governor has done wonderfully well in that area, I must praise him because since the few years he has been in office, we have seen

schools. So, the government should address that issue.

There are schools, but there are no teachers to teach. But here as private schools, we do our best, so the parents still come to us because we have put in place good teachers, who know their duties, we don’t go on strike

Dr. Augustine Akemu

school. So they come on daily basis very very late then the last challenge is that of the payment of school fees. They hardly pay school fees, the parents want the children in school but when it gets to school fees, they remain adamant, they don’t want to pay. But

and the school fees is minimal renovation and all that.

How will you described the ongoing ASUU strike in the country?

Yes, the strike by ASUU in unrealistic, ASUU is well paid, so their strike is uncalled for. That is why some years back, the government of the day flushed all of them out, afterwards, they all reapplied with conditions. Even when the government promise, you wait for the right time, you continue to negotiate on a round table, because the students are the ones who will end up suffering. Even if they’ve done that, they should continue to wait patiently. You see, government is into various areas of human endeavours, not only education.

Can you comment briefly on the Oshiomhole’s administration?

Oshiomhole led government is God sent to revive this state.

I want to praise him and his team of commissioners for the efforts put in so far in transforming Edo State.

“Our Comrade Governor has done wonderfully well in that area, I must praise him because since the few years he has been in office, we have seen changes in public schools for the first time, as regards infrastructures.

SOCIETY

Respect God With Your Dressing IT is a known fact that the way a person dresses equally affects the manner in which such a person is addressed by people. God being holy and just, glorifies cleanliness. This also means dressing decently will attract God to address our needs and wants.

A person who dresses shabbily and immorally to church is hindering God’s blessings. This is because when a dress does not conform to the code of dressing which God glories in, it will not attract God’s favour.

The prayer of a sinner is an abomination to God, the holy writ says. So, when a person exposes his or her body in the name of fashion, it defies the code of dressing which God exalts. The bible makes us to understand that our body is the temple of God. Females who dress in a seductive way to attract men are portrayers of irresponsibility and uncultured character.

Unfortunately, many churches today are justifying immoral dressing by using a verse in the bible - that God does not care about our appearance but the heart. Such churches have also neglected that portion in the bible that also advocates that m o d e r a t i o n (cleanliness) is close to godliness. This brings cleanliness and godliness in a strong union. Cleanliness is a part and parcel of our appearance. When a woman dresses in skimpy dresses and exposes her cleavage, it reduces her to dirt and garbage. How can

they be related to God in these misdemeanors?

If you are in doubt of what I am saying, take a research tour to churches around Nigeria and see how irresponsibly ladies dress to church nowadays.

Some churches preach ‘looking good’ in a way that pleases them and not God. How would a pastor, a man of God, God`s oracle, put relaxer on the hair and look feminine?

The wife paints herself in artistry form, looking like a graphic design. Is this God’s desire?

Ladies do not visit their bosses, lecturers, and government officials in skimpy dresses except only on the motive of seduction. The clothes we do not put on to lecture room, market, meetings, office and conference hall, we wear to church. Does it mean that people or places are more relevant than God or the church of God? The word people use

By ONOJETA EJIROGHENE

to justify this sinful act is that God cares more about the heart than the physical appearance.

We dress in nude-like apparel and we sing, dance, speak in tongues and lay hands on people in churches.

attend churches like that are mostly youths.

All they want is entertainment (music dance and comedy.

You find a lady exposing her cleavage, even her whole breast is spilled out of the

excuse of God sees the heart, don’t judge a book by its cover. No! I disagree, I will judge this one before heaven does its. A spade should be called a spade. Sins should not be painted in bright colours.

If you go to church and you see skimpy wears, how will you feel. No doubt, your faith is bound to come low.

Females should not go to church to entice men. These things influence people’s perception of Christians, especially non Christians.

Majority of them who

dress and her hairdo is the combination of different colours, so much attachment that is enough for use by many ladies and yet she speaks in tongues.

Is this possible? Rather than listen to the Holy Spirit many men will be watching her breast instead. And yet you still hear the flimsy

Yes we can say we are in modern times, a civilized world, but how does that affect the price of beans in the market? The words of God have since been in existence before the great philosophers were born. We cannot wake up one morning, pick a verse of the bible

to suit our selfish greed, and think we are on the right part, no way. The truth should be written in our hearts.

Dressing is an integral part of human social life. The word fashion has witnessed i n f l u e n t i a l development from the western world.

America and Britain are role models in fashion for Africans.

They do not go to churches in skimpy attires. We watch their preaching on satellite, they cover their body fully. They follow Ecclesiastic saying that there is time for everything; time for club, beach, and party has different outfits.

We in Nigeria misunderstand this, especially the youths.

Let us fear God and reverence him with our dressing. What Nigeria tradition forbids in the society we should not deem it fit to practice in the church of God. That is very bad. The church is now a beggar who has no choice. Let us all be careful how we stain the church pews with our blood, defiling the piety of God with our a p p e a r a n c e .

BEWARE!

“Let us fear God and reverence him with our dressing.

What Nigeria tradition forbids in the society we should not deem it fit to practice in the church of God. That is very bad. The church is now a beggar who has no choice.”

SHE gasped and scrambled, but fear made her clumsy and she fell

Whirlwind:

house to clean up her knee. Then I rode home with Amanda, because she

Story Time

A Florida Ghost Story (2)

again over the jagged stone, cutting her knee open. The blood spurting from the cut was suddenly illuminated by a blush light that appeared directly above the whirlwind. It coalesced rapidly into a glowing man in the garb of an oldtime Spanish settler. The spirit gave a shout of rage at the sight of us, and swooped toward us, arms outstretched Amanda gave a shriek and found her feet at last, racing away from the ghost so fast she left me far behind. I sprinted after her, my way uncannily lit by the glowing phantom behind me. The air around me was ice cold and it made my lungs ache as I ran. I leapt over a tombstone standing between me and the gate, where Amanda and Terry were already on their bikes. “Hurry, Susan!

