Sunday observer 30 03 2014

CMYK

The Sunday

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

VIEWPOINT

Pg. 15

• Vol. XI NO.4,041 •

INSIGHT

Mother’s Day

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 • N 100.00 Pg. 12

Rape Injustice In The Nigerian Justice System

A Time To Remember Our Mothers

Father Strangulates 19 Months Old Baby To Death

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

A POLICE Corporal has allegedly killed his 19 months old baby after battering his wife in Benin City.

The policeman, Corporal Samuel Abiola allegedly picked the baby boy identified as Ayomide Samuel from his bed and bit him severally before strangulating him to death.

He was alleged to have pounced on the innocent and defenceless baby after his wife whom he had

beaten black and blue divinely escaped his aggression.

The sad incident occurred at flat 1c, O m o r o g i e v a Compound, Sam Enobakhare Cresent, Off St. Saviour Road, Benin City.

Cpr. Samuel Abiola from Ijebu-ode in Ondo State is said to have Continues on pg.2

Govt Not relenting In Addressing Security Challenges - President Jonathan PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan said in Bauchi yesterday that the Federal Government would not relent in its effort at addressing the problem of insecurity in some

parts of the country.

Speaking when he visited the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, the President said that the problem must be tackled for the country to Continues on pg.2

PERSPECTIVE

CONFERENCE: L-R: Economic Adviser to the President, Prof. Nwenze Okoidegbe, Director General Securities And Exchange Commission, Aruma Otteh, Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria Serah Alade and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister, welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to the opening of the Seventh Joint Annual Meeting of the ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and AU Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja yesterday.

Pg. 28

Local Fans Of European League

Nigerian League In Coma

BEAUTY SHOP

Maintaining Your Figure During Pregnancy

RELATIONSHIP

Pg. 19

Engaging In Healthy Argument

Father Strangulates Baby Continued from pg.1 impregnated another woman from Oghara town, Delta State.

Narrating her ordeal, the mother of the late child Mrs. Abigail Samuel, Nee Omoruyi, 26 said on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 she and her baby were at home with her husband without any dispute.

She said about 6p.m her husband countenance suddenly changed like a vampire and when she tried to know the reason he started to beat her.

“He kicked me for belle, pressed my neck, slapped me, I run come out, he come carry my pikin, bite am for neck, belle and face. He come lock me out”. Mrs. Samuel added.

She recalled in pains how her husband abandoned her at the hospital after having the baby through a Caesarian section.

She alleged that it took the intervention of some policemen at the hospital before her husband contributed to her discharge after spending more than a month there.

The mother of the bereaved woman, Mrs. Jani Omoruyi said on getting premonition about the incident she decided to visit her daughter but only to discover that she was battered by her husband.

She alleged that Cpr. Samuel Abiola having locked her daughter outside opened his door after several knocks.

The woman revealed that on entering the house she saw her grand-son wreathing in pains in the bed with visible marks on his body.

“Abiola say he give the baby medicine because he nor well”. She alleged.

She said further that the child was swiftly taken to Jonos Medical Clinic where doctor said the baby was

brought in dead and the child has since been buried.

Contacted, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital Dr. Jolly Nosakhare Iguma stated that a mother and her daughter brought in a dead baby to his hospital few days ago.

Dr. Iguma added that “on close examination the baby was pale, whole body yellowish and with tooth-bite injuries on his face.

“Since the baby is not old enough to fight with any person I wondered who bit

the baby. However if he was brought in early enough, the baby would have been transfused with blood. He may have died of jaundice”.

When SUNDAY OBSERVER visited the residence yesterday it was deserted as neighbours claimed not to have seen any of its occupants in the past few days.

Contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Mr. Foluso Adebanjo said he is yet to be briefed.

He however promised to comment on the issue later.

A TOTAL of 324 widows drawn from the six local government areas of Edo North Senetorial district weekend received food and empowerment items courtesy of Towa Enterprise, a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO based in the area.

The initiative tagged “Widows Must Smile” is part of an approach adopted in recent times by some concerns to mitigate the problem of endemic poverty and diseases in the locality which had also compelled occasional provision of free Medicare, food and cash.

Items disbursed to the

Govt Not relenting In Addressing Security Challenges Continued from pg.1

progress.

He explained that one of t he measures was the introduction of various skills acquisition programmes to tackle the problem of youth restiveness and create opportunities for employment.

The President commended the Emir for working towards ensuring peace in the state, adding that in spite of Bauchi being in the North East, it had remained relatively peaceful.

Jonathan also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Ahmed Muazu, an indigene of Bauchi.

He observed that with the appointment of Muazu as the National Chairman of the party, PDP had stabilized and continued to forge ahead.

The President, who thanked the Emir for the warm reception accorded his entourage, however noted that the Bauchi Central Prison was too close to the palace.

He therefore suggested the re-location of the prison, promising to talk to the Minister of Interior on the issue.

Earlier in his remarks, the

Emir had thanked the President for visiting him, expressing satisfaction with the cordial relationship existing between the people of Bauchi state and the Federal government.

He also thanked the Federal Government for appointing some indigenes of the state in some key positions, as well as

establishing a Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre and National Obstetric Fistula Centre in the state.

The President, Vice President Namadi Sambo and some prominent politicians, were in Bauchi to attend the North East Zonal Rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Widows Get Succour From Group

By MORRISON HAYBLE widows include 18(eighteen) sewing machines, 11 hair dryers, 175 bags of parboiled rice and 120 pieces of wearing apparels.

Various speakers at the disbursement ceremony lamented the neglect and plight of the girl child in the society, a situation they observed made the woman vulnerable to poverty, ignorance and diseases.

On his part, Secretary to Edo State government, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere advocated a law for the protection of widows, explaining that it was injustice for women to be ostracized and denied access to the family property in the event of their husband’s death.

Also speaking, the Aidonogie of South-Ibie Kingdom, HRH Alhaji Aliyu Danesi who was Chief Host on the occasion emphasized the need for the training of

Sultan To Attend Symposium On Cultural Diplomacy, Religion In Vatican THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has been nominated as a speaker at a symposium on Cultural Diplomacy and Religion in the Vatican City of Rome.

The symposium is to hold from March 31 to April 3.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Dickson Omoregie, Country Representative of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) in Abuja.

The statement was made available to newsmen yesterday.

The ICD said that the symposium would explore the use and potential of inter-faith dialogue to

Late baby Ayomide Samuel with his parents during his naming ceremony

promote discourse with the ultimate goal of global peace.

It said that the symposium would provide a forum that would unite religious leaders with politicians, diplomats and academics in order to create cultural platforms.

“The symposium will have the theme, “Promotion of World Peace through Inter-Faith Dialogue’’.

“Speakers and delegates during the

symposium will include religious and spiritual leaders, leading politicians and diplomats, senior academics and other dignitaries from around the world,” the institute said.

“The Vatican City is expecting 11 speakers at the symposium,’’ it added.

ICD was founded in 1999 as an international, non-governmental organisation with headquarters in Berlin, Germany.

Agba Foundation:

By MORRISON HAYBLE A RARE opportunity offered by a free medical care programme at Auchi, Edo State recently witnessed unprecedented surge of residents seeking to be diagnosed and treated.

The health programme, courtesy of The Clem Agba Foundation focused essentially on Hepatitis B awareness campaign, free vaccination and treatment of the disease described by medical experts as highly contagious and deadlier than the dreaded HIV/AIDS. Designed to also complement the formal launch of the Foundation, the health programme is receiving collaboration from the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA as well as a huge team of volunteers of doctors, nurses and support

the girl child to make her self reliant and useful to the society as examplified by some notable women in the country.

Initiator of the project and Chief Executive Officer, Towa Enterprise, Madam Amidat Ilegar remarked that women formed the majority of the most vulnerable groups who were often despised and discriminated against and therefore needed attention, encouragement and empowerment.

Edo Walk For Life Holds April 3 THE Edo Government at the weekend postponed to April 3, its maiden road walk aimed at reducing sudden deaths.

The walk tagged: “Walk for Life” was earlier scheduled for March 29.

The state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Chris Okaeben, said in a statement in Benin that the postponement was to enable the government conclude arrangements.

Okaeben said that the walk, to be led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, would cover major roads in the state capital, Benin City.

According to him, the event is expected to be monthly.

The commissioner gave the assurance that the exercise would be hitch-free.

“The exercise is to arrest the menace of sudden deaths, especially through slumping because majority cannot walk a half kilometre without grasping for breath,” he said.

Residents Get Free Medical Care

services which made it a successful exercise where over 500 persons were screened to and treated.

Chairman of the occasion and the Otaru of Auchi Kingdom, HRH A.H. Momoh, Ikelebe III who flagged off the exercise said to be a continuous one, commended sponsor of the project for using part of his earnings for the well being of the less privileged.

While stressing the need to assist the poor for them to have a sense of belonging, that they were also part of God’s creation, the Otaru noted that poverty had caused a debilitating condition for some as they lacked the basic needs as three square meals which often resulted in stomach ulcer.

He therefore appealed to well meaning individuals to strive towards arresting the unpleasant situation and make the society pleasurable.

In a lecture, a Consultant Medical Microbiologist, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State, Dr. Ephraim OgbaimEmovon noted that Hepatitis B had no visible symptoms until the damage was done adding that it could be transmitted from one to another through the use of same piercing instruments and sexual intercourse amongst others.

He explained that awareness was important so as to educate the people on how to manage the disease and advised the public to ensure regular checks and be vaccinated.

NEWS Eulogies As Austin Allens Service Of Songs Holds In Benin

By RICHARD EWEKA THE service of song for the late former Weekend Editor of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL) publishers of the Observer titles and General Overseer of His Elect Ministry, Inc. Pastor Austin Allens-Izirein has been held in Benin City the Edo State Capital.

The event which was held at the residence of the disease No. 65 Igunma Street, Evbuotubu, saw the three children of late Pastor Allen, Blessing, Samuel and Hannah taking the first, second and third readings of the service respectively.

The event which ought to be a memorial service turned out to be a celebration and a testimony service on the life and time of late Pastor Austin Allens Izirein. The occasion created room for all present to have a reflection about their lives and how they want to be celebrated after they departed this world.

Speaking at the occasion, the officiating minister Pastor Emmanuel Best admonished the family and those present at the event to live their lives right focusing on heaven than material things of this world.

Pastor Best who titled his sermon “The Conclusion” taken from the book of Ecc 12:13-14 told those present that late Pastor Austin AllensIzirein has done his best and had concluded his own race and died because God said it is time for him to rest.

“Our father in the Lord chose to build the house of God rather than gathering material things for himself.

He chose to evangelize to win soul for the Kingdom of God rather than working to satisfy his pocket and family.

He died in the Lord and in righteousness rather than in sin.”

“Today’s service has shown that our father lived a good life based on the testimonies we hear today about his life; how are you living your life? He used his money to win souls for Christ, how are you using your money? God will judge everything we do. I encourage the family and church to continue with his legacy and ensure his labour is not in vain.

The high point of the service was a prayer held for the family.

Prophetess P.U. Azeta in a group photograph with the awardees at the investiture of Patrons and Award of Excellence

by God’s Gift Church of Jesus Christ in Benin City recently. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO

Fresh Petrol Scarcity Looms, As NUPENG Shuts NIPCO’s Loading Operations THE National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has shut the operations of Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO).

A visit to NIPCO operational headquarters at Apapa, Lagos, at the weekend revealed that more than 100 trucks were on queue at the loading bay.

godliness.

Despite the low compliance noticed, some persons were however seen engaged in clearing round their house and business places at Oluku, Ekiadolor, Ugbogiobo and some other areas visited,

while council’s sanitation officials were also seen supervising evacuation of refuse at Oloku and Ogbogiobo market.

However, about twenty-one defaulters were arrested by the monitoring team of the

council under the supervision of the Vice Chairman Hon. Dumez Ugbiagbe and subsequently taken to a Mobile Court at Ekiadolor for alleged violation of the State Environment Sanitation Laws.

“I urge the Federal Government to intervene in the matter before it gets out of hand,” the source said.

The top management source said that the company was losing an average of N600 million as they load about 200 trucks daily at the cost of about N3 million each.

“We also run an average of over one million Naira on operational expenses daily.

“NIPCO serves as the Federal Government’s strategic depot for fuel storage and distribution across the country,” he said.

The source also said

HEALTH workers at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, on Friday suspended an indefinite strike.

The workers embarked on the strike on March 24 under the aegis of LASUTH Workers’ Forum.

The Chairman of the forum, Mr Rasheed Bamishe, announced the suspension at a congress organised by the forum.

He said that the workers would resume on March

31.

The workers were d e m a n d i n g implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS), refund of deducted allowances and restoration of shift duty allowance.

They equally demanded one month salary bonus as allegedly paid to selected healthcare providers.

“Our position collectively is that we are suspending the strike with

immediate effect from Monday, March 31.

“The decision is based on the commitment we got from the management of LASUTH and backed up with the board resolution on the issues of free health service and uniforms for the staff.

“We also got commitment from the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, assuring us that the issues on ground will be addressed, “ Bamishe said.

The chairman said that

the workers would ensure that the hospital environment would be cleaned before the resumption date.

“It is not our wish to go on strike, but it became necessary that we had no option.

“We pray and hope that we will be able to give the best to encourage our patients, “ he said.

All efforts made to reach members of LASUTH management including the Chief Medical Director, Dr Wale Oke,

A top management staff of NIPCO said on condition of anonymity, that this was done on the orders of NUPENG. He said that the issues surrounding the shut followed the leadership tussle within the top echelon of the Nigeria Independent Petroleum

Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

According to the source, the situation, which is the fallout of union politics, might lead, to another round of petrol scarcity.

“We don’t have any industrial crisis that could have warranted the shutdown of operations.

Ovia North-East Council Vice Chairman Tasks Residents On Sanitation

By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE

THE Vice Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government Council Hon. Dumez Ugiagbe has stressed the need for people to always comply with the demands of Edo State monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

Hon. Ugiagbe while reacting to the poor attitude of many people in the council area towards this month exercise which was observed in Ovia North-East, noted that inspite of the effort of Ovia North-East Council authority in providing trucks and labourers to help evacuate refuse from designated places in the council area, many people still do not come out to engage in any cleaning exercise on a day set aside for general cleaning exercise for all.

He however appealed to the people of the council area to imbibe the culture of cleanliness, saying that cleanliness is next to

that the situation had demoralised and embarrassed the members of staff and management of NIPCO. Some of the tanker drivers caught up in the crisis lamented their long stay in Lagos, stressing that majority of them came from the Northern states to load petrol.

They appealed to the relevant authorities to intervene and restore normalcy before it would get out of hand.

Effort to interview NUPENG national President proved abortive, while the Secretary refused to pick his calls and did not reply the text messages sent to his phones.

LASUTH Workers Suspend Strike

and Public Relations Officer, Mr Dele Johnson, for comments proved abortive.

The workers’ forum includes the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

Others are the Nigerian Union of Physiotherapists, Pharmacists and other Technologies Allied to Medicine as well as the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria.

NEWS Chime Urges FG To Fast Track Rehabilitation Of Federal Roads In South East

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has appealed to the Federal Government to fast-track the rehabilitation of all bad federal roads in the South East.

Chime made the call in Enugu at the opening ceremony of the 25th Enugu International Trade Fair.

The governor represented by Chief Ikechukwu Ugwuegede, Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, said the move would ensure that people benefited from

infrastructure development.

“We call on the FG for greater commitment to the speedy rehabilitation of federal roads in the zone, especially those that lead in and out of Enugu.

“This will offer a consolidation of our modest effort as a state government and enhance the economic potential of the South East.’’

He said the people would continue to support the federal government in order to raise the standard of

living.

Chime commended the federal government for the approval to establish a free trade zone at the 9th Mile Corner in Enugu.

“Here in Enugu, we have made infrastructure development, service delivery and security of lives and property our priorities.

“We are taking priority

measures to reduce impediments to trade in Enugu, including multiple taxations, poor access to bank facilities as well as making the state the economic hub of the South East and Nigeria.

“We remain grateful and indebted to President Goodluck Jonathan for upgrading the Akanu Ibiam

airport to international status and approval for the establishment of a free trade zone at the 9th mile corner,” he said.

Chime said that security in the state had increased the influx of industrialists.

“Enugu has become the choice destination for foreign and local investors in all

sectors of the economy”, Chime said.

President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Dr Ifeanyi Okoye, commended the state government for its support and cooperation.

Okoye said government provided the chamber with land for the development of its administrative office as well as rehabilitated the roads in the fair ground.

2 Lawyers Found Dead Inside Vehicle In Delta

The police command in Delta has commenced investigations into the death of two lawyers inside a vehicle at Ozoro, near Warri.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP. Celestina Kalu, told reporters in Warri on Friday that it was too early to determine the cause of the death. ‘’Investigation is still on because they were found dead inside a vehicle.’’

Kalu said the bodies had been deposited in a hospital in Warri, adding that autopsy would be conducted to ascertain the cause of death.

A reliable source told newsmen that the lawyers, Horis Dafiaghor and Samuel Ekuwangju, were found dead inside a vehicle.

The source alleged that the deceased were on their way to court for a high profile case when they were waylaid and killed by hired assassins.

It said that the deceased were both of Whytfort

Jurisconsult Chambers of at No 81 Udu Road, Ovwian in the Udu Local Government Area of Delta.

However, the Warri Chapter of the NBA is holding a crucial meeting on the matter.

Some colleagues of the deceased described the duo as easy going and intelligent lawyers.

Mr Oghenejabor Ikimi, the National Coordinator of the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, described the incident as very unfortunate.

Edo Govt Committed To Training Of Workforce - HOS

By DOROTHY EGBOBAMWONYI

THE Edo State Head of Service, Mr. Jerry Igbaekemen has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment

FG Approves College Of Health Sciences For University Of Agriculture, Makurdi THE Federal Government has approved the establishment of College of Health Sciences for the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) made this announcement when he inaugurated the Governing Council of the new college in Abuja on Friday.

Okojie said the NUC, in approving the college to be sited at Otukpo, considered the fact that the programme would be relevant to the needs of the environment.

According to him, as a centre of excellence, I am sure it will add value to academics and the entire society.

Okogie assured that

L-R: Chairman, Dragon Africa, Mr. Obiechina Asika; Country Director, British Council, Connie Price; Chief Executie Officer, Spark, Mr. Jason Njoku and Director of Programmes; Co-Creation Hub, Femi Longe at the UK Nigeria 100 SME Summit in Lagos weekend.

adequate manpower and facilities would be provided for the effective teaching and training of its medical personnel.

He added that the products of the institution would address the shortfall in medical and paramedical personnel in the country.

He told the institute to assess N2.5billion TETFUND to build projects for the new college.

Prof. Eugene Okpere, Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, promised to achieve the mission and goals of the new college.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha, Sen. Anthony Manzo, and the Director General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Prof.

Innocent Ujah attended the ceremony.

to training and re-training of its workforce for effective service delivery.

Mr. Obazele made the affirmation at a one day seminar on “Effective Communication for Public Relations Officers in the Edo State Public Service organized by the Directorate of Establishment, Training and Management Service.

The Head of Service who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Establishment, Training and Management Service, Mr. Alfred Olaye noted that the essence of the one-day seminar was to equip the PROs with relevant techniques which could further enhance their effectiveness and efficiency on their jobs.

While emphasizing that the enhancement training was premised on their strategic positions as officers not only charged with the management of information but also with the dissemination of same to the external public, Mr. Obazele said the activities and efforts of government

would be fruitless without a vibrant, competent and informed pubic relations officer who ensures that information is correctly, and intelligently transmitted.

He however reiterated the state government avid commitment to the training and re-training of all categories of staff which he maintained was anchored on its belief that it is only an informed, competent and virile public service that would discharge it duties efficiently and productively.

Mr. Obazele expressed gratitude to the state government under the dynamic leadership of Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole for its commitment to workers welfare manifested through the regular payment of salaries and allowances just as he extended same to Edo workers for the peaceful industrial relations exist in the state and sued for its sustenance.

Delivering his paper titled: Building Bridges Between the Government

and the Public” the first resource person, and chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Edo State Chapter, Prince Matthew Owobu, who birthed his lecture on the expectations and duties of public Relations Officers, posited that the disseminations of information on government policies should not be left in the hands of chief executive officers alone and charged them to defend government policies with all vigour.

Also in his thought provoking and expository lecture titled: “Government Image Building, The Responsibility of Public Relations Officers,” Mr. Tony Abolo harped on the need for the PROs to constantly engage the public to have a first hand information to ascertain how people perceive the government, adding that government image building entailed far much more than saying what they are required to say of government’s activities.

On his part, T.E. Ulinfoh, Esq. who titled his paper “Civil Service Rules and Regulations as Applicable to the Duties of Public Relations Officers in Edo State Civil Service” X-rayed the ethics, value and ethos upon which Civil Service must necessarily run, emphasizing that strict observance of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations and their applications in the discharge of their respective duties will not only minimize corrupt practices but will no doubt contribute to the repositioning of the service for greater challenges including organizational effective in service delivery.

