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Blessing Honours Widows

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Saturday, February 22, 2014

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Sanusi Wins Reprieve From Arrest By Bertram Nwannekanma, Lagos and Murtala Muhammed, Kano USPENDED Governor of the S(CBN), Central Bank of Nigeria Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, won the first round in court yesterday in his contest of the action taken by President Goodluck Jonathan. A Federal High Court Judge, Buba Ibrahim, granted Sanusi’s prayers that he should not be harassed or hounded by any agency of the federal government. Specifically, Justice Ibrahim, sitting in Lagos, granted an order restraining the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke;

• Court Restrains SSS, AGF, IGP From Harassing Him • Kano Emirate Faults President’s Action Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar; and the Department of State Security (DSS); and all agencies of the federal government from arresting and detaining him. The Judge said the order should subsist, pending the determination of a fundamental human rights suit, in which Sanusi complained of his arrest, detention, and seizure of his international passport on Thursday. Sanusi deemed the actions to

be a violation of his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, and right to dignity of human person, as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution. He was represented by former attorney general of Lagos State, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and Kola Awodein (SAN). Justice Ibrahim said he would hear the case on Friday, February 28, this year. After his suspension by the

President on allegations of “financial recklessness and misconduct,” Sanusi arrived Lagos on Thursday from Niamey, Niger Republic, into the waiting hands of officers of the DSS. He claimed that he was arrested and detained him briefly, and his international passport seized. Sanusi arrived the court premises at 3.15pm in two black Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), wearing a red cap with his jalabia (Hausa gown) and

went into the office of the Commissioner for Oaths. Not long after, he emerged with the order in the suit restraining the defendants, namely the AGF, IGP and DSS from arresting him. In the meantime, the Kano Emirate Council, from where Sanusi hails, said yesterday that his sudden suspension was an abuse of the rule of law and a deliberate attempt by the federal government to cover up the alleged missing funds as exposed by Sanusi. The council stated that the action against Sanusi was a clear breach of due process capable of portraying the

NEWS 3

Supreme Court Rejects Bid To Unseat Wada NEWS 6

Fashola Orders Re-opening Of LASU NEWS 6

No Plan To Devalue Naira, Says Acting CBN Governor

Slain Banker’s Husband Sentenced To Death By Bertram Nwannekanma and Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo LAGOS High Court in Ikeja A yesterday sentenced Akolade Arowolo to death for killing his banker wife, Titilayo Omozeje, in 2011. Arowolo had been on trial in the court since 2012 over the murder of Titilayo, a Skye Bank staff on June 24, 2011 at their residence, 8, Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos. But in a judgment that lasted about an hour yesterday, the trial judge, Justice Lateefat Okunnu held that the evidence before the court proved that Arowolo actual murdered his wife in their matrimonial home. Relying heavily on a forensic report conducted by Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, a pathologists, the court averred that there was no way the deceased could have stabbed her self to death. Justice Okunnu held that by the law principle of ‘Last Seen’ since Arowolo was the only person with his wife when she was stabbed, no one but him could have killed her. The judge, who upheld the prosecution’s case, stated that

Arowolo being led out of the court premises by prison officials after the judgment yesterday.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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2 | Saturday, February 22, 2014

Gumi Warns Politicians, Parties Against Imposition Of Candidates In 2015 From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief RENOWED Islamic scholar, A Sheikh Ahmed Mahmud Gumi has cautioned the country’s politicians and political parties to desist from the practice of imposing candidates on Nigerians, saying that it was the major cause of the crisis and instability in the polity. He said unless candidates emerge through a credible process of the internal democracy of the parties, the nation risks the possibility of not having credible and purposeful leadership to run its democracy. Sheikh gave this admonition when he received the publisher of The Leadership Newspapers and presidential hopeful in the 2015 general elections, Chief Sam NdaIsaiah yesterday at his Kaduna residence to consult with him

on his presidential ambition. Chief Nda-Isaiah who told the Islamic scholar that he was not on a presidential campaign but on a consultation tour to relevant stakeholders in the country, said the country is ill and needs a courageous leader that will heal her. He said he was consulting on his ambition to provide quality leadership for the country, stressing that the system is so bad and the country needs to be salvaged urgently before things get worse. “As the publisher of Leadership Newspaper which I think is a good job, contesting for the presidency is not a good job because it will take the whole of you, but when the issue started, initially I did not take it seriously but it dawned on me to join the race because I think it is the will of God. “The country is too divided on several grounds which is

not very healthy for the growth and development of the country, and most times it is the handiwork of leaders because they enjoy it, rather than uniting the people. “We are either a northerner or southerner, I am a Christian or I am a Muslim. This is country is too divided with issues that will affect our progress. There is no country that can develop with this kind of division. “As far as I am concerned, the simplest thing any leader can do is to unite his people. It is a very simple thing. We are not campaigning here, we only came to intimate you on what we are doing which is consulting and I feel I should come and inform you so that you will not only read it in the newspapers,” he said. Responding, Sheikh Gumi commended Chief NdaIsaiah’s bold steps, saying that his determination to salvage the country from several woes through provision of quality

leadership, is a welcome development. Gumi however called on political parties in the country to avoid imposition of candidates during the 2015 general elections, pointing out that this has been the major cause of the political crisis and instability in Nigeria. “What Nigeria needs are capable leaders who will unite the whole entity and tackle the challenges bedeviling it. We need to live in peace, work for common interests and respect individual interests. And we need freedom of speech and respect for our fundamental

rights. “Killing of leaders is the first evil that has affected the nation and we are yet to recover from it. People should be allowed to elect their leaders. I hope that in 2015 people will be allowed to fully exercise their rights,” Gumi stressed. The Islamic cleric continued: “I am very happy that now the whole nation has understood that we need leaders that are capable of uniting the entity as a whole and also tackle the problem which the nation is facing today because this is a very good

development. “Nigeria as a nation is a country bounded by laws, covenants and treaties. Different people, different tribes, different religions come together under a treaty that we should all live in peace, unite together, work for our common interests at the same time respecting each other’s difference. “My advice is that every contestant should know that when defeated in contest, it is not a failure. He should accept defeat and support the winner. What the country need is a healthy competition”.

Court Restrains DSS, AGF, IGP From Harassing Sanusi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 country as being run by one man. A senior councilor in the Kano Emirate and the Galadima Kano, Alhaji Tijani Hashimu, speaking for the council, said in a statement, that it received Sanusi’s suspension by the president with dismay and considered it as a deliberate attempt to witch-hunt the CBN governor. “As a law-abiding organisation, we believe that adherence to the rule of law is paramount and important to any government, more importantly a democratically elected government that would not only preach the law, but ensure adherence to it. “We believe it was a deliberate attempt to witch-hunt him and desperation and impunity at highest order by the federal government.” It added that the action of the President was meant to discredit Sanusi’s efforts at transforming the Nigerian economy. The statement added: “We and many good citizens of this country see the President’s action as a deliberate witch-

hunt of the CBN governor for doing his job by letting Nigerians know the alleged fraud going on in the petroleum industry and to deviate people from this monumental fraud. “Despite all the awards and commendations the governor received nationally and internationally, which Nigerians and even the president are proud of, the significant positive changes to the economy, confidence in depositors’ money and dynamic banking reforms, it is unfortunate that the same government, which he served diligently, will be paying (him) back this way.” The emirate, however, com-

mended the spontaneous reaction of the National Assembly and the public to the President’s action. It urged the federal government, as a matter of urgency, to review its action and follow laid-down procedure and ensure equity, justice and fairness. It would be recalled that President Jonathan visited the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, last Saturday in his palace, to seek continuous support and encouragement of the emirate to move the country forward. Sanusi was part of the President’s entourage to the Emir’s domain.

The Editor-in-Chief, Turkish Review, Mr. Kerim Baki briefing a press briefing in Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: GABRIEL IKHAHON

Court Sentences Slain Banker’s Husband To Death CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 evidence proved beyond doubt that Arowolo gruesomely murdered his wife. The sentence, ironically, fell on a Friday, the same day he killed his wife. Immediately after the judgment, Arowolo collapsed in the dock and started shouting ‘Jesus have mercy.’ Before the verdict, Arowolo was led into the courtroom at 9:30am by prison officials. His countenance portrayed someone who has come to terms with whatever fate would befall him. He wore a white short sleeve shirt and black trousers. Moments after he entered the courtroom, Arowolo immediately knelt down and prayed for about 15 minutes. He thereafter started reading

the Bible until the court began sitting at about 9:45am. Arowolo was formally charged with his wife’s murder on Friday, July 7, 2011 before a Yaba Magistrate Court. The matter was later transferred to the Ikeja High Court, following an advice by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (PDP). The state had alleged that Arowolo murdered Titilayo, a banker, on June 24, 2011 at their residence, No. 8, Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos. A total of 21 witnesses gave evidence in the case that lasted for 26 months. The Lagos State prosecution team led by Mrs. Olabisi Odugbesan, led 15 witnesses in evidence to convince the court that Arowolo killed his wife. One of the key witnesses was Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa who conducted an autopsy on the deceased. Obafunwa testified that his autopsy report revealed that Titilayo was killed through 76 knife stab wounds. He noted that the knife wounds affected Titilayo’s left eye, right eye, upper chest area, right chest and collar bone. Obafunwa added in his testimony that the deceased could not have inflicted such wounds on herself.

To further prove its case, prosecution invited some of Titilayo’s family members who testified that Arowolo and Titilayo had always had a troubled marriage. The family members included Titilayo’s father, George Oyakhire; sister, Ijeh; and mother-in-law, Mrs. Adetoun Yeside Oyakhire. The three witnesses testified that the couple lived a cat and mouse life. They claimed that the family had at several times settled serious fights between the couple. None of the witnesses however saw what actually happened on the day Titilayo died. Arowolo’s co-tenant, Adewale Adeyemi, also gave evidence in the case. Adeyemi in his evidence said that on the day of the incident, he heard a loud noise when he was in his apartment and later saw Arowolo rushing out with a deep cut in his palms. He claimed to have also seen a hammer and a knife with a broken handle in the yard. Other witnesses such a the security man at the Arowolos’ residence, the Investigating Police Officer and an MTN staff, also gave evidence in the case. Having presented its case, the burden was shifted on Arowolo to defend himself. Expectedly, Arowolo had his personal explanation as to what happened on the day Titilayo died.

First, he claimed that he and his deceased wife had passionate sex for two hours and kissed on the same day she died and that Titilayo stabbed herself to death on the day after they had a fight. Arowolo claimed that Titilayo was possessed by an evil spirit and inflicted several stab wounds on him before turning on herself. Arowolo’s father, Mudashiru, and mother, attested to their son’s good behaviour, insisting that he could not have killed his wife. They claimed that he has always been a religious person and was incapable of killing anybody. An ex-journalist, Mrs. Omordia, who now works for Bringer International, a nongovernmental organisation involved in the counselling and rehabilitation of inmates, also testified. He said that despite the negative perception about Arowolo, he has exhibited an exemplary character in the NGO’s leadership training programme held inside the prison. Mrs. Omordia also testified that the defendant had shown exemplary leadership qualities in the prison environment and was a member of the prison’s recreation, reformation and rehabilitation club. Addressing the court on concluding his defence, Arowolo’s lawyer,

Olanrewaju Ajanaku, submitted that there were no substantive evidence linking his client to the murder of his wife. He noted that since none of the prosecution witnesses saw the alleged fight between the couple, their testimonies were mere hearsay. Ajanaku argued that it would be improper for the court to convict his client based on the evidence provided by persons who were not present at the scene of the incident. He urged the court to discharge his client since none of the prosecution witnesses were able to directly link him to Titilayo’s murder. Prosecution counsel, Olabisi Ogungbesan, however, countered Ajanaku’s submission, saying that prosecution has provided enough evidence for the court to convict Arowolo. Ogungbesan said that evidence provided by prosecution showed that the defendant was the only person present with the deceased, who forensic analysis proved was killed by multiple knife stabs. She also noted that the defendant was seen with bloodstains on his car by the police moments after the alleged fight with Titilayo. Ogungbesan submitted that Arowolo’s act was intentional, since he allegedly stabbed Titilayo more than 76 times. She therefore urged the court to convict him as charged.

Saturday, February 22, 2014 3

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NEWS

Supreme Court Rejects Bid To Unseat Wada From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja and Kolawole Timothy, Lokoja

It’s Freedom From The Highest Court, Says Wada

HE Supreme Court yesterT day refused an invitation to unseat Kogi State

Election Petition Tribunal was the appropriate forum for Isah to seek any relief since he was challenging an election, which has been concluded. Wada, in his reaction, said that his victory at the Supreme Court was a freedom received at the highest temple of mother justice. He stated shortly after the ruling that his nomination as PDP’s candidate and subsequent election in 2011 were authentic and valid. In the lead judgment of Justice Bode Rhodes Vivour, delivered by Justice Binta Clara Ogunbiyi, he upheld the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which

Governor, Capt. Idris Ichala Wada, as it declared him the duly elected governor of the state on the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP). Consequently, in a unanimous verdict, the apex court dismissed an action initiated by a stalwart of PDP and former governorship aspirant, Alhaji Jibrin Isah, seeking the nullification of Wada’s election. The court held that the appellant (Isah) lacked the locus standi to contest the outcome of an election he did not participate in. It also held that the state

had earlier declined jurisdiction in the matter. The apex court held that the two courts were right in law in refusing to entertain the suit on merit since they cannot constitute themselves into election petition tribunals. Justice Vivour noted the appellant’s claim that he won the first primary election of PDP and his name submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but noted that with the cancellation of the first primary election by the same party, his candidature cannot stand again. The apex court also noted that the appellant participated fully in the second primary

election that produced governor Wada as PDP candidate but failed to secure the flag of the party. Justice Vivour said that since the appellant did not participate in the general election, he has no locus standi to challenge the general election, as doing so would run contrary to section 141 of the Electoral Act. “There is no dispute to the fact that the appellant participated and won the first primary election conducted by the PDP”. “There is also no dispute that his name was submitted to INEC as PDP candidate but his candidature has faded away immediately the primary election was cancelled and

another one fixed”. “It is equally worthy of note that the appellant did not win the re-scheduled primary election and as such did not participate in the general election and for this reason, and in line with provisions of section 141 of the Electoral Act, the appellant cannot in anyway challenge the election in which he did not participate. “The totality of conclusion in this case is that the appeal brought before this court by the appellant lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.” Wada’s reaction was contained in a statement by Jacob Edi, the Special Adviser, Media and Strategy to the Governor. He expressed the hope that the judgment would put an end to the agitation by his opponents to put spanner in the works of his government.

The governor extolled the virtues of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, where truth is the essential ingredient for justice, noting that the court verdict has further reimbursed the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary as a place both the aggrieved and the aggressor can approach without let or hindrance. “For me, the judiciary is another plain of dialogue. It is by far preferable to violence and jungle justice as tools for settling political scores. “I, therefore, commend the plaintiff for taking this civilised option of seeking redress and subjecting our popularity to the most diffi-

Senator Yerima, 29 Others Lose Bids To Stop Trial From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau ENATOR Ahmed Sani Yerima and 29 others yesterday lost an application filed before Zamfara state High Court to stop their trial in a suit instituted against them by police for alleged murder, armed robbery, criminal conspiracy and five other charges. The court judge, Justice Bello Gummi passed the court resolution for the continuation of the trial, filed before it by the police, after striking out an application filed by the counsel to the accused persons, Muhammad Sani Katu, asking the court to strike out the suit for merging different alleged offences in one suit. Justice Gummi said based on the submissions of the parties regarding previous related cases and other sections of law available before the court, it was discovered that there is no section that ban prosecuting any suspect that is being involved in joint criminal offence, saying that, each of the accused person has his own related charges level against him. The court judge therefore, ordered all the accused persons to re-appear in person on April 8, as the new date for the commencement of the trial. Speaking to reporters, the prosecution counsel, Mr Olaye Torugbele, expressed satisfaction with the court ruling for the continuation of the trial. When asked whether the accused persons were released on bail, Torugbele said all the accused persons were on Police administrative bail, since the hearing of the suit did not commence. He however maintained that during the next sitting, it is the court that will determine their movement. Counsel to the accused person, Muhammad Sani Katu, also expressed appreciation on the outcome of the court sitting. It would be recalled that the case followed an attack in August 2013 on Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency by thugs, after which he alleged that the thugs were sponsored by the accused persons.

Terry G (left); Senator Florence Ita Giwa; Ramsey Noah; Tuface Idibia and Paul Adams, all Nollywood celebrities, at the 68th birthday celebration of Ita Giwa at the Sky Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos…recently. PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO.

Forum Demands Right Of Exit For Regions In New Constitution By Abiodun Fanoro Pan-Yoruba Conference on the scheduled National Dialogue has demanded the inclusion of a provision that would give members of the federatingnationstatestheright to voluntarily pull out of the country in the Constitution that would emerge from the Dialogue. The Two-Day Conference presided over by the founder of the Nigerian Advance Party (NAP), Dr Tunji Braithwaite, in its Communique also demanded that the National Conference must be allowed to discuss every issue without exception, including the unity of Nigeria. The Forum stressed that “there should be no no-go area at the National Conference. And that the principle of freedom of entry into or exit from the new Nigerian union (that is, the Right to Self-Determination) be affirmed by the National Conference and in the new Constitution.” The gathering noted that the three months prescribed for the Conference was not enough to address the myriad of problems confronting the country. It therefore suggested that the duration be extended to a minimum of six months and a maximum of one year.

Suswam Urges Proactive Measures Against Fulani Herdsmen In Benue From Mohammed Abubakar, Makurdi GAINST the backdrop of the escalating crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Benue State, Governor Gabriel Suswam has warned that unless government takes urgent action

to stem the crisis, it was capable of degenerating into fullscale war that would take long to end. Briefing State House correspondents after seeing President Goodluck Jonathan at Aso Rock on the situation in the state, Suswam also

expressed fears that some miscreants could capitalise on the situation to further their individual selfish interests, noting that the best thing to do was to urgently dislodge the Fulanis. But he confirmed that certain actions were being taken

NBET Promises Improved Generation Under Power Purchase Agreement From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja HE Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) has assured that the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with generation companies and the Vesting Contracts VCs) that it entered with distribution companies would boost the availability of gas for power generation. NBET has also commenced efforts to prepare the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) for smooth transition into the Transition Electricity Market (TEM). The TEM is one of the stages characterised mainly by competition for the market. Under TEM, counterparties relationships post privatisation would be governed by contracts unlike in previous

era. TEM was to be declared next month but had to be postponed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) due to operational reasons and appeal from the new owners of PHCN successor firms. Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Benjamin Dikki told newsmen at a technical meeting for the new owners of PHCN successor companies in Abuja that that the Bulk Trader is a guarantor, not a creditor. He stressed: “NBET is also a guarantor. It is only when the creditor has an issue that the guarantor comes in stream. When we say we don’t want to leave the new owners alone, it is to say that government still has a role in facilitation.” Managing Director of NBET,

Mr. Rumundaka Wonodi, gave insights into the PPA with generation companies and the Vesting Contracts (VCs) with the distribution companies. It is expected that the PPAs and VCs would be activated at the declaration of the TEM. He noted that under the PPA and VCs, generation and distribution companies have obligations to take gas supplied or pay for not taking such. He said: “In the PPA, there is a take or pay obligation for gas. In the VCs, we have said that the vesting contract would also include take or pay obligation of gas so that if there is any gas cost that comes through the PPA to the Bulk Trader, it is passed down to the distribution companies through the

by the President to curb the continuation of the crisis, warning that it is getting very serious. “I’m a bit worried and the entire people of Benue are very worried how these people (the militias) in their thousands are moving freely and causing the kind of destructions that they are causing in Benue State. We hope that with some of the actions taken by the President, this situation would be calmed down.” Asked if the situation was connected to the prevailing security situation in the country, the governor said it could not be ruled out, noting that it is enough reason for the authorities to take decisive action to dislodge the herdsmen before they cause more harm. “Well, you cannot isolate the current insecurity in the country. I think some people are taking advantage of the security situation in the country to further create fear on our people. And the unfortunate thing is that the people in Benue are basically farmers and these Fulani militias have taken over some parts of the lands. Some people have run to the town and so down the road we are going to have economic issues.

4 Saturday, February 22, 2014

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NEWS APC Senate Caucus Faults Sanusi’s Suspension From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HE All Progressives Congress (APC) Senates Caucus has carpeted President Goodluck Jonathan over his suspension from office of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mallam Lamido Sanusi. The APC senators in a statement signed by Babafemi ojudu and made available to The Guardian in Ilorin, alleged that the suspension and immediate replacement of Sanusi, breached a section of the nation’s Constitution requiring

the two-third approval of the Senate to make it valid. “Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senate hereby unequivocally condemn the action of the President as absolutely illegal, and, therefore, reject it in its entirety. While we will not engage the President on his allegations against Sanusi, we want to refer him to the relevant CBN Act of 2007 on the appointment and removal of the CBN Governor. According to Section 11(2) of the Act, “the CBN governor, deputy

governor or director shall (only) cease to hold office in the bank if he:(f) is removed by the president, provided that the removal of the governor shall be supported by two-thirds majority of the senate praying that he be so removed. “By unilaterally removing the CBN Governor without recourse to two-thirds majority of the Senate as the CBN Act 2007 provides, the President has acted illegally. “As we work hard at strengthening our Democracy and the Rule of Law, the APC Senate

Caucus will not sit by and watch the President whimsically offend the relevant laws. “We wish to add that, as we said earlier that we don’t intend to engage the President on his allegations against Sanusi, especially on alleged “various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct” while investigations against the CBN Governor are ongoing, we will not shy away here from expressing amazement that the President never applied these words once while certain acts of financial recklessness

Jos High Court Quashes APC’s Bid To Stop Plateau LG Polls JoS High Court yesterday A quashed a bid by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop the Plateau State council polls fixed for February 25, this year. Justice David Mann, in his judgment, described the suit by the APC as completely lacking in merit. He dismissed the suit and awarded damages of N50, 000 to each of the defendants in the matter. The Defendants were the Plateau Government, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission and the Plateau State House of Assembly. APC had asked the court to stop the polls citing the law in use as defective. Counsel to the APC, Mr. Badamasi-Kabir Adam, pointed

out that the commission was operating with two conflicting laws. He said the election should be stopped for the laws to be clarified to avoid the confusion that would ensue. According to him, the Plateau State Electoral Commission

(PLASEC) law made in 2011 is being used side by side with another made for the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) in 2013. However, Justice Mann held that the PLASEC law 2011 and the PLASIEC law 2013 were the

same law. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he said that it was the 2011 PLASEC law that was gazetted in May 2013 as PLASIEC law. “It is the same law and did not differentiate,” he said.

I Won Anambra Election Because of obi’ s Giant Strides, Says obiano From John Okeke, Abuja HE governor-elect of T Anambra State, Willie obiano yesterday gave insight on why he was able clinch the victory of November 16, Anambra gubernatorial election last year. According to him, the giant strides and achievements of Governor Peter obi prepared for way for his victory. obiano made this known yesterday during a courtesy visit

to the Society for Family Health (SFH) office in Abuja. He said the governor has done very well in all spheres in Anambra State. “Everywhere we go even during the election period people comment on the good works he has done. As a matter of fact this election was won at the back of his performance. “He has done extremely well in the area of education, in the area of health, in the area of

infrastructure, in the area of security and in the area of power and in others areas,” he added. obiano assured the people of the state that he would continue to deliver on the giant strides and achievements of obi. “I am going to continue exactly on what he is doing. I am going to do a continuity on all the things he has been doing so that there will not be an abandon projects.”

raged against a former member of his administration, during various investigations against the member and even when reports of those investigations clearly indicted the member.

My Successor Will Surpass My Achievements, Says Lamido From John Akubo, Dutse oVERNoR Sule Lamido of G Jigawa State yesterday said his successor must be someone with better ideas of development that would take the state to the next level. The Governor who spoke at the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected Local Government chairmen at the Sir Muhammadu Sanusi Durba ground said his successor would bring development that will surpass his giant strides. Lamido assured the people that the selection process would be collective by all Jigawa stakeholders adding that would be based on merit; someone with ideas that would drive the development already put in place to greater heights. He assured the people that there would be continuity because the state has a blueprint that would guide whoever is going to take over from him. He said the state is being run on a 35 years development plan, which cannot be set aside by whoever is going to be the next Governor of the state.

PDP Hails Court Judgement Against Nasarawa APC • It’s Triumph Of Democracy, Says Omar From, Msugh Ityokura, Lafia HE people’s democratic T party PDP has hailed a Lafia high court judgement which sacked the state chairman of the all progressives congress APC, Stanley Buba and his entire executive committee members. Addressing newsmen at the state party secretariat in Lafia, the state capital yesterday, chairman of the Nasarawa state chapter of the PDP chief Yunana Illiya expressed satisfaction with the development saying that the nation’s democracy was on course. “ we are happy that the judiciary is beginning to wake up to support our democracy” said Illiya who added “with the latest development, our candidates in the forth coming local government elections stand unoppossed since the court has rendered anything the sacked APC leadership did null and void. And so, any attempt by our opponents to do anything funny will amount to contempt of court, we are watching”. A chieftain of the APC in the state Hon. omar Nurudeen had dragged the state governor Tanko Al-Makura and the national secretariat of the party to court seeking the nullification of the state party executives which he said were foisted on the people by the governor.

TheGuardian SUNDAY, February 23, 2014

2015: Eventful And LoADED

NEWSFEATURE

LASU Bleeds under high fees and maladministration. BUSINESS:

SANUSI:Whither The Central Bank Without Sanusinomics! oR close to five years, he raced Fbullthrough the banking sector like a in a china hall. He turned things up side and down, courted controversy and called everyone’s bluff. Now that he’s out, how does the banking sector react?

IBRU: Pastor Moses Alu shares his prison experience and regrets that there is nothing in Nigeria’s prisons to reform anybody. He said the prisons are breeding grounds for criminals.

HIS year, INEC will conduct two governorship elections in Ekiti and osun. This is the year of Nigeria’s centenary celebration, after which we launch into the national conference. Political parties will commence full activities in the last quarter and INEC would be there to observe. The same INEC has not issued permanent voter cards, only promises. Yet, the commission has violated the Electoral Act, which provides for Continuous Voter Registration. And the question is; how does Nigeria and INEC manage this eventful year without a hitch?

SPECIAL REPoRT:The Arts and Politics: How symbiotic is the relationship in a democracy?

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Path To Tackling Nigerian Insurgency, Diversity Crisis, By Turkish Media Chief By Bola Olajuwon ILITARY measure alone does not remove terrorism. It only kills terrorists. For every terrorist killed, there are two or three terrorists ready to take his place. This advice was given to the Federal Government by Kerim Balci, editor-in-chief of Turkish Review, an international bi-monthly magazine for the global readership, while addressing senior journalists yesterday in Lagos on developments in the Middle East and Arab World, Turkey, Africa and Nigeria in particular. Balci, who also spoke on while Nigeria’s diversity must be a blessing to the country, asserted that a military measure alone brings anger and sympathy to terrorists. Stressing that though military measures are inevitable in the area of protecting lives and property, he said fighting terrorism need integrated and holistic approaches. However, he enjoined the Federal Government to take the youths from the street of North East and give them better education. “”Without better education, all other measures will be counter-productive. Open more new schools and engage children full-time education,” he stated.

Saturday, February 22, 2014 5

NEWS

NAS, Akpede Say Nigeria Lacks Political Will To Tackle Lassa Fever From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City XPERTS in Nigeria and the West African sub-region yesterday urged various governments at all levels to invest in the curative measures for lassa fever, which in recent times, has become more fearsome. President, Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), Prof. Oyewale Tomori, made the call yesterday in Benin City at the opening ceremony of the “West African Sub-Regional Workshop on Emergency

Preparedness and Outbreak Response to Lassa Fever and Other Highly Infectious Diseases and Commissioning of the Mobile Polymerase Chain Reaction Laboratory,” for the Sub-region where he lamented official attitude towards combating the dreaded disease. He said little has been achieved in combating the disease despite enormous resources committed to fighting the disease. Tomori regretted that Nigeria was witnessing high mortality rate within the rank of tech-

nicians attending to infected persons. He said, “A mobile laboratory is commissioned today and by the next month, a flat tyre or plug grounds the laboratory that is to help in the fight against this deadly disease. “A minister comes to commission what in essence will help reduce the scourge, but soon as he or she departs, the woes begin. And unless maybe, a powerful person dies as a result of the ailment, the lip service paid towards its eradication might continue unabated.

“So, we need to examine ourselves, as we are by ourselves responsible for the predicament. Available statistics shows how abysmal our efforts have been, in the area of how much is expended, and how much is deployed. “Our efforts towards curtailing the infection has not yielded much, not for lack of research or want on the part of medical technicians in the field, but because of outright lack of the political will and ostrich-like burying of our heads in the sand, which can I daresay cannot help the situa-

tion.” The chairman, Local Organising Committee of the event and former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Prof. George Akpede, said he was encouraged by the country’s effort in the battle against Lassa fever but said more could be done to avoid loss of lives.”…. avoidable loss of lives due to poor political will and resource mobilization cannot gladden the heart,” Akpede said.

Fayemi, Omorin Eulogise Ekiti Ex-Acting Gov, Aderemi From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti OVERNOR Kayode Fayemi and the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Omirin, yesterday described the late ex-Acting Governor of the State, Chief Friday Aderemi as a patriot, who saved the State from the pangs of political rascality during his reign as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. While Fayemi made the statement in Ado Ekiti during the lying-in-State and Special Exco meeting held in honour of the late Aderemi, Omirin spoke at a Special Assembly session to pay homage to the deceased.

Iheanacho Enters Imo Guber Race From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri S the contest for who takes over the Imo governorship seat continues, a former Minister of Interior, Capt. Emma Iheanacho, has formally declared his interest to occupy the position in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). According to a statement issued yesterday in Owerri and made available to The Guardian, Iheanacho made his interest known while addressing his supporters shortly after registering formally as a member of the APGA in his ward in Owerri North Local Council of the state.

The Ambassador of Greece, Amb. Andreas Ikonomopoulos; Arch Phil Caiafas; Chief Operation Officer (COO), Guardian Newspaper Limited, Dr. Alex Thomopoulos and Irene during the occasion of the Greek Presidency of the European Union in Lagos PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

Monarch Puts Borno Death Toll At 157, As Shettima Releases N100 Million To Rebuild Houses From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE death toll in Wednesday’s multiple attacks in Bama town, has increased from 34 to 157, after the retrievals of more bodies of residents from the 2, 245 destroyed houses, shops and motor park in three wards, Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi, has stated. Addressing newsmen during press conference at Bama, after leading reporters and top government officials to destroyed property, the monarch said that after burying 34 bodies at mosque on

Wednesday, 123 more bodies were retrieved. Meanwhile, Borno State Government yesterday raised a nine-member panel on the assessment of destroyed houses and property to rebuilding them. Gov. Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Babakaka Bashir Garbai, at the occasion, said that the state government has released the sum of N100 million to the people of Bama to rebuild their houses, shops and Shehu’s palace.

CDS Harps On Involvement Of All Nigerians To Defeat Terror HE Chief of Defence Staff T (CDS), Air Chief Marshal AS Badeh has emphasized the importance of the involvement of all Nigerians in the on-going war against terror in the country. He said, “when there is a war, it is not only the military that is at war but the entire citizenry.” In a statement signed by Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, the CDS spoke yesterday while receiving members of the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives

Association (NAFOWA) who paid him a solidarity visit at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. Air Chief Marshal Badeh who had just returned from Guinea Bissau where he attended a meeting of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff, told the visitors that all men and women of goodwill must join hands in the effort to rid the country of terrorism. He charged NAFOWA members not to relent in supporting their husbands and praying for the nation saying their contributions remains very vital.

He said the panel is to be headed by Alhaji Jidda Shuwa, while Alhaji Ahmed Sanda would serve as secretary to the assessment and rebuilding panel. Also, members of Concern Women’s Forum in Borno state have called on the Federal Government to take “proactive measures” against members of Boko Haram sect. Spokesperson of the group, Aisha Ali Suleiman, who made the call in a statement yesterday released in Maiduguri, urged members of the National Assembly to prompt Federal Government-led by

President Goodluck Jonathan to take “concrete and decisive actions” against insurgency. Kyari said he narrowly escaped the Wednesday’s attack after the insurgents carried out attack on his palace. Narrating his ordeal, he said he escaped to an unknown destination as the gunmen were trying to gain access to the palace. Kyari said 48 people were injured and admitted at the Bama Hospital, adding that out of the injured, 17 were confirmed dead by a chief nursing officer yesterday.

Stakeholders Seek Establishment Of Anambra Public Procurement Council From Chuks Collins, Awka NAMBRA State may have been operating without regards to the provisions of public procurement law, which was domesticated in the state long ago, as there has been no Public Procurement Council as required by the law, in the state. The startling discovery was made at stakeholders meeting organised by the Civil Rights Concern in conjunction with the Christian Aid and other supporting part-

ners yesterday in Awka where Anambra State Public Procurement Law was x-rayed as the main focus. The stakeholders made up of human rights/non-governmental organizations, the media, professional bodies, church/community leaders noted that public procurement has strong link to economic growth, poverty reduction and human welfare, private sector development, trade and foreign investment in the country.

Dangote Partners Niger State In Agric To Reduce Poverty From John Ogiji Minna N a bid to fight the prevailing poverty in the North, the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote , yesterday in Minna, the Niger state capital, called on all well to do individuals in the north to join hands with government towards finding solution to hunger in the region. To this end, the business mogul has agreed to partner with the Niger State Government in the agricultural sector as a way of providing both job and good towards addressing the poverty level in the region. Speaking with journalists shortly after an hour close door meeting with Gov. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Dangote said he decided to partner with governors in the region as part of his contribution towards reducing poverty among the people. Dangote said: “We are looking at how we can empower people to alleviate themselves from poverty and reduce pressure from government. In the light of this, we were approached by the state government to invest in the state. And after careful analysis of the situation, I decided to concentrate on the agricultural sector”.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

6 Saturday, February 22, 2014

NEWS Fashola Orders Re-opening Of LASU

Imo Claims Ignorance Of Jonathan’s Visit

By Tunde Alao

VEN as some areas in E Owerri, the Imo State capital are wearing colour, the

FTER days of crisis that rocked the Lagos State University (LASU), Governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday directed the re-opening of the university on Monday February 24, in what he described as “for the overriding best interest of the students.” Governor Fashola said in taking this decision, Government has accepted the report of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s Ad-hoc Committee on the LASU crisis. The governor also said that repairs of damaged property and facilities in the higher institution will commence in due course. Giving a breakdown of the resumption schedule as approved by the governor, the Special Adviser on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga said the school will re-open on the 24th of February with final year students, and the school’s portal will be opened for two days on 24th and 25th February, 2014 for them. The final year students’ examination will start on the March 3, while fresh students will commence registration on the March 10, 2014. Other categories of students will resume on April 1, while the school’s portal will be opened for them on the April 1 and 2.

From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri and Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

state government still maintains that it is unaware of the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state today. On Thursday, the Senate Committee Chairman on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo PDP West), told journalists at the state office of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party was hosting the President to enable him welcome some members defecting/returning to the party, such as a former governor of the state, Chief Achike Udenwa and serving senator, Mrs. Chris Anyanwu, among others. Meanwhile, the National Vice

Chairman of the PDP, South East zone, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd) said yesterday that the president’s visit would offer the party opportunity of forming a formidable bloc to reclaim the state, which it lost to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2011. The event will also be used to launch sensitisation campaign to make the party reclaim the state, which was taken over in 2011 by the All Progressives Congress (APC), both Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemedo, and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Theodore Ekechi, disclosed to The Guardian in Owerri yesterday.

Onwuemedo said, “The Governor of Imo State is the Chief Security Officer of the state and he is yet to be informed officially. But the PDP said a rally was holding and applied for Dan Anyiam Stadium. That has been approved. The charge for the stadium is about N3 million and not N5 million,” he said. The SSA denied ever employing the services of any thug to destroy the banner bearing the photo and inscriptions about the President’s visit. Speaking in Enugu, Akobundu said that the PDP rally in Owerri and the President’s visit “are enough signal to the Rochas Okorocha’s government that the game is over for him, and his ragtag APC government should leave the stage for a people-oriented party.”

Dog Owner Docked Over Pet’s Alleged Attack On Two-Year-Old Boy 21-year-old man, Ajijola A Ekundayo, whose dog allegedly attacked a two-yearold child, was yesterday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court. Ekundayo, a hospitality consultant, resides at No. 4, Otunba Tunde Seriki Close, New Road, Igbo-Ofon, Lekki area of Lagos. He is facing a two-count charge of assault and negligent acts, causing harm. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Victor Eruada, told the court that the accused committed the offences at 4.00 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the said address. He alleged that the accused,

Lawmakers, Community Protest Against Exclusion From Sale Of Oil Fields From Willie Etim, Yenagoa

AWMAKERSfrom the Bayelsa L State House of Assembly and South East PDP Counts Gain Of Jonathan’s oil-producing communities of

Visit To Imo State Today From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HE National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South East zone, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd) said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Owerri, Imo state today (Saturday) would offer the party opportunity of forming a formidable bloc to reclaim the state which it lost to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)in 2011. Speaking in Enugu, Akobundu said that the PDP rally in Owerri and the

President’s visit “are enough signal to the Rochas Okorocha’s government that the game is over for him and that his ragtag APC government should leave the stage for a people oriented party”. Welcoming the President in what he described as “mother of all rallies”, Akobundu recalled that Imo state was until 2011 enjoyed unfettered economic and social boom under the PDP, expressing regrets however that under Okorocha/APC government,Imostatehadsuffered

from economic and social anemia, resulting in the state almost becoming insolvent. The PDP South east boss therefore asked people to pitch their tents with PDP now that they have seen the two sides of a coin, maintaining that “the zone’s rigorous effort to reposition the PDP in the five states of the South east and Imo State in particular has resulted in the enormous successes the party recorded since 2011 despite some daunting challenges from the Okorocha led administration”.

while in possession of his dog, allowed it to bite a boy (name withheld), his neighbour. Eruada further alleged that the boy sustained severe injuries during the attack and had to be taken to hospital. According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 171 and 250 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 171 prescribes three years imprisonment for the offence of assault occasioning harm, while Section 250 prescribes two years imprisonment for negligent acts causing harm.