Hurry,” Terry shouted. I raced through the gates and stumbled into my bike, knocking it over. As I grabbed it off the ground, I risked a backward glance and saw the phantom hovering just inside the gate, the whirlwind somehow mixing in with his glowing form. Dust

whipped into my face as I jumped onto my bike and followed my fleeing friends. But the time we reached the end of the street, the phantom had vanished, and the whirlwind had died away, but kept going. Terry’s house was the closest, so

refused to go any where alone. I didn’t blame her.

It was full dark when I headed back to my house.

I stayed on the main roads, trying to keep out of the shadows. In my mind, I kept seeing the glowing figure swooping at me, and feeling the supernatural coldness

With CLEMENTINA UKIRI

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345

POEMS

I Have A Little Box I have a little box where I put my books. I have a yellow box where I put my books. I have a yellow box where I put my clothes. My box is made of wood, but very very smooth.

Busy Bee Busy bee, busy bee how are you today, you stick so hard but your honey is so sweet put your honey in the comb and fly high away.

Mummy Is A Woman Mummy is a woman I love so much when she go away, I will be alone I will take her picture to remember her face, can a picture do, what mummy do for me, oh oh mummy I love so much.

I Have A Dream we rode there and collapsed on her porch, panting.

“There is no way I am ever going back to that cemetery”, Amanda gasped. “What was that

Walls Of Jericho ONE day, a teacher was teaching a Bible knowledge class, as she asked a student, “who falled the walls of Jericho?” The student began to plead. “Aunty it is not me, I did not fall the wall of Jericho.” He kept on crying and crying and just then the Headmistress was passing by and she asked why the student was crying. The teacher replied. “I asked him who fell the wall of Jericho?”

The Headmistress replied, is that all? That is no problem, we will write to

thing?”.

I shook my head, but Terry said. “I heard that the ghost of the man who single handedly drove all the pirates out of key West haunted the cemetery, but I thought it was just a myth; you know, one of the stories you tell to

C

hildren’s World

his parents and they will pay for the walls of Jericho.

Please Come Again THERE was a man who continued to steal from one shop. One day, he was caught, arrested and taken to court for trial. The judge asked the man, “why he always stole from the particular shop”. The man started crying and said, “Well, each time I stole something from the shop through the exit door, I always see, “please come again”, written on the front of the exit door.

tourist to freak them out”.

“Worked for me,” I gibed.

“I am completely freaked”. Beside me, Amanda groaned in agreement, and poked gently at her inside the

piercing my lungs. I decided then and there that I’d had enough ancestor hunting from now on, I am staying away from that grave-yard!

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567

Jokes

By BLESSING SALAMI

Sign ‘L’ A man was learning how to drive a beetle car and he hung on his neck a sign board marked “L” which stands for learner.

The dialogue below ensued when a police man caught him.

Police: Why are you driving as if you are learning or a learner?

Learner: Yes, infact I am learning?

Police: Where is your learner’s sign on the car?

Learner: Look at it on my neck Police: Why do you choose to having it on your neck instead of your car?

Learner: Because am the one learning and not my car.

I have a Dream, yes a dream Its not like every other dream, yes every other dream In my dream, yes in my dream Our leaders, no more corrupt, yes no more corrupt In my dream, yes in my dream Our light no more failure, yes no more failure In my dream, yes in my dream Our milk no more cudlled, yes no more cuddled In my dream, yes in my dream Our honey no more saddened, yes no more saddened In my dream, yes in my dream Our roads no more death traps, yes no more death traps In my dream, yes in my dream Our hospitals, no more mere consulting room, yes no more mere consulting room In my dream, yes, in my dream

RELIGION

The Sands Of Time Are Sinking (2) WHEN a man is connected with God and is keeping His law in truth, his life will reveal the fact without the man saying it. All his actions in worldly matters will be in harmony with the teachings of Christ. He will not sell his honour for profit. Deceiffulness and unfaithfulness are easily glossed over and hidden from the sight of God. yourself of the presence of Minor transactions God in that place. Any which a believer think is person who is lazy or not important is where the receiving reward for angels from heaven doing nothing is a friend record the character of the of the devil. Such person believer against his name always pretends to be in the Book of life. Last doing something by week, I gave the story of indulging in vices which a borehole Pastor who pleases the devil. God installed a borehole for a knows those who work for man and the borehole him. But those who stopped working after 3 receive reward or honour weeks. The only way the on earth for doing evil and will be borehole Pastor can injustice disappointed.

God created receive remission of sin is to return the profit he the whole world free but made from the work back today, many countries are to the owner. The other fighting hard to gain their and part of the money he freedom independence from the collected was spent on devil.

What the devil does materials and labour for the work. The Pastor will is easily seen and loved by who hate get his blessing back. This those righteousness.

The devil is restitution.

Some people are so would set up institutions deeply and sincerely and governments to involved in church promote enslavement. activities and yet they are The devil does this by pagan in their vocational deceiving people that he activities. A man who has is worshipping God. It is been in the seminary for happening in this country over four years and and different parts of the became a Priest was met world today.

Whatever a blackman is by someone who worked doing, he will want in the same office with the man before he left for, everybody to know that seminary. The person told the thing he is doing is the Priest that he didn’t correct. If he is smoking, know that the man was a he will say the Bible did Christian. Any work you not say people should not are doing, know that God smoke. The whole of his wants you to be his special body will be smelling representative in that smoke. He will not read work. The quality of work where it is written in the a person does is an Bible that people should integral part of his or her be conscious of their Christian living. So, health and avoid anything concentration on the work that will affect their is very necessary. Rather health. Various types of than a person worrying diseases are linked with about thinking of Christ cigarette or tobacco all day, a Christian worker smoking. If he is drinking, must commit his or her he will say Jesus turned piece of work to God and water into wine and concentrate on the work. Timothy said that a little If you are a drink seller, wine is good for the you have to pray every stomach. He will quote time you walk into the the verses in the Bible to drinking place and every support his drinking. time you sell drink to When he drinks, he will customers to remind soak himself inside drink

By PRINCE BAYO OKUO and be smelling alcohol.

