THE WEEKEND
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Weekend PUBLISHED SINCE OCTOBER 6, 1990 • Vol. XI NO. 3,187• SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013 • N100.00
ENCOUNTER
Governor Oshiomhole An Exceptionally Gifted Leader - Hon Obasuke
- Page 11
NAMA Grounds Oshiomhole’s chopper
THE Nigerian Aviation Management Agency (NAMA), yesterday, recalled and grounded an airborne OAS Helicopter ferrying Governor Adams Oshiomhole to Awka, Anambra State for the funeral service of the late Mrs. Colette Obi, wife of Senator Ben Obi, Special Adviser, Political Matters to the President. completely if I argued Pilot of the helicopter, with them. I have flown Captain James for 35 years, seven of Manahash, a Filipino, which I spent in Nigeria said “I was surprised that and this is the first time I I was recalled after am encountering a taking-off from situation like this. I do not Government House know what problem they because I had have with the governor.” communicated with the Managing Director of control tower on radio. the OAS Helicopters, Mr. “We were already Everest Nnaji, who was airborne when we got the contacted, expressed call to return to the airport and was even threatened that failure to do so would lead to complete grounding of the aircraft. The governor prevailed on me to return By KESTER OGIESEWU and listen to them. “When we got back to THE Edo State the airport, I was told to Attorney General and pay landing and Commissioner for aerodrome fees which Justice, Hon. Barrister ordinarily we could pay Henry Idahagbon has later because we were enjoined members of the already airborne. Peace Corps “Even after completion Association of Nigeria to of the process of see their duties as a payment within 10 security outfit, with legal minutes, we were still duty and responsibility in delayed for one hour line with the provisions of fifteen minutes. The the constitution of the Governor left in anger Federal Republic of after that. Nigeria. “I am surprised by this development because The Edo State this is not the first time I Attorney General who would be coming to stated this on the Benin to fly the governor. occasion of the training “I was even of newly enlisted staff threatened, after officers into the peace payment, that the aircraft corps of Nigeria, Edo will be grounded State Command
shock over the incident, saying that “I am still making calls to find out exactly why they did not allow the pilot fly the helicopter conveying the governor to Anambra state. I am really angry, I don’t know why they did that and that is why I am still trying to make contact because we have no problems with NAMA”. When approached by newsmen, a visibly angry Oshiomhole who was kept in the sweltering sun for over an hour declined comment.
Having been delayed unnecessarily, the governor dashed into his official car and headed for his home town, Iyamho. Oshiomhole’s ordeal might not be unconnected with the ongoing onslaught against Governors who are perceived to be in support of Governor Amaechi’s re-election as Chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum. Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Prince Continues on page 4
Idahagbon Task Peace Corps On Constitutional Responsibility maintained that national ethics means the duties, conduct and responsibilities owed to the nation. “It starts from a simple responsibility such as respect for the National flag and to stand still when the National Anthem is being sung. We must have the nationalistic spirit in us,” he said. Barr. Idahagbon also stressed the need for Nigerians to do things that will make the nation move forward by imbibing the virtues of honesty in their job and sustaining the credibility of the country in the comity of all nations. The Attorney General also lamented the high
rate of terrorism which had led to the loss of so many innocent souls. He also disclosed that there are adequate legislations to cater for the various offences including death penalty for armed robbery. “What we need is reorientation of our mindset. Barrister Idahagbon therefore enjoined members of the Peace Corps of Nigeria to carry out their duties diligently in line with the laws of the country. Also speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities, Prince Continues on page 4
POLITICS
X-Raying The Division In Nigeria Governor’s Forum - Page 8
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State
BEAUTY SHOP
Modern Trend In ‘Buba And Iro’ - Page 23
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CRIME ICPC Arrests 41 Officials With Forged Certificate At NIMC
A truck on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lane being monitored by BRT Security Vehicle on Ijora Olopa/ Apongbon Link Bridge in Lagos yesterday.
Court Discharges Canadian Charged With Breach Of Trust, Cheating
AN Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court has discharged a Canadian, Jim Mansfield, of 3, Udi-Hill Close, Aso Drive, Abuja, who was charged with cheating one Hajiya Binta Muktar of N15 million. The Magistrate, Mr. Tony Ubani, said “the police have failed, refused and neglected to come and prosecute the matter. “This is the third time this matter is being mentioned and the second time the prosecutor has failed to come to court. “ From every indication, it is very obvious that the prosecution has developed cold feet in this matter and the reason is best known to them. “ The court must, however, discharge its duty in dispensing justice.
“It is in the light of the above that I hereby, discharge the accused person and strike out the First Information Report for lack of diligent prosecution. The Counsel to the accused, Mr. David Ashaolu, had earlier appealed to the court to strike out the matter, based on the provisions of Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Ashaolu said the prosecutor had failed to show any evidence against his client in support of the allegations against him. “I recall that the matter was adjourned for definite hearing and that the court warned that the matter would be struck out if the prosecutor failed to show up.
“I spoke with the deputy commissioner of police and also the prosecutor on May 28, concerning the order of the court. “I will like to tell the court that the prosecution has no proof against my client and none of the allegations against him is true. Ashaolu also prayed the court to strike out the First Information Report. The counsel was delighted about the judgment and expressed gratitude to the court for doing justice. “My client committed no crime; he was just a victim of power-play. “I am happy that some judges in Nigeria are still
ICPC: Former Anti-Corruption
Crusader Forfeits Property In Lagos THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has seized a three-bedroom bungalow belonging to a Lagos based anti-corruption crusader. The crusader, Mr. Akinyemi Badejogbin, was the former coordinator of Lagos State Chapter, National AntiCorruption Volunteers Corps (NAVC). A statement signed by the ICPC’s Head of Media, Mr. Folu Olamiti, and made available to newsmen in Abuja said that the seizure order was signed by the Chairman of the commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta. It stated that the house is located at Alhaji Abduwajeed Ejias Avenue, situated directly opposite Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Zion, off Reformation of Christ Street, Owode Elede Junction, Mile 12, Lagos. The statement said that the seizure was in line to Section 45(4)(a)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Related
Offences Act 2000. “The action was in respect of an ongoing investigation contained in a petition received in the Commission in 2011 involving Akinyemi Badejogbin and Lanre Bakare over acts bordering on illegal diversion of public funds for their personal use. “They were alleged to have used their former positions as coordinator and treasurer to divert millions of Naira from the official NAVC Trustee Account into an illegally opened account named “NAVC Senatorial Account”, it stated. According to the statement, the duo were said to have opened and operated the account purportedly on behalf of the NAVC in breach of official directives. The statement also added that Badejogbin had reneged on an agreement he voluntarily made in 2012 to refund the illegally diverted sums. In a similar development, the commission also
announced the seizure of several movable and immovable properties belonging to former banker, Mr. Olaniran Yemi-Aris. “The seizure is in line with ICPC opinion of excessive, having regards to his past emoluments and present circumstances.’’ It listed the properties to include, a bungalow building with Boys Quarters at Plot 9, Doma D Series Extension Layout and eight plots of land located at Phase III, residential layout III. Others are a plot at CKC Extension Layout, all at Gwagwalada, Abuja, six plots of land located at Paiko, Niger State; Plot 26 (Block IX) located at Obalorisa Layout in Ijebu-Jesa. It further listed other plots of land located at Olorunsogo and Osogbo, in Osun State; and a Toyota Camry Saloon Car. The statement said that investigations are still ongoing in the matters.
interested in justice, regardless of the person involved. It will be recalled that Mansfield was arraigned on May 7 for the offence of criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery. The prosecutor, Mr. Tope Folade, had told the court that Muktar reported the matter to the Interpol. Falode said that Muktar had leased her house, located at No. 3, Udi-Hill Close, Aso Drive, to Mansfield in May 2012, with an agreement that he should pay N15 million into her account. “Mansfield fraudulently possessed the said house and refused to credit Muktar’s account with the agreed amount.’’ The prosecutor added that the accused, in July 2012, presented forged documents from Wells Faruo Bank to Muktar, claiming to have deposited the money into her account. He said the offence contravened sections 312, 321 and 368 of the Penal Code.
THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it arrested 41 officials with fake credentials at a promotion exercise conducted by the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC). This is contained in a statement signed by the ICPC’s Head of Media, Mr. Folu Olamiti, and made available to newsmen in Abuja. According to the statement, the arrest was made during the presentation of additional certificates claimed to have been acquired by the officials for upgrading of their status. The statement said that the preliminary vetting carried out by NIMC through the Ministry of Education indicated that some of the tertiary institutions contacted to verify their certificates, confirmed the certificates to be fake. It added that some were altered and some were not graduates of the institutions they claimed. “One of the suspects presented a certificate which was “doctored” to indicate Second Class degree rather than the earned Third Class degree.
“Others presented forged certificates whereas they still had pending carry-overs. “Preliminary investigations by ICPC indicated that some of the certificates emanated from some of the illegal degree awarding mills and outreach centres recently sealed by ICPC,’’ the statement said. It said that the commission was further probing the complicity of those involved in the graduation of one of the suspects with a degree in Engineering from an approved university who could not express himself in writing. ICPC advised tertiary institutions yet to respond to the earlier inquiries sent to them by the Federal Ministry of Education to do so immediately. The statement quoted ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta as commending NIMC Management for its zero tolerance for corruption in its workforce given the sensitive national assignment it was charged with. Reports say that the arrest and interrogation of the NIMC officials is coming in the wake of ICPC/NUC crack-down on illegal degree awarding mills nationwide.
Fraud: Court
Orders Remand Of Banker AN Ilorin Magistrate’s Court ordered the remand of a 36year-old banker, Samuel Ayodele, for allegedly collecting money from customers without remitting it into their accounts. The accused, a field officer with Blucon Microfinance Bank, Ilorin, was alleged to have collected N1. 29 million from customers sometimes in May after which the bank’s management terminated his appointment. The charge sheet stated that the accused forged the saving withdrawal and daily contribution pass book of the bank. It added that the accused issued it to unsuspecting customers after he had been
sacked from the bank. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the allegations. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Fatimoh Ajape, said the accused was arraigned on a four-count charge of criminal breach of trust, cheating, impersonation and forgery, contrary to sections 312, 322, 132 and 964 of the Penal Code. She also objected to bail for the accused on the ground that the alleged offences were not ordinarily bailable. Magistrate Ajide Kayode ordered the remand of the accused in the Federal Prison Yard in Ilorin and adjourned the case to June 25.
NDLEA Arrests 3 With Hard Drugs In Lagos
THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it arrested three persons, who alledgedly ingested 161 wraps of narcotics weighing 3.085kg in Lagos. In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell, the NDLEA said the suspects were apprehended at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. “Two of the suspects were importing the drugs into the country, while one was caught attempting to export the drugs to London.” “One of the suspects alleged that a drug baron was after his life for excreting the drugs at the airport toilet in Doha.”
It said one of the suspects ingested six wraps of cocaine from Brazil weighing 0.095kg and another ingested 1.175kg of heroin from Pakistan. It said that the third person, who had dual citizenship of Nigeria and Germany, ingested 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.815kg on his way to London. The statement said one of the suspects, who is an auto parts dealer, claimed he ingested 80 wraps of drugs but excreted them in Doha. “He was arrested during the inward screening of passengers on Qatar airline flight.
“While on observation, the suspect excreted 6 wraps of powdery substances that tested positive for cocaine weighing 95 grammes,” it added. “They promised to pay me 2,000 dollars to smuggle the drugs from Brazil to Doha. When I got to Doha, the persons who ought to collect the drug from me failed to show up. It was for fear of being caught that made me to dispose the drugs at the airport toilet. “I never knew that six wraps were left in my stomach. Now, I have been arrested and the owners of the drugs are after my life,” the statement quoted the suspect.
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N ws NANS Honours Dr Amusan For Humanitarian Service By ROLAND OSAKUE
AS part of his contributions to humanitarian services, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has honoured the Chief Medical Director of Time Hospital Dr. Taiwo Amusan with an award of distinguished personality in the field of medical profession. Giving the award yesterday in Benin City, Edo State, the Senate President of NANS, Comrade Simon Sawyerr said the award was in recognition of Dr Amusan’s contribution to humanitarian service and quality delivery in Edo State. Comrade Sawyerr, who led a delegation of NANS executives to Benin City described the the Chief Medical Director as a beacon of hope and reliable ally in the health sector. He stated that his service delivery to the people was an accomplishment of that of a fine gentleman. According to him, “the choice of Dr Amusan for the
award was extensively deliberated upon by Senate to the extent that the factfinding team of the Association came out with a positive reports, which recommended him for the prestigious award”. He therefore called on the people in the state to emulate the sterling qualities of Dr Amusan, as well as put aside resources before saving lives. Responding, Dr Amusan expressed appreciation to the Students’ body for honouring him with highly rated award, even as he assured them of his unrelenting services to mankind. He however dedicated the award to his family and the entire members of his Management team, whom he said have stood by him to discharge his duty. It would be recalled that Dr Taiwo Amusan has received several awards from various reputable bodies and organizations, such as the Uniben SUG, NUJ Swan, African Network Media, Peace Ambassador, among others.
The Senate President of NANS, Comrade Simon Sawyer (left), presenting an award to the Chief Medical Director of Time Hospital, Dr. Taiwo Amusan in Benin City.
Exec Director Honoured With An Award By VICTOR OMOALU IN recognition of his immense contribution to the development of education, welfare of the students and humanity at large, the Executive Director of the Edo State Internal Revenue, Barr. Emma Usoh has been honoured with the
Distingushed Niger-Delta personality in Efficient Administration award. The award was conferred on him by the National Association of Niger – Delta Students (NANDS) in Benin City Presenting the certificate containing the association’s reasons for the award, the
PHCN Severance Package: Union Tasks FG On THE Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has urged Federal Government to abide by the June 17 date for the payment of severance package to PHCN workers. Mr. Bede Opara, the President General of the association, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Thursday. “The technical and implementation committees have been working to meet the June 17 date as announced by the minister. “since the inauguration of the two committees that are to look into the payment, they have been working to ensure that the date is realistic,’’ he said. Opara said that members of the two trade unions in PHCN were eagerly waiting to receive their entitlements on
June 17 Deadline that date. “We are looking forward to that date and we implore government to abide by the agreement made with the
labour unions, “Opara said. It will be recalled that the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, had on June
4, assured workers of PHCN for payment of their severance package. The Federal Government has agreed to pay the sum of N384 billion as severance package to disengaged PHCN workers on June 17.
President, Comrade Chris Onodjacha hinted that the award became imperative because of the recipient’s administration prowess, strong leadership acumen, his commitment towards the welfare of students, and his interest and commitment towards the education of all, irrespective of tribal/religious persuasion. Comrade Onodjacha noted that the association was established with the purpose of pursuing the interest of the Niger – Delta students and to honour indigenes of the region who have impacted positively on the lives of the people of the
Nigeria Legion Elects Officials By RAYMOND OSOGBE MEMBERS of the Nigerian Legion yesterday, in Urhokpata Hall, Benin City reelected Col. J.B. Osazuwa CNC retired, Lt. Col Julius Akhibi CNC retired and Major Amos Igbaruma CNC retired as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer respectively. Addressing newsmen after the success for conduct of the state eletion which attracted delegates from the 18 local government councils, Mr.
Emmanuel Adeboh, a representative of the Ministry of Defence who observed the election, described it as free and fair. Also his counterpart Mrs. Zainab Usman adjudged the electoral process to be devoid of fraud and violence. Speaking, the re-elected state chairman of the Nigeria Legion Col. J.B Osazuwa CNC retired promised to uphold good tenets that will propel the Legion forward, just as he vows not to
compromise the welfare of members. He paid tribute to the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole for his continuous assistance to the body. Col. Osazuwa in particular mentioned regular subvention, employment of members in schools among many others. Also, the newly elected vice chairman, Lt. Col. Julius Akhibi pledged to be loyal to
the state chairman of the Nigerian Legion. In the same vein, major Amos Igbarume CNC retired, newly elected treasurer extended his appreciation to those who gave him the mandate. It will be recalled that the new principal officials are to serve a four year tenure, just as the new chairman is expected to be sworn in 31st of July at the Ministry of Defence, Abuja.
area. He asserted that the era where the people of the area were seen as militant/fighters was over. He expressed his belief that the award would spur the recipient to do more of what he has been doing. The recipient, Barr. Emma Usoh thanked the association for the honour done him, adding that hardwork, commitment and dedication pay a lot. While admonishing the students not to disappoint the younger ones when they eventually take over the mantle of leaeship in the future, Barr. Usoh stated that history would always reward those who uphold the policies of the Nigerians students. He said the people were living in a world where the youths are constantly reminded of the popular slogan, “that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow.” He used the forum to pay glorious tribute to the late President, National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Moses Osakiede whom he said died in his line of struggle for the interest of the Nigerian students. He however dedicated the award to the late Moses Osakiede.
Oil, Gas Commissioner Seeks EBS Partnership By THOMPSON ERHOMONSELE
EDO State Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Ambassador Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP) yesterday in Benin City struck a cordial working partnership with Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS). During his visit to the State Government owned broadcast
medium, the Commissioner acquainted the management and staff with the supervisory functions and other activities of the ministry in the solid mineral, oil and gas sectors in the state. He explained that the ministry inter-faces among government and host communities and operators in the oil and gas industry as well as quarries, adding that it also helped to manage their
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plans for their respective host communities to ensure peace in order to boost the internally generated revenue (IGR) of Edo State. Ambassador Omo-Ojo, who informed the EBS management of the ministry’s proposed periodic Oil and Gas Forum, also made it known that a central pool of finance called Mutual
Funds for sustainable Projects will be instituted to bank-roll the proposed three mega projects comprising a comprehensive Model Secondary School, Mega hospital which should also be a referral centre and a standard skills acquisition centre. While commending the management for ensuring that EBS still transmits despite daunting challenges, Ambassador
Omo-Ojo expressed profound gratitude for the assistance the medium had rendered to the ministry by beaming its activities to the larger society and solicited that it should be sustained. Responding, the General Manager, Edo Broadcasting Service, Pastor Sidi Lawal Igioh noted that Ambassador Omo-Ojo is a Journalist and politician of repute and prayed for his success.
While assuring the Commissioner of assistance from the broadcast organisation, the EBS General Manager also requested for the ministry’s continued support. Present at the occasion was the Director overseeing the affairs of the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Dan Aigbavboa as well as other management staff of both the ministry and EBS.
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N ws NAMA Grounds Oshiomhole’s chopper Continued from page 1 Kassim Afegbua, who reacted to the incident, said “I think the government of the day is competing with too many crisis and it is disturbing that governors are no longer respected or recognized even in their own domain when it is
known that they were duly elected by the people. “How else do you explain the role of a NAMA clerk who grounded the governor ’s aircraft and prevented him from keeping his appointment in Anambra state because he is acting out a script that has
become the rule of engagement by a dictatorial PDP regime. We remain unprovoked because we are civilized people” he stated. Contacted, the Airspace Atom of NAMA, Mr. Okolie said “I don’t have anything for you.”
THE Edo State Head of Service, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh has condole with the family of late Dr. Gregory Tony Uwuighe Onaghise a retired Permanent Secretary. Princess Inneh stated that , the news of the death of Dr. Onaghise came to her with sadness, and admonish the wife, Children of the
Alleged Extra-Judicial Killing:DPO, By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON DETERMINED to ensure a thorough investigation in the alleged extra-judicial killing of Ibrahim Momodu by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ogida, the Commissioner of Police Edo State Mr. Foluso Adebanjo has forwarded the deceased casefile to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice in Benin City. Also, the Compol has effected the immediate redeployment of the embattled DPO and her orderly to facilitate investigation. The Police Chief disclosed this yesterday while updating journalists on the case in his office at the police command headquarters, Benin City. Mr. Adebanjo assured members of the public of the police commitment to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death of Ibrahim Momodu. The police commissioner further re-affirmed the command’s readiness to nonacceptance of extra-judicial killing as any death that falls short of judicial pronouncement and circumstances as contained in the force-order 237 will not be acceptable. While stating that the onus proof in this case is on the police the commissioner acknowledged that every incident or story has more than one side, hence, “it might be too early for anyone to dismiss either the claim of the police
Orderly Redeployed As Police Forward Case-File To DPP or that of the bereaved family”. He stated further that in the “desire for justice and fairness as it concerns this case, the case-file has been forwarded to DPP for legal advice. The DPO Ogida Division CSP Carol Afegbai and her Orderly PC Amadin Idahosa who shot the deceased have also been redeployed to facilitate further investigation”.
Compol Adebanjo called on the general public particularly the deceased family and UNIBEN community to exercise restraint as the DPP advice is being awaited. It will be recalled that Ibrahim Momodu, 22 was on Monday, May 27, 2013 reportedly shot dead about 22:20 hrs by the DPO of Ogida Police Division. The Command through its
Peace Corps Arrest Suspected Cultists
By KESTER OGIESEWU/ MIKE OSAROGIAGBON THE Peace Corps Association of Nigeria, Edo State Command said it has
arrested 10 persons suspected to be cultists and handed them over to the police of Oregbeni Police Station. The Edo State Commandant of the Peace Corps, patriot Mutairu Habib Odion disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City.
