THE WEEKEND
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Weekend
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
PUBLISHED SINCE OCTOBER 6, 1990 • Vol.XI NO.3,198• SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013 • N100.00
PERSPECTIVE
Tales Of Two First Ladies Pages 23 - 24
Oshiomhole Has- Info Transformed EBS Commissioner By INNOCENT OMOAKA
THE Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Lious Odion, has reiterated the commitment of the state government to improve and strengthen the state owned media for effective information dissemination in the state. The commissioner Comrade governor’s disclosed this during an administration to exclusive interview with transform every sector The WEEKEND of the state economy OBSERVER recently in has seen the state Benin City. owned broadcasting According to the outfit, the Edo commissioner, the Broadcasting Service promise of the
(EBS), developed to modern standard. He added that the 30KV transmitter purchased for the EBS by the state government had made it possible for signals of the broadcast station to be received in every part of the state. Hon. Odion disclosed that plans were ongoing to improve on the quality of programming in the station in line with the
vision of the comrade governor to transform the human and material resources of the state. Similarly, he said plans were already on to revamp the state owned Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of The Observer group of
Newspapers to serve the state better. He assured on the determination of the state government to transform every sector of the state economy, including the BNCL. In a related development, Hon. Odion has described the recent actions of the Comrade Governor on
the ongoing verification of teachers’ certificate as an action aimed at improving the quality of primary education in the state. According to him, the comrade governor has deemed it necessary that it is not enough to provide modern facilities for the schools without
paying attention to what is being taught in the four corners of the schools. He said, “The comrade governor quest to develop and transform the state is tied to qualitative education at the primary level of education as our great resource in the state lies in the human capital.” “See full text of interview on pages 16 & 17.
Gov Task Religious Leaders On Peace, Unity GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged religious leaders and groups in the country to help build bridges of unity and peace to enhance development. Speaking to a delegation of Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Nigeria who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, yesterday, Oshiomhole said he believes that religion should be used as a tool for peace and progress. According to the governor, “I hope that your deliberation would help to contribute to the cause of peace and justice in Nigeria,
particularly at this time, when it is an open secret that we have problems in different parts of the country involving people who are restless, people who are hungry and angry and there are all kinds of worrisome signals also coming on the eve of electioneering with the tendency of politicians to put themselves first before the nation, which is unfortunate”. Oshiomhole noted “it is my hope that various religious groups will continue to help build bridges and help us to build the morals of our younger ones so that we have leaders who are God fearing.
“Nigeria may be said to be poor, but we have enough resources, if managed prudently with the fear of God, our condition need not be a hopeless one. That is what we are trying to do in Edo and we are committed to sustaining it”. The governor explained “we have seen that our people are ready to support any government that is committed to addressing their welfare and contrary to the general view that we are divided along religious and ethnic divide, the truth is that Nigeria is divided between the rich and the Continues on page 4
COURTESY VISIT: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State receives a book from Alhaji Moshood Fashola, Amir Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Nigeria, with them is Dr. A. G. Enahoro, during a courtesy visit of Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Nigeria to the Governor in his office, yesterday.
ISSUES Between Boko Haram And Security Operatives In Nigeria - Page 7
MOMENT OF SCRUTINY
Oil Theft Puzzler
- Page 5
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CRIME
Man, 48, Bags 2 Weeks For Attempting Stealing A 30-year-old driver, George Smart, has pleaded not guilty before an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for obstructing the Lagos-Badagry expressway and driving on Lagos roads without valid documents. Smart, a resident of Ago Hausa Area, Apapa, is facing a four-count charge of obstructing the expressway, driving without hackney permit, an Insurance certificate and a road worthiness certificate. The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Inedu, told the Court that Smart drove his commercial bus, EPE 171 XB, on the LagosBadagry expressway, without valid documents. He also told the court that the accused obstructed the
expressway to carry passengers, failed to produce Insurance and road worthiness certificates on demand. Inedu said the accused committed the offence on August 8 at about 2:50. p.m. on the LagosBadagry expressway, Lagos. He said that the offences contravened Sections 25, 32, 36 and 37 of the Road Traffic Laws of Lagos State. The Senior Magistrate, Mr Adeyemi Amos, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum. He said that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, as part of the bail conditions and adjourned further hearing on the case till September 18.
L-R: GOC. Division, Maj-Gen. Ebiobowet Awala, Commander, 53 Division, (SIGNALS), Brig-Gen. Lucky Irabor andrepresentative of the Chief of Accounts and Budget, Nigeria Army, Col. Jeremiah Faransa, at the 3 Division Finamnce Training Session in Jos recently.
Court Orders Woman To Return Ex-Husband’s said the defendant must two big pots and a AN Upper Area Court, Property stabiliser, return the property on or generator. Gwagwalada, FCT, has ordered one Rabi Mohammed to return the property of her former husband, Isyaka Labaran. Delivering judgment in the case, the Presiding Officer, Alhaji Babangida Hassan,
Police Arraign worker For Alleged Misappropriation Of N1. 6m A FORMER worker of Barata Pharmaceutical Company, Kubwa, FCT, Michael Chinwenyba, 32, appeared in a Senior Magistrates’ Court for alleged criminal misappropriation of N1.6 million company money. The police prosecutor, Cpl. Paul Anibo, told the court that one Agboye Olarewaju of No 20, Emaka Nwosu street, Trademore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, reported the case at the Lugbe police station. He said the complainant alleged that between January and April, the company entrusted pharmaceutical drugs worth N1.6 million in the care of the accused. Anibo alleged that the accused sold the goods and dishonestly converted the amount to his personal use. He said that during police investigation, the accused was unable to give a satisfactory account of the money. Anibo said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 309 of the Penal Code. If convicted, he shall be
punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both. The accused pleaded not guilty. Senior Magistrate Nafisat Ibrahim admitted
the accused to bail for N100,000 with two sureties. Ibrahim ordered that the sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. He adjourned the case to September 5 for hearing.
before September 4. “The court hereby orders you, Rabi Mohammed, to return all the properties you took from your ex-husband’s house on or before September 4. “On the other hand, the plaintiff, Labaran, is hereby ordered to pay the sum of N 6,000 monthly for the upkeep of the two children between you. “Any party that is not satisfied with the judgments should appeal to a higher court within 30 days from the day of this judgment,’’ Hassan said. Labaran, residing opposite Pilot Science Primary
School, Gwagwalada, sued Mohammed of Angwan Azare for allegedly moving some property from his house. He said the property included a refrigerator, television, Samsung speakers, standing fan,
He told the court that his ex-wife moved the items following misunderstanding between them and urged the court to compel the defendant to return the items to him. Mohammed, who admitted taking possession of the property, could not defend her action.
22-Yr-Old Docked For Burglary A 22-YEAR-OLD man, In Abeokuta Ibrahim Soremilekun, appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for allegedly breaking into the house of one Akeem Alao and stealing items valued at N90,000. The Police Prosecutor, Insp Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the offence was committed on August 18 at about 2 a.m. at Surulere Community Camp in Abeokuta. He said that the accused broke into the residence of Alao through the ceiling and stole the items. Ozimini said that the items included three phones, a wrist watch, a necklace, a pair of earring and N70,000 cash. “Luck ran out for the accused when the couple raised an alarm and
Soremilekun took to his heels. “ He was caught by the neighbourhood vigilance group in a broken down vehicle while pretending to be asleep. “The accused was identified by the Alaos who confirmed that he was the one who broke into their house and stole their belongings,” the prosecutor said. Ozimini said that the offence contravened sections 411, 412 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006. The accused, who was not represented by a counsel, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of felony, burglary and stealing. Magistrate Emanuel
Adekunte granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum. He adjourned the case to September 17 for further hearing.
IG of Police, Mohammed Abubakar
Court Dissolves 3-Yr-Old Marriage Over Husband’s Lack Of Care For Family
AN Ilorin Area Court have dissolved the marriage between one Tawal Muritala and her husband, Sule, over the latter’s lack of care for his family. Tawal, 29, a resident of Baboko Area, Ilorin, had approached the court seeking for dissolution of her marriage, alleging that her husband had no time for her and their only child. ‘’My husband does not
bother about how I and our only child survive, instead he goes around with different ladies spending money on them,’’ she said. ‘’I want an end to this marriage because I’m fed up with my husband’s care free attitude,’’ she said. She told the court that the marriage was contracted in 2010 and had produced a two-yearold girl.
The defendant, however, did not object to the prayer of the plaintiff. ‘’My wife does not appreciate love; she is always complaining about everything I provide for the family,’’ he said. He prayed the court to grant the prayer of his wife without any claims. The judge, Mr Ibrahim Abdulquadri, dissolved the marriage and issued a certificate of divorce to the plaintiff.
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N ws Maigida Defends Re-opening Of Orphanage Home BY INNOCENT OMOAKA/ GEORGE OGBOLU
L-R: Daughter of the Composer of Nigeria’s National Anthem, Pa. Benedict Odiase, Mrs. Lillian Remet, Sister to the Widow, Mrs. Grace Agbame, widow, Mrs. Theresa Odiase and son, Mr. Anthony, at the commendation service for Pa Odiase at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos State yesterday.
THE Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Blessing Maigida has defended the Ministry recent re-opening of my mummy’s orphanage home earlier shut down by the ministry. In a chat with reporters from The WEEKEND OBSERVER, the Commissioner disclosed that the Orphanage was reopened after a thorough investigation by the Ministry and the State Security Services (SSS) in Benin City. She added that investigations by the
Security: Nigeria Navy To Partner
REAR Adm. Ibok Ibas, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Lagos, said, Nigerian Navy would collaborate with the navies of other African countries to tackle insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. Ibas told newsmen in Lagos that maritime security challenges facing African countries required regional collaboration and support to overcome. “It is regrettable that insecurity and illegal activities in the maritime
African Navies
domain threaten and invariably undermine the great potential of the African continent. “The magnitude of these threats are aptly captured by a study of the advocate group tagged “Oceans beyond Piracy’’, which estimated that piracy in the Gulf cost the world economy between $740 million and $950 million in 2012,’’ the newsmen quotes the naval chief as saying.
Delta Will Soon Become A Regional Power - Uduaghan DELTA Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, said that government was repositioning the state to become a regional economic power. The governor, who spoke at the 9th all Nigerian editors’ conference in Asaba, said government was also building the future of the state beyond oil. He said the economic development was hinged on its access to the sea, airports , roads and many urban and coastal areas in the state. ‘’ What we know and which is why we are so determined in the direction we are pushing, is that it, is clear that economic development in Delta is going to be shaped greatly by its location. ‘’And that is, we are an emerging regional power. ‘’ With access to the sea, the Warri seaport, and with two airports, several dualised roads on a strategic network and of course, with our two great poles, with Warri and
Asaba and many urban and riverine areas. ‘’ the people of Delta must feel they have a government that cares about them. They must feel the impact of government wherever they reside. ‘’ We were careful to avoid anything remotely suggesting lopsided development,’’ he said. Uduaghan said, as part of government’s plans to build the state beyond oil, it was building a 250 megawatts power plant at Oghareki to be inaugurated next year. He said government invested in the Nigerian integrated power plants and were attracting international partners on renewable energy. The governor also said the Asaba airport project was nearing completion and when completed, it would be one of the best in the country. He said the airport would also play a strategic role in government’s plans to move the state beyond oil.
Ibas announced that an international conference of all African navies and maritime experts to discuss best ways to secure African waters and trade would be hosted by Nigeria from August 27 to August 28 in Lagos. According to him, the theme of the conference is “Offshore Patrol Vessel Africa.’’ “The conference will also examine the unique maritime security challenges in many African countries in the 21st century as the continent is witnessing progressive surge in offshore activities. “Naval chiefs and stakeholders will also discuss issues such as antipiracy, sea robberies as well as multilateral protective measures to safeguard offshore oil
assets. “Other issues include exhibition of security and defence-related equipment for protection of oil and gas
assets, technology transfer and development of domestic ship building capacities, ’’ Ibas added. The naval chief said the conference was expected to provide credible and sustainable solutions to the various challenges.
Ranking: Don Wants Varsities Publish Researches, Invest In IT, Infrastructure A don, Dr Olufemi Ajayi, has urged other universities in the country to emulate the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun, in publishing their researches in international journals. Ajayi, the Vice Dean, Faculty of Agriculture of the OAU, also urged Nigerian universities to invest in infrastructure and information technology for advancement. He gave the advice in an interview with newsmen on telephone. The dean was reacting to the current rating of the OAU as the best in Nigeria and 8th in Africa. The rating was made in the latest webometric ranking by
the Cybermetric Lab of Spain, a world renowned research council. Ajayi said that the university was able to be adjudged so, because it published its researches in international journals. Ajayi said that lecturers in OAU collaborated to publish quality researches in the journals. The lecturer said that OAU had the required feasibility, infrastructure and modern information technology to enhance the publication of researches of international standards .“OAU earned the award through hard work from lecturers who collaborated and published
The statement explained that Edwin Aigbe Izevbokun who unlawfully parades himself as the Enogie of Evbuobioba had long been suspended by the Benin Monarch on account of his descration of the customs and tradition of Benin Kingdom, and was accordingly declared “Oghionba”. The statement further pointed out that Mr. Edward Okunzuwa and Prince Lucky Enobabor were duly appointed by the Oba of
Benin to oversee the affairs of Evbuobioba Community, adding that any transaction relating to the sale of land with Mr. Edward Okunzuwa (Ozukpogieva) and Prince Lucky Enobabor (Okaighele) is perfectly legal. It therefore enjoined the general public to desist from further dealings in land with Edwin Aigbe Izebvbokun, Lugard Odokor, Frank Okunzuwa and Matthew Iyoha to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Evbuobioba Community Denounces Media Report THE Evbuobioba Community has denounced a press statement by Olayiwola Afolabi Esq, warning the general public not to transact any business relating to land in Evbuobioba Community with Mr. Edward Okunzuwa and Prince Lucky Enobabor. The community in a statement by its counsel, Tom E. Oaikhinan Esq, said the premise on which the press release was based is hard to sustain on the parameters of sound reasoning and logic.
ministry and the SSS revealed that as earlier alleged, the Orphanage home was never involved in any sale of a baby for the sum of # 900, 000. According to her, the adopted mother of the said baby volunteered on her own to support the Orphanage with the amount in question. She however reiterated the stance of the ministry against the sale of babies in Orphanage homes across the state, in line with the Child Rights Act as signed into law in the State. Hon. Maigida also said, “the ministry has developed a new process for the adoption of babies in any Orphanage home across the state”. The new process required an application for adoption to be submitted to the ministry department for processing by a committee set aside for the purpose. In addition, after the application, the ministry makes recommendation to the Orphanage home before any child is adopted.
grand rating researches of international standards. “As one of the first generation universities in the country, OAU has infrastructure and ICT facilities accessible to internal and external researchers,” he said. Another don, Dr Ismail Raji of the Department of Education Management, University of Ibadan, told newsmen that it was the volume of publications from OAU lecturers that earned the institution the award. “OAU, as one of the first generation universities, has experienced hands, large number of professors, lecturers and PhD graduates with reputable record,” Raji said. Dr Oluwatoki Jamiu, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History and International Relations, Lagos State University, however, said that the OAU ought to have achieved more than that. “We should be talking of OAU, as a first generation university in Nigeria, being among the first 20 in the world and not just eight in Africa. “With the calibre of lecturers and students produced over the years in OAU, I believe the university deserves to be ranked higher than that. “This shows the need to inject more resources to the education sector to improve standards in Nigerian universities,” he said.
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N ws Gov Task Religious Leaders On Peace, Unity Continued from page 1 poor, those who have hope and those who have become hopeless, those who are educated and those who are wallowing in ignorance. “I think your group like other religious groups should continue to sermonize on the side of moral re-amendment on the part of leaders and followers. I am a believer that religion is a tool for progress and unity. It cannot be used for division. When a Muslim commits an offence, treat that offender as an individual. We must separate criminals from religion because a true believer will not go to the church and kill innocent people, go to the mosque and kill innocent people or go to schools and kill children”, he added. The Governor noted that people bring ethnicity to shield criminals, adding “don’t be tired of preaching the word of God, of remanding us that the essence of our existence is to love one another and to use any privilege we have to deliver comfort to those who are in pain and provide hope to those who are hopeless”. Earlier, the leader of delegation, Alhaji Mashhud Fashola said the leader’s forum is in Benin to hold their convention. Alhaji Fashiola said “Muslims are supposed to protect the freedom of every citizen. Fundamentally, every
citizen has equal right to decide where to belong and Islam must protect this freedom. Muslims are supposed to be at vanguard of justice and equality”. He noted that “Islam means peace and if anybody does anything else, it is not Islam.
THE Glorious Life of Christ Ministry Inc, will commence 5-day convention titled, “Higher Life Convention 2013”. The convention which is themed, Heaven: A Prepared Place For Prepared People ; How Prepared Are You? Is scheduled for Wednesday 28 th August to Sunday September 1st, 2013, 4:30 pm prompt, at the Church Hall. No 3, Ohunwu Street Off Benin-Lagos Express Road, Opp S&T Barracks, Evbomore, Benin City. Officials who are expected to minister during the convention include; Host Pastor, Pastor A.P Ebesunu, Rev. Marcus Obamina, Perfect Life Builders Ministry, Benin City (Guest Speaker), Evang. S.O. Eseigbe, Solution House, Benin City (Guest Speaker), Rev. Dr. J.A. Okogele District Superintendent, Assemblies of God Church, Benin City (Guest Speaker) Pastor (Mrs.) A.O Toyinbo Redemption Gospel Ministry, Benin City (Guest Speaker), and Pastor (Mrs.) J. Ejiaren, Voice of Peace
CBN’s Withdrawal Of Govt’s Funds From Banks Laudable - Dilkon “Banks hardly support
ventures that would stimulate growth. Newsmen reports that commercial banks had kicked against the policy, insisting that such measure would “spell doom for the economy’’. The banks, in separate
Court Sentences 3 To Death By Hanging In Ekiti AN Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced three menTaiwo Hassan, 39; Henry Okeke, 30; and Oladimeji Olanrewaju, 27-to death by hanging for armed robbery. Delivering the judgment, Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi, said the court found the convicts guilty of the twocount charge of conspiracy and armed robbery. “ I have carefully considered the evidences before this court by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), the prosecution and the defence counsel. “ I hereby find the accused guilty of the charge of conspiracy and armed robbery as charged and hereby convict them thereof,” Ogunyemi said. The prosecutor, Mr Oluwaseun Fasote, had earlier told the court that the men committed the offence
Glorious Life Of Christ Ministry To Commence 2013 Convention By UTI ANIEKAN UDOH
THE Central Bank of Nigeria’s withdrawal of 50 per cent of government funds from commercial banks, is good for the economy, says Leonard Dilkon, former Chairman, House Committee on Finance. Dilkon told newsmen in Jos that the step was “very good’’ as commercial banks would now begin to invest in wealth and job yielding
Mission, Warri, (Guest Speaker). The Convention programme features; Salvation, Deliverance, Healing, Miracles, Signs and Wonders, Songs Ministration and lots more.
on December 7, 2010, on Ado-Afao Road, Ekiti. He said Hassan, Okeke and Olanrewaju robbed one Lateef Saka of his cellphone, N360 as well as a Toyota Hummer bus marked XQ 987 BDG while armed with a gun. Fasote said the offences contravened sections 6(B) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special
Provision) Act Cap R11 Volume 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. It would be recall that the first and third accused were represented by Mr Ebenezer Adedeji while the second had Mr Tosin Babalola as counsel. All the accused persons had earlier pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Hamtul Press Ltd, a Josbased large scale printing outfit, argued that the banks had not helped the economy much as they “merely collect monies from local, state and federal governments’’. “The banks collect monies from all tiers of government and give them out on loan to the same governments. Such monies are deducted at sources with heavy interests. “The banks do not support any business initiative; when you are building your business, the banks will not be there to support, but once you have established, they come for deposits.
Police Arrest Alleged Kidnappers By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
EDO Police Command has arrested two more persons allegedly linked with the kidnapping of three female teachers at orogbua Primary School, Upper Ekewuan Road, last month. The Police also recovered N3,311,500 as part of the ransom they collected and one small tiger generator, two gas cylinders, one mask, two knives, one dagger, one hammer, one long chain with two padlocks, arms and ammunition used for the operation. The arrest of the two suspects, Stanley Bikewe Yeke, 20, and Miss. Taiye Puku Ikimbor, 23 last Thursday brings to five the
number of persons so far apprehended since the police lunched a manhunt for the perpetrators. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Folosho Adebanjo stated that acting on a credible intelligence, operators of the state intelligence bureau nabbed the two suspects and exhibits. Confessing to the crime, Stanley Bikewe Yeke said that though he did not accompany the four-man gang that abducted the three female teachers at Orogbua Primary School, he was among the group that the operational team handed the women to and held them captive in the forest while negotiation lasted.
Immortalise Pa Odiase LG Boss Urged THE Chairman of Owan Nigerians who have FG West Local Government contributed their quotas to Area Hon. (Barr) Godwin Aigbodion has called on the Federal Government to Immortalized the composer of the Nigeria National Anthem Pa. Benedict Elide Odiase who died recently. Hon. Aigbodion made the call in a chat with the press on the death of the man who composed our National Anthem. He said the National Anthem which is part of the history of the country will for a very long time to come be there while the composer of the history making anthem has transited to the other world, and expressed regret that he was not opportune to meet him especially as he was from Owan West Local Government. While expressing sadness at the way the
reactions, had argued that the step would raise interest rates and make lending very difficult. But Dilkon, who is the Ex ecutive Chairman,
history making Pa. Benedict Elide Odiase who gave the country the well laid anthem, he urged the Federal Government to do all it could to immortalized him and cater for the family he left behind and as a matter of urgency to identify with other
the growth and development of Nigeria and establish a hall of fame in their memories. He promise that the Council would ‘do all it could to ensure that the immediate family of the late icon of Nigeria history is taken care of.
