Sunday observer 30 06 2013

The Sunday

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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

NAKED TRUTH

Pg. 11

Views About Jonathan’s Mid-Term Report

• Vol. XI NO.4,003•

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 20 13 • N100.00

RELATIONSHIP Dating Married Men:

How Much Fulfilment?

Pg. 15

National Council On Education Approves 1-6-3-3-4

THE National Council on Education (NCE) has approved the incorporation of the one-year preprimary education into the existing 6-3-3-4 to become 1-6-3-3-4.

The decision was Management of contained in a Education for Quality communiqué issued at Service Delivery’’. the end of the 59th The council also Annual Meeting of the approved the National council in Abuja.

Policy on Albinism and The meeting, which its Implementation was presided over by Guidelines. the Minister of In addition, the Education, Prof. council endorsed the Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, was implementation of the held from June 24 to revised Nine-Year June 28.

Basic Education Reports indicate that Curriculum with effect the meeting had as its from 2014, beginning theme “Strengthening with Primary 1 and the the Institutional Continues on pg.2

Sim Card Registration

Subscribers Rush To Beat Deadline SCORES of Abuja subscribers yesterday trooped into MTN, Globacom and Etisalat offices, to register their S u b s c r i b e r Identification Module (SIM) cards ahead of today’s deadline.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian Communications

MEDIA

Commission (NCC) recently announced that subscribers who failed to meet the SIM cards registration deadline would be disconnected.

It listed such cards to include those used on telephone, data-enabled devices such as Fastlink Continues on pg.2 Pg. 26

Journalism And Its Ethical Standard

Legislative Aide to Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Elizabeth Odendahi; Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii and his wife Euginia, after receiving the Special Congressional Recognition Award at the Madison Hall of the U.S Library of Congress in Washington.

Control Your Anger Before It Controls You Pg. 23

OPINION

Pg.27

Beauties Without Brains

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SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

National Council

Continued from pg 1

Junior Secondary School.

It also approved that every student in Federal and State Science and Technical Colleges must offer a Technical subject.

The council further approved the re-activation of the Teacher Vacation Course (TVC) by the Federal Ministry of Education, states and the FCT in collaboration with professional associations and subject specialists.

The NCE further approved that Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) in state Ministries of Education should take ownership of the process of data collection for credibility, reliability and timeliness.

“This is as enshrined in the National EMIS Policy and its Implementation Guidelines,’’ the

communique stated.

It said also that NEC noted with concern that only 10 per cent of teachers in Basic Education schools in the country were computer literate.

The communique said NEC also decried the low enrolment of female students in Science and Technology Education (STE) programmes, compared with their male counterparts.

According to the council, there is also the need to meet the literacy needs of out-ofschool youths and adults by building model Adult and Non-Formal Education (ANFE) centres in markets.

It, however, expressed concern about the dearth of Non-Formal Education (NFE) facilitators in the integrated Quranic school/ centres.

PROF. Afolabi Oladejo, a former Head of Service of the Federation, has advocated the return of sanitary inspectors to ensure a cleaner environment.

Oladapo made the suggestion while speaking at the 2013 National Environmental Sanitation Day commemoration held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He urged Nigerians to engage in regular environmental sanitation to ensure a healthy living.

“I want a return of the days of the dreaded Environmental Sanitation Officers (popularly called “Wole Wole”) when residents will take to their heels on mere hearing of their arrival,” he said.

The retired civil servant, who said that he was once a sanitation officer, appealed to the market leaders in Oyo State to help ensure cleanliness in the markets Reports indicate that the theme of the event “Our Environment, Our Life: Keep It Clean and Green.”

It was jointly organised by the Federal and Oyo State Ministries of Environment The Minister, Mrs Hadiza

Subscribers Rush To Beat Deadline Continued from pg 1

Internet, iPads, laptops, Point of Sale terminals, Automatic Teller Machines and cartracking devices.

Reporters who visited the MTN headquarters in Abuja, report that it was a beehive of activities as subscribers were seen eagerly waiting to be registered.

An official who pleaded anonymity said that the idea was not about being disconnected, but compliance to the NCC regulation law.

He said the turnout showed that Nigerians valued the benefit of communication, adding that compliance was encouraging. “ The issue is not about being disconnected from service providers, it has to do with NCC regulation of registering all lines, and the penalty is that after the deadline, calls from unregistered SIMs will not go.

“Our offices in all parts of the country will be opened till Sunday, to enable all those willing to get registered have the opportunity to do so.

“In Abuja, we are having a carnival-like event and road shows to bring registration closer to everyone.”

Also, at the Globacom Office in Wuse, a registration officer, Yinka Adu, said that registration in recent weeks had increased compared to the past.

She said this also showed the attitude of Nigerians not taking things seriously until the last minute.

“We have had to register more SIMs this week compared to the past few months; you see, people rush here out of their supposed busy schedules,

because they do not want their lines disconnected,” Adu said.

At the Etisalat office in Wuse, Abuja, a registration officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that most of its subscribers had been registered, “I can confidently say that most of our customers are registered; the people you are seeing here are those who came to update their information.

“At least, 95 per cent of our subscribers have so far been registered.”

One of the subscribers on the queue, Adamu Waziri, said his service provider kept sending him messages to register his SIM, at an interval of five minutes.

“I received the message that my SIM was not registered a couple of weeks ago but I

ignored it. “ I later took the message seriously and created time out of my busy schedule just to meet up with the deadline,” Waziri said.

Another subscriber, Ngozi Nwaora, said she had registered her SIM last year, but got messages that she had not registered.

“I registered in June last year, at one of the registration points in Garki Market; I am here today to fulfil all righteousness.

“I don’t want to loose this line, I am a business woman; most of my clients have this number,” Nwaora said.

NCC officially launched SIM card registration on March 28, 2011, to facilitate the collation of data by the commission on phone usage in Nigeria.

Ex-Head Of Service Advocates Return Of Sanitary Inspectors

Mailafia, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Taye Haruna, urged Nigerians to ensure a clean environment at all times.

“I urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of ensuring a clean environment so that they can have a healthy living,’’ Also speaking, Ms Amal Pepple, the Minister of Lands, Housing, Urban and Urban Development, observed that Nigeria was facing enormous and compelling environmental challenges such as forest reserve shortfalls, desertification flood disaster and unclean atmosphere,” she said.

In a remark, Mr Olufunbi Sode, the Zonal Director, National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), South-West, said that hundreds of Nigerians died annually, with children less than five years being the most vulnerable.

“The direct consequence of poor environmental sanitation is high morbidity and mortality rates due to sanitation-related diseases like cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery and typhoid,” he said.

He commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi for bequeathing an enduring legacy of a better sanitary environment to the people of Oyo state.

The governor, who was represented by Mr Tajudeen Aremu, the Oyo State Head of Service, said it was better to spend money on the environment than on health.

“If you are spending money on health and not on environment, you are wasting your time.”

“Oyo State has ceased to acquire the “dirty” toga she was known for, prior to the advent

of the administration,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Augustine Ebisike, the Registrar, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), called for a culture of waste management, to ensure a cleaner environment.

“Efficient waste management is critical to good environment

Institution Tasks FG On Funding Of Low Income Houses THE Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) Learning Centre yesterday urged the Federal Government to find a solution to the funding of low income houses.

Mr. Williams Odudu, the Chairman of the centre, told newsmen in Lagos that finding a solution to the problem would go a long way to curb some of the social vices in the society.

“The various tiers of government, especially the Federal Government should find a solution to how the housing industry should be funded to provide accommodation for the low income cadre in the society.

“Development of mass housing estates has a multiplier effects; it provides jobs for skilled and unskilled people.

“Those selling foods and other condiments will also benefit.

“When majority of the citizenry, especially youths are

development was “a veritable source of flooding’’.

The commissioner said that government would no longer tolerate the creation of barriers to free flow of rain water by some residents, adding that “erring residents should expect government’s bulldozers soon”.

“There are many natural wetlands in the state that people have erected structures on.

Certain places where buildings should not stand, like flood plains, some people have erected structures there.

“A lot of demolition will have to take place in those areas.

Wetlands are natural drains, so when people build on them, they are courting disasters and obstructing the course of nature.

“There is no way such can continue in Lagos. A lot of buildings will go. These illegal structures will be pulled down,“ he said.

Bello said that the erection of structures on the natural wetland in Agboyi, in Ketu had affected the beauty of the area and put the residents at the risk of flooding.

The commissioner said that the Ministry of Physical Planning had been properly informed of the developments.

He also decried the dumping of refuse, particularly plastic bottles, in the main drainage channels by the residents.

The commissioner said that blockage of the canals could result in flooding and other

usefully engaged and have a means of livelihood, they will hardly have time to get involved in crimes and other social vices.”

He noted that the existing housing policies were not being effectively implemented.

“There are series of policies on housing at the moment; however, effective and efficient implementation have been the problem” he said.

The chairman identified some of the challenges in the sector as the lack of focus on housing for those who really need the houses, poor quality materials, inadequate training of artisans, the lack of partnership with the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), among others.

He urged the government to find a solution also to the issue of local raw materials production for housing as well as address holistically all the problems hindering the implementation of existing policies.

Shortfalls In Oil Output, A Threat To Budget - IBRU MR Goodie Ibru, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), yesterday said the shortfalls in domestic oil output posed a major threat to the nation’s 2013 budget.

LASG To Demolish Structures On Wetlands, THE Lagos State environmental disasters, urging Government yesterday said it residents to refrain from Flood Plains - Bello the would soon commence the such act. demolition of structures erected on the natural wetlands and flood plains across the state.

Mr Tunji Bello, the Commissioner for Environment, said this while monitoring the monthly sanitation exercise in Ketu, in the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development area of the state.

Reports indicate that Bello monitored the exercise with Mr Aderemi Ibirogba, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, and other top government officials.

He said the rate at which buildings were illegally springing up on wetlands and flood plains in the state was disturbing, adding that the

and a healthy living.”

He also urged the government to allow health officers to supervise the construction of buildings to forestall their collapse.

Oje Market, Ibadan, and Community Primary School, Ikolaba, got awards for being the cleanest market and primary school, respectively.

“Less than three months ago, we dredged this canal and now the whole thing is blocked with plastic bottles and other wastes.

“What it means is that as long as we continue to dredge it, you will continue to block it.

“This is not good. It amounts to a waste of resources and threatens the environment.

“As government is trying to help you, you too should also help yourselves.

“I appeal to you to stop dumping refuse in these canals so that water can flow freely into them and your areas can be free of floods,” Bello said.

He, however, assured the residents that the canals would be cleared very soon, to ensure free flow of rain water.

Ibru said in a statement in Lagos that: “The unfolding global market scenario and the shortfalls in domestic oil output pose a major threat to the 2013 budget.

“There are profound concerns over the dwindling performance of the sector which have been attributed to the structural gaps in regulatory and fiscal practises.

“Unfortunately, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which was adjudged the most significant attempt to address these challenges has yet to see the light of day.

“From 18.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2009, oil contribution to Gross Domestic Product has fallen to 14.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2013.

“It is disheartening that Nigeria currently records an estimated shortfall of $69 million daily due to oil theft, bunkering, illegal refineries and rising insecurity.”

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SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

NEWS Akpabio Tasks N/ Delta Professionals On Mentorship

Members of APGA Youth, Enugu State Chapter, during a Solidarity rally in support of Chief Victor Umeh in Enugu.

GOVERNOR Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom has urged Niger Delta young professionals to mentor young entrepreneurs to further boost the economy of the region.

Akpabio gave the advice when he addressed the 2013 Niger Delta Young Professionals (NDYP) Economic conference and Exhibition in Uyo. Represented by Mr Enobong Uwa, the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Akpabio said that the administration’s concept of uncommon transformation included youth empowerment.

He urged the group to use the platform to build a strong base of young entrepreneurs for the region.

“As enterprising young professionals, you should become models for our young

I Never Authorised Sale Of FG Property - Ogwu

NIGERIA’S Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu, says she did not authorise the sale of any Federal Government property in Washington D.C. during her tenure as foreign minister from 2006-2007.

Ogwu gave the clarification in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

Her comments came on the heels of her invitation by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs investigating the alleged embezzlement of 23.5 million dollars from the Nigerian embassy in Washington D.C. The funds were said to be proceeds from the sale of three Federal Government houses in Washington D.C. between 2004-2007.

It was recalled that the Senate initiated the probe following a petition by one Mr David Elombah.

Ogwu said: “In a letter dated June 10, I was invited by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on a petition concerning

misappropriation and embezzlement of funds by the Nigerian ambassador to the U.S. and others.

“Paragraph two of the letter states that I am invited to the meeting in my capacity as former foreign affairs minister 2006-2007.

“In my testimony before the senate committee on June 27, it was categorically emphasised that I neither received any request nor granted authorisation to any ambassador concerning the sale of Nigerian properties in Washington D.C. “Indeed, projects of such enormity are traditionally for the consideration of the Federal Executive Council.”

“It is very instructive to note that I was not invited to the Senate in my present capacity as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, because I am not under trial.

“I was invited in my capacity as former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the property

and the attendant proceeds are in Washington D.C and I have absolutely nothing to do with it.”

The former minister noted that the clarification became pertinent following what she called “ m a l i c i o u s misinformation” making the rounds in the media.

She observed that she had been erroneously portrayed as having appeared before the Senate in her capacity as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the UN. “Some reports have even labelled me as a former Nigeria ambassador to the U.S., who succeeded Prof.

George Obiozor.

“That is wrong because I have never been Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S,” she stressed.

Report recalls that the Ministry of Foreign Affiairs strongly denied that 23 million dollars was embezzled at its diplomatic mission in Washington D.C. The ministry statement came after Obiozor,

Nigeria’s current Ambassador to U.S, Prof.

Ade Adefuye, and Ogwu testified before the senate committee in a closed-door session.

According to the statement, “all monies involved in the sale of Federal Government

properties were duly and completely accounted for.”

It went further to claim that the sales were duly authorised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and appealed to the public to be patient and await the final report of the senate committee probing the allegation.

people in the region.

“This conference must be seen as a platform to launch Niger Delta youths into national limelight,” Akpabio said.

He said that 4,000 young people had been trained in integrated farmers’ scheme (IFS) and empowered with N500,000 each across the state.

The governor commended NDYP for the choice of theme, “Building sustainable entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta region’’.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of NDYP, Mr Moses Siasia, said that the group was committed to adding value to the growth of young people in the region.

“We have a lot of energy in the Niger Delta region, most of which are negative, that is why we need to redirect it positively,” Siasia said.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for giving young people opportunity to excel in Nigeria.

Siasia, who said that he was proud to be a young Nigerian entrepreneur, said that youth development must be seen as national priority.

He said that the conference was organised to enable the participants learn from the mentorship and experience of those who had made it in entrepreneurship.

Reports say that the conference attracted young Nigerian entrepreneurs, including, US-based Ms Nina Ijere-Otuka, UK-based Alexander Amosu, and Dr Tonye Alagba, based in Dubai as speakers.

Govt Donates Buses To Free government’s development LAGOS State Government Zone plan in that axis by cultivating has donated four buses to four communities hosting the Lekki Free Zone (LFZ) and Epe International Airport, to foster peaceful co-existence among government, communities and investors within the Zone.

A statement made available to newsmen in Lagos listed the four communities as Abejoye, Abomiti, Yeguda and Lekki/Epe. The statement quoted the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Olusola Oworu, as saying that the government was looking into other issues that would ensure a rancour-free relationship between the government and the communities.

Oworu said the buses were meant to complement the

vehicles previously donated by the authorities of the zone to the host communities.

She stressed that the gesture signified the commitment of the government toward meeting the yearnings of the people and ensuring that they were adequately compensated.

She further said that efforts were being made to ensure timely implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the communities.

According to the commissioner, the LFZ is a long-term project that requires adequate planning, consultation and funding.

She pleaded with the community leaders of IbejuLekki and Epe to embrace the

a true communal spirit that would attract foreign investors.

Oworu also said that the reallocation of lands and resettlement plans for all the affected communities in the two areas had been resolved, while allocation would soon be made to the beneficiaries.

On employment opportunities, the commissioner said that Governor Babatunde Fashola had mandated all interested investors in the zone to give priority to the indigenes.

He urged youths in the area to support the present administration in its efforts to create an enabling environment for businesses by extending their hospitality to potential investors.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

NEWS IGR: Delta Records N45.5b - Commissioner THE Delta Governemnt has said that its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has increased from N12.2 billion in 2007 to N45.5 billion in 2012.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Chike Ogeah, made this known to newsmen on the outcome of the State Economic Advisory Committee meeting in Asaba.

Ogeah said the committee observed that the IGR of the state rose from N12.2 billion in 2007 to N37.4 billion in 2011, while in 2012 it increased to N45.5 billion.

He said the state was targeting N61 billion in 2013, adding that it had already realised N23 billion January and May. The commissioner said the committee commended the state for improving on its IGR, and advised that more should be done to further soar it up.

He said it also advised the state to improve on its financial status through aggressive media and tax campaign, saying this would boost the financial base of the state.

Ogeah noted that the committee approved the appointment of a consultant to handle the Biometric Data Capturing of workers to reduce the N6.8 billion and

N7.1 billion monthly wage bills.

The consultants is “Quanteq Technology Limited’’.

He said the committee was of the view that the wage bill of the state was “too high’’, and advised the state government to work toward reducing it.

The committee, he added, believed that the outcome of the exercise would help to reduce the wage bill of the state when the “ghost workers’’ in the state civil service were flushed out.

The commissioner noted that the committee was of the opinion that the IGR of the state should be able to take care of the wage bill of the state.

Controller Seeks Improved Facilities In Prisons

MR. Joseph Kumulayi, Assistant Controller-General, Nigerian Prisons Service, zone ‘G’, has called for effective synergy among government agencies to improve prison facilities in the country.

Kumulayi made the call the state of infrastructure and when he briefed newsmen at welfare of personnel and the end of his quarterly inmates in the zone.

He said most vital facilities inspection visit to Ebonyi Command of the Nigerian in the various commands had either become obsolete, Prisons in Abakaliki.

He said that the quarterly overstretched or dilapidated.

The controller called for visit was to enable him assess collaboration between the state government and the prison authorities to upgrade the facilities.

He said that improved facility would assist in the quick and effective discharge certain areas because of good of its statutory responsibility. roads and electricity and urged He thanked the Federal the Federal Government to Government for the ongoing create enabling environment for reform in the NPS, saying, it people to go on vacation. would reposition the service.

Rabo said that people enjoy Kumulayi said the holidays based on their interests, Abakaliki Prison was built to personal preferences, time accommodate 387 inmates, available and finances. but regretted that the yard “We need to encourage was now housing about 785 people to go on holidays; awaiting and convicted holiday should be a relaxing and inmates. enjoyable experience; it is He said the situation had important to plan carefully to overstretched the avoid problems,’’ Rabo said. accommodation facility The NANTA president noted which had hampered that the economic situation in effective service delivery by the country was the major officers and men of the reason why people do not go on command. vacation.

He called on government to “People usually place their build more prisons in the state basic needs first before thinking to decongest the Abakaliki of going for holidays, this is as prison.

“Presently, the number of a result of the economic inmates in the Abakaliki situation in the country. prison yard has by far, “Our country is not like other outstretched the number developed countries where originally meant for it to travelling and going on holidays accommodate. are rights of citizens,’’ he said.

NANTA Urges FG To Dev Resorts THE National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Abuja Chapter, has called the Federal Government to develop vacation resorts that will encourage Nigerians spend vacations in the country.

The NANTA President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Rabo said the establishment of more holiday and vacation resorts in Nigeria would discourage Nigerians from travelling abroad to spend their vacation.