Patriot Odion stated that these persons were arrested in some public schools in the state capital while carrying their nefarious activities. He also said that investigation also revealed that the hoodlums have been responsible for the vandalism which was unleashed in some government schools
Idahagbon Task Peace On Constitutional Responsibility Continued from page 1 Clem Agba who spoke on “The Roles of Paramilitary Youth Organisation(s) in the enforcement of sanitation laws stated that the nation is yet to have enough public enlightenment on sanitation.
However, he called for additional support for the Peace Corp in the environment sector and that sanitation matters focus on the safety of the environment and the health of the persons who live in it.
Association Resolves To Fight Quackery
By FRIDAY OBANOR
CHAIRMAN of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) Edo State branch, Dr. Otamere Aigbogun has reiterated the Association’s resolve to partner with the state Government in its avowed war against quackery within the Health sector. Speaking after his election as the new chairman of the Association in a keenly contested election held at the body’s secretariat on Friday, Dr. Aigbogun said the organisation will assist the state government to improve on the services of health care delivery system to the people of Edo State. Dr. Aigbogun who was full of praise for his colleagues that has elected him as the chairman of the Association however noted that the aim of the Association and Private hospital owners is to help the state government policy in bringing health care delivery system closer to the people at the grassroot. On his mission as chairman of the Association, Dr. Aigbogun promised to go on
spokesman DSP Moses Eguavoen paraded a cut-tosize double barrel gun, eight live cartridges, two handsets, one unregistered Qlink motorcycle and a green bag as exhibits found on the deceased just as the police alleged that he attempted to shot at a team of policemen on patrol prompting his being shot at Obayuwana junction in Siluko road, Benin City.
serious membership drive with the view to convince private practitioners who are still sitting on the fence on the need to embrace and join the Association in its onerous task of bringing practitioners together for the overall interest of the owners as well as the Association to bring health care delivery to the people. Dr. Aigbogun then concluded by saying that the Association under his tenure will fight against the arbitral hike in the tax payable by private hospital owners in the state as tax to government. According to him, “I want to clear the erroneous impression in some quarters that private hospital owners are into the practice for the purpose of profit making which is not true our involvement in the sector is not to make profit but to assist the government of the day to bring health care delivery closer to the people of the state”. Dr. Aigbogun who defeated his opponent with 18 to 15 votes cast then called for co-
operation from all and sundry to help the present Exco achieve its mission in uplifting the image of the Association in the next two years of the life span of the new executive. Other members elected but returned unopposed were Dr. Danladi Imoulaime (1st Vice Chairman), Dr. Richard Enabulele (2nd Vice Chairman), Dr. Nosa Ehigie (Secretary and Dr. Oluwaniwo Dele Oluwantade (Assistant Secretary). Also returned unopposed are Dr. Godfrey Imuetinyan (Treasurer) and Dr. (Mrs.) Petronilla Akpan (PRO).
recently. He stated that the objective of the Peace Corps is to inculcate discipline in schools as well as peace and conflict resolution, adding that, the association will no longer tolerate any acts of indiscipline or lawlessness in both public and private schools and the society in general. “We want to put a stop to a situation whereby student cultists beat up other students, rape them and even harass teachers,” he said Patriot Odion however stated that culprits arrested are to appear in court soon, adding that principals and students of these schools have promised to cooperate with the corps in its determination to eradicate cultism and other sundry crime in the state with a view to ensuring crime – free society. Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Moses Eguavoen in a telephone interview confirmed the arrest of two persons who have since been released.
deceased to take solace in the fact that the late Permanent Secretary led a Godly life. The Head of Service, recalled that the late Dr. G.U.T. Onaghise was an astute administrator whose contribution to the agriculture sector is still relevant till date. She disclosed that the versatility of the late Permanent Secretary led to his inclusion into the Economic Team of Edo State. The Head of Service who was represented by Mr. ‘I’. Okoudoh, Permanent Secretary Information Communication and
EDO State Governor, Comrade Adams
who passed on April 29, 2010. Sounding delightful, the prince who has been sojourning in the United States, expressed immense, gratitude to the Oba of Benin, for his fatherly understanding and cooperation. The crown prince was surrounded by men, women and youths who were all singing and dancing with joy over the pronouncement of the Benin Monarch.
Technology (ICT) Government House and Mr. E.T. Idahosa Permanent Secretary, Central Administration prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Dr. Onaghise. The Head of Service assured that the Government of Edo State will be fully represented in the funeral programme. Speaking on behalf of the Onaghise’s family the eldest son Mr. Osunde Onaghise thanked the Head of Service Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa lnneh for her motherly care and advise to the family.
Fadama Project Can Alleviate Poverty By DOROTHY EGBOBAMWONYI FADAMA has been
described as one of the veritable projects that has
alleviated poverty and improved the living standard of the users. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Abdul Oroh stated this yesterday while playing host to Edo State Federated Union who paid him a courtesy visit in his office. Hon. Abdul who expressed happiness over their success stories assured them of his total support, emphasizing that such a project which has improved the living standard of its users should be sustained even after its expiration at the national level. Responding to the issue of the state being chosen among the 20 states to have Micro Finance Bank, he promised to take their request to the Comrade Governor for discussion. Earlier, the Chairman of Edo State Fadama Federated Union, Elder Idele intimating the Hon.
Oshiomhole Reinstates Permanent Secretary
Igbontor Enogie To Be Buried THE remains of Late Soon Solomon Uwafiokun Omorodion, former Enogie of Igbontor, Idumu Iru, Igbanke will soon be laid to rest. This was disclosed to newsmen by the eldest son of the deceased Enogie, Prince Moses Omorodion at the Oba’s Palace, Benin City on Thursday. The crown Prince said that he had sought and gotten the Oba’s approval in line with tradition to commence the burial rites of his late father
Edo Head Of Service Condoles With The Family Of Late Onaghise
Oshiomhole has approved the reinstatement of Mr. A. H Ikheloa as Permanent Secretary in the state Civil Service. In a reinstatement letter dated June 6, 2013 and signed by the Head of Service, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh, said: the Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, CON, mni approved the reinstatement of Mr. A.H Ikheloa into the Civil Service as Permanent Secretary with effect from 4th January, 2013.
Commissioner of their activities informed the commissioner of the state being chosen amongst other states to be given Micro Finance Bank, the 1,192 Fadama Users Group (FUG) of which he said 900 have been funded and 149 Fadama Community Association (FCA) across the 18 local government area and sued for his assistance in establishing a micro finance bank in the state. While Elder Idele disclosed that the union has the sum of 37 million in their various Fadama Users Equity Fund (FUEF) account, the chairman, Fadama Federated Union, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Mr. Chester said 2.45 million was disbursed to farmers, 20 motor cycles were bought and given to farmers in the locality to enable them bring their produce to the city. The FCA chairman, Uhunmwode Local Government Area (all female FCA) Mrs. Rebecca Idahosa also disclosed that theirs are 150 farmers with 15 FUGs who have grown from small to big farmers, adding that they have built functional open markets and V.I.P toilets, Garri Processors, the proceeds she said are lodged into their accounts. Mr. Atafo of Owan West Local Government Area who appreciated the Commissioner for his immense support so far said Fadama III has been the most successful project in the state and implored the state government to ensure payment of counterpart funding. Present at the occasion was the state project Director, Mrs. Judith Momodu.
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THE term “moral” is used to indicate a particular problem in such circumstance as it relates to leadership either by an
looted the nation’s treasury and established the culture of corruption in the nation’s psyche cannot be said to be ignorant individuals.
not what I do. Most of our leaders are deceivers, liars, charlatans, thieves and rogues, who would simply pretend to be
Africa. Think of such man as Idi Amin of Uganda, Sani Abacha, Samuel Doe, Mobutu Sesesekou and so on and so forth.
ones are regarded and praised for their ability to commit wrongful acts of
incompetent and corrupt hands find their way to positions of power and
Morality And Political Leadership
individual or group of individuals who are entrusted with the values and sovereignty of any society. Now being trusted with certain rights and privileges also indicates certain responsibilities, duties and obligations which the individual or groups of individuals cannot shy away from. A question certainly arises here as one takes a reflective glance at the general scheme of things as it relates to the issue of morality among especially political leaders in Nigeria and Africa in general. And the question is if there are certain ways, attitudes, principles, concepts, ideals and ideas which the individual or group of individuals ought to believe and follow, or there are other ways in which they ought not to behave and follow? According to Socrates the great Greek philosopher of old, ignorance stems from wrong doing. For no man who knows what is wrong would do it, for no one does evil knowingly. Virtue, good and positive action arises from knowledge, while wrong doing is the result of ignorance. In sharp contrast to Socrates idealism, most Nigerian leaders both military and civilian regimes have constituted the culture of nauseating corruption into the nation’s life. Nigerian leaders who have
Admittedly Socrates was a great man whose authority has robbed off the European mind. It is hardly expected for a European or an American leader or leaders to ever commit any singular act of corruption. They are known for their constancy, and would never do what is wrong, when they know what is right. This is in stark reality to what is obtained in Africa, home of the black race. African leaders, particularly Nigerian leaders are forever hell bent on doing evil even when they know too well that what they are doing is wrong and evil and yet choose to carry on doing it. It is ironic that most of Nigerian leaders professes to be religious, either Christians or Moslems, yet their various religions shun with absolute disdain such vices as materialism, corruption, lies, stealing injustices, oppression, suppression and all other acts of wrong doing and evil which are regarded as “sinful” acts. But these leaders undermining these injunctions just carry on with their evil manipulation, caring less of their sinful acts. For them is do what I say, and
saints, whereas they are nothing but hypocrites. In Nigeria, in Africa our leaders have nothing spiritual and eternal to offer us. They also have nothing temporal of the good life on the plains of the earth to offer us except eternal suffering. In civilized climes world wide it is the government
In Nigeria, the tales of corruption is all encompassing these days. Our leaders thrives on corruption across board, and they are held in high esteem by the ignorant society in which we dwell. It is not surprising that the honest, the upright and patriotic citizens would find life rather very
authority which they use and manipulate to their own advantage and not the benefit of the society or public good”. And Justice Akanbi warned thus “in the process (corruption) there is general discretion of societal and normative
Goodluck Jonathan
Tambuwal
that embodies and exemplifies morality and moral authority, not the family nor the churches. For many decades or leaders have continually misled us, misdirected us, misruled us, misgoverned us, abused us, suppressed us and repressed us. It seems most strange to me that wrong doing, evil and sinful acts are quite natural to our leaders in
misanthropy. Recently, “Justice Mustapha Akanbi, retired President of the Court of appeal had lamented that indicted ex-governors, ministers and party officials have remained the power brokers in the country, wondering how the war against corruption would work under their
difficult in a country like Nigeria which is a corrupt and morally bankrupt nation, devoid of all that is good and uplifting to humanity. It is not surprising that in morally and corrupt society that Nigeria is, the moral crusaders, the human rights activist, the reformers, would be unpopular, hated and deprived, while the evil
influence. As a former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offence Commission (ICPC), Justice Akanbi is well situated to know the debilitating consequences of public corruption in the country”. Thus the purveyors of corruption are the political godfathers, more often than not, mediocrity,
values, low level performance in both socioeconomic and technological development and ultimately a putrefying decadence, the stench of which often pasts off or prevent other nations, with a record of transparence, and probity from wanting to interact or do business with a corrupt nation’s such as Nigeria”. To be continued.
“It is not surprising that in morally and corrupt society that Nigeria is, the moral crusaders, the human rights activist, the reformers, would be unpopular, hated and deprived, while the evil ones are regarded and praised for their ability to commit wrongful acts of misanthropy”.
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D velopment
Transformation Of The Benin Central Mosque
In its most simple definition, the mosque is the most important symbol of social cohesion among Muslims world-wide. This is so because social cohesion starts from the cultivation of spiritual unity. This cohesion is seen as an internal and external display during prayers. On the other hand, the mosque religiously and spiritually speaking is a place that brings Muslims together several times a day and weekly on a large scale. Allah had said in Quran 9:107-110. “And (there are hypocrites) who have established a (separate) house of worship in order to create mischief, and to promote apostasy and disunity among the believers… never set foot in such a place! Only a house of worship founded, from the very first day, upon God-consciousness is worthy of your setting foot therein”. Prior November 2004, the Benin Central mosque was good as dead. For many decades the Benin central mosque was rarely frequented by Muslim believers, either
for worship or any social and spiritual activities. Its ambiance was dreary, even the Jumat service was shunned by Muslims at the mosque. For many decades the Muslim avoided with disdains the Benin central mosque which was affected by a pervading aura of decadence and insincerity. Many Muslims had turned away from attending the mosque; others withdrew into silence, leaving a handful to attend the mosque. This writer was often astonished when he used to visit the mosque in those days because of its deplorable state and abandonment. Those years can be regarded as the years of darkness because the mosque could not be regarded as the house of worship, founded upon God-consciousness. Even the infrastructures were in deplorable state. Elements of corruption, and degeneration had plagued the central mosque, which had led to misery for the Muslims. It was in the rising tide of discontent on the one
By HENRY BALOGUN hand and expectation for a change on the other hand that Mallam Abdulfattah Enabulele emerged as the Acting Chief Imam in
many decades of decadence. The Muslim elders in their wisdom had found the young man well
enormous having being conferred as the Acting Chief Imam of Benin, administering the Benin central mosque and his eventual confirmation as the substantive Chief Imam of Benin by the Omo’Noba N’Edo, Uku Akpolopolo, Oba
Imam of Benin was not an accident or coincidence, but purely and purposefully the will of God. From all ramifications Mallam Enabulele had been brought up as a devout and knowledgeable Muslim.
• The Chief Imam of Benin, Mallam Abdulfattah Enabulele, expressing gratitude for a job well done to the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole
November 2004 following the wise counsel of the Muslim elders who would no longer condone the rots in the central mosque after
grounded, with a profound knowledge of religious science. The task and challenges before the young man was
The new BMC Nursery and Primary School built by the Comrade Governor at the Benin Central Mosque.
Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin in January 2006. The primary objective of the new Chief Imam was how to change the existing state of corruption and discontent and injustice in the system at the central mosque and how to replace it with a newer order that offered transparency, honesty, the true worship of Allah, and set right the affairs of the Muslims and establish justice and brotherly love among them. Challenged by the enormity of the task ahead, Mallam Enabulele took on the responsibility to provide the moral, spiritual and intellectual leadership for all Muslims in the Benin City metropolis. According to a popular parlance, history or nature they say abhors a vacuum. The emergence of Mallam Enabulele as the Chief
Born and bred in the ancient city of Benin, it is necessary to understand the tradition that had been forged around him, recognize the predecessors who might have been sources of his teachings, learnings and inspirations, what has made him that he is today, a genuine Islamic leader. Islam by and large is a religion that among others, believes that mankind must be guided to righteousness. And therefore Islam does not condone acts of corruption, injustices, suppression and general man’s inhumanity to man. These aberrations must therefore not be allowed to frustrate the divine purpose of mankind by God almighty. Also, the deviants and Continue on Pg 7
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D velopment Transformation Of The.... Continued from Pg 6
the unbelievers, the corrupt and wicked people shall not be allowed to predominate in the society. Intrinsically, Mallam Enabulele’s pedigree as a leader has provided him with the impetus that has seen him calling all men to God. The fire he has kindled since becoming the Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque has led to the enhancement and transformation of the erstwhile abandoned, decrepit, outdated, stone ego mosque, into what is today an edifice of pure benevolence, beauty and brotherhood. In essence, Mallam Enabulele has today risen to be known for the soundness of his vast religious knowledge, derived fundamentally from the Quran and Sunna. He is also known by the nobility of his humble disposition, his spiritual soundness by his pleasing and easy going disposition and by his display of pure insight in interpreting arising issues and ideas clearly, while brimming with Islamic spiritual knowledge. He also has adequate knowledge of usul, figh and Tasawwuf. According to the hadith of the prophet “woe to the one who does not learn! Woe to the learned who does not put his knowledge to use”. The Chief Imam has put his knowledge to use, producing practical and tangible results in life, even as he teaches on the television screens, on radio and on the pages of n e w s p a p e r s . Furthermore, he has a deep cognition of the injunctions and prohibitions of Islam to which he devotes much of his time to pondering and meditating on them. Only recently, this writer earnestly called him a
great Islamic scholar having found out that his back-pack is always filled with Islamic books, to which he jokingly replied “one must always study.” Oft time and again, this writer do engage the Chief Imam in discussing Islamic gnosis, Sufism. Mallam Enabulele could also be well described as a very patient leader who has the capability to overlook deals of ill treatment, such as meted out to him following his appointment as Chief Imam from many surrounding enemies, many of whom have wronged him continuously and many others who unjustifiably slander his name. But he has borne all with equanimity, readily forgiving them. “For there is no greater weapon for an individual striving in the cause of Allah than Sabr”. He has exemplified Sabr all his life. His weekly exhortation both at the central mosque, on the television and newspaper has seen Muslim men and women trooping to seek Allah. For instance, the Benin central mosque which for decades was abandoned by all and sundry is usually filled to capacity every Jumat service. It is most fitting to note that Mallam Enabulele has been able to establish a new social relations that is nurturing a kind of nascent community development both within and outside of the Benin Central Mosque. This development is kind of profound in the sense that, it is the result of his mutual commitment to a cause, which is primarily his commitment to Islam, his commitment to unity, based on the ideology of purpose and destiny in serving humanity. Impressive as it is, Mallam Enabulele’s tenure as the Chief Imam has seen the emergence of
• The new and magnificient Benin City Mosque
the bond of brotherhood, the brotherhood that has brought the Islamic Umma in Benin City into the scheme of things, and also ensuring that togetherness which only the bond of true love can preserve. On deeper reflection one cannot help but eulogies and appreciate the young man who has given an uplift to Islam in his home land. He is certainly a source of pride to Benin people and Benin kingdom. Oba gha to kpere ise. Commendably, the work the Youngman is doing most often than not is thankless and tedious, but the consolation is that it is a responsibility that one owes to Allah and is to be discharged without anticipation of any earthly reward. In summing up, kudos must go to our indefatigable Comrade Governor Adam Aliyu Oshiomhole without whom the actual physical and aesthestic transformation of the Benin Central mosque would never have taken place, or would never have been possible. The kind Comrade Governor had thrown his
weight behind Mallam Enabulele, the Chief Imam towards the total transformation of the obsolete mosque, which is now wearing a new look that is both attractive and millennium compliant. Most significantly, the Comrade Governor has altered completely and totally the entire edifice, structures and ambiance of the mosque, turning it into a haven of peace, a unique environment that is both befitting and benefitting to all Muslims. When this writer visited the mosque many months
back he was indeed thrilled by the goodwill gesture of the comrade governor. It is really super the mosque, turning it into a haven of peace, a unique environment that is both befitting and benefitting to all Muslims. When this writer visited the mosque many months back he was indeed thrilled by the goodwill gesture of the comrade governor. It is really super. The comrade governor has by his kind gesture contributed immensely to the growth of Islam in Edo State.
• The old Benin Central Mosque
He has invested so many funds to ensure the overall transformation of the Benin Central mosque, giving it added meaning and significance as a place of worship and of Godconsciousness. His ideological and social momentum has seen the comrade governor awakening the people across all tribes and religions in the state to their responsibilities, as he continues to provide that decisive political and revolutionary leadership sorely needed in today’s Nigeria.