He stated that the proceeds of the operation is yet to be shared to him. Stanley Bikewe Yeke disclosed that the Federal Government through the office of Amnesty pays him N65,000.00 monthly as an ex-militants and blamed his involvement in kidnapping as Satan’s handiwork. Miss. Taiye Puku Ikimbor whose custody the money was recovered denied any involvement as the money belongs to her. She added that her sister and another person recently assisted her with N906,000 to boost her business as fish trader. Others three suspects earlier arrested in connection with the abduction are Ebimene Puwano, Morrison Oyibo Gajah and Joseph Ofor. The three female teachers Mrs. Momodu Aisha, Mrs. Patience Osadolor and Mrs. Patience Okoshone were reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 and freed on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 after their husbands collectively paid an undisclosed ransom.
small scale industrialists and may not even care if they ever existed. The commercial banks hardly seek out ways to help the society,’’ he claimed. He suggested the withdrawal of “up to 100 of government monies from the commercial banks’’, adding that the commercial banks were “exploiting depositors by collecting Commission On Turnover (COT),’’ even when they had no input on such turn overs. He stated the banks could do more in addressing the problem of violence in most parts of Nigeria, by stimulating the economy. “Most rioters are only idle and engage in such vices because of indolence; if you approach a bank to seek for a loan to start up a business so as to positively engage Boko Haram members, for instance, they will tell you it is bad investment. “But if it is government money that should enter their hands, they tell you it is good business. Banks won’t support growth but will be quick to seek to reap from any economic growth,’’ he further alleged. The law maker decried the quest for power by Nigerians, and challenged them to replace such attitude with a desire to establish cottage industries to engage the youths. “Northern leaders in particularly, must compete over cottage industries like their counterparts in the south west are doing. That is the only way to take our youths off the streets and make them assets to the society,’’ he said. Dilkon also expressed dissatisfaction with imposition of taxes on investors by government without any form of support to such investors, warning that the nation might not move forward if investors were simply left on their own. He said that Hamtul Press, set up via a partnership with some German investors, currently had close to 100 workers, and was targeting 3,000 jobs in the next two years.
Ipas Task Editors On Rape, Women Violation DR Ejike Oji, Country Director, Ipas, an International NGO on women’s reproductive health and rights, has urged editors to assist in addressing issues of rape and women violations in Nigeria. Oji made the call on Friday, day two of the 9th All Nigerian Guild of Editors Conference, holding in Asaba. He urged the editors to pay attention to and assist
in the final resolution of issues on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill currently with the National Assembly. He said the bill sought to ensure that those who violated women and men were put away and made to remedy the harms done. According to him, the bill has been passed by the National Assembly without the abortion component, which makes it safe for a woman to have safe
termination of an unwanted pregnancy, especially the ones resulting from rape. He said the major challenge was that most victims failed to report rape cases. ‘’We want the editors to do editorials and features to bring the issues to the understanding of the general public’’. Oji said the burden of rape impacted negatively on the women and added that rape cases were more
rampant among the poor. ‘’The burden of rape is enormous and leads to the women suffering from chronic psychological burden that makes sex uninteresting even when they are legally married. ‘’Again, every rape has 20 per cent chances of resulting into unwanted pregnancy and this often comes with infections and unsafe abortions that could result to death,” he said.
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“Interestingly, the brainstorming session which was put together by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Kingsley Kuku arrived at the conclusions that the major perpetrators of oil theft were the major oil companies.”
Oil Theft Puzzler
Kingsley Kuke, Special Adviser on Niger Delta
Ihejerika, Chief Of Defence Staff
Jonathan
THE controversy surrounding the much taunted crude oil theft in recent times to me is a real puzzler. A puzzler indeed, because there are several issues involved. Issues relating especially to the nation’s economy, and issues bordering on the nations security system. Presently on the surface, the issue of crude oil theft appears as nothing but an economic sabotage being perpetrated by petty thieves whose trade mark is to drill holes in the pipelines conveying crude oil and finished products and siphon the products into jerry cans for sale and for illegal refining. However these occurrences or these acts of sabotage are much more complex, sophisticated and much more complex than meet these. It is amusing that over the years, notably the Federal Government and its agencies have made hue and cry over the vandalisation of oil pipelines across the various parts of the country, yet the same federal government seems powerless and
effectively tackle and put a halt to the growing trend of oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. Interestingly, the brainstorming session which was put together by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Kingsley Kuku arrived at the conclusions that the major perpetrators of oil theft were the major oil companies. This conclusion is not only absolving and truthful, but quite revealing of the entire sabotage because as I stated earlier some ordinary persons or group of people cannot dare carry out such undertakings as oil theft and illegal bunkering. Such act must be carried out by only powerful cartel, and by people in authority. Quite significantly, the stakeholders and participants at the summit unanimously agreed and insisted that those who wreck the economy are not the petty thieves caught with kegs of siphoned products, but multi nationals and businessmen who owns tank farms and use barges and ships to steal products
innocuous in tackling the menance. Rather strangely the federal government had remained stoically unconcerned and unperturbed by the intransigence of oil thieves. Thus over the decades, the scourge of pipeline vandalisation, illegal bunkering, illegal refining of petroleum product have continued unabatedly. From all indications, it seems some what queer that the federal government is only crying wolf where there is apparently none. Actually from the look of things the problem of oil theft is wrapped in an enigma because, if the federal government had the political will it would have been able to arrest the nauseating situation dynamically once and for all, and bring to an end the embarrassing national disgrace. But it appears that the federal government is spineless in dealing with the ugly menance. Last week, however, in Lagos stakeholders in the oil and gas sector brainstormed on how to
in large quantities with the aid of various agencies. Suffice it to ask these salient questions what has the security agencies been doing all these years to put an end to these economic saboteurs and how many offenders have the concerned agencies and authorities been able to bring to face the wrath of the law? The answer is readily available none. However, the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiralk Dele Ezeoba, a participant at the conference with the theme “oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta” noted that oil companies should be blamed for leaving the pipelines unprotected. He stated further “in this country oil companies have provided the enabling environment for criminality to thrive. They should as a matter of urgency put in place structures that ensures proactivity and not reactionary measures. There is disconnect in the area of enforcement and prosecution”. Strong words from the Chief of Naval staff, but the question remains, what is
government agencies doing to combat the economic sabotage that is grinding the socioeconomic development of the nation to a steady halt to the detriment and at the expense of hundreds of millions of ordinary citizens of this accursed nation, that has been ruined by a few corrupt individuals. Ironically, the Niger Delta, the source of Nigeria’s oil wealth is in a depressive state today. The Niger Delta region is an ecological disaster area and environmental disaster, an eye sore, and a land severely scorched, scourged of poverty, diseases and blackness, it is typically a war zone. Furthermore, the Niger Delta region is heavily polluted, with a serious socio-economic devastation and degradation. For many decades now, the region has been largely abandoned with the federal government dilly-dallying on how to truly transform the region into a place of peace, prosperity and beauty. For many decades successive regimes and administration had lost contact with reality on how to regenerate and rejuvenate the region back
to sustainable development. Rather, both the military and their civilian counterpart have continued to offer cosmetic solutions to the endemic, prevailing problems in the region, rather than offering a creative and lasting solution. Right now, nobody seems to know what to do about the plight of the Niger Delta. According to Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta the oil and illegal antis, anal refining of oil is so widespread that it has stifled the traditional community life. He explained that in some communities in the Niger Delta oil theft has already outstripped fishing and farming. Ironically also, it is now understood that those who are involved in the illegal business are now revered, feared or even admirered as people who are doing well in business, as prominent international oil trade is by the unsuspecting public. In this kind of scenario, tell me how oil theft can be brought under control? The onus is on the federal government to checkmate the menance-period.
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
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Of “Pomo” And The Leather Industry In Nigeria
IN the early sixties, hides and skin, a product of the Northern part of Nigeria contributed about 25%, G.D.P thereby serving as a booster to an aggregate foreign exchange earnings in the international trade some of the other contemporary export products were groundnuts which formed pyramids, also a product of the north. Equally, there was cocoa boom in the west, rubber, timber and palm oil in Midwest. There was also huge palm kennels in the East. During this period, N1.00 (one naira) was equivalent to $1.5 cent and the exchange rates was consistent till late 70’s. But with the discovery of crude oil in the nation territorial waters the focus on hides and skin and other local products have been relegate dot the background. Systematically, hides and skin metemphosed into what people now call “show Boy” in the Nigerian menu. Although it has no nutritional value of it’s own according to food nutrition experts it is increasingly taking a pride of place in the menu of most of the local restaurants across the country. Nobody can actually say what is behind the rising profile of this delicacy which so many consumers can various names. Some admirers of the meat call it “show Boy” probably because of its economic value. People who cannot afford to buy beef meat could put the “show boy” in the soup to represent meat. To some other group of consumers it is called “better life”. A meat seller, Aliu Danjuma said that they call “Pomo” ganda. But the commonest name
is “Pomo” which is very popular in the local restaurants in the Western part of the country. One thing that is sure is that the demand for meat in the soup attract the most discriminatory person making it a regular feature on the family dining table. As far as Benin City is concern “Pomo” is a very lucrative business here and presumably, it is the same in other major cities across the country. An indigene of Edo, Mr. Osifo who hails from Esan area can fully testify that it is a very lucrative business. In fact his daily routine is to roast cow skin and sell to retailers at new Benin market. Very often, people in the villages do come to patronize his products because he takes time to ensure that the meat comes out very clean. He said the “Pomo” business had become a professional business for his family for nearly two decades. Mr. Osifo is apprehensive however that his income might soon be at stake. It isn’t that the supply of skin for roasting from Ewah axis of abattoir is exhausted. According to some sanitary inspectors, government might one day prohibit the sale of “Pomo” in our markets. He over heard some people saying that government is loosing a lot of revenue due to consumption of the product. Mr. Ode, a scholar and a lover of leather shoes said that it is unfortunate that the leather industry which is supposed to be a potentially foreign exchange earner has been losing several billions of dollars to
By EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA consumers of “Pomo” annually. Yet every successive military and civilian administration seemed to be oblivious of this predicament.
analysis it will be in their own interest if they start to buy leather shoes that would serve them for a long time. A respondent vulcanize
He said that in order to save the leather industry from total collapse. Government should promulgate a law banning the sales of “Pomo” in out markets and any person who flouts such a law should be apprehended by the law enforcement agents and prosecuted in the court of law. He opined that although the ban on this commodity may lead to many lovers of “Pomo” to be denied of their special delicacy in the final
speaking other possibility of banning “Pomo” by any administration retorted. “They can do that, me no fit buy chiken or beef wetin go come de my soup”. Recent economic indexes indicate that “Pomo” is gradually becoming expensive, so, it is no longer the exclusive culinary delight of the downtrodden masses. Another “Pomo retailer at New Benin Market who would like to remain
“Mr. Osifo is apprehensive however that his income might soon be at stake. It isn’t that the supply of skin for roasting from Ewah axis of abattoir is exhausted. According to some sanitary inspectors, government might one day prohibit the sale of “Pomo” in our markets.”
anonymous has this to say. “If government ban this poor man’s meat wetin go come dey him soup? Oga make una commont una hand from this” to some other learned friends a legislation against consumption of “Pomo” will have psychological effect on the consumers. Eating of “Pomo” is not
there is crayfish and prawn that are within the reach of every segments of the society? Beyond these proponents of a possible war against “Pomo” consumption the nation looses a lot of revenue to the consumers of the popular but non-nutritional meat. Ehigiamusdo, an expert
necessarily to satisfy the nutritional needs of the body, rather it is eaten more for the psychological satisfaction. For so many decades some people have been consuming “Pomo” without realizing money could have been used to purchase cray fish which contains a lot of protein. An optometric Mr. Olu said,”If the government should ban the consumption of “Pomo” I have nothing to loose because my family do not consume the product. I will prepare mushrooms to “Pomo” which has no high nutritional value. He went further to say that if you study the content of “Pomo” it is not exactly an energy giving food because hides and skin have value of ooooo! Kacal. So what is the big deal eating “Pomo” when
in the field of leather technology from the University of Leeds in U.K. said, “a country loosing about 125 million pounds as revenue annually and about five shoe factories could have been created to cater for the mass unemployment of youths in the country. Rather, our youths are now purchasing second hand shoes form Europe and America. These shoes might have been worn by sick people all over Europe and America. Federal Ministry of Health should be held liable for the health hazards posed by using second-hand shoes. A legislation to ban “Pomo”: might push the price of the commodity up by 100%. Consequently the people who had hitherto see “Pomo” as not fit for human consumption before now will like to eat it out of curiosity.
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
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Between Boko Haram And Security Operatives In Nigeria
THE recent declaration of the state of emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan over three dreaded and coldhearted terrorist afflicted northern states, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa indicated the massive loss of lives and property worth billions of naira destroyed by the se1f-styled terrorist groups in Nigeria. The 1999 amended constitution of section 305. (1) Subject to the provision
measures to avert such danger; or imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or nature calamity affecting the community or a section of the community in the federation (f) there is any
Ihejerika, Chief Of Defence Staff of this constitution, the president may be instrument published in the official gazette of the Government of the federation issue a proclamation of a state of emergency in the federation or any part thereof. (2) The president shall immediately after the Publication, transmit copies of the official gazette of the government of the federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergence to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker as the case maybe, to consider the. Situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the P r o c l a m a t i o n . (3) The President shall have power to issue a proclamation of a state of emergency only when (a) The federation is at war; (b) The federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement. In the state of war(c) There is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security;(d) there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the federation or any party thereof requiring extraordinary
other public danger which clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the federation; or (g) the president receives a request to do so in accordance with the provisions of subsection. (4) of this section with the provisions of the 1999 constitution, President Goodluck Jonathan has every right to declare on the terrorism-afflicted north eastern states without r e s e r v a t i o n . Since 2009 when the indigenous Islamic sect popularly known as Boko Haram was formed by the late Mohammed Yusuf which was allegedly sponsored by one prominent northern politician and over 10,000 innocent and helpless Nigerians have been unscrupulously and callously murdered with no just cause including Christians in the north. Though many state of emergencies have been declared by Jonathan’s government, yet the security situation is clinically deteriorating as a result of certain northern cabals, who felt the apex leadership ought to be zoned to the north after the demise of President Musa Yar’Adua. The issue of Boko Haram against western education is no longer relevant rather than a political undertone to capture the leadership of the country at all cost with severe security threat while second term of President Goodluck Jonathan is being threatened by powers
By GODDAY ODIDI that be. Although senseless killings in the north started politically since 2001 when former President Olusegun
government to confront the perpetual killings of hapless Nigerians cannot solve the security situation because some political cabals are part
Jonathan Obasanjo was still in power. The political Jihadists started their public killings far back in the colonial era but were not facially pronounced but it was, orchestrated in the formation of Nigerian political parties while unnecessary crises erupted in the north, at then. The Boko Haram emergence could also be traced to the level of poverty, ravaging the north in spite of many key northerners in power and youth unemployment is at geometrical progression. One of the notable northern business moguls said many low income earners in the north cannot care for their children who averagely 75 percent of children are perpetual beggars while, their, parents have besieged their homes. It is sad that Boko Haram is now compared to Niger Delta militants that fought for the total marginalization, the people in the Niger Delta region which prompted the creation of Niger Delta ministry and Amnesty for the repentant militants by the late President. Musa Yar’Adua, while some traitorous and voracious prominent northerners were frontally or agitative for amnesty or, Boko Haram members. The issue of Boko Haram fighting education is no longer relevant but decides to take delight in killings human beings like animals. Even setting up an amnesty committee by federal
recent times. Despite the, urgent declaration of the state of emergence in the three northern states by President Jonathan, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
Boko Haram Which only prophetic prayers from great ministers of God can save the country from breakup. If security operatives are killed in thousands on daily basis in Nigeria, the country out? President Goodluck Jonathan cannot protect Nigerians only case we have shortage of security operatives across the c o u n t r y . Again, some, of the political
Abubakar IGP and parcel of the callous violence in the north. Most operations of Boko Haram are politically masterminded by highly placed persons who hate tranquility in the country. To some extent, Boko Haram operations have beer linked to the Arab world while members of the sect are digitally trained and fully armed to the core than Nigerian security operatives. Boko Haram has brought untold hardship and created unnecessary disunity of the people in the country. Security operatives are now preying to the infamous activities of sect and cult groups in the north. The federal government is unable to tackle the security threats over the years with empty promises to the armless Nigerians. The fear of living in the north is the beginning of many people dying innocently while property worth millions of naira destroyed by these unrepentant sect members who refuse federal government amnesty plan in
Secretary, Rev Faye Pama Musa was shot dead in Maiduguri’s residence by unknown gunmen. Boko Haram operatives have sophisticated arms and ammunition to confront the Joint Military Task Force (JIP) without hesitation. The fact remains that some of our security operative are part and parcel of giving Boko Haram operators information to attack g o v e r n m e n t . Thousands of security operatives have been killed across the country in course of protecting and serving their father’s land. Apart from the three states which the federal government has declared a state of emergence, states like Gombe, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states have been greatly attacked by the Islamic sect members. Even Lagos, Kwara, Delta and other states are prone to Boko Haram attacks but be intercepted by security operatives. The problem is that Nigeria as a country is under the siege of
leaders and elders must be cautioned on statements in the media over attacks which, deduced that some of these callous attacks are being carried out by paid members of the sect while sponsors of this act are at alert to watch government algebraic formula to fight security situation in the country’. Boko Haram members are not spirit but human beings who decide’ to make the country ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan. Does Allah allow people to be killed unjustly and wickedly? Many Christians living in the north have been killed while ultra modern churches destroyed by the sect members. Boko Haram has been divided into several r i v a l r y groups to terrorize innocent people in the north. Lastly, President Goodluck Jonathan should genuinely tackle security challenge without any political one now.
“Since 2009 when the indigenous Islamic sect popularly known as Boko Haram was formed by the late Mohammed Yusuf which was allegedly sponsored by one prominent northern politician and over 10,000 innocent and helpless Nigerians have been unscrupulously and callously murdered with no just cause including Christians in the north.”
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The Problem With Nigeria NDI Igbos say “Nwunye anyi, nwunye anyi”: ka ndeli bia ka anyi mara onye o bu nwunye ya. (“Our wife, our wife”: come midnight and we will know whose wife she really is.) This week my admonition bothers on one of those many topics we don’t want to talk about it yet its there and we are constantly fighting over it. Faith and ethnicity, diversity and our inner fears and hates. While I ruminated, two points got me deeply thinking, first my friend CKN posted this on his facebook page “Why is it that in almost 20 years,only moslems have been governors of Lagos State...Was it deliberate or a mere coincidence...Are the REAL Lagosians mostly moslems?” I did bother to go back to check the responses later as another headline hit me, “We want Christian Lagos governor in 2015 — Cleric. Excerpts: The Director of Civic and Political Affairs of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland of the Anglican Communion, Venerable Folarin Shobo, has urged Lagos residents to vote in a Christian as governor of the state in 2015. ...Shobo said Lagos residents could not afford to continue with the present political arrangement whereby political officers were largely people of a particular faith. While noting that Governor Raji Fashola has done well in improving on the infrastructure of the state, he said, “It is time for power to shift in the state. It is time for us to have people who will continue to rule with the
fear of God and respect for the rule of law. He however noted that getting political power was not a do-or-die affair, but that Christians need to change the political status quo in the state. He said, “It is not fair to have a government that is largely tilted to people of a particular religion. Christians over the years have been magnanimous enough. We
By PRINCE CHARLES DICKSON
subjective objectivity, read in between, above and under the lines...and wondered...oh ye foolish Nigerians! I could not but reflect that both Tinubu and Fashola were married to Christians. I wondered seriously about the Allah Muslims worship and the God of Christians...it pricked my heart how a
• Gov. Babatunde Fashola
have worked for people who are not of our faith and we have supported them to be in government. It is now time for us to come out and take the bull by the horns. The battle for Lagos State will not come easy. It will take patience, perseverance and strong will. It will take fasting and praying...” He said it was unfortunate that none of the five people being tipped to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola is a Christian. In a deep breath I read the above over and over, I tried to be objective, I tried
dozen governors of both faiths have over the last few weeks continued lying—and counter lying, to the point one has dared his colleague to oath taking at a Redeemed church altar. I reflected on Amaechi’s victory and Jang’s ‘victory,’ and lest we forget both victories were credited to their ‘God’. In the words of late Bala Usman we are battling to buy groundnuts with a coin that has ten kobo encrypted on both sides. Our fears and suspicions as a people remain real. They are there
for all too see, sad and shameful, our leaders laugh at us. Lagosians are party people, happy people with all their struggles and pains, though you may argue that it was once the nation’s capital. Lagos is about a decade ahead of Nigeria, and two ahead of most states in Nigeria. I dare drift, would a Muslim rule Anambra? How can? Just same way it won’t happen in Benue, Plateau or can it happen in Sokoto that a Christian will rule? What really is the problem with the common man, I read, watch and listen as people feed on deep seated hatred over what Dokuboh said, Buhari did not say and Ayo Oristejefor replied, while these same men meet at various fora, they hug, exchange banters and laugh away. When ‘they’ commit the subsidy fraud, they come together in one faith called greed, ala Femi-Farouk, nothing like Christian/ Muslim or ethnic dichotomy. At the National council of heads of state and federal executive meetings they share power, and our wealth, to themselves and we sit in our dingy ajegunle apartments to calculate how many Christian generals, and how many muslim ministers they are. May I ask when would a pagan or traditionalist rule Kano, Kaduna or Rivers states, and is it not a near fact that most Christians in power visit babalawos and Muslim leaders have their favourite bokas littered from villages in Sokoto, Chad, Niger and far away Senegal. Same country that spends millions on pilgrimage... Was the former oba of Lagos not Christian and the present Muslim, was the late Attah of Igala not Muslim and the current Christian, I propose the next Ado Bayero or Emir of zauzau be christian.
Fact is everyone feels marginalized, the Idomas under the pain of Tivs, the Igalas terrorizing others in Kogi. In case we have forgotten, I remember how Muslims killed Patrick Yakowa to get power (abi no be so una talk am). Oh ye foolish Nigerians, our country is on the edge
(fulanis) claim they are an endangered species. Inherent mutual suspicions litter the land and our leaders smile away. People are ‘pissed’ with the North’s ‘born to rule’ mentality, but really is there still a North as we knew it. “We will make the country ungovernable...” But at whose expense when
• Gov. Rotimi Amaechi
such that it needs to fall so that we can start again, all the efforts at moving forward is mere cosmetic dressing in front of a vanity table, at every shower it comes off. We still argue who have suffered more deaths from BH. We claim to be secular but every leader must profess a faith and every state function must start with inter-faith prayers, after which they steal our patrimony. Even these days robbers pray for a successful operation just as murderous BH gunmen scream ‘Allahu akbar’. The yoruba’s still hate Igbos, but Mr. Ben Akabueze is Lagos Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, and is Igbo. All Igbos have not left the North and Hausas have not stopped selling suya or onions in Onitsha. Fulanis on rampage everywhere, ask them in Benue, Plateau and yet the
there’s no economy in most cities up country, when no one who will establish a common biscuit or toothpick company in Dutse...when we are the poorest, least educated etc. Universities littered everywhere but little in terms intellectual masturbation that can bring progress. Men in their 70s and 80s litter the political landmine bereft of ideas and down the line are young men and women ravenously waiting their turn to chop. Ijebus are largely Muslims, egbas Christians, ibadan people are largely Muslims, ife Christians. The media created a Muslim north, how about fulani Christians, a Christian middle belt, a Christian south. Only development and participatory democracy can help our diversity...we are not united, we need to look ourselves in the eye to know “Our wife, our wife”:..whose wife she really is. Only time will tell.