The Director of Information, Mr. Peter Abueku appreciated the state government and the organizers, saying that the training would further enhance the Public Relations Officers productivity in their various places of assignments.

WORLD NEWS Russia Threatens Countries Ahead Of UN Vote On Ukraine RUSSIA threatened several Eastern European and Central Asian states with retaliation if they voted in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution this week declaring invalid Crimea’s referendum on seceding from Ukraine, U.N. diplomats said.

The disclosures about Russian threats came after Moscow accused Western countries of using “shameless pressure, up to the point of political blackmail and economic threats,” in an attempt to coerce the United Nations’ 193 member states to join it in supporting the nonbinding resolution on the Ukraine crisis.

According to interviews with U.N. diplomats, most of whom preferred to speak on condition

of anonymity for fear of angering Moscow, the targets of Russian threats included Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as well as a number of African countries.

A spokesman for Russia’s Mission to the U.N. denied that Moscow threatened any country with retaliation if it supported the resolution, saying: “We never threaten anyone. We just explain the situation.”

According to the diplomats, the Russian threats were not specific.

But they said it was clear to the recipients of the warnings not to support the resolution that retaliatory measures could include steps such as expelling migrant workers from Russia, halting natural gas supplies or banning certain imports to Russia

to cause economic harm.

In the end, the Ukrainian resolution declaring Crimea’s vote on March 16 in favor of seceding from Ukraine as having “no validity” passed with 100 votes in favor, 11 against and 58 abstentions.

Another 24 U.N. member states did not cast votes.

Western diplomats called the result a diplomatic success for Ukraine. A similar General Assembly vote was held in 2008 after Russia went to war with Georgia over its breakaway enclave South Ossetia, which later declared independence and has unsuccessfully sought annexation to Russia. That resolution was adopted with a mere 14 votes in favor, 11 against and 105 abstentions.

President Barack Obama walks past an honor guard during the arrival ceremony at King Khalid International airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, March 28, 2014.

Obama May Allow Air Defense airliner.

Help For Syria Rebels commercial Among the reasons THE Obama administration is considering allowing shipments of new air defense systems to Syrian rebels, a U.S. official said Friday.

President Barack Obama’s possible shift would likely be welcomed by Saudi Arabia, which has been pressing the White House to allow the manportable air-defense systems, known as “manpads,” into Syria. Obama arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday evening for meetings with King Abdullah.

Allowing manpads to be delivered to Syrian rebels would mark a shift in strategy for the U.S., which until this point has limited its lethal assistance to small weapons and ammunition, as well as humanitarian aid. The U.S. has been grappling for ways to boost the rebels, who have lost ground in recent months, allowing Syrian President Bashar Assad to regain a tighter grip on the wartorn nation.

The actual manpad shipments could come from the Saudis, who have so far held off sending in the equipment because of U.S. opposition.

The president is not expected to announce a final decision on the matter during his overnight trip to the Gulf kingdom. U.S. and Saudi intelligence officials have been discussing the possibility of injecting manpads into the crisis for some time,

including during a meeting in Washington earlier this year.

As recently as February, the administration had said Obama remained opposed to any shipments of manpads to the Syrian opposition. The U.S. has been concerned that the weaponry could fall into the wrong hands and possibly be used to shoot down a

for Obama’s shift in thinking is the greater understanding the U.S. now has about the composition of the Syrian rebels, the official said. However, the official added, the president continues to have concerns about escalating the fire power on the ground in Syria, which has been torn apart by more than three years of civil war.

Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Shakes Los Angeles

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake centered near Los Angeles caused no major damage but jittered nerves throughout the region as dozens of aftershocks struck into the night.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at about 9:09 p.m. Friday and was centered near Brea in Orange County about 20 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles at a depth of about 5 miles. It was felt as far south as San Diego and as far north as Ventura County, according to citizen responses collected online by the USGS. Broken glass, gas leaks, water main breaks and a rockslide were reported near the epicenter, according to Twitter updates from local authorities.

Eyewitness photos and videos show bottles and packages

strewn on store floors. Southern California Edison reported power outages to about 2,000 customers following the quake.

More than two dozen aftershocks ranging from magnitudes 2 to 3.6 were recorded, according to the USGS. Earlier in the evening, two foreshocks registering at magnitude-3.6 and magnitude2.1 hit nearby in the city of La Habra.

Public safety officials said crews were inspecting bridges, dams, rail tracks and other infrastructure systems for signs of damage. The Brea police department said the rock slide in the Carbon Canyon area caused a car to overturn, and the people inside the car sustained minor injuries.

E. A. ADEBOYE On Sunday

Be Greatful

Memorise: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God Luke 17:15.

Read: Luke 17:12-19 Bible in one year: Ezekiel 30:20-32:32 Psalms 73:1-17.

IT is not a big deal for God to perform miracles in the life of anybody. The problem that hinders the working of miracles lies with the children of men and is multifaceted in nature.

It has to do with ignorance of what the Almighty is capable of doing and lack of faith among others.

However, there is one problem that seems insignificant to many people but is a big hindrance to the manifestation of God’s power: It is ingratitude! Many times. I have to compel people to clap in praise of the Almighty God when fantastic testimonies are being given during our big meetings.

This problem is evident in the story of the ten lepers. Jesus in Luke 17:1 7b- 18 asked in dismay: “Were there not ten cleansed? but where

are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”

Through all of the ten lepers were cleansed, only one was perfectly whole! Why? The faith of the nine was lopsided! They had faith that Jesus Christ could heal them; that was why they cried to him for help in the first place unfortunately, their faith did not go beyond receiving their miracles, hence they discharged themselves prematurely! Instead of coming to show gratitude to the One who healed them and get their healing certified by the Infallible ‘nest as required by the law of Moses (Leviticus 14: 14), they went their own various ways. But to the one that returned to show gratitude, Jesus in Luke 17:19 said: “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made the whole”.

In other words, Jesus perfected the leper’s healing and him permanently healed.

Showing gratitude is one secret to receiving perfect miracles. You should show gratitude to the one and only Worker, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Let us cultivate the habit of worshiping God for Who He is, Him for what He has done in the past, in anticipation of what He will continue to do.

Never trivialize the miracle of sleeping and waking. Like I often tell members of our church, when you see people use the toilet or ease themselves without the aid of medical gadgets, you will know how to praise and thank God. The good thing about being grateful to God is that you receive more blessings from the one from whom all blessing flow. One way of saying thank you to God for His providence is by paying your tithes according to Malachi 3:10. God bless you as you obey today in Jesus’ Name.

ACTION POINT Count your blessings before God and appreciate Him for them.

“The good thing about being grateful to God is that you receive more blessings from the one from whom all blessing flow. One way of saying thank you to God for His providence is by paying your tithes according to Malachi 3:10.”

After 19 Years Of Marriage, Man Discovers “Even during sex, I never anything,” he said.

That His Wife Used To Be Man noticed For many years the couple A Belgian man is seeking to have his marriage annulled after discovering that his Indonesian wife of 19 years had been born a man. The man, only named as Jan, married Monica, his family’s former nanny in a previous marriage, in 1993 despite legal difficulties raised by the Belgian immigration authorities. But it was only in

recent weeks that he discovered that his wife had originally been a man and had undergone a sex change.

“I feel I’ve been assaulted,” he said. “I brought her to Belgium.

That was not easy. The Belgian courts had serious doubts about the authenticity of her birth and her identity papers, but eventually they accepted it

anyway.

“I thought she was an attractive woman, all woman.

She had no male traits.” Jan, 64, said that he and his wife had decided not to have children because he had two by his previous marriage and she fooled him by pretending to menstruate, using sanitary towels, “to conceal the truth”.

Man Expecting Quintuplets Finds Out His Girlfiend Isn’t Pregnant A Canadian man who thought he would soon be the father of five babies instead received a devastating surprise.

The newsmen reports that Paul Servat was expecting his girlfriend to deliver quintuplets. Her stomach swelled, she began lactating and donations from neighbors and friends of the Saint-Jeansur-Richelieu couple poured in.

But recently, Servat was taken aside by a nurse who told him there was no record of any pregnancy and that his partner was not carrying any children.

“We were so happy,” Servat said. “Even my parents, they were so looking forward to having grandchildren. I lost my whole life.”

Now Servat is searching for answers.

Geneviève Laflamme, a mother of triplets who

befriended the couple, told reporters that parts of the woman’s story didn’t add up.

Laflamme became skeptical after the woman kept adding to the number of expected children — first one, then two, then three, four and five.

Dr. Haim Abenhaim, an obstetrician and gynecologist

at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital, told reporter that Servat’s girlfriend may have had pseudocyesis, a condition in which physical signs of pregnancy manifest, but there’s no actual pregnancy.

Servat’s girlfriend is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.

German Woman, Dead Six Months, Found In Front Of TV THE corpse of a 66-yearold German woman who died more than six months ago was found in her apartment, in front of a television set that was still on, the newsmen reported recently.

The woman, in the town of

Oberursel near Frankfurt, died of natural causes in a nightgown while watching TV. There was a program guide from September nearby, the newspaper said, describing the body as “partially mummified”.

Police said residents in the 30-apartment block had noticed an unpleasant smell in the staircase but no one had informed the authorities.

The landlord opened the apartment after noticing her mailbox jammed with uncollected letters.

lived a normal family life and Monica, 48, was like a “big sister” to his children until their marriage started to come under strain when she got a new fulltime job.

“Monica began to change very much,” he said. “My oldest son saw her sometimes at a nightclub. She began to wear very flashy clothes, those ultrashort skirts or tiny tops, so her abdomen was completely exposed.” Finally rumors began to surface and after Jan found “amorous messages” from other men on her computer, he confronted her in a violent row that led to the police being called.

“A friend told me that he had heard that Monica was actually a sex-changed man. I could not believe it. My son heard similar rumors,” he said.

“I pushed her against the wall and said: Now I know the truth.

Are you a man? She then announced that she was born as a boy and that she had been operated on. She was now a woman, and so she did not need to tell me about her past as a man.

My world collapsed. That evening we came to blows. The police came.” Jan, who is undergoing psychiatric treatment following the discovery, has started legal proceedings to have the marriage annulled but the Belgian courts have so far refused to allow him to turn her out of the family home.

“That person has deliberately deceived him for years, even scammed. Presumably she has also forged documents used here to get a residence permit. The children, who for years have lived with her, are devastated,” said his Liliane Verjauw, his lawyer.

Odd News Compiled By

LOVETH EKEMOGIE

North Korea Mandates Leader’s Haircut For All Men IT appears that North Korean leader Kim Jon-un is so worried about a bad hair day that he has ordered all men in the country to get their hair cut in his style.

Hair styles were already limited in North Korea, with women having 18 possible styles, and men just 10, but now all men will have the same hairstyle in the latest push for uniformity. The guidelines were first introduced in the capital Pyongyang, and have now

been ruled out nationwide.

According to reports, the haircut currently sported by Kim Jong-un used to be known as the “Chinese smuggler haircut”, but the name is now likely to change to something snappy like the “supreme haircut”.

North Korean media has not insinuated what the punishment may be for disobeying the new haircut regulations, labour camps are a popular punishment in the country.

Shark Gives Flordia Student Two-Hour Ride, Stars In A hammerhead shark YouTube Video dragged a college student in his kayak up the Atlantic coast for a two-hour “South Florida sleigh ride” that the kayaker taped with a headmounted camera and posted on YouTube.

Adam Fisk, 22, posted a five-minute clip of his adventure titled “Lone Man Gets Towed for Miles in Kayak by 11 Foot Hammerhead Shark.”

At one point, Fisk dunked the camera into the water and recorded the shark swimming ahead of the kayak.

A student at Florida Atlantic University, Fisk set out in a kayak with several poles to go fishing before the shark took his bait near Boynton Beach, Florida.

“I threw my bait out and went to reel my other one in so I wouldnt get tangled, and I just had time to pick up the rod before the other one already got picked up by that hammer,” It must have been sitting right under me and I had no idea?.”

Fisk is a member of Team Rebel Fishing, a group of

extreme anglers, according to its website. The group estimated Fisk was dragged by the shark for 12 miles.

Fisk told reporters that the ride started out smoothly but turned frightening when the shark twice reversed course.

“It would do a 180-degree turn and come straight back at me and that rally scared me because I couldn’t see it and I didn’t know if it was coming to bite me,” he said.

Fisk said he turned his kayak around until the line got taut and the shark began pulling again. He said the shark took him out to sea and around in circles, ending at Lake Worth, Florida.

“Hooked a hammerhead in 50ft of water and got drug out to 250ft,” Fisk posted in his Facebook account of the ride under the headline, “I took a South Florida sleigh ride today and I aint talkin Santa Claus.”

Nebraska Dog Dials 911 On Owner’s Smartphone WHEN emergency dispatchers in Nebraska’s Sarpy County picked up a recent call, all they heard were the sounds of breathing and scratching.

Dispatchers were worried — until they learned the noises were coming from a dog who dialed 911.

Sarpy County 911 Assistant Director Marilyn Gable told newsmen that it’s the first time a dog has called the emergency center.

The dog’s owner, Melissa Acosta, says she thought her 2pound Japanese Chin, Sophie, was trying to curl up next to her on the couch, when she realized Sophie was scratching at Acosta’s smartphone with her paw.

Then Acosta heard a voice from the phone asking for an “address of the emergency.”

Acosta says the whole thing is “a little embarrassing.” Sophie, of course, had no comment.

COMRADE Aruna Abubakari is one politician who is concerned about the dwindling fortunes of the average Nigerian citizens and is determined to bring about the needed change if given the opportunity to

the entire Edo State.

Why did you decide to go into Politics?

I am into Politics now because I feel that with my robust working and labour experience, I am in a better position to represent my people at the State House of

crying for empowerment and bemoaning joblessness. I have also seen many communities requiring extension of electricity. All these would be adequately taken care of if nominated and elected. Exponents of

serve. A native of Jagbe in Ward Six, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Comrade Abubakari believes that the problems of the country would be half solved with the right legislations in place hence his wish to represent his people at the Edo State House of Assembly in the 2015 General Elections.

He had his Primary Education at Otovwodo Primary School, Ughelli and Secondary Education in Government College, Ughelli in Delta State and finished up in 1986 and 1992 respectively. He also attended Federal Polytechnic, Okoh/where he obtained the National Diploma [N.D] in Banking and Finance and at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile – Ife in Osun State where he bagged the Advance Diploma in Accounting in 2001. From there he proceeded to the College of Accountancy Jos, and obtained the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria in 2009 and thus became a Chartered Accountant. He has also attended many Seminars and Courses relating to Labour, Accounting and Administration.

Comrade, Abubakari in this chat with Audu Adama, spoke on a wide range of issues including why he is now into politics, what he has done so far to advance humanity, some of his plans for his Constituency if elected, and the way out of the unemployment problem in Nigeria. Excerpts:

Assembly, come 2015 because I have seen the sufferings, poverty and needs of my people. I will be an irresponsible labour leader if after identifying these challenges confronting my people, I do not wipe off their tears. I intend to do this by way of delivering the dividends of democracy by influencing employment for our unemployed youths, and at the same time empower our women I believe you are in Politics with the intention to serve. What have you done in the past to advance Humanity?

While in office, I donated bulk meters, concrete electricity poles, settled the electricity bills and installed some transformers for my People. I recently graded the eight – kilometer Anwain / Agbede and twelve – kilometer Agbede / Jagbe roads. The low electricity tension lines running from Momodu College, Agbede through the old road up to the Auchi / Benin express road and then the end of Channel 5 area streets were all installed by me. Aside from these, I have three on - going community projects in Club 3.

What do you intend to do to improve the lives of the people in your Constituency if you succeed in you political aspiration?

Some people think they could use their money and influence to intimidate the Comrade Governor but everyone has seen his experience as a labour man has assisted him which has accounted for his current drive to transform Edo from its ancient Status to a modern one in all sectors of the economy. The Governor Oshiomhole transformation drive will be replicated in Constituency 1 of Etsako West Local Government Area of the State if I am nominated and elected. Like I said earlier, there is still no sufficient portable water in the area as people still carry drums and jerry cans everywhere. I have also seen many youths and women

trade unionism usually stick to their words as we are usually popular because we are no betrayers. I have not held any government office and yet I have been using my meager resources to perform. Why should I not now use the resources that would be at my disposal if given the mandate to deliver the dividends of democracy to my people?

Is there any special trait you have that you feel would possibly give you an edge over other aspirants?

Without the least intent to sound immodest, yes because I feel I am more enlightened, experienced, educated and above all, more acceptable.

unborn.

What do you think is the way out of the youth unemployment in Nigeria?

In terms of unemployment, there are five sectors in the Nigerian economy that can absorb all the unemployed

Politics each recruit people because the Power Stations are many, many Transmission Stations will not only employ people, they can now have subsidiary companies that would

consumption even when we have the crude oil and the market thus leading to the inability of this Sector to absorb our unemployed youths. We should build

Politics Should Be Played By The Rules

Sir, what is your work experience?

I worked with the PHCN for twenty years without any blemish in Edo and Delta States. I served at both lower and higher capacity and headed many Committees. I had my labour career for seventeen years in the National Union of Electricity Employees where I started as an Ex – officio to Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Vice Chairman. I eventually left as a State Secretary controlling

What is your advice for your co – aspirants, party officials and the electorate?

Jagbe is the most backward in Etsako West in terms of government projects, appointments and elective offices as others have at one time or the other produced either the Local Government Chairman, occupied the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats as well as the Senatorial Seat.

The highest seat Jagbe community has ever occupied is that of the Councillorship Seat hence the reason my entire Community has adopted me because of this marginalization. Justice must be done and must be seen to have been done. My advice to party officials is that they should set aside, money politics and god fatherism and allow credible and popular candidates to emerge as this was how the comrade governor emerged. To my co – aspirants, they should avoid influencing party officials and the electorate with money and should play politics without bitterness and violence but according to the rules. The Electorate on their part should remain focused as they did during the last Governorship election in spite of intimidation. I still believe this will be replicated in the forth coming elections. They should remember that their votes are the only weapons that they can use to empower children and generations yet

- Comrade Aruna Abubakiri

Comrade Aruna Abubakari youths with some vacancies still left.

For instance, the recent privatization in the Power Sector sent over thirty thousand PHCN workers into the labour market. Nigeria is blessed with potentials to generate more electricity because we have the required resources, rivers for the Hydro – Stations, Gas that we often flare which would have been utilised for Thermal Stations. We have coal to fire Turbines. If we put all these together, we can generate more Megawatts of Electricity which can be transmitted to other Countries which would ultimately earn us huge foreign exchange.

These power stations will

“I am into Politics now because I feel that with my robust working and labour experience, I am in a better position to represent my people at the State House of Assembly, come 2015 because I have seen the sufferings, poverty and needs of my people.”

produce hardwares for their Turbines and Equipments which would also in turn lead to the establishment of cable and conductors manufacturing companies.

All these companies and their subsidiaries would in turn have their various Institutes where their personnel would be trained which would again in turn recruit youths to staff these subsidiary companies.

In the Steel sector, if both the Ajaokuta and Aladja Steel companies are working accordingly, they can feed more than the seven Steel Rolling Mills we have in this Country. For instance each Rolling Mill Ex – President Shehu Shagari brought would have generated at least thirty thousand jobs for our unemployed Youths but the two Steel Companies are grounded while we import steel material even when the raw materials are here.

In the Petroleum Sector, the inability to build sufficient Oil Refineries has not helped matters as it has led to fuel scarcity. Nigeria now depends on imported fuel as our refineries can no longer cover our local fuel

more refineries and get some of our youths off the streets.

Again in the mining sector, Nigeria is endowed with a lot of mineral resources so much so that if they were adequately exploited, the sector would have created more industries that would have transformed them for our use. For instance, if the Power, Steel and the petroleum sectors were functioning properly, that would ultimately have led to a big boom in the mining sector as what they would have been mining would have been utilized by the other Sectors thereby creating more employment as these new Industries that have been created would have been staffed by the youths.

Nigeria is heavily populated so we need to concentrate on developing the agriculture sector that would not only have led to youth employment and massive food production, but we have in that stead over depended on imported food thereby creating employment for those countries where food is being imported from.

I have just finished watching the film titled ”12 Years A Slave”.

I couldn’t stop weeping from the beginning to the end of it and frankly I am at a loss for words.

This was a masterpiece. It was nothing short of a powerful rendition of a true and heroic story.

I cannot help asking the

power, grace, manifold blessings and great mercy.

I urge as many as possible to find the time to watch ”12 Years A Slave”. You will never be the same again.

Having watched this film I believe that the case for reparartions for the slave trade must continue to be made. God

did the black man do to deserve this?

We need not go into the sufferings of our black brothers and sisters in apartheid South Africa at the hands of the white Boers from the day that the Dutchman, Jan Van Riebeek, arrived on the South African coast with his wife and two

Issues

western monetry agencies such as the IMF, the Paris Club, the Bretton Woods Institutions and the World Bank.

Those evil and opaque bodies and their paymasters and agents are today’s slave masters and they have turned successive African governments into little more than desperate pimps,

this respect.

Apart from the Jews, the Red Indians of North America, the Armenians of Asia and the Aborigines of Australia there is only one other group of people that have suffered almost as

and must still be made for Africa and Africans in particular and we must begin to make that case without fear or favour.