The NANTA president suggested that the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River and the Yankari National Park in Bauchi, should be further developed for relaxation.a He said Nigerians would be encouraged to spend their vacation in the country if adequate facilities were put in place at the vacation resorts.

People, he said, travel to

FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr. Osita Chidoka; Special Adviser to Minister of Information on Special Duties, Mr. Henry Angulu and Executive Director, Exxonmobil, Mr. Udom Inoyo, at the inauguration of PAN Nigeria Safety awareness campaign in Abuja.

“The yard is designed to accommodate only 387 inmates, but now we have no fewer than 785 inmates being accommodated in the yard.

“The situation is no doubt affecting effective service delivery as well as poses serious health risk to inmates owing to overcrowding.

“I, therefore, passionately appeal to the state government to intervene and build more prisons to accommodate the inmates,’’

Kumulayi said.

He called on government to purchase more security vans to convey awaiting trial inmates to courts.

He said that the Abakaliki prison had only one functional pick-up security and a blackMaria, saying that the logistic situation was impeding its smooth operations.

“With the level of sophistication in crime and criminality in the society, it will amount to a suicidal mission conveying awaiting trial criminals to court on foot.

“And every day we take these inmates to various courts sitting at different locations, and most of the times we do not always have enough logistics to move them.

“Most of the time, these hindrances usually result in their not appearing in courts for fair hearing,’’ he said.

The controller thanked officers and men of the Ebonyi command for their dedication and commitment to duty, describing the command as the most peaceful in the zone.

He said the Ebonyi command comprises Abakaliki and Afikpo prisons.

363 Patients Benefit From Free Surgery

NO fewer than 363 patients had benefited from ongoing rotational free surgery mission in Osun State, Dr Simeon Afolayan, the mission’s surgeon team leader, said.

Afolayan made this known in an interview with newsmen in Ilesa, Ilesa West Local Government Area of Osun state.

He said 250 patients registered for hernia, breast lumps, among others surgeries, but only 121 were operated and 10 severe cases referred to the state general hospital.

The surgeon said 242 patients had benefited from the first and second phase of the exercise at Iwo and

Osogbo, respectively.

According to him, the surgery formed part of the present administration’s sixpoint integral action plan to restore healthy living to every citizen of the state.

He assured patients benefiting from the ongoing exercise of qualitative treatment, stressing that the programme would continue as long as Governor Rauf Aregbesola remains in office as governor.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Shade Adesanya, who spoke with newsmen thanked the state government for the gesture toward the people of the state.

Adesanya said she had

suffered cervical swelling for seven years, but unable to go for the surgery due to her financial handicapped.

She advised residents of the state to support the current administration in its developmental initiatives so as to take Osun State to greater heights.

Also, Mr David Oyebamiji, a native of Ogbomosho in Oyo State, who resides in Idi-Ogun village, in Ile-Ife, said he suffered hernia for two years before his free surgery.

Oyebamiji advised the present administration not to relent in its efforts in assisting the needy and less privileged in all sectors.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

E. A. ADEBOYE On Sunday

God Of Greatness

Memorise: God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Psalm 67:7. Read: Genesis. 24:34-35; WHILE seeking a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s chief servant was sent to Abraham’s family in Nahor of Mesopotamia, to choose a wife for him.

Standing before the family, he testified of how God had greatly blessed his master in all things (Genesis 24:34-35). If the God of Abraham is your God, you cannot die small, poor or insignificant. Why? The God of Abraham takes pleasure in making His children great. Which of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob, of whom God is associated with by name was poor?

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Are you a child of the Most High God? The Lord will equally

make you great. You will not die in poverty.

You will not be insignificant.

I have tasted both poverty and wealth and make bold to say that the latter is far better than the former.

I have had to walk for the first 15 years of my life without shoes because we could not afford them. In my final year in the grammar school, I was a fairly good student so I won some prizes. We used to have a prize giving day shortly before the school vacated. On that day, all who excelled in a particular subject would come out and shake hands with the principal and be given a prize. The final year students were expected to wear a white shirt on white trousers and shoes. Having won a prize, I had no trousers or shoes to wear. I began to question God why He allowed me to win a prize when He

knew that I had no complementary uniform to receive it.

At that point, one of the boys in the hostel who had six pairs of trousers called me to help him decide which to wear. As I did this, I used the opportunity to ask for a pair of trousers even though he was taller than I was.

Then I remembered an uncle who had a pair of shoe and a pair of sandals that were not okay. He agreed to give me the sandal. Since I never wore a shoe before, I began to practice how to walk with it before the prize giving day.

On that day, I appeared with extra long trousers and oversized shoes but received my prize. Have you gone through the bad side of poverty? Because you are now seeds of Abraham, things will turn in your favour from today.

Action Point: No amount of wealth you take from God can deplete His resources.

Just ask, ask and keep asking.

“The God of Abraham takes pleasure in making His children great. Which of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob, of whom God is associated with by name was poor?”

WORLD NEWS Pro-Anti Gay Activists Clash POLICE detained dozens of people when pro- and antigay activists clashed in the Russian city of St Petersburg yesterday, just two weeks after parliament passed a law banning homosexual “propaganda”.

Critics say the bill - a nationwide version of laws in place in cities including St Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin’s hometown, effectively bans gay rights rallies and could be used to prosecute anyone voicing support for homosexuals.

Up to 100 people took part in the march to protest against the law, confronted by an equal number of anti-gay activists, who threw eggs, smoke flares and stones at them.

Police intervened with batons to stop the violence and detained dozens of people.

“We staged the rally to support our rights and express our protest against the homophobic law,” Natalya Tsymbalova, a gay activist said by telephone from a police station, adding that the rally did not infringe Russian law.

The march was organized by the group “Ravnopraviye” (Equal Rights).

The incident highlights increasing intolerance in Russian society towards gay people and a toughening of laws aimed at stifling any dissent against the rule of Putin in general.

The bill passed by the lower house on June 11 bans the spreading of “propaganda for non-traditional sexual relations” to minors and sets heavy fines for violations. It has yet to be signed into law

by Putin.

There are no official figures on anti-gay crime in Russia, but in an online poll last year, 15 percent of about 900 gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender respondents said they had been physically attacked at least once in the previous 10 months.

Putin, who has embraced the Russian Orthodox Church as a moral authority and harnessed its influence as a source of political support, has championed socially conservative values since starting a new, six-year term in May 2012.

An anti-gay protester shouts slogans as he tries to break up a Gay Pride event in St. Petersburg, Ju …

Obama Tells Egyptians To Talk, Not Fight

U.S. President Barack Obama called on Egypt’s government and opposition yesterday to engage each other in constructive dialogue and prevent violence spilling out across the region.

Bloodshed on Friday killed three people, including an American student, and mass rallies are planned for Sunday aimed at unseating Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.

Obama said he was “looking at the situation with concern”.

Hundreds have been wounded and at least eight killed in street fighting for over a week as political deadlock deepens. On Friday, a bomb killed a protester at a rally by the Suez Canal.

Washington is pulling nonessential staff out of Egypt.

“ZEvery party has to denounce violence,” Obama said at the other end of Africa, in Pretoria. “We’d like to see the opposition and President Mursi engage in a more constructive conversation about how they move their country forward because nobody is benefiting from the current stalemate.”

He added that it was “challenging, given there is not a tradition of democracy in Egypt”.

Mursi’s critics hope millions will march on Sunday when he marks a year in power to demand new elections. They accuse his Muslim Brotherhood of hijacking the revolution of

2011 and using its electoral majorities to monopolize power.

“Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world,” Obama said.

“The entire region is concerned that, if Egypt continues with this constant instability, that has adverse effects more broadly.”

U.S. missions would be protected, he said. Last year, a consulate in Libya was overrun and Americans killed.

The Egyptian army, heavily funded by Washington since before Hosni Mubarak was overthrown, is on alert. It

warned politicians it may step in if they lose control of the streets - an outcome some in the diffuse opposition coalition may quietly welcome, but to which Mursi’s Islamist allies might respond with force.

It is unclear how big the rallies will be or when they may start.

Protest organizers said on Saturday a petition calling on Mursi to quit had 22 million signatures - over 40 percent of the electorate and 7 million more than they announced 10 days ago.

Soldier’s Death Lingers As Britain Toasts Troops

TENS of thousands of Britons celebrated the work of the military yesterday in the fifth annual Armed Forces Day, with one of the largest events being held near the site in London where a soldier was murdered in broad daylight.

Lee Rigby, a 25-year-old veteran of the Afghan war, was killed last month outside Woolwich barracks in east London. Two men will stand trial in November.

The Woolwich barracks hosted a marching band and military display at the start of celebrations expected to draw around 20,000 people over the weekend.

Fearing possible violence, police banned a planned march

there by the English Defense League (EDL), a far-right group that has led an anti-Muslim backlash against Rigby’s killing.

The killing of Rigby has bolstered public support in Britain for the armed forces.

“This year’s flag raising will be particularly poignant following the awful murder of Drummer Lee Rigby,” said London’s mayor Boris Johnson as he raised the Armed Forces Day flag in London earlier in the week.

“London’s reaction to those events in Woolwich demonstrated the gratitude, esteem and unity of Londoners in support for the men and women of our Armed Services.”

6

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Woman Asked To Prove She’s Female To Get Driver’s License

A 37-year-old Georgia woman whose birth certificate mistakenly labeled her as male had to jump through some major

hoops to get her driver’s license renewed.

Fox 5 Atlanta spoke with Nakia Grimes of Clayton

County about her odyssey to get the typo cleared up.

Grimes said she never really had occasion to look closely at her birth certificate, so she never noticed the mistake.

“You only look at the name, the date and the year,” Grimes told Fox 5.

“I’ve never seen that.”

The woman working at Georgia’s Department of Vital Records did notice and came to Grimes with an unusual request. “She said I needed to go have a PAP exam, have a doctor write a note verifying you’re a woman and bring it back notarized,” Grimes explained to Fox 5. That was something Grimes said she was unwilling to do.

Instead she reached out to the station for help.

A reporter from Fox 5 spoke to Georgia’s Vital Records department on Grimes’ behalf. The director of the agency said she would look into the incident.

The matter was cleared up once state authorities examined the birth certificate of Grimes’ son.

The document listed Grimes as the mother, which cleared up any confusion about whether or not she was really female.

Earlier this year, a computer glitch at Pennsylvania’s Division of Vital Records resulted in about 500 birth certificates listing the wrong fathers.

Woman Gets Life Jail For Chopping Husband’s whole? Never ... I’ve got a A judge sentenced a Manhood long ways to go.”

Southern California woman 2011 assault on her exwho cut off her estranged husband’s penis and tossed it in the garbage disposal to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Catherine Kieu, 50, was convicted by an Orange County jury in April of aggravated mayhem and torture following the July

husband.

Kieu drugged her former spouse before tying him up and severing his penis with a knife. She then threw it into the garbage disposal unit.

An attorney for Vietnamborn Kieu argued at trial that she had suffered sexual abuse as a child which left her with post-traumatic stress. She

Man Recognises Mom As Suspect

THE FBI says a Michigan man who recognized his mom in surveillance photos of a bank robbery called police to turn her in.

Reports say the man told police his mother was at his home in Kent County’s Byron Township.

Authorities say 53-year-old Dee Ann Sanders of Martin was charged with robbing a Bank of America branch on June 18.

Her arraignment is scheduled Thursday in Grand Rapids.

A teller says the robber handed her a note demanding

$2,500 for her children and grandchildren. She got $1,092.

Surveillance photos show a woman wearing a bright red T-shirt with a large American flag on the front.

FBI special agent Adam Van Deuren says Sanders confessed.

It’s unknown if she has a lawyer yet. She doesn’t have a phone listing.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME I, MRS. CHRISTIANA OWAKOSHE OKOGBE is the same person as CHRISTIANA IGBADUN and AYOOLA OWAKHOSHE as appeared in my Primary School Leaving Certificate.

Henceforth, I now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHRISTIANA OWAKOSHE OKOGBE. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

Odd News Compiled By PAUL OKOMAYIN

SA Police Detain Drone Cameraman SOUTH African police has detained the owner of a radiocontrolled helicopter drone carrying a camera that was filming scenes around the Pretoria hospital where ailing anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela is being treated.

F.C. Hamman, a South African freelance film-maker, was escorted away by police along with the helicopter camera he was flying with his 21-year-old son Timothy outside the clinic where Mandela, 94, has spent three weeks with a lung infection.

After nearly four hours of questioning by police, Hamman was released but the drone camera was confiscated.

“From a security point of view, they are concerned. They are inspecting our equipment to make sure it didn’t violate any security regulations,” Hamman told Reuters, adding police had not pressed any charges for the moment.

was remorseful about the attack, he said.

After the sentencing hearing, the victim identified only as “Glen” said he wished Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard Toohey could have given Kieu more time behind bars, City News Service reported.

“Deep down inside I was hoping for a stronger sentence, but given the restraints of the law this is what he had to do,” he said.

“There may be a situation where I can be happy, but

“We didn’t realize we were breaking any laws,” he said.

Hamman said he had intended to offer to media organizations the aerial shots of intense activity around the hospital, where crowds of jostling journalists have mingled with well-wishers paying tribute to South Africa’s former president.

“We were careful not to fly over the hospital,” he said.

The intense media scrutiny has angered some of Mandela’s family. Daughter Makaziwe on Thursday lambasted foreign media “vultures” for not respecting his privacy as he lay critically ill.

Hamman said he had already used the home-built flying camera in other film projects and had also assisted police with surveillance work in operations against suspected drug-dealers in the crimeplagued Johannesburg suburb of El Dorado.

“You can’t fly one of those things without a permit,” one police officer said at the hospital after Hamman was escorted away. Pretoria police declined to comment further.

The incident came just hours before U.S. President Barack Obama started an official visit to South Africa, which will include stops in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Asked how he thought Obama’s huge security detail might react if he launched the flying “eye in the sky” in the vicinity of the president, Hamman chuckled: “That would be a mistake.”

911 Dispatcher Deliver Baby

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

GUOBADIA – I, formerly known and addressed as GUOBADIA EBIZE BRIDGITTAAH now wish to be known and addressed as OBAMWONYI – MARTIN EBIZE BRIDGITTAAH. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

NOWOGHOMWENMA – I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NOWOGHOMWENMA HELEN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AHUNWAN HELEN. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

A woman who didn’t expect to give birth until mid-July delivered a healthy baby girl along a Michigan roadway with help from her husband and coaching from a 911 dispatcher.

Nicole Culwell, of Howell, was heading to St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital with her husband, Matthew, when she realized she wouldn’t make it in time. So her husband pulled

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OFUALAGBA – I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MAUREEN OGHALE OFUALAGBA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OGHALE MAUREEN IDJEDE. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

NOWOGHOMWENMA – I, formerly known and addressed as MISS GLORY NOWOGHOMWENMA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. BALOGUN GLORY. Former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OSAIKUKHUOMWAN – I, formerly known and addressed as OROBOSA OSAIKUKHUOMWAN, now wish to be known and called OBASUYI DAVID OSAS. Former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

over along U.S. 23 in the Ann Arbor area, and Susannah was born, AnnArbor.com reported.

“He was great and stayed calm about it,” Nicole Culwell said of her husband. “I don’t even really remember her being born. I just remember holding her after and patting her back to make sure she was breathing.”

The Culwells were about 10 minutes from the hospital when they stopped, and a 911 dispatcher talked them through the delivery.

“You can see the baby’s head coming out,” Matthew Culwell tells dispatcher Carol Lellis at the beginning of the call, a recording of which was obtained

by The Associated Press.

Later, he says: “Oh my God. The baby’s out. The baby’s out,” before asking Lellis: “What do I do?”

7

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

JEREMIAH 35:5-6 says “And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine. But they said, we will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever”.

Looking at the scripture above, the word “commanded” can mean instructed, taught, trained, brought up not to drink wine. In other words, this instruction was planted in them while they were still

Sunday Sermon With Bishop Clement Ehidiamhen the noise of the clipper and the small money that the man was making, he decided in life to be a barber but his father who was a disciplinarian would not allow his son to be a school drop out and be a barber.

The father ordered his steps back to school and in those days, he was not so good academically but a lot of encouragement was given

God and continue with Him. • LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF EMULATON: Children learn by watching, so what you don’t want in your child’s character don’t dramatize it before him or her. You can’t be smoking and tell your children not to smoke when they grow up.

You can’t keep beating your wife in the presence of your

them to be good, teach them not to do to others what they will not want others to do to them. Teach them how to be givers, tell them not to be greedy, greed can make you kill to satisfy your desire, teach them contentment, teach them modesty, expose them to information that will help them as they grow, invest into their training, formally or informally.

and don’t forget you are their closest mentor. HEAR WHAT DOROTHY LAW NOLTE said “children live what they learn, if a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he learns violence. If a child lives with ridicule he learns to be shy. If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty. If child lives with

children left to themselves sometimes end up becoming a liability.

No child by the creation of God was created to be wayward, rascal, hoodlum because in Genesis 1:31 after God has finish creation said “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

And the evening and the morning were the sixth day” if God created man very good, then it is the inability of the parents to take total control of the child’s wellbeing due to inability to control or give birth to the

What Are You Teaching That Child?

kids and this instruction went from one generation to another.

If you must be able to raise up a man of your dream, then plant, nourish, monitor and instruct a child.

You don’t train men while they are already men, you train children and children grow up to become men.

Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.

Children are the foundation to every great future, if you want a better tomorrow, discipline your child today. If we must get better leaders for our nation tomorrow, you don’t start shouting on them when they are already leaders; you teach them the leaders you want them to be while they are kids. People don’t seem to understand this, that if you neglect a child today, you have already affected your tomorrow negatively.

Proverbs 29:15 “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” and if you go further in that same chapter 29 of proverbs and in verse 17a says “correct thy son and he shall give thee rest…” A child you don’t correct is the man you have condemned.

Parents, always remember that the size of a house is determined by the foundation, an up stair whose foundation is of a bungalow type is not a safe place to dwell. And the Bible says in Psalm 11:3 “if the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Every child left to chance might be chanced in life. A professor once told me that while he was growing up as a child, he will always run to barbing saloon close to their house and because of

to him. Today, a supposed “never do well” is now a renowned professor all over the world. Many people who probably God created to be leaders have ended up becoming thugs, many who would have be engineers, doctors, lawyers etc have ended up as wheelbarrow pushers, gatemen, premature mothers and fathers, all because of the negligence of parents.

HOW THEN, DO I TRAIN MY CHILD? • MAKE THEM KNOW GOD AT AN EARLY AGE: Jesus was still young when the father and the mother were taking Him to the church and church festivals. They made Him love God to the extent that He loved staying in the temple of God rather than going home.

Everything about God is good. So, making them to know God is making them to know well. No good church will teach you how to live a wicked life.

Life without Christ is like a plane heading for a crash.

Making your children to know God makes them grow up to be godly adults.

One of the benefits of a child that knows God is that he/she lives under the canopy of God protection from evil rain and sin.

Above all, heaven is a guarantee when you know

children and advice them not to become rascals.

Remember our major text, the Rachabites did not drink and did not teach the children how to drink and even when prophet Jeremiah told them to drink they said “our father commanded us not to drink wine” as a parent you must practice what you preach to your children. Encourage

Spend time with them, observe their character from time to time and teach them how you want them to be dressing as they grow because if you teach them how to be half-naked now while they are young, they will not be ashamed even when they are adults. Don’t punish them for saying the truth. So you must act the way you want them to act

“children live what they learn, if a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he learns violence. If a child lives with ridicule he learns to be shy. If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty. If child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence. If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.”

encouragement, he learns confidence. If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice. If a child lives with security, he learns faith. If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself. If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to love the world”.

