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A Bolt From The Greek

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth Saturday, April 12, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,889

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

President Goodluck Jonathan; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu; Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State and other governors and top government functionaries acknowledging cheers from the crowd of party supporters during the party’s Southeast zonal rally held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu… yesterday.

Govt Moves To Resolve ASUP, COEASU Disputes From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos and Kanayo Umeh, Abuja

• Commences Implementation Of Fresh Framework

HEFederal Government has T commenced the implementation of a fresh frame-

of Education in Nigeria yesterday in Abuja, the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, regretted that rather than tell Nigerians and their members the truth, COEASU and ASUP have embarked on negative political propaganda to mislead the people.

He said that all the structures of the Federal Government have been activated by President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that the

work to finally resolve the strike actions embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), following decisions reached in a meeting between the striking unions and the Minister of Labour.

Speaking at a meeting with Provosts of all Federal Colleges

strike actions are resolved, because the Federal Government is not happy that the schools are still shut down.

He said it is completely untrue that the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Government have not engaged with the striking unions to resolve the conflict.

Wike said that the Federal Government still remains committed to pay ASUP and COEASU members in two

installments to liquidate the over N40 billion owed the workers in arrears. The Minister noted that the administration holds the workers of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in high esteem, pointing out that it was unfair for the unions to carry out propaganda that they were being treated as second-class staff.

“There was no time that the Federal Government paid ASUU their entitlements in

one fell swoop. We are paying them in installments.

“That is the same offer that we have made to the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education staff. We have offered to pay them in two installments for them to return to the class.

“We have concluded negotiation and we urge ASUP and COEASU to shift ground in the interest of the students and the nation. Negative propaganda against the government will not help resolve the problem. These problems CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Gunmen Kill 28 In Fresh Borno Attacks • Victims: Eight Teachers, 20 Villagers • Abduct Nine Family Members Of Slain Teachers UNMEN suspected to be G members of the Boko Haram sect attacked a village in Kala/Balge council area of the state and Teachers’ College, Dikwa; shooting dead eight teachers and killing 20 other villagers with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs in the early hours of Thursday.

The gunmen, according to an eyewitness, Banna Fannami, also abducted nine family members of the slain teachers to an unknown destination along Dikwa-Gambouru road.

Dikwa and Kala/Balga are CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

2 | Saturday, April 12, 2014

No Party Can Rival PDP, Says Jonathan From Kodilinye Obiagwu and Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

• Refuses To Declare For 2015 In Enugu

RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has taken a swipe at the opposition par-

the capacity to claim a second spot or rival the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The President, who also declared that the support of

ties, saying even the most vocal of them does not have

the party in the Southeast was total, noted that only the PDP has the capacity to take Nigeria to the comity of democratic nations.

At the party’s Unity and Reconciliation Rally held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu yesterday, Jonathan told the Southeast

Gunmen Kill 28 In Borno Attacks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 border areas with Chad Republic and 85 kilometres and 235 kilometres respectively east of Maiduguri, the state capital.

“The gunmen came through the outskirts of our village.

We were shocked and terrified. They chanted ‘God is great’ in Arabic before firing at some of our houses that night. Some of us had to flee into the nearby bush, but many people were shot dead in the process of fleeing. The attackers used explosives and petrolbombs in torching houses, including makeshift huts,” Fannami said.

He added that 12 bodies were buried yesterday, while the injured ones were taken to two undisclosed clinics in the council area for treatment of burns and other fractures sustained during the attack.

Speaking further on how

the village was attacked, Fannami said: “When the gunmen entered this village, most of us were asleep, but we were woken up and frightened by sounds of moving vehicles laden with arms and ammunition.”

Another resident of Dikwa who preferred anonymity, also told The Guardian yesterday in Maiduguri on phone that the insurgents wrote a threat letter to the Teachers’ College early this month before they struck.

“The gunmen came last

night and attacked the college after its closure by the Borno State government last month. They targeted the houses of the teachers and slit their throats in the presence of their wives and children. They then took three wives and six children away in two buses towards Gulumba road at dawn,” he said.

He said no security was provided at the Teachers’ College probably because of the closure of the school by government early last month.

Confirming the separate incidents yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State Police Commissioner, Tanko Lawal said that there were attacks on a border village with Chad and a school in Dikwa town, where several villagers and teachers were feared dead on Thursday night.

He said no arrests has been made by either the police or soldiers attached to the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on the shores of Lake Chad in northern part of Borno State.

PDP governors, federal lawmakers and others asking him to declare for next year’s presidential race that his response would come later.

According to the President: “Nigeria is a great country and for us to push forward, we need a great party, made up of great minds, democratic tenets and open heart to lead the people and it is only in PDP that you have those elements.

“Only the PDP can take this country to the moon, create jobs for young people. I wonder where those who say that they are progressing are progressing to.”

The National Vice Chairman of the PDP (South East), retired Colonel Austin Akobundu in his welcome address stated that the “rally is both historic and significant because of the remarkable and unprecedented achievements the PDP con-

trolled Federal Government and the three PDP state governments in the zone have put on ground, in the areas of security, infrastructure, social welfare, education, agriculture etc, since the commencement of the Fourth Republic.”

While noting that the journey to 2015 has started, he pledged the return of the zone to the PDP in 2015.

At the rally, every politician from the South East urged the president to declare for the presidential race in 2015.

The Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime said the zone had two requests for Jonathan. “The first is to run for 2015 and the second is not to say no to the first,” Chime said.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said that “we have 101 reasons to want the president to run. Even in government, PDP has given more to the South East than

FG Moves To Settle ASUP, COEASU Disputes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 were on ground for years and the Jonathan administration has agreed to resolve them.

The resolution cannot be in one day,” Wike said.

The Minister pointed out that contrary to the information being circulated about the N200billion released to universities for 2013 under the agreement reached with ASUU, the funds are meant for the revival of infrastructure in schools and not for ASUU members.

He said the funds to be injected in Polytechnics and Colleges of Education would be arrived at after the adoption of the Needs Assessment reports that are being concluded.

Wike appealed to the Provosts of the Federal Colleges of Education to serve as mediators to help in resolving the outstanding issues in the strike, since the Federal Government has tackled over 90 percent of the issues raised.

Earlier, Chairman, Committee of Provosts, Dr. Ezeom Ignatius Nwanze, urged Wike to work towards the resolution of the strike action. He said that the education sector has benefitted from several developmental projects initiated by the Jonathan administration, adding that returning the staff to the classrooms will help the country.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Plateau State Polytechnic Chapter of ASUP, Victor Dawurung, argued yesterday that no meaningful national development could be achieved by any nation without sound and qualitative technical education.

According to Dawurung, polytechnics offer highly technical, scientific as well as research-oriented education to students. He spoke yesterday as host at the 3rd ASUP National Conference tagged, ‘Tin City 2014’ with the theme: ‘Nigeria at 53: Reform Efforts And The Socio-Economic Challenges.’ It was held at the Main Auditorium, Jos Campus of the institution.

He said that it is very disheartening to observe that polytechnics which were once revered academic institutions, have been relegated to the background in Nigeria.

“It is for this reason that most state polytechnics in Nigeria are referred to as glorified secondary schools because of poor funding, infrastructural decay, shortage of staff and all other forms of neglect suffered especially by the state polytechnics.

“This situation is visible on even the faces of the lecturers whose morale is very low because of poor working conditions, poor remuneration, lack of encouragement and worst of all, they are still being treated as dregs of the society by those who could have salvaged the situation.”

The ASUP chairman said that

they have had to contend with a discouraging argument of some state governments that education is on the concurrent legislative list as a euphemism for unwillingness to address issues affecting the development of polytechnic education. He added that the situation has become so gloomy that “we are witnessing a steady decline in polytechnic education.”

Dawurung said the conference is holding at the most challenging period in the history of the union, lamenting that it is also happening in a season of “reforms and transformation with little or nothing to show for it. The period has been that of antagonism, hypocrisy, subterfuge and provocation directed at our union characterised by intermittent and prolonged strikes resulting in educational decay.”

He saluted the courage and resilience of his colleagues for standing firm in the face of deliberate frustration and for genuine sacrifice of maintaining standards in scholarship.

In his welcome address, Rector of the Polytechnic, Mr. Dauda Gyang Gyemang, recalled that the strike in the polytechnics has been on for about seven months, adding that unfortunately, nobody seems to be talking about it.

He said it is an unfortunate incident because parents would have been shouting to the high heavens if it were to be ASUU that is on strike, saying that the parents and other stakeholders would not even wait for two days to pass before they take to the streets if it were universities. “This is to tell you how much polytechnic education is valued in the country.”

Gyemang commended the patriotism of ASUP by allowing the institution to flourish in spite of the strike going on in the other similar institutions.

He said although President Goodluck Jonathan is doing his best at reforming the country, the socio-economic challenges, especially the security aspect, have become difficult to surmount.

Chairman of the occasion and Senator representing Plateau

North Senatorial District, Senator Gyang Pwajok, who was represented by Commissioner 2 in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Christopher Chollom, challenged the academics to research into the area of the challenges facing polytechnic education in the country as those in authority are no longer trusted.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Prof Angela Miri, thanked the state governor, Da Jonah Jang. She said that with polytechnic education, its graduates would not be found roaming the streets looking for jobs as they have been prepared for the challenge while in school.

Meanwhile, the striking polytechnic lecturers are threatening to embark on a ‘massive protest’ in Abuja next week.

ASUP President, Chibuzor Asomugha, speaking on a radio programme yesterday, expressed his union’s frustration at the federal government’s handling of the sixmonth-old strike.

He said the last meeting between the government and the lecturers was held on March 26 in Abuja, with the government team led by the Labour Minister, Emeka Nwogu, while the president of the Nigeria Labour President, Abdulwaheed Omar, also attended.

ASUP had earlier rejected the mediation of the Acting Education Minister, Emeka Wogu, accusing him of frustrating the negotiation process.

Mr. Asomugha said ASUP made “further concessions” at the last meeting including agreeing to a two-installment payment of the agreed salaries and allowances; and the setting up of an interministerial committee to review the other contentious issues.

The meeting agreed that the government delegation would brief President Goodluck Jonathan and come up with a “Memorandum of Understanding” that will be signed by both parties “this

week”, he said.

He added ASUP is concerned that since the March 26 meeting, the government has not gotten back to the lecturers.“It is almost three weeks now,” he said.

Asomugha said the planned protest would involve market women, students, lecturers and labour unions who are all concerned about how the federal government is treating polytechnic education in Nigeria. He did not state the day of the protest.

He however said the union was still seeking an amicable solution to the strike and had written to the Senate President, David Mark, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to intervene in the strike. He added that the Senate President had replied saying he would intervene after conclusion of work on the 2014 budget. The budget was passed by the Senate on Wednesday and by the House on Thursday.

It is not clear why the strike persists as ASUP’s agreement to the two-installment payment of the agreed allowances tallies with an earlier federal government proposal.

The Education Minister, Emeka Wogu, had told Premium Times that the federal government and ASUP had agreed on other issues; with the installment payment being the nonresolved one.

Wogu, speaking through his spokesperson, Simeon Nwakaudu, told Premium Times on March 27 that the lecturers had refused the two-installment proposal the government had made; something the lecturers said they have now agreed to with the first installments to be paid in April.

“What is left is payment of arrears, which the government, during one of its meeting with ASUP, offered to pay in two installments,” Nwakaudu said.

He explained that if ASUP had accepted the offer of two installments, the first payment would have been made in March, while the second would be in November. He disclosed that the arrears for both ASUP and COEASU were over N40 billion.

Saturday, April 12, 2014 3

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS

World Bank Adopts Nigeria’s G-Win Gender Programme For Poverty Reduction From Mathias Okwe, Washington D.C HE innovative efforts of the T Nigerian Economic Team Management headed by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo Iweala have once again received accolades at the international scene with one of the programmes, the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria (G-WIN), being adopted by the World Bank and recommended for African countries as an effective strategy to lift women and girls out of the poverty trap to allow them

participate meaningfully in economic activities.

The World Bank and the Department for International Development (DFID $ are expected to assist the African Finance Minister in the technical requirements of the programme’s implementation.

This roadmap is to be submitted next month at the ADFB’s Annual Meetings in Kigali, Rwanda.

The action came as the Breton Woods Institution raised the alarm on the growing inequality across the world, pointing out that less than 100 people world wide were in control of the global wealth, a

sore point responsible for the large population of more than 3.5 billion people globally still enmeshed in extreme poverty.

The World Bank Group President, Mr.Jim Yong Kim, raised the alarm yesterday at the ongoing spring meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington.

Kim said at a press conference: “We live in a time of great contrasts, when fewer than 100 people control as much of the world’s wealth as the poorest 3.5 billion combined. But we also live in a time when many developing countries have the

strongest growth rates in the world which each year helps millions of people lift themselves out of extreme poverty.

Our economists estimate that roughly one billion people around the world live in extreme poverty today in 2014.

This is down from an estimated 1.2 billion people in 2010.”

He then declared that to end extreme poverty, the vast numbers of the poorest — those earning less than $1.25 a day — will have to decrease by 50 million people each year until 2020.

He stressed: “This means one million people each week will have to lift themselves out of

poverty for the next 16 years.

This will be extraordinarily difficult, but I believe we can do it. This can be the generation to end extreme poverty.”

Meanwhile, the blueprint of the adopted Nigerian gender poverty reduction programme, The G-WIN, was yesterday unveiled to a host of African Finance Ministers at the sidelines of the ongoing Springs Meetings of the Brenton Woods Institution for their appraisal and input ahead of the Gender Advisory Committee of the World Bank Group on Sunday for the final approval by the Bank for adoption by the African

Continent to combat poverty amongst girls and women.

Okonjo-Iweala at the programme unveiling told her colleagues that the initiative arose from the desire to strategically mainstream women and girls into the nation’s budgetary plan as against the ad hoc arrangement where assistance are rendered on an unsustainable manner.

Under the plan, a particular amount of fund is budgeted for women and girls to encourage them participate in contracts execution and other economic activities to enable them contribute to

Ethnicity Becoming Endemic In Nigeria, Ndoma-Egba Warns From Anietie Akpan and Tina Todo, Calabar HE Senate leader, Victor T Ndoma-Egba has implored Nigerians not to allow their

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (2nd left) presenting the key of an ambulance to the Coordinator of Primary Healthcare in Akure South Local Council, Dr. Ejeheri Napoleon (left), while others look on during the distribution of ambulances to five local councils in the state in Akure yesterday.

Mugabe’s Outburst Calls For Sober Reflection, Says CNPP From Adamu Abuh, Abuja HE Conference Of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has enjoined the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government not to pick offence with President Robert Mugabe for downgrading the country on the high level of corruption that has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian society.

The CNPP, in a statement by its National Publicity

T

Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, noted that the remarks by President Mugabe, which has left a sour taste in the mouth of the authorities, should be taken in good faith.

The statement reads in part: “Whereas President Robert Mugabe is not the moral compass or the credible messenger, however, President Goodluck Jonathan should not throw away the messen-

ger with the message.

Penultimate week, Mugabe while addressing his people said, ‘are we now like Nigeria where you have to reach into your pocket to get anything done. You see, we used to go to Nigeria and every time we went there, we had to carry extra cash in our pockets to corruptly pay for everything.

You get in a plane in Nigeria and you sit there and the crew keep dilly dallying without

taking off as they wait for you to pay them to fly the plane.’

“The CNPP is at a loss why Jonathan instead of introspection and deep reflection on the statement made by Mugabe, directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoihbi to issue a vitriolic query via Head of Zimbabwean Chancery, Ambassador Stanley Kunjeku

to Mugabe.

“It is our considered view that Mugabe did not denigrate Nigeria more than Jonathan and his cohorts who have scant regard to transparency and accountability. Jonathan did not start corruption in Nigeria, but we are horrified to observe the shoeless boy dinning with robber barons and hence abandoning his core constituency of millions of shoeless Nigerian youths.”

‘INEC Can Conduct All Elections In One Day’ From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna REWA chieftain and the A spokesmanoftheNorthern Delegates Forum (NDF), Mr. Anthony Sani, yesterday, faulted the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega on his comments that the nation cannot conduct the 2015 general elections in one day.

Sani noted that the countries

that had done so in Africa successfully were not better than Nigeria and advised the INEC helmsman to have a re-think over his comment and ensure that the 2015 elections were conducted in one day for the purpose of strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement, Sani said the reason given by Jega to the effect that INEC lacks the capacity to hold all the elections in one day “is puzzling and a cause for concern.”

He argued: “When the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) proposed last year that holding of all elections in one day would be in national interest because such approach would reduce cost, remove bandwagon effect and prevent multiple elections by voters, INEC did not oppose the suggestion but said it could not do so because of lack of enabling law. And that was why some legislators decided to canvass for this through legislation. For INEC

Chairman, Professor Jega, to turn around and hinge INEC’s opposition to holding all the elections in one day on lack of capacity to handle the logistics burden on such undertaking is puzzling and a cause for concern.”

Citing examples of countries that had successfully conducted credible elections and further deepened their democracy and electoral practices, Sani stated that “Kenya which conducts all its elections in one day

is not more educated and sophisticated than Nigeria, and, therefore, cannot reasonably have more capacity for such exercise.”

He added: “We have since submitted that great men are defined by great challenges because they often pursue causes higher than themselves as worthy impulse. Prof. Jega should demonstrate such feat by overcoming the logistics problems he envisages in the conduct of all the elections in one day.

ethnic cleavages over cloud the oneness of Nigeria, noting that ethnicity is getting endemic in the country.

The Senator gave the advise yesterday during the Ikom branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) 2014 law week and branch inauguration held in Yakurr, Cross River State.

He stressed that “ethnicity should not be the basis of our union as it is getting endemic.

Though our tongues and languages may differ, but in brotherhood we stand.”

Ndoma-Egba, who spoke through a Calabar based legal practitioner, Chief Utum Eteng, described the theme of the event “Ethnic nationalities and the Nigeria nation: the way forward”, as very apt, saying, it came at an auspicious time when Nigeria is working towards consolidating her unity.

He said: “The theme is very apt, as it is coming at a time when we are witnessing the convergence of more than 400 great Nigerians in Abuja to chart the way forward for Nigeria.”

While calling on Nigerians to always emphasise only on things that unite them as a people, he solicited the support of Nigerians to help the Jonathan administration move the country forward.

He said: “Since we are in a democracy and the first of its kind to last this long, we should sink our differences and work together as a body to move Nigeria forward. It is on record that the administration has made conscious efforts to bring all Nigerians to the centre by making appointments without minding where one comes from.

“In fact, to the Jonathan administration, it matters not where one comes from before he/she is given an opportunity to serve at the federal level.

“You will agree with me that this leadership approach is encouraging enough to move you as a social engineer to rally round support for President Jonathan. The same I say of Senator Liyel Imoke. They both deserve support and encouragement.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April 12, 2014

NEWS

North To Resolve Herdsmen/Farmers Crisis From John Ogiji, Minna ITH the planned meeting W between the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Miyetti Allah Fulani Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, the North is set to tackle the incessant crises between herdsmen and farmers in the region.

Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who is also the chair of the forum, on Thursday commenced talks with leaders of the state’s chapter of Miyetti Allah in Minna as a fore-runner to a larger meeting which will be called by the forum next week.

During the meeting, “members of the forum and leaders of the Fulani Cattle breeders Association will fashion out strategies to address the disturbing state of insecurity in the region and proffer practical and enduring solutions”.

Specifically, Miyetti Allah would work closely with governors to unmask criminals, who masquerade as cattle

… As Governors, Miyetti Allah Meet Next Week breeders, to inflict mayhem on innocent citizens.

“The objective of the parley between Northern Governors and Miyetti Allah is to engender the restoration of the most desired peaceful co-existence, unity and development in the entire region,” according to a statement by Governor Aliyu’s spokesman, Danladi Ndayebo.

The decision to dialogue with Miyetti Allah was taken at the last meeting of the National

Economic Council (NEC) during which governors of the 36 states of the federation constituted a panel headed by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State.

It is to handle reconciliation, healing, peace and security within the troubled region.

The governors are expected to collectively push for a national policy to settle nomads and provide adequate grazing reserves and cattle routes, since not many states have

been spared of the assaults on persons and institutions by insurgents suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

Speaking at the end of Thursday’s meeting, Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Niger State, Alhaji Ismaila Ahmed Rebe lamented the loss of human lives occasioned by incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers and urged governments at both state and federal levels to take immediate steps to

set aside dedicated areas of land for pastoral use.

Miyetti Allah said the lack of proper demarcation of grazing fields for herdsmen and the non adoption of a comprehensive pastoral resource development programme were major causes of constant friction between farmers and herdsmen, especially in the Northern parts of the country.

The North has been reeling under the violence unleashed by the fundamentalist group, Boko Haram and bandits who masquerade as Fulani herdsmen.

Jonathan’s Visit; AIG Meets Security Agencies, Party Leaders In Kano From Murtala Muhammed, Kano HEAD of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Kano, the Assistant Inspector of Police, in charge of Zone 1, Alhaji Tambari Yabo Muhammed, yesterday met with heads of security apparatus and big wigs in political parties in Kano.

President Jonathan is scheduled to visit Kano next

A

Tuesday 15th April where Mr President would address political rally and formerly receive former governor of Kano state Malam Ibrahim Shekarau to the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP. Those in attendance were representatives of Commander 339 Air based service of the Nigerian Airforce Kano,

Bridge Commander 3, Bridge Kano, Director state security service, sector commander federal road safety, NDLEA and that of NSCDC. Also at the meeting were Chairmen of All Progressive Congress APC, Peoples Party of Nigeria PPN and Labour Party LP. No representative of Peoples Democratic Party PDP was in

attendance.

Shortly after the meeting AIG Tambari Yabo Mohammed told Journalists that the meeting was part of security strategy putting in place to ensure hitch free visit of Mr President. The AIG and all security wings in the state are practically prepared to receive President Jonathan in the state next week, he said.

5

Brown University Gathers Superstars For 5th Achebe Colloquium On Africa th

THIS year marks the 250 a anniversary of one of the world’s most prestigious tertiary institutions, Brown University.

As part of the festivities, the Ivy League institution will host the 5th Chinua Achebe Colloquium on Africa.

The conference will take place May 1, 2, and 3. This year the Colloquium will focus on African Literature as Restoration: Chinua Achebe as Teacher.

Attending this unprecedented gathering is a constellation of political, cultural and intellectual superstars from every corner of the globe.

Panelists from the United States, Great Britain, South Africa, Finland, Sweden, India, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Nigeria, Ghana, Spain, Canada and Ireland will present papers.

Other special guests will include leading figures in the political, cultural- musical, dance and fine Arts sectorsfrom around the world.

Guards Brigade Assures NYSC Members Of Safety From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja HE GUARDS Brigade, Nigerian Army, has pledge to continue to support the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by providing security for corps members in the FCT. The Brigade Commandant, Brig.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje, made the pledge in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Jonhson Olawunmi.

Omozoje said the Guards Brigade was responsible for providing security for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the FCT. “The main purpose of our visit is to consolidate the brigade’s relationship with the NYSC, and to pledged our support to the NYSC,’’ Omozoje said. He also thanked the NYSC for its support to the Guards Brigade.

In his response, Olawunmi thanked the Brigade for its continued support to the NYSC. He stated that the NYSC and the Guards Brigade had always enjoyed a cordial working relationship, adding that the scheme was being repositioned to tackle unemployment in the country.

He said that unemployment was one of the major problems confronting Nigerian youths, noting that the situation had resulted in insecurity in the country. Olawunmi said unemployment would be addressed through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes.

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Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar with his son and groom Abba, the bride Mariana and her family and friends during their visit to the home of the former Vice President in Yola on Friday ahead of the conclusion of his son’s wedding ceremony in Ganye, Adamawa State… today.

Power Outage Stalls Hearing Of Sanusi’ Suit Against FRCN

By Bertram Nwannekanma EARING on the suit filed H by the suspended Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, at Federal High Court, Lagos seeking to stop the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), from investigating his financial dealings was Friday stalled due to power outage.

The court premises was thrown into total darkness, as there was no power s supply either from Power Holding Company of Nigeria or from court’s generating plants. Consequently, the matter has been adjourned till Thursday April 17, for hearing.

Trial Judge, Justice John Tsoho, it would be recalled, had at last Friday fixed yesterday for the hearing of the suit while, ordering parties to maintain statue quo, pending the final determination of the suit.

The order was sequel to the suit filed by Sanusi, through three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibajo, Kola Awodien and Prof Kanyinsola Ajayi, against Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and its Executive

Secretary. In the suit, Sanusi is asking for the declaration that the Council, constituting itself into investigating body in the manner contained in newspapers advertorials of March 24, this year acted ultra vires.

He also wants a declaration that the conduct, action, decision, and conclusion in respect of the plaintiff partic-

ularly as it manifested in brief note of 7th of June 2013 sent to the President were ultra vires and contravened the rule of natural justice.

Sanusi further wants the court to declare that the both FRCN and its executive secretary do not have the vires and power to conduct the purported investigation as advertise in newspapers and

an order restraining them and their agents in any form from conducting, and continue any investigation, inquiry, hearing or proceeding whatsoever as advertise in newspapers as the defendant do not have vires to conduct such investigation.

The embarked CBN governor is also urging the court to set aside and nullify any report,

conclusion and recommendation based on any purported investigation conducted as advertised in newspapers.

However, counsel to the defendants, Mr. Muhammed. Ajibola (SAN), had raised objection to all the reliefs sought by Mallam Sanusi, on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the suit.

Kwara Plans To Secure N23 Billon To Provide Social Amenities From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HE Kwara state government yesterday announced its plan to secure a lifeline of N23 billion from Capital Market to bankroll social amenities for the people of the state. The loan will be repayable after a period of seven years.

According to the government during a press briefing jointly addressed in Ilorin by three Commissioners, Tunji

T

Morohunfoye, (Information), Bode Olayemi (Housing and Urban Development) and Demola Banu (Finance) the fund was necessary due to the alleged short fall in the Federal Government Allocations to all the governments at the states level.

Besides, without the fund, in Banu’s words, it would be difficult for the government to complete all the ongoing projects and initiate new ones in

the state.

Specifically, the fund when secured would be used for repair of classrooms and construction of new ones. Repair of dilapidated roads and construction of new and essential roads would also take the larger chunk of the money.

According to Banu, “drastic reduction in the allocations going into states has affected many states finances. In spite of the shortfall in allocations

the Kwara state has assured the citizens of its desire to fulfill its promises to them. We will construct new classrooms across the state and equip the Kwara State Vocational Training Centre at Ajase Ipo. “Besides, all the ongoing road projects will be completed before the end of this tenure.

These include, Patigi/Pada, Share/ Oke-Ode, Ara-Orin/ Ipetu and Offa/Ira roads.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

6 Saturday, April 12, 2014

NEWS

Post-Congress Crisis Hits APC In Anambra

By Marcel Mbamalu, Lagos and Chuks Collins, Awka HE crisis rocking the All T Progressives Congress (APC) over the Ward and Council lead-

ership congresses in Anambra State earlier scheduled to hold in the 326 electoral wards of the state from Monday but was marred by crises has worsened.

At least two members of the state congress committee sent by the party headquarters and led by Chief Ezennia Ogbuehi, including the secretary, Chief Chijioke Owanta have resigned in protest.

While Ogbuehi sees no reasons to suspend the remaining congresses including the state congress, Owanta said he was forced to resign due to the non-

transparent conduct of the committee chairman.

He raised issue of continued sales of application forms and screening of contestants for the congress while the congress was said to be going on in the field simultaneously.

He led journalists to the Awka hotel secretariat of the committee, round the beehive of activities at about 2.30pm Thursday.

But the committee chairman, Chief Ogbuehi noted that everything was following the party guideline and that the venues/candidates lists were

published on Monday evening.

He, however, acknowledged that reports have indicated some unwholesome acts in some areas, but stated that he was still gathering results and reports from the entire 326 wards of the state.

According to Owanta, “the Congress Committee chairman, Chief Ezennia Ogbuehi, up till this moment never allowed me see any of the congress materials or know where he kept them or the actual quantity supplied for the process in Anambra.”

He also alleged that the chairman breached virtually all the guidelines of the congress as stipulated by the party.

Meanwhile, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South) Senator Annie Okonkwo, has called for the cancellation of the ward congress the party conducted in Anambra State two weeks ago, even as a member of the congress committee, Okechukwu Igbonekwu, tendered his resignation, citing lack of due process.

Okonkwo, who once represented the Anambra Central at the

Senate, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the congress in many parts of the country, especially in Anambra State, describing the process as undemocratic.

He alleged that Ogbuehi sidetracked other members of the committee and, therefore, piloted a process devoid of due process.

Okonkwo called on party leaders to intervene in the matter and ensure that justice was dispensed to loyal party members, who are now disenchanted with the process.

Nigeria Again Shops For Power Sector Investors In US O leverage on the opportuT nity provided by the offer of the $1 billion Nigeria power sector investment guarantee by the World Bank Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, (MIGA) last week, the Nigerian Government is taking the search for investors to the United States (US).

The Nigerian Government through agencies like the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has in the past taken the Nigerian Power Sector Programme road shows programmes to the United States and other emerging markets across the world to attract investors in the sector but these have not really yielded the desired result as can be seen in the teething challenges in the transmission and distribution of power in Nigeria almost one year after full privatisation of the sector.

However, smarting from the opportunity of the World Bank’s MIGA fillip, the Nigeria Development & Finance Forum (NDFF) is once again taking the initiative to take to the investors in the US the development of the de-risking of the power sector in Nigeria with the aim of uplifting their investment appetite of the sector power sector in the country and has already lined up experts and Nigerian power and financial sectors regulators that will preach the gospel at a conference slated in New York, the United States from May 29 to 31 this year.

MIGA’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Michel Wormser, who began a working visit to Nigeria penultimate Tuesday to seek for areas of his organisation’s investment and intervention in the country at the conclusion of his meetings with both the public and private business executives told journalists: “Over the next couple of years, I would expect that MIGA would provide guarantees above $1 billion in Nigeria. And this is primarily going to be in the energy sector and the discussions that we are going to have today is to precisely identify with the governments and agencies where they would see the highest value from MIGA involvement, given the development priorities of the country.”

Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, (1st left, sitting) and Lagos Deputy Governor Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire administering the polio vaccine on a child at the flag-off ceremony of the second round of this year’s National Immunisation Plus day at Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area… yesterday. With them is the Chairman of the local government Semiu Surakat ((standing 3rd right)

He said: “I felt disappointed because we are emphasising internal democracy and a lot of peopleclamourfortheAPCdue to the equal opportunities they expect from it.

“What I saw in Anambra is not acceptable, and I don’t think any credible member of this party would be happy to see that people paid stipulated fees (as aspirants in the congress) and were not allowed to contest after paying because the chairman decided to stay in his hotel collecting list of ward executives.

“I think it is something that should not be allowed to happen in our party, because this (APC) is a house that is being built on solid foundation, in which Nigerians should have hope.”

Igbonekwu urged the party’s national leadership to intervene and address the irregularities observed in the party’s ward congresses.

He stated: “Little did I know that some members were there to perpetuate a hatchet job to deliver a particular candidate.”

Another chieftain of the party, Chief Romeo Anyizia, urged the APC headquarters to cancel whatever result that Ogbuehi generated as it was flawed and marred by massive irregularities.

He accused the Ogbuehi committee of trying to foist and entrench godfather in the party. He noted that it was same ugly trend bedevilling other parties that APC vowed to fight in the polity.

A state chairmanship candidate, Chief Obiorah Igwedibia, noted that the resignation of the congress committee members have openly confirmed his initial alarm that all was not well with the process.

He said he has already filed a protest to the party headquarters, requesting total cancellation of the conduct so far for a transparent minded committee.

Un-Habitat, World Vision Seek Children’s Involvement In Sustainable Cities’ Agenda Pearson Chinedum Uwaegbulam, Medellin, Colombia S the world moves toward A post-2015 Development agenda and Habitat III, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHabitat) and World Vision International, a Christian humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy organisation are proposing that children must be regarded as valued contributors to the formulation and measurement of new urban agenda for the 21st century.

The organisations, which co-

led the first Children’s Assembly at the World Urban Forum 7 (WUF7) on the theme, “Cities for Children – Towards The City We Need,” believe in genuine inclusion of children’s voices and participation to influence the decision makers in designing safe, resilient, prosperous and healthy cities.

Hundreds of millions of children in the world’s cities are living in conditions that threaten their health, prosperity and wellbeing.

Children in poor urban neighbourhoods and slums are unquestionably at high risk.

Many children live under constant threat of eviction. They lack access to clean water and clean toilets. In crowded areas and homes, they are vulnerable to infectious diseases. In overcrowded schools, children suffer from poor quality of education.

There are no playgrounds for children in slums and the public space that is available is contaminated by garbage and dangerous waste.

The 2014 Children Assembly provided a unique platform for children to reflect, discuss, and debate their experience of living in a city, and to play a role

in shaping cities of the future.

The assembly aimed to change the perception of the role of children in shaping cities, a role that has traditionally been non-existent, and create awareness of the importance of their inclusion and contribution to sustainable cities.

The Children’s Assembly promoted participation of children through diverse methods. Paint: Design ‘My dream city’ using Art; Debate: Draft a Children’s Charter about the city they need; and Build: Child friendly space/neighbourhood using blocks.

Isiala Ngwa North Lays Claim To 2015 Abia Governorship From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia ESPITE that Abia State D Governor Theodore Orji desires that his successor should for fairness, equity and justice come from the Ukwa Ngwa bloc, which seemingly should exclude Isiala Ngwa North Council, because it ispartofAbiaCentralSenatorial Zone that Orji hails from, there is the likelihood that the said Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area is interested in the coveted elective office and will support or present their interested aspirants to vie for position.

This likelihood emerged

Thursday evening when a delegation of Isiala Ngwa North loc comprising their traditional rulers and political office holders, visited the governor led by the Chairman of the local council’s Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Joseph Nwabeke and their constituency member in the state House of Assembly, Barr. Martins Azubuike.

Other members of the delegation were former Speaker of the state House of Assembly and serving Chairman of the state polytechnic governing board, Hon. Prince Christopher Enweremadu, member and former Acting Chairman of the

National Population Commission Dr. Sam Ahaiwe, one time state governorship aspirant, Dr. Sampson Esochaghi, including deputy Transition Council Chairman, among others.

Although they told the governor that their visit was “a solidarity and or courtesy one” to thank him for making them major beneficiaries of his government programmes and projects including appointments of their sons and daughters into public positions, they still demanded for the governorship slot.

In their address to the governor read by Eze Joseph Nwabeke,

they made four specific requests, including “that Isiala North LGA should not be excluded in your consideration of a successor.

“However, we shall support any Ukwa Ngwa person whom, with your blessing, emerges the candidateofyourgreatparty,the PDP.” They also told the governor, “Your position on power shift, if you recall, made us collaborate with our two sister councils of Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma Ngwa, under the aegis of Ummunneato, to urge your good self to run for the senate seat of Abia Central Senatorial. of his successor.

Education Gets CSR Award

EARSON Education has P emerged one of the winners of this year’s Lagos State Government’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards.

The state government bestows the yearly awards on corporate organisations, which subscribed to its Support our Schools initiative, aimed at revamping its education sector.

Imo Poly Expels Eight Over Cultism From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri HE authorities of the Imo T Polytechnic, Umuagwo, near Owerri, have announced the expulsion of alleged erring eight students of the institution.

A statement issued by the institution on Thursday, said the expelled students were caught in cultism, adding that their activities were threat to lives of management, staff and students of the institution.

The statement added that 147 others were either asked to repeat or withdraw while 22 others caught in examination malpractices were sanctioned and asked to sign documents of good conduct among other punishments.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April 12, 2014 | 7

METRONOTES

Vedic Partners HACCI To Celebrate World Health Day

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya AST Saturday, Vedic Lifecare Lhospital Hospital, a multi-specialty that boasts worldclass diagnostic technology, in collaboration with Hope Alive Child Care Initiative (HACCI), a non-governmental organization working in the area of empowering people with knowledge on their rights as patients, and reduction in child and maternal mortality organised a walkathon to celebrate the 2014 World Health Day in Lagos.

It was a partnership that brought together men and women from all walks of life, including children to draw attention to the theme for this year’s celebration tagged: “Vector-borne Diseases Prevention,” with the slogan “small bite, big threat.”

Vectors are organisms that transmit pathogens and parasites from one infected person (or animal) to another, causing serious diseases in human populations. These diseases are commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions and places where access to safe drinking water and sanitation systems is problematic.

For the health enthusiasts, it was fun all the way as they sang and danced to the music supplied by a band during the five-kilometre walk that commenced at Vedic Lifecare Hospital premises on the Lekki-Lagos expressway through the first gate of Lekki Peninsula Estate, and back to the take-off point where they were entertained and given a short presentation on preventive care of vector-borne diseases.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, represented by Dr. Jemilade Longe, who is in charge of the Vector Control in the ministry, in his keynote address welcomed such collaborative partnership between the public and

private sectors as a way of encouraging preventive healthcare.

He noted that this year’s theme for the World Health Organization (WH0) celebration was apt because of the havoc vector-borne diseases wreck in our communities.

According to him, “More than one billion out of the world’s seven billion population are infected and more than one million die from vector-borne diseases,” noting that the commonest among the vectors include mosquitoes, sandflies, bugs, ticks and snails, which is why it is important to understand possible preventive measures to take against such diseases in homes, families and places of work.

Idris said that more than half the world’s population is at risk from these diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, schistosomiasis and yellow fever, citing WHO’s record that malaria alone caused an estimated 660,00 deaths worldwide in 2010, most of these being among African children.

Lagos State Government’s response to tackling the menace of vector-borne diseases, he said, is the Integrated Vector Management Program, which consists of the use of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (NNINS), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and Larviciding.

He added that the current round of IRS running for a period of 40 days (from March 15, 2014) is covering Ojo, Ikorodu, Badagry, AmuwoOdofin, Kosofe, IbejuLekki and Epe, while larviciding is simultaneously implemented in Surulere and Kosofe Local Government Areas.

The commissioner lauded the collaboration between the two organizations on the enlightenment campaign, saying that such synergy was needed to sustain existing vec-

tor-control strategies, and urged the participants to spread the message.

General Manager of Vedic Lifecare Hospital, Dr. K. S. Chandraprakash noted that it was the importance the organization attaches to the menace that informed its partnership with the Lagos State Government to make people understand the little things they can do to prevent vector-borne diseases, considering that health is truly wealth.

According to Chandraprakash, vectorborne diseases are not easy to eradicate but every small step taken towards educating people on the importance of the preventive measures that they need to take will go a long way. Such measures include use of mosquito nets, ensuring that there are no stones, tyres, stagnant water around

the house, and use of window screens will keep vectors such as mosquitoes and sandflies at bay.

He said besides spreading the message of preventing vectorborne diseases, walking is a form of exercise that is beneficial to the body. It is also fun and a means of socializing for people in the community.

Executive Director of HACCI, Mrs. Adaugo Nwalema said they decided to partner with Vedic Lifecare Hospital following their discovery on a visit to the place that it has what is needed to give patients quality healthcare, which is what her organization’s campaign is all about.

She said: “We were impressed with what we saw during our visit to the hospital. We asked questions and they took us to the laboratory, they have a lot of equipment and we saw some commitment because

we have a lot of people that come to us and ask us and when we tell them what they should do on their health; they ask which hospital do you think we should use. We are not advocating the use of any hospital but we want to believe that to get the best treatment is to start off with the right check.

What we see here is that they have almost all the equipment needed for handling various types of diseases. They doctors took us round and showed what each equipment does. They took us round the different sections and showed us, for example, the dialysis machine, the breast cancer scanning machine and other equipment they used in the hospital.”

Nwalema explained why Lekki was chosen for the walkathon. “I spoke to lots of

women about the medical system in Nigeria and to my greatest surprise the response I got from Lekki women was shocking. And these are the people that use the first class hospital. You will be shocked at the level of quackery in hospitals we think are the best and you pay million to use them. They all have stories to tell. It got to a stage we were confused because we thought these things happen in the local hospitals that nobody knows but funny enough the most expensive hospital are involved.

“So, Lekki women were impressed and needed to join us to spread the news that it’s not how flamboyant or how beautiful the hospital looks, but try and ask your doctor questions when you visit the hospital because it is your life not the doctor’s, and it’s not free; you are paying for it.”

Stakeholders Want Government To Take Adequate Measures Against Striga From Murtala Muhammed, Kano HE National stakeholders T on Striga Control in Africa has met in Kano to brainstorm on the control of parasitic weed (striga) that is destroying crops. Crops majorly susceptible to striga attacks in Nigeria are cowpea, maize and sorghum.

The experts including agric scientists, agric institutes, seed companies, extension workers and farmers coming together under the project” Achieving Sustainable Striga Control for Poor Farmers in Africa Through Integrated Striga Management in Africa (ISMA) met. Crops majorly susceptible to striga attacks

in Nigeria are cowpea, maize and sorghum.

ISMA is being funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and coordinated

by International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), is anchored on integrated approach to controlling striga, improving soil fertility and reducing the striga seed

bank for sustainable increase in crop yields.

Besides, the experts had raised alarm that striga attack now spreading in Northern part of the country and sub Saharan Africa is capable of frustrating food security in Nigeria if the situation is allowed to degenerate.

Speaking during the stakeholders’ project implementation review meeting held in Kano, the National Project manager Dr. Mel Oluoch explained that the four year action plan targets currently in its third year was to intensify efforts on integrated striga control in Nigeria and to enhance capacity of 15 million farmers on the use of technologies as well as improved varieties of seeds in Kano and Bauchi states.

Dr. Mel stressed that the project is expected to “ increase the productivity of maize and cowpea by 100% by 2014 in the striga infested areas. “You know striga is a very serious challenge to farmers. Striga attaches itself to the roots of plants such as maize and cowpea and sucks out the nutri-

ents and reduces the yields before you know it, the farmers’ harvest has been destroyed.

“We are aware that the most widespread striga species is estimated to have infested up to 4 million hectares of land under maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, causing yield losses of up to 80 percent. This represents up to 1.2 billion dollars in losses for farmers and affects approximately 100 million people in sub-Saharan Africa.”

The project Manager posited that the stakeholder’s meeting was to evaluate and re-validate the 2013 progress reports and implementation work plan ahead of 2015 timeline. “ Our target is to create public awareness on the effect of striga, the introduction of Bio control technology and improved varieties for maize and cowpea. The task would also incorporate training for farmers.”

On the strength of the project so far Dr. Mel said challenges of adulterated seeds and unavailability to meet the

demand is still prevalent.

Emphasizing on the inherent danger of striga on food security in Nigeria, the coordinator of striga control in Nigeria who is also head of International Institute of IITA in Kano Dr. Alfa Kamara revealed that striga attack is currently destroying cowpea, maize and sorghum across Northern Nigeria.

Dr. Kamara insisted that unless concerted efforts are made to increase provision of striga resistant seeds to fight the parasitic weed on major crops the country maybe heading for food insecurity.

Dr Kamara further said:” One of the major challenges we are facing now is the production and distribution of striga resistant cowpea. I can tell you we have not succeeded in that. Although we have seen many companies and Federal Government transformation agenda on agric showing interest to produce and distribute at subsidize rate but we need more striga resistant cowpea to meet the demand,” he said.

8

Saturday, April 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

METRONOTES

By Debo Oladimeji ECTURERS of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) and their South West counterparts, students and sympathizers of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Tuesday marched from Yabatech to Maryland, Lagos, to protest the no work no salary policy of the Federal Government and government’s refusal to meet the 13-point demand of ASUP, following the indefinite strike embarked on by ASUP. Speaking during the protest that was tagged: Yabatech/South West ASUP Rally, the Chairman of ASUP Yabatech, Mr. Adeyemi Aromolaran, said that it has become imperative to clearly state ASUP demands from Federal Government with respect to the ongoing strike action, which commenced since October, 4, 2013.

“Yabatech Chapter of ASUP painstakingly studied the matter objectively and observed the following: “The 13-point demand of ASUP are genuine and are for the progress of the polytechnic education sector. The government has continued to demonstrate the usual apathy towards on-going strike action by ASUP, as it reflects in the handling of the ongoing strike action by ASUP. “The above, therefore, formed the basis of decision by ASUP, Yabatech to join the ongoing strike action with immediate effects as pronounced on February 12, 2014. The 13points demand which culminated into the on-going strike action of ASUP after obvious display of neglect and disregard to polytechnic education sector and ASUP includes, among other things: “Establishment of National Polytechnic Commission (NPC). It is a known fact that all tiers of education has supervising commission, only the Polytechnic sector does not have its own. The agitation has been on for NPC more than a decade.

“Removal of discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) diplomas in comparison with their university counterparts (B.Sc.) by Government. Release of Government white paper from the visitation Panel of 2011 to various Federal polytechnics. Review of obsolete polytechnics act by the National Assembly. Release of funds towards the implementation of CONTISS 15 migration and payment of its arrears,” he said.

The Public Relations Officer of ASUP, Yabatech Mr. Yekini Nureni regretted that the government has stopped their salaries since March instead of meeting their demands.

“Now we don’t have salaries. Also, they were telling the public that we are looking for

L

reconstitute councils for the six remaining federal polytechnics which hitherto have no governing councils,” he said.

He added that one wonders why this should be a problem for the government, after all, these councils will be made up by party men and women, as a way of rewarding them. No member of the Union will benefit directly from the constitution of governing councils,” he said.

Akinjayeju said that one of the most latest issues in dispute is the decision of the Federal money whereas we are telling the government Former Chairman, ASUP Yabatech, Mr. Government to implement the IPPIS, in which to give us Polytechnic Commission. With that Oluwole Akinjayeju said that the monthly emoluments of staff will have to we can educate our students up to PHD level as the Polytechnic Decree of 1979(now an Act) be paid directly by the Central Bank. “The it is being done in other climes.” and other laws governing the polytechnics Union is opposed to this arrangement for He described the strike as a success. “We provide governing council should be estabmany reasons. In the first place, polytechnic thought the early downpour would disturb us lished for each polytechnic for its smooth academic staff, like other staff members, are but the rain was actually a blessing. It helped to running. not direct employers of the Federal cool the weather,” he said. “ The governing councils for federal polytech- Government but employees of the respective He said that the government have waited for nics were dissolved after the 2011 elections governing councils. So the Union is asking that the strike long to last so long because they did and it took the government over two years to staff emoluments should be released to the not believe that polytechnic education is impor- reconstitute councils for some of those governing councils which will then disburse to tant,” schools. ASUP is asking the government to staff as appropriate,” he said.

Yabatech, South West ASUP Protest Govt’s Silence Over Prolonged Strike

Nsafe Awards To Reward Excellence In SMEs The maiden awards to recognise excellence in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), tagged Nigeria SMEs Awards for Excellence (Nsafe Awards), holds later this year, says Mrs. Taiwo Talabi, Relationship Manager of Lakewhyte Communications, the organisers of the award.

By Laolu Adeyemi What are the awards all about?

