Anambra Guber 2014: Candidates at War by Advocate Nigeria

Vol. 1 No. 31, Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

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Arthur Eze blames Pg 5 Anambra PDP 路Pg crisis on greed

Anambra Guber 2014

Candidates B at War Rex Arum & Uche Chukwu, Awka aring any last minute substitution of names of flag bearers of the contending political parties for the governorship seat in

PATRICK IFEANYI UBAH (EBUBECHUKWU-UZO)

CAPITAL OIL

Anambra State come February 2014, the stage is now set for a do-or-die battle for the soul of the State. Just on September 2, the Independent National Electoral

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Governorship candidates at war in Anambra Continued from front page Commission (INEC) drew the curtain on the registered political parties that hope to capture the seat of power in Anambra State come November 16, 2013 gubernatorial race. In a couple of days, the electoral body, would release the full list of candidates of various political parties whose names were forwarded by their parties as having won the primaries conducted to produce them as flag bearers of their parties. Though a number of political parties openly held their primaries in Awka, the state capital, investigation revealed that some parties may have taken other overt or covert steps to affirm or conduct their primaries to pick flag bearers for the parties for the election. Reports of parties that conducted their primaries which produced gubernatorial candidates show that no fewer than 13 parties beat

the deadline to pick their flag bearers for the battle in November this year. The flag bearers are Hygers Ifeanyi Igwebuike Accord party; Jerry Chika Okeke Action Alliance (AA); Hon. Anayo Arinze African Democratic Congress (ADC); Senator Chris Ngige - All

Progressives Congress (APC); Chierf Willy Obiano/Dr. Chike Obidigbo - All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Chijioke Godfrey Ndubuisi Democratic Peoples Party; Chief Dennis Oguguo KOWA Party; Hon. Okonkwo - National Conscience Party (NCP); chief Leonard

Uchendu - New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Dr. Ifeanyi Uba Labour Party (LP); Senator Andy Uba or Tony Nwoye Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Basil Iwuoba Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN); Ngozi Ulasi - Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and O.N.C. Akanegbu - United

N8m contract scam uncovered in Awka North LG

·UNIZIK Lecturer fingered

n N8million contract which some officials of Aw k a N o r t h l o c a l government area of Anambra State allegedly used to siphon public funds has been blown open and law enforcement agents are expected to move in any moment from now to quiz the perpetrators including a lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka. The Director of the construction firm, Chrisbech Nigeria Limited, Mr. Dominic Emeka Okika, blew the whistle which exposed the fraud. Okika accused officials of the council and some other persons linked to the contract of defrauding him of N1.5 million, which was the balance of an executed N8 million contract that was later inflated by the council officials under the guise of variation. The state government had, through the local council, awarded his firm contract for construction of a mini bridge/double cell culvert at Ugbenu for N8 million, and was paid N3.6 million mobilisation fee. Okika alleged that during the first instalmental payment of the contract sum, the local government town planning engineer/ head of department of works gave him a voucher of N6 million to sign, released only N3.6 million to him and then took N2.4 million, with an explanation that N1 million would be given to the state commissioner for local government. He also said the council official spoke of sharing the remaining N1.4 million among himself, his staff and traditional ruler of Ugbenu, a community in the local

government area. He alleged further that midway into the job, the local government authorities did a variation which led to the increase of the contract sum from N8 million to N9.5

them should he execute that one successfully. He said his main concern now was how to pay the labourers and artisans as well as dealers who supplied materials for the project,

said lecturer introduced him to the state government for contract awards and agreed that he (lecturer) would have a share of any contract awarded to the company. But Okika insisted that this particular contract was not awarded directly to his company by the state government but to the

From left to Right: Dr. N. A Ibrahim, Dr E.A Jeje, Prof A.M.E Nwofor, Prof LID Kufeji, Prof O.O Bassey, Prof SNC Anyanwu, Prof A.O Atoyebi and Dr W.C Mezue, in a group photograph during a three day ‘Train The Trainer’ workshop by the Nigeria Medical Post Graduate Collage held in Enugu recently. million, which did not reflect his own contract. Okika said he was compelled to sign the variation, alleging further that although he was given the N.5 million he signed for, the payment was N1.5 million short of the amount due him. Briefing newsmen in Onitsha, Thursday, Okika, in company of his counsel, Obiora Muojeke, complained that he decided not to object to all the deductions and variations made by the local government because he was hoping to get more contracts from

stressing they had been piling pressures on him daily to pay them their money. Okika said the only way he could pay his creditors was to have his N1.5 million balance paid by the local government authorities. On the reason for holding on to the N1.5 million by the LG, he said the town engineer directed him to a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, to sort out their differences as it was the lecturer who pleaded with them not to release the money. He, however, admitted that the

local government whose officials took a large chunk of the contract sum. Okika also admitted that he promised to give the lecturer N1 million for this contract, payable in four instalments of N250,000 each but lamented that out of i m p a t i e n c e , t h e l e c t u r e r, suspecting that he would no longer give him anything, wrote a petition to the State Security Services, SSS, accusing him of plotting to kidnap him. He said based on the lecturer's petition to the SSS, he was arrested

Progressive Party (UPP).

ACCORD PARTY Leading the pack of contending parties is the number one party, Accord Party (AP) which picked with an investor, Dr. Hygers Ifeanyi Igwebuike as its candidate

Continues on page 12 and taken to the state SSS headquarters, Awka, where he was brutalized and injured, adding that he was equally forced to write two post-dated cheques of N2 million and N1.5 million respectively in the name of the lecturer's wife before the SSS could release him on bail. He said the two United Bank for Africa, UBA, cheques which he wrote under duress at the SSS detention room, were dated August 30, 2013 and November 30, 2013, respectively, though his counsel wrote to the bank asking it not to honour the cheques. In his reaction, the State Director of SSS, Mr. Alex Okiyi, who confirmed the arrest of Okika to newsmen in his office, said they were investigating a case of attempted kidnap reported against him by the lecturer in Psychology Department of UNIZIK, Awka. When newsmen contacted the lecturer on phone to hear his own version of the story, he asked how journalists got his phone number and switched off immediately. Chairman of Awka North local government transition committee, Mrs. Joy Onweluzor, and the town planning engineer, Mr. E. O. Okoro, declined comments when contacted on phone. However, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs. Azuka Enemuo, confirmed that a contract was awarded to a contractor and executed in line with Governor Peter Obi's transformation agenda, but claimed not to know what transpired among the contractor, the lecturer and the local government officials. She, however, promised to step into the matter should it linger. The Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Boniface Egboka, told newsmen in a telephone chat that he had never received any petition from the contractor to that effect.

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CP Mbu is threatening my life, says Amaechi By Ted Peters & Rex Arum

overnor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday accused Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu of plotting to take his life. According to Amaechi, Mbu has been desperately seeking information on his private movements from his security details, and only recently redeployed one of his escorts for failing to submit to the CP such prior information. These actions and many others Amaechi described as constituting an attempt on his life, considering the CP's well-documented interest in harming him or aiding those willing to. “Today, Thursday September 5, 2013, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu redeployed the Escort Commander, in charge of the Convoy of the Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. The redeployment according to CP Mbu was because the Escort Commander had refused his directive to 'furnish (the CP) with prior information of the movement of the Governor,'” Rivers State Commissioner of

I n f o r m a t i o n a n d Communications, Ibim Semenitari wrote on behalf of the governor. “The Escort Commander is not in charge of the Governor's Protocol and cannot have prior knowledge of the Governor's m o v e m e n t , especially in the p r e v a i l i n g circumstances regarding security in the State. “After redeploying t h e E s c o r t Commander, CP Mbu also requested t h e C a m p Commandant of Government House, Port Harcourt, to give him prior briefing of the Governor's daily movement, a request which in practice would be difficult to comply with unless the Camp Commandant gets prior knowledge of the Governor's movement.” According to the statement, the Government of Rivers State is most uncomfortable with these developments and their implications for the security of

Governor Amaechi, more so, as could have written officially to the Government House is curious and the developments are coming on Secretary to State Government to indicative of ulterior motives. His sudden interest in the Governor's the heels of the Rivers State Police make the same request. movement is suggestive of a more sinister motive. “CP Mbu has not hidden the fact that he holds Governor Amaechi in disdain and would stop at nothing to either harm him or aid those planning to harm him. After all in May 2013, he allowed exmilitants to barricade the gate into the Government House after parading major streets of Port Harcourt. He has even acknowledged before the media that he found nothing wrong in fraternizing with militants.” The governor then said he suspected that the request for daily prior briefing on his movement may be to furnish strange persons with necessary details of his movement and, thereby placing Command's declaration of “This would be the first time, him in harms' way. Governor Amaechi's ADC (who is since Governor Amaechi assumed “At different times, CP Mbu has receiving medical attention) as a office in 2007, that a Police c o m p r o m i s e d G o v e r n o r deserter. C o m m i s s i o n e r w o u l d b e Amaechi's security and safety, and “This sudden interest of CP Mbu requesting prior information of his even personally led an attack on regarding the daily movement of movement. This was not the case Government House, Port Harcourt As Governor Amaechi cannot be even in the heydays of militancy in o n J u l y 1 0 , 2 0 1 3 . Commissioner of Police, CP Mbu borne out of love. If his intentions Rivers State. As far as we know were noble and above board, CP this is an exception rather than the refuses to brief the Governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of the Mbu has Governor Amaechi's rule. telephone number and could have “The fact that CP Mbu waited for state on the state of security in reached him directly to make the the Governor to travel out of Port Rivers State. request of prior briefing of his Harcourt to issue the invitation to “The Governor had made formal movements. Alternatively, he p o l i c e m e n a t t a c h e d t o report to the Police High Command concerning his worries about the CP and nothing has come out of the complaint. We have chosen to cry out to Nigerians and process in the sale of PHCN in partners, with a collective global the rest of the world about this 2 0 1 2 , w i t h a n A g g r e g a t e experience of over 80 years. threat to Governor Amaechi's life Technical, Commercial and The consortium's technical as a last resort. Collection (ATC & C) loss partner, Metropolitan Electricity “We therefore wish to alert reduction proposal of 20.83%. Authority of Thailand (MEA) with Nigerians and the rest of the world I t c o m p r i s e s o f C h r o m e over 50 years experience is that CP Mbu should be held Consortium Energy Nigeria responsible for the distribution responsible should anything evil L i m i t e d , P o w e r h o u s e and sales of electricity to users in happen to the Governor of Rivers International Limited, and Bangkok and metropolitan State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike M e t r o p o l i t a n E l e c t r i c i t y vicinities, including Nonthaburi Amaechi, any principal officer or A u t h o r i t y, a n d p a r a d e s a and Samutprakarn provinces. top government functionary in competent team of electricity MEA's distribution area covers Rivers State. We believe that his i n f r a s t r u c t u r e e n g i n e e r s , 3,195 square kilometers divided current actions are sufficient owners/operators of electricity into 14 districts with a population warning to us 'as a tree that cries power distribution companies, of about eight million and energy out cannot kill anyone on its upstream and downstream oil s a l e s o f 4 4 , 7 1 4 G W H o f path.'” operators and empowerment electricity.

Interstate Electrics completes payment for Enugu DISCO

T h e nterstate consortium Electrics (IE), incorporated as which won the a vehicle for bid for the Enugu the purpose of Electricity acquiring and Distribution operating Company, DISCo, Electricity is said to have Distribution completed the Companies in payment of the 75 N i g e r i a percent balance for emerged the the electricity firm. preferred A top official at the bidder for the Bureau of Public Enugu DISCO Entreprises, BPE, after a rigorous said Friday that the PHCN gallery b i d d i n g consortium paid the sum of $94,505million or about N148.373 million which was credited to the BPE's account on Thursday, thereby enabling the preparation for the firms' takeover. The development followed Interstate taking advantage of the newly married couple, who available window for the packed to their house soon completion of outstanding balance after wedding have been as spelled out in the Share reportedly killed by generator fumes Purchase Agreement (SPA). in Ikot Omin on the outskirts of Recall that the Request for Calabar, the Cross River State Proposal signed by the bidders capital. gave a 20-working day extension The couple, Bassey Effiong (27), his after the expiration of the orginal wife, Glory (21) and her younger sister, Emem (16), were said to have deadline on August 21. However, the consortium, which packed to the house yet to be is being promoted by multi- completed by Bassey. billionaire businessman, Sir “When he got married, he decided to Emeka Offor, had given the work on one of the rooms and assurance that the payment moved in, while hoping to gradually complete the house,” Mike, a processes would be completed neighbour to the couple said. before the weekend, thus fulfilling However, tragedy struck, Sunday its promise.

Generator fume kills newly-wed couple, one other in Calabar

night, when the couple turned on their generating set and placed it on the corridor close to the room, where they slept but fume from the generating set was said to have subsequently gained entry into the room in large quantity and suffocated the couple along with Emem, the wife's younger sister. They were discovered dead several hours later by a naval officer, David Ekanem, Bassey's uncle, who said he went there after he called Bassey's mobile number several times without response and on getting there at 5 pm, Monday, he met the tragic sight. “I knocked several times on the door but there was no answer, so I had to

force the door open. It was then I saw my nephew and his wife along with the young girl lying dead,” the Naval officer said. Spokesman of the Cross River State Police Command, Mr Hogan

Bassey, said the matter was reported by the naval officer and the bodies evacuated to the Infectious Disease Hospital mortuary, Edgerly Road, Calabar.

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Residents of flood prone areas should run for safety – Kogi Govt warns …Calls for Emergency volunteers By Our Repoter

eople living in flood prone areas of Kogi State have been urged to not only move to higher ground but to also run for their dear lives. Kogi state Deputy Governor,Yomi Awoniyi made the call following the announcement by the Minister for Water Resources, Serah Ochekpe, that water would be released from Jebba and Kainji Dams. Awoniyi directed dwellers in flood plains to heed the warning of moving to upland as it has been warned that Kogi, Kwara and Niger States would be flooded soon following the water that will be released from the dams. While noting that the devastation caused by last year's flood was unimaginable, Awoniyi said the best measures that would help to prevent another loss of lives and properties was for people to move upland immediately. The Deputy Governor called on religious, traditional, community and opinion leaders to help in the call for people to move upland. While noting that the state government is fully prepared to fight this year's flood following the preparation it has put in place, it will however require the cooperation of those concerned to heed all warnings made by Government regarding safety. Similarly, Mrs Alice Ogedengbe, the State Secretary State Emergency Management Agency, has also called on people living in flood prone areas to quickly evacuate people who are vulnerable to higher ground, urging them to harvest their crops before the flood. Mrs. Ogedengbe equally appealed to the people to cooperate with boat operators who have been trained by her agency in evacuation procedure and who would be working with the affected Local Government in rescue operations so as to help in moving people to places designated as camps.

With plans to release water from Jebba and Kainji Dams which will lead to possible flooding of Kogi State, people have been asked to make themselves available as volunteers and be of help to those that may be affected if the 2013 predicted flood becomes a reality. The call was contained in a message by Yomi Awoniyi, State Deputy Governor at a one day training/awareness raising program for grassroots emergency organized by the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Conjunction with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) volunteer corps in Lokoja. The Deputy Governor described volunteerism as an integral part of disaster management globally, said the training program was aimed at equipping volunteers in carrying out the enormous task of saving lives. The State Deputy Governor who was represented by Air Vice Marshal Gabriel Abdul (rtd),Special Adviser Emergency Management to Kogi State Governor, said the fervent prayers of people in the state can help avert the impeding the flood, even though adequate preparation to mitigate the impeding flood by the State he disclosed has been put in place. Awoniyi, called on those living in flood prone areas to be at alert in this month of September, assured that the state is equally vigilant and monitoring events regarding the impending flood as against the 2013 prediction. In his key note address, Ishaya Isah Chonoko, Coordinator, Abuja operations office of NEMA, said the forum was organized to ensure that the destruction of flood if it occurs is reduced to the barest minimum so that the energy saved can be channeled towards other areas of human endeavors. Also speaking, Alice Ogedengbe, Acting Secretary in charge of SEMA called on farmers in flood prone areas to begin the early harvest of their crops and move up land as a safety measure to saving life, properties and crops.

Uncompleted 4-storey building collapses in Onitsha Name: Ogbonna Lucy Name: Okoli Brenda Date of Birth: February 1989 Hobby: Modeling and Acting Likes: Self Esteem Dislikes: Lies Honesty Likes: Hobbies: Listening to Music Dislike: Dishonesty Qualification: Student/Modeling Email: brendyo417@yahoo.com Agency: Cosset Models Source: st santos productions Email: cossetmodel@rocketmail.com

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four storey building under construction in Onitsha, Anambra, collapsed after a downpour on Wednesday . The incident occurred at 24 Obanye St. near the Onitsha General Post Office at about 3.30 p.m. Reports said that no life was lost in the incident. An eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity said that builders and labourers working on the building were not around for work as the downpour started at about 6.30 a.m. “We heard a heavy sound and as most

of the neighbours in the street rushed out, we saw the uncompleted building collapsing. “It was a big surprise to all of us because we noticed that recently work on the building was going on at a very high speed. “It is just a pity for such a huge financial loss. But thank God that no one was working in the building today and no one was injured in the incident,'' he said. As at the time of this report, the cause of the collapse had yet to be ascertained. It would be recalled that a similar incident had occurred in the commercial city in June this year..

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Arthur Eze blames Anambra PDP crisis on greed, selfishness ·Asks other guber contestants to back Nwoye By Ted Peters

illionaire businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, has said that the crisis that rocked the Anambra state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was as a result of greed and selfishness by her leaders. He vowed to put all in his ability to ensure that the scenario which, according to him, weakened the party in the state and made it impossible for it to retain power , does not repeat itself, stressing that the process of rebuilding the party had begun. Eze, who reaffirmed his support for the candidacy of Comrade Tony Nwoye as the PDP flag-bearer for the November 16 governorship election , said there was no going back in restoring the state to PDP just as he expressed confidence that the party would take charge of Anambra Government House from February next year. Speaking at Ukpo in Dunukofia local government during the presentation of campaign vehicles and motorcycles to party wards, he stated that there was no going back in the choice of Nwoye, who he said, has the capacity to lead the state to the path of progress and prosperity. He, therefore, asked members of the party who are aggrieved over his emergence to

Prince Engr. Arthur Eze and Comrade Tony Nwoye while presenting campaign vehicles to Ward Officials for the Anambra PDP Governorship Election Campaign at Ukpo, Dunukofia LGA on Friday throw their support behind Nwoye and bickering of the past have move our state and party forward and wait for another opportunity in robbed us the chances of ruling the and has demonstrated this through future. state. We are no longer in support the services he has rendered to the He said, "There cannot be two of these troubles by certain party. The youths are with him, candidates at the same time and elements who feel they own the they want him and they will vote going from one court to another party. It is either they fall in line or for him and I can assure you that Anambra will be better under his will not invalidate the mandate they leave the party for good". given to Nwoye. Those who are Eze, a pioneer member of the government.” going to court are the ones that party,observed that Nwoye's Speaking, Nwoye, who was destroyed PDP in the state. They choice was the best thing that could accompanied by his running mate, have had their turn but now, it will happen to Anambra state as Dr. Amamchukwu Ezike and large no longer be so. We must restore according to him , "he is a young supporters from various local this party to serve the interest of man, he has been around and he government areas of the state, our people; we must show that understands the problems of our called on supporters of the party to Anambra is for PDP. The mistakes people. I know he has passion to remain steadfast, stressing that

their cries for a peaceful and prosperous state had been answered for good. He said that with the vacation of the court order against his candidacy, there was no going back in winning election and restoring the state to PDP, where the interest of the people would be better protected. “Our people are no longer interested in belonging to an unpopular party because that has not helped the state in anyway. Anambra people have resolved to bring the state back to PDP so that we can enjoy more benefits from the PDP-led Federal government ,” he said. Nwoye said that Anambra of his dream was one that would offer the people greater opportunity for investment, security and engender development while calling on those who lost in the primary to join hands with him to rebuild the party and the state. Apart from the presentation of several campaign vehicles and motorcycles to Nwoye's campaign team, Prince Eze also used the occasion to celebrate this year's New Yam festival which witnessed the traditional roasting of newly harvested yam which was eaten with red oil as well as pounded yam and other delicacies specially prepared for the event.

BABY FACTORY:

Enugu Hairdresser, 3 others nabbed ·Pregnant girl, breastfeeding baby recovered By Ted Peters

n Enugu female hairdresser, Ifeoma Obike, who allegedly combines her business with the illicit trade of baby factory has been arrested by operatives of the Anti Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of Enugu State police command. Ifeoma who claimed to be a native of Oguta in Imo state and a popular hairstylist at No. 9 Chime Avenue, New Haven, Enugu, according to the police, allegedly tried to augment her earnings from her legitimate business by engaging in the “baby for sale” trade which had been thriving in many parts of the South East for some time now. Ifeoma claimed to have five children out of wedlock, however, denied being involved in child trafficking but she was found with a little baby which she claimed belonged to her sister in Lagos. The police said she would be taken to Lagos to confirm her claim even though the operatives doubted her

claim. The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who announced the arrest of Ifeoma and three members of the syndicate at the weekend, said that the long arm of the law caught up with them on Thursday, September 5, 2013 when men of the Anti Human Trafficking squad. acting on a tip off, swooped on them. “On 5/9/13 the long arm of the law visited Ifeoma as the operatives of the Anti Human trafficking unit of the state criminal and investigation Department of the Enugu state police command acting on the information received that Ifeoma combines the newly discovered lucrative business of baby factory with the saloon business arrested her and someone whom she identified as a would-be husband (Fiancé). The alleged Fiancé, a Patent Medicine dealer and self acclaimed doctor and the pregnant girl who was on the verge of delivery, Miss Ujunwa Egbe were apprehended

Ujunwa, Ifeoma with the little baby and members of the syndicate and are now being interrogated. He said that Ifeoma had taken Ujunwa into custody to enable her deliver her baby from an unwanted pregnancy with the intention of

taking the baby, adding that they had agreed that Ujunwa would upon delivery be settled with the sum of N100,000 to forfeit her baby.

Ujunwa, who narrated her ordeal to the police, said that she was impregnated by someone unknowingly and had wanted to

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President Jonathan to designate Uzo-Uwani as oil producing area

he Chairman of UzoUwani Local Government Area in Enugu State, Mr. Cornell Onwubuya, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to include the council among oil producing areas because of the recently discovered oil. Onwubuya announced this on Friday in the council headquarters at Umulokpa at a town hall meeting organized by stakeholders for the chairman to give account of his stewardship since he assumed office in January 2012. He said the last meeting stakeholders in the area had with Jonathan at Abuja, the president agreed to include Uzo-Uwani local government among oil producing LGs in the country. It is God's special love for Uzo-Uwani people that he deposited oil in our area, “ he said. He listed some of the achievement s of his administration since its inception to include; provision of electricity in Iga, Abi, building of primary schools in Adani, Ajonu, Ogrugu, and health centre at Akpugoeze as well as procurement of health equipments that were distributed to health centres. Others are, building of lodges for the chairman, vice-chairman and HPM, renovation of buildings in the council secretariat and trained many youths on modern technique for agriculture noting that they would soon be given soft loans to start. The chairman said also that he

gave N7m as flood intervention to communities that were victims of 2012 flood gave hundred thousand naira bursary allowance each to law students from the area as well as build new police station and barrack to beef up security in the local government He said that if it pleased the people of Uzo-Uwani to consider his good work and allow him for second tenure he would be very grateful as he would do more for them. “It is on record that Uzo-Uwani received the least allocation in Enugu state but we have judiciously used all allocations to impact positively on our people,” Onwubuya said. Speaking on behalf of the clergy in the area, Rev Fr Charles Onu said the chairman has transformed the Local Government beyond the expectation of many. “During the immediate administration that handed over to Onwubuya, everybody knows that I mobilized other clergymen to protest the under-development of Uzo-Uwani but today the

council headquarters, workers will be encouraged to be coming to work from Monday till Friday,” he said. In a remark, the PDP chairman in Uzo-Uwani, chief Albert Eze said based on the good work of the chairman the PDP chapter in UzoUwani has adopted him as a sole candidate for Nov 2, council poll in the state. “The PDp has solely endorsed Onwubuya as the party candidate for Nov council poll, 'he said. Mr Chuka Utazi, Commissioner for Transport in Enugu State who moderated the meeting put the second term bid of the chairman into vote, in which all present voted in support. “If people of Uzo-Uwani have backed the second term bid of the chairman based on his achievements, the party has no option than to obey the wishes of the people, “he said Traditional rulers, civil societies, the clergy, town unions, women leaders and party stakeholders in the area, who attended the town hall meeting praised Onwubuya for uplifting the status of the council through his transformation agenda.