He will not read where it is written in the Bible that a king should not take wine because strong drink influences a king’s judgment. If he is making love with a girl or woman, he will say

of wine, but they will make sure the bottle is empty and flat on the ground before leaving. It is written in scriptures that to be gluttonous is a sin. Some Christians eat food on the road to tell people that they are big men and women.

caressing and kissing is not fornication or adultery. He will make the love on the road for the public to see them.

Caressing and kissing lead to sexual intercourse. It is written that we should avoid anything that will lead us to sin. If your left hand is leading you to sin, cut it off. It is better to go to heaven with one hand than to go to hell with the two hands.

Some Christians are gIuttons.

They eat too much. When you invite them to eat with you, they will not leave until the food is finished and the plate empty. When you invite them to drink wine with you, they will not take only one or two glasses

This is hypocrisy which is a sin. A woman was driving a car on a major road in town and at the same time placing butter inside bread on the steering. The woman is a Deaconess in the church.

She is a hypocrite constituting a nuisance to other road users in town.

What is happening today did not happen in the Biblical times. The evil in the world was not as serious when the Bible was written. Young men wearing earrings and plaiting their hair, girls and married women wearing trousers did not occur in the past. If you ask the boys, they will say they are doing it in France and America, if you can’t beat them, join them. The girls will say trousers make

them smart. The Bible condemns men putting on women’s wears and women putting on men’s wears. The hair is the glory of a woman and her body is the temple of God. If a woman shave’are hair, her should cover it with head-tie in the church, if she didn’t shave her hair

she should leave it uncovered. Some women cover their hair inside the church and refuse wearing earrings, saying that their church prevent them from exposing their hair and wearing earrings. Some of these women are camouflaging because their heart is not in the doctrine of their church.

They only want people to see them that they are Christians. They are hypocrites and Jesus said “Woe unto the hypocrites”. The daughter of a Pastor in one of the churches where this doctrine is practiced recently got married. The girl left her hair uncovered and wore earrings during the wedding. When the Pastor saw his daughter, he

was very angry and left the place because the girt dressed in the “worldly way”. The Pastor was right to be angry with his daughter for disobeying the doctrine of his church where she grew up. But, it is written that only God knows the people serving Him right because only Him can see the hearts of all men.

When some young men and women are walking, they flaunt their underpants. If you ask them, they will say it is okay for them. The Bible condemns such dressing because it is an invitation to opposite sex to engage in fornication and adultery. In those days, once you see a girl with a boy, you will know that he is the boy who will marry the girl. The boy and the girl are known to one another ’s parents. No other person dares approach the girl because every person in the community knows her future partner. The boy cannot approach another girl because he will be shunned by other girls in the community, as they all know his future partner.

At the end, the boy and the girl must get married.

Today, a girl does not even know the number of boys whom she has befriended and the boy boasts with the girls he has filed.

Where has your place been? Where will your place be hereafter? Send your reaction on this message to EmaiLpbo1030@yahoo.com or 07055599615.

“If your left hand is leading you to sin, cut it off. It is better to go to heaven with one hand than to go to hell with the two hands.”

LIVING

Is Your Loved One Too Old To Drive?

By ISEMHENBITA FAITH JULIET

FOR many elderly, losing one’s license doesn’t just mean losing one’s ability to get around. Driving is symbolic of personal freedom and independence to many: lose it, and you’re relinquishing some control over your life.

Use this checklist to AAA conducted a study which concluded that 89 percent of drivers 65 and older reported that losing their driver’s license would be a huge problem.

But although this group of people only account for about nine percent of the population, they are responsible for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, and 17 percent of all pedestrian fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. So how do you know when your loved one’s driving skills have become bad enough to mean it’s time to get them off the road?

help you determine if your loved one is getting too old to drive safely.

Vision: Conditions like cataracts and glaucoma, common among the elderly, can worsen eyesight and make driving dangerous. If you’re worried about vision changes, make an appointment with an eye doctor for your loved one.

Strength and dexterity: Older drivers may no longer have the motor skills to handle the wheel and brakes. If your loved one is no longer physically active and has trouble with tasks around

the house, he or she may no longer have the physical ability to drive.

Dementia: If your loved one suffers from any level of dementia, driving

Osita Chidoka

is not a good idea. People with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia suddenly lapse into an episode in which they are not fit to drive. Even if they seem perfectly lucid most of the time, driving is not worth the risk.

Medication: Read the labels on your loved one’s medication, and ask your doctor or pharmacist about potentially problematic drug interactions to find out if your loved one should be driving while on his or her medications.

Accidents: Has your loved one had one or two minor fender – benders in the recent past? look into what caused those accidents; if it’s any of the above, consider them a warning sign to get your loved one another means of transportation before a

more serious accident occurs.

Confidence: Some elderly are simply no longer confident in their driving skills, but are too proud to admit it. Sit your loved one down for a caring but frank talk about whether they feel driving is still safe. It’s always best if the decision not to drive comes from your loved one, rather than from you.

If you and your loved one decide that he/she should no longer be driving, remind them that just because the driving days are over doesn’t mean the days of freedom and independent are over too.

Look over local bus routes together or discuss carpooling with a neighbour to help him/her see that he or she can still run errands and visit friends and family.

and also comes as powered, crystallized, candied and pickled, it’s great way to spice up a stirfry and it contains a little vitamin C magnesium mannese, potassium and coper. But the next time you reach for ginger, allow it to settle your stomach

and check the label. Some varieties don’t contain ginger at all. So any time you come across ginger spice, never ignore, it you might as well get your benefit for the spice even if it’s for a friend that you know that needs it.