HE initiative, christened Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises Awards for Excellence (Nsafe Awards), is primed as the focal awards for small and medium scale businesses and will benchmark the progress of small businesses in Nigeria, in line with the country’s developmental agenda.

SMEs have been fully recognised by government and development experts as the main engine of economic growth and a major factor, by extension, in promoting the realisation of the financial systems strategy Vision 20:2020.

This is because the development of this sub-sector is an essential element in the growth strategy of the world’s economies. SMEs are seen as the catalysts for achieving equitable and sustainable industrial diversification and dispersal.

In many countries, SMEs account for well over half of the total share of employment, sales and value added. Notwithstanding the gargantuan role SMEs play in economic development and the challenges they invariably face in the course of carrying out their activities, we do not have a process geared exclusively at rewarding excellence in this important segment of the economy.

That is the vacuum we intend to fill.

We want to promote the cause of SMEs by rewarding excellence, so that operators can do more to contribute to economic development.

T

Talabi We need all hands on deck and every sector can contribute significantly to national growth.

I am not saying we do not have pockets of awards for SMEs operators; Nsafe is coming as a project that will hand awards exclusively to SME operators. It is geared at providing an outlet for SMEs to thrive in Nigeria.

The awards will encourage the growth of SMEs, find creative solutions to the peculiar challenges that confront them while doing business and open up access networks to these fledgling businesses.

The awards will serve an advocacy role in the

SMEs business terrain and act as a nexus between operators and government. The awards will also follow well-honed credibility and transparency pathways and renew hopes of entrepreneurs in a challenging Nigerian business landscape.

What makes the Nsafe Awards different from others?

These are not your everyday kind of awards.

These are awards to celebrate SMEs and we are doing everything possible to make it a grand awards ceremony, which comes up in October.

We are doing a lot, in collaboration with various stakeholders and opinion leaders in the larger Nigerian society to leave a long lasting impression and build on the momentum the inaugural awards will inevitably signpost, The federal government is our chief collaborator, because this project touches on the economy, through its agency of government charged with the responsibility of promoting the activities of SMEs in the country.

Others are stakeholders in the economy who have one thing or the other to do with SMEs, such as telecommunication firms.

Even state governments are in the picture because you now find many of them giving the requisite attention to SMEs as a way of empowering their people and addressing the challenge of unemployment facing the country.

Are the awards open to all SMEs in the country and how will the winners emerge?

Participation in Nsafe Awards will be open to all SMEs in Nigeria. A “Call for Entry” form will be made available through various mainstream and online media channels for organisations, individuals and businesses that intend to participate detailing the criteria for selection of winners in each award category.

A shortlist of participants will ensue and the Jury put together for the purpose of the

Awards will decide winners, in line with the benchmarks and criteria for selection of winners in each award category.

Winners who emerge after the Jury sittings will be announced at the Nsafe Awards gala night.

The Nsafe Awards verification team will visit projects and offices cited by organisations in their entry documents to have a first-hand feel of the stated projects and documents sent, in readiness for the Jury sittings.

All projects cited in the entry documents will go through a stream of video and still- photography and beneficiaries and/or employees of the organisation will be on the record.

Most of the video evidence collected on the field during the verification process will be streamed (documentary) to the audience during the Awards gala night.

The Jury has been constituted into a governing and decision-making organ for the Awards.

Selected jurors will be intricately involved in the various processes and provide input into the annual processes that determine the design, thematic focus and implementation of the Awards.

The Jury will sit on three occasions covertly; sifting meticulously through a stack of entries and matching individual entries against agreed criteria.

The panel of Judges for the Awards will be primarily composed of eminent and distinguished Nigerians who have left indelible footprints in the business, advocacy and communication terrain in the course of time and will decide award winners for the gala night of glitz and glamour.

The awards will recognize excellent SMEs in categories, such as agriculture, agro-allied products, packaged foods, INFOTECH, furniture, textile products, oil and gas, metal works, among others.

We will also have the most innovative SMEs category, the most improved SME category, the best governor in SMEs category and the best SMEs promoter category.

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April 12 2014 | 9

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture With Being and Becoming, Orimolade Stimulates Psychoanalysis Stories by Tajudeen Sowole

had shown Facets of a Psyche at Terra Victoria Islnad, Lagos. About eitht ROM the complex subject of man’s state of Kulture, after, the artist’s thoughts rendered in mind, Odun Orimolade digs out visual inter- years and sculpture as well as pretation of western and African scientific drawings, paintings relief, in some cases, also explore the Yoruba beliefs. perspective along western scholars’ theories This much is loud in her solo art psychoanalysis, fantasy and real state of exhibition, Being and Becoming, which is cur- of Sectionalised into Awamaridi, Blood rently showing, ending on June 10 at Art Twenty minds. and Bone, of Secret, Transcending Series, One, eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Igi Eleso, Space and Awofelebonu, the images The show also raises the bar in the new conappears to articulate the abstractive sciousness of Nigerian Avant-garde: Orimolade though of subject like.study of the state of confirms that expansive space is compatible nature mind, but of illustrative repwith contemporary expression of artists as resentationnon-inclusion confine the presentation noticed on the Lagos art space since the last half academic sphere. Understandably, if into the decades or little more. are “unseen,” the images are perWhile critics may not be comfortable with the themes best presented in abstraction and subnotion that art appreciation is being confined haps tle representational or rated based on the size of a work of art, it “flowing figurative.” style she describes as appears that massive art mentality is the tide However, there exists a duality of contents that artists, promoters and curators would not and appreciation, which brings in a balance. want to swim against. even at the entry point of For those passionate about the infinite and new artists such as art competitions, huge is the complex world of psychoanalysis, the set of key word to win big prize. under Space of Secret might just be of But in fairness to Orimolade, Being and images Some of such works include Becoming is not exactly about ‘huge is art.’ About interest.

Unheard, Unseen, Tinu Eni, Within Sphere, two or three works, including a roof to floor Emanating and Seranko Seniyan. Softening installation titled Igi Eleso, which shoots from the air in the loaded walls the 15 set of the distance extreme end of Art Twenty One works that populated the are left side of the Installation, Igi Eleso, from Odun Orimolade’s art exhibition Being and Becoming space and a dark mural of floating illusion wall. Inspired by the work of a twentieth centagged Plausibility at right side of the entrance tury chemist and anthropologist, Paul the scientist’s photographic images about blood widening the space beyond wall hangings and are clear enough on the art for size trend. the mixed media of paintings and and bone research - clearly in an academic tone - collectibles, every artist seems to be testing the As a body of work Being and Becoming harasses Julien, drawings, Orimolade explains, represent one’s sense of appreciation with the volumes of the scientist’s “archive of images generated” the flavour of aesthetics are unmistaken. Despite waters of contemporaneity, within installation the wall pieces. Individually, the abstractive in Africa during his expedition on the conti- the importance of the anthropological subject and performance medium. For Orimolade, an that inspired the works, the aesthetics value and installation, Igi eleso (Fruitful Trees), is a medicontents of each work stress Orimolade’s pas- nent. um to flaunt her creative ebullience. essence of art is strong. sion for unseen subjects such as fantasy and While Orimolade attempts visual probity of Orimolade, a lecturer at Yaba College of In the current era of art appreciation that is state of minds. Recall that In October 2006, she Technology, Lagos is no doubt a follower of great thinker, Sigmund Feud, so suggests some of her works that look like materials used by late renowned British filmmaker, Alfred Hitchcock in directing those chilling movies.

But she argues that nearly everyone who has After school, he journeyed to Japan consumed western culture has tainted “conHeN returnee sculptor, work of a man’s hands without would send people thinking.”

Roland Idubor brings his skill adding sorrow to it.”

Idubor’s debut international exhi- where he lived for a while. He temporary idea of fantasy influenced by westinto the Nigerian public space In a highly competitive Lagos art bition was held at the Shangri-La recalls that there was a void in his ern psychology.” Documentation of native with a solo exhibition titled Rebirth, scene, Idubor seemed not to ve Hotel in Ghana, late 2004. He and life that he needed to fill, hence the African psychoanalysis may not exist in the acaholding from May 3 to 10, 2014 at scared of facing the established Jimoh Braimoh.j joined their restlessness. Not too long after- demic sense of it, the Yoruba perspective, Nike Art Centre, Lekki, Lagos, a re- clique. “My style is unique! I try to Ghanaian counterparts at a show wards he realized he was yearning Orimolade notes, is worth an attention. invigoration of the artist’s style and revisit the original art form of titled ‘We two together’ under the for inner fulfillment that could “Yoruba belief system accommodates the use ancient Africa with a touch of auspices of the Nigerian High only be derived from knowing the of the other realities in various capacities to technique will be on display. truth about oneself, nature and the order physical responses.” She adds that such Idubor disclosed that the contents modernity. As you know Africans.” Commission in Ghana. of the exhibition have been dis- He disclosed how his themes taps Among his commissioned works Creator. When he became a belief brings “a kind of equilibrium to the negotilled from seven to ten years of from “ the Binis” who are is a Giant sized replica of the Christian that restlessness eased. tiation of life, which can temper one’s responsexperimentation in self-discovery. “renowned for bronze, wood and “World Cup Trophy” during the Born into what he called an idola- es to everyday annoyances and upheavals.” trous background posed a chalIdubor is the son a Benin master ivory wall plaques.” mundial game tour of Nigeria, His work, he said is mainly for the “ On the art scene in Nigeria, Idubor lenge to his art, as most people Apart from creating an atmosphere where aessculptor, Felix, who thetics and academic or high intellectual valwas one of the pioneer Nigerian sake of portability and I use a mate- noted: “So much is being left to know, art is more spiritual than ues of art meet at a common space, Being and artists and contemporaries of Ben rial known as metal filler. People chance. There are no systemic way physical, being that 80 percent of enwonwu. As much as Idubor cher- mistake it for fibre glass, I work of encouraging up and coming the artist’s output has to do with Becoming challenges the confinement of art ishes the achievement of his father, directly on the board and the artists. The various government creativity which is rooted in spiri- appreciation. And of note is that Being and he would not want to build his material is durable. In rare occa- ministries and parastatals sad- tual inspiration! The artist sees Becoming is so eclectic that each of the installaidentity within or around the late sions I use fibre glass. It is no secret dled with the responsibility of things in his mind before repro- tion and painting/drawing could have come that Africans did very little paint- promoting the arts are sitting on ducing them, and the African tradi- from as many artists as sectionalized. In fact the sculptor’s legacy.

“The greatest and the most tedious ing. So I do a lot of Reliefs and their oars. For instance when last tion is so neatly weaved around Orimolade that followers of her oeuvre know journey any man will ever embark Mixed Media works, my medium did we have an arts festival focus- religion, so one of his greatest chal- are the set of wall pieces under Blood and Bone.

Still exploring the Yoruba perspective, this upon is the journey of self discov- as a sculptor gives me ample possi- ing squarely on visual arts? Yet we lenges was finding the thin line bilities to explore just anything want to promote tourism. between the African tradition and time as a medium, Orimolade implores ewi ery,” Idubor said. (mono-narrative) in the poetry-like rendition Roland trained directly under his ranging from wood, metal, plastic, Tourism thrives on arts and cul- spirituality. In his words, Roland Idubor held his first group for the performance version of Plausibility. “The father and became an associate and nylon, just anything that ture”, exhibition here in Nigeria in 2000 performance is a tangent from the big drawing. sculptor in his gallery in Benin titled Legacy at the Lagos Country It is like one of the many tiny bubbles in the before he was 20., in late 1980s, iduClub. From 2001-2003 he held drawing what could be and how it is impossibor traveled out of Nigeria to series of group exhibitions, but his ble to fathom or limit.” explore the european art environfirst solo exhibition tagged; The complexity of digging into the unseen and ment but ended up in the school of ‘Celebrating Womanhood’ was in unknown is explained in the artist’s statement. commerce Pietro De Giorgio in the 2004, it held at the prestigious “We take account and can follow the progress Abruzzo State of Italy.

‘Ikoyi Club 1938’. It was declared of developing these innumerable aspects of our Over the years the sculptor’s work open by the then Hon. existence beginning from the point of the has taken diverse faces, trying to Commissioner for home affairs unknown, there is the travel through a mass of strike a balance between his faith and culture –Lagos state, information that returns us right back to the and African cultural value. “I wantBabatunde Balogun. Then he took point of the unknown. It becomes difficult to ed to celebrate the rich cultural his trade to Ghana where he question the unseen other than to begin the heritage of Africa without hurting received immediate acceptance by cycle of research again.” my religious beliefs.” And the artist the Ghana ian art enthusiast. His As an artist, digging into the science of unseen in him that also preaches the works are currently displayed at state of minds and contextualizing same in gospel compels his work “to The Artist Alliance, the biggest imageries, she says, is an effort in trying to address social and spiritual issues,” gallery in Ghana and his works “machinate emotional intensity and spiritual . He explained that the link were acquired in celebration of the reaction through an exploration of the biomorbetween a man’s creation and his Ghana ian 50th independence cele- phic, flowing figurative and abstract modes.” source of inspiration are crucial. bration.

“God almighty alone blesses the

F

Sculptor, Idubor Rebirths In ‘Self-discovery’ W

10 Saturday, April 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

TRAVEL&TOURISM Exhibitors Gear Up For INDABA 2014 Ajibola Amzat OT fewer than 398 exN hibitors have confirmed their attendance at the INDABA

A child tourist on motorbike at Omu resort

Omu Resort: Building Of A Disney World In Lagos Jungle

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku ECREATION in Nigeria, especially Lagos state has for long been limited to people gathering together, eating and drinking. And most Lagosians do this at the beach.

This ritual may soon change as the owner of Omu Resort is coming up with a new tourism experience for Lagosians.

Omu Resort, a 22.4 hectares of land situated in a serene environment at the foot of Omu river at Bogije town, Lekki Epe expressway, Lagos features zoo with variety of animals ranging from lion, giraffes, zebras, baboons, monkeys, hyenas, jackals, crocodiles, ostriches, peacocks, snakes and others.

There is also amusement park, Koi pond, outdoor park, go karting, miniature golf and horse riding. A Section of the facility, SeaWorld showcases different aquatic animals, archery, wax museum, quad

R

biking and so on.

According to a spokesperson of the resort, Olabisi Falase, he said the idea is directed towardso giving Lagos state a signature project; educate the tourists while offering them recreational activities. He said project such as Omu resort aims to change people’s attitude and perception and solves the dilemma faced by most parents of where to take their children during holiday.

Olabisi revealed that the project started in Surulere simply as a SeaWorld where schools and families come for excursions to learn about aquatic life. According to him, the vision got larger as a result of influx of people, which made the location too small to accommodate the many visitors that visit on daily basis, hence, the establishment of Omu Resort.

“The Omu Resort was conceived as a complete destination point for schools, families

Golden Tulip Hotel Opens In

By Cleopatra Eki N THE North –East of O Warri, Delta State a new hotel has sprung up. It is called Golden Tulip Hotel. But these are not another rows of rooms; Golden Tulip is an architectural beauty.

Located at the commercial heart of Warri/ Effurun along Delta Steel Company /Effurun Expressway, just a few kilometres from the Osubi Air Strip for fly-in tourists, the 6storey hotel has several luxury rooms tastefully furnished with the state-of the-arts interior décor to satisfy customers that have eyes on class.

In the hotel, there are several bars and restaurants that provide choice wine and cuisine.

Customers could benefit from not only from sumptuous meals served at breakfast, launch and dinner, but also from exotic drinks served both indoor and outdoors.

Thanks to the skilled staff who have mastered the art of preparing mouth-watering local and continental dishes.

There is also an Olympic- size swimming pool, a high-Tech gymnasium that caters for

the wellness and fitness of its customers. There is a heavyduty generator to power the entire facility.

These massive structures also include another 6 -storey building that houses the state –of-the-art Cinema hall with a shopping complex.

Golden Tulip Hall Fame Dela is adjacent to the Cinema, a grand- hall that carters for different occasions such as birthday, wedding ceremonies and annual general meetings [AGMS].

Generally, the atmosphere of Golden Tulip provides an exciting and totally new experience for potentials customers. It is one special place to experience magical and romantic moments with loved ones.

Chairman of Tulip Hotel, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi said the concept of the Hotel is one –stop shop where customers can access several services in one location.

There is something for everyone; the children have cinema and game centre, while the parents could do their shopping within the complex.

and corporate organizations.

We thought of establishing a vacation spot where parents can come with their children; spend three or more hours without being bored. Our floor plan aims at providing our visitors with a rewarding experience that will broaden their educational spectrum in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. We have many facilities for all ages and the fun is endless yet educating.

“Our mission is to provide an entertainment and educational environment in which to display and propagate animals (both aquatic and wild) in a safe manner that gives a unique viewing opportunity to all of our visitors as well as ensure that other activities compliment our exhibits. Our

strategy is to enhance the quality of the time spent by our visitors by developing a blend of education, entertainment and other environmental aspects, to improve respect for the land and the life it supports.”

Olabisi said that Nigeria is richly blessed with a variety of resources apart from oil and other stuffs and needed to make the most out of them.

He disclosed that Nigeria has the world’s largest diversity of butterfly which is located in areas surrounding Calabar, has 81 different types of snakes that are unique to us and 357 different types of fishes particular to our water.

“That’s what we should be exhibiting in this country; it is our heritage. If you can show-

case over 1000 different butterflies in one place, that’s a tourist attraction; people will come from different parts of the world to come and see it.

“Every major city in the world has a signature project. In London, there is the London Eye, the Buckingham Palace; if you talk of Dubai, you talk of the Burj Al Arab Tower, the Underwater World; the Sand Safari; in Singapore, you talk of the Formula One; the Statue of Liberty in New York, America; same with other major cities.

For us in Lagos, you can never truly build a mega-city without a signature project-something you can identify the city with. And this is what we are trying to achieve with this resort; where you can proudly take your foreign visitor to and

2014 in Cape Town South Africa, an event described as one of the world’s iconic travel shows.

According to the organisers of the event, South African Tourism (SAT), the exhibitors would showcase their offerings to the 1441 confirmed top quality travel and tourism buyers aiming to benefit from the growing tourism business in Africa.

The exhibitors whose attendance have been confirmed include international big-name brands such as Travelstart, the South Africa’s leading online travel agency); WAYN.com, the world’s biggest travel and lifestyle social networking community website; TripAdvisor, the biggest destination marketing organisation in the world; Expedia, one of the world’s largest online travel booking agencies; Springnest,offering simple web, mobile and social marketing for small tourism businesses and Nightsbridge that offers the industry real time software and marketing links, and others.

These exhibitors have a vast global appeal in both the developed markets, namely USA and Europe as well as emerging markets in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and attract the volume of inbound tourists that the continent wants and needs, SAT said.

The organiser has also announced that TechZone would give digital service providers to the tourism industry the space to meet both buyers and exhibiting delegates.

INDABA 2014 is the single biggest and best platform for doing business in African tourism,” says Thulani Nzima, Chief Executive Officer at South African Tourism.

Already, destinations with travel product representation confirmed to exhibit at INDABA 2014 are Angola, Benin, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Reunion Island, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zim-

Tourism Business & Innovation Summit Holds In May REMISED on the prospect P that tourism will be a key driver of Nigerian economy in the future, an event company is organizing a three-day exclusive summit on tourism business & innovation that aims to create opportunities for showcasing upscale tourism initiatives for Nigerian market.

According to release from the company, the event is scheduled to hold from 14 – 16 May, at Nicon Luxury Abuja.

The summit will serve as a melting point for strategic partnerships and investments in various tourism deliverables Nigeria has to offer.

Expected at the meeting are President, International Coalition of Tourism Partners ICTP & Founder of Greenearth.travel, Professor Geoffrey Lipman; the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Sally Mbanefo; CEO of Aerotropolis Airport City, Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Silverbird Group, Mr. Ben Murray Bruce and CEO of ABC Transport PLC, one of Nigeria’s most successful transport companies with Executive Coach Services, Dr. Frank Nneji.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April 12, 2014 | 11

NEWSFEATURE

Rethinking Niger Delta’s Future After Oil

The estuarine crossing over Bonny River, which is a part of the proposed East-West Coastal Road project

By Albert Tunner N spite of the huge oil revenue allocations Iregion available to the states in the Niger Delta from the Federation Account and other internally-generated ones, there are indications that they are not experiencing the best of times economically. It is no gainsaying the fact that the current over-dependence on oil earnings to these states has stunted growth and development in other prime and revenue yielding areas of the people’s life.

The prevailing over-dependence on oil as the topmost mono-economic index of revenue generation has indirectly reduced many state governments’ focus on other possible prime areas of revenue earnings such as solid minerals, agriculture, tourism and the like. These are some of the areas that had sustained the people of the Niger Delta before the discovery of oil in Oloibiri, in the present-day Bayelsa State, in 1956. As soon as the petro-dollar from the exportation of crude oil started streaming in, the past administrators paid less attention to other areas of the economy that, hitherto, yielded revenue for the sustenance of the region and its people.

Expert opinions from reputable geologists from across the world infer that there is the possibility of the oil wells in the Niger Delta region drying up in 40 years time. This prediction is premised on the statistics of the current exploitation of about 2.5 million barrels of crude oil per day that may take a 40-year time span to deplete the region’s estimated total reserve of 37.2 billion barrels of crude oil.

Ironically, most of the country’s poor cadres of citizens live in the Niger Delta region where the exploitation of petroleum and gas has created gory scenes of oil spillage; distorted bio-diversity, ecological degradation that has reduced or ruined the people’s access to common living

Leaders should revisit the concept and gradual actualisation of the EastWest Coastal Road, which is designed as an artery of sustainable development in the quest to develop the Niger Delta region. The concept, construction and cost of the East-West Coastal Road surpasses, in sheer magnitude, geographical spread, technical and structural specification, of any other project ever undertaken by any Nigerian government since independence in 1960

amenities.

This worst-case-scenario is further worsened by the fact that those who provide measures and interventions to reduce or out rightly eliminate those harrowing after-effects of petroleum and gas exploration and exploitation are not doing the needful to stem the scourge of environment degradation, loss of biodiversity, defoliation of flora and destruction of fauna; loss or dislocation of the ecosystem, large scale oil spillages; loss of arable farm lands and rich fishing ponds; unemployment and attendant poverty, among other effects.

Furthermore, the issue of deforestation; sheet and gully erosion and the ever-present pollution of the air and water constitute a major source of worry to the people of the area considering the fact that there is a weak enforcement of environmental laws by the appropriate authorities. Rather than monitor and regulate the sources and uses of some of the chemicals such as organic pollutants and ozone-depleting substances in the oil industry, the prescribed regulatory authorities are averse to their cumulative effects, which on the main, affects the health and well-being of a large mass of Niger Deltans.

In relative terms, those negative areas of oil exploration and exploitation that have continued to assail the living standard of the average Niger Deltan, would have reduced it to bare existence, in the next 40 years, with no enduring base of critical infrastructure and human capital development that would have been sourced from the-over-five decades-long exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in the region.

With this gloomy picture in mind, it is imperative that the present and incoming leaders and policy makers should focus on novel and visionary concept of a Niger Delta After Oil to arrest the prevailing trend of over-dependence on oil revenues which will cease one day. These leaders should go beyond rhetorics, grandstanding and selfserving platitudes and give holistic interpretation to the sustainable development of the states in the region for the benefit of the present and coming generation of its citizens.

The conscious and self-imposed movement from over-dependence on oil revenue to non-oil ones should be predicated on the focused development of those key and critical sectors that will lighten the burden of the people in the event of waning petro-revenue earnings or complete stoppage.

The critical areas, worthy of attention, should include infrastructure develop-

Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Bassey Dan-Abia ment; the construction and enablement of specialised macro-economic free trade zones and industrial parks (preferably in mutually-beneficial partnerships with the organised private sector - local or foreign); agriculture development to provide agrobased raw materials for production uses; integrated rural development; provision of clean portable water; provision of affordable and reliable energy; housing development, employment; youth development and human capital development; increased resource allocation to education and social services; reduction in child mortality rates; improved maternal health; combating HIV and AIDS, malaria and other endemic diseases; environment protection; rural-based micro-industries and so on.

Above all, the leaders should revisit the concept and gradual actualisation of the East-West Coastal Road, which is designed as an artery of sustainable development in the quest to develop the Niger Delta region.

The concept, construction and cost of the East-West Coastal Road surpasses, in sheer magnitude, geographical spread, technical and structural specification, of any other project ever undertaken by any Nigerian government since independence in 1960.

Originating from Udukpani in Cross Rivers State, the proposed road will transverse and connect over 1,000 communities along its route with growth poles on the northcentral-south ribs while achieving easy access and reduction in travel-time before terminating at Aiyeteju, Epe, in Lagos State.

The East-West Coastal Road will be a major landmark or legacy project (and in fact the flagship) of the Federal Government infrastructure development intervention in the Niger Delta region. It is incontestable that this East-West Coastal Road will be very vital to the enhancement, advancement and operation of the Niger Delta economy as an artery that will harness, synergise and power the economic, social and industrial empowerment of a people who have carried the yoke of deprivation, degradation and denial for so long. It is very important that the Federal Government should prioritise this road so that Nigeria will not fail to deliver on its segment of the Trans-African Highway (TAH7 and TAH8), that is, the Dakar-Lagos Highway (which is also known as the Trans-West African Coastal Road) and the Lagos-Mombasa Highway, of which the East-West Coastal Road is a major component, when constructed.

It is important that the leaders of the region (especially the political administrators) place a high premium on the actuali-

sation of this futuristic project that is primarily based on Resource and Revenue Diversification by creating novel avenues and a conducive environment for focused and proper use of the region’s natural endowments.

In kick-starting these new points of revenue generation, the administrators should be conscious of the fact that oil and gas resources (and to wit, revenues there from) are exposed and susceptible to global price fluctuations and politics; are inherently exhaustible; non-renewable and nonreusable. To achieve maximum mileage in the quest to create new vistas for non-oil revenue, they should create Special Purpose Vehicles such as directorates, departments and agencies to oversee, supervise and actualise specific directives, specifications and other requirements that will bring into fruition, those processes that will either reduce or eliminate overdependence on oil-revenues.

In concept and actualisation, the futuristic Niger Delta After Oil should be approached from the two points of (a) utilising prudently, revenue from the nearmono-economic petroleum sector to develop other core and key areas of the region’s economy and (b) diversifying the revenue base of the Niger Delta to other key sectors of agriculture, tourism, Free Trade Zones, including Industrial Parks; small and medium scale enterprises and the like.

It is projected that the role of the component governments in the region should be defined as the facilitators and promoters who will provide those core incentives and interventions in the defined areas to promote those specific sectors, through visionary and judicious deployment of the region’s oil earnings and ensure a hasslefree Niger Delta after Oil. Albert Tunner, an environmentalist, wrotefrom Port-Harcourt.

The conscious and self-imposed movement from over-dependence on oil revenue to non-oil ones should be predicated on the focused development of those key and critical sectors that will lighten the burden of the people in the event of waning petro-revenue earnings or complete stoppage.

12

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April 12, 2014

DIARY

Partner WTS ADEBIYI & Associates, Ayo Oyewole, Partner WTS, Olaleye Adebiyi; Chairman,Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) Dr. Tunde Folwer; Senior National Partner KPMG), Seyi Bickersteth; Representative of Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. S.S Ogungbesan and Partner WTS ADEBIYI & Associates), Maxwell Ukpebor at the WTS ADEBIYI & Associates Tax seminar held at the Agip Hall, MUSON Centre Lagos on the 8th of April 2014.

Manager Maraba Branch Winasbet Ltd, Onwuatu Ifeoma; Grand Winner, Mr. Ilo Eric Ugo, and Assistant Manager Maraba Branch Winasbet Ltd., Baiyekusi Bose during the presentation of N9.1million cheque to the winner of Sports Betting at the Winasbet Golden Gate Free Viewing Centre Abuja…recently

Mrs. Foluso Ajulo,Head,Marketing/Sales Unit ,Vono Products Plc(6th left ); Vono Managing Director, Mrs. Titilola Bakare, flank by customers during the company customers’ forum held at the company premises,Lagos ….recently

Former National President of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief John Odeyemi (left); and his wives, Cecilia; Victoria; and Kofoworola, during his 75th birthday thanksgiving service, at Ile-Ife…recently

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) Vice President, Dr. Nat Ofo; Chairman of the occasion, Eng. Monsur Ahmed and Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr.Sam Amadi, during a public lecture oragnised by ICSAN on power sector regulation held in Lagos…recently

Sales Manager, JCB, Mrs. Mariam Kahloun Safa (left); Representative of Vita Construction Limited, Rodoalpho Dehoedt; General Manager, Leventis Motors, Vivek Deshmukh; and Head of Sales, JCB, Yogesh Tripathi at JCB/FOTON products’ launch in Lagos…recently

Special Guest of honour, MD/CEO, OMATEK Computers, Engr. Florence Seriki, guest speaker, Vice President, Corporate Media & Resources, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Margaret Oguntala; APWEN National President, Engr. Nnoli Akpedeye; the outgoing chairman, APWEN Lagos Chapter, Engr. Felicia Agubata; incoming Chairman, Engr. Nimot Muili; Chairman, Arup Nigeria, Engr. Adekunle Adebajo; APWEN Past President, Engr.

Nwankeego Ojukwu and NSE Lagos Branch Chairman, Engr. Yetunde Holloway during the launch of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, (APWEN) Lagos Chapter Scholarship and Executives Inauguration… recently

Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho, Head, Corporate Communications, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and his wife, Modupe at a praise and thanksgiving service held in their Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja residence to commemorate Mrs. Ipinmisho’s 50th birthday recently

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Orioghwo during their marriage ceremony held in Warri, Delta State… recently

Mr. Tuoyo Omagba and his wife, Mrs. Gloria during their traditional marriage ceremony in Uromi, Edo State…recently

Saturday, April 12, 2014 | 13

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SOCIETY Abia Honours Ihejirika Recently, the government and people of Abia State organised a grand reception for their son, the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, at the State Capital, Umuahia Abia State. Below are faces of some dignitaries that graced the occasion.

Lt. Gen. A.O. Ihejirika and his wife, Gift

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State and his wife, Odochi

Gen. Alexander Ogomudia, Former COAS, Former CDS & Major Gen. Patrick Akpa (Rtd)

HRM Eze S N Okerie, HRM Eze Eberechi Dick Chairman Abia State Traditional Rulers Conucil, HRM Eze G C Chionye

Most Rev. A C Okenwa Archbishop of ABA, Bishop O C Chiemeka, Bishop Uzuakoil, Bishop of Ndoro Methodist church and another dignitary

Mrs. Dick Iruenabere, Mrs. Isio Chioba, Mrs. Jemilat Adeosun, and Mrs. Aruk Isom

4th Degree Investiture Of Order Of The Knights Of Saint Mulumba The Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, Lagos Metropolitan Council recently held its 4th Degree Investiture at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road, Ikeja. Below are some faces at the event.

The Supreme Knight Anthony Onuh (middle) cutting the investiture cake assisted by the Parish Priest, Catholic Church of the Ascension, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road, Ikeja, Rev Fr. Umoh; Lagos Metropolitan Grand Knight, Charles Mbelede; and immediate past Lagos Metropolitan Grand Knight, Sir Patrick Ikemefuna and a host of other top officials of the Knights of Saint Mulumba.

Supreme Knight Anthony Onuh (middle) cutting the investiture cake assisted by a cross section of the newly inducted 4th Degree Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba.

Supreme Knight Anthony Onuh (middle) cutting the investiture cake flanked by the Noble President, Lady Ngozi Pat Nwachukwu and a cross section of the newly inducted 4th Degree Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba.

Lagos Metropolitan Grand Knight, Charles Mbelede presenting a gift to the the Noble President, Lady Ngozi Pat Nwachukwu while the Supreme Knight Anthony Onuh and others watch in admiration.

The Chief Celebrant and Catholic Archbishop of Calabar Diocese flanked by Rev. Fr. Umoh blessing the Noble President and Head of Ladies of Saint Mulumba, Lady Ngozi Pat Nwachukwu.

14 | Saturday, April 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Instructions on how to play the game Starting from the square numbered ‘1’, fill in the first word, writing from left to right. Also fill in the second word, starting in the box numbered '2'.

You will observe that the second word will overlap the first word.

Also, the third word will overlap the second word and so on.

Keep on filling the words in a clockwise direction until all the squares are completely filled, using the clues/ definitions below:

OVERLAPPING WORD GAME with OLULANA KAYODE O8023183727 olulana3@yahoo.com Solutions To Overlapping Word Game ‘48’

Overlapping Word Game ‘49’ 1. Move backward and forward 2. Artist’s studio 3. Somebody living apart from others 4. Serving purpose 5. Most recent 6. Individual’s standing 7. Urinary duct 8. Burst out 9. 3-Wheeled vehicle 10. Not dirty 11. Once a year 12. Bequest made in will 13. Repeated sequence of events 14. Member of clergy 15. Cross River State capital City 16. Gunfire bursts 17. Person from Germany 18. Relating to seafaring 19. Be neglected 20. Son of Abraham in the Bible 21. Stylish and grateful 22. Substance that stimulates antibody production 23. Invalidate something 24. Relate events

1. Dongoyaro 2. Aromatic 3. Icing 4. Goronyo 5. Yola 6. Lawal 7. Lagos 8. Sokoto 9. Toronto 10. Torch 11. Charade 12. Defer 13. Rale 14. Legible 15. Lebanon 16. Nonage 17. Enigma 18. Agbakoba 19. Ablaze 20. Entertain 21. Taint 22. Tedious 23. Scalp 24. Pace

By Bayo Ogunmupe\ 08034673443 http:/ogunmupe.blogspot.com

On The Path Of Winners

Breaking The Curse Of poverty L

IKE we have discussed earlier in this column, poverty is a spirit and a curse, we cannot avoid addressing this spiritual dimension to poverty. Events occur in the spirit realm before they happen in the physical. The spirit realm controls the physical realm.

Most happenings in the physical are being manipulated from the spirit world, which is why poverty is the result of curses emanating from the spirit world. God cursed disobedience in Deuteronomy Chapter 28 from verses 15 to 20. ‘‘Why will a man disobey God and invite all those curses into his life?’’ You may ask. The answer is that the spirit of poverty manipulates a person’s life by making him walk contrary to God’s commandments, such that the curse of poverty can be enforced on him.

The disobedience of Adam to the laws of God brought the curse of poverty, as the consequence of sin. Lack, hardship and poverty never existed in the Garden of Eden until Adam disobeyed Jehovah. It took the sacrificial seed of Noah: Genesis 8: 20-22 to break the curse upon the ground.

Noah’s seed broke the curse and established the eternal curse-breaking principle called the principle of sowing and reaping. Disobedience to this law has kept the curse alive.

It is the spirit of poverty or the curse that makes you to be stingy towards God and your fellowman. It is the curse that makes you disobey God’s economic principles. It is the curse that makes you unfaithful to God. It is the same reason that your pride and arrogance have alienated helpers from you. It is the spirit of poverty that keeps you lazy. It is the curse that keeps you away from the

information that can change your story. So it makes you satisfied with ignorance. Which is why poverty is a curse that must be broken. ‘‘But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the scriptures, ‘‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’’

Through the work of Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham; and we believers receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

The law and God’s promises’’ – Gal. 3: 13-14.

Jesus paid the price for our redemption and as covenant children of God, the curse of poverty is rendered powerless over us except we invite and permit it in our lives – through ignorance, unfaithfulness, laziness, pride, sin, disobedience and bad habits, attitudes and lifestyles. ‘‘Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight,’’ Pro 26:2. No curse can prevail without a cause, so refrain from curse – inviting habits.

Before we examine the last cause of poverty, I wish to emphasize the need for you to re-consider the following truths: if you wish to succeed in life, you must fight ignorance, with passion; resist laziness, avoid unfaithfulness like a plague; avoid pride, then there will be no room for curses in your life. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Priests who are to teach us the investment mindset are ignorant of it. Those who know it want to keep it away from the people so as to keep them in religious bondage. ‘‘The labour of the foolish wearieth

everyone of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city;’’ Ecc. 10:15. People labour in vain because they don’t know how to develop investment mentality, and apply investment principles to get the best out of their labour.

If you desire to become rich, you must make a conscious effort to develop the mindset required to make it happen. There are five toxic mentalities, which hinder your growth in life. You must eradicate them. The first toxic mindset is the nomadic mentality. This mentality is a kind of vagabond spirit that controls people. Like nomads, it keeps you roaming the country without any fixed location or vocation. You go from job to job; place to place, business to business without focus and consistency. You lack the staying power and concentration to hone a niche for yourself in one place. It was not until Abraham settled in one place that he became the father of faith.

Even though Jehovah promised him (Abraham) Canaan, he still had to buy into it by labouring to activate the promise before possessing Canaan.

Abraham paid for land, a land that Yahweh promised him – Genesis 23: 1-20. The second hindering mindset is the consumer mentality. To always consume without producing is the hallmark of those harbouring the consumer mindset. ‘‘There is desirable treasure and oil in the dweling of the wise. But a foolish man squanders it,’’ Pro 21:20. Many live a prodigal lifestyle of wasteful spending and end up in shame, poverty and hardship.

Our champion this week is Angela Merkel, the German stateswoman and chancellor since

2005. Born Angela Dorothea Kasner, better known as Angela Merkel, she was born in Hamburg, West Germany in July 1954. Trained as a physicist, Merkel became Germany’s first female chancellor and a leading figure of the European Union, following the 2005 national elections.

The daughter of a Lutheran pastor and teacher, Angela grew up in a rural neighbourhood of Berlin in the then German Democratic Republic. She studied physics in the University of Leipzig, earning her doctorate in 1978. Then she worked as a chemist with the Central Institute for Physical Chemistry between 1978 and 1990.

In 1990 she joined the CDU and soon after was appointed to Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s cabinet as minister for women and youth. Following Kohl’s defeat in 1998, she was named secretary general of the CDU. She was elected party leader in 2000, but lost the CDU candidacy for chancellor in 2002 to Edmund Stoiber.

In the 2005 election, she narrowly defeated Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, winning by just three seats and after agreeing to a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD), she was declared Germany’s first female chancellor.

Merkel is also the first former citizen of the German Democratic Republic to lead the reunited Germany. She made headlines in October 2013 when she accused the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) of tapping her cell phone. Merkel chided the U.S. saying, ‘‘spying among friends is never acceptable.’’ Later reports revealed that the NSA may have been

Saturday, April 12, 2014 | 15

The GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SOCIeTY Olowofoyeku Ties Nuptial Knots With Ageles

By Odita Sunday

Recently Oil merchant, Mrs. Grace Olowofoyeku hosted a befitting wedding ceremony for his son, Nkeakam Enenmoh and his bride former Miss Chique Ageles in Victoria Island, Lagos. Here are some faces at the event.

Mr. and Mrs. Grace Olowofoyeku

Nkeakam Enenmoh and his bride Chiqui Enenmoh

Philipino relatives of the bride

Mrs. Olowofoyeku and a guest

Mrs and Mrs. Olowofoyeku with guests

MeTRONOTeS Ayo,Olaopa, Others, Celebrate Civil Service Commission At he Chairman of Federal Civil T Service Commission, Deaconess Joan Ayo has said that civil service is going to remain the stabilising force of government activities in the country.

According to her despite the challenges faced by the civil service in the past, especially during the military era, it has continued to make spirited efforts to recover its past glory, especially under the present administration.

Speaking in Abuja along with other professional civil servants like the Chairman of Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries, Chief Phillip Asiodu, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology Dr. Tunji Olaopa, and a retired Federal Permanent Secretary and pioneer Director General of the Bureau of Public Service, Dr. Goke Adegoroye on Federal Civil Service Commission at 60: The Way Forward,” Ayo said, the commission under her leadership was determined to uphold the traditional core values of civil service in the country.

She promised to ensure an efficient civil service that is patriotic, highly cultured and committed to the sustainable development of the country in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda.

Ayo pointed out that the commission has been living up to the expectations of the people. “To uphold its vision and mission, especially in the area of strict adherence to the measures it put

in place to increase the number of vacancies.”

The chairperson promised to lead the commission to the next level.

“To ensure a civil service that will take its rightful position and contribute to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

“Most importantly, a civil service that is well trained and globally competitive, because we don’t want to see ourselves as an island doing our things differently from the global best practices,” she added.

In the same vein, Dr. Olaopa said that the new system in the civil service was premised on policy management, process reengineering and capacity enhancement framework.

“There are three major areas to the change that is happening in the nation’s civil service. One of them is in the policy management domain that is, the way we run government business which orientation is changing with the new system of strategic planning, goals and target setting, tracking and measurement of performance.

“Yes, we follow due process, comply with the Federal Character principle, but with strong focus on the service that will be delivered, who our customers and stakeholders are, our contractual obligations and innovation to improve on services delivered.

“More concretely at process level, we are leveraging on technology to increase digital penetration to modernize service delivery, increase responsiveness of agencies and cycle time within the value-

chain,” he explained.

Olaopa further stressed the need to increase the intelligent quotient (IQ) of the civil service, disclosing that, the process of selection of people to the top level is getting more rigorous.

In their remarks, Asiodu and Adegoroye wanted government to take pragmatic steps towards reclaiming the lost glory of the civil service and rebuilding a sustainable foundation for a greater future for the service.

They also advocated renewed efforts to inculcate the core values of the public service like loyalty, discipline, efficiency and professionalism in the present day officers in line with the commission’s drive towards innovation and global best practices.

Ayo

Olaopa

16 | Saturday, April 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SHORT STORY

By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) OVE, they say, is blind. One can also add Lseems that love is a mystery. This particular story odd and bizarre but it is a true life story. Ejibe was a very ugly dwarf. He was so ugly and short that it actually seemed the word ‘ugly’ was created for him alone. He was about 3ft tall and stocky. He had a very big mouth, big nose and very small arms. His head was big and he had large eyeballs with very intimidating and scary look. He had a long, bushy and rough rastafarian hair, the type Yorubas call Dada awuru yale ya igi oko.

He was in his early 30s but had the stature of a three-year-old boy. He had a voice that sounded like the croaking of a full-grown frog.

Ejibe lived in the ancient town of Osukoro in Osun State. In that town, no one knew how Ejibe coped with his romance life. He had never been known or seen with a woman all his life. He was a palm wine tapper for a very long time. It actually seemed Ejibe was married to the palm wine tree because most times, he could be seen passionately climbing the palm wine tree with such skill and dexterity that even monkeys would be green with envy and wouldn’t dare try his antics.

That very year, rumour was rife that Ejibe was illegally dating the tall and beautiful wife of Chief Takunla who was a paramount chief in the town. It came to the hearing of Takunla himself that Ejibe was having amorous relationship with his beloved wife, Womitan. He laughed and dismissed the rumour, saying it was downright impossible.

“Haba, how can that be possible?,” the ebullient chief said that eventful morning while going out when a friend accosted him. “Ejibe among the multitude of people in this town!

Womitan would never try it, it’s absolutely ridiculous! What would be the attraction of my tall and beautiful wife to an ugly midget?

Don’t tell me nonsense!”

But sincerely, Ejibe was actually dating Womitan and having illicit affair with her.

Love Gone Crazy!

Any time the popular chief left his house for his place of work, Ejibe would sneak in and before one could say ‘Ejibe,’ he was right on the chief’s matrimonial bed, making passionate love to his wife.

Wonders would never end! Womitan was a very tall, charming and beautiful woman.

Only God knew the attraction she had for a midget as ugly as Ejibe. Despite the fact that Womitan had a three-year-old son for the paramount chief, she still had the carriage of a beauty queen. She always pretended and even swore in the presence of her husband that she couldn’t dare such a thing. Chief Takunla was a tall, handsome and dark-skinned man with all the attributes of a successful person.

One Tuesday night, Takunla told his delectable wife that he was leaving for his place of work but he had a master plan up his sleeves.

That night was like every other night. The chief would always go for night duty at his working place. Ejibe, most of these times, would seize the opportunity, sneak in and make love his wife. But this time around, the chief wanted to really find out if truly his wife was cheating on him. He had gone out about an hour later when Ejibe sneaked inside his house to ease his libidinous appetite.

“Oh dear, Ejibe you’re here already, my honey…” Womitan said softly.

“O yes, I’m here sweetie,” Ejibe said while clearing his froggy throat to speak. “I missed you over the weekend because your husband doesn’t go out at weekends. Let’s get down to the real thing quickly.”

Womitan and Ejibe began to make love the next moment. It was bliss and romantic ecstasy all the way. Suddenly, as they were lost in deep orgy of love, they were shocked to hear the heavy knocks on the door and Takunla’s angry voice outside.

“Womitan, open this door quickly!” the chief called restlessly. “Open the door quickly I say!” The chief was fuming with rage and undiluted anger, while clenching his fists.

“I’m coming chief, just hold on,” Womitan said, shaking and trembling all over like a thief caught red-handed. She knew there and then that she was in trouble, a trouble of apocalyptic magnitude! She didn’t know what to do. She sighed and sighed continuously. ‘Where would I hide Ejibe?’ she thought. Ejibe all the while was sweating and fidgety. He felt as if the earth should open up and swallow him. Confusion and dilemma was the apt words to describe the present mood of the two shameless lovers.

As the seconds ticked away, an idea struck Womitan’s mind. Instantly, she grabbed Ejibe by the arm, carried him up and tied him behind her back like a little baby. She reached for her wrapper and strapped him on her back. She covered Ejibe completely with the cloth. Ejibe remained quiet and still on her back. Then she moved towards the door to open it for her husband.

In a jiffy, she opened the door. Chief Takunla entered briskly but angrily. A hot conversation ensued the next minute.

“Womitan, what’s the matter with you?

Why did it take you so long to open the door for me?” he questioned.

“Em…em…I was taking care of my son who suddenly developed fever and headache not quite long ago,” she stammered tremblingly.

“Fever? Fever! Let me see his face and touch him,” the chief retorted.

“Don’t worry my husband. I’m taking good care of him…em…em…he’ll be okay…” she said, while sweating and shaking giddily.

“I said let me see my son’s face or are you out of your mind?,” the chief uttered in

anger. He tried to reach for her back in order to raise the cloth covering it but she began dodging and avoiding him.

“Em…ha…ha…don’t bother yourself my husband…” Womitan stammered.

Then in a twinkling of an eye, the chief forcefully turned his wife and removed the cloth. He grabbed the head of his supposed ‘son’ she was carrying. But lo and behold, Ejibe was the ‘son’ on Womitan’s back!

“Eenn, Womitan! Ha, Ejibe!” the chief exclaimed with rage. “May thunder and lightning strike both of you dead!”

Instantly, he descended on Ejibe and his adulterous wife, beating them black and blue!

There was pandemonium that night. Neighbours gathered at the scene a couple of minutes later.

“E be ni mobe! Don’t kill me chief!” Ejibe begged while screaming. “I won’t do it again!

I beg you in God’s name!”

The chief beat the living daylight out of Ejibe. Somehow, Ejibe got the opportunity and took to his heels, running like a wild dog.

The chief followed after him, hurling stones and planks at him. Ejibe ran as fast as his short legs could take him. When the chief came back, he drew out a long horsewhip and caned his adulterous wife with it. He told her to pack her belongings that same night and leave his house.