Enugu LG poll: PDP warns members over unfounded allegations

he Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to sanction any of its members found accusing the party leadership of imposing certain

Mother, 2 daughters raped …N50, 000 stolen rape incident allegedly involving a mother and her two daughters in Ikwo Local government of Ebonyi state has been reported to the State Police Command for investigation and arrest of the suspects. It was learnt that the suspects who came at night when their victims were already asleep raped them in turns at gun point after stealing the sum of N50, 000, nine different models of handset and a Carter motorcycle from them. Sources said that the hoodlums who were purportedly sent by a top politician in the area (name withheld) to kill the mother of two daughters and Councillor representing Ndiagu Echara Ward I in Ikwo Local government Area of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Margret Elom could not do so but decided to rape them and cart away their belongings. Briefing newsmen at the

should be given second tenure, “he said Also speaking, Mr Ralph Eze, N U L G E chairman in the council said the chairman had been good to workers by r e g u l a r payment of salary as at when due but said if the chairman wants a worker to be coming to work every day , he should reside in the completed chairman's President Jonathan lodge rather than residing in Enugu and difference is clear. “As human right activist and coming work from there. priest of God I commend good “Workers want the chairman to works as well as criticize poor live in the lodge built for him, so performance and embezzlement that if there is any problem workers can see whom to of public fund. “After assessing what he has complain to. achieved so far, I support he “As soon as chairman lives in the

Command Headquarters, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sylvester Igbo who confirmed the incident insisted that only Hon. Elom's daughters were raped when the suspects invaded the victims' residence. He said: “One Hon. Margret Elom, the Councillor representing Ndiagu Echara Ward I from Ikwo Local government area of Ebonyi state reported that while she was sleeping with her daughters some hoodlums broke into their house and stole the sum of N50, 000 from her and collected one Carter motorcycle valued at N120, 000 and nine different handsets. “And in the process of robbing her of her belongings, two of her daughters were raped by the two suspects; the suspects were later identified as one Chidi Eze, 24, Sunday Nwogu, 23. Chidi was arraigned in court on 12th August, 2013.

chairmanship aspirants on the council. The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Okey Eze, who gave the warning, said it was very unfair to accuse the party of imposing a certain candidate as the chairmanship candidate for the November 2 election, when the primary election has not been conducted. Dr Eze who was reacting to allegation by a group of faceless individuals on the purported imposition of a chairmanship candidate by the party dismissed their protest as uncalled for. The publicity secretary explained that there was nothing like imposition of candidates on any council as both the ward and local government congresses from where the candidates for the November 2 council poll would be elected by delegates were yet to be held. “The PDP frowns at the nefarious activities of some people in the State who are

trying to overheat the system and destroy the peace existing in the state chapter of our party by engaging in falsehood and blackmail, claiming that the

party had not imposed anybody as the party's chairmanship candidate for the forthcoming Local Government Council Elections. “This spurious allegation coming from a group of faceless and desperate individuals who were sponsored by some interested members of the party to smear the image of our party in the state for their selfish reason should be ignored because

there is no basis for that. “The PDP has not held its primaries at ward and local government levels; why should anybody accuse the party leadership of imposing a particular candidate on the party whereas the process of electing a candidate has not commenced. The move is aimed at causing crisis within the party, but this would be resisted,” Eze said. He added that those sponsoring protests against the party leadership for no just cause were plotting to destabilize the party in the state, warning that they should be ready to face the necessary sanctions as prescribed by the party's constitution. “They should wait for the ward and local government congresses holding on September 10 and 14 respectively before raising any objection if need be, but our members should be rest assured that the candidates for the November 2 council poll would emerge through a transparent process and nobody will have any reason to complain at the end of the exercise,” Eze assured. The state chapter began the screening of all aspirants for the November election on Monday and the exercise is expected to end today.

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

SPERM FOR SALE: Lagosians make N50,000 for each sperm donated to Fertility Clinics within a week of starting the process. This is possible only if

Intelligent undergraduates' sperm in high demand By Our Reporters

eople get married for different reasons. While some seek companionship in marriage, many go into marriage for procreation. For couples who look forward to having children immediately after marriage, being declared 'infertile' by experts is like a death sentence. While it is generally agreed that it takes two to have a baby and every couple is expected to be in optimum health to have babies, medical experts claim men are having more fertility challenge now. Sperm concentration in men is said to have decreased by a third since 1990s while sperm count is said to have decreased by half over the past 50 years. Studies are also showing genetic abnormalities in sperm particularly in older men. For men therefore, quantity, quality and motility of spermatozoa are seen as important factors in fertility. Since the male factor is a prominent cause of infertility in couples, sperm donation has become vital in assisted conception treatment. A study by the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction stated that “a male factor is solely responsible in about 20 per cent of infertile couples and contributory in another 30 to 40 per cent.” According to experts, even when sperm numbers are great, a high proportion of men may have DNA damage that significantly impairs the chances of natural conception. Besides, male sperm deteriorates with age the same way it does for women. Studies have also shown that if a man has poor health, smokes, drinks too much or has a bad diet, it's very likely his sperms are also going to be unhealthy. Indeed, investigation has revealed that sperm has become a commodity in high demand in Lagos. The Chief Consultant and Head, Obstetrician and Fertility Department, Eko Hospitals, Dr. Adegbite Ogunmokun, said fertility problem, based on recent experience, had tilted more towards the male factor. He said, “If 10 couples come in, there will be problem with the male in six of them, using our parameter of 20 million sperm per millimetre. But 10 to 15 years ago, maybe about four out of 10 men would have problem.” Our correspondents, who visited some fertility centres in Lagos, learnt that more men are having low sperm count, thus necessitating the need for more volunteer donors. But because donors are scarce, fertility clinics offer as much as N50,000 to men who are interested in selling their

sperm. They also pay more when sellers have special features that the beneficiaries are looking for. Like blood sellers, investigations show that many people in Lagos, especially students, now sell their sperms anytime they need money. A student of the University of Lagos, who identified himself as John, said he had sold sperm to a few fertility centres in Lagos. John said he had been funding his education for the past two years with what he earned from selling his sperm. John said he was introduced to the programme by a friend and that he had in turn brought in two other friends to the 'business'. “I've sold to a number of fertility centres. The money has really helped me to stay in school. It takes care of my tuition and some other personal needs,” John said, with a measure of satisfaction. “It's cool money, really and I'm also doing a service to mankind by helping out some people in need. Even friends that I introduced to it have not turned back since then.” An employee in a Lagos fertility clinic, who identified himself as Olufunsho, said that some women would pay any amount to get a sperm seller with the features they want. He said, “We pay N50,000 here but there are times when women come in and request that, at all cost, they must get a tall man. The person can earn more when they make such requests, especially if we don't have any that fits the profile in our bank. “There was a time a woman came and requested that we get a tall man for her at all cost. I showed her the samples we had, but she did not like the profile. She said she was not satisfied with the heights. And we were unable to get what she wanted from the sellers that came at the time. “The sellers that came then were either AS, or positive with hepatitis B or had low sperm count. We had up to twelve sellers that came and we were unable to get anybody. In such cases, we could offer a lot more when we find the right person. Sometimes, such people are also in a position to negotiate for what they want.” However, subsequent drops attract lesser amounts of money for the same seller. To sell sperm, the person, according to Olufunsho, must stay off sex for five days. He undergoes some tests to confirm that he is not HIV positive and that he also has healthy sperm among others. He said, “If the same person is still interested and we still need him, he would repeat the screening process again. We pay N10, 000

per ejaculation for other subsequent ones. With my own discretion, if the quality of the sperm is good and we have somebody who needs something that matches perfectly with that seller, we may reduce the probation period, but the sperm must be very good. “Although that is the protocol, it could always be amended when there is nothing wrong with the person. Even if someone ejaculates the first time and in twenty minutes time, he does the same, it is still going to be good, but not as good as the first one.” At the various fertility centres where our correspondents posed as potential sperm seller, the clinic workers made keen attempts to have them start the process immediately, by leaving blood samples for tests. On one occasion, a clinic worker told one of our correspondents that he was willing to waive the two to five days' probation period of abstinence, after our correspondent said he wished to “sleep over it.” The worker said, “What is there to think about? After all, you already said you're not married. You can

leave your blood sample for test while you go ahead and think over it.” Investigation showed that fertility centres want sellers between 18 and 45 years of age and expect them to abstain from sex, two to five days before giving sperm sample, depending on the centre. Other conditions to be met by potential sperm sellers include testing negative to HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, sickle cell and some other sexually transmitted diseases. Tests are also carried out to determine the count, morphology (shape) and motility of the sperm cells. In addition, fertility centres claim to also place a high premium on average intelligence, education and lifestyle. Although, it was learnt that such claims are not always true as more emphases are actually placed on height and other physical attributes. “It is not immediately that we pay. We prefer AA genotype because it can be given to anybody, unlike AS that cannot be given to just anybody,” Olufunsho added. However, an employee in another fertility clinic in Lagos, Akin, said sperm sellers could get paid

they satisfy the conditions. He said, “If the motility is good, the count is good and you're okay, then, you can produce for us. If everything is okay, within a week, you can get your money.” A 2012 study into the reproductive health of 26,600 men in France, warned of a sperm crisis worldwide. It said that sperm concentration has decreased by a third since the 1990s. The study found a continuous 32.2 per cent decrease in sperm concentration over a period of 17 years. During the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology annual conference in London in July 2013, some experts, critical of the study's validity, said it did not completely represent the situation in certain areas, particularly the developing world. However, a fertility expert at Mother's World Care, Ikeja, Lagos, Dr. Margaret Olusegun, said the situation is similar in Nigeria. She said, “A man should have a good count, up to 40 to 50 million sperm per millimetre of semen upward. But you find that these days, men have more challenges with fertility than women.

2006 CENSUS CONTROVERSY: Withdraw Odimegwu's query now, CAN tells FG … Insists 2006 census was manipulated to favour North

he Christian Association of Nigeria, Sunday, warned President Goodluck Jonathan against being used by Northerners to sacrifice chairman of National Population Commission, Chief Festus Odimegwu, ahead of 2015 election, following the revelation of the true nature of 2006 census by the latter. Odimegwu had described the 2006 census results as incredible, and his declaration earned him a query from the Office of the Government of the Federation. CAN called on the Federal Government to withdraw the query and tender an apology to Odimegwu in the interest of fairness, insisting that 2006 census results were cooked to favour the north . The association also decried the politicization of Odimegwu's comment, saying they were ploys by the North to blackmail President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 general elections. A statement by the Public Relations Officer of CAN in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Mr. Sunny Oibe, said the call by

Arewa Consultative Forum and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State for the removal of the NPC boss before the 2016 census because he was a southerner was misplaced. He said: “The call by ACF on President Goodluck Jonathan to make sure that Odimegwu does not supervise the 2016 census is misplaced. “The question we are asking is: which part of the North are they saying has higher population? Since when has ACF become a political party that every time they will always dabble into politics? “We in CAN hereby demand that the Federal Government should withdraw the query issued to Odimegwu with immediate alacrity. Why would the government be blindfolded by Kwankwaso? “The government should also apologize to Odimegwu; Jonathan should make sure that nothing happens to him. We are surprised that Jonathan is allowing himself to be intimidated by the Islamic North. “Before the 2006 census, we confronted the former chairman

of NPC, Mr. Samuila Makama from Plateau State on why religion and ethnicity are not included in census matters to be able to ascertain who is who in Nigeria and the man was sweating. “We wanted to know which tribe and religion exist in Nigeria and that this information must be included in census data. The man was sweating. The North then blackmailed and intimidated ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo that if the indices were not removed, they won't participate in the exercise.” According to him, although there was a census that was conducted during the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida's administration, Lagos State was given a figure more than Kano. Oibe, however, added that thereafter, the late General Sani Abacha came and split Kano into Jigawa and Kano states. He said: “As at today, half of that Kano is more than Lagos. So are we saying that Lagos is not growing, meaning that it's only the core North that is growing?”

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Meet the ex-'Seinfeld' funnyman turning the tables on 'Nigerian princes’

ust about anyone with an email account has gotten a missive from someone claiming to be a “Nigerian prince” asking for money and promising a large financial reward in return. And while the vast majority of us simply ignore the email scams, one man has managed to turn the tables on the aspiring con artists in a very unusual, and funny, way. Comedian and author Barry Marder actually replies to the Nigerian prince emails. Often using his pseudonym Ted L. Nancy, Marder sends polite, engaging and entirely naive messages to the individuals asking for his money. And he doesn't stop replying until the con men themselves literally beg him to leave them alone. “Basically, I drove them nuts until they cut it off,” Marder told Yahoo News. “They said get away from me, you're a moron.” The resulting exchanges were so unexpected and entertaining that Marder showed his pal Jerry Seinfeld, who suggested turning them into a new show. Ted L. Nancy: Letters from a nut The story of how Marder, a longtime friend and collaborator of Seinfeld's, started his unusual correspondence with the Nigerian scammers dates to the 1990s. Marder created the Ted L. Nancy character as a way to interact with companies who invite customers to write them about their experiences with the company's products. “I came up with this character in 1994 with my girlfriend, Phyllis Murphy,” Marder said of Nancy's origins. “I was eating a bag of

Fritos, and she was watching TV at 4 in the morning. On the bag, it said, 'If you've got any problems, write Fritos.' I said to myself, 'Who would write to Fritos?'” Marder, as Ted L. Nancy, then

began writing letters to major corporations and even public utility providers. And strangely enough, they wrote back. “I wrote to the gas company and told them I was an avid reader of

your gas pamphlets,” Marder told Yahoo News. “I started to get answers back, and I thought wow, these people are going to answer me.” The Ted L. Nancy act works by seeing how long someone will indulge the ridiculous rants of an entirely sincere, enthusiastic and wildly uninformed man. “Ted is a very nice, polite person,” Marder explained. “He's not contentious. He compliments them. And then he starts with the horror, 'I like to check into your hotel with 300 hamsters.' Ted was a nut. But he was really nice, friendly nut.” Eventually, Seinfeld encouraged Marder to compile the Nancy letters into a book. The Ted L. Nancy series Letters From a Nut became so popular that many people assumed they were actually written by Seinfeld

Hitler’s bodyguard, Rochus Misch, dies at 96

e was Adolf Hitler's devoted bodyguard for most of World War II and the last remaining witness to the Nazi leader's final hours in his Berlin bunker. To the very end, SS Staff Sgt. Rochus Misch was proud of it all. For years, he accompanied Hitler nearly everywhere he went, sticking by the man he affectionately called "boss" until the dictator and his wife, Eva Braun, killed themselves as defeat at the hands of the Allies drew nearer. The loyal SS officer remained in what he called the "coffin of concrete" for days after Hitler's death, finally escaping as

Berlin crumbled around him and the Soviets invaded the city. Even in his later years, during a 2005 interview with The Associated Press in which he recounted Hitler's claustrophobic, chaotic final days, Misch still cut the image of an SS man. He had a rigid posture, broad shoulders, neatly combed white hair and no apologies for his close relationship with the most reviled man of the 20th century. "He was no brute. He was no monster. He was no superman," Misch said. The 96-year-old Misch died Thursday, one of the last of a generation that bears direct

responsibility for German brutality during World War II. In his interview with the AP, he stayed

Obama plunges into high-stakes week on SyriaObama

ack on American soil, President Barack Obama is plunging into a frenetic, high-stakes week of selling a skeptical Congress on a military strike ahead of a critical vote on Syria. For a president not known for investing heavily in consultations with Capitol Hill, the coming days represent one of the most intense periods of congressional outreach in his presidency. Obama seeks to salvage a policy whose fate he's placed in lawmakers' hands, planning for himself and for aides a flurry of speeches, phone calls, briefings and personal visits to Democrats and Republicans alike. The lobbying campaign culminates Tuesday, the evening before a key vote is expected in the Senate, when Obama will address the nation from the White House to make his case that America's military must once again raise arms to protect a value he says the world simply cannot afford to place in jeopardy. "Over 1,400 people were gassed. Over 400 of them were children," Obama said Friday at the close of a global summit in Russia, his voice seeming to catch as he reflected on

himself. Eventually, the pair had to make a series of national TV appearances on programs like NBC's “Today” show to convince a skeptical audience that Marder was in fact the person behind Nancy. 'By the sixth exchange, they would be telling me I was a moron' When the Ted L. Nancy email account started receiving messages from individuals claiming to be Nigerian princes, lawyers or doctors, he knew it was a natural way to extend the humorously benign adventures of Ted L. Nancy. “Everyone in America gets these letters,” Marder said. “'We have $22 million for you,' they have this sob story, etc. The stories became more and more outlandish.” “Comedy is a very good vehicle to show people the truth,” Marder explains. “I would get into 20 to 30 email exchanges with them.

the deaths. "This is not something we've fabricated. This is not something that we are using as an excuse for military action," he said. "I was elected to end wars, and not start them." A passionate debate in Congress well underway, Obama enters the fray having made some progress in his quest to win foreign support for a strike punishing Syrian President Bashar Assad for a chemical attack the U.S. blames on his forces. Yet Obama has been unable to secure

the U.N. backing that many nations say is needed to legitimize any military action. The president headed home from a three-day trip to Europe wielding a joint statement from nations backing "a strong international response to this grave violation of the world's rules and conscience." His administration said the statement signed by France, Saudi Arabia, Japan and others at the close of the Group of 20 economic summit in St. Petersburg was a clear endorsement for the limited military action the U.S. has been publicly contemplating for weeks. Absent from the list was Russian President Vladimir Putin, a stalwart Assad ally and staunch opponent of a U.S. strike. Obama and many U.S. allies blame Assad for a chemical weapons attack Aug. 21 outside Damascus in areas contested or controlled by rebels fighting Assad's government. The Syrian government denies responsibility, contending rebels were to blame. Laying bare the challenge ahead,

acknowledged that the public mostly opposes a strike and that he may not persuade a majority of Americans. But without a martial response, he said, a fundamental global prohibition against chemical weapons use could unravel, emboldening other rogue leaders with ghastly weapons at their disposal and making the world more dangerous for years to come. "I knew this was going to be a heavy lift," Obama said. "You know, our polling operations are pretty good. I tend to have a pretty good sense of what current popular opinion is." Recent surveys show intense American skepticism about military intervention in Syria, even among those who believe Syria's government used chemical weapons on its people. A Pew Research Center poll completed last week found 29 percent in favor of a U.S. strike, with 48 percent opposed and 23 percent unsure. Obama's top goal in the days ahead is to push the needle of public perception or, at the very least, to convince members of Congress that this is one instance where they shouldn't let opinion polls predetermine their vote.

away from the central questions of guilt and responsibility, saying he knew nothing of the murder of 6 million Jews and that Hitler never brought up the Final Solution in his presence. "That was never a topic," he said emphatically. "Never." In the forward to the Englishlanguage version of his book, "The Last Witness" due for publication in October he wrote that it was a different "reality" then and he never asked questions during what he considered just his "regular day at work." In the AP interview, he appeared to have little empathy for those he did not directly know, and even for some he did. Misch was moved nearly to tears when talking about Joseph and Magda Goebbels' decision to kill their six children in the Berlin bunker before committing suicide themselves. But he was also able to guffaw about a family friend, "a real lefty," being thrown into the Sachsenhausen concentration camp outside Berlin and noting upon his release that "the paper shirts (at the camp) were uncomfortable." Born July 29, 1917, in the tiny Silesian town of Alt Schalkowitz, in what today is Poland, Misch was orphaned at an early age. Against the backdrop of the bloody Russian revolution and the rise of Stalin, combined with the postWorld War I popularity of the Communist Party in Germany, Misch said he decided at 20 to join the SS an organization he saw as a counterweight to the threat from the left. He signed up for the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, a Berlin-based unit that originally was founded as the Fuehrer's personal bodyguard. "It was anti-communist, against Stalin to protect Europe," Misch said, noting that thousands of other Western Europeans served in the Waffen SS. "I signed up in the war against Bolshevism, not for Adolf Hitler.”

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

Abia Govt. disowns former information Commissioner By Emmanuel Iheanacho, Umuahia.

bia State government has described statements credited to its former commissioner for Information and Strategy, Eze Chikanmnayo concerning the state of development in Aba as not being the official stand of the State government. The position of the State government came on the heels of a recent discussion programme aired by an Independent television based in Lagos where the immediate past State Commissioner commented on issues concerning the State, a situation which has attracted reactions within and outside the State. Reacting to a report credited to a national daily which carried a news story in which the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra purportedly threatened to curse officials of Abia State government for “lying on state of roads in Aba”, the Chief of Staff to the State governor, Mr. Cosmas Ndukwe said the State governor has not reconstituted his Executive council which was dissolved in the month of May, 2013. Ndukwe said the State government would not want to join issues with the owner of the national daily, “Who is Abia's greatest mistake; “It is important to remind him that we have too

much on our hands to attend to, owing to the rot he supervised for the eight years he served as governor of Abia State”. “May be he does not know, statements made by individuals ought not to be credited to the State government as the State has not issued any official statement regarding Aba; rather, we are busy remedying the disaster caused by the same person who was there for eight years”. “If the best he could do is to offer his platform for cursing of Abia State government, we will therefore say without mincing words that the man who saved Aba from massive flooding and opened up their roads in the last one year has no business with the curse, the curse should be gladly welcomed by a former leadership who cannot point to one good road in Aba now as his parting gift to Aba people,” Ndukwe maintained. However, the Chief of Staff faulted the position of MASSOB, saying that the rot in Aba should not be politicized given that it was a product of eight years of neglect by the former administration, maintaining that the rot caused by the past administration cannot be corrected over night. He said the ongoing urban renewal in Aba is a gradual process as the government started with the opening up of drainage and has already done eight roads out of sixteen roads earmarked for construction.

Cabinet dissolution in Taraba State is illegal – Femi Falana

ince Governor Dambaba Suntai was brought back to the country on Sunday, August 25, 2013 by a cabal of political mongers in Taraba State, he has been held incommunicado by those who have held him hostage. All efforts by the Acting Governor, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Director of State Security Service and Commissioner of Police of Taraba State to meet with the Governor have been turned down by his captors because of the fact that he is not in a mental position to recognise anyone. The popular demand of the people of Taraba state was that the Governor should address them has also been ignored by the cabal. Few days later, a letter was transmitted to the House of Assembly which claimed that the Governor has resumed duty but out of the 24 members of the House only seven believe that the letter was not forged. Later still, the political joke was carried to a ridiculous extent when the state cabinet was purportedly dissolved, yet the Governor who is alleged to have resumed duty and taken the decision has not been able to report in his office.