Nembe Kingdom have declared as “vexatious” and “a ticking bomb” the proposed sale of The 97 kilometre Nembe Creek Trunkline (NCTL) owned by the Shell Production Development Company (SPDC). The motion moved by the Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Akpe was unanimously adopted and called on the oil multinationals to allow the oil-bearing communities in the state to participate in the bidding and sales of the oil facilities. According to the resolution of the House of Assembly, though the bidding process for oil and

gas assets in the state has attracted numerous interests, the International Oil Companies (IOC) working in the Bayelsa territory involved in the bidding process should give ample opportunity and priority attention to the Bayelsa State Government and its indigenes to fully partake in the diverse net process. TheOilCommunitiesinNembe Kingdom of the Nembe Local Government Council Area of the State, through its Oil and Gas Committee headed by the Chairman, Chief Nengi James, warned that failure of the SPDC to allow the leaders from Nembe communities led by his Royal Majesty, King Edmund Dakoru to have equal participation in the bidding process to acquire the oil facility will trigger crises in the area.

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 7

8 | Saturday, February 22, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

METRONOTES By Debo Oladimeji HE yearly kerosene scarcity ritual is here T again. During the week, most of the filling stations in Lagos didn’t have the product and the few that had were selling at between N125 and N150 per litre, instead of the approved price of N40.90 per litre by the government. However, the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu, has said that kerosene was not sold at the official price because of the diversion of the product by some marketers. The other reasons for the high price of kerosene, according to him, include sharp practices by middlemen, usage for road construction and aviation fuel among others. Meanwhile, the scarcity is biting hard on the poor masses who cannot get it to buy in most of the filling stations in Lagos. Mr. Segun, a supervisor at Techno Oil, Ikotun says they don't sell kerosene again. “The business of selling kerosene is not profitable for us, so my boss has stopped selling it”, he said. He disclosed that the price of kerosene is very expensive even from the depot. “The last time we sold it, it was N130 per litre. That was around February last year. Since then, my director said enough is enough. I don't know the exact amount from the depot now. The government should do something about the scarcity. Let them slash down the price of kerosene,” he added. He admitted that gas is less expensive but it is only the rich people that can afford to use gas cookers. Another regular user of kerosene, Mr. Rasheed Adekeye, a trader, noted that the price of kerosene is not uniform in the filling stations in Lagos. According to him, some people are selling at N100, N130, while others are selling at N125 per litre. “It is unfair to the masses. The government should ensure that the price comes down. I don't know where we are going in this country. The poor have no money, yet the little they are making the government is collecting it from them through high cost of kerosene,” he lamented. He said that because of the high price of kerosene, he has stopped using stove to cook. “I now use charcoal to do my cooking. Unfortunately, the price of charcoal is now high. The high price of kerosene has affected the price of charcoal in the market. We want the government to help us,” he said. Before, Adekeye said, a bag of charcoal used to be sold at N1,600. Now it is N1, 800. “This is because of the high demand for charcoal,” he said. Mr. Opeyemi Adeyemi, a petrol attendant at Matoil Filling Station, Ijegun said that they sell kerosene at N125 per litre at the filling station and averred that any further increase in the price of kerosene will affect the masses. “Students use kerosene to cook. I have to pay for my school fees, buy books. How can I afford the high cost of kerosene again? It is not everybody that is from the well to do family,” he said. Adeyemi said that there is the need for the government to do something to ensure the affordability and availability of kerosene in the country. Mr. Ayo Adeniran, a consultant with advertising agency, VISAGE Media Limited, Lagos, said that gas would have been a better alternative because it is cheaper and more economical. Unfortunately, many people are afraid of using gas. “Government should embark on aggressive orientation and training of the people on how to use gas. But whatever counsel the government gives to the people, some will still want to use kerosene. “The issue of subsidy is political and is diversionary in the sense that the government wants to hit the masses so that they will cry out, before they will now come out with palliative measures to appease the public. “They only want to use it for political support for 2015 election. They want to use it to gain attention of the people. Once it comes to increment in the price of kerosene or fuel, you will see the way the masses will react,” he said. Professor Ambassador Robertson, a lecturer at Cornerstone University, Lagos said that scarcity and high cost of kerosene is part of the bad government policies which are

Waiting for kerosene...

Who Will Carry The Can For Kerosene Scarcity? already affecting Nigerians. “Our leaders are supposed to come to government with the mind of serving the people, not what they will get from them. “Even if it is N20 they are adding to the price of kerosene, it will still affect the poor people. The downtrodden are the ones that will feel the heat. Let them do something to make sure that kerosene is affordable and available in the country,” he said. Robertson added that gas is not a solution. The government, he said, should remember that there should be room for individuals’ choices. “There is a fundamental human right of choice. Some people do not like gas because it is highly inflammable. If in reality kerosene is being subsidized and it is useful for the masses, let them leave it. But if it is true that some people are benefiting from the subsidy on kerosene, let the government remove it. But the government should ensure that the price of kerosene is not beyond the reach of the common people,” he said. He said that his wife does not like to use gas since her friend was involved in a fire accident resulting from cooking gas explosion. “Her friend was burnt beyond recognition. I will prefer that gas should stay, kerosene should also stay at affordable price.” He bemoaned that the poor are now helpless as the price of charcoal has also gone up. “The use of charcoal has been there, nobody can stop it. It is normal that when the price of a particular commodity goes up, the people will go for the alternative. It is true that the smoke will have a side effect but since it did not kill our forefathers, I don't think that it will kill the poor people who are now using charcoal to cook.” At Oando Filling Station at Lekki, they don't sell kerosene but one of the petroleum attendants, Olayinka Seyi admitted that people come to ask for the product. He said that what people are now buying in the Oando filling station in Lekki is O-Gas. “It is N6,000 for the complete kit and to refill is N800. It can last one month for a bachelor and three weeks for a family man. It is available in

all Oando filling stations. It does not have any danger,” he said. Another attendant, David Sule admitted that they don't sell kerosene at the filling station. “There is no filling station you can get kerosene to buy around here. I used to buy from the retailer. It is N100 per bottle here. People have been coming here to ask but we don't sell. “The essence of subsidy is availability and affordability. My advice is that people who can afford gas should go for gas.” Chief Anthony Okeke, a businessman, said he does not use kerosene because of the smell. “It is more costly than gas. Gas is cleaner and it is less expensive. “What is making the price of kerosene go up is because we are importing refined kerosene. If we are refining them here, the price will not be that expensive,” he said. Okeke urged the government to make kerosene affordable for the poor. “At the same time, they should advocate for people to use gas. Nigeria is an oil producing country and there is no reason why the price of kerosene should be high.” One resident of Obalende, Mrs. Victoria Babatunde, 50, lamented the high price of kerosene in the area. “A bottle is sold for between N180 and N200. We buy it every day. I cannot use gas cooker because it is highly inflammable. One of our neighbours was burnt beyond recognition by gas cooker explosion. We spend the little money we have on kerosene every day. I spend not less than N200 daily,” she said. Kerosene was once deregulated by the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo when he was the country’s president from 1999 to 2007. Later, it was regulated, making the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) the sole importer bringing the product at a landing cost of about N130 per litre but supplies at N40.90 per litre. Yet, the end users pay double or triple this price. Under the government of late President Musa Yar’Adua, a regime of subsidy on petroleum products was introduced espe-

cially involving Petrol or Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for the benefit of Nigerians. The Federal Government spent billions of naira in ensuring that petrol is available at affordable price to motorists and public transport operators. Although at high cost to government, subsidy has helped tremendously to stabilize the socio-economic system, not withstanding the massive fraud and corruption by the marketers. However, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, opened a can of worms when he described kerosene subsidy as illegal, and a racket. He affirmed that kerosene is not a subsidized product, citing a data of the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, producing evidence that late President Yar’Adua issued a presidential directive removing subsidy payment as from July 2009. Appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance, Sanusi said that the burden of proof on NNPC is to show where the corporation obtained authorization to purchase kerosene at N150 per litre from federation funds and sell at N40 per litre, knowing full well that the product sells in the market at N170-N220 per litre. He asked at what point was the presidential directive reversed. Earlier, he had asserted that out of the $67 billion that has accrued to the NNPC’s account, $47 billion has been accounted for. Out of the $67 billion that the NNPC shipped, $47billion has been repatriated to the CBN. What is yet to be accounted is the balance of $20 billion which NNPC claimed was on kerosene and fuel subsidy, through a scheme known as Kero-Direct initiated in July 2011 to assist in the distribution of household kerosene (HHK) to consumers across the country. The corporation denied knowledge of the presidential directive stopping kerosene subsidy. It was discovered that kerosene was available only at the 36 NNPC mega stations out of over 24,000 retail outlets across the country. Because of massive diversion of the product, consumers are paying for kerosene at between N140 and N150 per litre.

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 9

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics 2015 Election Timetable Was Not Influenced Or Dictated By Any External Forces, Says Igini Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini speaks on the preparedness of INEC to conduct free and fair elections in 2015, denying the allegation that the elections timetable was influenced by some external influences. By Samson Ezea OW do you react to insinuations in some H quarters that the 2015 timetable released by your Commission was influenced by the Presidency to make the elections easy for PDP? This is a most unkind and unfair insinuation, having regard to the demonstrable, open and honest approach that we have shown in all our actions as a Commission since 2010, under the leadership of our chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, who has been exceptional in providing principled leadership unequalled so far in the chequered history of INEC management. The insinuation has no evidential basis and should be dispelled, and the narrative of external influence regarding the scheduling of the election timetable deconstructed. This is necessary to reassure all stakeholders that in this and every other election, it is the task and obligation of INEC to ensure that a level playing field is provided to all candidates, and that no election can be decided until voters cast their ballots and they are counted. Nigerians should know that the timeframe for holding of elections has been fixed by the constitution, additionally elections to different federal and state offices are described in an orderly fashion in the constitution as contained in sections 76 (Legislature); 132(Presidential Election); and 178 (Election of Governor) and the same ordered pattern is repeated in section 25 of the Electoral Act. Now, what the Commission has done is simply was to conduct federal elections namely National Assembly and Presidential elections in one day, instead of spending the same amount of money twice, and there by reduced the cost of election and the same thing was done with States Assemblies and Governorship election in one day. In effect we now have two phases of elections; one federal phase and a state phase. It may also interest Nigerians to know that INEC even adopted the arrangements of the chapters of the constitution and the Electoral Act as shown above which is verifiable by Nigerians. But taking the issue hypothetically, is any election predictable based on the order of the election? Should an umpire engage in a priori metaphysical reasoning before fixing an election timetable in order to know who will win an election or which election will not affect the other as we are now being invited to do? To presume so will mean that INEC or any other person can predict with certainty who the voters would vote for in the first elections. Moreover, no election poll has ever been done to predict outcome based on the order of such elections. Poll researchers often use, voters’ turnout, exit polling, policy choice, demographics of voters, level of education of voters, ethnicity amongst other factors. I have never heard of order of elections as a factor in voter preferences. The closest one may point to the idea of bandwagon-effect, but if we use that as a case then it means the winner of the first election is predictable. But even if that was probable, we should test it with empirical results from the 2011 election which is the closest test case. In the general election, several states voted for one party in the presidential elec-

Igini tion, but elected candidates from other parties in the governorship election that followed as we saw in the Southwest zone, even when the presidential election had been conducted. This clearly shows that voters express their preferences without any such influence, as is being asserted. Nonetheless, whichever way the Commission orders the election, there will always be one group or the other that would raise issues. This is not unexpected because politics is a contest of advantage of interests, but the umpire should not be part of that, otherwise it ceases to be an umpire. In all, the Commission while noting the concerns raised by all important stakeholders, would as much as possible remain guided by the law, chiefly the Constitution and the Electoral Act. We must bear in mind that the goal of election is to leave the voting choice to the voter. That is the only way our society can develop, when politicians and political parties know that their jobs depend on voting choices at elections, they will be compelled to deliver on development. What effort is the Commission making to ensure that what happened in the last Anambra governorship election in terms of poor logistics and alleged manipulation of voters’ register will not happen again? The voter register for the last Anambra governorship election was given to stakeholders to vet on time, unfortunately, even though the stakeholders did not make any significant complaints, it was the Commission that observed a mistake in the register where the 2011 code for computing age of voters as at 2013 was not changed before. The effect was a reduction across board, of the age of all persons on the register by 2 years and nothing more. This was corrected and copies given to the political parties. Other issues, such as some candidates not finding their names on the register, arose from partial loss of data during the 2011 reg-

istration, but such names can be found on the manual compilation (addendum Register) which was used for the 2011 election. The decision was that in subsequent elections, all those in the addendum register would have to register again during the continous registration exercise. This was carried out in Anambra and unfortunately a number of people did not avail themselves of this opportunity. Specifically on the logistical issues, let us isolate the main issue of logistics in Anambra to the locality of the incident or incidents. As a lawyer, when allegations are made it must be specified in event and locale. The most egregious issue arising from the Anambra election occurred in one council area, on record, there are 21 council areas in Anambra state. It is inexcusable to allow any electoral irregularity even in one polling unit or ward, but a bad outcome in one out of 21 council areas where elections were managed is one that can be improved upon, but not enough to tarnish the accomplishments of all, including the political class, who ensured that there was no violence. When we look at that one unacceptable incident in a council area, we must not ignore the many other positive incidents in 20 council areas. It is important to note that under the current leadership of the Commission, postelection disputes in Anambra state has also reduced dramatically from 154 petitions filed in 2007 the highest in the 36 states to 68 in 2011 and now two election petitions after the just concluded Nov. 6th 2013 election. We are making steady progress but it is a matter of time. Why won’t it be possible to conduct all the elections in one day? Conducting even the senatorial, House of Representatives and presidential election in one day is a major task, how much more all the elections in one day, as is being canvassed without consideration for actuarial

and other electoral complexities. To conduct elections require several processes, namely, accreditation of voters, issuing them ballot papers, painting their nail cuticle with indelible ink, sorting out the ballot after voting and so forth. To do these for one voter takes a certain time frame, assuming we say 10 minutes per a voter, and for 500 voters let say 5000 minutes, divided by 60 minutes will give over 70 hours and we have 24 hours in one day, so to bring down the time within the day requires many more hands and further division of the voters into sub-polling units, these have cost implications, and training time for the polling unit staff if we want efficient outcome. While this can be remedied through increased cost, the electoral complexities are not all easily remedied, for instance, not all voters know of the voting process, even if you apply all the tricks of voter education, some may still not be reached or still require further explanation at the polling unit. This will take further time, but more significantly, the more candidates you have on the ballot the more complex, it becomes for the voter. If you have ten candidates in some and eight in others on a day when the voter is given 5 ballot papers imagine the number of options the voter has to choose from, some may even mix up the elections they are voting in. This will result in more spoilt and invalid ballots that may even result in insufficient votes to return a winner outright. We were in Kenya and witnessed the near collapse of the electoral process at the stage of collation and transmission of results because they conducted all elections in one day, in that election they issued each voter with 7 ballot papers at the same time. The number of invalid ballots were so much that some contestants even argued that all invalid votes should be counted. This was the basis of the petition at the Supreme Court of Kenya on the provision of Article 138(4) of their constitution. So spreading the elections into two or three is to minimize the number of invalid and spoilt ballots and hence improve the voting quality. Also on the part of the presiding officers, the more the candidates and number of ballot papers, the more complex the sorting process. For instance, 10 candidates in each of the five elections means that the presiding officer has to prepare 50 slots for sorting out the valid, invalid and spoilt ballots for each candidate. Considering the historical level of post-election disputation in our context, is it not better to make the evidence trail after elections less complex? We do not work towards post-election disputes, but increasing the complexities of the electoral process makes disputations more likely, so it is best to avoid them by making the choices made by voters simple and unequivocal. But why has it become impossible for INEC to produce a credible voters’ registrar for elections in Nigeria? It is not impossible, in fact since 1958 when Nigeria started voters registration exercise and particularly the register that we met that had names of people like Mike Tyson and so many foreign names, the current Register that is still work in progress has unequaled credibility and reliability when compared with the previous ones, even though there are still a few challenges that are being corrected. There is no country in the world where you don’t find a few challenges associated with the records or means of identification of voters, yet these countries are still able to conduct credible elections. We were in the U.S for the last elections and we observed problems of voters’ I.D; for instance, there were about 2 million deceased names on their voters roll, as well as over 1.6 million interstate multiple registrations due to change of job and relocation from within states.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

10 Saturday, February 22, 2014

POLITICS

‘President Jonathan Deserves A Second Term’ By Onyedika Agbedo

Austin Ighohwo Majajah, an engineer, is the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vanguard, Europe. In this interview, he speaks on the build up to the 2015 general elections, maintaining that President Goodluck Jonathan has done enough for the country and deserves a second term in office. What is the newly formed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vanguard Europe all about? DP Vanguard Europe vanguard is just a support group, essentially formed by a selected group of Nigerians in the Diaspora, with insatiable love for our great country, Nigeria, the present administration as led by President Goodluck Jonathan and our great party, the PDP. The movement is concerned about helping to propagate the ideals of the present administration in Nigeria, especially the transformation agenda, in Europe and as well, use the Vanguard as a platform and veritable channel to relay the feelings of Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially in Europe, to the government and our party whenever necessary. As members of the PDP in Europe, we are also Nigerians and we are concerned about the affairs of our great country. The vanguard operates mainly through sensitisation. We organise programmes such as seminars, lectures and others where Nigerians in the Diaspora are sensitised on various efforts of the present government to maintain peace, good governance and stability in our fatherland in spite of the sundry inherited artificial and politically induced hiccups designed to destabilise his government

right from its inception. The idea is for us to correct some falsehood and erroneous impressions Nigerians in the Diaspora usually get in the media. Though we are over there, we are perfectly on ground in Nigeria, monitoring and watching as events unfold. Many of us in Europe strongly believe that Jonathan deserves a second term. As we speak, more Nigerians have been keying into the vision and mission of PDP Vanguard Europe. And I can assure you that with successes recorded so far and as more people continue to join the Vanguard, we are also certain that with collaborative efforts, diverse ideas and resources, we shall continue to make greater impacts by winning more support. How do you think the organisation would make any serious impact in the party and polity? As a Diaspora group, we are routing for unity, peace and oneness of purpose for the party in queuing behind the one God has anointed as our present leader. President Goodluck Jonathan is like a house which all of us built. We cannot pull down the house which we all laboured to build. He needs our support, prayers and encouragement to be able to confront the onerous task of administering Nigeria. Furthermore, we at the Vanguard are interested in assuaging the pulses of Diaspora Nigerians, particularly in Europe, that in spite of the crisis President Jonathan is still committed as ever to deliver on the mandate which was freely and unwaveringly given him to better the lot Nigerians. When they know the truth, they would be ready to show understanding and be interested in contributing their quota towards national development instead of lamenting and criticising the government. So, we are already

Majajah making great impacts and people are beginning to know the truth. According to you, your group has been strategising to ensure that Jonathan wins in 2015, if he decides to run. But some notable Nigerians are still urging him not to contest. What is your reaction? A section of the Nigerian Press has for

sometimes been untoward in its responsibility to the nation thus heating up the polity unnecessarily. The press must be seen to exercise restraint in its usage of the Freedom of Information Act on sensitive matters in order not to hamper national unity, security and cohesion, just as it is done in other climes. For instance, even if the Obasanjo letter was deliberately leaked to the press, it is not apt, for security reasons, for the press to have published, in the public domain, what ordinarily ought to have been a private correspondence between a former president and a sitting president. These are supposed to be somewhat, classified materials. The president is the symbol of authority and pride of our fatherland. Those who committed the fau pax of leaking the letter to the press have inadvertently not added any honour to the status of the former president as an elder statesman. The president has not indicated his interest to run in 2015, as yet. In any case, we are only wooing him and strategising for him in anticipation, because that is what it ought to be. Even in other jurisdictions, it happens the same way. It is only in Nigeria that a sitting president who is not under any known legal or constitutional barrier, mental or physical inhibition, is not offered a chance or right of first refusal, by his party, to seek a second term, if he so desires. With the stepping aside of Bamanga Tukur and entry of Dr Adamu Mauzu as National Chairman, do you think the PDP is close to achieving tranquillity? Tukur's voluntary resignation was a personal sacrifice made by an ardent supporter of the president to make way for the collective good and improved electoral capability and fortunes of the party in 2015, So, Yes. It has no doubt calmed frayed nerves.

Come 2015, PDP Will Win Katsina Again, Says Shema’s Aide The Chief of Staff to Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, Yusuf Salisu Majigiri, speaks on the transformational strides of the governor. From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna O you think the new National Chainman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Muazu, will make any difference? From the look of things, we are seeing the end of the crisis. It is normal to have crisis in any society, because on the long run, it makes society even better. The only reason ours appears apparent is because we are in power. I must commend my party leadership on the way the new administration of Adamu Muazu emerged. Already, his efforts are yielding results. There is reconciliation going on, which is leading to our former members returning and even stalwarts of the opposition defecting to our party, including former governors Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano and Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto. And more are coming. The platform and ability of the party to win election is of utmost importance. Regarding the issue of who becomes what next year, at this point, it is not important to the party, the stability of the party is what everyone is working towards. We want to have a united and consolidated party before taking any future action. Some people think the Shema administration may be the last to be produced by the PDP in Katsina State because of the threat posed by the emergence of the All Progressive Congress (APC)? That can’t be true! What happened in 2003 and 2011 when they said similar thing? This is not the first time we are hearing this kind of announcement, and funny enough, it is the same people that has been saying this. In 2003, when there was All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), they used a lot of things to campaign and said by the end of the election, PDP government would be over, but we won. In 2007, they made the same statement, but we also won the election. In 2011, they said all sorts of things, but we won again.

Majigiri I am assuring you, by God’s grace, by the efforts the governor has made in the state in terms of projects, youth empowerment among other things, PDP has come to stay and will win the coming election. How has the administration managed to achieve a lot without borrowing? The secret of this administration is good management under a transparent leader and good manager. That is why we can see all these projects. People are surprised that we did this much without borrowing a dime and still remain financially buoyant. How were you able to transit from being a councilor, member of the House of Representatives, representing Mashi-Dutsima constituency between 2007 and 2011, to your present position effectively? It was easy for me to cope because initially when I ventured into politics, I started off as a councillor. I was later elected chairman of my local council from 1999 to 2007. However, in between this, I was appointed

the caretaker committee chairman of the local council area, which was carved out of Mashi local government. So I know how the executive works. These two experiences helped me in my new assignment. How is your office contributing to good governance in the state? I have been making my contribution in this administration. The governor is a simple and straightforward personality to work with. He is an honest, transparent and committed leader, who has decentralised the job such that it is so easy for me to operate and coordinate all the activities around him. This is so because the governor runs an open government. There is no government that is as transparent as the one we have in Katsina at the moment. This makes my job really easy to do, because there is minimal burden on me. All he does is direct me to do this or that via telephone and SMS. My working with him has really enriched me, not only as a person, but also as a politician. I don’t reside in Katsina city; I come to office on daily basis from my village, where my house is. Since I ventured into politics 22 years ago, I have never resided outside my village and I think that is one of the things that make me a grassroots politician. The governor does not also stay in at the state capital on weekends; he spends his weekends in his village, and this makes him closer to his people. In terms of projects, how do you compare this administration to the former ones? There is no basis for comparism. No doubt, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua did so much in Katsina for the eight years he was governor before the country asked him to serve at the highest level. And Shema is building on the legacies of the Yar’Adua era. Be that as it may, what this administration has done, in terms of developments, is more than what you can begin to compare. If you look at the projects since the creation of the state about 25 years ago up till 2007 when Shema took over, the total projects executed are not up to what the Shema has done in the last seven years.

These are projects that are verifiable. I am not talking from the abstract; it is visible and physical for everyone to see. In terms of infrastructural development, you cannot compare the previous administrations with this government. Check out the free education policy from primary to tertiary since 2007. It is a legacy that this administration is going to bequeath to the state. My people of Mashi local government area had struggled to have motorable roads since independence until this administration came in. If you didn’t have Land Rover, you couldn’t access the area. But now, everywhere is tarred and it is not different from what you have in the state capital. If you look at the roads, in terms of the number of kilometres the governor has constructed, it is about 20,000, which means it can take you to Lagos. There was a time the opposition was complaining bitterly about this administration; that the government had made it so easy to apprehend thieves because everywhere is tarred and lit up. The opposition attested to the fact that this government has really brought improvement to the state and even beyond their expectations. Even then, the government welcomes constructive criticisms that can move the state forward. Check the new Government House, which was 100 per cent completed from the proceeds of the state investment and the 250bed orthopedic hospital with the best equipment in this country. Kankia Stadium is another testimony that once you have a focused leadership, the state will naturally progress. There is the ICT and Business Institute, as well as the Arts and Skill Village. The apprentices produced the paints used on the wall of any government establishment and the village constructs streetlight poles in the state, which are bought from them on commercial basis. There is the housing project, where we have more than 2,000 housing units and still counting, to mention just a few of the projects.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, February 22, 2014 11

POLITICS ‘Court Declared Me The Authentic National Chairman Of APGA’ By Samson Ezea

National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Mr. Maxi Okwu speaks on the recent court judgment that affirmed his leadership of the party, the proposed national dialogue and other topical issues. AS the leadership of the Independent H National Electoral Commission (INEC) restore recognition to your leadership of APGA based on the recent court judgment that declared you the authentic national chairman of the party Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was the third plaintiff on record in the suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/563/2013, Chief Maxi Okwu and ors V Chief Victor Umeh and 2 ors. INEC is therefore bound directly by the judgment. It had opportunity to defend the action, but it took a passive role. It did not file any counter affidavit to all the affidavits we filed. The implication in law is clear. You may recall that we had by letter dated August 2, 2013 posed some questions to INEC chairman Attahiru Jega to answer, but he ignored us. This suit was essentially based on those questions. The court answered all the questions that Jega refused to respond to, in our favour. But Chief Umeh’s faction has since described the court judgment as abuse of court process on the ground that Appeal Court has confirmed him the authentic chairman of the party before the last Anambra governorship election? Umeh and his associates engaged in judicial, if not political masturbation. They are also non- believers in the rule of law. As bullies they praise the judiciary to high heaven when a verdict is in their favour, but when they lose they behave like spoiled sports. Let me reproduce the verdict of Justice Abdul Kefarat at page 9 of his sound judgment “I took pains to read the judgment of the court of Appeal, Enugu Division in Appeal No: CA/E/84/2013 delivered on July 15, 2013 between Chief Victor Umeh Vs Ichie Okuli Jude Ejike annexed to the 3rd defendant’s counter affidavit as exhibit 1”. In that Judgment the court of Appeal did not confer any right or benefit on Victor Umeh. What the court of Appeal decided was that Respondent (as plaintiff in the lower court) did not have the locus standi to institute this action. In that case the respondent was a mere member of APGA and not a member of any organ of the party, and was not also a contestant for the post of chairman”. -Per. Justice A. Abdul- Kafarati” Now what happens to the two candidates Mr. Willie Obiano and Dr. Chike Obidigbo fielded by the party in the last Anambra governorship election? APGA by law cannot field two candidates in the election. At the time for the nomination of candidates, the leadership of the party was in contention. The court allowed us to submit our own nominee to INEC in the person of Dr. Chike Obidigbo. Now that the leadership question has been resolved in our favour, it follows that our candidate is the authentic APGA candidate for the election. Besides, the most important thing is that head or tail, APGA won the election. Your leadership of the party recently announced Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu as chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) whereas Umeh fac-

Sincerely speaking APGA is not in a position to seriously contend for the presidency in 2015 and win. We backed President Jonathan in 2011. We are worried with the level of intimidation and blackmail from a section of the country trying to make him not to exercise his constitutional right to seek another and final term. We therefore believe that should he desire to exercise that right we shall go along with him

tion has earlier announced Governor Peter Obi as BoT leader of the party. Why the action? The party had taken a position that late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu remains our spiritual leader. Governor Obi was at the meetings on February 16, 2013 and March 2nd 2013. He in fact decline to be made Leader. Some of us are not given to summersaults and stunts in politics. Hence we stand on the original agreement. Iyom Bianca Onoh the next of kin of our departed leader is holding the position in his stead. Is it true that you are being used by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to destroy the party? I do not have the contact of Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Those making the allegation such asAlhaji Sani Shinkafi were direct beneficiaries of Owelle’s largesse. Until recently Umeh was the director of Publicity of C21 founded by Owelle. Umeh again in 2012 unilaterally proclaimed Owelle leader of APGA. I will not repeat what he told me in private. What is your view on proposed national conference? The Federal Government in its wisdom decided to convene a national conference. There are certain aspects of the modalities with which we are not very comfortable, but that’s not for here. Part of the approved modalities is that political parties with representation at the National Assembly would send two delegates each. There are about four such parties out of about twentyfive political parties in Nigeria today, and APGA is one of them. We have since nominated our two representatives in the person of Chief Chris Ejike Uche, deputy national Chairman (South) of the party, and Dr. Sagir Awal Maidoya National Secretary. Is your party fielding a presidential candidate in 2015 or will you people throw your weight behind President Jonathan as you people did in 2011 elections? Sincerely speaking APGA is not in a position to seriously contend for the presidency in 2015 and win. We backed President Jonathan in 2011. We are worried with the level of intimidation and blackmail from a section of the country trying to make him not to exercise his constitutional right to seek another and final term. We therefore believe that should he desire to exercise that right we shall go along with him. What effort are you making to reconcile aggrieved members of the party? We believe that the internecine leadership crisis in the party has now reached its apogee and may soon faze out. We have shown commitment to this right from day one with our three R’s strategy viz Rapprochement, Reconciliation and Reintegration. In the course of this we commenced a process of winning back the soul of the party purportedly taken away by our aggrieved founding national chairman Chief Chekwas Okorie; winning back others who had become disenchanted and disillusioned. With present gains in the recovery of our mandate we are emboldened to pursue this strategy with greater vigour. You may recall that at the doorstep of the Federal High Court Abuja on January 15, 2014, I immediately declared no victor no vanquished. I further made an offer to Victor Umeh to meet him at Enugu at his earliest convenience to strike a peace deal without preconditions, but sadly he has rebuffed my efforts.

Okwu

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

12 | Saturday, February 22, 2014 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

Overlapping Word Game ‘44’

Solutions To Overlapping Word Game ‘43’

1. Aircraft fitted with guns 2. Head of state of a republic 3. Go in 4. Somebody living in a place 5. Whole 6. Indefatigable 7. Instruction period 8. Connected via computer 9. Eighth planet from the Sun 10. At no time 11. Well-educated 12. With gentle feeling 13. Greek god of love 14. Flightless bird 15. World’s most populated country 16. Nigerian female visitor to Mecca 17. Nigerian male visitor to Mecca 18. Unchangeable 19. Bequest made in will 20. Kaduna State Governor 21. On fire 22. Schedule start of military operation 23. Portable container for urine 24. Of wing

1. Dosunmu 2. Undertake 3. Akele 4. Enhance 5. Cedi 6. Divide 7. Devil 8. Levee 9. Ensure 10. Enema 11. Mantle 12. Eleme 13. Enter 14. Termite 15. Tempt 16. Trophy 17. Yankee 18. Emmanuel 19. Loophole 20. Oleander 21. Dermal 22. Almanac 23. Cradle 24. Lean

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

On The Path Of Winners

Getting Ready For Your Time By Bayo Ogunmupe

HE first person i know in history who prepared for his future through reading is Abraham Lincoln. Due to poverty, he attended formal education for less than two years. He was admitted to the bar through apprenticeship and study. Five months before receiving his party’s nomination for President, he sketched his life: ‘’I was born on February 12, 1809 in Kentucky. My parents were both born in Virginia of undistinguished families. My mother who died in my tenth year was of a family of the name of Hanks. I grew up in Indiana. When I came of age, I did not know much. I could barely read, write and cipher, that was all.’’ But Lincoln made extraordinary efforts to attain knowledge while working on a farm, splitting rails for fences and keeping store at New Salem, Illinois. When he was accosted by his friends over his devotion to reading, Lincoln replied that he would prepare himself for when his time would come. And indeed, his time came and he successfully gave account of himself by saving the United States from disintegration during the U.S. civil war. He also defined democracy as the government of the people by the people and for the people. He emancipated the slaves in the United States. The second person is Baron James Callaghan of Cardiff who entered the civil service at 17 owing to poverty. Self educated, he later became British Prime Minister from 1976 to 1979. Another is Adolf Hitler, dictator of Germany (1933-45). Hitler, not being able to gain education because of poverty, read anything which came on hand while eking out a miserable existence as a third rate artist. He enlisted in the German army in World War I, and was wounded. His life took a higher turn thereafter. Also, a natural law propels a man to the level of his knowledge and compe-

tence. However a person may be propelled above his competence by his contemporaries. That accounts for many failures in public office. Getting ready for future greatness is exemplified in the Bible by Joshua, secretary to Moses. God said to Joshua: ‘’Moses my servant is dead. Now then get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give you. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses,’’ Joshua 1:2. Are you standing today at the crossroads of change? If so, observe two things in Joshua’s story: One, when his time came to lead, Joshua was ready. Until then, he faithfully served Moses and found fulfilment as a second fiddle. He didn’t push and didn’t play politics. He just prepared himself. Then God promoted him. Two, Joshua went further than his mentor. Moses’ leadership ended where the Promised Land began. Under Joshua’s leadership, Israel would move into it, possess it and become a great nation. Everyday he had spent in the wilderness equipped him for this moment. God never wastes experience. Everything you’ve been

through, including things you didn’t understand, are preparation for what God has in store for you. Ever wonder how Joshua felt stepping into Moses’ shoes? He needed assurance, so God told him: three, ‘’I will give you every place where you set your foot; meaning just step out in faith and claim it. It is yours as long as you are willing to take possession. Four, ‘’No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life,’’ Joshua 1:5. Yes, you will face criticism and come under attack. There were 31 kings, seven nations and giants waiting for Israelites in Canaan. But every battle you fight is just an opportunity for Jehovah to show Himself strong on your behalf. Five, ‘’As I was with Moses so I will be with you,’’ Joshua 1:5. If you are anxious about the future, recall God’s faithfulness to you in the past. At the end of his life Joshua wrote: ‘’Now, I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises Jehovah your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled,’’ Joshua 23:14. And the God who came through for Joshua will come through for you. Thus, the bottom

Our champion for today is Muhammad, in full: Abu Alqasim Muhammad Ibn Abdallah Ibn Abmuttalib. Born in 570 A.D in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Muhammad died on June 8, 632 A.D. in Medina, birth place of his mother. According to tradition, Muhammad was the man to whom the religion of Islam was revealed. Thus, as the founder of Islam his life is of monumental significance in the history of mankind.

line is: Everything works for the benefit of those who love God, and of whom God has called for the fulfilment of His plan – Romans 8:28. Our champion for today is Muhammad, in full: Abu Alqasim Muhammad Ibn Abdallah Ibn Abmuttalib. Born in 570 A.D in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Muhammad died on June 8, 632 A.D. in Medina, birth place of his mother. According to tradition, Muhammad was the man to whom the religion of Islam was revealed. Thus, as the founder of Islam his life is of monumental significance in the history of mankind. Early in life, his merchant activities resulted in his marriage in 595 A.D. to the wealthy widow Khadijah. He received his prophetic call in 610 A.D., beginning his religious activities with renegade followers of Jesus Christ. At this time in western civilization, only the Jews were known to believe in one God. Jesus was a Jew and his disciples created a sect from Judaism namely Christianity. In the fourth century, Christian Era, at the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.) the doctrine of Trinity was accepted by the Christian church. It divided the Christians forcing a dispersal of the church. Then the Unitarians merged with the followers of Muhammad. Opposition in Mecca forced him to emigrate (hijrah) to Medina in 622. He defeated his opponents at the battle of Badre in 624. By January 630, Muhammad had conquered the Saudi peninsula, entering Mecca with great honours. On his death he left Arabia united and ready for the spreading of Islam to Syria and Iraq. The Quran Islam’s holy book was compiled after his death by the third Caliph, Uthman Ibn Affan in 650 A.D. from the foregoing you can see that both Islam and Christianity are sects of Judaism.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 13

14 | Saturday, February 22, 2014

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 15

16 | Saturday, February 22, 2014

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Saturday, February 22, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

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Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)

The Best Love Advice Guidelines For Relationships

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Feminism Feminism is a F-word for some who feel it ruins sex lives and marriages TWO VIEWS: ‘Feminism has made women fussy, neurotic whiners’ ‘Feminism actually makes your love life better’ FEMINISM has always had a love-hate relationship with sex. Many men blame feminism for ruining their relationships and sex lives. Zuko Mathyila, a male activist in Cape Town, blames feminism for ruining a lot of marriages and relationships in South Africa. He blames the feminist media for telling women and men that women should only have sex when they feel like it and to disregard men’s needs. He says this message has become common in mainstream women magazines, schools and counselling rooms. “Studies show that 60 percent of the married couples out there have sex about once a week. For most husbands, that is equal to a hunger diet of sex once a week or less. “The feminists would say that a woman should not allow herself to be a ‘sexual slave’ to her husband. This is plain selfishness”, he says. Mathyila also blames feminism for messing up love lives, marriages and families. “Yes, feminism has done well in opening doors for

equal rights for women financially and politically but it has ruined a lot of marriages. “A lot of women take the boardroom masculine attitude into their bedrooms. Women forget that we fall in love with them because they are feminine, sexually available, loving and appreciative. Feminism has made them fussy, neurotic whiners.” Mathyila says one thing he has learnt about feminism is that it is not about equality between the sexes, but female supremacy. He complains that feminism has got men so twisted in the head that they’re afraid to be a little aggressive and sexually playful lest they are charged with date rape. “Love has become a mystery. Many men are suffering identity crises on a daily basis. Men simply don’t know what being a man actually means anymore. “They fear women won’t like them if they display the characteristics that make men masculine. They think it’s bad to do the stuff that makes men attractive in the first place. “All the news about sexual harassment, men being chauvinists pigs when they talk to women with intentions and so on, have sent confusing massages to men. “Men are afraid to approach women. You don’t do anything when you see an interesting woman because you think she won’t like you when she realizes you approached her

with sexual intentions.” Asiphe Ndlela, a psychologist, agrees with Mathyila that feminism is ruining relationships. She says women have great power and influence over men, and wives in particular have tremendous power over their husbands. “How they use this power essentially controls the relationship because women are the masters of most relationships and marriages,” Ndlela says. She adds that men are simple human beings who come from a woman, are nurtured and brought up by a woman, and yearn for the continued love, admiration, and approval from a woman. Ndlela further blames feminism for robbing women of their identities by devaluing their job description. “Millions of women whose self-esteem was derived from their role as a great mother or supportive wife were suddenly left with a lowranking title.” She says in relationships feminists retreat from any behaviour that might be deemed submissive. This has caused them to throw out the baby with the bath water. “They are so afraid of submission that they have forgotten how to be supportive.” Mpho Malatje of Masibambane Family Group in Khayelitsha says there is nothing wrong with feminism. She says feminism is good for

relationships. “A lot of male chauvinists are making young women disinterested in it but, in the long run, feminism actually makes your love life better,” Malatje says. “A lot of women have compromised their standards because they are afraid to die lonely. Fear won’t actually lead you to happier romantic relationships. “What leads to happier relationships is being empowered, being honest, intentional and clear about what you want. “And incorporating and prioritizing your own needs into your romantic life means sometimes running the risk of being single for a little while and it means having some standards and not settling for someone who is not right for you. The truth is we have too much to lose any other way.” She says if feminism has taught her anything it’s that, as a woman, she should never be ashamed to ask for what she wants. “Feminism and, more generally, pluralism, have taught us that we are all individuals and the life of each person is that person’s responsibility,” she says. “Having a pluralistic, and specifically feminist, view of the world and the self enhances one’s ability to be a good mate. “You can’t be in an emotionally mature and satisfying relationship if all you’re doing is parroting the gender roles that were prescribed to you upon your birth and classification as male or female.” stories/comments to simonclar@yahoo.com.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