“It is not fair to have a government that is largely tilted to people of a particular religion. Christians over the years have been magnanimous enough. We have worked for people who are not of our faith and we have supported them to be in government. It is now time for us to come out and take the bull by the horns.” • Gov. Jonah Jang
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N ws Extra APC Registration, An Advancement Of Democracy -Dr Okah THE leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Hon. Dr. Lawrence Okah JP has said that the recent registration of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is an advancement of democracy in Nigeria. Dr. Okah made the statement in and exclusive interview with the WEEKEND OBSERVER in Benin City. While rejoicing over the registration of the merger party by INEC recently, Dr. Okah remarked that the APC has come to advance the cause of democracy in Nigeria, stressing that the party is committed to transforming the lives of Nigerians who have endured immense
suffering in the past 14 years of the PDP rule at the center in Nigeria. He said that the new party is composed of true patriots, democrats and progressives who are loyal, dependable, reliable and result oriented men and women committed to the common good of all Nigerians. Dr. Okah, however lamented that 14 years of the ruling party the PDP has failed woefully to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians. He noted that the dearth of critical infrastructures, high unemployment rate, rising inflation, corruption, restiveness and falling standard of living of Nigerians in the past 14 years means that the PDP has failed Nigerians,
hence the emergence of the APC is highly commendable event. The Oredo leader emphasized that the APC is on a rescue mission to deliver Nigerians from the misrule of the PDP. He said that the leadership of the APC would ensure a departure from the reactionary style of leadership of the ruling party as APC leaders are sincerely concerned about the suffering and plight of the Nigerians masses. According to Dr. Okah, the time has come in Nigeria politics when true progressives who have the interest of the people at heart should take the rein of leadership in order to establish an egalitarian society in which true peace, equality and
Dr Lawrence Okah, APC Chieftain
freedom can prevail, and only the APC can give us social justice. He assured that the new merger party would live up to expectation and would not fail to meet the dreams and yearnings of Nigerian. Dr. Okah also
commended Prof. Jega led INEC over its unbiased approach in the registration of the new party. He particularly eulogized Prof. Jega for his effort at INEC and his leadership ability to remain focused in spite of
pressure from many quarters to sabotage the registration of APC. Dr. Okah called on APC supporters to remain focused and eschew any tendency to cause disaffection, stressing that in unity we stand.
International Features
Unrest Delivers Huge Blow To Egypt Tourism HESHMAT Youssef used to make a decent living sailing foreign tourists down Egypt’s Nile River. Since political unrest flared, business has dried up faster than water in the desert. Riots and killings that spiked after the August 14 crackdown against followers of ousted President Mohammed Morsi have delivered a severe blow to Egypt’s tourism industry, which until recently accounted for more than 11 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and nearly 20 percent of its foreign currency revenues. The chairman of the Egyptian Airports Co., Gad elKarim Nasr, said arrivals at Egyptian airports have dropped by more than 40 percent from Sunday through Tuesday compared to the same time the previous week. He said that in the same time frame, 13,000 tourists, mostly from Germany and Italy, have left the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada — with only 3,000 new arrivals. With the U.S. and governments in Europe advising their citizens to avoid Egypt, the impact threatens the livelihood of the one in eight Egyptians who earn
their money from tourism. “We want to live in stability and for tourism to come back,” said Youssef, who hasn’t seen holidaymakers in weeks. “Let us eat already. We are extremely tired.” The latest shock occurred just as Egypt’s tourism industry, which injected more than $10 billion into the economy last year, was slowly recovering from the blow suffered from the 2011 uprising against ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak. That uprising already had prompted some U.S. operators to pull out of Egypt. But the drop in U.S. visitors, who favor ancient monuments like the Pyramids outside Cairo and the tombs and temples of the Nile Valley, did not affect the resilient European market. Every year millions of sun-starved Europeans swarm the Red Sea beaches far from the chaos of the cities. Now, the European market, too, is drying up. Major European travel companies have canceled bookings through October after televised scenes of chaos and European governments’ warnings to avoid Egypt. Anja Braun, a spokeswoman for TUI, one of
Germany’s biggest travel operators, said the company has canceled all trips to Egypt until Sept. 15. Customers can either rebook a trip to a different destination free of charge or get their money back, she said. Costa Crociere SpA, one of Italy’s main cruise operators, has canceled all Red Sea cruises and stops in Egypt through the 2013-2014 winter season. “Egypt is the No. 1 tourist destination for Italians,” said Massimo Broccoli, commercial director of Veratour tour operator. “Clearly there will be an economic impact.” In France, the Association of Tour Operators suspended tours to Cairo, the Red Sea and all other cities until further notice. Even the lucrative Russian market, which accounted for the largest share of foreign tourists at 14 percent, is feeling the effects. Planes are still leaving Moscow’s airports for Egypt, packed with travelers who already paid for their trips and cannot cancel without a penalty payment. But the Association of Tour Operators of Russia reports that about 30 percent of the advance
package tours to Egypt have been cancelled. However, relatively few Russians, Germans, Italians, Serbs and others who were already at their beach resorts when violence escalated this month chose to leave early. Tour operators in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden and Norway did fly hundreds of vacationers back home early — sometimes to the dismay of the tourists who said the resorts were quiet and didn’t want to leave. “We have offered individual solutions for tourists who are worried and want to go home early,” said Braun of TUI, which had about 6,000 customers at Red Sea resorts last week. “But so far fewer than 100 tourists have taken us up on the offer and cut short their vacations.” Some hardy souls are still traveling to Egypt, either because they believe they can avoid trouble or because they can’t cancel without a penalty. “We had already reserved in less stormy times,” said Giuseppe Giordano as he waited with a friend to check in Tuesday at Rome’s airport for an EgyptAir flight to Cairo. “Newspapers and television often exaggerate. Often, only
being there can one really understand what’s going on.” Those who do venture to Egypt will find restaurants and bars closing early due to a curfew in Cairo and many other areas except the Red Sea. Folklore shows and cultural events have been canceled. Museums are open for just a few hours a day. “There will be losses on all sides, from the souvenir vendors in Egypt to the hotel and bus operators and airlines to the travel agencies in Germany,” said Torsten Schaefer of the German Travel Association. “It’s too early to say how high the losses will be, but certainly there will be massive cuts for the population in Egypt and livelihoods will be destroyed.” The crisis facing Egyptian tourism flared just as the industry was rebounding: Last year, 11.5 million foreigners visited Egypt, a 17 percent increase from the 9.8 million in 2011. Egyptian officials, tourism employees and foreign travel agents are hopeful this will happen again once stability returns. “Egypt is a remarkable destination that many older Americans have on their ‘bucket lists’ so there will be
pent-up demand for travel there when the time comes to return,” said Priscilla O’Reilly of the U.S.-based Overseas Adventure Travel. Pamela Lassers of Abercrombie & Kent USA said that over the years “we have seen many ups and downs in the Middle East” and that the U.S. industry believes that eventually Egypt “will once again be welcoming travelers to the country’s many World Heritage sites.” That’s small comfort to Youssef, the boat operator who is among the millions of Egyptians who rely on tourism for their livelihood. With the tourists gone, Youssef has taken a job as a security guard at a store. The $43 he earns there each month provides for 10 people, including his wife, their four children and his sister and her three. “Everyone is borrowing from everyone,” he said. “I swear to God, we are not living.” Grieshaber reported from Berlin. Associated Press writers Robert H. Reid in Berlin, Michele Barbero in Rome, Lori Hinnant in Paris, Matti Huuhtanen in Helsinki, Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow and Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed to this report.
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Coping With The Loss Of A Parent LOSING a parent is indeed a sad thing, a feeling that nobody wants to ever experience but definitely inevitable. You have to carry the pain and burden for the rest of your life. Not a day goes by that you don’t miss him or her. Sometimes, you feel lost and wish to see your father or mother again. But the thing is, there is no escape from reality, your father or mother is gone forever, and you need to learn to live with it. It can help to know that millions of people all over the world have experienced such loss and have been able to walk through the pain and sadness. Though the feeling may seem scary at first, but I can assure you that with time, it gets better. So no matter the thoughts and feelings you have about the loss of your father or mother, you are not alone. My dad died recently, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him. Even before I was told about his death, I had a strange fever, a feeling that something was wrong. I decided to travel home, and there I was bombarded with the news of his death. I can still remember my mom’s words when she broke the news to me, she said, “Your dad has left us”. There was a pause, and after some seconds, she looked at me and continued, “You need to act like a man, you need to be strong. It has happened, so what we have to do now is stay strong as a family”. At first, I couldn’t grasp that he was no more; it was like as though my brain couldn’t accept that he was gone. But the activities of the next few days helped me to get through the initial shock and denial. Lots of friends, relatives and wellwishers flocked our house with cards, condolence messages and willful donations. Following the funeral, things appeared to get back to somewhat normal or get some resemblance of normality. But of course, there is always a void after the loss of our parents or a loved one. As the author R. Scott Sullender puts it in his book, The Losses in Later life, “The world is a different
place after our parents die”. Losing a parent is one of the most difficult things in one’s life. Though friends, relatives and well-wishers may seek to console you by saying words such as, “your father lived a fulfilled life”, “your father was a good man”, “it was the will of God for your father to sleep now, he’s been sick for a long time, and has suffered so much”. Those phrases rings hollow when it is your beloved father or
mother who has been relegated to the past tense; who lies in a casket. Dealing with a parent death is difficult, painful and sad for any person. When you lose a parent, you lose a mentor, a person that guides you through many difficulties growing up. The loss of a parent can easily take away your emotion and impact on how you behave. Sometimes, you feel incomplete as if a piece of yourself has gone missing. But however, the loss of a parent is a rite of passage. No one should expect a parent passing to leave him or her unruffled. It is normal for a parental death to have a profound effect on even the strongest of heart and the most stable of people. The death of a parent affects someone physically and psychologically, it can change your life. It doesn’t matter whether the parent was beloved or resented, whether the relationship was distant or close, warm or cold. When a parent dies, we lose the chance to show them the person we become as we get older. We lose the ability to gain
By UTI ANIEKAN UDOH from the wisdom and experiences a parent gives. The loss is always life altering. It’s okay to feel sad, everyone has the right to grieve the loss of a parent or loved one. It is absolutely necessary to mourn the loss of this significant person in your life. Because mourning is an open expression of thoughts and feelings
parent, but your relief at the end of his/her suffering is a natural outgrowth of your love. ANGER- One may feel anger if from an abusive or dysfunctional family, it may bring those feelings of unresolved anger back to the surface. If you are from a loving home, you may feel anger that you’ve lost it. GUILTYou may experience guilt when you had an
about the death, an essential part of healing. Though everyone grieves for the loss of a parent or loved one, no one grieves in exactly the same way. One’s grief is influenced by the type of relationship you had with your parent, circumstances surrounding the death, and your cultural and religious background. When you lose a parent, you feel a multiple of strong emotions; numbness, confusion, fear, guilt, relief and anger are just a few of the feelings you may have. The more common feelings are; SADNESS- Everyone is expected to feel deeply sad when a parent dies. RELIEF- If your parent was sick for a while before his/ her death; you may feel relief when he/she finally dies. This doesn’t make you a bad person or mean that you did not love your
unpleasant relationship with your parent before he/ she passed away. You may wish you could take back the hurtful things you said or you may wish you had said things you wanted to say but never did. Guilt is normal and working through the feelings is essential to healing. SHOCK AND DISBELIEFYou may experience difficulty accepting what happened. Your brain may refuse to accept that your parent is gone. It’s absolutely normal, but with time you will be able to cope with it. PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS- You may experience aches, pains, headaches, nausea, changes in sleep and weight. ABANDONMENTEven as an adult, you may feel abandoned when a parent dies. However you are feeling
or how strange some of these emotions may seem, they are normal and healthy. One way to manage intense emotions is to observe, describe, and label your emotions. Sometimes, putting a name to your emotion helps you express it. Everyone who has lost a loved one would go through various stages of grief. These stages include; Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Allowing oneself to grieve is practically normal, because you will not heal unless you allow yourself to openly express your grief. Denying your grief only makes it more confusing and overwhelming. For one to heal, you need to embrace your grief. Therefore, here are some tips to help you cope with your loss; LET YOURSELF FEEL THE LOSS- Allowing yourself feel the loss is very paramount. The only way to get through a loss is to go through the stages of grief. You just need to acknowledge your feelings. TALK TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY- You need to open up to family and friends, they know you are going through a difficult time. And it is important to share your emotions, ups and downs and fears with others. By doing so, you may also help members of your family who are experiencing similar emotions. ALLOW YOURSELF TO SEARCH FOR MEANING- You may find yourself asking, “Why did my dad have to die now? This search for the meaning of life and living is a normal response to the death of a parent. In fact, to heal the grief, you must explore such important questions. WRITE ABOUT IT- You need to write about it, because the act of writing down how you feel can help you tackle those feelings and help you grieve for your loss. TALK TO A THERAPIST OR GRIEF
COUNSELOR- If you feel you cannot handle yourself, it is highly advisable to visit someone who is trained to help you get through your grief. EXERCISE YOUR BODY- Exercise releases endorphins which are the ‘feel- good’ hormones. TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSLF- Go through daily hygiene routine, eat balanced diet, and most of all, get up and do something. EMBRACE YOUR SPIRITUALITYThis is the time to draw closer to your heavenly father, the time to look to the bible for spiritual support and guidance. TALK ABOUT WHO YOUR PARENT WAS- Remember the good things about your father or mother. Talk to people about what you miss about him or her. TREASURE THE MEMORIES- Though your parent is no longer physically with you, he or she lives on through your memories. Treasure those memories, because they are a lasting and important part of the relationship you had with your father or mother. Finally, we should remember that the difficulties we face when losing a parent is a temporary one. As Kamala Binol stated, “Remember as much as your sorrow is today, so shall your joy be someday. God will not put you through so much pain if he does not have so much happiness already planned for you. The universe has always maintained a constant stream of balance”. Martin Luther King once said that, “it is only when things are darkest that you can see the stars. No life event, no matter how negative, is ever wasted if you look for what is meaningful”. Look to the bright side, bad things don’t just happen to break you, they happen to break you down and build you up to be all that you were meant to be.
“But however, the loss of a parent is a rite of passage. No one should expect a parent passing to leave him or her unruffled.”
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
o Single Ladies And Their Flare For Married Men
S ciety INITIALLY, the major drive for single ladies preferring to date married men is to get money from them, but then, like a snare, you are trapped. You know what you are into is not right but there are always lots of beautiful times, lots of gifts, money splash. At some point, you want to quit but he comes begging; kneeling down, tears and nose running, you are confused, pity, lust and not love in most instance, begin to play out, said Beatrice (a lady who started dating married men at 15years.) to Specials International in an interview section. The paramount excuse you hear from ladies who date married men is that ‘‘married men knows how to take care of women better ’’, I begin to wonder who sold that idea to young ladies? Could it be God, pastors, doctors, psychologist or self induced idea? If they choose God, it is a blatant lie because that act on its own is a sin. If they say doctors and psychologist, I would also say, it a lie because doctors and psychologist know what happens to families who have cheating father and would not advise such. Let’s face reality here; this idea was solely sold into the hearts and minds of ladies by these men who have made up their minds to cheat on their wives. In order to get a positive reply from these ladies, they manipulate their minds by selling that idea to them. When you walk down the street to ask this question if married men takes care of women better than single men, am sure a lot of men will say yes of course. How can one say a man who cheats on his family knows how to take care of a woman, when he is not done doing so to his family? Or does marriage only states that a man should provide clothes, house, money and every other good things of life for his family, and not be there to see
how they use the things he provided? Another question that troubles my mind is that, were these married men never at one point in their lives single before they got married or probable they came into the world married. Being married is only but a stage in life where most humans decide to settle down with one partner. But before
this stage, there is a stage for everyone to be single. It is in this stage that you build your life to whatever you want to be, whether a cheat, thief, good/bad person, someone who can take good care of a woman or someone who cannot. All these things will begin to show up before and when you get married. To me I don’t subscribe to the idea that married men takes better care of women more than single men. That a man baths you with gifts (which ladies approximate as being loving and caring), does not mean he does that to his family at home. And so a single lady’s definition of a caring man might not be the same with the woman whom the man kept in his home as wife. Single men have broken challenges ranging from how to get money to establish their life to who is the right lady for them to settle down
By EGHWRUDJE PRAISE with. As they are struggling through life to get things right, some ladies view them as poor, unserious and most of all not caring humans. Of course some bachelors are truly unserious and uncaring. Everybody can never be the same; this is one song that should
incessant cases of extra marital affairs involving married men and single ladies. Married women are not innocent of this but there seem to be certainly more men in this act than women. In most cases where married women chooses to keep an affair with a
man is coming with such moves: Men flirt and flirt till they wear the lady down: According to David Wygant, a Dating and Relationship Coach and Author, ‘‘so, how do you spot this guy right from the beginning? He is usually the guy you meet who immediately wants to be your ‘friend’. Yet,
not escape our mind. Dating married men is like something sacred, as soon as a woman gets a taste of an affair with any of them, like drugs, she could be addicted. Some of the single ladies who indulge in this shameful act say they feel like living a dangerous life, some say they feel like doing a forbidden thing. But despite all that, they find it difficult to separate themselves from the act. Many marital homes have crashed, many young hearts broken and many lives wasted as a result of this ugly affair, yet rather than decrease, it keeps rising. Daily, all over the world, there are
younger man, it has always been as a result of frustrations she suffers from the husband who either sleeps around and lavishes his money on younger ladies or has no time for her. Many single ladies who date married men say they prefer courting married males because not only do they satisfy them financially, they are assured of nocommitment relationship, which is ideal since they are not ready for any commitment. For ladies who do not want to get involved with married men, the following are ways to detect when a married
these men are not just friends with women; they are only friends with women they are attracted to. Because that is how they start, with a mental affair. He will frame your interaction as business, like, ‘‘hey let’s have a business dinner’’, or ‘‘hey, let’s grab a drink after work.’’ He will flirt with you in ways that seem all so innocent’’. The men are cunning; they come like innocent friends, and then manipulate things to get what they want. As time goes, you notice your man friend getting closer and closer to you. He is flirting more intensely; you do your best not to
flirt back because you know he is married with kid. Some men even go to the extent of introducing the lady to their wife as their good friend and so that it does not make it look like he is cheating. These men deceive their wives into relaxing about the friendship, so the number one person to raise alarm does not. These are classic signs of a married man that is not satisfied with his married life, so he is going to try and get a little something on the side to make him feel better. He is not going to leave his wife for you so, don’t even travel down that road because it will only end up in heartache. If you encounter such a man; run in the opposite direction, maybe towards someone who is worthy of all your time. When you evaluate the relationship from the married men’s perspective, you will discover that a lot of ladies who get into relationship with these men, did not set out to date one, they just fell into the trap of a cunning married man. Apart from single ladies who fall victim to the married men’s cunning ways, there are girls who avoid intimacy and commitment by dating married men. Then there are those who go after ‘‘RICH MEN’’, regardless of their marital status. These set of ladies do this to meet their needs and wants but they never stop after their needs have been met because day by day new things fall out and they can’t just use their own money for those things and so the affair continues.
“Dating married men is like something sacred, as soon as a woman gets a taste of an affair with any of them, like drugs, she could be addicted. Some of the single ladies who indulge in this shameful act say they feel like living a dangerous life, some say they feel like doing a forbidden thing. But despite all that, they find it difficult to separate themselves from the act.”
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
o
S ciety Handling The Challenges Of Kleptomania RECENTLY I was discussing with a friend about kleptomania, she just said please my dear, ‘‘it is only rich people that suffer kleptomania.’’ I was shocked at her idea and I think there are many people out there who think same, but the bitter truth is that idea of only the rich has the disorder is a very wrong idea. The fact that one queen has it and it was publicised, doesn’t mean that kleptomania is for the rich. There are lots of poor families with such sufferers but because they are not prominent persons in the society, the public do not get to hear about it. This article is to create awareness about this disorder, for those who have it but do not know the name or those who are not sure whether they are suffering from it. Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder characterised by a recurrent failure to resist stealing. It is also a complex disorder characterised by repeated, failed attempts to stop, stealing. People with this disorder have an overwhelming urge to steal and get a thrill from doing so. The recurrent act of stealing may be restricted to specific objects and settings, but the affected person may or may not describe these special preferences. People with this disorder usually exhibit guilt after the theft. Kleptomania is a rare disorder that prevents those affected from resisting the urge to steal. People with the disorder are known as kleptos. Kleptos do not generally steal valuable things like cars, motor cycles, rather they pick things they can afford like pens, toys, wine, jewelleries, phones, drinks etc. People with the disorder will often not realise they have committed crime, until they empty their pockets or bags. When carrying out interviews with patients who suspects kleptomania, it is very important for the
psychologist to be very careful not to declare a person who steals intentionally to be suffering from kleptomania, because there are difference
between a normal thief and a klepto. The major difference between thieves and kleptos is that, thieves premeditate their endeavours, while kleptos act on impulse or subconsciously. This disorder is often seen in patients who are chemically dependent or who have a coexisting mood, anxiety, or eating disorder. While other coexisting mental disorders may include major depression, panic attacks, social phobia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, substance abuse and obsessive compulsive disorder. It has also been discovered that detection of kleptomania, even by
By EGHWRUDJE PRAISE brothers, sisters, or parent of the sufferer, is difficult and the disorder often proceeds undetected. There may be preferred
not refuse to see a psychologist for immediate help. Kleptomania can be very disgraceful because
objects and environments where theft occurs. Since the disorder is not easily detection by immediate family member, when the sufferer notice he/she picks people’s things more than three times, that are not needed, he/she should
sometimes, you will be caught and be humiliated over little things and the next thing you know, you have been tagged ‘thief’. Mean while when kleptomania rears its ugly head in some places in Nigeria, you receive ‘JUNGLE JUSTICE.’ To
be warned is before harm; therefore help yourself to see a doctor. The cause of kleptomania is not known, although it may have a genetic component and may be transmitted among first degree relatives. There also seems to be a strong propensity for kleptomania to coexist with obsessivecompulsive disorder (a disorder in which a person feels compelled to perform certain actions repeatedly to alleviate persistent fears or intrusive thoughts), bulimia nervosa (an emotional disorder characterised by bouts of overeating typically alternating with fasting or self-induced vomiting or purging), and clinical depression. There is a theory that proposes that the thrill of stealing helps to alleviate symptoms in persons who are clinically depressed. They are symptoms to watch out for in order to find out whether a particular person is suffering from kleptomania, they include: Repeated theft of objects that are unnecessary for either personal use or monetary value. They experience increasing tension immediately before the theft. There is also pleasure or relief upon committing the theft. The theft is not motivated by anger or vengeance, and is not caused by a delusion or hallucination. Studies have suggested that 0.6% of the general population may have this disorder and that it is more common in females. In patients who have histories of obsessive-
compulsive disorder, some studies suggest a 7% correlation with kleptomania. Other studies have reported a particularly high (65%) correlation of kleptomania in patients with bulimia. It has been noticed that diagnosing kleptomania is usually difficult since patients do not seek medical help for this complains, and initial p s y c h o l o g i c a l assessments may not detect it. The disorder is often diagnosed when patients seek help for another reason, such as depression, bulimia, or for feeling emotionally unstable (labile) or unhappy in general (dysphoric). Initial psychological evaluations may detect a history of poor parenting, relationship conflicts, or acute stresses, abrupt occurrences that cause stress, such as moving from one home to another. When the disorder is suspected and verified, the therapy is normally directed towards impulse control, as well as any mental accompanying mental disorder. Clear understanding of specific triggers is very important as it helps detect when the disorder is relapsing. Psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and rational emotive therapy are ways to treat kleptomania. Prevention of kleptomania has little evidence. It is generally advisable that a healthy up-bringing, positive intimate relationships and management of acutely stressful situations should be maintained as it may lower the incidence of kleptomania and coexisting disorders.