Journalists enjoined to ensure objectivity and balance in their reportage

ournalists have once again been called upon to always display professionalism in their write ups and to always cross-check and balance their facts before disseminating to the public. Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, stated this at the Fifteen Year Anniversary and award celebration held by Kogi Affairs, a Community based Newspaper in the State. The Deputy Governor, who was represented by Prince Richard Akanmode, Deputy Chief of Staff, office of the Deputy Governor, described the media as a veritable tool in nation building. He said that government requires the media to inform the people about its activities but called on journalists to always be objective and to see their professional assignment as sacred so that it would not be used to witch hunt those in positions of authority or to feed the innocent public with falsehood. Aw o n i y i c o m m e n d e d t h e

Publisher of Kogi Affairs Newspaper, Chief Kola Toluhi for his consistency and steadfastness, urged the paper to sustain its sense of objectivity and not to remain partisan. Also, speaking, the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Hassan Salau, who was the Chairman at the occasion, commended the unbiased and non-partisan report of Kogi Affairs Newspaper. Alhaji Salawu, called on practicing journalists in the country to embrace the practice of development journalism, so as to help in the sustenance of the nation's democracy. In a goodwill message, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Yabagi Bologi, said the present administration in the State has given the media a pride of place, appealed to journalists to be objective while discharging their duties. Alhaji Yabagi, disclosed that the present administration in the State has contributed to the activities of

the media through repositioning of the State owned Newspaper and the State Broadcasting Corporation by making its financially autonomous and self sustaining. The Commissioner added that efforts to reposition the State Printing Press and establish a State owned television is nearing completion, assured of State Government's support to community based Newspapers operating in the State. The occasion witnessed the anniversary cake cutting by the publisher Chief Kola Toluhi while some persons who had distinguished themselves in politics, administration and Civil Service were honoured by the Newspaper. In his remarks at the occasion, Chief Kola Toluhi, publisher of Kogi Affairs, said the Fifteen Year Anniversary, was organized to take stock of how far the Newspaper has fared, to appreciate its reading public and honour some persons who have distinguished themselves in various areas of their calling.

In the circumstance, the members of the Taraba State Executive Council should remain on their duty posts and insist on an urgent meeting with the Governor with a view to confirming if he actually took the decision to sack them while the House of Assembly should refrain from screening the list of commissioners being prepared by the cabal to replace the 'sacked' cabinet members.

Before the State is plunged into further political crisis the attention of the captors of the ailing Governor ought to be drawn to Section 1(2) of the Constitution which stipulates that no person or group of persons can take over the country or any part of it except in accordance with the provisions of the said Constitution. The Federal Government should direct the security forces to round up the coup plotters who are currently ruling Taraba state by usurping the constitutional powers of the ailing Governor. Having regard to the experience of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan ( as he then was) under the cabal that illegally ruled the country when the Late President Umar Yaradua was in a state of coma the Federal Government should not hesitate to ensure that the Constitution is upheld in Taraba state in the interest of law and order in the country. Femi Falana SAN. - in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

Chime approves N3 billion for electricity, others

he Enugu State Government has approved over three billion naira for the execution of sundry developmental projects in different parts of the state designed to better the living conditions of the citizens. The projects includes the completion of electricity and supply to communities, installation of traffic control lights, urban beautification, and construction of workshops at the mechanic village and perimeter fence at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Awgu. Briefing the Press at the end of the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke disclosed that a breakdown of the sum approved by the council include the sum of over one billion naira (N1,200.285,161.44) being sixty percent state counterpart contribution for the electrification of the remaining thirty eight out of 472 communities in the state that are yet to be connected to the national grid. According to the commissioner, the balance of over six hundred and sixty-eight million naira (N668190, 114.30) for the electricity project will be paid by the local government councils of the affected communities.

Mr. Ugwoke stated that the execution of the project was in keeping with the commitment of governor Chime's administration to link all the communities in the state to the National Grid before the end of its tenure. The commissioner also told the press that of the total sum, over o n e b i l l i o n n a i r a N1,421,478,998.00)is for the contract award for the construction of the workshops at the mechanic village at Akegbe Ugwu in Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State . The contract awarded to P.K. Modular Nigeria Limited was to enhance the speedy and successful relocation of the mechanics, welders and other artisan to the village and improve on the aesthetics of the metropolis Also over four hundred and eighty-four million naira (N484,799,808.00) of the entire sum was for the contract award to Messrs Digital security Technology limited for the supply and installation of traffic lights at 24 road intersections within Enugu the state capital. Some of the road intersection where the light will be installed includes Agbani road/Ebony paint road, Agbani road/Ozalla street, I n d e p e n d e n c e Av e n u e /Legislative Quarters road, Edinburgh road/Zik Avenue and Edozie Street /Zik Avenue.

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Enugu NSCDC commissions Officers' Mess By Patrick Okolie

igeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Enugu State Commandant, Nathaniel Ubong, said that the essence of building Officers Mess in military and paramilitary organizations is not only for recreational purposes but also to contain the flow of highly classified security information into wrong hands especially in a nation like Nigeria where terrorism is prevalent. Speaking in Enugu at the Command Headquarters during the commissioning of its Officers Mess, Ubong emphasized that “information management is very critical to military and paramilitary organizations and it is quite understandable that information divulgence is always common in bars and restaurants, especially when one is drunk. “This Mess is built to control

alcohol intake of the Officers of the NSCDC and control the flow of the Command's information, thereby strengthening our fight against crime,” he said. Still on the need for Officers' Mess (which is a building where members of the military take their meal) to Military and Paramilitary organizations, CMDT Nathaniel said, Recalling the saying that 'all work and no play makes jack a dull boy', Commandant Ubong further said, “it is highly necessary that one refreshes himself/herself with a little relaxation after the day's duty to reduce boredom and stress.” This is one of the essences of this “Officers' mess; it will help to control the loitering of Officers since they can host their visitors in the Mess instead of hanging out with them and is also open for classified meetings of Officers of the Corps, which will in turn bring back the prestige of the Corp.” The Officers' Mess which was

built by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Staff Credit and Investment Co-Operative Society Ltd Enugu State Command had its foundation stone laid on the 5th of February 2013 by CMDT Nathaniel Ubong and was commissioned on the 30th of August 2013 by Dr Ade Abulorin, the Commandant General of NSCDC. The NSCDC CoOperative Enugu Command, which had built the Mess started in 2008 with few members but ceased to exist almost immediately because of some problems but by June, 2013 the co-operative society resurfaced with the membership increasing from 88 to 315 and their

activities highly re-invigorated, thereby helping them to acquire about 250 plots of land for the NSCDC Co-operative Housing estate for members and nonmembers' subscription and

acquisition. The re-invigoration also gave birth to the newly commissioned Officers' Mess. Dignitaries who graced the occasion were: Dr Ade Abulorin. the Commandant-General NSCDC, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Div Nigerian Army Headquarters Enugu, Maj. Gen Oshinovo, represented by Maj. Chimezie Ugoagha, Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps Enugu, Corps Commander Fumbi Olawuyi, represented by Asst. Corps Commander Olayinka Akande, Transport Standardization Officer (TSO) of the Corp. Others were Comptroller of Prisons, Alloy Ike Uchenwa, Chief Fedelis Okafor who represented the traditional ruler of Akpugo Nkanu, Igwe O.A. Nwodo and the Chairman of the NSCDC CoOperative, Enugu Command, Chris Anaedo.

Fake NAFDAC official nabbed for duping Awgu Kaikai selller By Ted Peters

apprehended by eagle eyed policemen on August 30, 2013 following a report by a victim at Awgu in Enugu state that the suspect visited his shop at Orie Awgu Market where he presented himself as an official of NAFDAC and demanded for his liquor license. He was said to have demanded and

fake official of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prince Gabriel Obasi from Oduma in Aninri local government area of Enugu State has been apprehended by the police for impersonation and extorting N10,000 from an Awgu based local gin (Kaikai) seller. The police have also arrested two young men who were in possession of two locally made short double barrel guns concealed By Emmanuel Iheanacho, in a bag while traveling from Umuahia Enugu to Port Harcourt in a mass transit bus on Sunday. ollowing the death of the The State Police Public Relations three journalist that lost Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who their lives in auto crash, confirmed the arrests, Monday, the Abia State council of said that Prince Obasi was

collected the sum of N10,000 from the complainant for selling local Gin popularly called Kaikai without authorization. The suspect confessed to the crime of impersonating NAFDAC's officials after his arrest and pleaded for forgiveness but the police spokesman said he would be charged to court after ongoing investigations into his activities in the area. Amaraizu said the two other

suspects now being detained for illegal possession of firearms, were arrested by operatives of No. 3 Squadron Police Mobile Force, Awkunanaw Enugu along Enugu Port Harcourt, Expressway during a stop and search on the bus conveying them from Enugu to Rivers state. According to him, the two young men identified as Ernest Onyeka Nwodo and Ugochukwu Ifeanyi, boarded the popular mass transit

bus at Garki, Enugu and when the policemen on stop and search duty around the Enugu and Abia State boundary conducted a search on the vehicle with registration number BH 948 ENU, they found the two guns hidden in a Bagco sack. He said that the suspects admitted being the owners of the bag and were immediately arrested, adding that a full scale investigation into the matter had commenced.

Abia NUJ urges members to take insurance policy seriously (NUJ) has urged its members to subscribe to the Union Life Insurance Policy in case of unfortunate incidence. The Chairman of the State Council, Comrade Hyacinth Nigerian Union of journalists Okoli, gave the advice while

addressing journalist during the commendation service organized by Abia NUJ for the three of her members that lost their lives in auto crash along Ibadan -Osun expressway. The Chairman noted that it has

Toyota recalling 370,000 vehicles worldwide

apanese car giant Toyota Motor said Thursday it was recalling some 370,000 vehicles worldwide over glitches that could cause them to stop midjourney. The world's biggest auto maker said around 170,000 units were being recalled because bolts pinning a valve control system inside the engine could become loose. In the worst case scenario, the glitch could stop the engine, it added. The recall affects Crown, Mark X, and various Lexus models built in

Japan between July 2005 and July 2011, a spokeswoman said. The firm issued a separate recall in connection with a problem with the power converter in about 200,000 hybrid vehicles. The recall covers the Toyota Harrier Hybrid, also sold as Lexus RX, and Kluger Hybrid, which is also called the Highlander in foreign markets. The automaker has received no reports of accidents resulting from either issue.

Toyota Avenza

became necessary for all journalist in the State to take the advantage of the insurance scheme because nobody knows what happens next, adding that the death of the three journalist was most unfortunate. “May I seize this opportunity to remind all practicing journalists in the State to avail themselves of the NUJ Life Insurance Scheme which could come in handy in-case of any eventuality, stressing that sum N6,750 was not much that journalist could not afford to be registered into the scheme”. Comrade Okoli therefore called on Abia journalists to register into the Life Insurance Scheme adding that the payment of N1, 000.000.00 to the deceased family could assist in the burial ceremony of such member. “We condole with family of the deceased and pray for quick recovery of those that sustained injuries during the accident.” In a condolence message many journalists lamented the loss of their three colleagues and prayed for the repose of their souls.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

Protecting creativity for national growth and development By Uluakanwa Oko

iracy frustrates creativity. It is a cankerworm that is ravaging the entire generation of creative people in Nigeria today. It is inimical to national growth and development. Our country, Nigeria and owners of rights in intellectual properties such as literary, musical and artistic works steadily incur huge economic losses and image laundering as a result of the activities of pirates. It is needful to sustain measures to stamp out piracy, to safeguard the rights of owners of creative works for sustained advancement and progress of our beloved country, Nigeria. Creativity is the foundation of growth and development at both individual and national levels. It is the hallmark of man. Human beings participate in God's creative powers through their creative endeavours. Progress in society, advancement in science and technology, literary and educational leaps of nations are all predicated on creative ingenuity of men and women. Creativity, as a product of man's imagination, attempts to create pleasing forms. Its general objectives are to entertain, inform and educate the consumers (readers and audience). Creative works include literary works, musical works, artistic works, cinematograph films, sound recordings and broadcasts. Literary work includes novels, stories, poetical works, plays and similar works listed in the Nigerian Copyright Act. The Act defines musical works as "any musical work, irrespective of musical quality and include works composed for musical accompaniment". According to the Act, artistic work includes paintings, drawings, etchings, lithographs, woodcuts, engravings and prints and similar works. Cinematograph films, according to the Act, "includes the first fixation of a sequence of visual images capable of being shown as a moving picture and of being the subject of reproduction, and includes the recording of a sound track associated with the cinematograph film". Sound recording "means the first fixation of sequence of sound capable of being perceived aurally and of being reproduced but does not include a sound track associated with a cinematograph film". The Act defines broadcast as "sound or television broadcast by wireless telegraphy or wire or both, or by satellite or cable programmes and includes re-broadcast". All these belong to the family of intellectual property. Owners of intellectual property

enjoy legal protection in Nigeria like in many other countries of the world. This is what is referred to as Copyright. It consists of the exclusive right of reproducing such works in any form. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of current English, if a person or organization holds the copyright on a piece of writing, music, etc, they are the only people who have the legal right to publish, broadcast, perform it, etc. Other people must ask their permission to use it or any part of it. By the very nature of copyright the owner enjoys some reserved rights. Such reserved rights include the right to reproduce, translate, publish, public performance, distribute to the public by way of lease, license, rental, hire, etc. These are stated in the Copyright Act. There are two essential characteristics which a creative work must possess to merit protection under our law. First, it must be an original creation of the author. Second, the work must be

photographs, protection covers 50 years after the end of the year in which the work was first published; the same goes for sound recordings and broadcasts. Furthermore, the author of a creative work enjoys the right to claim authorship of his work. Of course, the work of a creative artist is like a baby to his biological mother. The Act also gives him the right to object and to seek relief in connection with any distortion, mutilation or modification or any other derogatory action in relation to his work, where such action would be or is prejudicial to his honour or reputation. Nigerian law says that these rights are "perpetual, inalienable and imprescriptible" and "extend to their heirs and successors-in- title" (Section 11(2) and (3), Copyright Act). It is therefore unlawful and morally wrong for any person, without the permission or authorisation of the owner of the copyright, to deal with the work in any material form, either in part or

piracy with its consequent adverse effects on our national development. "Piracy" is defined by the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary as "the act of making illegal copies of video tapes, computer programs, books, etc in order to sell them". Nigeria loses millions of naira every now and then to the activities of pirates; sizeable tax income is lost. Authors and owners of copyrights watch helplessly as pirated copies of their works flood the market on daily basis. They are ripped off to the point of penury, frustration and inability to engage in further creative endeavours. Piracy kills scholarship, creativity and originality. This why it is a social imperative to give adequate protection to our creative works and to flush out pirates. The reasons for protecting the works of human creativity are manifold. Protection enables creators to enjoy substantial economic benefits from their industry and creative ingenuity. People should not be allowed to

presented in a fixed form or definite medium of expression, example, in writing, printed form, cassette taped, in CD Rom, etc. In Nigeria, legal protection is given to creators or owners of the copyright over their woks for a specific period of time. So, copyright does not run in perpetuity. During this time frame, the right owners enjoy exclusive rights or monopoly to control the use of the work in any material form, including distribution of copies of the work to the public for commercial purposes. The protection given to literary, musical, and artistic works is for a period of 70 years after the end of the year in which the author dies but if the owner is government or body corporate, the 70 years will be counted after the end of the year in which the work was first published. In the case of cinematograph films and

whole. This, however, exempts fair dealing for the purposes of research, private use, criticism or review or reporting of current events. The title and author of the work should, nonetheless, be acknowledged in such a situation. To ensure the maintenance of a good and effective copyright scheme, the law established the Nigerian Copyright Commission. The Commission is charged with the responsibility for all matters affecting copyright in Nigeria as well as to enlighten and inform the general public on matters relating to copyright, and other related functions. It is the only body corporate charged with enforcing and administrating the copyright law in Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Justice. The nucleus of their job is, therefore; to protect creativity against piracy. The major problem militating against creativity in Nigeria is

reap where they did not sow or to unfairly profit from the labours of others. When creativity is protected, it acts not only as reward but also as incentive which stimulates greater innovation, inventiveness and investment necessary for national growth and development. The protection and promotion of the rights of creative artists in their works are key factors in the process of national planning and socio-economic development. Furthermore, it is will boost the nation's economy. The film industry, music industry, literary works and artistic creations of Nigerians are capable of raking in millions of naira to the national coffers. They will also lift the nation's foreign exchange earnings. It is sad that much of these are lost to pirates. This is a grave blow to our national development.

Healthy competition, it is said, breeds excellence. When protection is guaranteed, artificiality will fade away and originality thrives. This will agitate industry and competitions thereby enhance international competitiveness of domestic industries and businesses. This will shore up Nigeria's standing in international trade. This is a major parameter for measuring national development. Moreover, more Nigerians will task their brains and imaginations and become more innovative. This will facilitate the growth and expansion of small and medium scale enterprises to fast-track our national development. A country sanitized of the odious activities of pirates will sooner or later, beef up her national image and identity on the international scene. Foreigners will have faith in the country and invest accordingly. This promotes national development. The feeling of self-fulfillment and achievement which a creative artist enjoys as a result of protecting his intellectual property rights drives him to further creation and wholesome contribution to national growth and development. Creative artists hold the key to our country's path to progress. Creativity is a weapon for social reformation and agent of cultural construction. One therefore beckons on Nigerians, organizations and governments at all levels to put hands on deck to clamp down piracy. In this regard, the Federal government should provide adequate funds and logistics for the Nigerian Copyright Commission to enable it totally win the war it is waging against piracy across the country. So far, the Commission has been focused and consistent in mounting public enlightenment programmes, seminars and workshops to clamp down on the criminals behind the scene. It has also convicted many offenders and amicably resolved disputes between contending parties. One enjoins the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Services, the Mass media and other stakeholders to join forces with the Nigerian Copyright Commission to wipe out the scourge of piracy and thus protect creativity for national development. It is said that where there is no vision, a nation perishes. Creative artists are visionaries in their societies. Creativity is the eye and mind of development. This child of the human mind and imagination must live. Protecting it is a social and legal imperative for Nigeria to enjoy sustainable development in a world in which rights are sacred.

By Uluakanwa Oko wrote from Abuja

THE

Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP POLL

hief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano is APGA flag bearer in Anambra gubernatorial elections to hold on November 16, 2013, having won the primaries. He polled a total of 817 votes to clinch the party ticket; a total of 1072 delegates participated in the congress. There were seven aspirants cleared to contest the ticket by the party screening panel headed by Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi. Two of them withdrew from the race. Mr. Pat Obianwu withdrew from the race shortly before voting started, saying he stepped down for Chief Obiano and called on his supporters to vote for him. He said his decision to withdraw was to ensure APGA won the governorship election. Prince John Okechukwu Emeka withdrew by proxy shortly before the commencement of the election; he did not show up at the venue of the congress and did not give reasons for his withdrawal.

WHO IS CHIEF WILLIE MADUABUCHI OBIANO Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano holds a B.Sc. Second Class Upper in Accounting from Unilag (1979) and an MBA in Marketing also from same university. Chief Willie Obiano is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Chief Willie Obiano was John F. Kennedy Essay Winner 1974 at CKC and holds a national Merit Certificate for outstanding service during his NYSC(National Youth Service Corps) in Benue State, Nigeria in the 1979/80 Service Year. Chief Willie Obiano is the President AMP8 (Advance Management Programme) of

APGA flag-bearer: Chief Willie Obiano

Lagos Business School for Ten years running. Chief Willie Obiano is also a 2006 BNV (Building New Ventures) CLASS member of Harvard Business School, Boston USA, also Standard University. He is the Patron, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (Lagos Mainland District) and N a t i o n a l Yo u t h Council of Nigeria, Anambra East Chapter. He is also Patron of the following Catholic Groups: 1. St. Anthony of Padua. 2. Catholic Artistes and Entertainers Association of Nigeria. 3. Catholic Women Association, Aguleri 4. Priests and Rev. Sisters of Aguleri Origin. 5. Missionary of St. Paul's Society. 6 . C a t h o l i c Wo m e n ' s Organization, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Ifako, Gbagada. 7. National Youth Council of Nigeria, Anambra East Chapter. 8. Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Onitsha Archdiocese. 9. Grand Pillar ST Gerald

Chief Willie Obiano Catholic Church. H i s c o m m u n i t y, A g u l e r i , conferred on Chief Willie Obiano and his wife in year 2000, separate chieftaincy titles for distinguished service. Chief Willie Obiano is currently the president of Aguleri Council of Chiefs. On January 2nd 2011, Chief Willie Obiano and his wife Chief Mrs. E V Obiano were adopted into the cabinet chief, Igwe-in council of the Idigo dynasty of the ancient kingdom of AGULERI. This high Chief investiture made

Chief Mrs. E V Obiano, the only female in the hundred and twenty years Idigo dynasty, to be so honoured. They were also conferred as The Otunba Atayese and Erelu Atayese by Oba David Adegboyega Oyewumi (Faseemi ll) Obadu of IlemesoEkiti. Chief Willie Obiano started his banking career as Officer in First Bank in 1981 from where he moved to Texaco Nigeria Plc as Accountant. Chief Willie Obiano was promoted 4 times in his eight-and-halfyear-service at Texaco to become Chief Internal Auditor. Chief Willie Obiano is a specialist in Bunkering, Lubeblending and Refinery Audits. Chief Willie Obiano was part of the team that audited Texaco Refinery in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1989. Chief Willie Obiano joined Fidelity Bank from Texaco in 1991 as Deputy Manager and head of Audit. Chief Willie Obiano was promoted Manager in 1991, Assistant General Manager in 1993, Deputy General Manager in 2000 and General Manager in 2002 and Executive Director in October, 2003. Between 1991 and

ADVOCATE 2002, Chief Willie Obiano headed the following Groups, Divisions, at one point or another: Inspection and Audit; Operations and Information Technology; Division Head, Commercial & Consumer Banking; Division Head, Eastern Market. Other areas include Financial Control, Risk Management and Transaction Support, Corporate Finance, and Non Bank Financial Institutions. Chief Willie Obiano was part of the great team that saw Fidelity Bank through the Bank's Consolidation process. Chief Willie Obiano is a no nonsense tactician that you cannot miss in a crowd. As Executive Director of the Mega Fidelity Bank (and No. 2 man), Chief Willie Obiano is in charge of Business Banking (Corporate Banking, Non Bank Financial Institutions, Treasury, (Naira and Foreign Exchange, Oil & Gas, Telecom & Food and B e v e r a g e s , Tr a n s p o r t a n d Aviation). All the Regional Managers of the bank report through him to the MD/CEO. Chief Willie Obiano has attended numerous banking courses including the following: Credit & Trade Services Course Citi Bank, New York (1994) Treasury and Money Market NatWest, London (1996) Correspondent/Trade Services/ Emerging Market Course - FIM Bank, Malta (2002) Managing Integration Process Houston Texas 2006. Chief Willie Obiano is married with a beautiful daughter and a young son. More about Chief Willie Obiano would be revealed as we go into the campaign. Source: Willie Obiano Campaign Forum

Governorship candidates at war in Anambra Continued from page 2

Hygers Igwebuike for the November 16, 2013 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Accord Party's Board of Trustees chairman, Chief Sir Augustine Mazie who announced Dr. Igwebuike as the winner at the primary that took place in Awka before the close of deadline of

Dennis Oguguo September 2, this year lauded the orderly and peaceful manner in which the delegates conducted themselves to elect the party's flag bearer. He pointed out that he was in the state to conduct similar exercise when Senator Annie Okonkwo ran for the slot, expressing

optimism that the party would continue to produce credible contestants in all elections. He disclosed that Accord Party was ready for the election and prepared to create an upset. Soon after his emergence, Igwebuike described Accord Party as the party to beat, warning that any move to impose any person as governor on the state from Abuja would be resisted. “Here in Anambra state our people know who is who and they also know who is capable of managing their affairs. The era of somebody claiming that some people out of Anambra state have anointed him has gone and the Nigeria voters have become wiser now” Igwebuike debunked the green horn tag on him saying past governors before they were elected were not well known. Said he, “tell me all the past and

present governors of Anambra state who was well known over the years before he became governor? How popular was Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju before he became governor? How many people know Andy Uba before now? Even when he was in Aso Rock, how many people know him? So you see it is not a question of how many people know you before now. We are talking about the affair of our people and welfare of Anambra people and not about knowing somebody. In the last eight months or there about I and my people have visited all the wards and local government areas in the state on campaigns and educating our people about governance and other people are sitting down in their cozy homes expecting to be anointed as governor. This is not proper and it is undemocratic? He told reporters that the main trust of his campaign is security of lives and property as well as job creation. Dr. Igwebuike noted that with enough Jobs for the youths the issue of insecurity would have been reduced to a large extent,

adding that with the special agricultural scheme which he has packaged, housing estate and other social amenities would be put in place in order to checkmate rural urban migration there by boosting food production. He noted that the country's democracy has so advanced that the Nigeria voters have become wiser and better enlightened to choose who would manage their affairs.