We must pick up the gauntlet and take over the baton from where others like the late Chief

children on 5th April, 1652 and saw what he graphically described as ”stinking black dogs”. We need not talk about the humiliation and enslavement of our fellow black Africans at the hands of the Arabs of the Sudan, whether it

shameless prostitutes and indebted and pliant little beggars.

They have squeezed the very life out of our people, destroyed the future of our respective nations and blighted our collective destinies. This is neocolonialism in it’s most primitive and raw form. I ask again, what did the black man do to deserve

much as the African in the hands of other races in human history.

Those people are those that were once known as the ”serfs”the slave under-class of slavic Russia. Like the African, the serfs and peasants of Russia were also treated with disdain, regarded as chattel and viewed as being subhuman by the Tsars and ruling class of the Russian Empire.

be in Darfur or Southern Sudan for over 500 years.

We need not go into the sheer barbarity and inhuman suffering that our brothers and sisters were subjected to in the sugar cane fields and the coffee and bannana plantations of the West Indies and South America for many centuries.

Everywhere we look throughout world history the story is the same: Africa and Africans have been pillaged, raped, tortured, humiliated, enslaved, butchered, wrenched from their families, scattered, bought and sold, considered as chattel and treated with the most explicit and extreme forms of brutality and violence by those who have a different skin colour to us and those from outside our shores.

Yet still there have been no reparations and no formal apology. Instead what they have given us today is the the ”second slavery” of foreign debt and humiliating servitude by every single African country to the

this?

Yet thankfully there is still hope and God’s power still remains sure and ever present.

He is ever faithful and His promises are ever sure.

Nothing drives that point home more than the fact that despite all we have suffered over the centuries in the hands of those that enslaved us and that viewed us as nothing more than worthless chattel, today it is a black man of free African descent, whose forefathers were never slaves and whose proud ancestry can be traced to modern-day Kenya on the east African coast, that is the most powerful man in the world.

That man’s name is Barack Obama, President of the United States of America. The fact that such a man with such a heritage can be President of a nation that once prided itself on slavery and that once regarded the black man as nothing more than a glorified chimpanzee is a testimony to the power of God. Yet the African is not alone in

They also suffered immeasurably in their millions for thousands of years under successive Russian governments and rulers. Like the African, they were also ”owned” by their rulers and they lived or died at the pleasure of the nobility.

It is yet another irony of fate and another testimony to the awesome power of God that today the second most powerful man on the planet (and some would argue that he is actually the most powerful) is a proud, confident and strong-willed Russian whose ancestry can be traced directly to the serfs of mother Russia and who comes from equally humble origins.

His name is Vladimer Putin, the President of the Russian Federation.

The world has indeed been handed over by God to the seed and lineage of those that were once oppressed and that were once treated as sub-human by others but that is not good enough.

The case for reparations can

MKO Abiola left off. More than any other African leader, both living and dead, MKO Abiola championed the cause of reparations and he put the case so well. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that he had to be stopped and that he was ultimately martyred.

Permit me to end this contribution with two other curious and interesting observations about Putin and Obama. The historic supression of their forefathers and ethnic stock are not the only things that they have in common. Permit me to explain and let us marvel together at the power of God. President Barack Obama’s paternal grandfather, Hussein Onyango Obama, was a cook to a British army officer. President Vladimer Putin’s paternal grandfather, Spiridon Ivanovitch Putin, was a cook in Lenin’s country home and later became a cook to Josef Stalin.

Who would have ever thought that the grandson’s of two mere cooks and men from such a humble lineage could ever become the Presidents of the two most powerful countries on the planet at more or less the same time. As the bible says, ”the Lord exalts the humble and resists the proud”.

The morale of the tale? Never look down on anyone and treat all men and women, regardless of their station in life, with the respect that they deserve because only God knows tomorrow. The son or grandson of your servant today may well be the leader of your nation tomorrow.

It is also interesting to note that both Putin and Obama have two young daughters but no sons. Obama’s predecessor in office, President George W. Bush, also had two daughters and no sons whilst President Bill Clinton, Bush’s predecessor in office, also had one daughter and no sons.

The morale of the tale? The test of a man is not in having a son but in achieving his life’s ambition and getting to the top.

Whether sons or daughters, all children are a blessing from God. As the bible says, they are all ”arrows in our quiver”. We in Africa particularly must cherish, appreciate and give thanks to God for our daughters as much as we do for our sons.

And whilst we do so we must also bear in mind that the case for reparations must be argued and we must never forget that if we, as Africans, do not do it ourselves no-one will do it for us.

May the souls of all those that perished as slaves continue to rest in peace. God bless Africa and God bless the producers and facilitators of ”12 Years A Slave”.

12 Years A Slave And The Case For Reparations following question: what did the black man ever do to deserve such wickedness and suffering?

What did our forefathers do to deserve such barbarity and mindless torture in the hands of those that held them captive in a distant land?

May God forgive those that brutalised and enslaved us for all that they did to us. I cannot hate them. I can only love and forgive them because only love and forgiveness can drive out hate and heal the wounds that they inflicted on the souls of our people.

What they did to us was far greater, far more damaging and far more devastating than the Germans ever did to the Jews.

Though we are compelled to forgive by scripture and the strictures of our God yet we must never forget what they did to us.

And never must such a thing be allowed to happen again. No minority, whether he or she be black, brown, yellow, red, white, gay, straight or in any other way ”different” should be allowed to suffer like that or to feel the pain of humiliation, indignity, servitude, persecution and the denial of the most basic and fundamental rights because we are all God’s children.

It is incumbent on us all to stand up for the weak, the vulnerable, the terrorised, the despised, the enslaved, the voiceless, the ”different” and the persecuted wherever and whoever they are because to love others as we love ourselves is God’s primary and most important law.

They must never be allowed to walk alone because it was that spirit of standing up for others and fighting for the weak and helpless and the display of such love and selflessness that eventually freed the so-called ”slave” from his hideous captivity in the film titled ”12 Years A Slave”.

It was the goodness, love, kindness courage and inherent power of those who refused to remain silent and who were ready to take a risk and stand up for truth and justice that caused the man to regain his freedom and to be returned to his family in Washington after being enslaved for twelve long years.

What a man.

What a film. What a great and powerful rendition of truth and what a testimony of man’s inhumanity to man.

What compelling evidence and confirmation of the eternal truth that tells us that no matter how dark the night may be, ”joy comes in the morning”. What an affirmation of the undeniable fact that ultimately good always triumphs over evil. What a magnificent example of God’s

By FEMI FANI-KAYODE

Himself will not forgive us if we refuse to do so.

If the world can give the State of Israel back to the Jews as compensation for persecuting them for thousands of years and killing 6 million of them during the Second World war alone why can’t that same world pay reparations to the African for enslaving him for thousands of years and for killing at least 30 million of our people over the ages.

Why can’t the western powers be made to pay reparations to Africa for what they subjected our people to even after the institution of slavery and the slave trade was formally abolished and particularly during the colonial era?

As a glaring example of the sheer cruelty of the Europeans during that period, King Leopold 11, who ruled Belgium from 1865 to 1909, actually owned the Congo and all that was in it as part of his personal estate.

By virtue of his supposedly blue blood, one man owned millions of Africans and all their land and chattels even though he resided thousands of miles away in a distant Europe.

Such was this man’s inate brutality and monstrous power that he orchestrated and directed the slaughter of no less than 15 million Congolese Africans whilst he ruled from Brussels.

This was so even though he never set his foot in Africa throughout his long reign.

Yet the world sat by silently and did nothing. As a matter of fact many of his fellow Europeans actually applauded his actions and described him as a good example and indeed the epitomy of all that was noble and all that ought to be expected from the very best of European royalty. I ask again, what did the black man do to deserve this?

What about Cecil Rhodes, the englishman man who, according to European historians, ”literally and lawfully bought” a large part of southern Africa and all that was in it for the British Crown and who named that new frontier after himself by calling it ”Rhodesia”?

It took over 100 years and a bitter and prolonged 15 year civil war (from 1964 to 1979) for the black Africans of that sad and beleagured land to secure their rights, to be recognised and acknowledged as being human beings, to win the right to vote and to install democracy and majority rule.

It was only after all this was achieved, in 1979, that the name ”Rhodesia” was dropped like a hot potato and was changed to ”Zimbabwe”. I ask again, what

DEPUTY Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, can be spotted easily in a sea of heads. His trademark green cap ensures that. But it is not the colour of his cap that has made him unique.

The peculiarity of his personality as embedded in his strength of character, legacy of achievements and vision in public office is what has set him apart. He has etched indelible footprints on the sands of time since emerging on the public scene over two decades ago. This is a statement of fact. Yes verifiable facts as different from opinion or mere posturing.

But where is Ihedioha’s strength of character? Before I address this question let me put the question broadly: wherein is the politician’s strength of character in a country where the political stage is seen to be fouled by the antics of the players themselves? So if the broad perception of the average Nigerian politician by the general public is swathed in mud and dubious accolades at best, where then is the strength of character being attributed to Ihedioha who is by every means a politician?

Except it is accepted that there are exceptions to the rule, this line of reasoning is permissible within the prism of the fallacy of generalization and the reflex mentality of the mob.

There are politicians who have stood out from the crowd. And it is not because they were devoid of foibles nor had careers lacking in setbacks. In the First Republic, national heroes like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, all of blessed memories among others readily come to mind. In the Second Republic, governors like late Chief Sam Mbakwe, Chief Lateef Jakande, and late Chief Solomon Lar, among others are icons of that epoch.

From the Third and Fourth Republic through contemporary times, we have had fine politicians of heroic acclaim across the length and breadth of the country. We have had those who came, saw, and conquered. This is not an attempt to canonize Ihedioha. Rather, it is an effort to open our eyes to the rising star that the deputy speaker is and strengthen the optimism that because of politicians like him, the political space can be perceived in a positive light.

Now back to the question.

Wherein lay Ihedioha’s strength of character?

To answer this question, there is need to examine the content of his character. And this will be done with empirical evidence to buttress my earlier assertion

that the deputy speaker has etched indelible footprints on the sands of time. In terms of courage and tenacity of purpose as worthy character traits, Ihedioha is not to be found wanting. Since 1992 when he first got appointment as a Press Officer to the Senate President through to when he worked as Special Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in

well as being able to in spite of several odds, become the Deputy Speaker of the House.

Being in such prominent positions in the federal legislature and being able to leverage on contacts and goodwill among colleagues contributed in placing him in some vantage position to cater to the needs of the electorate who gave him successive mandate. And he

spread across the entire Imo State, some of which run into billions of naira including the Owerri-Umuahia road, Chokoneze-Mbutu-Logara road, and the Okpala-Igirita road, among others; electricity projects including installation of 132 KVA/33 sub-station at Aboh Mbaise, 15 MVA/33KVA at Mbutu, and 1+15 MVA 33/11 KV

Spotlight places onerous responsibilities on him like the task of coordinating the constitution amendment by the House of Representatives.

As Chairman of the Adhoc committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, the deputy speaker bears the heavy burden of ensuring that

full financial, administrative, executive and legislative autonomy to local government councils in the country; making the following rights- right to free basic education, right to a favourable environment, right to free primary and maternal healthcare services

Character And The Leadership Question:

The Ihedioha Paradigm

2001, he has maintained streaks of diligence and purpose. As a man determined to get to the top by dint of hard work, commitment and loyalty, he served his principals conscientiously and in so doing, positioned himself for higher calling. His elevation in the ladder of public service obviously bred in him a vision of politics as a service to the people. Within this period, Ihedioha also cultivated traits of political activism as he played in terrains strewn with landmines in the heady days of military dictatorships.

Remarkably, he joined forces with progressive elements in the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) to fight for and eventually achieve civilian democracy for Nigeria. Thus by the time he contested and won election into the House of Representatives in 2003 to represent Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala federal constituency of Imo State, he was already thorough-bred in the art of politics and had fully formed a vision of public service as a vehicle to improve the lot of the people.

With a clear vision propelled by political experience and combined with a sound knowledge of the needs and demands of his people, Ihedioha quickly moved to address the developmental challenges of his constituency. But before I address this, it is needful to note his trajectory in the House of Representatives since his first term till date.

As a first time member of the House, he landed the chairmanship of Marine Transport, a committee usually reserved for ranking members. This on its own attests to the political dexterity of Ihedioha who had garnered wide contacts and network throughout the country in the preceding period of his political career.

The political brinkmanship and sagacity of this Mbaiseborn politician was further attested to by his emergence as Chief Whip of the House during his second term as

Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives did not fail to take advantage of this for their benefit.

Projects like solar electricity, roads construction and resurfacing, schools renovation and water works are some of the results of his intervention in the constituency and throughout Imo State. There have also been empowerment/skills acquisition programmes for the unemployed, indigent and vulnerable segment of the population. Thus from his first term (2003-2007) through his second and current term in the House of Representatives, Ihedioha has recorded meaningful and measurable impact on the lives and living conditions of his constituents and Imolites generally. He has facilitated hundreds of projects and programmes that touch their lives directly. For instance, he has attracted no fewer than 16 water projects to the constituency; over 20 completed and ongoing road constructions, rehabilitation and resurfacing projects

transformer and injection sub-station at Umuneke, Ngor Okpala, and distribution of transformers to several communities, among others. I can go on and on but suffice to say that the point intended here is the fact that for Ihedioha, public office is a call to render service to the people. On this, he has creditably demonstrated a defining strength of character.

Another area where the deputy speaker has shown strength of character relates to integrity in public office.

A terrain such as the federal legislature that is littered with the proverbial banana peel is one that can test a politician’s integrity and sense of tact to the full. To be in the House of Representatives for over ten years and occupy sensitive positions including his current office as deputy speaker without a stain on his name is certainly no mean feat. Especially so when his deputy speakership

the House comes up with credible and germane amendment proposals that resonate with the yearnings and aspirations of the generality of Nigerians. The level of success recorded in discharging this burden must be measured by and mirrored against the process and product of the amendment exercise piloted by Ihedioha.

And the consensus out there is that the constitution amendment outcomes achieved by the current 7th House of Representatives are courageous, noble, farreaching, and incisive such that they present a viable template to get Nigeria out of the woods if eventually adopted by the Senate and State Houses of Assemblies in concluding processes of the amendment. A total of 71 clauses were successfully amended covering several nagging issues that have clogged the wheel of national progress.

These include granting of

and right to basic housinglisted under the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy justiciable; removal of immunity for the president, vice president, governors and deputy governors against prosecution in criminal cases; resolving indigene/settler dichotomy; and plugging loopholes in government expenditures; budgetary reforms among other salutary amendments.

These amendments have resonated very well with Nigerians as many stakeholders have been pouring profuse praises on the House of Representatives.

This was achieved because the process adopted by the Ihedioha committee placed premium on Nigerians as owners of the constitution and offered them the opportunity to dictate the changes they want in the constitution through the peoples public sessions mechanism whereby the Ihedioha committee organized quasi-townhall meetings in all nooks and crannies of the country to allow for grassroots inputs.

This resulted in a transparent, accountable and inclusive process ever recorded in the history of constitution making in the country. In effect, Nigerians themselves dictated the changes they want in the amended constitution and the House simply kept faith with their wishes. To pull this kind of mammoth and slippery exercise through requires courage, integrity and persistence, all traits of a strong character possessed by the deputy speaker and brought to bear on the work of the committee.

From the foregoing, it is incontrovertible that Ihedioha has shown strength of character over time. He has recorded solid achievements in public service. As he turns 49 years today, he is still available to do more in the public interest. Like Albert Einstein said, he has tried not just to become a man of success but rather, a man of value. Happy birthday Mr. Deputy Speaker sir!

I Felt Unloved In My Father’s Absence

By REV. S. DAVID ANBU, INDIA

WHEN I was a small boy I asked my father why he named me David. My father replied, “Son, you asked me a good question. I will explain it to you. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I began reading the Book of Psalms.

One verse touched my heart in a special way: ‘David sang many songs.’ That’s why I wanted to name you David.

I prayed when you were a small boy, ‘Lord touch my son, so he would become a David to sing for the Lord and play some instruments.’”

My family came from a Hindu background. My grandfather, who was employed by a British company, was an educated man and was able to provide for his family. My grandmother was the first Christian in our family and through her my father came to the Lord early in life. My father became a pastor and was in ministry for forty years before he went to be with his Lord. My mother, a housewife, was also a good Christian. She stayed home to look after us four children (two boys and two girls) while my father traveled widely to preach the gospel.

I was just ten years old when my mother died. My father was away in another state preaching, so we the children stayed with different relatives. Because we were not together as a family anymore, I felt all alone in the world.

Sometimes I asked God why I was alone.

As a small child my late mother taught me the Word of God and prayed for me.

When I lived at my uncle’s house, he and my aunt also taught me about Jesus Christ and the Scriptures. They, too, prayed for me. So I grew in the knowledge of the Word of God and prayer.

Although I was well cared for by godly relatives, I did not have peace of mind as a young boy. My father did not remarry and was always away in ministry, so I thought he did not care about me. I felt so unloved, I wanted to die. As a teenager

I wanted to commit suicide.

When I was seventeen, God spoke to my troubled heart at a gospel meeting.

The preaching was good.

The verses of Scripture the speaker read spoke to my heart. He quoted the words of Jesus saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28).

Then he read the words of the Apostle Paul, “. ..Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15).

As he continued to preach, the minister asked, “If you die today, where would you go?” I didn’t know. Then he invited people who wanted to know Jesus to come to the altar. I went forward. All the sins from my childhood to my teenage years passed before me like a movie film.

‘I cried and confessed my sins. The Lord spoke to my heart saying, “If you ask me, I will forgive you and make you holy.”

The minister prayed for me and then led me in a prayer to ask God for forgiveness and to invite Him into my heart and life to be my Savior and Lord. The next day I was baptized in water.

The following week I spent in prayer. I prayed, “Lord, I need You. Fill me with the anointing of your Holy Spirit.” I had been taught about the Holy Spirit from the time I was a child, but I had not prayed to receive Him. After a week of waiting on the Lord, He answered my prayer.

I began to pray for God to show me His will for my life.

One day I sensed the Lord say to me, “David, I have chosen you to preach the gospel. I am going to bless you and use you in the nation of India and in many nations of the world.”

I wasn’t surprised at God’s call because my father had dedicated me from childhood for ministry. I wanted to be a Christian, but I did not want to be a minister. Having observed

BRIO With Francis Odupute

my father’s life, I knew that pastors go through much suffering. However, I made a choice to obey the Lord and enrolled in a Bible college when I finished my high

planted seven churches and have ordained four elders.

Our people are poor since we are a developing country with a population of one billion. Unemployment is

missionaries to our nation.

I don’t know when He will bring that to pass. Our work is interdenominational and a faith work, so we appreciate financial help.

school.

After three years of training as an evangelist, I traveled to many towns throughout India to preach the gospel. God not only gave me a gift of preaching, but also of music.

He gave me a singing talent and ability to play several instruments. When I sing for the Lord and play the instruments, I am reminded that my father named me David after the Old Testament psalmist, David, who ministered to the Lord with music. How wonderful it is to have the blessing and example of godly parents.

I married my wife, Gladys, in 1985. My wife is an educator. She has degrees to qualify her to teach in a college, but she helps me in ministry. The Lord has blessed our marriage with two daughters, Janet and Jennifer.

In January 1992, we started Harvest Evangelical Church.

We want to plant many churches because thousands here in India are dying with out Christ. At present we have

high. Many of our believers don’t have jobs. We are teaching the congregation to tithe, but they are poor and have not much to give.

We have opened an orphanage for orphaned, destitute children and have one school. We have a vision to do much more. Our target is to establish 200 churches.

The Lord has instructed me to build a Bible College to train pastors who will be

We are praying for our country. It is an idolworshiping nation. Everyday we are facing idol worship and witchcraft. Many people are suffering from witchcraft. I have a burden on my heart to reach many more souls for Christ and want to do much more for the people in India.

The prophecy to preach to the nations has yet to come.

However, I do go to America every two years to speak at

conferences and in churches.

I go for spiritual restoration as well, for I am always in ministry in India. I am also learning more about church government. I am the supervising pastor, so I need more knowledge and wisdom.

I rejoice that my father’s prayers have been answered for his orphaned children.

We are all serving the Lord.

My brother has the privilege of being a wit ness for Christ at his secular employment.

One sister is in ministry helping a pastor. The other sister and her husband attend our church. She is in charge of youth ministry, and he is in charge of children’s minis try. We praise God for their help.

Inclosing, I would like to address the young people: Youth is a good time of life, but it is also a dangerous time. The Lord knows your teen years. He will pro vide all that you need, but you must be patient and wait for His timing. If you do not obey the Word of God now, you will suffer in the future.

Sports are a good discipline for young lives, but drugs, alcohol and sexual immorality are things a young person must run from.

They are destructive forces in a life. In these last evil days, you need to follow the Word of God and pray. The Lord will lead you into an adult life that He can bless and fulfill.

I thank the Lord that I allowed Him to come into my life in my teen years.

Through my 27 years of ministering He has touched the lives of many people.