“When carrying out interviews with patients who suspects kleptomania, it is very important for the psychologist to be very careful not to declare a person who steals intentionally to be suffering from kleptomania, because there are difference between a normal thief and a klepto. The major difference between thieves and kleptos is that, thieves premeditate their endeavours, while kleptos act on impulse or subconsciously.”
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
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T e Nation
Is Nigeria Already History? MELFORD Dokubo Goodhead Jr., now known as Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo recently set the Nigerian media world literally ablaze at a press conference. During the briefings, he threatened fire and brimstone if he was arrested for the threats he made regarding the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 “Nigeria will become history.” As we watch helplessly the slow but steady destruction of Nigeria, those who refused to listen to the words of truth will expedite its final fall. It is a case of terrible blindness and strange infatuation. Those of us who expressed fear that Nigeria is marching toward its destruction are like Noah in his days, have been called crazed alarmists. They hated us because our criticisms revealed the iniquities of the government in power. They accused us of being the cause of all the troubles which had come upon Nigeria in consequence of their actions. Though without wealth, position, or honorary titles, we’re a terror to evildoers whenever and wherever our names and ideas were known. We’re hated by the wicked and the corrupt. Because of our persistence and insistence in condemning evil among us, our views and beliefs were a constant rebuke to their selfishness and corruption. I think Dokubo was being over generous when he used future tense “will” to predict the breakup of Nigeria. It is not the arrest/ non-arrest of Dokubo or reelection/non-reelection of Mr. Jonathan that will lead to the disintegration of Nigeria as we know it. Well, I have bad news for
By BAYO OLUWASANMI you: as far as I am concerned, Nigeria is already history! Just look at the time … and just look at what is taking place in Nigeria today. Nigeria has been robbed of the last vestiges of human civilization. Reduced from a ruler to a platform of political platitudes, Mr. Jonathan has become a titular head of nation full of zombies with testimony of ancient evils. President Jonathan’s bone chillingly stupid deaf tone silence and “I don’t give a damn attitude” approach to the problems of the country is undeniably the catalyst that has already made Nigeria history. According to the federal government chief statistician, 38.24 million Nigerians are unemployed. Minister of state Lawal Yerima Ngama said 350,000 registered companies in Nigeria evade tax. N7.935 billion is said to be missing from the revenue collected by the Nigerian Customs Service. Excerpt from a gory story written by Simon Utebor in the Punch of May 16 headlined “Philanthropist donates toilets to Police” is worth quoting: “Chairman of Mello’s Group of Companies Mr. Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf, has donated a block of toilets and bathrooms to the Bode Thomas Police Station, Surulere, Lagos.” “Yusuf said the facilities were to ameliorate the sufferings of men and officers of the police and detainees of the station. He also said the gesture was to discourage the detainees from throwing their faeces into the nearby canal.” Nigeria’s store of provision has been destroyed through
jealousy and revenge of the contending factions. All the horrors of starvation are killing our people. A measure of gari is now
future. Thousands of our people perished from famine, disease, and other manmade disasters. Natural affection seemed to have been destroyed.
Jonathan
selling for a talent. Great numbers of our people steal at night to provide for their basic needs. Many have been seized and put to death with cruel torture. Those who escaped were robbed of the little possessions they had. There is no hospital in the country that is built for human race. Our people are dying in droves of preventive and treatable diseases. The rulers, fortified with looted money from our treasury, like beheaded chickens rush to overseas infirmaries for simple ailments such as running nose, cough, or headache! The most inhuman tortures were inflicted by those in power to further pummel the want-stricken people. These cruelties were frequently practiced by those who were well fed, and who were merely desirous of laying up a store of provision for the
Husbands robbed their wives, and wives their husbands. Nigerians have become
people have become the laughing stock of the world. Children are seen snatching food from the mouths of their aged parents. Thousands upon thousands of Nigerians perished every day. Above the sound of terror, voices were heard shouting: “Ichabod!” – Nigeria’s glory has departed! Pensioners, widows, the jobless, the diseased, the hungry, and the homeless screaming and wailing while expiring with hunger and poverty rallied their remaining strength to utter a cry of anguish and desolation. Men and women, old and young, priests, the innocent, and those who pleaded for mercy were hewn down in indiscriminate carnage. The number of the slain exceeded the slayers. Not long ago, President Jonathan in an illegal secret deal with an Israeli company contracted a cyber spy program at a sacrilegious cost of $40 million to obliterate every
Asari Dokubo
refugees in their own country fleeing from persecution, poverty, and pestilence. A once proud
“Nigeria’s store of provision has been destroyed through jealousy and revenge of the contending factions. All the horrors of starvation are killing our people. A measure of gari is now selling for a talent.”
trace of dissent from our citizens. Everything it deems “heretical” whether persons or writings, the Jonathan administration sought to destroy. Expressions of doubt or questions as to the authority of his administration’s excesses, ineptitude, insensitivity, aloofness, and corruption were enough to forfeit the
life of critics. The long enjoyed freedom of conscience that has become one of our most precious and treasured rights is being disturbed and of a fact dismantled before our very eyes. War and intrigue, and deception have been employed by the Jonathan regime against people who dared to challenge their brutality, looting, wickedness, and preying on the poor and the powerless. “Harder they come, harder they fall,” Jimmy Cliff sings of the oppressors. “Oppressors that are trying to keep me (us) down… making me (us) feel like clown (s) … and they think they have got me (us) on the run … I say forgive them Lord for they know not what they have done …and we’re going to get my (our) share right now of what’s mine (ours) … harder they come, harder they fall.” For as wolves hunting their prey did the enemies of truth pursue those of us who dared to claim freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press. It is only in a spirit of free inquiry that desirable learning can take place. If you believe that your belief or opinion is based on reason, you should support it by argument. But if your belief is based on blind loyalty, your argument will go against you. You’ll realize that argument is useless, and will therefore resort to force either in the form of persecution or by stunting or distorting the minds of the people especially the naïve and the gullible. Matters of truth are to be ascertained and verified by observation and proof, not by relying on ancient propaganda scoundrels. For President Jonathan and his men and women in government, I’ll like to remind them of the Romish leader’s warning to similar oppressors of his time: “If you will not receive brethren who bring you peace, you shall receive enemies who will bring you war…” Just look at the time … and just look at Nigeria today... Nigeria is already history! *** Darkness cannot drive out darkness!
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
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T e Nation
“Toiletization Of Nigeria Politics
TWO international callers, one from the United states of America and the second from the United Kingdom, who have had sufficient patience to follow through the advocacy activities of the human rights platform that I currently work forHUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) successfully put several calls across to me not long ago to express their divergent opinions regarding the state of the Nigerian Nation. T HESE CALLERS , ONE AN AMERICAN CAUCASIAN CITIZEN AND THE SECOND, A NIGERIANBORN BUT BRITISH NATURALIZED SCHOLAR
representations of the reality on ground in Nigeria and I used examples of some good Nigerians that are today holding public offices in Nigeria not necessarily for self enrichment but more particularly for the positive impacts their contributions to the enthronement of democracy and respect for the rule of law could go in transforming Nigeria’s bad international public image. I even went as far as listing out some names of great minds that are today engaged in one public function/office or the other just as I reminded my callers that these statesmen and great iconic
• President Goodluck Jonathan
women figures are not in the category of the neverdo-wells that they had earlier said dominate the public political space in Nigeria. But these persons stuck to their guns and in effect stated that it may take a revolution to change the nation of Nigeria for the better. My American caller, a lady in her mid thirties appeared more informed about the political development in most parts of the country than most of us who live in Nigeria. She has been a frequent visitor
to Nigeria. She took me on a guided oral but powerful tour of the political scenarios in the South Eastern states in the last four years and particularly narrated the bad development in much of these South Eastern States whereby according to her assessment, democracy has not actually improved the living condition of the majority of the citizenry just as she concluded that the collapse of respect for the rule of law and constitutionalism coupled with a weak civil society have collectively contributed to the unprecedented corruption in these South Eastern States. She singled out the state of Abia as a case study where the current administration has elevated bad governance and deception to an art. She was of the considered opinion that the current governor of Abia state- Mr. Theodore Orji has spent more time in the United States of America than he has done in Umuahia, the grossly underdeveloped rural capital of Abia state. Each foreign trip he embarked
CONSTERNATION THAT
NIGERIA
IS SPEEDILY SLIDING TOWARDS THE PRECIPICE OF ANARCHY AND DOOM BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY AS
THE
OVERWHELMING DOMINANCE OF THE POLITICAL PUBLIC SPACE BY CHARACTERS THEY CONSIDERED AS
SOCIAL
PERSONS
public lecture on youth empowerment but sadly because of the suffocating state of affairs in that state, the ordinary traders in Aba and Umuahia were not allowed to ask probing questions to the nation’s top banker to respond on why he hasn’t done anything positive to make commercial banks to offer genuine services to thousands of local talented investors in Abia state. Gladys Fitzgerald (names unreal), my American caller also told me in clear terms that the practice in most South East states as in other states of the Nigerian federation whereby state
the Federally shared allocations due to the state monthly. The caller from the United Kingdom who ironically is a woman also spoke about the bad shape of politics in the Northern states of Nigeria and blamed the political elites for failing to implement programs rich in contents that ought to halve the high rate of poverty in those states. Using Jigawa state as an example, she reminded me that recently the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested the first son of the state governor for alleged
EXPRESSED
• Theodore Orji
ANALYZED
By EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO
MISFITS WITH
AND
DUBIOUS
CREDENTIALS WHO ARE ONLY IN PUBLIC LIFE FOR WHAT THEY CAN MAXIMIZE A N D STEAL F O R THEMSELVES FROM THE PUBLIC TREASURY.
I tried all I could to convince them that their observations may not be the accurate
upon is marked with fun and staged fun-fare on take off point and on his return. Speaking about the agricultural and industrial potentials of Abia state which she said were yet to be galvanized, my American caller said Aba stands in a unique position to become the Japan of modern day Nigeria if the enabling environment is created and the functional social infrastructure of roads, electricity, good security and other essential services are provided by the political administration and that institutions such as the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Agency (MEDAN) the Nigeria Industrial Bank (Bank of Industry) and other commercial banks are compelled institutionally by the Federal Government to provide their services and credit facilities on liberal but protective terms to the thousands of talented shoe makers in Aba, Abia state. Recently, the garrulous Central Bank of Nigeria’s governor Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was the guest of the Abia state governor who organized a
“I even went as far as listing out some names of great minds that are today engaged in one public function/office or the other just as I reminded my callers that these statesmen and great iconic women figures are not in the category of the never-do-wells that they had earlier said dominate the public political space in Nigeria. But these persons stuck to their guns and in effect stated that it may take a revolution to change the nation of Nigeria for the better.”
• Peter Obi
governors single handedly appoint their foot soldiers and post them to man the respective local council areas as sole administrators is a breach of section 7 of the constitution of Nigeria which clearly stated that the system of government at the local council stage must be democratic. She used Anambra state as a case study whereby the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi failed to conduct or supervise the free and fair conduct of local council elections in the last seven and half years that he has ruled as the state governor in spite of the fact that he relied on the courts of competent jurisdiction to reclaim his mandate which was stolen by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled in Anambra state by pockets of illiterate and dubious rich political god fathers who were milking the state dry out of
money laundry and that the father defended his son for having in his possession over $50,000 USD and claimed that his son was on his way to Egypt to convey his two year old daughter to a Cairo-based hospital for treatment for sundry illness. My British caller who incidentally was born in Kaduna state of Nigerian Parents but later naturalized as a British Citizen, then questioned the rationale of the justification by the Jigawa state governor of his Son for seeking foreign medical attention for his daughter even when the state governor of Jigawa state failed to erect a standard and well equipped hospital facility in that state since he came to power in 2007. What an iron? My conclusion to both of these foreign based callers is that Nigeria is unfortunately witnessing Continues on pg. 15
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h “Toiletization Of Nigeria Politics
T e Nation Continued from pg. 14
what I may call growing ‘toiletization’ of Politics and that indeed it will take the collective action of all lovers of Nigeria to stage series of organized but peaceful civil unrests and/ or revolution similar to the middle East or North American revolution to chase away these social misfits that have captured political power in Nigeria through the corruption of the electoral system and manipulations of the electoral body that conducts elections- the Nigerian Electoral Commission [INEC]. Here is my hypothesisNigeria is indeed experiencing the growing phenomenon of toiletization of politics and by this I mean that the Nigeria’s public political space is dominated dangerously by characters whose shady and shoddy criminal past were overlooked before they emerged on the political scenes and as the old saying goes, it is too late to teach an old fox new tricks. In the same vein it is too late in the day to expect that a convicted fraudster or bankrupt elected into political offices whereby the enforcement of anti-corruption laws are weak and compromised, to become a clean and repentant person who would run or administer the resources of the public kept in his/her custody with transparency and accountability. Toiletization of Nigerian politics is derived from the fact that in Nigerian politics of today, the good, the bad and the ugly are engaged in fierce battle of their lives to control the organs of governance and in most cases the ugliest and the very bad people emerge ‘victorious’ in a political race that is heavily polluted by money and other corrupt practices. To be
more precise I got the concept of toiletization from the word toilet which in the words of the Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, means a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human excrement and urine, often referred to as a toilet/bathroom/lavatory. One place whereby this toiletization of politics is noticeable is in the election into the national and state assemblies. For instance, the Bauchi State House of Assembly recently suspended the lone female member of the Bauchi state House of Assembly just for the so-called ‘offence’ of standing for what is right and just by opposing the transfer of the local government secretariat of Tafawa Balewa Local government area council from where it has always been situated dominated and by Christian minority Bauchi citizens to another dominated by the Hausa/ Fulani Moslems. She simply got chased out literally for speaking out in a political assembly whereby the elected legislators are expected to express their opinion without let or hindrance. My readers may be wondering why I used Bauchi state House of Assembly as a perfect example of where growing toiletization of politics has become dominant, but they need not wonder or too long because I drew my conclusion upon reading the recorded document and minutes of the plenary sessions in which the only female member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly member was recently suspended and the dozens of grammatical errors I noticed showed me that we indeed have a long way to go to ensure that only square pegs are put in square holes and to make sure that politics is
dominated by some of the best minds in the mold of philosopher kings as documented by ancient Philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Did I hear you say that I am spreading wrong stereotype of what most
without any fear of contradiction that in my beloved Imo state, there was a time that a certain governor of the Peoples Democratic Party was quoted to have regarded the installation by a private telecom company of
• Sanusi Lamido
• Gov. Bauchi State
people say about Northern political space dominated by half baked graduates? You are dead wrong because I can tell you now
telecom mastheads as part of his Imo state government ‘democratic dividends’ or achievements made by his
“In a drunken state of mind, how can the members of the civil populace fully understand their roles as the real owners of the Nigerian sovereignty who ought to watch the activities of politicians to ensure that the nation is not ruined through corrupt practices?”
government with the several billions of fund that accrued to the state coffers from the federation account and the internally generated revenue. In much of the South East states such as Abia and Ebonyi states, the state government uses fronts to place generous media commercials to congratulate the state governors for drilling boreholes which cost less that five percent of the total cost of those glamorous c o m m e r c i a l advertisements sponsored dubiously with taxpayers’ money by the stooges of these never-do-wells who parade around as governors. So just like in Northern Nigeria whereby state governors spend huge sums of public fund junketing around the globe while their people wallow and die out of poverty, the Southern Nigeria is replete with instances of growing toiletization of public politics and sadly, the populace are too busy chasing bread and butter and are not bothered to ask probing questions from their elected politicians to give proper account on how the peoples money are used to serve the people. In Lagos state for instance, there is even what may be called growing toiletization of the civil society because only recently a study showed that last year alone, the populace spent N1 billion naira to stage series of social get-togethers or what is known in local parlance as ‘OWAMBE’ social meetings. In a drunken state of mind, how can the members of the civil populace fully understand their roles as the real owners of the Nigerian sovereignty who ought to watch the activities of politicians to ensure that the nation is not ruined through corrupt practices? If majority of the people living in Lagos state alone have developed this deadly gluttonous tendency as to have spent a whooping N1 billion naira on social and highly unproductive ventures, how then will the growing toiletization of Nigerian
politics not exacerbate? The other day, a yacht hotel belonging to the Lagos state ministry of tourism purchased reportedly from the UK worth several billions, disappeared into thin air and the people have not asked from the state government the whereabouts of this priceless assets. Sadly, what makes the toiletization of Nigerian politics much more dangerous is the ignominious roles played by religious leaders who encourage these corrupt politicians to go on stealing spree without checks and balances. Recently, a certain pastor acquired a choice private jet even when about 70 percent of his members are impoverished and to make matters worst, the President of Nigeria Dr. Good luck Jonathan was the Chief Guest of honor at the unveiling ceremony of this exotic private jet. On the last count, over five pastors own private jets in a nation whereby over 85 percent of the citizenry are too poor that many die from malaria and typhoid. In Niger state, the state governor was shown in some media cruising in an exotic private jet celebrating his birthday not too long ago and this state is one place whereby the state of infrastructure in the rural primary schools have deteriorated to animalistic level so much so that pupils receive lessons under trees or seat on the fallen debris of their derelict school buildings from where lessons are dished out by their highly impoverished teachers. Anambra state is warming up to hold another governorship elections and the majority of those running for office are money bags who can not account for the sources of their wealth including one of them facing prosecution over alleged participation in the monumental heist of petroleum subsidy running to nearly N1 trillion Naira. Nigerians; wake up and stop this bad phenomenon of growing toiletization of Nigerian public politics. It is now or never.