The chief had never been in that angry and violent mood all his life. Neighbours begged him to temper justice with mercy but all their pleas fell on deaf ears. He was so furious that he vented his spleen on the adulterer. Womitan packed her properties out of her husband’s house, never to come back again.

Chief Takunla later married a lady far younger than Womitan. The lady by name Titilope was a good-natured, honest and God-fearing lady. She bore the chief three lovely children within a period of eleven years. They had a sweet and interesting love life. She gave him joy and peace. Titilope came from a decent and respectable background and didn’t disappoint her husband.

FITNESS

By Oyinkan Talabi(Bodyworks@theequilibrumcenter) GROWING trend among the health-conscious population is that palm oil is bad for you. In order to stop this misinformation from rubbing us, I will share some truths about the miracle oil called palm oil.

What is palm oil? Palm oil has been used as both a food and a medicine for thousands of years. It was prized by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt as a sacred food.

Today, palm oil is the most widely used oil in the world. In tropical Africa and Southeast Asia, palm oil is an integral part of a healthy diet, just as olive oil is in the Mediterranean.

Palm oil is used as a raw material for both the food and non-food industries. Traditionally, it was cultivated as a subsistence crop for food, fibre and medicine.

Most of us know it for that special taste in our soups. However, it can be found in a large number of every day supermarket products, like margarine, cereals, crisps, sweets and baked goods, to soaps, washing powders and cosmetics.

Palm oil is one of the world’s healthiest oils. As a natural vegetable oil, it contains no fatty acids or cholesterol.

It is currently being used by doctors and government agencies to treat specific illnesses and improve nutritional status.

Recent medical studies have shown that palm oil, particularly virgin (red) palm oil, can protect against many common health problems, including Alzheimer’s.

Some of the health benefits include: Cholesterol-Free One of the major benefits associated with palm oil, as an herbal supplement, is that it is completely free of cholesterol.

According to the American Palm Oil Council, palm oil supplements are considered part of the vegetable family and therefore do not contain cholesterol.

This can prove to be beneficial to patients currently struggling with high blood cholesterol.

Improves blood circulation

A

The Benefits Of Palm Oil Protects against heart disease Also, according to the American Palm Oil Council, palm oil supplements can serve as powerful antioxidants that are able to help rid your body of harmful free radicals in the bloodstream.

These free radicals, essentially harmful chemicals, can lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease and other cardiac conditions.

Heart conditions, like hardening of the arteries, are preventable and treatable with palm oil.

Protects against cancer.

Boosts immunity.

Improves blood sugar control.

Improves nutrient absorption and vitamin and mineral status.

Aids in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition.

Supports healthy lung and liver function.

Helps strengthen bones and teeth.

Supports eye health.

Highest natural source of health promoting tocotrienols.

Helps protect against mental deterioration, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Richest dietary source of Vitamin E and betacarote.

The combination of nutrients naturally found in our palm oil work together to provide the optimum functionality and health benefits. More than 700 published scientific papers have been written to support these heath benefits of palm oil.

It is not the oil that is bad for us; it is our process of bleaching it. Once oil starts to smoke, then it is over-heated and it starts to form aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, dienes and acids. You should never bleach your oils when cooking.

So, don’t cut it out of your cooking; just watch your process, and of course, your quantities.

Too much of a good thing can be bad. Love your body. info@bodyworksnigeria.com

TheGuardian

Saturday, April 12, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

with SIMON Egbo 07032944123

IN THIS EDITION

True Confession:

Re: ‘My fiancé loves me but does not want to be with me anymore because I do not make him happy’ LIFE STORY

Finding Love After heartbreak LOVE ADVENTURE

‘I Want To Catch My Husband Cheating’

Using GPS Tracking To Catch A Cheating Husband

Princess of

Love

Rita Dominic Nollywood Actress

If you want to be our next Princess of Love, e-mail or forward your photos/data to simonclar@yahoo.com Or call 07032944123 or 07031028714

10 Warning Signs That Your Husband Is Cheating

you away, then there is something.

3. Talking less on the phone. Are your routine phone calls no longer routine?

Are you talking less on the phone? Is this happening more during or after not telling, you then you’re probably work hours? If the usual talk during right. lunch and then from home is not hap2. Lack of intimacy. Are your late pening, find out the reason why. Is it night sex encounters nonexistent? Is temporary or has this been going on kissing and close contact becoming for months now? more sparse? If you initiate sexual 4. Late office hours. The hubby never contact and your husband pushes had late office hours before but now, for the past few months, it’s more frequent and he’s too busy to answer the phone. He also doesn’t want you to contact his receptionist or call the main office either. Why has this recently Women Seeking Relationship/Marriage Andrew, from Akwa Ibom State, intelligent and very hardworking, needs a very understanding changed?

5. Cell phone. Is he hiding his cell Tope, in Lagos, cute and sexy, needs a very under- working class or business lady, 30yrs and above for a relationship. Pls call 08062167049. phone? Is there a new password on it standing and mature sugar daddy. Pls no Silk, tall, chocolate in complexion, simple and that wasn’t there before? Is the ringer games, maximum satisfaction. Pls call this numon silent and if he looks at the phone easy going, needs a mature lady btw the ages of ber 08133473051. he doesn’t tell you who it is and walks 30 -45yrs, working class with very good sense of Precious, average in height, fair in complexion, away? Are text messages automatically humour, for a blissful affair. Pls call 07012251411. needs a mature man for a serious relationship Michael, based in Lagos, very hardworking, needs deleted? If your husband’s behavior has btw the ages of 40-45 yrs. Pls call 08082962536. changed when using his phone, then a working class lady btw 28 – 38 yrs for a serious Kemi, 21, student, tall, slim, dark, pretty, needs a this could be a sign that something is relationship.

Call 09092415124. responsible wealthy man. 08123518082, going on and it’s not involving you.

Ayomiposi, 28yrs, tall , cool and hardworking 2348033138671.

6. More nights out. Is your husband based in Lagos, needs a mature and cool headed Sindy, 37 yrs, a teacher from Anambra, needs a going out more than he has in the cute and Godly guy with a decent job for a serious lady, working or business class ,btw the ages of past? Is it more frequent? Are these 35-48yrs for a genuine relationship.

Pls call relationship 30-42. Call 08130433177. friends that you have never met nor 08188970747 Call Professor Love on 07032944123 for relationheard of before? Is he coming home ship/marriage counseling and direct hookup. Pls Kadi, a genius in womanology, humble and intel- late at night or not talking about how ligent, needs a very mature, intelligent and hardcall before texting your request. his night went? If your gut is telling working kind of lady . Pls call 07056823470. No you something is up then go with it, flashing, pls. \Men Seeking Relationship/Marriage you’re probably right.

D

O you suspect that your husband is cheating? What are some warning signs to look out for?

1. Short and brief about his day. Is your husband’s communication getting shorter by the day? If he's not forthcoming about his day and you feel that he is being short and brief about it, you may need to ask him to elaborate. If you feel like there is something that he’s

Love Connections

RELATIONSHIP AND LOVE LESSONS FOR THIS WEEK:

7. Hiding the credit card bill. Is your husband paying the credit card bill and not showing you what was charged? Is there more frequent ATM withdrawals then there have been in the past? If you don’t know where he is spending his money, then how do you know he’s telling the truth?

8. Going out with friends more. Is your husband going out with his friends more than he goes out with you? If your husband isn’t inviting you out and chooses to go out more often with his friends than before, then something is happening.

9. Communication has changed.

Does your husband not ask you about your day anymore or what’s new with you? When he comes home from work he starts to do his own thing and ignores you making you feel like you’re not there. There's a reason for this and you should start asking why.

10. More effort into his clothes and looks. Your husband has recently acquired a new wardrobe dressing up more dandy and is getting his hair trimmed more often. He’s also wearing a new cologne and you know that you didn’t buy it for him. Has he started putting more effort into the way he looks especially in a pattern? For example, when going to work or going out with his new friends or while on a business trip? stories/comments to simonclar@yahoo.com.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

18 | Saturday, April 12, 2014

LOVE&LIFE

Finding Love After heartbreak the catering and told the dressmaker not to finish my dress.

Sam and Julie stayed together nearby and I “You need to know that I'm having an affair couldn't bear the thought of seeing them. with Sam,” she said. “What?” I gasped.

After a few weeks of moping, Mum had an Suddenly, everything fell into place – the idea. “You should get away,” she urged.

NIVES scraped across plates as the four strange feeling and the late nights. I stood It was just what I needed. I booked a resort, of us tucked into the roast chicken I'd staring at Sam in total shock. “H-how could packed a bag and grabbed a bottle of chamcooked. “Thanks for inviting us over,” you?” I stammered. “We're meant to be getpagne to drink when I got there. I deserve a bit Julie said. ting married. How could you do this?” of bubbly, I thought.

“This is great tucker,” her husband Kevin “I love you both,” was all Sam could manage, Arriving at Club Capricorn in Yanchep, WA, smiled.

It was 2001 and I was living with my fiancé, hanging his head. “Get out!” I sobbed, throw- my tension ebbed away. I poured myself a cute Sam, 37. He wasn't very social, so I'd invit- ing myself onto the sofa and burying my head drink and sat on the balcony of my cabin, writing a letter to Sam and Julie. It was good to get ed his mate Kevin over for dinner, along with in the cushions.

How could this happen? I thought, my everything off my chest and liberating when I his wife Julie. If Sam won't take me out, I'll throat aching with tears. Hurriedly, Sam posted it. bring the people to us, I'd reasoned.

On the third day, I was wandering through After dinner, we had a couple of drinks and packed a bag and left.

Alone in the house, I tearfully called my reception, along with my trusty glass of chamsaid our goodbyes. pagne, when the lady at reception stopped “That was great,” I beamed to Sam, cleaning friend Bev. She was wonderful, and she and my Mum came straight round. “You'll get me. up. “I guess,” he shrugged. I walked into the through this,” Mum comforted. I wasn't so “Sorry, you can't have alcohol in this area,” kitchen with a sigh. Since getting engaged a she said. “After what I've been through, I few months earlier, I wondered if I was doing sure. I'd practically been left at the altar.

After that, the tears continued to flow. I should be able to drink anywhere!” I told her. the right thing marrying Sam. couldn't work and took some time off from “My fiance took off with my friend three Even the proposal didn't bode well. I got a my job managing a clothes store. Then I faced weeks before our wedding.” text message asking, ‘marry me?’ But I had a daunting task.

She shook her head. “You can drink wherever been with him for years and I loved him. I “The wedding has been cancelled,” I repeat- you want, sweetie,” she said kindly. “Our manjust wished he'd make more of an effort. ed as I waded through the guest list. My face ager will understand. He's had relationship “You should invite Julie and Kevin over burned but it needed to be done.

I cancelled troubles too.” again,” Sam said a few weeks later.

“Okay,” I replied, surprised. I thought maybe he was coming out of his shell. We soon all became good friends and Kevin and Julie dropped by more often.

I was busy organizing the wedding and Julie even volunteered to make our video. I buried myself in plans as our big day, in December 2002, drew closer.

But as the weeks passed, I saw less of Sam. He was busy at the office. “Another late night?” I asked on the phone. “It's flat out,” he said. I went to bed alone. It'll be different after we get married, I hoped. At least he was still enthusiastic about the wedding plans.

Over the next few weeks I sent out invitations and put together our registry. My dress was almost finished and the catering was all sorted out.

“How about Nights in White Satin for our first dance?” I asked Sam. “Sounds perfect,” he smiled, heading for the door.

Despite his smiles, something didn't feel right. When Sam came home later, I confronted him. “I need to ask,” I said. “Are you cheating on me?”

“Don't be silly,” he replied.

A second later, the phone rang. When I picked it up, I was surprised to hear Julie's voice. “I'm coming over,” she said. “I've got something to tell you.”

“Now's not a good time, Julie,” I apologised.

The line went silent for a minute. Then Julie cleared her throat.

(When Christine Locke's fiance cheated on her, she had no idea she'd find someone better.)

LIFE STORY

K

True Confession

Re: ‘My fiancé loves me but does not want to be with me anymore because I do not make him happy’ ENJOYED the truth that you brought out in the article of April 5, 2014 in the Saturday Guardian newspaper and I hope that many single ladies/guys will read and learn from it and I also hope that the article goes international so that the Western world will know that moving in with a guy/woman will destroy the sanctity of marriage. They should not give in to the pressure but think of the damages this will cost them in future. May God continue to heal you and strengthen you, Amen. This article should be rerun for all to see.

Thanks frm an interested reader, Maryrose

I

Just then, a tall, well-built man walked in. I don't know whether it was the bubbly or the heat, but I swear the room spun for a second.

“I'm Peter,” he said in a deep voice. “Chrissie,” I replied.

I wandered back to my room in a daze. My heart had been broken, and just a few hours ago, I thought I'd never love again. Now I wasn't so sure. Something about Peter hit me like a lightning bolt.

I quickly penned a note. ‘I don't know if you believe in fate, but I certainly do, I wrote. If you're ever in Perth, here's my phone number’.

Thankfully Peter, 51, didn't wait that long. He asked me to dinner that night.

We soon discovered we loved the same music and travelling. We even agreed the perfect weekend involved fishing and a good homecooked meal.

“I'm not a bad chef,” Peter admitted. “I could cook you dinner tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I said excitedly. I booked in for another night's stay and realised I was smiling. I hadn't done that in weeks.

Peter cooked a spectacular French dish and we laughed like teenagers. Before I knew it, we'd been talking until 4am!

The next day, I had to go home but I hoped it wouldn't be the last I'd see of Peter.

“Would you visit me?” I asked.

“I'd love to,” Peter beamed.

At home, Mum couldn't believe I'd gone away to get over my break-up, only to find an amazing bloke. “Now that's karma,” she grinned. “I'm so happy for you.”

It was only a matter of weeks before my dashing new man was on my doorstep. I went back to the resort to visit him too, and after a couple of months I realised a miracle had happened – I was in love again.

“How would you feel about living at a resort?” Peter asked one day. “I'd feel like the luckiest girl on earth,” I said.

I moved in with Peter and a year later, on my 50th birthday, he surprised me with a brilliant solitaire engagement ring.

“Are you asking me to marry you?” I said, absolutely thrilled. “The answer is yes!” I cried.

Two years ago, Peter and I moved to Kalbarri to co-manage a resort. Each day I pinch myself, wondering how I could be so lucky.

It's now six years since Sam left me at the altar and I couldn't be happier. For a while, I hated him for what he did, but now I thank him and Julie. Ironically, their affair was the best thing to ever happen to me.

Advice: pls dear readers mail your comments or reactions to this email :simonclar @yahoo.com

‘I Want To Catch My Husband Cheating’

B

ELIEVE it or not, husbands can sometimes cheat on their wives. Not all men do it, but a large enough number do that it is a really sad part of society. It happens at the highest tiers of American society and on the lowest rung of America's social lad-

It just seems like a fact of existence – some men are going to cheat on their wives.

But never before have we lived der.

No one is immune to it – the very in an era where a woman's ability to catch her cheating husband religious and ultra-conservative been so extensive or complete. In seem just as capable of marital infidelity as the loose and liberal. the age of GPS tracking, cell

LOVE ADVENTURE

phones, and computer key stroke logging a person's most intimate and ‘private’ of details can be made known to a spouse . They might be cheating now in secret, but to a determined, resourceful wife,

Using GPS Tracking To Catch A Cheating Husband NE great way to try O and catch a cheater is to utilize the ever-increasing presence of GPS tracking devices. These devices are relatively small and can very easily and covertly be placed in all sorts of places to get vital information on your spouse's whereabouts throughout the course of the day. But despite the vast number of places that you could put the tracking device, probably the most popular is in the car.

The reason that the car is such a popular place is that they generally need to take the car with them

whenever they go someplace. They need to be able to head out and meet their lover some place. So if the car is at a place where you did not expect it to be – like in front of an apartment building, parked in a hotel parking lot, or on some strange residential street – you can either travel to that destination to discover what is going on or you can store that information somewhere for use at a later date.

If you see a pattern happening thanks to your GPS tracking device, then you are going to have a lot of ammo when you confront them or follow them and

find them cheating.

Most car tracking GPS devices can fit covertly inside the wheel well of a car. Some more substantial devices can also be installed under the hood of the vehicle and allow you to remotely turn off the car, lock the doors, or turn on the headlights.

Many tracking devices can be viewed in real time, but most of these devices not only require a hefty purchase price (anywhere from $150-$600) they also come with a cell phonelike subscription plan.

These trackers are anything but cheap, but the amount of detailed infor-

mation they provide can be invaluable for those looking to get some real, verified answers about their husband's fidelity.

The other route with a GPS tracker is to go with something that simply logs their movements. These devices are about the same in cost but they generally do not have the service fee associated with them.

They still provide excellent tracking information, just at a more reasonable fee. The one downside is that you are not kept abreast of their whereabouts in real-time so you cannot go to the location of their cheating and

‘check up’ on them to see what they are up to. The best you can do is find a pattern and then try to anticipate their next move.

A more general problem with tracking your husband’s car is that some cheating is not going to happen with their car. What if they meet up at work and she drives them to their place of rendevouz?

What if it happens while they are at work? A GPS tracking device for cars isn't going to be able to catch him then. But there are other devices that are useful still.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April 12, 2014 | 19

RELATIONSHIPS

‘My Upbringing Made Me Do It’

By Alita Joseph T is common these days for crimiIwaynals to blame their behaviour on the they were brought up.

I can recall two instances where I had read such in the newspapers. One was an alleged armed robber and kidnapper arrested by the Police, who blamed his parents for his hardhearted way of life.

His father, he claimed, was a taxi driver, while his mother was a petty trader, both of who usually left home early in the morning and came back late.

The other one was another armed robber arrested by the Police, who claimed a prostitute brought him up, and evildoers were his companions.

It is agreed that our training has a great deal of influence on the person we become or never become in life.

Parents who come home late and leave home before the children wake up are physically absent from the children’s lives.

They may also be accused of being emotionally absent.

But it is not in all cases where parents do not see their children that they fail to relate well with their offspring.

Many parents in this category try their best to keep in touch by talking and discussing with the children.

They ask them those questions that bother the growing child and which only that child wants his parents to answer.

Those parents who are physically absent would then explain why they are not at home. They make the promises to work things through so that the family could have more time together.

These explanations may be enough for the child who indeed has his own life to live. His friends and school occupy him, so that his whole time is not spent yearning for attention from his

parents.

We must not forget also that although some parents are physically present in their children’s lives, yet they are distance away emotionally.

Among this group are those who want their children to achieve. They yearn for this so much that they could see how capable their offspring are or fail to see that they push their children too far.

They do love their children, but they cannot see that they project their frustration on the children.

Among these would be the father who feels overwhelmed by too many children, who has more than the number he can relate to.

He loves them, but he cannot cope with their emotional needs.

So, we blame parents for not being supportive when a child, who dreams to succeed, because he does well in school, fails to reach his potential later in life.

He can blame his parents because in infancy, he knew only his parents and trusted them more than anybody.

So, he feels lost when he comes from school, bursting to read the poem that won the first prize, but the parents are not home.

He feels discouraged, because it is only at this first phase of life or infancy that parents can help their child to learn how to develop the self and

the confidence that makes him an individual.

But to blame your parents for your path, as a career criminal, is not acceptable, unless they themselves are thieves.

Even when your parents are robbers, no court of law will blame them for your offence. They will berate them, criticise them, but in the end, you are responsible for your actions.

The court will only look at the evidence before it. Rarely would it invite your parents or probe into your background to know why you kill people to take possession of their properties.

It would not be the parents that would be punished if you were found

Loosing Interest

By Kemi Amushan E all get tired of being told just smile and W have a positive attitude in love and dating.

At a point in time, that was what my mum used to tell me. It was tough finding true love and I will not lie to you, it is even worse now that we are all grown.

Are you fed-up with being unappreciated, overlooked and taken for granted? I can’t say I blame you because for many women, the frustration of finding a man who will love us and see us for who we really are can be maddening.

So, I feel you.

And today, I am not going to tell you to put a smile on your face and pretend it does not hurt when he ignores you. I am not going to tell you to just brush it off and bear it; I am not going to tell you that you are silly to cry over him. All I am going to tell you is this: let us do something about it.

Today, I want to give you a one-two-punch on making a man see your worth and realise you are not just another girl.

I am going to offer you the techniques to get out of this maddening rut, but for now, I want you to take a look at what an “average” woman does.

An average woman puts up with a man who ignores her messages. She often sends him more messages, leave voicemails, post on his Facebook wall, asking: “Why are you so quiet?”

Ladies, that is a very big mistake. Huge. A tough woman who knows what she wants will never do that.

An average woman smiles (because that is what nice girls do) when he blows her off after making plans with her. She thinks it is more important to show him how cool she is by not getting upset. Another big mistake! You need to tell that man off.

She takes disrespect from a man in various forms, because she does not want to rock the boat. She makes excuses when he does something that eats away at her self-esteem. Yet an-

other big mistake!

This list can literally go on and on and on. But for now, I just want you to stop and think about the mistakes on your own personal list. How are you scoring right now on that list you made?

Can you honestly say he is treating you the way you deserve to be treated?

Don’t get me wrong. No matter how perfect a guy is, he is going to have flaws, because he is, after all, human. So, I do not want you to start nitpicking at him for just being a human being.

But if you are with a guy and you know in your gut he is either using you or taking you for granted or just not treating you in a way that makes you feel good about yourself, then I want you to stop what you are doing and answer this one simple question: “Why do I allow it?” Because he can only do it if you allow it.

Respect is a crucial part of any relationship.

Whether it is a love relationship, a friendship, a work relationship, it does not matter, the thing is: it often happens that the nicer you are to people who treat you in a substandard way, the more they will disrespect you.

As a woman, this is so hard to understand. It is painfully unfair, but it is what it is.

Women are raised to be nice and respectful. We hear from a young age: Girls do not do that; girls are supposed to be nice. If you are religious, you are taught to turn the other cheek.

There could be cultural influences that somehow convince you that when a man treats you badly, we are supposed to smile and take it.

I am going to ask you today to look deep inside your lovely, feminine self and go find that profound female strength that you know is in there, no matter how deep you have buried it.

Feminine strength is not about showing anyone who is the boss. It is not about putting anyone in his or her places. It is just about being simple.

But I want you to be very honest about what you are currently “Being” - Being the kind of woman that allows disrespect, you will likely get more disrespect.

- Being the kind of woman who jumps at every

measly crumb a man throws at you, just some more crumbs is what you will get.

- Being available at his beck and call and only on his terms.

- You are way too easy to be considered intriguing or even the slightest challenge.

So, stop being the things that get you these awful results. Instead, get answers to the questions you are asking yourself when your heart hurts for him. And then: - Start being a woman he cannot help, but value. Which means start playing hard to get.

- Start being a woman who understands her sexuality and uses it in a beautiful and healthy way. That is, the power of sex.

- Start being that woman who guys are magnetically drawn to, because you have something mysterious that they cannot explain.

All they know is they want to be part of it.

- Start being that girl that pops up in his thoughts about the future.

These are some amazing advice that will get you there. Easy to read and risk-free! And please, please, please, stop thinking you have to earn a man’s love. If you have been trying to earn it, I can almost guarantee you that it is the main reason why he keeps pulling away.

He has to earn your love.

And if you do not let him, he will likely not be around for long. If he is doing nothing to earn your love, then the guy does not deserve you. He is just sticking around because he knows he has you where he wants you until a woman that could challenge him comes along.

Do not give your heart to a guy who has not earned it. Unless you

guilty.

An adult male, who is married, blames his upbringing for becoming a violent criminal, sound cold and an unremorseful person.

When that person has taken lives, including those of the officers of the law, he is considered a danger to society, even as the death penalty has not been abolished in the country. It is not the parents who face the music.

So, your parents have failed you?

Look at those people you admire or envy. So, their mother and father are with them all the time, but is it always an easy life?

You have friends whose parent’s jobs or businesses do not take them far from home; ask them how their lives are.

With child-like innocence, children who feel abandoned have confronted their parents. Ask yours why he or she is never home. You will be surprised that your father, especially, feels unneeded or thinks you belong only to your mother.

That was the belief in the past when men worked only in the farm. They left home early, leaving the women to take care of the home and children.

Many men still live in that past.

They do not go to farm these days, but they leave child training for their women, forgetting that as soon as the male child of the past was old enough to run errands, he joined his father in farm work.

He worked from dawn to dusk and there were no supersonic vehicles to tempt him to vicious crime.

So, you have never been taught the difference between right and wrong? Ask yourself, if someone else were you and that person is in the habit of dispossessing people of their hard earned properties, how would you feel if you encounter

want it back beaten up and broken. You have to make some decisions. Decide what your boundaries are and not act like a traitor on your own heart.

Do you have the strength to do that? Maybe you think you do not, but you do. This is about being in control. And I am not talking about “control-freak” kind of control. No. I am talking about lady-like, “I have options, I can do this, I am worth it,” kind of control.

It is not about mind games or giving a guy a hard time. It is about discovery, learning and applying. This is simple information, which if only you knew, will make the world of difference.

The problem is, most women do not know these things and are too proud to do something about it. All I can say is: How is that working for you? There is a much better way.

Many women, just like you, have already learned how to make a man go: WOW, this girl is something else. He will respect you and will view you with different eyes, and suddenly, he will notice you are always on his mind.

To the love and happiness we all deserve, good

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

20 | Saturday, April 12, 2014

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela

“You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice! Your lips drip nectar, my bride; honey and milk are under your tongue; the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring locked, a fountain sealed. Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with all choicest fruits, henna with nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all choice spices—a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams from Lebanon”. – Songs of Solomon 4:9-15 OR a few weeks now, we have talked Ffinding about the core of beauty – touching on your identity, choosing and creating your own reality. Having had that foundation in place, this article will treat those things that are external, yet of great importance and not to brushed aside.

Whatever is within expresses itself without and what is without is an extension of what is within: Do not tell yourself that you are beautiful inside and neglect your body for you cannot expect people to see what you are within and then make excuses for what

08116706879 (SMS only).

E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Expressions Of Beauty you manifest without. God created man and woman first as spirit but He also created for them a body so that they could relate to a material world. Our fallen bodies are going to be redeemed someday, transformed, according to the scriptures, so God does expect us to care for our bodies. If you doubt it, search the Old Testament and see the rules of cleanliness that God gave His people. Of course, He will not judge us by how clean or dirty we are, but it would be foolishness to neglect the glorious body He blessed us with!

The Foundation Of Attractiveness The foundation of attractiveness is cleanliness. You cannot apply makeup, for instance, upon a dirty face. Well, you can but one can only imagine the disaster. The disaster is worse when one tries to mask a robust body odour with some perfume or a deodorant. First, go wash yourself, and then you can beautify yourself. I think this example explains well the principle “the foundation of beauty and attractiveness is cleanliness”.

Makeup, perfume, jewellery and accessories, etc are only items of enhancement. Without the framework or base in place, any other addition seems like a crude joke. I wish to emphasize the importance of cleanliness because it is not only dear to my heart, but I believe it isn’t taken nearly as soberly as it should be. “Bathe at least twice a day, brush your teeth in the morning and just before going to bed”... etc, aren’t just text book instructions we learn as children – they are very necessary and are basic life skills.

A certain Miss X lodged with her female co-worker during an official trip and they had to share a room. To cut a long story short, they both got ready for bed. Miss X went for a shower and her co-worker proceeded to undress and

prepare for bed. What Miss X encountered after her shower was a strong stench in the bedroom. My apologies, it hurts my imagination trying to find the words to describe where this stench arose from. Be that as it may, nothing so filthy, rough and crude should ever come out from another person’s body – much less a woman!

Cleanliness should not be limited to only private parts or only exposed parts of the body. Cleanliness is all-encompassing. The hair should smell like a bouquet of flowers or a basket of fruits, some woody aroma or just a simple, clean scent – whatever catches your fancy. It shouldn’t smell of something brewed for months, enclosed by expensive or cheap extensions that block away sunlight and air.

Cleanliness is not a requirement just for the women, there isn’t anything more unattractive in men than a dirty smell and appearance; it leaves no pleasant thought to the imagination.

Take your grooming regime seriously and avoid looking like a grisly bear.

Men and women ought to wash up as often as needed and take a shower at least once a day if you can’t help it.

Clean, trim and prim and there you have your foundation!

Less Is More It means just that, less is more. When thinking about combining accessories or styles, makeup or scents, etc, always keep in mind that less is more. Moderation is beautiful and directs the imagination and therefore perception, whereas a fashion collision is an eye sore. Use your imagination and keep everything minimal. When you thread close to nature you achieve a timeless look and ooze an ethereal aura. Discipline yourself if you need to and avoid high fashion and excessive attempts at

beauty; they might look hip presently but eventually, it just looks like a practical joke.

Manners Of The Manor Grace, elegance and class are not garments but an attitude and a mental state.

Without these you look like you are wearing borrowed clothes. A blend of humility and a sense of identity, i.e. dignity, is one of the most priceless attributes of influence. It is true charisma if you ask me! Do you want people to fall in love with you in spite of themselves? Have a meek disposition. Do you want people to look up to and to regard you? Keep your dignity.

With these two, you are well equipped to sail through situations with people no matter their social status and with God on your side. Smile and keep your head high, acknowledge with a steady gaze, be a good listener and follow others with a sincere heart, then you will see how far the boundaries shift just for the sake of being you!

Image and Etiquette: As a young lady, I suffered much from inferiority and timidity.

I had an unhealthy distrust of myself and God-given beauty. By God’s grace, I found answers in the Bible (especially the Songs of Solomon) which transformed me. His Word transformed me from a bitter, angry teenager to a cheerful, content, peacefilled and purposeful woman; Jesus changed me from the inside out. I have a passion for etiquette and image and I know that our outward image and our attitudes are influenced by our heart; therefore, image and etiquette is spirit, soul and body. Having been given the knowledge, experimental application and experience through His grace alone, this is what I teach. Unconventional…yes, but it remains the truth to the degree that I have understood it. For this, I make no apologies. Website: www.regalgraces.com.

Email: askpamela@regalgraces.com

Working Actress

By Omoni Oboli

‘Nigerians, Let’s Seek Out Our Similarities Than Feed On Our Differences’ AM Omoni Oboli and I represent Naija! This Iandhas been my opening line for a long time, what happens is that people hear these words, ‘I represent Naija,’ but miss the point or the message it connotes. What does it really mean to represent Nigeria? What is the thread of continuity that speaks the heart of the Nigerian? Do we think tribal or Nigerian first?

Are we deluded in thinking that there is a separate person called ‘Nigerian’, that is somewhat detached from us? When we can answer these questions and many others that I haven’t asked today, then we can begin to chart a clearer course towards the direction for a greater Nigeria.

My husband was telling me the other when he got back from a meeting organized by the Ford Foundation, that assumption seems to play a pivotal role in the understanding of the affairs of our country and not factual knowledge.

Everyone stays in their little corner of the country believing that the other person on the other side, or from another tribe or culture, is thinking in a certain way. They assume that they have hit the nail on the head and the rest have to play catch up because they haven’t known or understood their little piece of information.

These assumptions have fueled the violence and political unrest that have predicated the lack of growth in many sectors of our economy and the good relationship that should have been forged with the understanding that we are one Nigeria. This was what I deduced from what he was telling me. The speakers

were intelligent, and brought forth their strong convictions about the direction Nigeria, strengthened by a good collaboration with Nollywood, should be headed.

This is great! But the argument is that many of the things discussed had already been done before by movie practitioners for a long time. The movie, Dry, by Nollywood star actress, Stephanie Linus (née Okereke), has already been done! This is a movie that brings light to the plight of the girl-child bride as it pertains to complications from early sex and pregnancy.

The issue of the inappropriate incestuous relationship of some fathers towards their daughters was depicted in the movie, Lekki Wives 2, produced by Blessing Egbe, with a touch of the right kind of emotions to fuel the conversation towards the awareness of this crime.

Emem Isong, producer extraordinaire, also used her movie, Knocking on Heaven’s Door, which is due for release soon, to showcase the issue of domestic violence towards married women.

What I’m trying to point out here is that it is time to start seeking out our similarities that would help to strengthen us as a people rather than feeding on our differences.

When we do that, we will find that the solution and the expertise to help reverse some of our worst social issues have been there all along. We tend to look at the issues as some other tribe or culture’s problem, but fail to see that we too are part of the problem.

For instance, the issue of the child bride and all it’s subsequent health risks are not ex-

clusively a northern Nigerian problem, but we see many immature girls given in marriage to older men in other parts of the country too. As Stephanie aptly pointed out in her presentation, her VVF programme spans the length and breath of Nigeria among the different tribes and cultures.

We have the case of child abduction and slavery to serve as house helps in many homes; the abuse they go through with sexual molestation and torture from the men and women in the homes they serve and the fact that many of them do not go to school as promised them by the new ‘ogas and madams’.

This is happening right here in Lagos and all over the country by us, our friends or neighbours, but we tend to point fingers towards the North alone when these issues are addressed. The key is proper education of the citizens, as Mrs Maryam Uwais so graciously pointed out in her presentation, especially the girl child, who has the burden of being the first line educator of the future generation when they mature into motherhood.

My husband also told me that veteran filmmaker, Mahmood Ali Balogun, also spoke about the challenge of seeking and finding justice for many of these offences due to the fact that many of the people in authority who are supposed to be enforcing these laws are often the perpetrators of the acts themselves!

This is what gives power to the criminals and the would-be perpetrators of these acts.

What I am trying to say today is that we should not assume that the other person

does not understand the situation, or does not partake of the offence we are trying to rid our society of, but we must be vigilant to seek out those similarities that can spark off a class action to bring positive solutions to some of these plights.

The question remains, how do you in your own way represent Naija? Are you on the part of the problem or the solution? There is no middle ground, because saying and doing nothing makes you a part of the problem. Let us begin to join hands to break the societal norms that have served to only destroy our ‘Nation bound in freedom, peace and UNITY’.

This is where we as filmmakers must rise up and be careful about what we put out there, so that we do not speak about change on one hand and destroy the pathway to those changes through what we depict in our movies. I would like to thank Ford Foundation and all the participants for this opportunity to hear all sides of the story, so that we can see the big picture.

I will continue in this path of representing Naija. Till next week, keep supporting Nollywood! Watch a Nollywood movie at the cinema today and buy an original DVD. Keep smiling!

Twitter:@omonioboli Facebook:wwfacebook.comomonioboliactress

Saturday, April 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

21

PEOPLE

To Essien, Public Speaking Is Of The Essence for promotion to the next level. But the botprivate or public venture, who need to make tom line is, how do you inspire and challenge presentations. And the challenge is that there a people to take responsibility, up their game, good number of people who are in public improve on their performance, perform at the offices who need to make presentations don’t very best based on their true performance? communicate effectively.

This is at the heart of the programme. That is So the programme focuses on sharing ideas, why we titled it, ‘The Challenge To Perform.’ It how to overcome the fear of public speaking, will be aired every Monday on Television and how to deploy your skill for effectiveness.

Continental (TVC), starting July.

For example, how to engage your audience, and What form will the presentation of the prohow to be confident when you speak in public. gramme take?

Public speaking skill appears to be a major gap The programme is broken into two segments. for many people. We do this because one of the One segment is what is called the Master Class. hallmarks of people who perform is that they It is a classroom format where people from all can express themselves with high level of lucidwalks of life are seated and learn what it takes ity and get their messages across. to achieve greater success on their job and How did you consider the appropriate business because sometimes they see opportu- medium for communicating your subnities in their job but do not know to achieve ject? greater success. We deal with attitude to work, I thought of many options before setattitude to other people, attitude to life. We tling for television. I thought of what address the concept of having an orientation. will be effective. Television has that So, the focus is 100 per cent motivational by advantage of broadcast capacity to performance because we believe words are appeal because you know that peowords, and stories are stories. ple watch television a lot. So, it At the end of the day, the question will always becomes strategic.

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya be asked, ‘When you were in this position, Another reason was that we looked what did you do? There is no room for excuse You are starting out a television programme at the visual impact of what we are bordering on achievement. What informed the like, ‘it was because of the situation I found doing. We want people to be drawn myself in that made me not to do this or that; into the classroom situation so that airing? it was not my fault, it was their fault because Essentially, it is a weekly 30-minute achieveyou can help people understand that they couldn’t really get this done,’ or somement motivational television programme learning in life continues. That is why thing like that. titled, ‘Ubong Essien – The challenge To the programme is situated within the conThe other segment focuses on public speakPerform,’ and the intention of the programme text of learning in a classroom environment is to inspire and challenge people to perform at ing skills where we share ideas and how peowhere people are sitting down, listening to lectheir very best in their work, business and life as ple can improve on their public presentation. ture, taking notes and asking questions. a whole, especially when it has to do with their We have people who have careers where they So, television gives us that entire have to do public presentation, people who careers, because everything we do in life will complement of experience have business ideas that they need to commu- that people can actually always be judged by performance. nicate; people in public offices, whether it is It has a very universal appeal because when lock into because they can you look across the board, whether you work for yourself, or you work as an employee in an The programme focuses on sharing ideas, how to overcome organisation, or whether you hold a social or political office, people always judge you by what the fear of public speaking, and how to deploy your skill for you have been able to accomplish. effectiveness. For example, how to engage your audience, For you to get promotion on the job, you know and how to be confident when you speak in public. Public you have to perform incredibly well on your present position before you can be considered speaking skill appears to be a major gap for many people.

In 2012, Mr. Ubong Essien became Nigeria’s first Certified Public Speaking Professional (CSP) conferred by the National Speakers Association in the United States. He is the Dean, School of Eloquence, a Lagos-based public speaking training centre. He is also the Publisher of Achievers’ Journal, a motivational paper. Starting soon on Television Continental (TVC), he is bringing to viewers a programme aimed at motivating people to achieve the very of best of performance in whatever they do.

see, hear and feel the entire essence of it.

Part of the challenge we have in our country is that a lot of people get into positions because they meet people who help them get there, and use other external influences that don’t border on merit or performance. The only way to guarantee that one is not a victim of this thing is to make sure that whatever you have to do, you are delivering at the highest level. We should begin to address this entitlement mentality that somebody says because I’m such and such a person, I don’t have to work for it. It is not a decent approach.

At what point in life should individuals get themselves to learn these skills of good elocution and public speech presentation?

As early as possible.

Parents should draw the attention of their children to this area. Let children not grow up and feel if they fail to perform well, mummy or daddy is there to help them out. Where one has missed it early in life, it is never too late to learn.

Essien

Garlands For Akhaine At Golden Age Today, Dr. Sylvester Odion Akhaine, a member of The Guardian editorial board, rights crusader and academic turns 50. And as he celebrates the milestone, having invited family and friends to jollity, OLAWUNMI OJO writes that his has been a life of measured accomplishments.

HEN one turns 50, it is not out of place to reflect over one’s W accomplishments and probably set new goals. For Dr. Sylvester Odion Akhaine who turns 50 today, life has been an admixture of activities on various fronts filled with good measures of accomplishments.

From the alleys of Ekpoma in Edo State where he was born and had a spartan childhood, he has grown to become a voice for the oppressed, a prominent activist and civil rights crusader, a development writer and journalist, a sound and outstanding academic, and a man with far-reaching influence.

Born four years after Nigeria’s independence as British colony, Akhaine received his primary and secondary education at Ekpoma. But he grew up like most members of his generation to discover that the “liberated” society to which he was born was indeed a farcical one.

To his nature, he was therefore to become a veritable volunteer in the struggle for the second liberation of Nigeria, an internal colony of sorts, ruled by fellow African kinsmen.

Akhaine

Indeed, for the cause of freedom and liberty, he would later suffer severe incarceration in one of the nation’s gulags at Birnin-Kebbi for 348 days.

Akhaine obtained a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Lagos after a glowing stint at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism where he read Advanced Writing and Specialized Reporting. He proceeded to bag a Master’s degree in History and Diplomacy at the Lagos State University and Doctor of Philosophy in Politics at the prestigious Royal Holloway, University of London, one of the top ten universities in the United Kingdom. These set the tone for his evolvement as sure-foot academic.

At present, Akhaine is a Senior Lecturer in the Political Science Department of the Lagos State University, Nigeria, and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Lagos-based Centre for Constitutionalism and Demilitarisation, publishers of The Constitution, the leading journal from this part of Africa. But he has also worked severally in various capacities.

He has been a visiting member of The Guardian Editorial Board since June 2010 and contributes to the newspaper regularly. He had an initial stint as a stringer on the Newspaper’s Arts Desk between 1987 and1994. He is contributing editor to several newspapers and journals, including UK-based Review of African Political Economy.

As an accomplished academic, he has several publications in peer-reviewed journals such as Political Studies Review; Journal of Asian and African Studies, Review of African Political Economy, Nigerian Journal of International Affairs. Others are The Next Anarchy, Governance: Nigeria and the World and Local Government Administration in Nigeria: Old and New Visions. He is currently the lead editor of the MacArthur foundation-sponsored state of human rights annual report on Nigeria.

As an activist and rights crusader, Dr. Akhaine humbly bears the impressive credentials as the former General Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) in Nigeria with Late Dr.

The height of his experience as a rights activist and crusader was his detention at Intercentre, Lagos and Birnin Kebbi medium prison, Northwestern Nigeria between 1995 and 1996 under the regime of General Sani Abacha in his capacity as the General Secretary of Campaign for Democracy, then the leading prodemocracy organisation in the country

Beko Ransome-Kuti as Chairman; Joint Secretary (with the late Chima Ubani) of the United Action for Democracy (UAD) with Mr. Olisa Agbakoba as Convener; General Secretary of UAD; and Secretary, Research and Documentation, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR). He held these positions during the decades of the anti-military struggle.

The height of his experience as a rights activist and crusader was his detention at Intercentre, Lagos and Birnin Kebbi medium prison, North-western Nigeria between 1995 and 1996 under the regime of General Sani Abacha in his capacity as the General Secretary of Campaign for Democracy, then the leading prodemocracy organisation in the country.

As a student leader, he was the Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in its heydays. It was his leadership that championed the academic reform programme (ACAREF) in Nigerian tertiary institutions. While in the United Kingdom, he was the Publicity Secretary of Edo-Okpamakhin and Co-ordinator of the London Think-tank made up of some prominent Nigerians in the U.K. Akhaine’s toils have however not gone unnoticed. For his strides, he has received international commendations and awards for his contribution to the cause of freedom and democracy in Nigeria.

In1995, he was named as Prisoner of Conscience, among others, by Amnesty International due to his detention by the Nigerian Military Government as Secretary General of Campaign for Democracy. In 2004, he was Nominee for the John Humphreys Freedom Award. In 2005, he was recognised as Fellow of Stanford University on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law. He received the 2005 Golden Award on Human Rights and Democracy from Law Students Association of Nigeria. And he was also a recipient of the 2006 Human Rights Defender Award from Catalyst Newspaper, Edo State, Nigeria. In 2009, he received the Tell Communications Democracy Award for his outstanding contribution to the enthroning of democracy in Nigeria.

And in further attestation to his sterling qualities and resourcefulness, Akhaine was only recently invited by the London School of Economics in London and Mershon Security Centre, Ohio State, Columbus, United States to make presentation on Democracy and the US War on Terror in West Africa respectively.

An accomplished administrator, he implemented the Ford Foundation Governance Training programme in three of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Akhaine is a member a number of professional bodies and has attended various International Academic Conferences.

22 Saturday, April 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

PEOPLE

Olugbodi

Tunji Olugbodi is the Group Managing Director of Verdant Zeal Group, a marketing communications conglomerate that has tended top Nigerian brands with verve over the last seven years. When he turned 50 recently, the wave of greetings he received and the number of people who joined in the celebration highlighted the fact that his acts of goodwill through the times have not gone unnoticed. After the celebrations, Olugbodi shared with OLAWUNMI OJO the nuggets that define his essence, the most important of them being the relationships he has kept and his passion for touching lives. Excerpts.

Olugbodi At 50:

God Has Been Kind To Me

are the things you have done that have brought you to where you are today?

Reflecting on the last 20 years of my life, which have been critical in my journey, I would not mince words - I tried to be as focused as possible and to have a singleminded way of pursuing whatever my aspirations are. I tried to be diligent in doing things.

In a nutshell, these things have counted for T 50, you seem to have made remarkable me – self-discipline, sense of focus, commitprogress and success of life… ment and passion. I always try to inspire I would agree to the extent that you accept myself; if I do not feel passion for something, my definition of success, which is somebody who has experienced great grace bestowed on I would not attempt it. And whatever I try to do, I am always zealous and passionate about him by God. It is not material trappings that it. It should therefore not suprise you that we make you successful; it is the fulfilment you get from your God-given endowments and tal- have zeal as part of our name in Verdant Zeal.

Even at that, these are all not sufficient to ents and the way you deploy it. have brought me to where I am today; you I believe success is how well you have touched lives and continue to touch lives in a still cannot leave out the God factor. Every step of the way, God has been kind, helping positive and uplifting manner. to open doors for me. Man must understand If these are the parameters for determining who is successful, then I would say that I have that what takes you there does not keep you there. So, you need the wisdom of God to enjoyed people offering me a lot of support keep going on, especially when confronted and mentoring me. Above all, I have enjoyed with challenges. the grace of God; He has been good to me so Most youths grow without having the skill set far. to succeed at workplaces, a disconnect that You sound somewhat religious about your stems from our school system, which trains achievements… most to be job seekers. In your case, was it I am not; there is nothing you can do on your own. Whatever you have as endowment much of the skill set you possessed that helped you or thinking out of the box and or talent is God-given. Your own part is to be doing things without prompting. able to discover that talent and exploit it for I think it is a combination of different comparative advantage either for personal or common good of more people around you as things. But you must always be able to do things differently. You need to be able to a way of finding fulfillment. For me, that is answer the question whether you have the where the relevance comes from. I am not talking of money but about being able to give skill set or capability to get things done the right way. of your time and talent in a way that others However, many people are in denial of the can benefit from it. reality of things. There is no short cut to sucLeaving the God factor out, what specifically

A

cess. If you do not have the required skill set to progress in life, you need to train yourself.

I said what takes you there does not keep you there. That also means you must keep evolving; the day you think you have arrived and that you are the best, that is the day you are gone. For instance, in our kind of business, which is a service business, you can never be the best; you can only be good. So there is a certain degree of humility that must come with whatever your strengths or achievements are. Your mindset must be open, adventurous and accomodate changes. The world is dynamic and it is only with a dynamic mindset that you can have a fighting chance to conquer.

The Verdant Zeal enterprise has been on for seven years. Why did you venture?

I did for professional fulfilment. At the time I left Prima Garnet, I felt I had reached the pinnacle of what I can become in that environment. I wanted some more adventure; I thought there could still be some things I would do differently. So, I felt I should seek that professional actualisation.

Thus far, how has been the experience?

It has been truly wonderful and humbling. It just reinforces my whole desire about the fact that you just must venture no matter what.

So, I sympathise with people who wake up and say ‘I don’t have a job.’ It might sound bannal but I also say to people, ‘just find something doing, even if it means you are going to learn a new job for free.’

We talked about skills; some of the best paid people in this country today are artisans.