“I was just ten years old when my mother died. My father was away in another state preaching, so we the children stayed with different relatives. Because we were not together as a family anymore, I felt all alone in the world. Sometimes I asked God why I was alone.”

IT was with sadness, anger and mourning that Nigerians received the news about the death of 19 persons who participated in the Nigerian Immgration Service recruitment which held at different centres across the country. The number of unemployed youths who thronged the centres showed the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

Naked Truth went to town to get the opinions of Nigerians on the high level of unemployment and the necessary steps to be taken to nip the ugly trend in the bud. Their responses are presented below for your reading pleasure.

Naked Truth With

Citizen Emma Kola Okhakhu

What Should Be Done To Reduce The Level Of Unemployment In The Country?

Government at all levels should create jobs - Matthew Okagha Government at all levels should create jobs.

Agriculture offers the vast potentials for job creation.

The government should embark on massive agricultural programmes in cash crops, animals production and fishery.

Engage the youths and all able bodied Nigerians in the programme.

There are also employment opportunities in agro-allied industries.

Lets stop paying lip service to government policies and programmes with agriculture, both the educated and the noneducated would be fully engaged.

Unemployment rate in Nigeria has risen to an unexplainable level in Nigeria and needs to be declared emergency war upon - Odekhe M.O. The incident at the Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment recently goes a long way to show how endemic unemployment is in Nigeria. Unemployment rate in Nigeria has risen to an unexplainable level in Nigeria and needs to be declared emergency war upon.

Fighting unemployment should be one of the foremost priority of government after security and power generation. And to achieve a reasonable employment level, agriculture need to be given a high level of priority.

Young school leavers must be encouraged to go back to the land, by making the agricultural sector attractive. A working publicprivate partnership should be fully implemented and government should create suitable avenue for private investors.

Unemployment is one of the major problems Nigeria has to tackle – Osariemen Osemwegie The Nigerian Immigration Service Recruitment has shown that unemployment

is one of the major problems Nigeria has to tackle. The subject of unemployment is one that requires serious attention.

Nigeria is endowed with diverse and infinite resources, both human and material. However, years of negligence and adverse policies have led to the under-utilisation of these resources.

These resources, have not been effectively utilized in order to yield maximum economic benefits. This is one of the primary cause of unemployment in the country.

To reduce this level of unemployment in the country government should create jobs through the value chain in Agriculture, mineral exploitation, small and medium enterprise.

Unemployment should be seen by government as a priority - Comrade Friday Obanor To me, I think the issue of unemployment should be seen by government as a priority it should be put in the front burner of g o v e r n m e n t ’ s developmental plan for the interest of national unity.

Employment should be a yearly affair and government should set certain percentage of its yearly budget to tackle the issue of unemployment.

Beside the already enumerated solutions, government should ensure that its ailing industries are revamped for optimal performance while power and other incentives that would attract private investors to come to the country and invest should be put in place. In addition there should be a friendly environment for business to thrive.

Government, over the years has failed to solve the problems of unemployment for the youths - Kester Osazee Ogiesewu The recent tragic incident during the recent recruitment exercise by the Nigerian Immigration

Service is one other way of reminding ourselves that the inability of those at the corridors of power to take genuine position on national issues has been one of the cases against our progress as a nation.

It is possible that the tragedy could have been averted if government was able to put certain measures in place to

establishing new ones.

With this strategy the unemployed especially the youth will have cause to smile, rejoice, and have great expectation.

Employment opportunities is not a sole responsibility of the government - Faith Isikhuemen Considering the ill-fated Nigerian Immigration

The government should think of ways of creating job opportunities - Miss Maryjane Emuejobivoke Akposubi The issue of unemployment in Nigeria is a serious one. The death of those youths who were at the immigration recruitment won’t have come into play, if every Nigerian Youth think of how

• Moro and Paradang at Senate hearing assuage the plight of the unemployed in the society.

That presupposes that government, over the years has failed to solve the problems of unemployment especially the youths.

Unarguably, many of these young ones, today are into so many vices which are absolutely unacceptable to civilized norms.

Considering the sad incident at the Immigration Service Recruitment exercise, government should therefore create avenues for unemployment rather than allow unemployment continue to create devastating effect on the nation’s economy.

Government should therefore open avenues for employment by resuscitating moribound industries as well as

Service recruitment, it is very important therefore to note that the reverse of e m p l o y m e n t opportunities is not a sole responsibility of the government. The citizens also have to play their various parts.

The government should establish more industries and be ready to give the industries all the financial and any other backing needed.

The government should also be ready to revive all her industries that are already at the verge of crumbling.

Individuals should also make use of their Godgiven talents to get selfemployed and with time, become employers of labour.

to better our nation, Nigeria. The government cannot provide jobs for everyone. Let us embrace vocational and technical Education so that every Nigerian will be able to have a means of making income and probably employ others. Also, the government should think of ways of creating job opportunities. Job should be given on the basis of merit and professionalism and not the numbers of ministers and top government officials you know, so that we don’t have to loose our lives or get injured to get job in Nigeria.

More jobs have to be created - Ifada Oria Gabriel More jobs have to be created. Unemployment

has eaten deep in this country. The few jobs that are available in the hand of few. The best way to solve the problem of unemployment in this country is to create jobs.

More jobs have to be created to enable youth of the country to work. The issue of unemployment is a big problems in this country.

However, this issue of unemployment has to be taken seriously.

Government have to do something about unemployment in this country.

Nigerian Immigration employment exercise has unveiled the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria - Martin Erharuyi Shortly, in humility, I pray for the departed souls during the recruitment exercise to rest in peace.

It is sad to say that the Nigerian Immigration employment exercise has unveiled the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria also exposed the level of corruption in the country, imagine forms of about 525 million to have been sold for just 4,500 job vacancies.

Be that as it may, it is a true talk that Government cannot single handedly provide employment for all its citizens.

But government should provide enabling environment that will attract investors to establish industries that will give employment to the citizens. Government should do everything within their power to make electricity stable, provide good accessible road and make tax affordable.

Also, there are many government industries that had long been abandoned.

Ajaokuta Steel Industries Okpella Cement Industry, Refineries etc, all these industries should be awakened and new ones should be established.

With this, the government will go a long way to combating issues of unemployment in the country.

THE issue of rape has always been one that has been kept in secrecy. Rape is the crime that often times goes unpunished. Rape is the occurrence which leaves its victims marred for life, both physically and emotionally.

According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, rape is the act of forcing sexual intercourse or other sexual activity upon another person, without their consent and/or against their will.

Rape is the most serious kind of sexual assault and is punishable in Nigeria with imprisonment for life, with or without whipping (Okonowo and Naish l980) the offence is defined in section 357 of the criminal code as follows: Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl without her consent or with her consent if it is obtained by force or by means of threat or intimidation of any kind or by fear of harm or by means of false representation as to the nature of the act, or in the case of a married woman, by personating her husband is guilty of an offence called rape.

Okonkwo and Naish further explained that rape is a crime that can only be committed against a woman as the act is categorized as rape when there is penetration. Also stating that rape cannot occur between a man and his wife except a separation or divorce has been established between the two of them by a court of law. In such a case, the man can only be charged for assault against his wife.

According to Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, a United Nations statistics report compiled from government sources showed that more than 250,000 cases of rape are recorded annually Wikipedia also explained that rape cases are hardly reported due to the extreme social stigma cast on the women who have been raped.

In some countries, like Islamic countries, where adulteries are punishable by the law, if a victim comes out with a rape case and lacks sufficient evidence to prosecute the perpetrator of the act, the victim will also be tried and prosecuted for adultery.

It was also discovered that the attitude of police towards rape victims also discourages them from coming out. From a research done in Turkey, it was discovered that 33% of police officers agreed with the assertion that “some women deserve rape” and 66% agreed that the physical appearance and behaviours of women tempt men to rape”

According to the American Medical Association, sexual violence and rape in particular is considered the most under reported violent crime and the most common reasons for this is that most of the victims believe that rape is a personal matter and fear of reprisal from the assailant. The research suggests that between 75% 95% of rape crimes are never reported to the police.

many women with intellectual disabilities are being raped constantly and the Nigerian society or justice system has made it almost an impossible desire to have justice prevail over the assailant. This goes to show that rape is a crime that often goes unreported and unpunished in the Nigerian society due to the way such cases are treated.

Types of rape

Other types of rape could include date rape, which occurs during or after a date between people who are in a relationship, gang rape, which involves several people, raping the victim, marital rape which has to do with the husband having sexual intercourse with the wife without her consent or by way of force.

Incestual rape, which is the type of rape that involves

Insight sexual intercourse • Vaginismus: this is a condition which affects the woman’s ability to engage in any form of virginal penetration • Chronic and pelvic pain • Urinary tract infection • Pregnancy: pregnancy is likely to occur from rape, as, often times, when rape occurs, there is the absence of the use of contraceptives. In

highly susceptible to HIV infection through forced sex, because their vaginal mucous membranes have not yet acquired cellular density sufficient to provide an effective barrier that develops in the later teenage years.

Psychological Effects • Self-blame: rape victims often blame themselves for the occurrence of rape, either believing that the incident was

1982, a research done by the American society for reproductive medicine discovered that the risk of pregnancy during rape is the same for that of consensual encounter (2-4%).

In 1996, there was a longitudinal study in the United States of America which discovered that among 4000 rape victims, 5.2% of rape among victims between the ages of 12-45 resulted in pregnancy each year.

Another study done in 1991 in Lima, Costa Rica found that 90% of the new mothers between the ages of 16-19 years were pregnant as a result of rape or incest’ Similar researches have also been done in Ethiopia and Mexico where it was discovered that 17% and 18% of rape cases resulted in pregnancies respectively Meanwhile, any pregnancy resulting from an encounter with a stranger carries a higher risk of pre-eclampsia, that is the condition in which hypertension arises in pregnancy in association with significant amounts of protein in the urine’ This is a very dangerous condition that could lead to the death of the victim. *Sexually transmitted diseases: violence or forced sex can increase the risk of transmitting HIV forced vaginal penetration, abrasion and cuts commonly occur, thus facilitating the entry of the virus through the vaginal mucus. Adolescent girls are

their fault through- something they did or did not do or there is something wrong with them which made them to be raped. This condition can be remedied by cognitive therapy.

• Shame: according to June Tangney’ shame is a result of rape and it has destructive effects like, lack of motivation to seek help, lack of empathy, cutting themselves off from other people, anger and aggression.

• Suicide: childhood and adulthood victims of rape are more likely to attempt or commit suicide’ The experience of being raped can lead to suicidal behavior’ In Ethiopia,6% of raped school girls reported having attempted suicide. They also feel embarrassed to talk about what has happened to them with anyone • Sociological impact Rape is especially stigmatizing in cultures with strong customs and taboos regarding sex and sexuality.

For example, a rape victim who was a virgin before the assault will be regarded as being damaged. afterwards.

The rape victim could be isolated by friends and family, disowned or even divorced if the victim is already married.

This phenomenon is known as secondary victimization.

Secondary victimization is the re-traumatization of the sexual assault of the rape victim through the responses of individuals and organizations Rape is forbidden under Islamic law therefore, the victim is

Rape: Injustice In The

By SONIA EDOUWAYE OSUNDE Many countries including Nigeria do not criminalize marital rape because sex in marriage is considered an absolute right of the husband and can be taken with or without the consent of his wife. The very act of a woman refusing sex is unthinkable. In a research,

The following are the major types of rape that have been identified globally a. Male on female rape e. Date Rape b. Male on male rape f. Gang Rape c. Female on male g. lncestual Rape d. Adult on child h. Marital Rape

74% of women in Mali said that a husband is justified to beat up his wife if she refuses to have sex with him.

In yet another research done in Nigeria, it was discovered that out of a sample of 295 female students from Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, 36.7% had experienced sexual harassment! victimization at least once on campus. Of this, 32.4% had been raped In another study comparing sexual practices of 12-19 year old students with or without moderate intellectual disabilities in schools done in Oyo State, it was discovered that 68.3% of the sexually experienced intellectually disabled females reported history of rape victimization compared to the 2.9% of the sexually experienced nondisabled females shows that

Male on female rape is the type of rape where a male assailant sexually harasses a female victim.

Male on male rape usually occurs when the assailant has homosexual tendencies. The victim here could equally be homosexual or might not be.

Here the victim is sodomized by the assailant.

Female on male rape usually occurs when the female is older than the male victim or if the victim is mentally challenged.

Adult on child rape is the type of rape which occurs when the victim is too young to either know what is going on or protest. This particular type of rape is very rampant in Nigeria recently, there was an ongoing rape case featured in News Line where a police officer at Nasarawa allegedly raped a two year old girl. Till now justice has not prevailed.

family members, for example a father could rape the daughter or brother could rape the sister. Child sexual abuse, prison rape, acquaintance rape and war rape are also types of rape.

Effects of rape Rape leads to both physical and psychological trauma.

In the case of male on female rape, which is the

most common type of rape, the physical effects can be broken down into the following: Gynecological • Vaginal or anal bleeding or infections could occur after the incident.

• Virginal inflammation • Dyspareunia: painful

“Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl without her consent or with her consent if it is obtained by force or by means of threat or intimidation of any kind or by fear of harm or by means of false representation as to the nature of the act, or in the case of a married woman, by personating her husband is guilty of an offence called rape.”

punished and accused of having sex outside marriage, local sharia courts often punish raped minors by flogging and beating with shoes, but this is not according to orthodox sharia law.

In 1979, the government of Pakistan adopted the Zina ordinance to bring the penal code into accord with Islamic principles. Under this ordinance, the women who reported having been raped

more years.

A misdemeanor is any offence which is declared by the law to be a misdemeanor or is punishable by imprisonment for not less than six months, but less than three years, while all offences other than felonies and misdemeanors are simple offences.

In section 218 of the criminal code seriatim, unlawful carnal knowledge of

must prove that the intercourse was without consent. In a situation where they cannot prove it, they are charged with fornication. As a result, women are unlikely to report rape.

Rights advocates say that this aspect of sharia law not only negates the rights of women but is also a misinterpretation of Islam.

The effects of rape on a child are also as bad as on an adult, if not worse. The harm is both long and short termed.

The short term effect includes, depression, posttraumatic stress disorders eating disorders, poor selfesteem, dissociative and anxiety disorders and general psychological disorders.

Rape in children could also lead to chronic pain sexualized behavior, school/ learning problems and behavioral problems such as substance abuse.

From researches carried out so far, it has been discovered that the justice system in Nigeria tends to either shield the assailant or deny the victim justice for lack of evidence.

TREATMENT OF RAPE CASES IN NIGERIA The Nigerian constitution and law do not give enough provision to ensure that rape victims get justice while assailants are convicted As mentioned earlier, rape is an offence punishable by the law In Nigeria. According to the criminal code, an offence is defined as, an act or omission which renders the person doing the act or making the omission liable to punishment under the criminal code or under any act or law The criminal code also explained that there are three types of offences namely felonies, misdemeanors, and simple offences.

A felony is any offence which is declared by the law to be a felony or is punishable without proof of previous conviction, with death or imprisonment for three or

a girl under the age of thirteen is a felony which is liable to imprisonment for life with or without whipping.

Having established the fact that rape is an offence punishable by the Nigerian law earlier, it should be observed that before justice can be served on the assailant, the victim must be able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that not only was she raped, but she was raped by the accused person.

In other to meet up with this demand, the victim must have enough evidence to prove that there was carnal knowledge or penetration, and that it was done without her consent or with the use of force.

The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines evidence as facts or observations presented in support of an assertion while Faith O Osadolor Esq. in the Source Book on the Law and Practice of Evidence in Nigeria explains the following: “Evidence is the existence of facts required for the proof of an issue” Osadolor further stated that a person cannot be convicted for the following offences, listed in section 218,221,223, or 224 of the criminal code upon t uncorroborated testimony of one witness.

First of all it is most unlikely that a rape incident would have a witness as rape is a personal attack on the victim and sexual activities are not usually done in public to the glare of witnesses, therefore, if the law states that the accused person cannot be convicted without the testimony of at least one witness, that shows that the law is unwilling to prosecute the accused person.

Secondly, section 218 of the criminal code also states that prosecution for a person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a person under the age of thirteen or attempted to do so must be begun within two months

Insight

after the offence has been committed. In some cases, the victims might not come out on time to seek justice as a result of the fear of stigmatization. What this section of the law means is that anyone who wishes to raise a case against her assailant has an ultimatum of doing so within the space of two months or have a case as serious as rape flung out of the law courts because the

challenged because then, the act will be a calculated and well planned attack on the victim who is viewed as being unable to report the offence. In this case, two years imprisonment seems too little a price to pay for someone who meted out such a heinous crime on a fellow human being.

This is not to say that some of the victims have not come up with evidences like torn under-wears, bruises to

is actually guilty of the crime? More so, a victim who does not have the funds to go the extra mile will have no other option but to have the case dropped for lack of evidence.

SOLUTION AND RECOMENDATION Clauses that tend to protect the assailants should be removed from the criminal

case was not filed as early as possible.

What if a person was assaulted at childhood and then decides to get justice after attaining adulthood?

The Nigerian justice system states that such an

establish the fact that the intercourse was not consentual or even evidence that semen or other male fluids where found on the woman at the time the accusations were made. But then, how can it be proven that

code. For example, a rape case does not require a witness before it can be considered. This is because, rape incidents hardly have witnesses and the absence of a witness would mean that the victim has been denied

individual cannot get justice because so many years have passed by. Is it ever too late to get justice? No matter the crime?

Section 221 states that a person who, knowing a woman or girl to be an idiot or imbecile, has or attempts to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her is guilty of misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for two years with or without whipping.

It will be observed that this section of the criminal code has drawn a divide between the rape of a normal woman and the rape of a mentally challenged person. rape has one and the same meaning for both the mentally stable and mentally challenged, it means defilement. It should be viewed as a more serious crime when it is done to a person who is mentally

the bruises were inflicted on the woman by that particular man or that the semen or body fluids found on the woman was actually from the accused?

There are not many hospitals that are involved in DNA testing in Nigeria. Even at that, how long will it take for a DNA test to be carried out, to prove that the assailant

a fair judgment. The criminal code also states that prosecution can only take place if the victim does not have questionable character.

This means that the law does not believe a prostitute can be raped. This goes contrary to the aspect which states that rape takes place if a person has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman

Nigerian Justice System

without her consent. In a case where the prostitute does not grant consent to the accused, it is believed that rape has taken place, so why will the law deny such a woman from getting justice on the grounds that she is a prostitute?

Okonkwo and Naish also explained that it is no excuse that the person is a common prostitute or a concubine to the accused, as long as there was no consent, the incident can be regarded as rape and therefore should be treated as such.

Secondly, I would suggest that all rape cases should be given a general sentence, which is life imprisonment, regardless of the mental status of the victim as the after effects of rape affect both the mentally stable and the mentally handicapped.

Thirdly, marital rape should be given recognition in the Nigerian justice system because, rape also occurs between spouses and a situation where such is only regarded as assault not do justice to the fact that the woman was actually raped.

CONCLUSION In conclusion, rape is a deadly crime committed against a woman, it has often times led to suicide or diseases that eventually lead to death. Rape is an incident that robs its victims of all forms of dignity and a reason for existence yet the justice system in Nigeria has been set up in such a way that it is almost impossible for the victim to get justice. For this reason, many rape cases go unreported and the victims who still believe in the justice system of Nigeria will have nothing but stigmatization as a reward the justice system in Nigeria has to be seriously reviewed regarding the way it treats rape cases as more criminals will continue to perpetuate such acts, knowing that there will be no punishment for them. Rape should be strongly fought and not encouraged. There should be some form of succour for the victim, as the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

“First of all it is most unlikely that a rape incident would have a witness as rape is a personal attack on the victim and sexual activities are not usually done in public to the glare of witnesses, therefore, if the law states that the accused person cannot be convicted without the testimony of at least one witness, that shows that the law is unwilling to prosecute the accused person.”

“One of the external signs of pregnancy you will notice, is enlarged breast, but there is no reason at all for you to put on weight too quickly elsewhere. A sudden increase in weight results in stretch marks caused by too much strain on the skin especially across the stomach, hips and thighs. Although olive oil or baby oil massage can help in eliminating stretch marks, but the best result is achieved if you watch your diet from day one.”

PREGNANCY is at the same time a marvelous and midly worrying experience.

Will I loose my figure for

quickly elsewhere. A sudden increase in weight results in stretch marks caused by too much strain on the skin

consultant gynecologist is to gently lift and pull upwards the excess skin around stomach and thighs. Wearing a bra at

cakes, biscuits, sugar and sweet drinks. Your daily diet should include two slices of whole meal bread or bran breakfast

Beauty Shop With

GLORIA OMORUYI

intelligence is likely to be less than normal-you can drink but try to stick to light beers and wines and keep spirits to the minimum.

Take Some Exercise Even if you are not the spotty type, 10 minutes gentle exercising a day

carried away, spending all your cash on what the baby will need. But be selfish, as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed, smash out on some make-up, body lotion, and perfume. It is important for you to feel you are looking good.

Maintaining Your Figure During Pregnancy good? Am I eating the right foods- and enough? Will I loose my looks? These are the questions most expectant mothers ask.