18 | Saturday, February 22, 2014

LOVE&LIFE

‘I Can’t Help Being In Love with My Uncle’ a place together. Our family thinks that line our property. He had been acting strange since the movie, and it it’s a great idea. Of course, they don’t Download the Color Of Love App free was nice to have some time so I could know we are lovers. I know what we at are doing is very taboo and morally https://itunes.apple.com/ng/app/theask him what was wrong. stand. But I’m not writing this to get ing because I know they are wrong your acceptance, I just need to tell and I feel he can’t possibly share them. He said he was in love with me, and wrong to many but I love this man, color-of-love-guidefree/id767393599?mt=8 then he kissed me, not chaste either. and I always will. someone. I really am sorry if I offend I have never been more wrong. Again I am sorry for offending you, you, but I can’t help being in love we where on one of our movie dates, After the kiss I started to sob, from but having written this down, I feel Or search for Colour of Love in the relief, joy, fear, and a heavy dose of with my uncle, and he’s in love with and I noticed he kept looking at me. like I can breathe again. Thank you. Apple App Store on your IPhone or shame. But I kissed him back and told me too. when I asked him why he was, he just iPad and download The Color of Love him I loved him as well. First, I’m 24, the oldest of my mom’s said I was beautiful. I blushed and guide today. It’s been a year now and he is almost Advice: pls dear readers mail your four kids. I was never molested, nev- thanked him. He blushed too, and we er abused, never raped. Nothing like went back to the movie. Three days lat- completely through his therapy. we comments or reactions to this both decided that we are going to get email :simonclar @yahoo.com that. My uncle is the youngest of my er, we where walking along the trees grandparents’ kids. He’s 28, 12 years younger then my mom. Even though he is my uncle, it’s only in a biological way, we had never met once in our lives. My family is spread all over the country. we ended up meeting last year. I just came tion,” said Penston kilembe, Malawi’s director of By SHARON LaFRANIERE home from Uni, and he was staying social welfare services. “It is particularly prevalent in in the guest room for the summer. communities that have been hard hit by famine. CHIkUTU, Malawi.-Mapendo Simbeye’s problems He had a bad accident and my mom Households that can no longer fend for themselves began early last year when the barren hills along wanted to help him with his physical opt to sell off their children to wealthier households.” Malawi’s northern border with Tanzania rejected therapy, that’s what she does. “The gains which were made in addressing early his attempts to grow even cassava, the hardest crop After a week together, eating meals, marriages are being lost,” said Andrina Mchiela, prinof all. So to feed his wife and five children, he said, he going for walks, playing x-box, I was cipal secretary for the Ministry of Gender. went to his neighbor, Anderson kalabo, and asked rather shocked to find I was rapidly women’s rights advocates want to abolish marriage for a loan. Mr. kalabo gave him 2,000 kwacha, about falling in love with this man. Even payments, or lobolo, saying they create a financial $16. The family was fed. But that created another knowing he was my uncle, I didn’t incentive for parents to marry off their daughters. problem: how could Mr. Simbeye, a penniless think of him as such and still don’t. But even the advocates describe the tradition as politfarmer, repay Mr. kalabo? we are both so very much alike. I get ically untouchable. The answer would shock most outsiders, but in on better with him then anyone else. sub-Saharan Africa’s rural patriarchies, it is deeply In its most benign form, lobolo is a token of appreciation from the groom’s family to the bride’s. At its He has told me the same thing sever- ingrained custom. Mr. Simbeye sent his 11-year-old most egregious, it turns girls into the human equivaal times. daughter, Mwaka, a shy first grader, down one lent of cattle. In much of northern Malawi, lobolo Two months pass and I am going mangy hillside and up the next to Mr. kalabo’s hut. negotiations are typically all-male discussions of crazy because of my feelings for him, There she became a servant to his first wife, and, she down payments, installments, settlements and the but I don’t want to freak him out or said, Mr. kalabo’s new bed partner. occasional refund for a wife who runs off. push him away because we are best Now 12, Mwaka said her parents never told her she Jimmy Mwanyongo, a 45-year-old village headman friends, and I never act on these feelwas meant to be the second wife of a man roughly in karonga, explained the marriage of his daughter three decades her senior. “They said I had to chase Edah much as he might any commercial transaction. birds from the rice garden,” she said, studying the Several years ago, he said, sitting on a straw mat in his ground outside her mud-brick house. “I didn’t know six-room house, he promised to care for his neighanything about marriage.” bour’s two cows. Mwaka ran away, and her parents took her back Instead, he sold the cows to educate his adopted son. after six months. But a week’s journey through when the neighbour, Ridein Simfukwe, lost his wife a Malawi’s dry and mountainous north suggests that year later in 2002, Mr. Mwanyongo said he felt her escape is the exception. In remote lands like this, These relationship tips will help you obliged to offer his daughter as a replacement. where boys are valued far more than girls, older in showing and expressing your love men prize young wives, fathers covet dowries and “Because I had sold the two cows, I had no choice,” he and care for others in a healthy way. said. mothers are powerless to intervene, many African Edah was 17, doe-eyed and voluptuous. Even with an Please take the time to study them girls like Mwaka must leap straight from childhood Beatrice Kitamula, left, now 19, was married to a man illegitimate son, her neighbours and relatives say, and integrate these love to marriage at a word from their fathers. more than four decades her senior to settle her father's she had her pick of suitors. Mr. Simfukwe was 63, with guidelines into your marriages and Sometimes that word comes years before they reach debt. nine grown children and a flock of grandchildren. into your love relationships. puberty. The consequences of these forced marMr. Simfukwe said he considered Edah a bit young Depend on one another. riages are staggering: adolescence and schooling I can not leave him,” she said. Beatrice kitamula, 19, was forced to marry her for him. “But her father decided that although I am Be devoted to one another. cut short; early pregnancies and hazardous births; adulthood often condemned to subservience. The wealthy neighbour, now 63, five years ago because old, I am the right person. I think it was a tribute to wash one another’s feet. list has grown to include exposure to HIV at an age her father owed another man a cow. “I was the sac- my character,” he said. “Edah was willing. I didn’t tie Rejoice with one another. rifice,” Ms. kitamula said, holding back tears. She ropes around her neck and drag her.” when girls do not grasp the risks of AIDS. weep with one another. Increasingly, educators, health officials and even likened her husband’s comfortable compound of Edah said her father did everything but that. For nine Live in harmony with one another. legislators discourage or even forbid these mar- red brick houses in Ngana village to a penitentiary. months, she said, she held out until “I thought I Don’t judge one another. riages. In Ethiopia, for example, where studies show “when you are in prison,” she said, “you have no would die of sorrow. My father refused to allow me to Accept one another. eat,” she said. “He chased me from the house. He said, that in a third of the states girls marry under the age rights.” Admonish one another. In tiny Sele, Lyson Morenga, a widower, financed ‘Go find somewhere where you can sleep!’ He said, of 15, one state took action in April. Officials said they Greet one another. had annulled as underage, the marriages of 56 girls his re-marriage two years ago by giving his daugh- ‘Go to your husband! If you don’t want to go there, I wait for one another. ages 12 to 15, and filed charges against parents of half ter Rachel, then 12, to a 50-year-old acquaintance in will whip you to death!” Care for one another. exchange for a black bull, according to his new in- Her mother, Tabu Harawa, sided with her daughter, the girls for forcing them into the unions. Serve one another. Yet child marriages remain entrenched in rural laws. Mr. Morenga delivered the bull to his new to no avail. “I told him, ‘it is like you are killing her,’” Be kind to one another. pockets throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from wife’s family as a partial payment, said his wife’s she said. “It was shameful.” She added, “If it happens Forgive one another. Ghana to kenya to Zambia, according to UNICEF. uncle, Stewart Simkonda. Mr. SImkonda said Mr. again, I will divorce him.” Be compassionate toward one Studies show that the average age of marriage in this Morenga had promised to deliver a larger payment Now 20, Edah has an 11-month-old girl and is racked another. region remains among the world’s lowest, and the after the impending marriage of Rachel’s younger by fears for her future. “My husband is old,” she said, sitting on the porch of her tiny thatched hut. “He may Encourage one another. percentage of adolescent mothers the world’s high- sister. Malawi government officials say they try hard to die soon. Most likely he will leave me with more chilSubmit to one another. est. Bear with one another. Many rural African communities, steeped in cen- protect girls like Rachel. Legislation before dren. So where will I go?” Her life, she suggested, is about as free as that of the turies of belief that girls occupy society’s lower Parliament would raise the minimum age for marStimulate one another. rungs, are inured to disapproval by the outside riage to 18, the legal age in most countries. two prized oxen her father now hooks up to his Offer hospitality to one another. Currently, marriages of Malawian girls from 15 to 18 wooden cart for springtime plowing. “I am like a world. Minister spiritual gifts to one “There is a lot of talk, but the value of the girl child are legal with the parents’ consent. women’s rights slave,” she said. another. is still low,” said Seodi white, Malawi’s coordinator advocates say they welcome the proposal, even Some of Edah’s neighbours pity her. Others joke that Be clothed in humility toward one for the women in Law in Southern Africa Research though its effect would be limited because many she has married her own grandfather. Their reaction another. marriages here, like much of the sub-Saharan is one hint that even the most traditional Africans are Trust. Don’t slander one another. region, take place under traditional customs, not starting to frown on marriages of young women to “Society still clings to the education of the boy, and Don’t grumble against one another. old men, as Edah’s mother said, “for the sake of cows.” civil law. sees the girl as a trading tool. In the north, girls as Confess your sins to one another Mwaka Simbeye has her fellow villagers in Chikutu early as 10 are being traded off for the family to gain. The government trained about 230 volunteers last Pray together and for one another. After that, the women become owned and power- year in ways to protect children, especially girls. to thank for her return to her parents’ home after her Fellowship with one another. Volunteers for Malawi’s Human Rights sojourn in her neighbour’s hut. Now back in the secless in their husbands’ villages.” Don’t be puffed up against one In villages throughout northern Malawi, girls are Commission, Roman Catholic Church workers and ond grade, she is still young enough to be charmed another. often married at or before puberty to whomever police victim-protection units, also try to intervene. by a simple game of toss. Her body remains that of a Carry one another’s burdens. In Iponga village, for example, Mbohesha Mbisa child’s. their fathers choose, sometimes to husbands as Prefer one another. much as half a century older. Many of those same averted a forced marriage to her uncle at age 13 last “At Mr. kalabo’s”, she said in a barely audible whisper, Enjoy one another. girls later choose lifelong misery over divorce year by walking half-mile to the local police station, “I had to do all the household chores. washing the Respect one another. because custom decrees that children in patriarchal where officers persuaded her father to drop his plates, cleaning the house, fetching water, collecting plans to use her to replace her deceased aunt as a firewood, cooking when the first wife wasn’t Laugh with one another. tribes belong to the father. around.” In interviews, fathers and daughters here unapolo- wife and mother. Play with one another. “I was really scared, but I wanted to protect Her father, Mapendo Simbeye, who repaid his $16 getically explained the rationales for forced, interBe faithful to one another. debt with Mwaka, said he took her back after hearing myself,” said Mbohesha, now in the sixth grade. generational unions. Give to one another. that the police could arrest him. Still, Malawi officials say that this region’s growing Uness Nyambi, of the village of wiliro, said she was Touch one another. In a clearing that serves as the village social centre, betrothed as a child so her parents could finance her poverty, worsened by AIDS and recent crop-killing Say “I love you” to one another. drought, has put even more young girls at risk of he said he underestimated her, adding: “My daughbrother’s choice of a bride. Now about 17, she has two write love notes to one another. ter is worth more than 2,000 kwacha. I did it out of children, the oldest nearly 5, and a husband who forced marriage. Cherish one another. “This practice has been there for a long time, but ignorance. I had five kids, no money and no food. guesses he is 70. “Just because of these two children, Comfort one another. it is getting worse now because there is despera- Then Mr. kalabo wanted the money back so I thought Love one another. of selling my daughter. I didn’t know I was abusing her.” kNOw that most of you are going II need to say how nasty and sick I am, how to get help, and I really under-

True Confession

Forced To Marry Before Puberty, African Girls Pay Lasting Price Life Story

The Best Love Advice Guidelines For Relationships

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 19

RELATIONSHIPS

Why Equal Partnerships Can Have Problems By Alita Joseph ARTNERS who believe that they are equals P understand each other and enjoy close relationship. The two can be said to have a fulfilled relationship because they know each other well and accept each other’s faults. They empathise with each other and share everything, from housework to financial responsibility. They have no problem communicating because they are friends. The ability to stand on equal footing with your spouse makes a union work smoothly and without stress, unlike in a marriage when one partner is seen as the lord and master. Yet, marriage between equals still needs to be worked on to make it as blissfully as it should be. As Gina, a friend, pointed out: “Most times the woman has to take the back seat. That is why I find it difficult to believe that there is equality between partners. “You may enjoy many things as good friends, but when there comes the time to take that all-important decision, the man sees it as his right, even when you disagree. So, where is the equality? “To me, equality means that both of us can have a say without one thinking what his family or neighbours would say. “Equality means that when a crucial matter is at stake, one of us does not adopt the role of the master, because tradition has made him the superior. “To me, equality means that as one of two friends, that I have the right to demand what I want at all times. And that even when my better half disagrees, that he should explain his reasons and allow me to say why I think my idea is better, instead of forcing me to agree to his proposal.” Ideally, I believe couples who stand as equal in their relationships ought to be happier in their married lives than those who just live together, knowing what roles each one is expected to play, where the man and woman’s positions are sharply defined.

There is no arguing against the opinion that this sharing of roles does not encourage bonding in matrimony. Rather, it makes such couples to lead separate lives, because there are no common grounds. He is an alien in her world and she is not so keen to venture into his domain. For example, a wife who, although may have a rich career outside her home, is eager to have children because that is what she knows that is expected of her. She fulfills this demand and throws herself in her job. However, she finds no other common ground to bond with her spouse, but at work or other relationships, she can discuss issues that could have made her closer to her spouse with work colleagues and friends before she goes home. Not sharing this information with the one who should be closest to her robs the union of intimacy and empathy. We speak up for equality in a marriage because if the man especially does not help his wife with house chores, he will not know how hard she works and it would be difficult to appreciate her worth. Recently, two women expressed their wish to “come back to the world the next time as men.” ‘But why?’ I asked them. “Just to know what it feels like to be a man,” they said. And then they narrated the friction that one of their friends was going through in her marriage at the moment. The man was out of job, they said, but felt entitled to his wife’s income, because he is the head of the home. Meanwhile, he expects the wife to come home, cook and take of the children. He does not help. So, the two women believe that it would be pointless for a woman to think that she could be equal to her partner. They argued that no man would want to let go of his advantage as the one who is in charge. But as I noted, women make the mistake at the initial stage in a relationship. Many of us set out to look for that man that surpasses us in any way imaginable- that knight in shiny armour.

Gallantly, he sweeps into our lives, conquering all boundaries and our hearts. We go weak at the knees at the first sight of him and want to remain in that helpless state for the rest of our lives (relationship). We know who we want as our ideal lover, but we don’t want to look closely at the real man, as compared to the one in our dream. And even when we begin to see the flaws, we choose not to look, because it would discourage us and change the perfect image we have woven about our man. Begin a relationship by knowing your other half. Is he the one you can live happily with ever after? Ever after does not mean blindly happy, but jointly working through life issues. He is the one you discuss your doubts with and share your ambitions to be state governor without him wondering, “but where does that leave me,” or “many people will think that my wife is controlling our home.’ He consoles you in your loss and rejoices with you in your victories. But equal marriage can succeed when you

By Kemi Amushan

ADIES, permit me to make a bold predicWomen: The Stronger Sex L tion for you. No matter what love problem or trial you are going through right now, I am misery and heartache? declaring it will be all over this year. Amen! I can make this crazy claim because I am 100 per cent convinced of a fact about us women: That we are much, much better at solving (or recovering from) love problems than men are. I have seen it in my own life. If you don't believe me, let me prove it by how women get over one of the biggest and most common love problems in society today: Divorce. Scientists and researchers found out that women were much happier after their divorces than men were. Why do women recover better than men? Here are some of the reasons: - Men tend to turn to alcohol, drugs or casual sex to cope with the pain, which actually worsens it. - Women tend to turn to friends, family, church, etc for the support they need, which works wonderfully. - Men tend to withdraw into a shell after a divorce, while women tend to get out there, looking for great new experiences. - Women are much better at taking perspective of their lives, letting go of their past and looking forward to the future. - And lastly, women more readily seek help from therapists, counsellors etc. The studies just prove what we have known all along: That we are the stronger sex. So, now it is time to act like it! YOU need to get over your love problems, no matter how big or small. Some of you ladies might be starting your life over and getting in society, but still come home at night sad and hurting. I feel you. The recovery period can take some time, and it is easy to get impatient! But what is your other option? Would you much rather just give up and drown your sorrows in alcohol, drugs, and casual sex, like some men do, or would you rather live the rest of your life in

Of course, not! If you have been going through the recovery period and nothing is happening yet, then keep going! Don't give up. No matter what your love problem is, your solutions are always just a few better days ahead. IF your relationship is growing cold and you feel he is slipping away. It is common for some happy, exciting relationships to grow cold after a while. This is one of the most worrying and stressful periods in a woman's life. But like I said before, any relationship can be made whole and happy again. Just do the things the two of you did together when you first started dating; those exciting moments. Have an affair with each other. Go on dates, movies, long walks and share hilarious jokes and other stuffs. It will really help in re-kindling the love and will go back to steamy hot love affair. IF you think your man is having an extra-marital affair somewhere, or worse, he has cheated on you already while you are still dating, then you are not doing something right. If you allow your man to go out there and cheat on you, it is completely your fault. You obviously have not been paying attention to him and the relationship. Even if you choose to leave him eventually because of his cheating, you still need to know why he chose another woman instead of you. You need to take charge as a woman and make your man see you as his only option. We run the world, ladies. Our own happiness lies in our hands not in the hands of another who has our man. Find out what that other woman is doing to keep your man and use that same technique to get your man back. It is that simple.

Never allow “the other woman” outsmart you and take away what is rightfully yours. AND, if he is abusive or neglectful, then I suggest you leave him. Some people might disagree with me, but I have a zero tolerance for men who hurt or neglect the women in their lives. You can, and in my opinion should, leave him! But sometimes, leaving him is not enough. Just because you left one bad relationship doesn't mean your next one will be automatically good. You need to learn from your mistakes. More importantly, you need to learn from

can agree about these: Money THE person that brings in more money wants to dictate how it is spent. These days, women are earning more and even taking care of the family. Women have bought the family’s car and handed it over to the man, so it looks like he has bought it and he is saved face in the public. In some cases, however, the wife desires peace and freedom. Family WOMEN have had to streamline their ambition and given up lucrative careers so that they could take care of the children. It was a great debate in one family recently because the man decided to leave work, so that his wife, who is better paid, could continue. The extended family condemned the decision. But this would not happen in a marriage between equals.

the mistakes that other women have made before you. After all, you cannot live long enough to make all the mistakes by yourself. Let me share a secret. The road to true love and happiness might be crooked. But without the proper guidance, you will go in circles and you need to make this year the year you finally broke free from your love trials. Take charge of your life and your relationship and learn the right ways to behave in your relationship. We are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? This simply means that women give the world an interesting flavour and we are jolly good people. To the happiness we all deserve, good luck in love and life. Cheers!

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

20 LOVE & LIFE Saturday, February 22, 2014

WEEKEND with AMARA

08116706852 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

Is There Any Hope For Nigeria? URE you expected me to talk about SthatValentine’s Day. Well, my people say a man does not pursue a rat when his house is on fire. From the rising of the sun to it’s going down; all we hear are heartbreaking stories. We sleep in fear and wake up in uncertainty. We are a people living and depending solely on the grace of God. We have lost faith in our leaders because after 52 years of independence, we sometimes wish the colonial masters are still ruling us. Our leaders who should be seeking our good and prosperity have abandoned us and have built high walls around themselves, living in their own world and getting fatter while we groan in anguish. Who will deliver us from the hands of our taskmasters? How many of our so-called representatives are in touch with their constituencies? How many of us are even aware that we are supposed to have their phone numbers because they are representing us? All we do is put them there, get a goodbye from them only to see them again when it’s time for another campaign. What a terrible way to treat those you claim to be working for. But it is sad because when I look at what is happening today, I feel bad because we have the power to cause a change, but here we are looking helpless. Our greedy nature hasn’t helped us in any way. We complain about these rogues in power, but we kill ourselves and crush anyone who dares stop them from returning to power. We do this just because our pockets are filled up forgetting that there is a generation coming behind us. They continue to use us against one another in the name of religion and ethnicity. Now it’s about defection from PDP to APC and APC to PDP. My people, does defection change their true colour? I don’t believe it’s about party membership. Gov-

ernor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom is a PDP member while Governor Fashola of Lagos State is a member of APC. They have done well in their states irrespective of party. I feel it’s about us forcing these greedy old men and women to let go of Nigeria. It doesn’t end with campaigns and elections. We give out chieftaincy titles to them and crown them kingmakers. We organize parties and reserve special seats for them. They are given standing ovation in our places of worship. I get shocked when I see preachers pause an ongoing service just to welcome a mere mortal. Are these rogues not the Knights and Chief Elders in our churches? Our musicians release songs with wonderful lyrics for them. We praise the wicked alone while the righteous ones among them go unrecognized. Should we go on listening to their voices of lies and deceit? Fellow youths of Nigeria, have we asked them what they did while they lasted in power? Do they have the moral justification to castigate the current government? I think everything is wrong with this very government, but I don’t think our elders should shamelessly open their mouths to speak against the state of the nation because where we are today is where they brought us to. I remember telling them during one of our civil society meetings that a good number of them have turned to activists just because they are no longer relevant in the present administration. Have you wondered why nobody cries out about the maltreating of Nigerians in certain states of the federation? Do you think our activists are to be trusted? Not long after I told them (in my usual rude nature, according to them); I heard that one of them was appointed by the same government he swore never to work with until there is a people’s constitution. He took up the job with immediate effect and that was a

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela

goodbye to civil society meetings. Our elders accept gifts from them in form of cash and properties and then turn around telling us to vote them in. Our religious leaders go at night to fill their own pockets and then come to the place of worship to preach us into voting for them. I keep telling people I cannot play partisan politics because I will always say it the way it is before God. All we see and hear daily are stories of probe panels all over the place. My people, have we seen the end of any of those cases? They set up panels and feed from our treasury. The members of the different panels are happy whenever they are called. They join any committee because that is a very good avenue to wealth. What we have had so far is a case of thieves probing and prosecuting fellow thieves. The fact is that the people we call leaders are just playing with us and seeing us as fools with short memories. The highest thing they do to anyone caught is honourably ask him or her to resign/retire while another person steps in to grab his own portion of the national cake. We keep talking about the cabal; are we not living with them? Sometimes I wonder which of the arms of government is most corrupt. I raised this very question sometime ago and after a long period of deliberations, we came to the conclusion that each is as corrupt as the other. The most painful thing is that the judiciary which should be the last hope of the common man is now the tormentor of the common man. Can anything good still come out of the Nigerian judiciary? I don’t see anything positive happening in the judiciary. 2015 is coming and I believe we have had enough dose of pain already. They will come back with your money stolen from you and buy you over with just ten cups of rice. Yes, some of us voted some people in

believing we are going to have a breath of fresh air. Some of us voted out of religious, ethnic, and emotional sentiments. Others sold their birthrights for a pot of porridge. Now you have eaten the porridge and it’s no more available; do you think it was worth it? Oga journalist; you deceived the Nigerian masses with your stories that are not true and made them believe the wrong things. What is the future going to say about you after you might have flown your private jets and lived in your palatial homes? What about your conscience (that’s if you still have one)? I believe no one is bigger than God. I believe He is able to raise us another Jerry Rawlings. I believe God can give us a Josiah who will cleanse our land. You must not continue in that job as the PA and SA to the governor/ president and his wife. You are godly and walking in integrity when you can go into your office, write your letter of resignation and take a walk the very day you are asked to go against your conscience and the good of Nigeria. How many of us can boldly look at the goodies involved in that position and like Daniel before King Nebuchadnezzar say, “I will not defile myself with the king’s meat”. Dear pastor, you should be able to reject them and their money and stop running to them with your “God bless you” prayers when it is known to everybody that he is one of the problems of Nigeria. Many church leaders have these senators and governors as their members and they give them front seat each time they visit. Man of God, don’t you think they will listen and be convicted if you speak the truth to them? We need more preachers like Rev. Akinola and not sycophants stealing in God’s name. I am running away from here before they break my head, but I leave you to your conscience.

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O a very large deT gree, our images, The Man Or Woman You Have Always Dreamed Of attitudes and outlooks are because of other people and in spite of other people. From the moment we are born, we sponge in all that we see and incline to follow the least demanding route. Naturally, this comes with pros and cons. But the fact that we are indeed a result of everyone and everything and every place (books, movies, communities, etc.) we meet, is true. We also leave a part of ourselves with everyone we meet. However, there is higher law to the above; and that is the law of personal choice. That is why you can find in a family of honest people, the proverbial black sheep. Likewise, in a diabolic and unbelieving family, one or two who choose the way of truth. Finally, it boils down to this; anything less than being true to yourself and who God created you to be is just plain wrong. So how can you transition from who you are now to who you know you should be? No one has all the answers and with every person, the case is slightly different. However, here are a few thoughts that might just be the push you need! Take A Break! If you can afford it, treat yourself to some seclusion, some way off from where you live. A change of scenery always alters the way we see things and that is just what you need. Leave the location’s phone number for emergencies, then go ahead and switch off your mobile. If you’re home, switch off still and engage in relaxing and refreshing tender loving care – no television!

Go Back In Time After some time of deep rest and relaxation, reevaluate your past choices and consider the consequences. With a little honesty and practicality you can see a bigger picture without outside help. One time I discovered that something I had imagined (to the best of my knowledge then) to have been progress had been a mistake! Imagine my shock! It had taken me some months worth of growth and of course, by the grace of God, to see things from a different angle. Fortunately, Father’s grace was ever so loving and faithful. Do remember that the point of soul searching is not to get into self-pity or to go into deep regret but to evaluate where you are, what you might be doing wrong and how to forge ahead. Personally, we should learn not to condemn ourselves – if God will not judge us if we are honest with Him, we shouldn’t condemn ourselves. Yes, we might wish we hadn’t made certain mistakes but if you turn that experience into a positive learning incident, your future will be all the better for it. Create Or Revisit The Vision Create a vision for your life. If you already have one revisit it and make necessary changes. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” – proverbs 29:18 (KJV). An idle mind is man without a vision – mindless activity is not a solution to idleness for the mind can wander. Even if your mind doesn’t wander with so much activity, it will meet you when you’re all alone in bed. Nothing short of true vision is the cure for an idle mind. Now, when writing out your vision, take heed that it is not in form of a resolution.

It is human nature to react against rules – unless you want to set yourself up for failure. Create a vision that highlights all the good, desirable and praise worthy – albeit acknowledging the negative. You must dwell on the positive however and look to that. When we dwell on the negatives it creates fear in our hearts. Know that you cannot make any right decision with fear in your hearts and neither can you climb any heights with a sense of apprehension due to threats. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” – Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) Mum’s The Word Keep it to yourself! There is no simpler or direct way to say it. The easiest way to shoot down a dream is to introduce different counsels to it in its stage of conception. If it does manage to stand it is impure/comingled, watered down and dependent on everyone else. People can share in your dream and true vision shouldn’t end with you. Nonetheless, you should avoid broadcasting it at its early stage otherwise it stands at great risk of becoming anything real or true. Even sharing a vision with people you trust comes at great risk; research shows that when we share something at its infant stage we are less likely to see it through because it creates in us a sense of accomplishment when we have barely began. Prayerfully Keep It Before God “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 2:12 (KJV) “For it is God which worketh in you both to

will and to do of his good pleasure” – Philippians 2:13 (KJV) Only God can translate you from where you are now to where you ought to be – not because you deserve it but because of the riches of His abounding grace. Do not go to God insincere or proud. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” – Mathew 5:3 (KJV) “…Everyone who honors himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be honored.” – Luke 18:14 (GW) When you appear before an exceedingly rich personality with a high-minded attitude, do not expect to impress or to be in favour. However, if you come poor – not in regard to temporal things but spiritually placing yourself at the mercy of God, then, like the prodigal son who humbled himself, you will receive more than what you desire. Much more, you will receive all a rich Father desires to shower upon you. The idea is to rely totally on Him, to reshape your life – the vision, the way and the outcome. By this and only through Him can you be assured of an expected end. Image and Etiquette addresses general perceptions, societal norms and expectations and personal expressions with the goal to cultivate social graces, suavity and a dignified presence for interpersonal relationships. If you have questions on Image and to them send please Etiquette SMS or askpamela@regalgraces.com 08116706879 Pamela also covers Online Correspondence Courses, Workshops and Keynote speeches on Corporate Image and Etiquette. For online correspondence courses email info@regalgraces.com with the title “Online Course (Saturday Guardian)” for our promotional price.

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Mrs. Bukola Oyetunji is an author, a blogger and an entrepreneur. Drawing inspiration from situations in the environment, she addresses the challenges some categories of people face in her writings. She spoke to OLAMIDE OLAYIWOLA-FADARE on her career and her plans to become an accomplished woman.The Best Love Advice Guidelines For Relationships

Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 21

‘Being A Single Woman Is Not A Stigma’

can say I did for just a few months. After that, I had to start my business. I started in January 2010. I was travelling to get goods from Dubai Background and sell. WAS born in the early 80s into a family of Writing five chilren. My father, E. O. Oladunjoye, is one of the overseers of The Apostolic Church. I have been writing since I was in primary school. I always loved to write poems and short My mother was a deaconess. Before her stories. When I was in secondary school, my death in 2002, she did everything to make Ghanaian teacher used to be impressed with my me a successful woman. I can say my father is the one who laid the foundation for me to writings. He gave me so much encouragement. Before writing, I used to share my ideas with my become a writer because he also was into things like that. He had a good influence on friends. That was about 11years ago before I wrote the book titled, Blood Covenant. I didn’t me. get to publish it because I am a Christian, not a Sunday-Sunday Chrisit got burnt. That tian, but a true Christian. I grew up around made me stop Akoka, Lagos. I had my nursery and priwriting enmary education at University of Lagos tirely, Staff School, Lagos. I later went to St. but Francis Catholic Secondary School, that Idimu, Lagos. From there, I went to was Olabisi Onabanjo University, AgoIwoye, Ogun State, where I studied History and Diplomatic Studies, which some universities call History and International Relations. From there, life started. Work experience When I finished school in 2007, I worked at Niger Insurance as a Marketing Executive; that was where my marketing job started. My intention was to work with HR or Admin Department but they told me that I had to go into marketing with my look. I don’t know what is special about my look, but every other firm I went to after Niger Insurance, I worked with them as a marketer for a short period. I also worked with Tec Lab; they are into HR, and that is the only HR job I

WOMAN

the first book I would have published. It’s always difficult to write what you wrote the first time the same way you wrote it. I focus my writing mainly on relationships, matured singles, married people and fashion. I see so many people having issues in their marriages and I feel it’s just some little things that cause the problem. That geared me to try and find solution from my little knowledge. I am surrounded by so many singles too who feel their being single is a stigma. They feel like they are in a situation that has no remedy. That is what led to my first book (Stranded With A Status). I try to give them a way out that if you are single, that doesn’t mean you have come to the end of the road. There is still hope for you. Like they say, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. My target audience are matured singles, and happily or unhappily married people. I have two blogs right now and I have so many followers. The first one is getting more traffic now. Challenges In Nigeria, writers have a lot of work to do and a long way to go. Nigerians don’t really value writing; they prefer watching movies than to pick up a book and read except the few who really know the importance of writing or reading. That is the number one challenge with writing in Nigeria. The audience is not really interested in reading. Some will say it’s because they are always busy while some don’t have flair for reading. Another thing is, to publish a book in Nigeria, you must have a lot of money at hand. I see many books that are published that are not even up to the standard you will expect. So, many people who are writers think of how much they spent in publishing and at the end of the day, they might not even get the money they used in doing that. Most writers at the end of the day, after publishing a book, you won’t see another book from them. That is a challenge on its own. Most of our writers too don’t put in the expected efforts into their books. If am a reader and I pick up a book from somebody who claims to be a writer and the contents of the book are below expectation, I won’t pick up a book from that writer anymore. Our writers too should know that if you are trying to publish something, publish what is worth reading so that people will look forward to another book from you.

The nature of our bookshops in Nigeria is another challenge. The owners don’t encourage Nigerian writers, except the few who have made names for themselves in the industry like Sam Adeyemi. If I take my book to a bookshop now, they will ask me, ‘Who is Bukola Oyetunji?’ They don’t encourage upcoming writers or new writers, and it is not fair. Some will tell you that you should come back and take your money. How many writers will be ready to do that? So, that’s another challenge on its own facing Nigerian writers. There is something called writer’s block. Most writers will tell you they’ve experienced it one time or the other. The inspiration will just come to an end. That’s a major challenge for writers. It happened to me about four times during the course of writing my books. I became blank. Coping with family and career I would say it wasn’t easy at all because I am a wife, a mother and an entrepreneur. It is not easy to be a career woman and a housewife. Having kids around me when I am writing is always very distracting. Most times, when I want to write, I write in the middle of the night before I am through maybe like 5am. I will dress up and leave for office at about 7.30 am. My husband has always been very supportive. He gave me every support I could get. When I wrote my first book Stranded With A Status, he read the contents and encouraged me to write my second book which is One Good Spouse Deserves Another. So, if it wasn’t for his encouragement, I might still be writing the second book now. I launched the two at the same time. The writing inspiration When I see my children listening to me and their father, doing things the way I know God wants it and the way I want it done, I feel happy. Whenever my children do their homework with little or no supervision, it makes me happy. When I look around me and I see everything falling in place for myself, my husband and my kids, it gives me joy. I don’t like having issues with my husband or with my children. I like being in a good frame of mind every time because with that, I can get inspired to write things or do things that will make me happy. I like having peace in my house. My husband is Mr. Joseph Ibukun Oyetunji, a brand consultant; he consults for firms. My first child is Olaoluwadotun Joshua Oyetunji and the second one who is a girl, Olaoluwatomi Treasure Oyetunji. Likes and dislikes My best colour is pink. I know it’s childish and have heard many of my family members tell me you always wear pink, but after that, I can say I like purple. When it comes to my favorite food, it is amala with gbegiri and ewedu. I also like beans and dodo, and when it comes to snacks, I like roasted plantain and groundnuts. I am not a fast food joint person; I like local foods. Role models My role model is God. Then I look up to successful women such as Oprah Winfrey. She came out to do her things on her own. Then Mrs. Lucy Newman, the managing director of FITC. I was inspired by her story. Relaxation I like reading during my free time. I prefer staying in the room and read. I like being alone, when I am alone I like reading good books. Then, I like sitting down watching movies on the laptop. I like romantic movies. I like hanging out with my family. We go to watch movies. We go to a Chinese restaurant or normal restaurant to have lunch or dinner. I like playing scrabbles because I like playing with words. Future plans I want to become a renowned writer, speaker, and a good wife. I want to be one of the top women in the society, not necessarily occupying government positions or pasting posters everywhere campaigning for election. I just want to be somebody that would like to inspire others.

I am surrounded by so many singles too who feel their being single is a stigma. They feel like they are in a situation that has no remedy. That is what led to my first book (Stranded With A Status). I try to give them a way out that if you are single, that doesn’t mean you have come to the end of the road.

