Sat 18 Jan 2013

RIVERS COVER 49

In The Throes Of Power Struggle

S A T U R D A Y

JENNIFER

OGUZIE:

E D I T I O N

CELEBRITY 23

POLITICS 52

Doing Nigeria Proud In Hollywood

PDP’s High Leadership Turnover Continues As Tukur ‘Falls’

BOLA MUSE WOMAN 22

Vision To Create A World Of Friendship

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,605

N150

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Police Threaten To Charge Rivers Officials With Treason From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt HE Rivers State Police T Command has threatened to charge some Rivers State government officials with treason if unrest continues in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Ahmad Kidaya Muhammad, alleged that the Chief of Staff to the governor and some local government chairmen have been holding clandestine meetings on how to disrupt the peace of the state further by hiring unemployed and disgruntled youths to cause mayhem.

“It is hereby warned that anyone who allows himself to be hired and used be on notice that the command will not fold its arms and watch them take the law into their hands.

They will face the full wrath of the law. Their sponsors will equally be tracked down, arrested and charged to court on treasonable grounds,” he said.

Muhammad also said that the attention of the command has been drawn to the statements credited to Mr. Tony Okocha, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers State, to the effect that the officers who allegedly shot Senator Magnus Abe were arrested by the police.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 3

North-East Governors Consult Jonathan On Tukur’s Successor NEWS 4

Knocks For AntiGay Law Critics NEWS 5

‘INEC’s Control

By Incumbents, Threat To Democracy’

Youths protesting in Eleme, Port Harcourt in support of Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu… yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

PDP Praises Self Over Tukur’s Resignation From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja HE Peoples Democratic T Party (PDP) has described the voluntary stepping aside of its former National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur and the peaceful resolution of its leadership challenges, as the height of political maturity and an expression of the internal democratic mechanism that forms the building blocks of the party.

A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh yesterday

said the development ,which came against the backdrop of doomsday predictions by the opposition, has again attested to the in-built conflict resolution capacity of the PDP. He added that leaders of party leaders remained committed to the party’s responsibility as the custodian of the fate of over 160 million Nigerians .

“On Thursday, the selfless efforts of our leaders to reengineer and strengthen our great party peaked with the selfless example of our former National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, who voluntarily

resigned.

“It was a denouement which brought to the fore, the unimpeachable democratic features of the PDP as a political party whose leaders and members are at all times willing to sacrifice personal interests in the overall good of the party and the nation. This is a true character of a political party attuned to the essentials of progress and national unity,” Metuh said.

The statement continued: “Instructively, the occasion reaffirmed that despite our large size and diversity, our capacity to internally resolve all our challenges and by extension,

hold Nigeria together as well as boost her fortunes and improve the lot of the people, is without rival.

“By this very development also, we re-established with emphasis, that the interest of the people is primary to every consideration in our party and that no amount of sacrifice is inconceivable in service to Nigeria.”

The statement averred that the peaceful manner with which the PDP has continued to resolve its problems is an assurance that the challenges facing Nigeria today would equally be

resolved with the cooperation of the people.

“We therefore wish to send a fresh clear signal to the opposition and detractors who must be hugely disappointed with the outcome of our National Executive Committee meeting, that the PDP has come to stay and shall continue to win elections, having been deeply rooted in the province of the people.

“For nearly 16 years since formation, our great party has passed through numerous challenges and on each occasion emerged stronger.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

2 | Saturday, January 18, 2014

Don’t Drag Us Into Politics, Arewa Monarchs Warn Politicians From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief ORTHERN traditional N rulers, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar (III), have warned politicians in the country not to drag monarchs into politics, saying that such move will be detrimental to the nation.

The monarchs in a communique issued yesterday after their meeting commended President Goodluck Jonathan on the proposed National Dialogue which they argued would enable Nigerians to resolve their differences and chart a new

course for the country.

The communique which was signed by the Emir of Birnin Bwari, Alhaji Zubair Jibril Maigwari (II), stated further that since the security of any nation is predicated on justice and fair play, the government should always promote these ideals for the unity and development of Nigeria.

The Arewa Monarchs observed: “Some interest groups are using religion and ethnicity to bring about divisions within the society to the detriment of the development of the nation.

“No meaningful development is possible where

there is prevalence of poverty, illiteracy and general insecurity amongst the people.”

They added: “The proposed National Dialogue being planned is a positive attempt to give Nigerians of different opinions, the opportunity of coming together to a chart a new course for the nation”.

Alhaji Maigwari noted that “the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution in the North had since submitted its report to the government”, and urged the government to fully implement the report.

He said government

should immediately address the problem of marginalization, as “some sections of the North complained of imbalances in the political and economic opportunities given to them in relation to what obtains in other parts of the country.”

Besides, Maigwari lamented that “some interest groups are putting undue pressure on traditional rulers to be partisan to the detriment of their position as fathers to all”.

He warned against the disunity that was creeping into the North, saying it would only succeed in destroying the people.

“Some divisive elements

from within and outside the North are causing animosity and distrust amongst the different communities in the North thereby weakening the hitherto strong bond of unity that existed in the region before and during the First Republic”.

The traditional rulers commended Jonathan’s initiative in endorsing the bill against same sex marriage in Nigeria.

“We observed with delight, the passage by the National Assembly, and the subsequent ascension into law by Mr. President, a Law Prohibiting Same Sex Marriage and council

believes that the action is in line with our cherished norms, culture and religion”.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero yesterday reacted to the comments of the Deputy Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum and its spokesperson, Dr. Paul Unongo, that northern governors were not invited to the traditional rulers’ meeting.

Instead, they gate-crashed into it.

“While we don’t hold brief for other governors that attended the meeting, we however view Unongo’s claim as not only disrespectful, but a white lie”, Yero said.

Onaiyekan Warns Against Impunity, Selfish Interests From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja

• Says Nigeria May Disintegrate HE Catholic Archbishop T of Abuja, Cardinal John • Praises Jonathan, NASS On Anti-Gay Law Onaiyekan has warned that it is possible for Nigeria to disintegrate if Nigerians continue with their reckless behaviours and allow impunity and selfish interests to supersede national interest.

Briefing journalists on the activities lined up to mark his 70th birthday yesterday in Abuja, Oniyekan said: “We do know we can disintegrate, yes, it is possible.

There is famous prophesy of those who said Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015, but we don’t have to be a prophet to know that if we continue to behave the way we are behaving, and recklessly allowing impunity to continue, and being so concerned about our own selfish interests that we don’t care about what concerns all of us, we cannot hold together that way. Since we know what it is that destroys a nation, it is up to us to decide whether we want to take that path or whether we want to take the path of good common sense”.

The cleric who observed that in Nigeria’s 100 years of corporate existence as a nation, aspirations and hopes have not been realized. He was however quick to add that staying together as one nation after 100 years is a thing to be proud of.

His words: “We are not yet there but he Centenary celebration provides us with the opportunity to ask ourselves why we have not reached where we ought to be; why is it that in the midst of so much wealth, there is abject poverty among the populace. We want to stay together as one indivisible nation, we need to arrange our affairs in such a way that we not only hang on together, but also build a nation that is united and work together to achieve our deserved greatness and also be a leader in Africa”.

The cleric praised President Goodluck Jonathan and the National

Assembly for passing into law, the Bill banning same sex marriage.

“The Western world has no right to impose their belief on us. We have every right to order our social life according to the way we believe it should go, taking note of our own local situation. I commended the National Assembly for resisting every influence and gratification to pass the Bill into law. We shouldn’t copy everything being done by the so- called civilized countries. We are against

homosexuality and same sex marriage.

“There is nothing like same sex marriage, marriage is a union between husband and wife. When you start pretending to be what you are not, you are then playing with nature. Marriage must be between a man and a woman. Anything less than that is not recognized in Nigeria and therefore, unacceptable. It is the concept of marriage that our traditional culture, Christianity and Islam handed over to us,” he said.

On whether the 14-year jail term prescribed for those who engage in same sex marriage is enough to deter people from involving themselves in the act, Onaiyekan said: “ I don’t dwell on whether the jail term for any offence whatsoever is enough. I believe in the forgiveness of sin but a situation where a poor man who stole a piece of yam languishes in Kuje for four years while a politician who stole billions, after plea bargaining, ends up with just six months which he or she spends in a fivestar hospital, certainly, there is something wrong with that.

“If the National Assembly has time to speed up the

same sex law, they should also use that zeal to make laws on other issues very critical to this country. We need a special law on election rigging, rape and domestic violence among others”.

Onaiyekan, who stressed the need to sanitize the nation’s body polity for free, fair and credible elections in the country, noted: “Our experience has been that since 1999 elections to the last one, every election seems to progress from bad to worse and if it continues that way, the result is that we will end up with no elections and if we continue with this bad habit, we will destroy this nation and no amount of prayers will save us if we decide to kill ourselves”.

Rivers Police Threaten To Charge Officials With Treason CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “It is on this premise that it becomes pertinent to clarify the matter so as to put a stop to misleading stories being fed to the members of the public.

“For avoidance of doubt, it is necessary to bring to the public the fact that actually, two security personnel were arrested by the police on the day of the incident. At the same time, it is also important to say that those arrested were a Corporal of the Nigeria Police and a personnel of the Department of State Security Service both attached to the Chief of Staff who, rather than sticking to their assigned roles, went out of their way to carry out the unprofessional job of spying for the Chief of Staff,” he said.

He explained that the two police officers as at the time of their arrest, concealed a service pistol and walkie-talkie radio respectively, and tried to

Abubakar infiltrate into the midst of officers and men officially assigned to the venue of the failed rally.

Muhammad revealed that Okocha inferred that Senator Magnus Abe was flown abroad in an air ambulance.

According to him, this is another false story because the Senator travelled by Air France, and was indeed, the number

on

the manifest.

Meanwhile, the Interim Chairman of Rivers State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Davies Ikanya, has decried the Presidency’s silence over the over shooting of Senator Magnus Abe, who is now recuperating in a London hospital .

“We totally agree with Prof.

Soyinka’s recommendation

that CP Joseph Mbu should be sent to where his skills are needed most since his use of ‘minimum force’ could send a serving Senator to a London hospital. If he is permitted to use ‘maximum force,’ the menace of Boko Haram will be a thing of the past! We, therefore, join the respected Nobel laureate in pleading with the Presidency to as a matter of urgency, redeploy CP Mbu to either Borno or Yobe state as we do not need him in Rivers State.

“All relevant individuals, including Senator Abe and Sir Tony Okocha, the Chief of Staff to Governor Chibuike Amaechi, both of whom were shot during the disrupted rally, should be interviewed by the IGP’s investigating team. The inquiry should also touch on the unholy marriage between the police in Rivers State since the arrival of CP Mbu and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ascertain if CP Mbu is a member of PDP or not and if he attends PDP meetings.

Anything short of this is unacceptable,” Ikanya said.

PDP Commends Self Over Tukur’s Resignation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “It has remained the only political party in this democratic dispensation which is truly national, that has neither changed its name nor logo and has not changed in its commitment to the people.

“The PDP has shown a true character of a political party strongly resolved on building a

strong, virile democratic polity and which has numerous infrastructural developments credit. its to “We have shown a perfect example for the present and future generation of politicians to copy. The greatness of any political party is not only a function of its numerical strength and diversity, essential also is the patriotism of its

the leaders, relegation of personal interests and the supremacy of the will of the people, all, core essential in nation building. This played out in full on Thursday,” Metuh said.

The statement further commended the courage of Turkur, his father figure role and his unrivaled determination to push

through his ideals on the reform of the PDP. It paid tribute to the wise and unbiased disposition of President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders of the party in resolving all party challenges .

It also assured Nigerians that the PDP would continue to be united so as to give all the needed support to the efforts of government to transform Nigeria and improve the welfare of the people.

Saturday, January 18, 2014 3

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS North-East Governors Consult Jonathan On Tukur’s Successor From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh and Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja HE search to the successor T to the immediate past National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bamanga Tukur, commenced earnestly yesterday when governors from the North-east where Tukur hails from met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, barely 24 hours after Tukur “resigned as the National Chairman”.

Jonathan and four governors from the North-east geo-political zone of the country, to which the position is zoned, met apparently to discuss the selection of Tukur’s replacement.

The governors who met with President Jonathan include Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim

• New PDP Chairman May Emerge From Borno, Yobe • Ministers May Be Restricted, As Wakil, Abba-Aji Gain Support From Govs, Presidency Dankwabo (Gombe), acting Governor Garba Umar (Taraba) and Bala James Ngilari (deputy governor Adamawa).

The meeting came amidst speculation that the governors would not want the new party boss to emerge from their states in view of the unhealthy rivalry that developed between Tukur and Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako, seen as the major source of the crisis in the PDP. As a result, the choice of Tukur’s successor may have been narrowed to only two of the six states in the Northeast geo-political zone — Borno and Yobe States.

It was also gathered that of the two states, candidates from Borno were preferred for the strategic reason of using it to revive the party in the state.

A source said: “The party is weak in Borno and Yobe States.

So, having a chairman from that axis will strengthen the party.

“We are looking in the direction of Borno and the leaders will still meet on Sunday, a day to the Monday meeting.”

Accordingly, it was learnt that former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly, Abba Aji, and Wakil Mohammed, a former Northeast Vice Chairman of the party, were front-runners in the race.

It was gathered that Wakil was drafted into the race by some forces in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and as well as Presidency bigwigs in the party.

Another source also revealed that it had been decided that no serving minister would be allowed to contest and persons against whom petitions had been sent to the anti-graft agencies should not be allowed to take a shot at the party’s number one office.

The aim, the source added, was to ensure that the party produced a new chairman without any baggage that could be exploited by the opposition in future to bring the party down.

Meanwhile, some basic conditions were said to have been set for every aspirants to meet, including age consideration, with findings showing that the leaders are seeking a middleaged chairman that could build a bridge between the old and younger generation of the party.

Another condition, it was learnt, include complete commitment to the task of re-building the party.

“We are now looking for a coordinator and manager, whose loyalty to the President and the party cannot be taken for granted.

“We are not looking for a father-figure. If you ask me, we

National Leader, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (sitting sixth left) with members at the Fourth Assembly of Igbo Leaders of Thought in Enugu, yesterday.

Tukur’s Exit Won’t Make Us Return To PDP, Says Okorocha

By Kamal Tayo Oropo OPES of former Peoples H Democratic Party (PDP) elected office holders who left the party to join rival All Progressives Congress (APC) retracing their steps following the exit of the erstwhile National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, may not materialise going by the words of Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

Speaking to The Guardian after rising from a marathon meeting with his colleagues in the APC, under the aegis of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Okorocha insisted that there is absolutely no basis for such return in spite of the resignation of Tukur.

Immediately after leaving the venue of a colloquium held in honour of the National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, as part of activities to mark his 75th birthday, the governors went straight into a closed-door meeting at the State House, Marina, Lagos.

Those in attendance included the host, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Tanko Al-Makura

of Nassarawa State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.

Also in attendance were the APC governorship candidate in the last gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige and Kano State Deputy Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (who represented Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso).

Okorocha, who chaired and read the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, stressed that: “If you like remove Tukur 10 times. He’s

not our problem. The PDP is the problem and we will never go back to that party, under any circumstance. No seriousminded politician, who left, will go back, especially when nothing has changed.”

The meeting deliberated, amongst other issues, on the need to strengthen the APC and its structures and reviewed the state of the nation. The meeting also discussed political developments in APC states with the aim of building a common development agenda.

According to the commu-

niqué, the Forum took an indepth look at the activities of the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers State in the last couple of months.

“Forum frowns at the recklessness, impunity and outright misconduct of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu. Forum maintains that the Nigeria Police Force is not a PDP police and such flagrant violations of the Constitution and laws of Nigeria should henceforth stop.”

It added that the Forum deliberated extensively on the

preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) towards the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections. It urged all relevant stakeholders involved in management of the electoral process to ensure they put together appropriate arrangements to discharge their duties lawfully and with utmost responsibility to forestall a repeat of the electoral sham experienced in Anambra and Delta States to restore the credibility in the electoral

Igbo Leaders Insist On New Constitution From Confab From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HE Concerned Igbo T Leaders of Thought led by constitutional lawyer, Prof.

Ben Nwabueze has restated its earlier position for a national conference of ethnic nationalities that will produce a new constitution for the people of the country.

Rising from their meeting in Enugu yesterday, they insisted that the new constitution should be passed into law through a referendum, just as they declared that President Goodluck Jonathan would

have become a hero should he midwife the success of the event.

Those at the meeting were former Finance Minister Chu Okongwu, Mrs. Uche Azikiwe, Prof. Ben Obumselu, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Senator Anyim Ude, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Prof. Elo Amuchiazu, and Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo, among several others.

Addressing reporters at the end of the meeting, Secretary to the group, Prof.

Amucheazu, stated that the group was not in contention

with anybody but was only concerned with getting the right framework for successful conference.

He said: “We will continue to hold in very high esteem President Jonathan. If he gets this thing through, he will go down in history really as the founder of modern Nigeria.

So far, we have been concerned with modalities of the national conference, if we get it right, every other thing will follow.

“If you look at the newspapers you will find that South Peoples Assembly headed by

former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, has endorsed the views of Igbo leaders of thought, the Middle Belt under Jerry Gana have endorsed our position, the Yorubas have also endorsed our position.

“We want a national conference of ethnic nationalities that will produce a new constitution which will be approved by the people through a referendum. We are not in competition with any person; we thought that these are the things that Igbo stand out for.”

are looking for a twitter-chairman,” a party chief said.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents after the meeting, Yuguda, who did not admit that they were in the Villa over the issue of the new party chairman, also refuted media reports that the PDP governors were not disposed to accept any chairman that might emerge from their states.

He said: “Are we God? It is God that gives power. Supposing He gives somebody from my state, a PDP state, what will I do?

I will follow him. Let us not go into that kind of imagination.”

Yuguda, who was flanked by Dankwabo, Umar and Ngilari, urged Nigerians to be patient till Monday when the new chairman will emerge, saying: “It is just mere speculation. It’s just speculation. We just came to say hello to the president and wish him a Good Friday.

“Well, Monday is the day the NEC will decide who the chairman is going to be. So, let’s wait till Monday.”

On what kind of chairman the PDP needed in view of the crisis that accompanied Tukur’s tenure, the Bauchi governor remarked that no matter who was selected, there will always be crisis but that it is the ability to manage them that matters.

“Crisis will always be there. If there is no crisis, there won’t be managers anyway. So, somebody must be in charge to manage the situation. That’s why God structures leadership.

And even at the family level, you have a leader to manage problems and crisis. So, we cannot be insulated from crisis. It is a continuous thing. The capacity to manage it is what makes you a good leader,” he

APGA Crisis: Okwu Extends Olive Branch To Umeh From Karls Tsokar, Abuja OLLOWING the court verdict that reinstated him as the authentic National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Maxi Okwu has declared that there is “no victor or no vanquished” and has called on the erstwhile chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, to join hands with him to work in the interest of the party.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, Okwu said the party would be “reactivated with great vigour through our re-engineering and rebranding efforts by completing the Three-Rs of Rapprochement, Reconciliation and Re-integration of aggrieved members of the party.”

He said: “Like I have always done, I want to extend an olive branch and right hand of comradeship to our erstwhile national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh; we are prepared to meet with him.”

While commending Justice Abdulkadir Abdul-Kafarati for the judgment, Okwu emphasised that “we do not claim victory and no one has being vanquished because it is another opportunity for the party to rediscover its soul.”

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4 Saturday, January 18, 2014

ThE GUARDIAn www.ngrguardiannews.com

nEWS

Knocks For Anti-Gay Law Critics

By Bankole Shakirudeen Adeshina RITICS of President Goodluck Jonathan over his recent signing of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill into law have been told to re-assess their views on the issue as gay marriage is alien to nigeria’s values.

Speaking with The Guardian online yesterday, a leading Pastor in one of the Redeemed Christian Churches and prominent member of the Ogun house of Assembly, Mr. Remmy hassan said the practice insults the collective sensibilities of nigerians and Africa’s cultural values.

According to him, same sex marriage is totally alien to known religious beliefs in Africa, adding that nigerians should not be perturbed by harsh reactions from the West, as similar reactions were put up when Russia passed the same law.

“Beside, the bible was explicit on this too.

According to Leviticus 20:13: If a man also lies with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (KJV),” hassan said.

Also in a statement by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola yesterday, the

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Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), noted that the law represents the opinion of majority of nigerians on the subject matter.

According to him, “pervasive sexual life is absolutely un-Islamic and un-African and this explains why other African countries have stood their ground on the matter.

It is also on record that both Christian and Muslim clerics and their leaders have vehemently expressed opposition to gay marriage.