ACTION ALLIANCE After its gubernatorial primary supervised by national officers of the party in Awka, the Action Alliance elected a prolific writer and author, Chika Jerry Okeke as its candidate. Okeke emerged as a consensus candidate of the party in a gubernatorial primary held at the Cana House Awka penultimate Wednesday. The chairman of the electoral p a n e l , Ve r n i m b e J a m e s announced Okeke as the winner of the exercise, saying he was the only candidate that was cleared to run the election.

Continues on page 13

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

Arinze wins I will quit politics instead of leaving ADC's guber APGA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Peter Obi ...as ally Obiano wins APGA Guber Ticket ticket in G Anambra By Uche Chukwu, Awka

he African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Anambra state has elected Anayo Arinze as its governorship candidate for the November 16, 2013 election. Arinze, who was the party's deputy governorship candidate in the 2010 election, was elected as a consensus candidate of the party through a voice vote conducted called by the Congress electoral committee headed by Alhaji Mani Ibrahim Ahmed, who is also the party's national organizing secretary. Announcing the outcome of the primary, Ahmed said the state was in transition and ADC was prepared to produce the next governor. He said that the three delegates from the21 local government areas of the state and some chieftains were entitled to elect the party's candidate. Speaking at the occasion, the national chairman of the party, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu stated that the party would hold the biggest rally in a fortnight. Nwosu who presented the flag to Arinze said that the party does not support money bags who hijack the political power and fail to deliver democracy dividends to the masses because they will first want to recoup their money. He stated the low key nature of the primary was to make a difference from wasteful bazaar of other parties adding that ADC was more interested in recreating the nation through imaginative nation building process. Nwosu said that the party has ushered in a scenario where there would no longer be politics of cultism He stated that the ADC was looking beyond Nigeria to give the party a global outlook, adding that local and state executives of the party would decide who would be made the running mate. The primary which was witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official was attended by national officers of the party including chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, national chairman; Alhaji Said Baba Abdullahi, national secretary; chief Hon. Lai Okunade, deputy national chairman (South), Hajia Amina Mohammed, national women leader and state chairmen from Rivers, Sokoto, Kano, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Kaduna, Taraba and Anambra.

overnor Peter Obi of Ananmbra state has reiterated that he would quit politics instead of leaving APGA. Speaking while thanking the people for their support and peaceful conduct throughout the APGA primary election Obi said the November elections, for APGA is a very serious one and for those of them in APGA it is an election that must be won. Obi also promised that in the next few days everybody would be brought on board to ensure that the Party wins the election maintaining that Anambra is an APGA State and assured that he would work hard to ensure that APGA wins the election. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Gubernatorial primary was conducted last week with the former Director of the Fidelity Bank PLC, Chief Willy Obiano polling 817 votes to defeat six other aspirants to emerge the gubernatorial candidate of the party in a peacefully conducted e x e r c i s e a t t h e Wo m e n Development Centre Awka, the state capital.

Gov. Peter Obi Before the primary especially during the period of the crisis the likes of Chukwuma Soludo, Chike Obidigbo Paul Odenigbo etc were fingered as possible persons from whom Obi might adopt for his replacement but in a twist Soludo was disqualified while Odenigbo veered off, yet Obiano who is a new entrant to the party as Soludo

stole the show in yet to be unraveled system. B e f o r e h i s v i c t o r y, political observers were doubtful of possibility of Obiano, a close associate of Obi making it given his late entrance in less than 2 weeks and newness to partisan politics, more so when the party is just coming back from very devastating crisis that almost torn the party to shreds. Some observers are of the opinion that Obiano's victory was because he is Obi's great ally and which made the governor to mobilise all necessary support for him to emerge as one he can trust to cover him and continue from where he will stop. Consequently Obiano will by this victory, carry APGA's flag in the November 16, 2013 gubernatorial race. Interestingly, the emergence of Obiano from Aguleri, Anambra East local government area of the state gives credence to governor,

Peter Obi's promise to move power to the one that is yet to produce a governor since 1991 the state was created. Declaring Obiano, as the winner, the chairman of the Electoral Panel Chief Martins Agbaso said that Obiano polled 817 votes to beat other contenders, the House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Ekwunife - 150 scores, Paul Odednigbo - 49 votes, another House of Representatives Emeka Nwogbo - 22 votes, and John Nwosu - 18 votes as well as John Emeka - one vote with 33 invalid v o t e s r e c o r d e d . Pat Nwachi Obianwu had withdrawn from the race before the voting began. In his acceptance speech, Obiano expressed happiness with the understanding of his cocontestants, disqualified and withdrawn contestants, promised to work tirelessly with Obi to ensure continuity of government policies and programmes. He urged all to put on all hands on deck to lift the state to an enviable level, adding that he accepted the victory as a call to duty. In his reaction, an APGA Board of Trustees member and former Health Minister, Tim Menakaya described the exercise as transparent and peaceful.

Governorship candidates at war in Anambra Continued from page 12 He thanked the delegates and organizers for a peaceful exercise which he said was akin to the party's disposition to free and fair elections.. The primary which was witnessed by the national chairman of the party, Senator Tunde Anifowose-Kelani was attended by delegates from 326 wards of the 21 local government areas of the state. In his acceptance speech, Okeke thanked the delegates for reposing much confidence on him assuring that he would deliver if elected, while predicting that AA would spring surprises in the forthcoming election, dismissing the insinuation that his aspiration was a pretense. He warned that AA would not encourage godfatherism or money politics, expressing hope that the electoral commission would provide a level playing ground for all the candidates.

ADC Also, ADC held its primary monitored by INEC, Arinze , a journalist turned politician and one time publisher of Trade Link International magazine, was declared as the winner. At its primary held at GeoGold Hotel, national officers of the party including chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, national charman; Alhaji Said Baba Abdullahi, national secretary; chief Hon. Lai Okunade, deputy national

chairman (South), Hajia Amina Mohammed, national women leader and state chairmen from Rivers, Sokoto, Kano ,Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Kaduna, Taraba and Anambra were in attendance. Arinze, who ran as the party

election. Also speaking, chief Nwosu stated that the party would hold the biggest rally next week, presented the flag to Arinze saying that the party would not sing praises like money bags

deputy governorship candidate in 2010 governorship election was elected through a voice vote handled by the Congress electoral committee headed by Alhaji Mani Ibrahim Ahmed, who is also the party's national organizing secretary. Ahmed, who announced the result said the state was in transition and ADC was prepared to produce the next governor, noted that the three delegates from the 21 local government areas of the state and some chieftains took part in the primary

whose past activities in the state has set the state back, just as he stated that their interest was to hijack the power and milk the state dry. While saying that ADC has adopted a global transformation framework that would actualize with its domineering influence in African continent, Nwosu stated the low key nature of the primary conducted by the party was to make a difference from wasteful bazaar of other parties usually embark on. He added that ADC was more

interested in recreating the nation through imaginative nation building process. APC The All Progressive Congress, APC, Anambra State Governorship Primary Election Committee led by the former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, conducted the primary election by the direct open ballot voting system at the ward by delegates to elect Senator Chris Ngige as the flag bearer of the party in the November 16, governorship election. The exercise which took place after materials were shared at the Finotel Hotel, Awka, saw Ngige polling 63, 255 votes to overwhelmingly defeat chief Godwin Ezeemo who got 9,564 votes. The primary came about after Ezemmo rejected Ngige's adoption by the national leadership of the party, saying the party's constitution has a room for emergence of a candidate through party primary. In the course of the exercise, The Advocate monitored the primary to be able to paint a true picture of the situation. At the ward one in Alor town, where Ngige comes from, it was a smooth sail as he swept the poll with 674 votes leaving his opponent with just one vote. Continues on page 14

THE

Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

ADVOCATE

Our vehicles are very safe – Peace Mass Transit boss By Ted Peters

eace Mass Transit (PMT) Limited, Nigeria's foremost transport company, says accidents involving its vehicles were not alarming considering the large number of its vehicles operating on highways in 26 states across the country. The company, however, said that it has taken measures to ensure the safety of its passengers by retraining its drivers on the need to be safety conscious especially during the ember months beginning from September to December. Chairman of PMT, Chief Sam Maduka Onyishi, who made this known during the closing ceremony of the Drivers' Training Programme for the last quarter of the year, Saturday, declared that his company's had the safest commuter buses on Nigerian roads. He disagreed with those who believe that PMT buses are prone to auto crashes saying it the assertion was true the company wouldn't have remained the first choice for travelers, adding that the fact that PMP had remained the largest mover of people in Nigeria in terms of road transport was a clear indication that Nigerians have absolute confidence and trust in her services. The PMT boss said: “The only problem we have is that people are comparing us with other companies' in terns of road crashes and other bad news but they are not comparing us on equal basis with those other companies. When you want to make comparison you must also relate a number of issues that the company has with the number of vehicles that such company is using. “A man that is using 100 buses on the highway on a particular day if he has 10 issues it is 10 percent; a man that is using 10 buses if he has one it is the same 10 percent., but if the man that is using 10 buses has one and the man that is using 100 has five, people will still tend to see the man that had five issues as having more but he had less because what he had was just 0.5 percent. So, in making such comparison people must learn to also compare the number of vehicles that are involved, the number of vehicles that are using the road on each day, on each road and on each occasion. “And at Peace Mass Transit we are proud that we are number one. We are the first company in Nigeria to introduce speed limiter on our buses in 2009 and the Federal Road Safety has stressed more on this. Just last week in Abuja during the workshop involving all the stakeholders in the transport industry in Nigeria, the FRSC emphasized that every commercial vehicle should have a speed limiter installed on it and that is what we have done and we have gone beyond that to talk about the issue of tracking all our vehicles to know the attitude of our drivers on the

Chief Sam Maduka Onyishi CEO Peace Mass Transit (4th from right) with his officials and members of the Federal Road Safety Corps after Graduation Ceremony of newly trained drivers of the Company in Enugu on Saturday highway, the acceleration and the rest. “We have gone beyond speed limiter to monitoring the attitude of drivers in the vehicles and what they do at any particular point. We are also talking about the sight of the drivers. You can see the FRSC health officers conducting test on our drivers. We want to know the condition of their eyes to determine those that can use glasses or not. “We will continue to retrain our drivers in partnership with the FRSC to make sure that our roads are safer. That is our own contribution, it is not all about making money, it is about rendering service to the society. God has used our people to bless us; we have to continue to give them better services. Because when people pay you to move them from one city to the other, they are not paying you to take them to their death, they are paying you to render a service so that they will go home and meet their loved ones. “However, because we are in the road transport industry, we cannot tell you that we can have zero accident, I don't know whether that is possible anywhere in the world, but as far as we can, we want to minimize accident. There is nothing we spend to save the life of one person that is too much. We will continue to invest in training. We are not training only drivers; we are also training the technicians because some accidents are due to mechanical errors which could be from the electricians or mechanics. But for now we are addressing those that could be caused by the drivers.” He said that the FRSC training programme had impacted positively on the company's operations as it had helped the drivers to have more value for their lives and their passengers. “I believe that it is cheaper to train the drivers than to spend the money

maintaining the accident vehicles and other issues that will come up as a result of lack of training. What we are doing is preventive measure and it is always cheaper than curative measures,” Onyishi further said. The Enugu State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Funmibi Olawoyin, said that though there were so many challenges on the nation's road transport sector, carnages on the road could be minimized if the road users especially the drivers embraced good conduct. His words: “We are all witnesses to the carnages that have regrettably become common sight on our roads in the country today. Most of the road traffic crashes that have claimed so many lives, rubbish so many dreams and have amounted

to colossal loss of properties occurred as a result of human error in judgment, impatience and lack of consideration for other road users. “There are facts that we know about Nigerian roads. The roads are overburdened as a result of scanty alternatives. The air transport is rather expensive where it is available, the train service is just coming out of its comatose, the waterways transport is limited and as such the only alternative for the movement of goods and services is road transportation. “With these facts in our mind, the use of the roads call for responsible attitude on the path of every commuter, every driver and other road users whenever there is need to travel on it. Every road user should see it as a responsibility to ensure that he and other road users are arrive at their destinations

safely.” He challenged the graduating drivers of PMP to make the resources spent by the company and the time spent by the FRSC on their training to be worthwhile by “being drivers with a difference in your conducts on and off the roads, be a good reference point and worthy Ambassadors of Peace Mass Transit Company.” The FRSC Sector Commander reminded motorists in the state of the enforcement of the new number plate for vehicles and new Drivers' License, saying it would be an offence for anyone to operate with the old number plate and Drivers' License with effect October 1. The new number plate costs N25,000 while the new Drivers' License would be issued at N8,500 and it is compulsory for every vehicle owner.

Governorship candidates at war in Anambra Party has put its rules and

Continued from page 13 going to lodge a complaint, what regulations to guide this primary. Ngige was highly elated as he spoke to journalists on his optimism at the end of day. He described the exercise as a successful one, noting "Today, it is no contest, the man is a neophyte, just trying his luck, he is my brother, results getting in to my phone from all the wards, we are already cruising to victory, tomorrow we are going to Abuja where we would discuss my running mate". At Umuchu Ward 0ne, where Ezeemo hails from, the result favoured him, as he took his opponent to the cleaners. Speaking to journalists, he expressed dismay with the way the exercise was being done, and hoped a level playing ground could be provided, accusing Imo State Governor, Okorocha of working against him. His words, “In all I am not satisfied with what is happening and we are

Okorocha has started is coming to fruition, in Awka South, they lifted the entire booklets where the names of registered members were contained". But after the direct voting system that threw Ngige up at the primary, Ezeemo is still embittered alleging that Ngige and Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha connived to stop him from achieving his gubernatorial ambition. Shekarau defended his action of discarding the old traditional delegate system of voting at one and same venue by a pool of delegates drawn across the 326 wards of the states. “This is the major outing of APC in terms of participating in an election being organized by INEC and we are glad to be taking part in the exercise. This is the first test of APC as a body, we have to address this election very squarely, the

APC has to do a special membership registration for this exercise, this exercise will be an open ballot system, there will be two queues, one for Ngige and another for Ezeemo where voters would line up for counting, ward returning officers would accept the results where they are credible". According to him, the direct primary would reduce fraud and corruption that are associated with delegates' election, adding “We are bringing democracy to the lowest level, which is the registered members of the Party, APC chose direct primaries to test the popularity of our aspirants, we have given opportunity for every card carrying member of the Party to have a role over who runs for the Party, "Shekarau emphasized. At the end of voting, the results were sent to Emmaus House in Awka, for collation after which the winner was announced.

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

Nigerian founding fathers

ennis Chukude Osadebay (June 29, 1911 to December 26, 1994) was a Nigerian politician, poet, journalist, Lawyer and former premier of the now defunct Mid-Western Region of Nigeria, which now comprises of Edo and Delta State. He was one of the pioneering Nigerian poets who wrote in English. As a politician, he detested party politics and tried to form unbiased opinions on important matters of the period. He was also a leader of the movement to create a MidWestern region during the Nigerian First Republic. Biography Early life and poems He was born in Asaba, Delta State to parents of mixed cultural backgrounds. He

Dennis Osadebay

attended Asaba a collection of poems, he Government School at delved with themes from Asaba, the Sacred Heart a personal point of view, School in Calabar and such as a sullen poem Hope Waddell Training written about his twenty Institute. He joined the fifth birthday and the labour force in 1930 as a coming of middle age. Custom Officer working However, his best work in Lagos, Port Harcourt in the volume, were a n d C a l a b a r. H e poems written from an subsequently went to impersonal view point. England to study Law In his adventurous during the 1940s. It was poem, black man while studying that he troubles, he used pidgin started publishing poetic English to lament the verses. He was then status of black Africans known as a newspaper in colonial Africa and poet, as most of his injustice in the society. writings were published His poems were also Dennis Chukude Osadebay in the West African Pilot notable for faithfully and a few other representing modern newspapers. In his writings, personal life and public events poetic rhythm. Osadebay used both his as inspiration. In Africa Sings, Political career

PROFILE

By Rex Arum & Ojiyi Princess

AMAZING AMAZON Chief Dr (Mrs.) Damaris Ogechi Onwuka (Nee Abraham-Igwe)

ittle wonder she is highly celebrated and conferred w i t h t h e t i t l e “Adanwereugwu”, her passionate drive and contribution to the reduction of maternal and child mortality rate in Nigeria is a beaming crystal alongside her other hearty services to the nation. Born in June 1956 at Umugolo, Umunakanu-Owerre, Ehime Mbano L.G.A Imo State, to the family of Elder Abraham-Igwe and Deaconess Abigail Igwe, Dr Damaris Ogechi Onwuka stands as an Amazing Amazon in the enclaves of Nigeria, the west coast. She was raised in a humble neighbourhood where she attended Umugolo community school and the Apostolic church school, Amumra Ezinihitte for her primary education. Afterwards, she moved further to pursue her secondary education at Federal Government College Sokoto and Federal Government College Enugu where she obtained her WASC and higher school certificate respectively. On the completion of her secondary school education, she secured direct admission to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) where she studied medicine and surgery and obtained her MBBS, which enabled her practice her house Job and NYSC respectively at Eku Baptist Hospital and Military Hospital Benin. Starting off as a young doctor, Damaris began her formal civil service work as a medical officer

at Ibeku Central Hospital, Umuahia and eventually progressed to Queen Elizabeth Specialist Hospital where her remarkable passion and dedication to her work at the children's (Okpara ward) was indelibly spotted. She took upon herself the pains of going extra miles to achieve safe delivery of mothers; ensuring that both child and mother stayed alive. This liberal act, an offshoot of her interest in mothers was observed early at the General Hospital Aba where she served as a senior medical officer. In 2001, the amiable Dr Damaris had her name stamped in the Federal Ministry of Health Abuja where she was posted to the National Programme on Immunization. This was a great exposure for her as she had to embark on frequent travels to various states and local government headquarters in Nigeria for immunization programmes as required by the nature of her job. More so, in 2003 she was reposted to National Primary healthcare Development Agency for South East Zone, Enugu, following her outstanding credible performance in her assignment. Nonetheless, Dr Damaris, not counting her working experience as the zenith, further pursued her education to post graduate level. She successfully completed her master's degree programme in Public Health at the University of Calabar and University of Lagos. She earned a Graduate Diploma

Osadebay was one of the founding members of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons in 1944. He left the country to read law a few years later. After, completing his studies, he returned to Nigeria and established a law practice in Aba and was also made the legal adviser of the N.C.N.C. In 1951, he contested and won a seat on the Western Region House of Assembly which was dominated by the rival Action Group (AG). He soon became the leader of opposition in the region from 1954-1956 but gave the mantle to Adegoke Adelabu in 1956. After the death of Adegoke Adelabu, he took on his familiar oppositional role in 1958. In 1960, he became the president of the Nigerian Senate and upon the creation of the Mid-Western Region in 1963, became the pioneer premier of the newly created regions.

(PGD) in management at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN and Associate Fellow of National Post Graduate College Yaniki, Lagos. She steadily moved out of the shores of Nigeria in November 2011 where she got her Diploma in Health System Management at Galilee College Israel and in Health Financing at Bangkok, Thailand. Finally, she returned to do an additional Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in organizational management at the University of Ibadan. Dr (Mrs.) Damaris Onwuka is not a book worm as you might presume, she posses a keen and adventurous spirit which has inspired her travels around the world to countries like London, Togo, Egypt, Israel, Dubai, Mauritius, Thailand, Mali, Canada, Ghana, South Africa and the United States (USA). As tough as she may look, Dr

Damaris still has hobbies and they include gospel song composition, writing, singing, drama and indoor games. Amazingly, her singing hobby has earned her four Albums; Riwoo Otuto, Feed my Flock, Echoes of love and Lion of Judea, all which she has been released in the music market. Faith wise, she believes in serving God in spirit and in truth and reaching people through her song with the love of God; a passion she pursues with irrevocable zest. Quite evident and without doubt, Dr Damaris has energetically strived even in risky paths during her travels in Northern Nigeria and Middle Belt region in her humble but impactful service to Nigeria. She worked in all LGAS in Adamawa State regardless of the prevalent challenges of armed bandits, mob action in Jos, and sponsored carsnatching syndicates from the underworld. Undaunted, she pressed on, her unwavering passion has been driving her to more charity works. In Gagarawa LGA of Jigawa State and at Umuakwu village her charity works boomed as she conducted free medical services for residents in that area. And on several occasion, she spread her free medical service to Umugolo and since 2001 from Umudo community hall to the primary school hall. Her outstanding contribution in Umugolo was the initiation of the construction of a community driven health centre through the then Umugolo Aladimma union president Mr. Ferdinand Onuoha.

This great initiative lived on and was taken up by the LG Council who has continuously monitored the activities of skilled health service delivery in the centre. Dr Damaris is also a vessel and seed of encouragement to many through the yearly glorious evenings of praise which she pilots in Aba and Enugu to encourage believers to always count their blessings and thank God. Dr Damaris Onwuka is described as a silent motivator, an enterprising doctor of our time, a sister of great zeal and courage in her practical love for others, a fine daughter who thinks of what to do for her community rather than what her community can do for her, a hearted sister, a very sincere friend, a loving wife and mother. She has championed the crusade for maternal and primary healthcare which is steadily spreading and aims at improving the health of mothers particularly children, in Umugolo, Imo state, Nigeria. Her passionate commitment to her duty and role in the reduction of maternal and child mortality rate and provision of primary health care in Umunakanu Owerre autonomous community was dully recognized in December 27th , 2010 with a chieftaincy title: “Adanwereugwu” 1 of Umunaleanu Owerre, conferred upon her by HRH Eze Udo I B.O Onuoha and the Umugolo community. Chief Dr (Mrs.) Damaris Ogechi Onwuka (Nee Abraham-Igwe) Adareugwu 1 of Umunakanu Owerre Autonomous Community, Ehime.Mbano LGA, Imo State, Nigeria is indeed an Amazing Amazon of our time.

THE

Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

ADVOCATE

illionaire Businessman and Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Anambra Sate, Prince Engr. Arthur Eze and the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Governorship Candidate for the state, Comrade Tony Nwoye, returned to Anambra State on Friday Sept 6 after receiving the Certificate of Return from the PDP National Leadership in Abuja. On arrival at Ukpo Community in Dunukofia LGA, Prince Eze held New Yam Festival as well as presented Campaign vehicles to PDP Ward officials. The Advocate was there.

Prince Eze addressing PDP supporters with Tony Nwoye while Governorship running mate, Dr. Amamchukwu Ezike listens

Prince Eze and Comrade Nwoye in a chat at the event

Comrade Tony Nwoye addressing the large crowd of supporters

Prince Eze, Comrade Nwoye and Dr. Ezike

PDP supporters during the dedication of the campaign vehicles and motorcycles by a Catholic Priest

The Priest dedicating the campaign vehicles

The Sienna Cars and Motorcycles for Nwoyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign

Comrade Nwoye set for campaign

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

Obianuju Nwankwo e-mail: tender4j@yahoo.com

Strip out

here is no doubt to say that “Black is beautiful”, when y o u n e e d outstanding outfit you go for black this colour w o u l d never go out of style, think of best color you could combine black with? You will be left with no color than “white” this color creates an effortless beauty and evokes brightness. It is fascinating when you have it in strip of all designs, the best c o m b i n a t i o n e v e r. These colors are sophisticated and chic all year round.

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

Woman, 25, remanded for culpable homicide By Our Reporter

Chief Magistrates' Court 2 sitting in Katsina has ordered the remand of a house wife, Jamila Saidu, 25, in prison custody for culpable homicide and causing grievous harm to her husband. The accused, a resident of Tudun Yanlihidda area in Katsina metropolis is standing trial for allegedly pouring hot water on her husband who sustained severe injury but presently receiving treatment at the Katsina General Hospital. According to the our correspondent, the accused had a disagreement with her husband, Aminu Ummaru, leading to a heated argument during which she reportedly poured boiling water on him. “She took hot water and poured on his body as a result of which he sustained serious degree of burns all over his body,” the prosecutor,

Sergent Okolo James, informed the court. Okolo said the offence contravened Section 229 and 245 of the Penal Code. When the matter came up for

mention, the accused pleaded not guilty. Presiding Magistrate, Nuradeen Ahmed El-Ladan, adjourned the matter to September 17, 2013.