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22 | Saturday, February 22, 2014

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend

CELEBR ITY

With Tales Of Eve, A Loaded Comeback For Bayray Mcnwizu By Shaibu Husseini

An online poll conducted by a popular website once named her one of Nigeria’s fast rising screen actress. But that was after Bayray McNwizu starred in the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) movie Cyndi’s Note and a few others. Today, that ‘fast rising’ Anambra born actress, singer, linguist and philosophy graduate of the Lagos State University has become something of a princess on the acting turf, earning movie roles right, left and centre. Humble, simple, accommodating and down to earth, Bayray who has undoubtedly found her feet in the Nigerian motion picture industry took a small break ‘’to answer a necessary call’’ as she puts it, but she is back on the turf again. Star of Rebound, Evil Genius (an episode of the mostly watched television drama series Super Story) and lately The Visit, Eberechukwu (from where she coined the name Bayray) returns to the screen in the powerful telemovie Tales of Eve from the stable of Genesis studios. The winner of one of the editions of the now rested talent hunt show—AMBO said she is excited about her involvement in Tales of Eve. She also speaks about her career and life… What about Tales of Eve? ALES of Eve is an inspiring story about women. It is a programme for the entire family-it exposes aspects of our culture and educates us on how we can improve on it. I am blessed to be a part of it this season. I almost missed the auditions. But God wanted me to be a part of it and I must say that it has been demanding and challenging. But am so proud to have my name associated with the Genesis Studio brand and the Tale of Eve project. We are working with an amazing team led by Mr. Olatunbosun Olaegbe. I call him pastor. He has been an inspiration. He has done a couple of works and what he has done with Tales of Eve and his other television hit So Wrong, So Right has inspired a lot of young people to dream bigger. So opening the year 2014 with such cast and crew has been amazing. There is so much friendship, so much team spirit going on. And the feedback from the trailers of this season has been impressive. I am excited and even looking forward to the next project by Genesis. How was work for you in 2013? Work was great. I consider 2013 my major comeback year. First of all, there was an official change of name from the ‘Bhaira’ to ‘Bayray’. I did that because as a brand, when people see me, they want to relate with me and they are not sure how to pronounce my name. So we felt that there was disconnect and we wanted to define t h a t . Eberechukwu is my name but I chose a screen

name Bhaira but I didn’t foresee the confusion. Some even though it was an Indian name and so we concluded that Bayray was also good to use as a screen name and we adopted t. it does not however change the fact that my birth name is Eberechukwu. But on screen its Bayray. So how has the reception been since you returned? It has been amazing. The reception has been very good. I met people like Uncle Bakare Adeoye who told me about the Tales of Eve series and it has been so good since then. People run into me and ask where I have been and the next thing is a phone call for me to come on a movie set. It is important to have good friends and keep contacts. And movie wise, I just finished work on a movie called The visit and it has been a higher climb for me. Has your list of challenging jobs changed since the last time we talked? Oh well, I would say yes because I have done a couple of challenging jobs that will make some of my early movies look like baby steps. With The Visit, I saw a different me. It was a kind of role I have never done before and it was a character that was very challenging to interprete. And that was the same experience I had on Emerald on television. With that too, It is almost like hey, no more good girls role for Bayray. They always cast me in the good girl nextdoor roles but all that have changed. I am taking up more daring roles. Even on Tales of Eve I get to play on different levels— being a child, to a teenager, to an adult and been dealt several blows and coming to terms with life. It is good to play different characters. It makes you a better actor. Have you jettisoned your singing career and your ambition of becoming a diplomat? No, I still sing. But my ambition is to sing on Broadway. It might just happen. As

for being a diplomat, nothing will change that. You know I speak French and Spanish but I miss speaking those foreign languages. I remember on Emerald there is the sound guy who speaks French so we always communicated in French so I can keep it burning. It is an important skill in this global film village. So I still have that ambition. I want to represent my country any time, anyway. Whatever happened to your clothing line? It wasn’t a fashion line as such. It started like a jewelry online store where I made hand crafted jewelries and wired jewelries. I make them and put them up for sale while I faced productions. It is always important to diversify. You cant put all your eggs in one basket. One must always look for how to get streams of income. I am looking at making so much money so I can save the world. What is this talk about your being married and at the same time not being married? I thank you for that question and for the first time I want to say categorically that I am not married yet but I would love to be married. Yes I was away in 2011 to have my baby and that was why I took a break. But even while I was pregnant, I shot a movie, so it didn’t even affect me that much. So the truth is that I am not married but I have a baby, but I hope to be well married soon. So there is no confusion about it. I understand the fact that people would just want to assume because I didn’t come out to say what happened. But the truth is that I am not married yet but it is going to happen very soon and you all will be invited. How is the child doing? My baby is good. He is so blessed. One of the best things that life has offered me. I thank God for the grace to have him and God has been faithful because He has provided the energy I need to bring him up and also face my work as an actor. It has been very tasking especially for people who take their craft very seriously. Your work demands almost a hundred percent from you and the family demands almost same level of time and concentration even more. I have however learnt to balance time and just take it easy. So has this been rewarding for you? It has been very rewarding. I don’t think I can exchange it for anything. Yes, you may be talking about fame and money, but fame, money and the arts go side by side. If you are doing it well, those other elements will fall into place. Just do the right thing and make sure you get up when you fall down.

CelebrityExtra and more... In Nollywood, Ibinabo Fiberisima Leads And Others Follow RESIDENT of the Actors Guild of P Nigeria (AGN) Ibinabo Fiberesima scored an Alpha on Tuesday when she led a high-powered delegation of members of the AGN to pay President Goodluck Jonathan a solidarity visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The visit wasn’t the first by any group in Nollywood, but it was the first time the President would uphold a key ‘prayer’ that the AGN President made. Ibinabo told the President that the AGN required as a matter of urgency a land or a building in the FCT for their headquarters that will be named The Goodluck

Jonathan Screen Actors House. And pronto, the President approved of the request and even promised to erect what Ibinabo quipped will be a ‘magnificent building’ for the AGN. Ibinabo has been walking tall since the Tuesday visit. She reportedly told a close source that she cannot wait to occupy the GEAJ screen actors house which as she quipped ‘’must have a training and lecture theatre’ and wait for this….’a four star guest house where card carrying members will be accommodated at just 10 percent of the cost of the rooms’. Good times abi? Till then.

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 23

24 | Saturday, February 22, 2014

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KCee

Feyi

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MONDaYS–FRIDaYS IN THe gUaRDIaN

SaTURDaY, FeBRUaRY 22, 2014

UI Scientists Bag International awards

TWO WORDS /25

wounds, memory loss, leprosy and cancer. R TaIWO Olayemi elufioye also, Prof. adebowale, a professor of Industrial Chemistry, of the Department of Faculty of Science, University of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Ibadan, won the 2014 aU Pharmacy, University of Ibadan Kwame Nkrumah Scientific has won the 2014 elsevier Prize in Basic Science, Foundation award, among four Technology and Innovation. other women and that received The award was conferred on awards for their researches into him in addis ababa, the capital the medicinal properties of nat- of ethiopia during the 22nd ural compounds. Ordinary Session of the The award ceremony, organ- assembly of Heads of State and ised jointly by the elsevier Investment of the african Foundation, The World Union (aU). academy of Sciences (TWaS) and The Nigerian scholar jointly the Organisation for Women in won this year’s award with Prof Science for the Developing andre Batimo of Burkina Faso, World (OWSD), held at the who won in the field of earth american association for the and life Sciences. The value of advancement of Science (aaaS) the continental scientific annual meeting on Saturday, award, established by the February 15, in Chicago, USa. african Union Commission in elufioye, who is the only 2008, is $100,000, for each sciwoman from the Sub-Saharan entific sector. africa, received the award for Prof. Viola Onwuliri, her research on the medicinal Nigeria’s Supervising Minister, properties of native Nigerian Foreign affairs, has congratuplants, with particular bias on lated the UI don for making the the effectiveness of different nation proud. She said, “it is a species in treating malaria, plus for the transformation agenda in education and good motivation for Nigerians to excel internationally. This award will help to build confidence in the Nigerian nation and for me as a scientist; I am very excited that a colleague of mine received this award.” also, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Isaac adewole, has lauded adebowale’s rare achievement, describing him as an “ethical researcher, who is dedicated to excellence,” he said.

FASHION /40

Fight It

By Daniel Ananzia

SHOWBLAST /34

Ladies Day Out With EbonyLife

He VICe CHaNCellOR, adekunle ajasin University, akungbaakoko, Ondo State, has urged the students of the institution to continue to maintain the peace being experience on campus and focus on their academic pursuits. Prof. Mimiko, made the call during this year’s edition of the Vice Chancellor/Students’ Forum held at the multipurpose hall of the university. The forum is a regular interactive session between the management and the student leaders to elicit inputs from students on issues that border on their general welfare and other concerns. “I will like to plead with you to continue to maintain the peace. Challenges will come, but as students, you have to decide on how you want to handle things. I am pleading with you, in your own interest as students, to allow peace to reign. You have done a wonderful job in terms of the way you engage with your constituents and I want you to continue in that regard,” the VC said. “lecturers that are supposed to teach and give you direction actually moved around to get your colleagues to disrupt the peace on campus.” “We appreciate the very crucial role that you (student leaders) played to ensure that your university did not go through the problem those

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Yabatech Postpones Resumption, Students Vacate Campus Over Boko Haram Threat Letters aBa COllege of Technology (YabaTech) has postponed the 2013/2014 academic resumption date due to the ongoing academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (aSUP) nationwide strike. and in a statement signed and released by Oyebanji a.P, Deputy Registrar (aCB & exams) on behalf of the Registrar and the school management, no new date has been fixed. Campus life gathered the academic Board at its emer-

VC Urge Students To Maintain Peace On Campus, Pledge Commitment To Welfare

gency meeting of February 14, resolved that the resumption date for full-time students be postponed indefinitely in view of the on-going nationwide strike. according to Oyebanji in the statement, all full time students are advised to stay away from the college premises until further notice. This circular is without prejudice to the on-going Part time pro-

EMPOWERNIGERIA /31

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BOOKSERIES /35 Confirming the threat letter, gramme. the Provost of the College, Dr Meanwhile, students of Johnson Pongri, said he was College of education, Hong, adamawa State, have started aware of five letters purportedvacating campus over alleged ly written by members of the threat letters from members group. He said, though he of the Islamic insurgents, Boko doubted the authenticity of the Haram asking them to leave. letters, he had, however, communicated the receipt of the Some of the students, who letters to the security agencies. spoke to newsmen on the issue, said it had caused ten- “I have also invited the local sion in the school resulting in vigilante to beef up security in exodus of staff and students. the school,” he said, adding that the number of students who had left the school was WEEKENDBEATS /36 few.

Choice Amidst Necessities Of Life

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26 Saturday, February 22, 2014

CAMPUS

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At EKSU, Students Held Union Election On Valentine Day Following the proscription of the students’ union and its activities three and half years ago, by the university authority, as a result of series of protest that rocked the institution due to hike in tuition fees, and after several attempts were made towards the reinstatement of the union, which were abortive, hope came last Friday, February 14, as students of the university went to poll to elect their union leaders. Life Campus gathered the students hope of have its union structure back was raised in the 2011/2012 academic session upon the reinstatement of the union, but couldn’t materialised when elections could not be conducted. However, a transition committee saddled with the responsibility of conducting the election was inaugurated. According to the students, some members of the transition committee became stooges of the school management, except for few individuals, and failed to conduct the SUG election. However, the university management as part of its renewed commitment to enhance the students-management relations and students’ welfare, recently announced February 14, as the date for the 2012/2013 academic session students’ union election, which received mixed reaction from the student populace. Some students spoke to Life Campus before the election on Friday. For Olatoun Emmanuel, 300L Plant Science, “It is a welcome development; we have

waited three years for the reinstatement of the students’ union and we are happy that finally, we would be having our leaders after the election,” he said. Ijigbami Wale said, “It is a good thing the election is holding today, but how sure we are not if the management is sincere about the whole process. One of those who served in the kangaroo transition committee is running for the president and we know antecedent does not favour, but it all looks like she is a strong candidate of the management.” Olakunle Olajide, 400L Public Administration (part-time), says, “for us in the part time programmes, we don’t think we would be actively involved in the election because they have reserved the roles or offices of ‘assistants’ and ‘vice president 2’ to us in the central executive cabinet, and I think we deserve more and better than that. This is why you see those positions zoned to parttime do not have candidates vying for them.” The chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr. Omirin, a lecturer in the Faculty of Education, while addressing the students before the commencement of the election, urged them to have faith in the election as all logistics was already in place to ensure it is free and fair election. He added the election would to take a different shape unlike what it used to been in the past.

TWO WORDS

Uki Dare

Phyno, Oritse Femi and Naeto C added to The Gidi Culture Festival Lineup Thursday, February 20 (Nigeria) - Gidi Culture Festival today today announced that it has added Phyno, Oritse Femi and Naeto C to its already star-studded line up of artistes. The much anticipated beach festival which is set to take place at Elegushi private beach on Sunday, 2nd March, 2014 will also see artistes such as Orezi, Chidinma, Dammy Krane and Emma Nyra take the stage. ‘As momentum for the event rises, we are pulling out all the stops to bring an all star lineup of artistes and Djs, said Chin Okeke, Eclipse Live Founder. To deliver the ultimate festival experience, a superior lineup of DJs including Caise, Cuppy, Kaywise and Kentalky have been enlisted to take the decks. With mixes and singles that have been causing a wave in the club circuit, there is no doubt that these DJs will be bringing an exciting mix to the festival. The organisers of the festival have also partnered up with the Lagos Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development to bring a range of beach activities to keep

www.afritickets.com/event/gidiculture_festival_251

“The election this time around won’t be conducted at the popular Lecture Theater Art election ground, rather we would have polling unit across all the faculties,” he said. Meanwhile, at the manifesto, which held at the liberty estate students residential area, Babajide Kolawole, 400L Economics and one of the popular candidates, came first in an opinion poll conducted. He thank the school management for reinstating the student union

VC Urge Students To Maintain Peace On Campus... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Olatunji Awe, 300L Political Science

uki@poisenigeria.org,

Fight It..

After many more lessons, Chinedu’s birthday finally arrived and he announced that he wanted to play a love song for his mum. She was elated as he played “I will always Love You” by Whitney Houston. As he fin“Why is this thing so hard for me to achieve? It ished, tears welled in his mum’s eyes and she grabbed must be a sign that I should leave it.” Have you him for a big hug. After the applause died down, His ever said this in the face of a major disappointdad smiled and jokingly said, “I’m jealous oh? Could ment? Are you on the brink of giving up on you play my favorite song? Did your teacher teach you something? Let’s read Chinedu’s story and talk how to play it too?” Chinedu had never played that about it. song before, but with a big grin on his face he searched “I am so tired of this” Chinedu thought, as he headed online for sheet music of his dad’s favorite song, ‘You into the car. He was on his way for Piano Lessons. He Raise Me Up’ and then he turned and cheekily replied, had been going for piano lessons for 5 weeks and he “Dad, lucky for you, I didn’t learn how to play songs, I learnt how to play the Piano.” still couldn’t play one song, his eleventh birthday was coming up in a few months and he wanted to Many times when something seems too difficult be able to play a song dedicated to his mum on that to achieve, we decide it is “because it was never day. He was surprised on his first day of class when meant to be”. It is true, that sometimes, good his teacher asked him to bring out a pen and paper things come with a little effort. Still, sometimes, to learn note names, finger numbers and so on the difficulty you face is the proof that you are before even touching a piano. The thing that doing something right. After all, it is easier to give annoyed him the most was that Tobi his classmate up then to keep fighting, it is easier to cheat, than started Piano lessons in another music school at to study and pass your exams. Can anyone say that about the same time with him. “Tobi can already it is not easier to sleep than to wake up at dawn play 3 full songs while I have just started practicing every morning to get ready for work? It is even easmy first notes, it’s so annoying”. ier to offer ‘eye-service’ than to actually do your

Not in anger or frustration but with the assurance of victory… FIGHT IT

When he got to music school that day, He blurted out to Mr. Angus, “Tobi’s teacher is not bothering him with note reading and all these other complex things, he is just teaching him the songs directly, why can’t we make this short and do the same thing.”, “Mr. Angus replied, “Chinedu, Tobi is learning how to play a few songs, but you are learning how to play the piano.”

festival goers entertained all through the day. The Made in Naija food and textile court will also be on hand to feed thousands of festival goers, with its varied list of ‘home‘ menu as well as showcase locally made products. The Made in Naija court serves to promote and support local businesses. Local vendors will have the opportunity to rent out stalls through Mente Moda, who we have partnered up with to ensure that a wide range of products are available. With the line up already causing a stir amongst music lovers, the organisers have hinted that a big announcement is still underway closer to the day. Tickets are now available from our official ticket partner

After you have done what I suggested in FILL IT, here is my advice:

Is difficulty making you to consider giving up on your dreams?...Fight it Is the fear of failure stopping you from reaching for the stars?…Fight it Are you considering a shortcut that will rob you of the opportunity to build yourself?...Ignore It If you want something and it is good and legitimate…Get It If no one will encourage you…Encourage yourself I need you to remember this: Even though some good things come smoothly, some require a lot of work. And when it gets hard or you face a setback, if discouragement comes and tries to make you give up on your goals…

FIGHT IT

job. Short cuts can be good but some shortcuts rob Do you need my opinion on anything? Write me at uki@poisenigeria.org and your message might be us of everything we should gain from an experichosen to feature in this column next week. ence, a job, a boss or a challenge.

Easy doesn’t mean better, neither does difficult. What matters is that you know where you are going, and what you need to do in order to get there, whether it is easy or hard. Please, don’t give up, don’t let go and don’t look down on yourself.

who wanted students to demonstrate envisaged. The whole plan was to get students to be on the streets, attack some officers of the university and the implication of that is to make the university to force itself to close,” he added. He continued, “In spite of the pressure on you, you insisted that, in the overall interest of the students of AAUA, it was inappropriate for you to get involved. I congratulate you on that. You have demonstrated leadership. We are thanking you not because we are the beneficiaries but because you have bought into the vision that all issues can be discussed and find a basis for resolution.” The VC warned that under no circumstances should the students be lured into doing what could lead to the disruption of their academic pursuits. “Like we have spoken repeatedly, those who commit infractions on campus, it doesn’t matter what title they carry, we will call them to account. We are determined to do that because the university is a community that is governed by rules and regulations.” “If anybody chooses to violate the rules and regulations, we have a duty to call such people to account. If some people want to make the campus ungovernable, we will not allow them and if students join that kind of chorus, then the university will have to be shut,” he stressed. He, however, advised the students to always put on their thinking caps such that when they are being called upon to take actions that will ultimately be to their disadvantage, they should be smart enough to let people know that is not what they have been sent to the university to do. He assured that all issues raised by the students at the forum would be attended to, and said, “Indeed, we are already working on some of them and the output will start to manifest in a question of weeks.” The forum was attended by top officers of the school, students’ union executives — the executive, the legislative (SRC), and the judiciary (SJC). Also in attendance were the faculties and departmental association executives, class governors, and representatives of registered students’ associations/organisations.

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JOBS & CAREERS

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JOBS & CAREERS

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JOBS & CAREERS

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32 Saturday, February 22, 2014

EMPOWERNIGERIA

GUIDE TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

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THE TOP YOUNG NIGERIAN ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH IN 2014 The trio founded Jobberman, Nigeria’s largest job search engine and aggregator. Jobberman went live in August 2009, and today the site attracts over 50,000 unique users each day. Through simple, yet cutting-edge technology, Jobberman helps link qualified personnel to the right job opportunities. Jobberman is one of the few companies in Nigeria’s tech space that enjoy venture capital backing.

HROUGHOUT HISTORY, many of the great ideas and people that shaped the world were dismissed, misunderstood, and/or out rightly rejected.

ACHIEVEMENT Most great achievements were one time or the other rejected, but their innovators rose above the rejections and went ahead to achieve their dreams. So what do you do when people reject your idea, project or initiative? Well, you had better not mind their rejections and forge ahead with your dream and write your name in the sands of time. Your measure of success can be measured by how many times you keep going despite always hearing no. CASES Rachel Higginson an Independent writer, became known in 2011 when she self-published her works. Before then, she had been rejected so many times by literary agents who refused to publish her works. Since she published her works, her sales have broken out, growing 25-fold with thousands of copies sold each month. From an obscure writer, she has become a known and successful writer, and has made a fortune in the process. Tim Ferris is the author of “4hr workweek”, was rejected by 26 publishers before one gave him a chance. His book after publication has been on bestseller’s list for years, sold all over the world and in 2012 he published “4hr Body” that went to #1 on the New York Times bestseller’s list. Oprah Winfrey faced a hard road to success and stardom, enduring a rough and often abusive childhood, including career setbacks. She was even sacked from her job as a television reporter because she was deemed “unfit for TV”. She didn’t give up, instead she went ahead to fulfil her destiny. Today she is one of the most iconic faces on TV as well as one of the richest and successful women in the world. Stages on the Road to Greatness According to a scholar JOHN STUART MILL, “Every great movement must experience three stages: Ridicule, Discussion and Adoption. Please be advised that the world will not pity you if you give up that idea of yours because somebody somewhere rejected it, but the world will celebrate you if you eventually succeed in spite of the rejections you faced. So next time when you are feeling down as a result of failure or rejection, just remind yourself that sometimes rejection is just the first step towards success. See you at the top!

JASON NJOKU – FOUNDER OF IROKO TV Age: 31 This Nigerian Internet entrepreneur is the founder of Iroko TV, the world’s largest digital distributor of African movies. Iroko TV has been dubbed the ‘Netflix of Africa’. Early in 2012, Iroko TV raised $8 million in venture capital from Tiger Global Management, a New York-based private equity and hedge fund run by billionaire Chase Coleman. IrokoTV enjoys lucrative content distribution deals with Dailymotion, iTunes, Amazon and Vimeo. Njoku is unwilling to divulge figures, but analysts believe IrokoTV could be worth as much as $30 million. Njoku is the company’s largest individual shareholder

LADI DELANO – FOUNDER / CEO OF BAKRIE-DELANO AFRICA Age: 30 The jet-setting Nigerian serial entrepreneur made his first millions as a liquor entrepreneur while living in China. In 2004, at age 22, he founded Solidarnosc Asia, a Chinese alcoholic beverage company that made Solid XS, a premium brand of vodka. Solid XS went on to achieve significant market share in China and was distributed across over 30 cities, and generated over $20 million in annual revenue. Delano subsequently sold the company to a rival liquor company for over $15 million and ploughed his funds into his next venture-The Delano Reid Group, a real estate investment holding company focused on mainland China. Today, Delano is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bakrie Delano Africa(BDA) – a $1 billion joint venture with the $15 billion (market cap) Bakrie Group of Indonesia. Bakrie Delano Africa serves as the

investment partner of the Bakrie Group in Nigeria. The Indonesian conglomerate has provided over $900 million worth of funds to invest in Nigeria and Bakrie Delano Africa is responsible for identifying investment opportunities in mining, agriculture and oil & gas and executing them.

OPEYEMI AWOYEMI, OLALEKAN OLUDE & AYODEJI ADEWUNMI -FOUNDERS OF JOBBERMAN

OLUWASEUN OSEWA – FOUNDER OF NAIRALAND Nigerian geek Oluwaseun Osewa is the founder of Nairaland, Africa’s largest online forum. He founded the site in March 2005 as a general purpose discussion forum with a bias towards issues of interest to Nigerians. The site took off. Nairaland now has over 1 million registered users and is the most popular Nigerian website today. For perspective: In Nigeria, Nairaland gets more visits than Wikipedia. Nairaland earns its revenue through its ad inventory.

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SHOWBLAST

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Feyi in tears of joy after she was announced winner of the Next Movie Star by veteran actress Rachael Oniga

Stories by Chuks Nwanne OnThs after she was declared winner of the 2013 Next m Movie Star Africa Reloaded edition, Feyisekemi Akinwale seems ready to take on nollywood. in a recent chat with Showblast, the 19-year-old Ondo state native seems to have perfected plans on how to break into the mainstream of the country’s movie industry. “i’m fully prepared for the task; Next Movie Star (nms) has helped me prepare already. while in the house, we went through training and grooming sessions with professionals, who taught us all we needed to know about becoming a star; we went through all the challenges on how to overcome them. so, to a large extent, i’m built and prepared,” she said confidently. while in the nms house, Feyi was calm and calculated in performing her tasks. Though many did not see her as a tough challenger, the French student of the ekiti state University had her eye on the big prize. But with equally talented contestants such as Ola Adebolu, nwanma Odefa, Vaeveni shikuyele and imoh Chimezie in the finals, it was indeed a tensed moment for the pretty lady. “Aside from the God factor, i think my hardwork paid off; my ability to get my script in less than 10 to 15 minutes, have my lines in my head, get into the character and deliver. i remember one of my mentors once said to me, ‘always put your best leg forward…’ The mistake people make is to show the weak side of them first, hoping to turn things around later. For me, i knew my strength and used it well,” she said. when the final result was announced by veteran actress, Racheal Oniga, alongside the president of the independent Television Producers Association of nigeria (iTPAn), stephen Osezua; renowned actress cum director, Pat Oghre-Osezua; winner of the Next Movie Star 2012, halimat Aitsegame and Vchannel presenter and first runner-up, Next Movie Star 2012, Bridget Chigbufue, Feyi was short of words. in fact, she practically broke down in tears, as fellow housemates congratulated her with hugs and cheers. “i was overwhelmed with joy; i was surprised because i was not expecting it,” she revealed. As for her family, “they were over excited; they were so happy. i must tell you, my parents are so proud of me now,” she enthused. however, if there was anything Feyi missed while in the house, it was her mobile phone. “i was completely cut off; i missed my phone in the house. On a good day, it helps me know what’s happening around the world. so, without the phone, i was in the dark.” Aside from a brand new sUV, a cash prize and movie role, the Next Movie Star 2013 remains a huge lesson for Feyi. “i’ve learnt that if you believe, you will achieve; it all starts from believing. Again, living in the house with people from different countries and background has exposed me on how

Feyisekemi AkinwAle

‘I’m Ready For The Nollywood Challenge’ to deal with human relations.” To Feyi, the Next Movie Star is a viable platform for young talents to showcase themselves to the world. “They have given us the opportunity to show the world what we have; the rest is left for us. i’m not looking forward to being an ‘Omotola’ or a ‘Genevieve;’ i want to be even better than them. That’s why i’m working so hard to make a good name for myself in the industry. Right from my childhood, i’ve always wanted to become an actress. so, this is it for me,” she said. Asked what makes a good actor, she explained, “a good actor must be versatile; you must be able to take any role. even if they want you to play the role of a mad man or a prostitute, you must be ready to take the challenge; it’s all about interpretation. Personally, i think i’m ready for any responsible role,” she harped. On the nollywood challenge, she said, “there is something i know and i’m very sure of; everybody learns every day and we never stop learning. All i need to do is to keep improving myself and the best way to go about it is to read; pick a book that relates to my career and see how i can develop my skills.” To her, talent is not just enough. “it is not enough to say you are talented; you have to read and research. Again, devote time to what you are doing and make your own job spectacular. with that, you will stand out. They say if you want to hide something from an African, put it in a book.

Feyi But if you read and research, you will stand out and it gives you an edge over every other person. That’s what i intend to do,” she said. As far as Feyi is concerned, it’s high time nollywood practitioners started thinking out of the box. “i think the biggest challenge with nollywood is that we don’t want to be creative; nobody wants to think out of the box. no matter what you say, we need to improve our creativity level; unfortunately, only few practitioners pay attention to this. if everybody is creative, every movie we put up will be amazing and there will be lesser of ‘rubbish’ in the industry,” she said. As for her future plans, “you are going to be seeing Feyi as a force to reckon with because she will definitely blow your mind,” she enthused. Tagged Call 2 Stardom, the 2013 nms Africa Reloaded edition featured housemates from nigeria, Ghana, sierra leone, liberia, The Gambia, kenya, namibia and south Africa. The reality show has over the years produced established names such as Uti nwachukwu, karen igho, Tonto Dikeh, Annie mcCaulay-idibia, kevin Chuwang Pam, Tamara eteimo, lydia Forson and Adams ibrahim.

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Laffmatazz takes 2face, Wande Coal, M.I, others to Ibadan Stories by Chuks Nwanne HE ancient city of Ibadan will come under heavy sound of music this Easter, as notable stars such as 2face Idibia, Wande Coal, M.I, 9ice, Julius Agwu, Alibaba, Okey Bakassi, Laffup, Femi Adebayo and Fathia Williams Balogun would be joining comedian Gbenga Adeyinka 1st GCON on stage for this year’s

Adeyinka

edition of his annual music and comedy show, Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka 1st and friends. Also on parade for the gig are DJ Jimmy Jatt, Jaywon, Capital F.E.M.I, Lepacious Bose, Tomiwa, Obama, Shete and others. Themed The Evolution, the show is scheduled for Easter Sunday, at the Kakanfo Events Centre, Ibadan. “I doubt if there’s need for much talk because my team and I are working tirelessly towards another round of success. Like we have been propagating, it’s the evolution edition and the entertainment kings are heading to Ibadan this Easter. There is so much to be unveiled but we would be unraveling it like Professor Peller’s magic performance,” Adeyinka said.

NUGA Games 2014… Wande Coal, Wizkid For S.W.A.G Concert S part of activities to A wrap up this year’s edition of Nigerian University games (NUGU), holding at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, hip-hop artistes Wande Coal and Wizkid, will today play a live music concert at the closing ceremony Tagged Diamond S.W.A.G Account Concert, the show was conceived to promote S.W.A.G Account, the youthoriented product from Diamond Bank, which was launched at the NUGA Games. Diamond Bank Plc is the lead sponsor of the competition. According to Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank, Ayona Trimnell, the concert will afford the students the opportunity of unwinding after 10 hectic days of fierce sporting competition on the fields and tracks and also to reward those, who opened the bank’s S.W.A.G account during the Games. “As the lead sponsors of the 24th NUGA Games holding at OAU, we came with two major side

attractions to make the experience a memorable one for the thousands of Nigerian youths who have come from far and near to participate in the Games. The first is the launch of the Student With A Goal (S.W.A.G) Account, a new proposition aimed at providing Nigerian youths with the right support to help them achieve their financial goals. The second is the S.W.A.G Concert which is the bank’s way of both rewarding and encouraging the youths who are already embracing the new propositions in their thousands.” Explaining the modalities for the S.W.A.G Concert, Business Manager, Diamond Bank Ile Ife, Mr. Kayode Makinde, said that tickets for the concert would be issued to students when they open the Diamond SWAG Account and fund it with at least N1, 000. “Over 3,000 S.W.A.G accounts have been opened and funded so far by the students participating in the games. We encourage other students at the Games to

Kcee and Harrysong on stage

Kcee Promises A Five Star Music Festival Lagos FTER a successful hosting of the A maiden edition of Music Festival Lagos last year, Five Star Music, in collaboration with Golden Tulip Hotel Festac, is set for this year’s edition of the live music gig. Billed for March 7, at the main event ground of the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos, the festival parades a mixture of both old and young artistes, who have since confirmed their participation in the show. While the likes of King Sunny Ade, Onyeka Onwenu, Sir Shina Peters and daddy Showkey will represent the veterans, the new generation artistes will the led by Kcee, Flavour, Tuface Idibia, D’Banj, Ice Prince, Tiwa Savage, Chidimma, J Martins, Olamide, Phyno, MI, Davido, Bracket, Blacky, Harrysong, Sean Tizzle and others. Alibaba, Akpororo, Bovi, Elenu and Julius Agwu will spice the show with comedy, while DJ Jimmy Jatt will be in charge of the wheels of steel. Speaking at a media briefing held recently in Lagos to unveil this year’s project, the GM of Golden Tulip Shousha Mohsen informed that the initiative was created as a platform to promote Nigerian music home and abroad. “We also hope to discover fresh talents through this event and possibly help them showcase their talents. Last year, we gave some of the upcoming artistes the opportunity to play on the big stage with established stars; we are going to do

the same this year,” he assured. According to the General Manager, Music Festival Lagos is a long-term project. “This festival will last as long as Lagos exists. In the beginning, no one believed in what we were trying to do; only few people gave us a change. With the help of our sponsors and media partners, this project will continue to grow stronger,” he said Rave of the moment and initiator of the festival, Kcee went down the memory lane, on how the project was conceived. “I’m very excited this morning because of where we are today. We started this project like a joke last year, but we were excited when we saw a crowd that came for the gig. We want to thank our sponsors and the media for pushing this dream to where it is today.” On the plans for this year, the Limpopo crooner noted that, “we’ve taken care of security, ambulance services and other logistics. In fact, this time, we are going to be more professional with the programme; we are improving on the stage and sound.” As for artistes on the bill, the CEO of Five Star Music explained that, “we did not just pick them because they are my friends; we went through the list of artistes available and we selected these ones because they are ready to support the movement. Let me use this opportunity to thank all

of them; it’s not just about money, it’s about building a proper music festival for Nigeria. Some of them have decided to cut their cost just to make this event happen,” he said. With the long list of artistes on parade, one wonders how the organisers intend to manage time? “Ordinarily, this type of festival supposed to last for about two to three days. Right now, we have 26 artistes and more are coming. For now, we are going to be managing the time, pending when we have the liberty of playing for more than a day.” Already, there are indications that the festival might one day leave the shores of Nigeria. “People are already asking us to bring the festival to their locations, so, we might be taking the festival outside the country any moment,” Kcee hinted. According to Harrysong, who performed as an upcoming act last year, it will be an interesting opportunity to play as a major act this year. “It is a privilege that I have songs that are making waves. Last year was difficult for me, but this time, everything is ready,” he said. According to the organisers, the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Riliwan Akiolu will be the Royal Father of the day at the event, which will kick off with a special red carpet reception at 6pm.

Ladies Day Out With Ebonylife O Abudu’s EbonyLife TV in M collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation recently

leaned in to drive growth and development. This meeting emphasizes the imperative of hosted investment, of expansion, of a female investors, entrepreneurs, systemic approach to expandchief executives and icons to the ing wealth and opportunities Invest Africa Meet and Greet. for the continent.” Held at the Wheat Baker Hotel, Present at the event include Ikoyi, Lagos, the gathering was a Onari Duke (Former First Lady, platform for discussion on inCross River), Sola David-Borha vestment opportunities that (GMD StanbicIBTC), Tony O. abound in the African continent Elumelu (Chairman, Heirs and practical steps towards the Holding), Bola Adesola (MD growth and development of Standard Chartered Bank), businesses in Africa. Omobola Johnson (HonSpeaking at the event, Mo ourable Minister of CommuniAbudu, the Chief Executive Offi- cations Technology), Tonye cer of EbonyLife TV informed, Cole (ED, Sahara Group), pub“We all already know that this is lisher Betty Irabor, Elohor a continent that is blessed, and Aisien, Lanre DaSilva Ajayi, it’s even more blessed to have Omotola Jalade–Ekeinde, the quality of female business Robert Hersov, Ryszard and political leaders, who have Varisella and others.

Onari Duke and Mo Abudu

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BOOK SERIES

Author Betty Ugona

Choice Amidst Necessities Of Life

is a road; there are long and short roads, smooth and LourIFE rough roads. Some are crooked while others are straight. In journey through life, many roads will present themselves. There will be bends and cross roads but the most difficult ones are the latter which have competing road options to choose from. However, most times we have limited knowledge about where each of the four arms of the cross would lead to. Helen, Kenneth, Rebecca, Agnes and Eucharia had wonderful upbringings. They were exposed to good values and principles. They had the dreams and visions of what they would become in the future. The ultimate outcome of their dreams and visions were dependent on the aggregate of the choices they made. Taking the children of Israel as an example from the book of Exodus, following devastating choices, they ended up wandering around the desert for forty years. In their desire for immediate gratification, the Israelites repeatedly turned away from God. Time after time, they gave in to temptations and as a result suffered terrible consequences. Jesus Christ also had choices to make in the desert when He was tested. After fasting for forty days of physical denial, he faced the enemy and conquered, thereby showing us a new way of life when faced with issues of life no matter how tempting and beautiful the offers may look or sound. Every day we struggle to say no to things that trip us up or yes to things we know are right. Why is that? Because, like the Israelites, we are selfish. Simply put, we want what we want, and we would really like it now. It is human nature, and it dates back to that appetizing fruit in the Garden of Eden. Different things tempt each of us on daily basis: For some of us it is food. We crave for food when we are happy, when we are sad, and when we cannot make up our minds on who we are. For others, it is relationship. We search for the perfect man who will fill the empty space inside us. We demand a certain ideal and would not settle for anything less, even if it means we might spend a lot of time alone. Whatever the temptation, the common thread will be the amount of time and energy involved in dealing with it and choosing how we act on it – which is what Satan wants. At a time amidst basic necessities, Satan presents so many enticing options that people get so much preoccupied with and thus forget God. Satan tempted Jesus in three areas of life we all face daily on this earth: satisfying immediate felt needs, finding an easy way out of suffering, and giving in to charisma over character. Satisfying Immediate Needs: Let us look at the three temptations Jesus faced after fasting for forty days as outlined in the book of Luke Chapter 4 reading from verse 1 to 12 (KJV): 1. And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3. And the devil said unto him, if thou be the son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4. And Jesus answered him, saying, it is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by ever word of God. 5. And the devil, taking him into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and all glory of them: for this is delivered unto m; and whomsoever I will I give it. 7. If thou therefor wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord they God, and him only shalt thou serve. 9. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, if thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 10. For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 11. And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 12. And Jesus answering said unto him, it is said, Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God. The Holy Spirit led Jesus out into the wilderness right after His baptism by John, reminding us that at least part of His preparation for ministry and life came from a wilderness experience. A period where he was exposed to provisions that would have satisfied His immediate needs at a point He needed them most yet He chose to restrain Himself and remained focused to His call. Does this sound familiar? Most times we find ourselves at a cross road with so many enticing options. This should be regarded as a preparation period where our motives get purified, our backbone solidifies, and our calling gets clarified.