Painfully, our people no longer have vocational skills. I was looking for a mason, and I was told I needed to go and get a Togolese. If I am looking for someone who can do a good POP or tiling for me, they would tell me I

need to go and get a Beninoise or an Ivorian.

This is because they have a mindset, skill and orientation that shows that they are very patient and they regard their job so well. And they get to charge premiums.

I have seen the Chinese in Lagos doing Masonry work and people say there are no jobs.

So, no matter what your hand finds, just keep doing something. That is only when you can be blessed. The reason you can become good and profient at something is because you are working at something. Look at the way I started, I first worked as a sub-editor at The Guardian.

That was a necessary part of my development process. Nothing ventured, nothing had.

In the West, more of their entrepreneurs are in their 30s. This is not in our culture...

That is because the mindset of our youth is either to short-circuit by doing Yahoo-Yahoo, not knowing that the same mindset and brain rigour that goes into us wanting to scam people can actually be turned into a positive thing that would bring a lot more money legitimately. Secondly, it is about our values. Our values have become so eroded that those doing these wrong things now see it as a way of earning a living rightfully.

Look at the millions of unemployed people that we have because they are not being exposed to proper education. What these people need to do is to upgrade themselves in some particular area.

However, if people are unable to get jobs, the mindset should be that they could still get something to do. You can start a business with as little as N10, 000 or N20, 000. The problem with most people is that they never want to start from anywhere.

I also must recognise the fact that you can become very fearful and afraid; I was too at the beginning. But if you work on yourself and have self-confidence, coupled with your diligence and passion, it would always take you somewhere. All you need do is start from somewhere and grow incrementally.

The goodwill messages that poured in on the occasion were overwhelming. That brings you across as one with lots of acceptance across various divides. How have you managed to have so much friends? What defines your essence?

I believe a lot in relationships and do not believe it should be one-sided or self-serving. I do not believe in transactions. I also believe in doing things to the best of my ability. I never make money the primary focus of anything that I do because once you do that, that is what you would do all your life. You would keep chasing money and would never be satisfied.

The truth is that you do not need so much money to be comfortable. Once you are able to meet your basic obligations and have a roof over your head, the rest are excesses. You can never become so rich that you would own the entire world.

These are the things that have defined me.

Even at that, often times, I still struggle to keep communication lines and ties with a lot of people. I say to people that you can disagree with people in siituations without being disagreable. Even when people cheat me, I do not get bitter. I just try to move on.

I always say to people that your legacy is only relevant to the extent that you have been able to touch lives, mentor people and uplift others who might not have had the opportunities that you have had.

I encourage a lot of young people on the need to just get busy and get something started because a lot of us have the mindset of blaming situations for our circumstances. In spite of all odds, there are always opportunities around for you to make hay. Often times, the difference between being stuck and succeeding in life or at anything you do, is your mindset.

Looking ahead, what other challenges do you want to take on?

I do not like to believe that I am restless, but as an entrepreneur, I like doing something new. I am an ideas person and there are certain things I still would love to do. So, as long as God gives me the grace, I would continue; create new opportunities and highgrounds for people to find their fulfilment. And it would not be about the money; if it comes, fine. But primarily, it is going to be about helping people who are happy to share your vision, find their fulfilment and later move on to go and start their own thing and become better people in life.

From this kind of multiplicity, we would all have a better place to live.

So the new areas I would like to go into would perhaps have not much to do with marketing communications. It would force me to learn new things – technology. This is what would keep me going and make life more interesting than just doing the same thing over and over.

Saturday, April 12, 2014 | 23

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

WOMAN Mrs. Iquo Dianaabasi Eke is a poet, drama/fiction writer and entrepreneur. In this interview, the tall, ebony and strikingly beautiful multi-talented lady says she cannot imagine life away from the stage.

By Ozo Mordi RS. Iquo Dianaabasi Eke has her hand M in many pies. She is a published and performing poet. She writes drama series for radio as well as fiction. She has a full time employment and is an entrepreneur who makes shoes and bags.

Her job begins at 8.30am ends at 5pm, which gives her the rest of the day to pursue her dream. There are the weekends also, she says, but points out that her many engagements mean there is hardly time for rest.

“The first time, I performed my own poetry I discovered that I was drawn to the stage,” she reminisces. But what she delivers, she says, depends on inspiration. Most of the time, however, she performs with Ibibio folklore, sometimes dressing to suit the mood. She uses props because she wants to make her message clear.

“It depends on the mood and message of the poem. Sometimes I prefer to be accompanied with drums, flutes and guitar. I find it fulfilling to render poetry orally to people.

I have struggled to work on my voice, facial and body movement and breathing appropriately to help in delivering my message,” she says.

Iquo made her maiden incursion on to the stage in 2003 with a performance with Word and Sound, a performance put together by musician, Beautiful Nubia. “That was when I discovered that there is something on stage,” she says with a laugh.

She had no formal training, she reveals, adding that the only thing close to learning the ropes was a one-week workshop titled, ‘Creativity Writing International workshop,’ that was organised by Fidelity Bank.

“But I think it is important to be up to date.

That is why I read far and wide to improve myself. When it comes to writing, I believe that only so much can be learned through studying. I believe that talent is the foundation. You meet some people who can describe mundane events so vividly, yet they have not been taught how to tell their stories. So, you wonder how they are able to do so. I believe, therefore, that it is not how educated one is. Studying only polishes the gem-quality you already possess.”

Iquo is a graduate of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management of Lagos State University. She works with a non-governmental organization and takes everything in her stride. “In an office, you have to be strict because you want orderliness. Human beings are dynamic and unEke predictable. You work with people of diverse backgrounds and egos, so you have to manage all of that to get the job done.

You must know when to shout or encourage, ” she says.

As a wife and mother of two teenage children, how does she cope with the workload “I could not have taken the office job five years ago. I could not have imagined leaving home from 8am to 5pm daily with two growing children. But as my children are growing older, it is easier to consider working outside the home.”

However, being a doting mother did not keep her idle at that point in time. “I did

When it comes to writing, I believe that only so much can be learned through studying. I believe that talent is the foundation. You meet some people who can describe mundane events so vividly, yet they have not been taught how to tell their stories. So, you wonder how they are able to do so.

‘I Find It Fulfilling To Render Poetry Orally To People’ most of the work at home.” That was the period she concentrated more on making shoes and bags, which are still on display in major shops in highbrow Ikoyi and Victoria Island in Lagos.

On making shoes and bags, an occupation that is not common among women, she explains that she started by making her personal and family collection. She then began to take orders from friends until Crochet Plus, her personal label, was born.

“We had a website, but it is dormant now because we are rebranding.”

Her collection of poems, Symphony of Becoming

was published in 2013. In that same year, it made the long list of the NLNG prize for literature. As a poet, she recounts: “I wrote the oldest collection in 1999. In 2011, I sat down to pick the best. I wanted to know who I was, and that explains the title, Symphony of Becoming. I have poems in anthologies. I told someone that having waited for so long to publish, that the outcome will be nice. So I was happy when it made the long list of NLNG prize for literature,” she enthuses.

She sees a lot of parental influence in her tal-

ent. “My mother is a songstress with a beautiful voice. I loved to listen to her singing when I was younger. She has always been a member of our church choir in Uyo. “My father too has a way with words. Even on stage, I borrow my grandfather’s introductory words, the way he would try to gain our attention when he told us moonlight stories in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State”.

Iquo describes herself thus: “I am passionate, deeply passionate about what I do or like.

I like the fact that I am easy-going; people have called me intelligent too. I like that I am calm; daily, I strive to be calmer”.

She wears a natural hair that frames her beautiful face. But it is not because of spiritual beliefs, which frowns against artificial hair. “It is curiosity; I want to know what my hair would look like without chemicals. In 2012, I wore Anita Baker, but I decided to change hairstyle. So, I considered dread locks; I thought that I would be bored with such singular look. So I got curious with natural hair.”

Her job requires a compassionate heart, she observes, noting that other people’s pains could leave you dumb so much so that sometimes, you do not know what to say.

But she says that all the bereaved or a person going through trauma may want is a listening ear and the assurance that they are not alone. “In this country, we say the wrong things to a grieving mind. For example, you are not helping or being supportive when you tell a grieving mother that she can have another child to replace the one she has lost.

That is a lack of understanding because the one she grieves means someone and something different from any other child or children that she may give birth to consequently.

No two people are the same.

“Some people may grieve over a loss for one year while another may feel the pain for five years. Everybody has a right to their own pace in grieving. People think that men do not grieve, but they do feel pain”.

What does Iquo not like about herself?

“Sometimes, I am afraid to try something new. But I am fighting that now. I like the fact that I can reach deep within me and connect and therefore able to come out of the storm.

Of course, it is not me; it is the grace of the Almighty.

She explains how she is able to have her hands into many things. “I am immensely blessed. I joke that I have itchy fingers, which cannot keep still. But every dream I have is a huge responsibility, which I do not take lightly.

“Growing up, I was very imaginative. I would make up stories in my head where I would see myself as the heroine. After I have achieved a set purpose, I always ask myself, what next? I see the need for continuous movement because after you have stayed so long in one place, the glut sets in; you begin to slide downwards without knowing it.”

The youth, who blame unemployment for their misdemeanors, she observes, are products of a lazy generation. “Lazy in the sense that people do not want to work, but prefer fast money. Craft, sometimes is a long-term investment; it demands your time and commitment. Many young people do not want that so they may prefer to go into cyber crime.

“But whatever you do, think of the result in the long term. It should not be a glory that evaporates as fast as it comes.”

Iquo’s superfluous bodily hair is a marvel.

She can’t get rid of it, even if she tries, she confesses. Once she travelled home to Akwa Ibom State, a kinswoman who wanted the confirmation that she still eats well, told her to turn her back. She wanted to see if the hair that runs down the groove of her back was still there. Alas, they had depleted; and the woman blamed fast-paced Lagos life for it.

But almost in a mournful tone, she confides that she cannot always cope with the attention from the opposite sex. That is another reason that if at all she wears facial make-up, it is to the minimum.

She maintains her ebony skin by striving to eat healthy. “I eat fruits and vegetables. I love food but I am trying to eat less now to watch my weight.

“I have no strict beauty regimen. I use facial scrubs occasionally. I use collagen moisturizers. I do not switch creams easily and I read labels to see what I feed into my body. I am conscious to avoid products that contain proven carcinogen.”

TheGuardian

24 | Saturday, April 12, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend

By Shaibu Husseini

T

O write on Enugu-born scriptwriter and producer Chidi Nwokeabia is to unravel the story of a man who studied Accountancy, worked in an oil and gas company but is today well regarded in Nollywood. Tall, dark, gangling and reserved, Chidi, a graduate of Accountancy of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka who also holds a postgraduate qualification in Human Resources Management from the Lagos State University, has risen from just an interest he expressed to ‘act and write scripts’, to become one of Nollywood’s notable and award-winning producers and scriptwriters.

Chidi it was who wrote and led the production crew that offered the award-winning childfriendly film, Champions of Our Time for viewing.

Directed by Mak Kusare, Champions of Our Time gave Nigeria something to cheer about at the 2011 edition of the Festival of Pan African Cinema in Ouagadougou otherwise called FESPACO, when it won the second prize in the video category of FESPACO that is clearly Africa’s biggest film festival.

The movie, which featured the kid actress Treasure Obasi and other top Nollywood actors including Ejike Asiegbu and Joke Silva, also got an ECOWAS special recognition award. Those awards and others like the Zuma Film Festival award and Lola Kenya Screen award for best film, signified moments of supreme achievement not only for the cast and crew of the movie which was produced with generous support by the Lagos State Government, but also for Nollywood which hardly gets his offering into FESPACO, even in the video category.

“We were totally blown off when we heard that we had won the FESPACO prize with our film”, said Chidi, a native of Achi in Oji River Local Government of Enugu State who has been having a remarkable run as a movie practitioner. Chidi who is Chief Executive Officer of MacNuel Productions, spoke further about his career and life.

I heard you started out as an actor. Why did you drop off?

I didn’t drop off as such. It was even by chance that I joined the industry. I had gone to visit a friend, way back in 1993-a year after Living in Bondage was shot. Luckily I met him at an audition for an Igbo film titled Unforgiven Sin, which Matthias Obahiagbon directed. While there, I discovered that some of the people who attended the audition could not read in Igbo so I asked to be allowed to read and I read and I was given a role to play. Incidentally that was the very first time Zack Orji will appear in any film, so I will say we came into the industry at the same time. So that was how it started for me and then I did a few other jobs.

But you got off at some point?

Yes, that was in 1996. I had cause to go into the oil and gas industry so I gave up film production for the job and at a stage, I think in 2002, Warri became very restive. I had to quit my job after a colleague, was killed by the locals. It was an incident that really touched me and I concluded I might be the next target. So I felt it was time to leave. I now came back to Lagos fully in 2004 and the hunger for this industry was still there.

Before then, I had registered a production company—MacNuel Production under which I wrote and produced ‘The Last Girl Standing’’. The movie did very well. In fact the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) under Mrs. Rosaline Odeh selected the film to be screened in Italy. I think they liked the story because it was something on rape. So I was encouraged to come

The Quintessential Chidi Nwokeabia Of Moviedom back fully but this time as a scriptwriter and producer. It was equally towards that period that I wrote Champions of Our Time.

Was Champions of Our Time fiction or a true account?

It was based on an experience I had with a little girl that was physically challenged that was standing by the roadside looking for help to cross the road. She stayed there for a very long time and there was no one to help. I eventually helped her cross the road and from our conversation I discovered that she was very intelligent. So I just imagined that are there people like this who are this intelligent and who are eager to go to school but are constrained by their inability to move freely. So this idea came and I challenged myself to do something for this category of people.

And the movie won so many awards?

Yes it did, including the big one, which is the FESPACO prize. But I was particularly encouraged by some of the awards it won before FESPACO like at Zuma Film Festival and at a festival in Kenya. But my interest was getting it into the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) but for some reasons, we couldn’t meet up. But we got one other award in Ireland and that encouraged us to continue to send it around. That was how we sent it to FESPACO after translating it into French. We are really very happy it did well.

But was there any thing you did whilst growing up that pointed to this direction?

Not really. The closest I did to the arts was reading books and novels and that was because my mother was a teacher and so she bought some novels and made us read them.

But I think it was after reading James Hardly Chase that I got really interested in writing. I just told myself that someday I was going to write the African version. So I started putting my thoughts together.

That is the closest I came to writing. The other career interest I had was Law but my father who was an accountant with the UAC didn’t want me to study law. So I gave it up and settled for accountancy.

You haven’t worked since you produced Champions of Our Time?

Yes, we have not done any major work in the mould of Champions of Our Time but we have worked on two films for the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC). One is Amono and the other one is called Torn Garment. We just finished it and they are planning a premiere. It is just something to promote our culture and highlight our tourism potential. But I have stories I want to put out, problem is funding. I am not one who typically approaches a marketer for monies to make movies because a marketer is a businessman. He probably wants it

CelebrityEXTRA ...

Chinwetel Ejiofor Here For Half Of A Yellow Sun Premiere Today

O

SCAR nominee and BAFTA winner Chiwetel Ejiofor is to headline the grand premiere of the star studded movie ‘Half Of A Yellow Sun’, which will premiere today in Lagos. Other stars of the movie including star actress Genevieve Nnaji and Onyeka Onwenu would be in attendance and they will be expected to dazzle moviegoers at the red carpet session which will precede the screening of the film that was directed by Nigerian Playwright Biyi Bandele.

CELEBR ITY

Screened first at the 2013 edition of the Toronto film Festival, the movie which is based on Chimamanda Adichie’s successful novel of same title features British actress, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Nollywood stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Zack Orji, Wale Ojo, OC Ukeje, veteran singer Onyeka Onwenu, Gloria Young and Tina Mba. Those who can’t make today’s premiere can hang on to see the film when it would be released in the cinemas as from April 25.

produced in two weeks and the third week he wants it in the market. I usually take my time to work on my movies. So I am hoping I can access fund to work on the stories I have. So funding and where to eventually sell the movies (distribution) is our major challenge in the industry. We were lucky with Champions of Our Time. In fact the success of the movie wouldn’t have been possible without the exemplary role played by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) of Lagos State. He financed the production of the movie because he wanted something that could speak for the physically challenged. He didn’t even mind that I was Igbo and that is what makes BRF different from our governors in the South East. They are so self-centered and have not even done anything to help us, yet majority of those who are active practitioners today are from the

South East. I think what BRF did is a gesture worth emulating by other state governors.

You look as though you will venture into directing soon?

Not really. I don’t venture into something that I do not have the capacity to do. I do not intend to direct in the nearest future even though I have understudied a couple of directors in the course of my producing the few movies I have done. Again, I am not the typical scriptwriter who writes for people. I write scripts and produce them. I think I have only written a script for a lady who insisted I must write for her. So I am not a commercial scriptwriter. Besides here, people don’t pay much for scripts. So how many scripts will I write to be able to make ends meet? Right now I remain as a producer. Acting is out for me except to may be complete a cast.

So do you see yourself quitting any day?

I think I am stuck more or less. I see a lot of opportunities and a lot of prospects in this industry. It is just that the government over the years, well may be apart form the present government of Goodluck Jonathan, have not really given the industry the desired support. Even Corporate Nigeria has not done much for this industry. It is very sad. I don’t like a situation where we go cap in hand to ask government for funds always. There are certain structures that must put in place to help an industry like ours.

But I think I am stuck even though I have this feeling that it will get better soon.

Where are you headed career-wise?

I am heading towards the promise land.

There is a lot to be done. I think it is high time we started doing movies that change perception. I want to do a lot of movies in that direction. I want to produce stories that will help in changing negative perception about Nigeria, its people and our way of life.

FASHION /40

Brand

NEW LOOK MONDAYS–FRIDAYS IN THE GUARDIAN

THE REBASING OF NIGERIAN GDP

SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014 Joseph Babalola University Gets Approval For Law College

Makurdi Music Blast

By Daniel Anazia DHERING to its suggestions on how run its proposed College of Law, the National Universities Commission (NUC), has given its approval for the commencement of Law programmes in the Joseph Ayo Babalola University, the first entrepreneurial university in Nigeria, located in Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.

According to the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Sola Fajana, NUC gave its mandate to the University to commence the programme via a mail sent to him.

Fajana said concerted efforts have been made to ensure that the University is constantly in line with the provisions laid down by the regulatory body; therefore all hands have been on deck for the take off of theprogramme.

The universities regulatory body gave its approval for two programmes in the University — Law and Public Administration, and admonished the University management to provide adequate human and material resources for the development and growth of the approved programmes.

A

Take Over..

CIAPS Unveils Career Development And Youth Employment Plans

By Daniel Ananzia

Powered by POISE FASHION /39

Kila

OISED to helping graduates get jobs in their chosen career, Lagos based Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies, CIAPS, last week unveiled its new fast track programmes for graduate.

The Centre Director, Prof Anthony Kila, in a statement issued in Lagos explained that the plan is based on the CIAPS’ Outcome Based Educational (OBE) Programmes.

According to him, the programmes are built on research and the inputs received from dynamic organisations about their recruitment needs as well as their employment and development strategies. “A major aim of the programme is to address the employability of many graduates and young people,” Kila said.

Rather than focusing on just theory and academic curriculum, the university don explained that CIAPS is working with businesses and other various kinds of organisations and employers to establish what kind of graduates these organisations and employers need, what skills and knowledge these graduate should possess. He noted that this way, graduates will be training for a real job and career rather than just for a certificate.

He pointed out that the programmes would also help young people and graduates familiarise themselves with the working environment. “As a fundamental part of their study at CIAPS, students would be actively engaged through their work-experience, workplacements and various kinds

P

Nigeria’s Education Sector Will Breed Criminals And Prostitutes By 2020 — Ezekwesili

the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s education sector, and predicted that by year 2020, the sector will breed highly trained criminals and girls of easy virtue across the globe. She regretted that seven years after she left the sector, it was still bedeviled with crisis.

The former World Bank Chief, who addressed participants at the 2014 Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Abuja, also noted that the tertiary education model is ridden with what is technically known as the funnel syndrome.

“We are assimilating and educating only a fraction of the critical mass of society while neglecting a larger uneducated AAU Management Denies Death of Student mass. We are producing less and less of the leaders of tomorDuring SUG Poll row, the managers, the entrethe election. preneurial class, the teachers, HE AUTHORITIES of the doctors, the policy makers, Spokesmen of the groups, AAU Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, Vanguard, Ehime Oseghale, and the law enforcement officers on Monday, denied reports that AAU Solidarity Movement, Isah and the professionals,” she said.

On the way out the decadence a student of the university was Lukman, insisted that the uniin the sector, Ezekwesili, versity has been peaceful and killed during the Students’ advised that the Ministry of there was never any sound of Union Government election Education, should look into gunshot or any fight or killing which last week. what she described as personalThe university in a statement within the university communiity mix by focusing on quality ty. by the Deputy Registrar/Public leadership from the top down “We are not aware of any cult Relations Officer, Chris to the gate of the ministry. “The Adamaigbor, insisted that the clash, let alone death of any stu- ministry should look at the dent.

Such rumours or reports students’ union election held school curriculum, institutions under a peaceful atmosphere. are misleading. The AAU SUG and teachers to frontally Also, some groups in the uni- election was peaceful. versity town have described as untrue, the report that one person was killed in a fresh cult clash in the university during

T

TWO WORDS /26

Following the incessant strikes by tertiary institutions in the country, there is palpable fear that Nigeria’s education sector will breed criminals and prostitutes by 2020. This was made known by the former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili.

Ezekwesili, dropped the bombshell while bemoaning

address the issue,” she noted.

The former ministry also stressed the need for organised training and retraining of teachers and a cost-sharing arrangement between the Federal Government and states.

She expressed fear that given what is on ground, the Federal Government would definitely not achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on education, saying the pessimism on the MDGs was based on the fact that many Nigerians do not have access to education, a problem she placed on the doorstep of the Federal Government.

She warned that the country’s education sector is in a precarious situation, given the present education policy, where only a few had access to tertiary education. “Nigeria would be producing more girls of easy virtue by 2020, and the country would be a breeding ground for motivated and very mature criminals.”

CAREER /27

Youth & Graduate Jobs Powered by Jobberman.com KEEP IT REAL /38

Boosting Your Confidence CARTOON SERIES /38

Ezekwesili

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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Four Finalists Vie For Knorr Taste Quest Crown

CIAPS Unveils Career Development And Youth Employment Plans CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

FTER several weeks of intense culinary A adventure and drama on the set of Unilever Nigeria sponsored cooking reality

into three segments. In the first part, the contestants were given the following ingredients; Moi moi leaves, Beans, Peppers, Tomatoes, show, Knorr Taste Quest, the race for the best Cheese, Onions and Avocado to make a starter cook in Nigeria is now between four finalists. in 40 minutes.

The final episode that would produce the The second task was the preparation of the winner will be beamed live next weekend. An main course with the following ingredients; ultimate prize of N2 million, a Ford Eco Sport Jumbo prawns, Zucchini, Plantain, Aubergines, SUV courtesy of Coscharis Motors, and Seedless cucumber, Sweet potato, White radish, Kenwood kitchen equipment awaits the ulti- Green peppers and Carrots Melon seeds mate winner of the reality show.

(Egusi), and they had 50 minutes to achieve The second place winner (first runner-up) this. will get N1 million cash prize and Kenwood For the third and final task for the day, the kitchen equipment, while the third place win- contestants were required to prepare a dessert ner (second runner-up) will go home with using Mango, Plums, Pear, Rum, Pecan, Lemon, N500,000 cash prize and Kenwood kitchen Knorr classic, Butter and White chocolate in equipment. just 35 minutes.

According to the organisers, all 14 contestAfter each tensed action packed cooking sesants would go home with different Kenwood sion, for the Starter task, Bode emerged the kitchen equipment. The last four finalists — winner, while Moses got evicted, Wando won Wando, Olabode, Dixon and Popoola, the Main course task, while Ojo was evicted, emerged out of the total of seven that went and again Wando won the desert task, while into the week’s episode.

Doom was evicted bringing the show to the Head of the jury, Dr. Roberts divided the task final climax before the grand finale.

TWO WORDS

of internships,” he said.

“Many of the companies working with CIAPS on these programmes are eager to employ but cannot find the right people, many of the graduates they find are just not ready for the work environment. But CIAPS’ plan through its fast track programmes is to bridge this gap by providing very practical training and helping the graduates reach employers,” he added.

Kila further reiterated that the scheme aims to generate over a hundred jobs. “The fast track programmes start in May 2014, and will last about three months. The main areas of study are in Journalism, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, Office Management, Education and Project Management,” he stated.

According to Kila, applicants for this programme are required to have a first degree or equivalent (Bachelors or HND), noting that having a good grade is a major added advantage.

However, he explained that applicants without such qualifications may also apply, but their applications would be subjected to a more complex process and they would be required to demonstrate their ability to successfully follow the programme.

Kila confirmed that in all cases, applicants would be tested by CIAPS through written assessments and verbal interview. “Applicants would be deemed successful only if they are judged to possess a good mix of imagination and creative thinking, written and verbal communication skills.” He said.

He added that the ability and willingness to learn, sense of responsibility and ability to work in a team, resilience and stability, integrity and respect for others would be an added advantage.

To help capable but financially challenged young people, Kila said the centre would granting a bursary worth 15 percent of tuition fees to anyone under 35 years old that registers by April 10.

uki@poisenigeria.org,

National Assembly Set To Increase Penalties For Exam Malpractices N A BID to stem the tide of examination malpractice in the country, especially in the West African Examination Council (WAEC), a bill seeking to revise upward the penalties for examination malpractices has passed the second reading stage in the House of Representatives at the National Assembly, Abuja.

The Executive Bill which was brought before the House by the Majority Leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, seeks to amend the entire Section 19 of the Principal Law to include more penalties. It was referred to the House Committee on Education after it was passed on Thursday.

While presenting the import of the bill before members, Akande said the bill is to act as further deterrent to examination cheats and help reduce the high incidences of examination malpractices.

According to her, WAEC has thought it fit to amend the Section by providing the offences constituting such malpractices to include: Illegal possession of examination papers; Having fore-knowledge of the contents of an examination paper; Making use of an examination paper or the contents of it/ in any manner whatsoever without lawful authority.

“The Bill also provides for the amendment of Sections 20 and 21of the principal Act, a stiffer penalty of N200,000 fine instead of N2,000 and of course provision for disqualification and prohibition of a candidate, notwithstanding criminal prosecution of such cheaters,” she said.

I

powered by

Experience is the best teacher, but the tuition fee is very high. I am Uki Dare, C.E.O of Poise’ Graduate Finishing Academy, mother of two and wife of one. I will share with you lessons I have learnt from my experiences around transforming from a young lady with big dreams to a young C.E.O with massive goals. I won’t bore you with long prose and philosophical arguments I promise to be real and answer all your questions in just TWO WORDS.

Uki Dare “Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer Had a very shiny nose

Take Over ...

My advice to you is this:

Have you ever felt like you were being prevented from being happy or successful because of the actions or inaction of others? Today we are going to discuss how to take the focus to “BEFORE THE BECAUSE”. If you know the Christmas carol above then you know that Rudolph is one of Santa’s reindeer. He had a big red shiny nose so his friends made fun of him, which made him unhappy, POOR RUDOLPH. If someone had asked him what was wrong he would say “I am unhappy, because the others are being mean to me.”

problem of feeling unhappy and unwanted.

If he did not realize it, he would have sat blaming God for giving him a big red nose, We sometimes say, I am not doing well insulting his friends for being so insensitive because my boss is not motivating me and so on after all that he would still remain ‘unhappy’. Luckily for Rudolph, Santa I am not doing well, because my boss does- helped him out by asking him to use his n’t appreciate me nose as a guiding light for his sleigh. This I am so hurt, because people always leave made those same Reindeer looking down on him to wish they could be more like him. me out of things Here is the rest of the carol: The most important part of those statements is what comes before because, that “Then one foggy Christmas eve, Santa came to say, is where you are affected and that is also where you have power to cause change: Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?

What you are saying is: I am not happy, I am not doing well, I am so hurt. So if all Then all the other reindeer loved him these are true, here is my question to you…What are you going to do about it.

And they shouted out with glee The things that come after the ‘because’ Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer are not your only source. You can take responsibility for changing your situation You’ll go down in history “ by giving yourself permission to be who you want to be in spite of your limitations.

Many times, in describing or solving a

Rudolph had many options to solve his

TAKE OVER

And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows All of the other reindeers used to laugh and shout with glee They never let poor Rudolph play in any Reindeer games”

problem we focus on what comes after because and not before it e.g

Where you cannot necessarily change the behavior of others… Change Yourself.

If the obvious solution to your problem isn’t working out...Find another No one invited you to join their team…Start yours Your boss does not motivate you?…Motivate yourself Your environment is sucking the life out of you…Change It Your teachers didn’t teach you…teach yourself You are the architect of your own destiny, the number one beneficiary of your success and the number one victim if you fail. If your circumstances and those around you are not helping you to be your best self…

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JOBS & CAREERS

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JOBS & CAREERS

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JOBS & CAREERS

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YOUTHMAGAZINE powered by

National Development Strategy Series The Positive aspects of the $510 billion GDP rebasing

NICHOLAS OKOYE, Founder EMPOWER NIGERIA Initiative

FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO Access to Capital paper 7 THE REBASING OF NIGERIAN GDP I have been taking about the access to capital as one of my nine pillars of National Development and in the middle of my presentation, boom we jump from a GDP of 245/250 billion USD to 509.9 billion USD. This is unprecedented and even though it is only stating the obvious it is significant in several respects.

The World Bank I read a number of reactions to the rebasing of the Nigerian GDP and that of the World Bank stands out. They stated that investors do not run to countries with large economies so we Nigerians should not congratulate ourselves so soon. I completely disagree with the World Bank or specifically Mr Francisco Ferreira who is the Chief Economist of the World Bank Africa Region who spoke during the Africa Pulse recently. In my opinion unless he was trying to draw our attention to the fact that we still have a very high poverty rate and that we are lacking in infrastructure, which are both true, but the key essence of his statement is completely false.

As an Investment Adviser MYSELF for many years and having worked with some of the World’s best and most sophisticated investors while I was working at Merrill Lynch in Boston USA, I know that many investment decisions are made simply on the basis of the size of the economy of a Nation or a community so the World Bank is absolutely wrong on this case. Many investments are decided on the basis of the size of the National Economy, the growth rate and so on. In fact many investors will be biting their fingers for not coming into Nigeria before now as they have been basing their calculations on the wrong understanding that Nigeria has a GDP of $245 billion or there about. In fact even when Africa bases are being considered for Global Companies it is almost always the size of the Economy of the location Nation that wins the day and South Africa has always been the site for many Africa based global companies including Banks, Investment Funds and Consumer Product Companies.

The good news is that we will become a destination of sorts for many groups, associations, global companies seeking investments in Africa. Many of the investment funds, investment banks and so on that have prior to now set up their operational base in South Africa in an effort to use South Africa as their base for reaching out to the rest of the continent including Nigeria, will begin to rethink this strategy. Lagos and Abuja will be become the next hot beds for global companies and Transnational Corporations. In the next few years we will see sharp changes in the investment strategy of many companies.

As many funds will now deem it necessary to set up in Nigeria first in an effort to get a foot in the door. Companies that are involved in consumer products will take a more strategic look at Nigeria, in an effort to gain access to the large population and the seemingly growing middle class. So global firms like Proctor and Gamble, Heineken, Unilever and so on can expect some very serious competition from more global companies that will be coming into Nigeria over the next few months and years. The competition will be great for Nigeria and Nigerians so we will be President Goodluck Jonathan is Presiding over a much larger economy than previously thought. The present GDP of better for it. As all this competition will do is $510 billion is still calculated for a Nigeria with 60% of the population as excluded and unbanked, and a poor electricity create more Jobs for Nigerians, especially the generation and supply network. A banking inlcusion strategy and a solution to the power problem could give the GDP another boost to somewhere in the $800 bilion dollar range in the next three to five years. good high paying jobs that gives rise to a middle class. I wonder why the World Bank row over $100 billion USD in the next few years The negative side of the new figures feels this is bad for us? and that would only be 20% of GDP. We can announced on the GDP is that those that are The cement, building industries and housthus fund the investment of a new national rail not included in this economy will feel even ing industries will have a field day as Global way system that crisscrosses Lagos to Port more left out at that stage. So the youths, the Funds will be seeking transactions that can Harcourt, stopping at Benin, Onitsha, Owerri women and other groups that are already finance the new and emerging middle class and Yenegoa. Another line that goes from showing signs of rebellion will get louder. We in Nigeria under better terms. This is also Sokoto to minna to Ibadan to lagos, and anoth- cannot have an economy of $510 billion USD good for Nigeria as it can only mean more er one that starts off in Ogodo, to abakaliki, to and not have a plan for our young people. So jobs for the Nigerian people. I again wonder enugu, to Onitsha, to asaba, to benin to Ore, to we must make quick and effective adjustwhy the World Bank feels this will be bad for shagamu to Abekunta to lagos. And finally ments all across the board. Young people will Nigeria? from Katsina, to Kano, to Kaduna, to Abuja, to begin to get restless, and they will begin to Lagos and Port Harcourt again stopping at sta- demand a right for inclusion, and they will be There will be a strategic need for Leaders at tions all along the route and the rest to the well within their rights to do so. I will like to every level of Nigeria especially the county. We can completely revolutionize see a Federal Government policy that is across Institutions of the Federal and State Nigeria with a project like this. And this can be the board designed to include all young peoGovernment to realign their public fund done now that we have the power to borrow. ple over the next five years in job programs, investment strategy to one that will capture The good news is that this will not cost $100 bilentrepreneurship and skills so that we will not the excluded ones, reduce poverty and create lion to do this, maybe $20 billion or so, and the witness a backlash. This van be bad for Nigeria the jobs that are needed to re-launch Nigeria. rest can be used to fund the power infrastrucbut it can also be avoided if Leaders do what is Our Leaders will now have no choice but to ture which can be given out as loans to the new right now, as it is not yet too late invest heavily in infrastructure in the very power companies, as well as build industrial near term. Whatever it costs us, we must parks all across the Country with industries Access to Funding for Private Ventures build a modern railway system in Nigeria that are directly tied to the global supply chain. designed to carry our heavy load all across ‌is growing across the World, investors are This will all create Jobs Jobs Jobs and how can the country. It is this heavy load that makes Jobs for Nigerian youths ever be bad? beginning to understand the value of supportour roads spoil so quickly and a rail system ing Entrepreneurs almost in every country. In will solve this problem once and for all. Since The Negative aspects of the $510 USD GDP Nigeria some ventures have been funded by our GDP is currently $510 billion, we can bor- rebasing international based private equity firms with a keen interest in gaining access the Nigerian economy. And the trend is rising, Nigerians based in the United Kingdom such as Jason Njoku of Iroko TV, or Nigerians based in the United States are beginning to attract funding for their ground breaking ideas that are changing the landscape of our national economy. Globally venture capitalists invested $29.4 billion in 3,995 deals in 2013, which is an increase of 7 percent in value terms over 2012, and a 4 percent increase in number of transactions over the prior year, this is according to the MoneyTree Report by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), based on data from Thomson Reuters. So Entrepreneurs are getting funding internationally. What about Nigerian Entrepreneurs? Our Venture Capital industry is not that developed but we are well on our way.

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EMPOWERNIGERIA

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CASE STUDY

GEORGE LUCAS: THE MAN WITH THE BEUATIFUL MIND.

AMOUS director, writer and producer George FCalifornia.

Lucas was born on May 14, 1944, in Modesto, Lucas’s parents sold retail office supplies and owned a walnut ranch in California. His experiences growing up in the sleepy suburb of Modesto and his early passion for cars and motor racing would eventually serve as inspiration for his Oscar-nominated low-budget phenomenon, American Graffiti (1973).

He attended community college and developed a passion for cinematography and camera tricks.

Following the advice of a friend, he transferred to the University of Southern California filmmaking school. There, he produced a short futuristic SciFi film called THX-1138:4EB, and garnered a comfortable spot under the wing of Francis Ford Coppola, who took an active interest in unleashing new filmmaking talent. Coppola convinced Warner Brothers to make a feature length version of the film, and although a few critics recognized some philosophical depth behind all the technical wizardry, THX-1138 (re-titled) flopped terribly in its 1971 release.

Although intimidated by the failure of his first film, Lucas went back to work on his next project, American Graffiti. Released in 1973, the film featured such burgeoning young talents as Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford, and was recognized as a stunning portrait of listless American youth in 1962. The film, made for only $780,000, grossed $50 million in the box office. It was nominated in five categories at that year’s Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Director for Lucas, and is still considered one of the most successful low budget features ever made.

Now that Lucas had won back the confidence of his supporters, he set out to make a children’s Saturday morning serial that would be part fairy tale, part Flash Gordon, and complete fantasy and adventure set in the imaginary frontier of outer space. The project eventually evolved into a

full-length feature entitled, Star Wars. In its 1977 release, Star Wars blew audiences away with its awe-inspiring special effects, fantastical landscapes, captivating characters, and the familiar resonance of popular myth and fairy tale.

Made for $11 million, the film grossed over $513 million worldwide during its original release.

Lucas continued the story of the Jedi Knights and the Dark Side in The Empire Strike Back (1980) and The Return of the Jedi (1983). In the meantime, he set up a state-of-the-art special effects company, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), as well as a sound studio, Skywalker Sound, and began to execute more and more control over the finished product of his films. He eventually built his own moviemaking “empire” outside of the controlling influence of Hollywood in the hills of Marin Country, California.

Working alongside his work on Star Wars, Lucas developed on a new adventure series featuring tough, but humorous archaeologist named Indiana Jones. He cast Star Wars main character Harrison Ford in the title role, and Steven Spielberg signed on director for Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark (1981). Instead of deep space, Lucas mined the past for this actionpacked tale. Indiana Jones battles the Nazis over an ancient artifact in this big box office hit.

Lucas helped create the stories and worked as a producer on the two sequels soon followed.

Harrison starred with Kate Capshaw in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), audiences got to meet Jones’s father played by Sean Connery.

After the third Indiana Jones film, however, Lucas prepared to return to the film franchise that made him world famous—Star Wars.

Finally technology was catching up with Lucas’s creative vision for his famous science fiction saga. He had seen ILM’s capabilities when it was commissioned to bring the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park (1993) to horrifying life. The pro-

gressions in technology convinced Lucas that it was time to go back to Star Wars.

Lucas embarked on the development of three new prequels—beginning with the menacing Darth Vader as an innocent, but forceful, young boy. The first in the series, Star Wars: Episode I— The Phantom Menace, was released in spring of 1999 to high expectations and unprecedented hype and fanfare. The response to the film was mixed. Some critics and Star Wars fans found the characters childish and racially stereotyped.

Others complained that the story lacking in dramatic depth. No one, however, could argue about the magical quality of Lucas’s technologically masterful creations.

Defending his latest creation, Lucas argued that The Phantom Menace was a children’s movie—as all the Star Wars movies were meant to be before their cult like magnetism took hold of the American public. Star Wars: Episode II premiered on May 12, 2002, at the Tribeca Film Festival. The third and final episode, Revenge of the Sith, debuted in May 2005.

In 2008, Lucas released the latest installment of his Indiana Jones series. He served as one of its writers and as a producer while Steven Spielberg once again acted as director.

Harrison ford returned as the famed adventuring archaeologist in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and was joined by Cate Blanchett and Shia LaBeouf on this new challenge. The film proved one of the summer’s biggest hits.

Lucas served as the producer of a different type of action film in early 2012. Working for years, he was able to help bring the story of the famed African American pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen to the big screen in Red Tails. This World War II drama starred Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrace Howard, Nate Parker and David Oyelowo.

Red Tails may prove to be one of Lucas’s final epics, excluding a possible new Indiana Jones film. He announced that he was retiring from big blockbusters to explore smaller, more personal stories on the screen around this time. To that end, Lucas decided to sell his company, Lucasfilm, to the Walt Disney Company in October 2012. He received about 40 million shares of Disney stock as part of the deal. In return, Disney got the rights to the very lucrative Star Wars franchise.

In addition to being a filmmaker, Lucas has been dedicated to helping improve education.

He created the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the early 1990s. His organization encourages the use of project-based and teambased learning among other education reforms.

Lucas serves as the foundation’s chairman and its mission is deeply personal to him. He spent many years as a single father to his adopted daughter Amanda after his divorce from film editor Marcia (Griffin) Lucas in 1983, after 14 years of marriage. After their split, Lucas also adopted two more children: Katie and Jet. In January 2013, Lucas announced his engagement to Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments. The couple had been dating for five years prior to their engagement. A 69-year-old Lucas and a 44-year-old Hobson wed in late June 2013 at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California.

Guide to Personal Development

By Nicholas Okoye

nokoye@empowernigeria.com

AN OPEN MIND ON ALL SUBJECTS I

N talking about peak performance, you have to understand what it takes to get there. And as we all want to succeed we have to be able to embrace the principles of success as they apply to all citizens.

How can you expect to move forward when your mind is closed?

How can you expect to learn something new when you will not entertain anything new? I read somewhere recently that one of the Presidential candidates in the newly formed Party was trying to justify the importance of old age in politics and how Nations have accepted very old candidates as their leaders in the past by some of the most respected nations of the World. He sighted Charles Du Gaul in France back in the 1960s and he sighted President Reagan in the early 1980s. Talk about a closed mind right? How can anybody expect to lead a Nation into the future with a closed mind? The examples of old candidates go back 30 to 50 years. I wish I could ask him if we are still driving the same cars that they drove 50 years ago? Or if his children were being educated with the curriculums of 30 or 50 years ago? The world has changed because leaders around the world have understood the importance of the open mind.

If you have made up your mind on any subject before you have heard all the facts then you have a closed mind. And one of the most important principles of success is to have an open mind. So if you are looking to succeed, and you want to attain Peak Performance then you have to have an open mind.

In Nigeria there are some of the influences that give us a closed mind, one is religion, and another is culture. It takes the Wisdom of Solomon for one to raise above these influences and still have an open mind on all subjects. I guess that is why many Nations that have leaders that have arisen above these have done so well and Nations that have Leaders who cannot see beyond Religion and Culture in everything will never do well. Nigeria is on the danger list and you are also limiting yourself if you allow your religious beliefs or your cultural tendencies to cloud your judgment. Have an open mind on all subjects and solutions will open up to you.

Saturday, April 12, 2014 35

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Tuface, MI, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Timaya Dazzle Fans

A Blast Of Music

In Makurdi Efa and RockSteady immediately kicked up momentum with the crowd singing along enthusiastically. One lucky guest, Rita, who ast week was the turn of Markudi, the Benue danced superbly, went home with Dammy State capital to be part of the on-going Star Kranes’ gold encrusted watch.

Music Trek, a live music concert by the Nigerian Their performance paved way for the Egberi Breweries Plc under the Star brand, through Papa 1 of Bayelsa, Timaya, who mounted the which the company reaches out to its constage with his sinuous dancers dressed in wellsumers across the country. And for the artistes cut police officers ‘outfits’. Their synchronized on parade, the show also provides a viable plat- dance routine ended with the four dancers form to meet face to face with their fans, who winning their waist to the sound of the music, have been instrumental to their successful thereby announcing the arrival of Timaya. music career.

As usual, he eschewed a pair of shoe for a pair Unlike in the early years of the music project of short white socks. Even that did not stay on when the shows were staged mainly in major long as he danced through the latter part of his cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and performance barefoot. While the audience reEnugu, the organisers have since extended the peatedly demanded for the wave making hit gig to towns and communities in the grasssong, Ukwu, Timaya, who recently cut off his roots. And to a very large extend, the strategy dreadlocks, also ensured he also served other had paid off, as the show has become a sort of hits from his collection such as Plantain yearly music tour, benefitting both fans and Boy, Ekoloma Demba and others. the stars.

Immediately Timaya left the stage, it was Simply put, Star Music Trek has become a time for Wande Coal to wow the audience and meeting point of the stars and their fans across the country. So, you can now understand the level of excitement that filled the air last Saturday, as Star Music Trek fun train arrived Makurdi.

Leading the stars was son of the soil Tuface Idibia, who is always excited playing in his native state. Also on the bill are rapper M.I, Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage, Timaya as well as other home grown talents, who shared the stage with the ‘big boys’.

As at 5pm, businesses in town came to a halt, as residents, especially young fun lovers, headed for the IBB Stadium, Makurdi to be part of the all night groove.

One by one, group by group, guests kept trickling in and before long, the stadium was packed full. And with the DJ blasting popular hits from woofers positioned at strategic points at the venue, the atmosphere was lively from the onset.

Anchored by comedian Gbenga Adeyinka, who spiced the evening with jaw breaking jokes that got guests laughing all the way, the show started on an exceptionally high note.

2Face and Bridget Kelly Guest appearances from Dammy Krane,

By Chuks Nwanne

L

of herself as the leading female singer in the country; her sensuous dance steps added colours to her performance. Paying tribute to a fallen colleague, Zara Gretti, Tiwa did Missing You, a song that brought the audience to their feet and tears to their eyes as she sang for the late songstress.

As the only rapper on the bill, M.I knew all eyes were o him in Makurdi; even his hoarse voice, perhaps from strenuous studio rehearsals, was never a barrier as he gave the crowd a show to remember. With his staples such as Anoti, Chairman, One Naira, M.I kept the party on a high note right through the early hours of the morning.

Meanwhile, Tuface’s scintillating performance with international singer Bridget Kelly of Roc Nation, will go down as one of his most stunning duets ever, as the two made a fitting complement on stage while they performed Let Somebody Love You, off Idibia’s forthcoming album, Ascension. As usual, his performances are always a sight to behold and a delight to watch.

His dancer’s pre-performance skit on the elevated darkened stage, with colorful costumes and appropriate stage props, artistically depicted the vicissitudes of war and the necessity of peace and harmony and was a fitting intro to his hit song, One Love and the rousing welcome of cheering music fans. But it really didn’t matter what song Tuface played — Implication, Odiaye etc, the audience was fine with it.

To herald Star Music Trek, a pre-gig party was held on April 4, at the Pages Bar Makurdi, with special guest artiste, 2face and others in attendance. Tuface took out time to present a gift prize of an LCD TV to a lucky winner from the raffle draw, which also held at the pre gig party.

yes, he certainly did; especially when he dropped a snippet of his new song Baby Hello to the delight of guests. However, it was glaring though that the audience still wanted some of his old hits, which the former MAVIN star happily performed, with exciting medley of songs such as You Bad, Bumper to Bumper and others.

As the only female entertainer in the star studded line up, everyone waited for the turn of MAVIN first lady, Tiwa Savage and her sexy dancers.

From Love Eminado, More, and Me, Tiwa gave a good account

Tiwa Savage

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Saturday, April 12, 2014

YOUTHMAGAZINE

WEEKENDBEATS

Lynda Magada… A Bolt From The Creek Onyedika Agbedo OR lynda Magada, a graduate of philosoFmodel, phy from the University of lagos, and a good things, apart from the ‘black gold’ (crude oil), have always come out from the creeks. This includes beautiful damsels that abound in the oil rich region.