The Ginger Plant

By CLARA IKIKA

GROWING up as a young lady, I have always used ginger and some other spices to boil chicken (an act I learnt from my mum).

Little did I know that this wonderful spice has other wonderful uses ranging from medical to nutritional and other uses. This writeup major on trying to show you those things I have found out about this wonderful plants.

Ginger or ginger root is the rhizome of plant ziniber affiliate consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name Ginger from gerus, and its family (zingibe raceae).

Other notable members of this plant family are tumerio, cardemum and galangal.

Ginger cultivation began in South Asia and has since spread to East Africa and the Caribbean (wikipedia on line excloypedia).

Ginger can relieve sore or itchy throat which leads to coughing.

This certainly mean that when you get your ginger, you can add 2 table spoonful to your hot tea or water.

Bacterial infection You can add some drops of grinded ginger to your bath water and bath with it.

Heart diseases treatment; you can add some quantity of Ginger to your daily cream and at night mix with hot water and drink. During this process, do not do any hard job for your own safety.

What ginger does for the body Ginger may provide multiple benefits to your health. Although it may be best known for its effects on nausea and vomiting, it possesses other medical properties that may be able to work or help with ailments such as artichoke injuries and cancer but beware, you do not need to visit your doctor, it safer for you to use because it interacts with medications.

The health benefits of

ginger it adds a healthy zing to your day.

Rachael Boost, a Chinese woman and also a mother, said she has been using ginger for a long time now, She described it as a root.

Chizome, a stem. Is from the plant underground and from which all sprout as well as green roots.

It is a digestive aid, tummy pains, nausea and diarrhoea, as well as morning sickness and travel sickness. This is thought to be because of the spice high level of ginger, a powerful components that gives it natural zingy flavour, and which acts as an antiinflammation agent in the body.

If you are wondering how to use ginger it is very easy-since it is both fibrous and tough, and full of juice and oils, it is ideal for grating or expressing into just about any food or drink that you feel like taking.

There are so many

benefits of ginger. The anti inflammatory properties of ginger are thought to provide pain relief in a number of ways - from halting migraines in their tracks to easing the aches of arthritis. Studies have started showing really exciting results on the effect ginger has on ovarian cancer. It is shown to boost the effect on the immune system, making you better and healthier.

Ginger does not really look appealing to the eyes, it has different sides and brownish but when the brown part is peeled off, it looks like irish potatoe and has a funny smell like onion.

Ginger can be used on different delicacies such as meat seasonings but We Mo Magazine, featured by kara-lands Man said, it has also been used in cooking and as a herbal remedy since ancient times. The Greeks wrapped it in bread as a digestive aid after a big feast. Chinese Sailors ate it to avoid sea sickness.

It’s available all year round at your local market

PERSPECTIVE

Does God Really Exist?

THIS question about the existence and non-existence of God as controversial as it may sound, is still an important question that man is confronted with everyday of his life. Every action and in action of man is geared towards the proof of either the existence or the nonexistence of God. Though it is surprising to know that every effort made by man either to prove the existence or to disprove the existence of God, has proven abortive.

This simply follows been proven wrong with that, it could either mean the fact that it is possible that God does not really for the brain to still be in exist, or that he does, but order and may still not be man does not have the able to control his mind, or capacity to prove or may suffer temporary loss disprove his existence. In of memory. This in our the word of protogoras, an opinion supports the fact ancient Greek philosopher that the mind may not be “the subject matter God, he the same thing as the brain claim can’t be enquired but the mind does truly because of two obstacles, exist.

Similarly, man is a he itemized to include that God is obscure, secondly is consistent being limited by because of the short span time and space, who can’t fully account for some of of human life.

Be that as it may, when his actions some times. one says that the subject How can we explain the matter God is obscure, it death of the human body simply means in our during sleep without any opinion that human mind part of the body being lacks the capacity of grasp severed from the body? the full knowledge of the What then happens after supreme being. The reason death? Does man perish at could be that since God is death? That is, both the an infinite being, it will not spirit, soul and body all be possible or easy for a dead? Is there life after finite mind to fully get hold death? How can we of the comprehensive account for dream state and knowledge of the infinite live world? All these can’t be being. Now, to claim that questions answered sufficiently with because one could not fully grasp the absolute scientific analysis or knowledge of God is through any other means deduceable to the non except through religious existence of God, can be method. The scientist can’t liken to the claim by account for the relationship somebody in Nigeria who between the dream state has never visited America and real life when one is or any European country sleeping. A dreamer in that these countries do not some cases may dream and exist because he has not find himself eating, playing been to America or doing one or two things European countries. In as while the main body is still much as we are not here to lying some where else. destroy the argument of the This means that there is atheist, that is, the claim more to life than what that God does not exist science can explain.

The above stated because of the non questions can only be empirically justifiability of through God’s existence. But one attempted thing is worthy of note, religious means. Religion which is man with all his is the process of belief, knowledge is still limited faith and emotion to to some basic knowledge provide answer to some of about fundamental issues these issues. It is true some of life. For instance every people had argued that human being believe the religion is the opium to the mind exist but nobody has masses. However that does seen the mind. Even the not in anyway negate the people that claim that the fact that religion has helped mind is the same thing as man do provide answers to the brain has often times some of the fundamental

questions like God’s existence.