The devil tempted Jesus for forty days in the wilderness – a screening process to see what Jesus would give up and how he would trust God to provide. These three temptations remind us of the basic temptations we face on daily basis: The temptation to be self-sufficient: Jesus choose not to become controlling, even with His legitimate needs. He trusted God. The temptation to be powerful: Jesus chose not take the shortcut to gain power or worship. The temptation to be spectacular: Jesus chose no to become a stunt man for public recognition. He did not perform in order to become a celebrity. How do you deal with the temptations of life? What immediate need did Satan tempt Jesus with? Food. It was very clear that Satan had been stalking Christ from the beginning. When Jesus came up from the Jordan River, God had announced, “This is my beloved Son”(Mathew 3:17). As Satan approached Jesus, he echoed what he had heard at the baptism: “If you are the son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Mathew 4:3). It was a calculated approach. The temptation was real and understandable. Jesus would have been hungry at the end of forty days without food. At this point, Jesus was being tempted with something very basic, something we can all understand and appreciate at the gut level. I think that is very significant. If for nothing else, it shows us how sneaky Satan was just offering a little something to tide Jesus over until He could get back to his friends and family and find the nourishment his body needed. Jesus’ response in Luke 4: 4 “it is written ‘ Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” showed an undivided heart. He proved that there are things that matter more. Physical hunger is only temporary, but Gods plan is eternal. Finding An Easy Way Out Of Suffering “ All this authority I will give you, and their Glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if you will worship before me, all will be yours” (Luke 4 : 6-7). “Ikowaralum ofuma” (You did not explain very well to me the implications of the offer), cried Andy as he held his friend’s shirt. Oh poor Andy, in the quest to become rich and influential in the society, he was lured into cultism where his beautiful wife was sacrificed and killed to make him rich and powerful. By the time he chose to become a full member of the cult, he did not take him time to inquire of its consequences on his life, his relations and God his Maker. All he was concerned about was the immediate gain, fame and power. What a choice. (Extract from the movie ‘Living in Bondage’). Satan took Jesus to a high place. There, in an instant, he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. What he offered was everything that would be Christ’s on one condition; all he wanted was for Christ to worship him. Jesus declined. He quoted from the book of Deuteronomy 6: 13, where Moses gave the Law to the people-worship God and God alone. Jesus held true to the promise that God is in control. Have you ever been tempted to take an easier way out of a difficult situation than the one you believe would honor God? Perhaps you have cheated on a test, believing just this once it would not matter. Perhaps you have lied on a business report or engaged in questionable practices, trying to tell yourself the end justified the means. Perhaps you are in a difficult marriage and find yourself drawn to someone else who brings out feelings you have not had for a long time. I know what it feels like to be tempted, to choose what seems right or necessary and take an easy way out. Most of us struggle with wanting to avoid pain. And yet, in choosing to do things our own way, we lose the opportunity to allow God to work on our behalf for the greater good. Few years ago, in our prayer group, a woman was complaining that she had waited for several years on God for the blessing of the fruit of the womb and yet God seemed silent. Her temptation was to quit trusting God. In my mind’s eye, I could see her standing on top of the mountain with Satan whispering, “forget God: He has forgotten you. Just worship me”. It is our choice to say no to Satan no matter the situation and no matter the temporary joy that will not last but would rather leave behind a bitter taste. To be continued next week

In association with

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SME Forum for Retail & Distribution Trade Date(s): 27/02/2014 Location: The Regent Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos Promoter: The Republic Media Limited TICKETS: 15,000.00 www.afritickets.com

Event management and decoration training Date(s): 28/02/2014 Location: Bode Thomas Street 39 Bode Thomas Street, Surulere. Lagos Promoter: Finesse TICKETS: 50,000.00 www.afritickets.com

Queen of the night Date(s): 28/02/2014 Location: FREEDOM PARK Hospital Road, Lagos Island, Lagos Promoter: M-IKAZ TICKETS: 2,500.00 www.afritickets.com

GidiCulture Festival Date(s): 02/03/2014 Location: Elegushi Beach, Elegushi Bus stop, Lekki-Ekpe expressway Lekki, Lagos Promoter: Eclipse Live Ltd TICKETS: 3,500.00 www.afritickets.com

Finger Foods and Drinks Date(s): 07/03/2014 Location: Bode Thomas Street 39 Bode Thomas Street, Surulere. Lagos Promoter: Finesse TICKETS: 50,000.00 www.afritickets.com

36 Saturday, February 22, 2014

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WEEKENDBEATS

How We Won Nigeria’s Got Talent Season 2, By Robots For Christ Robots for Christ

Last Saturday at the Dream Studio, Omole in Lagos, two talented undergraduates of Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, Efe Favour Nosakhere and Ewere Etinosa known as Robots for Christ, emerged winners of Airtel-sponsored Nigeria’s Got Talent (NGT) Season 2. It was a fight to the end as they outshone nine other finalists to win the N10 million grand prize. OLUSHOLA RICKETTS had a chat with the duo. How do you feel emerging winners of NGT Season 2? E feel excited and it is a very good thing that has happened to us. It has been a stressful and competitive journey so far. We feel really lucky to be the winners of this edition because all the other competitors were equally good. A day to the grand finale was one of the fearful moments of the show. We said to ourselves that what if we did not win the competition? How are we going to face our friends and family waiting for us in Benin? These were people that had been calling us, praying and supporting us. But we trusted God for the best. How did you come to be known as Robots for Christ? Well, it all started in 2011 after I (Efe) saw a movie, Step Up 3. One of the dancers did robotic dance. I really liked it and I started rehearsing it. I picked it from there. When I later realised we had the same interests, we became a group. We met at school and we have been together since 2011. We have no other skill than dancing Why didn’t you pursue degrees in the arts since dancing is your passion? (Ewere) As at then, people tagged dancing as being for street children and people that are jobless or cannot compete academically. But now, dancers are proving people wrong and they are flourishing in the entertainment industry. If I had my way then, I would probably do the Theatre but I have no regret. (Efe) I started taking dance seriously in 2009, the same year I graduated from secondary school. But then, I had always wanted to study robotics like computer science. But after my Master’s in computer science, I still plan to pick a degree in Theatre Arts. So, it is not that I dumped the art for computer science; I really wanted to study about the computer too. Is NGT your first talent show? (Ewere) Yes as a group but this is not my first time. I was very young when I had my first experience; I was about enrolling JSS 1. It was a competition sponsored by Mr. Biggs in Benin and I came second. (Efe) This is my first competitive show. Were you not naïve since NGT was your first major competition? Of course, we were. We had some doubts also but we built on the confidence of our friends and people who believed in us prior to the competition. What was the biggest lesson you learnt at NGT? The first is never to underestimate anybody, and there is reward in hard work. How do you intend to use this platform to climb the ladder in the entertainment industry? With God all things are possible. We would look up to God for support, direction and inspiration. And to remain at the top, we are aware that we

have to step up our game and do things we have not been doing before. We plan to have more members but if we are performing on stage, it would be divided into segments. Although they say there is power in numbers, but for our kind of dance, three is a crowd. The basic plan is to groom those that want to learn or be like us and help them in achieving their dreams. We are also members of Marry Dance Academy and we have people that look up to us there. Our success at NGT would be a source of motivation. We plan to teach people and make them better dancers. We are going to invest with the money. This time last year, did you see yourself here? (Ewere) I must confess, I was not thinking of going for a talent show. But Efe had a plan to feature on NGT. He brought up the idea and we planned towards it.

(Efe) When I saw that a little girl and a dancer won the last edition, I said to myself that so they still recognise dancers in Nigeria. I was not a member of the Marry Dance Academy then. Amarachi’s success actually encouraged me to compete for this year’s edition. But along the way, I later discovered that Ewere could also do almost the same things I can do. He said he was interested too and we decided to compete as a group. We started planning and did routine that we ended up canceling for a new one. The truth is the new one was actually better than the old one. How you assuring us that Robots for Christ will not part ways in the near future? By the grace of God, we would stick together because we enjoy dancing together. And we are going to recruit and add more dancers that are interested in our style of dance. In the course of the show, was there any one you feared or respected? In terms of respect, as dancers, we really loved The Elevators. Their dance steps were unique, classic. But in terms of fear, David the Drummer Boy was our greatest challenge. When he is on stage, he is totally a different boy. What did you think gave you the edge over others in the competition? Our kind of dance is unique. It is very rare to see

two people dancing like a robot in Nigeria. We picked it up and blended it. How would you describe the NGT judges? They were awesome. They knew what they were looking for and they knew our strengths and weaknesses. One important thing was that they were unpredictable; you could never tell what was on their minds. Are you likely to move base to Lagos since it is the hub of entertainment? For us, we do not really like living in Lagos because of the congestion. We are not thinking of shifting base but we would always visit Lagos. How have you been dealing with friends and calls after your triumph? We have been receiving a lot of calls to the extent that we had to turn off our phones sometimes. But it makes us feel good that people appreciated and followed us all through the show. Despite being the winners of NGT, it would not change anything in our relationship with friends. But we have to adjust the way we do things because people are now watching us. We now have to live a life worth emulating. Who are your mentors? For us, we have Dragon House, Rainbow Control, Bonnyface and some other foreign dancers.

Queen Blessing Foundation honours widows at Ikorodu By Geraldine Akutu S part of giving back to the soA ciety, Nollywood actress, Queen Blessing Ebigieson, who is the President and Founder of QBF, in collaboration with Olukoga Support Foundation, organised a special Valentine celebration for widows in Ikorodu area of Lagos State. The event, held at Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, Owutu House, was aimed at helping widows and giving award of excellence to amiable Nigerians who have done the nation proud. The royal father of the day was His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Salaudeen Oyefusi (CON); royal guest of honour, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji (Dr.) A.Y.E Dirisu J.P (OON); Chairman of the occasion, Chief Kabir Adewale Shotobi (The Odofin of Ikorodu). Special guests of honour were Prof. Pat Utomi (Director, Lagos Business School), Mr. Jimi Agbaje (OON) and Bishop (Dr.) Cletus Bassey; Chairman, Board of Trustees (QBF), while the chief host was Dr. Fatai Olukoga, Special Adviser Education, Lagos State. In his welcome address, Olukoga said: “It is my pleasure to welcome

you all to this event that I cherish so much, as someone who likes sharing from what God has endowed me with. When I was approached by Queen Blessing Foundation on issue of widows in our society, I saw it as a welcome idea, as QBF itself stands for the less privileged and Olukoga Support Foundation’s objectives are to comfort and give the people and children of Ikorodu and its environs a sense of belongings.” “Widows in our society are mostly neglected with their children. In some cases, the properties left by the husbands are even taken from the women and shared among the family members, leaving the women to God not giving a hoot about how they survive with their children. At times, innocent women are accused of killing their husbands and cruelly dealt with in the name of culture. In spite of all these, some widows are still able to raise good families that contribute to the community. In the light of these, members should strive to make them happy, care for them, give them a sense of belonging and assist them”, he added. Speaking at the event, President of QBF, Queen Blessing Ebigieson, encouraged women to find some-

thing doing no matter how small so that they can make some money and help their family members. Some people tell me that they didn’t go to school but I always tell them to start a business. I have seen people that didn’t go to school and are billionaires today. I am talking like this because I got to a point in my life where I had to sell pepper, onions and the likes to make end meet and send myself through school. I am supporting widows because of my passion for them. Putting smiles on the faces of widows gives me joy. High points of the event were the presentation of gift items, cash and the presentation of award.

Awardees are Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Prof. Pat Utomi, Chief Kabir Shotobi, Dr. Fatai Olajide Olukoga, HRM Alhaji Dr. A.Y.E Dirisu (J.P) OON, HRM Oba Dr. Salaudeen Oyefusi, CON, Bishop Dr. Cletus Bassey and Mr. Kamal Nath.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, February 22, 2014 37

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WEEKENDBEATS

Contestants Heads For Showdown, As Knorr Taste Quest Gets Hotter RADUALLY, the Unilever G Nigeria’s flagship cooking reality TV show tagged Knorr Taste Quest (KTQ), is drawing to the final showdown, with four contestants already out of the cooking contest. At stake is a first prize of N2 million cash, a Ford Eco Sport SUV and Kenwood kitchen equipment, while N1 million cash and Kenwood kitchen equipment, and N500,000 cash and Kenwood kitchen equipment goes to the second and third place winner, respectively. It was a roller coaster of a ride in a recent episode as contestants were grouped into two teams for their task and at the end Adetola Kehinde was evicted. Subsequently, the contestants were tasked to impress the judges by preparing five separate tasters that can be eaten in one bite in 50 min-

Dollar Rains For MTN Afrinolly Short Film Winners Stories by Chuks Nwanne S part of its commitment A to discovering, empowering and developing talents across Africa, telecommunications company, MTN Nigeria, will today reward outstanding winners for their effort in the just concluded MTN Afrinolly Short Film Competition. The contest, which started on September 1, 2013, with over 400 entries from African filmmakers from 16 countries, has produced ten budding filmmakers in Africa. After three months and a competitive process, which deployed top of the range technological plat-

forms involving online master classes and voting procedures, an international panel of judges announced Florian Schott as the best in Short Film category, while Victor Okoye emerged winner in the Documentary category. To this end, MTN Nigeria will this weekend reward Florian Schott and Victor Okoye with $25, 000 each for their exceptional skill in film and documentary making. Daniel Etim Effiong and Ronke Ogunmakin will be rewarded with $10,000 each, while Gbenga Salu and Ng’endo Mukii will be rewarded with $5,000 each for coming second and third respectively. Other finalists in both cate-

gories will receive $500 each. The Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Larry Annetts, explained that the company would continue to empower Africans and give them the platform to unleash their talents. “We are happy to discover another set of talent across the continent. As part of our corporate social responsibility, we will continue to discover, develop and empower people with aptitude through our various programmes geared towards enriching the lives of Africans and the world at large.” He also reiterated the company’s promise in discovering talents.

“We’ll never relent in our effort in unearthing talents as we have various talent hunt programmes like the MTN Football Scholar, MTN Lagos Street Soccer, MTN Project Fame West Africa, MTN Link Forum and so on.” Florian Schott won the first prize in the short film category with Everything Happens for a Reason, Daniel Etim Effiong won the second prize with Your Cup of Tea, while Gbenga Salu came third with 10:10. In the documentary category, Victor Okoye won the first prize with Creative Minds, Ronke Ogunmakin’s Awele’s Diary came second while Ng’endo Mukii came third with ‘Yellow Fever’.

utes using these five pieces of meat; minute steak, rump steak, prime piece of pork, lamb and goat meat. They are expected to do so with the following ingredients; cashew nuts, beet, aubergines, zucchini, carrots, pumpkin and Ginger, of which at least two of them must be featured in each taster. After a really intense cooking time, the contestants finally presented their tasters to the judges. The judges mostly complained of either too much salt or too much pepper in the contestants’ dishes, however, Doom got fairly good reviews while Chineze on the other hand was evicted. Nwando, Victor and Moses were all put on probation and if either of them should fall in the bottom three in the next task, they will be evicted.

Tayo Shobola Makes Charity Move T was indeed a day of fun INollywood and happiness as fast rising actress Tayo Sobola aka Sotayo celebrated this year’s Valentine’s Day with the pupils of Pacelli School for the Blinds, Surulere, Lagos. During the event, the school kids, whoe were treated to various funs and games, also danced to the latest Nigerian hit songs. There were also performances from students of the school as they engaged in dancing and singing competitions. Some even did freestyle rapping. Aside treating the school

kids to ample fun, various gift items such as foodstuffs and provisions were also presented to the school authority by Sotayo and the guests present at the event. Anchored by one of the blind students in the person of Abenigo Isah, a multi-talented MC, other personalities at the event include DJ Chenz of RayPower FM, Kolawole Scoop Entertainment, Chaste Inegbedion, MC Abbey, Vodka, Lydia Babatunde, Taiwo Adebayo, John Paul Arabome, Segun Klux Print, Biodun Caston-Dada, Alex Sobola and others.

Evergreen Music Plans Centenary CompilaN the spirit of Nigeria’s Centenary celeIthebration, the planning committee for event in collaboration with Ever-

in this compilation to so indicate by signing and utilizing. Please note that the compilation is not for sale; they will be handed over to the Federal Government for worldwide distribution,” he noted. In his remark, Engr. Best Akpaba, a member of Evergreen Music, informed that the project would be funded through private sponsorship. “It is important to make it clear that the Federal Government is not paying for this project; we are sourcing money from sponsors. As a matter of fact, all funds needed for the Centenary celebra-

green Musical Company Limited has embarked on the compilation of Nigeria’s heritage and contemporary music from 1914 to 20014. The compilation, which will be presented to guests free at the main event, will include music of veterans as well as sounds from the new generation artistes, in commemoration of the country’s 100-year celebration as one indivisible nation. Speaking at a media briefing held recently in Lagos to herald the project, Evergreen Music boss Femi Esho confirmed that the music company had written a proposal to the committee and got approval to produce the compilation. “As a result, the committee is hereby requesting all musicians of note, who are still alive and the estate of those that have left us, but whose memory is still etched in our hearts and of the nation, to participate in this laudable project of assembling Nigeria’s greatest musical works in one compendium that would be an everlasting legacy, not only for Nigeria but all contributory participants, who have their musical works included in the compilation.” Aside from announcing the project to the general public, Esho noted that the briefing was conceived to invite the new generation artistes to have their music represented in the package that will be distributed free worldwide. “Forms will be distributed and any willing artiste, who wishes to be featured Femi Esho

tion will corporate sponsorship. As I speak to you, we are still expecting sponsors to come onboard.” Aside from being a gift item, the compilation will serve as another form of promotion for the artistes, as the CD will be presented to all High Commissions in Nigeria and will be available in all Nigerian Embassies worldwide. “Maybe later, it will be available to sale, but right now, it will be given out free. All songs in the compilation will be covered by copyright. Our effort now is to ensure that we represented all the various musical eras,” he said.

King Sunny Ade thrills at LCC New Year party By Tony Nwanne T was indeed an exciting ICountry moment when the Lagos Club LCC recently hosted members of the club and families to celebrate the clubs New Year party. Held in the club premises, the club had dignitaries from all works of life who were thrilled to the fullest. Among those present at the event includes, Laolu Akins, Royal Father of the day, The Olowo of Owo, Oba D.V. Folagb a d e OlateruOlagbegi III CFR, Olori

Yeyesa Ololade Olateru-Olagebgi and Dr Wale Ahmed representing His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN Governor. Meanwhile, Afro Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade, who performed that day, was at his best, as he churned out his old tracks, as the crowd merriment. Despite the threat by the weather, participants had a swell time with a large turnout of members of the club who came to merriment and thank God for a new year.

38 Saturday, February 22, 2014

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FASHION

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Myles Guide To Beach Style By Myles Igwebuike S Nigeria’s First ever Beach fesAquick tival (GIDI CULTURE FEST) is approaching, no doubt many of us will be heading to the Elegusi Beach to be a part of this rare Event of Good Nigerian Music, Beach activities, fleeting Naija sunshine, sandier grounds and of course trendy beach attires; Yes it’s a beach festival but that’s no excuse for your style to take a vacation, so keep up appearances and stay on par with the Myles’ guide to beach style. Swimwear The current trend for swimwear is a slimmer, shorter option; more akin to a pair of tailored shorts in length than the belowthe-knee board shorts that have become the perennial favourite among misguided beach goers. The benefits of current swimwear cuts are that they can easily transcend from beachwear to casual and don’t look out place around town. The slimmer, shorter cuts in bolder, brighter prints and colours are a daring show of confidence in comparison to the standard board varieties, although it’s not everyone that can pull off that look so if you’re on the big side like me just stick with your board shorts. Sunglasses Bro! Don’t forget your shades, my classic, timeless styles include the aviator, clubmaster and wayfarer and you rarely go wrong with these. If you fancy something more eye catching, print and coloured sunglasses have begun to spring up and are enjoying their moment in the spotlight sunlight. Footwear The beach is one of the two situations where flip-flops are acceptable (the other being to and from the pool.) If, however, you intend to move

from beach to bar, then there are a number of more structured and suitable options. Boat shoes are a firm favourite, and this season’s coloured versions are definitely worth considering if your beachwear is lacking in colour or statement. Alternatively, a pair of leather sandals or espadrilles is a less structured option than the boat shoe but is far more astute than flip-flops when you’re not planning an extensive stay on the sand. Beach Tops Whether you intend to spend your time at the beach having a shirt or t-shirt to wear to the beach and throw on when you leave is an essential and a solid choice. It can often mean the difference between not having to nip back to the hotel for a quick wardrobe change after a chance encounter. A simple block colour or patterned t-shirt that is complimentary to your shorts is a great option. You can’t go wrong with a nautical themed classic Breton stripe or a solid bright coloured piece to add a bit of youthful exuberance to your wave-side attire. Alternatively, if you’re a fan of this season’s big print trend, you could try a printed tee; tribal, floral and Hawaiian are just three of the big prints to watch out for. Shorts Just Incase you don’t have a pair of swim trunks or you’re not just planning on going into the water, a pair of short will work perfectly, printed shorts are really hot this season especially the ankara print so give that look a try, trust me you won’t regret it.

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Flatter In Bold Necklace Statement jewellery is reinvented this year for glamorous, chic look By Ibukunoluwa Kayode AINTY and simple chains are out; the bulky and embelD lished statement necklaces are now the in-thing, all centered to make unforgettable statements in 2014. With offerings from high-end brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton and Valentino, contemporary designers and local retailers as well, statement necklaces have reinvented glamour that was once reserved solely for those who could afford high-end brands. Now there are many collections that are cheaper and affordable to select from. There is no better way to show off your personal fashion style than with the big bold trending necklace. Whether your style is glamorous, hippy-chic, classic, funky or basic, a statement necklace becomes an incredible way to merge fashion forward style with who you are! Since flattering necklace is one of the fashion trends right now. The fact that one piece of jewellery could alter your entire look is pretty cool. The power of necklace is strong and irresistible to complement an outfit. Flattering necklaces are believed to complement a high profile outing but times are changing the retro timeless piece are now being spotted on casual and work clothes, as women are experimenting their creativity. There are countless number of flattering necklaces for every neckline in case you don’t know what to wear with that strapless dress or off shoulder there are lots of few selected pieces of jewellery to trim your looks from V-necks, turtle to round necklines. The modern chics are increasingly opting for big statement on the neckline with picks from bib necklaces, layered necklaces, pearl, wood carved, woven and beaded, chain tassel and unique metalwork; these fashion essentials have also added an extra flair to basic red carpet dresses too. As with all great trends: there are rules to sporting this big bold trending jewellery in a uniquely way. Here are few tips on how to rock the look like a pro. Wear your hair up Jewellery like this is meant to be noticed, allow this intricate stunner to shine. So it’s best to wear your hair back in a sleek pony, up-do or bun so that your necklace can take the spotlight. Wear a simple top or dress The point of this tip is to let your statement necklace shine. For optimal effect, pair your statement necklace with a simple, solid top that doesn't distract from the jewelry. Make sure the neckline is nice and simple as well, without extra fabric or ruffles up top. Don't overload on other jewellery If you're going to wear a statement necklace, don't overdo it on other jewellery like earrings, rings and bracelets. The best bet is to wear small stud earrings or no earrings at all, so the necklace has no competition. As for bracelets and cocktail rings, keep those minimal as well, maybe one or the other, if any. Let the necklace speak for itself.

Longest Runway In The Sky In British Airways A380 RITISH Airways recently brought B together the best of Britain and South Africa at 30,000 feet over

Temperley and teamed with Jimmy Choo shoes and jewellery by Astley Clarke, Monica Vinader, Shaun Leane Johannesburg to showcase how its + Lara Bohinc. new aircraft is benefitting customers. It then doubled as a 30,000 footThe star-studded event saw about high stage for a live performance by 200 guests including top Springbok multi-award winning Afro-fusion try scorer Bryan Habana, Lock Flip, band Freshlyground, who’s lead Van der Merwe, Freshlyground singer, singer Zolani opened the 2010 World Zolani Mahola and a host of others Cup singing Waka Waka with Shakira. treated to two hours of non-stop The band performed a unique rendientertainment and extravagance on tion of Shake it and Flower Duet board British Airways’ new A380, the Lakme, British Airways’ iconic theme airline’s largest and most modern air- tune. craft. During the past fortnight the aircraft The A380 became the longest runhas visited three major cities in South way in the sky for a fashion show of Africa. British designer collections for the Modern, fuel-efficient aircraft are the summer season presented by mainstay of British Airways’ five-year Harrods, the world’s most famous lux- investment programme in products ury department store. Looks were and the A380 is the third of 12, all of shown from Stella McCartney, Jenny which will be in daily service by 2017. Packham, Alexander Mcqueen, It has also ordered 24 Boeing 787 Victoria Beckham, Mathew Dreamliners and is the first airline in Williamson, Ralph & Russo and Europe to operate both aircraft types.

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FASHION

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Saturday, February 22, 2014

FASHION

YOUTHMAGAZINE

By Nike Sotade ONSIDERING the amount of time we spend on C them, we don’t really notice our feet very much. Hidden away in shoes, they usually only get some attention if something starts to hurt. Most of our feet problems start from wearing unsuitable shoes over the years, there have been some painful fashions, from clogs to platforms. Nowadays, thankfully, it is much easier to get good shoes that fit and if they don’t, you’ll know all about it. When your feet hurt, you hurt all over. Pressure on the nerve of the feet can give one back ache, headache and pains in other parts of the body, not to mention the fatigue and nervous strain that will show on one’s face. Kindly follow these guidelines from Janet Impey’s Style Made Simple on how to pick the perfect shoes and you’ll find yourself walking effortlessly and walking tall. . Buy shoes that fit properly. They should be snug at the heel and instep and about half-inch longer than your foot. The upper should preferably be made of soft supple leather or fabric and the sole should be as wide as your foot, with the widest part at the first joint of your big toe. . When you try a new pair make sure you stand by and walk in them. As soon as you stand, your feet spread. They also swell slightly as the daily pressures take their toll, so try to shop for new shoes at the end of the day to be sure of a comfortable fit. . Posture is important as it affects the way the body distributes its weight. You should stand and walk with your feet parallel and your toes pointing straight ahead for even distribution over the feet. If you don’t, the weight of the body is thrown onto the inner border of the feet, which will weaken feet and ankles and strain calf muscles. . Vary the height of the heel you wear and be aware that very high heels will throw the weight of your body off balance. Heels no longer than two inches are reckoned to be the best, with a soft cushioned sole to protct against hard pavements. At home, slip into something flat or go barefoot for a change. . Never neglect minor foot problems as, untreated, they could develop into something much worse. Danger signals are hard skin anywhere: corns caused by tight shoes are easily removed but can recur unless you change your footwear. A burning sensation on the ball of the foot may be a callus. Itchy toes, split skin between them and blisters underneath mean athlete’s foot, the big toe leaning towards the other, the start of a bunion. . Home solutions involve a pumice stone. It is the gentlest way to remove corns, callouses and the dead skin build-up. Saturate the pumice while you are soaking you’re your feet in a warm salt water then rub a little hand lotion on the pumice and work the stone across rough areas in one direction only. If the symptoms don’t clear, see a chiropodist. . To relax tired, aching feet and puffy ankles, lie flat on the floor with your feet above your head, supported against a wall. Close youe eyes and relax for 10 minutes. Massage your feet with body lotion when they are tired. Hold the feet in both hands and press the sole firmly with the thumbs along with its length, especially on the ball of the foot. Massage all round each toe, using a small circular movement and finishing by gently pushing each other. Then work your way back and massage around the ankles and up towards the calf. . Treat yourself to a weekly pedicure at home or in the salon. . Sweaty feet? Always use an anti-perspirant spray after washing your feet and shake talcum powder into your shoes to help absorb moisture. Sweat from feet has no smell but bacteria breeding in warm, dark shoes do cause odour. Wearing deodorised insoles inside your shoes can help.

Caring For Your Feet House of Tara opens 14th Studio Tomorrow AKEUP and beauty brand, heart of Lekki’s thriving lifestyle M House of Tara, will be community, built to be the prelaunching its studio number 14 mier provider of shopping, food, tomorrow at the Centro Mall in Lekki, Lagos. It will be formally opened at an exclusive VIP event at the store location. According to the Managing Director, Tara-Fela Durotoye, gone are those days when African markets were saturated with foreign make up brands. Durotoye said: “ With 14 studios in eight states and emerging footprints in Ghana, Kenya and South-Africa, the new studio is strategically located at the Centro mall that sits in the

event and fitness space. House of Tara is also set to launch 29 new stores across 12 cities in 2014.” She also used the occasion to explain the economic benefits of the studio to Nigerians and foreigners. “We are particularly excited with this store as it gives an expression to the wholesome make up experience we want to create. Because we have mastered the art of retail management with our 14 studios and over 300 representatives, we are scaling up our distribution channel

management by presenting other brands with our retail opportunities.” She further explained that African make up are globally acclaimed to be the best in the world. The Retail Experience Manager, House of Tara, Rhema Akabuogu, also explained: “We possess the education, infrastructure and distribution channels that allow for a soft landing for other international and local make up brands. The studio will host Tara Make up, the company’s in house brand, as well as some of the world’s most exciting brands.

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TRAVEL&TOURISM

Badagry Heritage Museum

Badagry Museums: Sad Reminder Of Tragic Past, Yet Tourist Hotspot PART ONE Badagry is one of the Nigerian towns patronized by tourists from everywhere. AJIBOLA AMZAT visited the tourist town recently. He writes about the three major museums located in the town.

in different positions of deprivation and punishment adorn the wall of the museums, each having the capacity to take tourists back to the tragic past of Badagry. From this town, millions of natives captured from different parts of Nigerian were sold to the Portuguese and Europeans that came in number between sixt e e n

Portugal and other places to get their supply. As explained by the tour officer of the museum, Stephen Olaniyan, slaves traded at Vlekete slave market in Posukoh Quarters would later be led into this tiny cell room where they would be kept for about three months pending the ar-

ADAGRY in Lagos state is B a tourist town with a frightening past. Several tourist sites that dot the landscape of Badagry are full of relics of slave trade that lasted for centuries. Some of the relics now preserved in the three museums within the town are the attraction that draws tourists from everywhere to Badagry. There is Seriki Faremi Williams Abass Slave Museum which was declared a national monument in 2003 by the National Commission for Museum and Monument (NCMM), then the Mobee slave Relics Museum and the Badagry Heritage Museum. The first two museums located on Marina road, Boekho Quarters are privately owned while the government of Lagos State owns the third one. Each of these museum houses items such as neck chains, leg manacles, padlocks, water basin, branding knifes and other tools used by slave traders while their business lasted. Images of slaves

Neck Chains trade in Badagry. The museum boasts of keeping original relics of the slave trade, and the family is proud to show off their collections to tourists – for a fee. Inside the

and eighteen centuries. Seriki Abass, the man whom the first museum is named after was a local slave merchant who later inherited a barracoon (cell room) from his foreign collaborators. On a good day the small cell, the size of a toilet room are regularly filled with forty slaves at a time. Slaves were kept in this cubicle pending the market day when they would be sold off like heifers to slave merchants from the New World. The merchants came from France, England, Brazil, Spain,

rival of ship that would take them to the New World. There were several baracoons then, but only the one belonging to Seriki Abass are still preserved for tourism purpose. It is an irony of history that the burial place of Chief Abass also looks like a baracoon where his slaves were kept. The other museum, Mobee Original Slave Relics Museum is managed by Mobee family. High Chief Sunbu Mobee, head of Boekoh Quarters was also major slave dealer. The man was later to play active role in the eradication of slave

Manacles

one-room museum, there were neck chains used to lock a herd of slaves, the padlock used to lock the mouth of troublesome ones, manacles for legs, handcuffs for child

slave and the big basin was their drinking container. A small cannon was displayed on the table. According to the tour guide, Ezekiel Viavonu, the cannon was used to announce the arrival of a ship from the high seas and also used to warn natives to stay indoor at night. “Any freeborn caught during the curfew was sold into slavery. That was the law then,” Said Viavonu. Badagry Heritage Museum is a lot bigger than the other two. The building is the former district office of colonial administrators in Nigeria built in 1863. Lagos State Waterfront and Tourism Development Corporation now manages the museum. Of the three museums, it is the only one that displays written documents about the trans-Atlantic Slave trade that gave Badagry its prominence. Today, the three museums constitute part of the attraction that drives tourist traffic

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YOURMONEY Saturday, February 22, 2014 47

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BRANDNEWS

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

TVC Promises African Perspective Of News Reportage N its resolve to provide an unbiased and balanced report ITelevision of events in Nigeria, nay Africa, Pan-African news channel, Continental (TVC), has reiterated its determination to become the voice of Africa to the global community. Since its first public broadcast on February 28, 2013, TVC News has reached great milestones in news coverage across Africa and the globe. As part of the media briefing with journalists at Continental Broadcasting Service Ltd headquarter in Lagos, a facility tour was conducted to lend credibility to TVC’s brand promise. Speaking to journalists at the media briefing, CEO of TVC, Nigel Parson, affirmed that TVC is adequately poised to deliver exceptional service, in terms of news covering and reportage. ‘‘The dream of TVC has been one of the most challenging start-ups because we have envisioned a TV station that would stand at par with CNN, BBC, CCTV, Aljazeera and others. Over the last one year, we have harnessed the reportorial skill of our employees and have correspondents in parts of Africa, London and other parts of the world. We want to raise the bar of TV broadcasting and offer fresh insights in news reporting of Africa to the world,’’ he submitted. TVC News’ notable coverage also includes the 2013 elections in Ghana, Kenya, Mali and Zimbabwe; the African Union's 50th anniversary celebrations in Addis Ababa, the civil unrests in Egypt and Tunisia, the conflicts in the Central African Republic and Mali, the Nairobi shopping mall siege. Moreover, TVC News has already been recognised as a unique service, filling the gap of Africa previously being the only continent without its own self-produced news and current affairs channel.

MainOne Partners UNILAG To Boost Internet Connectivity IGERIAN telecommunications and services company, N MainOne, has signed a partnership agreement with the University of Lagos (UNILAG), aimed at boosting high-speed Internet bandwidth connectivity on campus. This agreement will see UNILAG benefit from ubiquity of broadband access which will in turn have a positive impact on academic pursuits within the institution. MainOne’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Folu Aderibigbe, said linking the university directly to the MainOne broadband network was part of the company’s strategy to extend its Internet services to the entire educational community. Aderibigbe said: “Nigerian tertiary institutions need to be strengthened and empowered to ensure global competitiveness. MainOne sees the need to assist the educational system meet its learning and research objectives and provide a platform for experience exchange and problem solving within educational and research institutions all over the world. This has formed the basis for the tertiary institutions we have connected in the country,” he added. Aderibigbe also explained that digital literacy was critical to the improvement of quality of life in today’s contemporary world and that MainOne was committed to accelerating connectivity penetration across educational institutions in Nigeria.

Glo Launches Daily Inspiration Services S part of its resolve to always provide cutting edge A quality services to its subscribers and meet their social, psychological and inspirational needs, national telecom operator, Globacom, has launched the Daily Inspiration service on its Interactive Voice Response (IVR) portal. Available only by subscription, the service uses an outbound dialer to call out to subscribers at a specific time each day to deliver fresh and invigorating content that edifies the soul and spirit. Some of the contents available on the portal are Christian inspirational messages, Islamic Duaa, Hilarious Jokes and the Couples Arena. Globacom’s Head of VAS and Data Services, Segun Adeyemo, said the service is targeted at youths and middle-aged subscribers and will cater to their social, religious and psychological needs. “While we currently offer products and services directed at the physical and economic needs of our subscribers, this special service will focus on their religious and social needs, thereby making them well-rounded, fully inspired and unlimited in their daily pursuits,” he said. Adeyemo explained that the service is available to all subscribers who dial 549 or the specific code for the service they require to register. The subscriber only needs to follow the voice prompts after dialing to register for a selected service at the cost of N50 per week. Thereafter, he or she receives a voice call daily that delivers the specific content subscribed to on the bouquet. To ensure that the content is delivered at the desired or appropriate time, the subscriber has the option to choose a time slot during which the content will be delivered. The time ranges from 6.00am to 9.00pm every day.

Deputy Director News, Gbemiga Ogunleye; Chief Operation Officer, Lemi Olalemi; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigel Parson; and Director Commercial, Funke Sogunle, all of Television Continental (TVC) at a media briefing in Lagos…recently.

Dana, KIA Motors Partner To Build Assembly Plant In Nigeria ANA Motors Limited, D the sole distributors of KIA Motors in Nigeria, has signed an agreement with KIA Motors Corporation (KMC), South Korea to set up an assembly plant in Nigeria. Dana Management team was led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, while KMC official, Mr. Homer Kim, led the delegation of officials from South Korea at the

signing ceremony in the presence of the Director of Policy and Planning, National Automotive Council (NAC), Luqman Mamudu, who represented the Director-General. Mamudu commended Dana Motors for taking a bold step to establish a motor vehicle assembly plant which will create significant good quality employment and a wide range of technologically advanced manufacturing

opportunities. Hathiramani stated that Dana Motors aims to set an example for others to follow, with state-of-the-art systems, technology and logistics applied to the assembly plant. He further noted that the project had been planned to have minimal adverse effect on the health and safety of the workers. “Dana Motors aims to surpass customers’ expectations, and with the growing

population of KIA cars across Nigeria there is a need to better support maintenance by upgrading facility and investing in people thereby creating jobs, increasing skills and ultimately producing cost effective vehicles; and also to promote the development of the automobile sector and drive the component parts requirement to be of international standard at competitive prices,” he said.

For Better Operations, Atlantic Aviation Partners Shell Nigeria EW helicopter-services N operator, Atlantic Aviation, supported by one of the world’s leading providers of high-quality transportation to offshore oil and gas producers has begun brand alliance with Shell Nigeria and Production Company, a partnership that will see commercial flights of Augusta Westland 139 (AW139) helicopters from Lagos. Atlantic Aviation, a Nigerian company owned by Jagal Group with technical service support from CHC Helicopter, started crew-rotation flights for Shell from Murtala Muhammed International Airport to the Deepwater Discovery drill ship. On its maiden commercial flight, Atlantic Aviation transported nine Transocean employees to the waters around the Shell Bonga concession. The Deepwater Discovery is a fast-drilling ship that is boring some 80 holes in a relatively short amount of time in the Gulf of Guinea. Regional Director Atlantic Aviation, Shaf Syed, said the first flights were significant.

“These flights are only the first of what we expect will be many years of helping oil and gas operators to go further, do more and come home safely in Nigeria, one of the world’s fastest growing regions for this industry. “Today represents a culmination of several months of planning and hard work from many people, to establish and demonstrate Atlantic Aviation. In line with the governments’

strategic agenda on investment, job creation and Nigerian Content Development, Atlantic Aviation is investing in delivering to Nigeria world-class standards through quality and excellence. Shaf was optimistic that with technical service support from CHC for training, flight and engineering standards, Atlantic Aviation would become “the leading helicopter

operator in this market,” stating further that “customers will feel reassured by the depth of experience and expertise that we bring to this sector in Nigeria." The twin-engine, mediumsized AW139 helicopter is well-suited to current and future requirements of Nigerian offshore drilling, having the range and capability to operate into the deep water and frontier drilling ultra-deep water fields.