Woman to wait 8 years to retrieve diamond swallowed by Chicken

laire Lennon, a 38-yearold resident of Berkshire, Eng., will be waiting up to eight years to retrieve a $466 diamond earring swallowed by her pet chicken, Sarah. Sarah who is a male, despite his name plucked the earring right off of Lennon's ear while he was sitting on her shoulder, the Telegraph reported Monday. The earring became lodged in the bird's gizzard, and no amount of

23-yr-old dumps baby in toilet igawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, has arrested a 23-year-old woman, Hadiza Shehu, while dropping her new born baby boy in a pit toilet after giving birth to him in the night in Yankoli Quarters, Hadejia Local Government Area of the state. State Commander of NSCDC, Dr. Muhammad Gidado, in a statement in Dutse, said in the course of investigation, she admitted the crime. She named one Muhammad Akarami, 42, who is alleged to be a fake Mallam, of being

Teenage boy with rare disease looks 60

responsible for the pregnancy and allegedly instructed her to dump the baby in a toilet whenever she gave birth. According to her, the Mallam told her that it was a divine revelation and threatened that if she refused, she would either die or go mad. The commander added that the lady claimed she went to the Mallam to seek for prayers for protection against her boyfriend, but ended up becoming the Mallam bedmate. The Commandant said the Mallam had been arrested and detained for further questioning, adding that after investigation, the two suspects would be charged to court.

Ali Hussain

laxatives have been able to get it free. Lennon's vet told her that an operation to retrieve the earring would kill Sarah, and rather than turn her avian pet into chicken soup, she's opting to wait it out until the bird dies of natural causes. The vet informed Lennon that the platinum white gold surrounding the diamond would “distengrate” in the animal's gizzard. However, “the diamond is so hard it will not be damaged and will just stay there until Sarah dies, and then of course we can get it back,” Lennon said, according to the Daily Mail. The earring was part of a pair given to Lennon by her partner, Adam de Marco. The couple says a major reason they don't want to risk losing Sarah is because the loss would “devastate” their 6year-old daughter, Mia. Lennon also explained that the male bird is named “Sarah” because they originally thought he was a female. By the time they learned the truth, the name had already stuck. Sarah is not the first beloved pet to chow down on diamonds. In 2011, a pup named “Honey Bun” ate $10,000 worth of jewels at a store in Albany, Ga.

ragic Ali Hussain Khan looks like a wizened old man yet he is only 14. Heartbreakingly, he's also the last surviving child of SIX siblings hit by a rare, crippling and incurable disease. But despite suffering such a terrible loss, brave Ali refuses to give up hope a miracle cure will be found so he will reach adulthood. Ali was born with progeria, a genetic condition that ages his body eight times faster than normal. There are only 80 known cases of progeria on the entire planet. Yet Ali, his two brothers and three of his sisters had the condition, which usually kills victims by the age of 14 with a heart attack or pneumonia. But Ali refuses to give up hope a miracle cure may be found, even though he knows his life could end any moment. He told the Sunday People : “I very much want to live and I hope there is medicine for my disease out there. “I'm not scared of death but my parents have suffered a lot. “I'd love to live much longer for them. I don't want to burden them with any more pain.” Dad Nabi Hussain Khan, 50, and mum Razia, 46, from Bihar the

poorest state in India are first cousins who were the product of an arranged marriage 32 years ago. When their first daughter Rehana was born in 1983 they had no idea anything was wrong. It was only after her second birthday when she couldn't eat or walk properly they visited a local doctor. But he was baffled and sent them home with a useless medicine. They went back to the doctor after their son Ikramul was born in 1987 showing the same symptoms and got the same reaction. Nabi, who earns £20 a month as a factory guard, said: “The doctors were as clueless as us. “If one of them had told us our children had some kind of genetic problem and we were connected we'd have stopped having children.” Daughters Gudiya and Rubina were born in 1989 and 1992, Ali arrived in 1999 and a newborn baby boy died. All had progeria. But the couple also had unaffected children Sanjeeda and her sister Chanda are now 20 and 10. Nabi and Razia only found out about progeria in 1995 after seeing an expert who told them it was incurable. Nabi said: “No one in our community believed it.

w i t h drunken elk. P o l i c e spokesman A l b i n Näverberg agreed the man had no option but to call the authorities a s t h e animals posed a big threat. “They can be really dangerous. They become fearless,” he said “Instead of backing away when a person approaches, they move toward you. They may even take a run at you.” This is a reoccurring problem for

Swedish police, who see dozens of calls about drunken elk in the autumn. Näverberg said: “If there is a lot of fermenting fruit, then we get a lot of calls about drunken elk. But most often they're gone before officers arrive.”

Infidelity: Housewife jailed 3 months Drunk Deers stop man from entering any future teenage housewife, Earlier, police prosecutor, Insp. his home i ncidents Blessing Bisala, is to spend Phillip Appolos, had said that the

three months behind bars for cheating on her husband. An Abuja Magistrate Court, Thursday, found Bisala, 19, guilty of having “unlawful” sexual relationship with her 34-year-old lover (names withheld). Bisala was convicted after she pleaded guilty to the charge of adultery, for which she was arraigned by the police, while the lover pleaded not guilty. She said: “My Lord, I am guilty of cheating on my husband. I want the court to pardon me.” Magistrate Fati Tafida ruled: “Based on the admittance of the accused to committing the crime, and the evidence before the court, she is, hereby, sentenced to three months in prison, with an option of N1,000 fine, as a first offender.”

convict's husband reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station on September 1. He alleged that the convict's husband caught her in the act in a guest house in Life Camp, Abuja and immediately alerted a police patrol team attached to Life Camp Division. He said the team, led by Insp. Abdul Ogbe, arrested the two lovers and brought them to the police station. Appolos said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 387 and 388 of the Penal Code. Magistrate Tafida admitted the convict's lover to bail in the sum of N100,000, with a reliable surety, and adjourned the case to September 23, to enable the court continue with the trial of the lover.

sually it's drunk people disturbing the wildlife, but one man in Sweden found himself in trouble with five drunk elk. The man was blocked from entering his house in Ingaro, an island in Stockholm's suburbs, by four adult elk and a calf who had gotten drunk from eating rotten apples in his garden. “Five drunken elk were threatening a resident who was barred from entering his own home,” a police incident report said. The animals had left before the police arrived, and the homeowner was instructed by officers to clear his garden of fermented apples in order to avoid

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

We need more tight-fisted Governor in Anambra state â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nwobualor Chief Sylvester Nwobualor, former special adviser to the Governor Peter Obi on parks and market, campaign director of Peter Obi Campaign organisation and also the national coordinator of APGA stakeholders' forum bears his mind on the inherent vices in public sector. He spoke THE ADVOCATE Editor, Rex Arum after he was conferred with the Pillar of Development Award by the Leadership and Role Model Foundation in Awka recently. The politician says Anambra state needs more tight-fisted governor like Obi to take the state to the Promised land. Excerpts. May I meet you sir? My name is Sylvester Nwobualor, I am the former special adviser to the Governor Peter Obi on parks and market. I am the campaign director of Peter Obi Campaign organisation and also the national coordinator of APGA stakeholders' forum.

As a man with the kind of experience you have in the political arena after serving in both the Executive and the Legislature how would you compare the role of executives in area of bureaucracy? Well, my experience is that, bureaucracy has been in existence all these years since we got independence. When the white men were here, there were high degree of adherence to bureaucracy and that made everything neat, decent and credible. The nature of bureaucracy we have this days centre's on money. People want to do a thing because of money. They won't do anything if there is no money. Therefore there is that belief that things seem to be backpedaling. People keep their files and ask you to go and look for it or else you will give him or her money. People know what to do but won't do it except it gives them special personal benefit. People do not do their work, if it means favoring you. All these things are terrible, in our present so called bureaucracy. Then about politics, it is not even getting better rather it is getting worst. When people who were in politics before us, that is the Azikiwe era, there were absolute honesty to an extent politically. People do things because they believe in what they were doing and because they know that what they are doing will benefit the totality of the people in the area in which they live. They do what will benefit the entire society. They consider the society first, before thinking of themselves. Even when we got in there, you won't believe it, but let me tell you my salary as a member of the House; as a secretary to the parliamentary caucus was 840 Naira and I was not disturbed about it. I was thinking so much about what I will give to my constituency. I was thinking about roads, water, electricity, education and all these things for the people of my area. But this time around nobody thinks about that, they are thinking about their bags. They come into their villages with heavy Ghana-mustgo bags, to enrich themselves.

They are building towerof-Babel all over the places, riding in the most expensive cars; they go to their friends and even visit their relations with motorcade and all these things. One simple thing about it, is that people are not working; particularly those who are elected, are not working in the interest of those who elected them. They are working for their own pockets instead there are disagreements in the actual political classes. You don't get to the top unless you pull someone down. You don't get to the top unless run foul of the system; you don't get to the top unless you rig elections. All these things are evil. But that is the nature of politics these days. So, that is the way I see both the political system and bureaucracy now.

seen political bickering a little more than is seen in other states. What is the Now do you have a way out way forward for Anambra o f t h i s u n w h o l e s o m e state? Well, if you think from where we development? started, when this state was

Number one is prayer. I believe in God and I believe God can change many things. He can make things wrong and make things good depending on what we have shown that we want. If we are doing bad and praying that God should make things fine, we are joking. It won't happen. If you want God to help you, you must first of all believe in God, secondly, serve God by being honest and sincere in all that you say and in all that you do, and then God will come to your aid. I am asking everybody to start thinking well, acting well, talking well, so that God will come and save us from this terrible mess which we formed for ourselves; which we seem to have believed in and worship like God. So the way out is to pray, believe in God, do the right thing at the right time and be able to know when you are going wrong and to correct yourself immediately, then we will move forward. Then, political process must have democracy in practice and the decision of the executive must always be fair and we must have transparency even in financial transactions. When we adopt all these things then we will move forward. I think that is the only way out. Outside that there will be no way out.

A lot of unfathomable things have happened in Anambra state; we've seen politics of money, we've

created, it was a checkered history, it was a terrible history. Till recently when Governor Peter Obi came on board, things changed. I was thinking, when I helped to put him here, I was thinking that he will do at least he will do much better than his predecessors, but he surprised everybody and even surprised himself, because he did so much beyond his own expectation. Almost all the roads in Anambra state are getting facelift by tarring everywhere. He was projecting 100 roads rally and you know he has been here for seven years and half and he has been able to put a good record of 900 roads which far more than he predicted. When you go to education, the schools were nothing to write home about. The buildings were off; children were reading and learning under the trees. The hospitals were mere prescribing clinics, name it, everything were out of place. Agriculture was totally forgotten. But now it is a different story. All the schools, primary schools have been rehabilitated. New schools were built, the secondary schools were just reading houses but now all this schools are equipped even in this age of technology and science, he has met the demands of current lives, by equipping all schools, making sure that we met the demands of technology. The hospitals are no longer prescribing clinics. They are equipped with up-

to-date diagnostic equipment. And so he is moving so fast that if we have started doing that from the date of creation of the state, anybody coming in will just come in and sleep in his house because he has nothing else to do. So I think it is tremendous. You talked about insecurity and if I must be honest to myself or perhaps to some people who think the way I do, the insecurity problem is a nationwide problem. It is not peculiar to Anambra state, and if I have to say my mind, I will say that Anambra state appears to be the safest in this country. There is crime all the world, everywhere even in New York. But I am thinking in terms of comparison. Comparatively Anambra appears to be the safest in Nigeria today. You don't talk about the massive bombing all over the place; kidnapping is everywhere, shooting also. Like I heard of one big transporter that was shot in Lagos and about 2 to 3 persons were killed. So we have crime everywhere. But we are hopping and praying that it will be better in no distant time.

As a member of APGA, what are the prospects for your party to maintain the leadership in the state in the fourth coming election? I want to guess that you are talking about the possibility of our party to win again. But I assure and reassure you that the issue of winning has been concluded. APGA as a political party will win in local Government election and gubernatorial election. Not talking about the performance of the party which is very important in this sort of analysis. You also think of the character of the people, the commitment of the Igbo man to this party is very great. If you do a little survey you will see how much people believe in APGA as a party for the Igbo's. It is definitely a political party for the nation. Every Igbo man feels that he is bit cut off the system, people complain about marginalization here, there and yonder. (coughsâ&#x20AC;Ś) But I very much think that this party, if well structured, will lead the Igbo nation to the promise land. It will lead the Igbo nation into the mainstream of Nigeria political system. It is not enough to sit back in you house and complain about marginalization,

when you are not doing anything to belong. How do we belong? We need to have an umbrella through which we can walk into the Nigerian political system and take our right. Nobody is going to give you your right unless you go in and take it, particularly in the Nigerian system. So that is why we think that this party must be restructured. This party must be given the teeth to bite and not just to shout. How do we do it? All of us including your humble self should come and join the political team that is moving so fast but it requires a little pumping of the tires so that it will gather momentum.

Some political class criticize Gov. Peter Obi as being tight-fisted, and if, the former Fidelity bank Managing Director succeeds him, that will be disaster and this perception may spell doom for the party during the election, What is your take? Well, I think if you take away the governor's tight-fistedness then you are taking away the development trust that exists in the state. People want to come in and share money and I am telling a lot of people that it is wrong to come into any political party mainly to amass wealth. Beware! You are supposed to serve the people. Political party is made to develop the society in which we live, it is not meant for sharing money. People should find work to do and get busy. People who don't have anything to do with politics, who can not contribute anything either in there thinking and action will come and fill the whole place expecting the Governor to bring out money and share. A member of the House told me some weeks back that I should buy grease for Peter to grease his hands and loosen it a bit because his hands is too tight. That he should bring out money for them to share, that he has not come here to joke. You can see his thinking. And this is a member of the House. So I am thinking that what Peter Obi is doing is by the so called tightfistedness is a good omen for the people of the state. While people think more for money, if you remember a case where a Godfather demanded 2billion in advance before he fixes somebody to a position and a cheque was issued. But when the demand got to him, he refused to honour the cheque. People here liked him because of that till today. So we need the people who will be more tight-fisted to govern the state. If you look at the fiscal allocation mobilization committee, the amount of money that is allocated to this state, on the list we were the second to the last. At a time I began asking him, how he is coping with the little money. We are getting very small but our state is more developed than those states that get 10 times what we get.

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Lift Saxum to create 100,000 jobs in the South East – Nwanneka Okolo Nwanneka Okolo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lift Saxum in this interview with Mary Chinda threw light on the vision and mission behind the formation of Lift Saxum. She said that most NGOs fizzle out after the founder because such oganisations are built round families and individual interests stressing that lift Saxum is broad spectrum NGO with focus and strategic action plan to transform the lives of youth and women in Nigeria by promoting entrepreneurship through training, technical assistance, and support for start-ups. Can we meet you Ma? My name is Nwanneka Okolo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lift Saxum Limited by Guarantee.

Could you tell us about your background? I am Nwanneka Okolo (nee Ekwueme). I hold a degree in Law from the University of Ife ( now Obafemi Awolowo University) and an MBA from Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow, United Kingdom. I spent most of my working life at First Bank of Nigeria PLC but in between had a stint as a law lecturer at the then ASUTECH (Anambra State University of Science and Technology). I voluntarily retired from the services of First Bank on Assistant General Manager grade to pursue other interests one of which is the founding of Lift Saxum.

You are clearly one of those few women who believe in giving back to society; hence you recently launched your NGO to empower women and youths. Tell us about your NGO? All my life I have always been interested in human development, in line with family tradition I would say - and for me the founding of Lift Saxum is a sure way of positively impacting the lives of our youth and women. The Mission of Lift Saxum is to transform the lives of youth and women in Nigeria by promoting entrepreneurship through training, technical assistance, and support for start-ups. I would like to emphasize here, the fact that Lift Saxum is not a one man show, neither is it a family affair. We aim for sustainability and continuity and this cannot be achieved without sound corporate governance. This company by God's grace will outlive all of us. On the Board of Lift Saxum are men and women who have excelled in their various fields of endeavour but more importantly have strong leaning towards human development. The Chairman of the Board is none other than Elder K. U. Kalu (CON). Other members of the Board are Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike, Prof Nkadi Onyegegbu, Hon Frank Nweke Jnr., Mr. Ikeazor

Akaraiwe, Dr. Ifediora Amobi, Dr (Mrs.) Virgy Anohu, Prof Chidi Onyia, Dr. Alex Otti, Mr. Ayo Adenaike, Chief Lorretta Aniagolu, and my humble self. We also have two patrons: Mr Fola Adeola (CON) and Prof Bartho Okolo. And in tune with international best practices all of us on the Board know that any one who misses three board meetings in a row will be asked to resign and we don't accept proxies (that is a director sending a representative for board meeting) at Board meetings. We have fixed tenure for directors after which period they must step off the Board.

What need do you think your NGO would solve for the people of the Southeast? Well, the population of Nigeria is projected to reach 170 million in 2013 by the National Population Commission. An estimated 43% of the population is below the age of 15, while 24% of Nigerians are unemployed. The youth make up the vast majority of unemployed Nigerians. According to 2010 World Bank data, almost 70% of Nigerians aged between 15 and 24 who are seeking work are unemployed. Unemployed youth are most likely to be those with insufficient formal education and/or in the country's rural areas. The 2011 report of the National Committee on Job Creation reveals that 82% of unemployed Nigerians have secondary school education or less, while 70% of Nigerian youth surveyed in the British Council Next Generation Report (2010) believe that their education does not adequately prepare them for the job market. About 4.5 million young Nigerians are thrown into the job market on yearly basis and out of this, only 10% find gainful employment and others who find jobs of some sort settle instead for farm activities or work in the informal sector, in low-skilled, poorly remunerated and insecure positions. As such, the vast majority of Nigerian youth live in

p o v e r t y ; t h e Wo r l d B a n k estimates that over 80% survive on less than $2 a day. Indeed, youth unemployment, underemployment and poverty constitute a ticking time bomb in Nigeria which can only be reversed through initiatives focused on empowering young Nigerians everywhere with the education, skills and opportunities to work, secure their livelihoods, generate jobs for others and contribute meaningfully to the society. Enterprise development is recognized globally as the most effective strategy for creating sustainable employment and wealth. According to the Small

and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) could play a catalytic role in the economic transformation of Nigeria and have a multiplier e ff e c t o n e m p l o y m e n t i n particular. What are the programmes of Lift Saxum? In order to fulfill its mission, Lift Saxum delivers three core programmes:  Start Your Own Business (SYOB): A four-month course, focused on youth between the ages of 18 and 35, delivered three times a week. This course includes a comprehensive entrepreneurship and practical training programme that will cover the critical skills, tools and knowledge required to establish a business; an adult literacy programme to enhance the literacy of the youth and computer skills training programme.  Enterprising Women: A three-month course focused on women who have obtained at least a secondary school education and are functionally literate. This course will be delivered twice a week and will provide the women with comprehensive and practical entrepreneurship training and support that will enable them to create marketable business plans to start and grow their companies. It will culminate in a business plan competition and participants will be encouraged to submit their business plans for national and international business plan competitions such as YouWin Women and Cartier respectively.  Lift Biz: This consists of short courses (2-5 days), focused on critical topics that aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs require to grow their businesses.

At least three times a year, Lift Saxum will organize short courses taught in Igbo language in designated rural communities. These courses, offered in collaboration with community associations will be offered for free to micro entrepreneurs at the rural level, to engage them and build their skills. Our objective is to ensure that by 2017, Lift Saxum would have transformed the lives of at least 2,200 youth and women through its spectrum of services. By 2023, the organization would have enhanced the lives of at least 20,000 women and youth, thereby creating at least 100,000 new jobs in the South East Nigeria.

What courses does Lift Saxum offer? The curriculum will include the following: developing personal mission and vision, Identifying Business Opportunities and Crafting. Others include Business Concept, Market Assessment and Sector Analysis, Developing a Governance Strategy, Business and Personal Ethics, etc.

Does Lift Saxum offer its graduates any assistance upon graduation? Post graduation, Lift Saxum will render support by exposing beneficiaries of all it's programmes to local and international business plan competitions, including You Win, C a r t i e r, A f r i c a n I n v e s t o r, Legatum, Omydiar etc. We shall also provide referral letters to local banks, the Bank of Industry and investors. Lift Saxum will link them up to opportunities to showcase their products and services at local and international trade fairs. For instance, Lift Saxum will partner with the Enugu Chamber of Commerce to ensure that it's alumni have access to a both on annual basis during the Enugu International Trade Fair.

Bunmi, Eyo Ita receive UN Ambassador of Ibom State, the International Ambassador of Peace would ginger Peace award Nigeria, President / Advisor UN-Polac them to do more without relenting Obong Dr. Halo B. Eton, JP, despite challenges experienced. By Christopher Okon, Uyo

t was a session of testimonies and commendation in Akwa Ibom State last weekend as stakeholders of UN-Polac gathered to honour Engr. Bunmi Jonhnson, and Elder Ntunkae (Mrs) Oten Eyo Ita as they have sacrificed immensely in humanitarian services and restored peace in the society. The colourful occasion which was organized by the UN-Polac in honour of Engr. Bunmi John and Elder Ntunkae (Mrs) Oten Eyo Ita was a gathering of national and international big wigs of UN-Polac, captain of industries, politicians, traditional fathers, and musicians that stormed the events with their beautiful lyrics. Speaking at the event held at the Pslmako Hotel Ltd, Eket, Akwa

Ambp, commended Engr. Bunmi Johnson and Elder Ntunkae (Mrs) Oten Eyo Ita over their humanitarian services and promotion of peace, said they deserve the honour and certificate of Ambassador of Peace given to them by UN-Polac while he encouraged them to do more despite experiences and challenges associated with service to humanity. Obong Eton who is also the advisor of UN-Polac described Engr. Bunmi Johnson and Elder Ntunkae (Mrs.) Oten Eyo Ita as core supporters of UN-Polac ideals, stressing that their contribution were valuable to UNPolac and others stakeholders without any contradiction. Also speaking in separate interviews, the Chief Executive of Bunmi Johnson and Associate, Engr. Bunmi Johnson and the founder of OTENITA FOUNDATION (NGO) Elder Ntunkae (Mrs.) Oten Eyo Ita said the honour and the certificate of

He called on the youths to shun negative vices and continue to embrace peace which would allow development to storm the entire state and nation at large. They, however, wonder why people should encourage crisis and violence in this present dispensation campaign for peace across the world has taken a center stage. They assured UN-Polac of effective representation, to be exemplary ambassadors of peace for others to emulate, adding that the activities of UN-Polac have changed people's lives positively especially for the promotion of peace and security. They said the award came as a surprise to them not knowing that such a body has been monitoring their activities in the society over their humanitarian services; especially the employment of youths to assist them shun negative vices in the society.