• GIVE BIRTH TO THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN THAT YOU CAN TRAIN VERY WELL: It is better to give birth to a few and invest your resources into them than to give birth to many that will become problem to you and to others.

Trained and disciplined children are always assets to the community while

number they can train that has given the devil a loop hole to enter the child and pervert his/her destiny.

Remember go into the world and multiply is not an assignment for only you.

That you are looking for a particular sex (Gender) among your children and it is not forth coming is not an excuse, have a birth plan if there are male and female included, to God be the glory but if one is lacking, appreciate the ones God has giving to you, train them to be able to do what the other sex you are looking for would have done. In doing this, you will be able to invest wisely into the lives of your children because an investment and inheritance done on a child is far better than an inheritance left for the child.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

ENVIRONMENT ACCORDING to Dr. Gozie Ogbodo’s 2013 Lecture, Environmental Law in Nigeria has

Oil in Navigable Waters’ Act 1968, Oil in Navigable Regulations 1968, Petroleum Act

section 36 of the NESREA Act. Now that we have given a chronology of the

Nigeria cannot be over estimated. This is so because since the country began to export oil in

With ANTHONY AIBANGBEE

The Flaws In The Nigerian Environmental Flagship Law

evolved into three phases.

The first face is the pre1988 phase. That is before the Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act (FEPA) era. This phase consist of the colonial era to independence, and from independence to 1988.

COLONIAL ERA TO INDEPENDENCE: This era spans from 1884/1885 (Berlin Conference) to 1960.

During this period environmental law was influenced mainly by the political and economic considerations of the colonial rulers. Domestic waste management was the major environmental focus of that time.

Development was emphasised and above environmental concerns.

INDEPENDENT TO 1988 ERA: This phase witnessed major political and economic development.

Independence increased the temple of individual and economic development, for all the regional, federal government. It was also during this period that oil was discovered in 1956 in Olo-Ibiri in present Bayelsa State. This period saw the enactment of such statutes like the

1969, Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Act 1969, Oil Pipeline Act e.t.c.

THE SECOND PHASE: THE POST 1988 PHASE: THE Koko dumping incident 1987/1988 facilitated the development of modern day environmental law in Nigeria. The Federal Government of Nigeria organised a National Workshop, from which a National Policy on the environment was developed. Laws like the Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act (FEPA) 1988, The Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provisions) Act 1988 e.t.c., were enacted.

Unlike the control and management goals of environmental law in pre-1988 Nigeria, this period focused more on preventive and regulatory strategies.

THE THIRD AND LAST PHASE: POST 2007 PHASE The National Environmental Standard R e g u l a t i o n s Enforcement Agency Act (NESREA) was enacted in 2007, it repealed the FEPA Act; and thus became the Flagship Law on Environmental Regulation in Nigeria –

By UKIRI CLEMENTINA

evolution of Nigeria Environmental Laws, till the NESREA Act, which is the basic environmental protection, there is a question to be answered.

Do you know that the biggest Law on Environment Nigeria has, cannot entertain cases of environmental pollution emanating from the Oil and Gas Sector? It is because (1) The centrality of oil and gas industry to the corporate existence of

commercial quantity, all other sectors of foreign revenue generation like mining, agriculture has been neglected. This has made the Oil and Gas sector the sole life – line of Nigeria. Therefore any disruption in the sector will impact tremendously on the economy.

Secondly and basically, this is so because the NESREA A ct; in section 7 (g,h,j,k) expressly excluded the Oil and Gas from its

whimps. It is therefore referred to as the exclusionary clause.

Based on these setback of flagship law, one begins to wonder if the Nigerian government is actually prepared to tackle the environmental degradation majorly caused by pollution, for which the Oil and Gas sector is at the fore-front.

It is a clear cut fact that oil companies like Shell are worst sources of environmental pollution,

both on air, land and seas.

This also implies that, today Nigerian government, as the government of Nigeria in colonial time are more conscious of the economic value derived other than the environmental protection and life in totality. This is so, as the NESREA Act implicitly is influenced by economic and political consideration. Now, what and who will bell the cat?

“It is a clear cut fact that oil companies like Shell are worst sources of environmental pollution, both on air, land and seas”

9

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

10

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

New Nation: Is Financial Power About

To Change Hands In Nigeria?

AND the women have it!

The lines are gradually falling unto them in pleasant places.

Talk about a soft (gender) revolution!

Yes, according to the “marking scheme” of the masses on the streets, one major area of appreciable success in the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan-led Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda is the new frontiers in consolidating late President Musa Yar’Adua’s vision of real empowerment for Nigerian women and girls.

Never in the history of this country, have I witnessed women occupying so much places of authority and power, politically, academically, socioeconomically, name it. As I pen down this writeup, an international meeting of all African women in power has just been declared open in Abuja, (Thursday, June 27, 2013) by President GEJ, who is the chief host of the occasion taking place at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

The goal, according to the minister of State for Women Affairs, is to consolidate on the gains of women of Africa in the corridors of power, both politically and economically in both the public and private sector, and to set agenda for greater contribution of women to Africa’s development.

And so it is no surprise that Nigeria is blazing the trail in the rude awaking for Africa of the future which, as is universally common knowledge, can never guarantee a better future and sustainable development and peace in the embattled continent, WITHOUT A DELIBERATE EFFORT TO PUT MORE POWER IN THE HANDS OF OUR WOMEN- economically and politically.

Little wonder then that in what looks like a public vote or (to borrow President Jonathan’s words) “marking scheme” by some Nigerian women at the grassroots, a new group of female corporation in the oil sector, “WOMEN IN OIL (WIO)” has just emerged with the following verdicts on their w e b s i t e , www.womeninoil.com: President Goodluck Jonathan & Women: P r e s i d e n t Goodluck Jonathan has done more in policy for women than any other president in Nigerian history.

P r e s i d e n t Goodluck Jonathan has overseen the appointment of

more women in government positions than any other president in the history of the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan took the boldest stand in presidential appointments for women by naming the first female Chief

Justice of the federation.

President Goodluck Jonathan has more women in the federal executive council than any other president has ever had.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has taken the greatest step in Nigerian history towards gender equality, women rights, liberation and empowerment by orchestrating and enforcing the 35% affirmative policy which states that women in Nigeria must have 35% representation in all sectors of the economy.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s 35% affirmative policy provided both the inspiration and foundation for “Women in Oil” which has now become the largest umbrella for women empowerment and family support in the history of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Given a few more years in office, President Goodluck Jonathan will do more for the average woman in Nigeria than any other president and will provide greater support for Women in Oil which will invariably increase the empowerment of the members.

Just in case you are still not satisfied with the “marking scheme” by WiO, have I got news for you? I visited the Benin City office of an organization by the name NEW NATION, with my investigative journalism tentacles standing sharp. I

had heard from a female student of UNIBEN earlier this week that one Dukwe was ‘in town’ through NEW NATION, for a mission: to put oil money in the pockets of female citizens of Nigeria.

A little inquiry was all I needed to understand that

something more financially diametric was in the offing for Nigerian women, within the framework of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda for women empowerment in Nigeria. In line with the Public Private Partnership policy of the Federal Government, a collaborative agenda to financially empower Nigerian women through active participation in the oil sector was already making the rounds, as “the key to the fulfillment of the Beijing Declaration as

nothing in the world can compensate for the cause of gender inequality in Nigeria except the participation of women in the oil and gas industry; this will solve the national cry for 35% affirmative action for women empowerment.”

According to a New Nation staff in Benin City, this is the best thing to happen to Nigerian women at the grassroots, as membership have already risen across the country albeit little awareness had yet been created nationwide. WIO members, I was told, can receive monthly profit of up to N20, 000 each month, access healthcare coverage for high medical bills for themselves and their family members, and care receive cars and conveniently take their time to pay it off.

Members can get legal aid/

BRIO With Francis Odupute

defense in times of victimization or oppression and can receive housing allowance and access to 30 years mortgage as well as get business loans for their business ideas.

institutionalized? ow is WIO going to get the impoverished women on the streets of Eziawa- a long neglected community in Orsu LGA, Imo State, for instance, to become “oil women” of

How Will It All Work?

Nigerians are naturally excellent thinkers and great initiators, but we are poor in implementation. The Women in Oil (WIO) idea, to any rational mind, is genius. But the fears of most Nigerians would be, among others, on the issues of implementation, integrity and sustenance.

How will NEW NATION deliver this seemingly impossible task without following where the path leads and falling along with others in a country where corruption has been

substance, when we all know that several efforts by foreign donors to financially empower poor rural women at the grassroots always end up in the pockets of wives of governors and other “ogas at the top” through their NGOs that go extinct once their husbands’ tenure in office elapsed?

How does NEW NATION hope to practically compliment the women Transformation agenda of this present government of Nigeria and drive visible and sustainable radical gender paradigm shift in the Nigerian political landscape in the context female dominance in the oil and gas sector?

These and many more questions will be awaiting practical answers from the audacious brains behind WIO as public awareness of, and participation in, this movement grows. And for Charles Dukwe, founder of the NEW NATION Movement, who created the WIO Corporation, get ready for many chieftaincy titles and awards because, this is one feat that posterity will live to celebrate- that is if it succeeds. This is indeed the time to birth a new Nigeriaproudly supported by women of virtues, and if Women In Oil can deliver, then by all means let’s get the ball rolling!

11

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Naked Truth THE newly introduced Mid-term report by the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a medium for the President through its ministers to give account of stewardship for the past two years of the present administration. This report has seen different ministers coming to render account of their activities and achievements to Nigerians via the media, which has elicited praises and criticisms of the various ministers achievements so far. Naked Truth went to town to find out the views of the citizens concerning the assessment of the Jonathan Administration through the on-going Mid-term report as presented by his ministers.

They are presented for your reading delight.

Excerpt

in every government circle?

In the analysis, the mid-term report of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a total failure.

Report is below average – Oyiboke S. Adams President Jonathan midterm report was a package of political cosmetic makeup geared towards blind folding the Nigeria nation

hours supply of electricity amongst others can best be described as ‘misfit’. The President Jonathan led P.D.P. has not impacted in any way on lives, therefore, the mid term report is below average. He should wakeup!

He has not lived up to expectation – Richard Eweka When you look at the

With CITIZEN EMMA KOLA OKHAKHU longer safe in their country.

The level of unemployment has doubled if not triple.

Poverty has become the order of the day, things has become worse than he met it and yet he is still wanting to continue in office in

instance, the ongoing ministerial platform is a plus for the Jonathan administration. If he can take the bull by the horn by giving the presidential order for a ministerial platform which is being transmitted on television and published

What Is Your View About Jonathan’s Mid-Term Report?

Performance Fairly Above Average - Osazua Ivbaze IN the final analysis, Mr. President’s performance is fairly above average.

Security in the Northern part of the country is still a problem despite the imposition of a state of emergence in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno. The move to privatised NEPA has not noticeably improved power supply while the health sector is simply nothing to write home about. Those who can afford it travel out of the country to avail themselves better healthcare as facilities on the home front are not good enough. In the area of road construction/ rehabilitation, the FGN is doing fairly well as many federal roads are now getting attention.

Advice: President Jonathan should concentrate more on delivering democracy dividends and reduce the flurry of activities on the 2015 general elections.

President Obama’s refusal to visit Nigeria even on his second trip to Africa shows that in democratic governance, we are yet to get to understand its meaning.

Strengthen Our Security System - Comrade Pius O. Ede Basically, the business of government is welfare and security. What is the level of security of lives and property in this country today? And what is the percentage of Nigerians that can boast of three balance meals in a day and other basic necessities of life?

President Goodluck Jonathan have some leadership qualities, but unfortunately, he found himself in a satanic party called PDP. The only

courageous decision he took with in this period is the declaration of emergency rule in three northern states to save the lives and properties of our brothers/ sisters in that part of Nigeria and again it is not a plus for us as a nation. He should strengthen the nation’s security system to crack down the criminals before they strike instead of defending bad cases.

Report is a total failure – Odekhe M.O. The mid-term report of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan based on selfassessment by a member of his own cabinet awarded the administration forty-five per cent. The scene at this level is below pass mark because forty-five per cent at post-graduate level in our universities is not a pass mark. If he can score himself below average, then the administration so far is totally a failure. After two years in office, we are yet to see any of those promises fulfilled. Power, security, unemployment, infrastructural development, refineries refurbishment, etc are yet to receive an iota of transformation. So where is the transformation agenda that have been popularized

President Jonathan

and its people as if he has actually been fixing the nation.

Any government that fails to provide security of lives and property, economically empower its youth and energetically ensure 24

situation and happening in the country it would not be wrong to say that he has not met the expectation of Nigerians who voted him to power. It is during his term now that Nigerians are no

“If he can score himself below average, then the administration so far is totally a failure.

After two years in office, we are yet to see any of those promises fulfilled. Power, security, unemployment, infrastructural development, refineries refurbishment”.

2015. Jonathan has performed below expectation and Nigerians are not happy with his performance. I score him low in terms of his performance as president of Nigeria.

Mid term report is a good idea – Kester Ogiesewu It is necessary for any responsible government to display its achievements in terms of mid term report to the public for a thorough and genuine assessment of that particular administration.

For

in virtually all the newspapers in the country on a daily basis. I think that the idea is an indication that the Jonathan administration is ready to operate an opendoor policy government and that presupposes that with all manner of criticisms coming from Nigerians on issues bothering on government policies in all sectors of the economy, there will be sanity in the system. This means that, the government will be able to know where mistake have been made and there will be room for corrections in such a way that it will impart passively on the lives of the Nigerian populace.

But, talking about mid term report, government should be made to realise that it is not an avenue to loot government treasure.

This is because often times situations like this arise where public funds are misappropriated all in the name of trying to project the image of government.

However, we need a midterm report on a regular basis that will be carefully and genuinely given to all Nigerians for a better assessment of any government in power.

Report is commendable – Tunde Eigbeiremolen The mid-term report is accountability and service delivery in action. The midterm report is also a democratic norm which is quite commendable.

In the area of roads construction and infrastructural development, Jonathan has done exceedingly well. The President needs to be encouraged to do more.

Flood-control, job creation and power sector also needs to be frontally tackled.

12

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Vox Pop

Proposed Ban Of Satchet Water

THE federal government recently announced that it would ban the use of plastic bags including sachet water with effect from 2014. This according to the government is geared toward checkmating the continued dilapidation of the environment.

Also, the government of Rivers State recently proposed a ban on sachet water within the state.

Experts have argued that the plastic sachet materials are non-bio-degradable and that pure water sachets are not well disposed off. They have further stated that, it is unhealthy to drink from a sachet.

In the same vein if the plastic material is exposed to high temperatures, it dissolves gradually and release potential cancerous substances called oxidants, the government has said.

This is the topic of this week’s Vox Pop as presented

by Ukiri Clementina, Salami Blessing, Obiekwuye Queen and Okomayin Paul.

Excerpts It will cause a big problem – Nnamdi Okah My view on the propose ban of sachet water in Nigeria will cause a big problem.

Most times people cannot get to the tap to fetch water to drink, especially when they are outside their homes, so they utilise the sachet water at such instances, so the banning of it is not a good one. It will affect most people, especially the poor masses who do not have money to purchase bottled water which is sold for N50 and above.

It is not Nice – Barr Nkechi Nnegbu My view as regards the ban of sachet water, is that it is not nice. First of all, the government should consider the masses who do not have the means of purchasing bottled water. Also, sachet water is 60cl, same with the normal bottled water, and the difference between N10 and N50 is of great significance, so the government should consider the masses. I don’t also know what sachet water will cause as an impediment to the administration of

today’s government. The propounders of such policies should also remember where they are coming from, and they must have poor relations too in the village who are living below standard. For God sake, sachet water is portable to convey anywhere, in your bag, hand held etc.

Even if we take it from the angle of how people dispose the sachets on the roads after drinking, the question that comes to mind is, will the government also ban other products that are packed with

sachets. Products like gala, biscuits, sweets, cakes etc I think it will be wickedness if implemented. It is of no consequence at all.

I do not like the idea - Mrs. Philomena Igunbor The ban on sachet water is

are hard to decompose but that can be solved by effective sanitary education.

I mean, the government can mobilize people to go from door to door and even with the media, educate people on the best way to dispose of these sachets.

Federal Government want to put the poor masses into this kind of state. They know we can not buy the bottled water, what do they want us to be drinking when we are working, do they want us to spend all our money buying bottled water? This is not fair at all on the part of the Federal Government.

Federal Government should provide cheap bottled water for the people

not an idea that goes well with me at all. The ordinary man depends on this sachet water and not on bottled water, mind you. The government should consider the school children who have to trek long distances since the ban on bikes. You wouldn’t expect these children to start purchasing bottled water which they understandably cannot afford. Those who make ends meet by selling these sachets water should also be considered. True, the sachet

I do not support it at all – Mrs. Okpere Favour I do not support it at all.

If there is an alternative which I have heard there will be, it will no doubt be too expensive for those who formerly depend on the sachet water. And what assurance do we have that the alternative will not be more harmful to man than these sachets.

This is not fair at all – Mr. Tolu I see no reason why the

- Mrs. Asemota - Trader How will the Federal Government ask us not to drink pure water again? If they don’t want us to drink pure water around the cities again then, they should look for cheap bottled water for people like me who don’t have money to buy the bigger bottled water. That will make the people happy.

The Federal Government should provide job for the youth – Olive The Federal Government should provide jobs for the

youth before this ban because if this is not done, there will be unemployment everywhere you go because some of the youth do some mini jobs for this sachet water owners which help them to keep life going.

The government should provide portable water – Simon Ogunleye, student It is unfair, considering the fact that the government can’t provide portable drinking water alternatively.

It will also be hard on people who sell pure water, as we call it, to earn a living. It was the inability of the government to provide portable water that led to production and spread of sachet water. If the government can provide portable water across the country first, then the ban would be fair.

I think the government should concern itself with other pressing issues – Lydia Eyinna, Trader I think the government should concern itself with other pressing issues than placing a ban on pure water which sells for a paltry N5 or N10 by some people as their means of livelihood, or better still, provide good pipeborne water for the masses as the masses are the ones that will be affected by the ban, not the elites.

It is unacceptable – Kika Famous The government of the day has gone bananas. Ban on sachet water? I am wondering what next they will ban. Government officials do not work for hours under the scorching sun and so do not and can not understand what sachet water is to the ordinary man. If there will be alternatives, no doubt they will be too expensive for the ordinary man to purchase. If disposing of these sachets is the problem, then the right machinery should be put in place to ensure they are disposed off properly and not outright ban on sachet water.

“The government should consider the school children who have to trek long distances since the ban on bikes. You wouldn’t expect these children to start purchasing bottled water which they understandably cannot afford.

Those who make ends meet by selling these sachets water should also be considered.”

13

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

NEWS XTRA

Farmers Commend Agric Transformation In C’River

From left: APGA Youth, Enugu State Chairman, Mr. Sunday Edigbe; Youth Leader, Emmanuel Onah and Provost, Kenneth Okomgbo, addressing newsmen shortly after a solidarity rally in support of Chief Victor Umeh in Enugu recently.

Drivers In Civil Service Advised On Road Safety

MAJOR P.U. Udugbezi (Rtd) has advised drivers in the state civil service to adopt preventive maintenance as it is the best and most appropriate way of managing their vehicles.