MoneyGram Records 26% Growth In 2013 ONEYGRAM, one of the M world leaders in money transfer with over 20,000 points of sale in Africa, grew by a massive 26 per cent last year in Nigeria. This revelation was made by MoneyGram’s Regional Director, North and West Africa, Mr. Francois Peyret, who was on a working visit to Nigeria recently. Peyret stated that Nigeria is key for MoneyGram because of the huge remittance market in the country. He said: “Nigeria is in the top five big countries for MoneyGram in Africa. We have a good growth in Nigeria. Last year, in Nigeria we grew by about

26 per cent. This is a doubledigit growth which shows that there are a lot of opportunities and that the market is doing well in Nigeria despite the fact that we stopped doing the USD payout last year in compliance with the CBN policy. We are still the challenger, but we are in a good place and have good growth.” In terms of innovation, Peyret stated that although MoneyGram’s core business is cash-to-cash, the company is listening to what the market is saying. “We need to keep an eye on the market and what competition is doing. A ground-

breaking step was taken last year with Etranzact PocketMoni. When you receive a MoneyGram transaction, if you have a mobile wallet you will be able to credit your mobile wallet with the MoneyGram transaction, rather than going to any location to pick up cash. Within this year and two years time, we are planning to have cash-to-account transfers. Anybody sending money to Nigeria will be able to credit the receiver’s account directly. This project is ongoing, right now. For us, new channels and technology is a good way to meet customer needs,” he said.

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 49

SHORT STORY By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) HAT have I done? I shouldn’t have raised my hand to “W slap Tola! Now she’s gone… I’ve been searching for her for the past four days with no trace of her. This is a lady I’m deeply in love with and she’s so much in love with me. Oh, Tola what should I do? It’s the devil’s work and the height of madness! If I can’t find her by tomorrow evening, I’ll kill myself.” For 10 minutes, Deoti had been soliloquizing in his living room, with tears streaming down his face. His two-year-old handsome son was sitting beside him, wondering why his dad was moody and shedding sorrowful tears. The couple had been married for three years and nothing like quarrel or misunderstanding had ever taken place. What brought about this ugly situation was the rumour Tola heard that Deoti was dating a lady living in the next flat. She called him politely and asked him if it was true. Deoti was shocked that his ‘lovely angel’ (that was what he always called her) could ever imagine him flirting with another woman after pledging love, honesty and faithfulness as the marriage creed stipulates. For the very first time in his life, he became angry when an argument ensued as he was stating his innocence. Suddenly, he gave his beautiful wife a slap that sent her crashing on the floor. That was it! Tola left home in tears and went away, wandering aimlessly to nowhere in particular. It dawned on Deoti that he had hurt the only love of his life who had been his soul-mate and wonderful companion for the past five years. After searching fruitlessly for her for three days, he went to radio and television stations to make a report. When Tola left home, for the first time in annoyance, she felt really heartbroken. She walked the streets of Lagos, heading toward the Island. Her husband’s action made her feel really bad; and there was a silent, evil foreboding surrounding her movement. People wondered what was the problem with the awesomely beautiful young lady and mother of one. Truly, Tola was beautiful! Deoti had resigned himself to fate and lost all hope of seeing his sweetheart again. His heart was filled with remorse, disappointment and grief. He believed the sanest thing to do now was to commit suicide and join his wife in the great beyond; thinking she must be dead. Deoti got himself some poisonous drugs and wanted to end his life abruptly. He was about drinking the poisonous drugs when he heard in the news flash, on the television, that a certain lady was about committing suicide by jumping from a tall building – a skyscraper located in the heart of Lagos Island. He was surprised to know that it was Tola who was attempting suicide. He quickly dropped the poison and headed for Lagos Island. He was sweating profusely and really worried as he drove himself at top speed to the destination. Tola had been arrested and detained by the police for attempting suicide. She could have died tragically if not for the intervention of the fire service men that came to her rescue and saved her from gruesome death. Tola remained in the police custody but was treated fairly by the police who knew she was heartbroken. She was charged to court accordingly and would soon appear in court. When Deoti sighted her day, he was numbed with shock. Tears streamed down his cheeks; ditto for Tola who couldn’t hide her feelings. She sobbed like a baby. “See what you pushed me into”, Deoti she said gently, with tears cascading down her face. “I am so sorry dear. I’m deeply sorry. I never knew it would result to this. You know I love you, Tola,” he said, feeling remorseful. “Deoti, I’ve been charged with attempted suicide and would soon appear in court. The police bluntly refused to let me off the hook and grant me pardon. See what I’m going through all for the sake of love,” she uttered, mopping her tears with cloth. Deoti moved closer and cleaned her face with his handkerchief. He felt really touched and confused. Tola would soon appear in court for attempting to kill herself. The case would come up on August 15. The whole thing looked like a joke, but it was real . The case came up exactly on August 15 as stipulated. Deoti always took food and medicine to his Tola. It was a painful and harrowing experience. He could never imagine being separated from his lovely wife. On the day of judgment, the bespectacled elderly judge was very blunt in delivering judgment on the case. He took his gavel, slammed it on the table and said: “Mrs. Tola Folorunsho, I won’t hesitate to sentence you, to serve as a lesson to people who disturb public peace. But I’ll temper justice with mercy and won’t let you spend too many years behind bars for being a public nuisance. For disrupting the public peace, you are hereby sentenced to one year imprisonment.” He stood up after the last sentence and left the court. Deoti and Tola stood apart with open mouths, shocked and amazed. The tears had gathered in the couple’s eyes and came down slowly. They held each other’s hands. They were parted by two grim-faced policemen. Tola was whisked away in a waiting van which would convey her to the prison where she would serve her jail term. After the sentence, things were really tough for Deoti. He was wondering how he would cope with life when his only comforter and source of joy was languishing in jail. He sought the help of a lawyer to appeal against the court’s decision. He was unfortunate as the young man whom he thought was a genuine lawyer was only a quack. He fell for the ruse and antics and was duped N50, 000. Deoti was the saddest man on earth. The pains of being a single parent were too much to bear for Deoti. He started playing the role of a father as well as mother to his son who often asked him some thought-pro-

The Lost Angel voking questions like: “Daddy, when would mum come home?” Each time the little boy asked such question, Deoti would shake his head sorrowfully and say: “Your mum would soon be back, Biodun, just be patient.” Deoti started counting days and weeks, hoping against hope for the freedom of his darling wife. A couple of weeks later, his son had malaria fever. He was really worried, as the young boy developed hot body temperature. He took him to the family hospital for medical attention. Deoti almost had high blood pressure when the doctor quoted some medical parlance with regard to the condition of his son and told him in clear terms that the boy had developed typhoid fever. The hospital bill was N5, 800. Deoti hurriedly parted with the money and a series of tests were carried out on the boy. “You have to be careful, sir,” the doctor advised, “lest you develop hypertension that could lead to stroke or paralysis. Take things easy.” “Thank you, doctor,” he replied; “I’m hoping the Almighty God will see me through these trying times.” Biodun was placed on typhoid drugs for five days and he received injection for three days. His health started getting better as the days progressed. Deoti couldn’t go to work for two days because of the health of his son. It was a welcome relief when the boy showed signs of improvement. One Saturday evening as they were preparing to eat their dinner, Biodun dropped the bombshell again. “Daddy, I said when is mummy coming back?” the young boy asked again. This was the question that always drew tears from Deoti’s eyes. “Very soon, your mum will come home, my son.” Deoti replied his anxious and worried son. Deoti’s heart throbbed with fear and tension as he looked into the eyes of his innocent son. He wondered how he would cope with the absence of his lovely wife for one whole year. His health was getting poor as the days went by. His doctor warned him to be careful of developing symptoms of hypertension. It could be disastrous as he could lose his life in the process. Every day when he came back from office, he would be moody and sad. He contemplated suicide again. That very night, he looked into the eyes of his son. What would life be for this boy if he becomes fatherless? He knew his wife would come home one day after serving her jail term, but his spirit was too weak to bear her absence. The pains of fatherhood had taken a huge toll on

him. Just then, an idea struck Deoti. He listened to his inner voice that he should try the media, with emphasis on the print and electronic media, to help him fight his cause because he was gradually losing his mind and what might happen to him could be calamitous. He went straight to the Pen Newspapers office the following afternoon, to start a media campaign for the freedom of his wife. As luck would have it, the editors listened to his story and took pity on him. A reporter interviewed him and, two days later, the story was published and the whole world became hooked to the story, with many pitying him. The electronic media were not left out. Sky Television House also interviewed him and gave him its support. His interview was beamed on the TV. In a matter of days, Tola’s plight had become the problem of the whole country, while people in the corridors of power took her case to the Presidency. What began like a private family matter had now assumed national attention and publicity that even the President came to hear about it. A week later, the Federal Government looked into the matter by making the judiciary temper justice with mercy. Under a prerogative of mercy, Tola’s case was reopened and Deoti’s lovely and extremely beautiful wife was released and pardoned. Thus, a family that was literally heading for the gallows was saved from destruction. Tola had spent four months in prison before she was released and became a free woman. It was the most wonderful moment of joy when Tola regained her freedom and walked into the waiting arms of her husband and lovely son. “Oh, my sweetheart,” Deoti said in excitement, “you’ll never know how I felt throughout these past months! I miss you… I’m so sorry for all that happened to you. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been angry. Please, forgive me.” I’ve forgiven you dear,” she replied softly, “I miss you too. Biodun, my lovely son, are you okay?” “I’m fine mummy.” The little kid replied, and got a peck on the cheek. The tears had gathered in the eyes of the couples as they were entwined in warm embrace. In absolute joy of a peaceful reunion, the couple went home, beaming with smiles. They swore never to quarrel again in their lives but remain an understanding and inseparable couple.

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno State, inspecting a burnt mosque and some houses in Kawuri, Konduga council area of the state last week..

Badeh

Jonathan

Fears, Questions Over Persistent Boko Haram Attacks By Samson Ezea

T a time many Nigerians thought the ongoing war against the Boko Haram sect in the Northeast of Nigeria was achieving the desired results, the sect’s recent serial and consistent attacks is a sign that security agents are not winning the war the way they have made Nigerians to believe. This has once again raised more questions than answers on the ability, sincerity and commitment of government and security agents in fighting terrorism in the country. Many had thought before now that the declaration of state of emergency in some northeast states by President Goodluck Jonathan would bring the activities of the sect to an end, but unhindered Boko Haram attacks in the same areas in the last one week, even in broad daylight, appeared to be rubbishing the successes achieved so far by the security agents in the areas. Since the beginning of February, the sect appeared to be having a field day in their operations, despite the presence of military Task Force in Borno State in particular. On February 11, the sect attacked Konduga, killing 39 civilians. The next day, they invaded Gwoza and killed nine soldiers. On February 13, the sect killed 57 civilians in Konduga again for four hours unchallenged. Emboldened by this successive feat, the members of the sect on February 15 invaded Izge, a town in Gwoza Council near the border between Borno and Adamawa states, where they killed 106 civilians. During that night attack, the gunmen fired at fleeing residents and slaughtered others who were captured, according to survivors that escaped into neighbouring Adamawa. “We heard gunshots around 9 pm and ran to the bush. The attackers rounded up and shot 40 people who tried to escape, while those caught inside their houses were slaughtered,” one of the survivors said. Another survivor, who lost a father-in-law and a brother-in-law in the mayhem, said: “My husband scaled the fence to survive. When I left Izge this morning around 7 am, I saw more than 70 corpses, including that of my father-inlaw. “But there was nobody to bury them, as everybody was leaving.” Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing

Borno South, put the total number of people killed in the Izge attack at 106, adding: “The unfortunate thing is that those being killed are innocent, poor masses who don’t know anything.” He said the total number of people killed in the last one month in Borno and Adamawa states was up to 500. “We are all frightened by the escalation of violence and killings in just one month between February and January this year,” he bemoaned. Speaking during a visit to Konduga last Wednesday, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, said: “Frankly speaking, officers and men of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force are doing their best, given the circumstances. “But you and I know that the Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated. “Honestly, our security men on ground are putting in their best, but there is the need for additional troops and additional support for the military. “I am an eternal optimist; I hope and pray that very soon, the federal government will rise to the challenges of the day.” Also during his visit to state House Abuja to confer with President Goodluck Jonathan on the killings, Shettima made it clear that Nigeria is in a state of war, as the military tries to defeat the Boko Haram. He also said the fight against Boko Haram was far from being won, as the insurgents seem to be more motivated than the Nigerian military. Shettima warned that the faster Nigerian leaders braced up to the challenge, the better for the country. “It is what I came to update Mr. President. The sooner we stop playing the ostrich and rise up to the challenges of the day and marshal all resources towards visualising the antics of Boko Haram, the better for all of us. “But the bottom line is that we need more resources, more vote on ground. “I am an eternal optimist as I have always said, but I am also a realist. Given the present state of affairs, it is absolutely impossible for us to defeat Boko Haram. “I made it emphatically clear to Mr. President that the Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated. “Anybody who is following events in this

country can attest to the fact that they have a very smooth sail overrunning communities, killing people. “Have we ever succeeded in thwarting any of their plans? They went to Konduga and did what they wanted to do. They held sway for several hours before they left. They were in Kaurin and Izge. “I don’t blame the Nigerian military; we the leaders should be held responsible for our failure in leadership.” The governor confirmed the alleged threat by the group to launch an onslaught if Cameroun assists the Nigerian government to fight it. “But the President has assured us that he will put in his best to see that the unfortunate tendency of the Boko Haram overrunning communities and butchering innocent souls is brought under control,” he said. On the implications of Boko Haram attacks on the 2015 elections, the governor said he did not care about the elections, saying his major concern is for peace to return to the state and the northern region as a whole. “It is too early for anybody to talk about election when human lives are involved. Power comes from God and He gives power to whom He will. “I don’t care whether elections are here, but I do care that peace is restored in Borno and the Northeast sub-region. So, people should stop playing politics,” he said. Few hours after, Jonathan’s aide, Dr. Doyin Okupe, countered that the military was better equipped and motivated to fight Boko Haram militants. Okupe questioned Shettima’s expertise on the effectiveness of weapons in the fight against the sect. Before the dust settled, the sect launched another brazen attack on Bama, Borno State, killing several people. From the way and the manner the federal government and Borno State are going about the development, it obvious that there is trouble in the air. As uncertainties pervade most of the Northeast over fear of possible attack by the sect, many question the use of the huge budgetary provisions in the fight following the seemingly failure of the security agents to tackle the insurgency frontally. Some people attribute this to high level of corruption in the management of funds budgeted

to fight the menace. Another issue is the rivalry among the different security agencies, while critics point to lack of political will to end the insurgency by government. It was on this basis that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) recently wrote to the President, asking him to urgently instruct both the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to monitor government’s spending in the fight against Boko Haram to ensure that the funds are spent judiciously to end the unnecessary loss of lives and violations of human rights in that part of the country. In the letter by its executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the group expressed concern over Shettima’s statement that the sect is better armed and motivated than Nigerian troops. It stated that if the governor’s assertion suggests that the huge sums of money budgeted to prosecute the fight have not achieved. Speaking on the persistent attacks in Borno, a retired military officer and security expert, Captain Umar Aliyu (rtd) said it has become “difficult to curtail, as it were, the trend of events for obvious reasons, the background and nature of which, there is a seeming dearth of will power to address. “Boko Haram is simply leveraging on these reasons to hone in and exploit further, their cause.” He added: “And what are these reasons… simply put, the bread and butter of politics. I choose to call it thus because the Nigerian Armed Forces has all it takes to close the business in Borno State on time. “This is at the moment untenable because the army, we must accept, is part and parcel of our democracy; a part of the whole, so to say. “Given this fact, it must subject itself to civil authority. I dare say, given a different political dispensation, this issue, if it ever had to come up, would have been done and dispatched with swiftly. “That is not to say success cannot be achieved within the framework of our democracy… oh yes it can.” Aliyu stressed that the country’s security agencies have what it takes to do what is required,

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COVER

‘Internal Capacity Must Be Built If Nigeria Would Win Fight Against Boko Haram Insurgency’ Mr. Cecil Ibegbu, CTE, is a counter-terrorism expert and Executive Director of I2 Security Group United States of America. In this interview with ONYEDIKA AGBEDO, he proffers solutions to the continued persistence of the Boko Haram insurgency in northern parts of the country. had in the past called for a proactive approach Ienforcement by the Nigerian government and the law agencies in order to advance the capacity of all law enforcement agencies. I maintained that if such is neglected, Nigeria will in near future find itself at the receiving end of the fight on terrorism and may end up worse off than Afghanistan and Somalia. My rational for such a cry out in my publication in 2005 was the evidenced trend in Islamic fundamentalism activities in Nigeria, the ease by which the elite, both politicians and religious authorities, were brazenly radicalising the weak, the uneducated, and those that lack and are in a quest for direction and leadership in the northern part of the country. To compound matters, corruption, porous borders and outright lack of patriotism and allegiance to the Nation State Nigeria in more ways than one exacerbates issues. As a result, they help in providing fertile ground for recruitment of terrorists, harnessing their craft in an environment where most are unsympathetic to the Nation State, and above all, adheres to the faulty notion that by joining the cause, they will be bidding Allah’s will. I had followed it up with publications on areas such as, a good look at what terrorism is in Nigeria; how did Nigeria get to this point; how did terrorism become so appealing to the northern youths; was Islam a factor in any way; how are these youths recruited and how are they financed; and whether the government has done enough and what exactly is needed from the government so as to help build capacity for law enforcement etc. Today, in order to fully appreciate the attendant difficulties and challenges that to some extent guarantees the existence, growth, and viability of Boko Haram or Ansaru, one must first look at the different motivating factors that enables recruitment, sympathy and its effect on followers and sympathizers of Boko Haram as a whole. One must honestly look at the role corruption plays in Northern Nigeria, the ready availability of uneducated, unemployed; unmeaningfully engaged Almajiri’s in the Northern part of Nigeria that in a way provides a ready pool that fills recruitment to the cause that have been sold and accepted by youths in that area. One must also in looking at motivators, address whether Islamic affinity was and is a factor, and this becomes important to understand especially when one tries to analyse the international dimension to Boko Haram insurgency. This is mostly important in areas where you will expect cooperation of residents with the law enforcement efforts and the military, and whether the non-receivable of that level of cooperation hinders the process of intelligence gathering. The other areas of importance to address will be whether the heavy high-handed approach of the Nigerian military in a way enables recruitment. Is it possible that as the Northern residents that have been on the receiving end of both the Boko Haram insurgents and the Nigeria military’s indiscriminate attack that takes more innocent casualties than it does Boko Haram insurgents out of desperation from the Human Rights abuses that the government perpetuates on their community in the name of insurgency fight, in order to self-preserve, and as a result of possible disdain, they turn to Boko Haram so as to be spared? Of all of the above narrated rational which included motivating factors, one must appreciate its’ financing networks and its attendant spokes and wheels that completes that conspiratorial web. It is a known fact that Boko Haram is funded handsomely by varied groups and receives its funds in varied manners such as: its

ability in the early years to make itself the de facto ruler of north eastern Nigeria for many years, effectively exterminating the Christian population and also making sure that effective federal, state, or local government control seizes to exist. They further instituted the Sharia Law, collected taxes and developed an Islamic education system that indoctrinates youths into serving as jihadist fighters. While all was going on, in my 2002 publication, I had opined that the then President Olusegun Obasanjo had dropped the ball by allowing those states to institute the Sharia law in its enclave. The politicians then in that area were okay with the ongoing, encouraged and financed it in order to use them in winning elections. I wrote then that the synergy that these politicians enjoy then with the insurgent groups that today make up the Boko Haram will end up as a nightmare for them in the near future because as lawlessness grows wings, so does its capacity to fly. A closer look of other ways that Boko Haram generates its funds will shine a light on wealthy supporters from Borno and Yobe States. Boko Haram robbery of banks in the North, including sending text messages via extortion and intimidation to wealthy Northern State Nigerians to make payments to its accounts for its cause is one source. There is also a report that Boko Haram allegedly receives its financial support from strong Nigerian politicians, including governors who don’t want their states to be attacked. Verifiable external financial support comes also from Al-Qaeda and AlShaba’ab. Terrorism financing constantly mutates and also the Muslim culture that encourages charity then becomes a loophole that allows

Ibegbu

for financiers of terror to use informal transfer centres making it difficult for the funds to be tracked. Also, Boko Haram adoption of the Islamic system of global trade and financing, “the Hawala system” allows for an informal transfer of money based on honour code and trust. There have been reports that Boko Haram has been engaging in drug trafficking in order to help finance its operations. Other areas to have in mind are the interplay of Nigeria porous borders and corruption. The fact that both are interchangeable is a course for alarm. For example, more than half of the arms and illegal immigration that floods into Nigeria, are intercepted prior to, but the issue is what happens after interdiction. The other area where corruption becomes a major enabler is on appropriated funds that are budgeted by the Nigerian government as expenditures for security et al. How many Nigerians even knows how much the government has spent on security since the inception of Boko Haram. Reports abound that favoured top military, security and government officials, both retired and current, as security experts dealing in procurements for the Nigerian government different security agencies and have consistently used it as an avenue to unjustly enrich themselves without delivery of the requisite security services. This practice cuts out the qualified relevant experts in the area and precludes their ability to make a meaningful contribution in this fight. Once the budgeted funds have been exhausted without result and or service delivery, the relevant agencies then seek free international support and help in fighting Boko Haram. From the motivations and financial capacity available to Boko Haram as enumerated above, one can deduce that the capacity to remain a

viable terror group is there, and the next question then is what the Nigerian government could do in order to contain the spread, its appeal and its effectiveness to succeed, as has been the case. In order to address this, one must begin to look at the current set up of the Nigeria Intelligence and Security Agencies. The office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President is headed by Col Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, and then you have Major General Sarkin Yaki Bello as the Counter Terrorism Coordinator as an agency in that office. A look at this structure reveals an arrangement that has been ineffectively set up to fail. General Bello is acclaimed for his creek efforts that contained MEND. But he does not possess the requisite counter terrorism knowledge that would have allowed him to be effective in that position. MEND and Counter Terrorism are not the same by any means. The military efforts and operational mandate ought to have emanated from General Bello’s office. From my assessment, there have been a policy failure on Counter Terrorism and that failure lies in General Bello’s office. Counter Terror policies are not only military in nature. It incorporates a targeted approach that deals with the root causes such as the recruitment, rehabilitation, financing, media approach that sells the governments’ position in a favourable light and most importantly, on containment of successful attacks. All of these initiatives have been absent in this fight. In the last couple of weeks, President Jonathan replaced all of the Service Chiefs’ of the military. Fundamentally, this is not all that should have been done. A light had to be shinned in the approach that General Bellow had adopted. Where are his policy initiatives? Nigerians ought to know this. If the President cannot and is not satisfied with those policies, maybe, a new Counter Terrorism Coordinator will have to be employed. Finally, the intelligence capacity of the security agencies needs to be enhanced. Within the international community intelligence circle, there is this joke that intelligence in Nigeria is a Mosque affair. In order words, it is collected, analysed and shared in a Mosque judging by the fact that 99 per cent of past NSA heads have been Muslims. If you are not a former military personnel and a Muslim, chances are that you will not have the requisite intelligence that you will need in order to succeed. A look at General Azazi’s inability to gain necessary intelligence compared to Col Dasuki’s ability to gain such information comes to mind. General Azazi failed to communise the capacity of the NSA to make availability of intelligence a requirement for all, but not for a privileged few. Another area of concern is on counter intelligence, where most intelligence officers readily share state secretes without recourse from the government. Examples of this could be found in the Wiki publications and also reports that Boko Haram is always aware of the Nigeria State actions ahead of time. For Nigeria to succeed in this fight, there have to be a strong political will for the fight, prosecution of the elite financiers, law enforcement capacity building, addressing the corruption issue in those northern states, provisions of basic amenities and engaging the at risk youths. Finally, ensuring that Nigerians begin to put the nation state first before ethnicity, religion and other affinities is very necessary. On questions on whether there are lessons to be learned by Nigeria from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan et al that have also been battling insurgency, the answer will be yes and no. Nigeria Boko Haram challenges are uniquely Nigerian and as a result it requires Nigeria solutions. Nigeria on the other hand can learn from these countries on how they built their law enforcement and counter terrorism capacity. So, each time you read in the papers, that this or that country pledged to support and help Nigeria, view such as simply a lip service. Internal capacity must be built if Nigeria should win this fight.

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COVER

Intelligence Gathering Among Security Agencies Is Weak And Porous, Says Obianaso Mr. Paul Obianaso Security & Counter Terrorism Expert and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Center for Criminal Justice Reform & Citizen Awareness (CJRCA) spoke to AJIBOLA AMZAT on the recent persistent attacks by Boko Haram sect in northeast state of Borno.

HE Ministry of Defence has been receiving the highest budgetary allocation and the Presidency has reshuffled security chiefs at various times, yet the level of insecurity has not abated especially in the North –east, what alternatives are available to the country? A good budget is very essential for providing security and waging war against terror. But, the most essential thing on the part of government is to be most mindful that, ‘the Security and welfare of the people shall be the

Obianaso

primary purpose of government’, sec14 (2)(b), 1999 Constitution, 2011 as amended. This means that the government must discharge its duties regarding the security and welfare of the people with utmost seriousness. Money and materials alone cannot stop terrorism in Nigeria. I believe government has not planned properly on how to tackle the terrorism menace. The military and other security agencies still believe they have a monopoly of wisdom in security matters. Nobody is talking about research, critical appraisal and analysis that can lead to lasting solutions. Most of the talk is more about money and materials. This is happening within the same circle of people. They are very hostile to fresh ideas or persons whose opinions may differ from their own. Why? They don’t want the money to stop flowing. Bringing security experts from all over the world to come and advise Nigerian government will not end Boko Haram. It is Nigerians that will evolve lasting solutions to the security challenges. America had to pull out of Iraq and leave Iraq people with their fate to sort out themselves. The earlier we learn that lesson, the better it will be for us. In many cases, Nigerians with the badly needed skills and professional competence are not being allowed to participate in their government. This is in violation of the Constitution which provides that: the participation of the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, sec 14(2)(c), 1999 Constitution, as amended, 2011. Government have been linked to the unending attacks in the Northeast zone? Nigerian government as an entity

cannot be the one aiding or funding Boko Haram from behind the scenes. It is very doubtful. But there are certain elements within government that are very sympathetic to Boko Haram. There are others within government who sell information to the terrorists. The intelligence gathering system and mechanism within the security agencies are still very weak and porous. Those who are incharge in government would not want to hear about changes or improvement. The corruption in the system is so bad; it is tragic and sensationally mind-boggling. Unfortunately, those who sabotage government are operating unhindered from within government offices and nobody is even asking basic questions. When you talk from outside they will say you are a busy body, you are seeking attention or a contract. I have made written submission to the President on the way forward but the submissions usually disappear in the office of the Chief of Staff to the President. You then wonder whether Mr. President gets first hand information in some cases. I made it clear that the strategy government is using will not take us to the desired haven. What is happening now is sad because most of them are preventable. The blunders are too much. Those who should listen are not listening. This thing is spreading and like kidnapping it will soon spread all over the country if we don’t take time. I gave such warnings in the past, but no one listened. Do you think Nigerian security is compromised at the highest level of government? Yes. What we have is security for Mr. President, governors and other indi-

viduals. But Nigeria as a country is not secured. I have said this over the years. Boko Haram has clearly shown how vulnerable we are as a nation. For security reasons I will not say certain things on the pages of newspapers. But there is problem and certain fundamental security challenges are not being addressed. Do you think Nigerian security agencies are equipped enough to deal with guerrilla fighters like Boko Haram? They may be equipped with whatever but not the best brains and ideas. They don’t understand or see the need for synergy the way they should. There is still inter-agency rivalry and internal squabbles going on. These are injurious to the efforts of government to prevent terrorism. Can dialogue still work in this circumstance? There is still hope. Dialogue that will work is not general dialogue by some politicians. We need a special approach. The security agencies need help. The help cannot come from among them or even government. After September 9/11, American military became humble enough and began to partner with relevant civil society stakeholders and other relevant professionals. That was when they began to win the war against terror on Americans. I know what we must set up here if we want to win against Boko Haram. Until we set up such structures and infrastructures, we shall remain encapsulated in this bizarre rhapsody of absurdities which threaten all of us. Now is the time to act because tomorrow may be too late.

‘The Military Needs To Do More In The Fight Against Boko Haram Insurgency’ Elder Olaiya Phillips is the Chairman of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) In this interview with LAOLU ADEYEMI, he speaks on what should be done to win the war against Boko Haram insurgency in the country. F you were to situate the crisis in the North, where you would you situate it in? One must be wary of simple explanations for complex circumstances, and the crisis in the North is full of complexities. I think the crisis in the North, like other challenges is the result of a combination of religious, political, social, economic, ethnic and others. Those challenges will inevitably have a particular face, depending on who the principal protagonists are. Despite the appointment of new service chiefs by the president, the killings orchestrated by members of the Boko Haram sect is on the rise. Why is this so? The appointment of new service chiefs is vitally

important because we cannot afford a vacuum at the pinnacle of our armed forces. How Boko Haram is curtailed and eventually conquered however will be the result of well-articulated and executed policies that are faithfully pursued. As we have consistently said, we need tough security measures to fight the terrorism and protect both Christians and Moslems. Again political steps to engage the sect members in dialogue and persuade them to end the violence should also be explored. We expect more from the military, and the President has also made it clear. It’s time to see delivery. We are not convinced that robust security measures have been taken. They must come to realize that the state alone has the right and a monopoly of the organised application of force; that message must be delivered in an unerring and systematic manner. Are some countries not benefiting from the crisis in Northern Nigeria? I’m not sure which countries you refer to when you suggest some countries are benefiting from the crisis. As far as I am aware, the murder of innocent Nigerians by what the international community considers being a terrorist organization provides no benefit.

Indeed it threatens the security of many of our neighbours. It was only last month that fighting crossed the border into Cameroon with the murder of a Cameroonian citizen. Furthermore, the ongoing insurgency has led to thousands of Nigerian refugees crossing our neighbours’ borders as they seek safety. I do not see how this has been of benefit to our neighbours. Some people have argued that the re-election bid of President Jonathan in 2015 would further worsen the crisis in the North. What is your take on this? I do not agree that the President Jonathan’s possible re-election bid will worsen the crisis in the North. The terrorists will find reason to pursue their ignominious activities regardless of whoever is in Aso Rock. When President Jonathan appointed a new National Security Adviser, many felt and said that because the new NSA was a northerner, the ferocity of the attacks would abate- nothing was further from the truth. The attacks continued to be on increase. Boko Haram is not attacking President Jonathan, it is attacking the idea of Nigeria and we in NOSCEF are firm in our resolve to oppose and overcome it.

Questions Over Persistent Boko Haram Attacks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50 pointing to what they did in Liberia, a country of some 110,000 sq. km and population of about 4.1million, spread over some largely hilly terrain and tropical rain forest. “This same armed forces and security agencies went there and closed

business successfully, at a cost though. “Now Borno State, 69,000 sq. km, home to some 3.9 million people, spread over mainly open Sahel savannah terrain, very much smaller and less complex than Monrovia, where visibility and movement as they affect the dynamics of combat and armed

engagements is much more cumbersome than Maiduguri… “Let there be no doubts that what is required or lacking is not the ‘what it takes of the matter,’ but the ‘political will to act on the matter,’ as it were,” he said. On the call for government to seek foreign assistance in the fight, Aliyu said that the country

does not need such to handle this challenge to our nationhood. “The issue at hand, as I said, is not a function of foreign assistance or the lack of it; it will ever remain the courage and political will to bell this cat. “Ultimately, it is not just about Borno State, but Nigeria, that I speak of.” Phillips

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture Youssou N’Dour To Headline Etisalat Prize For Literature Award Tomorrow Stories by Anote Ajeluorou ORMER Senegalese two-time minister of culFYoussou ture and tourism and mbalax music star, N’Dour, will tomorrow Sunday, February 23, serenade literary enthusiasts and corporate executes at the prestigious The Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. This would bring to a climax Etisalat debut prize contest that started July last year when entries were called from among Africa’s first fiction book authors in Lagos. A statement from Head, High Value Events & Sponsorships Brands and Communications Division, Ebi Atawodi, said, “This event follows the successful launch of the maiden edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature, the first Pan-African Prize celebrating debut fiction books from writers of African citizenship. The award ceremony will also feature a unique performance from celebrated African music legend, Youssou N’Dour. “It will also mark the grand finale of the celebrated Pan African Prize, which received entries from across Africa and internationally for the full-length book category and received over 400 entries for the online flash fiction category. The shortlisted books are Bom Boy by Yewande Omotoso, Finding Soutbek by Karen Jennings and We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo. The Etisalat Prize for Literature has been exclusively featured on the BBC, Al Jazeera, Xin Hua and the January issue of British Airways Highlife Magazine”. Atawodi also said the award ceremony would play host to a number of intellectuals in the arts and culture space including the esteemed panel of judges – South Africa’s Dr. Pumla Gqola (Chair), Kenyan Billy Kahora and British-born Nigerian Sarah Ladipo Manyika, and celebrated patrons of the Etisalat Prize - Ellah Allfrey (OBE), Prof. Kole Omotoso, Prof. Ama Ata-Aidoo and Margaret Busby (OBE). The statement also said there would be a ‘Meet

MD, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steve Evans (right); Chair of judges and South African don, Dr. Pumla Gqola (2nd right); Head, High Value Events & Sponsorships Brands and Communications Division, Ebi Atawodi (left) and prize patron and America’s Pulitzer prize winner, Mr. Dele Olojode at the launch of the prize last year… in Lagos

N’Dour the Writers’ media event today at Kongi’s Harvest Hall, Freedom Park, Lagos Island at 4pm. It will feature the three competing authors in a discussion with special guest and patron of the Etisalat Prize for Literature, Ellah Wakatama Allfrey. The winner of the inaugural edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature will receive £15,000 cash prize, attend Etisalat Fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia and be mentored by Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland) and a 3-city book signing tour alongside the other two runners-up. Indeed, Etisalat Prize for African Literature award tomorrow signals real time addition of another reward system for African writers that is home grown and is a welcome addition to such western-sponsored prize, as The Caine Prize, that has kept the literary fire burning all

along. However, apart from Omotoso’s Bom Boy, which was published in 2011 and Bulawayo’s We Need New Names, which also had a strong showing at the recent British Booker Prize, Jennings’ Finding Soutbet is relatively unknown to most readers on the continent. More importantly, this debut outing seems an entirely Southern African affair, as the three authors are based in that region. While Bulawayo is Zimbabwean, Jennings is South African and although Omotoso is Nigerian, her novel, Bom Boy is based in South Africa but with a strong feel of Nigeria, as source of its root; Omotoso is also based in South Africa. Coincidentally, her father is one of the patrons of the prize. In any case, whoever wins tomorrow will be Africa’s laureate for first fiction together with the new flash fiction prize. It will be subtle nar-

rative shift on a continent’s literary and cultural life, for which agenda has mostly usually been set by the west that has the political, economical and cultural power of projection. It brings to mind the query one of the runners-up to The Caine Prize 2013 recently raised, when he asked why it should be London that African writers gather yearly and not Accra, Lagos or Johannesburg to determine the best from the continent! From all indications, John’s is a significant query that the Etisalat Prize for Literature in Africa has now answered, for which the winner will emerge tomorrow in Lagos and not in London. It’s no doubt a small but significant step in reordering a continent’s literary and cultural engagement away from a foreign-centred one often accused of stereotypes that are injurious to Africa’s sensibilities.

Luca’s The Split Image in print HEN a young man finds himself of their illicit act, Joe. On the evening W in a foreign land, as most when Angela arrives the bar where Nigerians in the 1950s, 60 and 70s did Dojo and his friends are drinking, when they’d had to study in England, a little indiscretion on the side could change the direction of his life either for good or bad. As was most often the case, some of these young men came with foreign, white (oyinbo) wives while some simply had children sired by these women. This is the story of Prof. Bode Lucas’ The Split Image (Stirling-Horden Publishers Ltd, Ibadan; 2014). The life of Sunday Dojo Ajiteni, a citizen of Songa, wasn’t any different. A brilliant young lad from Oke-Odo, who joins the civil service after secondary school at Doma, as printer, goes for further training in England and gets into a love tangle with Angela also from Songa. Dojo is already married to Jade; they have three girls. Brief though it was, his liaison with Angela results in a son, but Dojo is ignorant of it, having returned soon after. Angela’s marriage collapses when she is unable to get pregnant for her husband who soon realises that his wife, Angela, has played a fast on him. He resorts to physically assaulting her; she eventually sues for divorce. After completing her secretarial studies, Angela returns to Songa to get a new start. But some 12 years have elapsed. She traces Dojo to Doma and tells him about the fruit

Dojo’s mind is in a tumult when he notes the resemblance between him and the young boy with Angela. He gets home that night and goes to his box to search out a photograph of himself taken when in primary school. The following day at his office Angela

arrives to tell him about their son, Joe, thus sealing Dojo’s suspicion about the boy being his son. But things get complicated for him; he cannot tell his wife who is yet to have a son for him; yet he cannot deny his son, as a typical African man. He doesn’t want to betray her love yet he has to start acting responsibly towards Joe as father. However, the bubble bursts when Dojo’s wife Jade incidentally finds out about payment receipts for Joe’s school fees. She is heartbroken by Dojo’s deceit and betrayal and forces a temporary separation, as she moves back to her parents’ place. Dojo is a frustrated man, but he manages to keep his head. In time this travail blows away and his wife returns. Angela moves to the capital city after securing a job with a multinational company. Joe, like his father, also turns out a brilliant chap; he caps his academic brilliance by securing a scholarship to study at Oxford, where he meets Clara, falls in love and plans to marry her. But a complication arises; Clara and Joe are first cousins and it becomes tabooed love that should lead nowhere. Joe’s father, Dojo and Clara’s father, Ojokoto are brothers. This impending abomination is brought to light when Ojokoto visits Dojo to find out how to send his present to his daughter about to marry. Efforts to abort the marriage fail, as the two lovebirds, par-

ticularly Joe is adamant. But the marriage records initial failure, as Clara has one miscarriage after another until Ojokoto performs necessary sacrifices to appease the offended gods and ancestors. A twist of fortune follows. Joe, as United Nation’s staff, is appointed a minister by the new military junta. This lifts Dojo’s profile in Doma and Oke-Odo. It also spells doom a few years later when Joe is implicated in a coup against the military ruler. Joe is away and so his father Dojo is made to suffer for his son’s sins. Dojo is impris-

oned for three months in place of his son… Lucas’ The Split Image is a straight-forward, simple narrative of Dojo’s personal journey in a country also in transition. Metaphorically, Songa, as a country has a split image, as its innate capabilities lie buried by its leaders while its ugly side is exposed. Lucas’ Songa country is Nigeria, with its checkered history. The Split Image is an easy read and is written in colloquial tang. Although a commendable first novella, it should have been more tightly edited.