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PDP CRISIS UPDATE:

Tukur fails to stop Baraje's camp in court ·Why we promote New PDP, by Atiku

ustice Elvis Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja has rejected moves by the Bamanga Tukur-led faction of the troubled Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) to restrain the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the party. The judge, in a ruling Friday, refused an ex-parte application by the Tukur-faction, seeking to restrain senior members of the Baraje-faction from parading themselves as members of the party's national executives, pending the determination of the substantive suit. The application had particularly sought to retrain former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Baraje, a chieftain of the party, Sam Jaja, among others (named as respondents in the substantive suit) from acting as executive members of the party. Also named as respondent is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). When the application, filed by applicant's lawyer, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN), was moved, Justice Chukwu declined to grant the applicant's prayers, but instead, ordered that the respondents be put on notice. The judge also ordered that the notice be served on the respondents through substituted means. “Although I am not afraid of granting an ex-parte application, especially when it is obvious of causing anarchy, however, I owe a duty to maintain a balance. ” What I want to do is order that the respondents are put on notice,” the judge held. Justice Chukwu also ordered parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit. He consequently fixed September 12 for hearing of the substantive suit. Meanwhile, former Vice President and one of the founding fathers of the ruling crisis-ridden PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Friday declared that he and his group in the New PDP were only interested in one thing: to rescue and reconnect the party with Nigerians, as was envisaged by its founding fathers. Atiku, the Turaki Adamawa, said in an interview that “the PDP has been going in the wrong direction for far too long” and given what was happening in the other political parties (the quest by their leaders to strengthen them), “you would agree with me that it has become necessary for some of us to rescue the party and put it back track. And that is exactly what has happened.” He frowned at what he described as the “poor manners” the party

was being run, noting that the most important challenge to all concerned members was how to engender an orderly process of running the party. “Doing this would require that we put the structures of the party in their proper positions, so that at the end of the day, all members of the party can set the template for an action plan. “Essentially, what we are saying is that we want to correct the situation where only one man sits to direct the party and he alone puts members in line,” explained. On the insinuation that the new

Bamanga Tukur PDP was working with opposition parties, Atiku said such an allegation was merely a

convenient argument by those misdirecting the affairs of the party. “But you ask yourself: who are those destroying the PDP? Are they those who have turned the party into a non-democratic structure or those who want to rescue the party and reconnect it with the Nigerian people?” he quipped. He added: “We have exhausted all efforts to avoid the current division and factionalisation. The PDP is stronger as a united party, but the party leadership doesn't give a hoot about destroying the democratic principles on which it is founded, to satisfy the ego of the President. “Peaceful negotiation is always welcome. We headed to the court to make a point. The PDP is bigger than any individual and, therefore, if they want to rebuild the party, it must return to the original objectives for which it was founded.” The former vice president berated those alleging that the new PDP

was fighting for Northern Presidency in 2015, stressing that part of the problems faced by the country was the creeping tendency by some people to play the ethnic card whenever the need for rigorous assessment and dissection of its political problems arose. He lamented that such attitude to national political problems was taking a toll the country's ability to move forward as a united entity. “Unfortunately, these divisions are not about bridging the gap between the rich and poor, or opening the doors of our schools to our children, so that they can get access to good and qualitative education that will guarantee them a brighter future. “The divisions are about whether the presidency is for the North or the South. And I think the nation made a decision about this in 2011 and it is unfortunate that those who benefitted from the decision in 2011 are the same ones who are singing the tune of ethnic politics,” he bemoaned.

BABY FACTORY:

Enugu Hairdresser, 3 others nabbed Continued from page 5 abort the pregnancy. Confused about what to do with the pregnancy, Ujunwa who claimed to be a native of Ituku in Awgu local Government Area of the state, went to a patent medicine dealer identified as Obinna Arum of Obofia Awkunanaw but residing at New Haven Extension, Enugu to solicit for abortion but she was advised to keep the baby. Before then, she had made several attempts to get the rid of the baby but all to no avail. “Obinna however linked Ujunwa with Ifeoma Obike who would take care of her pregnancy and later be given the sum of one hundred thousand naira (N100.,000) after delivery to enable her forfeit the baby which Ifeoma will at the appropriate time, sell to couples desirous of baby,” the police spokesman said. According to him, Ujunwa further disclosed that while she was with Ifeoma, “the woman insisted that if her financial condition dwindles, that the initial agreed amount of one hundred thousand could be reduced to amount that she can afford. “One of the cohorts, a native of Ezeagu and a self-acclaimed Medical Doctor who runs a medical clinic known along Amechi street New Haven, Enugu who was also apprehended in connection with the illicit practice, denied being a part of the syndicate. But he revealed that there was a certain time a pregnant girl was brought to him to be delivered of a baby which he

carried out and later the baby was released to someone identified as a sister to the girl and that he also issued a receipt for the hospital expenses incurred.” On his part, Chibuike Obike from Isiukwuato, Abia State, whom Ifeoma described as her Fiancé,

revealed that he was yet to marry Ifeoma even though they have five children whose whereabouts could not be explained. Obike, who claimed to be a businessman dealing on wears, however, declined to give further details about the baby found in

possession of the his alleged Fiancée. Amaraizu said that full scale investigations into the matter had already commenced with a view to ascertaining further details of the illicit activities of the syndicate.

Shekau: Prosecute sponsor of Boko Haram, now - Okechukwu tells Jonathan By Uche Chukwu, Awka

ven as doubts envelopes the reported killing of the most wanted leader of Islamic sect, Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau, a former chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Emmanuel Okechukwu has called on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to take urgent steps to fish out and prosecute the sponsors of the heinous crime. Speaking to newsmen in Awka, on the controversial killing of the m o s t w a n t e d s e c t l e a d e r, Okechukwu said even if he is dead, it is still not the end of insurgency in Nigeria, noting that only the prosecution of their sponsors can bring an end to the dastardly acts. He pointed out that the capture and death of the pioneer leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf also known as Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf, a Muslim sect leader, threw up the likes of Shekau, stressing that with the death of Shekau, the chances of his succession by another groomed leader would not be dismissed. Okechukwu who is a onetime

Boko Haram would b e s i m p l y scratching the surface, stressing that unless the sponsors were brought to book, it tantamount to early celebration. Liking the existence of Al Queda after the death of Osama bin Shekau and Jonathan Ladin, he stated that the elimination of Shekau national executive member of would push his subordinates into NBA, charged Nigerian leaders fighting back like wounded lions, to muster more courage to order o r e f f e c t t h e a r r e s t a n d adding that " I see them coming prosecution of the sponsors of the out stronger to prove that they are a l i v e . " insurgencies in Nigeria, as he s t i l l According to him, the Joint Task said, nobody is above the law and Force should not rest at their oars heavens would not fall if they face but be on their guard be remaining prosecution. vigilance, adding that they should Okechukwu who noted that b e m o r e a l i v e t o their Shekau was simply a field responsibility and intensify action commander who had sponsors and called on the authorities to to wipe them out. take an effect measures towards He stated that the Joint Task the protection of lives and Force, JTF should inflict more trauma and psychological property. defeatism against the loyalists of The former state chairman of the deceased leader and put them Fresh Party said the issue of in more disarray in order that they tackling the menace of might find it difficult to regroup. insurgencies especially that of

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Casket seller 'kidnaps' self, demands N2m ransom from brothers

idnapping for ransom which has remained the quickest means of making money among criminals within the South-East zone has taken a new dimension as some dubious people now hide under the evil practice to dupe their wealthy relations. One Samuel Ani, a casket (coffin) dealer from Ugwuaji community in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State was arrested by operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Enugu State Police Command,

weekend, for attempting to dupe his brothers of N2 million under the guise that he was abducted by kidnappers. Ani, whose coffin shop is at Garki, Awkunanaw area of Enugu, allegedly hid himself in a bush behind his shop for six days and alerted his brothers that he was in a kidnappers' den. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the arrest, yesterday, said the suspect “never knew that his sin shall find him out.”

The suspects, Samuel Ani (right) and Oluchi Faith Ogbu He said: “Samuel Ani hid himself in a bush behind his shop for six days from where he was making phone calls to his two younger brothers in a very convincing tone that he had been abducted and that N2 million was required to get him out of the kidnappers' den or else he would be killed. ”Following this, the case was reported to the state police command which mobilised its anti-kidnapping unit to rescue the victim. When Samuel intensified his call that the purported kidnappers were on the verge of killing him if his people could not

bring the ransom, he later reduced the ransom to N1.2 million. “Some money was then deposited into the account number provided by the purported kidnappers and a certain girl who went to cash the initial N100,000 sent through one of the new generation banks around Agbani Road on August 29, 2013 was arrested by the operatives. ”The girl was identified as one Oluchi Faith Ogbu from Akpugo i n N k a n u We s t L o c a l Government Area of the state and a fiancée to Samuel Ani. “When interrogated, Oluchi Faith Ogbu said that the account belongs to her but was instructed

21 commercial sex workers arrested in Jigawa

igawa State Hisbah Command has arrested 21 commercial sex workers, as part of efforts to stop them from

operating in the state. The commandant of Hisbah in the state, Alhaji Aliyu Galamawa, who disclosed this to newsmen in Dutse, said the arrest followed a security report that they had invaded different parts of the state

after they were dislodged from neighbouring Bauchi, Kano and Lagos states. The commercial sex workers were said to have divided themselves to various towns and villages such as Ringim, Chaichai and Dutse.

Court remands man, 34, for alleged rape pay N50,000 if they failed of 12-year-old jurisdiction of a magistrate court. towould appear in the high court for the

n Enugu Magistrate C o u r t , T h u r s d a y, remanded one Monday Okoye, 34, of Obuofia, in Awgu Local Government Area of the state in prison custody over alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. The police in Enugu had arraigned Okoye before the court over alleged offence. The prosecutor, Mr Peter Eze, told the court that the matter was reported to the state Criminal Investigation Department on August 11. Eze said the rape victim was absent in the court because she was hospitalised following the injury she sustained from the rape. The prosecutor called seven witnesses to testify in the matter. The magistrate, Mr Frank Chukwu, asked the accused if he had a counsel and he said he had none. Chukwu said that the case would be transferred to the high court because it bordered on rape, adding that such was outside the

He, however, added that the prosecuting witnesses would testify in the high court on the matter. He warned that each witness

case. The magistrate ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case indefinitely.

Galamawa explained that men of the command arrested 21 of them in Ringim and Dutse with their traditional musicians, while some were arrested in Chaichai town with the owner of the house who gave them rent. According to him, they were handed over to the state police command, which charged them before a Sharia Court sitting in Dutse under Magistrate Aliyu Hadejia. The Hisbah commandant, explained that they would support government commitment to rid the state of criminals.

by Samuel to supply the account number so that his brothers can pay the ransom via the account and that she was to cash it as soon as she receives alert of the payment and bring it to him.” The police spokesman said Oluchi's confession, however, led to the arrest of Samuel, who said he was not kidnapped but maintained that he kidnapped himself so that his wealthy younger brothers could pay ransom which he would use to sort out his business dealings. He said apart from the trick he adopted, nothing would make his brothers give him any monetary assistance even though he regretted his actions. Ani admitted that the step he took was not good in the sight of God, man or law and pleaded for forgiveness. He said he is a father of five children but never revealed to Oluchi that he was married as he had promised to marry her. Asked if he was not making ends meet from the construction and sale of coffins, Ani said he made low sales, and that he decided to trick the brothers to get money from them to address his immediate challenges which required huge amount of money. Amaraizu said Oluchi and Ani had been detained while investigations into the ugly incident had commenced.

Enugu Police operatives nab fake NAFDAC official By Beatrice Anih

he Police in Enugu have nabbed one prince Gabriel Obasi of Odume Aninri local Government Area of Enugu state for an alleged impersonation and extortion. Suspect was allegedly apprehended by the eagle eyed police operatives on 30/8/13 following a report by a victim at Awgu in Enugu state that the suspect came to his shed at Orie Awgu Market where he presented himself as an official of National Agency for food and Drug Administration control (NAFDAC). In a statement by the Enugu State

PPRO Ebere Amarizu the suspect had demanded from his unsuspecting victim the license authorizing him to be selling local

Gin popularly known as 'KAI-KAI' failure which he should pay him the sum of N10000. When the suspect was rounded up by the operatives, he revealed that he was not a NAFDAC official and pleaded for forgiveness. Meanwhile investigations into the incident have commenced in full scale. In another development, operatives of the police mobile force No3 squadron of the Enugu state command of the Nigeria Police have nabbed two persons on 1/9/13 at Ishiagu point along Enugu Portharcourt Expressway for

allegedly being in possession of two short double barrel guns that was concealed in bagco sack inside the bus. Suspects who gave their names as Ernest Onyeka Nwodo and Ugochukwu Ifeanyi had joined the bus with registration number BH 948 ENU from the bus loading bay at Gariki Awkunanaw, travelling to Portharcourt when the operatives during their routine stop and search exercise of suspected vehicles and during the search recovered the two double barrel guns which was traced to the two suspects on closer interrogations. Investigations have also commenced in full scale as suspects are helping the operatives in their job.

Newborn baby boy found alive in Trash Pile

uthorities are searching for the mother of a newborn baby boy who was found in a pile of trash in Jersey City. Hudson County prosecutors say the child was found Saturday afternoon near the city's

McGinley Square neighborhood. The boy was taken to Jersey City M e d i c a l C e n t e r, w h e r e a spokesman tells The Newark S t a r- L e d g e r t h e b o y w a s breathing on his own. Prosecutors did not disclose how long the child may have been outside.

Residents who live nearby say neighborhood children heard crying and saw movement in a pile of trash, then alerted the building superintendent, who called police. Building superintendent Arturo Rivas tells The Jersey Journal he usually kicks kids out of the courtyard where the baby was found, but this time

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ASUU strike: FG releases N30bn for varsity dons' allowances

n a bid to resolve the on-going strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the federal government Tuesday released the sum of N30 billion to the Ministry of Education for onward disbursement to the universities for the payment of earned allowances of the striking members. The Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswan, made this disclosure at a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), at the state Governor's Lodge in Abuja, where he reiterated his appeal to the striking union to return to the classrooms in the interest of the future leaders of the country. Suswan, who is also the chairman of the Needs Implementation Committee, said the money for the earned allowances was released yesterday afternoon. The governor admitted that although there was delay in the commencement of the implementation of the existing agreements, the government had already addressed almost all of the demands of ASUU except on the allowances. He described as 'unfair' comments allegedly made by ASUU leadership that the government was insincere and that the government disbursement of N100 billion for infrastructure needs of the institutions was done without consultations. “ASUU participated in all the meetings where it was agreed to raise N100 billion, which has already been distributed to all the universities. In fact, the president of ASUU nominated one Dr. Baffa, who is very resourceful. He did all the work, and presented the criteria for distribution of the money which is based on the

population of each university,” he explained. Suswan added that after the draft distribution was drawn up, he asked the union to go through the document for their satisfaction. “Instead, they wrote me a letter accusing the committee of insincerity. The councils are the ones that would verify what we are owing, go and ask them. ASUU said no, that unless we put N92 billion on the table,” he added. The governor clarified that the government cannot hand over any money blindly unless it verified the need. This, he said, was necessary so that every university would be allocated the money it needed for the earned allowances. On the N100 billion for infrastructure, which had already been disbursed to the schools, Suswan said the governing councils would be the ones to award the contracts, and not the Needs Implementation committee. Suswan also alleged that the strike

had assumed a political dimension. He appealed to all well-meaning Nigerians to work with the federal government to find a permanent solution to the incessant strikes, which held the

danger of seeing to the production of mediocre graduates. He also urged NANS not to embark on a protest as being canvassed in some quarters. Instead, he appealed to the union to urge ASUU to return to work. “To raise N100 billion in two weeks is not an easy task. We are making efforts to ensure that this intervention is sustained beyond 2013,” he said. NANS President, Mr. Yinka Gbadebo, in an earlier address, expressed the intention of the students' body to embark on a protest either against the government or ASUU.

He also urged the government to consider the idea of interest-free loans for tertiary education students to ease the financial burden on those, who cannot easily pay for their education. But as if goading the union to maintain its hard stance,the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (fjhd) has given ASUU a pat on the back for its commitment in prosecuting the three-month old strike to compel the federal government to finally address the myriad of problems bedevilling the country's university education system. The group said the action of ASUU was not unjustified while questioning the sincerity of the federal government “to meeting the said demands” despite the reported release of N130 billion to the governing councils of the different universities. In a statement by its National Coordinator, Oghenejabor Ikimi, the group lamented that hindsight has not shown the government acting in a sincere manner that would cause it to be trusted by the ASUU leadership.

said that the author Chidimma was his academic daughter and that his “coming to the ceremony was basically to see the delivery of my baby, 'the book'”. Commending the author, Miss Chidimma Ezeogbuka, Ezema said she has announced her arrival into the citadels of learning. 'The Gold is mine' is euthanasia of pessimism; an optimism amidst viscititudes of life” which also called on youths to spend more time in reading than in social networks. Meanwhile, the Rector, Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy, Dr K.B Sofoluwe in a

expressed her satisfaction with the author’s initiative which she believes is a step in the right direction and advised the younger generation to harness the potentials in them so they could be the true leaders of tomorrow. Parents of the author, Chief and Lolo Sunday Ezeogbuka who came to honour their daughter said that the feel so glad because they use to buy books for their children to read but today people will also be purchasing books authored by our daughter. They maintained that the only advice they can give the present day youths is to get a copy of 'The Gold is mine' because it has a lot to offer to the youths. They reiterate that they share the same dream with their daughter who was their 6th child that one day she will be great and renowned as Chinua Achebe. Appreciating her audience, Miss Chidimma the author of the motivational piece 'the Gold is mine' said “this is what I derive pleasure in doing. This is all I wish in life, to reach out to my fellow youths and educate them. This book is nothing but a rigorous attempt to bring back the sanity for man, to help our youths become better people, to elevate their minds. “The message of the book centers on youths overcoming immorality and addiction to Facebook and 2go and other social network and be the best they could be. They should return to the culture of reading and as Bacon would say; Reading maketh a man, Conference a complete man and writing a perfect man”

Spending more time on Social Network produce goodwill message sent through the HOD, of Dental half-baked graduates – HOD Dental Tech Te c h n oDepartment l o g y a n d T h e r a p y, By Patrick Okolie

ouths have been advised to develop the habit of reading books that would be helpful in bringing out the value in them and widen their academic horizon at all time even at their leisure time rather than spend the whole day on social networks such as Facebook, 2go and the likes. The call was made in Enugu at the launching of the book titled 'The Gold Is Mine' authored by Miss Chidimma Maria Ezeogbuka by Mr. Oladimeji Sikiru who doubles as the Chief launcher and the HOD, Department of Dental Technology,

Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy Enugu. Mr. Sikiru frowned at the rate by which the youth in Nigeria have been consumed by Social network, noting that it has caused great harm to the nation academically as students could hardly read or develop the talents in them hence half baked graduates are being produced by the country's higher institutions of learning. He described the author as a motivational writer who had made good attempt to influence the lives of the younger generation. Reacting to the call, Mr. Ija Ezema, author of 'Waves and Lullabies'

Minister lauds A'Ibom state government on ICT By Christopher Okon, Uyo

kwa Ibom State Government has been applauded for putting in place projects and programmes that are ICT driven. The Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson who made the commendation at the 2nd meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology held in Akure, Ondo State said that the Akpabio-led administration has taken steps on leveraging ICT for social and economic development of the State with the establishment of

Information and Communication Technology infrastructure in the State. Mrs. Johnson also commended Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States for initiating ICT programmes, stressing that such initiatives have impacted on the socioeconomic lives of the citizenry and therefore urged other States to establish institutional frameworks for coordinating ICT matters. While highlighting the strategic importance of the National Council on Communication Technology towards facilitating inter-governmental consultations on ICT matters, the Honourable

Minister called for synergy amongst all levels of government, national and subnational institutions for the sustainability of the progress so far made in the ICT sector. Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko urged the Ministry of Communication Technology to concentrate on policy enunciation, setting standard and ensuring compliance by stakeholders and practitioners. He also solicited for partnership between government and the private sector to ensure Nigeria transit from being a consumer nation to be productive in ICT

software and tools given its vast potentials. Goodwill messages were presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Communication, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, President of Computer Society of Nigeria, Prof. Adewumi among others. At the end of the 4-day conference, a-16 points communiqué was issued with a call on State Governments to develop ICT policies that are aligned to the National ICT Policy among other things. Honourable Commissioners and officials of Information and Communication Technology, Science and Technology and other related areas from 23 States of the Federation and FCT attended the Conference.

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Abia honours ex-International

She also received the Austria took an exit from the scene having By Emmanuel Iheanacho, championship which launched her professional handball. into international recognition. According to records, Oluchi championship award two times; sustained a shoulder injury but Umuahia. Ogwo, who also holds the title of Ogwo was the first African woman with Hype Suebstadt; emerged always took exceptional pride in

luchi Ogwo, currently the National Coordinator on Sports, Ethics and Value in the office of President Goodluck Jonathan, was on Monday honoured by the Abia State Government with the award of Ada Ugo Abia. Sources close to the former international handball player, Oluchi Victoria Ogwo revealed that she is warming up to launch herself into full time partisan politics in the country and she is likely to cause a stir in the political landscape of the state come 2015. Ogwo who was formerly an international handball player, based in the United States of America was born in 1969. She began her career as a handball player with the Grasshoppers Handball Club of Owerri in 1982. The former professional handball player's effort in the field paid off in 1984 when she bagged the Best Player award of the African Junior

'Ezi Ada Ukwu Item' had played for the Zaoui Meuble Club of Tunisia for a period of three years but her major breakthrough came in 1990 when Colorado Springs Stars of USA employed her service. She later played in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and has equally exceeded her dream in international Handball for placing Nigeria on the world map of

to play professional handball outside the shores of the continent and a five time champion of Nigerian handball and consequently was declared African Champion in 1987, 1988 and 1989. Oluchi, has won four time American championship titles; four time most valuable player and highest goal scorer as well as a gold medal in Olympic festival, all between 1992 and 1996.

being a Nigerian and a distinguished daughter of Igbo land, (Ada Igbo). In addition to her empowerment programs aimed at giving back to her country of birth, the recipient has a group through which she reaches out to the less fortunate women in the rural areas by way of aligning them with super role models in Diaspora who mentor them to fulfillment.