He stated this at a one day seminar on Drivers Development Course on Road Safety and Good Human Relations Organised

by the Directorate of Establishments, Training and Management Service Office of the Head of Service, Governor’s Office in conjunction with Rufus Isaac associates. According to him, to achieve this, a policy that

will constantly involve the drivers to have a listening ear, eyes on the ground and a periodical inspection of their vehicles must be adopted.

He equally noted that 80% of road accidents are caused by human errors which are

Bethel University College Holds to know more about God,

By DANIEL EDOBOR/ Seminar especially in cases when BERNADETTE IDIALU BETHEL University College of Biblical Studies has held its quarterly seminar with the focus of empowering students to, “Understand the call of God.” The students of the university who were mentored on practical and biblical aspects of God’s Ministry ventilated on aspects of their challenges and on the field experience in the ministry in a cerebral interactive session.

The Administrator of the Benin Centre of Bethel University College of Biblical Studies, Dr. Napoleon Ose speaking with SUNDAY OBSERVER Newspaper, stated that, “When God calls you to be a pastor/evangelist, he also gives you the grace to function in different aspects of the church.

Dr. Napoleon Ose enthused that, “A pastor is a salesman who advertizes and sells Jesus Christ and his messages, this places the need to do proper advertisements to enable

people accept this product.”

Speaking on the need for the seminar, he said it was practical based, aimed at handling emanating issues head-on, besides fulfilling the school’s set academic calendar. The school, he reiterated, focus mainly on teaching biblical studies for which theology was an important but not an overriding aspect of study.

As the Administrator of the Bethel University, Benin City, Dr. Napoleon Ose noted that the unique selling point of the school was the building of the Human Resource Development capacity of students, coupled with the teaching of biblical studies which has empowered graduants to secure religious or circular jobs. He added that attendance was strictly monitored in the award of certificates to make for sound transfer of knowledge.

The Director of the University, Dr. lkeh Chinedun said this seminar was germane for majority of students are already ministers of God but few were trying

superiors tried to make them believe they were not qualified to do God’s work based on their individual capacity.

Looking at society, Dr. lkeh Chinedun observed that there was a challenge of who mentors who. This was why the school set out strategic courses as well as organize quarterly seminars at which biblical or societal topical issues are treated and means forged to correct emanating trends.

Tracing the origin of the school to Professor Fred Okonne who got the divine call to missionary work through the establishment of a school to train pastors in the USA and Nigeria, after 10 years of training, Dr. Chinedun encouraged ministers/pastors to remain true and steadfast to their calling, avoiding temptations that come along the way. He maintained that since the existence of the school in Benin City, trail blazing pastors have been churned out who periodically associate with the school at the programme, “The gathering of the Sons and

preventable if measures are taken to forestall them.

Speaking on the Topic: Discipline and Good Human Relationship, a Management Consultant and Human Resources Expert, Elder Reads Alufohai, charged the drivers to be well behaved, coolheaded and of good conduct. He said they should avoid all acts of misconduct capable of tarnishing the image of the service as they are the wheels of their various ministries.

On his part Mr. A.T. Idahosa who stood in for the Head of Service, said that the seminar was meant to train drivers in the state civil service so that they can imbibe the safety codes and ethics that would enable them function effectively.

The seminar featured questions and answers session by the participants who were drawn from the various ministries, departments and agencies in Edo State.

FARMERS in Cross River have lauded the Agriculture Transformation Agenda of the state government.

A cross section of the farmers told newsmen in Calabar that the implementation of the programme had helped to improve crop production in the current farming season.

A cassava farmer, Mr. Nbang Ibor, told newsmen that the introduction of the ewallet system had enabled several farmers in the state to easily access fertiliser.

He described the value chain system introduced by the state Ministry of Agriculture, as ‘a big boost’ to itinerant farmers in the state.

“Through the value chain addition, farmers now go beyond subsistent farming to processing and marketing to get the real value for our products,’’ he said.

Ibor said that the availability of tractors and farm inputs had also helped to boost the output of farmers and encouraged mass production.

“The government is also distributing cassava stem to farmers freely; this is a right step in the right direction,’’ he said.

Another farmer, Mr. Asuquo Etim, said that the distribution of fertilisers through e-wallet system had not only helped in eliminating fraud, but had also made the commodity available to the grassroots.

“The real farmers now have access to fertilisers unlike the time when some people in government hijack the commodity and re-sell to farmers at exorbitant price,’’ he said.

He, however, noted that the system was yet to be

perfected, saying that several farmers in the rural areas were yet to feel the impact of the new system.

“There is need for improvement in the system because some farmers in remote villages are still complaining due to either poor or complete absence of telephone network,’’ he said.

A cocoa farmer from Ikom, Mr. Lawrence Ndoma, also lauded the government for distribution of cocoa seedlings to farmers in the state.

He said that the gesture had impacted positively in the production of cocoa in the state.

“The gesture is capable of making Cross River the highest cocoa producing state in Nigeria,’’ Ndoma said.

Ndoma said this was the first time a government in the state had done ‘everything’ to assist farmers, adding that the impact would soon be felt across the state.

“I have no doubt that sooner than later Cross River will become the food basket of the nation,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the price of garri, which has been on the increase for several months now, is gradually coming down in parts of Calabar metropolis.

Reports showed that a basin of garri that was sold for between N5,000 and N5,500 in May, now goes for between N4,000 and N4,500 depending on the market.

Mrs. Rose Ikpali, who sells garri in one of the markets visited, attributed the drop in price to the availability of alternative foods in the market.

“Now, you have corn and other seasoned foods in the market; so people now go for alternatives,’’ she claimed.

Edo Govt Urged To Set Up General A concerned citizen of Hospital At Okada Okada town, the administrative headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State, Mr. Johnson Imuagbonhen has appealed to the state Government to establish a General Hospital at Okada.

He made the appeal at Okada while exchanging views with The SUNDAY OBSERVER Mr. Imuagbonhen pointed out that the establishment of a general hospital at Okada would enhance the health care of

inhabitants of the area.

He commended the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for his developmental strides in the state, which has made Edo State a positive reference point to others.

Mr. Imuagbonhen opined that the government building behind Okada Grammar School that is not being utilize at the moment is big enough to house the general hospital, adding that

what government needs to do, is, to supply health equipment, materials and staff for the hospital to take off.

He therefore called on the state Commissioner for Health to carry out an assessment tour of the building, stressing that Okada town remains one of the few local government headquarters without a general hospital in Edo State, despite the huge population of the locality.

14

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

TWO Sundays ago, father ’s day was celebrated around the world. The day is met to recognize fathers and yet-

helps to bring forth a child; without the man, a woman can’t get pregnant so, a father helps to bring forth and nurture the

say the girls are closer to their dad while the boys to their mum, it should not be, a father must be there for all the children

helps his children to grow in every aspect of life.

Most times, fathers put emphasis on their work and don’t bother to find

Motherhood With Chelson SMS 08023457637

Importance Of Fathers

to-be fathers, to appreciate them, give them the honour due them. But unfortunately, most fathers did not know or were not aware of their own day, that they needed to be celebrated. Is it because, they were too busy with work/business?

Issues at home? Did not care? Or did not even realize that such a day exist for them?

It is most surprising how women are celebrated on their day, even the fathers are involved in celebrating their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, they do remember to send messages of love and appreciation to mothers all over but it was their day, and there was no excitement, and even when messages were sent, some fathers, were like “Is it father’s day?

Oh! Thank you”. Well, is it that fathers don’t realise the importance of their role in the family? Who they are? What it means to be a father?

Who is a father According to Oxford Advanced Learner ’s Dictionary, a father is a male parent of a child, acting as a father to a child, the first man to introduce a new way of thinking about something or of doing something, etc. taken deeply, a father is a biological male parent who has been given the assignment to lead a home.

He is the spiritual head of the family, just as Christ is the head of the church. In one of the definitions of father in Oxford, he introduces spirituality in the home, being the head. A father is majorly the one that

children to adulthood to become responsible citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

A father is an important person in the children’s lives, he is very important to both girls and boys, though, you find in some homes they

because they get their identity from him and bear his name. Boys learn how to become men from their fathers, he sets a model of a responsible, disciplined and matured person before his children. He leads, discipline, advises and

out what is happening in the lives of their children or engaging them in discussion leaving it to the mothers alone. It is not enough to help bring these children to the world, but should be a part of their lives, spend quality time with your

children. Give of yourself, not just money, material things, but your personal attention. The true test of any father’s leadership does not lie in his social skills, his managerial abilities in the office or how well he conducts or handles

“A good father leaves his imprint on his children for the rest of their lives. He teaches them values for education and you have to communicate it to them by putting them in school, buying books for them and when at home, see your children’s academics results

himself in public, but it is in the home. It is not about what you say but what you do at home. A good father leaves his imprint on his children for the rest of their lives.

He teaches them values for education and you have to communicate it to them by putting them in school, buying books for them and when at home, see your children’s academics results as your result and if you don’t like what you see, seek ways to add value to the child’s academics by getting a lesson teacher or help the child yourself.

Take interest in whatever your children are involved in, be a part of it, their hobbies clothes, school project, find a point of connection with them. Schedule a family time like outings and taking vacations.

Statistics from a child psycho psychiatry, 1997, show that children raised without fathers usually perceive themselves as less cognitive and physically competent than their peers, that is why they are twice likely to end up in jail than those from two parent families. Eighty-five per cent (85%) of youths in prisons grew up in a fatherless home.

Seventy-one per cent (71%) of school dropouts come out of fatherless home while eighty percent (80%) of rapists with displaced anger come from fatherless homes. So fathers learn today to create the opportunity to have quality time with your children.

15

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Dating Married Men:

How Much Fulfilment?

DATING MARRIED MEN: HOW MUCH FULFILLMENT? WHAT could possibly be more fulfilling than that thing that gives you self realisation and a high sense of satisfaction? Is it possible to feel all these when dating a married man, knowing he belongs to another woman, not very easily available to you and you having a feeling of stealing somebody’s property?

To some ladies, it’s very possible because they are insensitive in their attitude, especially if they have been grossly mistreated by another man on account of another woman outside matrimony, so, they feel safe doing it to another woman.

Ladies are driven into the hands of married men because of compatibility, fascination, adoration, mutual trust and respect for each other’s private life and the fact that the man evokes a feeling they can not quite realize with single men.

Well, it all boils down to how easily the mind and body respond to the individual. Surely, there is bound to be that feeling of guilt and trepidation nipping and beating against the walls of your heart whenever you are together but staying long in the relationship, it soon gives way to reasoning, where you reason that it is something that makes you feel good and that it would by no means affect or worsen the man’s marriage or the relationship between the

Relationship With Chelson SMS 08023457637

man and his wife and then it may also make the man happier than he was if there is problem at home. That you find time to reason these things out, could only mean that you have a

Some ladies take it up as a challenge and see what choice it leaves them, because they are fully aware of what they are doing, feeling no sense of fear, no shame, and it doesn’t matter to

Come to think of it what real fulfillment could any lady necessarily gain from sleeping with another woman’s husband if not for money or that the men are available. The

relationship as long as the men are useful to them but most time you find the men are too much trouble than the lady is willing to tolerate because the men would want the lady at his beck and call

heart. So, when people around you begin to make it look as if you are committing an abominable act, does your heart give you the courage to go on? I hope not!

There is a great undoing a relationship with a married often produced. Most times, these relationships are kept in secret, and even when known by others, there is bound to be gossip, name-calling and fighting. In anyway it goes, you have to make up your mind which way you want to have it and take whatever comes with it.

them if they couldn’t or never possess him, satisfied that they have a relationship which was purely on no demands on each other, devoid of any grief or misguided feelings of having been used.

ladies that go into these relationships for monetary gain are usually from poor homes, doing it because of peer pressure or actually broke at one time or another. The ladies stayed on in the

24/7 and not easily disposed to accepting any male friend who come calling unless proven without a doubt that the male is a brother. And on the other hand, the lady is expected to accept the

fact that he belong to someone else and must as a result not do anything that would jeopardize his home.

The real truth is that the price any woman dating a married man pays at every point in time is far much greater than that of the man.

Do not forget the system helps to hang those that are caught in the act with all the stigma of name labeling, finger-pointing, and gossip. Also, there is the law of Karma, well, what you do to another, will catch up with you.

Is it really true? Well, it is not only when you have committed a sin that it catches up with you, if it is, where does that leave many undeserving victims of crimes? It would happen only because it has to happen, not necessarily because you were involved or did something wrong before.

At the end of it all, the ladies come back to where they started off, looking for, seeking a partner, and if she gets wiser from the relationship with the married man, will decide to settle for a man she can call her own and not some woman’s husband.

“The real truth is that the price any woman dating a married man pays at every point in time is far much greater than that of the man. Do not forget the system helps to hang those that are caught in the act with all the stigma of name labeling, fingerpointing, and gossip.”

16

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

BOKO Haram, a militant group operating in the northern parts of Nigeria has earned its notoriety for sending thousands of harpless and

Maitesine treatment by destroying their operational base in Maiduguri in 2009..

Recall that Maitesine insurgency was in 1980

operational base in Maiduguri, and unlike the present situation, were visible and adherents mingled freely with other members of that society.

Therefore, no one could

despite their murderous bombs which have sent many Nigerians to their early graves. This never say die spirit of Nigerians and their resilience to

Politic

W

Boko Haram Insurgency And

innocent Nigerians and routed out of its foreigners to their early operational base in Kano graves.

•Sambo Dasuki

The group founded by Mohammed Yusuf now deceased, began as a reformist Islamic group in Maiduguri the Bornu State Capital which later grew into a strong political instrument in the hands of aspiring politicians in the state.

Their sprawling influence, unchecked at that time by the Ali Modu Sheriff administration, gave them the nerves to begin to call to question the prevailing socio-political order in that part of the country with their declaration in 2009 that ‘Western Education is Sinful’.

Nigeria since then has known no peace even with the death of their founding leader Mohammed Yusuf, who was extra judicially executed following a coordinated operation by the military and police that year. The Yar’Adua’s government then wanted to give the group the

following the group’s criminal activities in the heart of the city at that time.

Like the Maitesine group, members of the Boko Haram had an

•Prof. Jerry Gana

fault the operational tactics deployed by the Yar’Adua’s government in its attempt to stamp out the menace of the group which portrayed Nigeria as a terror nation. This obscure toga foisted on our image is what the authority of the Nigerian state has been battling to erase since 2009.

Going by its operational style through indiscriminate attacks on security agencies, worship centres, schools, markets, motor parks, media houses, international monuments such as the United Nation’s building in Abuja etc, no one is left in doubt as to the actual motive of the Boko Haram group i.e. to destabilise the country and possibly cause its disintegration.

The realization of their devilish motive was the tonic Nigerians irrespective of their ethnopolitical or religious leanings needed to ignore the antic of the militias

cope with challenging situations has left the Boko Haram confused and unsure of the next heinous line of steps to take to rekindle the tension which griped the nation in late 2011, after the several attacks on churches in Suleja, Mandala in Niger State as in elsewhere, where many Southerners, particularly the Igbos lost their lives and the threat of reprisals from the south.

These were the period where members of the group tried to deceive the gullible as fighting the cause of Islam as it relates to freedom to worship.

The question they have not been able to answer is “which Islam”? Is it the one bequeathed to Muslims by Prophet Mohammed (SAW), which enjoins respect for other people’s religious beliefs? Talking about the right to worship, it is already guaranteed in the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, and both genuine Muslims and Christians in this country have long recognized this basic right and it has not come under any known threat from any quarters, if any it is the Boko Haram group that has begun to deny people of their rights to worship through senseless attacks on churches and even mosques. What sacrilege can be greater than this being perpetrated by these cowards who have only succeeded in capitalizing on the army of ignorant Nigerians to turn them into cannon fodders in their accepting to go suicide to further the selfish causes of a few devilish individuals.

The situation is rather unfortunate as bombing

has gradually come to be ‘accepted’ as a part of our culture, and this is why

State within Nigeria say the least satanic amounts to no grievanc

• Bomb blast scene

good spirited Nigerians have been proffering workable solutions to the Boko Haram phenomenon. Several commentators have advocated the need for government to change its tactics of military solution to the problem of the insurgents. With many suggesting the granting of wholesale amnesty to members of the murderous group while others simply called for dialogue with them. But the government has always insisted that it could only dialogue with the group if they come out of their current facelessness and state in clear terms their grievances. This has always been the puzzle advocates of dialogue with Boko Haram have not been able to solve.

Talking about their ‘grievances’ which no sound mind finds easy to comprehend, the demand for a Sovereign Islamic

the first place. On second grievance, wh seeks to make Nigeri agree with them t western education sinful is like reversing world’s civilization wh is knowledge driv Knowledge dri technology which western world deployed to its fullest w the invention of supporting machinerie the fields of medici t r a n s p o r telecommunication, et well as the manufactur lethal weapons includ guns and bombs which sect in their hypocr embrace hook, line sinker. Given t contradictions, discerning mind wo have no difficulty situating where problem lies and com an inexorable conclus that the group have grievance at all except they harbour ill thoug towards Nigeria and people. This fi

17

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

cs And Issues

With HAMEED BRAIMAH

by this know that the ball rest squarely in their court to initiate moves to reach out to Boko Haram for the most sought after genuine peace in the north. They

redeployed upon request, for their mandatory one year national Youth Service Scheme.

Their quest for redeployment was

Brigadier-General Chris Olukolade, the seeming escalation in the sects activities was like a dying man’s last strength, insisting that the insurgents have been sufficiently decimated

The G-20 Road Map To Peace

is to expression in the conspiracy forward and discuss with Adamawa and Gombe and theory that ‘hostile’ nations the federal government on where the insurgents’ ce in and their local collaborators the ways to end the Boko attacks had been most deadly, without suggesting ways to identifying the actual leaders of Boko Haram for meaningful dialogue, Gana has looked at the leaders on their faces and said to them; ‘you re insincere’.

Now that the G-20 has pointed the way to go for the northern elites, it is now left for them to genuinely seek ways to reaching out to the Boko Haram leaders with a view to obtaining a sincere commitment from its leadership to stop these senseless killings in the once peaceful region. We know this will not be an easy task for the northern elites to accomplish when viewed against the global terrorism circle to which the Boko Haram insurgents the were plotting the collapse of Haram insurgency. have a firm foothold. They Of most importance hich Nigeria through the funding have been said to have a ians of the terror group, according to the learned link with the Al-Qaeda that especially when some of the professor was for the network operating in the n is arrested suspected Boko northern leaders to initiate Magreb in northern Mali. g the Haram members have been reliable contacts with This is so because the hich found not to be Nigerians. leaders of the militant operational modus have the ven. This is also true when groups as was the case in trappings of the Al-Qaeda ves viewed against late former the resolution of the Niger network. By this, the Boko the Libya leader Muammar Delta crisis, with a view to Haram leaders in Nigeria peace has Gadafi’s advocacy that achieving who hold their loyalty to conferences and with Nigeria be shared along the network would be hard with life religious lines of Christians negotiations nuts to crack because, as es in South and Muslims North, government. was stated at the beginning Said he; “The emergence ine, and the US prediction that of this piece, they are devils t , Nigeria would most likely of authentic leaders will cast from the furnace of greatly facilitate tc as break up in 2015.