Maiden Niyi Osundare Poetry Festival Opens In March HE maiden edition of Niyi T Osundare International Poetry Festival (NOIPfest) comes in March. Already, Ikere-Ekiti, hometown of Prof. Niyi Osundare, which will host the event, is wearing a festive look. Also, the festival has started receiving endorsements. Scheduled for March 10-13, the festival has been endorsed by the 2013 winner of The Nigerian Prize for Literature Mr. Tade Ipadeola, who is also President, PEN Nigeria. Leading publishing house, Evans Publishers Ltd, Osundare’s publisher, has expressed support and commitment to the event which promises to be a huge literary feast and cultural tourism event designed

to honour this ambassador of Nigeria’s literary excellence and world renowned poet. NOIPfest promises to feature traditional and contemporary poetry, drama, dance and music alongside academic discourse of the works of Prof. Niyi Osundare, works that have won him many prizes and respect across the Osundare world.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

54| Saturday, February 22, 2014

SOCIETY Recently, the family of late Pa. Samuel Alabi Ajayi laid his remains to rest. Below are some faces that attended the burial ceremony, which took place at Ilashe-Ijesa, Osun state.

Prof. John Ade Ajayi, Mrs. Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, Mr. Wole Ajayi and Engr. Tunde Ajayi

Mrs. Dupe Jemibewon, Mrs. Ireti Kingibe and Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede

Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede, Mrs. Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Osun State Environment Commissioner, Prof. Bukola Oyawoye and Mrs. Olamide Makinde

Mrs. Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Prof. Bukola Oyawoye, Otunba. Jumoke Ogunkeyede and Mrs. Kofo Omole

Otunba Idowu Adekunle, Olori Mojibade Adekoya, Oba (Dr) Adedayo Olusina Adekoya Ereseba 1, Leguse of Ido-Ile, Ogun state, Otunba Tolu Afuwape

Engr. Tunde Ajayi, Prof. John Ade-Ajayi, Mrs. Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo and Mrs. Olamide Makinde

Mrs. Yemisi Iyanda, Mrs. Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo and Mrs. Bisi Sogeke

When Adeoye Adeyinka And Hannah Hawanatu Said, ‘I Do’ By Olawunmi Ojo

Mary Bangura of Sierra Leone got married in an elaborate society Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, guests were treated to a lavish reception at the Haven Event Centre. Here are some photographs from the occasion.

ECENTLY, Adeoye Oladimeji Adeyinka, son of the Chairman, R Sparklight Group, Chief (Engr.) Toyin Adeyinka and Hannah wedding that had family, friends and associates in attendance. After a holy solemnization at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Hawanatu Kamara, daughter of late Yaya Kamara and Mrs.

Representative of the bride’s father, Mr. Ibiyekaribo Sokari; groom’s mother, Chief Mrs. Bimbo Adeyinka; the groom, Adeoye; his bride, Hannah; bride’s mother, Mrs. Mary Bangura and the groom’s father, Chief Toyin Adeyinka

Chief Adeyinka, Dr (Mrs.) Susan Wuyep, the couple, Chief (Mrs) Bimbo Adeyinka and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep (rtd.)

Alake of Egbaland, HRH Oba Aremu Gbadebo, the couple and Olori, Dr. (Mrs.) Tokunbo Gbadebo

Chief (Mrs.) Bimbo Adeyinka, Chief Toyin Adeyinka; bride, Hannah; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; groom, Adeoye and Dr. Deji Adeleke

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, February 22, 2014 55

DIARY

Country Chief Executive Officer, SOLO Phones, Dolapo Ajayi (left); Co Founder and Global Chief Executive Officer, SOLO Phones, Tayo Ogundipe and Head of Experience Planning, SOLO Phones, Michael Akindele during

Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Adeseyi Sijiwade with newly elected President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ademola Isaac Olorunfemi during a courtesy visit to the head office of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in Ebutte-Metta, Lagos…recently

Mrs. Boroffice, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, Mr. Femi Akande, Chief Bisi Akande, Dr. Wuraola Akande, Mrs. Akande, and Prof Karmal Adeleke in Brighton University, United Kingdom (UK), where Wuraola bagged PhD in Pharmacy at the weekend.

Alumnus of Henley Business School, Greenland, England Flora Omseuwerha, Coordinator Mr. Fassy Yusuff, Mrs. Abiola Odanye and Mr. Tayo Odunsi at their inaugural summit in Lagos…recently

Chief Executive Officer, Shield Academy Partners, Seni Hazzan, Recipient of the SEED Fund, Abam Omolara and Special Adviser on Investment, Cross River State, Gerald Ada during the launch of The Seed Fund of NI0 million for the empowerment of existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in Calabar…recently

From left, Ondo State Labour Party House of Assembly aspirant , Hon Doyin Alao ;Rotimi Oyedele , Femi Ashamu; Temitope Ogunfuye, Celebrant, Mr. Ademola Pedro , his wife, Adebola, Abiola Babalola and Akin Adeniyi during Pedro’s 50th birthday at Adiyan, Ogun State…recently

Barr. Wale Osomo, The Olowo of Owo, Oba D.V. Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III (CFR) and Olori Yeyesa Ololade Olateru-Olagbegi, Dr Wale Ahmed representing His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN Governor, Lagos Mr. Gbolahan Gbadamosi, left; Yele Delano (SAN), Adekunle Omotola, Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice In- State at Lagos Country Club New Year Party held in Lagos…recently nocent Umezulike; Lanre Osinaike, Kunle Oyesanya (SAN) and Yode Delano at the presentation of a book, ABC of Contemporary Land Law in Nigeria written by Justice Umezulike in Enugu recently

The ten children of late Nze Cletus Ibeanusi Nzeduru led by the National Coordinator of National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe, at the thanksgiving service held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Umuakagu Nsu autonomous Community, Ehime Mbano, Imo, State, after the burial of their father… recently

Babatunde Chukwuemeka and Olubunmi Olanike during their traditional wedding ceremony in Lagos… recently

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

56 Saturday, February 22, 2014

Change of Name ABAH: Formerly Abah Sarah now Mrs. Johnson Sylester Sarah. Former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force. Public note. ABDULKAREEM: I, formerly known as Abdulkareem Salawudeen is now Salawudeen Ovansa David Kareem. All former documents remain valid. General public to note. ABDULLAHI: I, formerly Miss Fatima Yahaya Abdullahi, now Mrs. Fatima Onasoga. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ABIFARIN: Formerly Miss Abifarin Adejoke Abosede now Mrs. Sholanke Adejoke Abosede. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ABIKOYE: Formerly Miss Abikoye Ibukunoluwa Olufunmilayo, now Mrs Obabiyi ibukunoluwa olufunmilayo. Former documents valid. Public note. ABOLAJI: Formerly Miss Iyabo Abolaji now Mrs. Iyabo Botiomi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ACHOLONU: Formerly Herbert Ngozi Acholonu now Herbert Ngozi Omeire. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ACHO: Formerly Miss Acho Judith Chinenye now Mrs Ohia Judith Chinenye. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. ADAGUNODO: Formerly Adagunodo Babafemi Oluwamuyiwa now Omotosho Babafemi Oluwamuyiwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEDEJI: Formerly Miss Nimotallah Yetunde Adedeji now Mrs. Yetunde Nimotallah Adesina. Documents valid. Public note. ADEGBAWO: Formerly Miss Grace Tosin Adegbawo, now Mrs Grace Tosin Omoshola. Former documents valid. Public note. ADEGBESAN: Formerly Miss Wemimo Olufunso Adegbesan now Mrs Oluwawemimo Oluwafunso Laoye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEGOKE: Formerly Miss Florence Mojirade Adegoke now Mrs. Florence Mojirade Olusola-

Omole. Former documents valid. Sterling Bank & public note. ADEJONPE: Formerly Mr Olanrewaju Joshua Adejonpe, now Mr Olanrewaju Joshua Martins. Former documents valid. Public note. ADEKOYA: Formerly Miss Omolara Olajumoke Adekoya now Mrs. Omolara Olajumoke Oshunkoya. Public note. ADEOGUN: Formerly Miss Adeogun Temitope Christianah now Mrs. Subuloya Temitope Christianah. Documents remain valid. Public note. ADEOWAS: Formerly Miss Adeowas Adenike Idowu, now Mrs Ogundadegbe Adenike Idowu. Former documents valid. Public note. ADESHOGA: Formerly Adefunmilayo Morenikeji Morufat Adeshoga now Mrs. Adefunmilayo Morenikeji Morufat Ipaye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEWALE: Formerly Adewale Ruth Oyeinke now Mrs. Amao Ruth Oyenike. All former documents remain valid. Administrative Staff College of Nigeria and public take note. ADEYINKA: Former Mrs. Iyabo Omowunmi Adeyinka (Nee Atunde) now Mrs. Iyabo Omowunmi Oguntade. Former documents remain valid. National Sports Commission and public note. ADIM: Formerly Mr Adim Ifeanyi Emmanuel now Mr Ogbueri Ifeanyi Emmanuel. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AGWOEME: Formerly Miss AgwoemeMaryanne Adaku no w Mrs Orji Maryanne Adaku. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AHAM: Formerly Miss Obioma Queeneth Aham, now Mrs Obioma Queeneth Elo. Former documents valid. Public note. AHMADU: I, former Miss Felicia Oluwakemi Ahmadu now wish to known as Mrs. Felicia Oluwakemi Ajani. Former documents remain valid. General

public take note. AIYELEMI: Formerly Aiyelemi Samuel Olumuyiwa now Ewuola Samuel Olumuyiwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AJAH: formerly Miss Ajah Goodluck Nnenna now Mrs Etido Goodluck Nnenna. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AJAYI: Formerly Miss Ajayi Damilola Christine now known as Mrs. Tokwede Damilola Christine. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AJAYI: Formerly Miss Oluwabukola Omolade Ajayi, now Mrs. Oluwabukola Omolade Afuwape. Former documents valid. Public note. AKAN: Formerly Comfort Eshiet Akan now to be addressed as Mrs Comfort Christian David. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKANNO: Formerly Akanno Faith Ndidi now Mrs. Ifeosame Faith Ndidi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKINBOLA: Formerly Akinbola Toyin Elizabeth now Mrs. Fashola Toyin Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKINFENWA: Former Akinfenwa Oluwaseun Adewale now Johnson Oluwaseun Cyrus. ICAN, MAPOLY and public note. AKINFIRE: Formerly Olutoyin Adejumoke Akinfire now Olutoyin Adejumoke Firekade. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKINGBEHIN: Formerly Miss Olubunmi Abiola Akingbehin now Mrs. Olubunmi Abiola Yede. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKINOLA: Formerly Miss Fabusiwa Rose Akinola now Mrs Ndubuisi Rose Nwali. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKINSANYA: Formerly Miss Ebun Victoria Akinsanya now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Ebun Victoria Gilbert. All former documents remain valid. Public note. AKINWANDE: Former Miss Akinwande Temi-

tope Oyedolapo now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Joseph Temitope Oyedolapo. Former documents remain valid. Ogun State Hospital Management Board and public note. AKOSHILE: Formerly Sholafunmi Aminat Akoshile now Mrs. Sholafunmi Aminat Agboola-Osho. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKPOMEDAYE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rhoda Eseoghene Akpomedaye now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rhoda Eseoghene Akpere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. ALIYU: Formerly Miss Aliyu Binta now Mrs. Binta Nwagbo. All former documents remain valid. Public note. ALOZIE: Formerly Alozie ThankGod Kelechi now Alozie ThankGod. Former documents remain valid. General public note. AMADI: Formerly Miss Amadi Ifeoma Comfort now Mrs Chukwuneke Ifeoma Samuel. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, public note. AMUDA: Formerly Amuda Kazeem now Mr Yusuf Adekunle Kaleb. All former documents remain valid. General public note. ANI: Formerly Miss Goodness Ifeoma Ani, now Mrs Jennifer Ifeoma Chuku. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANOPUECHI: Formerly Miss Ogechukwu Monica Anopuechi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogechukwu Monica Ikeh. All former documents remain valid. Public note. ANTHONY: Formerly Iyobhebhe Clement Anthony now Iyobhebhe Clement. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANYANWU: Formerly Anyanwu Ugochukwu Chigozie now Izunwanne Ugochukwu Collins. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ARAMIDE: I, formerly known as Rukayat Aramide now known as Mrs, Adeyinka Rukayat

Aramide, NYSC public note.

and

ARINZE: Formerly Miss Arinze Adobi Chinyelu, now Mrs Metu Adobi Chinyelu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ARO: Formerly Amaka Patience Aro now Mrs. Amaka Patience Isaac. Former documents valid. Public note. ASUZU: Formerly Miss Nwamaka Gladys Asuzu, now Mrs Nwamaka Gladys Amaefule. Former documents valid. Public note. ATUNDE: Formerly Miss Lovlyn Oluwaseun Atunde now Mrs. Lovlyn Oluwaseun Kalejaiye. Former documents valid. Public note. AU: Formerly Miss Au Qin Lan now Mrs Ejiogu Qin Lan. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AWOSEYE: Former Miss Awoseye Julianah Ibukun now Mrs. Osikoya Julianah Ibukun. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AYANLEYE: Formerly Miss Ayanleye Bose Adebisi now Mrs Faloye Bose Adebisi. Former Documents valid. Public note. AYILARA: Former Mrs. Ayilara Olubunmi Olubukola now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Sanyaolu Olubunmi Olubukola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AZEEZ: Formerly known as Azeez Olatunji Nurudeen now known as Philips Olatunji Micheal. Former documents valid. Public note. AZEEZ: Formerly Miss Rukayat Adebola Azeez now Mrs. Rukayat Adebola Anibaba. Former documents remain valid. Public note. BAKARE: Former Miss Bakare Adebukanla Olajumoke Sekinat now Mrs. Bakare-Coker Adebukanla Olajumoke Sekinat. All former documents remain valid. General public note. BAKARE: Formerly Mrs. Bakare Olufunmilayo Abike now Mrs. Ogunfolabi Olufunmilayo Abike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. BAMIJOKO:

Former

Miss Olubukola Oluwatoyin Bamijoko now Mrs. Olubukola Oluwatoyin Oluwole. Former documents remain valid. UNILORIN Embassies and public note. BANKOLE: Formerly Miss Oluwatosin Christianah Bankole, now Mrs Oluwatosin Christianah Popoola. Former documents valid. Public note. BANWO: Formerly Miss Banwo Adeyinka Kausarat now Mrs. Banwo-Shiwoku Adeyinka Kausarat. Former documents remain valid. Public note. BIESE: Former Abigail Aghogho Biese now Mrs. Abigail Aghogho Enekwenchi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC/general public note. BRIGHT: Formerly Omowunmi Bright now Bolu Hamza-Balogun. Former documents valid. General public note. BUSARI: Formerly Miss Busari Bolanle Ajoke now Mrs. Ibikunle Bolanle Olamide. All former documents valid. General public note. OGBENNA: CHIDI: I, Ogbenna, Julius Chidi the father of Ogbenna, Joan Ogechi, Ogbenna Joseph Ugochukwu and Ogbenna, Chinenyenwa Victoria Jemima do hereby change their names to now be Chidi Ogechi Joan, Chidi Ugochukwu Joseph and Chidi Chinenyenwa Jemima Victoria respectively that any of their documents bearing the previous names remain valid. Public note. CHIKEZIE: Formerly Miss Adamma Chimamkpa Sabina Chikezie now Mrs. Adamma Chimamkpa Sabina Onyedeke. Former documents remain valid. Public note. CHUKWUEZEH: Formerly Miss Chukwuezeh Patience Ugochi now Mrs Monday Okereke Ugochi .P. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note. CHUKWU: Formerly Miss Chukwu Helen Tochi, now Mrs Ugwueke Helen Tochi. Former documents remain valid. Nursing Council of Nigeria,

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 57

Change of Name Public note. CLEMENT: Formerly known as Clement Efe Osiobe now addressed as Stanley Efe Osiobe. Former documents remain valid. General public note. CONFIRMATION OF NAMES: Names Ignatius Nnachebem Nwite and Ignatius Nnachebem Ogwale refer to one person. Former documents remain valid. Public note. DAUDA: Formerly Miss Dauda Sherifat Anike now Mrs Yunus Sherifat Anike. Documents valid. Nursing & Midwifery Council Of Nigeria, Ogun State Civil Service Commission, public note. DIALA: Formerly Miss Diala Onyekachi Jennifer now Mrs Ikeh Onyekachi Jennifer. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note. DIEDJOMAHO: Formerly Ese Diedjomaho now Mrs. Ese Gift Obodoechina. Former documents remain valid. Public note. DIMIRI: Formerly Miss Adaeze Nnamdi Dimiri now Mrs Adaeze Melvin Banigo. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. EBUKA: Formerly Miss Stella Maris Nkem Ebuka now Mrs. Stella Maris Nkem Amadi. Former documents valid. OOU, LASPOTECH, public note. EDOHO: Formerly Miss Edoho Mariam Bassey, now Mrs Okon Mariam Eyo. Former documents valid. Public note. EGWUONWU: Formerly Miss Egwuonwu Florence Onyenankeya now Mrs ChinweodoIgwe Florence Onyenankeya. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Bar Association, public note. EJEKE: Formerly Miss Ejeke Onyinyechukwu Dinah now Mrs. Ofodum Onyinyechukwu Dinah. Former documents valid. Public note. EKANEM: Formerly Miss Rose Solomon Ekanem now wish to be known as Mrs. Rose Thompson Bassey. Former documents remain valid. YABATECH, public note.

EKEADA: Formerly Miss Ekeada Onyinyechi Maureen, now Mrs Opara Onyinyechi Maureen. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EMENIKE: I, formerly Miss Emenike Olivia Chidinma, now Mrs Uzoeshi Olivia Chidinma. All former documents remain valid. General public note. EMMANUEL: Formerly Ogunlana Taiwo Emmanuel now Ogunlana Taiwo Adedoyin. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ENE: Formerly Mrs. Christiana Edet Ene now Miss Christiana Okon Uyoe. Former documents remain valid. Ministry of Education, State Secondary Education Board and public note. ENEMUO: Formerly Miss Ada Evangeline Enemuo now Mrs. Ada Evangeline Okoye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. FADIPE: I, formally known as Miss Fadipe Olubunmi Ajike hereby wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs.Ojo Olubunmi Ajike. Former document remain valid. Public note. FAKAYODE: Formerly Fakayode Ayotunde now Kayode Tunde Akinwunmi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. FANEYI: Formerly Fisayo Oluwatosin Faneyi now Fisayo Oluwatosin Daniels. Former Documents valid. Public note. FASHADE: I, formerly Fashade Yetunde Olabisi now Ogunbodede Yetunde Olabisi. University of Nigeria Nsukka take note. FASIPE: Formerly Miss Fasipe Hannah Olabimpe now Mrs Oladele Hannah Olabimpe. Documents remain valid. Public note. GBADAMOSI: Formerly Miss Khadijat Omolabake Gbadamosi now Mrs. Khadijat Omolabake Sadare. Former documents valid. Public note. GESINDE: Formerly Miss Segilola Kikelomo Gesinde, now Mrs Segilola kikelomo Ologbenla. Former documents valid. Public note.

GIMBA: Formerly Sarah Ayuba Gimba now Andrew Sarah Ocheja. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IBE: Formerly Ibe Christianah Ogechi now Mrs Adeniran Christianah Ogechi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IBERI: I, formerly Miss Iberi Ogechi Chika now known as Mrs. OnomeAruoture Ogechi Chika. All former documents remain valid. Zenithbank Plc, UNN, general public take note. IDOLOR: Formerly Miss Felicia Avwerosuogene Idolor now Mrs. Felicia Avwerosuogene Afiemo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IGWE: Formerly Igwe Chinenye Victoria now Mrs Iganga Chinenye Victoria Former documents remain valid. General public take note. IHEUKO: Formerly Miss Chidima Samuel Iheuko now Mrs. Chidima Idorenyin Reuben. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IHUOMA: I, formerly Miss Ihuoma Peace Chikodi, now Mrs Amadi - Kenneth Peace Chikodi. All former documents remain valid. General public note. IKULAYO: Formerly Miss Ikulayo Bukola Abidemi now Mrs. Odewumi Bukola Abidemi. Former documents remain valid. General public pls note.

Jamiyu Adijatu Olanike now Mrs. Olatokun Adijatu Olanike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. JESUS: Former Miss Jesus Mary now Mrs. Inegbenehi Mary J. Former documents remain valid. Public note. JIMOH: Formerly Miss Oluwawemimo Idowu Jimoh now Mrs Oluwawemimo Idowu Akinbolusere. All former documents remain valid. General public note. JIMOH: Formerly Miss Jimoh Afsat Olaniyi now Mrs. Famakin Afsat Olayeni. All former documents remain valid. Public note. JOHN: Formerly Miss John Nwakaego Precious now Mrs. Ikechukwu Kalu Nwakaego P. Former documents valid. Public note. KALU: Formerly Kalu Onuoha Ogba now Mr Kennedy Onuoha Ogba. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. KALU: formerly miss Juliet Ifenyinwa Kalu now mrs Juliet Ifenyinwa Julius Ogbonna. Former documents valid. C.S.C. Umuahia, Obingwa LGA., AbiaPoly, public note. KOLADE: Formerly Miss Kolade Foluke Elizabeth now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Oladele Foluke Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

valid. Public note. MADUCHEM: Formerly MIss Maduchem Maureen E. Amaka now, Mrs Chikezie Lucy E. Amaka. Former documents valid. Public note MADU: Formerly Miss Gloria Nonso Madu, now Mrs Gloria Nonso Ideli. Former documents valid. Public note. MAKINDE: I, formerly Miss Makinde Abiola Folashade now Mrs. Seweje Abiola Folashade. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MARK: Formerly Oseghale Mark now wish to be called Oseghale Monday. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MBAKA: F o r merly Miss Mbaka Celestina Ifeyinwa, now Mrs Fes-Ene Ifeyinwa Celestina. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MEKWUYE: Formerly Stanley Mekwuye now Mr. Stanley Mekwuye Ogbori. All former documents remain valid. Public note. MEKWUYE: Formerly Mrs. Bridget Mekwuye now Mrs. Bridget Mekwuye Ogbori. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MGBEAHURU: Formerly Miss Mgbeahuru Bertha Ngosi now Mrs Nnamdi Bertha Ngosi. Former documents valid. Abiapoly, UBN, Public note. MINYE: I, formerly Miss Bristol Trecy Minye now known as Miss Bristol Tamunokeibi Beverly. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ISAAC: Formerly Apeh Isaac Godwin now Apeh Ishaq Godwin. Documents valid. Nigerian Police Force, public note.

KUSANU: Formerly Miss Kusanu Yetunde Motunrayo now Mrs. Oluyeba Motunrayo Olunike Yetunde. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

IWUAJOKU: Formerly Iwuajoku Emeka Francesco now Green Emeka Francesco Ezimora. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

LEMIKAN: Formerly Folusho Olufunmilola Lemikan now Mrs. Folusho Olufunmilola Omole. All documents remain valid. General public note.

JAMES: Formerly Miss Ajuma Grace James now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajuma Grace James Obikaonu. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

LUCAS: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Lucas Olubukunola Ebunoluwa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kolajo O l u b u k u n o l a Ebunoluwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MOLIKI: Formerly Moliki Tawakalitu Aduke now Isiaka Tawakalitu Jinadu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MADUAKOR: Formerly Miss Blessing Chekwube Maduakor, now Mrs Anosike Blessing Chekwube. Former documents remain

MUFU-SHITTU: Formerly Mufu-Shittu Monsuratu Atinuke now to be addressed as Mrs Esan Atinuke Abosede. Former documents remain

JAMES: Former Miss James Helen Umoren now Mrs. Helen Adekoya-Ajibola. Former documents remain valid. MRTB, public note. JAMIYU: Formerly Miss

MODUPE: Formerly Victoria Modupe now Mrs. Victoria Modupe Joki-Lasisi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MOHAMED: Formerly Mr. Mohamed Abdul Ibrahim now Mr. Ogrimah Joshua Abdul. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

valid. Public note. NDUBUISI: Formerly Miss Ndubuisi Ebere Jane, now Mrs Enemuo Ebere Jane. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NJIKA: Formerly Miss Njika Amarachi now Mrs Kalu Amarachi. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, public note. NKAIMAHA: Formerly Miss Easther Nkaimaha Nyong now Miss Easther Saviour Nyong. Former Documents valid. Public note. NNADI: Formerly Miss Ugomma Francisca Nnadi now Mrs. Ugomma Francisca Johnson Okoye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NNAJI: Formerly Miss Nnaji Blessing Ngozi now Mrs Nomeh Ada Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NOLLAH: Formerly Miss Mojisola Mariam Nollah now Mrs Mojisola Mariam Olaogun. Former documents valid. Public note. NUBI: Formerly Miss Nubi Olufunmilayo Olukorede now Mrs. Ayokunle-Osakinle Olufunmilayo Olukorede. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWAIGBO: Formerly Nwaigbo Leonard Toochukwu, now Chinweuba Leonard Toochukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWANKWO: Formerly Miss Nwankwo Obiageri now Mrs Agu Obageri Miracle. All former documents remain valid. Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, pubic note. NWANKWO: Formerly Miss Nwankwo Veronica Nneka now Mrs Nwokocha Veronica Nneka. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWEKE: Formerly Igwe Samuel Nweke now Samuel Igwe-Chukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWEKE: formerly miss Nweke Sandra Obianuju now mrs Obiekwe Sandra Obianuju. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWINYI: Formerly Miss Nwinyi Chioma Juliet now Mrs Ike Chioma Juliet. Former docu-

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Saturday, February 22, 2014

Change of Name ments remain valid. Public note. NWOBODO: Formerly Miss Nwobodo Chinwe Favour, now Mrs Akpoke Favour Chinwe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOKO: Formerly Miss Nwoko Chioma Winifred now Mrs. Okeowo Chioma Winifred. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OBAKUNLE: Former Miss Obakunle Fatimah Abosede now Mrs. Balogun Fatimah Abosede. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. OBARUAKPO: Formerly Miss Philomina Ogbebe Obaruakpo now Mrs. Ubiebi Philomina Ubiebi. Old documents valid. Public note. OBIALOR: Formerly Miss Obialor Doris Chizoba now mrs Osuala Ambless Chizoba. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note. OBI: Formerly Miss Obi Chinedum Fortunate, now Mrs Chinedum Fortunate Ogbonna Osuji. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ODEJAYI: Formerly Miss Odejayi Olawunmi Omolara Basirat, now Mrs Adebowale Olawunmi Omolara Esther. Former documents valid. Public note. ODENIYI: Formerly Miss Odeniyi Bukola Comfort now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Odewale Bukola Comfort. All former documents remain valid. Public note. ODO: Formerly Miss Odo Charity Uchenna, now Mrs Eze Charity Uchenna. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ODUSANYA: Former Miss Oluwarotimi Elizabeth Anuoluwapo now Mrs. Odusanya Elizabeth Anuoluwapo. Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba and public note. ODUSANYA: I, former Miss Odusanya Adeola Elizabeth, now Mrs Ogundipe Adeola Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. Public note. OGBEIDE: Formerly King Ogbeide Osariemen now King James Osariemen. Former documents re-

main valid. Public note. OGINNI: Former Miss Oginni Temitayo Titilope now Mrs. Alaba Temitayo Titilope. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNBAYO: I, formerly known as Ogunbayo Odunayo Omolara now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Shitu Odunayo Omolara. All documents remain valid. Public take note. OGUNDIPE: I, formally known as Sylvester Abiodun Ogundipe hereby wishes to be known and addressed as Sylvester Olusanmi Abiodun. Former document remain valid. Public note. OGUNGBE: Formerly Miss Ogungbe Funmilayo Medese now Mrs. Faleye Funmilayo Medese. All former documents remain valid. INEC and public note. OGUNGBENRO: Formerly Mr Sunday Adesola Ogungbenro, now Mr Simeon Adesola Amos. Former documents valid. Public note. OGUNJIMI: I, former Miss Monsurat Temitope Ogunjimi now wish to be known as Mrs. Monsurat Temitope Ige. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. OGUNLALA: Formerly Omolola Grace Ogunlala now Mrs. Omolola Grace Ituen Ndiokho. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNPEHIN: Former Miss Ogunpehin Lateefat Olamide now Mrs. Okunbanjo Lateefat Olamide. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNWUSI: Formerly known as Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ogunwusi now wish to be addressed as Miss Olufunmilayo Akagbe. All documents remain valid. General public note. OGUOMA: Formerly Miss Oguoma Nkeiruka now Mrs Igwe Nkeiruka Maudlin. Former documents valid. FMC, Owerri, UBN Plc, NMCN, public note. OHAMONYE: Formerly Miss Stephena Onyinye Ohamonye now Mrs. Michael-Ikpa Stephania Onyinye. All former documents remain valid. Falma Organics Limited, National Open

University of Nigeria, general public note. OJIEGO: Formerly Miss Henrietta Amaka Ojiego now Mrs. Henrietta Amaka Okudo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJO: I, formerly known as Temitope Oluwafemi Ojo now Mrs. Temitope Oluwafemi-Ogboye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJO: Formerly known as Miss Ojo Olajumoke Sarah now addressed as Mrs. Cole Olajumoke Sarah. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJOBO: Formerly Miss Ada Blessing Ojobo now Mrs. Ada Blessing Todorov, Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJUKWU: Formerly Miss Ojukwu Chinwendu now Mrs Ejike Chinwendu. Former documents valid NYSC, public note. OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Frances Ebelechukwu Okafor now to be addressed as Mrs. Frances Ebelechukwu Anyaeji. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Uzoma Sandra now Mrs. Okoye Uzoma Sandra. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Veronica Amuche Okafor now Mrs. Veronica Amuche Osakwe. Documents valid. Public note. OKENYI: F o r merly Miss Okenyi Monica Obiageli, now Mrs Agu Monica Obiageli. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKEZIE: Formerly Miss Okezie Ezenwanyi Theresa now wish to be addressed as Mrs Theresa Ezenwanyi Osinigben. Former documents remain valid. General public note. OKIGBO: I, formerly known as Nonyelum J. Okeke, now Nonyelum J. Okigbo. Public Note. OKOYE: Formerly Miss Okoye Amarachi Chiamaka now Mrs Christopher Amarachi Chiamaka. Former document remain valid. UBA PLC, ABSU, FGGCO, public note. OKOYE: Formerly Miss

Testimony Chioma Okoye, now Mrs Chioma Testimony Ojikutu. Former documents valid. Public note. OKPALA: Formerly Miss Okpala Chinenye Ngozi now Mrs. Ilika Chinenye Ngozi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKPERAN: Formerly Nosa Okperan now Nosa Iduriase. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKURIBIDO: I formerly, known and addressed as Miss Okuribido Taiwo Bola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adekunle Taiwo Bola. All former documents remain valid. Public note OLADAPO: Formerly Miss Oladapo Oluwayemisi Victoria now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Adeniyi Oluwayemisi Victoria. Former documents remain valid. Moyofade Micro-Finance Bank, Ejigbo, public note. OLADEJO: Formerly Miss Ayodele Bolanle Oladejo now Mrs Adetomiwa Ayodele Bolanle. Documents valid. OGSHC, public note. OLALI: Formerly Olali Tekena Benjamin now Numo-Olali Benjamin Tekena. Former documents valid. Public note. OLANIOKA: Formerly Olanioka Ayoola David now David Ayoola Ola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OLEKA: Formerly Chinoyerem Augustina Oleka now Mrs. Chinoyerem Augustina Adetayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OLISA: Formerly Miss Nnenna Enuma Olisa, now Mrs Nnenna EnumaÂ Ukachukwu. Former documents valid. Public note. OLIYIDE: Formerly Miss Oliyide Janet Titilayo now Mrs Umeibe Janet Titilayo. Documents valid. Public note. OLOGUNDUDU: Former Miss Ologundudu Funmilola Monisola now Mrs. Oladunni Funmilola Monisola. Former documents remain valid. Public

note. OLUBUKUNOLA: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lucas O l u b u k u n o l a Ebunoluwa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kolajo O l u b u k u n o l a Ebunoluwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. OLOFIN: Formerly Miss. Olofin Olajumoke Adebimpe now Mrs. Diya Olajumoke Adebimpe. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. OLUWAROTIMI: Formerly Miss Oluwarotimi Christianah Kehinde now Mrs. Onasile Christianah Kehinde. Public note. OMOGBOYE: I, formerly known as Miss Omogboye Oluwatoyin Comfort now to be addressed as Mrs Adedayo Oluwatoyin Comfort. All former documents remain valid. Public note ONAKPA: Formerly Onakpa Godwin Teddy now Maduakolam Godwin Teddy. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONASHILE: Formerly Miss Titilayo Ibidun Onashile, now Mrs Titilayo Ibidun Adeyemi. Former documents valid. Public note. ONIAGBA: Formerly Miss Oniagba Oluwayemisi Christianah now Mrs. Dada Oluwayemisi Christianah. Former documents valid. Public note. ONI: I, formerly Miss Oni Karimot Abolaji now Mrs. Lamina Karimot Abolaji. Former documents remain valid. PKF Professional Services and general public take note. O NO A KPO Y OVW I RE: Formerly Onoakpoyoviwre Emovwodephia Precious now Adeho Precious Emovwodephia. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONU: Formerly Miss Amarachi Grace Onu now Mrs. Amarachi Grace Ayuba Chinwedu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONWUKAMUCHE: Formerly Miss Onwukamuche Agatha Ihuoma now Mrs Elem Agatha Ihuoma. Former documents remain valid.

Public note. ONYENKWERE: Formerly Miss Uloma Cecilia Onyenkwere now Mrs Uloma Cecilia Ogadinma. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. OPAJOBI: Formerly Opajobi Oludayo Bolanle now Mrs Ojebiyi Oludayo Bolanle. Ogun Tescom. Public note. ORAKWUE: I, formerly Miss Orakwue Lynda Onyinyechi now known as Mrs. Amafonye Lynda Onyinyechi. All former documents remain valid. Zenithbank Plc, general public take note. ORIJA: Formerly Miss Orija Esther Olayinka now Mrs. Esther Olayinka Ajayi-Bembe. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ORJI: Formerly Miss Orji Serah Chioma now Mrs. Nwabuwe Serah Chioma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OSAGIE: I, formerly Mr. Jude Ikponmwosa Osagie now Mr. Jude Ikponmwosa James. All former documents remain valid. Public note. OSAKINLE: Formerly Miss Osakinle Damilola Christianah now Mrs. Arowolo Damilola Christianah. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OSAWARU: Former Miss Iziegbe Divine Osawaru now Mrs. Iziegbe Divine Sheidu. All former documents remain valid. Delta State University, Abraka and public note. OSSAI: Formerly Miss Ossai Lilian Chinonso, now MrsAguilum Lilian Chinonso. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OWOFOLAJU: Formerly Miss Owofolaju Moyosore Abisola now known as Mrs. Owodunni Abisola Abisola Moyosore. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OWOH: Formerly Miss Owoh Linda Chidiebere, now Mrs Nnona Linda Chidiebere. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OYIBOTHA: Formerly Elo Agnes Oyibotha now Mrs. Elo Agnes

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TRANSITION

Change of Name Chukwuemeka. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OZIOMA: Formerly Miss Ozioma Alice Ukamaka, now Mrs Alice Ukamaka Iyke-Ugwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OZOGBODO: Formerly Miss Ozogbodo Ijeoma Joy, now Mrs Amalu Ijeoma Joy. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OZOJI: Formerly Miss Ozoji Nkemjika Vivian now Mrs Eke Nkemjika Vivian. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Public note.

TIJANI: I, formerly Mrs. Tijani Kikelomo Rukayat now Miss Oni Kikelomo Rukayat. Former documents remain valid. IHMS, HMO and general public take note.

UWAKWE: I, formerly Uwakwe Chinedu J., now Uwakwe Chinedu I. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

UCHEGBU: Formerly Miss Uchegbu Happiness Chinyere now Mrs Chigbundu Happiness Chinyere. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

REMMY: I, formerly Miss Remmy Mary Nnenna, now Mrs Njoku Mary Nnenna. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

UDECHUKWU: Formerly Mr. Samuel Ilechukwu Udechukwu now Mr. Samuel Mukasa Ejikeme. Former documents remain valid. SALAU: Formerly Silifat Public note. Adeola Salau now Mrs. Adeola Alake Silifat UDECHUKWU: Formerly Adeshina. Former docu- Mrs. Joy Chinyeaka ments remain valid. Udechukwu now Mrs. Joy Chinyeaka Ejikeme. Public note. Former documents reSHODIYA: I, formerly main valid. Public note. Miss Adejoke Fausat Shodiya is now known UGWU: Formerly Miss as Mrs. Adejoke Debo- Ugwu Judith Uche, now Judith rah David. All former Mrs Obuna documents remain Uche. Former docuvalid. General public to ments remain valid. Public note. note. SHOLOLA: Formerly Miss Sholola Bukola Abosede now Mrs Adelakun Bukola Abosede. Documents valid. Public note. SIMEON: F o r merly Simeon Joseph Chigozie and Simeon Kelvin Okoye, now Ogugua Joseph Chigozie and Ogugua Kelvin Ikechukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. SOGUNRO: Formerly Miss mariam Olufunmilayo Sogunro, now Mrs Mariam S. Dumuje. Former documents valid. Public note. SOLAJA: Formerly Miss Omolayo Anuoluwa Solaja now Mrs, Omolayo Anuoluwa Babaniji. STABIC IBTC and public note. SUNDAY-KEME: Formerly Miss SundayKeme Kelechi Goodness now Mrs. Fasehun Kelechi Goodness. Former documents remain valid. Public note. TALABI: Formerly Miss Fadeke Stella Talabi now Mrs. Adebari Fadeke Stella. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Oladunjoye Alex Kumuyi (1920 – 2013)

TESLIM: I, formerly known as Teslim Omolara Tairat wish to be known and addressed as Jose Omolara Tairat. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

UGWU: Formerly Miss Ugwu Charity Chinyere, now Mrs Sanusi Charity Chinyere. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UGWU: Formerly Miss Ugwu Ngozi Sussan, now Mrs Okoroafor Ngozi Sussan. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UHIARA: Formerly Miss Chinedu Patricia Uhiara now Mrs. Chinedu Patricia Okemmiri. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UKWUEZE: Formerly Miss Ukwueze Cynthia Chinonye now Mrs Ugwu Cynthia Chinonye. Documents valid. Public note. UMAHI: I, Emmanuel Linus Umahi, Emmanuel Umahi and Emmanuel Idika Umahi is one and same person now known as Emmanuel Idika linus Umahi. Former documents valid. Public note. UMAR: Formerly Umar Olaitan Salamat now Mrs. Ismail Olaitan Salamat. Former documents remain valid.