5000 receive NGO’s free medical treatment By Chinedu Ngwuta, Abakaliki

non-governmental organization known as league of Ezza Ezekuna professionals consisting of medical personnel who are specialists in the treatment of various ailments has

offered free medical services to no fewer than five thousand persons. During the flag- off of the programme on last week in Umuezeokoha community of Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, the President of the league, Dr. Emmanuel Nworie disclosed that the funding of the free

Suntai unable to recognize state Lawmakers who visited him he severity of Governor Danbaba Suntai's brain damage became obvious to the leadership of the Taraba State House of Assembly who visited him recently, two of the legislators have told journalists. A surprise invitation was extended to the lawmakers to meet Mr. Suntai after a group of state legislators threatened to commence the ailing governor's impeachment. One of the lawmakers who saw Mr. Suntai said the sudden invitation was designed to placate lawmakers. Our sources revealed that the delegation of lawmakers was led by the Speaker of the Taraba State Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa who met Mr. Suntai seated on a couch struggling to speak some words to the delegates. They disclosed that Mr. Suntai did not recognize any of the lawmakers while his speech was characterized as garbled, confused and mostly inaudible, according to one source. He added that, at one point, the brain-injured governor managed to say that one of them was his “big deputy,” but the person he referred to then told Mr. Suntai that he was not his deputy. Our sources added that the bizarre meeting convinced the assembly leadership that Mr. Suntai was incapable of running the state and therefore retreated to a meeting at the state assembly. The meeting ended and the lawmakers left without addressing the media, but promised to return to

second place in European championship league; three times Swiss championship between 2001 and 2003, just as she was featured as one of the world's best handball player in the World handball Magazine. In 2003 however, Oluchi who is a founder of a handful of organization which include, Gwogwoson Sports Foundation among others, took a bow as she

the chambers the next day. Meanwhile, the opposition claimed that the cabal tied to Mr. Suntai that has sought to maneuver the sick governor back in office carried out another charade by swearing in some so-called “newly appointed” government officials in the state. The alleged swearing-in took place at the governor's dining room without any member of his executive council or security chiefs in attendance and there was no

judicial officer in sight to administer the oath. The opposition further alleged that Mr. Suntai was made to seat on one of the chairs and at a point given a paper to read. A witness said it was unclear what he tried to do with the paper, at a point he spoke a few words in Hausa but for the rest of the event his voice was inaudible throughout the charade. Yet against these claims, Suntai was seen by our correspondent on a national television addressing the people on the situation in the state

medical exercise pegged at over ten m i l l i o n n a i r a t h a t came from willful donations from members and friends from different ethnic groups. He maintained that the health care programme was embarked on to compliment the primary health care scheme of the state government with the objective of reaching the less privileged ones, the aged, women, and children in the hinterland. Dr. Nworie noted that among the objective of the organization were to improve the socio-economic and political welfare of Ezza people while adding that the first phase of the health programme would cover Ezza North and Ezza South Local Government Areas before moving to other parts of the State. In a remark, the National Coordinator of Ezza Union and the proprietor of Twelveth Apostle College, Sharon Izzi Local Government Area, Rev. Father Enogu described the philosophy behind the free health care programme organized by the league as very laudable and prayed for its sustenance. Enogu, who further described the people of Ezza as the most

Orji warns against tampering with Abia Palm Estate By Emmanuel Iheanacho, Umuahia

bia state government has warned the people of Ukwa East Local Government Area to desist from disturbing foreign investors doing business at Abia palm Estate Ohambele. The governor chief T. A. Orji who handed down the warning in a meeting he held with the stakeholders from the area at government house Umuahia said his governments will deal ruthlessly with any person found tampering with the palm Estate. In his word “I have set up a mercenary to monitor that place and the foreigners must go back to site and they will be reporting to me and I will be making my own investigation and if these things continued we will show you people that we have government if you are

involved please remove yourself from such act'' Chief T. A. Orji said that information available to government shows that some of the traditional rulers in the area are behind what is happening at the Ohambele palm Estate and warned

that from now henceforth any traditional ruler who is involved in this criminal act will not only lose his staff of office but will be prosecuted for sabotaging efforts of government. The Governor noted that since the foreign investors took over the Abia palm Estate, the company has employed over five hundred (500) indigenes of Ukwa East describing the people as hard working and urged them to see the Ohambele palm Estate as a blessing to the people of the area. He called on the Ukwa East Stakeholders and traditional rulers in the meeting to take the message home that every person should stay clear from the palm Estate, they don't have anything to do with the Estate or face government action.

ingenious and most populous clan in Ebonyi state sued for unity and patriotism among the components communities where the people resides. T h e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e organization and Director of National Water Resources at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Dr. Benard Odoh explained that the league was borne out of circumstances to liberate the people of Ezza nation from the s h a c k l e s o f socio-economic and political marginalization. He however pointed out that the major problem confronting the people of the clan was nonrecognition of their identity and lack of commitment to their God-given talent. The traditional ruler of Umuezeokoha autonomous community in Ezza North Local Government Area, Ezeogo Christopher Igboke Ewa and a former councilor, Chief Cornelius Nwafor commended the initiatives of the organizers of the programme across the council areas. They enjoined other similar organizations to emulate the giant strides of the organization as g o v er n men t alo n e lack th e resources to provide the socioeconomic needs of the citizens without the complimentary effort of the private sectors. In an interview with our correspondent, the Chairman of the organizing committee, Barr. Silas Onele described the health care programme as a very successful one and in tandem with the objective of the organization which hinges on improving the lots of the Ezza people. Beneficiaries who were treated of various ailments ranging from testing for HIV/AIDS, high blood pressure, excess blood sugar, malaria and typhoid fever, diabetes among others expressed gratitude to the organization for bringing such a multi-million naira free Medicare programme to their door steps. The four days free medical programme organized by the league was facilitated by the Dean, School of Pharmacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Profesor Esimoue including the discount of drugs supported by the Chief Executive Officer of Juhel Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye.

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

NOA Calls for Full Utilization of FOIA By Ngwuta Chinedu, Abakaliki

ational Orientation Agency, NOA, has called on the public particularly the people of Ezza South and North Local Government Areas to put into full use the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, to ensure a transparent and progressive Nigeria. The call was made during a sixday (21st-28th) publicity programme on the FOIA in the communities of Ezza South and North Local Government Areas. The NOA Chief Orientation and

Mobilization Officers said the FOIA was a document that has provided the masses the opportunity to have unfettered access to government and public institutions. In an address presented by the Chief Programme Officer, Ezinna Ogbuinya Elias, Como Ezza South said that with the act, the public would be aware of what the government was doing as it affects the generation and spending of public fund. Ezinna, who described the freedom of information Act as one of the landmark achievements of the present democratic dispensation said it has enable

government institutions to serve the people effectively. He said, “The Freedom of Information Act is the only legislation that has demystified government and placed it on the serving position that it ought to be. It is the only document that gives correct expression to the long fight against corruption.” “The Act is a very bad one to corrupt and stupid contractors and officials of government who collided to dupe government. This is so as the eyes of the communities have been sharpened by this act to monitor and give expressed informed opinion on projects cited in their domains”

“With this act, failed government shall now be a thing of the past as there will be no hiding place for corrupt officials. If governance is transparent and seen as well by you and me through intelligent monitoring and constructive questioning, where then will the corrupt officers hide”?, he queried. He explained further that the signing of the Freedom of Information Act into law in 2011 by the present government under President Good luck Jonathan was a demonstration of the president's commitment to his transformation agenda. At Ezza North Local Government

5 dead as militants take over two communities in A'Ibom By Christopher Okon, Uyo

nguish, sorrow and palpable fears have now taken over the serene fishing settlements in Effiat Clan of Mbo local government area as gun wielding and dare-devil armed bandits and sea pirates parading as militants intensify their nefarious activities in the area last weekend. Mostly hit are two prominent fishing villages of Ibuot Nutan and Urua Effiong where not less than five promising young men have been killed while the elders, royal fathers, youths and women have already deserted the village for fear of another attack. The Advocate correspondent gathered from an indigene of one of the community who wish not to be named that in the last three months, fully armed sea pirates have been terrorizing almost all the fishing villages of the riverine Effiat Clan which villages includes Ibuot Utan, Inua Abasi, Mbe Ndoro, Obong Nim and Utan Effiat among others, extorting huge amount of monies ranging from fifty thousand naira to two hundred thousand naira on weekly basis from professional fishing youth leaders as well as women organizations in the sea food rich villages of in Mbo Local Government Area. “In spite of this unwanted and illegal extortion by the terrorist gang, merciless beating, and brutality were unleashed on the people of the area by the criminals, and just last weekend, over three professional fishermen were gunned down in cold blood by the bandits among others,” our correspondent gathered. Journalists, who visited the area, gathered that on the night of Friday, August 24, 2013 and Saturday, August 24, 2013 the sea pirates stormed the villages, broke into people's houses demanding

money, phones and valuables from the villagers. They further gathered that when the attacks became unbearable to the people of the area, some young men decided to resist further assaults by the bandits who also raped some girls and women in the area. Eyewitness confirmed that the bandits viewed the youth's resistance as an affront to their operations, started shooting indiscriminately and in the

process killed three persons while the villagers scampered for refuge in mangrove forests. Meanwhile, a delegation of traditional rulers, opinion leaders, youths and women leaders have led a severe protest to the officers and men of forward operation base in Ibaka seeking urgent intervention. Speaking to journalists, the spokespersons of the leaders, intermittently sobbing, said that despite all their reports to the

police authorities in Enwang and Oron Commands, in previous attacks on the area, no attempt has been made to rescue the people, particularly, the ugly incident of July this year where the bandits killed three men in Inua Abasi after snatching a powered engine boat and other belongings. Consequently, the Effiat Clan Council has passionately appealed to the state government, Commissioner of Police, as well as other relevant security agencies including the military and Naval Patrol Teams to come to the rescue of the people urgently.

Area, the Chief Orientation and Mobilization Officer, Romanus Nweke maintained that the Federal government in collaboration with some donor agencies have seen that there is no way the message could be disseminated to the grass roots except partnering with NOA to effectively enlighten the masses on the FOIA. He added that the federal government has spent enormously in ensuring that the freedom of information act was massively and qualitatively produced by some progressive international partners superintended by Democratic Governance for Development, DGD and UNDP. In an interview with our correspondent, the traditional ruler of Umuohara community in Ezza North Local Government Area, His Royal Highness Ezeogo Nweke Igbo who said that bribery has become official business in Nigeria called on NOA to continue in her enlightenment towards the fight against corruption. A former Ezza South Council Chairman, Chief Lazarus Aligwe also expressed appreciation to NOA for bringing the message about the relevance of the freedom of information act to the masses, adding that those who were present during the publicity programme should take the message home.

Ebitibituwa bids farewell, as Cp Okpara take over Bayelsa By Philip Eke, Yenagoa

h e o u t - g o i n g Commissioner of Police Bayelsa state, Mr. Tonye Ebitibituwa, while making his valedictory speech thanked Bayelsans and other stakeholders, for the great synergy accorded the command during his tenure as commissioner of police in the state. He said that during his tenure, crime rate was at its lowest ebb adding that the secret of reduction of criminalities in the state was the interface and assistance between the command and the public. While appreciating the general public for the cooperation, especially for giving the needed information as to regard crime, Ebitibituwa said the police and other security agencies were in full collaboration, The Police Commissioner thanked the government of Bayelsa state, especially the executive Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson for their support during his tenure appealing to the government and the great people of Bayelsa state to extend the same fellowship and support to the incoming commissioner of police, Mr. Hillary Okpara, whom

he described as a resolute and close friend over the years. Ebitibituwa described his new posting as call to service, “It is a routine in perspective”, commending his colleagues in other sister agencies such as the Navy, Air force among others for their cordial working relationship. “We worked together, the synergy was very alright, working in the same place, the same goal and everybody had to contribute his quota”. He said Bayelsa state is a

reference point as regard inter- missionary journey, my courseagency is concern while in the mate, is not a strange man, he was a commissioner of police for few months.” The new Cp Bayelsa state Hilary Okpara pledged to continue from where his predecessor stopped, and hinted that Bayelsa state being a young state, all hands must be on deck, to make the general public feel free to pass information to the police in fighting crime. “Crime is a social problem, the indices are so clear; poverty and unemployment. We want the members of the public to partner with us”, he said. same vein, lauding the 'Operation The in-coming Commissioner Doo Akpo', the security out fit in advised officers and men of Bayelsa state, who he maintained Bayelsa state police command to that their contributions were always be civil in their duties, unquantifiable. attend distress calls for the public Ebitibituwa equally noted that, to have confident in the police, to without peace and cooperation no have zero tolerance to corruption, meaningful development would in compliance with the IG's take place in any society saying transformation blue prints. “transformation is very rapid in Cp Okpara until his posting was Bayelsa state. former commissioner of police He appealed to Bayelsans and the Kogi State and have served the state police command for full Nigeria police force meticulously c o o p e r a t i o n s a y i n g , “ M y according to confirmed sources. predecessor is on his second

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

The Advocate Gospel This Week

UNSTABLE FAITH TEXT: Galatians 1:6-7 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. (NIV) NARRATION The Galatian believers were becoming confused. Although they had believed the gospel which Paul taught (Galatians 1:10-11 ), trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and becoming born again, false teachers were seducing their minds with a different 'gospel'. Of course, there is only one gospel (good news) which can bring people into eternal life; no other religious philosophy has God's saving power (Romans 1:16 ). In his day, Paul was criticised by teachers who wanted Christians to follow the Jewish rules or to dilute the gospel with pagan ideas. He wrote 'Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.' (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). How quickly the Galatian Christians turned away from Christ. Their faith was not firm enough to withstand religious lies. And so Paul wrote to reaffirm that Christ is the centre and foundation of the gospel, so that they could be confident as they trusted in Him alone. False teaching is attractive. The only protection is to understand why the gospel message is the only way to salvation through Jesus Christ. Family and friends, culture and community may want to pull us back, but the Word of God and His Spirit want to lead us on. Without regularly feeding on the Word of God, welcoming the Holy Spirit to challenge our ideas, our faith will become unstable: and very quickly too. New believers are especially at risk; like new born babies they need to suckle from the milk of the Word of God (1 Peter 2:2-3 ). But more established believers can become proud, thinking that they know better than the Apostles, and encouraged by local preachers and internet prophets. Pretending to be wise, they confuse themselves and others. The challenge is to accept the Apostle's doctrine and keep watching out for those who are going astray bringing them back to the Scriptures (Jude 20-23 ).

Prayer:

Eternal Lord. Thank You for Your unchanging Word which was taught and written by the Apostles. I am sorry when I have carelessly ignored it or wilfully replaced it in my relationship with You. Please give me the humility to learn freshly from You so that I may value the gospel above every philosophy and rejoice in my salvation. And help me to know how to bring back those who have wandered away from Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The necessity of thanksgiving “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” Psalm 100:4. Introduction: Christianity is a way of life which orders an individual's personal relationship with God through Christ, in Christ and with Christ. In this relationship God is the benefactor and man is the beneficiary. Given this scenario, the best man can do, of his own, is to always be thankful to God who is the only source and steady source of his benefits. Man has nothing else to offer to God and even when he brings an offering, he offers a small portion from what he received from the same person (God), the object of his offering.

2. Everyone has uncountable reasons to thank God. Life and its sustenance, salvation, creative works of God, victories over adversaries, divine guidance and protection, provisions and promotions, deliverance, healing and longevity, forgiveness of sins and fellowship with Him, His enduring mercy, compassion and love and so on. 3. We are challenged to reckon the spiritual and material benefits already received in order to provoke further benefits in days ahead. We must rise above experienced disappointments and trials to see the greatness of God through them. Amidst our fears, broken dreams and unrealized aspirations, God remains God and good to us. Count your blessings and cheer up.

Expatiation

Conclusion:

1. God is good. He is the source of all blessings and benefits which He freely loads upon His people daily (1Chron. 29:14, Jas. 1:17, Ps. 68:19) Man's response to this is to give thanks (Ps. 116:13; Ps. 107:22; Ps. 103:2). Thanksgiving is the first mode of approach to God (ps. 95.2; Ps. 100.4). We should abound in thanksgiving at all times and situations (Col. 2.7; 1 Thess. 5:18; Col. 3:17).

Through thanksgiving, Jesus raised to life the 4-day old corpse of Lazarus (John 11:34-36). Through thanksgiving, Jesus multiplied 5 and 2 loaves of bread to feed thousands of famished people and had leftovers (Mark 6:34-44:8:1-10). As you keep thanking God, through Jesus Christ, you will, in like manner, experience greater breakthroughs and miracles in your life today and days ahead.

Pastor rapes woman in church during ‘spiritual bath’ pastor suddenly entered the bathroom, grabbed

46-year-old Pastor, Olamide Sobowale, of Glory Church of Christ Aladura, Oke-Itoku, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has been ordered to be remanded in prison for allegedly raping a woman while bathing in his church backyard. Pastor Sobowale, who was arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, Monday, was accused of raping one Dupe Makinde, 30, who lives in Isaje, Abeokuta, while taking a spiritual bath allegedly recommended by the pastor. The prosecuting counsel, Paul Etusi, told the court that the accused grabbed the complainant while she was in a bathroom within the church premises and raped her. Etusi said the complainant had already put the soap on her face as she began bathing when the

and raped her with soap on her face. According to Etusi, the accused had told Mrs. Makinde that he had a vision about her and asked her to come for deliverance in his church. He said: “He asked the woman to come to the church to take a spiritual bath for her deliverance, but, while the complainant was taking her bath, the accused barged into the bathroom, grabbed the woman and raped her. “The accused has committed an offence contrary to section 357 and punishable under section 358 of criminal code of law of Ogun State, Nigeria, 2006.” Magistrate A. Araba after listening to the prosecuting counsel, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison till he gets advice from the Director of Public Prosecution and adjourned the case till September 16,2013.

Apostle Udoffia calls on Christians to renew their despite circumstances would attract the faith in God blessings of God to them.

he general overseer, the Way of Salvation Church of Jesus Christ, Apostle Peter Tom Udofia has asked the members of the Church to use the church 42th Anniversary Celebration to renew their faith, knowing that God is the pillar of their existence. The general overseer stated this during the church 42th Anniversary Celebration held at the Church Headquarter, Abak Local Government Area with the theme: Abomination and Holy before God. Apostle Peter Udofia who is the first general overseer confirmed and ordained by that Synod said God would continue to hear their prayers because He has not changed, cannot be adulterated or contradicted adding that their continuous acknowledgement of Him as their father without compromising their faith, beliefs

He said that God has called him for the ministry and upon that he has confidence to preach the doctrine of the Bible without mincing words stressing that despite challenges he would continue to preach, teach true gospel as directed by God without favoritism. While advising Christian ministers to take advantage over his book titled: “Book of Life” which he said would surely assist them over their spiritual lives, upliftment, understanding of the word, etc, the clergyman said the anniversary would bring changes in their Christians lives. Apostle Udoffia advised them to always be committed in dealing with God as they would make them experience peace, love, joy, progress, as part of their sacrifice and primary mission in vineyard.

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Aloe Vera, the solution we've all been waiting for By Princess Ojiyi

his is not just for the ladies, it's for anyone who has a head and has got hair on it. Are you really tired of seeing strands of your hair chop off and fall away while you comb? Are you sick of looking into the mirror and see your front hair receding, almost all gone and it seems you are gradually heading towards getting bald? Perhaps you are being plagued with the detestable hair killer, 'Dandruff” which poses a nuisance especially when it gets you hitting your head in public as a result of the itching. Now don't wear yourself in despair because for every issue there's got to be a solution to it. It may not sound sophisticated to you because it's so natural and close to your door step, but don't look down on it because just as the bible says “the very stone the builders rejected has now become the corner stone”.

Uses Some might call it the magic of nature or the wonders of natural remedy, but I'll say, it's just a simple green plant that happens to be the lifelong solution to the hair issues we've all got. Aloe Vera, a green succulent plant uniquely endowed with the miraculous healing properties has proven to be effective in issues pertaining to the hair and scalp. This unique plant is said to contain the same proteins and enzymes found in the human body and also vitamins and minerals that match closely to the human biochemistry, this enables it replace certain proteins that have been worn out in our body especially the hair and also heal other illnesses and injuries. L i k e w i s e , A l o e Ve r a i s instrumental in preventing excessive hair loss by its ability to renew hair follicles and balance the PH levels of the hair. This plant is not just for the science inclined to use in their laboratory research and tests, anybody can use it and benefit from its properties. One can unequivocally say Aloe Vera works like magic, in preventing hair loss. Aloe Vera

uses the enzymes in its gel and juice as hair growth stimulants to stimulate the hair follicles and produce new growth. And with its moisturizing properties, it serves as a suitable conditioner that can deeply moisturize hair strands, repair damaged hair thereby curbing loss. Apparently, Aloe Vera provides a

sure way of ensuring healthy hair void of dandruff or itchy scalp. Using its soothing nature, Aloe Vera serves as an astringent to rid hair of excess oil, treat dandruff and itchy scalp. And once you can get that dandruff treated you can be sure of luxurious unhampered hair growth as dandruff is a major cause of hair loss.

Hair loss is a major issue of concern for ladies, and a condition known as seborrhea which is the e x c e s s secretion of sebum or oil is a major cause of this loss. This hair loss occurs when excess sebum or oil gets mixed with dirt and forms crusts on the scalp which then leads to the damage of the hair follicles and eventual hair loss. But not to worry, by applying Aloe Vera gel to the scalp this condition can be successfully treated.

Application At this point, I guess you are probably wondering how you can get to use this amazing plant and

and crying, some little self care Every Woman's Issue measures can be of help.

By Beatrice Ani

o the male folk, a woman's menstration is a norm, to lovers, it could denote badnews as it is occassioned by a break in sexual activity. On a general note, menstration is a periodic discharge of blood and mucous tissue from the the uterus, occuring approximately monthly from puberty to menopause in non pregnant women. This however should be a blessing to womanhood but ironically the period of menstration for majority of women is a season of weeping, groaning and sulking. This is as a result of the fact that many women experience excruciating pains medically called dysmenorrhea, otherwise called 'Painful menstration'. Painful menstration as medical science teaches is orchestrated by sharp pains in a women lower abdomen. It is sometimes accompained with

cramps, back pain and waist pain often related to problems in the uterus and other pelvic region.The symptoms of dysmenorrhea include leg pain,nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue e.t.c.Instead of lying down

They include: * A light circular massage around your lower belly *Drinking warm beverages during the pains * Eating light but frequent meals

FEMALE VIRGINITY: A Virtue or A Vice By Mary Chinda

utgoing Sandra had just received a marriage proposal from Jide-one of her acquaintances. He was a rich, handsome man of 35 years. As they got to know more about each other, Sandra mentioned that she was still a virgin. Jide on hearing this immediately looked cheerfully displeased. She could discern that he was not feeling at home with the reality of her statement. A lot of thoughts quickly flooded his mind; “why should such a charming banker remain a virgin even at 28 years?” Two days later Sandra received a text

message from Jide reading: “I cannot marry you, to me virginity is box of bad news!” Pitifully Sandra is not alone in this. She shares the same pathetic experience with several ladies out there. This seems to be because times have changed and the world is populated by many people with different opinions about female virginity. While some think that virginity is still a virtue and symbolizes dignity, many on the other side of the divide feel it is an unpardonable sin and stems from a lack of sexual opportunity. Hence, The Advocate toured the streets of Nsukka asking people to bare their minds on this delicate issue. Here is

Lettuce reduces risk of heart disease, says Nutritionist

Nutritionist at the Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, Hajiya Jummai Abdul, on We dnesday said consumption of lettuce could reduce the risk of heart disease. Abdul told newsmen in Abuja that lettuce was good for digestion and promoted liver health, among others. She said it was also effective for the treatment of various diseases. “Lettuce is exceptionally low in calories and contains over 90 per

cent water. “Research shows that it helps to reduce the risk of cancer and may ease nervous insomnia,'' she said. According to Abdul, lettuce leaves are rich in foliate and contained useful amounts of betacarotene as well as vitamin C. Abdul also said that fresh leaves contained good amount of foliates and vitamin C which were vital in the prevention of neural tube defect during pregnancy. “Lettuce has potassium and certain

Lettuce

phytochemicals that act as mild sedative, especially when eaten with bread. “Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps in controlling heart rate and blood pressure,'' she said. She explained that fresh leaves were excellent sources of several vitamin A and beta carotene required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes, skin and also essential for vision. Abdul said that consumption of natural fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoids helped to protect the body from lung and oral cavity cancers. She also said that lettuce contained

good amount of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium essential for body metabolism. Abdul added that lettuce was rich in B complex group of vitamins, including thiamin, vitamin B-6, pyridoxine and riboflavin. She said that lettuce was a rich source of vitamin K which had a potential role in the bone metabolism and increases bone mass.. She, however, advised the public that regular inclusion of lettuce in salads was ideal to prevent osteoporosis, iron-deficiency and anaemia, which also reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

get your hair on the fast growth lane without such bumps of hair loss. It's very simple, once you get yourself an Aloe Vera plant from a place of your choice, simply cut off a mature leaf and extract the clear gel from it. This you do using a knife to peel of some green skin so you can extract the jelly like gel, endeavor to beat the gel to juice form, either manually or using a blender to enable it successfully penetrate the hair as you massage it into the hair down to the scalp. Once you've got all the juice squeezed out, apply it to your hair the same way you apply your normal hair conditioner after shampooing your hair, allow for awhile ( about 5 minutes or more) then rinse off. This is a simple natural way of conditioning your hair with Aloe Vera gel to resolve any of such problems associated with the hair and scalp, as it proves to suit all hair types and as I said earlier it's not just for the ladies but for anyone who has a head and has got hair on it, so guys you can try this at home. * Talking warm showers or baths *Walking or exercising regularly including pelvic rocking exercise * Taking doctors prescribed pain relievers or antibiotics e.t.c. If this self care measures doesn't work, be slow to self medication instead seek medical advice as it is harmless. what we got: MR IYKE OGBONNA: “For me, female virginity is so valuable. It convinces me that my intended is a virtuous woman and will be perpetually faithful to me in marriage. I desire to marry my wife a virgin.” MISS CHIGOZIE ENEMUOH: “I think it is the pride of any virtuous woman. Any man who marries a virgin will be consciously or unconsciously grateful to God and appreciative of his wife. However, only a few men think virginity a big deal.” MISS OGBUKA ESTHER: “In this generation, it is as scarce as the teeth in a hen's mouth to find a real virgin . This is because with education, women are getting rather too civilized that they want to have a taste of sex pre-maritally in order not to sound naïve. This is because the western culture has encroached on our values, deflating the importance our tradition attaches to female virginity.” PASTOR (MRS) EBENEZER OKECHUKWU:”It's a blessing to get married a virgin. This is because the marriage bed as God instituted it from Adam and Eve is meant for two virgins. Both men and women alike should view virginity as a treasure to be preserved until marriage.” MR UBANI EMENIKE: “Female virginity is good but the fear is that most men who married their virgins complain that their women turn-alltoo-soon frigid and as such these men languish in endless promiscuity!”