Hell fire, whose sole meaningful dialogue All these are what the re of mission is to inflict pains on ding northern leaders would have towards the granting of innocent people. If not so, h the to extrapolate upon when amnesty and eventual what political or economic risy exploring avenues for peace”. benefit does a suicide Professor Gana has by and achieving lasting peace in bomber stand to reap by this the north and indeed the this demonstrated that killing himself because he a entire country.This is where indeed he is a true wants to hurt society? ould the charge from the nationalist with a deep Despite these daunting y in Northern Political Summit sense of understanding of challenges, the northern management. the Group a.k.a. G-20 becomes crises elders are without any Rather than play to the me to most instructive.. choice than to explore this The G-20 under the gallery as some northern avenue as proposed by the sion e no leadership of former elders would prefer with G-20 to reach out to the that information Minister Prof. their consistent call for the group members though ghts Jerry Gana on Tuesday in withdrawal of troops from faceless, live among them d its Abuja urged genuine leaders the streets of troubled in their towns, villages and nds from the region to come states like Borno, Yobe, hamlets. They will have to

should also now know that this is not the time to trade blame or play to the gallery for cheap popularity but to strive to obtain the real motive of the group which most commentators had erroneously blamed on the ‘grinding’ poverty in the north. The question then arise, how have their bombs most of which are targeted at their ‘fellow poor persons’ changed the situation for the good of the commoners? Rather, it has worsen their situation as people now out of fear of the unknown abandoned their business and other economic ventures and flee from the troubled areas.

It must be sounded into the northern leaders ears that the time to act is now because, if the violent activities of the group is not quickly brought to a definite end, the northern economy would definitely grind to a halt because the industries most of which are already ailing would close down.

The killing of polio vaccinators and hapless nursing mothers, who had obeyed the call to bring out their babies to receive the vaccines, is a pointer to how the affected state’s economies would gradually melt down for want of people to render essential services needed for society function properly. A recent comment credited to an INEC commissioner that the commission might not deploy its staff to conduct elections in the troubled areas is another food for thought.

The possibility of this playing out has started to stare Kano state in the face when over 900 of corps members serving in Kano out of 2,413 deployed to the state have been

precipitated by the renewed and rendered ineffective in attacks vide the Monday their nefarious activities.

March 18, Kano Motor

• Mohammed Yusuf

Park suicide bombing which resulted in the death of more than 20 persons.

This is the more reason why the option of dialogue with genuine leaders of the Boko Haram as propounded by he G-20 and the Senate can not be over emphasized.

The Senate had in the wake of the recent Kano blast called on the government to explore other options from current military approach, and dialogue with the sect where necessary in order to save the nation from the agony of tears and blood which the sect’s activities had foisted on the hitherto peaceful Nigerian Society.

But the military had consistently maintained that it is winning the war on terror notwithstanding the seaming escalation of violent attacks in some parts of the country.

According to the newly appointed Director, Defence Information,

Not many Nigerians will agree with this position even though the military has succeeded in containing the spread of the violence even in some areas like Suleja and Mandala where they had been very notorious.

Nigerians want a total stoppage to the senseless killings and maiming of innocent Nigerians most of whom sleep now with their two eyes opened.

Gana’s expository on the way forward is the way to go and all efforts should be geared towards its actualization given the cyclical and directionlessness in the call for blanket amnesty for the faceless felons who no one can vouch for as to whether they would even accept the grant of unsolicited amnesty to them by the government. It’s high time we stopped putting the cart before the horse. I agree with Mr. President’s stance of no dialogue with ghosts.

Nigerians want to know who they have offended.

18

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

S

unday Diet

With ERNEST IKHUREIGBE

entered ignorantly? You can be set free if you decide to renounce your membership. All you need do first, is to confess your sin and ask God to be the keeper of your life from

Doors Are Opened As Ordered

IN the book of Acts of the Apostles, Apostle Paul and Silas were “cast into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely”. Act 16:23. They “thrust them into the inner prison and made their feet fast in the stocks”.

All these were done to ensure no one could release them. These men committed no offence except that they delivered “a certain damsel possessed with the spirit of divination.” Act 16:16. But those that arraigned them before the magistrates framed a false charge against them that “these men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city.” And teach customs, which is not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe being Romans” Act 16:21.

Paul and Silas were not budged by allegation against them, rather they resorted at midnight to pray and praise the LORD for what they were passing through for Christ sake.

It is recorded that, their prayer and praises were so loud that other prisoners and jailers were woken up at the manifestation and spontaneous response of the LORD. “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison were shaken, all the doors

were opened and every one’s bonds were loosed.”

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open he drew out his sword and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled” Act 16:27.

Brethren, He, who has the master key opened the iron gates to give freedom to His people. He could as well deter them from being put in prison, but allowed it to showcase that any faithful one caged can be released.

No wonder, in Isaiah 49:24-25, it states “shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus said the LORD. Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered.” For I will contend with him that contendeth with thee.” So were they released without the connivance or influence of the jailers.

Whatever and wherever you are being bound, you can gain your freedom if you desire to be free. Jere: 33:3 states: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Are you bound lawfully for the covenant. You

now on. Seek a man of God, who has the fear and the fire of God in him to conduct a deliverance for you so as to be truly aligned with God that rules the Heaven, the earth and under the earth; it must be a genuine disengagement from the kingdom of darkness to a total surrender to the one who knows all about you.

It would be suicidal to ‘look back’ after you have renounced your membership. The doors opened could be closed and no one would be able to open it. But, if you diligently seek Him as you have renounced them, He would guide you through all things as you desire from Him. The blind Bartemaeus’s door of blindness was opened and his eyes were opened to the things of God, he had never enjoyed. This victory came as a result of intense request from the LORD Jesus, as He passed-by where he was.

Mark 10:47-51. From that day, he received his sight, he didn’t cease to follow Jesus in His way. His door of blessings never closed. (verse 52).

Beloved, which door of your life has been closed that you want Him to open? Check yourself and ask God to have mercy.

Remain blessed.

“Whatever and wherever you are being bound, you can gain your freedom if you desire to be free. Jere: 33:3 states: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

“GOD was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them,

R

eflections

With MOSES EVBUOMWAN

Passionate Preaching (3) “It is passionate preaching with a fire in our bones. It is that preaching as a dying man to dying men. It is preaching with a life preserver being cast to drowning men.” and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Preaching is God’s entreating and imploring through us to be reconciled to God. This happens when there is witness of a saving Lord, when there is witness of a saving faith, when there is witness of a saving power, when there is witness of a sacred, holy, awesome Word that does not return to God void and it happens when there is witness of the life of imparted, liberating love.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:11, “Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.”

Fourth, preaching is a call to passion in preaching. Romans 15:20 says. “And thus I aspired to preach the gospel.” The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 104:4, “He makes the winds His messengers, and His ministers flaming fire.”

This is why, when Jeremiah was being consumed by God’s words, he wrote in Jeremiah 20:9, “But if I

say, I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name, then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.”

Even the Psalmist said, “Zeal for your house has eaten me up.” That is why Paul said, “I laboured even more than all of them.”

It is passionate preaching with a fire in our bones. It is that preaching as a dying man to dying men. It is preaching with a life preserver being cast to drowning men.

It is preaching knowing as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:16, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of for I am under compulsion, for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.”

Fifth, it is a call to preach even in the midst of opposition, threats, persecutions. It does not matter, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is worth suffering and dying for.

That is the awesome story or history of early disciples in Acts 4:7-20, 29-32. The disciples had been threatened, “By

what power or by what name have you done this.” And the threats began and Peter said, “You do what you have to do. We cannot help but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.

Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy.

For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.”

(Luke 6:22-23). Then in verse 28, Jesus says, “bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”

Our fleshly ways are not God’s spiritual ways, and His spiritual ways are not ours, unless we take the sentence of death to ourselves and follow the laid-down Life of Jesus.

To be continued next Sunday.

19

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Flaunting Your Ankara Bags And Shoes

With ROSE ORIBHABOR

By UKIRI CLEMENTINA EGWOLOMENA

IT is high time we celebrate the Ankara fabric for the many ways it is being used for innovation in our contemporary fashion trend. This lovely fabric from the African root has won the hearts of world class fashion designers like Aldo.

Ankara is one fabric that has stood the test of time and waxing stronger than ever.

Gone are the days when Ankara was seen as a fabric for local men and women. These days, classy ladies go for the fabric for clothings, bags and shoes skin.

Models, and celebrities alike ordinarily now attend functions with Ankara hand made bags and shoes. Flaunting the gracefulness of the fabric with pride. What else could be better than a show-off of the famous African Ankara wrapped bags and shoes? Nothing close!

The shoes come in

different patterns, colours and shapes.

Amongst the numerous trend of shoes, you can find the Dashiki Ankara doll shoe, Norma pumps Ankara, H & M canvas flats and so on.

Complementarily, there are varieties of customized Ankara bags. These come in form of Ankara hand bags; messenger bags, tote bags, laptops bags, clutches and more.

A pair of the fabulous bags and shoes on your outfit can invoke the latest trend of fashion called “Colour Blocking”. It depicts one’s expression of self through colours. This is so, because the Ankara fabrics comes with numerous harsh and cool colours in one material.

Making anything made with it catchy with beautiful shades of colours and patterns.

This trend of fashion has not only brought innovation in the

glamour world, but has provided a means of livelihood to professionals in the art.

It is considered to be a very lucrative business endeavour which young women and men are venturing into. The price range of wrapping a hand bag is averagely between three thousand naira and five thousand naira. But in a situation where wrappers sell

already made and wrap up the bags, the price will be between five thousand and eight thousand naira respectively. To an extent, the market value of Ankara bags are affordable compared to the technicalities of making them.

According to U N A E G B U NKECHI’s account, a Benin based expert in Ankara wrapping, it takes a lot of skills and mental calculation to make Ankara bags. She further stated that the art is a form of craft that requires time, patience and the technical know how. But it is however,

not a burden when you have a passion for the art. It is a craft that gives a sense of self worth and fulfillment when you realize how well to manipulate different shades of colours to create a magnificent bag, shoes and jewelries as the case may be.

Most interestingly, is the fact that used old bags with peeling leather skin can be transformed into new bodies with Ankara.

Nkechi explained that since most people buy new bags because they love the look of its skin and features, they wouldn’t desire to

cover the skin up with Ankara, except when the skin is already going bad. This is same with shoes, she said.

Ankara wrapping of old peeling bags and shoes breaths new life into them and it is a form of recycling. It helps to save people the financial ordeal of purchasing new bags for wrapping.

In the words of Nkechi, the bulk of the work she has done, were on used bags and shoes. So, remember that, you can have your bag wrapped with Ankara for as low as three thousand naira.

“Ankara wrapping of old peeling bags and shoes breaths new life into them and it is a form of recycling. It helps to save people the financial ordeal of purchasing new bags for wrapping.”

20

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

S h o

W b i

z

Music

Movies

Stephanie Okereke Bags Africa Women Awards,

TALL and beautiful Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus has been on the low key for some time now, especially getting married last year, but this has not stopped her from getting awards and making her mark in the movie industry.

She recently received an award at the Montage Africa Women of Excellence Awards (MAWEA) for Excellence in Drama and Entertainment. The star actress, as we learnt, is happy for getting the

award.

Recall in April 2012, the entertainment industry, especially the movie fraternity, was agog.

Everything was almost brought to a standstill at that time for the superlative wedding of Stephanie to Linus Idahosa.

At last, the ‘privileged’ ones were airlifted to Paris, the French capital, for the ‘fairy tale’ wedding, which is still one of the most glamorous weddings in the entertainment industry.

But 14 months after the

Says I’ll Have Kids At Right Time

wedding, the couple has not yet produced a child. In a recent interview, the former MBGN pageant runner-up disclosed that she is happy with the fact

that Nigerians, especially her fans, wish her well, but she was quick to say she would have babies at the right time.

According to her, “the little ones are coming soon, but you know, everything is in God’s hands and I will have a baby when I am

supposed to have a baby. I am definitely not under any kind of pressure. We wish for it to happen and of course it is going to happen.”

OJB Jezreel Ready For Kidney Transplant PROLIFIC song writer and producer, OJB Jezreel has indicated that it was time to go for kidney transplant. After hiding it for almost two years, he went public recently that his two kidneys were gone and needed to be replaced.

He said about eight weeks from now he would be going under the knife for the operation.

“When early diagnosis was done, it was just a case of renal failure. Right now, my two kidneys are gone.

We are running dialysis at the moment. It started two years ago, but gradually depreciated. Most people tend to attribute kidney problem to drinking and smoking. I was told it does not have anything to do with that, because as much as I drink and smoke then, it was casual drinking.

Maybe you are offered a bottle of drink and all that but not like I drink 15

• OJB Jezreel

bottles a day. I have a friend who has gone through this and he never drank or smoked.

“The whole process of the treatment from preprocess, transplanting process and posttransplanting will cost about $100, 000. In two years I have spent up to N5million which I have been trying to maintain myself. That is why it has been kept secret.

“God willing, I have eight to ten more weeks to get the transplant done. It is strange; I still walk around a little. I can’t eat much though. I trust God and Nigerians for their financial support”, he said.

Meanwhile, Show Biz gathered that so far ailing singer has only been able to raise N3million. Don Jazzy donated N1m, 2face Idibia N1.5m, Ruggedman and Mercy Johnson Okojie are also said to have given the widow’s mite. Though there is rumour that PSquare and their brother Jude Okoye are planning to pay him a visit soon with a cheque book, no other celebrities are known to have made contributions..

However, Don Jazzy has pleaded with other celebrities , corporate bodies and individuals to donate through account details: Babatunde Okungbowa. UBA – 1015075120

Eucharia Off To Senegal For Crusade FORMER Nollywood big girl turned evangelist, Eucharia Anunobi is presently in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, for a seven-day crusade.

Eucharia, who was ordained an evangelist in early 2012 in a church in Lagos, has since swung into action by winning souls for God. She arrived Senegal on Monday and is expected to leave by next week, after a & - day evangelical mission, we learnt. Echaria will be

ministering everyday from 5pm. Venue is 2, at Voir Camp Penal - Opp. Macky Sall’s Office, Dakar.

• Eucharia

• Stephanie with Award

Stephanie with hubby, Linus Idahosa

Caroline Danjuma Celebrates 33 Years Pretty Nollywood diva, Caroline EkanemDanjuma clocked 33 years Wednesday. She was born on June 26, 1980 to a Scottish father and a Nigerian mother.

The actress became one of the most sought after actress after her role in Chico Ejiro’s flick, “Deadly Kiss” several years back.

She is a graduate of Environmental Protection Management, Geography and Regional

Planning. Caroline left the industry shortly after getting married to General Theophilus

• Caroline Danjuma

Danjuma (rtd), and she has gradually returned to the industry with the production of the film entitled, “In the Cupboard”.

The strikingly beauty is also adored for her roles in “A Second Time”, “Missing Angel 2 &3”, “Foreign Affairs”, :The Twist”, “Angel and the Beast”, “Real Love Part 2”, among others.

New Dawn For Samcole, Signs Mouth about 13 years ago, and during the period, he has Watering Deal trained musically, and

HE has many things going for him. He is handsome, light comprehension and slim.

Samson Edosa a.k.a Samcole, who is currently making waves, has steadily warmed his way into the hearts of many music lovers.

With his brand of gospel music and inspirational songs, Samcole has fought for space in the subconscious of many. He already has to his credit two singles: “Give to the Lord” and “Kabiesi” He is on the verge of another album, which he describes as “moral songs”, which no doubt will sweep listeners off their feet.

Samcole, as he popularly called by his teeming fans, has just signed a two year record deal of N10 million

with a brand new car with Effemelodysa Records, based in Lagos. The contact will see him tied to the label for an unspecific number of records.

Speaking on the current video rocking the gospel world “Gift to the Lord”, he said it was shot in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE). “People have been very thrilled by the video and they have been making good comments. The video has been widely accepted”, he said. He also said he has signed on to Spinlet in Lagos to shot a two track video. According to him, the songs can be down loaded from the company’s website.

He noted that he is very ambitious to be known

throughout the world, just as he wants to lend a helping hand to those down the societal ladder. “I want to become a superstar and also, I want to be a help to the less privileged” Samcole started singing right from when he started talking but he seriously picked up music as a career

• Samcole

through self discovery, he has been able to exert himself on the Nigerian music scene. “My style and pattern of music is unlimited. I can sing hip hop, jazz, R ‘n’ B, among other genres. All these can be blended into gospel music and inspirational songs that I do”, he noted.

21

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Theatre

Concert

With FELIX OMOH-ASUN GSM: 07060576600

GLOBAL BUZZ Oprah Winfrey Tops Forbes List Of Most Powerful Celebs BILLIONAIRE US Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is back as the No.1 most powerful celebrity in the world according to a list recently released by Forbes, a position she has held four times before. She was runner up in 2011 and

• Benita, Abdulkareem & Cossy

• Extreme right - Another side of Cossy

Cossy orjiakor Parades Boobs At Fashion with as many who large boobs.

Cossy Orjiakor were also at the event. for a snap Those who were there Show requested Parades Boobs At To the delight with her, giggling from said, rather than Fashion Show Cossy Ojiakor and her boobs were in Bayelsa on Sunday June 23rd for the Blue Chance Fashion Show where she performed. Eedris Abdulkareem and actress Benita Nzeribe

(amazement) of those who attended the show, Cossy was said to be all

places parading God given endowment without a care.

Willingly she posed

•Laida Bakare

fashions been the main attraction, she stole the event with her boobs!

Rihanna Goes After Journalist RIHANNA has let loose on a British journalist who branded her a poor role model to

young girls. In her article titled - “Pop’s poisonous princess: Glorying in drugs, guns and sleaze,

My Ex-Hubby Mad, Drunk To Ask For DNA - Laide Bakare YORUBA actress, Laide Bakare, who has been enmeshed in a paternity mess with two men, has finally reacted to the claims by her estranged husband, Olumide Okunfulire, that he would challenge her for a DNA to determine the true father of her new baby.

In an interview with a popular Lagos gossip magazine, last week, Laide Bakare claimed her ex-husband must be “mad and oozing from chronic drunkenness’’ for him to have ask her to do a DNA to know who the father of her new baby truly is.

“Ordinarily,” the actress stated, “I would not believe all the stories of

ear to ear. She was said to have purposely wore dresses that exposed her

him saying those rubbish in the media,” she said.

She further observed that, “maybe he was being pushed to say those things by those who know nothing about how we lived together or, maybe, they just want to put him in a big trouble.”

She declared that if truly Okunfulire asked for a DNA, then he “must have gone mad and must be oozing from chronic drunkenness.” Laide dared her ex-hubby to “go ahead if he really meant it but I am sure he has run mad.”

Meanwhile, the last may not have been heard in the ongoing war between the two former loverbirds.

This is because US-based businessman has vowed to slug it out with the

delectable actress over the paternity of the child she claimed to have bore for her new hubby, Tunde Oriowo.

We heard he has reportedly told his lawyers to institute a lawsuit against Laide. Olumighty, as Okunfulire is fondly called by friends, allegedly said that Laide will have to answer if truly she got court judgement, which dissolved their marriage before she got married to Oriowo, her new husband.

Olumide maintained that Laide’s new baby boy belongs to him, adding that she became pregnant in his house. He also claimed that the actress registered at the US hospital, where she eventually gave birth, with his name and Green Card.

However, those in the camp of Laide have disclosed that Tunde is the real father of the baby.

They claimed that Laide and Tunde had been an item for sometime in the social circle before they decided to solemnize the relationship with a secret wedding and that she was actually pregnant for him before then.

Rihanna is toxic role model for her army of young fans.” Daily Mail editor, Elizabeth Ann Jones, wrote about her disgust at Rihanna’s weed-smoking, boobexposing lifestyle.

But Rihanna responded by posting a photo of the journalist on her instagram with the caption: “LOL!!!! My money got a bad habit of pissing people off!! If you sincerely wanna help little girls more than their own parents do, here is a toxic tip: don’t be amateur with your articles, you sound bitter!