One of the external signs of pregnancy you will notice, is enlarged breast, but there is no reason at all for you to put on weight too

especially across the stomach, hips and thighs.

Although olive oil or baby oil massage can help in eliminating stretch marks, but the best result is achieved if you watch your diet from day one.

A tip from top

night as well as day is also recommended to help counteract sagging.

Eating for two You don’t need to eat twice as much, it is just an old wives tale, but what you do eat is important to you as well as for the healthy growth of the unborn baby. Try to cut down on potatoes,

food (to prevent constipation) at least one portion of meat, fish or an egg to provide you both with protein, Iron and B Vitamins. Root or raw green vegetables for vitamin C. if you can’t drink milk (for calium) neat, try it in custard. If you are a heavy smoker, now is the time to give up.

Statistics prove that mother who smoke have smaller babies, born with fewer body or brain cells and their average

will pay dividends both before and after the baby is born. The best possible exercise for pregnant women is swimming the water takes the strain off the baby’s weight and you can gently exercise back, legs and stomach muscles. But you should also put your legs up 20 minutes a day.

Spoil Yourself With a first child, it is always too easy to get

And anyway after the baby is born, your budget is sure to feel the pinch. So stock up while you can.

Be stingy with yourself (except for some well fittling bras).

When it comes to maternity clothes, the longer you wear normal clothes, the less time you will have to get fed up with maternity clothes.

Bear in mind your husband wants you to look good too. However proud he is about becoming a father, it is important to let him feel you are still the desirable lady he married.

Mother’s Day: A Time To

Remember Our Mothers

By ANTHONY AIBANGBEE

A mother is a very important person in the life of a child, from infancy to adulthood, the Nurturing, love, teachings and care of a mother is second to none, in any given society.

Every society is made up of blocks of family units.

The stronger each blocks is, the stronger the structure of the society. Families are therefore the building blocks upon which rests the fate of society. For the development of good families, the mother plays a vital role. The most important achievement of every mother is the raising of sensible, virtuous children who will then move on to build other strong blocks for society, for it is a known fact that, it is easy to bear children but difficult to raise them adequately. These to everyone are the natural and age long role of mothers which has always been a major challenge to them.

But contemporary times have created more difficult challenges to mothers apart from carrying out their motherly role, mothers no longer perform this role alone but other numerous roles, even as she tries to emancipate and empower her self in surmounting these challenges.

Beginning from the challenges of poor health care delivery which affects the Nigerian Mother during child delivery, our hospitals are not well equipped to take care of the Nigerian Mother during pregnancy and delivery, hence child mortality is a challenge faced by our mothers. More

so, illiteracy among our mothers is on the high side, even as the rate of out of school girls today can also lead to illiterate mothers of tomorrow, this lack of education make it difficult for them to learn and practice modern health, educational or social culture that can better their lives and that of their children.

In the social circle, mothers face numerous challenges ranging from single parenting, divorce, widowhood and cultures and traditions which diminish their status in the society. It is an Herculean task for the average Nigerian Mother to cater for her children alone, either due to the death of her husband, or separation of the couples

(divorce) or having children out of wedlock. So many people see this as a cross which the mother must carry alone, but this ought not to be so. Not to talk of cultural practices which differs from one tribe to the other, that constantly diminish the status of mothers in the society. For example, widows are made to drink from the water used in bathing their dead husbands to show their innocence of his death, confining mothers to the role of full time house wife; using them as objects of sexual fulfillment without their consent; making them punching bags and making them perform tedious tasks in other to survive. These and more heinous practices against our mothers are uncalled for, evil and unacceptable in our world today.

Hence it behoves on our fathers, children, government and the society at large to stand up against these evil practices against our mothers, and also support our mothers in their quest to emancipate themselves from these horrible practices which ought not to be found anymore, among us today.

As we join many countries across the world today, to celebrate Mother’s Day, here in Nigeria, our love, care, protection, empowerment and emancipation of our beloved mothers should be our utmost priority, everyone of us should be an advocate in inspiring change for Women’s Advancement. Mother’s Day is celebrated in Nigeria on the Fourth Sunday of lent, every year.

According to available

Viewpoint statistics from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), everyday, almost 800 women die in pregnancy or child birth.

Every two minutes, the loss of a mother shatters a family and threathens the well-being of surviving children. Evidence shows that infants whose mothers die are more likely to die before reaching their second birthday than infants whose mothers survive. And for every woman who dies, 20 or more experience serious complications.

And of the hundreds of thousands of women who die during pregnancy or childbirth each year, 90 percent live in Africa and Asia.

Working for the survival of mothers is a family, societal, government, nong o v e r n m e n t a l organizational and human rights imperative, as it has enormous socio-economic ramifications and is a crucial international

development priority.

According to a high level joint statement by the Heads of United Nations Organization, during the 58th session of the commission on the status of woman, “we are committed to working together with all stakeholders to accelerate efforts to achieve a just and equal world where all women (mothers) live their lives free from discrimination, violence, fear, ignorance, want and deprivation of any kind.”

So as our lovable, Adorable and caring mothers of inestimable value join their counterparts across the world to celebrate mothers day today, we stand with them to say No to inequality, oppression, intimidation, imposition of unlawful and outdated practices on them and all forms of injustice against our mothers, while also calling on the government to make laws that will protect the rights of our mothers and also provide the enabling environment and facilities (especially health care and empowerment) for our mothers to survive in this hard economic situation that abound in our country, while also urging our Nong o v e r n m e n t a l organizations and human right groups to stand up to support and defend the rights of our mothers.

Were you ever born by a mother or catered for by one? Whose breast did you suck or who taught you the first things in life? Would you have survived till today, if not for their care, love and sacrifice? Why not join me and millions out there to wish our mothers a Happy Mothers Days Celebration?.

“As we join many countries across the world today, to celebrate Mother’s Day, here in Nigeria, our love, care, protection, empowerment and emancipation of our beloved mothers should be our utmost priority, everyone of us should be an advocate in inspiring change for Women’s Advancement”.

Politics And With HAMEED BRAIMAH

Anti-Gay Law

Standing To President Jonathan

NIGERIA made a bold statement on its repugnance to same sex relationship when President Goodluck Jonathan signed the same sex marriage prohibition Bill into law on January 7, 2014. The enactment of the law makes Nigeria to join the comity of African and other nations that have outlawed the practice of same sex marriage.

The criminalization of gay marriage in Nigeria means that any one in such union would face up to 14 years jail. It also makes it illegal for any one to operate or participate in gay clubs, societies, organizations or to officiate, witness, abet or aid the solemnization of same sex marriage which attracts 10 years jail term.

In addition, such partnerships concretized overseas are considered void in Nigeria. Fundamentally, the law states that only a marriage contract between a

man and a woman shall be recognized in Nigeria.

As was expected, the President’s action attracted a barrage of commendation and criticism from persons and groups depending on which sides of the divide they stand. The reactions were not unexpected given the amount of interest the passage of the Anti gay marriage bill last year by the National Assembly generated both locally and from the international community especially the European Union which threatened to withdraw its aids to Nigeria should it go ahead to promulgate the anti-gay law.

Despite the threat, President Jonathan in a rare show of courage and defense of centuries held African moral rectitude signed the bill into law on January 7, 2014. The signing of the bill no doubt has sent the right message to

• Entwistle, US Ambassador to Nigeria

opponents of the law that Nigeria as an independent nation is not subservient to the dictates of any individual or group of nations. The signing has also put paid to the neo colonialist tendencies of the West toward Africans and their way of life.

The myriad of condemnations from the European Union, the United States of America and the state of Canada against the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Law pleading a violation of the fundamental rights of those involved in the practice in Nigeria is to put a lie on the popularity of the law in Nigeria which has gained wide acceptance among Nigeria citizens.

In a manner characteristic of the West always shooting down any positive development from Africa reminiscent of Joseph Corand’s Heart of Darkness, a literary work that portrayed Africa as being without any civilization before its contact with the West, the American Secretary of State John Kerry and the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird in their separate statements hung their home governments concerns on the question of rights and freedom of Nigerians to preferred sexual orientation.

For John Kerry, the law dangerously restricts freedom of assembly, association, and expression of Nigerians. He added that the law is inconsistent with Nigeria’s international legal obligations and undermined the democratic reforms enshrined in the 1999

constitution. As for the state of Canada which has recorded some protest against the law at the Nigeria’s Embassy building in that country by advocates of gay relationship, the planned state visit to Canada in the month of February 2014 by President Jonathan is no longer feasible. This was not all the country got for standing on a high ground of moral rectitude in prohibiting same sex marriage.

The United States again on Tuesday speaking through its ambassador to Nigeria Mr. James Entwistle threatened that the White House would scale down its aids to Nigeria in support for the fight against HIV/Aids and malaria programmes, raising fears of rights violation of some Nigerians.

According to Mr. Entwistle, “the issue that we see and I am speaking as a friend of Nigeria is that as I read the bill, it looks to me that it puts significant restrictions on the freedom of assembly and expression.

In my opinion which applies in advanced democracies, once government begins to say something in these areas, freedom no longer applies. It seems to me this is a very worrisome precedent”.

With this type of wanton display of arrogance on the part of these Western nations, one can not but agree with Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media and Public Affairs when he described these voices as belonging to interlopers.

Abati said contrary to the bully dispositions of these self styled advanced democracies, the country had received enquires from some foreign embassies on why the law was promulgated and has

educated them that our cultural values do not tolerate same sex marriage.

One can not also agree less with Dr. Abati that more than 90 percent of Nigerians are opposed to same sex marriage.

So the law is in line with our culture and religious beliefs as a people and what the government has done is

consistent with the preferences of its environment.

Little wonder that Nigerians are standing firmly behind the President as far as the signing of the bill into law is concerned.

They did not also spare critics of the law whom they described as societies suffering from a

hem depr T grou reaf the l bold pres mor Nige mar Wes

“It is sheer hypocr which is quick to ar promoting democra criticize a law passed the Nigeria’s parliam

d Issues

w: A

gay practices are a protest against God Himself.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in applauding the President’s assent to the anti gay bill urged him to ignore criticisms from Western

can only be destroyed through constant education of victims of this anti social behaviour on standard moral values which according to him have suffered a debilitating setback in the Western world.

nations saying that all religions in Nigeria are united against same sex marriage. Elder Oibe Sunday, Public Relations Officer of the 19 Northern States who made the position of CAN known also commended the National Assembly for the quick passage of the bill.

In a similar vain, the Abia State Chapter of CAN aside praising President Jonathan for doing the country proud, noted that gay marriage is not supported by any religion Christian, Islam and even the traditional religion which consider it a taboo with grave consequences on any one found engaging in same sex sexual relationship.

The Abia CAN Chairman Bishop Goddy Okafor said that God did not make any mistake in creating man and woman whose union and sexual relationship is the reason the world has not gone into extinction.

According to him, “if we must populate the earth, gay marriage is not an option.

The Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Abdufatah Enabulele in his sermon during the Friday Juma’t service condemned attempt by the Western world to impose a culture of immorality on the global society. The religion of Islam the chief imam said abhors immoral sexual behaviours including fornication and adultery let alone contemplates permitting same sex marriage.

He said that the position of Islam was very clear on immoral sexual conducts including same sex relationship. He described advocates of same sex marriage as being under demonic influences which

The list of Nigerians who have voiced their support for the anti gay law is endless.

Also endless is the list of social commentators who have expressed their disgust over the Western countries’ attempt to dictate what constitutes the content of our statutes.

They feel that threat by the United States to cut its aids to Nigeria indicates the low esteem it holds the country. They contend that Russia and other Eastern European countries that have enacted the anti same sex marriage laws were never threatened by the US and wondered what gave it the effrontery to threaten a fellow sovereign state like Nigeria.

The attempt to hide under alleged possibility of infringing on the people’s freedom of association is to say the least trying to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. If one may ask, what kind of freedom are they talking about? Is it the freedom of persons in same

Nation o Be Counted

morrhage of moral ravity.

The various religious ups in Nigeria have firmed their support for law which they see as a d step taken by the sident to protect the high ral values and ethos of the eria society against the auding porous and loose stern culture where a lot

of atrocities have been committed under the guise of freedom of expression.

The West needs to be told that freedom of expression loses its meaning when it is taken to the ludicrous extent of promoting same sex marriage which is against established natural sexual behaviours among human beings. Put in another way,

risy for the West rrogate to itself as atic principles to democratically by ment.”

• Ayo Oritsejafor, CAN President

sex relationship to freely kiss each other in public or desecrate the alters of our various worship centres where the solemnization of same sex marriage could be contemplated.

The question advocates of this anti social behaviour must answer is to show to the world the Biblical parallel of what they are asking the global society to permit. The much we know about the scriptures is that sodommy is considered a taboo and was the same reason why Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God. Apart from strengthening our religions belief the enactment of the law has gone a long way to reaffirm our culture of sexual discipline as Africans.

• Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto

It is not only illogical for the West to advocate for same sex marriage as it defies all natural possibilities in sexual relationships, but also domineering for the West which claims to accept the actuality of human and cultural diversity to insist that its own ‘cultural’ perspective must prevail.

One wonders where opponents of this piece of legislation are deriving their authority especially when only 17 out of the 50 states of the U S have recognized same sex marriage.

It is sheer hypocrisy for the West which is quick to arrogate to itself as promoting democratic principles to criticize a law passed democratically by the Nigeria’s parliament.

Our Relationship With God Through Christ Jesus Our Redeemer (3) “AND all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

(2 Corinthians 5:18) “And he goeth up into a mountain, and called unto him when he would and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.

(Mark 3:13-14).

The life of union and the life of fellowship is not based upon a man’s reason but God’s revelation. We are not those who “feed on ashes, a deceived heart has turned him aside”. (Isaiah 44:20) then God speaks in Isaiah 44:22, “I have

wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.

With all my heart, I challenge you to return to that life of union and the blessing of the life of fellowship with him first and foremost in your daily walk. Psalm 116;7 says, “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you “return to your rest.

What did Jesus say in Matthew 11:28-30” “come to me all who are weary and heavy – laden, and I will give you rest take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you I will find rest for your souls. For my

S

unday Diet

With ERNEST IKHUREIGBE

GOD keeps his eyes on his own against the darks of the enemies and also to ensure overwhelming successes in life. This is not to say that there will not be challenges and afflictions, but the lord promises to deliver them out of them all. Psalm 34:19.

God is never forgetful, never will he abandon his own to be put into shame.

Isaiah 49:15 states.

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet will I not forget

thee”.

Beloved, when God decides to remember a chronic sinner who has repented and forsaken his past sins. He forgets his past sins and delivers him or her from the power of sin that had kept him/her in bondage. He or she automatically becomes his own child on ward as he/ she continues to confess and believe in him. Roman 10.9-11.

In Luke 1:72-75. He is compelled by his own word to grant mercy to those he feels deserves it.

No wonder in John 8:10-

yoke is easy, and my load is light”.

Are you yoked to Christ?. He is gentle, and his one desire is for you to walk step after step yoked to the easiness, gentleness and care of the Master Paul said in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free” Have you grasped that freedom and liberty in Christ that has brought you into the permanence and permeation of his holy presence, and walking with him, talking with him working with him, becomes the dorminant purpose of your life?

Is it a surprise to you that God’s passionate longing is to redeem you and take

up residence in you and that you should live in and through him and for his glory and honour and praise?

Are you a citizen of his kingdom? Are you submitted to his kingdom rule? Are you faithful as to your desire to sit with him on his kingdom throne entraptured in his love for you and longing to fellowship with you?

When God said, “look unto me, and be saved”,

R

eflections

With MOSES EVBUOMWAN

that was not a casual glance but a permanent fixation in faith, that when my gaze, heart, soul and spirit is on him alone, I have seen and settled into the salvation only he can give.

The life of union leads to the life of fellowship and the life of fellowship leads to the life of shared ministry it occurred just before his ascension when Jesus Christ said in John 20:21, “peace be with you, as the father has sent

me, I also send you I live you with this, “A Christian is one who recognizes Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, as God manifested in the flesh, loving us and dying for our redemption and who is so affected by a sense of the love of this incarnate God as to be constrained to make the will of Christ the rule of his obedience, and the glory of Christ the great and for which lives.

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy – laden, and I will give you rest”

God Never Forgets His Own 11 a woman was said to have been caught in adultery and brought before him for Judgement and possibly to be punished. He forgave and told her go and sin no more”.

It is also very important to note that God could decide to punish one for his/her sin by closing the door of blessing. He could as well remember his mercies and forget the sins a person has committed after confession, geared torwards genuine repentance. Ezek 33:14-16.

Beloved, when a repentant sinner humbly come to him, he pardons and accepts such into his fold. He guides such person and the person should ensure he/ she lives within the conferment of his instruction.

“But as many as received them, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, ever to them that believe on his name”. John 1.12.

From now on, he or she enjoys the privileges attached as children of God. He, even, promises that he will heal their land 2 chron 7:14. And also they would eat the good of the land Isaiah 1:19.

As a matter of fact God does not want his own to suffer any lack neither would he deny his own the good thing of life. Psalm 84:11. Says “the lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprighly” may God grant us this grace to be conscious

“Beloved, whoever calls on him in his/her moment of need would be granted response to the glory of God.”

of his presence and wrath for disobedience in Jesus name.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was placed at the position of power over God’s own created people at a time.

God endowed him with all it took for him to expand the coast of his territory that he felt and displaced a sense of pride that brought him to his kneel, he became a beast and lost the senses of humanity and live among animals on the thick forest for seven years. Daniel 4:25. Even when he was in the bush with other wild animals. He was protected from being mauled by other wild beasts. So also was his throne reserved for him.

He, however, realised his foibles and acknowledged God as his creator and provider of all he had.

Daniel 4:34-36. God was moved by his sudden repentance and he was restored and established as the King of Babylon.

Daniel 4:37 states, he pracised, extolled and honoured the King of Heaven for his mercy and

benevolence on him.

Beloved, whoever calls on him in his/her moment of need would be granted response to the glory of God. When Lazarus took ill, his sisters sent messages to inform Jesus of their travails. John 11:3-4. He responded but he did not visit them until a time that would bring glory unto his name. John 11:32-43 gives a vivid account of all that happened when he came four days after Lazarus had been buried. He raised him from the grave and many who heard and were there believed in him.

Beloved, your prevailing circumstance might have defiled human intervention but, with God it is not impossible Luke 1.37. So take a step of faith to cling to him by first confessing your sins to him, make a pledge to forsake all wrongs, urge him to guide you through the journey of life as he releases a new lease of life into you. May he grant you his mercy to enjoy his goodness of life in Jesus Name.

Engaging In Healthy Argument

By GLORIA OMORUYI

THERE is a romantic myth that if two people really love each other, they will live forever in total harmony. “Twenty years and we have never had a cross word,” you hear some couples boast. But is that really something to be proud of? The truth is that thinking differently is part of being an individual.

You are bound to clash sometimes and respecting someone else’s point of view will make your relationship healthier.

But be that as it may, it is not all arguments that are healthy.

Recklessly letting rip and venting all your bitterness can be damaging, hurtful and will do nothing to solve your problems.

The life enhancing skill is to be able to argue in a way that treats the other person with decency and sensitivity-no matter how furious you are with them. So next time you feel like going for the jugular, take a step back and ask yourself the following questions. Do other feelings lie behind your

anger? You know you are angry but what else are you feeling? There are after all many different kinds of anger.

The way you might feel if your husband stared at another woman or your wife stared at another man at a party is different from the anger you would experience if he were rude to your mother, hurt one of your children, walked out of his job or even forgot to record your favourite musicals for you.

In these situations, the under lying feelings may be fear, jealousy, sadness or rejection.

Expressing only anger means other emotions are easily lost. It is worth spending time thinking honestly about your underlying emotions when you are angry advises Sarah Litvinoff, author of the “Relate Guide To Better Relationships”. Strong anger makes you want to attack, hurt and win.

But the price for scoring points, is that the other person won’t see what is going on inside you. It takes courage to admit your

vulnerability, but bringing them more into the open will strengthen your relationship.

Where is your rage really aimed? Are you angry with him or you are using him as a whipping boy, as it

wanted it. Once home however, she would let her frustrations show. “I was gritting my teeth all day at work she says” because I felt I should count my blessings simply because I had a job at all. I simply

often happens when you feel powerless to address the real source of your anger. Suzan for example spent her working hours doing everything her boss wanted, when he

did not have the confidence to leave but the more I kept quiet at work, the more I took it out on my husband Richard at home.

Richard eventually grew tired of being a

Relationship punch bag and gave her an ultimatum “Loose him or tackle her boss.”

The ultimatum shocked but it worked. I managed to tell my boss how unhappy I felt, and things are now calmer both at work and at home.

Is it about something specific or general?

Many couples fight themselves, having niggling rows which on the surface, seem to be a little cause. Anything

can trigger a row-from the way he answers the phone to the way you eat spaghetti. If this is your arguing style, ask yourself if there is a more deep rooted problem.

Inevitably, you will have rows with your partners caused by differences of opinion over major issues such as bringing up the kids, moving house, work and money.