THE

Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

ADVOCATE

UN-Habitat, Kogi signs MoU on city structure plan ÂˇLokoja, Others to Wear New Look Soon

NEW global 'road map' charted to provide leadership for local authorities to efficiently guide and manage urban development may have won another convert in Nigeria, with senior officials of Kogi State Government reaching an agreement for development of a city structure plan for selected cities and towns. The New Urban Agenda recognizes that Africa is a rising continent and that its prosperity will be shaped by its cities as the drivers of growth, equity and sustainability. It is expected that the process will contribute to a shared vision for sustainable urban development. Specifically, the agreement signed in Nairobi by Prof. Oyeyinka Oyebanji on behalf of UN-Habitat Deputy Executive Director Dr. Aisa Kacyira and Kogi State Deputy Governor Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, will see a development of a city structure plan for selected cities and towns in Kogi state to better integrate physical, spatial and social aspects of the state. Under the agreement, the parties seek to improve the quality of

water and sanitation in major cities of the state as well as developing waste management for the state. The agreement is aimed at improving the understanding of urban law and norms and their relationship to institutional structures leading to empowered local authorities able to efficiently guide and manage urban development. Further, the MoU will aim at developing safe cities to address social inclusion, improved integration, mobility and connectivity and better service delivery. Finally, the agreement will seek to develop an urban observatory programme to address the state-wide base of urban knowledge to support the government, local authorities, non-governmental organisations and civil society in applying policy-oriented urban indicators, statistics and other urban information. Recently, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital was one of the ten cities selected by UN-Habitat for its City Resilience Profiling Programme C R P P. Wo r k i n g t h r o u g h partnerships with stakeholders including international agencies

such as United Nations Office for Disaster Risk reduction UNISDR, academic and research institutes, private sector actors, a n d n o n governmental organisations, NGOs, the CRPP will d e v e l o p a comprehensive and integrated urban planning and management approach for profiling and monitoring the resilience of any city, to all plausible hazards. The programme seeks to develop a model for measuring urban resilience to environmental, social and economic crises. The CRPP will provide forward-looking, multisectoral, multi-hazard, multistakeholder approach integrating all functional aspects of human settlements to planning and developing urban settlements. CRPP will be implemented over

Idris Wada four years in partnership with primary stakeholders including international agencies, academic and research institutes, private sector actors, NGOs, and representatives from a number of pilot cities. Over the 48-month implementation period, the programme will draw together

academia, private and public sectors, city governments and networks, and inter-agency partners to achieve four major objectives: ONE: Conduct Research on Operational Framework: The research is required to investigate current urban systems thinking, existing risk mapping and mitigation techniques, and develop an urban systems model that is adaptable to any human settlement; TWO: Carry out Indexing and Profiling: The programme will establish a set of indicators and standards for calibrating ability of urban systems to withstand crisis and a set of city resilience profiles for pilot cities; T H R E E : D e v e l o p Tools/Software: The Programme will develop a software interface for urban managers and practitioners to develop their city resilience profiles; and, FOUR: Establish Global Standards: The Programme will provide guidance on establishing a set of global standards for urban resilience and a new standard framework for monitoring urban systems globally.

Women enjoined to maximize potentials for a better society By Beatrice Ani

igeria Women have been enjoined to maximize their gifts and roles as daughters, wives, mothers, siblings and neighbors to enthrone a better society because that is the five realities given to them by God. Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, the former vice president of World Bank, gave this admonition on Thursday during the 25th anniversary and convention of the AGAPE women fellowship, int'l. Speaking to members and guests during the three day convention at Oakland Park, Enugu, Mrs. Ezekesili passionately encouraged all the women to dare to be different and to live a life worthy of emulation by the younger generation, using the story of Deborah, Abigail, Ruth and Esther in the Bible to buttress her point. She noted that these great bible characters distinguished themselves in various ways as it affects peace, equity, fairplay and justice in the society. The CAN chairman Southeast,

Bishop E O Chukwuma while speaking to The Advocate during the occasion called on women in Nigeria to imbibe the virtue of womanhood in order to nurture responsible families that will in turn make a better society. The Anglican Bishop who could not hide his joy during the event commended the Agape women International for sustaining the organization for 25years urging them to continue in their aspiration to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to many homes. In her speech the founder and host, Dr (Mrs.) Edith AzikeDiribe who is also the International President said the vision and mission of the fellowship are, â&#x20AC;&#x153;to supply means for closer spiritual relation in Jesus Christ among women who believe in the entire Bible, to raise godly women to endure with the power of God, to prepare and empower the girl child for womanhood and to share AGAPE love and bear one another's burden.â&#x20AC;? She said that it has not been easy sustaining the activities of the organization in the past 25years but gave God the glory for showing them love and mercy to

From the middle, the Host, Dr (Mrs.) Edith Azike-Diribe flanked on the right by Bishop E.O Chukwuma and on the left by Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili and guest of honour while cutting the Anniversary cake. get this far, adding that God has stressing that membership is She revealed the organisation's been using the organization open to all women who have intention of building tentacles mightily to enhance the lives of received Christ as Lord and across the country especially in many homes through free Savior and have decided to live a higher institutions of learning where students will be engaged medical care to communities, constant Christian life. in good moral learning to prepare care and support for widows and The national president, Mrs. UK them for a better future. the less privileged among others. Ajuzie also expressed gratitude The occasion which had singThe International President to God and shared the testimony c a l l e d o n w o m e n i n a l l of how God saw them through all songs, speeches and cutting of the anniversary cake was grace Christendom to join the group, this years. by many dignitaries.

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

gist

BBA prize money I Love Fufu With Okro Soup â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tonto Dikeh onto Dikeh is one actress will change my life that is full of controversies. Another thing that is very BBA winner â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dillish common to her apart from

Dillish, the Namibian winner of the just concluded Big controversial issues is her Brother show relives her experience

How do you feel winning the Big Brother show? I feel great. Winning the money is a great opportunity. It is a lifetime experience in the house. The money is going to change my life. I am so grateful to Africa and to God. It is a perfect feeling. Did you ever think you would become the winner? I didn't think I would become the winner. As you know, they said I was the underdog in the house. I didn't see myself as the winner, but things changed for me, especially the week I was up for eviction alongside Angelo and Bimp. Africa saved me that week and that was when I realised I might have an impact out there. You were one of the few housemates that didn't get into any relationship. Why? I made up my mind I wasn't going into any relationship. It was the initial plan. Even before I got in, I made it very clear in the introductory video that I have somebody out there who is very special in my life and I wasn't looking for love. When I walked into the house the first day, I told them I wasn't interested in any relationship and they shouldn't try me. I was already in a relationship of four years and I wasn't going to give it up for anybody in the house. Now that you have so much money, won't it affect your relationship? It will certainly not affect the relationship. My boyfriend is quite successful. The money is basically for me and my family and my future. It shouldn't affect my relationship at all. Who was your greatest rival in the house? All the housemates were my competitors. They were all strong rivals. At the beginning, Bolt got on my nerves, but somehow, we made peace. I got along with everybody. It was easy connecting with them. Why did you decide to be part of the BBA? I have always been a fan of the show. I wanted to be a part of it last year, but something stopped me. This year, a friend got the form and filled it for me. I went for the audition and Big Brother chose me. I think it was my time and my destiny this year. I am so happy that I experienced it and won. What do you hope to achieve in future? I am ready for anything. I am thinking of getting into radio or TV or anything that has to do with entertainment. I am just taking it step by step. I am ready to start-up my career in entertainment. Was there a time you felt like leaving the house? Oh yes. The first time I got nominated was my lowest moment in the house. I got nominated the second week and I thought I should go and ring the bell and tell Big Brother I wanted to go home. But something spoke to me and I decided to stay back. How easy was it to survive in the house? It wasn't easy at all. In the outside world, we are so used to our mobile phones, to the extent that we even sleep with them. I missed my freedom and being able to watch TV. But in all, it was a good experience.

American ascent. When she acts, especially as a spoilt brat in movies, the Ikwerre lady talks like the Americans, which also has brought about debates from her fans some of who think she over acts; while some see her as 'fake' because of her foreign ascent, others commend her for 'being versatile.' In all, Tonto Dikeh might be an actress that people feel does not behave like a typical Nigerian lady who will also not love to eat local delicacies, especially foods like 'eba', 'fufu' and the likes, which some regard as the food of the poor or local people in Nigeria. But alas!, controversial actress, Tonto has confessed that 'fufu' is her best food and ironically, okro soup is what she likes to eat 'fufu' with, as against 'egusi' soup, which many people take

with the delicacy. Speaking on a TV show last week, the former The Next Movie Star contestant disclosed that 'fufu' and okro soup are her favourite.

If you think Tonto Dikeh is not strong, now you know that she eats 'fufu', the food bricklayers rely on for power just like bread and beans, which make one consume a lot of water.

MI Turns Lagos Energy Ambassador

opular Nigerian r a p p e r, Jude Abaga well known as MI, has now become an ambassador of Energy for Lagos State government. The lyrically endowed artiste announced this recently on a social media n e t w o r k , twitter.

He is to create awareness on the conservation of energy and promote its cause through every means available to him. MI also recently hanged out with the state governor, Babatunde Fashola on Google Plus, where they discussed energy and its related topics. The rapper has grabbed few ambassadorial deals lately. He was only recently made a Glo ambassador few months after being part of those campaigning against the smuggling of immigrants into and out of the country.

2Face Warns South African 'Babes' Against proven many wrong now. Apparently now in South Annie Macaulay Africa, the talented singer

Face Idibia is a top Nigerian musician who has gained respect for himself in the industry. Ironically, his private life, especially in the love and child bearing aspect, may not have made some to respect him. He was once being used by comedians to liken those

alleged being impregnating ladies at the slighted 'touch'. At a time, some comedian joked whether he sends pregnancy to ladies through bluetooth. Well, that's not a discussion for today. When he married Annie Macaulay in 2013, many critics said he won't be faithful to his wife. But 2Face may be

tweeted some hours ago that, "Ok o, SA make I go sleep b4 Annie go catch me 4 here. One!" This got a response from his 'watchful' wife who replied, "caught ya hehehehehe." Who says 2Face is not faithful to Annie? We hope the South African babes listened to the warning sha.

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

By Okey Anyichie

ano is a big commercial Northern Nigerian city, known for its ancient and modern areas. The city like other cities in Nigeria started the game of football during the colonial days. In 1945 when competitive football started in the then colony of Nigeria for Governor's Cup then Challenge Cup and now Football Association (FA) Cup soccer competition, Kano later joined other parts of Nigeria for the competition. The Northern City of Kano set a record when in 1953 became the first city outside Lagos to win the Cup which started in 1945 and was dominated by the football teams based in Lagos. But Kano broke the jinx in 1953 and carted off the trophy and in 1954 lost the cup in the final to Calabar 3-4. Since 1953, Kano had not featured very vigorously in the Nigerian soccer scene until after the civil war, sequel to the creation of states in 1967, Kano assumed a status of a state rather than being one of the Cities in the northern region that started its existence in 1954. In 1971, when Challenge Cup now FA cup soccer competition started to be played on club basis, Kano was one of the states that started participating in this national soccer competition that

Nigerian Pioneer Football Clubs (9) Kano Pillars Fc

kicked off in 1945 on club basis. In that early 70s there was a football club called Kano Pyramids and other clubs floated by some Kano businessmen and football buffs. However the climax of clubs' football in this ancient city was the formation of Kano Pillars FC in 1990. It was the year that professional football started in the country and this football club was one of the first football clubs to start it. It was stated that this football club came into existence after the fusion of Kano Golden Stars, WRECA Football Club and Bank of the North Football club. Sequel to the elevation of the club as a professional football club, the soccer-out-fit-started trading tackles with other teams in the country for both professional league and FA cup soccer championships. The Kano based football club made a breakthrough in the league competition of 2007/08 season and won the premier league championship. This qualified them to play for Nigeria in 2009 Africa league championship but only stopped at semi-final level after being eliminated by Enyimba FC of Aba. The football

club was again at the continental soccer competition in 2011 but fell by the wayside in the first round. Meanwhile, in the Challenge cup now FA cup, Kano Pillars was yet to re-enact the winning form of 1953 football team from Kano that won the competition. The

much the club had done in the competition was the runner up in 1991 to El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri. With this modest performance, Kano Pillars had done its best in impacting on Nigerian soccer scene since 1990. Now the Kano-club side is struggling to remain at the top

Kano Pillars FC

Africa at the under 17 world cup since 1985

n 1985, the Under-17 age grade soccer competition started in Beijing- China. Nigeria, Cote D' Ivoire and Guinea were involved in the competition. Nigeria made history by being the first country to win this global youth soccer tournament after beating the then West-German team by 2-0. The other two African teams fell by the wayside during the competition. In 1987 in Canada, Nigeria and other two African counties participated in the competition. Again, Nigeria shot into the final but this time around, lost the cup won in 1985 to the defunct Soviet Union. Since 1987, two African countries; Nigeria and Ghana had won the cup more than once. In 1991 in Spain Ghana won and again in 1995 in Ecuador. Nigeria in 1993 won it in Japan and again in 2007 in south- Korea. This year's tournament will kick off in United Arab Emirate by October, the draws had been made and the three African countries; Nigeria, Tunisia and Cote D' Ivoire to represent the continent are grouped as follows; Group B: Cote D' Ivoire, Italy, new Zealand and Uruguay. Group D: Tunisia, Venezuela, Japan and Russia. Group F: Nigeria, Iraq, Mexico and Sweden. With this grouping of the African countries, expectations are high that these three countries will do Africa proud when the competition kicks off in October hence Nigeria, having won the competition three times has all it takes for a positive performance all things being equal.

he 11th Junior Africa track and field events ended last Sunday in Mauritius. Nigerian team triumphed in this edition of Pan African athletics junior championship that ended in this Indian Ocean Island. The junior athletics team bagged 9 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze medals to triumph over fourteen other countries that participated in the competition. South African team came second to Nigerian team with 7 gold, 9 silver and bronze medal, while Ethiopia brought the rear to a third position with 7 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze medals. According to reports at the end of the competition, Nkiruka Uwakwe of Nigeria was the most outstanding competitor at the end of the continental junior athletics championship in Mauritius with 3 gold medals. The Nigerian athlete won the three gold medals in 200 meters race, 4 ×100 meters relay race and 4×400 meters relay race

position in this 2012/2013 season, with the rate the club is going, Kano Pillars may end up winning the competition. However, football being what it is, an upset is not ruled out like it is said that it is not yet over until it is over. But we have to say that Kano Pillars is one of the great football clubs that is holding the forth for Nigeria. May this club side continue shooting to greatness.

Sources close to the National Sports Commission (NSC) Abuja stated that the Director-General of the national sports body, Hon Gbenga Elegbaleye, congratulated the Nigerian team at the

athletics championship for a scintillating performance in Mauritius. Mr Elegbeleye declared, “this is the beginning of many good things to come as regards Nigerian sports. I congratulate the athletes and officials that have done us proud in the Mauritius championship.” He observed that this is a good direction to the three games that will be held in 2014 in Scotland, 2015 in Algeria and in 2016 in Brazil. It will be recalled that Nigeria had posted good efforts at the past All-Africa games and Commonwealth games olympics in athletics in 1996 in Atlanta Georgia USA, Nigerian Female long jumper, Chioma Ajunwa, won a gold medal in 1996 Olympic games while the female team won a silver medal in 4 ×400 meters relay race, while two other female athletes won two bronze medals at their events in the 1996 Olympics games in USA.

THE

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Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

Nigeria – Malawi Match Fireworks

Flames out to spoil Super Eagles' party

he Super Eagles out to prove to Tom Saintfiet and the Flames that they are the champions of Africa in Saturday's crunch World Cup Qualifier When Nigeria scored in the 89th minute on June 9, 2012, through Reuben Gabriel, it was going to be smooth sailing until John Banda capitalized on a mistake by Vincent Enyeama to equalize in the 92nd minute and ensure that the Flames would live to fight another day. That day has arrived for the Malawians but so much has changed from that evening in Blantyre. Especially for the team from Malawi on the coaching front where a certain Tom Saintfiet is now in charge. There has been so much mudslinging from both parties in the last few weeks preceding this encounter that fans of both teams will be ready for an explosive match. The Super Eagles went on from that draw to become African champions and are favoured to qualify for the last round of

African qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup scheduled for Brazil. Tactical formation The Super Eagles under Coach Stephen Keshi have been resolute in their 4-3-3 formation while the Flames are expected

to play in a 4-5-1 formation, staying solid in midfield like the Kenyans did in April when they got a 1-1 draw in Calabar. The Malawians will be looking to score the first goal and then defend for their lives as they seek to cause an upset of gargantuan

proportions. While the Eagles are primed to give 'Malawi the beating they require', according to Ahmed Musa, who is expected to start on the right of the attack. If the Super Eagles score in the first 15 minutes, expect a large score line.

STARTING LINE-UP NIGERIA

Enyeama Efe, Oboabona, Egwueke, Echiejile Onazi, Mikel, Ogu Musa, Emenike, Moses VS MALAWI

Nthala Kayira, Namwela, Sangala, Mzava Chavula, Banda, Kamwendo Nyondo, Mwafulirwa, Ngalande

Nigeria Super Eagles rejoicing after a victory

Football transfers - September 2013

e f e n d i n g champion Andy Murray looked to his recent successes at Grand Slams after losing to Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-finals of the US Open. Third seed Murray went down 6-4 6-3 6-2 in two hours and 15 minutes to ensure he will not repeat last year's victory at Flushing Meadows. The Briton, who won his second major title at Wimbledon two months ago, had reached at least the semi-finals at his last four Grand Slam tournaments. "I don't know if I'm meant to win every Grand Slam I play or be in the final," said Murray, 26. "It's just very, very difficult just now. With the guys around us, it's very challenging. "I have played my best tennis in the Slams the last two, three years. I lost today in straight sets, so that's disappointing. I

would have liked to have gone further but I can't complain. "If someone told me before the US Open last year I would have been here as defending champion, having won Wimbledon and Olympic gold, I would have taken that 100%. "So I'm disappointed, but the year as a whole has been a good one." Murray admitted there had been something of a comedown after the high of winning Wimbledon, but insisted he had been focused and well prepared in New York. “When you work hard for something for a lot of years, it's going to take a bit of time to really fire yourself up and get yourself training 110%," said the Scot "That's something that I think is kind of natural after what happened at Wimbledon. Now at 26 Edinburgh Road, Ogui New Layout, Enugu. "But I have been here nearly three weeks Your winning is assured now. I practiced a lot, and played quite a lot of matches as well, so I gave myself a chance to do well because I prepared Director: Adindu Okwudili, 08033367655 properly."

LOTTO! LOTTO!! LOTTO!!!

ADILITY LOTTO

We play all Ghana games and Lagos games in Enugu

No Ghana Games No Lotto

he transfer window closed at 23:00 BST on Monday, 2 September but clubs can still sign free agents (so long as they left their previous club before the deadline). The loan window for Football League clubs opens on Tuesday, 10 September. Biggest transfer deadline day signing: Mesut Ozil's £42.4m switch from Real Madrid to Arsenal. Biggest summer transfer: Gareth Bale's world record £85.3m move to Spanish side Real Madrid from Tottenham. Busiest club over the summer: Bury signed 21 players. Busiest Premier League club over the summer: Crystal Palace signed 16 players.

2 SEPTEMBER Morgan Amalfitano [Marseille - West Brom] Loan Victor Anichebe [Everton - West Brom] £6m Marko Arnautovic [Werder Bremen Stoke] Undisclosed Benoit Assou-Ekotto [Tottenham QPR] Loan Barry Bannan [Aston Villa - Crystal Palace] Undisclosed Gareth Barry [Man City - Everton] Loan Hamza Bencherif [Notts County Plymouth] Free Fabio Borini [Liverpool - Sunderland] Loan Harry Bunn [Manchester City Sheffield United] Loan Jacob Butterfield [Norwich Middlesbrough] Undisclosed Paul Caddis [Swindon - Birmingham] Undisclosed Raphael Calvet [Auxerre - Brentford] Undisclosed

Lee Camp [Norwich - West Brom] Free Tom Carroll [Tottenham - QPR] Loan Graham Cummins [Preston - Rochdale] Loan Florent Cuvelier [Stoke - Sheffield United] Undisclosed Andrea Dossena [Napoli - Sunderland] Undisclosed Marouane Fellaini [Everton - Man Utd] £27.5m Liam Fontaine [Bristol City - Yeovil] Loan Marko Futacs [Leicester - Diosgyori VT] Loan Gedo [Al Ahly - Hull] Loan Danny Green [Charlton - MK Dons] Loan Adlene Guedioura [Nottingham Forest Crystal Palace] Undisclosed Tiago Ilori [Sporting Lisbon Liverpool] £7m Stephen Ireland [Aston Villa - Stoke] Loan Saidy Janko [FC Zurich - Manchester United] £700,000 (reported)

Vol. 1 No. 31, Monday, September 9 - Sunday, September 15, 2013

Peter Utaka Back page comment

MY DREAM FOR MY BELOVED STATE, ANAMBRA

 Pro-active Security Network  Job Creation: 40,000 employments in the first year guaranteed.  Good Health Care System  Stable Power Supply PATRICK Peter Utaka (born 12 February 1984 IFEANYI  Guaranteed Portable Water Supply/ in Enugu) is a Nigerian footballer with a UBAH Belgian passport currently playing for Chinese club Beijing Guoan. He is the Restoration of Anambra Water Board younger brother of John Utaka, who currently plays for Montpellier in France.  Youth Employment/Sports Club career Utaka moved to Croatia as a 16-year old to  Quality Education/Re-introduction of Technical Education play in Dinamo Zagreb. In 2003 he moved to Belgium from Dinamo and signed for K. Patro Eisden Maasmechelen of the third  Bursary Awards to citizens of the State division. KVC Westerlo moved to sign him the following season, and in his first season  Aggressive Remodeling of Rural Roads in the top flight. He joined Royal Antwerp FC in January 2007 where he became a first team regular,  Massive Low-cost Housing Scheme/Urban Development and he helped Antwerp qualify for the playoffs, finishing second. On 30 August  Farmers' Welfare, Mechanized Agriculture/Food Bank 2008, it was announced that Utaka would join Danish club OB. Utaka joined Danish side OB in 2008. In his  Industrial Revolution/Business (Small Scale/Cottage) first season he finished joint fourth place on the scorers list, while he led all scorers in his Development Support second season. He finished with 18 goals in 33 matches, the first time in five years an  Anambra Inland Container Terminal/Seaport Development OB player was top scorer in the league (last was Steffen Højer in 200405 with 20 goals). In January 2012, Utaka moved to Chinese  Airport and Cargo Village Super League club Dalian Aerbin. He transferred to Beijing Guoan on 9 July 2013.  Mass Industrialization in every Local Government International career On 21 September 2009, national coach Shaibu Amodu selected Peter for the  Light Railway System Nigerian national football team. Utaka made his debut for Nigeria months later in a  Transformation of the face of Anambra 52 home win over Congo DR on 3 March 2010, despite only getting his call up late  Tourism Development and conducive Business environment after the NFF called his mother looking for him. He scored the first goal and assisted on the  Civil Service Reform and Enhancement of Welfare package second. He scored twice against in a Nations Cup  Judiciary Reform and Upliftment of Judiciary workers qualifier against Ethiopia. Honours Top goalscorer 200708 in the Danish  Local Government Election Superliga with 18 goals in 33 games  Transparency and Accountability in all sectors World cup Soccer Qualifier  Senior Citizens' Welfare (65yrs above)  Traditional Rulers Empowerment and welfare Package  Sound and Healthy Economy (EBUBECHUKWU-UZO)

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