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It is all product of the past HON Lious Odion is Edo State Commissioner to what is been taught in Governor. mischievous for one to government, where for Information and Orientation. This interview the four walls of these was conducted by the duo of the Editor, schools. All these are conclude that this same these persons enjoy WEEKEND OBSERVER, Henry Balogun and an parts of the promise of teachers are been witch some kind of cover by intern, Innocent Omoaka. The Edo State the comrade Governor hunted for the industrial godfathers. That we are Information Commissioner spoke with The to take Edo to the next action they embarked determined to change WEEKEND OBSERVER on his wealth of level. In the first term, upon four months ago. and nothing is stopping experience as a professional Journalist, the recent more than 60 percent of The verification exercise us. Would it be proper to actions and developmental strides of the Comrade our schools were is to improve upon the quality of education in say, there has been Governor in the state. number of persons upgraded with modern the public schools. Also, delay on the part of the EXCERPT. within the short period facilities. Now in the they were clamp down Governor to assent to Sir, may we meet you? of time. More second term, there is on miracle centers, the anti-kidnapping I am Loius Odion, a significantly is that we now need to improve on journalist by training. I have been trying to build the quality teaching as where parents paid bill? I don’t see any delay was born forty years on the foundation we our great resource is in heavily for their wards to get already made in that. You know all this the human capital. So it ago. I schooled at the erected in our first term. results for them by some takes time and process. Federal Polytechnic, If you recall the is not a coincidence that ‘’miracle workers’’. Take for instance; Ado-Ekiti, where I campaign promises of we are seeing the a obtained a National the comrade Governor, sanitization of the school That has been made a hearing thing of the past. And pronouncement on system as they are all Diploma. I had my first you will recall that he degree and master’s did promise, that in the part of the comrade now we are doing more television does not degree from the second term, there will Governor Campaign to improve on the translate to action. University of Lagos. I be a migration on an promise to the people to quality of education we Whatever resolution started my professional automatic transmission. transform every sector give to our children. made by the assembly Also, what led to the need to follow due career at Concord Press Looking at it from that, of the state. How would you react verification of teachers process. First it has to be as a reporter. In 1999, I all that the comrade rose to the position of Governor did achieved to the verification of in the state was as a communicated to the deputy editor of the in his first term were teachers’ certificate as result of the complaints Governor next he also received from some needs to sit back to study Sunday Concord. In year achieved in two years as witch hunting? government the recommendations in On the contrary I local 2000 I left for a result of the earlier councils four months the consultation with the THISDAY, where I was setbacks the would say it is back about mounting justice department for expression of the deputy editor. In administration suffered November 2002 I left with PDP in-charge of comrade Governor’s wage bill and at times it expert opinions before THISDAY to start the the state house of efforts to transform the would require them to assenting, so I don’t see SUN newspaper as the assembly. But now that education sector. If you get bank facilities to pay any delay from the part pioneer editor of The we are in control at the talk about witch hunting teachers salaries. So we of the governor. Rather Sunday SUN newspaper state assembly, the you need to take a thought that was strange the governor is not which I edited for five administration of the retrospective look at last and decided to verify the shying away from years. I left the SUN comrade Governor is year, where after the records. That has been assenting to the bill but newspaper in January ever determined to take election the Governor’s part of the reason for the doing what the Edo 2008. Four months after Edo to the next level as visited some schools verification and now people have mandated I founded The National he did promise during across the state and other things are been him to do that which is them Life newspaper as the his campaign for re- discovered that some revealed by the exercise. providing We are also not stopping qualitative leadership, staff don’t show up at editor-in-chief and election. In the last four managing director for weeks there has been work and they are been at that, until all the which is not a tea party three years. I ran the spot light beamed on the paid at the end of the unqualified teachers are affair. So, the comrade removed from the governor is not avoiding newspaper until July educational sector month. The Governor system, and after that, assenting to the bill. He summarily dismissed 2011, when I was invited especially on the by the comrade primary school, where and disciplined those better and capable hands has been known for Governor to serve the the Governor has found wanting. All that would be made to fill in taking tough decisions the vacant positions in like the signing of the state in his cabinet. deemed it necessary that took months of pleading such a way that would death warrant of some before these teachers How has it been it is not enough to build working as the and provide modern were recalled at the last better improve the convicted criminals and Commissioner for facilities for the students May Day celebration system. It would also the ban on the use of Information and without paying attention following that act of the interest you to know that okada. All these were what we are fighting are tough decisions he took, Orientation? It has been very interesting. Interesting “I don’t see any delay in that. You know all this takes time and process. Take for in the sense that working instance; hearing a pronouncement on television does not translate to action. with Comrade Adams Whatever resolution made by the assembly need to follow due process. First it Oshiomhole, everyday has to be communicated to the Governor next he also needs to sit back to study is a lesson. Lessons in the recommendations in the consultation with the justice department for expert leadership, prudence, opinions before assenting, so I don’t see any delay from the part of the governor. and lessons in Rather the governor is not shying away from assenting to the bill but doing what connecting with the people. Doing what is the Edo people have mandated him to do that which is providing them qualitative believed as the greatest leadership, which is not a tea party affair.” good for the greatest
which he believed would serve the greater good of the greatest number, even when this decisions did not go down well with some persons. So, there is no delay in the governor assenting to the bill but all these
Hon. Louis Odion, Edo State Commission
takes time to transmit to concre actions. It is my belief that th governor’s office is in receipt o the copy of the state’s assembl resolution and it is been studie At the appropriate time it woul be signed into law and a polic pronouncement made. What has happened to th ongoing road constructio project by the state governmen have they been abandoned? No, there has not been an abandonment of the road projec You have to understand th season. Road constructions are n suitable for raining seasons. If yo have noticed less constructio going on; it is the season that give reason for that. Contractors ar waiting to seize the opportunit offered by the dry season t mobilize fully to site. What nee to be emphasized is tha Oshiomhole has been able to re
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ansformed EBS -
e t s l s r e
order our priority in the state, where in the past the ratio of capital expenditure is 80 percent in favour of recurrent and 20 percent in favour of capital. In those times, more of the State funds are
am a journalist myself. When I came in, part of the assignment I was giving to me was to revamp and restructure Observer and EBS as it were. I have a
ner for Information and Orientation.
te he of ly d. ld cy
he on nt,
ny ct. he ot ou on es re ty to ed at e-
expended on salaries for seminar and what have you. But Comrade Governor Oshiomhole has reversed the trend right from his second year in office, where 65 percent is now expended on capital and 35 percent for recurrent. This year alone where we have 150 billion naira appropriated for the fiscal year has 60 percent on capital and we have faithfully implemented the budget along that line. All that the state government is able to get from its allocation have always been judiciously expended over the years. What are your assessments of the state owned media during your tenure? That is an interesting question, in the sense that I
particular soft spot for The OBSERVER simply for the fact that I am a print journalist. I have undertaken my evaluation of the challenges of the Observer. What has been holding the work in the transformation of Observer is the availability of funds. You see, before the Comrade Governor came on board, these two state owned media were completely neglected to decay. Until now EBS signals were only been received in part sof the state capital and not even the parts of the entire state. So, because of the availability of funds we have to prioritized,
looking at which among the two would offer more good to the Edo community and we started with transforming EBS. Today, the story of EBS has change. As I speak to you, a 30kv of transmitter has been delivered and our signals are been received in every nook and corner of the entire state. For me, that has been a success story. OBSERVER is also on the radar. For EBS, what is remaining is to improve on the quality of the programme content to meet the expectation of the people of the state. OBSERVER is our next stop. We are going to reposition OBSERVER in such a way that would make it serve the entire state better. I still find it unacceptable that for a paper that has circulated tens of thousands of copies is now a shadow of its former self. How has your ministry been able to manage the challenge of managing information for the state? At the least of sounding immodest I would say we have achieved a lot. As a professional journalist, when I came in as Commissioner, I asked the question , what should be our focus of i n f o r m a t i o n dissemination and with the support of the Comrade Governor we discovered that it is to tell the Edo story more than the political battle the administration is faced with. We began by telling the Edo story more forcefully that gone are the days that Edo was synonymous with dilapidation, flooding and what one may call the “Edo migration to Italy.” The government of the Comrade Governor has reversed the order.
Info Comm
Today, our focus in managing information is telling our story and that is what we have been doing with the supports of the Comrade Governor. All these are also in a way to attract investors to the state. Since your appointment as Commissioner, what would you regard as your most outstanding achievement? Just as I said earlier, my most outstanding achievement is been able to tell the good developmental strides carried out by the Comrade Governor. As a professional, my duty has been to manage information for the government in such a way that would continue to enable the government mobilizes the people for effective growth and development in line with the vision of the governor without disharmony. All these, we have been doing over the years. What has been your experience working with the Comrade Governor? It has been quite interesting working with the Comrade Governor. It takes the person of the Comrade Governor to retain a good number of professionals in this government and it was the faith that people like me have in the administration that made us to suspend our career to join the Governor. Come to think of it, gone are the days one would say that you join the government to accumulate wealth. With Oshiomhole, it is different as he has chosen to devote more of the state resources to
developing the state’s infrastructure than enriching himself and a few others. You see, the Comrade Governor has been able to reduce the cost of governance even with himself, where he has to cut down on certain activities in order to save more funds for the development of the state. With that in place he has been able to eliminate wastage in governance. It only takes the person of the Governor to retain a good number of us like Hon. Obaseki, who left his business and practice in Lagos to chair the state economic team. We also have the person of Hon. Clem Agba, who took leave of absence from Chevron to join the Comrade Governor ’s team. Amongst us are also a seasoned banker and other professionals who have resigned from their previous positions and comfort to join the governor in his good works. Working with the governor gives you a kind of feeling that you are once part of his team that transformed the state. For me, the experience has been such that wherever I travelled to, I am proud to be identified with the brand of the Comrade Governor. On a personal level, I have learnt quite a lot like taking hard decisions not minding what people would earlier say but what they would end up saying after they have seen how promising the decisions end up to be later. For me, I admired the strong political will of the governor as regards taking tough policy decisions he believed would serve the greater good. He has also shown and demonstrated that one can be an idealist out of the government circle and actualize such ideals after been entrusted with political power. How do you see Edo State in the future from now? With all been carried out by the Comrade Governor, I see a state in distant time that would become the hub of the South South. The developmental stride of the governor is opening the state for investment that would drive and empower the economy that would not be based on the meager oil revenue allocation due to the state government. We are now beginning to see an indication for his works. For instance, Dangote has invested about two billion dollars in fertilizer production in Edo North. We have also seen the development of other agro allied industries in the state.
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u
O tlook
Between Journalism And Blackmail I HAVE tried to refrain all this while from joining issues in the imbroglio involving the publisher of Desert Herald and the FCT Administration, but after reading through some of the interviews and write ups by Mamu, I came to the conclusion that Tukur Mamu has been taken over by some demons that are hell bent on making him perpetrate this high level disingenuous. Mamu’s ramblings in some national dailies only portrays the image of one that has dismally lost the battle, a drowning man that is desperately trying to look for persons to drag into a fight that has long been lost. Essentially, Mamu should have seen the writing on the wall when the FCT Minister refused to give into his blackmail tendencies. After perusing the interview granted by Alhaji Tukur Mamu, the publisher of the mendacious Kadunabased weekly magazine, Desert Herald, I feel obliged to ask some fervent questions begging for answers; is the real issue centred on N50 million or N15 Million. Basically, there is a lot of evidence establishing that there was a request by Mamu for a bribe from the Special Adviser on Media to the FCT Minister in order to abandon the thought of writing the book on the assumed rot in the FCT Administration. It’s unfortunate that Mamu is such a coward to deny that he asked for payment (Bribe) and his denial is unpersuasive based on the following reasons. One, he never stated how he made a proposal for the media consultancy he spoke about that compelled his sending an SMS requesting for payment of N15 million, as well as forwarding his account
number. He should have gone further to state how the proposal was done and on what basis was the proposal made for such payment. It is really strange to just claim that such a contract could be concluded via telephone and text messages. I think Mr. Tukur needs to tell Nigerians more. He should go ahead to produce the proposal he made, of which I doubt he can before Nigerians can believe him. If not, he stands guilty of soliciting for bribe by using coercion. One further finds inquisitive the tenacious fixation of Mamu with the Director of Treasury of FCT. His concern with the Director of Treasury who he claims to be his blood relation appears to be a connection of the whole matter. I personally think that there is a feeling here that when you create anxiety or when you hassle the man in charge of treasury, you may be in an enhanced position to achieve your purpose of extorting money from the system. Clearly, in this situation the reverse is the case. I challenge him to tell the world more about what this Director of Treasury has done to warrant the attack he has been getting from his socalled kinsman. Another astonishing thing that Mamu has done is to bring Hajia Jamila Tangaza, the Director of the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) into the fray. I just can imagine why Mamu will rudely label her as a “former BBC reporter”. Jamila was never a reporter with the BBC at any point in time; she started as a producer of programmes in BBC London and was elevated to the position of Head of BBC Hausa and worked athwart all platforms; radio, and online, mobile.
By IBRAHIM SARKIN YAKI She has worked in various BBC Departments as well as Focus on Africa, Network Africa and BBC outlook. Jamila’s overwhelming and outstanding curriculum vita is inclusive but not restricted to being Harvard trained, a
greed for blackmail money never realised that before Jamila Tangaza was appointed as the current Director AGIS, she was the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on I n f o r m a t i o n Management System. Jamila’s Pedigree is over
FCT minister, Shamsadeen
Master ’s Degree in M a n a g e m e n t , Organisations and Governance from the London School of Economics and she is also a Fellow of the Green Templeton College of the prestigious Oxford University. I’m guessing that Mamu in his blinded
intimidating and incomparable to that of Tukur Mamu who is known to possess a notorious pedigree for blackmail, polemic and garbage journalism. If there is any issue about the account of the FCT Administration, the right place to go should
be to find out from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation or the Auditor General of the F e d e r a t i o n . Occasionally, some NGOs willing to find about the state of finances of some government Agencies, including the FCTA, usually apply to these agencies for such. In the case of FCT, the account has been audited for the 2012 fiscal year and all the accounts were found to be in order. They are there for anybody to see. It was also confirmed that the accounts have been constantly audited by the offices of Auditor General of the Federation and the Accountant General of the Federation. Besides, these are departments that are being regularly audited by the two arms of the National Assembly, namely the Senate and the House of Representatives. If Mamu is as experienced as he claims, he should have made an effort to get the side of the FCTA so as to make a balanced judgement with regards to the facts he claimed are in his possession; the same biased and antagonistic facts he intends to use for his book. Just recently the FCTA released information on all the contracts that were awarded under the current FCT Minister to a media organisation predicated on the Freedom of Information
and owing to the fact that this administration has nothing to hide whatsoever. I challenge Tukur Mamu to go ahead with his planned publication of the vague book based on the fact that no one is enervated by his appalling mission. Finally, there is also a feeling that Mamu may after all be a willing tool in the hand of some unprincipled political opponents of the FCT Minister, especially in view of the fact that the 2015 elections are drawing closer. That explains why Tukur’s pen is itching to drip with vitriol and vituperation against the FCT Minister in what he has termed the “The Rot Within” If this is the case then Mamu should be open about it. Based on the foregoing, it is pertinent for Tukur Mamu to desist from using Senator Bala Mohammed, Jamila Tangaza and Ibrahim Bomai in any of his misleading publications, predicated on the fact that we have the capacity and propensity to bring him to disrepute. In fact I urge the FCT Minister to immediately commence legal action against Tukur Mamu for libel and character assassination, so as to serve as a deterrent to would be blackmailers that may want to perpetrate their atrocious trade against the FCT Administration, to desist from the contemptibly weak act.
If Mamu is as experienced as he claims, he should have made an effort to get the side of the FCTA so as to make a balanced judgement with regards to the facts he claimed are in his possession; the same biased and antagonistic facts he intends to use for his book. Just recently the FCTA released information on all the contracts that were awarded under the current FCT Minister to a media organisation predicated on the Freedom of Information and owing to the fact that this administration has nothing to hide whatsoever.
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R ligion “THE world out there is not waiting for a new definition of Christianity but a new demonstration.” ~(Leonard Ravenhall) “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Cor. 2.4,5)
Demonstrating The Gospel arguments but on the demonstration of God’s love and power. We seek in “LOVE AND POWER” to be that demonstration to the world, first of all in our lives and out of that, in our outreaches. Love is the greatest demonstration of power that there is, for in
them even in their rebellion and ignorance. Love still holds its power, and power still demonstrates His love. Love and power is the demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Be In Love: “Do everything in love (1
and let love melt the hearts of men. Even if they don’t receive the gospel that day, they will never be able to shake off the fact that we loved them and told them of His irresistible love. Jesus didn’t come to shame sinners but to
Demonstration; “the action of showing the existence or truth of something by giving proof or evidence.” The gospel isn’t a verbal argument for the existence of God. It is above all things a demonstration of God himself. It is the evidence of who He is in His love and power. We believe “LOVE AND POWER” evangelism is the only evangelism that there is. The reason is simple; we don’t want the faith of individuals to rest on the cleverness or wisdom of our
Christ’s love demonstration of the cross, his power broke all the power of the enemy. Power is the u n d e n i a b l e demonstration of God’s love. We have seen men who have little to no belief in God, encounter Jesus when their torn ACL was completely and supernaturally mended before their eyes. In that moment, there is nothing that a man can say other than, “God is love.” For they did nothing to earn anything, but his care for them was extended to
Cor. 16.14). We have no agenda but to love. God’s agenda has always been to love, climaxing with Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 states “Without love we are nothing, love never fails…” So let us drop all other fearfilled agendas and expectations so we may be free to simply love people. We are bound by our agendas and drained by our expectations, but love is freedom, for it is not something to do, but something to be. Let us focus on the love of God
save them. Evangelism is the spreading of the gospel. That gospel is the greatest expression of love. So how empty is the testimony of God’s love if it be void of love itself? Love’s expression of evangelism shows that we believe and care that men are literally walking toward an eternal fire. “The fruit of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5)” actually the result of the Holy Spirit in our lives will be love. “For the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5.5).”
By DR. LEWIS AKPOGENA
Never forget this; God makes men like Jesus and Jesus laid His life down for others. Love is best defined as “selflessness” since, “Greater love has no man than this, that He would lay down His life for His friends (John 15.13).” This is why “Perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).” Because, fear is “self consciousness” and love is not “self consciousness,” we are slaves to fear to the degree that we love our lives. To the degree that we love our lives we will fail to be witnesses, because we will simply be restrained from the love that makes us a witness. Our Christianity is silent to the degree that we love ourselves. But if we will allow the Holy Spirit to be a constant inflow into our lives, His love will expand in our hearts and “self consciousness” will burn away and God will be free to extend His hand to the world through us. Love is the goal. Love is the incentive. Love is the inspiration. Love is the power. Love is the gospel. Love never fails. Walk in Power: “When God made it possible for the Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead to live in you, He made powerlessness inexcusable.” ~(Bill Johnson) Jesus did not leave us powerless. He never desired us to go without power. To do God’s work we need God’s power, there is no witness without power.
“A good news without power is not good.” ~(Bill Johnson) the power of the Holy Spirit is for the preaching of the Gospel (Isa. 61.1). It is for the delivering of the captives (Acts 10.38). The Gospel is the “power of God unto salvation (Romans 1.16)” Paul shows us that he was not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God. Many people are ashamed of the Gospel because they haven’t seen it as the power of God. To see the Gospel as the power of God will destroy the shame of proclamation. Power forces a decision. Power shows God to the individual in an undeniable way. We see the sick healed on the streets and it is such an arresting moment in the individual’s life. Even in their shock, they are stuck with the evidence that God has just touched them. Even if they are not sick, we seek to pray for them in an attempt to usher the presence of God into their hearts. As they sense Him who is the desire of all nations, they break internally. Power is irreplaceable. Without power we can end up as phony, as the door to door salesmen whose product doesn’t work when he is asked for a demonstration of it. Power is God coming into the lives of men. What love! Power is love. Power is the Gospel. Power is God. Power is demonstration. Power is the evidence.
“Without love we are nothing, love never fails…” So let us drop all other fear-filled agendas and expectations so we may be free to simply love people. We are bound by our agendas and drained by our expectations, but love is freedom, for it is not something to do, but something to be. Let us focus on the love of God and let love melt the hearts of men. Even if they don’t receive the gospel that day, they will never be able to shake off the fact that we loved them and told them of His irresistible love.”
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W eKEND ENTERTAINMENT Call Me Lucifer
GABRIEL Oche-Amanyi, Popularly known as Terry.G ranks among the most celebrated entertainers in the country. However, he is controversial, which makes people to see him in different light. The talented musician cum producer in this interview talks about his carrier, family and why he prefers to be called Lucifer. Excerpts:
You had your first child sometime ago. How does it feel to be a father? It’s the happiest thing that has ever happened to me. There is always a feelings one has never felt before, especially when it is the first time. It’s full of new experience, and the truth is that it has brought good luck to my life. Has it changed anything about you? Yes, definitely it has changed my lifestyle; I’m now a homely man, always at home playing with my kid has made me to be calm. Tell us about his mother Mimi? She is lovely, understanding and very intelligent. It is always difficult to find the right partner, but I’m lucky to have found her. When you first came to the industry you referred to yourself as Mr. Bling Bling, Later it was Ginger, Akpako Master, and now you said people should call you Lucifer (devil)? A lot of people got it wrong. Nevertheless, I’m in support of controversy. I knew it was going to cause controversies. What I actually meant was ‘look, see far’; meaning I’m seeing ahead. I told my crew members that it was going to generate controversies and I’m enjoying it. You need to make certain clarifications about your personality. Perhaps, due to your energetic stagecraft and lyrics, some people perceive you to be an addicted Indian hemp smoker? Well, these things are attached to secular music. Everybody doesn’t do it but I think 99 percent of us are seen doing it. The fact about life is that everything has control. There is a reason for everything. If you ask me, it doesn’t have to do with the fact that people say I take Indian hemp. It has to do with the talent that I have. If I take India hemp and I’m not creative or naturally intellectual, it won’t work. Besides, if you look at it, I’m not the only one What’s the meaning of Akpako? Akpako means scope, interviewing me now means you’re nacking your akpako. Your akpako is journalism. As a lawyer, you nack your akpako when you’re in court. My own akpako (scope) is
- Terry G
music. So, if I’m referring to a girl that ‘tile make I nack you akpako….that means I’m making sexual conversation with her. You also did a song, crazycally fit with Tonto Dikeh. How did that happen? You know that Tonto Dikeh is also controversial. When she dropped her first singles,
everybody was criticizing her, but I like the fact that she has a market that other female artists in Nigeria do not have. She has this crazy female swag that will make her relevant for a song time. I was the one that called her on the phone after making the beat. She came and we killed it. I’m happy that the response on the song is good. Music is not all about talent, it’s about the producer’s ability to discover the potentials of the artiste and give the necessary support.
Lady Gaga Wear Michael Jackson’s Cloths To Make New Album Stories By EFEMWENKIEKIE OSAS KELVIN
Wande Coal, D’prince and Dr Sid. Still, it was expected that she would include her own videos in the countdown and she elected to position her Without My Heart video featuring Don Jazzy at number four. Her goof however came when she was introducing her number one videos of course, her latest, Olorun Mi. Explaining the reason
it was her top choice video, she said that a lot of beautiful people died last year, including her beautiful sister, Goldie, Justus Esiri, the Aluu 4, the Dana crash and so many others that she can’t name. Goldie died this year though, on Valentine’s Day in February, and Justus Esiri also died this year shortly after her in the same month. Definitely a mistake on Savage’s part.
sweater as she put the finishing touches on her new record, ‘ARTPOP’. She said: “I recently bought a bunch of Michael Jackson’s clothes-his actual clothes from his tours. The idea was to keep them for him. I actually don’t really want to wear them; they’re Michael’s clothes. But there’s a couple of pieces I have to the side and I have his sweaters that I put on- I wear that when we’re mixing and finish up a record. I feel something from the clothing, she said. As well as keeping items for herself, the 27year-old pop star says she might have gifted some of the clothing to his relatives to remember him by. In an interview with US radio show ‘On Air with Ryan Sea crest’, she said: “I gave one of the sweaters to his godson and he really loved that. I just feel through clothing, you can feel things.” Gaga snapped up 55 personal items from Michael’s wardrobe including one of his famous Swarovskiencrusted white gloves-at a Beverly Hills auction house last December. Lady Gaga said at the time: “The 55 pieces collected t will be archived and expertly cared for in the spirit and love of Michael Jackson, his bravery and his fans worldwide.”
LAST Sunday, was one that may not have ended on a happy note for Nollywood diva, Ini Edo. It was a day when telecommunication giant, Globacom, launched its Lagos edition of the Glo slide and Bounce concert with all the ambassadors of the brand expected to attend the event. Among these were chartbursting artistes in Nigeria: Tuface, Naeto C, Omawunmi as well as top Nollywood actors. Honoring the call in her capacity as an ambassador of the brand, Ini Edo arrived promptly, a little earlier than the scheduled time of 6pm and made her way to the back entrance of the Oriental Hotel, Lekki which led to the main hall. However, she was prevented entry by overzealous bouncers who advised her to wait till 6pm. The actress
complied and hung around the car park, but it was not until 9.pm that a visibly offended Ini Edo was spotted being led into the hall by the duo of Jumobi Mofe-Damijo and Desmond Elliot. This unwanted treatment continued when the compere, Okey Bakassi, acknowledged the presence
of all the Glo ambassadors present, calling out their names one after the other, but living out Ini Edo’s name. This he did twice in a row and this must obviously have irked the remembered to acknowledge her presence during his third announcement, Ini Edo had gone.