“We commend the nigerian president for resisting pressure from western powers and for boldly identifying with the cultural and religious yearning and aspira-

absorbing their despicable culture by threatening to withhold foreign aids if the anti-gay bill was signed into law,” the statement said.

MURIC added that the Un Secretary General, Ban Kimoon’s fear that nigeria’s anti-gay law would generate violence is misplaced, noting that he “should not incite an

infinitesimally small proportion of misguided nigerians against the large majority of law-abiding citizens. We assert that it is the other way round as the practice of homosexualism and lesbianism is most capable of instigating widespread hatred and turning society upside down.”

was trailing them, other people came from the bush and stopped them.

“In a attempt to take a detour and return to Ifaki Ekiti, they saw two other persons pointing AK 47 rifles at them.

“They were later taken into the bush where they were held hostage for three days.

But what makes us suspect they were also armed robbers was that the first question they asked Dakuna when he

stopped was ‘where is the money’, which means they were acting on information.”

Wakama explained that his men were still on the trail of the gang, assuring that they would be apprehended soon. he advised residents of the state to always give information to the Command, “particularly when they see strange movements because kidnapping and robbery are difficult situations that require infor-

Kidnappers Starve Victim To Death In Ekiti From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti AnY could not control their emotions at the Ekiti State Police Command yesterday as the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, narrated how a gang of kidnappers starved one of their victims to death.

The woman whose identity was yet to be disclosed was among the five people kidnapped along Ifaki and Oye areas of the state early in the week.

Wakama, who disclosed this to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, said an engineer with an Abuja based construction firm, Mr. Tola Dakuna and two officials of First Bank Plc, Fidelia nnaji and one njideka and two other persons suspected to be students of Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), were victims of the kidnap.

Wakama explained that the woman, who could not walk when released by the five-man gang, died of dehydration,

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having not been allowed access to food or drinks in the three days they were held hostage.

The police boss, who said that Dakuna was supervising some projects being executed at FUOYE, disclosed that the victims were kidnapped between Ifaki and Oye Ekiti by the gunmen, going by the statement made by Dakuna’s driver, Friday Raleigh. he said the kidnappers had contacted the First Bank District Manager in Akure and another Engineer with the Abuja based firm and demanded a ransom of n30 million each for the release of the victims.

The police boss added that the ransom was later renegotiated to n3 million each and the payers were to drop the ransom at a block industry at Ifaki Ekiti but the payment was botched by his men who had stepped up patrol on that road in a bid to apprehend the evil men.

TheGuardian SUnDAY, JAnUARY 19, 2014

InJURY TIME! hE polity has entered injury time and players are using every joker and trick to stay ahead of opponents. The situation in Rivers State is delicate and reminds one of the pitfalls that rubbished democratic experiments of old. Where are the referees to order politicians to behave; what is the police doing to remain neutral and what must the judiciary do to stay ahead of intrigues and plots by politicians?

It is a must read in The Guardian on Sunday.

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SPECIAL REPORT

tion of nigerians. In the same vein, we condemn this meddling in the affairs of other nations. We also denounce attempts by Western powers to impose their Bohemian practices on poor countries. Most reprehensible is the attempt by foreign powers to intimidate and coerce nigeria into

Senator Magnus Abe allegedly shot as Rivers police disrupt APC rally

Wakama explained that the criminals had on Thursday hurriedly released the hostages after the Command deployed its men to comb the bush where the victims were being held.

The Police commissioner said, “as explained by Dakuna’s driver, they were coming from Akure to Oye Ekiti in a Sienna car when they were trailed by a car.

While suspecting the car that

JOhESU To Begin Warning Strike From Jan 22

By Joseph Okoghenun ISSATISFIED with government’s implementation of various agreements signed with health professionals in the past, health workers under the aegis of the Joint health Sector Unions (JOhESU) and Assembly of healthcare Professional Associations will begin a three-day warning strike starting from January 22 till 24.

In statement signed by JOhESU President, Dr. Ayuba Wabba and other stakeholders yesterday, the health professionals said the strike is a protest for the grave injustice being done to health

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professionals by government The statement reads in part: “Arising from the meeting between the Federal Ministry of health (FMOh) and JOhESU/Assembly of healthcare Professional Associations yesterday (Thursday), and after an exhaustive appraisal of the level of implementation of previous agreements and MOUs signed with the FMOh, it has become imperative that all our members from primary health centres (PhC), state government and tertiary health institutions will proceed on a warning strike of three days from Wednesday January 22 to Friday January 24, 2014, to

protest the grave injustice and persistent industrial discrimination against our members.

“The government is urged to redress the injustice within 14 days after the warning strike, failing which an indefinite nationwide withdrawal of services from primary healthcare to tertiary levels will continue forthwith.

“Whereas the Federal Ministry of health and various hospitals/parastatals had said there were no funds to pay arrears of skipping of COnhESS 10 and specialist allowance illegally denied our members, suddenly there are now funds to pay jumbo allowances and newly

FG To Evacuate 40 nigerians From South Sudan From John Okeke, Abuja FTER a commendable act of evacuating over 474 nigerians from the Central African Republic (CAR), the Federal Government is yet again standing on the red alert and preparing to repatriate stranded nigerians in war-torn South Sudan.

Speaking in a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, said that over 40 nigerians in South Sudan have indicated interest to return home, adding that they would undergo screening exercise to authenticate

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their citizenship before evacuating them.

“For the South Sudan evacuation, we are planning to bring nigerians back.

Meanwhile, only 40 people have indicated interest that they will like to come home.

“So, we will screen those 40 persons to ensure that they are nigerians because people may say that nigeria is a big country and they want to relocate to nigeria. So we will also ensure that they are nigerians and go through the process in that country.”

Onwuliri also said that the ministry is working with other relevant agencies,

such as nEMA, to ensure that nigerians in South Sudan are brought back home.

The minister, who said that the ministry does not have the total number of nigerians in South Sudan, explained that majority of them may not wish to come back.

She said: “So far, many of them do not want to come home and we can’t also estimate the number who are residing there. But we only know those who have registered with our embassies and those who have come forward and say they are nigerians.”

BUSInESS:

Still Unstable In Igini Warns Erring InEC Staff Blood On The Plateau (1) Naira Spite Of Many Shock Absorbers. n Insight A into the R IBRU: Major Gen. unending bloodletting in Plateau State, a chilling tale of man’s inhumanity to man.

Ahmed Dikko, President of the Hausa, Fulani/Kanuri Christian Association speaks on the Demands of Minority Christians in the North.

The Guardian On Sunday is new, fresher, bolder; a delight to behold and more importantly, reader-friendly! Book a copy today.

From Anietie Akpan, Calabar ESIDEnT Electoral Commissioner in Cross River State, Mr. Mike Igini, has warned staff of the Independent national Electoral Commission (InEC) in the state to avoid acts that could undermine the integrity of the electoral umpire.

Igini, who gave the warning following a case filed by a former staff of the commission, Mr. nsed Ayip Akonjom, against the InEC and the REC

challenging his dismissal from service, said employees of the commission must live above board or be made to face the wrath of the law. he said that the InEC, through its Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee, had administratively determined the matter in Abuja and the outcome of the findings was the subsequent dismissal of Akonjom in August last year.

Prior to the decision to dismiss Akonjom, Igini pointed out that the former InEC offi-

cial “had been subject of various grave, official controversies, and subsequent queries as well as suspension from duty as communicated by the commission to him in a letter dated May 17, last year.

Akonjom, who headed to the national Industrial Court in Calabar, is seeking among others, a declaration that his dismissal is null and void and an order mandating the commission to promote him to the rank which he would have attained by now.

Saturday, January 18, 2014 5

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NEWS

‘INEC’s Control By Incumbents, Threat To Democracy’ From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HE Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), south east zone, Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma yesterday bemoaned the country’s fledgling democracy, stressing that the control of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by incumbent leaders in various states was dangerous for the survival and growth of democracy.

He stated that INEC’s credibility in the conduct of the 2015 election was now in serious doubt because the commission had allowed itself to be

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controlled by incumbents in states where it has so far held elections.

Chukwuma, who is the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, also declared as unfortunate the level of disenchantment trailing the country, saying that the last 100 years had been without a sense of direction.

He stated this yesterday shortly after a church service held at the Good Shepherd Cathedral, Enugu to mark his 60th Birthday, called on the country’s leaders to review their contributions so far and implant ideas that would move the nation forward.

He stated that no nation progresses with the level of disharmony, insecurity, corruption, epileptic supply of power that have become the order of the state, insisting that Nigeria would be better if the amount of energy spent on politics was spent on policies and administration.

The cleric, who thanked God and his followers for the numerous achievements since he became Bishop, assured that he would not be

discouraged.

He charged the nation’s leaders and elders to be sensible and distance themselves from corruption, and also give the young ones opportunity to serve their fatherland in order to avert a serious revolution.

He condemned the recent bombing in Maiduguri that led to the death of many innocent citizens, warning that Nigeria cannot afford another civil war.

“It is a shame that Nigeria can-

not produce a handkerchief at 100 years. Our leaders need to be sensible. Anybody above 70 years should retire and become consultants,” he said.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the Anti-Gay Bill into law, stating that there is nothing like gay in the Bible.

Chukwuma, however, urged government to ensure the implementation of the new law, insisting that Gay practice was dehumanising.

National Dialogue: ‘Restrictions On Areas Of Discourse Mockery Of Nation’s Problems’

By Chuka Odittah, Abuja

uNIVERSITy lecturer, A Prof.

Chikwendu Christian ukaegbu has criticized restrictions or guidelines recommended by a presidential panel set up by the presidency to suggest modalities for the proposed national dialogue. ukaegbu, who lectures at the Northwest university in the united States, pointed out that the planned national dialogue was a welcome development but added that recent attempts to peg discussions at the forum is a mockery of the challenges facing the nation.

According to him, the national dialogue was intended to proffer solutions to the myriad of problems facing the country, as such, attempts to tele-guide participants from discussing issues such as future coexistence of all citizens constitutes disservice to the nation.

Speaking at a lecture, ‘Leadership for Development in Post- 50 Nigeria’, held at the Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development, the lecturer said that the perception of Nigerians about the dialogue was a platform to steer the nation away from disintegration through exhaustive discussions on the way forward.

He added that the issues of structure of government,

governance cost, among other crucial matters, needs to be fully addressed at the forum.

“The dialogue itself is a good idea. But more than that, Nigerians need to come to the dialogue with concrete resolutions. Any attempt to limit participants to a particular subject area makes nonsense of the entire exercise.

Many Nigerians believe that the dialogue is necessary to show the way forward through robust and genuine dialogue by representatives of the people.

“For instance, I believe that Nigeria is a great country and can be great again if we decide to return to the once very successful regional governance system. That worked well for Nigeria.

Every region utilized resources at their disposal to maximize development goals. And that created the wealth that we all talk about today.

“I believe the Federal system is too costly to manage yet giving very little dividend in return. We need to go back to the regional system of administration to drive genuine development of all parts of the country”, he said.

Prof. Ebere Onwudiwe, Executive Director of Ken Nnamani Centre said the aim of the lecture was to bring critical mass of knowledge that could help government in achieving development goals.

ator of her neighbour without his consent, was yesterday docked before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Adesunire, 38, who resides at Akesan in Igando area of Lagos, is facing a charge of unlawful

conduct.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Femi Adeleye, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 10, 2013, at about 8:30p.m.

He said that the incident took place at No. 63, Ilado Street, Akesan in Igando, a suburb of Lagos.

From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt ORRIED by its numerous uncompleted projects in the Niger Delta region and complaints by the people, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has urged contractors handling its unfinished projects to expedite action and make maximum use of the dry season to complete them for the benefit of the people.

The Executive Director, Projects, NDDC, Mr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, made the plea during an inspection of uncompleted projects across the region.

Speaking at the project site of the Emergency shore protection project located at Ekerekana in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Omatsuli said the project was necessary for the community and ordered that the work be completed before six months time.

The contract was awarded in 2012 and the contractor mobilised to site with the expectation of completing it last year. However, it was delayed due to logistics problem.

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Onwuliri Denies Alleged Senatorial Ambition From John Okeke, Abuja HE supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri, has said that she has no ambition to contest for a senatorial seat in her state in 2015 elections.

Onwuliri said this against a newspaper publication that she is nursing the ambition to vie for a senatorial position in Imo State, where she hails from.

The minister, who said this in Abuja while briefing journalists on the ministry score card in 2013, said that her focus was to ensure that the President’s transformation agenda is carried out to the letter.

She said: “I have no Senatorial ambition. What I am doing is to ensure that the President transformation’s agenda bring maximum benefit for Nigerians, especially in the area of foreign policies.”

She noted that Nigeria has the best foreign policies, which is centered on humanitarian services to its citizens both in Diaspora and at home.

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Eslite Online Berths

By Olushola Ricketts Some officials of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), contemplating how to help get out a truck stuck in a portion of the bad road at the deplorable Iyana-Ejigbo stretch of the Ejigbo-Ikotun road in Lagos… yesterday PHOTO: BANKOLE SHAKIRUDEEN ADESHINA

Housewife Docked For Allegedly Turning Off Neighbour’s Generator LAGOS housewife, A Ola Adesunire, who allegedly turned off the gener-

NDDC Seeks Speedy Completion Of Projects

Adeleye alleged that the accused conducted herself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by turning off the generator of one Emmanuel Chukwuma, her neighbour.

He said that when the accused could no longer tolerate the noise emanating from the gen-

erator, she put it off without the consent of the complainant.

Adeleye submitted that the offence contravened Section 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 166 stipulates a fine of N15, 000 for a first offender and three months imprisonment

for a subsequent offence.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and the Magistrate, Mr. P. E. Nwaka, admitted her to bail in the sum of N10, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Nwaka adjourned the case to February 17, this year for mention.

SLITE Online, a new urban E lifestyle online magazine, has been formally launched in style. The magazine focuses on showbiz, fashion, youth issues and a host of others.

With its formal launch to the public, Eslite Online aims to be one of the top online platforms where socio-cultural and entertainment issues could be accessed.

According to the editor, Tosin Clegg, “the new site is the onestop joint for the very best of urban lifestyle information. It would give viewers wellsourced information accurately and rightly.”

Ace fashion designer, Kola Kuddus, Folajaiye Mordayo, CEO of 31 Records, Bayo Alli and other entertainment figures were present at the event.

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6 Saturday, January 18, 2014

NEWS Omar Drags APC, Al-Makura To Court From, Msugh Ityokura, Lafia CHIEFTAIN of the All A Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, Hon. Nurudeen Omar, has dragged the state governor, Tanko AlMakura, to court to restrain him and the state chapter of the party from constituting, recognising and inaugurating the proposed APC congress, pending the determination of the motion.

Also joined in the suit filed at the state high court 3 Lafia is the

national secretariat of the party, as the first respondent, and the state chapter of the party as the second respondent.

The governor, the State Chairman of the party, Stanley Buba; his secretary, Mustafa Galadima and the treasurer, Florence Ayi, are the third, fourth fifth and sixth respectively.

The petitioner who contested the Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency seat in the last general election on the platform of the defunct Action

Congress of Nigeria (ACN) further alleged that the constitution of the state Harmonisation Committee was without recourse to the provisions of the party’s constitution.

He also berated Al-Makura for not having respect for internal democracy as manifested in the selection of his aides as leaders of the party. Omar said that despite provisions that all former aspirants to elective positions on the platform of legacy parties that fused into APC becoming automatic mem-

bers of states harmonisation committees, the governor for personal reasons, has chosen to shove some of them aside.

He regretted that the meeting held for the composition of the Harmonization Committee was held under closed door where some stakeholders were barred from entering. The APC chieftain alleged that the governor, from the onset, has hijacked the party, a development he said, if not corrected,would affect the chances of the party in 2015.

Orji Says PDP Will Bounce Back From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia BIA State Governor, Theodore Orji, has predicted that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would become stronger in no distant time because of the reengineering and re-strategizing going in the part, adding some members who defected from the party as a result of its internal crisis would be forced to return to the fold in the nearest future.

The governor, who spoke to journalists yesterday when

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he returned to Umuahia from PDP meeting held in Abuja, described Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s resignation as a voluntary sacrifice he made for the benefit of the.

Commenting on the announced retirement of some service Chiefs and the appointment of new ones by the president, the governor described it as normal, saying that the president that appointed them into office has also the power and right to replace them at his pleasure.

Looted Funds:Supreme Court Orders Mohammed Abacha To Stand Trial AAU Debunks Crisis Allegation From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the appeal filed by scion of the late military Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha, Mohammed, who is seeking to thwart Federal Government’s effort to recover all funds allegedly looted by his late father during his reign as head of state.

Accordingly, the apex court ordered Mohammed to return to the High Court to face trial on a – 123 count charge, bordering on conspiracy, receiving of stolen funds and sundry financial crimes.

Following Mohammed arraignment at an Abuja High Court, he had unsuccessfully challenged the competence of the charge and his consequent trial.

Dissatisfied, he approached the Court of Appeal, contesting the proprietary of his trial on the grounds that he had complied with the

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provisions of Forfeiture of Assets (Certain Persons) Decree No. 53 of 1999.

According to his counsel, Joseph Daudu, argued that in so far as he complied with the provisions of the said decree, no criminal or civil suit could be instituted against him.

But in its judgment, the appellate court held that there was nothing in the provision of Decree No. 53 of 1999, which inhibits the Abuja High court from exercising its judicial power to try Abacha. Delivering the decision, Justice Amina Augie also held that the said decreedidnotresolveanycriminal issues sought to be determined at the high court of Abuja. She further held that the said Decree No.53 did not confer any immunity on Mohammed Abacha.

In its own judgment delivered

by Justice Oluwakayode Ariwoola, the apex court ordered the appellant,

Mohammed, to return to the trial court to take his plea and possibly plead a no case submission, if he so wishes. The court further held that if the late Sanni Abacha were to be alive today and has left office, he would be liable to prosecution .It further held that the appellant is charged with offences against the state,

adding that forfeiture order was just a punishment which cannot earn him indemnity against trial.The court held that the immunity of the father cannot work for the son, and that even the immunity of the father expires as soon as he exits from office, as provided by Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

Cross River Community Church Elevated To Cathedral HE Presbyterian Church of T Nigeria, Itigidi Parish, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State has been upgraded to a Cathedral and the Minister-inCharge of the parish, Rev. Osim Bassey Osim appointed as the Dean. Osim was also promoted to the rank of Rt. Reverend.

The upgrading and promotion was made by the Prelate and Moderator of the Presbyterian

Church of Nigeria, General Assembly, Most Rev. Prof. Emele M. Uka during the ordination and admission of 12 members of the parish as Ruling Elders of the church in Itigidi parish.

The ceremony was graced by academics, politicians, civil servants, elder statesmen, friends and relatives of the church, which remains one of the oldest in Northern Cross River State.

From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City UTHORITIES of the Ambrose A Alli University, (AAU), Ekpoma in Edo State yesterday refuted media report attributed to the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) alleging that the university was in crisis. The said report, they said, was deliberately cooked up by mischief makers to misinform the public.

A national newspaper (not The Guardian) had on Monday published a story credited to VicePresident, External Affairs of NANS, Peculiar Asemota saying he appealed to the federal government to intervene, to curb alleged crisis in the university, just as he alleged that the present acting vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku was under-performing and not qualified to hold the position.

A statement yesterday signed by the university’s spokesperson, Chris Adaamaigbo dismissed the claim, noting that the institution was not encountering any crisis that would warrant intervention of Federal Ministry of Education or the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He said rather, the university has witnessed unprecedented growth and development since the appointment of the acting vice-chancellor, for which she has received commendations from various stakeholders including NANS. “It is to be stated with emphasis and clarity that there is no crisis whatsoever in Ambrose Alli Unversity, Ekpoma let alone calling for the intervention of the federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

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NEWS DpC Sues INEC Over Non-Registration As political party From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Democratic peoples’ T Congress (DpC) has approached an Abuja High Court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to released its certificate of registration and recognise it as one of the fully registered political parties in the country, claiming that it has fulfilled all the necessary requirements to be registered as a political party.

DpC noted that it submitted all the documents that were required by INEC, in addition to paying the compulsory N1 million registration fee. The party added that the commis-

sion has earlier written to acknowledge the receipt of its document and which it followed with an inspection visit to the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Briefing the media after its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting yesterday in Abuja, the legal adviser of the party, Ezekiel Vem Ofou, noted that the DpC decided to seek legal action to get it registered by INEC because having fulfilled all the necessary requirements as provided in the electoral act, the party believed that INEC has deliberately denied it registration.

The interim National publicity Secretary of the party, Hon.