What is all this about hair and nails and costumes and tattoos?? ....That shit ain’t clever!!! That shit ain’t journalism! That is

a sad sloppy menopausal mess!!! Nobody over here acts like they are perfect! I don’t pretend that I am like you, i just live... My life!! And I don’t know why you all still act so surprised by any of it!! “Role Model” is not a position or title that I have ever campaigned for, so chill wit dat! I got my own fucked up shit to work on, I’ll never portray that as perfect, but for right now it’s ME!! Call it what ya want!! Toxic was cute, Poisonous Pop Princess had a nice ring to it, just a lil wordy! And P.S. my first American Vogue cover was in 2011...APRIL!!! #ElizabethAnnJones

Wizkid Replaces Crashed Porsh With Brand New One

• Oprah Winfrey

2012.

Forbes calculates celebrity’s earnings on income from tours, books, contracts, endorsements, movies and residuals, plus presence on social media and in the press for their placing.

Oprah Winfrey is reportedly worth $77m; follow by Lady Gaga ($80m) while Steven Spielberg occupies the third position with $100m. Others include: Beyonce ($53m); Madonna ($125m), Taylor Swift ($55m); Jon Bon Jovi ($79m); Roger Federer ($71m); Justin Bieber ($58m) and Ellen DeGeneres ($56m) coming tenth.

Halle Bery Supports AntiPaparazzi Bill THE pregnant actress appeared at the California capitol Wednesday to testify for a bill that would limit the ability of paparazzi to photograph celebrities’ children, sharing that her own daughter Nahla is afraid of “the men” who pay close attention and take pictures of her.

“My daughter doesn’t want to go to school because she knows ‘the men’ are watching for her,” the Academy Award winner told the Assembly Committee on Public Safety.

Berry, who said she was speaking in favour of the anti-harassment bill by Sen. Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, as a “mother of a daughter and the baby boy in my belly,” also added, “They jump out of the bushes and from behind cars and who knows where else, besieging these children just to get a photo.”

“If it passes the quality of my life and my

children’s lives will be dramatically changed,” she said.

The actress also shared a story about one run-in which occurred after landing back in Los Angeles from a family trip to Hawaii, claiming that paparazzs attempted to start a fight with her fiancé Olivier Martinez apparently to get more money for the photo, and that this event terrified her little girl.

“She asked, ‘Mummy, are they going to kill us?’

She didn’t get to sleep until 3 a.m. because she could not get this out of her mind, and she does not understand what just happened to her.”

• Halle Berry

P. Diddy Daughters Say Justin Bieber Cobler Than Daddy

LESS than two weeks after crashing his N15million Porsche Panamera in an accident in Lekki, Lagos Wizkid

has replaced the car. The music star posted his new ride on his Instagram page and wrote: “blessed!”

P. DIDDY’s young daughters are apparently big fans of Justin Bieber.

The hip-hop legend recently posted a photo on Instagram of twins D’Lila and Jessie plus daughter Chance posing with Justin.

“After the girls took this

•Wiz Kid

• The new car

Amy Adams

picture, they called me and told me that the only person as cool as me is this guy!”

Diddy wrote under the photo. “Thank you @justinbieber!”

This is not the first time P.Diddy has been linked to the pop singer. P. Diddy apparently came through on his promise to give Bieber a white Lamborghini for his 16th birthday. Sure enough, Bieber was spotted driving the car in question a few months later.

The pop star has faced numerous legal issues over the past few weeks, some involving his notoriously fast cars. Bieber has been accused of driving around recklessly.

22

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

FAMILY MATTERS

Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children (2) 1) They are usually confident, friendly and sociable.

2) They display empathy towards others and are often able to make peace in playground.

3) They are good observers; not unhappy to work alone and also enjoy contributing to a group.

4) They can usually express their emotions appropriately.

5) They can control their behaviour and manage moods.

The word, “emotion’ is derived from the Latin word, ‘movere’, which means to move. Emotions guide one into actions.

They motivate one to react to different situations in life. Emotion affects every aspect of human life learning, health and relationships.

Children who are unable to interpret or express their emotions appropriately often become frustrated and dejected. On the other hand, emotionally competent children are confident, assertive, and have a positive outlook to life.

HOW TO HELP CHILDREN BECOME E M O T I O N A L LY INTELLIGENT Positive emotional learning begins in a warm loving, accepting, supportive and approving environment where the child is able to develop a basic sense of trust and to be able to recognise, express and manage his feelings in a socially acceptable way.

Many adults find it difficult to manage their emotions. For instance, they react to the slightest provocation and many a time transfer such aggression to the vulnerable people around them, especially kids.

Such reactions could range from the use of abusive words to indiscriminate spanking and even to the extent of using objects at sight which could dangerously

cause death or severe injuries. All these are devastating consequences of inappropriate management of emotions.

Aside from copying erratic behaviours, children raised in such harsh environments could have low self-esteem and become low achievers.

The home, just like the

children than parents who are not.

Children need to be taught that having feelings of fear, anger, excitement, sadness, joy, love, tiredness, jealousy etc; are normal and permissible conditions, but that how one reacts to these

school, is the society’s contractor designated to prepare new members of the society for future assumption of adult roles.

It is therefore pertinent for parents, teachers and other guardians, to recognise and manage their own feelings and handle emotions appropriately in order to stand as good role models for the children. Children emulate the ways adults do things, including reactions to emotions.

Parents who are emotionally intelligent are more likely to raise emotionally intelligent

feelings is where the problem lies. Teach your children how to talk about their feelings, rather than react or act in a negative way.

For example, verbalising sadness, anger or disappointment is acceptable, but hitting, kicking, hurting, yelling at or verb ally abusing others is not acceptable.

Children need to know what their feelings are, where and how they came about and then how it affects them before they can manage these feelings. A child who is able to identify and

By BLESSING SALAMI

express his emotions will be able to communicate his needs and control his behaviour. Children need to be taught, not only how to identify and label their own feelings, but also to know, how other people are feeling. This is the crux of emotional

speak to you freely without the threat of being wrong, stupid, idiotic, bad or useless. iv) Try to anticipate stressful situations and develop ways of handling them before your child’s behaviour get out of control. v) Monitor your

about good behaviour from being told what they are doing well, rather than what they are doing wrong. Take time to praise, affirm and encourage your child, when he or she is doing a good job and behaving well.

Try to understand that as children grow, the way

intelligence.

The following are some tips for raising emotionally intelligent children. i) Accept that all children have negative as well as positive emotions. ii) Teach your child how to express negative emotions appropriately. iii) Don’t ignore your child’s emotional responses, give him or her adequate attention when a child realises that you take his or her feelings seriously without underrating them, they will be predisposed to

own level of emotions and be aware of what may trigger negative or antisocial responses. vi) Don’t become anxious when your child shows negative feelings. vii) Accept that your child’s feelings are transitory and so will eventually pass. viii) Help your child to form positive and healthy relationships with his peers, for this will determine the kind of personality he grows up to be. ix) E x p r e s s affection regularly.

Children learn more

they are able to manage emotions changes. This is called “emotional development”, so be patient.

It is very pertinent to raise children that are not only academically, but also, emotionally intelligent who will become responsible and considerate in all their dealings with others, these are people who are able to communicate effectively with others about their needs, feelings, and desires; people who relate with others with honesty and sincerity of position to encourage, reprimand and inspire other people appropriately for a more efficient society.

With careful nurturing and guidance, parents, teachers and other caregivers can help children develop into responsible, confident, happy and well adjusted adults, who will be good leaders or positive team players.

“ Children need to know what their feelings are, where and how they came about and then how it affects them before they can manage these feelings.

A child who is able to identify and express his emotions will be able to communicate his needs and control his behaviour.”

23

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Control Your Anger Before It Controls You

ANGER is a strong feeling of annoyance, it is a natural emotion that every human and non human animals experience. Mild form of human anger may include displeasure, irritation, criticism or a threat, we may become angry and usually this is a health response.

Anger may be a secondary response to feeling sad, lonely or frightened. When anger becomes a full-blown rage, our judgment and thinking can become impaired and we are more likely to do and say unreasonable and irrational things.

It is not just a mental state of mind, it triggers increase in heart rate, blood pressure and levels of adrenaline and nora dernaline. Anger has survival benefits and forms part of our fight or brain response to a perceived threat or harm. When a human or animal decides to take action to stop or confront a threat, it usually becomes the predominant feeling and takes over our behaviour, cognition and physiology.

In many cases, humans and non-human animals express anger by making loud sounds, baring teeth, staring and specific pasturing as a warning to perceived aggressors to stop their threatening behaviours.

It is usually for a physical attack to occur without these signs or anger appearing first. If

a stranger approaches some new born puppydogs, the mother bare her teeth and adopt a defensive or ready to attack posture rather than silently attack without any warning. In a remote area, his approach may be similar and his body language, instinctively anger may surge in humans and non human animals to protect territory, offs pring and family members, secure mating privileges, prevent loss of possessions or food, and many other perceived threats.

Experts say anger is a primary natural emotion with functional survival value which we all experience from time to time. The raised heart rate, blood pressure and release of hormones prepare us physically for the remedial action which is either to fight or run away at top speed (fight or flight). People can get angry for so many reasons which include grief-losing a loved one, sexual frustrations, rudeness, tiredness, hunger, pain, injustice, humiliation, embarrassment, deadlines.

Anger in itself is neither good nor bad, it becomes a problem when it harms us or other people. Anger is the emotion that is most likely to cause problems in relationships, in the family, at work and with friends. People with long term anger problem tend to be poor at

By OYENMWEN OMOROGBE

making decisions, take more risk than other people and are more likely to have a substance misuse problem.

Long term and intense anger has been linked with mental health problems including depression, anxiety and self harm, it is also linked to poor overall physical health as well as particular conditions, such as high blood pressure, colds and flu, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, gastrointestinal problems.

Anger can be managed with the following steps. · Take a break:- As soon as you recognise that you are very angry, stop what you’re doing,

get away from what ever is upsetting, you will make it infinitely easier to calm down. Try it out in these situation. If you are experiencing road rage, pull over on a side road and turn off the car.

If you are experiencing anger in an unfamiliar place, don’t just wander off by yourself, tell who ever you’re with that you need a short mental vacation, and ask that he or she stands a few extra-paces away from you, close your eyes and try to imagine yourself some where peaceful. · Go to a happy place:- If you’re still having a difficult time calming down, imagine yourself in a scene you find incredibly relaxing, it could be your

childhood backyard, quiet forest, a solitary island whatever location that makes you feel at home and peaceful.

Focus on them by imagining every detail of this place - The light, the noises, the temperature, the weather, the smells.

Keep dwelling on your happy place until you feel completely immersed in it and hang out there for a few minutes or until you feel calm. · Practice positive self talk:- When you are ready, “discuss” the situation with yourself.

In positive experience road rage, you could try “that guy almost sides wiped me, but maybe he was experiencing an

emergency and I am lucky that I’m alive and my car is unscratched, I’m fortunate that I can still drive. I can continue to be calm and focused when I get back on the road”, if you find a form of positive self talk, that really works for you, make it a mantra. Repeat it to your self as many times as you need to, in order to return to the right frame of mind. · Ask for the support of some-one you trust:- If you are still upset, sharing your concerns, with a close friend or confidant might help. Clearly express what you want from the other person and also when looking for solution, let other person know. · Set a time limit:Give yourself a set amount of time to vent about what’s upsetting you and stick to it when time is up, your rant is over. This will help you move on instead of dwelling on the situation endlessly. · Keep a journal of what upsets you and how you plan to fix it:Every time you’re overwhelmingly angry, write down exactly what happened, then plan out what you’re going to do to fix the problem and avoid running into it next time. If you do find yourself in the same upsetting situation, refer back to your journal note to see what you can do.

“People with long term anger problem tend to be poor at making decisions, take more risk than other people and are more likely to have a substance misuse problem.”

24

WAY-BACK in my teens, I dreamt of doing

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Story Time

wind was furious. I muttered out, “what an angry night.”! Before I

Daring A Night Hunt For Snails a lot of crazy things, absurd, mischievous, and impressive were on my to-do list. Through times, I scanned to a point where I was at Egbeme village in Isoko South of Delta State. It is quite a remote farming settlement where tranquility and nature is at its best. It is located beside the coast line of the Niger River, where I was on a two-day visit.

So, in my adventurous, curious and ambitious characteristics, I planned a night hunt for snails with my cousin. The hunt was to be in a rain forest, which shares boundary with the village.

Lo and behold! The so much anticipated night came as we got set for our hunt which was to last three hours, from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. freezing with cold and anxiety, I pulled my bag wherein I packed a pair of garden gloves, a torch, water can, an oil lamp, a collapsible umbrella in case it rains, a helmet and a sack bag folded neatly for snails carriage. Alongside, we had a club and cutlasses for self defence in case of attack from wild lifes.

We left immediately through the river route, so we paddled on a canoe as it was shorter than using the foot road to our hunting location.

Paddling a canoe was quite exciting as I felt the cool mist of the morning dew kissing my exposed face and hands. Soon enough, we arrived at the forest with so much enthusiasm and guts. But just as we anticipated, the rains were on our heads.

Quickly, we opened our umbrellas for shade as we moved deep into the forest. In a low tone, I said to myself “it is not bad it rained, after all snails come out of their

By UKIRI CLEMENTINA EGWOLOMENA

hidings in cold, wet and damp places.” Just a little forward as we moved, we laid sight on a shrubby bush which could be home to the reason of our hunt.

I dashed toward it with my cutlass and torch, and

nearby. Little will one wonder why a colony of them bred there.

In no time, we went deeper into the forest with so much hope and high wishes. Passing through the bush paths, we heard croaking frogs, hissing

could say Jack Robinson, we heard thunder strike above our heads, at that point it dawned on us to start going home. We managed to find our way back to the canoe, and we paddled home feeling disappointed.

Though we didn’t get what we bargained for,

C

hildren’s World

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POEMS

By PATIENCE OKONKWO

Seesaw I sat down on a seesaw To see what I could see, But all I saw was seesaw Rising up in front of me.

I could not see the tree tops, I could not see the sky I could not see the far-off fields I sat and wondered why, I could not see the swingest, Or even see the slide I guess I need someone to sit down on The other side.

Trees Trees are tall Trees are green Trees are the loveliest things I have seen.

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JOKES

just within the shrubs was a kingdom of snails, both big and small. I quickly reached out for my sack bag and started picking them one after the other.

And around that place, we discovered a kind of fruit which served as food to snails standing

snakes and squeaking birds above our heads and around us. And after a while of walking, my torch went dead, as it was the only torch we had, except an oil lamp. So, I hurriedly brought out the lamp and lit it, but the rain was heavy and the

but I enjoyed every bit of the hunting adventure, as well as the experience we had that night. It made me have flashback and reminiscence on movies I have seen with similar scenes and background just like our hunting forest.

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RIDDLES

By PATIENCE OKONKWO

(1) What has a face and two hands but no arms or legs? (A clock).

(2) What is the easiest way to double your money? (Put it in front of

the mirror of course).

(3) What has a thumb and four fingers but is not alive (A glove).

(4) What has to be broken before you can

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use it? (An egg).

(5) What has a neck but no head? (A bottle).

(6) What gets wetter as it dries? (Towel) (7) What goes up and does not come back?

(Age).

What A Man Can Do ... girlfriend. I’m going to

Jokes

GOVERNMENT announced that if you have 5 kids, your salary will be N50,000,000. A man heard the news and said to his wife, “I have a kid with my

bring him so we can add him to our 4 kids.” When he came back, he saw only one of his kids remaining. he asked the wife, “where

are the other 3?” His wife replied, “you are not the only one who heard the news. Their fathers have come for them.”

By UKIRI CLEMENTINA EGWOLOMENA

Teacher: It’s very clear that you have not studied your geography. What’s your excuse?

Student: Well, my dad says the world is changing every day. So I decided to wait until it settles down!

Home Teacher: If I had five coconuts and I gave you three, how many would I have left?

Kid: I don’t know.

Home Teacher: Why not?

Kid: In our school we do all our arithmetic in apples and oranges.

Question: what is the difference or similarity between a marriage and a war?

Answer: A marriage is a war in which the enemies can sleep together!

Museum Administrator: That’s a 500 year old statue you’ve broken.

Banta: Thank God I thought it was a new one.

Teacher: Draw a diagram of bacteria Few minutes later….

Johnny: Here it is sir.

Teacher: Where? You haven’t drawn anything kid.

Johnny: Sir, can you see bacteria without microscope?

25

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

RELIGION

See God Face To Face (4)

JESUS said “I will never leave you or forsake you in time of hunger, sickness, and need”. With confidence God answers our prayer.

A person who follows Jesus through trust and faith in Him will receive miracles (Ps 34:19).

There are many afflictions the devil use to challenge our faith and miracle. Water and anointing oil cannot heal unless we present it to God to bless it before using it. When Peter was preaching, his handkerchief was used to heal people. When you have the power of God, men who touch you will have that power.

Healing blessings are signs that you serve a living God. The merciful Lord’s love for everybody fills the earth.

It’s left for us to access the love. People are tired of asking for forgiveness because they go to do the same thing again they don’t want to change.

People separate children in school so that rich men children exclusively enjoy good things. The poor man’s child cannot attend a good school. This is why the Comrade Governor of Edo State embarked on the massive reconstruction and beautification of public schools in Edo State so that pupils from poor homes in the public schools can enjoy the same facilities as pupils from rich homes who are in private schools.

The person who pays your salary or wage is not your provider but God’s agent. God is the ultimate provider. He can use any person as an agent to provide help for another person, this is why you find that if a Governor or President leaves an office, the next Governor or President who takes over from him will also be paying the workers’ salaries. This is

because the Governor or the President is not the provider but God’s agent of help to His people. If the Governor or President is the provider, he can decide to stop paying the salaries or other benefits of the workers. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. The air, water, light and all the good things we enjoy in life come from God. We don’t know the value of these things because they are free. If man was the provider of these things, some people will want to keep them for their own personal use alone and other people will not use them or they will have to pay money before they can use them. Only the rich would have been surviving in this world because the poor will not have money to pay for them. The air does not satisfy anyone. If air were to be a saleable commodity, no poor man would be able to buy enough for himself. If food is scarce, the poor man begs from other people to sustain life, but if air is scarce, who can it be obtained from? If man was the person giving people children, he will give to some people and will not give to some, but children are gifts to people from God. We are all equal before God. There is no rich or poor, no black or white. This is why we must be honest with ourselves and love each other.

Some preachers have no integrity. Their philosophy is “do what I say, not what I do”. A Pastor walked into one of the Banks to effect some withdrawal. At the end of the transaction, the cashier who apparently had been overworked doubled what the Pastor had intended to withdraw.

Because of his urgent need for money, he pocketed the money and smiled away leaving the already stressed cashier

By PRINCE BAYO OKUO

to count her losses. If the Pastor had integrity, he would have refunded the extra cash to the cashier and receive the blessing of God which is greater than the money.

Anything that will give a person temporal joy or relief and leaves someone else in pain and sorrow is not qualified to be in favour of God, it is cruelty and sadism.

People who have no integrity take advantage of the bad situation of

car. When the man came back very early in the morning, he met that the four wheels of his car had been removed. The boys stole what was kept in their custody because nobody was watching them but God was watching them. The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them (Prov 11:3).

Some people who

another person or thing.

A man’s car got stuck inside the flood in a busy road after heavy downpour. He paid some boys to help him push the car from the centre of the road. Because it was late, he had to leave the car on the road till the following day, in order to get a mechanic to work on it the following day. He begged the boys to help him watch his

have no integrity make vows and you will neither see their vows nor themselves. Some people are show masters.