UNUIGBE: Formerly Miss Mary Omon Unuigbe now Mrs. Omon Enahoro. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UMETITI: Formerly Miss Umetiti Chinazo Jennifer now Mrs. Okeke Chinazo Jennifer. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UZOEWULU: Formerly Miss Uzoewulu Uzoamaka Rita, now Mrs Chima Uzoamaka Rita. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UZOH: Formerly Miss Uzoh Esther Nwanyiuzo now Akinwale-Uzoh Esther Nwanyiuzo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. WAHAB: Formerly Miss Olanike Victoria WAHAB, now Mrs. Olanike victoria RotimiSilva. Former documents valid. Public note. YAMAH: Formerly Miss Yamah Theresa Omonemi now Mrs. Ogunmiluyi Theresa Omonemi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.IF

FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHANGE OF NAME YOU WANT TO BUY A COPY PLEASE CALL 0802 306 4437

and served as a pupil teacher and as an Evangelist. He was later transferred to Auga LTHOUGH Pa Oladunjoye where he finally resigned his Alex Kumuyi has transited to the great beyond, he is very appointment as a teacher in 1949 and travelled to Ibadan, much alive in the hearts of thousands of people who ben- where he learnt tailoring under the late Awolusi. efitted from his divine wisPa Kumuyi became a memdom, uncommon kindness ber of C.M.S. Church Ogbagi and unreserved selflessness. in 1930. He was baptised as For the 93 years he sojourned Alex in 1940. In 1943, he was on earth, he exhibited excepconfirmed and began to partional virtues as a teacher, evangelist, entrepreneur, com- take in the Holy Communion. In 1952, Kumuyi was chosen munity leader and politician. as the church secretary, harIt is, therefore, not surprising vest secretary, building comthat he left behind a family mittee secretary and the that parades dozens of Godsecretary to the fund raising fearing, talented and entercommittee. He managed prising people. those committees for good Born in 1920 to the late Chief Osue Kumuyi and Adetutu Ku- consecutive 32 years with good track records, and remuyi (nee Aremo) of Ayeloke signed voluntary in 1984. Quarters in Ereja Eegun OgIn 1952, he represented St. bagi Akoko in Ondo State of John’s Anglican Church, OgNigeria, the late Kumuyi was nursed and brought up by the bagi, in Akoko District Co-ordinating Council (D.C.C.C.) at late Nathaniel Ojo Aremo Ikare. In 1953, he represented from Oke Eegun Quarters, the church in the First Session Eegun Ogbagi, as a trained of the First Synod of farmer. In 1937, however, the late Ven- Ondo/Benin Diocese in Ondo erable Lennon visited Ogbagi- town. Pa Kumuyi was highly instruOba-in council appeal to them to allow their children to go to mental to the building of C.M.S., Ogbagi. He donated school or else the only school generously towards the work in the community would be of God in the church. He also closed down if there were no served God piously in many pupils to attend the school. organisations in the church. Being one of the prominent He was the founder of Anu members of the Oba-in-counOluwapo Women Society in cil, his late father, Osue Kuthe Church and served as muyi, appealed to his uncle, their secretary for nine the late Nathaniel Ojo Aremo to release him to go to school, months before he relinquished the post. He also which he gladly did. founded the Temidire AssociHe started schooling in 1937 ation, which was chaired by at C.M.S. Anglican Primary the late L.J. Awe. In 1991, he School, Ogbagi, in 1939. He was honoured as one of the moved to St. Paul’s School, life P.C.C. members of all AnArigidi, where he spent three years after which he moved to glican Church in Ogbagi Archdeaconry. In 1993, he Akoko Jubilee Central School, served as the Vice Chairman Ikare Akoko, in 1942 for the of the Planning Committee completion of his Primary for the dedication of the School Education (Standard Church Building and the CenSix) (1943). tenary Anniversary. After his primary education Pa Kumuyi associated well in 1943, he was appointed as a with people in his lifetime pupil teacher at St. Andrew’s School, Kabba. In 1954, he was and belonged to many clubs and associations. He was Patransferred to United School, tron, Ifeloju Social Club, OgEkinrirade, where he worked bagi; Chairman and

By Olamide Olayiwola-Fadare

Kumuyi Treasurer, Mayowa Brothers; Member of Saturday Night Club; Member of Cooperative Society, Ogbagi; Member of Ogbagi Tailoring Association; and Secretary, Irepodun Social Organisation. He was also one of the founding fathers of Ogbagi Descendant Union in 1940 under the chairmanship of the late Kolade Awe. The union later transformed to Ogbagi Youth Movement. He was one of the members of the Movement that discussed with the late Kabiyesi Ologbagi Omo Egun about the relocation of Ofe, Eegun and Abilogbo quarters to join Ogbagi mainstream. Pa Kumuyi was also active in the political scene. In 1953, he joined NCNC but later decamped to the Action Group (AG). After the inauguration of Ogbagi Local Government Council in 1955, he was elected the Councillor at Osukoti Ward at the council. He later became the chairman of the local council. The late Kumuyi was married to Madam Adedoja (nee Jimba Egako), Funmilayo Dorcas (Nee Famuwagun Molepe) and Rachael Ilori (Nee Komolafe Eegun). To the glory of God, he was blessed with Godfearing promising, wonderful and talented children, grandchildren and great grand children. Pa Kumuyi passed on in the early hours of Thursday December 12, 2013. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.

Dele Awoniyi (1932-2014) HE late Chief Dele Awoniyi T was a child of the union between the late Adetola Oyetola Baruwa Awoniyi (the Balogun Musulumi of Isara and a highly successful businessman) and the late Mrs. Seliatu Awoniyi (a cloth merchant). Awoniyi was born in Isara on May 28, 1932. He started his primary school education at Methodist School, Isara in 1941 and concluded it at Methodist School, Ode-Remo in 1948. For his secondary school education, he attended Eko Boys High School, Lagos, in 1949; Oriwu College, Ikorodu between 1949 and 1951; and OluIwa College (now Adeola Odutola College), Ijebu-Ode between 1952 and 1955. Because of his high sense of discipline and academic excellence, he was elected the Head boy of Olu-Iwa College (1953-1955). He passed the West African School Certificate (WASC) examination with First Class at one sitting in 1955. The late Awoniyi attended Survey School, Oyo and became a surveyor, in 1956. The Western Nigerian Bureau of Lands and Survey subsequently employed him as a Technical Assistant Surveyor. He was a Survey Plan Inspector until 1960 when he resigned. He traveled to England in 1960 where he enrolled at the Holborn College of Law, Lon-

Awoniyi don, where he obtained a (LLB) degree, in 1963 and attended the Lincoln’s Inn, London where he obtained the BL degree, and was called to the English Bar in 1964. Awoniyi came back into Nigeria in August 1965 and attended the Nigeria School of Law (now known as The Nigeria Law School) and was called into the Nigerian Bar in January 1966. He joined Obafemi Awolowo & Co in March 1966 and rose to the position of Deputy Head of Litigation in 1971. He resigned from this position in 1982 to setup his practice. As a politician, he was a counsellor representing Isara Central (1971-1982); the first chairman of the Ogun State Industrial and Finance Corporation in 1982; a member of the Federal House of Representa-

tives in 1983; a member of the Federal Constituent Assembly (1987-1989); an aspirant to the post of the National Chairman of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1993; and one of the founding fathers of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). As a community leader, he was the first General Secretary of Isara Progressive Union (IPU) and a member of the Isara Recreation Club. He offered free legal services to the Isara town/community and members of Isara community. He won many of these legal matters that eventually got to court for Isara community. In recognition of his immense contributions to the development of the Isara town, the Youths of Isara honoured him with the “Isara Afotamodi Special Recognition Award For Community Development”. He was also awarded several chieftaincy titles amongst which are The Losi of IsaraRemo, Ogun State; The OliwoSolo of Isara-Remo, Ogun State; The Otun-Balogun of Isara-Remo, Ogun State; The Asiwaju of Ojodu, Lagos State; and The Agba-Akin of Remo Land, Ogun State. A devout Christian, he was elected the Baba Ijo of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, IsaraRemo. He was a philanthropist, teacher and a role model.

60 | Saturday, February 22, 2014

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 61

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports

Kano Pillars’ players before a league game

Bureaucratic inertia, our penchant for doing things in half measures and the general disregard for best global practices, especially at the club management level as well as the seeming lack of depth in the Nigerian domestic league, may have contributed their fair share to the shock ouster of Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars Football Club from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League at the preliminary stage for the second year in a row. ENO-ABASI SUNDAYchronicles views of stakeholders on the issue, which is once again drawing attention to our local league albeit negatively, especially in the wake of our bronze-winning feat at the third African Nations Championship in South Africa. AD experiences in human lives, many say are

like radar systems meant to aid their navigation of respective milieus in order to avert a repeat of, and mitigate the chances of such occurrences in the future. This, and perhaps the fact that most human beings are incurable optimists, must have informed the well-worn, age-long saying that, “lightning does not strike twice.” But hard as they wished the saying does not find expression in their situation, back-to-back winners and defending Nigerian Premier League (NPL) champions, Kano Pillars Football Club, could not help experiencing lightening twice in quick successions. The occurrence coming shortly after what looked like an above average performance by the homebased Super Eagles at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), tends to present the country’s domestic league in different lights

NPL’s Rating Called To Question, As Lightning Strikes Pillars’ Twice depending of course, on the prism one is viewing it from. For instance, while a school of thought is of the opinion that the country’s performance at CHAN was a fluke, and not a true reflection of the rising profile of our local league, another is of the view that it was the ingenuity of the technical crew that the country was basking in, while yet another blame Pillars’ lacklustre performance squarely on the non-start of the domestic league, which left the players match-rusty. The fourth group, and by no means the last is rather more direct insisting that the Nigerian champions ouster at the group stage of the competition, for the second year running was either the true reflection of the mediocrity inherent in our domestic league or a development that questions the route through which the club has been crowned champions twice in a row. Last year, the Kano-based side, which also entered the competition as Nigerian champions, was dispatched in similar fashion by at the same stage amidst a legion of excuses it had to offer its teeming supporters and indeed Nigerians. The same scenario repeated itself when the Pillars came crumbling yet again in the hands of AS Vita of Congo, and Kabiru Umar of the Kanobased club found it convenient to blame the disgraceful development on hard luck and harsh refereeing in both legs of the preliminary round tie. After the team managed to scrap a 2-1 win against the Congolese side at the Sanni Abacha Stadium,

Kano last Saturday, and losing out courtesy of a 34 aggregate score, Umar said: “It was the combination of hard luck and biased officiating that saw us being eliminated from the competition despite our spirited fight to stay alive,” he told Supersport. “We least expected that we’ll be booted out at the preliminary stage of the competition by no less opposition than AS Vita Club, even going in front here in Kano was a rude shock. We had clear three penalty appeals but the referee waived it aside coupled with several missed chances in front of goal. That’s football for you, you either win or lose and suffer the humiliation of elimination. I think we lost the battle in Kinshasa, DR Congo when we went down 1-3 courtesy of referee’s unfair treatment. We wanted to win, we wanted to offer Nigerians the best representation if not clinch the title but that didn’t happen.” Pronto, and like most club sides on the continent, funders of club, the Kano State Government sacked the board and senior management team of the side, but not without advancing a legion of offences, which it believed precipitated the disastrous outing. While briefing newsmen at the state Deputy Governor’s office, Special Adviser to the state governor on sports development, Gara Gombe, also said the team failed to meet the government’s expectation. Gombe alleged that the “outgoing board was insubordinate to constituted authority, lacked accountability and prudent management of public resources as well as cooperation and synergy

among members.” He also enumerated poor quality of technical officials as well as the composition of both management of the club and the board without any clearly demarcated responsibilities and conditions of service, as part of challenges that bedevilled the sacked board. A new board and management have, however been put in place. While the Pillars stew in their broil, a jubilant AS Vita side says the victory over their Nigerian foes, represents a “great achievement” for the team. Head Coach of the side, which last won the trophy41yearsago,FlorentIbenge said,“I’m veryhappy because Kano Pillars are the champions of Nigeria and you know Nigeria is the champion of Africa and one of the best football nations in Africa. The victory was a great achievement for me,” Ibenge told an online medium. An avalanche of condemnation, words of encouragement and infact why the team was prematurely bundled out of the lucrative competition have been offered. In the view of former Green Eagles captain and former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, “Pillars’ elimination was quite unfortunate. They did their best, but it was not good enough.” He also fingered the non-commencement of the country’s domestic league as one of the contributing factors “... just as the management’s delay in picking a coach for the team also contributed to this shock exit.” Perhaps, one of those who agree with the school of thought, which opined that the premature exit by Pillars has made a mockery of the Nigerian league is FIFA U-17 silver-winning coach and incumbent helmsman of Rangers a Football Club of Enugu, John Obuh. Before Pillars ouster, Obuh had cautioned that the non-commencement of the Nigerian league might hamper Nigeria’s performance in continental tournaments. Obuh, a former head coach of the Flying Eagles specifically said Nigerian teams in this year’s Nigeria’s CAF Champions League as well as the Confederations Cup might not fire at full throttle

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62 Saturday, February 22, 2014

NPL’s Rating Called To Question CONTINUED FROM PAGE 61 as they would lack the needed competitive edge that comes with involvement in competitive games. Obuh who called on football authorities to take steps to mitigate hiccups that hamper seamless commencement of the league as at when due, noted that the home-based Super Eagles would have excelled had the team members played a number of matches for their respective clubs before heading for CHAN. “It is very important for us to prepare and keep our players in top form for competitions like these because if these players had played up to seven or so matches for their respective clubs before CHAN, they would have done extremely better than what they did. Everyone saw how match rusty the boys were in the earlier part of the competition before they picked up.” He continued, “My fears now is that since the Nigerian league is still yet to commence, the country’s flag bearers to the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations’ Cup may likely suffer the same fate the Eagles suffered, that is being match rusty, which may hamper our chances of a good outing.” On how to address this situation especially in the long term, he said, “We should learn to plan for the next league season before an ongoing one comes to an end. What we have in the country is a situation where there are always challenges at the end of a particular season. Sorting out these challenges end up delaying the commencement of the new season. After his prophesy came to pass with Pillars exit, Obuh told MTNfootball.com, “It is quite distasteful to hear that the Nigerian league champions are once again out of the continent in the preliminary round. It goes to show that much still needed to be done by the league managers so that we get credible representations.” He, however, re-emphasised that “...the non start of the domestic league, to a very large extent, affected our teams on the continent. The earlier we put the league in order, the better for all of us. It is very painful.” FIFA and CAF instructor, Adeboye Onigbinde is one of those who believes that the lack of depth, our perennial penchant for doing things in half measures and the absence of certain key beacons in the landscape are the things that are finding expression in the unceremonious exit of the Nigerian champion from the race just when it is becoming really competitive. Specifically, the former national team coach said for the country’s football to overcome its demons, there must be respect for timelines, eschewing haphazard implementation of policies and programmes, as well as deployment of all standard practices as obtained in major leagues across the world. “When we exit a competition the way we have, it is always very embarrassing to the country that we have to yet again go through such sobering experience when we have so much quality to excel. “However, for some of us, the embarrassment was not totally unexpected because we as a country have become well versed with going against the norm. Or how do you explain a situation where government parastatals are masquerading as football clubs? Clubs like Kano Pillars should have nurseries or academies, where players are groomed. Management of the club should also be independent and capable of choosing who leads them. “Unfortunately, what we have is a situation where sports administration is used as a form of political patronage, while football clubs are nothing more than government paratatals, where the right people are substituted for the wrong ones, Onigbinde stated. He continued, “for decades now, the English Football Association has not tinkered with the timetable of the Premier League, but this season alone, we have shifted our kick-off date at least twice. The lack of action by our club sides is bound to affect the teams locally and on the continental scene because there is no time for structured preparation and effective competition. “A lot of things are not going right with our league and one of them is that it ought to have commenced before now for the teams to be exposed to competitive action. As matters stand now, the non-commencement of the league up till this time, will have an effect on next season’s kick-off,” he stated He said that part of the reasons why FIFA was succeeding in developing football globally, was because it does not just organise competition for the sake of it, but also commissions highly qualified persons to serve as technical analysts in the competitions. The technical analysts, among other things, assess the performance of

players and teams and the reports are then discussed with coaches and other stakeholders. “About three years ago, I wrote to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) suggesting names of about 60 experienced coaches that can serve as technical analysts because in reality, their role is more important than that of match commissioners in football development. But up till today, nothing has been heard of the letter I wrote. So I would advise that we begin to take steps that serious footballing nations are taking if we want to truly develop our football.” Just before Onigbinde called for renewed vigour in the drive to improve football development in the country, the Glo Premier League was rated the fourth strongest league in Africa, while the Spanish La Liga was named world’s strongest league by the International Federation of Football History (IFFHS) and Statistics for the year 2013. The recent rating, according to IFFHS covers the period from January 1st 2013 to December 31st, 2013 during, which the League Management Company (LMC) organised the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) sponsored by Globacom In July 2012, the same body rated the Glo Premiere League as the best league on the continent. The IFFHS had then explained that the result was based on performances of clubs from January 1 to July 10, 2012. With the glaring drop from the first position on the continent in 2012 to the fourth in 2014, not many were excited with the euphoria that the LMC created in the wake of the announcement. The LMC through its chairman, Nduka Irabor had maintained that the outfit was delighted “... because the gains of Nigeria on the listing is a validation of the work we have done these past months and we are encouraged by such good tidings coming from an independent international assessor. “This ranking portends good for the league; it is a huge positive for the league especially now that the clubs have agreed to comply with the licensing regulations, that the commercial corporate community is showing increasing interest in partnering with the league and at such a time the league has drawn huge followership from the youth population on social media. “We are gratified that the effort is yielding positive results as seen in this internationally acclaimed research that presented the top 125 strongest leagues of the world. We are indeed heading back-up where we belong.” The IFFHS, is a research organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It computes its annual rating on the basis of all national leagues, FA Cup, continental and intercontinental results of the clubs from countries. Some critics have scant regard for the rating saying the body was not created by a committee of national bodies linked to football, thus its appellation as “International Federation” has been considered misleading. In fact, sports historian and a professor at the University of Cologne, Karl Lennartz, once described the organisation as “obscure.” In addition to this, the IFFHS rankings and their significance have been subjected to immense criticism from some quarters. However, the Nigerian league rating not withstanding, manager of Dolphins Football Club of Port Harcourt, Stanley Eguma has applauded the far-reaching reforms and innovations championed by the LMC, saying if well implemented, they have the capacity to rejuvenate and return glamour to Nigerian league, improve the quality and standard of play as well as address issues bordering on players’ welfare. Eguma, while doing an analysis on why the Nigerian league has failed to favourably compete with its counterparts in the world, told The Guardian: “Over the years, poor welfare package has remained the bane of the Nigerian domestic league. This has given rise to the exodus of our talented players to leagues on the continent and lesser leagues in Europe and elsewhere. “This is why the innovations put in place by the LMC should be applauded because they are aimed at making our players happy so that they can resist the temptation of being lured to sign poor or slave contracts in Europe,” Eguma stated. Insisting that the N150, 000 monthly salary recommended by LMC was “not too much considering the wear and tear the players experience in the course of the season, the Dolphins FC boss stressed that most professional club sides in the country were capable of sticking to the new salary regime. However, he urged the LMC to apply brakes in the enforcement as most of the clubs, who are state government-owned had drawn up their spending profile before now and it would be very difficult for them to make up for the shortfall.

Enyinba players celebrating victory

Chukwu

Eguma

Obuh

Irabor

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 63

SPORTS

My Close Encounter With Robbers - A Second Chance At Life! the first time my pen went completely dry. I could not FwasOR write. My mind was blank of anything on sports. Instead, it reeling with images that kept playing back over and over

express road that had become a lucrative haven for thieves, kidnappers and car-snatchers. That was the same area that Bishop Akinola of the Methodist church was abducted I later learnt. Since again like a horror movie in repeat mode. then I have also learnt that there is a very long list of victims on Permit me to apologise to readers of this page for my absence that same axis, a stretch of some 20 kilometres or so on the last week and for not writing about sports this week. I couldn’t Abeokuta-Sango Otta-Lagos (old) express road, between Kere vilfind the motivation or the words. lage and Papalanto! This mood persisted for well over an entire week during which On that corridor, there are at least four dirt roads that lead to time I tried to keep everything to myself for fear of infecting peo- Nigeria’s unmanned border with Benin Republic. These are ple around me with my trepidation and anxiety. I attempted known routes for smugglers and car-snatchers. The routes are so keeping a straight normal face and going about my normal rough and forested that the police have been unable to chase chores as if nothing had happened. thieves into them without endangering themselves. Of course, close family members and staff were wondering and According to the police, they have never succeeded in apprehendasking where my car was, why I was looking like one seriously in ing any of the robbers. So, even the Police admit that they need need of sleep, why I now needed to be driven home and back. So help. Before last week I was totally in the dark about the dangers many questions! that existed on that road. Now I know better. It took a personal I had told them the car had a breakdown on the express road experience to give me the painful lesson. The public and the and had left it with a mechanic. Even the police had recoiled at authorities must know and become part of the fight against these the sight of the scars left on the car by bullets and had advised marauders. That’s why Tunde’s position made sense. me to go immediately and either get drunk or go to a church to Exactly eight days after the incident, Tunde Fagbenle, was back at offer thanksgiving to God for sparing my life. It was that gory! me again. I had gone to spend the night in his house in Ibadan in I had to tell a very few people though. One of them was my order to attend the Yoruba Constitutional Conference meeting I friend, Tunde Fagbenle, who listened to my story in disbelief and was a part of organizing, bringing together the various Yoruba wanted immediately to take it to the media. I refused initially, interest groups and stakeholders in an effort to harmonise their reasoning that I did not want to ‘add salt to injury’, which the various positions on the matter of the National Conference. telling of my story would definitely have elicited. I felt also that I could see his disgust with my position to keep silent about the most people would make me recount the nightmarish horror, incident and attempt to go on quietly with my life. something I needed to forget in a hurry. I did not want that. I’d My life was anything but normal he could easily see. I was not better carry the cross of my experience myself rather than sleeping well. I was now driving myself in a rickety car that did spread the gloom! more harm than good to my image and safety on our dangerous Tunde insisted that the news would serve to warn the public roads. Tunde bluntly told me he was going ahead to write my and the government about the dangers that lurked on that road story in his column because he owed it to me and to the public to with all the new information that we now gathered from the do so. Trusting the old man and his better judgment I waited for police about the notoriety of a corridor on that stretch of the Sunday to come.

The NMA President/ Initiator of the Doctors’ Games, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, participants in a table tennis game between South-South (right) and Akwa-Ibom (left), NMA Secretary-General, Dr. A.L Pemu (second right), Chairman, NMA Bayelsa State/ Secretary, LOC of the NMA Maiden Doctors’ Games, Dr. James Omietimi (third right) and Dr. Chris Enoch, former NMA Deputy Secretary-General (second left).

When Ciroma, Menakaya Danced To Julius Berger’s Golf Tunes From Ezeocha Nzeh and Anthony Otaru, Abuja. HE IBB International Golf and Country T Club in Abuja was last weekend filled with activities as construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria, dragged out players of all categories to play and raise fund for charity during the 14th edition of the annual charity golf tournament. The charity tourney, which, according to the sponsors, its proceeds would be distributed to charity organizations across the country, featured over 200 golfers, including former Central Bank Governor, Adamu Ciroma, former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba, as well as former Health Minister, Tim Menakaya, among others. At the end of the one-day event, Sam Anyamele of IBB International Golf and Country Club emerged the overall winner with 43 stable forth points. Other winners in the competition included Emeka Okatta, who won 38 stable forth points, to emerge the winner of the Men’s Division on handicap 0-10, while Okezie Ogali, with 34 points, emerged runner up, while Okechukwu Igwe picked the third place prize with 31 stable forth points. In the category 2, handicap 11-20, Balminas Yilkes polled 37 stable forth points to come first, David Nabaida with

38 points came second and Aragbaiye Ade Young with 37 stable forth points won the 3rd place. In the Ladies category, Amina Wilfred scored 36 stable forth points to win the category 1(handicap 0- 18), while Rachael Danjuma with 32 stable forth points came second and Sandra Suwa scored 30 to clinch the third place. In the Ladies category 2, handicap 19-36, Ekanem Ekwueme scored 37 stable forth points to emerge winner, Josephine Ayu with 32 points and Erles Stefiny with 31 stable forth points took the second and third positions respectively. Also Peter Igho won the Young Golf Veterans category having shot 31 stable forth points, former Health Minister, Tim Menakaya with 32 points and Gerry Nash with 31 points took second and third positions respectively. Speaking at the end of the event, Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria, the organizers of the Tournament, Wolfgang Goetsch, said the competition was part of the company’s contribution to develop the game of golf, as well as to touch the lives of the under privileged in the country through its corporate social responsibility. “We want to send a message; we want to combine work with our Corporate Social responsibility. We use this tournament to raise some money or funds and distrib-

utes to the underprivileged people in the society. We shall go ahead and distribute it to charity homes and institutions. The Julius Berger Managing Director clarified that the company has also reached out to other parts of the country as regards the competition, saying, “We have done this in Lagos, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers States, so we are not bound only to do it in IBB Golf Club alone”. He hailed the facilities at the IBB Golf Club and was happy that after 20 years of its construction, the IBB Golf Club Course still ranks as one of the best in Africa. “The Golf Course here, I believe, is not only the best in Nigeria, but one of the best in Africa… it is now more than 20 years old and I still believe that the club is in good shape although maintenance has not been easy”, he emphasized. Former Central Bank Governor, Adamu Ciroma, who competed in the veterans’ category, also explained the reasons for Julius Berger’s sponsorship of the tournament. “Julius Berger is willing to contribute their quota to Nigeria. It is a very important that this kind of charity event is going on in this IBB Golf Club and the competition is being organized by one of the best known construction companies in Nigeria. So everybody who has gotten the chance to participate takes it very seriously,” the former Finance Minister disclosed.

Segun Odegbami Sunday arrived and unleashed a tsunami of phone calls from every part of the world. The calls have continued to come all through this past week. I never knew I had these many friends, family and admirers all over the world. The outpouring of concern and prayers was ceaseless, gratifying and humbling. I must mention that I received a call from the governor of my State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. He prayed for me, thanking God for my escape, and assured me that even though the State government was doing a lot already on the security situation on that axis of the State, it would now do even more with the marauders seemingly increasing their nefarious activities. If only for that reason, I now agree completely with Tunde why telling the story was a better decision. The entire incident lasted no more than a minute or two, but looking back now it seemed like a lifetime. The long and short of it is that I was waylaid by robbers in broad daylight, on the bridge at Kere Village on the Abeokuta-Sango Otta-Lagos road. Against an impossible situation, God literality took control and rescued me in a manner straight out of a dramatic movie script. It was on Sunday, February 9. At about 3 O’clock in the afternoon I was driving alone in my SUV car from Abeokuta. I was going to stop over in my school in Wasimi to see the children (my students) before heading to Lagos. I was leisurely cruising along totally oblivious of the car that overtook me on the bridge and immediately started to slow down in front of me. I tried to go around it one way and it blocked my path. I went the other way and it also went the same way and slowed down even more. Then it was slowing down almost to a halt. The car was a small Toyota Trinity saloon. It had five passengers. As it almost came to a standstill right in front of my car, I sensed danger. The passenger by the driver’s side of the car suddenly opened and I saw the gun before I even saw the man carrying it. I knew immediately this was trouble. The men were attempting to stop me on the bridge. My car was now too close to theirs for me to do anything to get out of the situation taking place in broad day light on the express-road. Then some powerful force beyond me took control. Just as my mind took in the reality of the situation I knew to wait for what they were going to do would be to surrender my life to the whims of evil forces. God took control. What happened next was a script straight from ‘Mission Impossible’. God drove the car over the high kerb separating the road from the bridge railings to my left. The front of the Jeep hit the back of the thieves’ car and must have shaken them a bit. The SUV climbed over the kerb and hit the bridge railings. Its front tire ripped apart and exploded as a result of the impact with the sharp edge of the kerb or with the bridge railings. The car bounced off the railings and careened back against the thieves’ smaller car shoving it to one side. I found myself ahead instead of behind their car. Then sounds of bullets from a gun and shattering glass around me escalated the confusion and danger around me. My life ended at that moment. An angel from heaven depressed my foot on the accelerator pedal as I zoomed off on driving with one burst tire, zigzagging across the express road with the metallic sounds of the bare rim of the car wheels grinding against the concrete road sounding like music from hell! And the thieves drove after me, their guns now silent, waiting for me to exhaust my futile attempt to get away on a burst tire. My mind was reeling in confusion. What do I do? I could not drive for much longer on the bare rim of the car. Stopping was to death. I could not have gone more than a hundred metres but it seemed like a mile with their car following after me. Then I saw the opening God created many years ago to serve this one purpose at this critical time – a U-turn point just ahead. In those few seconds I sized up the situation. Cars were travelling fast in the opposite direction on the other side of the road. As I arrived the U-turn spot, Angel Gabriel slammed my foot on the breaks, turned the wheel of the SUV dangerously into the path of the approaching cars that must have thought whoever was driving the SUV must be on a suicide mission and started their own struggle to avoid what was an almost certain head-on collision. The shuddering SUV successfully made the dangerous U-turn with its bare rim screeching on concrete, with fast approaching cars tearing away in all directions to avoid hitting it, leaving behind a trail of angry car drivers and the bewildered thieves that chose to go straight on rather than follow me anymore. For the few seconds that this madness lasted it was pandemonium all around. Meanwhile, the beloved SUV, with God in control, completed its turn and limbered off on wobbly wheels in the warm safe embrace of the opposite side of the express road heading towards Abeokuta. I have lived to tell the story because God was very generous with me. It is no justification of any sort. It is simply his grace to let me live a little bit longer to fulfill yet another purpose in this life. I am indeed very grateful to all those that have called to show their love and concern, and joined me in thanking God for the opportunity of another chance at life. I do not deserve it but God knows best why he does what he does!

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Lagos International Polo Tournament

Fifth Chukker, Ashbert Tango For Oba Of Lagos Cup HE opening week of the T MTN/GT Bank 2014 Lagos Polo International Tournament reaches its crucial stage today as Lagos teams, Fifth Chukker and Ashbert 98.1 size up for the Oba of Lagos Cup. The decisive match falls under the Open Cup and it is the first of the nine titles at stake in the twin-phased 10day event. Three more titles will be decided tomorrow to end hostilities in the first week. Yesterday, Kano Tripple KKK, Unity Polo and Kano Ibah joined Lagos Valkyrie in the semifinal of the Dansa Cup, which would be played today. KKK defeated Lagos Bonhams 5-4½, while qualifiers, Unity Polo out-galloped Ibadan Olisa Farm 9½-4. Another action-packed encounters yesterday saw Lagos Shoreline maintaining their impressive form, as they beat Lagos Ark/Good Fellows 9½-6 in the Stream two of the

six-team Open Cup, while Fifth Chukker bagged a 6-4½ win over Kashton/Lintex in Stream 1. Shoreline, who glided past Ironclad/Taleveras in their first match, were on a half-agoal advantage by the virtue of their inferior handicap and they had a good start as Juan Cruz scored the opening goal of the five-chukka game seconds after commencement. However, Santiago Cernadas responded for Good Fellows with a 60-yarder. Argentine Cernadas scored another goal to give Good Fellows a 2-1½ lead but his South American compatriot, Santiago de Estrada keeps the score marginal with a 40 yards low drive. Hitman, Cernadas converted a penalty just before the end of the second chukka and there was not much difference between the sides till the last two chukkas where Estrada, a +6 handicap, spearheaded a dominant finish for the Shoreliners.

Hooliganism: NFF Upholds Jigawa Golden Stars’ Sanction, Warns Other Clubs HE Nigeria Football T Federation (NFF) has handed down more sanctions to the Jigawa Golden Stars following their fans’ unruly behaviour, which led to the abandonment of the Week One Nigeria National League (NNL) match against Wikki Tourists in Dutse. The NNL had earlier in the week rolled out several sanctions against the erring club, but the parent body, NFF, yesterday added to the club’s woes by spelling out more punishments to serve as a deterrent to other teams. Among the fresh sanctions

given to Jigawa Golden Stars is the payment of the sum of N530, 000 without delay. The Disciplinary Committee, which sat in Abuja during the week, also asked the club to pay the sum of N80, 000 as penalty for destroying Wikki Tourists’ video camera and another N250, 000 for the damaged videocassette of the match in line with Article 6.5 (2). The club will also pay the N200, 000 to the assaulted match officials and all the monies must be paid up before the next home game of the club.

Kidnappers Of Super Eagles’ Former Star’s Father Nabbed • Body Found In Shallow Grave From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja BOUT three months after he was abducted by kidnappers near his country home in Abagana, Anambra State, the body of 83-year old James Iloanusi, father of Super Eagles former defender, Chikelue, has finally been found, dead and buried in a shallow grave in Nneyi, Umuleri, in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state. The kidnappers had demanded N50 million ransom from his family. The discovery of the late Pa Iloanusi’s body early in the week followed the arrest of one Nonso Ogbukezie, the kidnap kingpin and leader of a sevenman kidnap ring in Anambra State, who carried out the heinous crime even after collecting N10 million ransom from the family. The kidnap Kingpin, sources said, was arrested in Lokoja, where he had relocated in January as security operatives combed the nooks and crannies of Anambra State search-

ing for him. Upon his arrest, Ogbukezie led security operatives to Anambra State where a key member of the gang simply identified as ‘Awolowo’ was equally arrested. Awolowo confessed to the death of the octogenarian and eventually took operatives and family members to where the body of Pa Iloanusi was buried somewhere in Umuleri, a neighboring community. Confirming the latest development in a telephone chat yesterday, Chikelue said the two criminals are now telling the operatives what they know about the matter, adding that the family is still in a shock over the news of their father’s demise. He said seven persons have been linked to the crime, among them two brothers, Chinedu and Ikenna, as well as one Chikaodi. Some are still at large, he stated. The former footballer, however, said the family is consoled by the fact the massive manhunt has yielded dividend and that his father’s abductors will eventually face the law.

Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel (left) challenges Everton’s Stephen Naismith when both teams met in the first half of the season.

English Premiership

Chelsea, Arsenal, City Resume Title Chase FTER their FA Cup and A UEFA Champions League exertions, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton will resume their quest for glory in the English Premiership today. Table Leaders, Chelsea, welcome back Captain John Terry in today’s clash with Everton, but David Luiz is out of the tie. Terry has missed three games with a gluteal muscular strain and now Luiz is absent as a precaution with a similar concern near his hip. Midfielder Marco van Ginkel is continuing his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury. Steven Naismith has been given the all-clear to play for Everton after taking a bang to the head against Swansea last week. On-loan striker Romelu Lukaku has recovered from an ankle problem but is ineligible against his parent club and joins long-term absentees Bryan Oviedo, Darron Gibson and Arouna Kone on the side-

lines. At the Emirates, Arsenal meet Sunderland without Kieran Gibbs (hamstring), Aaron Ramsey (thigh) and Kim Kallstrom (back) but midfielder Mikel Arteta is available after serving a European suspension in midweek while striker Olivier Giroud is expected to be recalled. Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott are long-term absentees with their respective knee injuries. Gus Poyet is expecting Steven Fletcher to be back available following an Achilles problem while defender Carlos Cuellar also returns to contention for the first time since November after recovering from a hip problem. Central defender, Wes Brown, completes his two-match ban and goalkeeper Keiren Westwood (shoulder) remains on the sidelines. In other games of the day, Cardiff will file out against Hull without Gary Medel after coming off at half-time in the FA Cup defeat by Wigan with a

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TAIWO AKERELE

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thigh injury. Craig Bellamy will serve the final game of a three-match suspension and Mark Hudson (hamstring) is out for the season, but Kenwyne Jones and Fabio return after being cup-tied last time out. Hull could welcome back defenders James Chester (hamstring) and Liam Rosenior (thigh), while Sone Aluko could also play a part having managed 90 minutes in Monday’s FA Cup draw at Brighton, but Robbie Brady (groin) and Paul McShane (ankle) are long-term absentees. Manchester City’s top scorer, Sergio Aguero, is set to miss out of the clash against Stoke,

but is in line to return to training next week after missing four games with a hamstring injury. Midfielder James Milner is available again after his midweek European suspension but defender Matija Nastasic (knee) is a notable absentee. Stoke will be without winger Oussama Assaidi for their trip to the Etihad Stadium with the on-loan Liverpool player set to be sidelined for up to six weeks after tearing a knee ligament. On-loan striker John Guidetti is ineligible against his parent club but Andy Wilkinson and Matthew Etherington are both available after injury.

English Premiership Fixtures Chelsea Versus Arsenal Versus Cardiff Versus Man City Versus West Brom Versus West Ham Versus Crystal Palace Versus

Everton Sunderland Hull Stoke Fulham Southamptom Man Utd