Chinedu Onyema, noted that it has become incumbent on INEC to register the DpC as a political party, stressing that the party frowns at the delayed tactics being employed by the commission to conclude the process of its registration.

The party urged the INEC chairman, prof. Attahiru Jega to tow the path of honour and release its certificate of registration in the interest of justice, democracy and good conscience, stressing that an open, free and honest electoral system is fundamental to the attainment of a democratic society. It also noted that an effective government requires a strong, responsible and effective political party system.

Group Flays Clark Over Statement On Saraki From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin NON-pOlITICAl group in Ilorin, Ilorin Emirate Elders Forum, (IEEF), has carpeted Chief Edwin Clark for allegedly using foul language against the person of Turaki of Ilorin, Bukola Saraki.

Clark, had during a recent visit by some politicians from Kwara State reportedly said Saraki was a direct opposite of his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, in terms of disposition to issues.

The IEEF during a press briefing yesterday in Ilorin urged Clerk to restrict his activities and comments to his

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Niger/Delta place of birth, as the region is embattled with a lot of challenges that should ordinarily have kept the likes of the Ijaw leader “more busy” than dabbling into matters concerning other Nigerians.

According to the spokesman of the IEEF, who is also the Mogaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Woru Mohammed, Clark should not dictate what happens in Kwara State.

He said:”Clark should stay off Kwara state. We willingly made a political choice to follow our son, Bukola Saraki. Therefore, Clark cannot sit down in Niger/Delta and dictate what should happen in Kwara state.

“We have been associates and followers of Dr. Olusola Saraki for almost 50 years, and we can’t recollect when and where he (Clark) had contributed to the development of Kwara state. But unfortunately, Clark is now trying to paint to the general public that he knows Kwara State more than Kwarans.”

Mohammed, flanked by other eminent elders of the town, wondered why Clark could be referring to himself as a friend of the late politician, when the Ijaw leader, unlike many prominent Nigerians, shunned the burial rites for the late Saraki.

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8 | Saturday, January 18, 2014

NEWS NCWD Abuja Begins Admission Into Vocational Skills Training

By Debo Oladimeji HE National Centre for T Women Development, Abuja,willcommencethe2014 admission into its Vocational Skills Training on Monday, January 20.

The Director-General, Lady Onyeka Onwenu disclosed this in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists, stating that the programmes were open to women and men across the country who are interested in acquiring additional skills towards ensuring financial freedom and selfreliance.

The programmes include Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Cosmetology and Beauty Therapy, plumbing work, Fashion Design and Garment Making, Interior and Outdoor Decoration, Bead and Jewellery Making, Cake Making, Decoration and Sugar Craft, Bread and Pastry Making, Soap, Detergent, Air Fresheners and Pomade Making, Food Processing and Food Preservation and Fashion Accessories Design and Production, all leading to award of National Vocational Certificate (NVC) of various grades.

FG Harps On Need To Tackle Capital Flight From Africa From Karls Tsokar, Abuja HE Federal Government T has harped on the need to strengthen existing instruments and actions in development financing that would check illicit capital flight from Africa estimated at US$50 billion annually.

The supervising Minister of National Planning Commission Ambassador Bashir Yuguda made the call yesterday at the 12th plenary session of the Leading Group

(LG) on Innovative Financing for Development held in Abuja.

He said with the attention of the world being drawn to the “menace” of illicit capital flight and tax avoidance, with the setting up of a panel headed by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, the need to strengthen measures that would safeguard against the trend is expedient, considering that the amount involved is twice the total sum of Official Development

Assistance (ODA) coming into the continent.

“The Leading Group should collaborate with the panel and other relevant organizations in addressing this threat because of its damaging impact on development, as statistics indicate that illicit financial flows from Africa is estimated to be US$50 billion (N8.011 trillion) annually, twice the amount of ODA that is extended to the continent in one year,” Yuguda said.

The minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi OkonjoIweala in her remarks said there was need to look at “the issues of illicit financing and the recovery of stolen assets as another way of innovative financing.”

She said, “Countries with weak institutions and weak governance in the past and present have significant outflow of resources, most of which flows to other countries and its curious to see

that if we could cover some of this resources, it will again provide that additional funding,” needed for development.

Iweala said, “We must make strong efforts with our non oil tax revenue to bring more resources for finance and development and we have pledged to go in that direction and we have asked McCkenzie group (contracted by Federal Inland Revenue Service) to support

Fasehun Makes Case For Ejigbo Market Torture Victims

By Ijeoma Opara HE Oodua People’s T Congress (OPC) has called on the Lagos State Government to set up a commission of enquiry into the Ejigbo market human rights violation incident, which occurred in April 2013.

Speaking at a press conference, the Founder and President of the OPC, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun said that the panel of enquiry should exclude any individual from the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area while terms of reference should include identifying the victims, finding out the state of their health, rehabilitation and compensation packages for the victims, identifying groups responsible for securing Ejigbo market, summoning concerned authorities in the market as well as preventing similar incident in the future.

According to Fasuhun, the OPC has condemned the treatment meted out to the unknown women who have suffered cruelty, which should not be tolerated in a civilised society.

“OPC is an organisation dedicated to promoting the corporate interest of the Yoruba nationality, we believe in justice and the treatment these women received violently contradicts everything the authentic OPC stands for.

“Meanwhile, I have ordered OPC members everywhere to join the hunt for these evil and depraved men, who tortured those women. We will muster everything within our power to hunt down and turn these monsters to the law enforcement authorities.”

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (2nd right) fielding questions from newsmen during a three-day retreat for the state executive council members and body of permanent secretaries at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos… yesterday. With him are Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba (right); Special Adviser on Information and Strategy; Mr. Lateef Raji (2nd left); and Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Mr. Hakeem Bello (left).

Aliyu Says Incumbent Governors Who Defect To APC Are Automatic Leaders Of Their State From John Akubo Dutse HE former Gubernatorial T candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Jigawa state during the 2011 general elections, Honourable Faruk Adamu Aliyu has appealed to members of the APC opposing the leadership of the five Governors that defected recently from the PDP to the APC to have a rethink and follow the rule of the party.

Aliyu who was speaking in a Freedom Radio’s program monitored in Dutse said “ If Governor Sule Lamido will join All Progressive Congress (APC) today, I will be loyal to him because automat-

ically he becomes the leader of the party in Jigawa state”.

Aliyu has been one of the greatest opponent of Governor Sule Lamido who has challenged the Governor on virtually all projects embarked by his administration in the past 6 years.

He explained that “when we came and pleaded with Governor Lamido to join APC for which he declined, many of us were not happy. So the constitution of the party says any state chief Executive with Incumbency power in his hand is the leader of the party”.

He therefore appealed to those opposing the laid down rules in the state like Kano,

Sokoto and Adamawa to reconsider their stand and obey the constituted rule of the party.

Aliyu reiterated that according to the party’s constitution, Governor Rabiu Muas Kwankwaso is the leader of the APC in Kano.

While Makatakarda Wamako is the leader of the APC in Sokoto as well as Murtala Inyako is the leader of the party in Adamawa states respectively.

“If Lamido joins us today and do some things which I feel is inimical to me and the party, I will oppose him because that would be something else, so that is me”.

In a related Development A chieftain of the APC Ishak

Hadejia has taken a swipe at the former chairman of the defunct ACN Dr. Abubakar Hassan Fulata for his anti party activities.

Fulata on freedom radio also had opposed the formation of interim leadership of the party in Jigawa State and decided to form his own faction where he announced himself chairman.

However Hadejia disclosed that Fulata was part and parcel of the meeting where the interim leaders were elected.

According to him, Fulata lost out of the calculations and wanted to be chairman at all cost.

The Jigawa state harmonization committee of the APC had

formerly elected and filled in the leadership position as mandated by the party’s National Headquarters.

It was contained in a press statement that was made availlable to the Guardian in Dutse.

It reads, Following the meeting of the harmonization committee held on the 13th of January 2014,the following persons have been elected as interim leaders of the party. “ They are Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Hadeijia,Secretary, Hon.Farouk Adamu Aliyu,Treasurer, Hon.Nasiru Garba Dantiye,Organizing Secretary and Murtala Abubakar Taura,PRO.

David West Tasks Jonathan On Soku Oil Well From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt ORMER Minister of Petroleum, Prof Tam DavidWest, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the game-play over the Soku oil wells in Akuku-Toru Council of Rivers State, cautioning that the dispute was capable of causing division in the area.

“We are talking about 41 oil wells. One oil well is worth billions. So, we owe Amaechi a lot of gratitude. It is left for we, Kalabari sons and daughters, to support all those who are

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fighting our cause.

“Over the years, our ancestors had fought to maintain the integrity of the Kalabari Kingdom. Anybody that is trying to dismantle it, no matter where he is coming from, will never succeed,” he said.

David West spoke yesterday when he led a delegation of Soku communities to the state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Prof. David-West stated that he had no problem with President Goodluck Jonathan, but he dis-

liked his (Jonathan) pattern of administration.

“Let me say it clear, that I have no problem with President Goodluck Jonathan. But, I have everything against his pattern of administration and divide and rule system. Let him leave the Kalabari people alone.”

He pointed out that when the map showing the position of Soku was changed severally, it was an indication that something was wrong, stating that some Kalabari chiefs were secretly met to sign documents tocedeSokuterritorytoBayelsa

State.

“They can sign the documents 100 times; they cannot change what belongs to Kalabari. Soku oil wells are fantastic. Anyone, even if you are not from Soku, who reads about it, would weep.

Prof David-West said the boundary of Soku communities have been tampered with.

“If I must die while fighting the Kalabari course, it is a good death. Your Excellency, I want to once again, use this occasion to pledge my loyalty. If you are not doing well, I tell you, you are not doing well. If you are doing well,

I tell you, you are doing well. I have said it before, whoever is saying Governor Amaechi has not done well, is blinder than facts.

“His Excellency must have learnt his lesson; that, there are a lot of chameleons around you, who have shown themselves. They must go if you must survive.

“I thank you, particularly, for what you have been doing for the Kalabari Kingdom.

Unfortunately, some of our brothers and leaders don’t realize this.

Saturday, January 18, 2014 9

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Obioma Imoke Rescues The Street Kids From Anietie Akpan, Calabar BEFORE the coming of Mrs. Obioma LiyelImoke, it was a case of hopelessness for destitute, vulnerable children, single mothers and widows in Cross River State.

It was a common thing to find these children in street corners, abandoned buildings, in the bush struggling to make a living.

Just behind the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Calabar, the children had formed a colony, living in the bush for years. Even though some of these scenarios still abound, through her effort, the trend has dropped drastically.

Shocked with this development, Mrs. Imoke stepped in to rescue them. Today, over 200 of such abandoned children have been picked up, cleaned and sent to schools, living in a comfortable home just like any normal child in the community.

Some have even graduated from skill acquisition programmes and are working decently in the society. Young single mothers are not left out in this lofty programme that has given birth to several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) established to take care of these abandoned children and single mothers.

To achieve effective result, she came up with a strategy for action and floated the Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realization (POWER).

As at the beginning of the organisational re-engineering process, POWER’s numerous projects were grouped into 5 thematic areas as follows: Sustainable Livelihoods Cluster: Microcredit and Entrepreneurship Scheme, the GLOW (Giving Life Options for Widows) Project AWAKE, a women agro-business development intervention.

Child Development, Welfare and Protection Cluster: A Society Fit for a Child (asFAC) Project which oversees the Destiny Child Centre (DCC) and POWER Boys and Girls Club, a youth leadership development intervention, and the Mothers Against Child Abandonment (MACA) Project which administers the Refuge Girls Home and Refuge Babies

Home.

Maternal and Child Health Cluster: The cluster addressed a wide range of health challenges including Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (the VVF project), pneumonia prevention and care (Breath of Life Project), and cancer (the Integrated Cancer Care - Pink POWER – Initiative).

Public Health Cluster: These included projects on community-based OVC care and support, and free MCH services including prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Cross-cutting themes cluster embodied support services such as communication and knowledge management, and broad development initiatives around gender and HIV/AIDS (including the Carnival Calabar Queen Project).

POWER’s re-engineering process has led to the development of four priority goals. The goals are in the strategic areas of sustainable economic empowerment, micro and small enterprise development, enabling policy and social environment and institutional capacity building.

A total of 3-5 strategic objectives were developed for each goal. Project AWAKE: a community-driven agricultural project that is facilitating the provision of on and off- farm technical training and capacity building, quality planting materials and other inputs, access to finance and market linkages.

Giving Life Options to Widows (GLOW); is designed to provide sustainable livelihoods to widows. The project is expected to contribute to the improvement of the livelihoods of at least 3,920 vulnerable widows in Cross River State between 2013 and 2015.

DCC is an intervention that focuses on rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of street children.

POWER, Political Advancement for Women (PPA4W) Project is an intervention aimed at galvanizing support for women’s political participation, especially through the provision of financial support to fund election campaigns for women who have emerged as political flag bearers in the different categories of elections.

Recounting her humble beginning and how her pet projects all started, Mrs. Imoke, who is a Lawyer by profession, said she was once a

Mrs Imoke at the ceremony petty trader on garri, stock fish and other items but her passion is for the less privileged especially the children and single mothers.

She said: “ASFAC is a holistic approach to ensuring that the child is adequately cared for from the womb through school years to adolescence since government has initiated programmes for that. In the process of looking at Cross River State being a society fit for a child, we realised that a lot of children were being abandoned on the streets.

When I say children, I mean babies, infants.

“My first experience was when one of my staff called me and said they just found a baby in the trashcan. I was a bit confused. I had never experienced that before. And I said bring the baby to my house. She called me back and said the baby was dead. I made investigations and found out that it was something that was common and that some of the girls that got pregnant hide it from their parents for fear of being kicked

out of their homes.

“So, once they have those babies, they throw them away so that nobody knows. I don’t think that any child is a mistake. I don’t believe that God made a mistake by bringing a child into the world. So I thought of how to stop people from killing children because if you don’t get to the children in time, they die.”

She reached out to young girls, teenagers and young adults and talked to them about how to take pride in children and not engage in casual sex or premarital sex, saying: “It was really difficult for me. So we said what do we do with them? Do we kick them out? The answer was no! So, we found a way of rehabilitating them.”

Mrs. Imoke, who dislikes being addressed as First Lady, said she initiated a programme called A-State-Fit-for-A-Child (ASFAC) in response to the challenges now under POWER, a non-governmental organisation in 2007.

Chinelo, Another Ex-student Of Louisvilles Wins WAEC Award

By Mark Akinola and Josephine Oladipo HINELO Eudora Ibekwe emerged the C third best candidate in Nigeria in the May/June 2012 West African Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and was honoured with a National Distinction /Merit Award.

Chinelo scored A1 grade in Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Biology, Geography, Agricultural Science, and garnered a cumulative point of 647.9675.

Prior to the award ceremony, she had gained admission into the University of Mississippi, Oxford, in the United States (US) to study Chemical Engineering.

In recognition of her outstanding academic performance, she was presented the award at the Council’s 51st Annual Meeting of the Nigeria National Committee on Thursday, November 28, 2013 in Owerri, Imo State, alongside Folafoluwa Oginni and Oluwakemi Olalude, who were placed first and second, with the aggregate of 653.9318 and 649.3797 respectively.

The award was instituted in 1984 to encourage academic excellence in candidates.

Chinelo, from Nimo in Anambra State, was born on April 17, 1996 and educated at Home Science Primary School and St Saviour’s British Primary School, both in Ikoyi, Lagos.

She had her secondary school education at Louisville Girls High School, Itele-Ijebu, Ogun State.

While there, Chinelo exhibited great love

for learning; hence the award was not much of a surprise to her teachers, as she was an inspiring, interesting and motivated learner a teacher would enjoy teaching, with consistency in academic excellence.

She was the overall best student right from her primary school and bagged the best science student award in Primary Six. At Louisville, it was always one feather after the other being added to her cap, with her emergence as the 2nd best in her Junior School Certificate Examination JSCE (11 distinctions and 1 credit); winning the bronze award for outstanding performance in high school intelligence test (2009/2010); award for outstanding achievement in American Mathematics Contest (2011 and 2012); and 3rd best Cambridge International General Certificate for Secondary Education (IGCSE).

She capped it all with an A1 in nine subjects in her SSSCE to clinch the school’s N1 million award for the brilliant results evident in her being the 3rd Distinction/Merit Prize Winner in Nigeria in the May/June 2012 WASSCE. Many other girls, like Chinelo, have benefitted from the valuable teaching-learning experience at Louisville, which offers a student-friendly environment.

Chinelo was the Assistant Head Girl in the 2011/2012 session; scribe to Therese House in 2010/2011; Red Cross Society in 2010; Man O’ War in 2007–2009; president of JETS Club in 2011; Legion of Mary Society in 2009/2010 and Young Farmers’ Club in 2010/2011.

In her primary school, she was a Class Prefect from 2003 through 2005.

Chinelo was a voluntary student-tutor from Grade 10 through 12 in school, willingly sacrificed her time to help others and teaching

Chinelo fellow students Mathematics and Sciences.

She also participated in the school’s Bridgeof-Care project, aimed at reaching out to the less privileged and indigent, especially children in the community where LGHS is situated, from her 9th grade until she graduated.

All these, she attained with the support of her mother, Lady Chinwe Ibekwe, a seasoned teacher at a British School, and father, Mr. Tony Ibekwe.

-Akinola and Oladipo are students of Louisville

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, January 18, 2014

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Saturday, January 18, 2014

NEWSINTERVIEW Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Professor Offiong Effanga Offiong, spoke to ANIETIE AKPAN in Calabar on the defective state of Nigeria’s educational system. A Professor of Chemistry, Offiong believes the major problem of the sector is attitudinal and called for change on the part of stakeholders even as he shared the success story of Cross River State in the sector.

What are your concerns about Nigeria’s educational system?

NE of my major concerns in Nigeria’s educational system is the decline in commitment by its stakeholders. As a Commissioner for Education, I often pause to reflect on my student days, how my teacher used to relate with me and I try to relate that to what I witness presently. I fear that the major problem we have in our educational system in Nigeria at the moment is more or less attitudinal. We seem not to have the right attitude towards our work. Yes, there is the problem of funding as evidenced in the decay of infrastructural facilities at all levels of education in Nigeria.

But I have read a lot about education in Asian countries; it may seem that those people don’t have these problems but they do. If you go to a place like India, they don’t have the best of infrastructure. I led a delegation to schools in India recently and some of them did not have good infrastructure. But one thing they have that stands out tall for them is the commitment of their teachers and lecturers and the high level of patriotism that is lacking in Nigeria.

So, education in Nigeria, whether we like it or not, would not make a major impact unless we change our attitude and ensure that we cultivate the right attitude. This must be reflected in our transparency and commitment, and that would also transcend to the students.

A lot of our students look at the certificate rather than the knowledge and skills they have acquired in school. The focus and interest is ‘let me get that paper, I have an uncle, I have a big brother that would give me a better job’. The consequence now is that we have people who call themselves graduates with nothing to offer. So, we need to address this and the only way we can make a march towards the realisation of the full potential of our youths and our students is for all the stakeholders to go with the right attitude towards it. Parents are not even spared.

I think education is an investment. The turn over may not be quick but what we have had in countries like South Korea is being celebrated today.

But people have not bothered to know how they got there. They got there because of the high level of investment the government and the people made in education but in due respect I don’t think we are doing that much. I think this is one area we must call ourselves to order. It should involve the government, private sector, churches and the rest.

Do you support the idea of private sector taking over university education?

I don’t think we have such a strong private sector in Nigeria that government would automatically handover such a sensitive sector as education to handle alone because education itself is also a social responsibility; it is the right of the citizen.

University education is something that majority of Nigerians want to attain. I don’t think there is an average parent in Nigeria that would say he/she does not want his child to go to the university. Even those below average have the aim to send their children up to the university.

Now the situation that is likely to arise if there is a clean break between the government and the university is that the university would be made to be self-sustaining and the implication is that the university would be made to charge an appropriate fee to keep afloat. These appropriate fees would be charged depending on the services these universities are going to render and in most cases, it may be beyond the reach of an average Nigerian or those who are below average to send their ward or children to the university.

So, my opinion is that it should be a joint responsibility. Although some states now say they run free education, but the question I ask is: How free is this free education? Even the so-called free education, you sometime here people still collect indirect fee like development fee and still call it free education. And nothing free is usually of standard. Quite often, things that are free usually come in a sub-standard form and may not ultimately lead to qualitative education. I would want to advocate for core sharing in education between the government, private sector and the parents.

In the past Government funded education with-

O

Offiong

‘Poor Attitude To Work Is Major Bane Of Nigeria’s Educational System’ out problems. What in your view has gone wrong?

Well, the number of people in the university in those days compared to the economy of the country then was something which the government could comfortably manage.