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o X-Raying The Division In Nigeria Governor’s Forum
P litics THE division in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has generated a lot of controversy. While some observers described it as healthy for the country’s current democracy, others decried the inability of the governors to conduct a rancour-free election. The concern of several stakeholders is that election to select the chairman of the NGF, established in 1999 to provide a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas among the governors, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s democracy, has somewhat turned out to be a do-or-die affair. Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers was on Friday, May 24, declared the winner of the NGF chairmanship election but on Saturday, May 25, the election was faulted as Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau was declared chairman by a faction of the forum. Commenting on the NGF election, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, a lawyer, decried the inability of the “first citizens of the states’’ to conduct a hitch-free election, adding that the development portended a bad omen for the 2015 general elections. “If 35 governors could not conduct a free, fair and credible election that would produce a chairman of their forum in a manner that is less controversial; then, you can imagine when we have election in 2015 that involves the entire country. “It is very appalling; it’s very sad and Nigerians are not happy; it portends bad omen,” he said. Ubani said that the rationale behind the forum’s establishment had been roundly defeated because of its members’ “self-interest’’. He noted that the NGF was established as a mechanism for peer review among the governors and for stimulating activities that would boost development. On his part, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, a Lagos-based human rights activist, called for the dissolution of the NGF. His words: “In all democratic settings, it is sacrilegious to question the procedure of an election in which one took part after the announcement of the result, particularly when the procedure is not known to have violated the
constitution of the association or of any known democratic norm. “It is clear to me that the NGF itself, and I have said this before, is an immoral assembly that ought to be dismembered by all means necessary. It is nothing but an avenue for unnecessary waste of public funds,” he said. Sharing similar sentiments, Prof Wole Soyinka, a Nobel laureate, described the crisis over the NGF’s chairmanship election as a disgraceful, anti-democracy debacle. “What is unacceptable and treasonable in my view to the cause of democracy is when an election is held within an organisation of 35 members, the integrity of
BY OBIKE UKOH the PDP leadership, “If an election involving only 35 governors can generate so much controversy and threaten to overheat the polity, what will happen when millions of Nigerians vote in 2015?’’ The Coalition to Save Nigeria (CSN), a coalition of civil society organisations, described the crisis over the NGF’s chairmanship election as a shame. In a statement signed by its National President, Mr Philip Ugbodaga, the group urged the governors to go back to their respective states and initiate development
• Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State that election should be upheld as a service to democracy and as a lesson to the rest of the nation. “In this case, what they have done has debased the meaning of democracy and set us back several years. “They are giving an indication of what will happen in the next general elections,’’ Soyinka said. Opposition political parties have accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of masterminding the NGF crisis because the party’s preferred candidate did not emerge as the forum’s chairman. The ACN, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the anti-Amaechi governors were undoubtedly acting out a script written for them by
there. Besides, a human rights group, Forum for Justice & Human Rights Defence (FJHD), asked the Presidency to immediately disband the governors’ forum in the interest of national unity and security. In a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr Oghenejabor Ikimi, the FJHD stressed that the NGF had further worsened the political crisis in the
country by creating factions among the governors. However, Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, denied allegations regarding President Goodluck Jonathan’s complicity in the NGF election crisis. Abati urged the governors to “quickly resolve the issues and differences amongst them to enable them to continue to contribute effectively to national development as a strong and progressive body.’’ All the same, Prof Jonah Onuoha of the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria,
the election who becomes the chairman of NGF. “The present development is an indication that neither the ruling party nor opposition will have it easy in 2015 elections. “What is happening in the NGF is a positive sign that our democracy is growing and that the 2015 election will be keenly contested,” he said Onuoha, however, advised governors from the ruling party and the opposition parties to be bold enough to accept defeat or victory in the spirit of democracy. “If Governor Rotimi Amaechi won the election and governors in support of Governor Jonah Jang are not satisfied with the outcome of the election,
• Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State Nsukka (UNN), said that the crisis in the NGF was a positive sign that the country’s democracy was growing He said that the outcome of NGF election was an indication that the Forum could no longer be controlled by the ruling party (PDP), adding that opposition parties now had a say in the forum’s affairs. “Before now, the ruling party decides even before
they should go to court to seek redress. “This idea of dividing the forum and inaugurating two factional chairmen does not show maturity and good leadership expected from the governors. “The governors as the chief security officers of the 36 states of the country should stand for justice no matter whose ox is gored,’’ he said.
“If Governor Rotimi Amaechi won the election and governors in support of Governor Jonah Jang are not satisfied with the outcome of the election, they should go to court to seek redress. “This idea of dividing the forum and inaugurating two factional chairmen does not show maturity and good leadership expected from the governors.”
Onuoha, nonetheless, described as unfortunate the decision of the PDP Working Committee to suspend Amaechi as a result of the fallout of the NGF election. Even prior to the NGF’s election crisis, an elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has criticised the current posture of the forum. In an open letter titled “Enough Is Enough” and addressed to the forum, Clark conceded that following his enquiries about governors in the U.S., he learnt that an association called National Governors’ Association existed in that country. He, however, noted that the existence and operations of the group were within the confines of the law, adding that the governors’ association had never been a thorn in the flesh of the country even though it was formed as far back as 1908. “Besides, the association is not politically ambitious as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum,’’ he said. Clark noted that when the NGF was managed under the aegis of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State, the forum functioned very much like its U.S. counterpart. He, however, noted that the situation changed when the NGF was chaired by former Gov. Bukola Saraki of Kwara, adding that Saraki was then accused of using the forum as a platform to enhance his presidential ambition. Clark criticised the NGF for its failure to use its peer-review mechanism to prevail on any of its members to do what was right. He also noted that the NGF made no comments about former Governor James Ibori of Delta throughout his trial and conviction on corruption and money laundering charges, both in Nigeria and Britain. Despite the bickering in the NGF, analysts insist the forum is still relevant in the politics of the country but they want the forum to function like its U.S. counterpart and pay more attention to nation-building efforts. They warn against any attempt by ambitious members to use the forum as platform to actualise their political ambitions, saying that such aberration would render the NGF useless in the country’s political affairs.
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I sight
The Created And The Creator ‘‘THEY know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said ye are gods: and all of you are children of the Most High. But ye shall die like mere men, and fall like one of the princes’’ Smallness is a thing of the mind, until one discovers what treasure has been hidden underneath this thick skin; right in our minds, you will know that some people just decided to be a mediocre. Smallness is a state of the mind, because I have seen men of invalid status become genius in their field and wealthy. I have seen men from poverty stricken homes become rich and famous; dullards’ become world shakers and earth movers. The sole difference is discovery, how they perceive and view things even when things seem to fail them. The mind is a powerful weapon that can make or mar you. Creativity starts from the mind and only those who discover it that eats the fruit. The mind is the greatest factory on earth, it manufactures what man-made factories manufactures, and it even manufactures the factory itself. Out of the mind comes out good and evil thoughts but the one that is given priority reigns supreme. Creativity is what gave birth to everything we see around us; the good, bad and ugly. The mind is the hub of creativity. If the mind is the hub of creativity, then it should be guided with diligence. The man who discovered the atoms used for the production of atomic bomb was creative but what he created is used for mass destruction (when it is possessed by a wrong person). God is a creator. Nobody knows who and how the earth was made but according to research, God made it and everything that dwells in it. This is why He is called God. The question then
is who is God? God is the creator and ruler of the universe; a supreme being. God is superhuman being or spirit worshipped as having power over nature or human fortune. God is that being that sees where, when, what, why, who and how things happen which we humans cannot see. But we are the children of this great God and he has given us the power and his kind of ability. So therefore we can create things; anything that we imagine to do. The son of a God is a god, but the greatest problem with the sons of God is ‘‘IGNORANCE’’. This is a sickness which only knowledge can heal but many people have blocked their minds from learning. Knowledge they say is power because what you do not know has power over you. The son of a king that does not know his position and right will be a servant to his servants. The day the child discovers the amount of authority, rights and power that has been bestowed on him, he takes over and start being in control of everything. Ignorance is a cancer; it eats deeper into one’s life and can cause the carrier to lose parts of his or her body probably the persons’ life. When someone is living in ignorance, that person lives and dwells in darkness and anyone that walks in darkness will likely fall into a dish or a pit. Ignorance is as powerful as a gun’s bullet when it is fired into you, the powder spreads through your body and until it is removed the person’s life is at stake. Ignorance is darkness but knowledge is light and where light is, darkness cannot stand. The day you discover your ignorance it will feel like a scale just fell from eyes. I have seen blind men play piano professionally, lame men play basket ball, people without sponsor go to school, orphans become most sought-after, non-
BY EGHWRUDJE PRAISE
academic scholars become record breakers and history makers. The differentiating factor is the mindset and dedication. If the blind man does not
the way for you and you who are academic scholars feel you can’t make? When you work on your mindset and you get yourself dedicated to
created are stereotyped. The creator is meant to be dynamic, prolific, and efficient, not someone who is afraid to fail and when he fails will remain a failure. Any man that has been placed in
see himself as disable, why do you who have eyes to see, reason yourself as being disabled? You who can walk make yourself lame, you who have sponsor abuse it, you who have parents give excuses of your parent not preparing
whatsoever you know to do best, opportunities just come for you to grab. It is time for every human to come to the point of realisation that they are gods, and start living as one by becoming a creator and stop acting as the created, for the
authority and does not know is like a beast that perishes. Every man has been given authority to live like a god and any man who does not make use of that authority will serve those that utilises theirs. Being a god does not
mean you wouldn’t work, rather your being a god, places you in a working position, it gives you responsibility and makes you responsible. Anybody that runs from responsibilities has not come to the full knowledge of who he/she is and such a person will never live a fulfilled life. Your ability to accept responsibilities gradually makes you perfect and outstanding. Every human is made with a creative ability and so you are expected to create things: especially out of everything you have around. Do not limit yourself to just being a creature or the created but rather press forward to become a creator. Stop living like an ordinary being and as mediocre because everyone has something to offer whether much or little. You can start by contributing little everywhere you find yourself, attempt to be among the best. Locate your strength and your area of interest, then put your brain into work; task your brain, it has a high capability to create and to retain ideas. The problem with us as human is that we limit the functions of our brain. There are yet many things to be created, you can be the one to invent something that has not been before or that has been thought about but has not been produced. Remember, it is only the death of creators that are remembered long after they have died. The Mighty Creator and other creatures are waiting for your manifestation. You are the created and the creator, you are in excusable.
“The mind is a powerful weapon that can make or mar you. Creativity starts from the mind and only those who discover it that eats the fruit. The mind is the greatest factory on earth, it manufactures what man-made factories manufactures, and it even manufactures the factory itself. Out of the mind comes out good and evil thoughts but the one that is given priority reigns supreme.”
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R flection
Love In A Nutshell LOVE is one of the strongest emotions felt by human beings, the greatest possession that cost us nothing, the greatest gift in the world. It is a universal feeling felt by everyone on the globe. This feeling is not restricted to only humans, but to every living thing that has life. Love is prime, pure gold, the very essence of our living. It is an eternal light that illuminates our beings. Like a pedestrian bridge that connects one end of a road with another, it is a bridge to the hearts. Our society today has lost its connection to love. The love for money and material things, competition and success has replaced that deep longing in our hearts. Many people confuse love with the desire of the body; they lust after someone thinking it is love. For some love is obligation and commitment. Love is a strange emotion. The diversity of uses and meaning, coupled with the complexity of the feeling involved, makes love difficult to consistently define. Even as far back as the ancient Greece, people have struggled with the definition of love. Authors and poets have been writing about love as long as writing began. Love in psychology is a number of emotions related to a sense of strong affection and attachment. Collins Dictionary defined love as “an intense emotion of affection, warmth, fondness and regard towards a person or thing”. Thomas Aquinas defined love as “to will the good of another”. Bertrand Russell defined love as a condition of “absolute value”. To
philosopher Gottfried Leibniz, love means “to be delighted by the happiness of another”. Biologist Jeremy Griffith saw love as “unconditional selflessness”. Over the years, there has been debate whether love is a biological or cultural phenomenon. Some researchers and psychologists see love as a biological phenomenon, while some see love as a cultural phenomenon. The biological view of love sees love as a human drive. While the cultural view sees love as something that arises partly due to social pressure and expectation. Like what goes on in some part of Nigeria where young men and women are pressured to find a partner and get married, because their culture demands it. In a Time article, psychologist and author Lawrence Casler said, “I don’t believe love is part of human nature, not for a minute. There are social pressures at work”. H o w e v e r , anthropological research stated that love is a universal emotion influenced by both biological and cultural influences. While our hormones are instrumental, the way we experience and express love is influenced by our personal conceptions of love. Some researchers stated that there are many types of love. C.S. Lewis in his book “The Four Loves”, categorized love into; Storgeaffection between family members or people who have otherwise found themselves together by chance. This type of love
BY UTI ANIEKAN UDOH
is described as the most natural and widely diffused love. It happens as a result of fondness due to familiarity. Philialove between friends, that strong bond shared between people who share common interest or
In 1984, Factor Analytical Study, Robert Sternberg and Susan Gracek identified one overarching factors which they term ‘interpersonal communication’, sharing and support (later
activity. Eros- refers to ‘intimate love’, ‘romantic love’, ‘passionate love’ with sensual desire and longing. Agape- which means ‘I love you’ in Greek, is the love that brings forth caring regardless of the circumstances. This love is sometimes referred to as “Divine love”. Lewis recognizes this as the greatest of love. In 1977, using factor analysis of love, John Lee categorized love into six major types; Eros (sensual love), Ludus (playful or game like love), Storge (slowly developing attachment), Agape (altruistic love), Mania (obsessive and jealous love), and Pragma (practical love).
referred to as intimacy). To understand love is not easy. Throughout history, religion, science and philosophy have done lots of speculation on the unique feeling called love. In the past century, philosophers and psychologists have written a great deal on love. Even other sciences such as anthropology, biology and neuroscience have added to the understanding of love. Psychologists and researchers have proposed a number of different theories of love to aid in the understanding of the unique feeling called love. Psychologist Zick Rubin proposed that romantic love is made up
“Love is the essence of God’s creation of all things. He created us with love, and created us to love. Love is the key to healing ourselves and the world we live in.”
of three elements; attachment, caring, and intimacy. Attachment is the need to receive care, approval and physical contact with the other person. Caring involves valuing the other person’s needs and happiness as much as your own. Intimacy refers
to the sharing of thoughts, desires, and feelings with the other person. Elaine Hatfield, a psychologist and her colleagues stated that there are two basic types of love; compassionate and passionate love. Compassionate love is characterized by affection, trust, attachment, and mutual respect. This love develops out of feelings of mutual respect and understanding for one another. Passionate love on the other hand, is characterized by intense emotion, sexual attraction, and affection. Hatfield also stated that passionate love arises when cultural expectations encourage falling in love. When a person meets the preconceived ideas of an ideal love, and when you experience heightened
physiological arousal in the presence of the other person. Also, Robert Sternberg proposed a triangular theory of love in 1986. He suggested that there are three components of love; intimacy, passion, and commitment. A combination of these three components of love results in different types of love. He also stated that relationship built on two or more elements are more stable than those based upon a single component. He used the term ‘consummated love’ to describe the combination of the three elements. The Bible instructed us to love God with our heart, mind and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. These are the two most important commandments given by God. Apostle Paul also glorified love in 1 Corinthians as the most important virtue of all. Even in the Bible, it was stated that God Almighty loved man so much to the extent that he sent his only begotten son Jesus to die, so that through him, the world might be saved. So my dear friend and beloved ones, let us learn to love in the deepest and truest way. Harry F. Harlow, in his article, “The Nature of Love” in 1958, stated that “love is a wondrous state, deep, tender and rewarding”. It is not just a physical response to another whom a person feels physically attracted to. It is beyond the physical and is eternal in its nature. Let us open up to love so we can know the peace, joy and happiness it brings. Let us explore and diffuse love so we can know its secrets. Love is the essence of God’s creation of all things. He created us with love, and created us to love. Love is the key to healing ourselves and the world we live in.
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n Gov. Oshiomhole: An Exceptionally Gifted Leader
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HON. (Barrister) Macdonald Obasuke is not only a lawyer by training but also a young man that is highly experienced in Government business. He is the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in the present administration ably led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. A Strong advocate of participatory and transparent democratic system, Barrister Macdonald Obasuke who spoke to WEEKEND OBSERVER recently stated that Governor Oshiomhole’s administration is of the best quality in terms of the practice of democracy because his administration is founded on transparency, accountability arid prudent management of resources in the interest of the people. Proactive, hard working and result oriented, Barrister Macdonald Obasuke, the Hon. Commissioner for Commerce and Industry who answered our questions in queens English is an interviewer’s delight any day. Excerpt: What is your vision as the Hon Commissioner for commerce and industry? My vision as Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry is in line with the vision of his Excellency, Governor Adams Oshiomhole which is the development and transformation of Edo State. As the Hon. Commissioner for Commerce and industry, I have the mandate of ensuring that the ministry of commerce and industry plays its pivotal and supervisory role on commercial activities and industries in Edo State. I have been having series of meetings with the officials of this ministry with a view to working out practicable strategy geared towards efficient service delivery and performance. Government presently working on a furniture park at Utekon here in Edo State and efforts are being made by the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to industrialize Edo State. You can see that commerce is presently being boosted in Edo State through the re-building of our infrastructures by the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The roads constructed and the ones rehabilitated by the present administration ably led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole are of the best quality like the ones that you can find in the best cities of the world. This administration is determined at diversifying the economy of this state to enable our economy to measure up with the standard of industrialized cities of the world and respond to the yearnings and desires of our people. Sir, what is your opinion on the performance of the administration of Governor Adams
- Hon. Obasuke
Hon. (Barr) Macdonald Obasuke
Oshiomhole? Governor Adams Oshiomhole is a gift to us as Edo people. He is a man with great leadership qualities who believes in participatory democracy and also in the fact that public funds should be used to better the lives of the people. He has been able to positively affect all spheres of life of Edo State through his numerous people oriented projects. Today, we are proud of our primary and secondary schools which have been re-built to world class standard. Our student now learn under a conducive atmosphere and our teachers now enjoy teaching. Our roads have been reconstructed and have become wide and we now have pedestrian walkway. Our streets now have light and urban renewal is ongoing. The beauty of Benin City has been enhanced. Salaries are being paid as at when due. Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration has also created employment opportunities for our youths and has done much to boost security in Edo State. As a Lawyer by training, how will your legal background affect your job as a public officer? Law is light in any society. Any society that is not governed by laws is heading towards anarchy. My background as a lawyer will assist me in performing my functions within the ambits the law. Lawyers are social engineers and as such, my training as
lawyer will also enable me to have a clear understanding and appreciation of my assignment as the Hon. Commissioner for Commerce and Industry because law makes you to fit properly into any sphere of human Endeavour. You have held public office before now, how would you describe your experience? I was personal assistant to the then Chairman, Owan West Local Government Chairman. I was also a supervisory councilor for works and housing in the same local government. During this period, I learnt much about the management and administrative machinery of local government administration. I had an interesting experience and my experience at the local government level will be of help to me now that I am the Hon Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. In other words, I am an experienced hand in the business of government What are your comments and opinion on politics and governance in this country Democracy in Nigeria is still evolving. We are still learning and growing. If you have read the history of great nations of the world, you will agree with me that they also had their challenges. Here in Edo State, we have a governor who understands the dynamics of governance and he has recorded several achievements because Edo people occupy the center stage in his vision to develop and transform Edo State. Our governor has also shown that the youth occupy a special place in any society and as such, should be given the opportunity to contribute their quota to the development and re-building of Edo State. What is y our message to Edo people? Firstly, let me thank our dynamic and result oriented, Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the opportunity that he has given me to serve in his administration. It is a great privilege to work with him. Governor Oshiomhole is an institution and I am learning a lot from him. I thank the leaders of A.C.N for that leadership and Edo people generally. I want to advise Edo people to always pray for Governor Adams Oshiomhole, for God to give him long life and good health to enable him continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to us as a people. How do you relax? I work very hard and hardly have time to relax. However, whenever I have the opportunity I relax by reading, listening to news and by engaging in exercise.
“Governor Adams Oshiomhole is a gift to us as Edo people. He is a man with great leadership qualities who believes in participatory democracy and also in the fact that public funds should be used to better the lives of the people.”
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Lawyers Are Social Engineers O.O.P lyamu Esq is a distinguished legal practitioner based in Benin and in Warri. He is a lawyer who is very passionate about the practice of law in its purest tradition. A gentleman by all standards and a friend of the press, O.O P Iyamu Esq asserts in this interview that young lawyers should endeavor to learn the law and develop themselves before thinking of money. He spoke to WEEKEND OBSERVER recently. Excerpt: Why is it difficult to enforce judgment after a litigant has won a case? The reason why it is difficult to enforce judgment most times is because of the laws regulating enforcement of judgment. If there is judgment against the state or Federal government bodies and agencies, you will need the consent of the Attorney General before you can enforce such judgment and reasons, they do not usually grant consent. Enforcement of judgement also depends on the parties in terms of how they pursue judgement. Sometimes, a party may appeal the judgment and apply for stay on execution. In that instance, the judgment
is stayed and the successful party can’t reap the fruits of litigation. What does professional misconduct imply? Professional misconduct in the legal profession is a complex issue. It means unprofessional conduct in many respect. The legal profession is a noble and distinguished profession and lawyers must endeavour to carry themselves with respect and dignity to enable members of the society to continue to repose confidence in them. Therefore lawyers must learn to conduct themselves based on the ethics of the profession. Professional misconduct amounts to conduct such as
not being able to account for client’s Money, Fighting, drunkenness, Fraud etc. Some persons have said that creation of more law schools would reduce standards in the legal profession. Do you agree with this statement? I believe that standards will not be reduced in terms of legal education if more law schools are created. The law school in this country is the best institution in this country because discipline is paramount there. The council for legal education is the body that organizes the law School. If the law schools are well funded and the rigorous style of teaching and discipline are maintained, standards in the law school will never fall. What are the challenges faced by lawyers in terms of opening and maintaining
a chamber? When a lawyer leaves law school successfully, the first thing, he should do is not to open his chamber but to spend some years learning under a Senior. If he has learnt enough, he can then decide to set up his law office. He must realize that he needs funds to do so because he would need to rent a place, buy furniture, buy books and pay staff. He must learn to be disciplined because discipline is at the heart of chamber management. The legal profession is a conservative profession and it calls for a lot of work. A lazy person can not be a lawyer unless he does not want to practice. There is always time for every lawyer to make it. What inspired you to study law? My father worked at the High Court and retired as Assistant
“The legal profession is a conservative profession and it calls for a lot of work. A lazy person can not be a lawyer unless he does not want to practice. There is always time for every lawyer to make it.”
- O. O. Iyamu
O. O. Iyamu Court Registrar. Each time i visited him in the office, I saw lawyers and Judges well dressed and so I fell in love with the dressing and the way they conducted themselves especially the late justice Akihgbe who became the chief Judge of this state. I knew I would succeed in life because I attended good schools such as Edo College.
It was a school for the privileged then. Are you fulfilled as a lawyer? Yes I am fulfilled. I am happy because I am a lawyer. It is interesting being a lawyer. As a lawyer, you are a social engineer and members of the society respect you. The profession also has a way of compensating its adherents or members.