It is better for you both to negotiate, compromise and discuss the issues at stake- even if your mind is made up, saying I have decided to live here in Benin and that is that, when

your husband wants you to move to Abuja with him, will not get you anywhere.

But describing your fears and upheavals and isolation will lead to a greater understanding.

“Strong anger makes you want to attack, hurt and win. But the price for scoring points, is that the other person won’t see what is going on inside you. It takes courage to admit your vulnerability, but bringing them more into the open will strengthen your relationship.”

s h o W b i z

Artistes Showcase Talents At Marie Dance Academy Auditioning

By FRIDAY OBANOR

MARIE Dance Academy, the group that won N10 million in last year’s edition of “Goals Talent Hunt” organized

by Airtel Nigeria Limited has started Auditioning/ interviews for the 2014 edition of the gig.

The auditioning/ interviews which started at about 10am prompt yesterday witnessed over a hundred participants from across the state and beyond showcasing their talents in order to be part of the contingent from the Academy to this year’s event of the money spinning show.

Speaking with newsmen, the proprietress of the Academy, Miss Marie Bassey said artistes were auditioned in Acting /Drama, Dancing, Painting and Drawing.

Other area of interest according to the

organizer of the Talent Hunt were on proficiency in the use of instruments like Piano, Guitar, drum, and modeling while those who wanted to be instrumentalist were made to come with their instruments.

Miss Bassey further stated that the aim of the academy was to help government to curb the increasing rate of

juvenile delinquencies as well as occupy their minds with things that are positive.

On his part, the Academy Manager, Mr. Joseph Idowu Edebiri hinted that the goal of the academy was to take youths out of the street, just as he added that the organization has equally made some youths millionaires through dancing.

POPULAR Nigerian Rapper Olamide in a recent interview opens up about his girlfriend, his career and controversial issues in his life.

When asked about his relationship with his family, he revealed that he doesn’t have a good relationship with his parents and hie is the black sheep in his family.

“I don’t stay at home often; I am just that stupid boy, more of a black sheep. I can’t lie about it but the blood and love is strong. We love each other so much and we still keep in

• Last year’s winners of the God’s Talents Hunt Show organised by Airtel

The radio show DJ also mentioned that the sales of Lady Gaga’s new album ARTPOP were not as great as

couple, Charlyboy has opened up saying it was never love at first sight and he never wanted to marry Lady D but she proposed to him. He told Vanguard: “It wasn’t much of love at first sight than more of companionship at a time.

Yes, I was prepared to settle down before I met her. I had been married twice or thrice but it didn’t work out for me. I was leaving one relationship when I met her. More or less, she was filling the gap kind of a thing. My parents had met her

previous albums (though it made it to top 10 charts in over 30 countries). Akon replied

Music Business and I’m certain about it.

Hopefully in 2015.”

He also revealed that he rarely has time to sleep as he is chasing his dream.

• Olamide

several times in Boston. I didn’t know she was going to be my wife. I wanted to marry a Nigerian and not an American. But she was all over me, and when I wanted to return to Nigeria in 1980/1981, she bought her own ticket under the guise that she was coming to spend two weeks in Nigeria, only for her to end up spending six months.

So, my parents were worried that she should go back to her country to give me chance to look for a wife. She was supposed to book for a ticket to return to America. One day, she woke up and said to me: “Marry me or I will never come back to Nigeria.” That was how I was intimidated into marrying her. I didn’t propose to her, rather she was the one who proposed to me. That ‘s why I said I was intimidated into marrying her.”

I Feel Heartbroken, But My Career Must Go On ... Timaya

• Lady Gaga and Akon

I Had No Control Of My Love For Chidi - Nollywood Actress Nuella Njubigbo

IT’S been over a year since rumours about their relationship surfaced and finally, Nollywood actress Nuella Njubigbo and Tchidi Chikere have confirmed that they are getting married.

According Nuella in a press statement, she stated that the traditional marriage rites between Tchidi Chikere and her will be performed soon. ‘This

touch but my brother and my sister are closer to my parent. I am the middle child, between my sister and my brother,” he said.

Speaking on marriage, he said God will decide when he’ll get married.

He revealed that he treats his female fans like his girlfriend and his girlfriend is aware of that but he keeps it on the low key. He added that he wasn’t given a private part by God so he’d go around sleeping with everything in skirts.

On his academics “I dropped out of school for music but I intend going back. I will be doing a professional course in South Africa to study

My Wife Proposed To Me, She Intimidated Me Into Marrying Her” AFTER 35 years as a - Charlyboy

Akon On Lady Gaga: I Cashed Out While to that saying that it was AKON claims that the reason he got out.

She Was Still Hot Lady Gaga has already reached the peak of her career, explaining why he is no longer working with her.

Lady Gaga was signed to the Akon’s Kon Live label, however Akon put an end to the deal “before it was too late”.

He commented on this in radio show of US DJ Sway: “I got out while the gooding (sic) was hot. It’s like a business, you build it to sell it.”

“When I got it to the peak of where I felt it couldn’t go nowhere, and there was nowhere left to go but down, I cashed out, in other words I sold my share and got out before it was too late.”

I Am The ‘Black Sheep’ In My Family, Olamide Opens Up On His Relationship With His Parents

was not the way we imagined or planned it, but as they say, nobody has a crystal ball to tell where or who we end up with. Life is a dice.’

‘In the past two years, Tchidi and I worked more, we got closer and more friendly, we were both single and I began to understand and see the real him.

Needless to say that I also began to really, really like this real

person I was getting to know more and more with every passing day.

Then it happened, our hearts clicked. Well, maybe the flying rumours contributed to this and made me look more his way, or it could have been part of life we have no control over.’

She added that the ceremony will take place in Anambra state this weekend.

STAR artiste and Dem Mama Records boss, Timaya, still does not feel okay about Patoranking’s exit from his label.

The ‘Ukwu’ crooner revealed this to at the Star Music Trek 2014 unveiling on March 19, 2014, Wednesday.

When asked about his relationship with Patoranking, Timaya got a bit nervous and replied: “Am bigger than one guy level, I don’t want to leave my career to push his career, he is on another p, I put him somewhere else, I don’t have issues with Patoranking, I handled him first, paid for his Alubarika’s video”.

The popular singer further revealed that his collaboration with Sean

Paul on Watta Bam Bam remix, which was shot three weeks ago in Miami US, would be dropping mid-week.

It would be recalled that Patoranking hooked up with Timaya in 2012 and is believed to have signed with Dem Mama Records. He also began working with the label’s manager Prince Oluzor.

In the middle of last year, Dem Mama Records released

• Timaya

Patoranking’s official debut single titled “Alubarika” and, shortly, dropped a video for it in August. It has been quite successful in Nigeria and Malaysia.

The sources of funding Patoranking’s project were unclear.

The ‘Ukwu’ singer has been reportedly surprised by Patoranking’s move to ditch the label in January 2014.

• Patoranking

Nollywood Actress Florence Johnson “I Get Tired Seeing Guys Trying To Woo Me” MIGHT have hit the big screen late when she took up her first big role in Finding Goodluck but as a theatre arts graduate of the University of Ibadan, Flo-Joh as she is fondly called by friends has been part of several productions both on stage and screen.

Florence Johnson Her stage exploits include Kongi Harvest, by Wole Soyinka, No More Wasted Breed by Ola Rotimi, among many others but her pigeon is Tv series where she has featured in popular ones like, So Wrong, So Wright, Papa Ajasco, Eldorado, to mention a few. Here, she bares it all on her career, marriage plans and other things that make her tick.

Excerpts:What has been happening to you lately. It seems you have dumped acting?

No, I haven’t dumped acting, we are two inseparable lovers.

Though, I’ve been busy doing other things and

• Saraphina Onykachi

The Day My Boobs Embarrassed Me in Public - Nollywood Actress, Sarraphina Amaechi

SEXY and Nollywood actress, Sarraphina Onyekachi Amaechi, a public administration graduate of Federal Polytechnic,

Nekede,Imo State, has come a long way in the movie industry.

The busty, ebony beauty actress who reveals that her selling point is her huge

I Can’t Marry A Poor Man Bcos Poor Men Are Violent - Actress

BACK in the days when we were growing up, poor men love their wives more while rich men live care-free life with their wives and other women. The men who are classified as poor do not have time for other women but their wives and they make sure they use the little they have to bring comfort to their family.

But to today’s ladies, poverty is a disease, a curse. Here’s what this struggling actress, Florence Johnson, told a reporter about “poor” men. She said there is no way she will marry a poor man because a poor man is, in her own understanding, a violent man. Her words below: “I am not particular about super rich dudes and of course I can never marry a poor man because I’m not poor and a poor man is a violent man.

If he’s got a consistent job and doing averagely okay, that’s fine by me, we can

take it up from there and build our own empire together.”

The truth is that many rich men yesterday are broke and busted today and there are a lot of average guys who were, in the eyes of ladies, poor but they are doing great today.

Ladies, please stop putting money ahead of love. The man you call poor today might become a governor or president tomorrow.

• Florence Johnson

bubbly boobs shared her experience of how it caused quite a stir: “The breasts are becoming more and more aggressive by the day. One fateful day I was travelling, just at the airport, as I just bent down to open my bag, my breasts fell out like bombs. I was so embarrassed but then that is part of me and I am proud of it”.

As for acting nude, Sarraphina said “I can never go nude. If you insist that I must act nude, then you have to use a body double”.

planning to float my own production.

You mean like producing your own films? It seems that is the trend nowadays?

(Laughs) I don’t know about the trend but yes, I’m planning to produce my own movie.

You know they say its all about sex and violence these days: do you subscribe to injection of soft-porn or sensual scenes into your films. Some say it makes it real and more marketable?

Well, as much as I believe in making a film real, I don’t believe in porn movies, it’s not in our culture. There are so many ways to make a film believable without having to go all porno.

Do you have to do a porn film to make it marketable? Hell no!

There are lots of good movies out there now that don’t even involve sex scenes and they are breaking grounds and box offices.

As a sexy actress, you must have used your sexuality in movies before. You are well known for your sexy bust: haven’t you used this gift to good effect in movies

before?

(Laughs) I get you now…. I don’t believe in nudity, it’s not my thing.

Of course, I can be sexy in a movie but going nude or exposing my boobs to cameras, that’s not the only thing I have.

I’m not one of the actresses that you see their body (nude), to get famous, my talent is enough for me. My sexy body is secondary.

Are you married? I don’t think I have heard of your being married?

No, I am still very much single.

Most Nollywood women are guilty of marrying late or not marrying at all. Why is this?

I don’t know about that, it’s an individual thing and I don’t think it’s a Nollywood thing.

Marriage to me, is not a rush-rush thing or a trend to follow, it’s an institution you must enter and pass. I don’t believe in divorce, so, I have to take my time for the right man who believes in my own policy to come along.

But seriously, is it that the guys don’t come or you have set high standards for yourself?

(Laughs) Would you see me like this and say guys don’t come my way? It’s not a brag, I get tired sometimes seeing guys trying to woo me, even though, I know most of them might not be with good intentions.

But of course, I have my own standards when it comes to men. The man must first of all, support my career and share my own views about marriage.

I Will Do Anything To Get To The Top, Even Act Nude’ - Nollywood Actress Reveals

U P C O M I N G Nollywood actress, Princess Eze has revealed that will act naked as long as it is

passing across the message which it’s intended for.

Princess who has featured in movies like Pregnant Hawker, Private Parts, Daddy Goes to School and BB Anointing said she would do anything to make to the top in the movie industry.

She said: “Nollywood is a place where one has to use what she has to get what she wants.

“Yes, there is sexual harassment in the industry and that is one of the reasons some actresses have not been able to gain any measure of prominence because they cannot play the game by those rules.

“For me, I am ready to

play the game by the rules even if that means acting nude.”

Princess is a Business Administration undergraduate of Lagos State University.

She was born in Owerri and raised in Lagos.

• Princess Eze

What are your views of marriage: isn’t all about sacrifice?

I think it’s more than sacrifice. Yes, sacrifice is one of the many keys to successful marriage but to me, I consider trust and understanding as the main key factors.

I know what works for most women: maybe the right rich guy hasn’t come along. You wouldn’t want to marry a poor man, would you?

I am not particular about super rich dudes

Have you ever been embarrassed by your big boobs or would you say it has helped in your career?

No, I haven’t and I don’t know about it helping me in my career.

But when I got the role in the movie Finding Goodluck by Shan George, she said she wanted a Mercy Johnson’s look-alike.

And with my colour and physique, I fit into the role. But then I finally got the role with my interpretation. So it’s not

• Florence Johnson and of course I can never marry a poor man because I’m not poor and a poor man is a violent man. If he’s got a consistent job and doing averagely okay, that’s fine by me, we can take it up from there and build our own empire together.

Have you ever had a relationship within the industry and would you consider marrying a fellow entertainer?

No, I haven’t dated anybody in the industry.

It will be a bit difficult to marry a fellow entertainer because the stress will be too much on us. But I am not ruling it out.

all about the physique What do you first consider before you take up a job and have you ever had to reject a role because of the script?

I consider how the script is written and what impact it will make in my life and society. How challenging it is for me to interpret it. Yes, I have turned down a script because it was full of vulgar languages and the story makes no meaning to me at all.

What has been your most challenging role ever and why was it so challenging?

I’d say the movie Finding Goodluck. It was quite challenging playing the role of a First Lady. I am not even married, so it was a bit difficult for me to know how a married woman with kids behave, let alone, being the First Lady of a State.

And playing along an Alist actor like Kalu Ikeagwu made it all the more difficult. I was fidgeting when we were reading our lines together but he calmed me down and helped me got through it without intimidating me. And then, the director David Uro helped me a lot too.

It was really difficult for me at first because that was my first major movie.

THIS is not the first time Nigeria as a nation would be presiding over the butchering of her citizens on account of elusive job scam. This perhaps, is the single most organised wanton and grim harvest of deaths in such instance, in a swamp of stampedes that snuff out lives from 19 applicants across the country!

start; others died from sheer exhaustion.

Hundreds sought hospital treatment for the injuries they suffered during the race”, says Dr Olatunji Dare.

These inhuman and avoidable deaths and degrading treatment of the job-seekers constitute fundamental violations of their rights to life, dignity

racket, claiming that it serves those who died in the stampedes right. It is unimaginable that the mass of ambitious youths and pregnant mothers of our ancestry should groan and die of hungry and poverty in a state of agony in the midst of plenty.

With impunity, Patrick Abba Moro, the Minister of the Interior, who has the Immigration

want to come and partake in this exercise that involves physical exercises.”

Minister Alba Moro claimed the ministry shortlisted 80,000 applicants, and that several of those at the Abuja stadium were not shortlisted. But the Immigration service said they expected 100,000 on Saturday in the same

Nation and impervious ever uttered by any serious minded political office holder. Similar unpatriotic and jaundiced statement was made by Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda in the wake of the murder of 20 Youth Corpers doing election duties in the state in 2011 that thier deaths are in keeping with their destiny!

employment heist.

The questions is, shall we expect President Goodluck Jonathan to “get to the root of the present stage managed killing” by the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS and its allied? If he does, shall we ever know the purpose the killing serves in his government? Could

Nigerians are being killed in large scale on a daily bases without any end in sight and federal government has grown accustomed to a very

the government findings assuage the feelings of many Nigeria who linked the deaths of job-seeking youth to serving ritual purposes? Would the enquiry truely reveal the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s intension that was attended with showmanship? How many more Nigerians will pay the ultimate price if the aims of the brutal ritualistic stampedes is to elongate certain person hold onto power beyond 2015?

The lies fed the entire world by the Briton Woods economist and World Bank pimpernel, Dr Ngozi Okonjor-Iweala and her pay master, President Goodluck Jonathan has resonates with the blood of innocent job-seekers across the federation. Unfortunately, the young citizens who died in the job fiasco are not seeking to secure jobs alone, but to be allowed the opportunity to contribute towards the development of their fatherland. The 19 persons who died, four of them pregnant women, were killed in the resulting stampedes.

Hundreds suffered injuries. “The luckier ones were horse-whipped (Calabar), tear-gassed (Port Harcourt), or sent into wild panic when Immigration officials and police shot into the air, they claimed, to control the surging crowds (Asaba and Abeokuta).”

The Bloody Youths Unemployment

The same scenario placed out in July 13, 2008, where dozens of applicants died at various centres across Nigeria in recruitment exercises conducted by the same Immigration Service and the Prisons Department.

Then, Many applicants filled themselves up for employment and were required to complete a 2.5 km race in 18 minutes (men) and 20 minutes (women).

Regrettably, it never occurred to the recruiters that they had to set up emergency medical services that are routinely provided even in situations involving those whose physical fitness can be taken for granted in any civilised clime, just the way it happened on March 15th. It became a tragic race of no return for 43 of the 195, 000 applicants who jostled for 3,000 vacancies. The physical strength, not wits or wisdom become the ultimate credential or criteria that determined their employment and existence. “They were trampled underfoot in the frenzied rush to gain a vantage position at the

and work. It shows the growing level of economic injustice caused by pervasive corruption and lack of opportunities for Nigerian children to enjoy the right to payable job and to earn a living by work, as guaranteed by international and regional human rights treaties to which Nigeria subscribes.

The opportunity offers itself for the Nigerian government to urgently adopt legislative, budgetary, administrative and other measures to promote and support access to employment opportunities for her citizens.

Curiously, Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights also guarantees the right to work, to free choice of employment, to protection against unemployment, and to an existence worthy of human dignity.

This is another bizarre incident of an elected government officials sanctioning mass murders of its gullible and unsuspecting youths on the alter of phantom employment scam and

By ERASMUS IKHIDE Service under his portfolio, laid the blame squarely at the door steps of the victims,

stadium. The question is where would the minister made seats available for 80,000 persons who

Abba Moro, Hon. Minister of Interior

instead of empathising with them. “Several unauthorised persons came in here, especially pregnant women,” he said. Then, as if for emphasis, he added: “I am surprised that pregnant women would

converge at the National Stadium with a sitting capacity of 60,000?

Abba Moro’s statement which suggests that the victims died their due death has got to rank among the most brazen

repulsive and defeatist sloganeering of “we will get to the root of the killings”. The presidency, as usual, will soon set up a panel of enquiry to investigate the remote causes of the death-for-

“Abba Moro’s statement which suggests that the victims died their due death has got to rank among the most brazen and impervious ever uttered by any serious minded political office holder.”

The truth has been laid bare — 4,500 vacancies declared by NIS attracted over 6 million applicants, from which over half a million was shortlisted before the exercise was ever conducted. Yet these youths were crushed with their ambitious bid as the aspiring leaders of tomorrow, as they were ignorantly made to understand that there is light at the end of the tunnel! Even though it is obvious to the blind that the tunnel has long disappeared along with the light, They were very much deceived in their borrowed hope.

President Jonathan has deadened his consciousness to several admonition that massive and mindless looting of the public funds that could have been used to create millions of jobs ending up in the deep pockets of corrupt government officials without any consequence is at the heart of the nation’s woes.

If the roads across the country are not suffering from variation and abandonments, if the hospital are truly reconstructed as claimed and monies voted for education find their way into the sector, no doubt many unemployed youths would have been out of unemployment market.

This is not the case with President Goodluck Jonathan’s Administraion.

Beyond job-creating subterfuge which turns out to be potent bloodletting episode over the years – whose actual motive is already know to all – is one tragic incident that should trouble lovers of humanity and justice.

Job creation is one area Dr Ngozi Okonjor-Iweala repeatedly and routinely pounds her chest with nebulous figure of economic growth as a result of employment generation. This has since turned out to be a ruse and deceitful indices.

If democracy as we

know it in Nigeria of today is all but job creation, youth empowerment, infrastructural development, majority rule, rule of law, equity, social justice, accountability, free choice

Workers Union of Nigeria, Issa Aremu, captured the situation perfectly: “The issues of unemployment and job creation should dominate discussion at the National Conference billed to commence on Monday, March 17, 2014. The

Nation guiding decent work as subscribed to by Nigeria,” he said.

“Just as it was in 2008 (six years ago) the gender dimension of the deaths involved females and pregnant women in Benin. When we consider

country in which lives are being casually wasted in the communities, on the roads and now at recruitment centres.

“When tragedies get addictive and widespread, as it is regrettably

Government instituted a probe into the circumstances which led to the death of scores of applicants nationwide.

The outcome of the probe was never known.

Nigerians are probesfatigue. Indeed the probe

...Youths Unemployment

and all other variable of potential developmental indices, then we are not far removed from what we are about to become – “Failed State”. A state that is helpless over the mindless hacking of her citizenry, even masterminding such horrendous butchering as it is in this case, has no business with nationbecoming.

Vice-President of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) and General Secretary of the Textile

crisis of unemployment is one issue that cuts across all the regions of the country.”

Again, avoidable deaths, tears and sorrow characterised a simple recruitment exercise of 4,500. This unacceptable development runs against the best employment practices as contained in Nigeria’s Labour Act and relevant conventions and resolutions of International Labour Organization (ILO)

the pregnant applicants, we have invariably also killed unborn applicants.