With the number of universities and the population of students now, our economy is not that strong that it could offer such free services that used to be in those days. There are other competing demands from other sectors of the economy. It is just a matter of the economy.

I know that if we, in particular in Cross River State, were fortunate to have the kind of economy some states even within the South South geo-political zone have, we would be in a position to offer free and standard education. I am saying this because of the passion of the governor and his commitment towards education. But generally for me, it’s a function of the economy; the much the state can do depends on the resources which are available to the State. What has been revealed to me shows that at the moment we do not have the economy that would sustain that of kind free and singular sponsorship of education by government. We will still depend on some contribution from government and the pri-

vate sector.

Is it okay to ban top government officials from sending their children abroad for schooling?

The constitution of the country gives us the liberty in conducting ourselves in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of other people. It is not everybody in government that is corrupt. As a professor, I would not imagine myself by any standard a poor man. So, if I can afford to send my child to a renowned institution in a particular discipline that I want my child to specialise, I don’t think that somebody should see it from the point of one lacking confidence in the Nigerian university system.

Universities world over are becoming very competitive in terms of the courses they offer and they try to sell themselves. There are universities where you have very sound and renowned scholars in some disciplines and I would like my child for example to go and study in a particular university because of the renowned scholar I know there. But I think what we should ask ourselves is: Is the public servant committed to his or her own responsibility as a public servant? Is the public servant discharging his responsibility in a manner that would add value to the system? Is that public servant corrupt or not corrupt?

Those are the things we should ask ourselves

I fear that the major problem we have in our educational system in Nigeria at the moment is more or less attitudinal. We seem not to have the right attitude towards our work. Yes, there is the problem of funding as evidenced in the decay of infrastructural facilities at all levels of education in Nigeria… But education in Nigeria, whether we like it or not, would not make a major impact unless we cultivate the right attitude.

otherwise we would get to the point of telling a public servant ‘because you are a public servant you must not eat fish, if you must eat fish, it must be ice fish, you must not eat chicken, if you must eat meat, go for cow meat’. We would begin to muddle ourselves to a point where it becomes ridiculous. If I am doing my beat, where I would like my children to be in the university should not be a problem.

All the same, I would like my children to be in Nigeria university system and that is why I have been fighting for a better university system in Nigeria. Repositioning the educational system in this country should be a commitment for all and not just the government.

How successful has the sector been in Cross River?

There are lots of potentials in the Cross River educational system. The only limitation we have, which in my own opinion is going to be temporary, is resources. A lot has been done by this administration since it came into office and I would start at the tertiary level.

When we came into office, we had only one tertiary institution, which is CRUTECH with a student population of about 5,000. Today the student population of CRUTECH is above 11, 000. We have provided an expansion for admission into tertiary institutions. In addition to that, we also re-established the State College of Education. We have graduated the first batch and today we have a student population of about 5,000 in that college.

As I am talking to you, we are working tirelessly to open the Institute of Technology and Management, a technical institution that would also offer opportunity for Nigerians to be trained by the best in technology, entrepreneurship as well as engineering. The institute would be opened latest by the end of the year by the grace of God.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, January 18, 2014

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer REATING a tropical garden is like an C attempt to re-create the original Garden of Eden or Paradise.

Tropical style gardens have a way of creating an atmosphere that is at once romantic as it is exotic with plants that are exciting, glamorous, interesting and characteristically unique, sometimes rare.

Entering such a garden, one is immediately transported into a getaway place out of this world to a place of tranquil and beauty.

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

GARDENING

Creating A Tropical T Style Garden

Design And Plan Layout For Functionality and Practicality AVING a lawn surrounded by high borders of lush foliage and plants with glamorous blooms in flashy colours seems rather a cliché in the design of tropical-style gardens.

A nice grassed central space is common and pleasing for balance in design, but in an arid drought-prone climate that can be difficult, even impossible to keep alive, it can be an ethical issue using limited water reserves on grass.

Alternative options will be to pave the area or apply pea gravel. You could have artificial grass, as the quality is vastly improved since its early days. You could set furniture or art installations.

Ideally, you should reflect on your purpose.

Is the garden simply for aesthetic enjoyment or for relaxation, a place for children and pets to play or there is a desire to fulfill all these?

Adenium Obesum bonsai tree- desert rose Reflect on your ambitions. For design ideas, you can use inspiration from other places vis-

H

blend in well. However, if you add dolomite lime to the soil for hydrangeas, you can get them to flower in pink, which will create a warmer feeling.

Decorative Art O complete the tropical look, invest in decorative art, such as Esie, Zimbabwe soapstone sculpture and other types of statuary.

Rocks, water features, ceramic urns and outdoor lighting create another mood at night, whether it is from candles, fire pit, lanterns or subtly-placed spotlights.

One of the benefits of the tropics is enjoying the evening under the stars, and you should be able to do the same in your garden.

Use natural materials, such as wood, bamboo and rattan cane as furniture.

Living Sculpture ANY tropical plants are distinctive and dramatic in their sculptural or architectural forms and colours. They can be used as specimen plants for focal points and special attraction in the garden.

Plants can also be used to make topiaries, such as bougainvillea hedges or topiary, which flower incessantly and better with regular trimming.

Hibiscus is also a plant that hedge well with glamorous flowers. Many palm species are excellent examples, such as strong Bismark Palm and the smaller silver saw palmetto varieties.

Some palms sport red, orange and purple

M

Allamanda cathartica-golden trumpet flowers

Baboon flower plant – (Babiana stricta).

Beautiful passion flower.

Arrangement of bromeliad and butterfly orchid growing potted on tabletop. ited in the past and use local or similar plants that will adapt well in your climate.

You will be forgiven for thinking that tropical plants thrive in the heat of the sun, but Border of colorful croton foliage and bougainvillea you will be wrong, as they like humidity and vine. warmth.

The large dramatic leaves that feature in tropical plants require the soil to be humid at all times, so irrigation might be a must-have for some gardens.

Tropical plants exposed to hot spells get their leaves scorched or burnt, as they do not like extreme weather conditions (too hot or too cold).

Over-watering can kill your plants as well, as it will cause roots to rot.

For Arid, Desert Climates, Establish Shade Cover First HIS can be achieved by planting droughtproof trees, such as native frangipani, jacaranda, poinsiana, tipuana and palms.

Palm trees are staple backbone to exotic tropical garden. Choose wisely, as some of the plants most tolerant to your conditions may tend to be invasive and thorny

T

Oxalis flower.

Get the shade established first, because the typical understorey plants won’t live well without protection or will grow poorly for the first few years, as the harsh sun can bleach or scorch them.

Once The Shade Is Established You Can Consider Understorey Species HESE are the stars of the show. Some desert tropical plants suitable for use as shrubs are cycads agaves flax, cacti succulents, frangipani yucca, cabbage palms, bromeliads, cordyline, hibiscus, bougainvillea, fern and orchid.

Strelitzia species, such as the giant var, Nicolai, is quite drought-tolerant. Vinca species can be quite drought-tolerant and impatiens.

Hanging gardens can work very well in a desert climate, provided they are adequately located and filled with moisture retaining materials, like water gel crystals or organic matter.

It is best to locate these out of full sun and winds, which may dry them out.

T

Fruiting Tamarillo plant (Tree Tomato)

Strategies For Temperate Climate HICK dense plantings will protect species from chilling winds and frost. Many palms,

T

Elegant and structural bamboo stems give backbone to lush foliage and pretty blooms.

Bergonia flowering plant colours in new growth and fruits, which while stunning, can be more difficult in most climates outside the tropics.

But palms also have striking stems that can be single or clumping or coloured, such as lipstick palm (very cold sensitive) and golden cane, which is pretty hardy.

Some small bush palms are attractive, such as ladies’ fingers palm (rhapis palm), which can be variegated.

The Victorian tradition of stumpery art is making a comeback in gardens. The art of assemblage of tree stumps or logs installation in a dense mass in which ferns, orchids, bromeliads, tillandsia and other epiphytes can be planted for colour and sculptural aesthetics.

Bromeliads are an amazing species that can grow in beds and pots or mounted in trees and wall panels, if it does not freeze.

The specie offers a riot of colours, forms, patterns and shapes.

like Rhapis palm (chamaedorea radicalis) and bamboo palm (chamaedorea microspadix) also stand light frost. Tree ferns and bamboo are other good choices.

Some large hibiscus varieties will easily survive light frost and are useful screens. Smaller understorey choices that can tolerate mild frosts are some of the ginger family, canna lilies, rum lilies, ferns and cordyline australis varieties.

Mulch heavily, as thick mulch layers will reduce the likelihood of frost reaching the roots, which will kill the plants.

You can also wrap foam, bubble wrap or other plastic padding around delicate or sentimentally precious species to protect them overnight, if you cannot move them.

In areas with prolonged frosts, a conservatory or hot-house is the only way to go for tropical plants, as few species can tolerant the cold for too long.

For cold climates, go for leave colour, texture and form, as most tropical plants require heat and humidity to flower, so you might not get Shell Ginger showing variegated foliage and flowers. this added advantage.

PHOTOS: SEREBA AGIOBU-KEMMER Hydrangea, magnolia and camellia can

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

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

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

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

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

OVERLAPPING WORD GAME with OLULANA KAYODE O8023183727 olulana3@yahoo.com

Overlapping Word Game ‘40’

Solutions To Overlapping Word Game ‘39’

1. Abdulsalami ___, Ex. Head of State 2. Claim without right 3. Tendency to anger 4. Very knowledgeable through study 5. Durable wood 6. George ___, Ex. Benue State Governor 7. A feeling of intense delight 8. Protection from extradition 9. Giver of shade 10. Painting depicting household scenes 11. Cold-blooded scaly vertebrate 12. Acquire information 13. Organ of smell 14. Coming after first 15. Patterned fabric 16. Picture done quickly and roughly 17. Very unfriendly 18. Teaching lesson 19. Give back 20. Provide a service 21. Continue something 22. Follow twisting route 23. Object-locating system 24. Speed contest

1. Resultant 2. Antique 3. Enugu 4. Useful 5. Lore 6. Revise 7. Semen 8. Narrow 9. Owlish 10. Haste 11. Tedious 12. Usher 13. Rat 14. 14. Tempest 15. Strike 16. Kettle 17. Engaged 18. Educative 19. Vestige 20. Gentile 21. Legion 22. Onshore 23. Eland 24. Dire

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

On The Path Of Winners

They Conquer Who Believe They Can HEY conquer who believe the can’ is the ‘T motto of Okebadan High School, Ife Road, Ibadan, Oyo State. As a teacher, vice principal and Acting Principal there in the 1970s, I imbibed the spirit and intendment of the motto.

That aphorism marked out the pace of my progress through life, I had left journalism before then, for not being lucrative. This motto: you can conquer if you believe you can, drove me back into newspapering – it taught me that money isn’t paramount in life but that only happiness counts.

The contentment derived from the perception, the motto has given me happiness, good health; making me look younger than my years. Which is why it is important to know when you are under spiritual attack – and when you are not. Indeed, there is a tendency among Nigerians to view unpleasantness as spiritual warfare rather than retributive justice, i.e. reaping what you have sown. For example: If you have rejected your role as spiritual teacher to others, as an elder, pastor or man of letters, God may let your children fall into sin. If you have been dishonest, Jehovah may let you reap the consequences. God disciplines those He loves. It would be foolish to ask Him to ease your discomfort when He is disciplining you so as to get your attention.

However, it is tragic if you never uncovered the connection. Thus, God’s discipline won’t help you if you dismiss it as satan’s doing. In your mischief, you may blame Allah for not answering your prayer by failing to protect you. Meanwhile, God may be warning you of an impending danger. “For a little while you may have had to suffer that your faith may be proved genuine,” 1 Peter 1: 6,7.

A blacksmith with a chunk of metal on his anvil envisions what he wants. But it means melting down the old, recasting it, repairing scars, and purging impurities until what was useless becomes valuable. Finally he plunges it into cold water until it hardens into unbending tool. An instrument is useful only if it is in the right shape. So if God could place you on

Shaw His anvil, be thankful, He thinks you are worth reshaping.

George Bernard Shaw, Irish literary critic and the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925 said: “People always blame their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get ahead are those who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, they make them.” As man, thinketh in his heart, so is he! Put another way: what you can conceive and believe, you can achieve.

Your mind is a fertile land. It doesn’t care what you plant in it, what you sow returns to you. Success lies in your reading of scriptures and prayer. Be of service to somebody everyday. Do something for somebody who cannot repay you. Do something that will take you out of your comfort zone. Be thankful for what you have. Ask for help when you need it. Give God through prayer the best part of your day.

Paul writes: “For a great and effective door has opened to me and there are many ad-

Your mind is a fertile land. It doesn’t care what you plant in it, what you sow returns to you. Success lies in your reading of scriptures and prayer. Be of service to somebody everyday. Do something for somebody who cannot repay you. Do something that will take you out of your comfort zone. Be thankful for what you have. Ask for help when you need it. Give God through prayer the best part of your day. versaries.” What are you focusing on, opened door of adversaries, obstacles or opportunities? In 1866, a geologist discovered diamond in South Africa. Later a Scot, James Gregory was sent to investigate. He reported back that South Africa wasn’t suitable for finding diamonds, he speculated that previous discoveries were brought by gem eating ostriches from distant lands. But a few days after the Gregory report, an eighty-three carat diamond was found. That launched South Africa as the world’s largest producer today. And what about Gregory? His name lives but not as he might have wished. When somebody exhibits bad judgment, it is called “pulling a Gregory.”

If you ask Jehovah, He will help you find the treasure in your family farm, Mat 13:44. If Jesus could turn water into wine and feed five thousand people with a boy’s lunch, there’s nothing God cannot do through you. You only need to believe you can do a thing and nothing will stop you. They conquer who think they can.

Our champion for today is John Forbes Kerry, the American politician, who was the 68th and

current United States Secretary of State. Born in 1943, he turned 70 last December. He served as a senator from Massachusetts from 1985 to 2013, and was chairman, senate Foreign Relations Committee, Kerry was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 election, which he narrowly lost to incumbent George Walker Bush.

Son of an Army Air Corps veteran, he graduated from Yale University in 1966, majoring in political science and thereafter studied law at Boston Law School. Then he cofounded a private law firm. Kerry served as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts under Michael Dukakis from 1983 to 1985. He was elected senator in 1984, and was sworn in January 1985.

Prior to his senate career, he had enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1966 and during 196869 served in South Vietnam as officer in charge of a Swift Boat. In 2002, Kerry voted to authorise the President “to use force to disarm Saddam Hussein,” but warned the President should exhaust all diplomatic avenues before launching war.

Kerry became chairman of the Senate foreign Relations Committee in 2009, and 2011 he was appointed to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. Having been nominated by President Barrack Obama to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, he was confirmed by the Senate in January 2013 and he assumed the office on February 1, 2013.

Kerry was married to Julia Thorne in 1970 and they had two daughters. Thorne who was suffering from severe depression asked Kerry for and was granted a divorce in July 1988. Thorne later remarried but died of cancer in 2006. Kerry also remarried Teresa Heinz, a widow in May 1995. Though Kerry is a Catholic, his grandfather had converted to Catholicism from Judaism. Kerry believed the Torah, the Quran and the Bible share the same story, which connects with readers. He is fluent in German and French.

TheGuardian

Saturday, January 18, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

With Michael Uchebuaku

IN THIS EDITION True Confession: ‘My Uncle Wants Me To Stop Schooling And Get Married’

Love Connections

Princess Of

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Love Adventure:

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‘He Dumped Me Unceremoniously’

*Connect to Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request.

Awhum Monastery, Enugu: Haven for religious Tourism

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Fanny, 27, fair, tall, graduate, from Imo, in Lagos, needs an Igbo man of 35-40 years and a devoted Christian for marriage. 08025281812.

Chisom, 25, wants a sugar daddy in Owerri or PH. 08175799905.

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‘He Dumped Me Unceremoniously’

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been with my boyfriend for two and half years before Ifewhad he dumped me unceremoniously and out of the blue a weeks ago (we’re both 25 and have both been in serious

Omeiho, 38, educated, businessman in Lagos, wants a working or business lady of 27-35 years for marriage. 07017844178.

relationships prior to this one). I was (and am) devastated.

I love him with all my heart, and I thought he was the one.

He told me he felt the same way.

When he broke up with me, his reasons ranged from ‘I’m not good enough for you’ to ‘I don’t love you like I used to.’

I’m assuming the latter is his real reason and the rest were designed to soften the blow/his guilt.

This has happened before, and when he asked for me back, he promised to be more committed, to love me like no one else could, and to make an effort when things got rough instead of running away.

Looking back, perhaps I can see signs that he didn’t love me as much as I loved him. He was no longer as excited to see me as I was to see him, he lost interest in investing time, energy or money into our relationship, and I didn’t feel like a priority.

I attributed these things to normal post-honeymoon stage settling down and typical 25-year-old guy behavior.

The good outweighed the bad by a long shot. We were

Love Adventure partners in everything we did, we were in contact 24/7 and saw each other as often as we could, and shared a sense of humor I doubt I’ll be able to find in anyone else.

I still feel like each day is something to get through. I know I shouldn’t, but I use hopes that he’ll come back to push down thoughts of him finding someone else and forgetting about me. I almost don’t want to get over it. I feel defective, but the sense of loss has sucked all the joy out of my life, and the guilt of anything that I might have done wrong is all I can think about.

Am I an over-emotional drama queen in need of major therapy?

How do I become the kind of girl who doesn’t need anyone, who can brush this kind of thing off and move on?

Names in this piece have been changed.

Courtesy: teleg *Do you have an amazing or adventurous love experience to share?

Tell us how you met. E-mail your story to: ireto007@yahoo.com.

Call 07031028714, 07032944123.

Emmanuel wants a responsible lady from 30 years and above for a serious relationship.

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Chidera, 40, a civil servant from Ebonyi State, in PH, needs a good Christian girl of 23-31 years with a nice shape and a very big bust for marriage.

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Ifeanyi, Accounting graduate, needs someone to help him get a job. 08085137573. * Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup. *If you have announcements to make: Call Mike07031028714 or Simon-07032944123. *SCAM ALERT: Beware of scammers! Please do not respond to any strange numbers besides the official number 07031028714 above for link up or to

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

18 | Saturday, January 18, 2014

LOVE&LIFE Love Dictionary What Is A Romantic Relationship?

Answer A romantic relationship is any relationship between people with the desire to become intimate with each other. For the relationship to be romantic, both parties must mutually feel an attraction to each other.

Additional Answer A romantic relationship is defined as a relationship or affinity characterized by passion, the expectation of permanence, commitment and intimacy. A relationship is defined as the state or way of being connected or linked by blood, marriage or love.

How to end a romantic relationship?

1. Be honest. Don’t make feeble attempts to end the relationship by being distant or elusive. Don’t make excuses or beat around the bush. http://www.ehow.com/how_44419 91_end-romantic-relat...

How to rekindle a romantic relationship?

1. Reminisce with your partner about the things you used to do in the beginning of your relationship.

The act of talking about these shared, fond memories will help rebuild the connection. http://www.ehow.com/how_851319 2_rekindle-romantic-...

How to maintain a romantic relationship?

1. Take a few extra minutes in the morning to send your significant other a text or email. Send her a text telling her that you think she’s beautiful, or send him an email letting know how much you love him. http://www.ehow.com/how_732311 6_maintain-romantic-...

Source: en.m.wikipedia.org; www.ask.com

Lovers' Answers Game The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top three answers.

Ifunanya, 20, via 08134000574, is asking all men: ‘Why do some guys cheat on their lovers but pretend to love them?’ *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

Premature Ejaculation/ Low Sperm Count Solution is here. Call 07025350586.

Romantic Jokes Dead Again A funeral service is held for a woman who just passed away. As the pallbearers carry the casket out, they accidentally bump into a wall.

They hear a faint moan. They open the casket and find that the woman is actually alive.

She lives for 10 more years and then dies. They have another funeral for her. At the end of the service, the pallbearers carry out the casket.

As they are walking, the husband cries out, “Watch out for the wall!”

Words Of Wisdom One secret to maintaining your relationship is to always be there for each other.

‘My Uncle Wants Me To Stop Schooling And Get Married’ Dear Love Doctor, My name is Jennifer. I am 20 years old and a second year nursing student in Imo State University. I’m from Ikeduru in Imo State, but I lived in Owerri with my parents until 18th May, 2013 (a date that I will never forget) being Saturday.

My parents went to Port Harcourt for a wedding and on their way back, had an accident in which both of them died, leaving only me and my kid brother.