According to an American pragmatis by name William James, once there is a life opinion about a given hypothesis, and once the rational aspect of man is neutral an issue, such an issue can be

scientific means. Going by this singular assertion, its invariably follows that God actually exist because every religion talks about the existence of God. The actual belief that God does really exist in the words of Thomas Aquinas, God is the uncaused cause,

the existence and nonexistence of God, he many not have enough time to do other things in life and will still not arrive at the possible answer to his question. The reason behind this is that God is a necessary being and an infinite being, while the finite human mind can not have the capacity to probe

decided on “passionate ground”, for when a hypothesis cannot be decided on the basis of evidence then it is left for us to appeal to a real possibility. When the choice of balancing and disbelieving it is forced, unavoidable and momentous for our lives then our passional nature lawfully may decides what is religion, that is, if a principle cannot be verified or falsified, it may be legitimated by salutary effect on the believer’s life”. This means that the idea about the existence of God or non existence of God can only be answered by religion, and its answer cannot be falsified by any

following the principle of cause and effect, it means that the entire universe was framed by God. Though different religions have different values about God, but the most important aspect is that they all affirm the existence of God. In this same vein, according to the word of protogoras as I quoted earlier, the second thing that inhibits man’s knowledge of God is the shortness of human life.

Man is a finite being, limited by time and space, confronted by growth decency, man was made in a way that time is the most important aspect of his life.

If one wanted to spend his time in everything about

into the infinite existence of God. This follows that all the effort of man to rationalise the existence of God has always been in vain. In the words of William Jame, “where reason in neutral on an issue, then it should be done on passionate ground, because no quantum of evidence will be enough”.

Reason in our opinion is neutral on the matter of God’s existence and his non-existence and as such, God’s existence should be proved through religious ground or passionate ground.

In conclusion therefore, the existence of God is something which must be answered through faith, not

By UKIRI CLEMENTINA/STEVEN OGBEIDE

the rational mind of man.

Faith and belief, love etc are what make up the emotional mind of man.

We will opine that God exist because. If we say other wise, there will be a lot of question confronting man which man cannot profer answers to. If we say God is a product of man, and man cannot live forever on earth, there is contradiction. How then can we account for the origin of the concept of God? The question will be how did man come up with the idea of God? Did God emanate from nothing?

We think God exist whether or not we like it.

We believe that human mind exist though we don’t see it, but because it manifests in us. We believe that good, evil, justice, society which are concrete things exist, even the concept of “I” cannot be seen, but we believe it exist. If this is the case, then God that we do not see, but manifest, exist.

The idea about God existence can be resolved through faith by religion, as no other means can prove the existence of that infinite being. There is an assertion in the bible that says, “only a fool that says in his heart, there is no God”. It is essential to note at this point that every effort by man to disprove the existence of God has ended up proving his existence. This means that it is time man stops wasting his time trying to prove God, but should learn to invest time into believing him, because without faith it is impossible to please God.

“We think God exist whether or not we like it. We believe that human mind exist though we don’t see it, but because it manifests in us. We believe that good, evil, justice, society which are concrete things exist, even the concept of “I” cannot be seen, but we believe it exist. If this is the case, then God that we do not see, but manifest, exist.”

Klinsman Banned For CONCACAF Final

Besiktas To Beat Norwich To Echiejile TURKISH club Besiktas are now set to beat Norwich City to the signature of Nigeria defender Elderson Echiejile.

According to Portuguese sports daily A Bola on Friday, Besiktas are prepared to fork out 2.5 million Euros for the Nigeria leftback.

Norwich appeared to be leading the chase for the Sporting Braga star, but Besiktas have since moved ahead.

The Turkish club, who have already signed Nigeria striker Michael Eneramo, are now expected to table a formal contract for Elderson, A Bola reported.

Elderson’s recent form has sparked off interest in Turkey and England, where Fulham are also believed to be keen to have him.

He still has a year left on his contract at Braga and this week he reported back to the Portuguese club for preseason training ahead of the new season.

Elderson Echiejile

THE United States will be missing a key figure for the Gold Cup final against Panama on Sunday: their coach.

Now that Landon Donovan’s proved his worth to the U.S. national team all over again, what’s his next move? Jeff Carlisle examines his reintegration process.

Jurgen Klinsmann was suspended for one game Friday

by CONCACAF’s disciplinary committee, the result of his ejection in the 87th minute of a 3-1 victory over Honduras in the semifinals Wednesday.

Klinsmann was dismissed “for showing dissent towards the referee by throwing the ball in a violent manner,” the disciplinary committee found, and said FIFA rules require anyone ejected from a match to be suspended for the following game.

The decision cannot be appealed.

“I don’t think it changes too much,” U.S. captain DaMarcus Beasley said Friday. “It’s always good to have him on the bench, but he’ll give his wisdom before

Rafael Benitez

Benitez Predicts Bright Future For Napoli

NAPOLI Coach Rafael Benitez has predicted a bright future for the club following the arrivals of Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon from Real Madrid.

Those signings underline Napoli’s intent this season with not only a challenge for the Scudetto on the agenda, but also an assault on Europe topping Benitez’s list of priorities.

The Spaniard won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and is hungry to repeat that feat with the Serie A side after seeing similarities with the Merseyside club.

“If we talk about a squad, a club and the fans, then Napoli reminds me of Liverpool for the same passion it has for football,” he said at a press

conference in the club’s summer training camp in Dimaro.

“I don’t like watching the Champions League on TV, I want to be involved in those games. We’re going to work 100 per cent to win every single game.”

Much of the groundwork has already been laid with an impressive summer shopping spree which is not yet over.

Despite losing Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint Germain, Benitez has brought in the trio of former Real Madrid players while significant funds are still available.

“The president wants to make this club and the squad even stronger,” Benitez said.

“I’m very happy with the transfers - we’ve got some top international players, but the

Higuain, Tevez Right For Italy - Crespo HERNAN Crespo is “not surprised” Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain turned down other options to join Juventus and Napoli.

The former Parma, Lazio, Inter, Milan, Chelsea and Genoa striker commented on the big summer transfers.

“Who got the best deal?