For a country that just marked International Women’s Day with fanfare, the deaths of female applicants do gross violence to the federal and state governments’ claim to respect human and women rights. These nation-wide unprovoked deaths have negatively dented the notorious image of Nigeria as a

becoming the regular trademark of the Nigeria Immigration Service, these are no more “accidents” or a flash but clearly avoidable incidents. Indeed the deaths are nothing less than industrial murders whose perpetrators are known. Nigerians do not need another probe panel on this tragedy.

“In 2008, under Ya r ’ A d u a - l e d administration after similar carnage called recruitment, the Federal

has not stopped this weekend’s industrial murders. This certainly should not be another opportunity for probepanel beating”, he said.

It is shameful that over 6 million youths will pay N1, 000 to chase less than 5,000 jobs in a single department across the country. This same bloodsoaked racket has raked in over N6 billion for the Nigeria Immigration Service, which they claimed the money was meant for the consulting firm. The tragic incident is a clear testament of President Goodluck Jonathan’s clueless economic policy, which regrettably posits that the government has no business in business and the monumental graft that governs his Administration.

Any wonder that the PDP Administration could not deploy the unprecedented oil and gas revenue that have accrued to the nation in the last 15 years into critical infrastructure like refineries, modern railways, power supply for the teeming Nigerian youths? Until Nigerians learn to hold their leaders accountable the tragedy of March 15 will repeat itself over and again.

“It is shameful that over 6 million youths will pay N1, 000 to chase less than 5,000 jobs in a single department across the country. This same blood-soaked racket has raked in over N6 billion for the Nigeria Immigration Service, which they claimed the money was meant for the consulting firm.”

THE children were delighted with the fresh

said nothing. She did not want to tell her children that what they heard from

Story Time

The Mysterious Bird

supply of such delicious milk. Every morning they drank their fill, and their parents finished the rest.

With all the milk they were getting, the children began to grow larger and better looking and their skin shone with good health.

At the end of a month, the children began to be inquisitive about the source of the milk.

“I don’t understand how we get such sweet milk from our cows,” the girl said to her mother. “The have never given such milk before”.

The woman smiled, and said nothing.

“Perhaps you have a secret cow somewhere, “suggested the boy.

Once again the mother

By ADELA BROOKS her father that children did not like to think they were drinking milk, then would surely lose all the fat which they had put on and which made them so much admired by everybody else in that place.

The girl went to her brother that evening and said that she had a plan.

The next day, they would put a small bowl of the milk out side and wait to see which animals came to drink it.

In this way they would know where the milk came from and their curiosity would be satisfied.

When the mother gave

them the calabash the next day, the girl poured a little of the milk into a bowl and gave it to her brother. He slipped out of the hut and put the bowl down at the edge of the bush. The two of them watched, waiting for the first animal to drink the milk.

A hyena walked past, sniffed at the milk, but did not drink it. Then there came baboon, who peered into the bowl, but did not touch the milk.

The baboon was followed by a rock rabbit, which also showed no sign of wanting to drink the milk.

At long last, a bird landed near the bowl and soon

had his beak dipped into the milk. After him, there came more birds, until the bowl could not be seen for the fluttering of wings about it.

“That is birds milk we have been drinking” The boy said. “Now we know.” The children were keen to see the bird from which their parents were obtaining the milk, and so they hid in a place where they could watch their mother as she came out of her hut in the morning.

They saw her go to the empty hut and look about her before she opened the door. Then they saw her come out again with the calabash in her hand and they knew immediately that the bird was being kept in that hut.

Treasure Chest I may never see tomorrow, there’s no written guarantee, and things that happened yesterday belong to history. I can’t predict the future, I can’t change the

future, I have just the present moments to treat as my last.

I must use this moment wisely, for soon it will pass away, And be lost frever as a part of yesterday.

I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet, Be a friend unto the friendless, make their life complete.

The unkind things I do today may never be

undone, and friendships that I fail to win, may never more be won.

I may not have another chance on bended knees to pray, and I thank God with a humble heart for giving me this day.

C

hildren’s World

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Jokes

The Greatest Human Sacrifice Of All

By ANTHONY AIGBANGBEE

AT infancy your love know’s no bound, with one hand clutched around your breast and the other playing with the second, one could tell how much you meant to me.

You I needed for my survival, with my eyes fixed towards yours, how can I ever forget you dear mother. In your youthfulness these succulent breast stood firm and alluring.

Meeting the Gaze of male admirers These great assets, most men Never had the privilege of seeing or holding.

But I your love could suck, squeez, hold and at times bite.

These youthful pride you gave up, to Nurture your offspring.

There is No greater love than these, than for a mother to sacrifice her pride.

Looking now at the once errect structure, looking downwards with years of use after use.

No more a cynosure of all eyes but that of ours, whom you nurtured.

Great mother, I great your sacritice to my childhood.

Wishing you a happy mother’s day celebration.

DESPITE the persecution of the early church by the Roman Emperor, the Apostle John confirmed and strengthened the faith of the believers. When the faith of the believers seems to waver under opposition, Apostle John would repeat

condemned “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ”.

(Rev. 1:9). The enemies thought that by putting John on the island, his influence would no longer be felt, and he must finally die of hardship and distress. Patmos was a

with power and eloquence the story of the crucified and risen Saviour. He steadfastly maintained his faith, he would declare that which they have seen and heard from the beginning (l Jn 1:1 The rulers of the Jews hated John because of his unwavering fidelity to the cause of Christ No one could doubt the sincerity of the teachings of John which led to the conversion of many unbelievers. John was summoned by the Roman Authorities under Emperor Domitian and tried for his faith.

With false accusation, his enemies hoped to put him to death to silence his voice. John was put into a large deep pot of boiling oil but the Lord preserved his life just as He preserved the three Hebrew men in the fiery furnace i.e Shedrack, Meshack and Abednego.

John did not stop to declare that his Master Jesus gave His life to save the world and he is honoured in being permitted to suffer for His sake. He is weak and sinful while Christ was holy, harmless and undefiled Again, the hand of persecution fell upon John. In order that the miracle and teachings of Jesus might be forgotten, John was banished to an Island called Patmos,

barren, rocky island in the Augean sea chosen by the Roman Government as a place for ban criminals.

But to the servant of God, the gloomy place became the gate of heaven. There, he had the companionship of God and the angels of heavens gave him instructions. He saw visions of the events that would take place in the closing scenes of the earth, and he wrote out the visions received from God. He reviewed his past life, and thought of the blessings he had received from God. He knew he had lived the life of the Christian, and he could say in faith “we know that we have passed from death unto life”. (l Jn 3:14).

Most people have the wrong idea about the Christian life. Once they become believers, they expect smooth sailing. Yet Jesus made it clear that troubles are inevitable for God’s children. His own life was no exception. He endured false accusation, rejection by His own people, betrayal by a close friend,’ and separation from His father - to name a few. Remember, God allows struggles, what ever their source- only for our benefits. Perhaps they are to purify and make us grow for greater service. Maybe He has in mind to test our

endurance and devotion to Christ, thereby strengthening our trust. Or He might be revealing His sustaining power. This side of heaven, we may never know the cause of each challenge. But we can trust God’s ability to deliver and nurture us. What trials are

Christ was raised from death, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for His people. (1 Pet. 1:3-9). Pray that God grant you victory over temptations in Jesus name, that God strengthen you in the time of trouble in Jesus

Religion

you facing? Jesus understands your pain, and He longs to be the one you cling to through good and bad times. You can choose to look elsewhere

name, that God deliver you from every forms of afflictions in Jesus name, that the Lord help you to endure to the end in Jesus name, that the Lord purify

nature had been his delight to trace the wisdom and skill of the Creator. To many people, the scenes appears gloomy and uninteresting, but to John it was otherwise. In the wild, rugged rocks and mysteries of the deep sea, in the firmament, he read important lessons that they all bore God’s power and glory. What Apostle John saw in exile brought to his mind that people on earth are sublimely unaware of the trouble they face when they offend God. As a result of

for comfort, or you can use your hardship as a source of growth. No matter how painful the trial seems, don’t waste the opportunity. Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptation (Js. l :2).

Despite the trials, we have a living hope that Jesus

and grow you for greater service in your kingdom in Jesus name.

Whoever does not love is still living under the power of death. The Emperor who banished John is looking back on fields of warfare and carnage, on desolate homes, on weeping widows and orphans, the fruit of his desire for preeminence. In the isolated home, it was an opportunity for John to study the manifestations of divine power and to meditate on the work of creation and adore the divine Architect. In former years, the sight of hills covered with forests, fruitful plains, green valleys and the beauties of

the sins of the people of the world, God caused the earth to be covered with flood. Rocks were thrown up from the deep sea, merciless wind lashed on the surface of the sea showing the wrath of an offended God. Today, we hear stories about a place in the sea called “bermuda triangle” where many ships and planes have disappeared and many souls lost. The recent one is the disappearance of the Malaysian plane carrying 300 passengers on board.

No scientist in the world has been able to discover the mystery behind the “ B E R M U D A T R I A N G L E ” .

Compasses have failed to detect the mystery.

In Exile For The Faith

By PRINCE BAYO OKUO

“Most people have the wrong idea about the Christian life. Once they become believers, they expect smooth sailing. Yet Jesus made it clear that troubles are inevitable for God’s children. His own life was no exception. He endured false accusation, rejection by His own people, betrayal by a close friend,’ and separation from His father - to name a few.”

Nobody has ever gone to the place and came back to tell the story of what he saw.

What is inside Bermuda Triangle? It speaks of an invisible hand, the control of an infinite power, a supernatural knowledge above all the scientific knowledge. This will make people to realize the foolishness of those who glory in their supposed wisdom and strength and set their hearts against the Ruler of the universe.

Because of what John saw in exile, he was reminded of Christ, the Rock of his strength, in whose shelter he could hide without fear It was in exile that his soul went after God and he made the most fervent of prayers.

When last did you embark on a retreat? Make regular spiritual retreat a habitual exercise. Do not go to the mountain only when you have problems. Go for retreat for your personal development and make it a regular exercise. Separating yourself unto the Lord releases His power unto you over any operation. This is a peculiar time to hear and settle with God. Retreat can be done in your house or in a particular location. Jesus always go for retreat before any operation. (Lk 5:1516). Get out of that busy environment and locate a peaceful environment.

Embark on retreat and see God working in your life and Ministry. People should be reminded of Christ around them when they seem to be alone in their own situation. It is in such situations that most difficult challenges of life are dealt with through prayers.

Prophet Jeremiah said “I will call upon God and he will answer me, and show me great and mighty things which I know not” (Jer 33:3). Pray that the spirit of prayer fall upon you in Jesus name. that you will not struggle in your prayer life in Jesus name, that the Holy spirit bring everything to your remembrance in Jesus name, that the Lord open your spiritual eyes, ears and mind in Jesus name, that the Lord reveal yourself to you in Jesus name.

THE world has become so competitive; you will have to do your best to secure your share of success. The following are tips to get you ahead in your career.

Priorities and goals: what are your priorities of the day? Make a list of your priorities and plan your day.

The task of the day must be outlined with the most important and urgent once on top.

Likewise determine your short-term goals and evaluate your progress frequently.

Evaluate your progress frequently.

Be focused: Are you really present physically and mentally? Try to block out all distractions so that you have the time to truly focus on your task and career.

Broaden your skills: nothing remains the same

and so do jobs requirements.

Update your knowledge and skills. Seek improvements of your know how. Attend seminars, conferences, read books, be an eternal learner.

Socialize: Be ready to participate in social functions. Be open to new acquaintances. Meet new people and deal with them respectfully and enthusiastically, be an active listener, you will surely learn something new.

Know your merits: know your strengths and weakness.

If you think you deserve a position or a promotion claim it.

Accept challenge: Through challenge, you will reach areas of your personality you have never discovered before. It is a good idea to step away from your comfort zone to explore new horizon.

If you settle into a routine of play it safe all the time, you

will never get ahead in your career. If you always do what you’ve always done, you will only get what you’ve already got.

Communication: Learn to

Take time off for yourself. This will help boost your productivity during the week days.

Seek satisfaction: if you are disappointed with what you

Living are doing. Try to transform it into something you love.

If you fail, it may be a good idea to do something

different. As Confucius said, “choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life”.

How To Become Succesful In Your Career communicate effectively, listen to what others are saying and focus on how to give and receive contractive feedback, to persuade effectively and to ask for help and collect information.

Avoid gossip: Avoid office gossip about colleagues and the boss. Be respectful and work for the good of the company/industry.

Relax: Relax and do something different, a hobby that you love doing.

By EBUKA AZUBUEZE

“It is a good idea to step away from your comfort zone to explore new horizon. If you settle into a routine of play it safe all the time, you will never get ahead in your career. If you always do what you’ve always done, you will only get what you’ve already got.”

THE relationship between employee and employer is sometimes fragile. The worker may feel pressured to keep his job while harboring unfavourable opinions about his boss, while the boss on the other hand wonders if the employee is working to the best of his ability. Employers are also concerned about the morale of workers, because low morale could lead to expensive issues with turnover of low productivity.

CONSIDERATIONS While many companies employ workers without formal agreements, others have employment-at-will contracts with the workers.

The company can terminate the employee for almost any reason, as long as the firm does not make its firing decision based on discrimination or whistle blowing. This arrangement is sometimes a source of conflict between employee and his job.

Relationship Between Employee And Manager

By GLORY IGBOKWE

EXPERT INSIGHT Recessionary times can negatively affect the relationship between employee and employers.

An employee may start to distrust the company more and fear of losing his job because of hard financial times. Downturns in the economy actually might be an opportunity for managers to build employee’s loyalty to the company. Authors Stephen A. miles and Nathan Bennelt, in a “Bloombery Business week” Article, states that “employers find themselves more frequently asking employees to trust the company assuring employees that better days are ahead and their efforts

today will not be forgotten tomorrow.

Concerns If an employer disregards the concerns of employers this could lead to a number of important and sometimes expensive problems, besides turnover, workplace violence is also a risk to the business if employees become disgruntled.

Employees who feel slighted by managers may also compromise the security of the company’s proprietary by giving away information, by either sharing trade secrets, taking that valuable knowledge to another competing business.

Company that doesn’t foster a productive relationship between employees and managers also may develop poor reputation in the industry.

PERSPECTIVE According to leadership consultant Stephen A. miles, it’s helpful to look at the employer-employee relationship as a series of promises. For instance, employers promise money and job support, while an employee promises to perform her job to the best of her ability.

SOLUTIONS Employers can take steps toward improving the

employee and manager relationship to facilitate a highly productive and happy workplace. For one, managers can implement employee recognition or reward programs to thank workers for a job well done.

Meeting and regular communications between employees and mangers are also important, especially if workers feel disconnection from the management of the company.

“Employees who feel slighted by managers may also compromise the security of the company’s proprietary by giving away information, by either sharing trade secrets, taking that valuable knowledge to another competing business. Company that doesn’t foster a productive relationship between employees and managers also may develop poor reputation in the industry.”

MANY Nigerians share collective passion during the weekends. A period many hold sacrosanct, ensuring they see the end of every match that appeals to them, their passions, and interests. This period has no age boundary or class structure, in that every person present at any viewing center for matches share their ideas and passions collectively. On the other hand, it has also turned brother against brother, father against son, good friends against each other momentarily. Though these games cause numerous fights and arguments, they are also moments of great interest.

The gridiron battles between football teams are often interesting to watch, and the addict qualities of these games can take up a whole Saturday and sometimes Sunday. This only suggests that being a football fan in Nigeria is a serious business.

Most recently, Nigerian football lovers have identified themselves with European clubs which they support during these games. Therefore, you are likely to find hand-full of Nigerians trooping into bars, restaurants, hotels, TV houses to watch English Premier League, Spanish La Liga or Italian League matches on weekends; while you find pockets of individuals who are interested in watching matches from the Nigerian Football League. This nonchalant attitude towards Nigerian League games has even extended to National team matches. This, many have attributed to the “uninteresting nature of the Nigerian Football League”.

“How many Nigerians will prefer to go to Aba Township Stadium to watch Enyimba play on a hot Sunday afternoon rather than staying at home to watch Arsenal Manchester United, Barcelona and the rest play in their league?”

Indeed, the finesse, dedication, and interest, associated with football is lacking both from the perspective of the players and spectators when it

concerns Nigeria. Indeed the Nigerian league is in coma.

Many have been identified as die-hard-fans only in relation to foreign clubs and have developed a “till death do us part” attitude towards the clubs they support whether they

questions have been asked of the reasons behind the violent actions exhibited by these supporters especially with regards to what they stand to gain or lose absolutely whether the teams win or lose respectively. Probably, as one would say, the passion

According to the American Heritage College Dictionary, a fan is “an ardent devotee, an enthusiast;” while, a fanatic is defined as “a person marked by an extreme unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause.” This distinction

Perspective Galaxy. Or a man who shot himself on the head because Dallas FC lost: he remarked, “I cannot bear their fumbling anymore”.

Football supporting and fanaticism has in the last decade taken a new

introduction of professional football in Nigeria stipulated that professional clubs should be run as limited liability companies each governed by a regularly constituted board of directors and required to hold annual general

Local Fans Of European League:

Nigerian League In Coma

By IBE ANTHONY

Danagogo, Sports Minister

win or lose. This attitude however has negative import at various levels. In as much as viewing of football matches brings so much enthusiasm, expectations and even tension, we cannot outrightly sweep the violence and anti-social acts associated with it under the carpet. Obviously, the passions identified with games be it football or other games have escalated so much especially in recent years.

Many incidences give credence this assertion: there are myriads of reported violent actions ensuing from some of these fans as a result of the outcome of matches viewed.

So many

cannot be explained, perhaps they are just fanatics. This fanaticism has multidimensional understanding which when properly elucidated would be central to the exposition of how funny foreign clubs has brought the Nigeria League to comatose.

FAN AND FANATIC

apparently rests on whether the enthusiasm is ardent or unreasoning. It has most times unclear boundaries. Consider a man who was to be executed in Massachusetts and his last request was to know the outcome of the match between New York bulls and Los Angeles

dimension. People can go any length to show their satisfaction or disappointment with the teams they support. The situation is not different in Nigeria, but what gives us the most concern is why Nigerians prefer to support European clubs rather than their own local teams. A friend of mine who lives a stone’s throw from the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, ignored a high profile CAF Champions league encounter between Heartland FC and Al Hilal of Egypt to pay N50 to watch Arsenal play Leeds United in an English Carlin Cup encounter. I felt bad, but had nothing to confront him with. Many have posited succinctly that Nigerian league is not a league to watch.

THE NIGERIAN LEAGUE IN RETROSPECT The League was founded in 1972 with six teams. On Saturday May 12, 1990 at the Onikan Stadium Lagos, the League was rechristened the “Professional League” with a goal to modernize the game and make clubs self-sufficient. Decrees 10 and 11 which codified the

meetings, present independently audited accounts, cultivate youth/ feeder teams and own a stadium within five years of registration with the Pro League Department. To assist Pro League clubs in the timely achievement of these stated goals, all 56 professional club-sides that constituted the inaugural Pro League First and Second Division were granted a five-year tax moratorium on all income starting from 1990.

From 1999-2007, there was an end of season Championship called the “Super Four’. The top four teams would play a round robin mini-league at a neutral venue to determine the league champion. The Super Four is presently a pre-season tournament featuring the top four teams of the previous year.

After the 2006 competition, the League changed its calendar to closely match the common European regular season structure (which starts mostly in August and ends in May). The Premier League is managed by the Nigeria Professional League Board.

P R O B L E M S

“Indeed, the finesse, dedication, and interest, associated with football is lacking both from the perspective of the players and spectators when it concerns Nigeria. Indeed the Nigerian league is in coma. Many have been identified as die-hard-fans only in relation to foreign clubs and have developed a “till death do us part” attitude towards the clubs they support whether they win or lose.”

CONFRONTING THE LEAGUE Considering the number of years the Nigerian premier league has spent in the limelight, one will immediately presume that the Nigerian League will be one of the most organized leagues in Africa. Unfortunately, at the moment the League cannot stand tall as a top flight one in the world.

Evidently, there are lots of problems with the Nigerian League, which include but not limited to these espoused in the following.

The problem of management: This problem is associated with the fact that most of these clubs are sponsored by the state governments which gives room for the politicizing of the League.

The intrigues associated with politics and its administrative style cannot encourage a smooth funding and managing of the clubs and in extension, the League. Of course, when the clubs are not well taken care of, who will make the League standardized and without problems? Obviously, little attention is given to the day to day running of these clubs and again the League is not financially okay.

Viability: A careful observation of the prospects and management of the Egyptian League would invariably expose how much financial power they exert on the development of their League. This produces a more interesting League for both the players and the spectators, who always get good values for their money when they pay to watch matches.

Consequence to this is the influx of good footballers to the League who find it more attractive. It is a pity that our League is not as viable as a top flight league. Money is not spent on it and the money that is even made available goes into the pockets of the administrators who sometimes misappropriate the money for an irrelevant project. More so, if players and coaches are well paid,

the players will not be hellbent on leaving the shores of the country. I am sure Nigerian league can produce world class players, players that we can work on to build a strong national team.