My daddy’s only brother sold everything my daddy had and sent I and my brother to the village, where we have been surviving only by begging other people. The worst thing about it is that my uncle wants me to stop schooling and get married. But I don’t want to stop schooling because educa-

Look for other extended family members who can help. You can also discuss your predicament tion is the best thing that has ever with your school authorities and happened to me. What do I do now? your priest, pastor or spiritual Please help me before I become a director to see if or how they could dropout. help. You could also get a job that From Jennifer. would help you finance your edu0706934454x cation. If all efforts fail, you could approach an NGO which assists Love Doctor’s Advice: and offers needy young girls scholDear Jennifer, I do feel your pain arship to complete their educaand know what you must be passing tion. I wish you all the best in your through at this moment. However, endeavors. you must not lose hope. If you uncle no longer wants to sponsor your *If you want daily love tips and education, the practical thing for advice, download The Color of Love you to do now is to get somebody guide on your iPhone or iPad now. that he respects to talk to him to rescind his decision. If that fails, you Download the Colour Of Love App can explore other avenues for the free at funding of your education. https://itunes.apple.com/ng/app/th

True Confession

e-color-of-love-guidefree/id767393599?mt=8 Or search for Colour of Love in the Apple App Store on your IPhone or iPad and download The Color of Love guide today.

Your say: Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com If you’re in a crisis, call for help: 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08023700641 or Chris 08023913619. Visit www.romancestory.org

Love News unsurprising news for many Ia Nwomen dabbling in online dating, man who posed as a woman on a dating site found he was the object of sexual innuendo and overly demanding messages.

After debating with a female friend whether online dating was easier for women or men, he decided to create a fake profile based on his own information, but using a picture of an “average looking” female friend.

He told his story on the Reddit women’s forum TwoXChromosomes under the username called OKCThrowaway2221 and was flooded with comments from women who shared stories of having to wade through thousands of inappropriate comments before finding anybody decent.

“I set it up as a gender-swapped version of me essentially to see what would happen,” he said.

“I finished setting up my profile and thought I would check on it in about 24 hours.”

But as he was about to close it, he got messages from guys, with a number being strange or “needlessly sexual in nature”.

“I then began to have some smalltalk with some guys and all of the conversations kind of get weird,” he said.

“One of the guys becomes super aggressive, saying he is competitive and he will treat me right. The other is asking for my phone number telling me he is lying in bed and the conversation is turning increasingly sexual in nature though I tell him I’m not comfortable with it.

Then I got the no-strings-attached messages, with multiple guys sending me messages asking me to watch them, or meet up with them within the hour, or talk with them on the phone or cyber. I would say no and they usually didn’t take it too well.”

He couldn’t believe how quickly the experience became uncomfortable.

“Guys were full-on spamming my inbox with multiple messages before I could reply to even one asking why I wasn’t responding and what was wrong,” he said.

“Guys would become hostile when I told them I wasn’t interested in nostrings-attached sex, or guys that had started normal and nice quickly turned the conversation into something explicitly sexual in nature.

Seemingly nice dudes in quite esteemed careers asking to hook up in 24 hours and sending them naked pics of myself despite multiple times telling them that I didn’t want to.”

The man was so uncomfortable he cancelled his account within two hours.

“I would be lying if I said it didn’t get to me,” he said. I figured I would get some weird messages here and there, but what I got was an onslaught of people who were, within minutes of saying hello, saying

Man posing as woman on dating site surprised by level of sleazy messages

things that made me uneasy.”

ested in meeting people for rela“They want instant gratificationships or casual flings,” she tion and they can hide behind The Sexologist Says said. the screen and get away with it.

Sexologist Dr Nikki Goldstein told “But in some apps, there isn’t Why not try dating the old fashninemsn that women are commonly always the option to differentiioned way? Talk to strangers in the subject of sexually explicit mesate.” Dr Goldstein said the troulifts or in a line for something – sages in the online dating world, but ble with online dating is that people have lost communicashe said men aren’t entirely to people say things they would tion skills.” blame. never say to somebody’s face.

“Guys are very sexual a lot of a time, “I would say 85 percent of guys Source: Jezebel Author: Kimberly especially guys who are going out on online dating sites would not Gillan, Approving editor: Rory and seeking it online, and they are say those things face-to-face.

Kinsella getting interaction from some women, even if it’s not you,” Dr Goldstein said.

“There are women out there who think it’s empowering to be hypersexual, so it’s no wonder some guys behave this way. But there are also a Do you have fibroid, sexually transmitted infection/disease, find it lot of nice guys out there facing rejection from women because they difficult to get pregnant, have any form of infertility problem, mishave got this behaviour from some carriages or need a baby boy or girl? Call 07025350586, 08122352054. guys and think they are all like that.”

Dr Goldstein suggested women use eHarmony or RSVP if they are seeking relationships, or apps like Tinder Decide the sex of your baby (male or female). Call 07025350586, if they are after a casual hook-up – and expect their experiences with 08122352054, 08131161840. men to reflect the nature of the sites. * Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up “When you put your profile up, and for direct hook up. Also call if you have engagement, marriage, make it clear whether you are inter- wedding, anniversary or birthday announcements to make.

Fertility Problems/ Miscarriages/ Seeking Male Child

Baby Sex/Gender Selection

Saturday, January 18, 2014 | 19

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

ROMANTIC PLACES, FLIGHTS & CRUISES ... hotels, airlines, ships, restaurants, clubs, resorts, beaches & more.

WHUM Monastery is located in Amaugwe vilA lage of Awhum town in Udi Local Council Area of Enugu State. The monastery is the first monastery in Nigeria and it attracts various religious pilgrims from various parts of the country.

The monastery has healing water which is known as Awhum Waterfall which is about 20 mins trekking to the site; 30 meters in height and several caves lining the track to the waterfall. The track itself is actually a small stream with big rocks overhanging in some places along the track.

Awhum WaterfallThe Healing Water The waterfall heals various types of diseases as far as you have faith in God. The town is in a valley and bounded on all sides by beautiful rolling hills covered in grass. The community also boasts of numerous pristine lakes, some of them with beautiful white sand beaches. The numerous streams and lakes are still maintained in their natural conditions. More than 50 different species of fish are found in the streams and lakes of the community and some of the lakes have never been fished in before.

The total number of pilgrims to the monastery very year is about 2000 and this has also contributed to the economic earning of the community and the people living nearby.

LOVE&LIFE

Awhum Monastery, Enugu: Haven For Religious Tourism

Courtesy: Enugustatetourismboard.com *Are you going to get married or wed soon? Do you want us to cover your wedding or to report on your hotel/resort next?

Call 07031028714, 07032944123, 08023700641. *If you want to advertize or sponsor Love & Life call 07031028714, 07032944123.

‘I Fed Dog Food To My Ex-Girlfriend’ I know that this is really pathetic but I was so angry and felt really used.

I’d been with my girlfriend for about six months. I was absolutely besotted with her.

I have to admit in hindsight that I was obviously a rebound but at the time, I didn’t see it. They say love is blind.

Anyway, while I was at her house, we were making plans for when we were next going to meet up. She still lived with her mum at the time. She told me that the next day was no good as it was her mum’s birthday and they were having a family dinner – just her, her mum and her brother.

I didn’t really think much of it so we just arranged another day to meet up. The following evening, as I wasn’t catching up with her, I decided to drive to town and meet up with some friends. When I got in my car, the battery was flat. How annoying.

I managed to jump start it but I’ve always been told that when a battery is flat ,you should drive the car for an hour or so to fully charge the battery.

As it was my girlfriend’s mum’s birthday, I thought that it would be a great idea to drive up to her house, drop a birthday card through the letterbox then drive into town.

That way, the car would be running for a while and the battery would be fine by the time I got to town.

One thing about my girlfriend’s mother – she is an alcoholic. She was always very ‘merry’ whenever I was round. We got on really well but it was probably because she was always so accommodating and overfriendly because she was always drunk.

Well, I got to the house and ran out of the car (leaving the engine running) and popped the card though the letterbox.

Just as I had turned round to go back to the car, the front door opened. My girlfriend’s mum shouted out to me. I went up and explained that the car was still running and that I didn’t want to interrupt her dinner and she told me not to be so silly and said she would get me a drink.

She then shouted upstairs to Sally (my girlfriend) and told her I was here. The woman

True Confessions From Abroad was drunk again and there was no arguing.

After what seemed like rather a long time (with me still standing in the doorway keeping an eye on my car), Sally appeared and looked VERY surprised to see me.

I was explaining to her that I hadn’t intended on coming in and about the birthday card and car battery and told her that I would see her tomorrow, when I saw her ex-boyfriend walking along the landing to the toilet.

I felt like I’d been stabbed in the heart.

How could she do this to me? I turned around and walked back to my car and drove off. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. I’d honestly not intended speaking to any of them and now this had happened.

My world felt like it was crushed. I drove home and sat there dazed, thinking over the events. I had lots of missed calls on my phone from Sally and I just chose to ignore them. I couldn’t deal with her right then.

After some time had passed, I decided that revenge was looking rather sweet. I had no intention of being with someone who could do this to me. I eventually answered her call and asked her round for dinner.

I lived by myself so it was going to be easier ‘talking’ to her about everything at my place.

I went out to the local supermarket and bought the ingredients for my ‘cottage pie’. I bought some chicken liver wet meat dog food and a few other bits and pieces.

I cunningly made two dishes – one for myself and one for her. She didn’t see what was going on in the kitchen because I made it all before she got there. I mixed

in a tin of dog food to some very cheap mince. Chopped tomatoes and onions. Made mine differently, mine was great!!

Anyway, when she arrived, the pies were in the oven and I gave her a glass of cheap wine and told her to relax while I dished up.

It was an awkward atmosphere from the moment she walked in but I decided we could ‘talk’ over dinner.

I proudly handed her the plate and we started eating. She pulled a bit of a face when she had her first mouthful – I simply told her I’d taken all afternoon preparing and how pleased with how it turned out I was. I think out of politeness and trying to get into my good books, she carried on eating.

I then got out of her the truth – she had slept with him but was feeling really guilty and was very sorry. At this point I told her that I had no intention of getting back with her – I just got her round so I could find out

the truth. I asked her to leave (after she had eaten most of her food) and that I never wanted to see her again.

Stupid? Yes. But for those few minutes of watching her trying to eat this food that was obviously tasting pretty foul, I felt a lot better. Needless to say that feeling didn’t last.

I never bothered telling her about what I did. In fact I didn’t bother contacting her again after that.

I’m now in a happy relationship with a wonderful woman and I feed her only the best food around.

Picture posed by models. courtesy: ninsn.co NB: Call Mike on 2347031028714 if you have a story from abroad to share with us.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

20 | Saturday, January 18, 2014

RELATIONSHIPS

How He Woos You

By Alita Joseph BECAME friends with Tom (not his real “I name) after we quarreled. He was a year ahead of me in school and the closest we ever were in contact was in company of other students. I don’t remember if we exchanged words together.

“But I was popular because I was playful. And I thought I was liked for my boisterous nature.

“I became cautious when my best friend, Anthonia, who was Tom’s acquaintance, informed me in fits of laughter that Tom was spreading the news that he has taken me to bed.

“This was nonsense, as romance with him never crossed my mind. His claim annoyed me so much because I did not know who could believe him.

“When I confronted him, he stammered, ‘eh, you know.’ He never explained himself or his actions. So, I avoided him until he left school.

“But we met again, a few years later and became good friends and none of us has ever referred to that incident.

“But Anthonia told me not to be so angry, that it was Tom’s way of getting my attention.”

Yes, men do have their way of telling a woman that they are interested in her. Some have refined ways of making their approach, while some do not know how to talk to a woman, so they simply badge into her world.

Most times, the fear of rejection is behind their style. Take Tom, for example, who claimed intimacy where non existed.

His behavior could be a sign of mischief, low self-esteem and lack of confidence to approach Joy and express his feeling. It may be a way of telling other guys to stay off Joy, who was liked by everyone.

By claiming to have had sexual intimacy, he

told others that that girl was his. But this is not a healthy way to go about it. You will be surprised to know how he wanted to convey to you that he fancied you.

So, watch that guy you have been eyeing for ages. Look out for how he acts when he is around you. Chances are he wants you more than you think he is gorgeous.

He compliments you and when he comes near you, he will look you over in a polite way. He will then praise your hairstyle. If you have a new

weave-on, he will comment on it and even compare it with the last hair-do. It is just to let you know that he notices you.

Generally, a man would rarely comment on your hair-do, because he is thinking that you would soon expect him to pay for it.

He wants people to see you together, so he will invite you to events that involve people who are close to him at work and at home- colleagues and family.

He acts funny and cannot appear to concen-

trate when he is talking to you. So, he picks up stone-throwing and engages his hands, which would hang nervously in his attempt to stop himself from grabbing you.

He says bad things about you and may even be nasty towards you. In attempt to get you to notice that he likes you, he may take every opportunity to disagree with you.

He may also tell you that contrary to many guys’ opinion, you are not beautiful after all.

Alex and Fola, who later became engaged, are a typical example. Fola was proud in her own sense of beauty, and she was beautiful.

But Alex would tell her straight to her face, “look, your neck is like this,” mimicking stiffness. We were not surprised when she settled for him.

Another young man visited a particular office because of one girl who worked there. He got close to many of the workers, but one favourite topic of his was a woman’s legs and how he likes them shapely.

“But your legs are too fat,” he would tell his object of admiration. But all the while, his eyes were glued on those legs that were shown off by her mini skirts.

He asks for your advice on his love life. He is really notifying you that he has a soft spot for you so that it does not come as a surprise. But he is telling you that it may end soon to make way for you.

He wants to get it right with you, so he employs a polite technique of how to impress and win a woman’s hand. He really listens to what you say and shows you that he is totally engaged by looking from your eyes to your lips and back to your eyes again.

He touches you gently to make sure that you hear him out too.

He is not rushing to take you to bed. He plans outings for the two of you and does things that show he would like to know you better.

You Need To Dump That Man And Move On HAVE you ever wanted to tell him about the bad day you just had, but he brushed it off and wanted to talk about someHEN you start to feel that your man is acting weird and thing that concerned him instead? not behaving normal like he used to, then there is someCouples in serious relationships know how important it is thing up. to be concerned for each other’s welfare. If he is selfish now, Men have a way of making you feel guilty for what you did he will probably be selfish in the future and it is better to not even do. At that point, I bet you his mind is already away leave him and take your chances with other, more “giving” from the relationship. Either he has found someone else or he guys. is just tired of the relationship, but not saying anything.

Is He Rude To People?

That is why today’s special newsletter is designed to help out GUYS have a saying that goes: “If he is good to you, but rude those who need to make big dating decision in their love lives to the waitress, then he is not good.” soon, but are stuck in the middle and don’t know what to do.

If he is rude to other people, then don’t be fooled at how It is also for those currently in struggling relationships and nicely he treats you. The moment you disagree on somewondering if they should keep working on it or break up with thing, no matter how small, he is going to show his true their men and move on. colours and they are not going to be pretty.

It is a serious decision to make, too. If you keep trying, it Is He A Lazy Bum? might eventually work out or you might end up wasting FINALLY, if he doesn’t have it in him to pursue a meaningful, years of your life. productive career and instead stays home to play video And if you move on, you just might meet your “Mr. Right” next or your next boyfriend might be even worse than this one. That will be a mess, but there is always a way out and that is why I am here to help.

I will help you clear up the mess and give you the guidance you need to make that big decision of yours.

So, should you stay with him or should you leave him? Here are a few “red flags” you need to watch out for before you find yourself stuck.

Has He Ever Lied To You? TRUST is one of the pillars of any strong, happy, life-long relationship and if he habitually lies to you, it means he doesn’t trust you completely.

And that means you shouldn’t trust him, either.

If he is a compulsive, habitual liar, it means he is been like that all his life. And it is not likely he is going to change for you.

Does He Hide Things From You? DOES he log out of Facebook the moment you walk in? Does he quickly drop his blackberry and lock it when you are around? Does he hesitate to lend you his mobile phone? Does he delete all his texts?

If you feel he is hiding something, you are usugames and smoke weed the whole day... need I say more? ally right. Here is the rule: If he is really ready to commit to a Let me tell you something: It is a man’s role to be the main serious relationship with you, he should have absolutely no provider and protector of the family. If he is not carrying his problem with giving you his e-mail and social media passshare of the load and is instead making your own burden words. Anything less than that and you are taking a risk with even heavier, he is sorely unqualified for a serious relationhim. ship. That is it plain and simple.

Is He Too Self-Centred?

The time to choose is now. So, how well or how badly did

By Kemi Amushan

W

your man score in this little survey? If he is showing two or more of the red flags mentioned above... I highly recommend you stop trying to make the relationship work, and just move on.

This is because as much power as you have to motivate him to change, it is simply too much work for too little benefit.

There are better, more mature and more available single men out there just waiting to meet a woman like you!

But on the other hand, if he is showing only one (or better yet, none) of the red flags mentioned above, then you are in a much better position to make him change for the better.

So, make your decision now. This year has just started, anyway, make it your New Year’s Resolution. Word of advice: Whatever you decide to do today, remember that your future will be bright. No doubt about it.

This is because I believe it is not the decision itself that makes the biggest difference in your life, but what you become by making the tough choices.

These tough choices turn you into a wiser, stronger and more confident woman. These will definitely help you find, meet, catch and keep the perfect guys for you.

All what is left for you to do is match your new-found strength with the right knowledge Since you have been reading most of my newsletters for a while now, you are already head-and-shoulders above most other women in the dating scene.

You have the skills to handle the big problems and you have the maturity to not make the big mistakes.

Unfortunately, most guys don’t have your skills and maturity. And unfortunately, guys make up the other half of the relationship equation.

Like I always say, “it takes two people to make a relationship work.”

Here is what I am saying: He will need you to show him the way. Whether he is your current boyfriend or the next one, he will need you to help him out with his issues and problems if you truly love him and want him to be the one. Just sit him down and pour out your heart and fix the problem.

Once you do that, he will know you are serious and would even trust you more in handling the relationship better.

But if he still wants to go, then at least you know deep within your heart you tried your best.

To the loving relationship we all deserve, good luck in love

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

LOvE & LIFE Saturday, January 18, 2014 21

WEEKEND with AMARA

08116706852 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

Fake Pastors And Their Blind Followers ELIGION, religion, religion. Religion has it’s own unique way of turning even an educated man to a fool. Recently, a South African Pastor, Lesego Daniel, founder and senior pastor of Rabboni Centre Ministries in Pretoria, commanded members of his church to eat grass (like goats and cows) at his church’s premises. And the mumus did as they were commanded. See photo.

Pastor Rabboni said in an interview that he wanted to prove that human beings can be controlled by the spirit and that they can eat anything to feed their bodies. Wow! I am sure that very soon, my Nigerian and Ghanaian brothers will ask their followers to drink water from the gutter. Because people don’t read their Bible any longer, they have become empty and gullible for truth which is scarce.

People now wait for fellow humans to tell them what God has said. I don’t know when we started having humans like us as middle persons between us and God. This is what these crooks have taken advantage of to deal with their blind followers.

A pastor cheats and is caught, his congregation believe his lies and start praying against his supposed enemy. Back in those days, we used to see pastors mourn and deserted when they are caught in certain acts. But these days, they are untouchable. All they needs to do to get their blind followers shouting “hallelujah, the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church...” is to come up with very good Bible verses and with their charisma and queen’s English, to turn the heads of their blind followers.

A pastor in Abuja was recently exposed and instead of people doing the right thing, they continued worshipping him.

The GO of a big pentecostal church around Ogba area of Lagos was recently accused by a woman of sleeping with her and even when the woman had SMS and BBM to show her interactions with him, he was smart enough to convince his blind followers that the woman was after his ministry.

This very pastor specializes in sleeping with his members’ wives and destroying homes. I recently told a newly married friend who is a member of his church to make sure he keeps his wife away from the altar if he wants peace in his home.

It’s nothing surprising to me because it’s written clearly in the Bible, “they go

R

about taking advantage of vulnerable women”. Our pastors are now worse than our politicians.

Wonders! There is one of those pastors from Ghana using necromancy to call people’s names. Some of them don’t even use anything, they simply employ smart jobless people. Before they come in for a programme, their agents who are scattered all over the place go around getting plate numbers and colours of beautiful vehicles driving into church. Others come to you pretending to be friendly and in the process, get your details. They send all these by SMS to the main man who arrives with all the mago mago. You get excited when they call your name and your great grandfather’s name abi? I just dey laugh you.

This very Ghanaian miracle worker came to a church where I was invited for their men’s day. The first evening, I wore a jeans with a red button down shirt and enough jewelry. When the men were asking for support for the fellowship, I got up and pledged. Sure, the speaker now felt I have money (he didn’t know I was just giving my widow’s mite). He now got too excited and asked me to wear a white dress the following morning (Sunday) to church.