AFTER winning 55 items from Michael Jackson’s wardrobe at auction last year Lady Gaga wore his cloths while working on her new
album ‘ARTPOP’. The ‘Applause’ songstress won several items from the late king of Pop’s wardrobe at auction last year and tried to channel the legendary music star by wearing his
• Lady Gaga • Terry G
‘Tiwa Savage Made A Big Mistake’ SEXY singer, Tiwa Savage, who finally released her debut album, Once Upon a Time, quite recently, has made a goof that she can be forgiven for. The Eminado singer was the celebrity guest on kennis Music Channel’s My Top 10 Countdown recently and she acquitted herself faultlessly in disclosing her top ten music videos and the reasons why she chose
• Tiwa Savage
them. A professional to the core, she didn’t use the giltedged opportunity to basically promote her own videos and those of her Mavin Records label mates, which is what Sound Sultan did during his own spot on the same programme recently where he also disclosed that he was the one who wrote Sho Le and not Sean Tizzle. As a matter of fact, she didn’t choose the video of any of her Mavis mates,
Ini Edo Bounced From Societal Event
• Ini Edo
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W eKEND ENTERTAINMENT Open Letter To Olamide Hi Olamide, I am a fan of yours and I have followed your growth from the days with ID Cabasa and the Coded Turns crew, to your days under Tony Payne’s management. Parting ways with her was quite risky but I felt it was a move worth making, as you needed a fully dedicated management to grow your career. That move paid off and you are now better off for it. Pitching your tent with 1805 Entertainment, your immense talent and the void left by Dagrin’s demise meant only one thing – A top spot for you! I am glad you fit in perfectly. A bolder move to start YBNL Nation and you going ahead to drop your second album on the YBNL Nation/1805 Entertainment imprint was another risky move that still paid off. At that point, I knew the ‘god of music’ was behind you. Though it wasn’t so surprising to see the street embrace the album because of its quality streetwise content, the rate at which the ‘butties’ accepted you too was alarming. People preached the YBNL gospel and gladly talked about how good the album was. Even my cool friend Fola Alae became an advocate of ‘Razz being the new Cool’, no thanks to you… But while we where enjoying Jale, Street Love, Jesu O Kola, Silly Love, First of all, Ilefo Illumninati amongst to other beautiful songs, dear Olamide, you unconsciously killed the album! Yes, you unfortunately
killed it by releasing too many materials not so long after the album dropped and you shifted out attention off the album. To make matters worse, some of these songs were not half as good as the
might not be deep while to some; they would never rise to that point again. Unfortunately, this happens a lot in the music industry. While we agree that you are HOT to this moment and the inspiration is much, brother, please do not wear yourself out. Ma le ara eni ere.
• Olamide songs on the album and they also were not well promoted, Confession, Tonto Dike, Baddest Nigga That Ever Liveth, etc. Nevertheless to say that some were also really good, because some of us still have Turn Up and Durosoke topping our playlists. Baddo, have you heard of the point of equilibrium? That’s the point when the law of diminishing return sets in. it happens to everything and everyone. In simple terms, it’s the point where you get to the peak, have nothing extra to offer and the drop starts. To some, the drop
Truth is when you saturate the market with too many materials, we get tired easily, we don’t pay full attention to them and the songs end up not getting as much love, as they should. Keep recording, keep saving them in the cloud and don’t push too many songs within a short period. Let the fans yearn for more, let us savour the goodness of some of what you already have. On the final note, I love the way your personality is gradually evolving because building a brand of yourself should be beyond your music.
P.G. Clauxz Set To Release New Single THE Hip Hop artists who storm the music scene some time in 2010 are set to release a new single titled ‘Go Down Low’ produced by a superstar producer E-Slo the CEO of Family Soundz Records who is also a performing artist. P.G. Clauxz who is a multi-talented artist can sing Hip Hop, R&B and some Ragga flavor of music and
• PG Clauxz
have been in the Nigerian music industry since 2005 when he first release his first single/video ‘Less Row’ the talented artists is set to release the new song later this month of August 2013 and the song will be available on all online plugs. P.G. Clauxz who are signed to Mafibrid Records are set to lunch their new
album come December later this year and will feature a lot of top Nigerian artists like Faze, Banky W, E-Slo and some other top stars. The light in complexion stars who have been on the out scene will shot their forth coming video by September and will premier it in mid-October 2013.
Kenny Ogungbe Warns Jaywon Stories By EDIONHON UYI THOMPSON
FOR some time now, it has been making the rounds underground that Filebe singer; Jaywon is having issues with his record label, Kenny Ogungbe’s Kennis Music. While some have alleged that Jaywon has called it quits with the label that made 2face into an international brand, others have said that he will call it quit. All along, there has been nothing really concrete from both parties, but Kennis Music’s parent company, Kennis Communications, has come out to warn the Jaywon over his contract situation, probably in a bid to forestall such problems it had with another of its artists, Maga Don Pay singer, Kelly Hansome. In a statement lucidly titled ‘Jaywon signed for
three full albums’ Kennis Music reminded Jaywon that he signed a three album contract and only one, Meet Jaywon, has been released so far. The statement also cemented the label’s position on the Jaywon issue by declaring that ‘discussion of Jaywon’s contract renewal is not on the front burner’. In recent times, artists having problems with their labels have been rife in the music
• Kenny Ogungbe
Angry Fans Stone Wizkid At VFS . BEING a celebrity comes Lekki Weekend Observer with much responsibilities NOTES AS WELL
SUNGLASSES CAME IN A BLACK
than one can envisage, many which include parting away some naira or dollar notes as the situation may demand whenever a respected celebrity gets stocked in the midst of his loving fans. Agodey Balogun a.k.a Wizkid was recently stoned by angry fans at the VFS Global Services, Lekki Phrase 1, over the Azonto Crooner’s arrogant attitude and his refusal to part away with some naira notes despite the much accolades he got from the cheering crowd who were so elated to catch a glimpse of their superstar. WIZKID WHO WAS WEARING A WHITE T-SHIRT AND A RED SOFA S HOE WITHOUT ANY CAP OR
PORSCHE CAYENNE WITH COVERED NUMBER PLATES, COLOURED
THE STARBOI WHO MUST HAVE
VFS COMPOUND CAME OUT INTO THE
BEEN SNEAKED INTO THE
WAITING HANDS OF A LARGE NUMBER OF CHEERING FANS WHO WANTED TO SHAKE AND SNAP PICTURES WITH HIM. OBVIOUSLY, T H E Y WA N T E D S O M E N A I R A
• Wizkid
Wede Hopes For Bright Future
AN upcoming artist Ovie Onajite Wede has described the entertainment industry as a viable means of those committed, focused and determined to get into stardom through the entertainment industry. Wede in a chat with W e e k e n d Entertainment said that though she pitched a
industry. Celebrated cases that readily come to mind are the ongoing BrymO Chocolate City face-off, May’D’s Psquare brouhaha and Eva’s Trybe Records sudden split. A respected music egghead has however warned Jaywon to honour his contract with Kennis Music as Kelly Hansome who reneged on his, is yet to get his career back on track since then.
tent with the entertainment industry, she looks forward to rise to the top and wants to be known through the mass media as a veteran broadcaster. She described Stephanie Okereke of the Nollywood industry as her role model and express confident that she will make it to the top and be recognized
globally through her God giving talent.
• Wede
confirm that Wizkid have had his mind made up came outside the VFS Compound where he had gone to submit traveling documents for Canada and shunned the cheering crowd. All efforts to get Wizkid to snap pictures, shake or even show some love financially to the cheering crowd fell on deaf ears as Starboi completely ignored everyone as he walked arrogantly into the waiting Porsche Cayenne. A correspondent who was at the scene confirmed that Wizkid’s silence an arrogant attitude got the cheering fans pissed hence why they resulted into stoning the BET Award winner as he made to drive out. Unfortunately for Wizkid, one of the many stones caught his car side glass but the Pakurumo crooner never waited a seconds. The angry fans who complained bitterly placed a comparison between Wizkid and Durosoke crooner Olamide. They argued that Olamide would never ignore his fans as he constantly relates with the street hence why he’s never been mobbed or attached.
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o Building Forces Of The Body
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
C unselling MAN will evolve when he no longer craves the bestial, the barbarous, the more physical gratifications. When the time comes that the feels the spiritual urge and intellectual enlightenment which lead to feelings of exaltation and elevation which must and will come to all men at some stage in their evolution, then there comes a quickening of all the moral senses and a consciousness of immortality and goodness. According to Dr. Knapp, the superiority of really great or illuminated soul personalities or egos, lies in intellectual acuteness and moral elevation. All embracing optimism. The sense of immortality or to express it more tensely. Cosmic consciousness or the more familiar phrase, realisation of the kingdom of God within us. Cosmic sense will give us the power over good and evil. To keep the building forces of the body and soul clean and in normal activity is our great hope and aim. The building or constructive power of man comes through the endocrines and their hormones. The endocrines according to scientists are glands, mostly ductless that secrete and distribute the substances called hormones which control our constructive powers, both physical and mental. Therefore, the story of the ductless glands or endocrines and their hormones is the story of the human race in its evolvement and unfolding. The main endocrines or ductless glands of the body are: the pineal, the pituitary, the thyroid, the adrenals, the gonads (sex glands) and the spleen. A few glands which have ducts also, secrete and distribute hormonal substances are the liver, the pancreas, the kidney, the salivary and the lymphatic glands. A serious study of the endocrines and their hormones will make us know how these control the normal functioning of the body. The human body according to scientists is
built and vitalized by definite chemical processes. Life form is an expression of consciousness. As cells evolved and various consciousness became active, it became necessary that some control of conscious activity be formed, therefore, centers of control developed. The cells needed control of light reaction, of pigment brain growth and sex reopening and so, there be came centers for all these. The pineal gland. Also, there developed the need of nourishment and a center of control for the body building and proper food intake, so evolved the pituitary gland, which guides the senses of taste and smell by which we select proper food and reject the unwholesome. The size of our bodies and mental power is controlled by the pituitary gland (master gland). The cells of the forming body needed iron, iodine, phosphorous and arsenic and to meet these needs came the thyroid gland. All this evolving needed energy control and a rhythmic movement producers, so the adrenals were formed. The single cell was immortal and had power to renew itself perpetually, but when the cells began to work together, they lost the power of everlasting life and had to resort to reproduction and general creative power. To produce this center for reproduction and creative power, the sex glands (gonards) were formed. The growth of the young individual needed care with a check on some of the glands of later evolvement, especially, the sex glands and there was created the thymus gland. A string place for food, a renovating system and a circulating and distributing system became necessary, so the liver evolved and the blood circulating system and the lymphatic ducts and ducts and gland developed. Thus, nature or the creative force, built according to law and order with an outstanding
intelligence. No wonder the ancients said God was “spirit� for this subtle force that builds this powerful and yet invisible. A man who studied deeply this force becomes unconsciously religious. The glands must work in harmony and to do so, they needed methods of intercommunication. The c h e m i c a l intercommunication is the oldest, we think, but soon another method evolved. This they call cell nerve actions. When we have learned the method of
and the place from which they will act, but now we know it is only the depository of memories, communicated to it by some process that leaves its records somewhat as the phonograph needle leaves it record. The vegetative system (the gland system) is the seat of the impulses of man love is not a result of the thinking mind. It is an endocrine urge and reasoning mind can stabilize love but the impulse does not come from conscious thinking.
building and the rebirth of the glands of the body then we shall be master of our whole consciousness. Scientists had long supposed that the brain was the source of energy
So, it is with hate, fear and so on. War does not start by man’s reasoning mind but by the primitive urges from the endocrines. No reasoning mind and to study the
With
O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608 subconscious mind, so that we can direct the building forces constructively. Every thinking mind will realise the need for truths and knowledge. It is only through these that wisdom may be attained.
Falsehood, superstition and ignorance can never lead us to wisdom, nor to mortal, mental and spiritual beauty. . Remember, a worried
or hurried state of mind retards the glandular activities. A calm nerve or mental state will and normal activity. The emotion of the body comes from the endocrine or gland activities. By knowing our glands and how they function and by knowing how to live properly, which includes eating, drinking and breathing properly as well as thinking properly, we can permit these glands to do their very best and give us every advantage of their divine functioning. Even our human countenances, our human attractiveness and most essentially that intangible something called human personality or personal magnetism, art the result of the normal and the normal and proper functioning of the glands. And that which attracts one person to another is something more than the mere definiteness of the handclasp or the deliberateness of the smile or the wiles of the pleasant words that are spoken. The glands have been found to be these intercommunicating instruments, these transformers or transmutes between the spiritual, divine, cosmic self and the grosser, earthly and physical self. They bring about within man a divine alchemy. It has been maintained for centuries that these glands act more like guardians of the lives of human being than as controllers and yet it must be admitted that a true guardian is also a controller. When we stop to realize that man in his earthly existence is functioning as a dual being and that there is a spiritual self within a physical body and that the spiritual self is therefore the purpose of giving man intellectual sense.
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P rspective Tales Of Two First Ladies WHILE in contemplation on the extensive psychological, social and economic damage caused by the phenomenal rate of sexual violations of minors especially the girls by adult sex predators in Nigeria, I was rudely interrupted by a loud broadcast by a local television in Nigeria that is publicly funded whereby the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan was shown addressing a crowd of people made up mostly of gorgeously dressed women, somewhere in
the 2015 presidential campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan. President Jonathan, it would be recalled, has not declared his intention to vie for another term in 2015 but his Special Adviser on political matters-the Adamawa state-born lawyer-Mr. Ahmed Gulak has severally affirmed that President Jonathan would contest.
By EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO traditional ruler of the Nyenew-eli Rumueme Kingdom, Eze Omunakwe Nsiri, the wife of Nigerian President explicitly showed that her visit was political. Her words; “I am here to thank and appreciate the role you and my people of River State played in voting for my husband in
Mrs Obama
Mrs Jonathan
Port Harcourt, the River State Capital. For some moments, I watched the broadcast of the colourful rally by the wife of the president to see if she could dwell for some minutes on the menace of rape of teenagers by adults in Nigeria, but that was none of her concern. The glamorous event by the wife of the Nigerian President which was bankrolled apparently with tax payers’ money was interpreted by the media as the unofficial kickoff of
now know that the Nigerian presidency spends a fortune to run this unconstitutional office with all the full compliments of an executive office holder. The “office” of the first lady of Nigeria, I am told, is staffed with some of the best schooled experts in different fields especially in public and media relations.
encyclopedia, we are reliably informed that the word first lady is an unofficial title used in the United States of America for the wife of the President. The concept of first lady originated in the United States where one of the earliest references was applied to Mrs. Martha Washington. According to historians, in an 1843 newspaper
President ought to carry herself with humility and devotion knowing that the symbolic title she carries, carry no constitutional support or validity. Although I acknowledge the scientific fact that no two people are the same but two persons carrying same unconstitutional title of First Lady ought to respect the laws of the land. This is not the case in Nigeria whereby the wife of the president has been accused of appropriating
On June 19th 2013, when the wife of the Nigerian President inaugurated what is called the South-South zonal secretariat of the Women for Change and Development Initiative-her pet project, she took plenty of time to ask the women and people of the region to vote for her husband but spent less than fleeting seconds to highlight the need for women to become sources of peace in their homes. At the palace of the
the 2011 presidential election. Rivers people voted massively for my husband. I am your daughter and my husband is your son. I want you to support him when the time comes. I know you will not disappoint us we, on our part, we will never forget you”. Remember that the wife of President Jonathan just like wives of previous Nigerian rulers, has assumed the unofficial title of the first lady even though most Nigerians
The title of First Lady as we all know originated from the United States of America where till date the holder of that symbolic title, the wife of the President of the United States of America, Mrs. Michelle Obama does not enjoy these monumental executive privileges that the Nigerian President’s wife enjoys. She also does not engage in political battles on behalf of her husband. From simple research in the Wikipedia, the online
article that appeared in the Boston Courier, the author Mrs. Signorney, discussing how Mrs. Washington had not changed even after her husband George became President, wrote as follows; “The first lady of the nation still preserved the habits of early life. Indulging in no indolence, she left the pillow at dawn, and after breakfast, returned to her chamber for an hour of study of the scriptures and devotion”. The above is necessarily how a good wife of the
official executive functions and the elected members of the people’s National Assembly seem helpless to restore constitutionalism in the way and manner that Nigeria’s President’s wife has gone about as if to say the office is fully recognized by the constitution of the country. A respected national paper in Nigeria recently upbraided Mrs. Patience Jonathan for some of these ‘high profile official’ Continues on Page 24
“The title of First Lady as we all know originated from the United States of America where till date the holder of that symbolic title, the wife of the President of the United States of America, Mrs. Michelle Obama does not enjoy these monumental executive privileges that the Nigerian President’s wife enjoys.”
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P rspective Continued from Page 23
functions. But how does the wife of the United States President go about her unofficial duties of the first lady? Observers can see that the first lady of the United States has shown the highest charisma in speaking out for educational empowerment of the girl child and she accompanied her husband in the ongoing African visits whereby she was seen in an all girls College in Senegal counseling the girls to say no to rape and to consistently pursue their studies. This reminds me of the stark reality of high rate of sexual violations of youngsters by adults in Nigeria and the silence of the wife of the Nigerian President to play a role towards ensuring that government fights the menace of the hydraheaded monster of rape. Although, on paper the offence of rape is seen as grave but the weak enforcement of the law has made it impossible for those sexual violators of young children to face the full weight of the law. Legal scholars note that both Nigerian criminal codes define rape in similar terms. In southern Nigeria, the Criminal Code defines rape as “unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or a girl, without her consent.” Unlawful intercourse with a woman’s consent also constitutes rape if the consent is obtained in any of the following ways: by force or threats or intimidation of any kinds by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act; or in the case of a married woman, by impersonating her husband. Similarly, law experts recall that the Penal Code, applicable in northern Nigeria, defines rape in the same manner. However, it provides that “[s]exual intercourse by a man with his own wife is not rape, if she has attained to puberty.” Both criminal codes impose the same
punishment for rape, which is imprisonment for life, with or without caning even as the charge of attempted rape is punishable by 14 years of imprisonment but not many offenders get punished because of the mode of obtaining evidence to pin down these sexual predators and because the law of evidence in matters of rape makes it impossible for the anonymity of the victims to be concealed because of the stigma attached to the appellation of a rape victims in Nigeria. Nigerian criminal law addresses a number of sexual offenses. The Penal Code imposes strict penalties for such crimes as “procuration” of a minor girl; importation of a girl from a foreign country with the intent that she may be “forced or seduced to illicit intercourse” with another person, and employment of a minor for prostitution. Nigeria also has the antihuman trafficking law and also an agency to combat human trafficking. These mechanisms are not effectively monitored to ensure that rape offenders are punished. In addition, the Criminal Code provides for life imprisonment for any person who has unlawful “carnal knowledge” of a girl under the age of 13 but most Nigerians are aware, early marriages is a notorious practice in a part of the country and these sex predators are left to repeatedly rape these young girls in the name of marriage. A national voice like that of the wife of the President of Nigeria may influence officials of government to more seriously take their jobs serious to fight and minimize the damage unleashed by sex predators of youngsters. If the Nigerian first lady can devote one third of all her public speeches and events to advocate an end to the phenomenal rise in rape, then the necessary mechanism for effectively enforcing strong law against rape would be activated. The sordid fact is that scientists and researchers have stumbled on
shocking statistics regarding rape of teenagers in Nigeria. F r o m www.ageofconsent.com, the following facts emerged; “7 out of every 10 males and 5 out of
mean age of initiation of sexual intercourse is 13 years”. Another finding is that; “Two out of every 5 secondary school girls interviewed admitted to at least one previous
hemorrhage, septicemia, perforated uterus, secondary sterility and in many cases, death. Illegally induced abortion is described as a school girls’ problem in Nigeria”. But from far away
pregnancy. Over 900,000 births to adolescents occur annually and 150 out of every 1000 women who give birth in Nigeria are 19 years old and under”.
Senegal, the American first lady gave us a good lesson on how to play a good role model for the younger girls when she visited them in their secondary school,
Also discovered is that “Eighty percent of patients at Nigerian Hospitals with abortion-related complications are adolescent girls. These complications include
interacted with them meaningfully and offered words of encouragement. The voice of America, a radio station listened to by about 60 million rural Africans, reported recently
Mrs Jonathan
every 10 females attending secondary school in Nigeria are sexually active or have had sexual relations at least, once.
Mrs Obama
The researchers recalled that a study in Benin City showed that 55% of the secondary school girls had sexual intercourse before age 16. A more recent study showed that the
that hundreds of students at the all-girls Martin Luther King high school danced and sang to welcome Michelle Obama. Mrs. Obama praised the students for their academic achievements and urged them to stick with it, even though she said she knows it is hard for some families to afford to send their daughters to school. “I know that it can take real courage to pursue your dreams, to come to this school, to pour yourself into your education, to envision possibilities for yourselves that no one could ever imagine,” she said. “But don’t ever forget that by investing in your education, you are doing the very best thing you can do - not just for yourselves, but for your children and your grandchildren. And you’re also doing the very best thing you can do for your country.” UNESCO reports that just 27 percent of students in Senegal’s secondary schools are girls. Many girls, particularly those in rural areas, are forced to drop out to care for their siblings and help with housework. Mrs. Obama said she knows about sacrifice. Her father struggled to pay for her education. “That’s why, day after day, I made sure I did everything in my power to make him proud,” she said. “So I got up early to study. I stayed up late doing my homework. And despite my efforts, there were still plenty of people who doubted whether a girl from my humble background had what it took to succeed.” Student Safietou Mboup said she and her friends were very happy to hear Mrs. Obama speak. She said they really understood Mrs. Obama’s message and that all the girls will continue to work hard. Mrs. Obama shook the girl’s hands and hugged many of them as she left. The Port Harcourt ‘nearinvasion’ of Nigeria’s first lady and the Senegal’s friendly visit by the United States President’s wife, show us that though the two ladies share same title, but both operate different styles and ironically both are black women.