Currently a master’s degree student in Public Administration at the University of Ghana, legon; Magada, is passionate about modeling, and having excelled in the field, she wants to use same as an art to encourage fellow sisters in the creek to return to school.

“When you visit our creeks and communities, you find countless number of girl-mothers. They see schooling as worthless; I don’t know who brainwashed them to think that because there is no job out there, education is useless. It is really a big problem and I’m happy that the Governor of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson, is tackling the issue head on,” she said.

According to her, the platform (modeling and beauty pageants) would help curb menace of early marriage and create awareness on the education of the girl-child. “I want to use the art of modeling and beauty pageants to encourage our sisters in the creeks to return to school.”

Given your urbane look, have you visited the creeks?

Magada said: “I’m a creek girl, and the Niger Delta creek is my second home. I was able to visit many communities in the creeks as a member of the National Association of Ijaw

Female Students (NAIFS) de-worming team.

This is a yearly programme embarked upon to de-worm the children in the region and save them from untimely death.”

She added: “Our environment is full of diseases because of the polluted water and air caused by oil spillage by multinationals and the resultant effects of untimely deaths is reducing our population. So, I am a very active member of the de-worming team.

“In the past 10 years, the yearly de-worming programme, which is sponsored by the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), has enabled young undergraduates and graduates in the region to visit the interior parts of the creeks to see the level of poverty and health challenges facing the people,” she noted.

According to the Bayelsa-born model, part of her project includes consulting for the Ijaw Monitoring Group, organisers of Miss Ijaw Beauty Pageant, which produces the Ijaw Most Beautiful Girl, during the NAIFS Convention.

She said: “The process to produce this Miss Ijaw is very difficult because all universities, polytechnics and other institutions are involved. Each chapter on campus selects the most beautiful girl among and the winner moves to the national level during the convention to compete with other girls.”

“Because of the number of qualified contestants from each of the chapters, the selection process is what I advice on and work out with the Ijaw Monitoring Group. And because of my experience, the selection process I adopted to choose the contestants is free from allegations.

In Nigeria, beauty pageants are very controver-

Gulder Club Ultimate Moves To Enugu Four of Africa’s hottest DJs, Two dynamic hosts at the biggest party ever.

By Daniel Anazia

the country, the clubbing event dent that Club Ultimate will go UlDER Club Ultimate, Nige- will make its Enugu debut on down as the greatest event Enugu has seen yet.” ria’s revolutionary mobile Friday April 25 and Saturday Though the organisers are yet clubbing platform is moving April 26.

According to Senior Brand to announce details of hosts to South-East Nigeria for the Manager Gulder, Onyeka Okoli, and performers, but speculafirst time. The remarkable clubbing experience will hold “Enugu is a special destination tions are that bona fide ‘Igbo in Enugu later this month, for for us and we want the connec- boys’ — Phyno, IllBliss, Mr. Raw, and gyration master turned two nights of unprecedented tion between Gulder and our friends in Enugu to be a fusion legislator, Tony One Week are entertainment. of a fully packed entertaining contenders.

The hugely popular club, night with world-class perform- Past editions of Club Ultimate which debuted in Port Harhave hosted celebs likes court on July 2013, has become ances,” he said. a favourite for fun lovers, with He added, “The idea is to take Genevieve Nnaji, Dr SID, Jay Jay dozens travelling from differ- this club experience from city to Okocha, Tee A, Alex Okosi, D’Banj, Denrele, Tee-Y Mix, ent parts of the country to be city to engage and excite our consumers, and it’s Enugu’s Kunle Afolayan, Yaw, JJC, and part of the two-day party.

Enugu, popularly known as turn to witness the spectacle of Weird MC among others.

Club Ultimate. Africa’s hottest Club Ultimate is an innova‘The Coal City’ is the hotbed DJs will throw the biggest party tive gig that transforms ordiand nightlife destination of nary venues into a virtual club south eastern Nigeria. Accord- yet in a night of music, dance of urbane cabaret with DJs ing to the organisers, there is and drinks.”

Marketing Manager, Gulder, spin-off and unusual acrobatic never a dull moment and Emmanuel Agu said, “It’s an ho- performances invoking the faneveryday is a celebration for party lovers who hangout at nour to be able to share this life- tasy wow effect. The fictional changing experience with becomes reality, making it the stylish bars and nightclubs. most exciting clubbing event Organisers had announced Enugu. Gulder continues to that in line with the promise dominate experiential activa- ever experienced in each reto move Club Ultimate around tions nationwide and I’m confi- gion.

G

sial, but the hallmark of Miss Ijaw is integrity and transparency,” she added.

On why she is zeroing the project to the creeks, she said, “I’m proud to be a creek girl. Agabni Darego, my sister, took us to the top of the world as the first black Miss World. Again, our region is backward because of lack of education and you see girls between ages 14 and 18 becoming mothers of many children due to hunger and poverty. So, we have to do something about that unless we want our future to be doomed.

“If the children born today are not well taken care of, they will cause anarchy in the society tomorrow.

So, we have to use various means to discourage illiteracy and encourage them to go to school. Modeling and beauty pageant is a good driving force to return girls back to school,” she declared.

How do you really intend to use modeling as a platform to encourage girl-child education in the creeks?

“Every young girl wants to look good, and organising local competition among communities will attract their attention. In the process, we will create awareness on primary and secondary education that will enable them to fulfill their dreams in life. Those with secondary school background will be encouraged to further their education even if they are already young mothers.”

Inspired by the achievements of amazons like Prof.

Grace Alele Williams and Dr Agari Koripamor, Magada said, “I’m proud to come from the region that produced the first female Vice Chancellor in Nigeria and Professor of Mathematics.

They are lucky to have parents that believed in female education or education of the girl child.

During their time, it was a taboo to send girls to school.

“Some people say that nothing good comes out of the Niger Delta except oil, but we have proven them wrong; you can see that the Niger Delta has even produced the first African Ph.D President in the person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.”

Magada

Saturday, April 12, 2014 37

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YOUTHMAGAZINE D’banj, Omawunmi, Others Launch Cocoa Na Chocolate Campaign WEEKENDBEATS

By Ijeoma Opara op African music stars in collaboration T with oNE, a campaign and advocacy organisation set up to reduce poverty in Africa have launched a musical video titled Cocoa na Chocolate, which makes it one of the continent’s biggest musical ever in support of a campaign to boost investments in agriculture.

The new video campaign paraded 19 top recording artistes from across Africa, including Nigeria’s D’Banj, omawunmi, Femi Kuti, Kunle Ayo and Dontom; Dr Congo’s Fally ipupa; Cote d’ivoire’s Tiken Jah Fakoly; Kenya’s Juliani, and South Africa’s Judith Sephuma, all coming together to help rebrand agriculture and tell African youths that their future lies literally beneath their feet and in their hands. other artistes on the video campaign included, A.Y. (Tanzania), Bufallo Souljah (Zimbabwe), Dama Do Bling (Mozambique), Diamond (Tanzania), Vusi Nova (South Africa), Liz ogumbo (Kenya), Nancy G (Swaziland), rachid Taha (Algeria), Victoria Kimani (Kenya) and Wax Dey (Cameroon).

The Tongolo master, D’banj, noted that agriculture is the single most important cause African musicians can champion together, “i am proud to say we are doing it with oNE voice. Here in Nigeria alone, 70% of Nigerians depend on agriculture for livelihoods.

The Federal agriculture budget has been trending downwards, and is now at just 1.47%. This is a serious concern for us because Nigeria spends billions of Naira importing food every year.”

He added, “Through this song, we are calling on

youths to go online and join oNE.org, to get more involved in agriculture, and to ask our governments to step up and improve agricultural investments, so that the youths can have a better chance of succeeding in it.”

Nigerian’s omawumi expresses her excitement for being part of project that is targeted at improving the wellbeing of Africans through agriculture, and noted that agriculture needs to be seen in a different light.

“When people hear about agriculture, they likened it to something very dirty, but when you eat beans, you should remember that it is

a farm produce, same with Chocolate, which is made from Cocoa. There is no one who doesn’t eat chocolates, during Valentine you buy chocolates for your loved one’s, but they forget it’s made from a farm produce. So, we are trying to tell people that as cool as these things are, they are actually from a place you find irritating.” on the impact of the video to Africans, Dama Do Bling said, “When you make a speech, it is just a speech, but for music, you play it over again and then people connect with the message. The song for me sends the

message that we need to farm to make more food for our future, just as we go to school to become lawyers and doctors, because if you don’t make food, the doctor will not work, teachers will not teach”.

South Africa’s Vusi Nova noted that the oNE campaign is out to fight extreme poverty in Africa and to tell African leaders to start investing more and recommit to agriculture. “i’m all about ending poverty, why should we wallow in poverty when we have so much land where we can plant our food, feed ourselves and eventually feed the world.”

oME of Nigeria’s really exciting to be a part of it.”

S hottest MCs Eva”i’m eager to hear what these guys have been anhave to offer... Hennessy and Beat FM are renounced as hosts for the new Beat FM and Hennessy Hip-Hop show, The VS Class. The list includes iconic lyricist, Mode 9, Sasha p, Show Dem Camp and fast rising female rapper, Eva Alordiah.

The VS Class show, which is put together by premium cognac brand, Hennessy in partnership with leading urbane radio station, The Beat 99.9FM, premiered at 10pm on Thursday, April 10.

Speaking before the kick off, Mode 9 said, “i can’t wait to hear these upcoming rappers spit on the mic... The VS Class show is a good step to promoting rap culture in Africa. This is the first rap show to ever hold in Nigeria and i’m

ally doing a great job promoting upcoming rappers with this platform. Thursday is going to be a great day!” Eva says. other hosts will be announced as the show progresses. Auditions, which have been in progress for two weeks now, will see some talented MCs go head to head to get bragging rights as the ones to look for in Nigeria.

“The VS Class” has been created to discover and promote budding MCs and to give back to the Hip Hop community in the Nigeria.

The hip-hop show will address Hip Hop conversations including Hennessy’s image as Hip-Hop’s number one spirit as well as the celebration of hip hop, both in the local and international entertainment industries.

The VS Class will feature three episodes in 2014 to begin with and have well known MCs, lyricists and DJs in the Nigerian music Mode 9 industry as guests on the show.

The Bomb Nite Club Opens With A Difference

By Omiko Awa or night crawlers and party freaks living in and around Surulere, Lagos, there may be no need to go to the island to unwind and party as The Bomb Lounge and Bar berths on ogunlana Drive by obele Junction.

F

The club which recently opened for operations has wormed itself into the hearts of fun lovers around the mainland with its programmes, state-of-the-art equipment and security network.

Set up to provide quality night out for upward mobile dames and dudes living in Su-

rulere and environs, patrons have described the new club as a welcome experience in the area, as they would not have to take the risk to go to the island for a night out.

According to the managing director of the club, patrick omeche (olupato) “The Bomb gives you everything you need when it comes

Hip-hop artiste, BC Debuts With Boo Boo Me ip-Hop artiste, Anigala Chuka H popularly known as BC (Blast Champ) has hit the music scene

and expertly produced by his twin that has compelling sounds and has huge potential to excel in the brother, Anigala Nedum otherwise music market. Following its release, known as Nedz Beats. with a new vibe entitled Boo Boo Signed onto Meshtro Entertainthe song has continued to domiMe. The fast rising talent and vessel nate the airwaves in various radio ment, he discovered his talent at a of creativity made his music debut stations across the country. tender age, but decided to go all out recently. this year. Four years ago, he alongAccording to the University of As new kid on the block, BC has Benin City undergraduate, the side his producer, recorded couple done fairly well to produce a song strength of his work is its message of songs, which weren’t released of-

ficially.

Born into a family of seven, the 23yr old Ukwani-born rapper/singer and entertainer was raised in Sapele, Delta state. He is currently putting plans together to shoot the video for the new hit, which is expected to be shot and directed by talented director, Aje Films.

to entertainment. it is established to provide a serene entertainment and event centre in Surulere and most parts of the mainland. We also want people to be able to relax close by, not necessarily having to drive through the night to the island.

“We want to use the club to reposition the minds of the people on the mainland and doing this we have to provide first class security and state-of-the-art club equipment. We started this club to save lives and to lessen the stress of going as far as the island just to chill out, club or do events. Now, all can be held at The Bomb Lounge,” he said.

Apart from dishing out doses of good music, the club has special days, which include A Night With Monalisa also known as ladies’ night; A Night With The Stars, where top icons in all aspects of entertainment will be celebrated; Zodiac Celebrity Party to celebrate stars born under a particular Zodiac sign, while Corporate Evening will be for corporate workers and it is strictly by invitation.

38 Saturday, April 12, 2014

KEEP IT REAL...

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YOUTHMAGAZINE

with Kemi Amushan

Events

Amushan Kemi

Boosting Your Confidence Level

on him. I hung on his every word and was mesmerized by his boyish charm. We had lots of fun together, but he managed to knock my confidence down to about a school and I remember very well that 2 on a scale of 1-10. when we had our social day outings, we always used to look forward to meeting the In his opinion, I was an uptight person.

He said my teeth were not white enough. cute boys from other schools, especially from kings college, bells secondary school, My nails? ugly. Breasts? Too small. Skin? international school Lagos and the likes of Too dark. You’d think I was a frog with fangs. My self-esteem imploded, while at them. It was a fantastic experience for us the same time, I was in awe of his confiback then.

We were still innocent and the only thing dence. He thought he was God’s gift to that drove us crazy back then was the cute- the planet. After we parted ways, I did some deep soul searching and i realized ness or finesse of the boys. I mean, my friends would literally start melting when that I was pretty darn fabulous, even with dark skin and an A- cup chest at that time. one of the boys came over to ask for a I realized that when someone puts you dance or ask for our phone numbers and down, it is because they are hurting, inseall. That was a good time I tell you. cure themselves, or possibly just a jerk, We all know that dating can be stressful, often confusing and sometimes feel like a but the point is, someone else’s opinion of you is none of your business. chore, especially if you are getting back Often singles will lack confidence that into it after a break up or just haven’t been they can attract someone special because out there in a long time.

Sometimes confidence is what we lack in of what is portrayed in the media. The images of airbrushed models or pop stars relationships. If a lack of confidence is in music videos make us wonder if that is keeping you home and not going to the cinemas or shopping mall or just sitting at the ideal and what everyone is looking home watching movies with a bag of chips; for. How can you compete? Well, you well it’s time to turn that ship around right can’t, and who wants to anyways? We are now! There is much fun to be had meeting all different and unique in so many wonderful ways. new people.

Try a fun exercise. Purchase a little fancy I remember when I was in my teens, my notebook, something beautiful and self -esteem was at an all time low. I was sacred that you will want to keep. Write dating a student. I had the biggest crush most youngsters dating could be FwasOR quite tricky. While I was growing up, it kind of crazy. I went to an all-girls

down a list of ten things about yourself that is cool, interesting, fun, fabulous, special and different. Do this for twenty-one days. Try to think of ten different things to write down every day, but if you can’t, don’t worry, write the same ten things down. Just make sure that they are positive. At the same time, make sure that you are eating really well. Feed your body with healthy clean foods, drink lots of water and get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Your energy, vibration and confidence will soar.

You will begin to see yourself differently.

People will be drawn to your energy and bit by bit, you won’t give a thought to how others see you, but rather you will know that how you feel about yourself is the only thing that really matters. Trust me.

You are the only person that can help yourself by staying positive and true to yourself. No one can bring u down no matter what.

To our happiness. Cheers.

In association with

Out On A Limb Date(s): 12/04/2014 Location: YMCA Building,77 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos Promoter: The Irede Foundation FOR MORE INFO: www.afritickets.com

InterContinental Easter of Delight Date(s): 14/04/2014 Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos Promoter: Women Inspiration & Enterprise TICKETS: 15,500.00 MORE INFO: www.afritickets.com

Legend in The Making Awards Date(s): 19/04/2014 Location: Rita Lori hotel, Babs Animashaun, Surulere lagos.

Promoter: Unveilmania MORE INFO: www.afritickets.com

Lagos Water Regatta 2014 Date(s): 20/04/2014 Location: Waterfront pier, Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi Lagos.

Promoter: Lagos Water Regatta MORE INFO: www.afritickets.com

The Street Shooters NG Photowalk and Beach Party Date(s): 21/04/2014 Location: Elegushi Beach, Elegushi busstop, Lekki-Epe expressway, Lekki, Lagos Promoter: Street Shooters NG TICKETS: 3,600.00 BUY TICKETS HERE: www.afritickets.com

WIE Africa 2014 Date(s): 03/05/2014 Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos Promoter: Women Inspiration & Enterprise TICKETS: 45,000.00, 55,000.00, 85,000.00 BUY TICKETS HERE: www.afritickets.com

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YOUTHMAGAZINE

On Wearing Denim

By Myles Igwebuike and Kemi Amushan S far as materials and fabrics go, there’s none that can A go against denim in terms of relevance and necessity. A material that has travelled through time, location and social class, denim never gets old and continues to stamp its mark on the fashion scene season after season. Here’s the thing, denim has been seen as a casual or after work appropriate, but restricting denim in this way means you can never really experience the full potential of your wardrobe. I want to rectify this with some tips to use when dressing in Denim.

Everyone thinks it all about the jean trousers; I’m also giving tips on the denim shirt and jacket, effortlessly slotting them into a variety of different looks, smart or businesscasual.

Denim Shirts Not only reserved for turning up with friends on weekend, a denim shirt works just as well under a suit to bring a tactile, masculine touch to your office wear or even formal events - yes formal events!

Style Guidelines Solid mid-blue or indigo shades are the most versatile options and can be dressed up or down effortlessly. Acid wash are the ultimate no no as though they make for an intriguing casual look. Trust me, you don’t want that rocker stoner at a formal event. Keep detailing to a minimum – so no prominent crease lines, distressing, heavy duty buttons or stitching or those eeky Ankara patches everyone is gushing over. It’s hideous and defiles denim in every way.

During the warm-weather months, swap your denim shirt for a chambray version. The lightweight, breathable fabric helps to maintain the desired aesthetic without causing you to overheat.

Jeans It’s fair to say that every man has or, at the very least has had a pair of jeans in his closet. Accepted as an after work or weekend casual essential, the right pair of jeans has the power to change your official wardrobe, especially those that work in offices that have business-casual dress codes.

Style Guidelines Please avoid super skinny cuts. I’m fed up with men’s jeans being tighter than my sister’s jeggins, like are you guys being for real? Also, nix the unflattering boot cut or super relaxed fits. A slim, straight or tapered leg is just much more appropriate within smarter settings.

Obviously, ripped and manufactured distressing are a no go and should be avoided at all costs. Go for plain styles and solid washes.

Know your length and get it right. ‘Trouser mops’ that extended fabric at the hem ruins any outfit instantly!

Especially the refined look we are trying to create. Little to no break on your jeans subtly communicates that you know about style and will also help take your smart casual looks to another level.

“The darker the wash, the smarter they are” that’s the maxim to go by – the pinnacle being a dark blue, straight, well fit pair. Black tends to offer a plain and more obvious contrast with outfits, although they can work well for night-time looks.

Denim Jackets Although this was seen as quite rough and tumble (think cowboy) in the past, now the denim jacket is one of the most versatile pieces a man can own. Making the step up into your smart casual looks is a seamless transition for this rugged piece of outerwear, which works well as a makeshift blazer or as an intriguing layering option.

Style Guidelines Resist any printed details, printed brand names and statement collars. For smart-casual purposes we need to keep it classic and clean; no showing off brands, quality speaks for itself.

Colours shouldn’t be a concern when it comes to the denim jacket, although traditional dark blue shades offer the most versatility. For those looking for something unique, consider a beige or burnt orange option this season – both of which complement a wide variety of colours.

Oversized fits are best left in the past. A slim, almost tailored, version is much more appropriate and can be combined with the smarter pieces in your wardrobe without jarring.

Saturday, April 12, 2014 39

FASHION

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Saturday, April 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FASHION

YOUTHMAGAZINE

A Brand

Create a magical new you with these updated hairstyles from a topmost salon in Lagos

New Look

By Nike Sotade

Eventi Cocktail Weekend holds Tomorrow and for the first time ever, Lagos gets to join the bandwagon and be included on the cocktail map of the world.

Zen Terrace of the Sponsored by Eventi Intercontinental Hotel in Cocktails, Intercontinental Victoria Island, Lagos.

Hotel, Patron, Pernod Ricard The event has been put together by Eventi Cocktails for Absolute Vodka, one of Nigeria’s premier and OnoBello.com, PR Uno, Passion Fruits and Cool & exclusive cocktail outdoor catering brand championed Naija FMs, the aim of this by the young and fast-grow- event is to have different ing entrepreneur- Lara Rawa, brands represented plus a fantastic display of cocktail CEO & Chief Mixologist and liquor where brands can Eventi Cocktails. network with event planners The company has catered and beverage lovers in a for major and exclusive relaxed environment while events in Nigeria ranging enjoying a luxurious and from weddings, birthday parties, financial institutions relaxed atmosphere.

Lara Rawa end of year parties, seminars, and political gatherings to grand openings of major brands in fashion, entertainment, business and lifestyle.

It is an annual gathering of cocktail enthusiasts and will RGANIZERS of the much feature networking, cocktails awaited Africa Fashion and liquor from world-class Week Nigeria (AFWN) whose brands. core aim is to provide visibility The exclusive event is also a platforms for new talents and client schmoozing one that help gather international attenwill also see entertainment tion and awareness, has including music, hors d’oeu- announced its new ambassavre and world-class displays dors. by top mixologists in The event, which will hold on Nigeria.

May 17 and May 18, has Similar events are being announced Pokello Nare and held in major cities around Elikem Kumordzie, the soon-tothe world on an annual basis be couple who were big brother HE Eventi Cocktail T Weekend, Lagos is billed to take place tomorrow at the

HERE’S nothing as cool as a woman T sporting a unique look, especially a beautiful hairstyle that makes her stand out in the crowd.

We are all used to the regular weaves and braid styles, with the myriads of hair products that we use to make them, but what makes a salon and stylist stand out is their ability to create new styles to beautify their clients.

Dsalon Downtown, a leading celebrity salon in Lagos that also offers premium hair care and beauty products, has always led the pack in innovating new hairstyles to adorn women’s crown.

And the celebrities’ salon lived up to its reputation when the MD/CEO Chief Abogo Ugwokegbe recently unveiled some brand new hairstyles from its stables.

The unveiling of the new hairstyles, which also coincided with the celebration of the CEO’s birthday, took place at its salon in Surulere amidst fanfare.

While thanking the Almighty for his blessings and family and friends for

their support so far, he also revealed: “In line with its image as one of the leading salons in the hair and beauty industry and to also mark this august occasion, some new and beautiful hair styles are being launched today.

Furthermore, the three branches of Dsalon Downtown were recently renovated and re-organized in line with the current trend in the hair and beauty industry and to maintain our position as one of the topmost salons in Lagos.”

Check out these models as they strike a pose in the beautiful hairstyles. The weaves, the shape and texture of the weave-on, tell the difference from the regular styles and the updates showcased here.

Why don’t you take a cue from them to create a brand new you for the Easter! ideas and services organization. The company has state-of-the-art equipment and facility, commencing business in 1992 as a barbing salon, Dsalon Downtown has experienced phenomenal growth resulting in a chain of unisex hair care and beauty

Big Brother Stars Pokello And Elikem Named AFWN Ambassadors

O

housemates 2013 (TheChase) as ambassadors of the AFWN. Elikem, a fashion designer who has a collection of designs is now part of the AFWN and so also is Pokello.

The two-day event will be graced by Grand patrons Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas and Senator Daisy Danjuma, Patron Hon. Abike Dabiri, with special guests of honour Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija and Chief Oprah Benson supporting the

emerging designers. Fashion lovers, media houses, celebrities, textile manufacturers, models, make-up artists, fashion photographers, retail buyers, potential designers and business of fashion people will grace the event.

This platform which celebrates and supports African creativity was created in London at the 2011 Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) and has showcased over 200

UK and non UK-based African designers. The event will wrapup with a gala fashion show with veteran fashion designer Hajia Abba Folawiyo closing the show.

According to Ronke Ademiluyi, the organiser and founder of AFWL & AFWN, “the event is to bind emerging talents in the fashion industry, connect them to the right people, showcase them to their customers and potential ones,

unleash the creativity in them, support them, give them an opportunity and platform to grow and create awareness.”

Registration and opportunities still abound for designers and exhibitors interested in participating by visiting www. africafashionweeknigeria. com. The event is billed to have over 5000 visitors, celebrities, upwardly-mobile and fashion enthusiasts.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Friday, April 12, 2014 41

SHOWBLAST

YOUTHMAGAZINE

Four Finalists Vie For Knorr Taste Quest Crown, N2m And SUV weekend. An ultimate prize of N2 million, a Ford Eco FTER several weeks of in- Sport SUV courtesy of tense culinary adventure Coscharis Motors, and Kenand drama on the set of wood kitchen equipment Unilever Nigeria sponsored awaits the ultimate winner of cooking reality show, Knorr the reality show.

Taste Quest, the race for the The second place winner best cook in Nigeria is now (first runner-up) will get N1 between four finalists. million cash prize and KenThe final episode that wood kitchen equipment, would produce the winner while the third place winner will be beamed live next (second runner-up) will go

By Daniel Anazia

A

home with N500,000 cash prize and Kenwood kitchen equipment.

According to the organisers, all 14 contestants would go home with different Kenwood kitchen equipment. The last four finalists — Wando, Olabode, Dixon and Popoola, emerged out of the total of seven that went into the week’s episode.

Head of the jury, Dr. Roberts

divided the task into three segments. In the first part, the contestants were given the following ingredients; Moi moi leaves, Beans, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cheese, Onions and Avocado to make a starter in 40 minutes.

The second task was the preparation of the main course with the following ingredients; Jumbo prawns, Zucchini, Plantain,

Aubergines, Seedless cucumber, Sweet potato, White radish, Green peppers and Carrots Melon seeds (Egusi), and they had 50 minutes to achieve this.

For the third and final task for the day, the contestants were required to prepare a dessert using Mango, Plums, Pear, Rum, Pecan, Lemon, Knorr classic, Butter and White chocolate in just 35

minutes.

After each tensed action packed cooking session, for the Starter task, Bode emerged the winner, while Moses got evicted, Wando won the Main course task, while Ojo was evicted, and again Wando won the desert task, while Doom was evicted bringing the show to the final climax before the grand finale.

Dr. Roberts, Chef Gbubemi Fregene (a.k.a Chef Fregz) and Chef Renee Chuks

Pastor Tony Zino Steps Out With Your Mercy

By Gbenga Salau GOSPEL CD titled, Your A Mercy, has been unveiled in Lagos. The nine-track CD according to the songs composer, Pastor Tony Zino, was a product of an experience he had with God. Zino stated that the central message of the music is on God’s mercy for the individuals and nations of the world. “I must tell you this upfront - the message is greater than the messenger. The focus is not on me or anyone but basically on God and he is the message.

He maintained that the tracks are not just ordinary music or songs but are life and health to the hearer.

Narrating the encounter, he said, “While I was trying to really enjoy my sleep, my phone started ringing. In my subcon-

scious, I could hear the phone ring but I thought it was in my dream — you know that feeling — but it was real.”

He added, “It was a distress call from a family friend whose relative was dying at the early hours of the morning. Wake up, wake up, he is dying, please pray was the voice I heard from the o0ther end. I got up, managed to shake the sleep off me and I knelt down to pray for the family friend who was at the time his transiting point to eternity.”

He continued, “The devil came whispering to my ears: ‘You do not have the right to this level of battle.’ I wondered what he meant; not quite long, he started reeling accusation upon me, showing me pictures of the wrong things I had done previously.

“At that point, my focus shifted. And rather than pray for the dying man, I spent more time asking God for mercy for myself. And by that action, I missed the season of rescue to decree and make pronouncements for the dying man,” he stated.

He disclosed, “Unfortunately, the man died.”

Adding, “it was as a result of this that God began to teach me lessons that there are levels of battle in the journey of life. Sin relegates us human beings to the background and it makes us fall short of God’s glory for our lives.”

The CD, which was presented to the public at a colourful event in Lagos recently, was unveiled by Pastor Africanus Sam-Epelle, while Pastor George Unogu was the chief launcher.

Sony Music Visits COSON For Close Cooperation

By Daniel Anazia DELEGATION from Sony A Music Entertainment Africa paid a visit to the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) early this week. The delegation led by the Managing Director, Mr. Sean Watson met with the Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji and the society’s General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, at COSON Head Office to discuss ways in which both organisations can work together for mutual benefits.

During the meeting, the landscape for the licensing of musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria was discussed. Also addressed was the issue of digital music exploitation and the best ways both organisations can work together to harness the potentials of the digital age in

music licensing and distribution.

Welcoming the delegation, Okoroji said, “At COSON, our mantra is ‘Let the music pay’ and this mantra provides the energy that drives everyone at COSON to do everything we can 24 hours everyday to ensure that music is profitable for all those who invest their talent, ingenuity and financial resources to create and make available the music that the world enjoys.”

He added, “By now, I believe that everyone in Nigeria knows that our commitment to making the music pay for all music stakeholders and our country is total. We are not apologetic for the energy and passion we dedicate to this cause because our success will result in more wealth for our nation and more jobs for the large number of unemployed young people in our country.”

According to Okoroji, COSON is today the number one institution driving the Nigerian music industry. That is a result of the unparalleled knowledge, experience and worldview behind the society’s leadership. “With our hyper activity, we continue to move closer to our objective of being the number one copyright collective management organisation in the African continent.”

“It is no longer debatable that Nigeria is today the hotbed of popular music in Africa. We will not allow the Nigerian nation fritter away such historic opportunity. We are determined to make Nigeria the most attractive place in the continent for investment in the entertainment in-

dustry, a place where the laws and commitments are respected by all,” he stated.

He explained that COSON is represented in more than 85 countries around the world.

Okoroji noted that part of the society’s mission is to seek respect for the music of Nigerians used in other countries.

Therefore, he assured the delegation of protection in Nigeria of the rights of the owners of all music, local or foreign, used in Nigeria. “We are very happy with your desire to collaborate with us to let the music pay for everyone around the world and in Nigeria.”

Commenting on the visit, the General Manager, Mr. Chukwuji said, “We are glad to have the team from Sony Music Entertainment Africa in our office and we look forward to a great working relationship with them.”

He noted that COSON is open to partnerships which will be beneficial to the society and the creative industry in Nigeria. “COSON is all for innovation and great opportunities that can move the Nigerian music industry to greater heights,” he stated.

Members of the South Africa based organization delegation include, Director, New Business/Legal & Business Affairs, Ms. Manusha Sarawan, and Director of Finance, Mr. Craig Brown.

Sony Music Entertainment is home to international artistes like the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion, Shakira, John Legend, Pitbull, Rita Ora, Avril Lavigne, Beyonce amongst others.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

42 | Saturday, April 12, 2014

GARDENING

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

For orderliness, formal garden design on 3-level raised bed.

A water-wise landscape with Italian cypress, lavender, other herbs, boldly colored plants to create a Mediterranean style garden.

For orderliness, formal garden design on 3-level raised bed.

Knowing soil texture determines which plants will grow and how much care they will need.

Contemporary, Minimalist landscape design.

Tropical garden with pool and low maintenance plants.

New border bed mulched with twice shredded bark.

Flower Border-brick bed edging for smart landscape and pleasure.

About Soil OOD soil is the first step to a great garden. The loose, dark earth of the fabulous gardens seen in magazines doesn’t usually just happen however it is created by gardeners improving their native soils.

The biggest mistake beginning gardeners make is using lousy or too thin soil. Its easy to take soil for granted. Many of us find a flower we want to plant, dig a hole, plop the flower in the hole, and assume it will grow. While this might work if you have excellent soil, most of us need to alter our dirt to create the most optimum growing environment. If you are planning to fill your garden bed with roses, you may need some special soil techniques in your arsenal to create the garden oasis you’ve always dreamed of. This prep work can save you untold disappointment and, perhaps more than any other factor, assure a flourishing garden. Luckily, following the tips will make you an expert on soil in no time.

Soil techniques Preparing A Garden Bed To properly prepare a planting bed, mark the flower bed boundaries with pegs and string for straight edges and with a garden hose for curved lines. Cut throughout lines the sod

G

Patio cottage garden

Preparing Garden Soil along laid out lines with a spade. Remove the sod from the entire bed. If the area is rocky, remove as many stones as possible as you dig.

If the soil is sandy or loamy, you may be able to rototill the soil rather than handturning it. Clay and rocky soils require hand digging first. For a small planting area, did and break up the soil by hand or with a spade.

After the soil is turned, rototilling will be possible.

(Rototillers can be rented by the day, and its often possible to hire someone to come and till by the hour, if you don’t have a tiller of your own.)

Next, spread the necessary fertilizer, soil conditioners, and

Underplanting of poppies and pansies as mulch in a mixed rose bed. pH-adjusting chemicals over the area. Tilling is easy once the soil is turned. You should be able to till more deeply the second time, ideally, you want to loosen and improve the soil to a depth of more than 6 inches.

Turn and loosen soil by hand with a spade where the area is too small to require a tototiller. After this initial treatment, fertilizers, soil conditioners, and pH – adjusting chemicals will be added at different times of the year for best results for best results. Now is the perfect time to install some kind of mowing strip around the garden bed Patio squares or slate pieces laid end to end at ground level will keep grass and flowers from intermixing. Other options include landscape logs, poured concrete strips, or bricks laid side-by-side on a sand or concrete base. The mowing strip must be deep and wide enough so grassroots cannot tunnel underneath or travel across the top to reach the flower bed, and the top of the strip must not extend above the level of the adjacent lawn.

If possible allow the soil to stand unplanted for a week or more. Stir the surface 1 or 2 inches every three to four days with a scuffle hoe or cultivator to eradicate fast germinating weeds. This will make your weeding chores lighter during the rest of the season.

TheGuardian

Saturday, April 12, 2014 |43

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

NaturalHealth Natural Health With G. C. Ihesie

Mobile phone no: 08033065263, E-mail: ihesie84@yahoo.com.

Health Benefits Of Eating Seasonal Foods CCORDING to Leviticus 17:11: “… the life of A the flesh (body) is in the blood.” The human blood is regarded medically as “tissue” in liquid state. A tissue is a grouping of like cells working together.

An organ is a group of two or more different types of tissues precisely arranged so as to accomplish specific activities.

In fact, the entire human body is believed to be made up of about 140 trillion cells (derived from zygote after 48 successive divisions) and it has been estimated that there are millions of metabolic processes and chemical reactions that occur every seconds within the cells of the body.

Research has shown that a normal cell feeds, breathes, excretes and reproduces itself through cell division, either to replace wornout cells or to repair damaged ones.

And the speed at which each cell can divide and reproduce itself and the time it will stop doing so vary from cell to cell- depending on the needs of the body.

The amazing fact is that each of the cells that make up the body is formed, nourished and maintained by the blood that circulates round the entire systems.

Therefore, the quality of the bloodstream and the health of the manufactured cells and tissues are dependent on our daily foods intake.

It is the foods we eat daily for our nourishment that provide the body with all the essential raw materials needed for the up-building of efficient and disease-resistant cells.

Diseases, like cancer (abnormal cell growth), coronary heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, deterioration of brain cells and the consequent poor mental activities, etc are today known to be largely due to many years of poor eating habits and unwholesome lifestyles.

Over the last 100 years, the science of human health regarded the man in flesh and blood as a kind of “grand machine,” directed, driven and controlled by the brain and the central nervous system, which was believed to be the ultimate biological computer.

Therefore, the foods (grains and cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds, meat and animal products, dairy products, fats and oils, water, oxygen as gaseous food) for nourishing the body were seen primarily from materialistic perspectives- as suppliers of basic energy,

calories, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals, enzymes and other phytochemicals.

Recent spiritual knowledge and energy/radiation medicine have revealed that man in the physical body is much more than the so-called “grand machine.” That is: The body controlled only by the “ultimate biological computer”- the brains and the central nervous system.

Richard Gerber (M.D.), in his book, Vibrational Medicine … 2001, published by Bear and Company in Canada, wrote: “The Einsteinian viewpoint of vibrational medicine sees the human being as a multidimensional organism made up of physical/cellular systems in dynamic interplay with complex regulatory energetic fields.”

Simply put, apart from the physical body, every human being has a bio-energy circulatory system, which is similar to the blood circulatory system.

It is this bio-energy body that forms a blueprint that guides, controls and maintains all the body structure and also provides the “glue” that holds the cells together.

It is now known that improper eating habits, wrong lifestyle choices and emotional upsets affect this bio-energy circulatory system negatively- causing imbalances in the entire systems.

Most of degenerative diseases of our time have their origin in the subtle energy levels of our being.

From the Einsteinian viewpoint, the old materialistic way of viewing food has becomes outdated.

Gabriel Cousens (M.D.) noted in his book, Spiritual Nutrition and the Rainbow Diet, published in 1986 by Cassandra Press, USA: “…

food can no longer be seen as calories or proteins, fats or carbohydrates or any material form only. Food is a dynamic force, which interacts with humans on the physical body level, the mind-emotional level and also the energetic and spiritual level.

“The study of nutrition is the interaction with and assimilation of the dynamic forces of our total being.”

Furthermore, in her book, Star Signs, published in 1988 by Pan Books Limited, London, Linda Goodman wrote: “Food intake is nothing but the breakdown of colour vibrations. Diseases treated with initially impressive, but temporary success with drugs, chemotherapy, chemicals and antibiotics in response to germ attacks- be treated for PERMANENT, healing by changing the colour-sound frequencies of the patients, which balances the colour harmonies of their auras.”

Everything in life (including the foods we eat daily) has an energy pattern, and energy has form, colour, sound and movement (vibration).

Poor eating habits, nutritional deficiencies and unwholesome lifestyles are among other factors that can disorganise the colour-sound frequencies of our bio-energy circulatory system or the auras, thus resulting in disharmony or dis-ease.

Conversely, good eating habits, wholesome lifestyles and correct breathing and healthy exercises, etc energise, rejuvenate and balance the entire bio-energy circulatory system, which is the harbinger of goods and radiant health.

In one of our previous articles: The Health Implications of Eating Foods from Foreign Soils, we observed that: “… each race has different and unique physical characteristics, such as stature, shape of the body, colour of the skin (pigmen-

tation), genetic make-up and possibly biochemistry and physiology, which are adapted to the general climatic conditions of the geographical zone, and the physical body of each human being is literally made from the dust (soil) of that part of the earth upon which he was born.”

It is a common saying that: “There is no accident in nature.” Everything happens in accordance with the Natural Order or Law that governs the entire universe.

Consequently, every human being on earth belongs to that race, country, tribe and geographical zone that is most suitable for his or her physical maturity and spiritual growths.

For it is only in this race and zone that he or she can fully unfold and manifest his or her full powers and abilities and remain vigorous.

And all that he or she needs to achieve these, such as life experiences and foods for nourishments, the body are already carefully arranged in nature and provided at the appropriate time or in their due season- annual cycle.

In the book of Psalms 145:15-16, we are told that: “The eyes of all look expectantly to you (the Lord Almighty). And you give them their food in due season. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

Dr. Alexis Carrel (a pioneer researcher in Human Nutrition) once said: “A man is literally made from the dust of the earth. For this reason, his physiological and mental activities are profoundly influenced by the geological constitutions of the country where he lives, by the nature of the animals and plants, which he generally feeds [on].

“This structure and its functions depend also on the selection he makes of certain elements among the vegetal and animal food at his disposal.”

In her book, The Practice of Aromatherapy (1986), Dr. Jean Valnet noted that the hitherto: “Normal preventive medicine, which consists in giving healthy people drugs and injections of products whose future effects are unpredictable, is an aberration.”

Once addressing the medical students at the Harvard University, Dean Burwell said: “Half of what we have taught you is wrong.

Unfortunately, we do not know which half.”

But Leon Binet, according to Dr. Jean Vainet, said: “If we want the truth, then we must turn to nature.”

To be continued

PetLife With Dr.Tunji Nasir T took a phone call on a rainy Iabout Sunday afternoon to alert me a very “serious case” to be

Beware, The Exotics Are Coming

brought to me the following Monday by an official of one of the most prominent West European countries.

I had been forewarned by the caller, who is equally a veterinary surgeon, about her attempt at solving the case, which had so far met a brick wall.

“Help and see what you can do” was her charge.

I did not think it was anything more than one of those slightly difficult cases with an insidious origin or perhaps those that have a cocktail of illnesses all rolled into one garment. This one had to be something mysterious.

Monday came. It was a rather sombre day, with the heavens decked with threatening clouds. Two diplomatic Land Rovers rode menacingly into our facility- one with three fully armed mobile policemen providing escort for the other.

Instantly, I knew I was dealing with a tough cookie. And indeed, it was; not in the way one would have contemplated it, but in a slightly intriguing way.

The lady and the dog appeared to me like one good picture in a pleasant album. I longed to hear her complaints.

I also noticed she was scared. Of what? I did not know. She surveyed the environment and finally she said: “Good day, Doctor! I had wanted to come here yesterday because I was afraid that Maxy might die.

“He has actually been seen before, but we cannot figure out what was wrong. He has not been going to the toilet- you know doing the big stuff, although, he urinates.

“He has refused food, remained listless; yet, his tummy expands by the day and increasingly becomes hard.

“Doctor, tell me, will my baby die? I have actually been told to fly him to the UK. So, tell me if you’ll figure out what’s wrong.”

The last sentence was all too familiar with our expatriate clients and did not bother me one bit. Usually, there is this erroneous impression that “we can’t handle it” until they are proved wrong.

Verily, the dog was examined and subjected to all manner of tests-

radiography, hematology, biochemistry, echocardiography and ultrasonography and end of it all- a few strange stories came out, which in themselves presented a mixed bag of fortunes.

Clerking the client earlier had revealed a history of recent tick infestation and visits to a few European countries before domiciling in Nigeria in the last years.

There was also a curious episode of lameness, regular beach visits and interactions with other dogs.

A dog that was all jumpy and playful suddenly became disinterested in walking, preferring to stay in one place instead.

The abdomen was hard and very tense and did not allow a full palpation. In fact, the exercise was tiring and frustrating.

I promptly knew I was dealing with a typical case. This conclusion was strengthened when on the second day all the joints were obviously swollen and painful.

With all the results in and a few consultations with some authorities, I tentatively arrived at a diagnosis of

Lyme disease.

And you know what? I did not believe myself and the diagnosis I arrived at, because Lyme disease, scientifically called Borreliosis, is somewhat a new disease of public health significance and I have never encountered it, was taught at school and was never discussed with my colleagues ever in Nigeria. So, there laid my dilemma.

Medically-minded people will by now be boiling to know why it had to be Lyme disease. But I need to be excused, because of the limitations of my brief on this column.

My client asked what my conclusions were and demanded to know whether the treatment was going to involve any operation, specifically because of the abdominal complications.

We told her we did not rule that out, but pleaded with her to try enema and see the effect, since the x-ray displayed uniformly shaped long opaque objects in the intestines.

The results were positive, as the pet voided almost mineralised fecoliths for two days in very large quantities.

This effectively de-gassed the abdomen with enhanced ability for palpation and our subsequent ability to peruse the abdominal environment.

Treatment was advised and as at the time of writing, positive results were being delivered.

But what is Lyme’s disease? How does it affect your dog? How is it important to you? Do you know that most diseases that we thought are not here are coming? Some of them are, in fact, here.

Many of these questions will be answered in our next article.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

44 Saturday, April 12, 2014

HEALTH FEATURE

Resurgence Of Vector-Borne Diseases

By Joseph Okoghenun (with agency report) HEY were thought to have been eradicated, T except in less privileged parts of the world.

But now, they are back with a bang; they have not only resurfaced, but have come with full vengeance as if to bring the world to its knees. In fact, the resurgence of vectorborne diseases has become a global threat. No wonder the World Health Organisation (WHO) decided to draw the attention of the world to them during World Health Day during the week. The theme, ‘Small bite, big threat’, aptly captures the threat.

Vectors are organisms that carry pathogens and parasites from one infected person (or animal) to another, causing serious diseases in human populations.

Many of these vectors are bloodsucking insects that ingest disease-producing microorganisms during a blood meal from an infected human or animal, and later inject them into a new host during their next blood meal.

Mosquitoes are the best known disease vectors. Others include certain species of ticks, flies, sand flies, fleas, bugs and freshwater snails.

These diseases are commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions and places where access to safe drinking water and sanitation systems is problematic.

According to WHO, vector-borne diseases account for 17 per cent of the estimated global burden of all infectious diseases, causing more than one million deaths each year. But death counts, though alarming, vastly underestimate the human misery and hardship caused by these diseases, as many people who survive infection are left permanently debilitated, disfigured, maimed, or blind. One-sixth of the illness and disability suffered worldwide is due to vector-borne diseases, with more than half the world’s population currently estimated to be at risk of these diseases, according to WHO. Malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes, is the biggest killer among vector-borne diseases, but there are others. Some, like dengue

and yellow fever, tend to erupt in large outbreaks that can paralyse health systems and cause considerable economic problems.

Malaria caused an estimated 627, 000 deaths in 2012 alone. But dengue remains the world’s fastest growing vector-borne disease, with a 30-fold increase in disease incidence over the last 50 years. Nigeria has joined the countries battling with the mosquitoes-borne disease.

Around half a million patients with severe dengue fever infection require hospitalisation, according to a WHO report.

In 2012, dengue ranked as the most important mosquito-borne viral disease with epidemic potential in the world. The primary vector for dengue, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is now found in more than 20 European countries. This same mosquito species recently carried Chikungunya to the Caribbean islands; the first cases of this debilitating disease seen in the region.

Before 1970, only nine countries had experienced severe dengue epidemics. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. The Americas, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific regions are the most seriously affected, with more than 2.3 million cases reported in 2010.

Other vector-borne diseases include Chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes; human African trypanosomiasis glossina-borne parasitic infection; leishmaniasis, which is caused if bitten by female sand flies; lymphatic filariasis, which occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.

Others are Lyme disease caused by infected ticks ; onchocerciasis (river blindness) disease caused by the filarial worm and yellow fever disease, which is transmitted via aedes mosquitoes.

Onchocerciasis causes blindness, Chikungunya causes severe joint pain that can last for weeks, and Chagas disease in its late stage can cause heart failure and early

death in young adults. Japanese encephalitis can permanently damage the central nervous system.

Schistosomiasis – the most widespread of all these diseases – contributes to poor nutritional status and poor school performance. Some forms of leishmaniasis are rapidly fatal; others cause severe facial disfigurement. Around 120 million people are currently infected with lymphatic filariasis, and about 40 million of them are disfigured and incapacitated by the disease.

Lost productivity is one consequence. Stigma and social exclusion are additional sources of misery, especially for women.

Many of these diseases have been historically confined to distinct geographical areas, but this situation has become more fluid due to a host of ills, including climate change, intensive farming, dams, irrigation, deforestation, population movements, rapid unplanned urbanisation, and phenomenal increases in international travel and trade. These changes create opportunities for vectors and the diseases they spread to take up residence in new areas.