The next day, I wore a red dress instead of white because I wouldn’t allow a mere mortal to manipulate me. My children re-

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela O, let’s talk about Sto resolutions!

I have ask, has your list gathered up dust yet?

It has been about three weeks or so since we crossed that invisible line that marked the New Year. I can’t honestly say that I felt any different – stars fell not and the earth did not turn the other way but a new age began nevertheless – not just in my calendar, but in my mind as well.

I used to enjoy writing New Year resolutions – not because the year before I actually accomplished fifty percent of what I wrote down, but because hope is very motivating and inspiring. Let’s admit it, sometimes it never goes past our imagination! If at least I had any pleasure at all, any sense of accomplishment, it would be that for a quite a number of my resolutions, visualizing their actualization tinkled my fancy. I can say it lived, once upon a time, in my imagination.

I have to say a big well done to anyone who has ever managed to accomplish more than half of their resolutions. To those who actually ticked all their resolutions off .... well, believe it or not, I do not have the words!

This year is different (I know, it sounds fa-

minded me that I was asked to wear white and that made me give them a lesson. I told them never to allow fellow humans dictate to them. I told them I am as light skinned as I can be and easily noticeable anywhere I am.

The guy man called me out the following morning during his fake prophecies and started saying everything good. I was just smiling at him with my eyes wide open while the church was shouting ‘Amen’. He said he could see four ‘Jeeps’ (SUv), Range Rover, Mercedes, BMW, and Toyota. He said there is so much glory upon me (this is nothing new because I know I have the glory). After it all, he asked me to drop a seed. I had N500 note on my hand, squeezed and that’s what I dropped. He then asked if that was all I had to which I responded, “that’s what I have”.

Sure, he thought I am one of those Christians without foundation, he doesn’t know that my father was among those who fought for the gospel to stand in Anambra State. Anyway, Mr miracle worker asked me to see him after service. I was with my friend and other invited guests at the table eating when he came to me with four of his numbers written on a piece of paper. I got up to greet him and then he put the paper in my hand. When I gave him my own business card in return, this short man came closer to me and whispered, “I love you”.

Honestly, I didn’t read any meaning into it at this point as I grew up hearing that from people and so “I love you” means nothing to me.

Then early the next morning, as I was still sleeping, a call woke me up. I angrily picked my phone only for this man to ask why I didn’t call him. I told him I couldn’t remember promising to call him. He then asked me to come to his hotel room that morning before 6 am as he was traveling back to Ghana. I told him I don’t go to hotels to see people except my friends and relations. When he insisted, I switched off my phone.

Then he started calling me when he got to Accra. He asked me to come for a programme in his church and offered I stayed in his house. When I asked about his wife, he said he is not with her. Then he volunteered to buy me a house somewhere by a hill in Ghana. At this point, I warned him and told him never to call my line again.

Then after about five months, this guy called me one early morning and told me to pray that my mother was going to die within three months as he could see death hanging on her neck. In my usual style, I told him that it was his father, his mother, his siblings, his children, and everybody in his family that would die. I told him never to come to Nigeria and preach as I am prepared to embarrass him any time I see him. It’s four years now, my mother is still alive.

Recently, just last week, I threatened to expose him on Facebook by posting all his messages to me inbox for the public to see.

He didn’t know that I have them inbox. I never wanted to but I was angry that he still called me ‘Sweetie’ last week. Immediately, the guy man told me he was doing all that because he was looking for a wife.

I told him to face his so-called ministry and stop taking advantage of women.

People, the days are evil, shine your eyes.

I am sure this fake Apostle is reading this and I see people shouting Amen to their senseless prayers. I shall soon start exposing many others like you, fake apostle. And for those of you targeting people’s money, don’t try to come to me with your fake prophecies as I am not moved. My father is always on his knees interceding for me and from childhood, I was taught to pray for myself.

As for your prophecies, I need no other except the undiluted word of God. And if you come for my small pocket, I be proper Anambra girl. I go collect the one wey you don thief.

08116706879 (SMS only).

E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Resolutions miliar but hang in there)! I wrote down some things that I would love to see happen this year. I was very, very careful not to write the word NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS because it reminded me of so much I had promised myself. If I had written resolutions, I would have been saying that I still had some confidence in myself to bring those resolutions to pass... I do not.

I know it sounds off but that is the truth.

More so, I do not desire anything that I can give myself. So instead, I thought of a few things that I truly desired deeply and went to God with them. “Father, these few things I really, really desire. I cannot make these possible of my strength so I am depending on You to be my strength. I am depending on Your riches and on Your own Faithfulness, and on Your grace to remain a yielded vessel....”

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” – Philippians 2:13 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” – Psalm 23:1 I don’t know about you, but that takes all the pressure off my back! And I have a real

shot at seeing my desires materialize when they have nothing more to do with me than my faith and acquiescence. It’s much easier when you can pick just three things you really want. It is more likely to be a genuine desire which will mean real passion for its accomplishment. Having said that, it is so much easier to be accountable for that.

I received a season’s greeting from a reader which I love going back to. More so, it seems to inspire whomsoever I read it to. So I wish to share it here.

“Look backward and thank God; Look forward and trust God; Look around and serve God; Look within yourself and find God; Let God be the centre of your aspirations and inspirations – P.W.” This year, I am not going to ask you to make image and etiquette resolutions just yet – unless you need to. But I will ask you to pick out three things that you truly desire – yes, just three. And then ask God to help you make them happen. Then when you yield yourself to Him to make them happen by His grace, do not turn back but remain yielded.

I know in my heart that when you have

taken the necessary steps to live out your purpose, even before it is completed so long as you have started – it will make all the difference in your image and disposition! Your light would break forth from within and your temperament would be like streams of living water for nothing will truly hinder you and the lines will fall for you in pleasant places!

“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:24 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” – Jude 1:24 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13 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 Etiquette please send them to askpamela@regalgraces.com or SMS 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.

22

Saturday, January 18, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

WOMAN

‘Fraudulent NGOs Should Desist From Their Nefarious Activities’ Hajia Bola Muse is a Jill of many trades and master of all. She is a philanthropist, clearing and forwarding agent, business woman and President of Bomarah Foundation, a non-government organisation which provides service to the needy and less privileged in the society; and empowers youths for a better future. She has touched the lives of many people in the society through her foundation. She is happily married to Alhaji Tajudeen Muse, a Customs officer and they are blessed with three lovely children. In this interview with CLEOPATRA EKI, she speaks about her foundation, her projects, challenges and achievements.

About Bomarah Foundation AM the President of the Bomarah Foundation. The name is so precious to me because it is a personal name and also the name of my group of companies. The name of the foundation was carved out from the group of companies. Interestingly, the foundation was started November 2002 to cater for the needs of special people and the less privileged through empowerment programme, scholarship and advocacy.

Mission and vision of the foundation Our vision is to create a world of friendship devoid of crime; while our mission at Bomarah Foundation is to ensure that the handicapped or the physically challenged have a living. To reach out and touch the lives of the less privileged. Bomarah Foundation’s motto is ‘Promoting Mankind.’

Activities of the foundation We have done a lot in the past 11 years. The several projects are our yearly activities which include school quiz competitions, New Year activities, ‘First baby of the year’ award, seminar on burning issues, annual awards, Sallah carnival, feeding the poor, Save our Soul programme and Bomarah Foundation babes. We visit hospitals and old people’s homes to donate materials, present cash and other gifts to first babies of the year. We also have youth empowerment programme through education and skill acquisition (say YES to YEP), and visitations to Hearts of Gold Orphanage, school of the deaf and dumb and other educational institutes.

In addition, we have visited a lot of places to share our love. One of them is Kirikiri Prison where we encourage inmates and give them gifts.

The Home for the Retarded and Motherless Babies have also benefitted from our largesse, with toiletries, cosmetics, bags of rice, foodstuff, shoes and drugs donated.

Even, the Dala Orthopedic Hospital, Kano was not left out. We distributed wheelchairs, side-lockers and toiletries to the patients.

Support from individuals and organisations We have some support and have partnered with Celtel Nigeria and some foreign organisations in our previous projects. We also receive great blessings from our royal fathers, Oba of Lagos, His Highness Rilwanu Luk-

I

As for the NGOs doing great and genuine jobs, they should keep it up.

Those fraudulent ones that give others bad names should desist from their nefarious activities and do what is right so that the genuine ones will be recognized for their credibility and supported.

As for the NGOs doing great and genuine jobs, they should keep it up. Those fraudulent ones that give others bad names should desist from their nefarious activities and do what is right so that the genuine ones will be recognized for their credibility and supported.

Membership of our foundation is open to all persons of goodwill irrespective of race, place of origin, political opinion, sex or creed. A member must be genuine and honest. The foundation will also find out details about the person to be assisted. man; the Oni of Ife, His Highness, Oba OkuRewards for humanitarian pursuits nade Sijuade; the Emir of Kano, His Royal I have received several awards both locally Highness, Dr. Ado Bayero, and the Oniru of Iwo among others on our several projects. We and internationally. Among these are Hall of Fame, as cultural ambassador; Role Model also have tutored members and volunteers who provide beneficiaries with all the neces- Award from Ghana too. I cherish all the sary information they need. We also provide awards but the most is the Hall of Fame. counseling to youths who need support con- Philosophy of life My philosophy of life is ‘Do your best and cerning their education and other aspects of leave the rest for Almighty Allah (GOD).’ I was life. moved by generosity and wisdom from Allah Expectations from the beneficiaries I don’t expect anything or money from them to continue with the humanitarian projects. after investing on them but they should help Unwinding I relax with my children and family when I others in the society, if they can, but not pay am indoors. Sometimes I party with my back to me. friends. My best food is rice and stew. I try to Advice to other non-government organisaeat right and exercise regularly by walking to tions (NGO) keep fit.

TheGuardian

Saturday, January 18, 2014 | 23

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend

CELEBR ITY

Jennifer Oguzie: Doing Motherland Proud In Hollywood

By Shaibu Husseini

It is not easy to break into Hollywood, talk less of producing or featuring in movies and television series produced in that well- guarded industry. But the Mmabiam, Owerri West in Imo State born international actress and producer, Jennifer Oguzie has not only found a space there, but she has found a comfortable spot in Hollywood to practice her art.

From what started with just being part of the long-rested popular television series, Kiddies Club in Nigeria, the California based screen star and producer who is always quick to describe herself as “originally an Igbo girl from the east coast of Nigeria” has risen to become an acclaimed multi-talented entertainer, dance coach and martial artiste. Jennifer, an American citizen, talks about her career and life in this email exchange.

OU were in Nigeria to work recently. How Y did it go?

Yes, I was in Nigeria to work on Last Flight to Abuja. Even though I am now based in Hollywood, California, I do a lot of travel around the world to work. I am an American citizen. I work here in Hollywood and I do some work in Nollywood. So, I am not tied to one specific industry.

So Last Flight to Abuja was not your first Nollywood movie after you moved to California?

Not at all. I have done quite a few. For some, I was in Nigeria when they were shot while others were shot here in the US. I have done Stubborn Grasshopper, Close Enemies, Far from Home (part 1 to 3), and Nasibi; a cartoon we actually did here in the U.S. There is also Okoto the Messenger with Paschal Atuma, then My American Nurse and a whole lot of others.

When people hear Hollywood, they want to hear you mention some Hollywood titles you took part in. Does it usually follow?

Not really. But I have done a lot of reality TV shows in Hollywood. I have also done commercials and other stuff and there are one or two Hollywood movies I am involved in as a producer and actress.

So which of the movies you have done so far will you consider memorable?

I would mention a Hollywood movie –Chavez Cage of Glory that I was involved in as a producer. The film was formally released in the theatres in Los Angeles last September. I felt

honoured being a part of such a big project.

It was a special privilege working with Steven Bauer from Scarface and Danny Trejo from Machete Kills.

Hector Echavarria who is the director and who also acted in it, is also a world Legendary Martial Arts (LMA) champion. There is also Patrick Kilpatrick (John Stone). These are big Hollywood stars that I was on set with, and being a producer in a big film like that has really opened some big doors for me. I have people from Paramount Studios, from Disney and some other big time producers talking to me and wanting to bring me on board their next project.

But was entertainment what you wanted to do as a child or you had other career interests?

I don’t think I had any other career interest apart from being an entertainer and I have always been a child star from birth. I started acting and dancing as a child. I grew up being in front of the camera. I was one of those kids on Kiddies Club, which was shown every Sunday on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). So, it was something that came naturally. Later I had to take classes to polish my arts but I have always had a passion for make-believe and I knew I would end up an actress.

Did you school in Nigeria?

Early schools yes, but I attended University of Maryland, Baltimore. I studied Social Work and Psychology. I also minored in Sociology. I

Jennifer moved out to LA in 2008 from Baltimore, Maryland and I have been in Los Angeles.

Apart from acting and producing, I teach African dance and I am also involved in some level of law enforcement. That is a part of me that I try to play down. But I try to visit Nigeria, for the love of country, at least three times a year. Sometimes the job takes me back even more. But I was in Nigeria for my National Youth Service. I served as an international student. I served in Abuja.

Is there a man behind your success story?

No, I am not married but I have a son called Obama. I named him after the most influential man in my life – Barrack Hussein Obama, the President of the United States of America.

When he became President in 2008, I said to myself, the history that he has made in our lives, the great impact that he has made in the black community in being African–American, if I am ever blessed to have a son, I will call him Obama. As God would do it, in 2012 I had a son, and I named him Obama. I love my son. I actually have a hundred percent time for my son. I recall that I took up a nine-to-five job for a whole year to raise him. It was one of the most crucial and challenging decisions that I took. When I look at him, I tell myself that the sacrifice I took was worth it.

Will your love for ‘Obama’ not keep marriage away from your mind?

No, why? I don’t see how my son would affect any man who would come into my life. Of course, I would love a change of status. And if any man would love me and care about me, he would love my son too. The ultimate is for us all to grow a happy home.

What do you do when you are not working?

I love to take vacations, I love to go to the movies, walk on the beach, listen to music and I love dancing. I also cherish the time I spend with my son. I love martial arts; I love anything that has to do with sports. I love swimming and I generally like to keep fit.

What is next for you?

I am currently attached to a lot of projects.

First, we are still working on getting out Chavez Cage of Glory. We are hoping we will have it show in cinemas in Nigeria. Right now, I am working on the pre- production of a film called Nwannem. It is in Igbo. Also, I have officially been cast for a Hollywood film called Hidden Varley: The Awakening. I have been cast too for a movie in Nigeria called Mystery Beads.

Also, right now, I am in a negotiation with a producer that wants me to be part of an HBO series. I am really looking forward to a good year.

CelebrityExtra

Lancelot Unveils Invasion 1897’s Ovoramwen OTABLE filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen N has unveiled the actor who played the lead role of Oba Ovonramwen in his much awaited historical epic movie, Invasion 1897. At a world press conference held at his ICESLIDES Studios in Surulere, Lagos on January 14, 2014, to unveil the film, Imaseun, who said he chose to hold the conference on January 14 so as to mark the centenary of the death of Omo N’oba Ovonramwen in exile in Calabar on January 14, 1914, introduced a clean shaven man, a clergy, who stands at a little above 5 feet 11 as the actor who starred as Ovonramwen in the movie. For that lead role, Imaseun chose a returnee theatre artiste, Michael Omoregbee who last mounted the stage 24 years ago, to breathe life into

the character of the Bini monarch who was sent on exile by British forces.

Although not new to acting, having acted on stage in early school and during his days as an undergraduate at the University of Benin, this would be Omorogbee’s first ever appearance in a Nollywood production and the Educationist who holds an M.A in English and Literature says he is excited he is making a return to active acting “after 24 years of acting hibernation”.

Interestingly, Omorogbee’s long essay was on Ola Rotimi’s Ovonramwen Nogbaisi.

No wonder he said at the press conference that attracted a couple of top Nollywood practitioners including the President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP),

Zik Okafor and one-time President of AMP, Madu Chikwendu that he felt at home and was at ease living the role. Omorogbee agrees that his role as Ovonramwen not only marks a major return to acting for him, but it marks his formal entry into the big screen.

“It has taken a script this apt, socio-politically relevant, adroitly crafted and a production team this renowned, versatile, capable and passionate to rouse the act in me. Invasion 1897 was quite an experience for me, after years of silence and it is unlikely to be my last”, he enthused.

The movie is currently in post-production and Lancelot announced that it would hit Michael Omoregbee (personal photo sitting with hand on chin) the cinemas in October 2014 after a world juxtaposed with Michael Omoregbee as Ovonramwen in the poster of premiere in Benin, Edo State.

Invasion 1897.

24 | Saturday, January 18, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

PEOPLE

‘Africa’s Greatest Problem Today The Obuzor of Ibuzor in Osihimili North Council of Delta State, HRH Louis Chelunor Nwoboshi, spoke on sundry issues, including recent reports of his dethronement as the traditional ruler of the community, describing the rumour as the handiwork of his opponents, whose motive is to stigmatise him.

From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba

A

S an academic, a professor, you seem not to have been involved in local politics of Ibuzor. How did you become the Obuzor?

On the approval of Obuzor of Ib’uzor Stool on May 20, 1995 by the Delta State Governor, Group Captain Ibrahim Kefas, the first Obuzor was zoned to my ruling house.

Then I was lecturing at the University of Ibadan.

Immediately after the announcement I was inundated with calls and visits from friends and relations informing me that the youths and elders of my community have resolved that I should be. So the call to be the Obuzor of Ib’uzor was essentially unanimous as captured by the correspondences between my ruling house, the Otu Odogwu, and Ibuzor kingmakers: ‘That although the guidelines specify that four candidates will be presented to the kingmakers, we the entire members of the Otu Odogwu citizenry, accepted to present only one unanimously elected, in the person of Prof. Louis Chelunor Nwoboshi an Nkpalor title man. He is ready to take the Eze title during the process of enthronement.’ The subsequent election of the kingmakers in which 25 out of 26 voted for me with one abstention forms another testimony.

Soon after your coronation, there were some challenges, criticisms and attempts to unseat you. How did you cope, given the contrast between university system and traditional way of life?

I was most welcomed by the community. Even the State governor marveled at the unanimity of the community. The only challenge, which reared its head on the 12th day after the coronation, I found, came from those who were benefiting from the gerontocratic system, surrogating for the diokpa, the oldest man in the community. Reference to the proceedings of the commission of inquiry,which preceded the creation of the Obuzor institution showed that some of them had been in opposition of the proposition to have the Obuzor System replace the Diokpa System. As Onu Diokpa (Diokpa’s spokesman) one of them had punished members of the committee that made and sent the proposal to the state government.

He followed that up with a counter petition to the government not to create the requested new system. He preferred and wanted to retain the gerontocratic system where the traditional ruler was from one oldest man to the next older person in the community. I later came to understand that he had since 1985, when he was the spokesman for his uncle, made a proposal to Bendel State Government to approve for him the position of Okwuluoha (SpokesmanGeneral) for all senior diokpas, irrespective of the ruling houses from where they may come, and so replace the then current situation where each new senior diokpa selected his spokesman. He argued his position at the inquiry, but was credited with only seven per cent as against 93 per cent of the proponents of the change to the new Obuzor system, which sought to reduce the age of succession to the traditional rulership. With this result, the government answered the prayers of Ib’uzor community that the age of the traditional ruler be reduced and that the erstwhile traditional ruler or senior diokpa position be converted to a traditional chieftaincy position with some defined functions.

It was at this stage I came on board. As I said above the call was unanimous from all the sides and shades of opinion of my ruling house and was also accepted by Ibuzor kingmakers. Unrelenting, however, he vowed to see that the new institution was brought down before it takes root, as was done to the first king of the community, King

Obuzor Ezesi. Exploiting the emotion of the masses, he dished out lies upon lies and accusations on what the Obuzor had done wrongly in his 12 days of reign!

However, I remembered that during my acceptance speech, I had, more or less, prophesized that I was engaging on a social re-engineering that is not going to be an easy task and on the coronation ground, the governor had warned that I am engaging on a serious experiment, which if successful, would pave way for those communities in Delta State that are still using the gerontocratic system to move on to something much more modern.

I, therefore, was determined not to engage in rhetorics with him but to attempt to lay a solid foundation through documentations so that the gimmicks he is using today would not be repeated by people like him to my successor.

As a result of his action, I have written the Obuzor Dynasty the birth and the teething problems emanating from his antics. I have also gathered, for the interest of those who care to read about 20 different tissues of lies and falsehoods he used to orchestrate his so called obuzor crisis, as there was no crisis other than what he was generating and answering to carry the people along in Obuzor Crisis Matters Arising. In addition to the documentation, the case was taken to court and was finally decided at the

Supreme Court in favour of the new institution. Today, based on his antics, we have got about 8 documents in the Obuzor institution.