They make a promise today and renege on it tomorrow. Sometimes when they are reminded of their vows, they get offended. When you want to call them, they switch off their phones.

These are acts that border on

irresponsibility and dearth of integrity.

Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and life is a test.

These people are already being tested by God. Jephthah made an irrational vow to sacrifice whatever came out of his house first to welcome him back from war. His only daughter welcomed him first, he had to sacrifice his virgin and only daughter. As far as he was concerned, he has opened his mouth unto the Lord, and he cannot go back. He preferred to be childless than play hide and seek with God, as done by some political leaders who change rules and manifestoes after taking over power. Jephthah’s daughter asked to be given 2 months before returning to face the hangman’s noose. And at the expiration of the period, rather than abscond like most girls in her shoes would have done, she kept her words and returned home, conscious that death was lurking at the corner.

This is integrity (Judg 11:30-40). In the execution of the will of a dead person, when the people involved are conscious of the spirit of the dead person and do not turn his will upside down, they are legend as far as integrity is concerned. A political office holder takes an oath of office on assumption of office. If he can “open-eyed” return all the money he

looted while in office back to public treasury, he will be a legend in integrity.

To people who have integrity, there is no contradiction between the private and public life. They do in the private what they are not ashamed to do in public.

Some people preach or profess one thing in the open and do something diametrically opposed to their teachings in the dark when they feel no one is watching. A Pastor went on a visit to a member’s house and met only the member’s wife at home, unknown to the Pastor that the woman’s husband was inside the bed room. While the Pastor was in the sitting room with the woman, the man heard the Pastor telling his wife that she was the most beautiful in the church. The man warned the Pastor never to enter his house again and he stopped his wife from going to that church. Most Pastors have no limitation relating with members’ wives. The character of some Pastors has led to dissolution of many marriages.

God constantly watches the actions of His so-called servants, he tests their faith through people and all of the tests have eternal implications.

Send your reactions to this message to E-mail: pbo1030@yahoo.com or call: 07055599615.

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.

The air, water, light and all the good things we enjoy in life come from God. We don’t know the value of these things because they are free. If man was the provider of these things, some people will want to keep them for their own personal use alone”

26

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

MEDIA

Journalism And Its Ethical Standard

INTERNATIONAL Principles of Professional Ethics in Journalism according to the Nigerian Press Organization Code of Conduct, principle two and three is the journalists’ dedication of objectives reality and social responsibility.

The foremost task of the journalist is to serve the people’s right to true and authentic information through an honest dedication to objective reality whereby facts are reported conscientiously in their proper context, pointing out their essentials, connections and without causing distortions and with due deployment of the creative capacity of the journalist. So that the public is provided with adequate material to facilitate the formation of an accurate and comprehensive picture of the world in which the origin, native and essence of events.

Processes and states of affairs are understood as objectively as possible.

The third principle is that information in journalism is understood as social good and not as commodity. Which means that journalism shares responsibility for the information transmitted and is thus

accountable not only to those controlling the media but ultimately to the public at large, including various social interests. The journalist’s social responsibility requires that he or she will act under all circumstances in conformity with a personal ethical consciousness.

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria imposed on the media the obligation to monitor governance.

Media of Mass Communication are told under section 22 of the constitution to be free at all times to “uphold the fundamental objectives contained in the chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people”.

The press in Britain is referred to as the fourth estate of the Realm not as a result of an act of parliament but Nigeria can be so described because it has its root from the nation’s act of parliament.

The journalists respect for privacy and human dignity as well as respect for public interest should not be compromised.

But I must say here that one of the major problems of the practitioners is ownership. The states

media Houses are established primarily to launder the image of Government before addressing other issues of interest to the public.

And the Independent

it is, but we are also told to play safe when confronted with issues that borders on national interest.

My joy as a practitioner is that the

when it involves a high profile dignitary and really come true is absurd.

The Executives have been fortified by all manners of people who are out there to tell them what they want to hear and not what they should know or hear.

The two House at the

Newspapers and electronic media Houses can not see anything wrong with the character of their owners and their business interest.

The dictum that he “who pays the piper dictates the tune” is very much at work in this regard. Journalism as it were to tell the story as

media is the only organ that has not been caged in this country, even the judiciary which is supposed to be the last hope of the common man is on the verge of total decadence. A situation where an ordinary man on the street can predict what would be the out come of a case, especially

National level, the Senate and House of Representatives including the various House of Assemblies are busy fixing emoluments for themselves and engaging in legislations that have no direct positive impact on the suffering masses of this country.

By PIUS EDE

Nigerians now know through its vibrant press that a man who misappropriate billions of naira meant for the pensioners could pay less than one million naira fine in our courts while a man who stole a handset belonging to a governor is made to serve 45 years imprisonment. Yes, the media cannot be caged because if any tabloid refused to use a story as a result of the owner’s involvement, others who are not involved would take it. The same thing is applicable to the electronic media Houses.

The media should bring down individuals and institutions that are unworthy while encouraging the good ones to continue. It is now an open fact that not the political par-ties but the individuals that counts when it comes to performance as exemplified in Edo, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and some other states in Nigeria.

The contributions and importance of the media cannot be overemphasised. In the words of the then American democratic Republican statesman, Thomas “were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers.

“My joy as a practitioner is that the media is the only organ that has not been caged in this country, even the judiciary which is supposed to be the last hope of the common man is on the verge of total decadence.”

27

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

OPINION

Beauties Without Brains

THE turn of event at the recent Miss Independent Television (ITV) Hot leg beauty pageant 2013 show has left some of us in dismay.

The show further buttress the alarming rate of ignorance among Nigerian youths.

It was a c o m p o u n d embarrassment at the grand finale of the event, hosted by the ITV crew in Benin City, Edo State, when beautiful contestants fumbled with confidence over cheap questions. The beauties were asked questions on current affairs, historical and important events in

the history of Nigeria.

This was when one of the contestants (names withheld) a p u r p o r t e d undergraduate student of the University of Benin slammed shame on the faces of her fans, when she was asked the year Nigeria gained her independence, she responded by saying “1998”! One begins to wonder what has taken over the minds of our youths, that a cheap questions such as that, a house hold song to kindergarten pupils can pose a mental stress on a u n i v e r s i t y undergraduate.

Worse still, was the

By UKIRI CLEMENTINA EGWOLOMENA

response of contestant number one to the question, “What is the name of the Senate President of the Federal

relationship between Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information and the “never old” general David Mark? More

What on earth is that?

All of these ridiculous show by some of our youths go further to show how shallow minded

some brain teasers.

It will be appropriate at this point to draw distinction from our famous beauty queen, Agbani

“More hilarious was another of the contestant who was asked the significance of her red coloured attire, trust her response, red represents purity! What on earth is that?”

Republic of Nigeria’”? Alas! She answered, “Labaran Maku”. What then happened to Senator David Mark, and what is the co-

hilarious was another of the contestant who was asked the significance of her red coloured attire, trust her response, red represents purity!

they have sunk. Our society is grazed by young men and women who hate to listen to news, read newspapers and get acquainted with current affairs, but care more about temporary comfort and luxury. This explains the category of those contestants which are likely to be the type who worship night clubs, Brazilian hair, blackberry and fast food. The kind that feel it is worthless to study hard to be ready at all times for

Darego, a former Miss World, who some have argued, did not win the crown just because she is beautiful, better put, not because she was the most beautiful but because she is intelligent and brainy. It is a clear cut fact that beautiful women without brains are empty gongs. So my little advice for our youths is to compliment beauty with brains, especially the female folks.

“All of these ridiculous show by some of our youths go further to show how shallow minded they have sunk.”

28

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Lahm Impressed With Guardiola

PHILIPP Lahm has told Merkur that he has already been impressed with new Bayern Munich manager Pep

• Ersun Yanal

Fernabahce Appoints Yanal As Head Coach FENERBAHCE have named former Turkey manager Ersun Yanal as their new head coach.

Yanal, who recently quit Eskisehirspor, will be charged with restoring the club to the top of the domestic league after they were banned from European competition for three seasons, with the third season deferred for five years.

They had qualified for the Champions League after finishing as runners-up to Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig. Yanal, who has signed a one-year contract, managed the Turkish national side between 2005 and 2007 and replaces Turkish Cupwinning coach Aykut Kocaman who left the club in May after failing to win the league title.

Guardiola’s training methods.

Guardiola held his first press conference as Bayern boss on Monday when he made an impression with his ambitions and also his grasp of the German language.

Plans have already begun for the opening match of the 2013-14 Bundesliga season when they take on Borussia Monchengladbach on August 9, and club skipper Lahm has said his teammates have been receptive to Guardiola’s ways.

“He is very communicative,” the fullback told Merkur. “He wants us to learn to understand him quickly.

“You could see that there will be a lot of changes. The training was completely new to us from warm-up to stretching afterwards.

“Everybody is very attentive. Everybody has to prove himself anew at the beginning of a season, especially with a new coach.”

M e a n w h i l e , Monchengladbach’s Alvaro Dominguez, formerly of Atletico Madrid, has

outlined his optimism that his side could upset the odds when they face Bayern in August.

“I know how to beat Pep”, he told Bild. “With Atletico Madrid we won 2-1 against Pep’s Barcelona in 2011.

“We have the chance to win at Munich, especially on the first matchday because Bayern won’t be at 100% then.”

The defender went on to reserve praise for Guardiola, adding: “He is a super coach.

He knows exactly what kind of football he wants.

“He will change little things like pressing or how to react on turnovers. He will make Bayern even better.”

• Edinson Cavani

Napoli’s Cavani Agrees Terms With Chelsea

EDINSON Cavani has reportedly agreed £7.2m perseason wages with Chelsea, but must now convince Napoli to lower his price-tag.

The striker is still in Brazil on international duty and will play for

Uruguay against Italy in Sunday’s Confederations Cup third-and-fourth-place

Fiorentina are one of the teams he is keeping in mind should be change jersey this summer.”

The German international is set to leave Bayern Munich in order to seek more playing time, but has also been linked with Napoli and several Premier League sides.

Mencucci also commented on Jovetic, who could still join Juventus despite the fact they signed Carlos Tevez for +9m plus a potential further +6m in performance-related bonuses.

“Jovetic to Juventus?

Money has no scent, so in financial terms we do not rule any club out. Admittedly the Della Valle family wouldn’t be very happy if he went there and perhaps would have something to say.”

The Viola have a very tense rapport with old rivals Juventus and would prefer not to do business with the Turin giants.

Jovetic has a +30m buy-out clause in his contract and has also been linked with Arsenal.

“I met with our directors on Thursday and emerged very confident a great Fiorentina will emerge. You just need to give us a little time, as the options we are working on are very important.”

Read the original article on Football Italia - The ultimate website for English-speaking fans of Italian football

Fiorentina Wants Bayern’s Gomez

FIORENTINA general manager Sandro Mencucci has confirmed the club’s interest in Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez.

“It is beyond doubt that Gomez is one of the players who interests us,” Mencucci told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I can also tell you that

Del Piero Rejects Acaccio Move

AJACCIO have revealed they had been plotting an audacious attempt to bring Alessandro del Piero back to Europe only for the ex-Juventus star to decide to remain in Australia.

Del Piero, 38, joined FC Sydney at the end of his Juve career last summer, a switch which seemed likely to be his final move before retirement.

That, however, did not deter Ajaccio, who have pulled off transfer coups by signing Mexican international goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and Romanian star Adrian Mutu in successive summers, from attempting to reunite the former Italian international striker with his ex-bianconero team-mate Fabrizio Ravanelli, the Corsican club’s freshly-appointed coach.

“For several weeks now, the club has been in advanced talks

with the famous Italian attacker Alessandro del Piero,” a statement on the club’s official website read.

It added “the goalscorer will,

• Del Piero

finally, not come to AC Ajaccio.

It’s for family reasons Alessandro del Piero has decided to continue his adventure in Australia.”

final.

According to reports from Mediaset, Cavani’s entourage has already agreed personal terms with Chelsea - a five-year contract worth +8.5m (£7.2m) per season.

However, the Stamford Bridge side are unwilling to pay the +63m buy-out clause in his Napoli contract.

Cavani said this week he wanted to set up a face-toface meeting with Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis as soon as possible.

De Laurentiis replied that

any encounter would be unnecessary, as the striker will only be sold if a club can activate the release clause in his contract.

Napoli would reportedly only accept Ramires as part of any exchange deal, but Chelsea are unwilling to part with the Brazilian.

It is believed Manchester City have dropped out of the race for Cavani, while Real Madrid are turning their attention towards Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.

Read the original article on Football Italia - The ultimate website for English-speaking fans of Italian football

Tevez To Complete Community Service

CARLOS Tevez’s legal team will make sure he “abides by all the rules” in completing his community service order.

Tevez has 250 hours of community service to complete, and it was reported on Thursday that the former Manchester City striker will still be required to fulfil his sentence, despite signing for Juventus.

Probation service chiefs have suggested they would have not hesitate to apply for a warrant to arrest the 29-

year-old if no agreement is reached about the completion of his sentence.

But in a statement released on Friday, the Argentina international’s legal team say that they are currently attempting to come to an agreement to avoid that scenario.

“No rules or regulations have been broken in relation to Carlos Tevez’s community service order,” they said.

“We are acting on behalf of Mr Tevez to make sure he abides by all the rules.”

29

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Carragher Hopeful Of Suarez Stay

Paulinho Keen On Tottenham Move

BRAZIL midfielder Paulinho is keen to complete a move to Tottenham following the Confederations Cup. Paulinho is currently playing a starring role for his country, heading in the winning goal against Uruguay to help Brazil reach the final of the World Cup warm-up event.

While he is focused on Sunday’s clash with Spain at the Maracana, Paulinho is almost certain to leave Corinthians this summer and Spurs would be his preferred destination.

The 24-year-old said earlier in the week that the north London club had tabled a bid for him, and admitted White Hart Lane is a desired option as he would relish working with boss Andre Villas-Boas and the influential Gareth Bale.

“It is important for the team and for the Brazilian fans that at the moment all my focus is on winning the Confederations Cup,” he said in the Daily Mirror.

“But after the tournament is finished I hope it is a deal that can get finalised quickly.

“To play in England for a great team like Tottenham is a dream. What I respect about Tottenham is the ambition they have shown.

“This summer there has been interest in their coach and their best player - and they have been clear they are both not going anywhere.”

• Roberto Martinez, new Everton boss

Martinez Set To Reassemble Everton Staff

ROBERTO Martinez is likely to have his backroom staff selected by the time he begins work at Everton next week, with his assistant from Wigan, Graeme Jones, set to be among the coaching ranks.

The Spaniard will hold his first pre-season training session with the Toffees on Wednesday and it is believed Martinez will overhaul the current coaching staff at Goodison Park.

Assistant manager Steve Round, coach Jimmy Lumsden and goalkeeping coach Chris Woods all appear

Laudrup Won’t Quit Swansea - Jenkins SWANSEA chairman Huw Jenkins insists boss Michael Laudrup will remain in charge at the Premier League club despite continued reports of a rift over transfer policy.

Laudrup’s agent Bayram Tutumlu is said to have rowed with Jenkins about Swansea’s failure to back the Dane with a major spending spree before the start of next season.

Former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Laudrup is believed to want a series of signficant signings as he looks to improve a team that booked a place in the Europa League by winning the League Cup last season.

The disagreement put Laudrup’s future at the club in doubt, particularly when Swansea decided to stop dealing with Tutumlu after he attempted to broker a deal to sell Wales defender Ashley Williams against the club’s wishes.

But there has been more positive news to report in recent

JAMIE Carragher remains confident that Liverpool stand a good chance of keeping Luis Suarez.

Suarez, 26, has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield to Real Madrid this summer with reports on Thursday claiming that the Uruguay international has already set up a transfer to the Spanish giants.

But in an interview with ITV, Carragher says that Liverpool have to expect interest in their top stars, especially someone who he believes was the best player in the Premier League last season.

“I think he might stay. Some big clubs will be interested in him because he is such a top player and that is something we have to accept,” Carragher said of his former team-mate.

“We can’t complain about that, we bought him off Ajax. He signed a contract last summer and he has a few years left and hopefully we can keep him.

days with the club having tabled a number of bids for players targeted by their Danish boss.

Jose Canas and Jordi Amat have arrived from Real Betis and Espanyol respectively and Jenkins is adamant he always believed Laudrup would remain in charge.

“Michael Laudrup has made his feelings known that he wanted to stay here and we have been looking to bring in five or six players,” Jenkins said on Friday.

“We’ve worked hard during the last month or two with a lot of offers in for a lot of players, we are hoping to bring in one or two of those main targets, which have been publicised quite a bit but we will hopefully land them.

“My relationship with Michael Laudrup has always been very good, that has never been in doubt.

“There has been a lot of speculation this summer, a lot of it when Michael was on holiday, lots of it was blown out of proportion.

set to follow David Moyes to Manchester United.

Everton chief executive Robert Elstone backed Martinez’s decision to hand pick his staff for next season, insisting it will help the former Wigan boss to make an immediate impact.

“For Roberto to bring in his team is absolutely what he wants to do and we want to support him on it,” Elstone told evertontv. “We are working hard to do that and I’m hoping in the near future that Roberto will have his team.

“He is also integrating into a very strong, solid team that already exists here. There is a real spirit at Finch Farm and

lot of experience. I know he will want to retain that Everton spirit but yes, he does want his own support team around him.

“We are working to make that happen and I’m sure we will succeed on that in the very near future.”

Everton rejected Manchester United’s bid for Leighton

Baines on Friday as the club insisted their left-back is “not for sale”. But Elstone insists any players who decide to leave will do so on good terms.

“Whoever ultimately moves on to new pastures goes with our best wishes and our thanks for all their contribution they have made to Everton Football Club.”

. . . Everton To Remain In Liverpool

EVERTON chairman Bill Kenwright has stated his determination to keep the club in the city of Liverpool if they move to a new stadium.

Kenwright and chief executive Robert Elstone confirmed at an Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders on Wednesday that the club are looking at a number

of potential sites.

Everton have been considering a move away from Goodison Park for nearly two decades, as their atmospheric home is hemmed in by surrounding streets and houses, offering little potential for expansion.

But a proposed move to Kirkby, mooted in 2006, caused

Evra Considering Monaco Return if the deal for Baines is

MANCHESTER United defender Patrice Evra could be set for a return to Monaco, with a source close to the club telling ESPN that negotiations about a potential transfer have been ongoing for several weeks.

News of United’s attempts to sign Everton’s Leighton Baines has brought speculation about the left-back’s future, but Evra has in fact been discussing the possibility of a move back to France since mid-April.

At the age of 32, Senegal-born Evra is open to the prospect of a return to the club he left to join United in 2006, with Monaco keen to seal a deal for the experienced defender ahead of

“He is very important. He was probably the best player in the Premier League last season and you want to be keeping your best players, which is what he is.”

Meanwhile, former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler hopes the managerial changes at three of England’s top four clubs this summer give the Reds an extra advantage in their attempts to challenge for Champions League qualification.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all replaced their managers and Fowler believes that may help Brendan Rodgers, who begins his second season in charge having made significant progress in the transfer window already with four signings.

“At the start of every season, we always have aims and ambitions to get into the top four and get as high up the table as we can,” he told the club’s official website.

“We didn’t do it last season, but you could see the progression was slowly getting there - we were getting better all the time.

“For this season, there have been a few more players added to the squad, so I think the consistency will be a little bit better.

“The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea have got new managers now, so hopefully it will be a bit of a sticking point for them.

“But in terms of Brendan Rodgers and the squad we’re putting together, I think we can certainly challenge for that top four.”

their return to Ligue 1.