As vectors thrive under conditions where housing is poor, water is unsafe and environments are contaminated with filth. These diseases exact their heaviest toll on the poor – the people left behind by development.

The diseases exacerbate poverty. Illness and disability prevent people from working and supporting themselves and their families, causing further hardship and impeding economic development.

Dengue, for example, imposes a substantial economic burden on families and governments, both in medical costs and in working days lost due to illness. According to studies from eight countries, an average dengue episode represents 14.8 lost days for ambulatory patients at an average cost of $ 514 and 18.9 days for non-fatal hospitalised patients at an average cost of $1,491.

An econometric model for malaria suggests that countries with intensive malaria have income levels of only one third of those that do not have malaria.

For all of these diseases, vector control is a powerful preventive tool that is not used to its full potential. The massive use of insecticides in the 1940s and 1950s successfully brought many important vector-borne diseases under control. However, at a point in time, complacency set in. Control programmes were dismantled. Resources dwindled. Expertise was lost. The world lost out. And the diseases roared back with a vengeance – and a vanished infrastructure for their control.

Within the past two decades, many important vector-borne diseases have re-emerged or spread to new parts of the world. Traditionally regarded as problems for countries in tropical settings, vector-borne diseases pose an increasingly wider threat to global public health, both in terms of the number of people affected and their geographical spread.

WHO says measures that control the vectors, the agents of disease, provide an excellent, but under-utilised opportunity to help these people catch up.

In another worrisome trend, vectors in several countries are developing resistance to a highly effective class of insecticides that are also the most affordable. Alongside this alarming spread of vectors is the serious concern of increasing insecticide resistance. Today, most species of vectors are showing resistance to many classes of insecticides. If existing insecticides lose their effectiveness, this could erase all the gains made against malaria and other vector-borne diseases especially in parts of Africa, according to WHO. Changing climatic conditions, such as rainfall patterns, temperature and humidity, are affecting the number and survival rate of mosquitoes and some other vectors. The ambient temperature determines insects’ reproduction rate, biting behaviour and survival. Moreover, the incubation period of pathogens inside vectors tends to be shorter at warmer temperatures. Distribution of mosquitoes and other vectors may therefore expand with increasing temperatures.

Insecticide-treated bed-nets have been shown to be one of the most efficient and

Saturday, April 12, 2014 45

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

HEALTH FEATURE

As Threat To Global Health

Lymphatic filariasis patient with visible enlargement of left foot PHOTO:WHO

A health worker looking for signs of larvae in water accumulated in tyres. Used tyres are considered productive breeding sites for aedes mosquitoes.

cost-effective ways to protect against mosquito-borne diseases, particularly malaria.

WHO therefore recommends that everyone, who is at risk of malaria sleeps under a long- lasting insecticidal net every night, adding that nets should be checked regularly for holes and replaced every two to three years.

WHO believes that a global health agenda that gives higher priority to vector control could save many lives and avert much suffering, and that doing so is especially important for diseases like dengue and chikungunya, which have neither a vaccine nor an effective treatment.

For diseases that can be prevented by a vaccine or effectively treated, vector control works as a complementary measure that can shrink the disease burden faster, says WHO. It is also believed that the control of vector-borne diseases can make a major contribution to poverty reduction, as it precisely targets the poor.

Poor sanitation and lack of access to clean drinking water

have been shown to assist many vectors to thrive. WHO therefore recommends piping water to households rather than drawing water from wells, communal standpipes, rooftop catchments and other water-storage systems. It is advised that water supplies are sufficiently regular and reliable so that people are not compelled to store water in containers that serve as mosquito larval habitats – such as drums, overhead or ground tanks, and concrete jars.

As traditional water storage practices may persist even when reliable supplies are available, the installation of reliable piped water supplies in houses is expected to be accompanied by communication that discourages traditional storage practices.

For individuals, personal protection against insect bites represents the first line of defence against many vector-borne diseases. Therefore, people are advised to apply insect repellent substances to exposed skin or clothing to protect against mosquito, sand fly and tick bites. Repellents should be

applied to the neck, wrists and ankles, avoiding contact with eyes, nose and mouth.

In tick-infested areas, people are expected to wear trousers tucked into socks and heavy boots when walking in rural or forested areas. And before entering homes, clothings, bags and other belongings should be examined thoroughly for ticks. If possible, bathe and conduct a full-body tick check within two hours of returning home, experts advise. And ticks should be removed with tweezers as soon as they are discovered.

Finally, people should avoid places and times when vectors are active. For example, by staying inside during peak biting hours - from dusk to dawn for malaria-carrying mosquitoes, and by avoiding walking in wooded areas with tall grass where ticks are found.

Until the world comes together to eliminate vector-borne diseases, it is another fight by man with vectors with small bites but big threats.

Of Adequate Sleep And Healthy Living

By Ikechukwu Onyewuchi NE of the mysteries of life O that advancements in sciences have not been able to unravel is why we sleep. While many of us may not know or bother to find out why we sleep, a good number of us acknowledge the fact that sleep make us feel better. It has been proven that we feel more alert, energetic, happier, and better able to function following a good night of sleep. No doubt, a good night sleep makes us feel ready to take on the world.

The importance of good sleep can be gleaned from the fact that going without sleep makes one feel very terrible, if not worse. This explains why sleep deprivation remains a torture method especially in high profile criminal cases.

Over the years, researchers have been able to identify some of the benefits of sleep.

In studies carried out on human beings, they discov-

ered that sleep plays a critical role in the proper functioning of the immune system and metabolism, memory, learning, among others. A bad night’s sleep can leave one struggling all through the day and enduring a frustrating time trying to concentrate either at play, study or work.

Besides, good sleep prime people to make better informed decisions. People often talk about ‘sleeping on a problem’ in the hope that solutions will come with the morning. Though this may not be empirically proven, scientists have found that when people do this, their brain still looks for a solution, even when they are asleep. Even when people don’t wake up with an answer, a good night’s sleep still equips the brain to assess the problem afresh.

Lack of sleep can suppress the immune system, which makes one more vulnerable to infections. A study in 2009

In studies carried out on human beings, they discovered that sleep plays a critical role in the proper functioning of the immune system and metabolism, memory, learning, among others. A bad night’s sleep can leave one struggling all through the day and enduring a frustrating time trying to concentrate either at play, study or work.

found that sleeping for fewer than seven hours a night increased the risk of catching a cold. The team from Carnegie Mellon University found the risk was trebled compared with those who slept for eight hours or more a night.

Adequate and good sleep also boosts the human memory.

Researchers have found that during deep sleep the brain goes through our impressions of the day in a process vital to memory formation. A study published in the journal Sleep found people who slept fewer than six hours a night for two weeks scored far worse on memory tests than

those who slept eight hours.

Essential as sleep is to the optimum functioning of the human body and health, many are still unable to catch that required six hours a day sleep that experts recommend. The more common causes being sleep disorder and sleep loss. Findings have shown that sleep loss is most found in city dwellers owing to the drudgeries of 21st century urban life.

More recent research has revealed sleep loss-induced neurobehavioral effects, which often go unrecognized by the affected individuals.

The neurobehavioral impact extends from simple meas-

ures of short attention span and reaction time in people to far more complex errors in judgment and decision-making.

According to a Consultant Neurologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos, Dr. Njideka Okubadejo, daytime sleepiness, particularly when recurrent, is usually a consequence of insufficient, nonrefreshing night sleep.

Writing in her weekly newspaper article sponsored by Mouka Limited, a leading manufacturer of foam and polyutherane products, she averred that, “In spite of the challenges of our fast paced

modern society, sleep is a necessity, not a luxury, a priority that is too important to shortchange.”

It was thus a welcome development when the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) came up with a dedicated day as World Sleep Day in 2008. The day was intended to be a celebration of sleep and a call to action on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects, and driving. One long term objective of the day aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of

46 Saturday, April 12, 2014

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BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With JOSEPHINE EKEH 08026266181, 08168113577

African Cristal Festival: Nigerian Creative Brains Gear Up For Battle In Kenya partly Asia for over a decade before berthing in Africa in 2013.

Kenya is the host of the year’s event. According to the organisN a budding marketing landscape like Africa, exceptional mar- ers, the choice of Kenya was informed by the massive support from companies there and the entire business environment. keting prowess and innovative value-added brand offerings, Speaking about the essence of the festival, Cristal Festival when recognised, can propel any brand handler to greater creDevelopment Manager, Russia, Eastern Europe and Africa, Anna ativity. These capabilities, adequately enforced by unique Abudikhina, stressed that it will be a “gathering of industry research development skills, will always provide those critical experts poised to promote regional culture and grow African prerequisites that will promote excellence in the world of busicreativity to international standards. This event will aim to ness and brand communications.

Besides, as brand handlers and creative persons constantly step bring together the entire media and communication industry up their level of aesthetics and productivity, institutions within in Africa to network and to promote regional culture through dedicated competitions, conferences and debates.” their operational base will continue to bestow recognition and awards on it. Interestingly, several festivals influenced by the cul- She added further that over the last 12 years, the Cristal Festival has set standards for creative excellence in Europe (Cristal ture of literacy, intellectualism and creativity have emerged in Festival, since 2001) and the Middle East (MENA Cristal Festival, the past century in Africa to reward creative excellence on the continent in the past couple of decades. While theatre/film festi- 2004). “We realised it was time to celebrate African creativity in advertising and media through a regional award with internavals and literary/book festivals rank prominently in this category, others like the Pan African Ouagadougou Film and Television tional recognition. Cristal Festival events will always unite proFestival and the Durban International Film Festival, are gradual- fessionals of the advertising and creative world: the main agencies, advertisers, producers, directors, media, market research ly making their marks in global festivals. companies, journalists, TV producers etc, in a convivial atmosIt is in this light that the Cristal Awards, an international festival for professionals of the communication, advertising and cre- phere for networking and knowledge sharing.”

The existence of several bodies in Africa organising different ative worlds, was conceived. The African Cristal Festival is an recognition programmes and awards often raises concerns by annual event dedicated to creativity and media for the African industry watchers over lack of innovation in some of these continent. It gathers the greatest African and international awards. However, Abudikhina believes Cristal Festival is not in industry experts and offers a platform where professionals this mould as she enthused that the large number and variety debate, learn and get inspired. Previously known as Meribel Ad of entries and massive support by regional regulatory bodies Festival, the Cristal Festival, which started as a European affair, such as local, regional and national rankings bodies, imbues now has the African version known as the African Cristal the African Cristal Festival with qualities that make an award Festival. The inaugural African festival took place in Abidjan, system reputable and respected.

Cote d’Ivoire, in 2013.

Perhaps, one unique feature of African Cristal Awards is that it Buoyed by the success of last year’s African Cristal Festival in focuses more on individuals rather than the organisation they Abidjan, 2C Associés, French organisers of the Cristal Festival, work for. This distinction saves it from the criticisms usually have put in all necessary touches to stage a memorable second leveled against other awards for often downplaying or failing to edition of the festival next month. The May event is an innovarecognise young individuals in advertising and other areas of tive and ambitious project themed ‘Pan African Summit for International Marketing Communications (IMC).

Media and Communication’ and dedicated to creativity in Since research is an important component in an award projAfrica. ect, Cristal Festival organisers are not leaving any stone The Cristal Festival had previously held mainly in Europe and

By Lawrence Amaku

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Cristal Jury Chief and Vice Chairman/Chief Creative Officer, BBDO, Asia, Danny Searle. unturned in ensuring that the best selections and decisions are made in the awards. They hope to achieve this by “working closely with Ipsos (a global market research company based in Paris) as they follow trends and market research data of the industry.

Stout Market: New Look Legend Ushers In Real Realvolution

VER the last decade, the ever alluring, yet O competitive stout landscape, has produced more heroic titans within its brand category.

Etched in the brand chemistry that evokes a deep love and devotion of the Pan-Africanist cliché or universally accepted phrase that ‘Black is beautiful,’ brand connoisseurs are spinning rave-making strategies and innovative whims to endear their brands to wider and vast consumer demography.

Market analysts and observers of trends in the stout market have witnessed a flurry of competition as demonstrated with Guinness’ ‘Made of more’ and Legends’ recently launched payoff line tagged ‘No more, no less.’ Last year, the resounding success, which heralded the ‘Made of more’ campaign, was spiced with nail-dropping suspense, signalling Guinness’ resolve to remain the market leader within its dark stout brand category. However, the adrenalinepumping and invigoratingly monolithic stout market generic value proposition mechanism, which promotes brand differentiation and

consistent innovation, does not give any brand an unchallenged terrain.

Marketing is a game of wit and gamechanging culture.

Speaking at the Realvolution event, as hundreds of people gathered at the Eko Atlantic City (Kuramo Beach) venue of the event, the National Sales Director of Nigerian Breweries, Hubert Ezeh, stated that Legend’s Extra Stout quest to reinvent and remain relevant in the market is the driving force behind the Realvolution campaign.

“What we just unveiled today is the culmination of one of the most successful social media campaigns which kept Nigerians guessing for weeks. We also had a tour bus traversing the length and breadth of Lagos, creating awareness about this unique packaging re-launch. We presented the BlackREALvolution as a movement; and it is indeed a movement for consumers that yearn for more in terms of satisfaction and quality. As we all know, the only constant thing in life is change. And for the change to be meaningful, it has to be an upgrade. Today, Nigeria’s fastest-growing stout brand, the Real Deal, Legend Extra Stout is being upgraded.”

Furthermore, he drew specific brand inferences that make Legend a force to reckon among the stout category. He said: “Dear REALvolutionaries, join me as I officially welcome Legend Extra Stout in a new premium packaging with Stanoil and metalised labels!

When you go to your favourite restaurant or bar to savour your favourite stout, Legend Extra Stout, be sure to look out for this new packaged product. Even though Legend Extra Stout is being re-packaged, the great taste, which our numerous customers have enjoyed all these years, remains the same. Legend is the only full brewed stout in the Nigerian market with a unique bitter taste and longer-lasting foam head, giving it the authenticity to be called ‘The Real Deal.’ The new Stanoil and metalised label

represents quality and the ‘premiumness’ of the brand. This affirms the unique positioning of Legend Extra Stout as the stout of choice for the sociable, modern, ambitious and courageous Nigerian, yearning to enjoy the finer things in life and living life to the fullest and standing out of the crowd.”

Reinforcing a romantic value proposition in the Real Deal, Legend is taking the market on a romantic journey that was expressed with drama, dance and poetry on the night.

Represented by a lovely woman, the market was presented as being coveted by two men; one representing the Legend brand while the other projected competition.

Also, addressing the audience present at the epoch-making event, the Marketing Manager, Emmanuel Agu, expressed the brand’s unrelenting effort to captivate consumers and remain active in the stout market. According

to him, “we are happy to announce the arrival of a brand new Legend Extra Stout, Nigeria’s only full brewed stout. What you have seen this evening is a culmination of years of preparation that we are certain will make the brand Nigeria’s number one. We are not pretending about the ambitions of this brand; we are not pretending about what this brand is out to achieve for Nigerian consumers. You have seen it here and that is what it is. What you have seen is what you and every other consumer that is not here today will get– a new brand of fulfilment, fun, class and enjoyment like never before.”

According to him, in order to give even more value to consumers, the brand is rehashing its real Deal promo that had 25 winners go on a sponsored shopping tour of Dubai. This time, thirty winners are going on this trip in addition to other prizes.

Bestman Launches Nigeria’s Centenary Monopoly Game Akinkugbe said that the special Nigeria Centenary Edition speaks eloquently and visually O celebrate the 100-year to the diversity and uniqueanniversary of Nigeria’s ness of the nation as it illumiamalgamation, the first ever West African commemorative nates the numerous and preedition of monopoly has been cious heritage sites and iconic locations across our vast counlaunched. try.

The 1914 amalgamation of According to her, “the Nigeria is of historic significance as the culturally diverse Nigeria Centenary Edition of the Monopoly board game people of Nigeria came under showcases some of the one central colonial adminisnation’s most famous hertration, governed by Lord itage sites from the sacred Frederick Lugard.

The Nigeria Centenary Edition Olumo rock towering over the ancient city of Abeokuta to the was unveiled recently, at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos enchanting and picturesque Wikki Warm Spring in Yankari by the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National National Park. The board, box Orientation, Chief Edem Duke. lid and charming brochure CEO of Bestman Games, Nimi capture a wide array of attrac-

By Ijeoma Opara

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tions, cultural events and rich history.

“With the endorsement of the Nigeria Centenary Committee and Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), this historic heritage edition of the monopoly game has also enjoyed the support of leading financial institutions.

“The Centenary edition however offers more than just the thrill of an exciting board game and embedded in the “Opportunity” and “Chance” cards are strong social messages, that seek to educate players about our environmental laws, promote personal financial literacy, travel and tourism.”

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April 12, 2014

BRANDNEWS Kia Soul Bags 2014 ‘red dot’ Design Award

By Adeshola Ogbodo OLLOWING in the footsteps of its stylish first generation predecessor, the all-new Kia Soul has been awarded a prestigious ‘red dot’ design award. The ‘red dot award product design’ is one of the world’s major design competitions and has been held by the Design Centre of North Rhine-Westphalia since 1955.

With its upright, confident posture, broad shoulders, iconic window shape and SUV ground clearance, the second-generation Soul was crowned winner in the 2014 ‘Product Design’ category by the red dot jury, the same award earned by the original Soul in 2009.

This is the second major design award for the new Soul, following its success in the highly respected ‘iF design awards’ only few weeks ago.

The new Kia Soul was created by the Kia design team under the supervision of Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Group.

Schreyer was also responsible for the design of the original model, which was the first Korean car to receive a red dot design award in 2009. Numerous other red dot awards followed this first accolade and the new Kia Soul is the 11th Kia model to receive the prestigious prize.

Schreyer commented: “I am particularly pleased with this second red dot design award for the Kia Soul. When the first-generation model launched, the award played a key role in bringing the Kia Soul and Kia’s distinctive design language to the attention of a wider audience.

“The great challenge we faced when designing the second-generation model was to preserve the strong, individual character of the Kia Soul and, at the same time, give the design new impulses. Our design team has performed this task impressively. The new Kia Soul is a lot more mature and ‘adult’ in appearance, and the bold, distinctive personality of this model is highlighted even more.”

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BRANDINTELLIGENCE Maltina Supports Lagos Black Heritage Week N line with its tradition of Iness putting smiles and happion the faces of Nigerians, Maltina, the premium non-alcoholic malt brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc has rolled out strategic plans to reward consumers and Nigerians with freebies during the Lagos Carnival and Black Heritage week.

Senior Brand Manager Maltina, Mr. Adewole

Adedeji, who revealed this, said that most Nigerians are aware of the fact that the brand is all about sharing happiness.

“The Maltina story has always been the story of sharing, friendship, togetherness and a good time with loved ones. We always explore avenues that bring people together in an atmosphere of friendship. And what better way to bring people

together than by providing them with what makes life enjoyable. That is the brand promise we stand upon, that is why we want to make this Easter celebration memorable for our consumers and Nigerians generally.”

The carnival themed ‘Lasgidi’ comes up on Monday April 21 while the heritage week is a weeklong event scheduled to hold from April 14 to 21 with vari-

ous activities designed to promote the cultural and unique heritage of Lagos State.

Maltina as a major sponsor of the events will give consumers the opportunity to win high-end gifts, which will take the form of a vending truck that will be stationed at the venue of the event to dispense various categories of gifts at the touch of a button.

MasterCard Launches ‘Win a trip few can win’ Campaign ASTERCARD cardholders across Nigeria are in for a huge M life transforming experience as the company introduces “Win a trip few can win” campaign to enable customers share unique electronic payment stories on how using MasterCard products have positively impacted their lives. The campaign is part of the Priceless Africa platform launched in September 2013. The tell- a-story campaign is technology and social media driven.

The technology payment company has invited MasterCard prepaid, debit and credit cardholders in the country to enter their short stories on the Priceless Africa website (www.pricelessafrica.com) which will be reviewed by a panel of judges after six weeks. Selected finalists’ entries will be posted on social media for consumers to cast the deciding vote for their favourite stories. Top four finalists will be selected to attend an all expenses paid trip to experience UEFA Champions League Final in Lisbon in May. The Vice President and Area Business Head, MasterCard West Africa, Omokehinde Ojomuyide noted that Nigeria appreciates the immense benefits that cashless transactions have to offer and that the campaign could not have come at a better time, when more and more consumers are embracing the security and convenience of electronic payments.

Head, Learning and Development, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Chike Otubelu (left); Senior Project Officer, Lagos Empowerment and Resource Network (LEARN), Mrs. Tonne Saheed; Student, Keke Senior Secondary School and First place winner of the debate competition, Umoh Glory; and Director, Education District 1, Lagos State, Reverend (Mrs) Doyin Oyelowo, during the 10th Etisalat Career Counseling programme held in Lagos…recently.

Etisalat Nigeria Hosts Students Career Counselling Programme ELECOMMUNICATIONS T company, Etisalat, has further demonstrated its commitment to the development of the Nigerian student with the hosting of a career counselling programme for students of nine secondary schools drawn from different parts of Lagos.

The event, which was aimed at educating the students on the basics of how to choose a career, was organised in con-

junction with Lagos Empowerment and Resource Network (LEARN), an NGO founded by the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola.

Speaking on the initiative, Head, Learning and Development, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Chike Otubelu, disclosed that the initiative was a demonstration of the company’s commitment to the development of the soci-

ety, adding that it enables Etisalat staff to live up to one of the company’s core values.

“We are aware that our success is a product of the society in which we live and do business in. That is why we are committed to contributing to development at all levels of the society. At the career counselling programme, our staff volunteer time and employ skills to provide career counselling

and mentorship to those with the most critical need for such guidance — students of secondary schools,” he said.

Also speaking, Senior Project Officer, Lagos Empowerment and Resource Network, Mrs. Tonne Saheed, thanked Etisalat for investing in the education of the Nigerian youth, adding that the initiative was both timely and progressive.

Kinanil Rewards Customers In Promo INANIL Nigeria Limited, one of Nigeria’s gin producers, has New Chivita Active Ad Excites Consumers KSpecifically, rewarded its customers through the Kick Off sales promo. the promo was initiated in a bid to ensure that their S competition in the marbed. Don’t you? Days when back to the gym, make dinner, customers and retailers of the product benefit from the compaA ketplace for consumers’ you have so much things to tell bedtime story. But not to ny. loyalty gets fiercer, strategic do in so little time, like wade worry, just get active with Speaking at the unveiling of the promo recently, distributor of Advanced Group Ltd, Onyedikachi Vincent said the product does not choke customers when consumed, adding that the product is a well-blended gin with variety of flavour, which makes it good for consumption.

He disclosed that consumers have been rushing the product since the start of the promo, stressing that the company has been rewarding them.

SERAs, Nigeria CSR Awards Call For 2014 Entries RUCONTACT CSR Nigeria, organisers of the annual SERAs T (Nigeria CSR Awards), has released the entry for the 2014 edition of the awards.

The SERAs currently rates as Nigeria’s biggest and most credible corporate awards. Over the last eight years, the profile of the project has continued to grow, attracting several local and international endorsements and partners. Besides deepening the state of play of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in Nigeria, it has also become positioned as a strong tool for not only promoting and driving Nigeria’s national development agenda, but also providing a platform for organisations and brands to leverage their investment in society and showcase beneficial stakeholder engagements.

The 2014 theme, ‘Creating an Enabling Organisational Culture for Sustainability’, seeks to strike a balance between the giant strides that Nigerian businesses are making in CSR and their internal process alongside their openness to public scrutiny, especially as it affects social, environmental and governance issues.

positioning has become an increasingly popular approach among brand managers, especially in categories like fruit juice where functional differences are hard to maintain. By connecting with consumers on a more personal level, contemporary brand owners hope to break free from aggressive competition and carve a niche for their brands in the mind of consumers.

This must have explained the high level of attention drawn by the new radio and TV commercials on Chivita Active, created from the House of Chi Limited, maker of the popular range of 100 per cent premium natural fruit juice. Radio jingles and television commercials are usually developed to draw attention to the positive emotion that is likely to accrue through experiences with the brand.

The Chi Active radio commercial says it well: “Some days, you really just want to stay in

through traffic, hold meetings, make presentations, submit reports, pick up laundry, visit parents, pick the kids, hang out with the girls,

Chivita Active.”

Obiageli Ibekwe, a consumer at Ikeja feels the 60-second TV commercial is quite impressive. “It opens with an execu-

tive meeting and moves on to a workout on the basketball court. The day ends on the dance floor. The TVC depicts an activity-packed day that is sustained by the perfect choice of refreshment for an active life style,” she said.

Gulder Club Ultimate Moves To Enugu ULDER Club Ultimate, G Nigeria’s revolutionary mobile clubbing platform, is moving to South-East Nigeria for the first time.

The hugely popular club, which debuted in Port Harcourt on July 2013, has become a favourite for fun lovers, with dozens travelling from different parts of the country to be part of the twoday Lagos edition in December 2013.

The remarkable clubbing experience will now move to Enugu later this month, for two nights of unprecedented entertainment. Enugu, popularly known as ‘the Coal City,’ is the nightlife destination of

Southeastern Nigeria. There is never a dull moment and everyday is a celebration for party lovers who hang out at stylish bars and nightclubs.

Organisers announced in the week that in line with the promise to move Club Ultimate around the country, the clubbing event would make its Enugu debut on Friday April 25, and Saturday April 26, 2014.

According to Senior Brand Manager Gulder, Onyeka Okoli, “Enugu is a special destination for us and we want the connection between Gulder and our friends in Enugu to be a fusion of a fully packed entertaining night with world-class

performances. The idea is to take this club experience from city to city to engage and excite our consumers, and it is Enugu’s turn to witness the spectacle of Club Ultimate.”

Africa’s hottest DJs will throw the biggest party yet in a night of music, dance and drinks.

Marketing Manager, Gulder, Emmanuel Agu, said: “It’s an honour to be able to share this life-changing experience with Enugu. Gulder continues to dominate experiential activations nationwide and I’m confident that Club Ultimate will go down as the greatest event Enugu has seen yet.”

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FOOD&DRINKS

By Chinelo Nwagbo CANCER is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.

There are over 100 different types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected. Diet plays an important part of cancer management and physicians recommend diets that are low in fat and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Today’s recipe is simply salmon-curried-tomato-sauce served with Basmati rice.

This nutritious food is one among many foods that can be used for cancer prevention.

It is prepared with varieties of vegetables.

Vegetables as we all know contain a number of vitamins and mineral like potassium, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin A, which are beneficial to the human diet. These vitamins and minerals are needed by the body on a daily basis to promote healthy living.

Studies have shown that vegetables when eaten in quantity can prevent leukemia (cancer of the blood), breast, and prostate and lung cancers. Consuming vegetables can also correct or heal diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes (high blood sugar levels), arthritis (pains in the joints), obesity (excess fat in the body), levels of cholesterol in the blood (hypercholesterolemia) stroke, diabetes (excess sugar in the blood), kidney disease, and bone loss.

Medical doctors and nutritionists always recommend intake of vegetables to anaemic patients. It promotes healthy cardiovascular system, bones, and boosts immune system.

Pregnant women, women and girls that menstruate can benefit from consuming salmon-curried-tomato-sauce to help replenish blood lost as result of child delivery and menstruation.

Ingredients Quantities Basmati rice 3 cups (750g) Salmon fillets, skin removed 1- 1¼ pounds Salt Freshly grounded pepper 1teaspoon Vegetable oil 2 tablespoons Onion 1 medium size chopped Garlic 2 cloves Coriander (ground) ¾ teaspoon Cumin (ground) ¾ teaspoon

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya INE has to be served corW rectly to retain its characteristics, and get the best out of it, so say experts. The process of serving it starts from opening the bottle.

First ensure you get right the act of opening your wine

Salmon-curried Tomato Sauce Served With Basmati Rice (Recipe For Cancer Prevention)

Turmeric spoon Cayenne Diced tomatoes Coconut milk Fresh cilantro Lemon wedges

½ tea½ teaspoon 1 cup 1 cup ¼ cup 4

Method of preparation Cut the salmon into 4 serving-sized pieces

bottles. Do your selection of bottle opener that serves you well from among the various types available in the market.

It should be such that will remove the cork without has-

sles, and breaking it, or dropping pieces of cork into the bottle.

Know the best temperatures for serving different wines.

For instance, while some are

and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Wash all the vegetables properly with clean water.

Chop the onion, garlic, cilantro and ginger.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the onion, garlic and ginger and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the coriander, cumin, turmeric, sugar and cayenne and continue cooking until fragrant, best served chilled, others may be better served at room temperature to preserve the aroma and taste.

Some guidelines offered by wine connoisseurs on the

Right Deal With Wine

about one minute additional.

Stir in the tomatoes and coconut milk and bring to a slow simmer. Continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the salmon and turn once or twice to coat with the sauce. Simmer until the fish is cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Plate individual servings of the fish, top with sauce and serve with lemon wedges and steamed basmati rice.

right temperature for serving wine can prove useful.

Sparkling wines, Champagne, Pinot Grigio, Savignon Blanc and other white wines are better served at 1.67 to 4.44 degrees Celsius. This can be obtained by cooling in a refrigerator. Cooling for about 20 minutes in an ice bucket can also do it.

Majority of red wines should be served at about 1.78 degrees Celsius or after refrigeration for 20 minutes.

Some wines need to be exposed to oxygen to open up their aroma for better result.

Such wines should be opened and poured into a glass first where it can breathe instead in the bottle. Note that leaving it for too long can dull the

aroma and taste. Bordeaux is an example of a wine that can be left to breathe for about 30 minutes.

Another tip is not to serve a new wine in the same glass used for old wine. Once you finish a bottle of wine and open another, use a different the glass to avoid losing the new wine flavour.

Wines are better paired with foods that complement or contrast their intensity, taste, and aroma. For example, fullbodied red wine like Bordeaux or Cabernet should be taken with steak. Chardonnay or a light, red wine goes well with chicken. Light and medium bodied wines, such as Chablis or Pinot Grigio pair swell with fish.

TheGuardian

50 | Saturday, April 12, 2014

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover Menace Of Herdsmen And Increasing Security Concerns

By Samson Ezea S Nigerians contend with the activities of A members of Boko Haram sect that have claimed and are still claiming many lives, especially in the Northeast zone, the incessant clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and their host communities in recent time appear to be worsening the precarious security situation in the country.

This development has raised serious concerns, as there are suspicions and speculations in some quarters that the herdsmen may be Boko Haram members in disguise, considering their mode of operations with sophisticated weapons.

It could be recalled that in the past, there have been minor disagreements between the herdsmen and their host communities, which were often resolved at the community level.

But in recent time, the situation is assuming a dangerous dimension following allegations that chemical weapons are being deployed by the herdsmen in the attacks. Since the beginning of the year, not less than 1000 lives and property worth millions of naira have been lost in such clashes across the country.

Worst hit by the ugly development are the people of Benue State, whose governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam narrowly escaped being killed by suspected herdsmen in the state recently.

Also not spared in the attack were the people of Southern Kaduna, Katsina, Nassarawa, Zamfara and others.

The Guardian investigation reveals that in most southern states, there is palpable fear and tension in the areas where the Fulani herdsmen are residing.

In Delta state, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Wednesday hurriedly convened an emergency security meeting in Warri to douse tension over the influx of some Fulani herdsmen into some communities in the state.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had, in a move aimed at resolving the perennial clashes between farmers and Fulani, agreed to set up a technical committee to address the situation.

At a meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, it was resolved that a technical committee be set up to address the situation.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, who disclosed the outcome of the meeting, noted that

rising stock of livestock population as well as urbanization, which is encroaching on grazing lands were some of the factors fueling the clashes.

He said the meeting identified the need to increase the number of grazing reserves across the country from the current 415.

He regretted that out of the 415, only 141 grazing reserves have been gazetted, while less than 20 have been equipped with resources for the pastoralists.

The minister said the technical committee, which has two weeks to submit its report, is expected to look into how to improve existing grazing reserves and design a new finance regime for the grazing routes, among others.

He said the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Prof. Peter Nwilo, and his team, were also asked to come up with a detailed map that would show the grazing reserves for proper monitoring.

Adesina also disclosed the government’s resolve to deploy the use of satellite imagery to help track movements of animals.

He said, “Federal government will immediately deploy the use of satellite imagery, remote sensing and GIS maps that will allow government track the movement of animals and understand the challenges across the stock routes.

“We are facing a challenging situation today as a country and that has arisen as a result of conflicts between nomadic cattle herders and farmers clashes that has taken a particularly frightening situation of insecurity.

“We have related developments in Benue, Nassarawa, Plateau and several other states across the country.”

In other to discourage the moving of animals encourage moving of beef, he said more abattoirs would be constructed close to the grazing reserves.

He said the private sector would be encouraged to play a strong role in the arrangement.

While stressing the need for further dialogue and consultation especially in the troubled areas, Adesina said Sambo also directed the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, to ensure proper monitoring of the nation’s borders in order to check cattle rearers who move into the country with arms.

As good as Federal government may think that their approach to matter is okay, many people and groups have kicked against the move to establish grazing routes in the state

across the country. They had argued that it would give the herdsmen undue advantages against the host communities. Similar attempts in the past to pass a bill at National Assembly establishing grazing routes across the country has suffered setback, following disagreements among members.

Sometime last year, the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture held a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a National Grazing Route and Reserves Commission. The bill, which was sponsored by Hon. Karimi Sunday Steve, member representing Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State was a replica of another bill presently pending at the Senate. The version of the bill at the upper chamber of the National Assembly was sponsored by Senator Zainab Kure (PDP/Niger).

Both bills were meant to address challenges posed by the emerging security challenges arising from the movement of the Fulani nomads and their cattle across the country.

The National Grazing Route and Reserve Commission, if established, would acquire and manage parcels of land across the 36 states of the Federation for the purpose of providing pastures for these nomads and their herds of cattle.

Part IV of the bill stipulates the procedure for the acquisition of the grazing routes and reserves. It states in parts: “The Commission shall approach the governments of all the thirty six (36) states and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and express its desire to establish a Grazing Route and Reserve in accordance with this Act. The commission shall undertake a physical geographical analysis of the land use in each of the states in order to ascertain the best and most appropriate place to locate the Federal Grazing Reserve and Route within the said state. The Commission shall after undertaking the analysis of the Grazing Reserves and Routes approach each State Governor with the cooperation of the member of the Commission from that state to negotiate with the governor to transfer the land to the Commission for the purpose of Grazing Routes and Reserve. The governors in each state shall cooperate with the Commission in the furtherance of its objectives under this Act.

“Whenever land has been transferred by the governor to the Commission for use as Grazing Routes and Reserve, the governor in each state shall make an order that shall set forth - (a) the limits of the land which constitute the reserve ( b) that the land has been transferred to the Commission for the purpose of Grazing Route and Reserves and (c) that all interests in the land constituted as Grazing Routes and Reserve is subject to the interest of the Commission for the purposes of Grazing Routes and Reserve. “Whenever any land has been transferred to the Commission by the Governor, the Commission shall pay the compensation necessary to the persons and communities whose interest in the land has been affected by such transfer.

“Once the governor of each of the states or any of the states agree to reserve or transfer any land to the Commission for the purpose of Grazing Routes or Reserves, a Notice shall be published in the Nigerian Official Gazette specifying as clearly as possible the situation and the limits of the land.”

Unfortunately during the consideration of the general principles of the bill in House of Representatives, opinions were divided on the relevance of such legislation. Some legislators opposed to the bill have argued that the legislation was capable of igniting a worse crisis scenario.

They argued that the clashes being experienced across the length and breadth of the country was caused by the struggle over land ownership and usage.

Some believe that there has been a deliberate plot by the Hausa/Fulani political elite to seize the lands belonging to some other ethnic groups especially in the North central zone and lord it over them.

In the face of the development, there is fear that Federal Government’s move in this direction may face similar setback or resistance just like that of National Assembly.

As Nigerians await the recommendations of the Federal Government Technical Committee, which will be subjected to bureaucratic bottleneck before implementation, if at all the clashes have continued unabated and seems not to be over soon.

Even though the Federal government has deployed soldiers to the most troubled areas, many are of the opinion that such temporary measure should not be seen as the ultimate solution to the menace, as it is spreading rapidly across the country. If left unchecked, it may be worse than Boko Haram attacks considering that the herdsmen are now in every part of the country.

Saturday, April 12, 2014 51

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

COVER ‘Lapses In Security May Prolong Herdsmen Attacks In Taraba’ From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo NLIKE members of the dreaded U Boko Haram sect who could not penetrate Taraba state to carry out their terrorist activities due to the surveillance mounted by security operatives, the reverse was the case with the Fulani herdsmen. They gained access and sent a lot of innocent souls to the grave.

Apart from the hundreds of lives lost, their activities in four local government councils of the state, which includes Ibi, Donga, Takum and Wukari also led to wanton destruction of properties worth millions of Naira. Some of the villages were razed completely include Nayinmani, Tudunwada, Yayimini, Bakundi, to mention just a few.

Consequently, this has led to massive movement of the Tiv community to neighbouring Benue state and brought business activities in most parts of the state to a standstill.

Several students who would have stormed the states from other neighbouring state to participate in today’s Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination (JAMB), as observed by The Guardian, have decided to forfeit the examination due to the upheaval in the state, occasioned by the herdsmen.

Motorists plying Wukari/Jalingo axis from the southern parts of the country, have as well been compelled to seek alternative routes into Jalingo, as parts of the roads leading to the state capital are said to have been overtaken by the herdsmen.

The attacks are believed to have been ignited by the massive exodus of the herdsmen from the neighbouring states of Benue and Nassarawa where the unrest first reared its ugly head.

And in the estimation of the House Committee Chairman on Information, Culture and Tourism, Daniel Ishaya Gani, the lukewarm attitude of the Taraba state government under the leadership of the Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, who allegedly failed to provide the much needed security to the people, is what enabled the herdsmen to penetrate the state.

More so, the shortage of security personnel in most of the villages that were attacked also made it possible for the herdsmen who were armed to operate smoothly.

A senior security personnel who spoke to The Guardian, agreed that the weapons being used by the herdsmen, which includes AK47, “are far superior than what we are using, and it will be stupid of us to go and confront them.”

The security personnel who craved anonymity blamed both the state and federal government for not taking the issue of security serious. “Every year, they claim that they have budgeted the largest percentage of their budgets to security whereas such funds never get to us.

“If I tell you that most of the things they claimed they supply us, we still buy them, would you believe?

This uniform you are seeing on me, I bought it with my money. But they always make the public believe that they supply us free of charge.

“My friend, we are ready to work and risk our lives for the people, but in the real sense, is Nigeria worth dying for? I can name many of my colleagues who died while executing their duties, but as I speak with you, the families they left behind have been neglected by both the state and the federal government.

“Go to most of the places we call armories, majority of the weapons there are all out dated. Even when they are okay, the ammunitions are not sufficient. Sometimes you would see three to four policemen are attached to only one gun. With

this, would you still blame us for not overpowering the herdsmen who are more equipped than us?”

Wondering how the herdsmen came about the type of sophisticated weapons they are using, he opined that, “there must be some top government personalities behind the activities of these herdsmen.

“You and I know that the ordinary cattle-rearer in the bush don’t know and cannot operate the types of weapon I saw these herdsmen handling. And from what I saw, I think that these strange herdsmen are not Nigerians. They are mercenaries brought in by some politicians to destabilize this country.”

Blaming the Acting Governor for the hideous activities of the herdsmen in the State, Gani, on his part, noted that the ongoing exit of Tiv community and other tribes from the state is as a result of the inability of the state government to secure the lives and properties of the people.

According to him, “the government of Taraba state has not measured up to its responsibility to secure the lives and properties of the people.”

The ongoing upheaval, which he believes would “definitely affect the forthcoming farming season,” can only be brought under control only when government deems it fit to extend the scope of the peace and reconciliation committee activities going on in Nassarawa and Benue states to the State.

He noted that the “crisis at hand did not start in Taraba state. The crisis emanated from Benue and Nassarawa state, but as I am talking to you now, the whole impact of the crisis is now on the whole southern Taraba. An entire ward, about three to four villages are now burnt down completely by the Fulani herdsmen.

“So I am calling on the Nigerian government that the committee that is set up should not only be restricted or mandated to work on peace resolution between Nassarawa and Benue only, but Taraba state be included and the committee should come to Taraba especially Wukari and Ibi local government areas to see the level of damages done in our communities.”

Like other politicians and some security personnel who spoke on

the issue, Gani is also of the view that the ongoing attack is politically motivated so as to make votes in the affected communities irrelevant.

Like what is presently happening in the neighbouring North-East states where the activities of insurgents has continue to deny the states of Borno and Yobe certain privileges, that would soon be extended to Taraba, noting that the forthcoming general elections slated for 2015 may turn out to be a mirage in the state.

Though accusing fingers are being pointed at the herdsmen, some of them who spoke to The Guardian, denied knowledge of the ongoing event.

Coroborating this, the monarch of Donga, Stephen Danjuma Bayonga, described the herdsmen indulging in the ongoing heinous acts as “strange Fulani Herdsmen from Nassarawa and Benue state.”

He said that the Fulani in Taraba state have been living peacefully with all the ethnic groups but that the infiltration of “strange Fulani” from neighbouring states gave birth to the present predicament confronting the state.

In Kwara, Govt Takes Proactive Measures To Forestall Clash From Abiodun Fagbemi WARA state in terms of crime statistics K arguably ranks among the most peaceful states in Nigeria. But despite the encouraging fact file, the state government, in a proactive step has announced the resuscitation of all the grazing routes across the state in order to prevent clashes between the local farmers and the itinerant Fulani herdsmen.

It would be recalled that some nine months ago, the prompt steps taken by the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed-led government and the Chairman, Kwara state Traditional Council, who is also the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari prevented what could have been a bloody clash between the herdsmen and the host community at Alapa, a sleepy settlement at Asa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Suspected herdsmen had allegedly murdered a local farmer on his farm when he

challenged the herdsmen for grazing on it. The people of the community had allegedly mobilized themselves for an assault on the suspected herdsmen. But the state government and the Emir prevailed on them to sheath their swords.

Speaking on the development in a chat with The Guardian in Ilorin, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Tunji Morohunfoye said the need for recreating the grazing routes in the state was aimed at minimising contacts between the farmers and the herdsmen.

Besides, he said more cattle ranches would be bankrolled by the government to spread across the entire 16 LGAs of the state. He believes that the steps by the government would serve as a model to other states of the federation.

For Morohunfoye, “we have been created to live together in this country irrespective of tribes or religion. The earlier we live in this reality, the better for us. We need food to survive,

but we also need meat and milk to live a healthy life.

“So when we have the ranches, veterinary doctors will be available to visit the ranches when the need arises. Besides, the doctors contact with the ranches and the cattle rearers will boost the milk capacity of the cows.”

One other area of putting the herdsmen and the local farmers under effective checks is the constitution of a committee consisting of notable herdsmen and seasoned farmers where they constantly meet to cement harmonious relationship between each other.

In Kwara state, it is an aberration for either a farmer or herdsmen to take vengeance over any level of provocation without first reporting the same matter to the committee.

For Morohunfoye, the state government has outlawed the carrying of arms by the herdsmen especially during the celebration of their traditional marriages when prospective suitors are expected to subdue other suitors

before qualifying for the marriage.

One other area where the state government has taken a pre-emptive measure against frictions between the two groups is the hiring of local herdsmen with their cattle at its Shonga commercial dairy farm. The dairy syndicate had lately sealed a contract between itself and a milk production company for commercial purposes.

According to Tope Daramola the General Manager of the Harmony Holding under which Shonga Farm falls, “this symbiotic relationship at Shonga has engendered 100 per cent harmonious relationship between local farmers and herdsmen. It is a recommendation that the Federal Government should emulate.”

Daramola gave kudos to the past Governor of the state, Bukola Saraki for the initiative of the Shonga Farm, just as he extolled the virtues of the incumbent Governor, for sustaining the vision and improving on it.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

52 Saturday, April 12, 2014

COVER From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau EFORE 2010 Zamfara state was the most B peaceful state in Nigeria. Then, it was a conducive environment for all citizens to live without any fear of attack by any group of criminals; armed robbers, Fulani herdsmen and others. Then residents of the state do sleep in the night in an open environment particularly during dry season without thinking of any possible attack.

But from 2010, the rate of criminal activities were on rapid increase in many parts of the state. Such crimes include armed robbery, cattle rustling, house bugling, raping, minor cases of kidnapping, ritualism, political thugery and so on.

Massive killings of citizens started in the state when crisis erupted between group of people suspected to be cattle rustlers and Fulani with the support of vigilante group. At that point, there were series of complaints from the Fulanis on how some suspected cattle rustlers are terrorizing their assets, and carrying sophisticated weapons to attack them in case of any resistance.

This did not go down well with the Fulanis who embarked on trying to identify some of the cattle rustlers who do come in the day time to steal their cattles. When the Fulanis identified some of the cattle rustler who Scene of the attack by herdsmen at Maru Council Area of Zamfara state... recently PHOTO ISAH IBRAHIM were their friends or live in a neighboring communities; they met and decided to take law into their hands.

Recent tragedy occured at Yar Galadima This action was executed through going village, Maru local council of Zamfara state, house to house or community to community when some gunmen in military camouin search of the suspected cattle rustlers and flage suspected to be cattle rustlers killed them in the presence of their families attacked a large crowd of vigilante memwith the support of some members of vigibers, while holding a special security meetlantes groups in those communities. ing killing over 200 people including innoKey council areas where these incidents hapcent citizens passing along Gusau pened in the state include Maru, Birnin Dansadau road.

Magaji, Bukkuyum, Zurmi, Shinkafi, Tsafe, Mallam Adamu Magaji, the village head of Anka and some part of Gusau council areas.

Yar Galadima told The Guardian that his Usman Ada, an indigene of Bingi in Maru people are seriously in need of food, water council told The Guardian that there was a and medical assistance as many of their time on his village market day some vigichildren and women are suffering from diflantee came to the market in search of susferent form of sickness now. pected cattle rustlers and found two moving He said the community may relocate to an round in the market, killed and burnt them undisclosed place within or outside the in the market instead of taken them to state as the people are no longer sure of authorities concerned. their safety.

Such action had happened frequently in difHe said unless the Fulanis are banished ferent parts of the state, and authorities from the areas, residents may not carry out refused to called them to order until when farming activities this year. other party started retaliating massively.’

According to him, ‘We don’t want to talk people of Dansadau and environs to halt incesAbdullahi Graba is a resident of Yartasha in about the sad Saturday, which was unbesant robbery cases. In October 2011, bandits Dansadau Emirate of Maru local council said lievable. Our people were killed anyhow again returned and killed 23 persons and cattle rustlers went from house to house in like rams or cows. Since this ugly thing injured many others in the same village and search of members of the vigilante groups in happened majority members of the comwent away unarrested. Also in January 2012, not some villages under Dansadau Emirate, Maru less than 15 traders were ambushed and killed, munity cannot sleep in the night.’ local council Zamafara State in 2012. 10 perMalam Adamu said: “We have one very their corpses burnt in Birnin Magaji Local sons were reportedly killed in the attack by rich man in this community and unfortuGovernment Area of Zamfara State allegedly by the gang. nately he was among the people killed by the same gang.