With them, these detractors will not only be known to the present but also to future generations of Ib’uzor community as guides to avoid such distractions.

Away from traditional matters, how do you feel leaving university environment, and what is your view on current educational system visà-vis graduate unemployment?

Of education, my opinion is that every conceivable problem we have in this country today is attributable to education- bad or wrong education. On arrival in my community, I was shocked to find 110 out of 180 pupils in JSS II in public schools were unable to read ABCD to Z, let alone form two or three letterwords. But after two to three weeks of remedial teaching, they could not only ready ABCD but could spell any word that was properly pronounced. This indicated that something must be wrong somewhere in our school system. Our small demonstration also showed that the fault was not in the pupils but in the manner in which they were taught. My studies in the last one or two decades here appear to show that the lack of reading habit as well as the exam malpractices in our schools are but symptoms of wrong systems of child upbring-

ing or education. Here in Nigeria, we confuse literacy for education or are they the same? Literarily speaking, literacy is the ability to read and write, the symbols that represent sounds, be it in English, Creek, Arabic or Chinese language. On the contrary, education is a learning process through which the basic knowledge of the environment, skills and habits that influence the development and welfare of group of people are transferred from one generation to another by teaching, apprenticeship or by selftutoring. Education conveys wisdom while literacy is but a vehicle to acquire education but not education itself. Education is also not an English upbringing process. It is universal and used in every culture to learn the life support system, the history, traditions and human relationship in one’s environment or life zone which are basic to acquisition of more global scientific and technological education.

Nations that equate literacy to education have already scripted their life history, their life support system and processes before they could rely on reading as a means of learning. It is only in such countries that their children can learn about their environment and their life history through books. Nigeria is not yet one of them.

Oral traditions in Nigeria show that upbringing before the advent of schools or before 1914 involved inculcating in the child, right from birth, a good dose of knowledge in

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, January 18, 2014 | 25

PEOPLE

Is Inferiority Complex’

humanity, supremacy of God, the father and the various components of life support system, their working processes and management systems through association or apprenticeship. The youths then learn how to interact with people, how to grow, and harvest, process, transport and market useful components for their welfare. This was the form of upbringing or education Africans had from time immemorial to about 1900. With this method, the youth, by the time he is ready to start his own life, has become well equipped with sufficient ideas on how to get on with life in his environment. Today, youths produced from our school system have not found their feet, they are mainly groomed to weigh and measure, buy and sell. They are ill equipped with little or no ideas on the production, processing and transportation of what they are marketing.

We are having and producing youths that have global perspectives with little or no foundation in our life zones be it marine, forest, savannah, grassland or the mountain, in our country. Lamentations of how our leaders are pleased to see the nation floating while other nations come in to tell us what we have in our backyard and how to exploit and make use of them or dump whatever pleases them on usall because of the wrong upbringing or sys-

tem they have adopted- is the subject of my recent publication titled:Awake O’ Africa Your Skyscraper Is An illusion.

This call through Awake O’ Africa is limited to education and youth upbringing, bearing in mind that education policies are products of political ideology.

How would you rate politics and political development, democratic and Africans democratic consensus in Nigeria?

In political parlance, I would say that my constituency is more in education than in politics. As I said earlier, all our problems including political ones are hinged on the quality of our education. More specifically, your question on politics and political development, democracy versus Africans democratic consensus is wonderful. In as much as I am not a partisan politician I know that polity in our own context in the Nigerian nation and the states and local government areas are sub and sub-sub-polities of this great nation. Politics, also I understand, is the scramble for the power to manage the resources of the polity at any of these levels. These scrambles are based on some ideological strategies on how best to achieve the development of that polity. Today, I do not need to be an expert to see that the politics of this nation is not based on any ideology that people will base their choice or preference of one group to the other. There is no way a nation will entertain over three-dozen different ideological strategies. So, real ideological party politics is yet to start in Nigeria. In similar vein, we have adopted democracy in place of oligarchy or dictatorship as our form of government system. Democracy is said to be government of the people for the people by the people, which in the Nigerian context should mean the laws (government) of Nigeria made by Nigerians and for the welfare of Nigerians. Again, we are yet to have this. So far we have been copying the laws developed under the British or the American experience and trying to tinker them to suit our situation simply because we misunderstood what adopting western education means. The lack of originality of our constitution has reduced it to a subject of constant review. At the age of 40 in the year 2000, the Nigerian Constitution had been reviewed five times or more at yearly intervals.

And, thereafter, it has been pastime with every regime of the government. The British Constitution, derived from their own life experience have been there almost from time immemorial with little or no major amendments, which underscores the fact that until we have a constitution that is indigenous to us, derived from our own experiences, constitutional instability will continue to be our watchword.

What we have is called western democracy in contrast with what existed in Africa and still exists at the traditional institutions called the African democratic consensus. The western democracy is a majoritan government as the majority wins and the minority views are lost. In African democracy, there is no victor, no vanquished on any issue as most issues are concluded by a compromise solution between the majority views and the minority views.

How should the nation tap some of these ideas from the traditional institution?

The African democratic consensus is the main tool for peace at the traditional institutional level in my part of the country. It is less stressful and a potential panacea to the belligerent western systems foisted on Africans. While the world is, however, waiting for Africa to develop this original governmental system, Nigeria is introducing an alternative conflict resolution (ACR),which is essentially built on the democratic consensus, because we believe we can never be original with the development of our own. As pointed out in Awake of Africa, Africa’s greatest problem today is inferiority complex. There is essentially no difference between African democratic approach by the traditional rulers and the so-called alternative conflict resolution.

The functions of the traditional rulers are especially to develop the traditional institutions and to continue to serve as an insurance of peace and security, mobilization and motivation of the grassroots. This has been their role from time immemorial, but it is now begging to be properly recognised and empowered to face modern challenges at their level.

Back to your community, there have been series of reports in the papers that you have been removed from office as the Obuzor. But in

November, we saw great crowd of people trooping in and out of your palace as you celebrated your Ofala festival. What is the true position?

I am happy you were at the palace to see things for yourself. You saw that every segment of the community was there.The issue of removal of Obuzor of Ibuzor had become pastime in Ibuzor. We cannot count the number of times, starting from the 12th day after the coronation , that Obuzor has been removed in the past 18 years. It is mainly the machinations of an elder statesman, Senator Nosike Ikpo, who is obsessed with the ambition to rule the community. Manipulating the ignorance, the emotions and the non-reading habits of some Ibuzor elites with tissue of lies and falsification of facts and history to pitch them and the development union against the incumbent Obuzor and the Obuzor institution, he initially attracted a large followers of foot-soldiers.

Today, he is almost deserted. His current resort to pages of newspapers to discredit me in the West and Lagos areas where I lived before taking up the office is the height of his frustration.

On issue of the senior diokpa, I want to assure you that the senior diokpa’s position has been properly entrenched in the new set up. There has never been any problem whatsoever as the Obuzor himself declared on his initiation day that from henceforth, Obuzor would become the first son of whoever is the oldest man in the community, he would be taking care of him and looking after his activities. This has been the case in the past nearly five senior diokpas in the obuzor’s regime.

In one of the publications, it was alleged that since you came on to the throne that Ibuzor has not been progressing. Rather kidnappings and ritual killings have become the order of the day.

Here again, I would say that the allegation that no development has taken place in the community in the last 17 years is not surprising because this is exactly what the detractors expected when they stopped Ibuzor Development Union on February 3, 1996, from associating with the Obuzor Institution and the incumbent Obuzor. And the union complied and up till now, the so-called development union has not contributed more than N50,000 in 18 years. Contrary to their wish, the community has not remained static.

It has seen development in all aspects of life from security, energy, peace, roads, education, health and restructuring to ensure the flow of information from the top to the bottom and vis-à-vis.

What is your advice to your community?

My advice to my community is that all hands should be on desk to ensure that urbanisation does not reduce Ibuzor to a shanty town as very soon, Onitsha, Asaba, Ib’uzor is likely to merge into a megalopolis.

On a general note, what do you have to

say to the government and people of Nigeria?

My main advice to our country is to give education the first priority that it deserves. Wrong education is the root of all our problems. We are currently a country of very literate but ignorant people who do not know themselves, their life support systems but satisfied to follow the world sheepishly and substitute poverty in place of our endowed richness in every life supporting components. I don’t know, for instance, how many of us- low, high and mighty- even realised that Nigerian school system is based on a peculiar syllabus called determined education scheme. Simply put the determined education is a form of training scheme designed to produce a pre-defined sub-standard end product. In our case, to produce sub-standard youths for whom it should be sufficient to be able to read, write, weigh and measure. All over the world, child education or upbringing begins with learning of his immediate surroundings, his life zone and other life zones of his nation. So when we talk of quality education, we do not mean quality of the buildings or how sophisticated and cutting edge the equipment is. We refer to the curriculum which inculcates in the child the knowledge of the life zones, the stock of values, habits or traditions and skills of his nation as this is the right foundation on which his advancement in production, processing, transportation and marketing, science and technology are foisted. Its time we refocus on the foundation of our children’s upbringing by using our literacy to script our life support systems in the five life zones of the country- our history, our values, skills and habits and use them to replace the determined system contrived and lopsided scheme foisted on us. And we have adopted as a base for education of Nigerians. We must arrest this situation. We must overhaul our educational system. Such total overhaul of school curriculum will lead to indigenisation of school book and reading them not only pleasurable but a voyage of discovery for the readers and elimination of most, if not, all the malpractices associated with reading abstract foreign books currently in use.

The second is to cater for the products of this current system that are yet to find gainful self or corporate employment by resorting to the use of direct labour, instead of contractors, to execute government development projects for about 10 years. This will spread the money to more youths as well as provide them with retraining opportunities in disciplines other than their current ones.Our leaders should also for once eschew inferiority complex, acknowledge and encourage research to improve and project the African democratic consensus as our own and remove the ambiguity of customary court systems that operate on European laws.They are asked to appreciate and recognise that our traditional institutions or laws form the skeletal framework of our nationality, and, therefore, their duty to uphold and entrench them in our psyche.

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SOCIETY

When Samuel and Kelechi Signed The Dotted Lines Faces at the solemnization of matrimony between former Miss Kelechi Esinulo and Chainomi Samuel Fregene at St. Leos Catholic Church, Ikeja Lagos.

Couple, Kelechi and Samuel Fregene

Groom’s parent, Mr. Emmannuel Fregene and his wife, Patricia

Couple (middle) flanked by Mr. Daniel Egwu (left) and Dan Egwu

Bridal train, Sim Dings (left), Tosan Fregene and Esinulo Ogochukwu

Couple’s Parents, Emmanuel Fregene, Chiaka Esinulo, Kanayo Esinulo and Patricia Fregene

Bride’s parents Kanayo Esinulo and Mrs. Chiaka Esinulo

Couple, bride father, Kanayo Esinulo and Mrs. Dan Egwu

Groomsmen

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, January 18, 2014 27

DIARY

Acting Editor, Saturday Guardian, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, Editor Guardian Newspapers, Martins Oloja, presenting a gift to the former Editor, Saturday Guardian, Mr. Felix Abugu and his wife during a send-forth party held to honour Abugu in Lagos…recently Former Editor, Saturday Guardian, Mr. Felix Abugu receiving a book that contains some of his past published stories from the Acting Editor, Saturday Guardian, Mr. Taiwo Akerele during a send-forth party held to honour Abugu in Lagos…recently

Mr. Uche Attoh, Head, Industrial Arbitration Panel, (IAP) Lagos Division (left), Chief Akintola Fajemila, member, IAP, Dr. Sam Erugo, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Abia State University; Mr. Bimbo Atilola, Managing Partner, Hybrid Solicitors, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) and Prof. Muhammed Taofeeq Abdulrazaq at the Hybrid Solicitors and Consult’s annual lecture/luncheon with the theme: ‘The Petroleum Industry Bill: Labour Law and Community Relations Challenges’ and the Public presentation of a book titled “Themes on the New Employee’s Compensation Act”, held at Lagos Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja…recently

Debo Oladimeji, Samson Ezea, Peace Uzoanya, Tunde Esho, Ajibola Amzat, Bankole Adeshina, the Celebrant, Mr. Felix Abugu, Laolu Adeyemi, Olawunmi Ojo, Godwin Ijediogor and Onyedika Agbedo, all of Saturday Guardian during a send-forth party held to honour Abugu in Lagos…recently PHOTO: Charles Okolo

Engr. Michael Awoyinfa, FNSE, Engr. Prof J N Ofulue, FNSE; Engr. Dr. O. Ajayi, FNSE, past president of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and other participants at the 2013 workshop of the Nigerian Content Committee of the Nigerian Society Of Engineers in Abuja…recently Guest speaker, Pastor (Mrs.) Yomi Adewale, Elder Tayo Fadipe (Chairman of the occasion), Pastor and Mrs. Sola Agesin (Convener) at the fourth annual Sola Agesin’s couple dinner held recently at Regia Luxuria Hotels, Lagos

Mr. Michael Aloyebi Adeosun and his wife, Deaconess Ajoke Bosede Adeosun with their daughter, Olawumi Adeosun during her graduation ceremony at Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo State…recently

Chairman/CEO, Hyden Petroleum Ltd, Chief Dapo Abiodun and his wife, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun with their daughter, Miss Oluwadamilola Abiodun during her birthday celebration at the family’s Banana Island residence, Ikoyi, Lagos…recently

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FASHION

Shine In Trendy Tinted Aviators The original eyewear of pilots is the perfect staple in a sunny weather

By Ibukunoluwa Kayode S we all know the sun A is essential to life but its rays can provide damage to sensitive parts of the body such as the skin and the eyes. In some parts of Nigeria, the sun’s hot rays bear down on the populace from as early as 7am.

The eyes in particular can be badly affected by the sun’s harsh rays leading to injuries and conditions such as cancer, cataracts, burns, discoloration and wrinkling, all results of over-exposure to the sun’s ultra violet rays.

Anyone living in a hot climate like ours knows that it is virtually impossible to avoid exposure to the sun.

But thanks to the person who invented the sunglasses many years ago, as it helps to protect the eyes from sun damage.

In 2013, the shapes of sunglasses have become even more interesting.

From retro cat’s eye to unusual shaped frames such as round or diamond shaped lenses and the sporty types like the aviators.

Trending now is the Tinted Aviator sunglasses to shade the eyes from sunrays. This egg shaped sunglass is classy pair that gives people a sophisticated look.

The tinted aviator sunglasses now come in colours such as blue, red, green, gold, white and black to complement looks and outfits.

These glasses can last as long as you please and the lens and the type of tint on it will ensure that your eyes are protected anytime you go outdoors.

If you are laying down money for high quality glasses, try a pick on this latest classic design that will not go out of fashion, which has been known for its retro taste. Those who have taste for whimsical or fancy items will love to experiment with latest trends.

Aviator sunglass is UV coated with polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to protect you from the sunrays.

It also offers wrap around styles from different designers like Ray Ban, Michael Kors, Tom Ford, among others, in order to protect the delicate skin around the eyes, especially the skin on the sides of the face. So pick this style if you go out a lot and want to avoid premature ageing on this area of your face.

Also store your glasses in a glass case whenever you are not wearing them to avoid scratches and other damage to the lenses.

EMPOWERNIGERIA /35

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH IN 2014

MONDAYS–FRIDAYS IN THE GUARDIAN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2014

What Is Great About Nigerian Students?

T was midday and as usual in the North, the sun was smiling wickedly and emitting dehydrating heat. This, however, didn’t stop me from attending the afternoon lecture. Almost approaching the Mass Communication department, I caught up with two friends heading towards the same direction and discussing their poor academic performances.

They laid the blames for their woes on the lecturers. To my utter dismay, they were met by some students on the way and with a great gusto chanted “Great Nigerian students!” The reply was thunderous: “Great ever conscious Nigerian students.”

Sadly, most students who brag about the so-called greatness are those whose brains are slow to boot up in class and their Grade Points (GP) are constantly kissing the withdrawal line; yet, they chant this slogan with such a frenzy depicting that of a cult group in procession.

During election campaigns in departments and students associations, one is treated to an avalanche of grammatical verbosity in the guise of distorted and disjointed speeches to a bemused audience. But this is not reflected in their primary assignment, which is academics.

But one cannot blame these students who misplace the real

I

What Do You Magnify, Your Beauty Or Your Dreams?

Sheffield Hallam University Offers Nigerian Students Automatic Discount O celebrate its strong links with Nigeria and the new office T which was recently opened in Lagos, Sheffield Hallam University, UK is offering a £3,000 automatic discount on tuition fees to Nigerian domiciled students.

According to a statement by the institution, the discount is for the September 2014 admissions, thereby making studying in the UK much more affordable for Nigerians. And to promote this opportunity, the university is conducting a bus tour, moving across selected neighbourhoods, locations and event centres in Lagos, for discussions, interviews and counselling sessions from November 25 –December 8.

Sheffield Hallam University is one of the UK’s leading new universities and the institution is built with a strong relationship and links with business and industry. It is currently the third largest university in the UK with around 37,066 students and 4,170 staff from over 100 countries across the world.

essence of greatness.

What would one expect from students when the nation’s education sector is nose-diving and there is no proactive measures to address the situation.

Students, therefore, have to bask in the veiled illusion that they are great.

For instance, polytechnic students are currently idling away time at home no thanks to the ongoing indefinite strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). The level of infrastructural decay in most of the polytechnics is better told than witnessed while remuneration of lecturers is below par.

However, there is the need to review this slogan of greatness for students to know when and how to apply it. This will help students conform to a lifestyle suitable for vigorous learning and excellent academic performance comparable to what is obtainable in other countries.

Nigerian students must stop claiming greatness when the system managing their education is compromising every single thing that could enhance proper learning. They must begin to think differently to merit the symbolical meaning of the ‘Great’ slogan; else, the slogan will continue to reverberate with emptiness.

SHOWBLAST /37

At 33, Cobhams celebrates With Family, Close Friends

Youth & Graduate Jobs Powered by Jobberman.com / 31

Crescent Varsity Students Charged On Excellence TUDENTS of Crescent University, Abeokuta have been charged to make excellence their watchword.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Hassan Kehinde Okeleye, made this call at the 8th matriculation ceremony of the institution.

A total of 420 students were matriculated into the College of Social and Management Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Information and Communication Technology, Environmental Sciences and Bola Ajibola College of Law. In his address, Okeleye said it was the university’s resolve to train and produce men and women of strong character and integrity, who would stand the test of time in building a virile society.

In a related development, the Proprietor, Prince Bola Ajibola, expressed his gratification on the growth of students’ population, adding that the university now has over a thousand students.

S

Mandatory For BSN MBA Stories by Tope Templer Olaiya STUDY tour of the school in Netherlands is now a mandatory graduation requirement for Master of Business Administration students at Business School Netherlands from Nigeria.

The intensive study tour would enable students in the highbrow programme imbibe in full the culture and values of the leading provider of MBA education in the Netherlands.

Mr. Lere Baale, CEO of Business School Netherlands in Nigeria, disclosed this last week at a media briefing.

Business School Netherlands (BSN) clocks 25 years in 2013 and the school has outlined a range of activities to mark its silver jubilee. BSN is in its 10th year in Nigeria and has conferred its MBA on 160 graduands during the period.

Baale disclosed that the digitisation of course content in the school is one of the ways to enable students access

A

• As Students Get Digitised Coursework on I-pads materials readily. “All MBA students would now receive their coursework pre-loaded on customised Ipads to keep them on the same page with students in other outreaches worldwide,” he said.

The Ipads would contain coursework, study notes, as well as case studies to enable the executives on the programme have easy access to referral materials. It is also connected to a global library of reference materials, starting with the BSN’s own library in Netherlands.

On the numerous benefits of the study kit, Baale said, “the Ipads are heavily discounted and placed at the disposal of students a lifetime study tools and research materials that would support career transformation as is often required of MBA graduates.”

During the briefing, BSN displayed its

new facilities at Ikeja GRA complete with classrooms, meeting rooms, libraries and other tools to aid students.

The BSN MBA is an executive education programme built on the actionlearning paradigm pioneered by Business School Netherlands.

Students apply their study to their work places as they go along leading to the transformational change that the MBA should create in the lives and careers of its recipients.

He consequently enjoined individuals and employers that desire to acquire and expose their employees to the best MBA education to take advantage of the BSN outreach centres in Nigeria to actualise their dreams.