Italian football,” Crespo told Tuttosport.

“It is a sign that things are getting back to the glory days, when Serie A was at the top of European football. The real problem holding them back is that the same stadiums we dreamed of playing in 20 years ago have remained more or less the same, without adapting.

“The only positive exception is Juventus, who have their own modern stadium.”

Juve paid just +9m plus

bonuses to sign Tevez from Manchester City, while Napoli needed +37m to prise Higuain from Real Madrid.

“Tevez is a top player, a champion who makes the difference outside the system.

The real question is will Antonio Conte allow him to stay outside the system?

“It is going to be a fascinating challenge for both of them. Conte must explain how to move in order to be effective in Serie A, while also realising Carlitos has that creative streak that allows him to develop other things.

“Tevez has become a more complete and organised player since coming to Europe. I saw him four months ago and he also seemed more mature.

“Italian football has a very

special place in the heart of Argentineans, as we feel at home here. I am not surprised, for example, that Higuain preferred Napoli to Arsenal.

“Whereas Edinson Cavani arrived at a Napoli side that was already set up, Higuain will settle into a team that is in flux with a Coach who only worked for six months in Italy.

“Pipita is a hitman, but can also help players like Marek Hamsik, Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Maria Callejon score more goals too.

“Actually, Juventus have an advantage over almost all the big clubs in the Champions League, as they have not changed their Coach. They must try to make the most of that.”

whole squad is going to be important if we are to win.

“Higuain is extremely strong and he’s done well in a big club like Real Madrid. I know him very well. We’ll have to see if somebody else arrives. “We also want to work on our youth academy so the fans should be delighted. Napoli has a positive future.”

Juan Zuniga also has a place in that future, according to Benitez, who has no intention of selling the Colombian wing

back despite growing interest from Inter Milan and Juventus.

Indeed, Benitez does not want to see any more players leave the club this summer.

“It’s good to have such abundance,” he said. “We’re going to be playing on three fronts and we’ll need players who want to fight for a place.

For me, the situation with Camilo [Zuniga] is clear. He’s an important player for us and we’re working on continuing together.”

the game ... make sure we get off on the right foot. But it’s not going to be the same not seeing his face on the sideline, giving us instructions when we need it and being the enthusiastic person that he is on the bench.

Especially, when we score or he needs to tell us something if we need to change something.”

Top U.S. assistant Martin Vasquez will manage the U.S. squad in Klinsmann’s place.

Klinsmann was irate Wednesday after the referee failed to issue cards on a series of hard fouls against the Americans. He could be seen yelling and gesturing angrily in the direction of the referee, and was told to leave the field after he slammed a ball into the ground.

Klinsmann later apologized, saying he acted out of frustration.

“I was talking to the ref as well. There weren’t any cards,” Beasley said. “I got hit three, four times in somewhat the same sequence, and they didn’t call anything but a foul. So I could understand his frustration. I was frustrated.”

The Americans are seeking their fifth Gold Cup title. They also are looking to extend their record 10-game winning streak in all matches.

Jurgen Klonsmann

Barca May Tour S/Africa Again FC Barcelona could return to tour South Africa after the Spanish champions signed a deal to make Castle Lager their official beer for Africa.

Officials put pen to paper an exclusive three-year contract at the iconic Camp Nou on Friday morning, hours before new coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino was presented to the world’s media.

Announcing the deal that will also see coaches from the famous La Masia academy travel to African countries to pass on their knowledge to local coaches, financial vicepresident Javier Faus admitted he is hopeful that Barca will follow up their 2007 tour to South Africa in the coming years.

“Eight of our players won the World Cup in Johannesburg in 2010 so the country is deep in their hearts. We don’t rule out the possibility of coming to play in South Africa again – we have a lot of possibilities every year and hopefully this partnership can help that happen in the future,” he said.

“We have a lot of fans across the world but Africa is the final

frontier. We want to spend time and effort to introduce ourselves to the continent. Our willingness is to tap into that market over the next decade because we know that is something that doesn’t happen overnight.”

Faus added: “But this partnership goes beyond just signing the contract. If they require some help from us to have our coaches going to southern Africa then we will provide it.

“We are doing the same thing in Israel and Palestine and are also planning to bring coaches over to La Masia to see how things are done here. In the last 20 years most of the talent has come from west Africa.

“But I think in the next two

Lionel Messi

decades the continent will become even more important in producing players. I’m sure that in that time we will see an African team winning the World Cup.” Barcelona’s visit in 2007 was organised by UNICEF and saw them play Mamelodi Sundowns.

Having traditionally resisted having an official shirt sponsor until last year, they signed a 35m euro deal with Qatar Airways and are now attempting to compete with the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid for a share of the global marketplace.

And marketing director of SAB Miller Africa Dave Carruthers admitted he is delighted to have sealed their first exclusive link-up in Africa.

He said: “If you are going to choose a football club to become associated with then I think there’s only one club and that’s Barcelona. They are the favourite or second favourite club of most football supporters across the world because in the last five years they have taken football to a new level.”

Cazorla Cools Atletico Madrid Link

Liverpool Owners Dismiss Sale Reports LIVERPOOL deny the club has been put up for sale

by American owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

FSG, headed by Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry, are reportedly ready to consider offers for the Premier League club, according to The Sun newspaper.

The group completed its purchase of Liverpool in October 2010, after a turbulent period under previous owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, and were said to be “unofficially” in the market for £350 million sale.

A club spokesperson denied the reports in a statement released to Press Association Sport: “Fenway Sports Group has made its position clear, Liverpool Football Club is not for sale. There is no truth in this story.

“Like so many rumours in the past about a sale of Liverpool Football Club, there is absolutely no truth in this. We have had no meetings with anyone about a sale, we don’t know who the source of the rumour is.”

Cisse Set To Return To Training NEWCASTLE United striker Papiss Cisse is set to return to training after extensive talks with coach Alan Pardew.