Lawyers Are Core Professionals BARRISTER Evans Ogbeifun is a notable legal practitioner based in Benin, he is a hardworking legal practitioner who is very passionable about the rule of law in the society. WEEKEND OBSERVER interacted with him recently on certain issues bothering on law, the society politics and governance. In this interview, Barrister Evans Ogbeifun asserts that the creation of more law schools in the country will not reduce standards in the legal profession adding that lawyers are core professionals and social engineers. Articulate, intelligent and thorough, Barrister Ogbeifun responded to questions put before him by WEEKEND OBSERVER. Excerpt:
Barr Ogbeifun
What inspired you to study law? I grew up in a family where my late father, Chief Ogbeifun, the Oniha of Ekpoma believed that money could be used to an extent as an instrument to those who offended or insulted him. My late father was a great farmer. At each harvest and after selling some of his farm products and made money, he would arrest those who insulted or offended him or his father would employ a lawyer and engage them in litigation in court. My father who was a major player in Ekpoma rice business used his money to service lawyers while prosecuting cases in court. Each time I saw these lawyers coming to our house to discuss with my father over one case or the other, I got motivated and decided to study law. I loved their dressing and wanted to be like them. When the opportunity came my way, I seized it and read law at the Edo State University Ekpoma and attended the Nigerian law school. What are some of the challenges that you encountered when you opened your Law office? I did not encounter problems when I decided to set up my chamber because before I opened my chamber, I had the opportunity of working for several years in a busy
chamber owned by Barrister Nosa Obaizamomwan. That chamber exposed me to several areas of law practice and I learnt a lot. My principal gave me opportunity to learn and I was able to build my confidence in that chamber. Before I left that chamber, I made a lot of friends who were ready to patronize me. My principal, Barrister Nosa Obaizamomwan was very kind to me because he gave me some files to enable me start. As a lawyer of some years standing, how would you describe standard in know practice? In my opinion, standard in legal practice in this country is going up. In the past, lawyers made use of hard copy of law reports but today, we have the internet and any lawyer can easily access cases on the net and conduct research. Many legal authors are writing books, judgements are being delivered in all the courts across the country every day. All these are helping to develop the law and lawyers. Therefore, in my opinion, I think that standard in the legal profession is going up. More law campuses have been created and in totality for now, we have 5 law school campuses across the country, contrary to when we had only Lagos campus several years ago.
- Barr Ogbeifun Will this not reduce standard? Creation of more law schools is healthy for our legal education. Firstly, the creation of more law schools has now afforded many law graduates the opportunity to attend the law school immediately after leaving the university. Law school is one and under one management with several campuses. The standard of teaching is the same in the various campuses. Let me say that the Nigerian law school remains the best academic institution in the country, because it is well organized and discipline is enforced in the campuses. Do you still think that the Judiciary is the last hope of the common man? There is no alternative to the judiciary in terms of seeking
for redress. The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. Without the judiciary, men will resort to jungle justice and the society will be in anarchy. If not that we have the judiciary, men would have resorted to self help and the society would have gone the Hobessian way, where life is wicked, short and brutish. Therefore the judiciary is the only means through which the common man could ventilate his anger and seek redress. Are you interested in politics? Yes, I am interested in politics. In the past, my father engaged several persons in litigation who may not be happy. Presently I am using my professional know - how as a lawyer to do cases for my people free of charge.
“There is no alternative to the judiciary in terms of seeking for redress. The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. Without the judiciary, men will resort to jungle justice and the society will be in anarchy. If not that we have the judiciary, men would have resorted to self help and the society would have gone the Hobessian way”
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I sues Building Trust In A Corrupt And Porous Society ONE of the greatest leadership attribute called Trust is gradually becoming a thing of the past in our society today . Trust in our culture at large, in our institutions, and in our companies is significantly lower than a generation ago. Research shows that only 59% of employees trust senior management, and only 38% believe CEOs are a credible source of information. Consider the loss of trust and confidence in the financial markets today. Indeed, “trust makes the world go ’round,” and right now we’re experiencing a crisis of trust. This crisis compels us to ask three questions. First, is there a measurable cost to low trust? Second, is there a tangible benefit to high trust? Third, how can the best leaders build trust in and within their organizations to reap the benefits of high trust? Most people don’t know how to think about the organizational and societal consequences of low trust because they don’t know how to quantify or measure the costs of such a socalled “soft” factor as trust. For many, trust is intangible, ethereal, unquantifiable. If it remains that way, then people don’t know how to get their arms around it or how to improve it. But the fact is, the costs of low trust are very real, they are quantifiable, and they are staggering. In 2004, one estimate put the cost of complying with federal rules and regulations alone in the United States — put in place essentially due to lack of trust — at $1.1 trillion, which is more than 10% of the gross domestic product. A recent study conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimated that the average American company lost 6% of its annual revenue to some sort of fraudulent activity. Research shows similar effects for the other disguised low-trust taxes as well. Think about it this way: When trust is low, in a company or in a relationship, it places a hidden “tax” on every transaction: every communication, every interaction, every strategy,
every decision is taxed, bringing speed down and sending costs up. My experience is that significant distrust doubles the cost of doing business and triples the time it takes to get things done. By contrast, individuals and organizations that have earned and operated with high trust experience the opposite of a tax — a “dividend” that is like a performance multiplier, enabling them to succeed in their communications, interactions, and decisions, and to move with incredible speed. A
recent Watson Wyatt study showed that high trust companies outperform low trust companies by nearly 300%! I contend that the ability to establish, grow, extend, and (where needed) restore trust among stakeholders is the critical competency of leadership needed today. It is needed more than any other competency. Engendering trust is, in fact, a competency that can be learned, applied, and understood. It is something that you can get good at, something you can measure and improve, something for which you can “move the needle.” You cannot be an effective leader without trust. As Warren Bennis put it, “Leadership without
By UCHECHUKWU CALEB OBI mutual trust is a contradiction in terms.” How do the best leaders build trust? The first job of any leader is to inspire trust. Trust is confidence born of two dimensions: character and competence. Character includes your integrity, motive, and intent with people. Competence includes your capabilities, skills, results, and track record. Both dimensions are vital. With the increasing focus on ethics in our society, the
and everything will cost more because of the steps organizations will need to take to compensate for their lack of trust. These costs can be quantified and, when they are, suddenly leaders recognize how low trust is not merely a social issue, but that it is an economic matter. The dividends of high trust can be similarly quantified, enabling leaders to make a compelling business case for trust. The best leaders then
character side of trust is fast becoming the price of entry in the new global economy. However, the differentiating and often ignored side of trust — competence — is equally essential. You might think a person is sincere, even honest, but you won’t trust that person fully if he or she doesn’t get results. And the opposite is true. A person might have great skills and talents and a good track record, but if he or she is not honest, you’re not going to trust that person either. The best leaders begin by framing trust in economic terms for their companies. When an organization recognizes that it has low trust, huge economic consequences can be expected. Everything will take longer
focus on making the creation of trust an explicit objective. It must become like any other goal that is focused on, measured, and improved. It must be communicated that trust matters to management and leadership. It must be expressed that it is the right thing to do and it is the economic thing to do. One of the best ways to do this is to make an initial baseline measurement of organizational trust and then to track improvements over time. The true transformation starts with building credibility at the personal level. The foundation of trust is your own credibility, and it can be a real differentiator for any leader. A person’s reputation is a direct
reflection of their credibility, and it precedes them in any interactions or negotiations they might have. When a leader’s credibility and reputation are high, it enables them to establish trust fast — speed goes up, cost goes down. There are 4 Cores of Credibility, and it’s about all 4 Cores working in tandem Integrity, Intent, Capabilities, and Results. Part of building trust is understanding — clarifying — what the organization wants and what you can offer them. Be the one that
does that best. Then add to your credibility the kind of behavior that builds trust. (see the 13 high trust behaviors below). Next, take it beyond just you as the leader and extend it to your entire organization. The combination of that type of credibility and behavior and organizational alignment results in a culture of high trust. Consider the example of Warren Buffett — CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (and generally considered one of the most trusted leaders in the world) — who completed a major acquisition of McLane Distribution (a $23 billion company) from Wal-Mart. As public companies, both Berkshire Hathaway and Wal-Mart are subject to all
kinds of market and regulatory scrutiny. Typically, a merger of this size would take several months to complete and cost several million dollars to pay for accountants, auditors, and attorneys to verify and validate all kinds of information. But in this instance, because both parties operated with high trust, the deal was made with one two-hour meeting and a handshake. In less than a month, it was completed. High trust, high speed, low cost. 13 Behaviors of HighTrust Leaders Worldwide I approach this strategy primarily as one who believes in the principle of trust, both in my own experience and in my extensive work with in the religious perspective. Throughout this learning process, i have identified 13 common behaviors of trusted leaders around the world that build — and allow you to maintain — trust. When you adopt these ways of behaving, it’s like making deposits into a “trust account” of another party. 1. Talk Straight 2. Demonstrate Respect 3. Create Transparency 4. Right Wrongs 5. Show Loyalty 6. Deliver Results 7. Get Better 8. Confront Reality 9. Clarify Expectation 10. Practice Accountability 11. Listen First 12. Keep Commitments 13. Extend Trust Remember that the 13 Behaviors always need to be balanced by each other (e.g., Talk Straight needs to be balanced by Demonstrate Respect) and that any behavior pushed to the extreme can become a weakness. Depending on your roles and responsibilities, you may have more or less influence on others. However, you can always have extraordinary influence on your starting points: Self-Trust (the confidence you have in yourself — in your ability to set and achieve goals, to keep commitments, to walk your talk, and also with your ability to inspire trust in others) and Relationship Trust (how to establish and increase the trust accounts we have with others.
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F r the Record National Ethics, Discipline And Punishment A Speech Delivered By The Hon. AttorneyGeneral And Commissioner For Justice, Edo State On The Occasion Of Training Of Newly Enlisted Staff Officers Into The Peace Corps Of Nigeria Edo State Command THANK you for inviting me to deliver a speech on this occasion. Firstly, what is Ethics? Ethics is defined in Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th Edition as conduct, motive or character; relating to moral action, treating of moral feeling, duties or conduct; containing Precepts of morality; moral professionally right or befitting; conforming to Professional standards of conduct, Code of professional responsibility e.g Legal ethics. Nation is defined as a people or aggregation of men, existing in the form an organized jural society, usually inhabiting a distinct portion of the earth, speaking the same language, having the same customs, possessing historic continuity, and distinguished from other groups by their racial origin and characteristics. It therefore follows that National Ethics means the duties, conduct and responsibilities we owe as individuals to Nigeria as a nation. It starts from a simple responsibility we owe as respect for the National Flag and to stand still when the National Anthem is being sung. We must have the Nationalistic spirit in us. We must see the Nigeria nation as our own and do everything to make it work. Like what a popular American president would say, “Think of what you can do for America and not what America can do for you” we should think of what we can do to make Nigeria work and not what Nigeria can do for us. Any where you are legitimately
employed either as a public officer or self employed, be honest to do your job well. Don’t do anything that will dent the image of the country. Some people travel out of Nigeria in order to push cocaine or hard drugs because of drive for quick wealth. In the pharmaceutical sector some faceless Nigerians travel as far as (abroad), in order to import fake and substandard drugs for fellow Nigerians to consume. Terrorism now reigns supreme in some states in the Northern part of Nigeria. Lives are lost, economic activities in those states are at low ebb. Foreign investors now run away from our dear country Nigeria because they say, there is insecurity in the Country. Kidnappers and Armed Robbers are everywhere. Where did we get it all wrong. How did we degenerate to this level of insecurity? What has this country done to us? Why do we hate her so much? There are adequate legislations in the country to cater for the various offences. For instance, the death penalty for Armed Robbery has not prevented some people from going into Armed Robbery. The harsh penalty and even death sentences in some climes has not prevented some few individual from hard drug trafficking but to my mind, what we need is a re-orientation of our mind set. A spirit of Nationalism and patriotism. Knowing that the country is ours and that any singular act of an individual will
contribute in either way to make or mar the image of the country. Discipline is also defined in the Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th Edition “as i n s t r u c t i o n , comprehending the communication of knowledge and training to observe and act in accordance with rules and
form of discipline. Punishment on the otherhand is defined in the Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th Edition as “any fine, penalty, or confinement inflicted upon a person by the authority of the law and the judgment and sentence of a court, for some crime or offences committed by him, or for
reluctant to punish omissions; the majority of crime can be committed only by doing of something. But there are some notable exceptions. The criminal code alone provides quite a long list of these criminal omissions. Thus duties are imposed on PEACE OFFICERS to suppress riots, see Criminal Code
• Barrister Henry Idahagbon, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
order correction, c h a s t i s e m e n t , punishment, penalty. To bring order upon or bring under control.” If a man is disciplined, he is said to be morally upright. Every profession has its discipline. e.g. The discipline of a Lawyer, Doctor or an Engineer. A Lawyer is expected to maintain a very high sense of moral standard. In Law, it is called rules of professional ethics. The Doctors have their own rules of professional conduct, which is also a
his omission of a duty enjoined by law, a deprivation of property or some right”. It therefore means as seen from the definition of punishment that the law can punish commission of an act and omission to act., There is no hard and fast rule as to when an omission may constitute a crime and when it does not; one must look at the definition of each particular crime to see whether mere failure to do something is criminal. Generally, however, the law is
S.199 “Any person who being a peace officer, and having notice that there is a riot in his neighbourhood, without reasonable excuse omits to do his duty in suppressing such riot, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is liable to imprisonment for two years.” S. 200 “Any person who, having reasonable notice that he is required to assist any peace officer in suppressing a riot, without
reasonable excuse omits to do so, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is liable to imprisonment for one year.” S.201 “Any person who having reasonable notice that he is required to assist any peace officer or member of the police force in arresting any person, or in preserving the peace, without reasonable excuse omits to do so, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is liable to imprisonment for one year.” The list of omission offences is endless. There are duties imposed on members of ships’ crew to obey orders on those incharge of railway, trains or of ships, and on ships’ engineer, to ensure the safety of passengers, See C.C. Section 346 348 e.t.c. The penalty (punishment) for offences is usually in the form of fine, imprisonment, caning, binding over or execution. These sentences are pronounced by the court. Where the law which creates an offence prescribes a penalty without option of a fine, upon conviction, the court does not have the discretion to impose a fine in lieu of or an option to the prescribed penalty. See Dada Vs. Board of Customs and Excise 1982 (2) N.C.R. at 79. As members of Peace Corps of Nigeria, a legal duty has been imposed on you to ensure that you carry out your duties and responsibilities in line with the Laws of the country. Thanks and God Bless You.
“It therefore follows that National Ethics means the duties, conduct and responsibilities we owe as individuals to Nigeria as a nation. It starts from a simple responsibility we owe as respect for the National Flag and to stand still when the National Anthem is being sung. We must have the Nationalistic spirit in us. We must see the Nigeria nation as our own and do everything to make it work.”
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W ekend Discourse
The Many Faces of Poverty
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CCORDING to the Oxford Advanced L e a r n e r ’ s Dictionary, poverty is a state or condition of being poor, a lack of something or poor quality. Poverty has also been defined by the Sage English Dictionary and Thesaurus, as a state of having little or no money and few or no material possession. But the Microsoft Encarta dictionaries 2009, took time to define poverty as a condition of having insufficient resources or income, lack, deficiency, scarcity, hardship, distress, shortage, dearth, paucity, scarceness, and insufficiency. In its most extreme form, poverty is a lack of basic human needs, such as adequate and nutritious food, clothing, housing, clean water, and health services. Extreme poverty can cause terrible suffering, mild or terminal illness disease, and death; even modest levels of poverty can prevent people from realizing many of their desires and kill talents that would have been used to develop others and the society. In the world today, its poorest people - many of whom live in developing areas of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, struggle daily for food, shelter, and other necessities. They often suffer from severe malnutrition, epidemic, disease outbreaks, famine, and war. In wealthier countries—such as the United States, Canada, Japan, and those in Western Europe—the effects of poverty may include poor nutrition, mental illness, drug dependence, crime, and high rates of disease. Poverty as it were, is a unique phenomenon that has survived and will continue to survive through successive decades and generations because of man’s activities, its importance as well as its significance to the society. It is a social state of life that has made a land mark in the life of most people and though all men refuses to identify or associate with it, most people ignorantly love to identify with the issues that lead to, create, fawn and encourages it; thereby making them to be poverty trapped/strangulated. Poverty as it were is a vicious circle, which can be very
terrible and frustrating if the individual successfully go through the complete circle. For instance, if a poor man marries a poor woman, they will give birth to poor children and those poor children will attend poor schools and meet with/ make friends with poor friends. If these poor friends get married, they will also give birth to poor children and the circle continues all over again. Poverty can also be seen as a state of living that has made people to trade blames on each other, rationalize, scape-goat and stigmatize unfortunate and helpless people as witches whose voices are been drown due to their age, inability to speak or express themselves and their unfortunate state of living. Poverty though seen by people as evil and deadly, has however been exploited by many to make their wealth and are still using to sustain it, which is why the state of poverty or being poor can be unique, satisfying, enjoyable or rewarding depending on the side of the fence the individual is sitting. The effects of poverty and those in that state so drew the attention of God and bible writers throughout the bible to the point when Jesus had to say that ‘the poor will always remain among you’ [Matt 26:11; John 12:8]. The Nigerian government has being rolling out series and divers forms of programmes and policies such as the Operation Feed the Nation [OFN] under the military regime of Gen. Obasanjo, Green Revolution of the Civilian administration of President Aihaji Shehu Shagari, MAMSER, DIFRRI, e.t.c all in an attempt to help to minimize sufferings and poverty in the Nigerian society but all in vain. Thus this poverty condition has also attracted the United Nations into the setting up of divers agencies and committees with different acronyms for easy pronunciations and acceptance to deal with and manage poverty with funds been rolled out. According to reports from the United Nations, 51% of Nigerians live on $1 a day, 52 million Nigerians are illiterates, 2
By OBODE ABRAHAM INOSEZILO
million Nigerian youths annually join the unemployment industry, and that Nigerians needs to generate 3 million jobs annually. Then the worst scenario is that though it has been advocated severally that most Nigerian youths are unemployable due to lack of required skills that are needed by employers of labour, the country has still refused to equip the less than 200 technical schools in the country. The technical schools required to contribute to skills creation are in serious shambles while all commercial schools in the country have completely c o l l a p s e d . Many international governmental organizations have antipoverty programs. These include many regional organizations, such as the Organization of American States and the European Union, as well as the UN, which encompasses countries around the world. The UN operates many of the largest antipoverty programs through its branch agencies. The UN Development Program runs a variety of programs in developing countries to increase literacy rates, create jobs, share technologies from developed countries with developing
countries, protect the environment and natural resources, and ensure women’s rights. Other UN agencies involved in alleviating poverty in the developing world include the United Nations Children’s Fund, which provides food, medicine, and education programs for children worldwide, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, which supports increased agricultural productivity and improved food distribution and n u t r i t i o n . There are basically two types of poverty namely; relative and absolute poverty. The differences between relative poverty (having less than others) and absolute poverty (not having enough to survive) are great but the former is milder than the later because it can be easy managed and manipulated to achieve some level of satisfaction if the affected individual plan properly. However, I will not bore you with the wide varieties of options for measuring wealth and well-being and for establishing lines that separate the poor from the non poor. Economists have traditionally chosen income level as the basis for measuring and defining
poverty, but even that choice allows for a multitude of options. While no one measure is necessarily correct, experts argue that some are better than others though a poverty line is usually drawn to enable experts and governments determine those really affected with this p h e n o m e n o n . Since poverty is a very wide and complex topic area I will concentrate my energies at home here in Nigeria where we could have been a powerful economic nation with our vast land covering a staggering 98.321 million hectares of which 74.036 million hectares are arable. Our leading but now diminished role in agriculture due to the good soil, heat, adequate moisture, divers kinds of crops, legumes, livestock and a huge population, could have helped us make the desirable impact and minimize poverty to the barest minimum. Signs/Symbols of Poverty Poverty has its signs and symbols or even indelible marks on many people that are either in that state, are just coming out of it or have long come out of it. This is very evident in their thought process and actions and this goes a long way in affecting
their behaviours and attitudes to others as it rubs off on their pattern of relationships in the offices, forums, businesses and even in marriages/ families. This is why a poor chap that somehow struggled by crook or hook to travel abroad, does his menial jobs for few dollars and rush back to tell his folks that he has ‘arrived’, would always display his state of poverty mentality in the way he drives his car, build, design and decorate his house, relate with those he left behind in the streets and society; before going back to his menial life abroad. The ‘na me be this’ feelings will always drive such persons. It is also reflected in the home when a girl, spinster or bachelor from a poor home, manage to get into a rich or wealth home and the poor girl becomes Oga’s wife/ madam, the psychological trauma and drama that resorts is something I believe many would have experience. This attitude is also rubbing off on the older folks in the Civil Service especially those that came into the service from very poor backgrounds and eventually rose over the years to become a Director or Permanent Secretaries, Continue on Pgs 16 & 17
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W ekend Discourse Continued from Pg 15 whose mode of dressing, way of life, reasoning and treatment of their subordinates is something that the authorities will agree that they need capacity building and life building skills in other to minimize the problems that come with them. This training is necessary for them because most of these persons believe they are the ones that need all the monies in this lift and that the subordinates needs to ‘wait for their turn’ as a result, both what is meant for them and the subordinates are all converted to theirs and their psychological thinking makes them believe they are doing the right thing. They also believe that since they entered the service with very salaries, now is the time to ‘posses their possessions’ and ‘recover all the years that the locust and canner worms have eating from them’. This mental state of poverty is why many wealth homes do not allow or tolerate their children to play, make friends or even marry from poor homes as they cannot handle or deal with the aftermath problems. Time will not allow me to talk about the very poor persons that out of luck, found their way into politics and decided to ‘hammer’ and primitively accumulate wealth to a mind bogglingly magnitude that will make people like Awolowo, Azikiwe and Sardauna to turn uncomfortably in their graves. CAUSES With reference to Nigeria, there are several causes of poverty and most of these factors also help to sustain it and they include government created, manmade such as bad family arrangements planning, bad planning and investment, Overpopulation, Global Distribution of Resources, High Standards of Living, Costs of Living,
Inadequate Education and Employment, Environmental Degradation, Economic and Demographic Trends, Individual Responsibility and Welfare Dependency, natural disasters e.g. flooding, earth quake, land/mud slide, and famine. However, I will only have the time to dwell on the first two principal causes as these two are the summary of all the ones listed above. i. Government Created: by government, I mean activities such as bad government and leadership in the country. This is one of the most common factors that causes and promote poverty. The successive Nigerian government over the years since independence has found it very difficult to really attend to the issues faced by the citizens by way of good policies and laws and even some news policies that might appear undoable but if sustain will yield immerse results that can help to guide, empower and alleviate the effects of poverty in the society. Though war can also cause poverty, Nigeria has been lucky ever since the end of its civil war, to stay away from wars as it cripples so many financially and otherwise though recent trends of criminal activities is presently contributing to economic hardship which can still be traced to leadership issues. But the present mad rush to hit the billion mark in their banks account being pursued by the present crop of politicians have further improvised Nigeria and Nigerians and plunged many into poverty especially those that have refused to plan their lives with the current trends of things and realities on ground ii. Family Arrangements: this is the worst and primary cause of poverty. Because the family is the first place of call, the child born into it is helpless as it cannot choose which family to come from.