Television Rights: Apparently, the enormous and tangent acts of various

standard, it also needs a working and consistent television right. The various European Leagues enjoy the kind of popularity they have today because they televise each game for the viewing of fans and supporters in and outside the stadium. If that can be imbibed by the

Perspective

Another television football analyst thinks the government should take sole charge of these clubs and show some commitment to move the nation forward footballwise. We are Africans, our football is not just interesting and will never grow, lamented a

of the game and the League in England.

However, this consistency with regard to Nigerian League and the issue of sponsorship is lacking.

This is against the backdrop that there is an over-emphasized overlap

contributor.

These arguments inter all a are central to the restructuring of the Nigerian League; but the most vital would be to

between sponsors and the Nigeria Football Association. Previously it was sponsored by Guiness Plc, now it is Glo Communication. The

seek for sponsors who in this process also spread the tentacles of their enterprise. For example, the English League is called Barclays Premier League, a consistent contract and relationship between Barclays Group and English Football Association that has spurred the development

recent development is that the sponsorship of Nigerian League from 2012 would be MTN. In the presence of this ever changing stride of sponsorship, the atmosphere for interesting flow of the League would be an illusion.

CONCLUDING

REMARKS Stating that Africans are very passionate about European football is like stating the obvious.

Football lovers only wish to witness good football.

The absence of good, interesting, consistent, and better, games in any league

...Nigerian League In Coma

television authorities in the world with regard to televising of sporting activities across the globe need laudable commendations. It is

organizers of the Nigerian league, it surely will go a long way to enhance the League.

POINTING THE WAY FORWARD

Enyimba Football Club of Aba

factual that not everybody can afford the means and time to watch live matches at various stadia. Within this framework, it is important to obtain television rights in order to legally televise these matches. For Nigerian League to enjoy the status of televising of universal

Journalists and sports writers have proposed solutions to these problems. A vanguard columnist once opined that the management of these clubs (Nigerian Clubs) should be left in the hands of capable individuals who can manage them as their individual enterprises and not looking down on it.

is disaster. This explains the near insanity with which many local fans support various clubs abroad. In these Leagues, we see the players and coaches week in and week out striving to give their best and take the tempo of the game and League to a higher degree, of course in appreciation of the good running of the League. The players, exhibit incredible skills and moments of magic in the pitch which always leave their spectators in awe: “it is unbelievable how human beings play with such round and imbalance material” exclaimed a bewildered Everton supporter after a moment of magic from Luis Saha.

Many people also share this bewilderment week in week out. The question then is why can’t we enjoy the same level of magic with the ball in Nigeria?

After all, some of Nigerian players are gifted in that regard. That comment notwithstanding, I want to share the opinion of millions of Nigerians that our League is not only mismanaged but also treated with contempt.

Therefore until we begin to see the reasons to pay attention to the league, it will remain less interesting.

“Stating that Africans are very passionate about European football is like stating the obvious. Football lovers only wish to witness good football. The absence of good, interesting, consistent, and better games in any league is disaster. This explains the near insanity with which many local fans support various clubs abroad.”

SOCIETY

Are There Justified Grounds For Divorce?

Continued from pg. 11

easy”.

The above are the words of Cathy Meyer who enumerated the following reasons as “four valid reasons for divorce”.

Physical of Emotional Abuse: If he/she hits you once it will happen again. You should not stay in a marriage beyond that first punch, slap or shove. DO NOT make excuses for someone who hits you, DO NOT take the blame for someone hitting you. Violence is about a need to control and exert power over a spouse, it is not about loving a spouse.

Domestic abuse comes in different forms. Your spouse may physically abuse you or emotionally abuse you.

Yelling, screaming, name calling and put-downs are not acceptable forms of behavior. For your own safety and that of your children you need to leave.

Infidelity:Once a cheater, always a cheater. Infidelity is much like domestic abuse; it is a behavior that will repeat itself. A spouse will cheat for many reasons, what you; the victim of infidelity needs to understand is that there is never a good reason.

Economic Tensions: Have you heard the term, “financial infidelity?” If your spouse is spending money and putting an economic strain on the family they are committing financial infidelity. Your spouse may have a shopping or gambling addiction they are hiding from you. He/she

may be running up credit card debt that you don’t know about.

The question for you is, do you allow someone else’s problem to bury you in debt or do you make no excuses?

Being married to someone like this can mean years of recovery and they will usually repeat the behavior over and over again.

Drug or Alcohol Addiction: You can’t fix an addict. For some reason though, those married to addicts stay in the marriage believing they can somehow illicit change. An addict changes when they make the choice to change.

An addict does not change because they see their spouse or children suffer. They do not change until they hit rock bottom and only the addict knows what his/her rock bottom is. If you are lucky the thought of losing his/her family will mean a positive change in the addict. If you aren’t lucky and choose to stay in the marriage you can bet the addict will take their family down with them.

In as much as there are valid reasons for divorce, it is best to save your marriage because of the many consequences that follows it.

Consequence ranging from psychological trauma, social stigmatisation, emotional hurt and even having to deal with starting as like a single.

Here as some ways you can avoid getting a divorce.

1. Act confident. Your spouse fell in love with a happy and balanced person whose world lit up every time he/she walked into the

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

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

you), and the less and less you are the person he/she once fell in love with. Be honest with yourself: Would you want to spend the rest of your life with someone who’s been acting the way you have been acting lately?

If you’re friendly, attentive, and fun to be around, he/she will want to be around you he/she will start to gravitate (slowly but surely) back to you. Try to be confident, but not arrogant, even if it is difficult for you.

flashy car. Let’s go to the auto show this weekend, pretend we’re filthy rich, and go for some test drives.”

Notice how you bypassed (for the time being) emptying the bank account and instead focused on his/ her feelings. This brings you closer together. Does your partner say you don’t do enough chores around the house? Say “Yes, I agree, I don’t do any where near as much work around the house as you do. I understand how upset that must make you feel at times.” Notice how you bypassed (for the time being) actually doing the chores, and instead focused on her(his) feelings.

3. Address the physical and material needs and desires after establishing a common ground. If you’ve gone to the car show and had a great time, speak to each other if your partner wants to spend money you don’t have. If you begin to argue and your partner says “You never care about what I want!”, turn away from the spending issue and speak with them about how you want them to be happy, and that’s why you married them

in the first place, but that in the long run, neither of you will profit from being in debt. Let them know that you would like to make them feel loved and appreciated in a different, more sensible way.

4. Talk to your partner about your future. It does not help to pretend there is no problem. That will not

want to rebuild a strong bond with each other.

6. Be open to change.

Agree to make changes in your routines or interaction if you feel it will help. Make clear that you will try your best, but it might take you some time to get used to them. Then really try your best and show that you are

make it disappear. Make time to speak with your partner openly. Prepare yourself for being emotionally vulnerable and lay it all on the table.

Communicate your feelings and your willingness to acknowledge theirs. If you love them and want them to give you a chance and stay with you, tell them that.

Offer to have counseling sessions or anything else you (or they) think might help you.

5. Be honest and ask for honesty in return. Tell your partner that even if they are not in love with you at the moment, the least you owe each other is respect. Respect means being honest to each other. If you want to know and you think you can handle it emotionally, ask them whether they are having an affair. Before you ask, think about how you will respond to the possible answers. If they are having an affair, tell them how much that hurts you, even if it feels counterintuitive. Tell them that you care about fidelity and that you vowed to be faithful to each other. Ask them to end their affair if you

sincere. Ask the same in return.

7. Make up your mind to let it go if none of the above helps. If your partner is having an affair and unwilling to give it up, don’t stay. You can only save your marriage together. If your partner simply does not want to, there is not much you can do, but you owe it to them and your relationship to genuinely try before throwing in the towel.

• Listen to your partner. Let them talk and get things off their chest. It will help you understand what makes them unhappy and give you a chance to take action. Don’t despair. This is a scary time for you, but all you can do is really try. If it fails after all, don’t hate yourself. You gave it your best effort. You should not try to fix a broken relationship if your spouse is or has physically harmed you, your children, or your family or given any sign of physical aggression. Instead, you should seek immediate protection from physical harm. Contact your local shelter, police, family, or friends and tell them you need help.

Flamigoes Apologise To Nigerians For Q/Final Loss NATIONAL women under-17 team, the Flamingoes, on Friday apologised to Nigerians over their loss to Spain in the quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

Flamingoes Media Officer, Jennifer Okoye, in an on-line statement from Costa Rica, quoted team head coach Bala Nikyu as also praising the standard of the competition.

The Flamingoes had lost 0-3 on Thursday night in the city of Liberia in Costa Rica to drop out of the competition.

“Although, the Flamingoes couldn’t get the semifinal ticket, the standard of the competition was high.

“Although, we are disappointed that our adventure has ended too early, we have really enjoyed taking part in the tournament which has been well organised.

“It goes without saying that I am not happy with the way we lost. There is nothing we can do about it now except to put it behind us,’’ the statement quoting Nikyu said.

It also quoted the team’s captain, Chinwedu Ihezuo, as saying she felt bad that the team could not live up to expectations.

“I feel very bad about the outcome of the match. I don’t know what happened to us.

“But I am just sure that Nigerians are disappointed in us.

We are just appealing to them that this is not the end of the world,’’ the statement said.

The team’s assistant captain, Uchenna Kanu, according to the statement, also said it was not their delight to lose the encounter.

“‘I am not happy that we lost, which means we are out of the competition.

“I believe football is a game of luck. It can favour anybody anyday. But we thank God that none of us sustained any injury.

“The way it happened, I do not know what happened to the referee and everything seems to be against us.

“I know it is not a thing of joy to lose, especially at the stage we did. But it is very appalling,’’ the statement quoted her to have said.

The statement said the Flamingoes on Friday departed Costa Rica for Madrid to connect a flight to Lagos and arrive in Abuja on Saturday.

NAN reports that the loss showed that Nigeria had in the last three editions of the four previous competitions lost at the quarter-finals stage.

Flamingoes lost to Korea Republic in 2010, France in 2012, both on penalties, and now to Spain in 2014.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo said he is glad that Portugal are not considered among the leading contenders to win the World Cup. Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/ Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo says he will watch all the World Cup matches, especially those involving Brazil and Spain.

“That takes the pressure off us,” Ronaldo told the media on Friday during a publicity campaign for a new World Cup ad. “I have faith. We have a tough group but we will go step

by step and match by match. The first will be the toughest, against Germany, and then we will see.”

Ronaldo also said he will watch all the World Cup matches, particularly those of Spain and Brazil, “because I have many friends playing.”

Portugal face the United States, Ghana and Germany in Group G. The U.S. meet Portugal on June 22 in Manaus.

Second-ranked Germany and fourth-ranked Portugal are the favourites to advance to the second round.

Flamingoes celebrating one of their goals in recent matches

Miami Left Devastated By Semi-Final Farce

THE Miami Masters, one of tennis’s most prestigious events, was left devastated when both men’s semi-finals ended in walkovers on Friday sending world number one Rafa Nadal and number two Novak Djokovic through to the final without hitting a ball. was withdrawing due to Three-time champion gastroenteritis, handing Nadal a Djokovic was first gifted a spot free pass. in today’s final when Japan’s Kei Thousands of tennis fans had Nishikori withdrew with a groin arrived at the Crandon Park injury. complex expecting a day of A few hours later the pulsating action but instead were tournament was rocked again left with two women’s doubles when seventh seeded Czech matches.

Tomas Berdych announced he When it was announced prior

Ronaldo Relishing WC Underdog Role “When I was a kid I always looked up to the national team players and I wanted to be like them,” said Ronaldo, who on Friday was named as a global ambassador for Fly Emirates. “I watched players like Figo. When I was 18, I played my first match with the national team.

“People need to follow their dreams. This is what I tell kids who want to be football players.

It is neat but it is difficult, you have to always be under pressure. They should believe in themselves and work hard.”

to the start of the night session that the Nadal/Berdych match would not be played the stadium erupted in an angry chorus of boos, many showing their disgust by turning and heading for the exits.

“Sorry for Kei. Sorry for Tomas. Sorry for the tournament.

Especially sorry for the fans,” said Nadal about the double walkover. “It’s very unlucky, very unusual for something that can happen.

“I cannot remember that (ever happening).”

That would be because a double walkover in the semifinals of an ATP Tour event is unprecedented in the professional era.

The walkovers, however, left the Miami Masters with a mouth-watering final featuring the world’s top two players, Nadal and Djokovic set to clash for the 40th time.

Nadal leads the head-to-head 22-17 but has never lifted the Miami title despite reaching the final three times.

“Only chance to win against Novak is play to the limit, play

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In the championship, Blackburn vs Ipswich at 12, Bourmouth vs QPR at 14; and Watford vs Burnly at 21 for one unfailing draw.

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my best and hope that he is not going to have his best day,” said Nadal. “For me, I am going on court and trying my best. (It) doesn’t make any difference if it’s one tournament or another one.

“For sure, Miami is a very important tournament that I never had the chance to win in the past.

“It is my fourth final. It’s positive results. To be able to play four finals in one tournament is because you did well, and I am going to try to be ready for Sunday.”

Berdych said that all seemed normal following his quarterfinal win over Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov until he woke up Friday morning.

Fergie Would Have Flopped This Seaon Too - Moyes MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes believes Sir Alex Ferguson would have struggled to get one more great season out of the squad he left his successor at Old Trafford.

Moyes succeeded Ferguson last summer and has found the task challenging, with the team that won the Barclays Premier League last May unable to mount a sustained challenge this term, even for the Champions League places.

But the former Everton boss has suggested any manager, even Ferguson, may have struggled with the squad he took on, given the age of many of the players.

United’s squad includes a number of players aged over 30, including centre-backs Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, leftback Patrice Evra, midfielders Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick, and striker Robin van Persie.

“People are aware there is a squad that is a bit more ageing, so I think it would have been a tough season for whoever was in charge of Manchester United this year,” Moyes told national newspapers.

“And I actually think if Sir Alex was here this year it would be difficult for Sir Alex as well and I’m sure he would be aware of it.

Fellaini Facing Rap For Alleged Spitting THE Football Association has confirmed it will look into claims that Marouane Fellaini spat at Pablo Zabaleta during the Manchester derby on Tuesday.

Footage on YouTube has emerged appearing to show Manchester United midfielder Fellaini spitting near to Zabaleta’s head while the City defender lay on the floor following a clash between the pair.

The FA is aware of the clip and is now considering whether it should charge Fellaini for misconduct.

It is reported by the Press Association that referee Michael Oliver did not mention the alleged incident in his match report, but the FA can

retrospectively punish Fellaini if it finds him guilty.

The FA will request clearer footage of the incident from broadcasters Sky before making a decision on the matter early next week.

The FA banned Hull’s George Boyd for three matches after he spat at Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart earlier this month.

Oliver booked Fellaini moments before the alleged incident towards Zabaleta for an elbow on the Argentine fullback.

After the 3-0 win, Zabaleta claimed Fellaini was lucky to stay on the pitch. “I was elbowed

by Fellaini. It was a red card,” he said.

CMYK

FG To Engage Private Sector In Construction Of Enugu Trade Fair Complex

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbosola and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Osun State University, Osogbo, Prof. Gabriel Adesiyan Olawoyin during the 3rd Convocation for the Conferment of First Degrees and Award of Prizes at Osun State University, Osogbo weekend.

THE Federal Government has insisted on completion of the Enugu International Trade Fair complex through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, announced this in Enugu at the opening of the 25th Enugu International Trade Fair at the weekend.

The minister, who was represented by Mr Sunday Ewa, Director, Special Duties in the ministry, said it had become imperative to construct the complex and manage it effectively.

“In order to fast-track early construction of the complex and its effective maintenance, government is planning to adopt a public-private partnership arrangement.

“This implies that the private

Agric Minister Warns Illegal Fishing Trawlers To Stay Off Nigerian Waters DR Akinwunmi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has warned illegal fishing trawlers operating in Nigeria’s waters to stop their activities.

Department of Fisheries (FDF) Adesina gave the warning at in Lagos. the weekend during the The seizure of the vessels, inspection of seized vessels by belonging to Mid Atlantic the Nigerian Navy under the Nigeria Ltd., was ordered by the supervision of the Federal minister at Brawa ports because

the company had not renewed its licence to fish in 2014.. ‘’Every vessel in the Nigerian waters must carry along its valid licence to fish in the sea. ‘’It is such companies as Mid Atlantic that drive away our fishermen from our waters and create unemployment. ‘’You must comply with the law because the days of illegal business in our waters are over,” Adesina said.

The minister said that the

company was adopting “illegal manner” to fish, leaving just a little for other fishing companies to fish.

Adesina said that Mid Atlantic was in the habit of throwing back to the water dead fishes which was a serious offence.

He ordered the arrest of the seven Chinese officers of the company.

Commenting on the arrest, Ms Folake Areola, Director of FDF, said that the vessels were asked

to go and anchor, but went ahead to fish.

Areola said the vessel owners had been charged to court, adding that the penalty for such offence was a fine of 250,000 dollars on each vessel or confiscation of the vessels.

Mrs Bunmi Ogungbe, Chief Fisheries Officer of FDF, also said that the company’s licence was supposed to be renewed every year before they could be allowed to fish.

sector will be involved in the operation and maintenance of the complex,” he said.

Aganga said the private sector would undertake the construction of the stands, banking halls and other facilities, while government would provide electricity, water, roads and security.

“This is in a bid to keep the existing facilities at the complex and support their dilapidation,” Aganga said.

Earlier in an address of welcome, Dr Ifeanyi Okoye, President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industry and Agriculture (ECCIMA), said the construction was long overdue.

“In spite of all challenges, I am delighted to note that we have been able to host five editions of the event here.

“There is no structure here to indicate that this complex belongs to the Federal Government because we are making use of pre-fabricated buildings,” he said.

Okoye said that it was regrettable that the Federal Government failed to develop the complex after it had built the trade fair complexes in Kaduna and Lagos.

He said that Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu were the three known international trade fair complex sites in Nigeria.

“It is actually a shame and we will keep pleading to the FG to give to us what they have given to our contemporaries in Kaduna and Lagos trade fair complexes.

Motorists Demand Apology From FRSC, Seek Refund

Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

MOTORISTS in Lagos on Friday told the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to apologise and refund monies paid by motorists for the issuance of the new number plates.

The motorists, were reacting to the judgement that the FRSC had no power to impose new number plate on motorists.

A Federal High Court in Lagos on March 26 declared that it was unconstitutional for the FRSC to impound any vehicle for not buying the new number plates.

The judgement, followed a suit by human rights lawyer,

three quarter majority on any issue.

In a bid to resolve the stalemate, the delegates on March 25 mandated the Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, to convene a meeting of some selected delegates from the six geopolitical zones to look into the issue.

On resumption of plenary on March 26, the leadership announced that the 50-member group had been selected to resolve the three-quarter and two-third dichotomy.

Immediately after the first debate on March 26, plenary was adjourned to reconvene in the afternoon to enable the 50 selected delegates to have a close-door meeting with the principal officers.

“The disagreement will not affect resumption of plenary on Monday because it has been resolved.

“The 50-man consensus group met with the principal officers on Wednesday and Thursday and a consensus has been reached.

Disagreement Over Voting Mode At Confab Over - Akpandem

THE contentious issue of voting mode to be adopted by delegates to the ongoing National Conference has been resolved, Mr Akpandem James, the Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, has said.

James told reporters in Abuja that a consensus had been reached by the 50-man consensus group.

He, however, added that it would be tabled before the delegates on Monday for adoption.

Order VI Rule 3 of the procedure rule of the conference provides that any

decision in the conference shall be decided by at least a threequarter majority.

Rule 3 reads: “any questions proposed for decision in the conference shall be determined by consensus and when this is not achievable, it should be determined by a three-quarter majority of the delegates present and voting.”

Proceedings at the conference were disrupted on March 24 and March 25 when the delegates failed to reach consensus on whether to adopt a two third or

Emmanuel Ofoegbu, challenging the powers of the FRSC to issue the new number plates.

A commercial bus operator, Mr Taiwo Bamisaiye, urged the court to compel the FRSC to refund motorists who had gone through strenuous processes to acquire the number plates.

“I will like the court to follow up on the judgement to ensure that FRSC refunded those of us that have used our money to obtain the plates,’’ Bamisaiye said.

Another commercial bus operator, Mr Odunayo Adegboyega, said that the process of acquiring the number plates had been strenuous and as such, there was need for compensation from the FRSC. “If the judgement is anything to go by, the FRSC should be compelled to compensate motorists for all the stress it

made people to go through,“ Adegboyega said.

His colleague, Mr Wole Oke, commended Ofoegbu for challenging the FRSC on behalf of Nigerian motorists.

“Now that we are saved from the FRSC ‘wahala’ let them pay us back and face their mandate of ensuring safety on the roads,’’ he said.

Mr Adejare Soladoye, who noted that the judgement would put other road traffic agents in check, said the mandate of the FRSC was not to generate revenue for government.

“There is no crime if FRSC refunds the money paid for the new number plate, just as the Federal Government ordered the Nigeria Immigration Services to refund applicants.’’

Ofoegbu filed the suit on Sept. 30, 2013.

The plaintiff had sought a declaration that the threat by the respondents to impound vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new number plate was invalid and unconstitutional.

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