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G vernment
Quest For A 21st Century Reformed Federal And Civil Service THE 21st century modern Government is a vast business whose today’s activities directly or indirectly impinge on the lives of every Nigerian citizen in the country. It is often the largest employer of labour and dispose of a large portion of the national product. Its decisions directly affect the rate of growth of the national economy. Against this background, it is essential that it should function effectively, as its executive arm is the civil service. The members of the civil service are often the only concrete manifestation of government for the citizens, whether in the urban centres, or in the remote rural areas, be in the North, South, East or West. Collectively, therefore, the civil service is a crucial factor for stability and for the direction and speed of economic and social progress. This writer urge our president and all the thirty six state governors, that the orientation and quality of the civil service both (states and Federal) as to how it is recruited, trained and deployed; its awareness, or the lack of it, of the larger political and social purposes for which it should exist, its identification with the proper aspirations of the Nigerian people as a whole, are the therefore the things we must enquire into as a nation in assessing the prospect ahead for the country, in order to achieve the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan for a modern and developed nation. The Dominant Role Of A Central Government. It is widely acknowledged by historians that in the 2nd half of the twentieth century, the government remained the dominant if not, the sole instrument of change and progress in developing countries like Nigeria and to a large extent, could be said of
today .The aspirations of ordinary people in the developing countries like Nigeria for a better life, that is, a situation in which his/ her security is assured, their standard of living improves and wider opportunities are developed for his/her children, demand the creation and maintenance of the necessary conditions for political stability and sustained economic development which only the government both at the state and federal levels can do with the abundant human and natural resources which the government can organise, with its power of compulsion and coercion. These are some of the germane issues Nigerians experts their government to holistically, politically and economically address and these are issues president Goodluck (PDP) is assiduously addressing to bring about a united and a prosperous nation in the 21st century domestic and global politics. Economic powers should be in the hands of both foreign and national investors and government should create the enabling environment to allow investors to invest in the country to improve the nation’s economic growth. Nigeria has the capability both in human and natural sense to be a developed nation if only, the government can tame corruption, curb waste, come up with a comprehensive national economic blue print as obtained in developed countries like United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, United States and India to mention a few. Today, the role of government has vastly expanded and in no means confined to developing countries like Nigeria. Foulton Report on British Civil Service, Vol 1, 1968, a royal commission Report in Britain states that “ The role of government has greatly changed. Its traditional regulatory functions have multiplied in
comprehensive social services and is now expected to promote the fullest possible
service in the formulation and implementation of Government policies in Nigeria? The tasks of government today be it state or federal in a developing country like Nigeria are even more immense, unique and must be performed efficiently and progressively. The
development of the individual human potential—:” It is obvious
effectiveness of any government is to a very great extent, determined by
that for every government to succeed ,its civil service must be efficient and result oriented. One could then ask: What is the role of Civil
the efficiency and competence of the civil service. The higher civil service (Federal) indeed play crucial roles in that it
By BENJAMIN OGBEBULU
size and greatly broadened in scope. It is expected to achieve such general economic aims as full
Jonathan
employment, a satisfactory rate of growth, stable prices and healthy balance
Anyim Pius Anyim
of payments—— . It has responsibilities for the location of industry and for towns and country planning ———.It provides
participates fully in the formulation of policy and at the same time responsible for the execution of agreed policy. Writers and academicians; study of the future political and economic development of Nigeria, should rightly pay attention to the type, motivation, orientation, structure and effectiveness of the civil service machinery . In Nigeria today, the formulation of government policies depend mainly on the politicians and Ministers, their party o r g a n i z a t i o n s (manifestoes), the civil service and other public services which includes the military, external pressure groups of businesses, professional bodies, civil society organizations and academic leaders. The marshalling of data leading to the formulation of policy suggestions suitable for adoption by government, or indeed any large organization, is a laborious process involving large number of highly trained and specialised people. The intuition of a brilliant leader may spark off a grand idea but the spark would die, if there is no effective group to develop it, present it attractively, and get the organisation to adopt it as a programme for action. It is the nature of developing countries like Nigeria for trained manpower to scarce and outside the civil service, there are not yet sufficient concentrations of the requisite manpower to do policy development work on a sustained basis. The Nigerian political parties before now, had no sufficient funds and time and, in some cases leadership of the right calibre and understanding, to organise research bureaux and well equipped party secretariats like that of the central office of the British Conservative Party secretariat headed by David Cameron, the prime Minister, The Labour party secretariat, Headed by Ed
Continues on Page 26
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o Quest For A 21st Century...
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
G vernment Continued from Page 25 Milliband, the opposition Leader and The Liberal Democrat secretariat, Headed by Nick Clegg, whose party joined the conservative to formed the present Coalition government presently running the UK as a country. Same could be said of American political parties like the Democratic party, headed by President Barack Obama , The Republican party and The Tea party secretariats . What are the consequences of a regionalised civil services if any?. According to historians and writers like PC Asiodu, there are clear correlation between the fears of members of the separate civil services and the rise of regionalism and ethnicity in the period of 1954 and 1966 which should serve as a great lessons for the future. While patriotic progressives Nigerians do not wish what happened in the past between these periods repeating itself again in the country , it should be noted that the Nigeria Civil service, according to historians, was divided up in 1954 after the review of the “ Macpherson Constitution in order to give Nigeria, according to a slogan popular with politicians of that time, the structure of a “ true federation”. It was considered necessary then that the regions should each have their own civil service, self sufficient and separate from the federal civil service. The regional and the Federal governments were supposed to be sovereign in their own respective spheres, and it was of the essence of the matter that each government must have a civil service absolutely loyal to it and taking instructions from no
other authority . There were of course, other more positive reasons for desiring an independent regional civil service. It was expected to be more dedicated to the progress of these regions, more understanding and more responsive to its needs. How far have the thirty states regions fetched in the development of Nigeria? Writing about entry into the administrative class, The late revered Sardauna of Sokoto, premier of the Northern region in the late 50;s said “ As things were here, it was a matter of life and death to us. For we were not only educationally backward but we stood at that time far behind the others in material development ——. If the British Administration had failed to give us the even development that we deserved and for which we craved so much for ——— and they were on the whole a fair administration ——— —what had we to hope from an African administration, probably in the hands of a hostile party. The answer to our minds was quite simple, just nothing beyond a little window dressing “. (Henry .L. Bretton in power and stability in Nigeria and The Sardauna of Sokoto in my life” . Nearly fifty years when these submissions were made by the revered Sarduana, the question is still very much with us today. Why the slow pace of development in the country. Considering the huge monthly allocations regions received from the central government for capital and recurrent projects to develop the country. The solution to the issue of regional underdevelopment lies on taming corruption, visionary leadership and patriotism on the part of our
leaders and the led. The development of our nation is possible in a national
advancement to higher posts, to entice a larger number of senior indigenous staff from the chief secretary’s office and the departmental
can go it alone and survive, let alone attain a higher degree of viability than as part of the larger federation. The future orientation of
Headquarters then in Lagos. Such “ senior “ civil servants in the regions, could not forget their seniority a few years later when, with independence and the exodus of expatriates from the federal service, those whom they had left behind assumed the new responsibility. The experience in running the affairs of a self –governing regions might not be adequate for federal responsibilities in a “ sovereign “ country in an international setting was never given due consideration. This attitude of suspicion, antagonism, resentment still prevails today, despite the experienced of crisis and civil war in the country. The past crises and civil war in Nigeria according to historians and writers, have clearly demonstrated that no one region or state
the civil service in all the states of the country will therefore, be crucial to political stability and integrative processes of moulding Nigeria under president Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda . It seems generally accepted by Progressive Nigerians without being sentimental that the new “ NIGERIA in the 21st century should remain one. One nation, multicultural society with one destiny of a united and progressive country, “if the elite and the government are to achieve reasonable stability and get the confidence of vast majority of ordinary Nigerians, they must deliver the goods of giving Nigerians quality dividends of democracy as obtained in developed countries, considering the fact that some of our leaders have studied and even sent their children to
Sambo
context in which objectives and priorities of development are clearly ordered with this goal of general and more even development in orientation, where human and natural resources are organised and used effectively and progressively for advancement of the country. Yes, separate civil service may, however, have been inevitable then, given the political acrimony of the moment but other different models of civil service organisation were not considered. The political circumstances then and the fact that regional selfgovernment was to come first, in the case of East and West three years before independence, and one year before independence in the case of the North, meant that the regional services were able, with higher pay and more rapid
study abroad and saw the way the leaders of these developed countries put their countries first [national interest] above parochial and personal interests. Progress must be seen to be made in breaking the vicious circle of poverty, ignorance and suffering permeating the fabric of our society. To move Nigeria forward, it is imperative to have in the country one sovereign power cap of regulating, gathering and allocating the country’s resources with flexibility of regional development as a great end in view. Notwithstanding, the final allocation of functions between federal and states governments, the expanding financial resources must be collected and allocated fairly, responsibly and progressively by the federal government. Therefore, the civil service must be organised, focus, effective and directed in such a way as to make them understand and embrace this philosophy to becoming a very important instruments for stability and unity and more importantly, a tool for national development. States civil service are expected to perform their tasks as civil servants efficiently and with loyalty to the states they serve but by the very nature of the arrangement as obtained in the constitution of the country, they cannot be used to subvert the central government or disparage the ideal of national unity. Their orientation should be decidedly national and progressive but not divisive and anarchist in nature and orientation. Nigeria of 21st century under president Goodluck Jonathan, must as a matter of both public expectation and posterity, develop the nation . God bless Nigeria and Nigerian people, Long live federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The development of our nation is possible in a national context in which objectives and priorities of development are clearly ordered with this goal of general and more even development in orientation, where human and natural resources are organised and used effectively and progressively for advancement of the country.”
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Today’s Diet With Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Empowered To Comfort Others Memorize: For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:17. Read: Revelation 1:15-17
Bible in one year: Revelations 13-15
APART from consuming stones, the fire that came down from heaven equally dried up the water poured on and around the sacrifice Elijah made on the Mount Carmel (1 Kings 1 8:38). Water here stands for tears and sorrow. One reason the Holy Spirit is called comforter because he is a specialist at delivering comfort to those who are in sorrow or who are hurting. Revelation 7:17 says “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” You are a man or woman of the Spirit, He will definitely use you to deliver comfort to those in need of it. The level of comfort you are able to deliver to your generation is a function of the
measure of the Holy Spirit you have in you and the level of closeness you share with him. “Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them rebound;” Isaiah 61:1 From the above scripture, we see that it takes the infilling spirit to be able to effectively preach salvation to lost sinners, heal broken hearts, set the captives free and release inmates from Satan’s prison. If a
pastor is full of the spirit and he is transferred to a parish with lots of sorrow, sickness, poverty, loss, failure, etc., you will discover that before long, all those tokens of the liar will disappear and in place of tears, there shall be tears of joy and lots of miracles. If you want to truly be of help to anyone be it in ministerial or secular matters, get close to the Holy Spirit. You have the Spirit in you, you will save lots of effort n e e d l e s s struggles. Merely saying, ‘It is well’ to a fellow will have a great impact in comfort. Besides merely showing sympathy, if you are full of the Holy Spirit, He can reverse the source of the sorrow and deliver permanent joy. Are you prepared to impact your generation?
Action Point: Prayerfully identify 10 brethren who need cornfort and by the power of the Holy Spirit, using the Word and other materials, extend comfort to them.
Mercy weds Bright CAVEAT EMPTOR It has come to our notice that some trespassers have alleged to have concluded arrangement to sell/apply for certificate of occupancy in the property measuring 100ft by 200ft and 50 by 100 both situate within the new layout, Ekae village area on the Benin Sapele Road, Benin City with survey plan number JAO/ ED2004/260A property demarcated by beacons numbers SC/ ED86960D, SC/ED86961D; SC/ED86962D, SC/ED86963D and beacon blocks numbers 63 and 126. The above described property belong to Miss Osaro Erhahon and Mr. Dickson Erhahon. Ministry of Lands, Survey and Housing should please take note and not to effect any registration or application certificate of occupancy on the said property to anybody whatsoever. The general public should please take note. Signed E. A. Uwaifo & Co For: Miss Osaro Erhahon, Mr. Dickson Erhahon
The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Mercy Itohan Jatto and Mr. Bright Usiomoifo (based in Malaysia) took place on Friday 23 rd August, 2013 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City. Amongst personalities present were Mr. Victor Ohiengbomwan, Pastor Amos Jatto, Chief Stephen Ogbeide, Mr. Jonah Usiomoifo (Groom’s Father), family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows the couple at the registry. Congratulations. Photo: SONNIE .E RECONCILIATION OF NAME
I, Aigbodion Oghuansuan Edith wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the person as Aigbodion Oghuansuan and Aigbodion Edith as appeared in my various documents. It should be known therefore that I am properly known and addressed as Aigbodion Oghuansuan Edith. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, SUBEB and First Bank Plc should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
ENAGBAREI formerly known and addressed as Enagbare Imade Alex now wish to be known and addressed as Ona Imade Alex. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
AHMED- I formerly Mrs. Chinelo Catherine Ahmed now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Chinelo Catherine Igbogidi Oharisi. All former documents remain valid. Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the general public should please take note.
RECONCILIATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Ohionoya Iyabo wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Joseph Kemi as appeared in my Primary School Leaving Certificate. It should be known therefore that I am properly known and addressed as Ohionoya Iyabo. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
OSI- I formerly called Miss Osi Vanessa Uche is now known and called Mrs. Nwokedi Vanessa Uche. All former documents remain valid. Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, NYSC, Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
ORIAZOWANLEN- I formerly known and addressed as Miss Rosemary Oriazowanlen now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rosemary Augustine Eialefoh. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
NDINOJUO- I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeyenwa Ify Ndinojuo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okwendi Myra Ifeyenwa. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, NIFOR and general public should please take note.
EDORE- I formerly Miss Edith Edore, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Edith Edeki. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
OTOJA- I formerly called Miss Otoja Vivian Oghenebrohen is now known and called Mrs. Friday Vivian Oghenebrohen. All former documents remain valid. Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, NYSC, Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME OMORIYEKEMWEN –I formerly called Miss Omoriyekemwen Vivien Osarumwense is now known and called Mrs. Ezoguan Vivien Osarumwense. All former documents remain valid. NIFOR, Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
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G vernment
Mid-Term Report: How Relevant P R E S I D E N T Goodluck Jonathan Presenting His Administrations MidTerm Report At The 2013 Democracy Day Celebration In Abuja. May 29, 2013 For the first time since the return to civil rule in 1999, a properly documented mid-term report which I will prefer to call “GEJ’s Big Green Book” was presented to the public on May 29, 2013. If I am not mistaking, the purpose of doing so was perhaps to set a precedence of transparency; expand the scope and quality of public discuss; establish a culture of scientific analysis; and deepen the horizon of political thought. This is consistent with the background of Mr President as an academic, and a scientist. I commend him and salute his courage for upholding the principles of “servant leadership” in line with the “social contract theory”. However, I have not been able to grab a copy of “GEJ’s Big Green Book”. When I do, it will form the basis of my political discuss in the coming months. To make my job easier, I challenge the members of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) including those of the opposition political parties to furnish us with a detailed report of their mid-term performance. Nonetheless, I have developed a template for the scientific analysis of all mid-term reports. It may take the following format:
1. Identify Nigeria’s needs and peculiar challenges 2. Identify factors militating against their resolution 3. What the government at Federal and States has done so far 4. Outcomes and results 5. My expectations; and 6. The way forward. In recent times I have been inundated by comments that are lacking in scientific content on the state of nation being made by some individuals and group of individuals presenting themselves as intellectuals. They dismiss everything, take subjectivity to a new level and make it difficult for others to have a good debate with them. This is not only
By MARK OLISE should rise up and play the role that their kinds in other climes played in advancing the cause of
consummated, oppression is sustained at all cost and illiterates are philosophers”. We
Jonathan
their country by confronting this dangerously ugly phenomenon.
need a revolution in the way we view things and form opinions. Let us bring forth the days of
Minister of Information, Labaran Maku
barbaric but is capable of cultivating a society of despondent and unpatriotic elements. All patriotic intellectuals
Let us encourage scholarship in public discuss and service for there lies one of the pillars of western civilisation –
According to a Nigerian political thinker, Paul Wagbafor Ph.D, “in a society where the culture of science is not
deep thinking and critical analysis. The days where institutions are built and they supersede personality.
meritocracy. Now that Mr President has set the standard by publishing his “Big Green Book”, it has become pertinent more than ever before, for all the state governors to publish their mid-term report. The era of cosmetically concealing the underperformance and undemocratic
character of state governors by indulging in President bashing is over going by this presidential challenge. Self criticism is the word as we embark on the second half of this term. Finally, let me say that Mr President may not have met my expectations but surely, he has relatively exceeded that of his predecessors since after the civil war given the time frame in review. There is a transition going on in Nigeria, maybe it is part of what the Federal Government calls “The Transformation Agenda”. It is a transition from a Nigeria where for half a century; some elites got all they wanted because they were from a particular part of the country while the others were perpetually confined to the status of the internally colonized. Now that they can have a breath of fresh air, we should as intellectual, guide and protect the gains of the struggles of our heroes past and present. Thank you.
“According to a Nigerian political thinker, Paul Wagbafor Ph.D, “in a society where the culture of science is not consummated, oppression is sustained at all cost and illiterates are philosophers”. We need a revolution in the way we view things and form opinions. Let us bring forth the days of deep thinking and critical analysis. The days where institutions are built and they supersede personality.”
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
Angola, Mozambique Meet In CHAN
ANGOLA and Mozambique square-off in the first leg of their 2014 African Nations Championship qualifier in Maputo tomorrow. The teams met in the Plate Final of the recent COSAFA Cup Zambia 2013 tournament, where Mozambique triumphed 1-0 against a youthful Angola side. The Palancas Negras outfit is much stronger this time round, after coach Gutavo Ferrin selected a number of players with great international experience in his training squad of 23. He will trim his selection down to 18 for the travelling party, who will leave for Maputo on Friday. Mozambique coach João Chissano has been working with his players all week, and
has stalwarts Miro, Momed Hagy, Chico, Josimar, Sonito, Telinho and Reginaldo in his squad.
The return leg of the fixture will be played in Benguela on August 31. The winner of the tie will advance to the finals in South Africa in January.
Ghana To Host WAFU Zone B Tournament GHANA will host the third edition of the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Zone B tournament in October. The tournament will be played in Accra from 24 October to 3 November involving eight nations. Hosts Ghana will be joined by Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Niger, Nigeria, Togo and Mauritania from WAFU Zone A.
ZAMBIA held close door training on their first day in Ndola on Wednesday ahead of today’s CHAN qualifier against Zimbabwe. The team arrived in Ndola early Tuesday evening to begin their build-up for Saturday’s crucial final leg decider against Zimbabwe at Levy Mwanawasa
Zambia Train Behind Closed Doors Stadium. Training under camera at Levy began on Wednesday afternoon with a practice match against FAZ Division One North club Kalewa FC.
The two-week competition meant for locally-based player will be played at the Accra and ElWak stadia. This is to prepare qualified teams from the region for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for South Africa next January. The sub-regional body is headed by Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi and its headquarters in Abidjan.
Kuban Krasnodar Unveil Rabiu
Okwi Slams Etoile du Sahel UGANDA Cranes striker Emmanuel Okwi has said Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel is frustrating his efforts as a footballer. Okwi told MTNFootball.com in an interview that he has refused to return to the club because they have refused to fulfil their part of the contractual obligation. “There is no way I could refuse to go back to play for them if there was no problem because I am paid to play football,” reasoned Okwi. The player revealed that the Tunisian side is now demanding $400,000 to release him to any other club. The former Simba SC player in Tanzania moved to Etoile du Sahel five months ago, but refused to return to Tunis after the Cranes’ last 2014 World Cup game against Angola in June. “I still want to play competitive football, but
Etoile du Sahel is making my life hard because they are not being truthful,” added Okwi. The players wondered why the club is even tagging a huge fee for any club that wants his services, yet they acquired him at a lower price and have never completed payment of the transfer fee. Last month the Tunisian side, who are in the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup, said they were taking the matter to the world governing body FIFA. Etoile du Sahel also claim the player has failed to live up to his expectations as contained in his contract with the club and has also declined to communicate, thus creating more tension and anxiety. However, several members of the FA have advised Okwi to return to Tunisia and resolve the problems with his club from there instead of
remaining in Kampala. But the player said he will wait and keep praying to God to help him out of this because he is innocent.
Sepp Blatter, FIFA President
FIFA Team Inspects Goal Project Site In Bauchi THE Senior Development Manager of the FIFA Goal Project, Francesco Brescoli, on Wednesday said that the project was aimed at fishing out young and talented players in Africa. The Site Engineer of the Brescoli, who spoke when project in Bauchi, Mr Taiye he led a delegation on Olajide, showed the inspection visit to a site in delegation the master-plan, Bauchi where one of the projects would be detailing how it would look constructed, said that FIFA upon completion. He explained that the placed high premium on the project, a standard stadium, project. He said Bauchi, Anambra would consists 22 rooms for and Lagos would benefit officials, four restaurants, from the project, and gymnasium, medical centre expressed satisfaction with and general store, among preparations of the Nigeria others. The NFF President, Aminu Football Federation (NFF) in providing the land for the Maigari, applauded the gesture of FIFA to the people project.
Ajax-Pirates Postponed Again! AJAX Cape Town’s rescheduled fixture between
Orlando Pirates has been postponed once again, with the revised date still unknown. The fixture was originally scheduled to be played on August 20, but that was moved as a result of the Buccaneers’ involvement in the MTN8 semi-finals which is it be played on
August 24. That then left the Urban Warriors having to wait a whole month before their next league fixture against Polokwane City, September 2, before it was announced that the match would be played on August 27 at Cape Town Stadium. Subsequently, the Premier League Soccer committee has, once again, postponed
the date set for next week and, so far, there is no word on when the revised fixture shall be played. This leaves Ajax having to wait until their match against Polokwane City to play their next competitive outing. Ajax Executive Director, Ari Efstathiou, voiced his disappointment in the continuous reshuffle of
Zambia won that match 40 thanks to a brace from Zanaco striker Moses Phiri. Nchanga Rangers winger Alex Ngonga and Young Zanaco midfielder Boyd Musonda added a goal each against the second tier Ndola-based club. Zambia and Zimbabwe are scoreless from their second round, first leg fixture played on August 18 at Rufaro Stadium in Harare. Winner this weekend qualifies for the CHAN tournament to be hosted by South Africa from January 11 to February 1.
dates: “It’s extremely disappointing to find ourselves in this situation; we are a professional club playing in a professional league. “We invest time and resources to ensure that we honour our fixtures in a professional and efficient manner and cannot allow situations like what has transpired to continue.”
of Nigeria and Bauchi, in particular. Earlier, the team paid a courtesy call on Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Sale, who thanked FIFA for considering the state for the establishment of the project. The leader of the FIFA team had commended the state government for providing a befitting land for the project. NAN reports that the team also paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu.
GHANA midfielder Mohammed Rabiu has completed his move to Russian Premier League side Kuban Krasnodar, MTNFootball can exclusively reveal. The Yellew-Greens presented the Ghana international to their fans on Thursday after passing a detailed medical in the city of Krasnodar. Rabiu was bought from French Ligue 1 side Evian Thonon-Gaillard in a deal worth three million Euros and has signed a three year contract. The 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup winner will watch his new side at the Kuban Stadium when they face Feyenoord in the Europa League play-offs. He made 29 appearances in the French Ligue 1 last season and scored two goals. The 23-year-old has previously played for Italian side Sampdoria and Spanish duo Deportivo Xerez and Gimnastic.