The Many Fac
Many parents especially those that are not worthy to be called that name, have over the years being joyfully consistent in breeding children into the society without any adequate planning and preparations for them. Tell me why for instance an average civil servant would have more than two children if they are not planning to steal money? Not to talk of a driver,
may be and that they are all graduates HOW? Where they begging money from people, cheating and swindling others to train children from their bowels or just ‘eating government money’? Though we Nigerians are good at rationalizing, if we however critically look at these issues, we will admit in our hearts of hearts that it’s either the actors of more than three children on government pay
coming up. This will make that senior child to either struggle to go abroad to do drugs, 419, yahoo yahoo, or engage in one government job or the other with a very strong obsession to defraud and cheat the institution in other to be able to meet up and attempt to solve the problems the parents has created for them. I know of a Civil Servant whose wife is a
messenger, clerk, typist, Okada rider, bus/taxi drivers artisan e.t.c. that have more than four in some cases ten children. What sort of plan does such parent have to train them? Sometimes you hear some saying that they have eight, nine or ten as the case
roll are either professional beggars or professional thieves to survive the burdens of catering for children. There are cases were by a parent will manage to train one especially the first, and hand over the ‘prestigious’ status to that child to train the rest
teacher that has more than ten children in his house with a wife and some relations and they live in a posh house; now tell me with facts how that individual is performing the miracles. MERITS OF POVERTY
“The successive Nigerian government over the years since independence has found it very difficult to really attend to the issues faced by the citizens by way of good workable policies and laws.”
Poverty though seen by many as a curse, diseases e.t.c. has so many advantages to individuals, people and society at large. But for time constrain, I will high light some and allow my readers critically examine others. First of all, poverty is very necessary and important in every society due to its significance: i. Helps to define the gap
and difference between the rich and poor in the society. This is very important in every society to enable the rich stand out and maintain their status. With this symbol, the social strata I every society is maintained, reenforced and sustained. This is why the average busogiose though would try to contribute one thing or the other to the society, would also make sure that his status is sustained in the society. ii. Poverty helps in the creation of job opportunities for the poor, average and even the rich and wealthy individual in the society. While the poor will see the job as a means of alleviation, sustenance, elevation and opportunity to escape
pover up th main prop moni empo get ri that pover are i Allev NAP on p agenc and p to re empl iii. pove for m doing cheap the O side e make servic scave and s world TO L the p produ wast recyc who origin iv. keep are ve hope main discip the pa is left of m offer seed, lot i religi v. P mop the w of Be poor dedi Thou gove calls these effec ill co for su to en vi. profe fortu child spons DE Sin the d will j Pov
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W ekend Discourse able to know where he has put his priority. The analysis will tell the person if his priority has bei ng his stomach, lust, children, pastors, wives and women, waste such as expensive burials, marriages naira spray e.t.c. and that will help the person re-define his priority in a kind of scale of preference. iv. This seems difficult but the pastors needs to redefining their get reach quick mentality to their members and re-routing their messages to psychologically re-define the way their members reason and empower them into living positively by right planning. The government can decide to retire workers that have worked for 50 years and pay them 10-15 years up front while replacing each of them with their children on the streets. The government can decide to retire workers that have worked for 50 years and pay
canopy of religion and tradition] are littering the streets with children. People must be guided into having a family in relation to their income/earnings. vii. Government can also borrow a leaf from the United States President Lyndon Johnson who in 1964 declared a national “War on Poverty” as part of his “Great Society” program. Then the stringent policies will follow to guide the people because Nigerians do not like using their minds to do something except they are compared to. A very good example is China that has a policy of just one child. Conclusively, you are a poor man/woman when you convert public properties to become your private property. You are poor if you feed and feast on others without necessary having to work with your hands. You are a miserable poor man when you build a magnificent
tilted ‘WELCOME TO LAGOS’, also helps to keep the price/cost down; and the products gathered from the dirt/ waste by the scavengers, are recycled and resold to the poor who cannot afford the new or original ones. iv. Poverty has also helped to keep many pastors in business that are very busy giving or providing hope for the poor in other to maintain a level of moral and discipline in the society. Though the pastors collect and scrap what is left from the poor man in terms of money for prayers, title and offerings’, sowing of various seed, their activities has helped a lot in keeping many people religious and with little morals. v. Poverty has also helped to mop up the junks and dirt from the white man’s land in the form of Belgium/ Tokonbo, which the poor joyfully buys and even dedicate some in churches. Though there has been government ban and different calls on the populace that most of these products have their side effects, the poor see these calls as ill conceive and that those calling for such things do not want them to enjoy the things. vi. Poverty has also helped professional beggars to make a
them 10-15 years up front while replacing each of them with their children on the streets. vi. Government must develop the will power to roll out some strong and stringent policies that will directly come down to the homes of citizens to regulate the way many promiscuous men and women [who hide under the
house in a community that is not motorable where people round you prostrate for you to eat or collect. You are a poor man if you convert your subordinates allowances, electricians, mechanics, shoe makers, e.t.c. Labour or menial services such as waste managers, scavengers as seen in Lagos state and shown on BBC documentary worldwide
fortune as many of them have children in schools under their sponsorships. I can go on and on. DEMERITS OF POVERTY Since many of us are used to the disadvantages of Poverty, I will just list out some which are: Poverty enables or helps in the provision of foot soldiers
es of Poverty
ty, the rich and wealthy take e opportunity to sustain and tain his status .e.g. some rietors of NGOs given es by internal donors to wer people, use the funds to ch over night. Other persons are presently enjoying the rty status of many Nigerians s the office of Poverty iation Agencies, such as TEP, SSAs to the executives overty, e.t.c. and all the y’s staff these would wish ray that people remain poor main in their business or oyment Another advantage of rty is that it creates avenues enial jobs, makes the cost of the jobs! services very or minimal , for example, kada riders, conductors, road lectricians, mechanics, shoe rs, e.t.c. Labour or menial ces such as waste managers, ngers as seen in Lagos state hown on BBC documentary wide tilted ‘WELCOME AGOS’, also helps to keep rice/cost down; and the cts gathered from the dirt/ e by the scavengers, are led and resold to the poor cannot afford the new or al ones. Poverty has also helped to many pastors in business that ry busy giving or providing for the poor in other to tain a level of moral and line in the society. Though stors collect and scrap what from the poor man in terms oney for prayers, tit1and ings’, sowing of various their activities has helped a n keeping many people ous and with little morals. overty has also helped to up the junks and dirt from hite man’s land in the form lgium/ Tokonbo, which the joyfully buys and even cate some in churches. gh there has been rnment ban and different on the populace that most of products have their side ts, the poor see these calls as nceive and that those calling ch things do not want them joy the things. Poverty has also helped ssional beggars to make a ne as many of them have ren in schools under their orships. I can go on and on MERITS OF POVERTY ce many of us are used to isadvantages of Poverty, I ust list out some which are: erty enables or helps in the
provision of foot soldiers and recruits for crime, cultism, assassin, kidnappers, prostitution, e.t.c. ii. Poverty can also contribute to broken homes, traumatic experiences, stigmatizing people as witches by those that have failed to plan and do not want to take responsibility for their plan planning and actions. iii. Poverty creates rooms for people to be corrupt and steal/siphon government and their employers’ monies. It allows workers, especially government workers to convert government properties to their own, take and use monies meant for their subordinates, collect monies meant for seminars and trainings but refuse to attend. The poverty instinct in them makes them unable to appreciate the loss of addition knowledge such seminars and trainings would have given them and the benefits the trainings and seminars will bring to the institution. WAY OUT/FORWARD Every person born into a family inherits the riches or liabilities of that family as your family socioeconomically define who you are, where you will start from how far your and achievement in life will be. So such individuals when they get to the age of decision making must stop, think, evaluate his environment and make the right and adequate decisions on how he wants to live his life in other to minimize, eliminate or escape the grip of poverty and its related issues. iii. There should be good government laws and policies directed at empowering the people. People must begin to apply the simple basic principles of economics on demand/ supply, choices, opportunity cost, scale of preference e.tc into their homes in terms of size of the family in relation to their income/earnings, purchase of equipments and household gadgets. For instance, if an individual takes time to write out his income and objectively analyze each expenditure he has made for a period of time, such person will be
and recruits for crime, cultism, assassin, kidnappers, prostitution, You are a miserable poor man when the monies meant for overheads in your institution is converted to your private pocket as if it were your salary to fix your household problems which you have created yourself. You are a poor man when you steal the monies paid by the masses as taxes and you use it to train your family and pose as if you are responsible. You are a poor man when you hustle to collect government rice and other gifts items shared during religious festivals and take them to your constituency to share to the ignorant masses if you were the one that use your own money to buy them. You are a poor man when you collect monies for trainings and seminars and refuse to attend thereby defrauding your employer, preventing those that would have gained the knowledge from attending and killing the essence and significance that knowledge would have contributed to your institution. And last but not the least,
you are a poor man when after you have cried, begged and crawled on your knees for a job, you refuse to stay at your duty post but instead galvanize the city selling wares and making all sorts of excuses that is only meaningful to you alone. Poverty as it were is not only the inability to meet your basic needs but its many faces
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I dustry
Nigeria’s Film Industry Could Provide 2 Million Jobs By REBECCA MOUDIO AS an entrepreneur, 32-year-old chemistry graduate Jason Njoku achieved success in a most unlikely way: he is Africa’s largest distributor of Nigerian movies, and has raked in over $8 million since 2010, when he founded the company Iroko Partners. In December 2012 at a conference in Texas, United States, he narrated the story of his success after failures in some other business ventures. Mr. Njoku currently has 71 employees in Lagos, London and New York, and often boasts that “these people are working for us in a country with 50 per cent unemployment.” He was recently listed by Forbes, an American business magazine, as one of the top 10 young African millionaires to watch. The Nigerian film industry is helping create jobs in a country with an economy that relies mainly on oil and agriculture. Over a million people are currently employed in the industry, making it the country’s largest employer after agriculture. Although Nigeria’s economy will grow by 7% this year, according to the Africa Development Bank, insufficient jobs for a growing youth population continue to be a huge concern. The Nigerian film industry, also known as Nollywood, produces about 50 movies per week, second only to India’s Bollywood—more than Hollywood in the United States. Although its revenues are not on par with Bollywood’s and Hollywood’s, Nollywood still generates an impressive $590 million annually. Believing that if the industry is properly managed, a million more jobs could be created in the sector, the World Bank is assisting the Nigerian government to create a Growth and Employment in States project to support the entertainment industry, along with other industries. Chioma Nwagboso, a World Bank finance and private sector specialist, says that the World Bank understands the job creation potential of the Nigerian film industry and the need for “fruitful export for the country.” Koïchiro Matsuura, former director-general of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), says that “film and video production are shining examples of how cultural industries, as vehicles of identity, values and meanings, can open the door to dialogue and understanding between peoples, but also to economic growth and development.” The African film industry is not only an entertainment industry; it is also a moneymaker. Film industry analysts believe that the Nigerian cinema is the most popular on the continent. Nollywood films have a large following in Africa and among Africans around the world. They gained popularity during the digital revolution of the early 1990s when camcorders replaced 35millimeter film cameras, and digital systems
replaced celluloid as recording devices. Eventually film technology evolved as movies made on DVDs started to generate huge demand. On average, producing a movie in Nigeria costs between $25,000 and $70,000, says the British Broadcasting Corporation. The films are produced within a month and are profitable within two to three weeks of release. Most DVDs easily
piracy problems. The World Bank estimates that for every legitimate copy sold, nine others are pirated. “In terms of exports, these movies are purchased and watched across the world — in other African
sell more than 20,000 units, while the most successful ones sell over 200,000. But despite the success of the movies, Nollywood actors’ incomes are low. Even the most popular get paid between $1,000 and $3,000 per film. Only a few can claim higher earnings. Actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, one of Nollywood’s highest-paid performers, recently topped the charts at 5 million naira ($32,000) per film. Author Patrick Ebewo attributes the popularity of Nigerian movies not only to their low unit costs, but also to their “indigenous content of issues relevant to a mass audience.” Through a combination of African storylines and Western technology, “these films document and recreate socio-political and cultural events,” states Mr. Ebewo. But Nollywood’s popularity also means serious
countries, Europe, USA and the Caribbean, and almost all the exports are pirated copies,” remarks Ms. Nwagboso. She adds that because there are currently few legal channels for exporting movies, few or no returns go to the filmmakers and practically no revenue goes to the government. L e g i t i m a t e
“The Nigerian film industry is helping create jobs in a country with an economy that relies mainly on oil and agriculture. Over a million people are currently employed in the industry, making it the country’s largest employer after agriculture. Although Nigeria’s economy will grow by 7% this year, according to the Africa Development Bank, insufficient jobs for a growing youth population continue to be a huge concern.”
distributors also want an end to piracy. “We’re the first guys to actually legally reach out in Lagos to the production houses, the owners of the movies, and negotiate and sign deals with these guys so they can finally get remunerated for their hard efforts,” claims Mr. Njoku. The Nigerian government and other industry players, assisted by the World Bank, hope to fund anti-piracy measures such as the source identification code, which will create “a digital distribution platform for Nigerian films.” The code will connect video clubs and retail outlets and ensure that only digitally secured content can be rented. Euromonitor International and Reed Exhibitions, organizers of the World Travel Market, a global event for the travel industry, predicted in their November 2012 report that Africa’s projected 5.2% GDP growth rate in 2013 would be due in part to the popularity of the Nigerian film industry, which it predicted would also attract domestic and regional tourism. While Nigeria was hosting the industry’s top brass in March, President Goodluck Jonathan referred to Nollywood as “our shining light,” adding that “whenever I travel abroad, many of my colleagues ask me about Nollywood.” The challenge is to ensure this light shines even brighter in the future.
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i The 80/20 Percent Rule Of Time Management
L ving “WE always have time enough, if we will but use it aright” Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. The 80/20 rule is one of the most helpful of concepts of all time and life managements. It is also called the “Pareto Principle” after its founder, the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who first wrote about it in 1895. Pareto noticed that people in his society seemed to divide naturally into what he called the” vital few”, the top 20percent in terms of money and influence and the “trivial many” the bottom 80percent. He later discovered that virtually all economic activity was subject to this Pareto Principle as well. For example, the rule says that 20percent of your activities will account for 80percent of your results, 20percent of your customers will account for 80percent of your sales, 20percent of your products or services will account for 80percent of your profits, 20percent of your tasks will account for 80percent of the value of what you do and so on. This means that if you have a list of ten items to do, two of those items will turn out to be worth as much or more than the other eight items put together. Here is an interesting discovery, Each of these tasks may take the same amount of time to accomplish. But one
or two of those tasks will contribute five or ten times the value of any of the others. Often, one item on a list of ten tasks that you have to do can be worth more than all the other nine items put together. This task is invariably the most important one. Most people procrastinate on the top 10 to 20% of items that are the most
valuable and important, the “vital few”, they busy themselves instead with the less important 80%, the “trivial many” that contribute very little to results. We often see people who appear to be busy all day but seem to accomplish very little. This is almost always because they are working in tasks that are of low value, they procrastinate on the one or two activities that could make a real difference to their companies
By IFASUYI HELEN OSASERE
and to their careers. The most valuable task you can do each day are often the hardest and most complex. But the pay off and rewards for completing these tasks efficiently can be tremendous, for this reason, you must adamantly refuse to work on task on the bottom 80% while you
my activities or in the bottom 80 percent “every individual should always resist the temptation to clear up small things first” Remember, whatever you choose to do over and over, eventually become the habit that is hard to break. If you choose to start your day on low value task,
getting started on it in the first place. Once you actually begin work on a valuable task, you seem to be naturally motivated to continue. A part of your mind loves to be busy working in significant tasks that can really make a difference. Your job is to feed this part of your mind continually. The thought of starting and finishing
still have tasks in the top 20% left to be done. Before one should begin his or her daily activities one should always ponder on these question “Is this task in the top 20% of
you would soon develop the habit of always tasking and working on low value task. This is not the kind of habit you want to develop or keep. The hardest part of any important task is
an important task motivate you and helps you to o v e r c o m e procrastination. The fact that the amount of time required to complete an important job is often
the same as the time required to do an unimportant job. The difference is that you get a tremendous feeling of pride and satisfaction from the completion of something valuable and significant. However, when you complete a low level task using the same amount of time and energy, you get little or no satisfaction at all. Time management is really life management, p e r s o n a l management. It is really taking control of the sequence of events. Time management is the control of what you do next. And you are always free to choose task you would do next. Your ability to choose between the important and unimportant is the key determinant of your success in life and work. Effective, productive people discipline themselves to start on the most important task that is before them. As a result, they accomplished vastly more than the average person and they are much more happier as a result.
“Time management is really life management, personal management. It is really taking control of the sequence of events. Time management is the control of what you do next. And you are always free to choose task you would do next. Your ability to choose between the important and unimportant is the key determinant of your success in life and work.