ESPN’s source suggests Monaco are also interesting in signing United’s Portugal winger Nani, but that move is on hold until new Red Devils boss David Moyes assesses his options when he officially takes charge at Old Trafford on Monday.

United are expected to improve on their initial £10 million offer as they look to sign Baines in the coming days, but will not meet the current asking price being proposed by Everton - believed to be around £20 million.

Meanwhile, Evra’s move to Monaco will only be sanctioned

concluded, with United eager to have a signing in place before Moyes faces the media for the first time as United manager on July 5.

Patrice Evra

controversy because it would have involved moving the club out of the city for the first time in their history.

The plan was scrapped in 2009 after a planning application was rejected by the UK government.

Kenwright – responding to a fan at Wednesday’s meeting who suggested that the club should consider building a shared stadium with Liverpool – said that Everton were instead investigating a site close to Goodison for a new home on their own.

He indicated that the club are in talks over a possible move with Liverpool City Council, led by mayor Joe Anderson.

And he told the Liverpool Daily Post that there will be no repeat of the storm over the planned Kirkby move.

“I absolutely understood the friction over the proposed move to Kirkby,” Kenwright said. “So I was actually saying to the lad who was advocating the shared stadium that we’ve got sites in mind, but my favourite one is close to Goodison – it’s not outside the city limits.

30

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Akinbola Hails LMC, Urges Improvement In League Management

L-R: Mr. Felix Odoide, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Edo State, Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Omorede Osifo, Chief of Staff, Government House, Barr. Patrick Obahiagbon and the Director of Sports, South South Zone 1 NSC, Mr. Usikaye watching some Edo State athletes at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium as part of the 2013 Olympic Day Run activities yesterday

Barr. Patrick Obahiagbon, Chief of Staff, Government House (2nd left), Lady Omorede Osifo, Commissioner for Youth Sports and some top government functionaries during the 2013 Olympic Day Run at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium yesterday in Benin City.

Olympic Day Run

AKIN Akinbobola, Special Adviser on sports to Ondo State Government, has urged the League Management Company (LMC) to ensure improvements in league’s management before the kick off of second stanza.

Akinbobola told the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that the LMC should convene a stakeholders meeting to chart a way forward for the competition.

NAN reports that the Globacom Premier League began a two-week break after the Week 19 fixture on June 16.

“The LMC will need to hold a meeting to ensure that they are on the same page with club owners; there is need for peace and harmony.

“We need to chart a new course for our clubs, if we are sincere about the need for a much improved league.

“Stakeholders need to iron out a lot of issues; nobody is a reservoir of knowledge so there is need for us to have a meeting point for the development of the league,’’ Akinbobola said.

On his assessment of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure in the first stanza of the league, the special adviser told newsmen that the club would bounce back in the second stanza.

The Akure Gunners were currently in the 11th position on the league table with 27 points from 19 matches.

“Sunshine Stars have gone back to the drawing board. They

Oshiomhole Salutes Founders As Osifo Urges Edo Athletes To Keep Spirit Alive

BY KEHINDE OSAGIEDE EDO State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has heaped praise on initiators and founders of Olympics, and sued for the sustenance of the Games.

This message was Olympic body to celebrate delivered by the Chief of the rich ideas behind the staff Barr.

Patrick games the Obahiagbon, who commissioner said “the represented the Comrade main idea of the Olympic Governor in his address on Day is to highlight the the occasion of the 2013 benefits of physical exercise Olympic Day Run which in general and for young held at the Samuel people to learn about the Ogbemudia Stadium in values of the games, and put Benin City, yesterday. them into practice in their In the same vein, the state’s everyday life”.

Commissioner for Youth, She however encouraged Sports and Social young Edo People to engage in Mobilization, Lady Omorede sports, saying that engaging in Osifo has urged Edo athletes physical exercise can be to keep the spirit of Olympics beneficial to them. “Engage alive in the state. in sports for social While explaining the recreation; engage in sports significance of the Olympic for economic emancipation Day Run as an annual event for improved health ”,she organized globally by emphasized.

After the race which went through Stadium RoadZabayor, Plymouth-Akenzua

Road and Ring –Road-Oba market routes back to the Stadium, the Chief of Staff

Barr. Obahiagbon presented certificates of participation to the participants.

will come back smoking hot, it’s a phase that will pass, we will bounce back,’’ Akinbobola boasted.

Afrobasket Women 2013 Camp Opens Today THE Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has endorsed the proposal of the coaching staff of the national women’s team to open a trial camp to select home-based players for the team.

A statement by NBBF’s Head of Media, Patrick Omorodion, on Friday said 15 players who were noticed at the recently concluded 2013 Zenith Bank Women League have been invited to the trials.

“The trials will take place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos from June 30 to July 6,’’ it said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team is to represent Nigeria at the “Afrobasket Women 2013’’.

The competition will hold in Maputo, Mozambique from September 20 to September 29.

The statement listed the invited players to include Nkechi Akashili, Magdalene Ukato, Amaka Nwakamma, Atosu Upe, Grace Okonkwo, Evelyn Akhator, Nkem Akarawe and Nkoyo George.

The rest are Theresa Samuel, Lillian Okwadi, Nana Sule, Regina Lornumbe, Lina Dong, Funmi Ojelabi and Cioma Udeaja.

“The shortlisted players are from seven Zenith Bank League clubs, namely First Deepwater, Dolphins, First Bank, Sunshine Angels, FCT Angels, Plateau Rocks and Nigeria Customs,’’ the statement said.

Sunday Pools Guide Week 51 Campbell Town, Cumberland For “X” SAYS DR. J.K. POOLS

THE question now is that should I finish Pools Businesses in the West Africa countries where Pools betting are being operated?

However, the simple answer rest squarely on the majority of Pool stakers.

Already, I have started to forecast English season 2013 commencing in week 3.

Now, let us start to dish out hidden draws, though scanty this very season for the overall admiration of all stakers in West Africa countries.

The above captioned headline games CAMPBELLTOWN; CUMBERLAND FOR “X” WEEK 51.

Again, the games are CampbellTown vs ParaHills at 32 and Cumberland vs Westerns at 34.

However, this is the best controversial Zone-Point (C – Z – P ) of this week 51. Both of them are in South Austrialia League Premier.

This Week 51 Cumberland vs Cumberland at 34 xx 34 xx 34 plus 2 others are NAPABLE with N10,000. I Bet. Before I travel to Nottmfor and Barnsley countries in preparation for the forthcoming U.K./Scottish Pools season to dish out the three nappable hot nap for the first week of U.K; I

bet to thrill stakers with Harvest of draws marking the end of Aussie 2013. Please watch out! Watch out!! Watch!!!

For your information, there are possible chain of draws in Week 52 and Week one. Please watch out. The draws are with me.

They are simple Poological mathematics. All the theories enjoy additions and follow the Letter sequence (FL).

Lest I forget, A visit to N.S.W South Premier, BULLI vs AlbionPK at 46, for an “X”.

And in the same vein WT. Bikalla vs Metrostars at 36 for a draw.

English season is fast approaching and I have done much work.

8 Treble Chance 1. CampbelTown vs ParaHill 0–0 2. Cumberland vs Westerns 0–0 3.WT. Bikalla vs Metrostars 1–1 4. Bulli vs AlbionPK 1–1 5. Seaford vs Modbury 2–2 6. Balcatta vs Inglowood 2–2 7. Whittlesear vs Westgate 3–3 8. Wannero vs Western K 3–3 3 Hot pairs (A) 32 – 34 (B) 36 – 46 (C) 20 – 22. Goodluck, says DR. JK Pools, Box: 34, Irrua or opposite Police Station, Irrua, Edo State. 07039275802

31

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Blatter Hails Brazil, Says Football Has Over Come Protests

Confed Cup:

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has praised Brazil’s organisation of the 2013 Confederations Cup, insisting the quality of football has provided a welcome distraction to the ongoing protests.

Thousands of people have taken part in demonstrations across the country, claiming the government is guilty of corruption and calling for reforms on a number of levels.

The protests took a tragic turn on Wednesday after a man died during clashes with police ahead of Brazil’s semi-final win over Uruguay.

But Blatter believes the

Wimbledon Kvitova Through To Last 16 FORMER champion Petra Kvitova regained her focus overnight to return with a zip in her step and see off Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 2-6 63 to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Resuming a break down at 21 in the decider after play was suspended in the gloom late on Friday, the eighth-seeded Czech hit her stride immediately to forge 4-2 ahead under sunny skies.

Kvitova, the 2011 champion and quarter-finalist last year, briefly wobbled as 25th seed Makarova stemmed the tide with a break but the rally fizzled out and the Czech reasserted herself to set up a last 16 match with Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain.

tournament will be significant to the rebuilding process for Brazil, rejecting claims that the country is not prepared to host the World Cup next year.

“As the president of FIFA, I have to say that, from an organisational point of view, when it comes to stadia and the football game, I am particularly happy with what has happened here,” he told reporters in Brazil.

“We were able to play in six practically brand new stadia and we have received only compliments from the eight participants in this competition.

“On the football pitch, it’s easy to say that it has been the best quality Confederations Cup we have ever organised. The matches were attractive even with a representative of Oceania in Tahiti at a lower standard.

“Naturally, the competition has been played in a situation where there was definitely social unrest with protests and manifestations, but I have to say finally that football has played a positive part here.

“It’s part of emotion and I would say football has connected people in the stadia.

Perhaps unfortunately it also connected people in the street.

“I can understand this social unrest, absolutely. But on the other hand, football at this time brings to the whole continent of 200 million these emotions and hope.

“Football is going out of this competition with a clear message. Yes, it was a good

competition and we are happy to be back here next year in the Fifa World Cup with the 32 teams and 64 matches.”

Amidst claims that the high cost of hosting the World Cup could cripple Brazil’s economy, Blatter insists FIFA is focused on ensuring the tournament is not a burden.

“The aim of FIFA is not to take profit out of the country but to put into the country the necessary means and with other actions to make sure that this World Cup is a success,” Blatter added.

“We have to work together to have a legacy for this World Cup, not only the stadia but a legacy for the environment and for the social part. For FIFA it is essential to have a successful World Cup because it’s practically the only income of Fifa - 90 to 95 per cent - to develop the game around the world.

Brazil Determined To End Spain’s Era FORMER Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira believes the Selecao can bring an end to Spain’s dominance on the world stage with victory in Sunday’s Confederations Cup final.

As Spain prepare to defend their World Cup title next year, Parreira insists a determined victory over Uruguay in the semi-final proves Brazil are playing better football than their opponents at present.

Despite their world ranking of 22, Brazil have looked

Ex-F/Eagles Back 2013 Squad

EX-FLYING Eagles stars Dele Ajiboye and Kehinde Fatai have predicted the team to the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup could shock the world in Turkey.

The Flying Eagles Class of 2013 are so far the African team to reach the knockout stage of the competition after they finished second in Group B. Ajiboye and Fatai represented Nigeria at FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt and enjoined Nigerians to believe in the team as they have continued to improve as the competition has progressed.

“The Flying Eagles have done well, they started slowly but they are doing better game after game,” said Ajiboye, who won the 2007 U17 World Cup in Korea.

“The team have shown they can play good football, all they need do is to tidy up the defence and the goalkeeper

needs to be calm and decisive.

This will go far in Turkey.”

“The guys did well and they have qualities to do well in the tournament. They must take chances that come their way in subsequent games, this is the

• Flying Eagles

Confederations Cup for grabs by either Brazil or Spain as they play the final cracker today

knockout stage and no room for missing chances as there won’t be a second chance,” urged Romania-based striker Fatai, who also appeared at the 2009

convincing throughout the tournament and Spain’s penalty shootout win over Italy on Thursday has given the hosts cause for optimism, with the World Cup-winning manager suggesting La Roja’s weaknesses are finally being exposed.

“It is now the time to end the era of Spain,” Parreira said. “I have been talking with Scolari and the coaching staff and now is not the time to change tactics.

“We have to maintain the line we have taken so far. Brazil are playing at home and have to keep the initiative in the game.

This is the game that everyone hoped for, but the fans would not have chosen this opponent for the final.

“But, since it is Spain, we welcome them. Brazil are in an excellent moment, they have

confidence, it is easy to see.

“Scolari has done a wonderful job this past month.

We have played against five world champions and not lost a game. We look ahead knowing that we will play very well.

“We know that Italy had a wonderful first half against Spain [on Thursday], showing that with will, determination and intelligence, it is possible to beat Spain.”

Brazil will head into the final at the Maracana as favourites.

. . . As Neymar Vows To Fire Country To Title BRAZILIAN star Neymar vowed on Friday to help fire Brazil to a third straight Confederations Cup title at the expense of world champions Spain to show fans they can expect fireworks when he arrives in La Liga with Barcelona.

“We will be playing for our families, our friends, but above all for the Brazilian nation.

“We are ready for what will be an historic match,” the 21year-old starlet said as he looked forward to a mouthwatering encounter with the Spanish on Sunday in Rio’s Maracana stadium.

“We shall be defending our country,” added Neymar, who scored in all three group games before helping to create goals for Fred and Paulinho in the semi-final success over Uruguay.

“It will be a great match. Both teams are out to create history,” added Neymar, noting that while Brazil are gearing up for an even bigger prize next year when they host the World Cup for the first time since 1950, landing Spain’s scalp on Sunday would send out a message that a new Selecao has landed.

Spain, who have never won the Confederations event, will go into action on the back of a record 29 matches unbeaten and seeking an

unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in a major tournament after Euro 2008 and 2012 triumphs sandwiched their maiden World Cup success in 2010.

Brazil meanwhile came into the tournament having dumped former coach Mano Manezes for 2002 World Cup-winning handler Luiz Felipe Scolari, despite the latter enduring some less than stellar recent spells in club football with Chelsea and Palmeiras.

Since Scolari’s return, the auriverde have slowly begun to shape a team based on a blend of youthful exuberance encapsulated by the likes of Neymar himself and the experience of older players such as Fred, whose three goals, following a run of five in six friendlies, have fired up the new machine.

• Neymar

CMYK 32

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

NIA To Upload Marine Insurance Policies On Database

THE Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) says the association is ready to start uploading Marine Insurance policies on the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID).

The NIA DirectorGeneral, Mr. Olorundare Thomas, told newsmen in Lagos that the association was happy with the progress of the motor module.

Thomas said the decision to start the first and second phase of the database with Motor and Marine policies was to end the era of ‘fake’ insurance certificates in the two areas.

“The industry records high rate of fake insurance certificates on Motor and Marine policies.

“The motor module is running and already

adopted by the insuring public in the second year into the operation of NIID. “As at May 2013, over 1.5 million vehicle records with policies in force are on the database,” he said.

He said the motor module had become an indispensable tool for onthe-spot verification of genuine motor insurance documents.

According to him, a key aspect of the NIID project is the deployment of Mobile Devices for Law Enforcement Agents to verify insurance certificates presented by Motorists on

the roads.

He said that the application was always available and works with all networks in Nigeria.

The Director-General said the verification device was being deployed in some

states which would go a long way in curbing fake motor insurance documents in the area.

He said that discussions

Women Empowerment

NGO Tasks African Women THE Global Power Women Network Africa, an NGO, at the weekend called on women to champion the course of girls and women empowerment in Africa.

Prof Shillah Clone, the UNAIDS Regional Director for East Africa, spoke on behalf of the group at the second High

Level Meeting of the network held in Abuja.

Clone, also the former health minister of Botswana, said that the meeting was aimed at addressing issues concerning gender equality, maternal deaths, reproductive health as well as HIV and AIDS. She said that the

Collaboration, Co-operation Important To Reform In Water Sector - Minister THE Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, says collaboration and cooperation are important in reform initiatives in the water sector.

Ochekpe said this at the handing over ceremony of drilling equipment and materials to Federal Government and Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted rural water projects.

The equipment and materials were handed over to Bauchi,

Katsina and National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna at the weekend.

She said that this occasion marks a turning point in “the collaboration and cooperation we have with Japanese Government in actualisation of the tenets of reform initiative in water sector.

The minister said in trying to meet the challenges of water supply and sanitation, the Federal Government adopted several strategies to improve service delivery in the sector.

were ongoing with other states of the federation for the deployment and enforcement of the devices.

Thomas said that the

marine module would form the second phase of the database project.

Reports indicate that the minimum price of a genuine third party motor insurance policy was N5, 000 as against N2, 000 charges by fake operators.

According to her, part of this strategy is to foster improved partnership and other collaboration with donor agencies like Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Ochekpe said this would improve system coordination for the control of water borne diseases which had undermined child survival and development in Nigeria.

The minister said that in view of this, the assistance of the Japanese Government was

sought for Grant-in-Aid in rural water supply and sanitation.

The aid are provision of drilling rigs, air compressors, trucks with crane facilities, geophysical investigation instruments for electrical resistivity surveys, among others.

“The first aid was granted to Oyo State in 2002 with a view to eradicating guinea worm diseases and completed in 2005.

“This was followed by support to Kano State in 2005 to 2007 which was extended to Yobe State in 2007.

recommendation of the meeting sought to advocate empowerment of women in the continent.

“The outcome of this forum will be the same as the Harare forum; what we want is not recommendations to governments but the recommendation by the women themselves. ‘’When we leave here, what are some of the things we are going to do, to be able to improve the lives of our women.

“So, we want actions for the women themselves. ” She recalled that the outcome of the first meeting by the organisation was geared towards finding ways of addressing the problems hindering women’s education.

“Like in Harare, what we did was to say ministers, what are you going to do, members of parliament, what are you going to do, civil society groups, what are you going to do?

“So that if it is advocating to their presidents, we wanted the action to be by themselves, we know once we do that then it will be done.

“We really need a gender equality and to ensure that the girls get education, we have seen that some of our cultural practices, some of our poverty, the injustices are really due to the fact that women are not educated enough.

“We need now to be able to

begin to push our leaders to say we need women to be educated at higher levels, for them to have employment, so that they have economic independence.

“If we can have that, I think we can be able to rule on things, because a woman who is economically empowered will not tolerate violence.

“She will not tolerate abuse and she will be able to take care of her family.”

She observed that President Goodluck Jonathan had promised to deliver on his promise of having 35 per cent of women representation in the nation’s governance.

She, therefore, urged women to seek elective positions, by contesting in elections, to achieve the feat.

“When it comes to politics, we may advocate for such a percentage; if those women are not elected by the people, then we are very far.

“Because we may have said 30 per cent, but the president of any one country may put that 30 per cent, but it is women who are probably going to decorate parliament rather than speak on issue of women.

“We are really saying we need to change our systems of even voting; we need to have a system where we can have equal representation such that women are able to be represented, rather than just being picked; it doesn’t work.

Marital Challenges Predispose Women To Mental Depression - Psychiatrist

Assistant Director, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Mr. Anyahara Iheanyi (right), and Chief Executive Officver, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Mr. Jim Obazee at an enlightenment seminar on International Financial Reporting Standards in Lagos weekend.

MR Biodun Idowu, a psychiatrist at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, has said that more women were falling into mental depression due to increased marital challenges.

Idowu, made the assertion while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, said:‘’There are now more cases of women suffering from mental depression. ‘’Investigations point to the fact that many young career ladies are pressed to get married, while those married are struggling to keep their homes.

‘’There are cases of many of them suffering from insomnia due to long prayer sessions and night vigils. ‘’Many mentally challenged people are said to be suffering from spiritual attacks, when in actual fact they are suffering from ailments induced by sleeplessness.’’

He said that while most men let out depression through social gatherings, women kept emotions bottled inside them.

Idowu urged women not to be ashamed to seek counsel or psychiatric assistance before they suffer emotional breakdown.

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