The killers were said to be on a revenge misthe Fulanis whom we are suspecting came In June 2012, the same gang returned to sion after some of them were said to have from some neighbouring states or elseDansadau; they went from house to house, been extra-judicially executed by members of killing the residents and setting their houses where. the local vigilante groups mobilised by the “From their speeches, it seems they were ablaze for hours.

Zamfara Attack:

Survivors, Residents Decry Food Shortage

not real Fulanis. The deceased rich man left 18 minors and they are in need of support. Our people are currently affected by lack of food because our food stores were burnt.

We want federal and the state governments to come to our aid and chase out this people away from the state.

What happened to us may likely happen to any community in the country.’

According to an eyewitness, Abdullahi Musa unguwar Galadima, the gunmen arrived the village at about 3pm on Saturday and continued with their massacre up to 6: 35pm without any security response.

According to him the gunmen were conveyed to the area in more than one hundred motorcycles with sophisticated weapons.

The vigilantes had resolved to invite their members from Kastina, Niger, Kaduna and some part of Kebbi with a view to strategies ways to be adopted in order to bring to an end the persistent killing of citizens by cattle rustlers within the axis.

A source further disclosed to The Guardian that when the cattle rustlers received information about the planned meeting, they warned the vigilantes from holding such meeting.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG) in charge of Sokoto zone, Mamman Sule who visited the scene of the attack said the dead bodies found were 79. Also commenting, the state Governor Abdulaziz Yari who was visibly worried, expressed shock at the extent of damage done and the innocent lives lost in the attack. He wondered how such ugly incidence could happen in a broad daylight without any help from the security.

While giving the assurance of his government’s commitment to fish out the culprits and bringing them to book, Yari also promised that the families left behind by the deceased will be supported while adequate compensation will be given for the properties destroyed by the insurgents In the related development, Senator Saidu Muhammad Dansadau has accused the Zamfara state government for its inability to prosecute suspected cattle rustlers and armed robbers that were arrested by security operatives at different scenes.

Instead, the Senator said, the present government ordered the release of the accused persons free without trial.

He said the government has shown less concern to the rampant killings of citizens in the state by unknown gunmen, pointing out that, the government had played a negative role in promoting crisis between farmers and the Fulanis.

The senator revealed that a suspected supplier of ammunitions to the gunmen was arrested with enough evidence, but was freely release without any judicial prosecution.

Imo: Herdsmen Defy Government Order On Grazing Assembly and one time Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture disclosed his committee’s efforts in checkmating the nefarious activities of the herdsmen in the state then.

HE activities of the Fulani herdsmen in some parts of According to him: “We must not play to the gallery about Imo state is better imagined than experienced. They these problems. I see no reason why these herdsmen should have totally displayed lawless acts.” These are the words of a be allowed openly to graze in areas where we have farms. relation of a victim, expressing his mind to The Guardian in Why should they allow their cattle to eat up crops in peoples’ Owerri, capital city of Imo State recently. farm land.

From the feelers gathered in Ohaji and Owerri West council “This is where government should not pay lip service. areas of the state, they are tales of woes. Despite the instrucConcerted efforts should be made to ensure that our farmers tions from the government that these herdsmen should are protected. These people don’t have guns, but they carry restrict the grazing in the remote bush areas and not either in the farms or on the major roads, one still finds them mov- about dangerous weapons that are even more dangerous than guns. This must not be allowed. ing their cattle along the Express roads in the state.

Cases have been reported in the past that these men alleged- “During our days in the Imo State House of Assembly, as the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, we discovered ly make their ways into farms in Irrete, Owerri West Local that it started then, we now decided to hold consultative Council and Ohaji, Ohaji/ Egbema council area to graze and in the process, they resist every attempt by the owners of the stakeholders meetings, comprising the Hausa community, the executive and relevant persons, where resolutions were farms to ask them out. drafted that they should only go to restricted areas, not They normally do it with arms and ammunition, just the same way they have engaged in the rape of the women from either in the farms or main roads. These were carried out to the letter. I am surprised that these have been breached these areas The Guardian learnt. nowadays. This must be resisted, amicably though.”

At sometimes, these communities do stage open protest to One of the members of Fulani community who spoke on the the Imo State Government asking for intervention. This has condition of anonymity, denied the allegation that they are been often done on the instruction of the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha who had often ordered destroying peoples’ farms with their cattle. He opined that that the activities of the herdsmen should be restricted there was exaggeration in the matter. He said they have according to the law. always instructed their members not to allow their cattle get Mr. Oliver Enwerem, a former member of State House of into peoples’ farm.

Enwerem

From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

“T

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April 12, 2014

53

COVER

Reasons Behind Herdsmen Attacks On Tiv Communities In Nasarawa/Benue States From Msugh Ityokura, Lafia HE ongoing attacks on Tiv communities in T Nasarawa and Benue states respectively began like the usual herdsmen/farmers clash.

However it did not take long for the real motives behind the attacks to manifest.

The nature of the carnage being carried out in Tiv land cannot be said to be ordinary given the professional nature of the attacks and the sophisticated weapons used by the insurgents who disguise as herdsmen.

In Nasarawa state, the Tivs who constitute 30 percent population according to census figures available to The Guardian are said not to be disposed to the re-election of governor of the state, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, hence the need to displace them ahead of the 2015 general elections.

All the Tiv communities in Keana, Awe, Doma, Obian and Lafia, the state capital to mention a few have been deserted. Hundreds have been killed with thousands displaced.

Most of the victims were taking refuge in Makurdi, and some parts of Benue state which is said to be surrounded by the insurgents.

The insurgents according to findings are usually camped in some places in Nasarawa where they reign havoc on their victims and cross over to the neighbouring state of Benue to continue with their onslaught on innocent Tiv people.

To buttress their insistence that governor AlMakura certainly has a hand in their travail, the Tivs said since the onslaught against them began several months ago, the governor has not even for once visited any of the affected Tiv communities not to talk of donating relief materials to them.

Nasarawa which has no jungle for such activity”queried Abomtse, who challenged AlMakura to produce the voter cards of the slain insurgents which he (Al-Makura) claimed were innocent Fulanis killed by soldiers recently in Keana and Awe. “He should be prepared to answer questions bordering on genocide at Hague when he leaves office next year,” Abomtse said.

Abomtse further asked for census records to ascertained the original abode of the felled insurgents whom the governor claimed were innocently killed by soldiers on a mission to rescue the fleeing Tivs.

Legal adviser to Ombatse, a cultural group in Nasarawa state, Zamani Zachari Alumaga while speaking with newsmen recently in Lafia questioned the common public bearing of arms by the Fulanis and wondered why the authorities have not deemed it fit to curtail the tradition.

“Are the Fulanis permitted by law to carry guns? If the people killed by soldiers were innocent Fulanis as claimed by the governor what were they doing with guns” questioned the former magistrate who berated Al-Makura for the unprovoked attacks on the Tiv people.

Some youths protesting attack by Fulani herdsmen in one of the communities in Benue state recently Addressing newsmen recently in Makurdi, But just as Giza community fell under the the forests. He was not however specific about the Benue state capital, the state commissioner for information, Justine Amase clearly attack of some unidentified gunmen, Al-Makura the forest where they were been camped. promptly visited the community with truckpointed accusing fingers on Ta’al whom he Speaking with The Guardian in an exclusive load of relief materials. interview the traditional head of Guma coun- insisted is responsible for the plight of the Similarly, the first military operation in Keana cil area, Chief Daniel Abomtse wondered why Tivs. council area which led to the death of scores of governor Al-Makura would claim ignorance of A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress insurgents saw Al-Makura visiting the place the insurgents’ camps in his state where they (APC) in Nasarawa state, Omar Nurudeen corfollowing morning where he told the Osana of cross over to Benue to cause havoc. roborated the position of Abomtse by insistKeana, Emmanuel Elayo and whoever cared to “The insurgents recently arrived Nasarawa ing that the governor should be made to listen that those carrying out attacks on Tiv state in the guise of international hunters. answer questions at Hague as soon as he communities were not in his domain, but in What are they hunting in a dry place like leaves office in 2015.

Benue In The Throes Of Attacks By Marauders killings.

But in the heat of the crises, residents became worried over S in other parts of northern Nigeria, the people of Benue the use of sophisticated weapons, guns and chemical weapons state have been traumatized by terrorists disguising as on the armless people. More so, with the mode of operation Fulani herdsmen in not less than eight local council areas of and personal testimony by some surviving victims alleging the the state. involvement of hired military personnel who collaborated The unwarranted attacks on the people, which began about with invaders to wipe off the Tiv/Agatu race of the state. three years ago as mere Fulani invasion of farmlands have takThe suspected used of chemical weapons on the people made en a new dimension as the armed marauders come in large Governor Gabriel Suswam to implore the Senate Committee on numbers carrying sophisticated weapons, shooting, killing and national security and intelligence to critically investigate the maiming the inhabitants. issue and to further raise the issue of hosting terrorists against At the moment, eight local council areas including Guma, his people with the Nasarawa state government.

Logo, Makurdi, Katsina-Ala, Gwer-West, Kwande, Agatu, and Government sources had hinted that over 200 persons died in Gwer- East are affected, with the herders taking over their the course of the crisis. More so, the suspected involvement of homes and ancestral lands. other tribes in killing of the Tiv people was noticed and posed a Statistics of local councils worst hit by the invasion given by great concern that ought to be investigated. the state Executive Secretary of SEMA, Adikpo Agbatse indicates At a recent press conference held by the state chapter of that Guma LGA has 9 council wards deserted while Gwer-West Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, and Association of Local has 5 council wards. Other councils are Makurdi with 4 council Government of Nigeria, ALGON, and traditional ruler, Ter wards deserted, Logo 3, Agatu 4, Kwande 1 and Katsina -Ala 1, Tyoshim, Chief Abomtse objected the idea of creating grazing just as Gwer-East local council also has its fair share of the

From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi

A

reserves in the state, saying Benue farmers as agrarians are not compatible with cattle breeders. They insisted that Fulanis should stay in ranches.

The peace accord was spearheaded by the DIG operation, Michael Zoukumor and his delegation, which signed on behalf of government. General Atom Atom Kpera and members of his delegation signed on behalf of the Tiv people, Miyetti Allah president, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo signed on behalf of the Fulanis and Agatu traditional ruler signed for his people. The representatives of each group promised Nigerians of a ceasefire.

However, logo the governor’s local government yesterday witnessed another mayhem as the marauders launched another attack on some settlements, killing two persons, wounding many and razing down hundred of houses.

Some of the displaced persons that spoke with The Guardian including John Atuma, Audu Daana and Viashima Agber all showed their desires to return to their homes in Guma LGA but expressed fears about the possibility of being attacked again.

TheGuardian

54 | Saturday, April 12, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics Abia 2015:

Between An Equitable Charter And The People From Kodilinye Obiagwu, South East Bureau Chief NE topic that will dominate discourse in O ahead of next year’s governorship polls in Abia State is whether the next governor will be a product of the Abia Charter of Equity.

Governor Theodore Orji, in an address at the 20th annual convention of the Ngwa National Association held in the United States (US) in September 2011, stated that after his election, “there was a resolve by our people to ensure that the Abia Charter of Equity is fully implemented in the politics of our state.

He added: “The implication of the Abia Charter of Equity is that come 2015, after the expiration of my second tenure in office, the mantle of leadership and governorship of Abia will go to an individual of Ngwa/Ukwa extraction and from Abia South.”

On January 3, this year, he noted that the rotation of power between the old Bende and Aba divisions would help to enthrone fairness and equity in the state’s polity.

Explaining that the arrangement would conform with the provisions of the Charter, which prescribed rotation of power between the two blocs, the governor said: “I don’t want to leave office and there will be bloodshed; that is not my vision for Abia.”

The Charter, prepared by the “founding fathers of the state” before its creation in 1991, specifies how the governorship would rotate among the sections, known then as Afikpo division, old Bende, Isikwuato district and Aba. It is from this alphabetical configuration that A.B.I.A state derived its name.

The chairman of the state Advisory Council and one of the founding fathers, Ezeogo Anagha Ezeikpe, who described the charter as a document produced in good conscience, noted that part of its principles is that Abia people “accept the cardinal principle of equity of all senatorial zones and all the people and the recognition of Isikwuato as a district.”

In August last year, Ezeikpe led a campaign to persuade the state House of Assembly to enact the Charter into law.

He noted that the situation that prevailed when the Charter was produced had changed, with the Afikpo section now in Ebonyi State, while old Bende, Aba and Isikwuato district remained in Abia.

He said “there is re-engineering and re-arrangement now” and the House is the only institution that could look at the political situation and arrange power rotation in an orderly manner, where “it can be easily interpreted and nobody offended.”

The charter broke up Abia into three: Aba zone (Aba, Isiala-Ngwa, Obioma Ngwa and Ukwa councils), Umuahia zone (Afikpo, Arochukwu/Ohafia, Bende, Ikwuano/Umuahia and Ohaozara councils) and the Isikwuato district.

It has not taken in the structure of the three senatorial zones of Abia North, Abia South and Abia Central, but also leans on the old Aba and old Bende areas.

In the old Aba are Isiala-Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Obingwa, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

Old Bende has Ikwuano, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Isikwuato, Umunneochi, Ohafia, Bende and Arochukwu.

In the context of the governor’s statements, he has tried to see the tenets of the charter realised by noting that his successor “will be an individual of Ngwa/Ukwa extraction and from Abia South.”

While former governor, Dr. Orji Kalu, comes from Igbere in the Old Umuahia zone, now in Abia Central, the incumbent governor comes also from Umuahia in the Old Bende sector, now in Abia North.

On the basis of the charter, both are from the same stock, although from different senatorial zones.

Today, a section of old Aba division, now Abia South, wants the power shift arranged on senatorial zones and not on the old political structures.

But those from the Isikwuato district want the power on the reality that prevailed ahead of the creation of Abia.

With the Afikpo side, the first “A” in Abia, out of the equation, and the Bende side having taken their turn in Kalu, the argument is that Isikwuato, the “I” in Abia, should take its turn before Aba, the last “A” in Abia.

The zoning of power to the Ukwa/Ngwa and Abia South means that the Ngwa in Abia Central will be denied the right to run for governor.

The Ngwa ethnic bloc is located in both the Central and South senatorial districts. It is dominant in the South, with control four of the seven councils in the zone spread across Aba North, Aba South, Obingwa and Ugwanagbo.

The Asa and Ndoki clans constitute the other two councils of Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

In the Central, the Ngwa occupy Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma Ngwa councils, out of the five in the zone.

If power shift were based on the clannish reality of Ukwa/Ngwa, it would mean that the Ngwa in Abia Central would logically be qualified to run? In reality though, if one of them runs and wins, it would mean that Abia Central is producing the governor again.

But if they were exempted, as the governor’s position implies, it would mean that the power rotation formula, according to the charter, is not all-inclusive, when harmonised with the senatorial zones.

Meanwhile, prominent Ukwa and Ngwa sons prefer the zoning to Abia South and not to Ukwa/Ngwa, “because zoning it to a people amounts to political clannishness, as the senatorial zone is more recognised as a political structure, while the Ukwa/Ngwa sentiment is about a people,” said an incumbent lawmaker, who preferred not to be named.

Both Kalu, who is from the North, and Orji, who is from the Central, were not seen as representing the Igbere or Umuahia people, respectively.

But another group in the Ukwa/Ngwa axis that wants the Charter upheld, argue that: “Power has remained in the hands of the old Bende, and no Ukwa/Ngwa person has been elected as governor.”

Orji

Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara had told his Ukwa kinsmen that power shift must be on senatorial basis and not on the Ukwa/Ngwa sentiment. “Give the governorship to Abia South in 2015, there is no way anybody can change the game, and Orji knows this,” he said. In the meantime, there appears to be no consensus on rotation, as questions abound. Is the reliance on the charter a political convenience? Is there any basis for the Isikwuato district to consider the tendency that power shift is a tool by opportunists to grab power and will they raise a governor?

Will the next governor emerge from a zoning arrangement or the exigencies of politics? Will an Ukwa/Ngwa be governor next year?

Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara had told his Ukwa kinsmen that power shift must be on senatorial basis and not on the Ukwa/Ngwa sentiment.

“Give the governorship to Abia South in 2015, there is no way anybody can change the game, and Orji knows this,” he said.

In the meantime, there appears to be no consensus on rotation, as questions abound. Is the reliance on the charter a political convenience?

Is there any basis for the Isikwuato district to consider the tendency that power shift is a tool by opportunists to grab power and will they raise a governor? Will the next governor emerge from a zoning arrangement or the exigencies of politics? Will an Ukwa/Ngwa be governor next year?

According to an associate of one of the aspirants from Isikwuato: “Since 1999, governorship aspirants have come from every zone and it has always been survival of the fittest. We expect the same scenario in 2015.”

The face of that agitation is the Chief Executive Officer of Masters Energy, Sampson Uche Ogah,

who sources said though not a dye-in-the-wool politician, but people like Maj-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and Senator Uche Chukwumerije are supporting him.

Meanwhile, the posters of immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, is awash in Umuahia, although sources quote him as stressing that he has never contemplated running for political office.

Greg Ibeh, founder of Greg University in Uturu, believed the next governor of Abia should be anyone that has positively invested in the economy of the state.

Priding himself as one who has provided jobs for over 20,000 indigenes of the state, Ibeh posited that that puts him in the forefront to bring the needed development to Abia, saying: “This is not about politics, but about Abia people and development.”

Meanwhile, Ogah, a business mogul and philanthropist, argued that for the sake of fairplay, the next governor should come from Isikwuato.

He told one of the numerous groups persuading to run that “in the creation of Abia, we have Afikpo, Bende, Isikwuato and the Aba zones. Afikpo zone ruled under Ogbonnaya Onu; the Bende people have ruled under Kalu, and even the incumbent governor. It is time for Isikwuato people to rule, before Aba zone.

“People have always contested for the governorship and circumstances have always produced the right person; it was not a function of rotation. Every zone contested in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011; it was not left for a particular zone.

“If I decide to run, I will contest because it is an election, not nomination.”

Ogah described Orji as the best governor the state had ever had, while his supporters believe his transformational strides as an individual are enough evidence that he would deliver, as governor.

Those whose names are variously linked with the governorship race from the Ukwa/Ngwa axis include Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Acho Nwakanma, Chris Akomas, Chris Nkwonta, Okey Emuchay and Okezie Ikpeazu.

Others are Nkechi Nwogu, Uzor Azubuike and Reagan Ufomba, who are from the Ngwa axis in Abia Central.

From the Isikwuato axis are Ogah, Ibeh and Ihejirika.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April 12, 2014

55

POLITICS Akwa Ibom 2015: Akpabio Keeps Hope Alive For Oron People From Willie Etim, Uyo ECENTLy the people of Oron Federal R Constituency in Akwa Ibom State had a Town Hall Meeting with the state governor, Mr.

Akpabio

Godswill Akpabio. The entire state was apprehensive about the possible outcome of the meeting. There has been story of perceived marginalisation of the Oron people, so noting less was expected from the people than violent confrontation with the governor.

Contrary to what majority of the people had expected, the meeting turned out to be a day of celebration, pointblank and frank discussions with the governor, a day of truth and revelations. It was indeed a settled day for the people of Oron as they moved a step closer to their desire and aspiration of having one of their own take over from Godswill Akpabio come 2015.

The town hall meeting which was mainly interactive afforded Akpabio the opportunity to present his report card to the people who gave him the mandate to superintend over them.

Akpabio who is in the twilight of his eight years administration had also use the opportunity to thank the people for the confidence and trust they reposed in him within the period he had governed the state, especially given the circumstance in which he emerged as the candidate for the People Democratic Party.

Even though the Town hall meeting was very successful in all the Federal constituencies visited, the one held in Oron Federal Constituency on March 31 stood out; it was a class act, from the planning, organisation, security and participation.

Before the meeting, there was palpable fear of apprehension as most stakeholders from other sister Federal Constituencies had stayed away.

Everybody had anticipated the unexpected based on some fabricated security report that

Oron will be bloody.

Determined to complete the circle of meeting with the people, Akpabio was undeterred, even though he had expressed some misgivings, his confidence was reaffirmed when he put words across to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Ekpeyoung Ntekim and other stakeholders who assured him of peaceful atmosphere, with the conviction Akpabio embarked on the visit to Oron.

Akpabio was marvelled by the friendly disposition of the people of Oron Federal Constituency, as the red carpets were rolled out in his honour. He was more elated by the reception he received from Okobo council area where he commissioned some projects before going Mbo and Oron town.

His visit electrified the atmosphere in Oron town, capital of the five council areas in the federal constituency. Everybody who were at the Civic centre, venue of the meeting dressed in traditional wrapper, white shirt and red cap.

Added to that were the supporters of Barrister Ekpeyoung Ntekim, a frontline governorship hopeful from the Federal constituency, who dressed on red T-shirt and a red baseball cap with an inscription, “Ekpeyoung Ntekim” along side a host of other well wishers of some top government functionaries from the Federal constituency, who lined the street of Oron town, to give the governor a deserved welcome.

The governor had attested to the fact that the meeting in Oron stood out as the most organised. Governor Akpabio at the meeting reeled out his report card listing all the areas of interventions in all the five council areas in the state, but the people were only focused on one thing, the governorship of the state come 2015.

Speaker after speaker had insisted on the emergence of a governor of Oron extraction come 2015, but governor Akpabio argued that they

should not agitate based on Federal Constituencies. The governors argument did not deterred the people as they insisted on the tripod which according to them was the basis of the creation of the state in 1987.

Lamenting about the perceived disunity especially among some gluttonous elites from the Federal constituencies who are ready to betray the people of Oron for peanuts, the governor said the greatest challenge the Oron people have is the self-centred persons among them.

But the Council of Oron Traditional Rulers represented by Ambassador Etim Uye, while insisting on the desire of Oron to produce next governor of the state denounced any Oron son who is working against the interest of the people. .

He said, “ anybody who come to you to say that Oron does not want governorship does not mean well for us. The traditional rulers have given me the authority to say that such a person is not from Oron.”

He called on the governor to discountenance the opinion of those described as loafers who go about begging for money and further pleaded with the governor to always disclose the identity of such persons whenever they come displaying their antics.

Ambassador Uye recalled the gathering of all the traditional rulers at the Uyo township stadium in 1987 when the state was created, reminding governor Akpabio that the traditional rulers had pleaded for fairness among the three major tribes namely Ibibio Annang and Oron.

In the same vein, Chief Etim Okpoyo, a former deputy governor of the state, who is also from Oron lambasted most indigenes of the town in government for not being able to attract development to the area.

He said that the some deplorable roads in the area cannot be blamed on the governor as the government functionaries from the area do not call the attention of the government to the predicament of the people.

He debunked the insinuation that Oron people were responsible for the bad text massage and some publications disparaging the governor.

‘Our Forthcoming Summit Is To Mobilise For Our Zone’s 2015 Guber Ambition’ Ahead of the 2015 elections, professionals from Enugu North senatorial district of Enugu State under the auspices of the Nsukka Professionals Group (NPG) will on Saturday April 19, 2014, at Grace Manor Hotel, Nsukka, hold a summit, which they will use to strategise for the zone’s quest to produce the next governor of the state, among others. The National Publicity Secretary of the group, Dr. Nick Idoko spoke with selected journalists about the event and other matters.

By Onyedika Agbedo What is your forthcoming summit all about?

HE NPG 2014 Summit will hold on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Grace Manor Hotel, Nsukka at 9am and the focus is on paradigm shift in Nsukka cultural zone. The agenda we have designed is actually to look at the future. So, the summit is about the future of Nsukka cultural zone. We want to use the summit as a platform to articulate the issues that concern our people going forward.

We have the theme on governance, economy, youth empowerment and the Nsukka Project in 2015. The Nsukka Project is the governorship project. As you are aware, the incumbent governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, has made a seminal declaration that his successor in office will come from Enugu North senatorial zone. After that declaration, which he made at a Town Hall meeting in Enugu, he has followed up with a couple of statements strengthening his earlier declaration. He has pushed the matter to the PDP caucus in Enugu State, which has ratified that declaration. So, there is no reversal not minding that some people have continued to give the impression that there is nothing like zoning in Enugu State.

However, the governor has not said that there is zoning per se.

He is saying that in Enugu State, there should be affirmative action because he as the governor has benefitted from that affirmative action. He is a governor for equity; he is a governor for fairness and he is a governor for balance. Therefore, he is saying that having rotated the governorship amongst the other senatorial zone, it is morally speaking the turn of Enugu North senatorial district to produce the next governor.

So, the ball is now in the court of Nsukka people and we are using this summit as a platform to articulate the issues that concern our people, make a projection into the future and also

T

sensitise our people for the project ahead of us.

NPG held a similar summit in 2012. To what extent have you implemented the recommendations of the summit?

It is a policy of the NPG to design an intellectual engagement process. We want to engage our people intellectually because these are not things you find some professionals group doing.

We believe that as professionals, we need to articulate and theorise the problems of development.

We have already articulated a document out of the last exercise. We have produced a book from the summit, which we are going to launch at the forthcoming summit. So, going forward, we have lost nothing; we have actually advanced. So, there is evidence to show that we had a summit in 2012 and that evidence is in a book form for generations to come to read and look at the issues. We are also going to produce a document out of this one that we are going to hold on April 19. We are doing this in order to put on record the things we have done which we hope that the coming generation will access and use as a guide in tackling the problems of our people.

Outside the summit, what other steps are you taking to drum up support for the Nsukka 2015 Project?

I have said that we are going to use the summit platform to sensitise our people and to articulate the issues that are germane to the development of Enugu North senatorial zone. Beyond that, we are going to carry out consultations with various stakeholder groups in Nsukka to engage them to understand how they feel and also to sensitise them and then mount an advocacy process so that we can begin to share knowledge, experience and ideas about how to prosecute the project in 2015.

After this engagement with the stakeholders, we can now begin the process of advancing the cause and supporting the governor that has made a declaration. But we are not averse to other ideas that can help or assist our people to Idoko produce the next governor of

Enugu State which declaration has already been done. So, we are simply galvanising our people to key into the process.

So, after the summit, we are going to do grassroots consultation. But beyond that, we are going to engage the politicians including those who aspire to be governors but have been keeping quiet.

Are you expecting people from outside the zone in the summit? yes of course. The governor of Enugu State will give the keynote speech. So, we are expecting him to be there more so as the summit is about his own declaration. So, his coming will ratify the process. We are also expecting people to come from outside Nsukka because Nsukka is a cosmopolitan society. It hosts a university, an international institution and the first indigenous university of Nigeria. People are going to come from there because what we are going to do is about intellectualism and scholarship. So, we are expecting a variegated group of people not just Nsukka people.

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, April, 12, 2014

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Change of Name ABALEKE: Former Miss Victoria Tobechukwu Abaleke now wish to be known as Mrs. Victoria Tobechukwu Chima-Egbuogu. All former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

ABIJOH: Formerly Aminat Adebisi Abijoh now Mrs. Aminat Adebisi Adams.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADAM: Formerly Comfort Sunday Adam now Mandu Friday Okon. Former documents remain valid.Public note.

ADEBIYI: Formerly Miss Adebiyi Mojirayo Olufunke now Mrs. Oloro Mojirayo Olufunke. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEBIYI: Formerly MissBusayo Adesola Adebiyi now Mrs.Busayo ADesola Iyanda.Former documents remain valid.Public note.

ADEMOROTI: Formerly Miss Ademoroti Adelola Oluwadamilola now Mrs. Olawoyin Adelola Oluwadamilola. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

ADENIJI: Former Miss Adeniji Adekemi Victoria now Mrs. Omowaye Adekemi Victoria. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADESEGUN: Formerly Miss Adesegun S. Omobolanle now Mrs. Awure S. Omobolanle.

Former documents remain valid.Public note.

ADIMEGWU: Formerly Miss Prisca Uloma Adimegwu, now Mrs Prisca Uloma Elem. Former documents valid.

Public note.

ADJA: Formerly Miss Ann Adja now wish to be known & addressed as Mrs. Ann Osako. All documents remain valid. Public please take note.

ADEBIYI: Formerly Miss Busayo Adesola Adebiyi, now Mrs Busayo Adesola Iyanda. Former documents valid. Public note.

ADEKOGA: Former Miss Adekoga Elizabeth Selimot now Mrs. Olaoye Elizabeth Selimot. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Racheal Olutoyin. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADESOJI: Formerly Miss Adesoji Faith Omokerere now Mrs. Omolewa Faith Omokerere. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AGARRY: Formerly Miss Rebecca Ofegho Agarry now Mrs. Rebecca Ofegho Buhari. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AGUNBIADE: Formerly Miss Mojisola Agunbiade, now Mrs Mojisola Jaiye-Gbenle.

Former documents valid. Public note.

AJAYI: Formerly Miss Ajayi Oluwabunmi Eniitan, Now Mrs Ajani Oluwabunmi Eniitan.

Former documents valid. Public note.

AJUNWA: Formerly Miss Chioma Patience Ajunwa now Mrs. Chioma Bright Edoka. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKANDU: Formerly, Miss Lily Uchechi Akandu now wish to be known as Mrs. Lily Uchechi Agboola. All former documents remain valid. Public note AKINLEYE: Former Miss Akinleye Christiana Omolara now Mrs. Adeniyi Christiana Omolara. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINOLA: Formerly Akinola Taiwo Adebiyi now Oluwoga Taiwo Adebiyi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINTUNDE: I, formerly Miss Akintunde Olabisi Florence now known as Mrs. Olatundun Olabisi Akintunde. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKPAN: Formerly Miss Uduak Marian Akpan now Mrs. Uduak Marian Odesola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKOLADE: Formerly Akolade Esther Olubunmi now Mrs. Tope-Adaralegbe Esther Olubunmi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEKUNLE: Formerly Bolatiwa Adeleye Adekunle now Mrs. Bolatiwa Adeleye Adeleye. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ALADEJOBI: I, formerly Miss Oluwabisi Victoria Ireti Aladejobi now Mrs. Oluwabisi Victoria Ireti Ojo. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADELAKUN: Former Adelakun Olutoyin Racheal now Mrs Adejumo

AMAIYO: I, formerly Miss Esther Enakeno Amaiyo

now known as Mrs. Esther Enakeno Onowoni.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Azubogu Adaobi Vivian now Mrs Nnadi Adaobi Vivian. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANEKE: Formerly Miss Aneke Uloma Grace now Mrs. Udengwu Uloma Grace.Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BALOGUN: Formerly Omotoke Jadesola Balogun is now Omotoke Jadesola Abe. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANYADOH: Formerly Miss Anyadoh Joyce Amauchechi now Mrs. Iwumune-Anyadoh Joyce Amauchechi.

Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BANYE: Formerly Miss Banye Abigail Nwabu now Mrs. Ojinmah Abigail Nwabu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

CHUKWUKERE: Formerly known as Miss Chukwukere Chinyere, Now Mrs Joy Chinyere Oha. Former documents remain valid. Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State University Owerri, Public note.

BELLO: Formerly Miss Aminat Yetunde Bello, now Mrs Aminat Yetunde Oyebowale. Former documents valid.

Public note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: DODO: Dodo Dyerinum is same person as Dodo Dyerinum Yakubu Eromosele. Public note.

APENA: Formerly MissBamidele Adebusola Apena now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bamidele Adebusola Adegoke. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADESEGUN: Formerly Miss Adesegun S. Omobolanle, now Mrs Awure S. Omobolanle.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

AKINNIFESI: Formerly Miss Adesola Deborah Akinnifesi now Mrs Adesola Deborah Obasa.former documents valid.

Public note.

AMAGHA: Formerly Miss Chinyere Mathina Amagha now Mrs Ibeawuchi Chinyere Mathina. Former documents valid.

Public note.

ANOLIEFO: Formerly Miss Anoliefo Mariadolores Nkechi Jennyfer now Mrs. Ezeoke Mariadolores Nkechi. Former documents remain valid.Public note.

ANUFORO: Formerly known as Miss Joyce Wilfred Anuforo now Mrs. Joyce Imo Ukpong. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ARAMIYOR: Former Miss Aramiyor Eseoghene now Mrs. Akporuvweku Eseoghene. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ASOGWA: Formerly Asogwa Sunday Ikechukwu now Onah Sunday Ikechukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AWOTUSE: Formerly Miss Awotuse Omolola Morenike now Mrs. Akala Omolola Morenike. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

AZODO: Formerly Miss Azodo Rufina Chizaram now Mrs Emezue Rufina Chizaram. Former documents valid. Public note.

AZUBOGU: Formerly Miss

BISIRIYU: Formerly Bude Abiodun Bisiriyu now Bude Abiodun Oluwatoyin. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BOMA: I, formerly Miss Boma Irisominabo now known as Mrs. Boma Apresai. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BUSARI: Formerly Miss Busari Olamidunsi Ismat now Mrs. Abiola Olamidunsi Ismat. Former documents valid.

Public note.

CHARLES: Formerly Charles Chizoba Onwudino now wish to be known as Eze Izunwata John. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

CHIEGBOKA: I, formerly Miss Ndioma Stella Chiegboka now wish to be known as Mrs. Ndioma Stella Maduako.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

CHIELO: Formerly Miss Chineyenwa Faith Chielo now Mrs. Chineyenwa Faith Onyebuagu. All documents remain valid.

General public note.

CHIKWENDU: Formerly Miss Chikwendu Elizabeth Uchechi now known as Mrs. Alex-Ajah Elizabeth Uchechi. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

CHIMA-UGWU: Formerly Miss Chima-Ugwu Adaeze Martha Ngozi now wish to be called and addressed as Miss Ugwuonuoha Adaeze Martha Ngozi. All former documents remain valid.

Public please note.

CHIME: Formerly Miss Eugenia Ndidiamaka Chime now Mrs. Anyiogbo Eugenia Ndidiamaka.Former doc-

uments remain valid. Public note.

CHUKWUKA: Former Esther Chukwuka now Mrs. Esther U. Obiorah. All former documents remain valid. General public to note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: SAKA: Mr Wasiu Olatunji Saka is also Mr Wasiu Saka Ayedun. Former documents valid. Public note.

DANIEL: I, formerly Mr. Obianom Emeka Daniel now known as Mr. Nnaemeka Prince. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

DIBIA: I, formerly Miss Chinasa Cornelia Dibia now Mrs Chinasa Cornelia Onyeanwu. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DIM: Formerly Miss Dim Vivian now Mrs Vivian Augustine Osagie . Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EDEH: Former Miss Edeh Blessing Ngozi now Mrs. Kassam Blessing Ngozi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ELUGWARAONU: Formerly Miss Elugwaraonu Assumpta Chimzurum now Mrs. Eze Assumpta Chimzurum. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EMEABA: Formerly Miss Emeaba Miracle Nenne now Mrs Ndukwo Miracle Kalu. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC, public note.

EMEKA: Formerly Mr. Beka Joseph Emeka now to be addressed as Mr. Beka Joseph EmekaOkoye. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ESUDUE: Formerly Miss Esther Emmanuel Esudue now Mrs. Esther Effiong Sylvester-Edet.

Former documents remain valid, public note.

EZE: Formerly Miss Eze Chinenyenwa Nneamaka now Mrs. Nwofor Chinenyenwa Nneamaka.Former documents remain valid.Public note.

EZEKWEM Formerly Miss Ezekwem Victoria Obianuju now wish to be addressed as Mrs Okoye Victoria Obianuju. All Former documents remain valid General public note FADAIRO: Formerly Janet Bolanle Fadairo now to be known as Miss Oladairo Aanu Victoria. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EGBOSI: Formerly Emmanuel Chidiebere Egbosi now Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Nwaigwe.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FADIPE: Formerly Fadipe Tiwalope Aduramomi now to be known as Oludipe Tiwalope Aduramomi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EGBUONU: Former Miss Chinwe Stellamaris Egbuonu now Mrs Chinwe Stellamaris Ahamefula.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FASINRO: Formerly Miss Fasinro Azeezat Abiodun now Mrs. Fasinro Azeezat Abiodun. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EKUNSANMI: Formerly Ekunsanmi Olayinka Titilayo now Mrs. Ehinmisa Olayinka Titilayo. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

FASUBA: Formerly Miss Fasuba Taiwo Caroline now Mrs. Oluwole Taiwo Caroline. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EKPUK: Formerly Miss Promise Samuel Ekpuk now Mrs. Promise Lawrence Silas. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

FAWOLE: Formerly Miss Fawole Taiwo Tinuola now Mrs. Onasanya Taiwo Adeniji. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EKUNDAYO: I, formerly known as Miss Abimbola Ruth Ekundayo now known as Mrs. Ruth Abimbola Afolayan. Former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

GEORGE: I, formerly Miss George Arinola Temitope now known as Mrs. Aremo Arinola Temitope. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Saturday, April, 12, 2014 57

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Change of Name IBEANU: Formerly Miss Mirian Mukosolu Ibeanu now Mrs Mirian Mukosolu Aroh. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IBEKWE: Formerly Ngozi Ugochi Ibekwe now Mrs. Ngozi Ugochi Okereke.

Former documents remain valid. Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, other official relevant Authorities take note.

IBIRONKE: Formerly Miss Oluwatolani Vivian Ibironke, now Mrs Oluwatolani Vivian Akinrinoye. Former documents valid. Public note.

IGUNBOR: Formerly Johnson Eghosa Agbontaen Igunbor now Johnson Eghosa Omogiate.

All documents remain valid. General public note.

Mrs Gloria ebele Dare.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

uments remain valid.

Public note.

ISMAILA: Formerly Miss Aisha Omale Ismaila, now Mrs Aisha .I. Ojuyah.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

MATTHEW: Formerly Miss Matthew Olushola Victoria now Mrs. Okungbowa Olushola Victoria. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

IVBAGBOSORIA: Formerly known as Oriasotie Alexander Ivbagbosoria now wish to be addressed as Alexander Oriasotie Osoria. All Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

IWUCHUKWU: Formerly Miss Peace Chioma Iwuchukwu now Mrs Peace Chioma Umenzekwe. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

MBUBAEGBU: Formerly Miss Mbubaegbu Oluchi Josephine now Mrs. Ozioko Oluchi Josephine. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IYIDA: Formerly Miss Iyida Agatha Ogochukwu now Mrs. Ugwu Agatha Ogochukwu.Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

MMEJE: Formerly Miss Mmeje Chinelo Miriam now Mrs. Otono Chinelo Miriam. All documents remain valid. SON and general public please note.

IGWE: I, formerly known as Miss Igwe Rita Nkechi now wish to be known as Mrs. Anyanwu Rita Nkechi. Former documents remain valid.

SUBEB, Apapa LGA, Apapa LGEA and general public note.

JAMGBADI: Formerly Miss Bolatito Oiza Jamgbadi, now Mrs. Bolatito Oiza Olowojoba. Former documents remain valid.

Public, note.

IHEANACHO: Formerly Gloria Iheanacho now Gloria Iheanacho Anorue. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

JOHN: I, former Miss John Fatima Ojone now Mrs. Mustapha Fatima. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

IHEME: Formerly Onyinyechi Victoria Iheme now Onyinyechi Victoria Chinemelu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

JOSEPH: Formerly Miss Joseph Onyekachi Joy now Mrs.Alozie Onyekachi Joy. Former documents remain valid.Public note.

IJEH: Formerly Confidence Ijeh now wish to be Mrs. Confidence Collins-Okwuchi. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

KALU: I, formerly Miss Oyediya Odu Kalu now known as Mrs. Onuma Oyediya Okorie Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IKPEGHE: Formerly Miss Ikpeghe Agatha Nkemdirim now Mrs. Ekwerike Agatha Nkemdirim. Former documents remain valid.Public note.

KOLA: Formerly Akindumusire Kola Austine now Akindumusire Igbekele Austine. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IKPO: Formerly Miss Ikpo Amarachi Joy now Mrs Armstrong Amarachi Joy. Former documents valid. ABSUTH, NMCN, Public note.

INYANG: Formerly Inyang Uduakobong Akpan now wish to be called Mrs. Uduakobong Kehinde Ogunlade. Former documents bearing my former name remain valid. Public note.

IRONO: Formerly known as Miss Irono Chizoba Uzoamaka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ikechukwu Chizoba Uzoamaka. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ISITOR: Formerly Miss Gloria Ebele Isitor, now

MAYUNGBE: Formerly Miss Mayungbe Flora Efundolapo now Mrs. Ajayi Flora Efundolapo.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

LAWAL: Formerly Miss Modupe Temitope Lawal, now Mrs Modupe Temitope Babayomi. Former documents valid. Public note.

LAWAL: Formerly known as Miss Lawal Adetola Dideolu now wish to be known as Mrs. Arogun Adetola Dideolu. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

KOMOLAFE: Formerly Miss Komolafe Elizabeth Bukola now Mrs. Ogunshola Elizabeth Bukola.

Former documents remain valid Public note.

MARTINS: I, formerly Miss Martins Omowunmi Oluwaseun now Mrs. Abass Aishat Omowunmi. Former doc-

MUDELE: I, formerly Miss Fehintola Olamide Mudele now Mrs. Fehintola Olamide Ayoade.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MUIBAT: Ashogbon Ajibola Muibat Agbeke is the same person as Ashogbon Ajibola Agbeke. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NDIOTI: Formerly Miss Ndioti Chioma Priscilla now Mrs Ihejiamaizu Chioma Priscilla. Former documents valid.

Public note.

NJOKU: Formerly known as Miss Chibuzor Edith Njoku now Mrs Chibuzor Edith Edward. Former documents remain valid. General Public note.

NMEROLE: Formerly Miss Chizaram Vivian Nmerole, Now Mrs Chizaram Vivian Nmerole-Royle. Former documents valid. Public note.

NNAMDI: I, formerly Miss Nnamdi Chinwe now known as Mrs. Onyiwe Chinwe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NNADI: I, formerly Mr. Nnadi Morris Ogadinma now known as Mrs. Ndukwu Morris Ogadinma. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

elechi Nnaji now known as Mrs. Prisca Amara Nwaneto. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NSEOBONG: Formerly Udonang Emem Nseobong now Mrs. Emem Oghenejobor. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

NTIAJU: Formerly Miss Ntiaju Monica Nneka now Mrs John Monica Nneka. Former documents valid. Public note.

NWAKANMA: Formerly Adaobi Nneamaka Nwakanma now Mrs. Adaobi Nneamaka Ogbonna. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWAOGWUGWU: Formerly Miss Opeoluwa Ngozi Nwaogwugwu now Mrs. Opeoluwa Ngozi Ademisoye. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWEVO: Former Miss Nnenna Elsie Nwevo now Mrs. Nnenna Elsie Oji. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOKOLO: Formerly Jennifer Chinonye Nwokolo now Mrs. Lawrence Jennifer Chinonye. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OBOH: Formerly Miss Maureen Anulika Oboh now Mrs. Maureen Anulika Ossi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ODIAMMA: Formerly Miss Odiamma Chinweifenu Obiageli, now Mrs Iwenofu Chinweifenu Obiageli. Former documents valid. Public note.

ODO: I, formerly Miss Odo Nnenna Mercy now Mrs. Iyi Nnenna Mercy. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ODUFUYE: Formerly Miss Odufuye Folashade Oluwatoyin, now Mrs Babalola Folashade Oluwatoyin. Former documents valid. Public note.

OFORMA: Formerly Miss Ogechi Ann Oforma, now Mrs Ogechi Ann Agaranwa. Former documents valid. Public note.

OGAH: Formerly Miss Saidat Joy Ogah, now Mrs Saidat Joy Anidi. Former documents valid. Public note.

NNAH: Formerly Miss Ann Obiageri Nnah now Mrs Ann Obiageri Onyebuchi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGBODO: Formerly Miss Ogbodo Loveth Esther Nnenna Chiebo now Mrs. Nnaji Loveth Chiebo. Former documents remain valid.Public note.

NNAJI: I, formerly Miss Prisca Amara Anam-

OGBONNA: Former Miss Adaoha Chidimma Ogbonna now Mrs. Adaoha

Chidimma Alala. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGUNBIYI: I, formerly Ogunbiyi Angelina Olubukunola now Mrs. Oluwabiyi Angelina Olubukunola. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGUNDOLA: Formerly Mr. Ogundola Abayomi Olayiwola now Mr. Kolawole Abayomi Olayiwola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNLEYE: Formerly Olaite Lauretta Ogunleye now Mrs. Olaite Lauretta Fabiyi. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNSEYE: Formerly Miss Modupe Iyabo Ogunseye now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atinuke Maryam Awonusi. Former documents remain valid.Public note.

OGUNWARE; Formerly Ogunware Adeolu Erastus. now Ayodele Adeolu Erastus. Former documents remain valid.

FUTA, general public note.

OHUNENE: I, formerly Miss Hafsat Suleiman Ohunene now known as Mrs. Abusetu Umoru. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OJI: I, former Miss Helen Ene Oji now wish to beknown as Mrs Olungwe Helen Ene Inalegwu. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

OJIOGU: Formerly Miss Ojiogu Cynthia Chidiebere now Mrs. Goke Cynthia Chidiebere.Former documents remain valid.Public note.

OJIORDU: Formerly Miss Jennifer Chukwualuka Ojiordu,now Mrs Jennifer Chukwualuka Chukwudi.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

OJO: Former Miss Ojo Abosede Toyin now Mrs. Ojediran Abosede Toyin.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Okafor Obinna Nonye Theophine now Mrs. Fred Nonye Theophine. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKECHUKWU: Formerly Miss Bridget Ocheze Okechukwu now Mrs Bridget Ocheze Enyinnaya. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKENWA: Formerly Mr. Okenwa Emeka Victor now Mr. Chukwuemeka Victor. Former documents remain valid. Pub-

lic note.

OKEKE: I, formerly Miss Ifeoma Josephine Okeke now known as Mrs. Ifeoma Josephine Ozah.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKEREKE: Formerly Miss Okereke Ezinne Blessing now Mrs Onyeike Ezinne Blessing. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note.

OKERE: Formerly Miss Okere Sylvia Uchechi now Mrs Nwanarado Sylvia Uchechi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OKEZUE: Formerly Miss Okezue Chizoba now Mrs Ezuruka Chizoba.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKOLO: Formerly Miss Charity Ijeoma Okolo now Mrs. Charity Ijeoma Ugwu.Former documents remain valid.Public note.

OKON: Formerly Comfort Sunday Adam now Mandu Friday Okon. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKONTA: Formerly Iyabode Anike Okonta now Iyabode Anike Bello. Former documents valid.

Public note.

OKORIE: Formerly Miss Okorie Mary Nwannediya now Mrs Babantah-Nathaniel Mary Nwannediya. Former documents valid.

Public note.

OKOROAFOR: Formerly Miss Ezinne Comfort Okoroafor now Mrs Ogbonna Ezinne Comfort.

Former documents valid. Public note.

OKOROIGWE: Former Miss Udoka Okoroigwe now Mrs. Pamela Kpaduwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKORONKWO: Formerly Mr. Okoronkwo Emeka Anamelechi now Mr. Victory Ugochukwu Favour.