The Senegalese forward has refused to train with his teammates due to the club’s new sponsorship deal with money loan company Wonga.com, the forward is a devout Muslim.

The two parties though have reportedly come to an agreement and as a result the 28-year old will return to training and wear the shirt barring the Wonga.com logo.

The news will come as a huge relief to the Newcastle faithful as it looked certain that the Tyneside club would lose another key player.

Papiss Cisse

ARSENAL playmaker Santi Cazorla has played down speculation linking him to a move to Atletico Madrid.

Cazorla joined the Gunners from Malaga last summer and has impressed since moving to the Premier League.

Atletico have been linked with the 28-year-old in recent weeks, but Cazorla says he is settled in his north London home.

“Much has been made the subject of Atletico Madrid, but I am very good in London,” Cazorla said. “I have a contract with Arsenal and I start training on Monday.

“Perhaps I will return to Spain one day, but right now it’s very unlikely.”

Although he is not bound for Madrid, Cazorla is happy for his international team-

mate David Villa who signed for Atleti.

“I’m very happy for Villa, because he had a difficult year with Barcelona due to his injury [a broken leg he suffered in December 2011], but now he’s got another chance to shine again,” he said.

Cazorla missed out on Spain’s World Cup win in 2010 due to a back injury and has declared his intention of not missing out on Brazil in 2014.

He said: “I still have unfinished business in the World Cup after missing the last one because of my back.

I really want to experience a World Cup, so I have to have a great year with Arsenal. I hope this year is even better than the last.”

Allardye Confirms Kalou Interest Lille forward Salomon

Osaze Odemwingie

WEST Ham United Kalou. manager Sam Allardyce Kalou, 27, left Chelsea has confirmed his club a year ago to play for the remain interested in Ligue 1 side, but he has been linked with a return to the Premier League, with West Brom thought He has scored 31 goals in to be interested in his 90 appearances for the West services.

Midlands club since joining The Daily Mirror had from Lokomotiv Moscow in reported that the Ivory August 2010.

Coast international had turned down a move to Upton Park, but Allardyce remains clear his desire to bring hopeful a deal can be Wayne Rooney in from reached.

Manchester United.

“I think that, as far as I However, the Portuguese know, the West Ham has said he does not intend to chairman is speaking sell any players, and Ba has no concerns over the with the player’s agent,” prospective arrival of he told Sky Sports Rooney.

News. “We understand “I will stay,” Ba said. “I the player wants to come think we need competition back and play in and we welcome the best England. Whether that’s players in this club. More with us or whoever, competition is going to make we’re having a look at it. me better anyway.”

“Obviously from his He said “all players want to record at Chelsea and his play” but added: “We will all goal-scoring record last work in the same direction, for the club, to try and win season in France, and his the games.” age, he’s very appealing to us.”

However, the Hammers boss acknowledged that — as the Mirror had reported — the player would want to operate in a central role.

“What regular position he wants to play may be the stumbling block,” Allardyce said.

Demba Ba

West Ham Join Osaze Pursuit

WEST Ham United are looking to capitalise on the failure of Crystal Palace and Fulham in securing Osaze Odemwingie.

The out of favour West Brom striker was rumoured to be on the verge of moves to Ian Holloway’s side and Martin Jol’s side, but both fell through.

That has left the door open for Sam Allardyce to add some panache alongside Andy Carroll, according to The Times.

West Ham have turned their attentions to the Nigerian, having failed to agree terms with the former Chelsea striker Kalou – who reportedly wanted assurances of a starting role within the Hammers attack for next season.

Al Nasr of Dubai are

considering increasing their offer for former Lokomotiv Moscow striker.

Al Nasr had asked West Brom to inform them what they considered to be an acceptable fee by Tuesday, after their initial bid of £850,000 was rejected.

But that deadline has now passed without further communication from ‘The Hawthorns’, leaving ‘The Blue Wave’ to look elsewhere for summer recruits.

Osaze is now deemed surplus to requirements at ‘The Hawthorns’, having tried to engineer a move away from West Brom back in January, and with ‘The Baggies’ closing in on a loan move for Matej Vydra it appears that West Ham will have no obstacles in

acquiring his services.

The Nigeria striker, who has one year left on his contract, continues to train with the reserves.

Ba Dismisses Chelsea DEMBA Ba has dismissed Exit Talks speculation over his Chelsea future, insisting: “I will stay.”

Ba, a January signing from Newcastle, has been linked with a move to Anzhi Makhachkala, with the forward said to be surplus to requirements under Jose Mourinho.

Romelu Lukaku has returned from a highly successful loan spell with West Brom — and excelled in the 8-1 victory over BNI Indonesia All-Stars this week — while Mourinho has made

Lukaku Feeling Good At Chelsea CHELSEA striker Romelu Lukaku says he is pleased with his form since rejoining the Blues for preseason.

The 20-year-old spent the past season on loan with West Bromwich Albion but was recalled to Stamford Bridge following a good season where he scored 17 league goals for the Baggies.

The Belgian has now scored in each of the last three matches with the Blues, netting a brace during Thursday’s 8-1 win against

the BNI Indonesian All-Stars.

“I’m feeling good, the team winning is the most important thing, along with the fitness,” he said.

“It’s nice to score two goals, but the reason I’m happy is the team has improved a lot since the start of pre-season and we’ve done better in each game we have played.

“Of course I am pleased to have scored in every game.

It’s a good habit and it’s nice to help the team, whether that’s with goals or assists it

doesn’t matter but it’s a nice feeling.

“Fitness-wide I feel good, very well, and no injuries so hopefully that will continue in the next couple of weeks.

“Matches are getting easier to get through, but the road is long and there is still plenty of room for improvement in the weeks to come.”

The Blues have now returned to London, where they will enjoy a few days days off before heading to the United States on Tuesday.