NSC S/E Zone 1 Hosts Chess Tourney THE National Sports Commission (NSC) South East Zone I Chess championships came underway in Enugu on Wednesday with 24 participants jostling for honours. The two-day competition is the first of its type for the zone which comprises of Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi. The NSC organised the championships for secondary Schools students to harness their talent for the development of the game. The chief arbiter at the
championship, Mr Charles Ntephe , told newsmen that the grand finale would hold on Thursday. He expressed gratitude to the coordinator of the NSC in the zone for organising the championships and hoped that others would follow suit for the development of the game. “The game of chess as a lesser sport to other well known games like football is the same but different in technicality,” Ntephe said. He said the arbiters were also professionals who underwent arbitration courses organised by the World Chess Federation.
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Golf: Woods In Hunt At Barclays Open UNHERALDED American Kevin Stadler shined in the gloom of a storm-hit day, shooting a seven-under 64 to emerge the surprise clubhouse leader after the opening round of the Barclays tournament. World number one Tiger Woods lurked three strokes back, with the opening event of the FedExCup playoffs stalled for more than six hours by heavy lightning and two rain delays. Some 63 players, including British Open winner Phil Mickelson and Masters champion Adam Scott, were unable to complete their rounds and face an early start on Friday and another long day. The 33-year-old Stadler, winless on the PGA Tour, made the most of his chances, however, registering seven birdies in a bogey-free round at Liberty National where bright sunshine eventually replaced the dark, stormy skies across the harbor from downtown Manhattan. Tied for second on six-under were Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, Colombia’s Camilo Villegas and
American Ryan Palmer, with Australian Jason Day and another American in Matt Kuchar a further shot adrift. Woods, who began his long day at the 10th hole, reached four-under by adding a birdie at the par-three fourth after his run of three straight birdies was interrupted by the second weather delay. The playoffs points leader, who has already won five tournaments this season, parred his last five holes for 67 and was satisfied after a gruelling day. “I’m actually tired,” Woods
told reporters. “I got up at four this morning and I think it took us, from start to finish just under 11 hours for the day. Long day. “I’m only three back. We have a long way to go.” Stadler was thrilled with his showing given his lacklustre season, the American posting just two top-10 finishes with a tie for third at Pebble Beach his best result. “I’ve had kind of a pretty lousy summer, result-wise,” said Stadler, the son of 13-time PGA tour winner Craig Stadler. “But I really started hitting the
ball a lot better a couple of weeks ago. “Felt like I was heading in the right direction even though the results were not showing it and finally got something out of it today.” In contrast, Stenson has been on a roll. Runner-up at the British Open, tied for second at the WGC-Bridgestone and third at the PGA Championship in his last three events, the 37-year-old Swede continued his impressive form at Liberty National.
Too Late To Sell Suarez LIVERPOOL’S manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed it is too late for Real Madrid to make a move for Luis Suarez. Fresh speculation surrounding the Uruguay striker has begun just days after he appeared before Liverpool’s opening home game of the season apparently content to remain at Anfield for the time being. But with Real Madrid - the club top of Suarez’s list when he first sought a transfer earlier this summer - linked with a move for him, Rodgers said there was no longer enough time remaining in the transfer window to countenance losing last season’s top scorer. “It’s very difficult at this time [for a Suarez bid to succeed],” Rodgers said. “We are trying to get one or two more quality players in through the door. If we lose Luis at this stage it would be difficult to replace him. “There might have been a point a few months ago where there was time to do it but with 11 days to go it would be difficult to replace him.” Rodgers is satisfied with his dealings to date, bringing in Kolo Toure, Simon Mignolet, Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas and Aly Cissokho, but was unsuccessful with some of his more ambitious targets.
Coach Stephen Keshi
NFF Submits Provisional 35-Man List To FIFA THE Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has submitted a provisional 35man list of the players to represent the country at the FIFA U-17 World Cup to the World Football governing body. This was disclosed in a statement from the Media Officer of the U-17 team, Golden Eaglets, Morakinyo Abodunrin on Thursday in Abuja from the team’s camp in Calabar. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Golden Eaglets will participate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates from Oct. 17 to Nov. 8. According to the statement, the provisional list is part of the regulations of the championship and it is from the pool of players that the final list of 21 would eventually be picked. The statement added that the list comprised key members of the team that won silver at the U-17 Africa Youth Championship (AYC) in Morocco in April and others who were picked during its two-weeks open camping in Abuja.
2014 World Cup Qualifier
Keshi Accuses Malawi Of Distracting Nigeria NIGERIA’S Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has accused Malawi of trying to distract the Super Eagles ahead of their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Sept. 7 in Calabar. The coach was apparently referring to Malawi’s petition to FIFA to move the venue of the match from Calabar to the capital city of Abuja, alleging insecurity and lack
of good hotels in the city. “I think it is very clear what they (Malawi) have been trying to do. “All they want is to distract us but their plan has failed and we on our part have vowed to do the talking on the pitch, with a convincing victory in Calabar. “Calabar is a very secured place to play football, with nice environment and I was
shocked that they could say that it was a security risk. “The only thing we want to do now is to ensure that they are roundly beaten, so that they can learn to work harder and talk less,” the local media Friday quoted Keshi as saying. Nigeria leads group F with nine points and needs to avoid a loss against Malawi (second on seven
Today’s Fixtures Fulham Everton Hull Cit Newcastle United Southampton Stoke City
v v v v v v
Arsenal West Bromwich Albion Norwich City West Ham United Sunderland Crystal Palace
Tomorrow’s Matches Cardiff City v Manchester City Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City Luis Suarez
FIFA U-17 W/Cup:
points) to be sure of reaching the final African qualifying round for the World Cup.
It further quoted the team’s Coach, Manu Garba as saying that the 35-man list selection was based on merit. ‘’The list have been carefully selected based on merit and there is no longer opportunity to try out new players as the preparations for the World Cup is well underway. ‘’We want to use this opportunity to thank all the players who came around during the past few weeks to see if they can get the opportunity to be part of the team. ‘’We are happy with the calibre of players that we have selected with the confidence that we shall produce a formidable team for the World Cup. ‘’Of course, there is no room to see new players after the submission of the provisional list of 35 players to FIFA out of which we are going to pick the squad for the World Cup. ‘’We want to count on the support of Nigerians towards a successful outing at the World Cup and on our own part; we are going to do our best,’’ Garba said. Meanwhile, the NFA has enjoined Nigerians to give the Golden Eaglets’ and their officials the desired support. NFA’s Chief Technical Officer, Siji Lagunju, was quoted as saying that ‘the technical crew need total concentration in other to build a team that the country would be proud of at the World Cup. ‘’There is no doubt that serious work has begun following the submission of the provisional list to FIFA by the NFA and that means the coaches should not be distracted. ‘’We all need to support and give them the necessary encouragement so that the Golden Eaglets can do well at the World Cup,’’ Lagunju said.
Anelka Excused By Baggies NICOLAS Anelka has been excused by West Bromwich Albion on compassionate grounds after leaving the club’s training session on. Anelka, 34, held a meeting with technical and sporting director Richard Garlick before exiting the West Brom training ground. According to sources, the former France international striker departed upon hearing that his agent had died. The Press Association reported that Anelka was granted “indefinite” compassionate leave, but described early claims that he had retired from the game as “premature”. A statement on West Brom’s official website on Thursday afternoon read: “West Bromwich Albion can confirm that Nicolas Anelka
will not be involved in Saturday’s game at Everton. The club have excused the striker from club duty on compassionate grounds.” Anelka joined Albion, his sixth Premier League club, on a Bosman transfer on July 4 after being released by Shanghai Shenhua, signing a 12-month deal. There are no suggestions of any kind of falling-out between Anelka and the club, and it is thought the decision has been made for personal, rather than football, reasons. Anelka turned up for training on Thursday morning as usual, only to clear out his locker and collect his personal belongings before a short meeting with Garlick. He did not join training with the rest of the squad, and left the training headquarters.
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
Kayode Cries Out Over Transfer Logjam
Tomorrow’s NPFL Fixtures El Kanemi Warriors Akwa United Bayelsa United Wikki Tourist Kano Pillars Lobi Stars Dolphins Gombe United Kwara United Kaduna United
vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs
Warri Wolves Shooting Stars ABS Sunshine Stars Sharks Heartland Enugu Rangers Nasarawa United Enyimba Nembe City
NIGERIA U20 striker Olanrewaju Kayode has accused former NFF boss Taiwo Ogunjobi of standing between him and a transfer to Europe. However, Ogunjobi has been quick to dismiss the allegation against him, saying the player still belongs to Ivorian club Asec. Kayode featured for Nigeria at the recent FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey and he has several offers to move overseas, but his transfer papers are still with Asec Mimosas, who the player has insisted he no longer has a contract with. Kayode fails to move to Esperance The striker, who this year signed for Heartland in the Nigeria league, said he has not moved principally because Ogunjobi has insisted he be transferred abroad through Asec.
ITTF Tourney:
Team Nigeria Promises 2 Medals TEAM Nigeria to the forthcoming Funchal Junior and Cadet International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Circuit in Portugal, yesterday promised to win at least two gold medals at the competition. The competition would hold from Aug. 30 to Sept. 9 in Lisbon, Portugal. Olubode Ajayi, Team Nigeria Head of delegation to the competition, told NAN at the ongoing ITTF Circuit in Lagos that the two players for the competition would not disappoint Nigeria. Ajayi, who is also the Head Coach, Ekiti Table Tennis Association, said that the two players, Hammed Osibanjo and Tosin Oribamise, would feature in three events. “Osibanjo will play in the boy’s singles, Oribamise in girl’s singles, while the two will pair for the mixed doubles. “The players have improved immensely in their skill; that is why I am optimistic that they will win nothing less than two gold medals at the competition. “I’m confident of Hammed and Tosin doing the country proud; I see them performing well at this event because they keep improving daily and what improves players’ standard is exposure. “The more they are exposed, the more they improve. It is participation in regular international championships that
Eneramo Debuts For Besiktas NIGERIA’S striker Michael Eneramo debuted for Turkish club Besiktas on Thursday in a 2-1 loss at Norway’s Tromso in a UEFA Europa League tie. Eneramo was an 83rd minute substitute for Kavkal. The second leg will be in Istanbul on Thursday. The group stage draw will take place in Monaco on Friday, August 30. Turkey Football Federation wrongly listed Eneramo in the starting line-up for Besiktas in league opener against Trabzonspor. Eneramo has signed a twoyear deal with Besiktas after his contract with another Turkish club Sivasspor ran out. There were fears that the deal will hit the rocks after an initial routine medical suggested the big striker has a heart problem. He will later have a minor surgery on his knee before the season kicked off.
is helping countries like China, Taipei and others. “If you don’t attend international competitions regularly, the hand might not get accustomed to the racket, and holding the racket firmly contributes to the style of play,’’ he said.
Aminu Maigari
Ahead Confed Cup Final
We Are Ready For Warri Wolves, Says Udoji THE skipper of the Aba Elephants says the players are prepared for their opponents in the September 15 final of the country’s oldest cup competition in Lagos Enyimba captain Chinedu their way on September 15 at Udoji has disclosed that the the final that will be played team will be ready for their at the Teslim Balogun. “It was a good game. We did opponents Warri Wolves in the September 15 final of the our best. Lobi Stars was a tough side and they played Federation Cup. The Aba Elephants defeated well. But I want to say we will Lobi Stars 1-0 at the Samuel be ready for any team in the Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin final of the competition,” through a 67th minute goal Udoji told Goal. “I don’t want to know scored by Ifeanyi Edeh. After the game, Udoji noted which team, we will are that they have been trained to playing. All I want is for my face any team that will come colleagues to get ready
because it will not also be an easy game like the one against Lobi Stars. “The final deserves utmost concentration. We have come this far because we are dedicated and that is what we want in the final.” The midfielder also stated that he is keen to help the Aba Millionaires end their bareen trophy run this season. “For a long time, Enyimba have not won any major trophy and this is the time to make our supporters happy
once again. They have waited for a long time and this is an opportunity for them to be happy again. “All our supporters should come out and cheer on the final day at the Teslim Balogun Stadium,” Udoji said. Warri Wolves defeated Akwa United 2-1 to book a place in the final of the competition on Thursday after the game was delayed by bad weather.
...NFF Congratulates Enyimba, Wolves, Others THE Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Thursday in Abuja congratulated all the four teams that qualified for the grand finale of the 2013 Men and Women Federations Cup competitions. The final matches are scheduled to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Sunday Sept. 15. A statement signed by Mr Emeka Inyama, Chairman of NFA Media and Publicity Committee, said the NFA was looking forward to a colourful grand finale. “NFA duly congratulates all the four teams and let me say clearly here that we are looking forward to a very colourful grand finale. “All four teams are quality sides and will bring so much panache to that big day in Lagos. “The Federation Cup has
certainly gained much more glamour with the women’s event being played alongside the men’s competition. “The NFA and Lagos State anticipate great games in the finals in Lagos,” Inyama was quoted as saying in the statement. Two-time CAF Champions League winners, Enyimba FC of Aba beat hard-fighting Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in an exciting semi final duel at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, on Aug. 21. It was also an exciting match as Warri Wolves FC edged out Akwa United FC in the other semi final played over two days at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi. It would be recalled that a downpour led to stoppage of
the Wolves/Akwa United match in Bauchi with 15 minutes to the end of the enc ounter, with both sides locked at 1-1. The last quarter-hour was played out on Thursday with Wolves grabbing a goal to qualify for the showpiece grand finale in Lagos. Ifeanyi Edeh and Etebo Oghenekaro, the Super Eagles’ Team B marksmen did the job for both Enyimba and Wolves respectively. While Edeh netted the only goal in Benin, Oghenekaro swept in the goal that sent Akwa United packing in Bauchi. In the women’s event, Nasarawa Amazons beat Bayelsa Queens 1-0 in Ado Ekiti, just as Rivers Angels beat Pelican Stars 2-0 in Abuja.
Olarewaju Kayode
“Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi is holding me to ransom, he is standing between me and my career and I want Nigerians to know this,” a very bitter Kayode opened up. “First, he told me that I will go on loan to Asec and when I got to Abidjan, I did not sign a contract with Asec because he told me he did everything on my behalf. “I have never had a copy of my contract with Asec and it was only when I got to Lucerne in Switzerland that the club got something close to this contract when they demanded for it. “I have tried to reach Ogunjobi several times on this matter and he has rebuffed my pleas for him to let me go.” But Ogunjobi has said he is not the stumbling block between Kayode and a foreign deal. He said he will never work against the progress of Kayode or any Nigerian player and that Asec are in the best position to talk about contract situation of the Nigeria U20 striker. “How will he say he doesn’t have a contract with Asec Mimosas? I don’t have much to say on it because any explanation I give here will be seen as a defence but if you can contact any Asec official, they will tell you the true position on Kayode’s contract,” said the Oshun State FA boss. “I have a name to protect, how will I agree that a player owned by another club should be transfer through another club. “I will be glad if you can dig deep and get to ASEC for clarification. As we all know, the transfer of a player is done between club and club.” Ogunjobi Said Kayode was loaned to Lucerne in Switzerland, but never returned to his parent club Asec after the expiration of the loan deal Hadjuk Split want Kayode Kayode’s Germany-based agent Emeka Ezeala further said that in January he and Ogunjobi agreed that efforts should be geared towards getting the player out of Asec.
CMYK
Weekend Sport THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
Proposed Int’l Bout: Boxing
Unlucky Villa Eyeing Liverpool Win
Fans Year For Action SOME boxing enthusiasts in Benin City have expressed delight over the proposed international boxing challenge billed to feature hard-hitting Lightweight Super Star, Alex Ekhorowa against a Burkinabe opponent in the state capital next month. Those who bared their minds, however, urged the organisers of the proposed international bout to endeavour to make the event a reality. According to Mr. Frank Okosun, the lull in the business of professional boxing in Edo State, had been a major concern for boxing fans. Mr. Okosun said he was delighted when he read that the NBBC would soon put up a boxing show which will be the first of its kind in Edo State.
“I am delighted to hear that efforts are being made to revive professional boxing here in Edo State. “In the past, Edo State used to be the centre of professional boxing when people like Omo Egharevba of Pennywise Organisation and the late Col. Mike Okwechime organised regular boxing championships in the state,” he noted. Another boxing enthusiast, Austin Anabor called on both the state government and corporate organisations to support the promotion of professional boxing in Edo State. Mr. Anabor noted that such effort would help to stimulate the interest of the young ones in boxing as a career.
ASTON Villa coach Paul Lambert is hopeful that his side will continue with their form when they host Liverpool at Villa Park in their Premier League clash this evening. The Villans got their campaign off to a great start when they defeated Arsenal 3-1 away from home in their opening league fixture last Saturday. However, they didn’t have too much time to bask in their glory as they travelled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Wednesday night. Villa created many problems for the Blues in the second half after the two sides went into the break deadlocked on 1-1 courtesy of an own-goal by Antonio Luna ad a good finish from Christian Benteke. However, they had to leave London emptyhanded as Branislav Ivanovic netted the winning goal for Jose Mourinho’s side deep into the second half. Nonetheless, Lambert
Newcastle Welcome Hammers To St James Fark NEWCASTLE United welcome West Ham United to St. James Park today in the Magpies’ first home game of the 2013/ 2014 Premier League season. The Magpies will be eager to bounce back from a humiliating 4-0 thumping at the hands of Manchester City on Monday, evening while the Hammers will look to continue their good start to the season. West Ham made easy work of Premier League new boys Cardiff City in their opening game of the campaign. Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan found the back of the net for the London side, as they saw off the Welsh club 20 at Upton Park. Nolan has fond memories of St. James’s Park – the midfielder not only notably played for the Magpies, but also scored against them in the Hammers’ 1-0 win over the Geordies last season. The Hammers will fancy their chances against a wounded Newcastle side which has problems on and off the pitch. Newcastle’s only summer signing, Loic Remy, will miss the game on the weekend due to injury, while Yohan Cabaye’s future on Tyneside remains in the balance following a bid from Arsenal. West Ham finished last season in 10th position on the Premier League log, while Newcastle finished six places below the East London outfit in 16th , a mere five points clear of the drop zone. Star midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa expressed that it is key that Newcastle win on Saturday, and hopes the Magpies can
move on from their defeat to City and finish in the top five. “It is very, very important to win,” Ben Arfa told the Chronicle. “Our first objective is to finish in the top 10. In my head and my heart I hope to finish in the top five. But it is going to be a case of going step by step, I’m certainly confident.”
Alex Ekhorowa
United, Chelsea Set For Heavyweight Clash MANCHESTER United and Chelsea will meet for an early-season heavyweight clash at Old Trafford on Monday night. Kick-off is at 21h00 CAT. United began the season on a good note, with a brace each from Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck handing them an impressive 4-1 away win over Swansea last weekend. The victory was new manager David Moyes’ first in a competitive match with the Red Devils, but he will face a much stiffer test against the Blues on Monday. Chelsea began their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Hull City before defeating Aston Villa 2-1 in midweek in a match brought forward due to the London side’s upcoming participation in the UEFA Super Cup.
These wins see Jose Mourinho’s team at the top of the table and United veteran Ryan Giggs knows that they cannot afford to let the Blues build up a head of steam this early in the title race. “When Mourinho was [first] at Chelsea, they obviously got off to good starts and we didn’t manage to catch them,” said Giggs. “It has been well documented that we have a tough start but you like to get off to a good start. We got a good win at Swansea on Saturday and hopefully we can carry that on.” The match contains two interesting subplots
– the rivalry between managers Moyes and Mourinho, who are both ‘new’ to their clubs for this season, as well Chelsea’s continued pursuit of Wayne Rooney, who United are adamant they will not sell. Mourinho insists that he will continue to test the
Manchester club’s resolve in this regard, though not until after the match at Old Trafford has been completed. “I don’t want Chelsea to do it before we go there,” said Mourinho, following Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa on Wednesday.
“Everybody in the club, in the board, they agree with me. They share that opinion. “I think this period, by the ethical point of view, is a period where we’re going to be quiet.” Mourinho admitted earlier in the week that he respected United’s right to turn down any bid, and revealed he did have other targets if Chelsea’s pursuit of Rooney was ultimately unsuccessful.
was pleased with his side’s performance and believes they will get a positive result if they stay on the same track during their first home league fixture against the Reds. “I am so proud of my team. I thought they were absolutely outstanding,” said Lambert referring to the Chelsea clash. “The lads are together. They’re a really strong group, they are young lads with energy and pace. “Now we need to take this form on. We have had two games at Arsenal and Chelsea away. We should have taken more out of them. Then we have Liverpool. “These are three incredibly hard, tough games but I think everyone who has seen Villa over the last two games will say they’re a good side.” Villa are currently in fifth place with three points, two places ahead of Liverpool, who edged Stoke City 1-0 at Anfield in their opening fixture. The hosts will be without the injured trio of Christopher Herd, Charles N’Zogbia and Nathan Baker, while the Reds will be without striker Luis Suarez, who is still serving his 10match ban. Last season Brendan Rodgers’ side took away maximum points from Villa Park as goals from Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard handed them a 2-1 win, while Benteke scored the only goal for the home side.
Cardiff Face Baptism Of Fire Against City
NEW BOYS, Cardiff City, face a baptism of fire when they come up against a Manchester City side bursting with confidence. The match will take place at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday afternoon, kick-off at 17h00 (CAT). The last time Cardiff City graced the top-flight of English football, Harold Macmillan was Prime Minister and English football was at its prime in 1962.
Since then, it has been a long and windy road back up to the top for the Bluebirds, who have had to succumb to a colossal amount of heartache and tears over the years. But alas, the sleeping giant has returned to where - some may say it belongs and they now take on the daunting task of coming up against last season’s runners-up,
Manchester City. Manuel Pellegrini’s star-studded side is as tough a home Premier League debut as the Bluebirds could have, with many fans already fearing a comfortable win for City after they so easily brushed aside Newcastle United 4-0 at the Emirates on Monday evening. Malky Makay’s men fell
to a disappointing 2-0 away loss to West Ham in their first game of the new season and there is little hope that his side can match up to the bignames of Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko. Nonetheless, Andre Taylor, who played in the Premier League four years ago for Middlesbrough, is adamant there will be no inferiority complex from Mackay’s Bluebirds.
Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531 Editor: HENRY BALOGUN - (08058767088). Lagos Office: 3/4, Amode Close, Kudirat Abiola Way, By Olushosun Bus Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631. All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)