All former documents remain valid. The public take note.

OKOTIE: I, formerly known as Princess Emily Sisan Okotie (Nee Okoromadu Yonwuren) now known as Princess Emily Sisan Okotie Ovwido.

Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

OKUNADE: Formerly Okunade Adewunmi now Okunade Oluwatoyin Adewunmi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

58

Saturday, April 12, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Change of Name OLA: Formerly known as Miss Esther Olufunmilayo Ola now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Esther Olufunmilayo Awolola.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

OLABIYI: Formerly Olayinka Alice Olabiyi now Mrs. Olayinka Alice Alabi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLABODE: Formerly Olabode Morufat Titilola now Mrs. Adegbite Morufat Titilola. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OLADEJO YUSUF: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebun Sidikatu Oladejo Yusuf now Mrs Ebun Bola Olorunfemi. All former documents remain valid, Kaduna State Ministry of Education, general public take note.

OLADELE: Formerly Oladele Mary Alfred now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Bakare Mary Biodun.General public take note.

OLATUNDE: Formerly Mrs. Aboye Ebun Olatunde now wish to be addressed as Joseph in Aboye Dargbeh. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

uoluwapo. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONIFADE: Former Miss Onifade Remilekun Christy now Mrs. Oladokun Remilekun Christy. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONIGBINDE: I, formerly Miss Onigbinde Ruth Temitope now known and addressed as Mrs. Adekanmi Ruth Temitope. All former documents and credentials remain valid. The general public should please take note.

ONUKALA: Formerly Miss Onukala Blessing Akubueziokwu now Mrs Blessing Akubueziokwu A. Abel. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONWUBIKO: Formerly Miss Onwubiko Ozioma Chinkaa now Mrs. Achionye-Promise Ozioma Chinkaa. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ONWUJEKWE: I, formerly Mr. Felix Azubike Onwujekwe now known as Mr. Felix Azubike Ozioma.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLIJAH: Formerly Olijah Iyadi Patrick now Onijeh Iyadi Patrick. All documents remain valid.

ONWUKA: Formerly Miss Esther Amarachi Onwuka now Mrs Godson Esther Amarachi. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OLUMILUA: Formerly Olumilua Moyinoluwa Abigail now known as Akinsanya Moyinoluwa Abigail. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONWUEGBUCHU: Formerly Miss Onwuegbuchu Mercy Akwugo now Mrs Luke Mercy Akwugo. Former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

OLUMUREWA: I, formerly Olumurewa Olutayo Olaolu Joseph now Mark Abraham. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OPARAJI: I, formerly Miss Oparaji Gloria Oluchi now known as Mrs. Wusu Gloria Oluchi. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OLUWABUSAYO: Formerly Mr. Akindele Oluwabusayo Akinfenwa now Mr. Akindele Olubusayo Akinfenwa. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OMOKIDE: Former Miss Omokide Veronica Ozavize now Mrs. Ogunmefun Ozavize. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OMOLOJA-O FORIBIKA: Formerly Miss OmolojaOforibika Tamunobelema Adebisi , now Mrs Abakpoya Adebisi Tammy. Former documents valid. Pubic note.

ONAHO: I, formerly Miss Onaho Ndidi Anuoluwapo now known as Mrs. George Ndidi An-

OPARA: I, formerly Miss Opara Concilia Kelechi now Mrs. Nwoha Concilia Kelechi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OPARA: I, formerly Miss Christiana Akunna Opara now known as Mrs. Christiana Akunna Amaechi.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ORAMALU : Formerly Oramalu Chinyere now Mrs Igwebuike Chinyere Christiana. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ORUABENA: Formerly Miss Maria Oruabena now Mrs. Maria Apreala.

All former documents remain valid. General pub-

lic note.

OSHIN: Formerly Miss Oshin Adekemi Rebecca now Mrs. Olatunde Adekemi Rebecca. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSIBAMOWO: Formerly Miss Efundola Adekemi Osibamowo now Mrs. Efundola Adekemi Familade. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSIPITAN: Formerly Miss Adeola Adebimpe Osipitan now Mrs. Adeola Adebimpe Lawal. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OSOFODUNRIN: I, formerly Mary Tosin Osofodunrin is now Mrs. Mary Tosin Fabolagun. General public to take note.

OVAI: Formerly Miss Ovai Patience Sunday now Mrs. Eko Patience Sunday. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

OYEBADE: I, former Miss Folashade Iyabode Oyebade now known as Mrs. Folashade Iyabode Adeyanju. Public note.

OYEBODE: Formerly Oluwabukola Florence Oyebode now Mrs. Bukola Florence BodeFavours. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OYEDELE: I, formerly Miss Oyedele Bolanle Kafayat now Mrs. Alao Bolanle Kafayat. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC and public note.

OYEDIRAN: Former Miss Oyediran Opeyemi Oyebisi now Mrs. Iwamidu Opeyemi Oyebisi. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

OYEKUSILE: Formerly Miss Oyekusile Catherine Olutoyin now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Akinwande Catherine Olutoyin. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OZOEMENA: Formerly known as Miss Dr. Chikwado Adanna Ozoemena now Dr. Mrs Chikwado Adanna Iwudibia. Former Documents Remain valid. Public note.

PAUL: Formerly Miss Paul Deborah Ijeoma now Mrs. Adekanmbi Deborah Ijeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

PETER: I, formerly Miss Peter Mfon Solomon now Mrs. Mfon Erasmus Umouyo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

RASAQ: Formerly Miss Abiola Anuoluwapo Rasaq now Mrs. Abiola A n u o l u w a p o Adamolekun.

Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

RICHARD: Formerly known as Richard O. Chinyiugo now Benjamin Ogbonna. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

SALISU: Formerly Miss Salisu Bolanle Rukiat now Mrs. Kaffo Bolanle Rukiat. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

SAPARA: I, formerly known as Miss Adejoke Aramide Sapara now wish to be known as Mrs. Adejoke Aramide SaparaAsuquo. All documents remain valid. Public please take note.

SODIQ: Formerly Miss Sodiq Aishat Aderonke now Mrs. Tijani Aishat Aderonke. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SOKOYA: Formerly Funmilayo Abolanle Sokoya now Mrs. Funmilayo Abolanle Macaulay. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SORONNADI: Formerly known as Miss Soronnadi Ijeoma Chidinma now Mrs Obinwa Ijeoma Chidinma. Former Documents remain valid. Public note.

SULE: I, formerly known as Rukiyatu Seyi Sule now wish to be addressed as Rukiyatu Seyi Woghiren. All documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SUNDAY-KEME: Formerly Miss Sunday-Keme Kelechi Goodness now Mrs. Iheanacho Kelechi Goodness. Former documents valid. Public note.

TANIMOWO: Former Habibat Olatunbosun Tanimowo now Habibat Olatunbosun Ogundele.

Former documents remain valid. PHCN, public note.

TAIWO: Formerly Miss Taiwo Yewande Adebowale now Mrs. Utoh Yewande Adebowale.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

THOMPSON: Formerly Oluwayemisi Elizabeth Thompson now Mrs. Adebayo Oluwayemisi Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

TIMOTHY: Former Miss Timothy Mary Michael

now Mrs Peter Mary. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

TOM: Formerly Miss Eno Ufot Tom now Mrs. Enobong Abasiama Uwah. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

TONADE: I, formerly Miss Tonade Elizabeth Oluwaloni now known as Mrs. Adewumi Elizabeth Oluwaloni. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

U D E B H U L U : Formerly Miss Priscilla Idebo Udebhulu now Mrs. Priscilla Idebo FemiAjakaiye. Former documents remain valid, public note.

UDEH: Formerly Udeh Victory Isioma now Mrs. Amusa Victory Isioma.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UGBE: Former Miss Ugbe Dorathy now Mrs. Ugian Dorathy. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Idongesit Fabian Umosen now Mrs. Tessy Idongesit Effiom Essang.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UMUDU: Formerly Miss Umudu Chiamaka Justina now Mrs. Nwodo Chiamaka Justina. Previous documents valid.

General public note.

UWAIFO: I, formerly Miss Maryam Uhunmwenkpema Uwaifo now Mrs Maryam Uhunm w e n k p e m a Enobakhare. Former documents valid. Public note.

UZOKA: Formerly Charles Ossai Uzoka now wishes to be known as Diamondgrace Charles Ossai-Uzoka. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UZOMA: I, formerly Miss Uzoma Bernadine Nneka now known as. Mrs. Ibe Bernadine Nneka. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UGO: Formerly Dr Ugo Nesochi Vivian now Dr(mrs) Eke-Kalu Nesochi Vivian. Former documents valid. Public note.

WILSON: Formerly Miss Wilson Onyekachi Gloria now Mrs. Onuoha Onyekachi Gloria. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UGORJI: Formerly Miss Ugorji Tochukwu PraseGod now Mrs Uchenna Tochukwu PraseGod. Former documents valid. Public note.

YAKUBU: I, Mrs. Yakubu Marris now wish to be known as Mrs. Yakubu Mercy. All former cocuments remain valid. Public take note.

UGWU: Formerly Miss Chikaodinaka Nnenna Ugwu now Mrs. Chikaodinaka Nnenna Eze. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

YEKINI: Formerly Indiat Ajoke Yekini now wish to be called Mrs. Indiat Ajoke Olorunnisola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UKEMURE: Formerly Miss Elizabeth Ukemure now Mrs. Elizabeth Ukemure Samuel. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

YUSUF: Formerly known as Miss Oluwatoyin Yusuf now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwatoyin Modinat Jimoh. All documents remain valid. Public take note.

IF FOR

UKONU: Formerly Miss Ukonu Nkechinyere .O. now Mrs Anita Nkechinyere Emma. Former documents valid.

Public note.

UMEH: Formerly Miss Umeh Esther Ifeoma now Mrs. Emmanuel Esther Ifeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UMEH: Formerly Miss Umeh Vivian Nkiruka now Mrs. Ume-Ezeoke Vivian Nkiruka. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UMEH: Formerly known as Miss Chioma Linda Umeh now Mrs Chioma Linda Nneji. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

UMOSEN: Formerly Miss

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59

TRANSITION Funmi Olayinka: One Year After, Ekiti Fights Cancer With Treatment Centre, Kits From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti ROMINENT Ekiti indigenes from different walks of life gathered in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State P capital, during the week to honour the late Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka who died of cancer in April 6, last year.

Even a year after the delectable, charming, banker turned politician breathed her last, her heavy presence was still being felt in the good works she did as an administrator per excellence and a woman that raised the profile of women in politics to a greater height.

Events to honour her began on Sunday April 6, this year, with a memorial service at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel (Anglican Communion) Okesa, Ado Ekiti, where all her family members led by her husband, Architect Lanre Olayinka, her daughter, Yeside and government functionaries led by Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife Bisi were present to recall her fine memories.

Also present at the solemn but colorful service were the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Senator Tony Adeniyi, some members of the State House of Assembly including Deputy Speaker, Chief Tunji Orisalade; Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya; and former World Bank consultant, Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun, among others.

In his sermon, the Dean of Emmanuel Cathedral Ado Ekiti, Very Revd Francis Bankole expressed worry at people’s sycophancy at celebrating mediocrity at the expense of what can benefit them. He, however, expressed amazement at the selflessness of the late Olayinka while serving the state and noted that Ekiti State needs more people like her so that the development currently enjoyed in the state can continue.

Bankole said Olayinka’s integrity was never in question because she worked with people of integrity and was committed to lifting up the vulnerable.

Speaking shortly after the church service, Fayemi, who thanked the people of the state for their love and support for the family of the late deputy governor, stressed that the late Olayinka served the state selflessly with commitment and integrity as well as exemplary character.

Fayemi noted that there are many things to be emulated from Olayinka in her life of sacrifice and service to the people. According to him, “she was a remarkable woman who served our people selflessly with every commitment, with integrity and exemplary character. We have a lot to emulate in her and those of us left behind in public service should continue to dedicate ourselves to those qualities that endeared her to Ekiti people: her gentleness, compassion, competence and service to Ekiti people,” he said.

For a woman that was loved so much by her people, bowing to the cold hands of death at her prime age was still a subject of discussion among people even when it was later disclosed that she fought cancer for about five years.

But beyond the lamentation on the cause of her death was the determination of the state government to fight cancer in the state through awareness and building of a multi-million-naira cancer centre built at the premises of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH). The centre was named after the late Olayinka and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, which puts it at par with the best in the world.

Around this time last year, with tears rolling down his cheeks, Fayemi promised that never again will Ekiti lose any of its indigenes to cancer. That, perhaps, has propelled the state to be leading in cancer awareness campaigns, which are being organised intermittently across the state.

Ekiti State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Eniola Ajayi (1st left); wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi (3rd left); younger sister of the late deputy governor of the state, Mrs. Modupe Rowaye (4th left); Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Chief Ronke Okusanya (5th left); and others during a cancer awareness rally and distribution of breast self examination kit organised by the state in memory of the late Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka in AdoEkiti…recently.

Blaming ignorance for deaths of many NigerAt the commissioning of the ultra-modern cancer diagnostic and wellness centre last year, ian women due to the scourge, she said it was the governor said the facility would make Ekiti now treatable, especially with recent discoverpeople enjoy first-class services in the treat- ies through medical research. The BRECAN ment of cancer and related matters without founder, who said awareness on cancer was a having to travel outside the state or country for necessary first step towards early detection and treatment, advised women to regularly embark diagnosis.

The highpoint of that event was the lecture de- on breast self-examination. livered by the founder of Breast Cancer Associ- Akeredolu, who said that January 1, 2020, deadation of Nigeria (BRECAN), Mrs. Betty line had been set to end breast cancer in Africa, Akeredolu, who surprised the gathering with added: “Ekiti State is already on the move. The her revelation that she was diagnosed of breast step I am taking is to make sure all Nigerian cancer about 15 years ago and she is still alive women become breast cancer aware.” because of early diagnosis, which made her to She advised against patronising quacks, herbal and spiritual homes for the treatment of the exorcise one of her breasts.

Akeredolu, wife of the All Progressive Con- scourge, noting that the Funmi Adunni gress (APC) governorship candidate in Ondo Olayinka Cancer Diagnostic and Wellness CenState and foremost legal luminary, Mr. Rotimi tre came in handy.

The first year remembrance of Olayinka’s Akeredolu (SAN), said if she had not been knowledgeable of the disease and began the death was also used to raise the bar in the fight treatment early, she would have died by now. against the scourge by distributing thousands She said: “In the last 15 years, I have been able of breast self-examination kits for cancer to raise all my children who were at primary screening. The two-day event took place at the schools to the universities and most of them headquarters of the three senatorial districts of are now on their own. I am still alive and the state: Ido-Ekiti (Ekiti North), Ikere-Ekiti (Ekiti South) and Ado-Ekiti (Ekiti Central). healthy.”

Emmanuel Onyeka Oseji (1957-2014), A Tribute

Adieu, Sabina Oguejiofor (1940-2014)

By Emmanuel Nwagboniwe T is amply evident that given his life’s trajectory, the late Barr. Emmanuel Onyeka Oseji may have been a committed disciple of the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, whose ‘Never say Never’ spirit guided his daily life, and remarkably became someone from relative obscurity to stardom.

Like the British war hero, Churchill, young Emmanuel did not allow his humble beginning to dwarf his quest for a life of fulfillment. He knew early enough that life does not owe anyone explanations or apologies. He also understood like Churchill that one’s past cannot be changed but one can change his tomorrow by his actions today.

So expectedly, Barrister Emmanuel Oseji trod life’s tortuous path with a Spartan doggedness, emerging at the end of the winding race, a victor. And though he did not enjoy longevity having passed on at 57, his relatively short sojourn on earth was impactful, memorable and indelible given his inestimable service to humanity.

He was a mobiliser and role model who walked his talks and inspired others to live a life of self-denial and service.

He believed that a life worth living is that lived for the good of others and therefore went the extra miles to spur others to become goal–getters.

It is therefore apt to situate Oseji’s death in the words of 2 Timothy 4: 7-8: “I have fought

HE death has occurred of T Chief Mrs. Sabina Oguejiofor, nee Nworguji, Iyom

I

Oseji a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

As the late Oseji is laid to rest today in his hometown, Ewulu, there may be no more apt epitaph for this urbane, amiable and affable personage than: Here lies the remains of a rare gem who lived for God and humanity and left indelible marks in the sands of all times!

The late Oseji LLB, LLM (in view) was born on April 6, 1957 as the first son of Chief

Joseph Oseji Ngbowali and the late Mrs. Mary Adaulor Oseji (nee Imali) both of Ewulu in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

He attended Ishe Primary school, Ewulu (1967-1972) and Adaigbo Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku (1972-1977). He immediately secured employment with the Nigerian Customs Service the same year as a Clerical officer. He rose from the clerical level to that of a commissioned officer: Superintendent of Customs (SC) and retired as a Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ officer in 2012 after 35 years of meritorious service.

While in Service, he attended the University of Benin, where he obtained both the Certificates and Diploma in Public Administration. Propelled by the zeal for further knowledge, he enrolled for the part-time LLB Programme of the same university. After obtaining the LLB degree, he attended the Enugu Campus of the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2004. Before his death, he was an Associate in the Law firm of Lumen Christi in Lagos.

The late Oseji was also an executive member of Ewulu Progressive Union and Ewulu Youth Movement, among others.

He is survived by his aged father, wife, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. Adieu, the Great One!

Nneora. She was aged 74 years. The deceased was a renowned community, church and women leader who dedicated the better part of her life to uplifting and empowering women and the less privileged in her community and environs.

According to the funeral programme released by her family, a vigil mass will be

Oguejiofor

held in her honour on April 30, 2014, at the Oguejiofors compound, Enugu Ukwu, Anambra State. On May 1, 2014, her burial service will hold at St. Francis Catholic Church, Enugu Ukwu. Interment follows after service at the Oguejiofors compund.

She is survived by her husband and her only son, Chief Austin Oguejiofor, Onwa Enugu Ukwu na mmiri, Chairman/CEO, First Rotech Companies.

Iyom Mary Okafor Passes On At 82 YOM Mary Chiago Okafor IUmuatulu (nee Eke), alias Nzegwu of Awovu village, Enugwu Ukwu in Anambra State is dead. She was 82 years old.

The late Okafor was a prominent member and chorister of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and later St. Mark’s Catholic Church Enugwu Ukwu. She also played leading roles in the activities of the Catholic Women Organi-

Okafor

sation (CWO) of both parishes.

A statement from her family indicate that her funeral activities will commence on Thursday, May 1, 2014, and end with a thanksgiving mass at St. Mark’s Catholic Church Enugwu Ukwu on Sunday May 4, 2014.

She is survived by two children, Mrs. Ngozi Okeke and Mr. Emma Okafor, an Abuja based businessman.

Madam Ekedo For Burial RENOWNED woman A leader in Amabia-Ugwu, Nkpa, Abia State, Madam Agnes Ekedo popularly called Ada Isaiah has died.

Funeral ceremonies will start from Friday, April 18, 2014, with a Christian wakekeep at her residence, Gabriel Ekedo’s compound, Amabia-Ugwu, Nkpa. Her body will lie in state at the same venue the next day after brief stop-overs at her hometown, Amaokwe-Ugwu

Ekedo

and maternal home, AwoUgwu, Nkpa. Funeral service will take place at Christ Church Salvation, Fountain of Faith while interment follows after.

She was survived by many children and grand children including a Lagos based oil magnet, His Royal Highness, Chief Iheanacho Ekedo (EziEnyi Ka Nwanne 1 of Nkpa) and the Group Managing Director of Deacon Oil and Gas.

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports The Man Plotting To Wreck Chelsea’s Dreams N Britain, Argentine Diego Simeone is best remembered as IBeckham the man whose reaction to a petulant kick by David resulted in the England star famously being sent

Simeone’s attention to detail and his ability to clearly communicate his plans ensures that his players have mastered the art of playing the off during a World Cup game in 1998. game where they want to, while simultaneously That is a harsh reflection on his playing career, though, forcing their opponents into areas where they because Simeone was a magnificent midfielder, winning 106 feel uncomfortable. international caps and starring in Serie A for Inter Milan and More than anything, though, Simeone’s Lazio, as well as guiding Atletico to a league and cup double unbounding positivity and unshakeable in 1996 (their most recent La Liga triumph). belief that good habits, when consistently And now, Simeone is carving a new career as one of the applied on a day to day basis, will lead to game’s hottest managerial properties, with his approach to winning performances has succeeded coaching mirroring the blend of winning attitude and tech- in completely turning Atletico’s nical aptitude that characterised his playing days. image on its head.

If you asked Diego Simeone how his Atletico Madrid team For years, Madrid’s second team have overcome all the odds to progress to the Champions suffered from a severe inferiority League semi-finals, where they will face Jose Mourinho’s complex as neighbouring Real Chelsea, as well as topping La Liga with just six games ruled the roost and the rest remaining, he would provide you with a simple answer: of Spain derided them as “Hard work and humility.” hapless bunglers, who Indeed, that is exactly the mantra he has been preaching on always managed to a weekly basis this season, as the football world continues to somehow mess everywonder when - or if at all - his steamroller of a team will final- thing up. ly run out of puff.

That reputation was Until recently, most people assumed it would simply be a most famously captured in matter of time. When, not if. But Wednesday’s famous victory a notorious television advert, when a over Barcelona, where Atletico succeeded in knocking the forlorn young boy asked his frowning father: Catalan team out of the Champions League before the last “Porque somos del Atleti?” Why are we Atleti fans? four for the first time since 2007, sent a loud and clear mesIt was a sort of Spanish equivalent to “Accrington sage: Atletico Madrid are for real.

Stanley…who are dey?” and illustrated the To a great extent, Simeone’s assessment of his Atletico inescapable sense of inevitable doom which team’s greatest strengths - hard work and humility - is habitually engulfed Atletico fans as they lurched absolutely right. from disaster to disaster.

The discipline, intensity and sheer, uncompromising effort Under Simeone, Atletico are finally shattering of their play is unrivalled. That was never more evident in the that conception; their manager is even an image opening stages on Wednesday, when Atletico’s whirlwind of of vibrant self-belief as he prowls the touchline attacking pressure simply blew Barcelona away, resulting in during games, constantly turning to the crowd Koke netting the only goal of the game and David Villa and vigorously urging them to applaud the playthumping shots against the woodwork twice inside the ers for their wholehearted effort. opening 20 minutes.

When referee Howard Webb blew the final whisHard work and humility - as well as, to use Simeone’s other tle at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday, favourite phrase, going from game to game - have allowed tremendous scenes of jubilation were unleashed, Atletico’s bunch of largely unheralded journeymen, none of with the home fans - chanting and singing with a whom (with the exception of Villa) were superstars before relentlessness almost matching their team they arrived at the Vicente Calderon, to barge their way with- refusing to leave the shaking stadium until their out an invitation into the upper echelons of world football. heroes re-emerged from the tunnel to embark For any football fan, who has become cynical about the upon a celebratory lap of honour. modern game’s tendency to be ruled by huge dollops of As the players finally gave way to those demands money, Atletico’s unstoppable rise has been a breath of fresh and dragged their weary bodies back onto the air. pitch, to be sportingly saluted even by the travelIn the days of Arab sheikhs, Russian oligarchs and American ling Barcelona fans, one man was conspicuous business tycoons, low-budget teams like Atletico simply by his absence. Diego Simeone was apparently aren’t supposed to do this well. Yet here they are, with less nowhere to be seen. than six weeks of the season remaining, still in strong conBut he was there all right, hiding on his own at tention for the two most prestigious prizes on offer. the back of the dugout, quietly watching the That is, indeed, largely down to the relentless work ethic scenes of celebration he had helped to create instilled by Simeone. But it would be very wrong to suggest with obvious pride, seemingly struggling to that Atletico’s current success is simply down to the fact that force back tears. After the hard work, the humilithey run around a lot, because there is also a huge amount of ty. quality and intelligence within their ranks.

Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland forThat starts on the training ground, where Simeone and his ward, Michael Robinson, who finished his playgruff assistant, Mono Burgos, prepare the perfect tactics to ing career in Spain and is now the country’s foresuit their team’s strengths. most television pundit, concluded his rhapsody Under Simeone’s instruction, Atletico are defensively disciover Atletico’s performance by enthusing: plined, unsurpassably organised and play with great game “It’s impossible not to admire awareness, knowing when to press ferociously in numbers them.” and when to sit deep, waiting for the right opportunity to Robinson is exactly right. pounce upon their hapless opponents and launch a rapid, “Why are we Atletico fans?” pinpoint counter-attack.

Right now, the more pertinent As the eloquent Argentine boss explained in the build-up to question is why anyone wouldn’t be.

Chelsea’s Champions League hopes rest on beating an his team’s latest triumph, Barcelona’s strength lies in con•Culled From BBC.COM Atletico Madrid side built in manager Diego Simeone’s image trolling possession; Atletico’s lies in controlling space.

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SPORTS

Tradition And History Say Africa Cannot Win 2014 World Cup! HERE are eight weeks to go to the 2014 World Cup. Global T combinations and permutations have begun. So, on this page, we open our chapter of the conversations with this special World Cup bouquet, a journey that will take us from the genesis of the championship in 1930 all the way to Brazil and back this summer.

This is the 20th edition of the World Cup. In the championship’s 84–year history from 1930 only eight of the over 200 countries in the FIFA family have managed to win the coveted trophy. They are Uruguay (2) Germany (3), Italy (4), Brazil (5) and Argentina (2) France, England and Spain (1 each).

Hosting the championship has oscillated mostly between South America and Europe, the two most powerful centres of the world’s most popular sport.

On a handful of occasions, the championship has been hosted by North America (three times), Asia (once) and Africa (once).

Facts and figures from all the results have created some traditions that speak volumes.

Every time the championship was held in a South America a country from that continent won it. Except for the one occasion when it was hosted by Sweden and a South American country won it, European countries had, also, always won the events in Europe. It was only Brazil that broke that tradition in 1958.

On those few occasions that other continents hosted the championship, the competition became more open contests even though winning were still limited to the same few teams with the winning characteristics, records and attitudes in the two dominant continents – Europe and South America.

South America had hosted the championship six times.

Except in 1930 and 1950, hosted by Uruguay and Brazil respectively, the final matches in the modern era had each been between a South American country and a European country, and had been won by the South American.

In the table of World Champions, the teams shared by the

two continents, are as follows: Europe – Italy, Germany, England, France and Spain. South America – Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.

Following, therefore, from the established traditions reinforced by the facts and figures above, as Brazil 2014 draws nearer, we can start to make some deductions and draw certain conclusions, as we prospect into the championship.

The first is that with Brazil as hosts a South American country shall win the 2014 World Cup! A second is that the final match is likely to be between a South American country and a European country. Two out of four previous times it had happened that way. The exceptions were in the distant era of the championship in 1930 and 1950.

A third and closely related deduction is that of the six South American countries going to Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil, only three of them have the record of having won it before. For that reason they can realistically also hope to repeat the feat in the 2014 championship, as no new teams have come up from ‘nowhere’ in a South America-hosted event since 1978 to win the World Cup! Brazil, as 2014 hosts, driven by the very important rehearsal in the 2013 Confederations Cup, buoyed by anticipated unprecedented support of its most colourful, informed and vociferous fans that are used to winning, plus a good allround team led by mercurial Neymar, will come into the championship with the confidence and character of a winner. Most pundits tip them to win it.

Argentina has one of the best midfield and strikers in the world at the moment – Sergio Aguero, Higuain Gonzalo, Angel de Maria, Carlos Tevez, Palacio Rodrigo and Lionel Messi. If any team from South America can stop Brazil (for that’s the team that must be stopped) and win the 2014 World Cup, it would surely be their closest neighbours and perennial rivals, Argentina, with their armada of world-class players.

Uruguay must look back at 2010 in South Africa and luxuriate in the performance of their best team and greatest opportunity to win the World Cup since 1950. In qualification for Brazil they looked good, but not quite as convincing as their 2010 assembly. Their chances against either of Argentina and Brazil are slim, and the challenge, a little too daunting.

Europe, of course, will come with the intention to upset the applecart and rewrite history. With a formidable array of teams and players they will surely enliven the championship and make it, probably, one of the best ever in terms of the quality of its football, but not dominate it.

Current number one ranked country in the world, Spain, with Germany, Italy and, true dark horse, Belgium, will be formidable contenders.

North America and Asia will pose little threat to the South Americans and Europeans.

Finally, two months to the start of the championship, a final deduction that directly affects Africa (which is our particular interest) is that none of the five African representatives will win the 2014 World Cup! Not history, not tradition, n o t

even the present strengths of the African teams and the oppositions they will have to confront, indicate anything to the contrary.

But that’s how far the extrapolations go. The rest would now be down to other factors beyond history, traditions and permutations, developments along the route to Brazil – luck, the weather conditions, the fans’ support, injuries to key players, the current form of the players, the administrative state of the teams, the levels of motivation, the character of the teams, and so on and so forth.

These are the things that would mostly affect and influence what happens to the African teams and determine how far they will go. I shall be looking closely at all these as we watch the teams from close up start their march to Brazil.

I shall start this odyssey from the UK, visiting and consulting with, perhaps, the most knowledgeable football personality on the subject of African football – foremost statistician, author, and guru of the game of football - Peter Law. I shall be sharing some time with him and asking him his thoughts on Brazil 2014. Don’t place your bets yet. Wait until you read him. Next week!

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UEFA Champions League

Nothing To Fear About Atletico, Says Chelsea Boss HELSEA chief executive C Ron Gourlay said yesterday that the Blues has nothing to fear in their Champions League semifinal pairing against Primera Division leaders, Atletico Madrid.

The draw pitted Jose Mourinho’s men against Atletico, who knocked out Barcelona in the quarterfinals.

Real Madrid will face Bayern Munich in the other semifinal, with the first legs taking place on April 22/23 and the return the following week.

Chelsea will play the first leg in the Spanish capital as they seek to book a place in this season’s final in Lisbon.

Gourlay told Sky Sports News: “They’re all fantastic sides. The important thing to us was to make sure we were in the semi-final.

“We need to make sure we are totally prepared for these games. I’m sure Jose will make sure we are but we have some important games before that.

“If someone had said at the start of the season we’d be in

the Champions League semifinals and the Premier League (title) shake-up I’d have taken it. This is what we work for all season.

“We have ambition at the club, it’s evolving all the time. We’d like to win back the Premier League and add another Champions League win (to the 2012 success).

“The key is to keep building for the future and we’re definitely heading in the right direction.

“We’re in a good position and everyone’s done fantastically well. We can look forward to the next few weeks.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was looking forward to his team’s clash against the defending champions.

Ancelotti, whose side lost their quarter-final second leg 2-0 to Dortmund on Tuesday but went through 3-2 on aggregate, told a press conference: “Yes, we were poor against Dortmund but it doesn’t matter because we made it through.

Ronaldo May Miss Semifinal Against Bayern EAL Madrid fear they could R be without star man Cristiano Ronaldo for the Copa del Rey final and perhaps even the first leg of the Champions League semifinals due to a hamstring injury.

Real Madrid will face defending champions, Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final, following yesterday’s draw.

Madrid confirmed that tests had found a problem in Ronaldo’s left hamstring, although the club declined to

Ronaldo worry for Real Madrid

give an estimate of how much time he might miss.

“The tests conducted on Cristiano Ronaldo have detected a muscular injury to his left hamstring,” a statement said.

“This is pending developments.”

Reports in Spain have suggested Ronaldo could miss around 15 days with the injury, a time span that would force him to miss the Copa final against Barcelona on April 16, as well as the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, which would be on April 22 or 23.

Man in the news….Atletico Madrid’s goalie, Courtois, has been cleared by UEFA to play against his former club, Chelsea in their Champions League semifinal.

Atletico Keeper, Courtois, Cleared To Play Semifinal *Chelsea May Protest TLETICO Madrid’s on-loan A goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois can play against parent club Chelsea in the Champions League semifinals, Uefa has said.

Under the terms of the loan, Atletico would have to pay a fee to allow the Belgium international to face Chelsea.

But European football’s governing body said in a statement that any such agreement would be “null, void and unenforceable”.

“The integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle,” it added.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo had said the club could not afford to pay the fee Chelsea wanted for the two games, reportedly around

£5m.

Games will be played on 22/23 April and 29/30 April.

That appeared to throw Courtois’s chances of a semifinal appearance into doubt, until Uefa intervened yesterday.

However, Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said the goalkeeper’s eligibility to face his parent club “was never in doubt”.

He added: “Regarding the Uefa statement, we’ll evaluate it over the next 24 to 48 hours.

As far as we’re concerned we complied with loan rules. He can play against Chelsea - if selected.”

Atletico play Chelsea on 22/23 April and 29/30 April, with Real Madrid set to face Bayern Munich in the other semifinal on the same dates.

The statement also pointed

out that Uefa Disciplinary Regulations strictly forbid a club to “exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match”.

The governing body added that any private contract between clubs which might influence player selection is “null, void and unenforceable” and that sanctions would be made against any club violating these regulations.

Courtois, 21, signed a five-year contract with Chelsea in 2011 when he moved from Genk for an undisclosed fee, but has never played for the 2012 Champions League winners.

He is spending a third season on loan at Atletico, who are one point clear at the top of La Liga with six matches left.

Atletico Madrid, A Stern Test For Chelsea Indeed, that is exactly the Atletico’s whirlwind of attackN Britain, Argentine Diego Ibered Simeone is best remem- mantra he has been preach- ing pressure simply blew as the man whose reac- ing on a weekly basis this sea- Barcelona away, resulting in tion to a petulant kick by David Beckham resulted in the England star famously being sent off during a World Cup game in 1998.

That is a harsh reflection on his playing career, though, because Simeone was a magnificent midfielder, winning 106 international caps and starring in Serie A for Inter Milan and Lazio as well as guiding Atletico to a league and cup double in 1996 (their most recent La Liga triumph).

And now, Simeone is carving a new career as one of the game’s hottest managerial properties, with his approach to coaching mirroring the blend of winning attitude and technical aptitude that characterised his playing days.

If you asked Diego Simeone how his Atletico Madrid team have overcome all the odds to progress to the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, as well as topping La Liga with just six games remaining, he would provide you with a simple answer: “Hard work and humility.”

son, as the football world continues to wonder when - or if at all - his steamroller of a team will finally run out of puff.

Until recently, most people assumed it would simply be a matter of time. When, not if.

But Wednesday’s famous victory over Barcelona, where Atletico succeeded in knocking the Catalan team out of the Champions League before the last four for the first time since 2007, sent a loud and clear message: Atletico Madrid are for real.

To a great extent, Simeone’s assessment of his Atletico team’s greatest strengths hard work and humility - is absolutely right.

Atletico were only four points above the La Liga relegation zone when Diego Simeone became coach in December 2011. Within 18 months he had guided them to the Europa League, Uefa Super Cup and Copa del Rey titles.

The discipline, intensity and sheer, uncompromising effort of their play is unrivalled. That was never more evident in the opening stages on Wednesday, when

Koke netting the only goal of the game and David Villa thumping shots against the woodwork twice inside the opening 20 minutes.

Hard work and humility - as well as, to use Simeone’s other favourite phrase, going from game to game - have allowed Atletico’s bunch of largely unheralded journeymen, none of whom (with the exception of Villa) were superstars before they arrived at the Vicente Calderon, to barge their way without an invitation into the upper echelons of world football.

Europa League It’s Benfica Against Juventus ERIE A leaders Juventus will SLeague face last year’s Europa finalists Benfica in this season’s semi-finals.

Jorge Jesus’s side, beaten by Chelsea in the final last May, have been drawn at home in the first leg following yesterday’s draw in Switzerland.

The first legs will be on 24 April, and the return legs on 1 May, with the final to be played at the Juventus Stadium in Turin next month.

That would mean home advantage in the final for Antonio Conte’s Juve side, who are eight points clear at the top of Serie A and unbeaten in 12 Europa League matches, since a 4-1 defeat at Fulham in the last 16 in March 2010.

They secured a 3-1 aggregate quarter-final victory over Lyon by winning their second leg 2-1 in France on Thursday.

…Sevilla Versus Valencia EVILLA and Valencia will Ssemi-final contest an all-Spanish in the other tie following yesterday’s draw in Switzerland.

Valencia are facing La Liga rivals Sevilla in European competition for the first time, having come back from a 3-0 first-leg deficit to beat Swiss champions Basel 5-3 on aggregate in their quarter-final.

Their opponents reached the last four with a 4-2 aggregate win over Porto.

Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano being blocked by Atletico Madrid players in their second leg quarterfinal UEFA Champions League match.

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SPORTS All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship (Shell Cup)

BrightVille, Randolph College, Others Begin Quarterfinal Battles RIGHTVILLE College, B Ibadan, Randolph Comprehensive College, Port Harcourt and Government Day Secondary School, Gandu, Gombe State, will begin their quest for semifinals tickets at the quarterfinals of the All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship, also known as NNPC/Shell Cup, which hold today and tomorrow.

The quarterfinals of the NNPC/Shell Cup will hold in four cities across the country from 4:00 pm each day.

The other teams in the quarterfinals are St. Thomas Basic Secondary School, Benin, Anglican Secondary School, Makurdi, Government Day Secondary School, Dange, Sokoto, Government Model School, Kotangora.

Etinan Community Secondary School, Uyo, Government Secondary School, Kopyal Bokos, Plateau State, and Dangogo Secondary School, Bungudu, Zamfara State are also in the quarterfinals.

At the Shagamu Stadium, BrightVille College, Ibadan, which excelled during the zonal preliminaries at Oshogbo center by clinching the sole quarter final ticket at the expense of other contenders, will lock horns with Randolph Comprehensive

College, Port Harcourt, another very enterprising team in the Championship.

Spectators will surely be treated to scintillating soccer display from these young talents going by their performances at the zonal preliminaries.

Also, at the Stella Maris College playground in Port Harcourt, the struggle for semifinals ticket is between St. Thomas Basic Secondary

School, Benin, Anglican Secondary School, Makurdi and Etinan Community Secondary School, Uyo. It would be recalled that St. Thomas Basic Secondary School were the overall champions of the competition in 2003. They would be aiming for a repeat performance with the quarterfinal matches in Port Harcourt once again.

Kwara Football Academy Secondary School, Ilorin (left) and National Foundation Academy, Ughelli, Delta State vying for the trophy during the final game of the 2012 Shell Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. The quarterfinal games will begin today in four centres across the country.

Adidas, Mopheth Nigeria Partner On FIFA Balls ITH the Brazil 2014 W World Cup around the corner, adidas, the official FIFA partner, has teamed up with its retail strategic partner, Mopheth Sport Nigeria Ltd, to bring the country’s soccer fans greater accessibility to the latest adidas football products through its two new stores.

Brazuca, the official 2014 FIFA World Cup ball and most tested ball in history will once again be the focus of attention at the World Cup. Many goalkeepers will feel the pressure from this new ball, and we will perhaps see more goals this year than ever before.

The company will be stocking the Brazuca, the new

Super Eagles jerseys and extraordinary footwear from Adidas branded teams expected to play at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, including the current world champions, Spain, Argentina, Germany and Mexico at the new Adidas stores in Kano and Lekki.

Launched in partnership with Adidas’ strategic retail partner, Mopheth Sport Nigeria Ltd, the two additional stores form part of a total of four stores in Lagos, Abuja and Kano.

In the first year of its Nigerian operation, the brand has been received with great excitement by the public as it not only offers the discerning Nigerian consumer

authentic Adidas products, but also unique competitions and campaigns.

“Our expansion plans in Nigeria are on track. We did promise the consumer that we would have an aggressive expansion plan to curb the unprecedented response to our brand in Nigeria. We are therefore excited that particularly in this World Cup year, our vision is being realised.

Together with our partner, we are looking forward to further expansions which will include new stores in greater Lagos, as well as Abuja this year”, commented Astrud Meintjes, the Senior Business Development Manager at Adidas South Africa.

BOA Lawyers League Quarterfinals

Teams Begin Quest For Semifinal Tickets FTER hard fought battles A in the group phase of the 2014 Bankole Olumide Aluko football tournament, also known as the Lawyers League, the best eight teams in the competition will continue the battle for the crown tomorrow at the revered Astroturf2000 soccer pitch.

The quarterfinal teams, including Probitas/B. Ayorinde, Aluko & Oyebode, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Banwo & Ighodalo, Babalakin & Co., Tayo Oyetibo, Aelex Partners and Falana & Falana, are poised for the battles, which begin by 4.00 p.m.

According to the fixtures, Probitas/B. Ayorinde will clash with Aluko & Oyebode

in the opening game of the day, while Lagos State Ministry of Justice meets Banwo & Ighodalo in the second game.

The most improved team in the competition, Babalakin & Co., will fight for the semifinal ticket against Tayo Oyetobo, just as the battle for the last four will see Aelex Partners battling with Falana & Falana.

In the last group games of the competition, Probitas/B. Ayorinde defeated Falana & Falana by a lone goal, while Lagos Justice Ministry beat Aluko & Oyebode by the same margin.

Pinheiro and Babalakin drew 1-1, Aelex defeated the Law Crest 3-0, Olisa Agbakoba beat

Banwo & Ighodalo 2-0, just as Tokunbo Orimobi held Tayo Oyetibo to a 1-1 draw.

The competition annually brings lawyers together to play football in memory of the notable lawyer, Late Bankole Olumide Aluko, a founding partner in the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode, who passed on 12 years ago.

Over the last six years, Astroturf 2000 football facilities have hosted the tournament and five years ago, with the parent company, Astroturf Soccer Nigeria Limited, formed a partnership with the firm of Aluko & Oyebode to professionalise the planning, features and organisation of a successful tournament.

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

saturday, April 12, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

liverpool To ‘Unleash’ Fans On Man City IverPOOl manager lwarned Brendan rodgers has Manchester City he will “unleash” the power of the Anfield crowd when they meet tomorrow.

The Premier league leaders have a 100% home record this season against teams currently in the top seven. rodgers wants to take full advantage of a fired-up crowd who are dreaming of liverpool winning their first league title since 1989-90.

City, in third, are four points behind liverpool but have two games in hand. “liverpool have been playing to a really high tempo at home and I would expect them to do that again. It means the opposition midfielders have their heads down when the ball comes to them in midfield because they have no space and time.

“It will be interesting to see how City deal with that, because they have not coped too well when teams have pressed them like that this season.”

“We will unleash the supporters yet again on our opponents,” said rodgers.

“Anfield is a very, very difficult place for people to come and play now.”

Okpekpe road race Breaks Online record WAreness about the A annual Okpekpe 10 kilometres road race slated to hold on May 3 in edo state rose through the online registration with the total hit per day for the month April tallying 46,000 (approximately 800 visitors).

Indeed, the total hits for April added up to 194,000 (about 3,174 visitors) with the interesting aspect of the awareness being the scramble from foriegn athletes to be part of the road race which enters its second edition this year.

At a world press conference held in lagos yesterday, organisers of the Okpekpe 10 kilometres road race through its director of organization, Zak Amodu, revealed: “Online registration has surpassed the maiden edition, with foreign elite athletes scrambling for last minute invitations. “no fewer than 11 foreign athletes are willing to pay their way to compete at this year Okpekpe 10km road race, the online registration record is an average of 800 hits per day with just three week to the commencement of the race.”

According to Amodu, “the number of hits on the PDF form download is about 322 hits. Top hits are coming from nigeria (20,000), UsA (13,342) and Britain (12,925).

“It was observed that even though we have a huge website hit (primarily because the focus has been to increase no of hits on the website), the number of respond ends (people filling the form online and downloading the forms) has been low.

“The next phase of the social media campaign now is to boost facebook engagement, which allows us to specify the demography.”

Will it be another Arsenal’s day against Wigan?

Last Chance For Wenger, As Arsenal Battle Wigan rsenAl will give fitness A tests to three players before the FA Cup semi-final against holders Wigan Athletic.

Arsenal’s players should be more interested in ending the club’s nine-year wait for a trophy than booking another Champions league campaign, according to ex-Gunner ray Parlour. Arsene Wenger’s men are competing with everton for the coveted fourth spot in the Premier league.

In today’s FA Cup against Wigan, Arsenal’s midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with groin and Tomas rosicky (thigh) face checks as does full-back Kieran Gibbs (ankle) before the Wembley tie.

Ben Watson, whose scored the winner in last season’s final against Manchester City, is out with a broken leg.

“I think whether Arsenal win the FA Cup will decide whether Arsene Wenger stays on as Gunners manager at the end of the season.

“He is into the final few weeks of his contract, which ends in

May. If they don’t win the FA Cup, then that could see a mutual parting of the ways.” latics boss Uwe rosler must decide between scott Carson and Ali Al Habsi for goalkeeping slot.

Wigan, under roberto Martinez’s management, produced a major upset by winning the FA Cup last season.

But rosler, who took over in December following Owen

Coyle’s ill-fated short reign, believes Martinez has done his old club no favours this time round.

Arsenal head into the match on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Martinez’s everton, a result that has damaged the Gunners’s hopes of finishing in the Premier league’s top four.

“In many ways, Arsenal’s defeat at everton last sunday

didn’t help us because it puts even more pressure on Arsenal to absolutely go for it and to win a trophy this year with their Champions league place under threat,” rosler told Wigan’s website.

Arsenal have lost all of their Premier league away games against the current top five by at least three goals this season.

They were beaten 6-3 at Manchester City on 14

egwero, Metu rekindle rivalry At AFn Golden league

By Gowon Akpodonor WO top sprinters, Obinna T Metu and Ogho-Oghene egwero will today renew their rivalry on the track, as the first leg of AFn Golden league holds at Abuja national stadium.

The Chairman of AFn Technical Committee, navy Commodore Omatseye nesiama told The Guardian on phone yesterday that everything had been put in place to

make the event successful.

Both Metu and egwero had registered for the over-distance meet earlier this year in Ijebu-Ode, but fans were denied the opportunity of watching an explosive encounter, following Metu’s absence in the final of the 150m event. The fans will be looking forward to a thrilling race between egwero and Metu this afternoon in Abuja. speaking ahead on their

rivalry, egwero said: “Well the truth is that I am not scared of anyone and I don’t think anyone is afraid of me. I will just have to do what I know to do.

If I win or lose, I know things that have to be corrected.

“Metu is my teammate and if I beat him or he beats me, it makes no difference. All we have to do is make a mark while at the international level,” he said.

Over 500 athletes from differ-

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TAIWO AKerele

December, 5-1 at liverpool on 8 February and 6-0 at Chelsea on 22 March, before losing 3-0 at everton. Those four defeats account for 20 of the 40 league goals Arsenal have conceded this term.

“We have to make sure we stay in the game as long as possible and give ourselves a chance to get through to the final.”

e-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com; www.ngrguardiannews.com

ent states and athletics clubs across the country have registered their presence in the nation’s capital city and set to commence action with the aim of staking a claim to the n2, 000,000 jackpot up for grabs.

The proposed venues of subsequent editions of the Golden league include Ilorin, Akure, Kaduna, Benin City and Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile, sports Minister, Tamuno Danagogo and Director General of the nsC, Gbenga elegbeleye, are among top dignitaries expected to grace today’s occasion.