CMYK

ASUU, SGF To Meet Tomorrow On Outstanding Issues THE Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, will meet tomorrow with ASUU to address earned allowance and general university funding for infrastructure development.

Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja after a meeting of ASUU with members of the committee on implementation of Needs Assessment Report to Nigerian Universities.

Suswan is chairman of the committee, inaugurated earlier in the day by Anyim.

He said an agreement was reached on many of the issues under negotiation except the

two concerning earned allowance and general university funding for infrastructure development.

Suswan explained that after many hours of deliberation, the meeting agreed on major issues except the two.

“These are the outstanding issues, otherwise other issues have been agreed on and we believe that by this week we should be able to agree on all the issues and, probably, ASUU

will call off the strike,’’ he said.

He said that the committee would also meet with ASUU on Aug. 1 to address the issue of infrastructure deficit in

universities, adding that the meeting would involve all the agencies funding projects in the universities “If you go into our

universities you will agree with me that there are a lot of infrastructure deficit; so, we have agreed that all the funding

agencies will meet with ASUU.’’ He said the parties are expected to agree on modality for funding projects.

Rivers Crisis: A Threat To Democracy

By RICHARD EWEKA

A FORMER Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and a two time Military Governor to Taraba and Oyo State respectively,

Prince Amen Oyakhire has called on Nigerian Politicians to thread with caution in other not to jeopardize democracy and its values.

- Oyakhire

He made the call yesterday while speaking with the SUNDAY OBSERVER on the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Prince Oyakhire said the political mayhem that took place in the hallowed chamber of the Rivers state House of Assembly recently is a big shame to Nigeria as a nation. “This is a political calamity, and if this political intolerance is not handled with care, it can cause more problems for the nation pushing her away from solving the already existing one”.

“The drama in Rivers is synonymous with the one that happened in Ibadan in Western Nigeria in 1958 which led to operation wetier and saw the military intervening in that

administration. History is again trying to repeat itself; this is calamitous, insensitive, and mischievous in the land and can cause political anarchy if left unchecked” Speaking further, prince Oyakhire said this act has threatened and undermined the security of the nation and wondered how possible it is for five (5) members of the House to summon the House and impeach the Speaker.

The House has been used as a venue to summon political evil.

“Nigerian politics is faced with lies; there is no truth any longer. There is nowhere in the world where 5 equal 27, not even in calculus a branch of mathematics. There is a big danger in the offing, democracy is threatened, let no body take this act for granted” he concluded.

FG Inaugurates 22-Member C’ittee On NEEDS Assessment For Universities Deputy Project Officer, Lead-Shared Services, Central Bank of Nigferia, Mr. Eme Eleonu (left), addressing participants at a Forum on Cash-less Policy in Port Harcourt yesterday.

FG To Reach Out To More Nigerians In Diaspora PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, has reiterated the determination of his administration to ensure that more Nigerians in Diaspora get involved in the development of their fatherland.

Jonathan gave this assurance at a dinner in honour of Nigerians in the Diaspora, held at the Banquet hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Nigerians were in the country for the 6th Diaspora Day celebrations, tagged: “Diaspora Nigerians: Agents of Investment and Development”.

The president, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, urged them not to relent in their efforts to make valuable contributions

toward national development.

“Like most developing countries in the world, Nigeria must leverage on the huge human capital of our nationals living abroad to impact on the development process at home.

“Our ultimate goal is to engage Nigerians with the requisite knowledge expertise and financial acumen to join in the development of the Nigerian state irrespective of their country of abode,” he said.

While assuring them that his administration would continue to sustain their partnership, Jonathan said government was looking forward to receiving their recommendations.

“All hands must be on deck to realise the goals enshrined in the transformation agenda.

“I wish to assure you of our unalloyed commitment to transform this country. We remain resolute in our chosen path in doing all that is necessary to achieve this goal.

“We will continue to create the enabling environment that would allow all those who desire the space to join in our national development endeavours.

“Our doors remain open to useful, patriotic and constructive suggestions that will assist us in bringing the dividends of democracy to the populace thereby transforming their standard of living and wellbeing,” he further stressed.

President Jonathan commended the Diasporas for their continued interest in the affairs of the country and

saluted them for their courage.

In his remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim congratulated the Diasporas for a successful week long of activities, urging them to do more for their beloved fatherland.

In her thought provoking presentation, a 13-year old visually impaired author, Miss Adeife Adeniran, appealed for the strict implementation of the ideas and discussions that came out of the conference.

She advocated for the active participation of youths in future conferences.

Cultural troupes from the six geopolitical zones of the country performed to the delight of the audience at the event.

THE Federal Government has inaugurated a 22-member committee on the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities.

The committee was set up in line with the agreement reached between the Federal Government, Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Unions and other stakeholders in the nation’s education sector.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim said that the committee was set up in furtherance of government’s desire to revitalise the Nigerian tertiary institutions for a robust and healthy development of education.

He said that budgetary funding of universities was a strategic application while the non-budgetary and private interventions appeared not to address priority areas.

Anyim said that the committee was also set up to revitalise the physical infrastructures in the universities.

He said that the projects which were expected to enhance the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base of the various

institutions would help to cater for the welfare of staffers as well as the administrative needs of the universities on sustainable basis.

He said that the committee was mandated to interface with all agencies providing support to the universities with the aim of channeling assistance to priority areas as well as stimulate private sector investment into public universities.

Anyim said that the committee would monitor the progress of project implementation, produce quarterly report for submission to government and intervene in matters that would be crucial to the achievement of the assignment.

The committee has Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue as Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, TETFUND Executive Secretary as Vice Chairman.

Other members are representatives of the Senate Committee on Education and its counterpart in the House of Representatives, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ASUU, the Ministry of Education, Labour and Productivity, Finance, NUC, among others.

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)