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E ent THE 26 th of June every year had been set aside as world music day. Music is as old as ancient Benin, the cradle of black civilization. The Benin
listeners in Benin Kingdom. Retrospectively, the Benin monarch appears in public only once a year, on horseback, beautifully attired with all sorts of
offering praises - the gods or spiritual elements of the land. In this regards, particular songs are in place during chieftaincy ceremonial procession that visits several land
demised are hired mourners of hypocritical humility and soberness. These hired mourners who cries more than the bereaved partake actively in the
traditional music that are displayed and played for the Oba at Igue and Ewere celebrations in December to give thanks to God almighty
Celebrating World Music Day By EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA
people have music designed for different occasions especially for the Oba during the different festivals. Others are marriage ceremonies, dirage, religion, building houses, planting and harvesting of farm products. So, if you look around many places in Benin kingdom such as the King Square, the Broad Street of commerce and the forum of power, music had been the way of life of the people. Today, happiness of the mind have been disturbed by various foreign music that have polluted our highly cherished cultural music. In this auspicious occasion of celebrating world music day, I would like to highlight the profile of some disorderly and uncoordinated societal musicians in comparison with contemporary traditional music of “ughodance” “sakpide” Karrater” masquerade” Ekasassa” “Ewere-were dance” “Igbabo N’eremwin”. e.t.c. These were music teleguide towards the upliftment of the spiritual, the mind, soul and body of individual participants and
royal ornaments and accompanied by three or four hundred noble men on horseback and on foot with a great number of musicians, in front and behind him playing merry tunes and all sorts of musical instruments. The first queen mother to be vested with the title of Iyoba Nu’Uselu is said to have created the “Ekassa Royal Dance “which now features prominently in the burial obsequies of a demised king. After her migration to Uselu as the traditional head of that community, it became a tradition of every other successive queen mother who by virtue of her status is the mother of a reigning king in Benin must be so decorates. At “Oguedion” public or community shrines, Ovia deity, Okhahe deity and others too numerous to mention here, there are liturgy songs which are observed as spiritual aspect or which consists songs of offering prayers to the gods. The songs which consists of ritualistic and communication steps or an aspect which devotee had to pass through in desire of
marks of Benin historical places. And devoted song praises of the gods including that of the most revered Oba. For example when “ekaroinmwon” the “:monarch cork” and care taker of Emotan shine receives people
celebration of drinking and dancing to westernized musical instruments as if this was an item for merry making for losing a loved one. In some religious worship of “Olokun the goddess of the sea,
is usually very colourful and could be harnessed to boost tourist attraction in Edo state. In the era of highlife music, Rex Lawson, Victor Olaiya, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Eddy Okunta Celestin Uku, Actor Shegun Alile, just to
who pay homage at the foot of Emotan statue, one is likely to hear songs offered in tribute of Oba Ewuare the great this is because Ewuare was the reigning Oba at the event which took place in this era. In the past, when there was a dirge in a home, it was with sober reflection of the last respect to the demised. But these days what we find in the burial obsequies of the
some local instruments like the maracas “Ukuse” small local bands are employed. The beating of these local instruments are so loud that one can hear it about one kilometre away. Some female devotees of this mode of worship very often fall to trance and start to prophesy to individuals in the congregation about their past and future occurrences. The different
mention a few, music was teleguided towards our cultural values. But these seemed to have gone with these groups of musicians’ these days music is played with our value system thrown to the wind. For instance “Uki no bana” the song that brought Actor Shegun Alile to the lime light was a folk song used by the elderly women for teaching younger children in moon light
play. Many of these songs are usually composed in poetic form before they could be sung, so, when poems are sung, they only bring to the fore the value of the subject as in the epic achievement of great heros. In Europe and other parts of the world some popular music called classical music is played across Europe, Russia and America. Regae music in Jamaica is like a religion. And it is highly cherished by the people. Most European and American artists that our youth these days try to copy have symbolic characteristic features of negative social habits that translate to alcoholism, drug addiction, cigarettes and “Indian hemp” smoking, homosexuals, group sexual activities and other social malaise that had bedeviled their society. Consequently, one crime or the other is being committed every minute in the U.S.A. The Nigerian youths coming into music industry like to emulate the negative aspect of western music. Jamaica rasterferians live their hair uncombed and later develop long dirty hair. The most popular western musicians in the early sixties were called the beetles. Other artist who wanted to imitate them constituted themselves into groups, called, owls, the moneys e.t.c. in the light of the above we must look inwards and develop our traditional music.
“In this auspicious occasion of celebrating world music day, I would like to highlight the profile of some disorderly and unco-ordinated societal musicians in comparison with contemporary traditional music of “ughodance” “sakpide” Karrater” masquerade” Ekasassa” “Ewere-were dance” “Igbabo N’eremwin”. e.t.c.”
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v World Telecommunication/Information Day
E ent BEFORE the advent of Europeans to Benin Empire, to communicate was a bit cumbersome as soldiers and the metropolitan police had to travel several kilometers on foot in order to disseminate information from His Royal majesty the Oba of Benin to his subjects in the rural communities. Messengers and
around the radio set to listen to local and world news. In this 21st century, Benin kingdom had witness communication revolution. So it is not unusual to see an old man in the street talking on a cell phone. Even beggars in front of the Catholic Church, Mission Road Benin City might pause in his solicitation to make
By EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA
Advanced model enable users to access the internet, send and receive e-mail and text messages, watch T.V, listen to music, take photos navigate by the global position system, check weather forecast a n d - o h - y e e communicate with someone.,
Worldwide, almost 50 percent of users live in developing countries making the cell phones the first thigh telecommunication device to have the majority of its users in those lands. Nigeria for instances
ipad e.t.c computer make people accessible almost anytime anywhere, causing some users to feel caught in an electronic web. As the other extreme are technology “addition”: who have a completion to be connected to know what is going on. Distribution “addiction”
activities conveniently on like. In recent times neighbourhood watch at New Benin Market area have learned that some patient believed to be in a depressed state actually have some awareness of a mobile phone. So, when
“The Washington post February 2001 reports that multimedia smart phones now have more processing power than did the North America Air Defence Command in 1965. The post also stated that there is now a cell phone for every two human on earth and at least thirty nations have move cell phones than people.” Benin metropolitan soldiers “the loyal troops” do converged at Urho’kpota Hall on daily basis for the purpose of these assignments. In the early 40’s with the introduction of bicycles and radio, to
disseminate information became easier because bicycles were able to meander through foot path to the remotest village. As for those who could purchase the radio and landline telephones it became even faster to communicate with rural dwellers as they cluster
calls on his or her phone. Yes from cell phones to computers to television technology has found its way into every nook and crannies of the world even across the divide of the rich and poor. Even the lunatics are aware of the
new communication technology. Sometimes they are tempted to listen to conversations of people using the cell phone. The pervasiveness of technology is perhaps, most apparent in the proliferation of cell phones. Many of which are no longer just phones.
The Washington post February 2001 reports that multimedia smart phones now have more processing power than did the North America Air Defence Command in 1965. The post also stated Hon. Labaran Maku, Information Minister
that there is now a cell phone for every two human on earth and at least thirty nations have move cell phones than people. China population has more than 1.2 billion people using cell phones while Indian is currently over taking China in this communication gadgets.
add about 5 million subscribers in the month of 2010 while in other parts of Asia and Africa has been cell phone use grow nearly 50 percent or more annually. However communication revolution has its down side, cell phones, pagers, laptops,
interruptions are perhaps the most recognized problems associated with people communication and media technology. But the same device also have such power for good. How then can you use them in a balanced, wise and considerate way. A respondent Mr. Adodo said that a trailer driver suddenly losses control at Ikpoba slope by 3rd junction, Benin City and hit the concrete round about seriously injuring two Okada riders, he uses his cell phone to call for help. But why did he lose control in the first place? He momentarily took his eyes of the road to answer phone calls. In view of this illustration, the producers of modern communication technology can be either a blessing or a reproach. the choice lies on the individual who would prefer to go back to the comparatively crude products of yester years. Computers for instance, spare us tedious tasks, enable us to purchase goods and do our banking
communicating on the road side, your handset could be snatched by a lunatic passing by and you could do nothing to retrieve it because the danger of confronting a lunatic could be very grave. Retrospectively, so many families would leave home for several hours and not able to communicate until they return home in the evening. These days, all this have changed due to modern technology. This is due to the fact that in most homes these days, everybody has a cell phone. Many families can now contract their love ones anytime in their place of work, Play ground or at learning centres. Albeit the modern telecommunication has numerous advantages, the risk involved are also numerous. In the light of the above, people should desist from making or receiving phone calls while driving motor vehicles.
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With
One Of Our Invisible Guardians:
The Gonads (Sex Gland) THE gonads of the female are the ovaries, breasts and uterus and in the male, they are the testicles, the penis and prostate gland. They are the generative or reproductive glands or sex endocrines. They are of external and internal secretion. The ovaries produce the ovum but there is also, an endocrine substance that vitalizes a woman and makes her feminine. The testes have as their external secretion semen which is the spermatozoon carrier and which is stored at the prostate gland. The internal secretion of the cortex of the testes is the male energizing force and that makes him really male. It is the male endocrine. Early life was reproduced and perpetuated by budding or fissure. That might have been enough o perpetuate life and mankind but the great consciousness seems to have created further for some purpose. Something more was needed to evolve individuality and differentiation. From some great wisdom came the evolvement of sex individuality and sex differentiation with characters of negative and positive expression. Sex urge has caused some of man’s most extreme individualistic or selfish traits. Before the advent of sex, food was the only urgent need of life. Now, more is required: sex pleasure, sex selection, finer foods the sense of beauty, personal adornment, the urge for ever more and more expression. Sex has produced ideals. There are different characteristics for male and female. Sex has lifted man above the common place, but it has also, been the greatest
source of brutality. Man has always been most brutal to himself in the name of the ideal. Castration was one of the first surgical operations and most often done in the name of religion. In early ages children were castrated and thus, prepared for the profession of eunuchs or slaves. In all ages it has been a religious right by some fanatical sects. Even today there are cults in Romanian and Russia that practice castration. To a scientific mind it is very difficult to conceive of a creator that would love the handiwork of his consciousness and more for its being mutilated. Let in all ages there have been fanatics that believe in perverting the natural expression of the great creative force. Castration of boys before puberty retards ossification of the long bones with consequent enlargement of the stature. The lower limbs b e c o m e disproportionately long. There is also, diversity. The larynx is not so prominent and the voice remains high-pitched.
Hair fails to grow on the face. The external sex organ remains infantile and there is little or no sex feeling. Mental sluggishness prevails and the eunuch is lazy, suspicious and undependable. Removal of the ovaries is followed by corresponding effects, if performed before puberty the characteristic feminine attributes do not appear, the girl tends to become mannish in type, the accessory organs of sex fail to develop fully and menstruation does not occur. In women, after the age of puberty, removal of the ovaries is followed by changes characteristic of the menopause. The castrated male becomes female and castrated female becomes male in type.
Experiments on these beings have shown that if an ovary is implanted in a male eunuch his general characteristics become female to a great degree. If a testicle is implanted in a female eunuch, the characteristics will soon become male. If an ovary is implanted in a female eunuch the person will take on the whole appearance and characteristics of the female. If a testicle is implanted in a male eunuch the functioning of the male will be brought into expression. Eunuchs have more brittle and weaker bones than normal individuals. The normal man is one with normal male gonads. The normal female is one with normal glands of the female. The manly man
O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608
and the womanly woman are the normal functioning man and woman. Research shows that the ovaries regulate the lime distribution in the female. Excessive pregnancies cause the terrible cases of osteomalacia or soft bone deformities that are so common in the densely populated districts of Europe and Asia. The frequent pregnancies use all the lime reserve and the bones suffer. Many women suffer with tooth trouble during pregnancy. In the male the fests (also, called interstitial glands) regulate the lime of the bones and their strength and stability. The powerfully bones male is usually very virile sexually. Some of the endocrines act as
“Sexual excesses are supposed to be largely the cause of enlargement of the prostate, as also, is gonorrhea with its after effects. Prostatic hypertrophy which tends to appear in the later years of life is attributed directly to hyper secretion of the male hormone.�
accelerators act as inhibitors. The thymus is said to hold the sex in abeyance and the adrenals accelerate the sex expression. The thyroid and the pituitary also, play an important role in the expression of sex. The prostate gland, which is the storehouse for the seminal fluid, lies at the base of the bladder and surrounds its neck. As complete function is not understood, but, it must have some influence upon the nervous system for when it becomes inflamed, the man becomes irritable, despondent and even suicidal. Many men have been restored to normal activity and function by treating the prostate. Sexual excesses are supposed to be largely the cause of enlargement of the prostate, as also, is gonorrhea with its after effects. Prostatic hypertrophy which tends to appear in the later years of life is attributed directly to hyper secretion of the male hormone. This hyper secretion is due to overstimulation of the testes by the gonad tropic hormone of the pituitary. Sexual indulgence or sexual excess with an enlarged prostate. The ovaries are supposed to rapt an ovum every 28 days which is taken up by one of the fallopian tubes and conducted to the uterus where it must meet the male germ (spermatozoon), if a new life is to be started. There is no stronger urge expressed in life than the effort of the male and female genus to meet. The breasts play an important part in the female expression. They form the food for the new born child and they have an endocrine faculty that aids or normalizes the menstrual function.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013 FOR simplicity or sophisticated dressing buba and iro, is one Nigerian traditional attire that fits the occasion. Buba and iro or what many call buba and wrapper is seen every day on the streets, market places, churches, parties,
Beauty Shop With Gloria Omoruyi
Modern Trend In ‘Buba And Iro’ offices, or traditional ceremonies. It is a high fashion when the material used is expensive such as lace, asoke e.t.c, and it becomes more glamorous when it is worn with a simple gold jewellery and coral or other semi-precious beads. Fashion is dynamic, back in the 60s the buba and iro was made of the same material with the sleeves a little above the elbow and the iro above the knee level with the platform shoe to go with it. And of course the “Gele” (headtie). The modern trend now is like going back to the 60s,
but the difference is the material used. Buba and iro has taken a new dimension and the fabrics are no longer uniform. The emphasis is that the buba is one fabric material while the iro is made differently from another material. Although in some cases, there are some similarities in the print pattern material of the buba and the iro.
The beauty of the buba and iro is the shortness making it look like a miniskirt and the neck pattern has deviated from the conventional round-neck. Many of our young girls who previously could not be caught wearing buba and iro have embraced it greatly given it an element of style, making it versatile and adding so much artistic flair to it.
“Many of our young girls who previously could not be caught wearing buba and iro have embraced it greatly given it an element of style, making it versatile and adding so much artistic flair to it.”
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TR avelogue
THE Milton Keynes of Africa’ is one well-known tag for Abuja, which took mantle as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from considering its congested Lagos in 1991. Considering its relative youth as the seat of government, it’s no surprise that the city hasn’t yet established a strong sense of heritage. For a sense of its general vibe, think London’s Westminister as a standalone metropolis and you might get something of a picture of this planned West African community. Strategically positioned between the Muslim north and the Christian south, Abuja’s two symbolic landmarks are the Nigerian National Mosque and the National Christian Centre, which face each other on opposite ends of independence Avenue in the Central Business District. At just over two decades as a high-status city, Abuja is proving to be popular choice as a place to live, work or visit. Although more in tune with, say, a Washington DC than a cutting-edge metropolis like New York, Abuja may still be ripe for a dedicated arts scene, underground musical movement or the last word in what’s fashionforward. But as the town where most of the country’s embassies have relocated, it’s better known as being Nigeria’s wealthiest, and therefore most expensive city; albeit with pockets of heritage-fuelled interest, new constructions and a series of interesting back stories. ABUJA BY AREA The main point of reference in this city is Aso Rock, a 400-metre monolith that was left by water erosion. Much of the town, including the Presidential Complex, the Supreme Court and the National Assembly extend to the south of the rock. There’s also Zuma Rock, which sits 725 metres above its surroundings, and is an equally impressive monument sitting just north of the city, along the main road to Kaduna. The thing to remember about Abuja is that it is a city that’s split into five main areas. The Central District is the business hub where the government offices are found. Well-heeled Maitama, to the northeast of the city centre is where the international embassies and landmarks including Eagles Square, a venue for the National Day Parade, the Presidential swearing-in-ceremony, live gigs and other events are located. Over to the northwest, Wuse-which is split into areas Wuse 1 and 2- is a commercial area, where the huge sprawl of Wuse market is based. To the south of the city, Asokoro has a similar character to Maitama in that it has some quiet and upmarket residential streets. There’s a distinct lack of banks there-aside from the private ones and it’s the chosen location for the presidential Villa. Further south, the Garki District is subdivided into areas from 1 to 11, each with their own character. Area 2 is fairly residential, while area 7 is where you’ll find banks and commercial buildings. Further out, you’ll find satellite towns and suburbs. Buses and taxis are the main public transport options. The green and white striped commercial cars may not be as frequent as the familiar yellow taxis in Lagos, but you can usually pick them up from most areas, and haggle for a good price. FOOD AND DRINK From beer gardens to swanky restaurants, Abuja can pretty much hold its own when it comes to
Nigeria’s Capital City,+ the calmer cousin to bustling Lag os.
Capital Letters
arousing the appetites of its visitors and residents. Starting with tile upper end restaurants, there’s long been an assumption that it’s the hotels that win out there in house menus. In fact, the Hilton’s Bukka Restaurant offers a high end, and very tasty African buffet, but there are a number of excellent places for authentic Nigerian food. Jevinik Restaurant pulls in regular crowds, while outdoor stand up or grab a plastic seat options like the simply named Under Mango Tree is one of the best places for huge platters of hot and spice rice dishes and stews at refreshingly low prices. Abuja is a reasonably cosmopolitan town, so other good options are Spice Foods for North Indian food, or the Congolese owned Chez Victor or French infused continental cuisine. Japanese and Asian dishes are as available at Uptown Asian Cuisine and Lounge, while the Burger Lounge has given traditional US staple an African flavour. DID YOU KNOW? The original Abuja city was founded in 1828 and named after AbuJa, King of the Hausa Kingdom of Zazzau. In August 1975, the then federal military government put together a panel of experts to consider whether or not Lagos should remain as the Federal Capital of Nigeria or if a new capital in Abuja should be developed. In 2003, Abuja hosted the All-Africa games, which was an Olympic-associated continental tournament. Once completed (and it has been a while), the Millennium Tower and Cultural Centre will be the tallest building in Abuja, at 560ft.
Nnamdi Azikwe airport with the rest of the city. Construction by Californian-based Ehrlich Architects began in 2010. So far, the expressway is completed, but still to come are a public space, marketplace, playing fields and an amphitheatre for live gigs. Abuja has sister-city relationships with Lusaka in Zambia, Brasilia, Detroit, Kanpur in India, and also has its sights on Mexico City. US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton visited Abuja as part of a seven-nation tour of Africa on August 11, 2009. Ladi Kwali MBE (1925 1984) was a renowned potter who exhibited her work in London, the US and Canada from the late 1950s. Her name is immortalised in the street where Abuja’s Sheraton Hotel stands, and her image also appears on the 20 Naira note. Abuja has a thriving opera and classical music scene with organisations including the Abuja Metropolitan Music Society (AMEMUSO), and the Abuja Phi harmonic Orchestra regularly performing concerts at venues in the city. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a look-but don’t touch landmark where the city’s Brigade of Guards keeps 24 hour watch. They do offer a ceremonial marching practice for the public from time to time — perhaps as compensation for their stern off limits’ rules. Okadas, the commercial tax motorcycles that are so prevalent in Lagos, were banned in Abuja in 2006, although there is now talk of bringing them back Courtesy: WINGS
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D velopment
Celebrating The New Face Of Sapele Road By NASAMU JACOBSON
ANTHONY Omoregie grew up on Sapele Road in Benin City. His parents had lived there for a long time before he was born and had known no other place of abode before he travelled to the northern city of Zaria about twenty years ago in search of greener pastures. Since he left Benin City, he had not visited often, maybe once in every four years. He last visited in April 2008 during the Easter celebration. He had become homesick, enough to make him put all other things aside to make the journey home this time, after about four years. Five days ago, Anthony arrived in Benin City by commercial bus late in the evening, about eight o’clock, to be confronted with so much that left him bewildered. First, he arrived at a time that the ubiquitous okada operators who hold Zaria hostage for almost twenty-four hours daily, had gone to bed and he wondered what had happened in Benin City. He had asked to be dropped at the Ramat Park terminus of the transport company convinced that the easiest means of getting home would be by okada. He found none as the operators had taken heed of the deadline of seven o’clock in the evening for their operations. Anthony was, however, not stranded as he was soon able to get a taxi, an Audi 80 unpainted cab, to take him to his Sapele Road residence. Anthony was again to be dumbfounded when the taxi driver connected Sapele
Road from Ogbelaka Street. Having stopped at the Sapele Road junction on Ogbelaka, he was unable to tell the direction to his house, whether it was to his right or left, he could not tell and had to seek assistance to locate his home. Everywhere he turned, fundamental changes had taken place. He beheld a six-lane highway reconstructed with street lights, walkways and covered drains and concrete median. What Anthony experienced arriving in Benin City after more than three years of absence has happened to several others in some parts of the city and elsewhere in Edo state where the Comrade Adams O s h i o m h o l e administration has changed the landscape to the marvel of the citizens. At the inception of the present administration just over three years ago, Sapele Road was one of the busiest but poorly maintained roads in the state capital. It is the only link road between the states of the southsouth zone and the western part of the country. But, as strategically important as it is, Sapele Road remained a single-lane highway through which commuters transported their goods and services at great risk on a daily basis. Major landmarks on this road include the State Secretariat complex; Police Headquarters; Palm House which serves as annex to the State Secretariat; Central Hospital Complex; High Court complex; Nigeria Prison Service as well
as several banks, hotels and educational institutions. Traffic congestion, resulting in loss of valuable man-hours, lack of organised traffic control, resulting in
digital traffic lights, have also been installed to control traffic at the Central Hospital/High Court/ Prisons crossing. Complete with solar panels and storage
state capital which have been reconstructed and are giving a befitting look to Benin City include Oba Market road, Siluko road, Constain Isornorho now renamed Gani Fawehimi Layout, Sokpomba road and 2nd West Circular road. The Five-Junction area
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.
chaotic driving habits like indiscriminate parking were, therefore, major hallmarks of Sapele Road. Today, Sapele Road is one of the beautiful streets in Benin City. The Adams O s h i o m h o l e administration, like it is doing in several other towns and villages across the state, awarded the contract for its expansion to a very competent construction company with a clear mandate to reconstruct to six lanes, build covered drains, construct walkways and provide concrete median and fix street lights. All these have been completed. The latest innovation in traffic management,
tanks, the traffic lights have a capacity to control and manage traffic round the clock. For the first time in Edo State, there are now installed modern traffic light facilities which tell motorists how much time they have to wait before being passed to move on. The road markings are also a new innovation. Another gateway street into Benin City, Akpakpava Street, has received similar treatment. With three lanes on either side, covered drains, walkways and street lights, one now knows from the Agbor road entry point at night that one is in a capital city. Flower pots have also been strategically located to beautify the road. Other roads in the
now has thirteen streets completed to the Oshiomhole standard. Several other road projects in the state capital are at different stages of completion. As the administration approaches the end of its first term in office, the people are jubilant and hopeful that more would be achieved in the next four years. Anthony Omoregie expressed joy at seeing a “new” Sapele road. ‘This is wonderful. Our people never knew government could do this’, he said. According to him, ‘Oshiomhole is transforming the state at a fast pace and I think he deserves a second term in office to consolidate on the present achievement’. A school teacher
resident on Sapele Road, Esther Isibor, is full of praises for the good work Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done in the state, particularly in the area of road construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation and upgrading. “Adams Oshiomhole has shown that government can do a lot of work by way of provision of social amenities. We are now w i t n e s s i n g development that we did not see in the more than eight years of the p r e v i o u s administration. All we can do to encourage him is to protect the facilities his government has provided for our comfort like the several school buildings he has reconstructed and renovated. Our children and their teachers now enjoy conducive atmosphere for learning and teaching”, she said. Another resident, Paul Igbinovia, a businessman, said he was happy that the present administration was laying a solid foundation for the development of the state. According to him, “Oshiomhole, in the last three years, has done what other governors before him could not do in their several years in office. He is a good leader who deserves the support of all Edo people to continue his good work”. Igbinovia expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on Sapele Road and expressed the hope that the reconstruction of Airport Road now reawarded to another construction company would meet up with the same quality.
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H alth The Health Benefits Of Fish Consumption By EGHWRUDJE PRAISE
FISH is a super food, packed with vitamins, minerals, and a major source of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is low in fat, high in protein; it can help to protect against a range of diseases, from cancer to heart
following a heart attack. Fish does this by lowering levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood-raised levels which are associated with heart disease. Fish oils also appears to help reduce blood
is linked with dementia. Elderly people who eat fish or seafood at least once in a week may have a low risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer. A
double and treble the risk of developing prostate cancer, compared to those who ate moderate or large amounts. Shellfish, such as crab and lobster, also
disease, depression to arthritis. Eating plenty fish on regular basis can help protect you from range of serious diseases such as the following. Heart disease: The British Health Foundation says eating oily fish can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve your chances of survival
clotting and inflammation which in turn reduces the risk of having stroke and abnormal heart rhythms after a heart attack. A l z h e i m e r : polyunsaturated fatty acids found in many fish may prevent damage to brain cells. Eating fish can also reduce the risk of high blood pressure, which
French study of 2000 people showed that those who eat seafood at least once a week had a significantly lower risk of dementia over a seven-year period than those who didn’t. Cancer: a Swedish study of 6000 men over a 30-year period showed that those who didn’t eat any fish had between
contains selenium, thought to have cancer fighting properties. Also, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish may reduce the risk of many other types of cancers by 30 to 50 percent especially of the oral cavity, oesophagus, colon, breast, ovary, etc. Depression: it’s been reported that
fish help to ease depression. Again, it’s down to omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to raise levels of the brain chemical serotonin. People who eat fish regularly have a low incidence of d e p r e s s i o n (depression which is linked to low level of omega-3 fatty acids in the brain). Arthritis: population groups that eat a lot of fish- Inuit in Greenland, for example have low rates of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Studies have also shown fish oils to be useful in relieving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Skin: according to dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, author of the p e r r i c o n e prescription, ‘a salmon-packed diet can help the skin’. But the particular kind of fish to eat is what helps your skin. White fish like cod are a good source of lowfat protein and minerals. Oily fish such as sardines, pilchards, and salmon mackerel have the highest concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids. Also, crab, lobster and mussels come
into the shellfish group and contain selenium, thought to have cancer-fighting properties. Social benefits: according to research carried out in Mauritius (Africa), children given lots of fish from the age of three are less likely to have criminal records by the time they reach 23. Asthma: children who eat fish may be less likely to develop asthma. Brain and eyes: fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to the health of brain and the retina (the light sensitivity tissue lining the inner surface of the eye). Diabetes: fish may help people with Diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. Eyesight: breastfed babies of mothers who eat fish have better eyesight, perhaps due to the omega-3 fatty acids transmitted in breast milk. Prematurity: eating fish during pregnancy help in reducing the risk of delivery a premature baby. Healthy way to enjoy fish includes baked, poached, grilled, and steamed form.
“Fish is low in fat, high in protein; it can help to protect against a range of diseases, from cancer to heart disease, depression to arthritis. Eating plenty fish on regular basis can help protect you from range of serious diseases”
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day’s Diet
With PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Be Dedicated
Memorise: A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. Proverbs 28:20 I Corinthians 15:57-58 Bible in one year: Matthew 26-28
GOD loves dedicated people. To be dedicated is to continue to give time to a particular assignment until it is completed. The dedicated works for as long as it takes, and continues to work even when others are tired or retired. When others have eaten and left the plates after a programme, it is the dedicated ones that wash the dishes. When others are falling by the wayside, the dedicated ones are still standing. Are you dedicated? According to 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the dedicated ones find time and reason to pray. While some people pray and stop at a point with the excuse that they do not know what to pray for, the dedicated ones continue to see prayer needs of members, the
church leaders, f a m i l i e s , neighbours, colleagues at work or school, the community, state, nation, etc. Today, the only time some workers or ministers remember to serve God is only on Sundays. The dedicated ones are not ‘SundaySunday’ church goers or church workers but they serve God on week days in church and outside church. Their lives are devoted to serving the living God. Although they may have excuses to stop work or slow down the pace of work, they refuse to accept any reason for failure. Dedicated people just continue to press on like Paul (Philippians 3:1314). However, it takes a lot of discipline to be dedicated. The reason many
people fall short of the level of d e d i c a t i o n expected of them is because they are not prepared to pay the price. It is not easy to fast, yet the dedicated will go through a long fast. They will pray all night long when others are sleeping. How dedicated are you? As people rise in status or financial power, they begin to look down on certain task in the house of God. It is because they are not dedicated. They now leave “menial” tasks such as washing plates, toilets, mowing the lawn, etc. to house helps and subordinates. By so doing, they are losing some anointing because the anointing to heal is given to those who are ready to do manual labour for the Master. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. Why are ministers expecting others to serve them instead of leading in serving others?
Key point: The path to Heavenly greatness is service. The more of the menial tasks you do, the further and faster your progress and greatness.
CHANGE OF NAME OMOSERE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Mercy Omosere now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mercy Iyoha. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
BELLO – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Queen Bello Onaghise is now known and addressed as Mrs. Queen Osamagioghomwenwi Emmanuel Jamgbadi. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
NWABUEZE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogochukuwu Evelyn Nwabueze now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayodele Ogochukuwu Evelyn. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
OJO – I formerly known and addressed as Ojo Precious Uyinmwen now wish to be known and addressed as Olalere Precious Taiwo. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME YAMAH – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyenmwen Joy Yamah now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyenmwen Joy Isokpan. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, UBTH and the general public should please take note.
RECONCILIATION/CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mr. Unuabonah Eromon Blessing wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person known and called Unuabonah Eromon and Unuabonah Blessing as appeared differently in my various valuable certificates and documents obtained at Primary, Secondary and Higher School levels. I wish to confirm therefore that I am properly known and called Unuabonah Eromon Blessing. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), and the general public should please take note.
SOPHIA WEDS AMBROSE
The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Eki Sophia Okuonghae (A Teacher) and Mr. Ambrose Alamanegbe Ilogamhe (A Teacher) took place on 17th September, 2011 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City. Amongst those present were Mr. Peter Green Ilogamhe, Mr. Osmond O. Okuonghae, family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows the couple at the Registry. Congratulations. Photo: SONNIE. E
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H alth Bone Diseases: A Growing Health Concern? THERE is no way to undo a broken bone, so when it comes to health issues involving bones, the watchword ought to be: “Prevention is better than cure.’’ The prospect of sitting down all day, being pampered by caregivers and relations, may look appealing to some people suffering from bone disease but the reality is quite different. The reality is that most Nigerian offices, stores, markets, schools and even modes of transportation are not accessible by wheelchairs, not counting the harrowing experience of clutching crutches. If one hand becomes incapacitated, tasks that used to be easy become hard, slow and painful, not to mention the strain of constantly asking for help. Medical experts refer to bone disease as low bone density, which can occur as a result of a disease known as osteoporosis that causes the softening of the bones, while making the bones brittle. Dr Kingsley Ekwe, an Orthopaedic Consultant, says that idle people who remain indoors run the risk of having low bone density and contracting acute osteoporosis, which could lead to paralysis. “A person who has osteoporosis can easily get a fracture in a situation that would not ordinarily cause a fracture; it is common in older people, especially women. “This is due to a hormonal imbalance in post-menopausal
women who experience a withdrawal of estrogen at menopause. “On the other hand, men have larger skeletons, their bone loss starts later and progresses more slowly because they have no period of rapid hormonal change,’’ he said. However, Ekwe says that a person with an active lifestyle has a reduced risk of developing osteoporosis, when compared to a person living a sedentary life. He expatiates that due to the fact that menopausal women tend to face higher risks of contracting osteoporosis, they need to engage in frequent exercise, while taking calcium supplements daily. Ekwe reiterates that if a person stays indoors often, the person’s body is not exposed to the sun, which normally boosts the body’s Vitamin D supply that helps in fortifying the bones. He says that the early stage of osteoporosis often goes undetected because it has no symptoms, except for a little pain in the spine and pelvic region, which most people often disregard. The orthopaedic surgeon warns that people will continue to remain unaware of osteoporosis unless they engage in routine checkups. Ekwe urges people to make conscious efforts to avoid bone problems at all ages by being active. He insists that even a patient with a fracture should not hibernate in efforts to recuperate because inactivity also degrades the bones.
By OLAYEMI OKENIYI “It is also known that smoking inhibits the deposition of bones, resulting in a loss of bone mass; so, a patient, who has fracture and is trying to recuperate, can inhibit the healing process by smoking,’’ he says. In her view, Dr Khadijat Raji, a consultant gynaecologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, says
absorb enough calcium from your diet, bone production and bone tissues may suffer. “Regular exercise as well as adequate intake of calcium and Vitamin D supplements will help to prevent the disease,’’ she says. The gynaecologist, however, notes that the chances of catching the disease increase in both
that bone disease can either be hereditary or caused by environmental factors. “Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, when too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body. “Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation; if you do not get enough calcium or if your body does not
males and females as they advance in age. “The bones begin to age after 35 years and that is why it is advisable to form the habit of engaging in regular exercise now,’’ she says. Also, a U.S study has discovered that the risk of contracting osteoporosis and more serious injuries later on in life can be traced to a person’s bone strength during the teenage years.
The study, published in the Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, involved nearly 7,000 girls. The experts found that young females who took lots of Vitamin D were able to reduce their risk of suffering stress fractures by half, compared to those females who did not get much of the vitamin.
According to Dr Kendrin Sonneville of the Children’s Hospital, Boston, who works on the study, Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption. However, Dr Olawumi Popoola of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, believes that a reduction in the density and quality of the bones, while recouping from a fracture, also increases the risk of
having other fractures. “Anyone who has sustained a fracture earlier and the fracture was not properly treated is likely to have another fracture,’’ he says. He urges people to engage in regular physical exercises to help build and maintain bone density, while enhancing balance, flexibility and strength. Besides, Popoola advises people to refrain from bending from the waist, especially when lifting heavy objects, adding that they should instead bend from the hips and knees. He particularly urges women to stop wearing shoes with slippery soles and excessive heels so as to reduce the chances of falling. Popoola also encourages people, who are less than 30 years old, to increase their nutrition intake, while engaging in regular exercises to stimulate bone growth. “Half of the women and a quarter of men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. “Any patient that is predisposed to or who has been known to have osteoporosis should reduce specific activities that can lead to fractures or broken bones,’’ he adds. All the recommended p r e c a u t i o n s notwithstanding, experts insist that everybody, irrespective of factors such as age or gender, should consume nutritious diets and engage in regular physical exercises to promote the health of their bones.
“Medical experts refer to bone disease as low bone density, which can occur as a result of a disease known as osteoporosis that causes the softening of the bones, while making the bones brittle.”
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SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013
Average Premier League Player WHILE the majority of the country continues to struggle with wages falling in real terms against inflation, footballers’ pay has risen sharply. In the Premier League, the average wage has now doubled in the last six years, and according to figures compiled by Deloitte’s Sports Business Unit, the average Premier League player earns £30,000 a week. According to the Office of National Statistics, the average annual earnings of workers in the UK is now £26,500 – so it is now no exaggeration to suggest that
Earns £30,000 Per Week the average top flight footballer earns more in a week than you do in a year. The information on the Premier League is based on figures from the 2011/12 season, during which an astonishing £1.66bn was spent across the division on wages. Manchester City’s wage bill was the highest – they committed £202m to wages, while Swansea by contrast were the most parsimonious, but still
spent £35m paying their players. Raheem Sterling, the 18-yearold who broke into the Liverpool team this season, is believed to have signed a new deal of around £30,000-a-week this season, making him (in one sense at least) the average Premier League footballer. The new television rights deal kicking in this summer, which will see every club get approximately an extra £25m, is only expected to drive up the wages still further. But all is not quite so rosy for footballers as the figures above would seem. According to the Daily Star, 150 ex-players are currently in prison after their careers fell apart after football, and 700 professionals were out of a job after last season ended.
Fernandinhio
Man City Sign Fernandinho
MANCHESTER City signed Brazil midfielder Fernandinho from Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday as the Premier League runnersup begin an expensive overhaul of their squad. City sealed their swoop for Fernandinho after he passed a medical at Manchester ’s Bridgewater Hospital. The 28-year-old’s signing is reported to have cost City £34
Wayne Rooney
million ($53 million, 40 million euros), with another £22 million deal lined up for Sevilla winger Jesus Navas. Fernandinho, who will wear the number 25 shirt, admitted he has already set his sights on helping City regain the Premier League title they lost to Manchester United this season. “This is a change, a challenge and a chance that I have been
Arsenal Can Afford Rooney -Gazidis
ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis insists his club have the financial firepower to sign a player of Wayne Rooney’s stature, hinting the Gunners are finally willing to revamp their much-maligned wage structure this summer. Cynics scoffed at reports earlier this week that manager Arsene Wenger was lining up an audacious bid to sign Rooney from Manchester United, with the wage policy followed by the north London club in recent years making the stories seem implausible. Yet Gazidis has fuelled the hope of Arsenal supporters that the club are about to deliver on the promises of Wenger and enter the financial big league in a bid to compete with their Premier League and European rivals for top talent. When asked whether Arsenal would now consider sanctioning a bid for Rooney if it involved a £25 million fee and £200,000per-week wages, Gazidis was emphatic in his positive response. “Of course we could do that,
we could do more than that,” he told reporters. “We have a certain amount which we’ve held in reserve. We also have new revenue streams coming on board and all of these things mean we can do things which would excite you. “We can think about all kinds of things, but we don’t think about what’s going to excite our fans for the next couple of weeks, we think about what’s going to excite them when we start playing in August and hopefully when we’re in March and April and competing. “For Arsene, it’s a question of getting the right players, the ones he believes in, not necessarily the players the fans want. He’s very disciplined about his beliefs and how he wants to structure a team. He has new tools available to him financially and I think he’ll make good use of them. “What you will see is certainly an Arsenal team that is getting better over the next couple of years unless we make big mistakes, but historically we have got a manager who has got a proven of doing this extremely
well over a long period of time. “I think we deserve a little more credit than we’ve been given. Having said that, we’ve got more financial capability now and I’m sure that will help us to be able to secure the targets that Arsene wants.” Gazidis admitted Arsenal are unable to compete with club who are being backed by owners providing “unlimited resources”, but he is convinced they can end their eight-year wait for silverware next season if they get their planning right this summer. “My own view is we are
moving into a new phase where if we make our decisions well, if we get the right chemistry, and if we do a variety of other things as well, not just the new players that come in but the right kind of things on the football side, that we can compete with any club in the world,” he added. “We’ve seen two clubs this year in the Champions League final and both of whom run responsible financial models. They are pretty fantastic teams and very exciting to watch. There’s no reason why we can’t do that.”
Villa Place £25m Tag On Benteke Aston Villa say Arsenal target and DR Congo-born striker Christian Benteke will cost any suitor £25 million. The 22- year-old Belgium international striker has been a thriller at Villa in his first season scoring 19 goals since joining them last term from Genk. “If the chance comes to join a club like Arsenal, I’m convinced we can reach a compromise where everyone is a winner,”
Villa coach Paul Lambert told The Sun. “It is going to take very silly money for Villa to part with Benteke. “Clubs who are interested know they will have to break the bank to sign Christian.” Benteke, who has three years left on his contract, is also subject of interest from Liverpool, Spurs, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.
Gullit: Can Mourinho Do It Again? Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit says only time will tell if Jose Mourinho will be as successful in his second spell with the London club. The Portuguese coach ended his contract with Spanish side Real Madrid before signing a new four-year-deal with the Blues. Mourinho’s first stint with the club was a fruitful one as he led the club to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006,
the FA Cup and two League Cup trophies before departing to join Inter Milan. However, Gullit is doubtful if the 50-year-old will be able to meet the high expectations after failing dominate in the Spanish league. “Is it a good idea for him? I don’t know. There is the same chemistry between him and the fans, yes,” Gullit told the Daily Star. “But the coaches who are less
expected to do something win everything, the big prizes, so it’s a very difficult situation for him. “He is one of the best coaches around. But can he do it, can he do it again? We are going to see. “You have to wonder if he’ll be different after Madrid. He was not loved as he was in England, that’s for sure.” Gullit played and managed at Chelsea between 1995 and 1998 and led the club to an FA Cup triumph in 1997.
Christian Benteke
waiting a long time for. Playing in the Premier League for City is like a dream,” he told City’s website. “My ambition here is to win all the titles, the team here is strong, and so is the greatness of the club and the supporters. “Professionally this is a spectacular thing. Playing for a huge club in a huge league makes me so happy. I hope I will be able to repay City for what they have done for me. “I know I will face challenges but I am prepared for them. Every player at a high level faces pressure and must respond and I am ready for that too. “I know a lot about City. Ever since they expressed an interest in me, I have been learning more.” Fernandinho, who joined Shakhtar from Atletico Paranaense in 2005, will bring a wealth of top-level experience to City after appearing in the Champions League for the past eight seasons and winning the Ukrainian league title six times. He also helped Shakhtar win the UEFA Cup in 2009 and scored the decisive goal against Chelsea in the Champions League this season. He made his Brazil debut against Germany in 2011 and has five caps, but has yet to be called up by new Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Fernandinho’s arrival will be followed by Sevilla winger Navas, whose club announced on Tuesday that they had accepted an offer from City. City, who are still without a manager after Roberto Mancini’s sacking last month, are expected to appoint Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini next week. And after Mancini’s complaints that City blew their chances of retaining the Premier League title by failing to secure his top transfer targets last years, it seems the club’s Abu Dhabibased owners are determined to ensure there is no repeat at the start of the Pellegrini reign. Mancini was furious that Robin van Persie was allowed to join Manchester United from Arsenal, while he also missed out on Eden Hazard to Chelsea and failed to lure Daniele De Rossi from Roma. The relationship between Mancini and his employers was never quite the same after that and City rarely hit the heights as they crashed out of the Champions League group stages and tamely surrendered the title to United. But there has been a regime change at Eastlands in the last few months with player recruitment now being driven by new director of football Txiki Begiristain.
Liverpool Plan £150m Anfield LIVERPOOL are set to take Expension a major step closer to a £150 million redevelopment of Anfield by submitting a planning application before the start of next season. Managing director Ian Ayre has confirmed that plans are on course for the rebuilding programme, which would see the Main Stand and Anfield Road End expanded, increasing the capacity to around 60,000. That would potentially make the ground the second biggest in the top flight, behind the 76,000capacity Old Trafford. Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium is currently the next largest, as it can hold just over 60,000 fans. The plans come soon after reports emerged that Manchester City are planning to increase the
size of their Etihad Stadium to house as many as 54,000 fans. Last October, Liverpool announced that they planned to stay at Anfield rather than pushing ahead with proposals for a new stadium in neighbouring Stanley Park, seeking to expand their current ground’s 45,000 capacity. But the expansion, going ahead in partnership with Liverpool City Council and social housing developer Your Housing, requires the purchase and demolition of homes that back on to the ground. Ayre has indicated that negotiations to buy the last few of the 90 houses that need to be demolished are almost complete.
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Maigari Assures On Eagles FIFA Ranking
S/Africa Junior Champs:
AFN Selects Team
THE Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) yesterday announced the selection of 28 athletes and nine officials for the 11th Africa Junior Athletics Championships. Reports say that the championships are scheduled to hold in Pretoria, South Africa from June 26 to June 30. AFN’s Technical Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, told newsmen on telephone that the athletes and officials were selected at its trial held last month in Port Harcourt. Nesiama added the selection was finalised on June 5, from the longmonth long trials in Port Harcourt. Among the selected athletes, according to Nesiama, are Harry Chibuke, Anthony Egode, Mamusi Emuobonuvie and Victor Ikhazoboh, for the 100m boys. Briggs Tamunotoye and Akere Omezia will feature in the 200m boys. For the 400m boys are Oshasha Samson, Ottah Ugochukwu, Ebelebe Charles and Adeniji Ademola, while only Thadeus Okpara will feature in the high jump event for boys at the meet. In the 100m women category are Peace Uko, Deborah Odeyemi, Mariam Bassey, Nkem Eziala and Morolake Akinnusi, while Rita Ossai, Comfort Ekanem, Ada Benjamin, Nkiruka Uwakwe and Abike Egbeniyi would feature in the 400m. Abike Egbeniyi is to feature in the 800m event, Aminat Olowora for 1,500m, while Efe Favour will compete in the 100m and 400m hurdles.
The long jump event will feature Ese Brume, Nwaneka Okwelogu in the shot put and discus events, while Faustina Oguh will compete in the race-walk event. Nesiama said that coaches selected for the events are: Tobias Igwe, Daniel Otsemobor, Uche Emedolu, Maria Usifo, Adebayo Bada, Saheed Alabi, Seigha Porbeni and Dr Peter Oboh, while Olufemi Ajao is the team’s secretary. The AFN director appealed to the team to be good ambassadors, adding that he was optimistic that the selected athletes would do the country proud at the championships.
NFF president Aminu Maigari has expressed confidence the Super Eagles will improve on the FIFA rankings. The Super Eagles dropped three places to 31st in the world and fourth in Africa in the latest FIFA rankings for the month of May. However, NFF president Aminu Maigari has stated that in inactivity of the Eagles in the month of April and the better part of this month may have contributed to the Eagles side. “You know there were no
Ref Urges Fans To Change Attitudes At Match Venues HENRY Ochei, a football referee, yesterday appealed to clubs to prevail on their fans to comport themselves during the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches.
Stephens Keshi
Confed Cup
Keshi Picks 8 Domestic Boys NIGERIA’S coach Stephen Keshi has picked eight players from the domestic league for the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. The players from the local Confederations Cup league include five who made campaign on June 17 the final squad to the 2013 against Tahiti. The other Africa Cup of Nations in teams in their group are South Africa, where Nigeria Spain and Uruguay. won a third continental Eagles 23-man squad for trophy. 2013 Confederations Cup: Enugu Rangers supply Goalkeeper: Chigozie three of these players, Sunday Agbim (Warri Wolves), Mba, Chigozie Agbim and Austin Ejide (Hapoel Beer Emeka Eze, while Sunshine Sheva), Vincent Enyeama Stars have two players – (Maccabi Tel Aviv) Godfrey Oboabona and Defenders: Azubuike Solomon Kwambe. Egwuekwe (Warri The other players are Wolves),Efe Ambrose Gambo Mohammed (Kano (Celtic Glasgow), Elderson Pillars), Benjamin Francis Uwa Echiéjilé (Sporting de (Heartland) and Azubuike Braga), Kenneth Omeruo Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves). (ADO Den Haag), Godfrey Heartland left winger Oboabona, Solomon Obinna Nwachukwu and Kwambe, Francis Benjamin Sunshine defender Odunlami (Heartland FC) Kunle were dropped. Fourteen of the players for the Confederations Cup led by Chelsea midfielder MIkel THE Tug of War Nigeria Obi were also on the final Federation (TWNF) squad to the 2013 AFCON. yesterday said its Nigeria open their
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio), John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra), Sunday Mba, Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers), Babatunde Michael (Kryvbas), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga)
Forwards: Joseph Akpala (SV Werder Bremen), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev), Anthony Ujah (FC Cologne), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese), Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow)
Calabar Still To Stage World Cup Qualifiers THE Super Eagles will most likely complete their World Cup qualifying series at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar. It was widely expected that the Eagles would relocate to Abuja for the final Group F qualifier against Malawi in September as well as the knockout final round thereafter. However, officials have now disclosed that a major work on
the pitch if the Abuja National Stadium is still ongoing. The director general of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, stated: “Work is still on the pitch of the stadium. So for now the Eagles will continue to play in Calabar.” The Super Eagles since relocating from Abuja to the southern coastal town of Calabar have not lost any game there.
Ochei made the appeal against the backdrop of the disturbances that marred the match between Akwa United FC and Warri Wolves FC, where the centrereferee was allegedly assaulted on June 5. He said in Lagos on telephone that a major reason for fans reacting violently to referees’ decisions was their ignorance of the rules. “The management of football clubs in the country should strive to educate their fans on how to conduct themselves both at home and away games. “Because consistent problems from fans during matches will slow down the development of football in the country,” he said. Ochei harped on the need for clubs to admonish their fans on the repercussions of such activities, especially when they are playing at home. The referee added that many of the fans were ignorant of the rules of the game, hence their misguided acts when decisions were not in their favour. “There is always the belief that home matches are to be won at all costs, and when it does not turn out that way, they become aggressive. “Such a mindset should be discouraged by clubs,” Ochei added.
TWNF To Hold Championship At Elegushi
Galatasaray Open Talk With Chelsea interest in the Chelsea star to TURKISH champions MTNFootball.com For Mikel Galatasaray have opened “Galatasaray have shown talks with Chelsea for Nigeria midfielder Mikel Obi, MTNFootball.com can exclusively reveal. Galatasaray sporting director Bulent Tulun is currently in London talking with the top hierarchy of the London club on the acquisition of Mikel. The deal is been brokered by Nigeria FIFA agent Babawo Mohammed and Hasan Egilmez and if it goes through, Mikel Obi will join up with his former Chelsea team mate and friend Didier Drogba. A source in Turkey told
games for about six weeks or so. So, I think this may have affected the Eagles rating. We just played two games in the space of a week. I think it would reflect on our next ranking” he noted. Cote d’Ivoire still leads the pack in the Africa rankings, while Ghana are second, Mali third and Algeria complete the top five. Spain remain number one in the world, while Brazil suffered their worst-ever drop on the ranking to No 22 in the world.
MTNFootball.com that Galatasaray are keen on adding the Nigerian to their squad. “As I speak to you, Galatasaray sporting director Tulun is in London to discuss on signing Mikel Obi from Chelsea this summer, we want to sort out with his club first before we will open discussions with the player,” the source told MTNFootball.com One of the agents facilitating the transfer Babawo Mohammed further confirmed Galatasaray’s
interest to sign Mikel and I have been informed that they are in London talking with Chelsea about the deal,” Babawo Mohammed told MTNFootball.com Galatasaray will have to splash a fortune on Mikel because he has a contract with Chelsea till June 2017. ‘Gala’ will play in UEFA Champions League next season after they retained the Turkey league ahead of city rivals Fenerbache. This past season they reached the knockout stage of the competition.
forthcoming Tug of War Beach Championships is slated for June 19 to June 23, according to a top federation official. The TWNF’s President, Anthony Oyetayo, said in Lagos that the event is scheduled for the Elegushi beach, at the Lekki axis of Lagos. “We are planning to hold the second edition of the Oba Elegushi Beach Tug of War championships from June 19 to June 23. “We organised the first edition because we wanted to honour the royal father, Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi. “We also want to use the second edition to honour him, and to also give some mileage to the newest sport in the country,’’ he said. Oyetayo disclosed that 40 teams across the country are expected to participate at the championships.
“We are expecting no fewer than 40 teams from within the country to compete at the 5day championships, the second edition of which promises to be interesting,’’ he said. Oyetayo said that there would be an increase in the prize money, saying that the
rewards at the first edition were not much due to lack of sponsorship. “The cash prizes we gave out at the first edition were not much because we did not have enough sponsors, but for this year’s edition, we intend to improve on the rewards,’’ he added.
Bola Abdullahi
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SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013
J-League To Give Insurance Cover For Players THE management of the Lagos Junior League (JLeague), has concluded arrangements to provide players in the grassroots soccer competition with insurance cover. Taofik Aromire, the league’s Secretary, said yesterday in Lagos that the arrangement was part of the body’s plan to reposition the league. Aromire added that after three years of existence, it was time for the U-20 league to take stock, and make innovative inputs that could bear positively on the league. “Our players have shown a lot of zeal and improvement in the premiership, and we cannot afford to go into the third edition without an insurance policy cover. “It is our obligation, as a reputable organisation,. to provide such welfare packages for the players, in order to encourage them to give their best,” Aromire said. The secretary also told NAN that the decision to embark on the insurance cover for the players, stemmed from their
brilliant performances at national assignments in recent times. “The profile of the players is rising by the day, which prompted the need to give them social protection that will safeguard their careers,’’he said.
Obasuyi Seeks Govt Supply For Insurance BY NICHOLAS EBOIGBE:
THE Head Coach of Football, Edo State Sports Council, Emmanuel Obasuyi has passionately appealed to the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole to render financial assistance to Bendel Insurance Football Club. Obasuyi fondly called explained that a group of ‘Shakara’ by his admirers former Bendel Insurance
Bafana Not Fazed By Travel Chaos FOLLOWING two cancelled flights, a bumpy road trip to Yaoundé and missing one day’s training session, Bafana Bafana have vowed to put the setback behind and focus on the task at hand. South Africa take on the Central African Republic (CAR) in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match to be played on Saturday at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo. Kick-off is at 15h00 local time in Yaoundé (16h00 SA time). Slovakia-based defender Ricardo Nunes, who was recalled and played a major role in the 2-0 win over Lesotho, will fill in the gap left by injured Tsepo Masilela. Nunes said he was happy to be back in the mix of the national set up. “It was good to return to the national team after such a long time. The Lesotho game was a good match and a very good feeling for me,” said Nunes.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State
players including himself would soon meet with the Comrade Governor as part of effort to bail out Bendel Insurance out of their financial predicament. The Edo Head Coach expressed dissatisfaction over a situation where the Edo Club (Insurance) have remained in the lower division league for five years now. He said it has become very necessary to put certain machinery in motion for the Edo popular soccer side to return to the Premier League cadre. “I want to say that I sympathise with the players because they are psychologically weighed down. A footballer that win matches. It is when they have money they can do well. This is what has informed our propose visit to Governor Oshiomhole.” He described the Comrade Governor as the father of all whi wish th Edo people success in their endeavours. He said after the present football season, the former Bendel Insurance players will solicit for financial support from sports philanthropists and corporate bodies for club next year in order that they
Ahead 2014 NSF My Prayers ’ll Improve On Past Records - Fatogun By NICHOLAS EBOIGBE THE Chief Coach of Edo State, Table tennis, Austine Fatogun is optimistic that his players will improve on their past records during the National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Cross River State next year. According to Fatogun in the 2002 National Sports Festival which was hosted by Edo State, he led his players to him
... Lauds Tennis Boss
Men’s singles, second in the men’s team, second over all. In the last National Sports Festival in Rivers State, the Edo players won mixed Doubles, lost in the final team; they were second in men’s singles and placed third in the men’s doubles. He explained that they have won other laurels before then for instance, the Edo players won the Elephant
cement open men’s singles championship trophy in 2001. The Edo Men’s team emerged tops in the National Agro-chemical Table Tennis Championships even as they placed second in the men’s singles event in the same competition. He attributed the success of the team to the chairman of Edo Table Tennis Association, Abel Omoruyi
who is the Managing Director of Iyare Motors. Fatogun disclosed that Abel Omoruyi has been assisting in developing the sport (Table tennis) in the state since 1992. Our chairman, Abel Omoruyi has continuously thrown his weight financially behind table tennis. I want to thank him immensely for sponsoring us over the years.” Fatogun said.
Algeria Confident Ahead Benin Clash ALGERIA will be confident to get a result in Porto Novo on Sunday against hosts Benin and
Issa Hayatou
stay in the hunt for a 2014 World Cup place. Algeria are top of Group H on six points, same as second-placed
Mali, who welcome bottom team Rwanda also on Sunday. Benin are third on four points, while Rwanda have a point. The North Africans, who have maintained their 35th FIFA Ranking for May, will also be away to Rwanda on June 16. Algeria prepared for their away trips with a 20 win over 2013 AFCON beaten finalists Burkina Faso on Wednesday. Goals from Hillel Soudani and Islam Slimani gave the home team victory in Blida. Algeria, who will be encouraged by this win, saw the return of captain Madjid Bougherra, who
has been away from the team for almost a year. Taider and goal scorer Slimani also stood out against Burkina Faso and will surely trouble Benin in Porto Novo this weekend. Algeria were without their four Spain-based stars – Mehdi Lacen, Yacine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli and Liassine Cadamuro – who joined the squad late after the end of their campaign in Europe. When both teams clashed in March, Algeria ran away 3-1 amid accusations from the visiting team that they were undone by the referee. It has been another
tensed build-up for Benin after French coach Manuel Amoros resisted the inclusion by top officials of Nigeria-born stars Razak Omotoyossi and Muri Ogunbiyi. When asked by the media what was the two players’ situation, Amoros simply told reporters: “You should go and ask the president of the football federation.” However, striker Seidath Tchomogo has returned to the Squirrels in place of the injured David Djigla. Benin are a formidable force at home and need to win to revive their flagging hopes of qualifying for a first-ever World Cup appearance.
begin on a sound footing. He disclosed that the state female side, Inneh Queens is also experiencing the same financial problems. He said the ex-Bendel Insurance stars will do their utmost to ensure that their problems are solved. The Edo coaches boss believes that if Bendel Insurance returns to the elite division the problems associated with follower ship will be solved too. “No football fan comes to the stadium now. One of the reasons sis that their club, Insurance is playing in the lower league. We need to tackle the problem of followership. It has to improve! Obasuyi was not happy that the state government spent huge sums of money to construct a beautiful and good as too turg in the main bowl of Ogbemudia stadium yet high class football matches are not played on it. “Once the problems of Bendel Insurance and that of Inneh Queens are solved, we expect the stadium to come alive again.
W/Cup Qualifier
Congo DR Squad Fear For Lives In Libya CONGO DR defender Cedric Mongongu has questioned FIFA’s wisdom in allowing Libya to stage Friday’s World Cup qualifier between the pair on home soil, claiming the visiting squad are “afraid” because of the lack of security. The Group I encounter in Tripoli marks the first competitive game Libya have hosted since the fall of Colonel Gaddafi in 2011, with the country having previously played their ‘home’ matches at neutral venues because of safety fears. Opponents Congo DR currently lie third in the group, a point behind Libya and two adrift of leaders Cameroon, but Mongongu – who plays his club football with Ligue 1 side Evian - says the team’s thoughts are focused more on their security than a place in Brazil. “We don’t go near the windows for fear of being hit by a stray bullet,” Mongongu told L’Equipe. “We’re afraid. Once in our rooms, we don’t want to go out again, that avoids any problems. “We’re better protected by staying inside. At one moment, shots were going off for a whole hour. It’s tough to deal with, because you don’t know what might happen.” “It’s the first time Libya have played at home since the war and it’s against us. How can FIFA accept a match be organised in such conditions? It’s terrible and unbelievable.”
CMYK
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SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013
French Open: Nadal Outlasts Djokovic In Epic To Reach Final
Defending champion Rafael Nadal outlasted world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-7(3) 9-7 to reach his eighth French Open final. Nadal will have the with Federer’s record of compatriot, and fourth chance to make history 58 wins at Roland seed, David Ferrer or on Sunday as he bids to Garros, although he has home favourite, sixth become the first man to less losses - just one to seed Jo-Wilfried win any of the Grand Federer’s 13. Tsonga. Slams eight times. In a match of highIn the championship The victory also means match, Nadal will play drama featuring a point the Spaniard draws level the winner between penalty, a near tumble
Serena Williams and Maria, Sharapova set for Roland Garros 2013 final
over the net and trick-shot mishaps, it was the sinewstretching rallies that made the difference as Nadal withstood Djokovic’s baseline onslaught to extend his run at the claycourt major to a jaw-dropping 58-1. Nadal had stood two points from the final in the fourth set when he inexplicably let Djokovic off the hook by dropping serve at 6-5 up. Djokovic blitzed through the fourth set tiebreak 7-3 and then streaked into a 4-2 lead in the decider when Nadal’s fighting instincts kicked in to leave the Serb floundering. A forehand long on match point secured Nadal an unprecedented eighth appearance in the Paris final.
Sharapova Looking For Range Against Serena In Final Today SERENA Williams gives pet names to her various character traits whereas Maria Sharapova, who will try to prevent the American claiming a 16th grand slam title in today’s French Open final, usually sticks rigidly to the ice maiden routine. Defending champion Sharapova has been more beauty or beast in the last couple of rounds, however, mixing brilliance with woeful interludes, with aces and winners often being matched by doubles faults and wild errors. The “good” Maria, the one that served 12 aces against Victoria Azarenka in Thursday’ semi-finals, will have to show up against Williams if she is to stand any chance of preventing the world number one lifting the Suzanne Lenglen Cup 11 years after her first triumph. Second seed Sharapova needs to produce an almost flawless display if she is to become the first woman to retain her Paris title since Justine Henin in 2007. While American Serena dropped only a set en route to the final and annihilated Saran Errani 6-0 6-1 in the semi-final, four-times grand slam winner Sharapova survived a 6-0 drubbing in the first set of her quarterfinal with Jelena Jankovic and then needed more than two hours to go through the semis, grinding past Azarenka in an error-strewn clash. “If Sharapova serves well, there will be a contest,” Patrick
Mouratoglou, Serena’s coach, told reporters. “Sharapova moves better (on clay) but not well enough yet.” Mouratoglou believes Williams, who is on a 30match winning streak, has her fate firmly in her own hands after prevailing in all 12 of their matches since the 2004 Tour finals. “Serena will start with a psychological advantage, for sure. The result will not depend on Sharapova but on Serena,” he added. Sharapova, however, clings to the notion that the final will start at 0-0.
“I’d be lying if (that record) doesn’t bother me, obviously,” the Russian told reporters on Friday. “Whatever I did in the past hasn’t worked, so I’ll have to try to do something different. “Going into a French Open final, that (record) doesn’t matter. It all starts from zero.” Serena agreed, saying: “It’s a different time, a different era, just a different match. It’s a brand new match.” Sharapova refutes the idea that her baselinebashing profile is one-
Arokoyo Drums Up Support For F/Eagles SWEDEN-based defender Gbenga Arokoyo has urged for total support for the Flying Eagles ahead of the 2013 U20 FIFA World Cup in Turkey. Arokoyo, who featured for the Flying Eagles when they won the 2011 African Youth Championship in South Africa, was in the stands to watch the Nigeria U20 Class of 2013 lose 2-1 to World Cup rivals Portugal on Thursday at the Toulon International Tournament. “Even though they could not go past the group stage of the Toulon Tournament, they showed a lot of promise and quality,” said Mjallby AIF defender
Arokoyo, who used the international football week break to visit the Flying Eagles in France. “This tournament was really to prepare the team for the main thing, which is the World Cup. “And I am very sure that coach John Obuh and his assistants have now made up their mind about their best team for Turkey.” The ex-Kwara United star added: “I am very sure the Flying Eagles will shame their critics in Turkey, just as the Super Eagles did at the Nations Cup in South Africa. “The whole country should therefore rally round the team and they will also deliver when it matters most.”
dimensional, saying she did not get to her second final by chance. “No matter how good she’s playing, you also have to give yourself a bit of credit for getting to that point and doing a few things right to be at that stage and giving yourself an opportunity,” said Sharapova. “Whether you take it, that’s another story.” It will also be a matter of consistency for Sharapova, who has yet to find the perfect balance on the Paris clay this year. She has been experiencing a fair few wobbles in her run to the final, making 185 unforced errors in her six matches while Serena made 100. Friday’s semi-final encapsulated Sharapova’s problems as she served 12 aces but also 11 double faults, spraying the court with unforced errors and winners with equal measure. Serena in contrast fired 40 winners and allowed Italian fifth seed Errani - last year’s finalist - only 16 points, making herself the hot favourite to succeed on Saturday. It is quite a change from 2002 when she beat sister Venus in the final. “I was really surprised, for sure. I didn’t go into that match expecting to win,” Serena said. “I just thought, ‘Hey, I’m in the final and let’s see what happens’.” It is a motto Sharapova could do worse than heed.
Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd after his victory in men’s singles semi-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia yesterday thirteen of the French Open at Roland Garros yesterday in Paris, France.
Australia Apologises To Jordan Over Coach “It was conveyed to say, AUSTRALIA’S foreign Detention ‘We hope you don’t think
minister has apologised to the Jordanian ambassador over an incident at Melbourne Airport, where the country’s head coach was detained by immigration officials. Adnan Hamad was held for around four hours and questioned by officials after arriving with his team from New Zealand in preparation for Jordan’s World Cup qualifier against Australia next Tuesday. The Jordanian Football Association said their delegation had completed all the necessary paperwork and requested clarification from Australia’s football governing body. Foreign Minister Bob Carr called Jordan ambassador Rima Ahmad Alaadeen as a “diplomatic courtesy” after the incident, a spokesman from Carr’s office said on Friday. “It was an expression of regret for any embarrassment or inconvenience that may have been caused,” the spokesman said but
stopped short of saying that the call was an official apology.
that it’s a reflection of your welcome in the country’.” A spokesman for
Retiring Benni Gets Players Salute CURRENT and former football players praised Benni McCarthy after the Orlando Pirates striker decided to hang up his boots following a glittering career. McCarthy, who has most certainly been South Africa’s most successful football export, this week decided to retire after a hugely successful career. The 35-year old notably played for Ajax Amsterdam, Porto, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United. The former Bafana Bafana striker is the only South African to have won the UEFA Champions
League and also stepped into retirement as Bafana Bafana’s leading goal scorer. Several players took to social media network twitter to praise the striker.
Benni McCarthy
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