By Daniel Anazia

United World Colleges’ Nigeria’s National Committee members. From left: Prof. Isabella Okagbue; National Chairman, Mr. Hakeem BeloOsagie; National Patron, Sir Akintola Williams; Executive Secretary, Yvonne Ebbi; Vice Chairman, Mr. Kehinde Phillips; UWC alumni, Nella Hengstler and Samuel Nwankenta at a recent outing to celebrate 50 years of the world renowned college, with campuses in 13 countries.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, January 18, 2014

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2014

FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO The Clear Path to Entrepreneurship We are very proud of this step by step process we have developed to provide the Nigerian young people with a path to success and happiness through entrepreneurship. I will break it down very carefully and I have reproduced it here for all the young people we are mentoring with this column.

NICHOLAS OKOYE, Founder EMPOWER NIGERIA Initiative, CEO Anabel Group, and Convener Nigeria Leadership Summit LOVE THIS JOB, I get to motivate young people and I get invitations to speak at young empowerment events from time to time, and I am currently working on the biggest thing this side of the Atlantic that will have a fundamental impact on millions of lives, and has the potential to completely change the direction for Nigeria.

EMPOWER NIGERIA has come to stay and I outlined the guide for the entire year last week. We started well on the 11th of December 2013, and we have BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS goals which we aim to deliver on.

I

which allows every registered Entrepreneur to speak to each other for FREE. That’s right it is FREE to talk within the EMPOWER NIGERIA imitative so membership has its privileges. In addition to the Network, members have a good number of discounts that have been lined up for entrepreneurs which will not be available anywhere else.

Step One: Visit the Empower Nigeria Center at Oshodi or visit the virtual show room at the web site www.empowernigeria.com . This process allows our young people to have deep reflection on what they really want to do with their life. Our team of Entrepreneur Advisors will guide you either online or in a face to face meeting, on choosing your passion. It is very important you choose an industry or a business opportunity that you are passionate about, because that is how you will succeed. People will work hard and long on a matter or an opportunity if they have passion for it. So if you have not thought about what your passion is then this would be a great time to do that.

Step Three: Determine if you need financial support. We are lining up support for our Entrepreneurs which will mean that once you are a member of EMPOWER NIGERIA, you are sure to end up as an Entrepreneur, and not having money will not stop you. We are even pushing the envelope by setting up an EMPOWER NIGERIA FUND which will have several contributors from all over the Country and all over the world, all in an effort to ensure that there will always be funds to finance our Entrepreneurs. Once again our Entrepreneur Advisors will work closely with you to make sure that you have done all it takes to get prepared for Entrepreneurship and that our financing partners are comfortable with the risk you represent.

Step Two: Register to join to the EMPOWER NIGERIA network. You can do this by registering online at www.empowernigeria.com.

The registration is not only aimed at putting you on the CLEAR PATH TO ENTREPRENEURHIP, but it also gives to access to a lot of other goodies that have been lined up for you by the Empower Nigeria team. These include membership of the Empower Nigeria Telecommunications platform

Step Four: make your order. You are now ready to fill out an order form which will mean that you are about to transform yourself from a professional or an unemployed young person into an entrepreneur. If you are already an entrepreneur and you wish to expand your business by working with EMPOWER NIGERIA, you are also very welcome. If you are using financial assistance from one of our partners then you will be

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required to make a 20% commitment investment. If you are paying for your machines or tools with support from your own family or friends, then you will be required to make 50% investment and the balance will be paid on the arrival of your machines.

Step Five: Get enrolled in the Entrepreneurship and Leadership Certification program. In order for you to be a successful Entrepreneur and make millions and maybe billions of naira or even dollars, you have to receive the training, exposure and capacity building required to get you there. Leadership is required for all successful people, and Entrepreneurship must be understood from a 360 degree basis before you can conquer the World. All our Entrepreneurs will reduce their chances or failure and dramatically increase their chances of long term success once they have been certified by our experts.

Step Six: Receive your Machines or Business tools and get to work. The business opportunities we are working with you on are economically guaranteed to receive the demand of the Nigerian consumers. Our machines are tailored along the lines of business opportunities that our economics have pre-determined are either in high demand and have a present low supply or are imported products for which we will be substituting the imported products with the one manufactured by our EMPOWER NIGERIA ENTREPRENEURS. Get on the CLEAR PATH TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP today andsu change your life forever.

EMPOWER NIGERIA VISION EMPOWER NIGERIA LAUNCH DECEMBER 2013

To be the most effective, efficient and successful network of Entrepreneurial Leaders in Africa, growing the ranks of entrepreneurship by converting the unemployed youth into micro, small and medium business operators.

His Excellency, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary General, launches EMPOWER NIGERIA

(L-R)Nicholas Okoye, CEO, EMPOWER NIGERIA, Oby Ezekwesili, former World Bank Vice President, His Excellency, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Head of State and CEO, Ruff and Tumble, Adenike Ogunlesi at the launch of EMPOWER NIGERIA... recently

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EMPOWERNIGERIA

www.ngrguardiannews.com

GUIDE TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

CASE STUDY

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

The EMPOWER NIGERIA Business choices for 2014

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO WATCH IN 2014

HERE are over a hundred business ideas and opporT tunities we have outlined for you at EMPOWER NIGERIA and we have broken them down by industry.

IGHO CHARLES SANOMI II

You may have a passion for the Agriculture Industry because this is an industry that you have grown up with or maybe it is because there is so much Federal Government support for the Agriculture Industry, whatever your reason EMPOWER NIGERIA will give you a Bankable business Project in this industry that will make you money. You may have a passion for the Information and Communication Technology Industry, here too we are on point with some cutting edge Bankable Business Projects that Bankers are egger and willing to finance. Whatever your passion just visit www.empowernigeria.co m or visit our EMPOWER NIGERIA CENTER at Oshodi Arena shopping Centre and you will see your life change this year. Once you get to the EMPOWER NIGERIA Center tell them that you want to get onto the CLAR PATH TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP and you want to change your life this year. We will do the rest. So folks it is now up to you. Some of the opportunities we have include …..

– FOUNDER / CEO OF TALEVERAS GROUP Age: 38 Nigerian Business man, Igho Charles Sanomi II is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Taleveras Group, an internationally recognized energy and power company. In 2004, Igho Sanomi founded the Taleveras Group, a Nigerian energy trading company. Taleveras trades over 100 million barrels of crude oil as well as several million tons of gasoline, LPG and jet fuel. In April 2012, Taleveras acquired production sharing contracts (PSCs) for three offshore oil blocks in Ivory Coast. In June 2013, Taleveras sold a 65% stake in one of its Ivorian offshore upstream projects to Lukoil of Russia for an undisclosed price. Taleveras also owns a stake in a power distribution firm in Nigeria

Key Cutting Machines: there is so much construction going on in Lagos and Abuja. And I hear this trend is replicated in some key states across the federation where the Governors seem to know what they are doing. The good news for you young people is that every new development, whether they are building flat, apartments or shops the builders will need doors and keys. And the residents who take over almost always need more keys. A family of five that are all adults cannot do anything with a two key allocation.

They will need more keys and this is where you come in. You can take you key cutting machine to the apartment complex and you can start cutting keys tomorrow for the kind residents who need your services.

Key cutting is a noble business and it is easy to learn how it’s done. Contact us on www.empowernigeria.com if you want to own and operate a key cutting machine.

OLA OREKUNRIN

– FOUNDER OF FLYING DOCTORS OF NIGERIA Age: 25 A Nigerian healthcare entrepreneur and medical doctor, Orekunrin is the founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, West Africa’s first Air Ambulance Service. Flying Doctors Nigeria provides urgent helicopter, airplane ambulance and evacuation services in Nigeria and other countries across West Africa.

Soap Making Machines (Liquid, Detergent & Tablets): a small business like no other. This business will put you in the money in no time. Everybody everywhere in Nigeria needs soap to bath or detergent to wash their clothes with. And whereas the large companies that are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange are making a fortune supplying soap and detergent to every nook and cranny of Nigeria you can now compete with them. We would advocate a community approach, come to EMPOWER NIGERIA, get a modular soap factory and set it up right there in your community. You can sell your soap at half the price of the big brands and you will be guaranteed to have customers. Who from the older generation in Nigeria doesn’t remember KEY SOAP? It was simple, it was not even packaged but it sold in every school and every community in Nigeria Visit www,empowernigeria.com to register for a Soap or Detergent mini factory and get into business right away.

-FOUNDERS OF RED MEDIA / THE FUTURE PROJECT Jideonwo and Williams are co-founders and Partners of Red Nigeria- a leading full service media-content, communication and Development Company in Nigeria. The firm also owns The Future Project (TFP) – a strategic social enterprise/change communications firm which hosts the annual Future Awards, Nigeria’s most important awards for outstanding young Nigerians.

RUTH OBIH – FOUNDER / CEO OF 3INVEST LIMITED

Toothpick Making Machines: We love to talk about the tooth pick machine because all Nigerians use toothpicks, and all toothpicks in Nigeria are imported from China, India or from somewhere else. We can change all that today and get thousands of young people setting up tooth pick machines in every community in Nigeria. You cannot go wrong with this idea. Is great, its profitable and it works. Very simple to use and easy to learn, you will be in business in no time. And every home, every hotel, every restaurant and every bar can be you customers. And once we have reached a critical mass of EMPOWER NIGERIA tooth pick makers we will al to the Federal Government together to increase the tariff on imported toothpicks. Join EMPOWER NIGERIA and start a Tooth pick manufacturing plant today. Visit www.empowernigeria.com

To be a contributing writer or to inquire about any of our machines or Business Ideas, Please feel free to contact us: EMAIL: info@empowernigeria.com, chiugo@empowernigeria.com WEBSITE: www.empowernigeria.com TEL: +234 1 277 1388; +2348033028638 www.facebook.com/empowernigeria

CHUDE JIDEONWO & ADEBOLA WILLIAMS

@empowernigeria

Ruth Obih is the CEO of 3Invest Limited, a Real Estate technology-driven Investment company specialized in providing acquisition, disposition and investment service to developers, investors and funds looking to invest in Real Estate. She is a trained lawyer who has a passion for property and real estate. Her company also has several platforms to promote the real estate sector.

In the wake of the global financial meltdown and plummeting real estate value, Ruth found innovative ways to remain relevant in the industry. Thus, in January 2011, she started “3Invest Intelligence”, an innovative division of the company focused on real estate media and advocacy. Through the vision of 3invest intelligence, several thousand Nigerians and real estate investors have been empowered with useful and relevant information to make wise investment decisions.

Saturday, January 18, 2014 ARTS 37

THE GUARDIANwww.ngrguardiannews.com

Showblast

...The buzz in town

Stories by Chuks Nwanne

Contestants for season three

Nigerian Idol is back HE Primi Piatti Restaurant, Admiralty Road, Tfamily Lekki, Lagos, was alive on Sunday, as friends, members and colleagues of talented music producer and songwriter, Cobhams Asuquo gathered at the upscale restaurant to celebrate a man, who has impacted the country’s music industry. The intimate dinner had in attendance mostly media parishioners and artistes, who had worked with the celebrant in the line of music production. Asuquo turned 33 on Sunday, January 6.

Aside from his wife, Ojuola Asuquo, present at the exclusive event were notable musicians such as Banky W, Waje, Omawumi, Timi Dakolo and Tosin Martins. Others include radio presenter Tolu Oniru (Toolz), Oscar Oyinsan, Tosyn Bucknor, Buki Izeogu, Schulzz, Wana Udobang, Dotun and others.

In his brief but touching remarks, Cobhams thanked his guests for finding time to come and celebrate with him, describing the event as his best birthday ever.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

At 33, Cobhams celebrates With Family, Close Friends

Stories by Chuks Nwanne AVING already staged three successful editions in the H country, Optima Media Group (OMG), has announced the return of global music phenomenon, Nigerian Idol for its fourth season. The singing competition, which debuted across Nigeria in 2010, promises to surpass the previous editions.

Following an electrifying third season that produced Moses Adigwe, the first male winner in the history of the talent hunt in Nigeria, the fourth season is scheduled to kick off this January, with auditions to hold in five cities across Nigeria including Lagos, Benin, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Makurdi.

In line with the tradition of the show, Nigerian Idol will last for five months and will feature tough drills, surprise evictions, grueling rehearsals resulting to stellar performances.

“The fourth season of Nigerian Idol will be an even more exciting television experience. As the World’s no 1 TV show, we are committed to ensuring that the standards from the past three seasons - in terms of content, production and interactivity are surpassed with Season 4. This is Idol - it’s the real deal,” CEO of OMG, Rotimi Pedro said.

There are only winners on Nigerian Idol this season as Etisalat and other sponsors will give premium prizes not just to the winner, but also to the runners-up and others from the Top Ten. The winner of the show gets N7.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry, an iPod and a brand new SUV car. The first runner up gets N1.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, Blackberry and iPod; and the 2nd runner up will receive N1million, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod. In addition, each of the finalists from 4th to 10th place will also receive N100, 000, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod. According to the telecommunications company’s head, sponsorship and events Modupe Thani, “we are happy to associate with a global brand like Idols because it meets the needs and aspirations of Nigeria’s teaming young population. Etisalat will continue to leverage on Nigerian Idol to reach out to Nigerian youths”.

The show airs from February 2014 and will close with the announcement of Nigerian winner at a grand gala in June 2014.

38 | ARTS Saturday, January 18, 2014

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Events

In association with

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NIGERIA CARTOON EXHIBITION Date(s): 28/01/2014 Location: National Theatre Yaba Lagos.

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Couple with guests

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 “This happens to be one of my best birthdays ever because I’m celebrating it among friends. I have a personal relationship with everyone in this room on an individual basis and I’m so happy that our relationship extends beyond the profession that brings us together,” he said.

Obviously excited, music artiste Omawumi Megbele reminisced on how Cobhams discovered her and gave her green light in the early days of her music career. The powerful vocalist described him as a talented producer, who knows how to bring out the best in every artiste.

In her closing remarks, Ojuola Asuquo thanked all the guests for coming out to honour her husband. She also gave insight into how both lovers met.

“We’ve known each other for long. In fact, we met after secondary school. However, during those days, we didn’t really discuss anything about marriage; the marriage thing came up after I returned from my studies abroad. Initially, it was like a joke because I was seeing him them more like a brother, so, it was difficult accepting him as a husband. But I thank God we are together today and we are happy as husband and wife.”

Asked how the relationship has been so far, Ojuola said, “every relationship comes with its challenges, but if you are talking about his condition, I can tell you that he’s a fantastic man; he helps me with domestic chores. We are happy together and we thank God for the grace.”

In a typical African environment, getting married to a visually impaired individual is usually a challenge, especially with pressure from family. But in Ojuola’s case, it was different.

“My parents only wanted to be sure that I know what I was doing; it’s normal for parents to protect their children. But once they saw that we are genuinely in love, they gave us all the support.”

For Cobhams, being blind has played an integral role in forming who he has become today; an award-winning songwriter and brilliant producer with ear for good sound.

“When you feel there’s nothing more to lose — if you want to work towards anything, you probably will want to work towards gaining and I think that’s what being blind has done for me.”

A versatile musical talent, Asuquo has been pushing the boundaries of Nigeria’s contemporary sound. His fresh mixture of different styles and beats has helped Nigeria become one the continent’s modern music hotspots.

“I fuse a lot of stuff to create my music. It varies – it’s jazz, it’s classical, it’s Afro, it’s whatever, it depends on what best interprets the music.”

Possessed of natural talent, the selftaught musician started honing his skills from an early age while growing up in a barracks. As a young boy, he used to organize concerts in his neighborhood, drumming on his mother’s barrels of water.

“All the kids from the neighbouring

Cobhams With Family, Close Friends block would come and we’d hang out and we’d make so much noise. I didn’t realize at the time that I was preparing myself for what would be my life, my career path, my destiny,” Asuquo recalled.

His musical journey, however, seemed to come to a halt a few years later when he entered university to pursue studies in law. But Asuquo soon realised that he had to follow his musical passion, leaving university to embark on a path that, for a young blind musician in Nigeria, was far from easy to tread.

“I slept on studio floors all across Lagos, worked at different studios, worked without pay, I’ve been out on the road, out on the streets, doing my thing,” Asuquo said.

“I had to convince people that I could do it — I had sessions that were canceled because they weren’t sure I could deliver ei-

ther because they thought I was too young or maybe as a blind person, “how do we trust our music which is our future and investment?”

But it didn’t take long for Asuquo to prove himself as his musical talent soon began to shine. Over the next few years he went on to work closely with internationally renowned artistes such as pop sensation Asa and R&B star Darey and today he is a much-in demand producer operating from his own studio.

He was also a judge on MTN Project Fame, a television musical talent show where he helps young singers achieve their dreams.

“It’s important for me to mentor and inspire fresh talent, to work with fresh talent.

I feel there is a lot I’ve learned in my journey as far as music is concerned and I’m in a position to share that knowledge.”

FEB 2014: LIVESPEECH PUBLIC SPEAKING AND PRESENTATION TRAINING WORKSHOP LAGOS Date(s): 01/02/2014 Location: Precinct Comfort Hotel Harvey Road, off Herbert Macaulay Rd. Yaba, Lagos Promoter: LiveSpeech coaching TICKETS: N31,500.00 BUY TICKETS HERE: www.afritickets.com

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AND COLLEGES EXHIBITION Date(s): 06/02/2014 Location: Oriental Hotel 3 Lekki Road, Lekki Lagos Promoter: Edumark FOR MORE INFO: www.afritickets.com

Next Movie Star marks 10th anniversary

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Buy your tickets onl-ine: www.afritickets.com

Some kids at the Boot Camp S part of activities to mark the tenth A anniversary of popular reality television show, Next Movie Star, which holds

two iconic actors, while also getting involved in specially designed activities like talk shows, drama presentations and later in the year, the producers, Digital recreational and concentration games Interactive Media, recently staged a designed to enhance and develop their novel boot camp for kids interested in acting, presentation skills and special talentertainment. Tagged The Wow Kids, ents. the successful event attracted kids beSimilarly, they were guided through tween the ages of five and 12 from priseveral tasks and tutoring by one of Nolvate and public schools across Lagos lywood’s fastest rising actresses, Tamara and Ogun States.

Eteimo of the popular TV sitcom, Mama However, only 50 of the hundreds of Bomboy, and Excite On TV presenter cum kids that applied actually made it into actress, Zerziyia Wilson. At the end of the the boot camp. These were the excepdifferent exercises, winners emerged in tional ones, who showed cutting-edge various categories: Obasanya Taofeek, talent, flair and passion for acting.

Wilson Andem, Vivian Ogah Ikwen and Apart from being grouped into classes Mitchell Amah won the best male and fecode-named Joke Silva and Sam Dede, male acting Wow! Kids respectively, the kids also studied the works of the while kid saxophonists, Divine Dimeji Jo-

jolola and Ayanda Jawarat won the Most Talented Male and Female Wow! Kids. Other outstanding kids are Tunmise Fesojoye (Best Attentive Wow! Kid), Emmanuel Okorie (Smartest Acting Wow! Kid), Oghene Tejiri (Most Promising Female, Acting Wow! Kid) and Favour Ogbona, Best Presenting Wow! Kid. The winners were presented with Certificates of Participation and Awards for their efforts by the winner of the Next Movie Star Africa Reloaded 2013, Akinwale Feyisekemi and Vchannels presenter, actress and first runner up Next Movie Star Reality TV show 2012, Bridget Chigbufue.

Speaking at the end of the boot camp, Wilson, co-coordinator of the boot camp thanked the parents for believing in the vision of the produc-

ers whose commitment to discovering fresh talents for the Nigerian and African entertainment industry is unparalleled, and especially for staying with their kids while the camping lasted. She also used the occasion to announce that the Next Movie Star Kiddies Reality show would berth on television very soon with scholarships and mouth-watering prizes for participants.

Wilson also revealed that exceptionally talented kids discovered at the boot camp would be integrated into the scheme of things as contract staffs of the company to partake in Movie projects specially designed for the children and kiddies programs on Who will Love my Children, the kiddies belt on Variety Channel TV (Vchannel) and Oodua TV Startimes Pan Africa.

Saturday, January 18, 2014 ARtS 39

tHE GuARdIANwww.ngrguardiannews.com

booK SERIES

Special and Gifted Nigeria…

Another Reality Show Hits the Screen

What do You Magnify, Your Beauty or Your Dreams?

HE walked out of the hall with her handbag clutched to her side and a file held close to her chest. She was in pain. She held the file so tight as though it would stop the pain. but no, the pain was too deep and could not be stopped that easily, even time could not take this pain away. tears rolled down her cheeks. “Hey”, echoed a voice from behind, “how did it go?”. Helen did not answer as she walked, looking but not seeing the roads, deep in thought, “if only I had known, if only I had made wise choices, my life would have been better”. oh, the opportunities that God has given to learn every second and in every way. our parents chastening us to do the right thing so that we might benefit from what life has to offer, our teachers warning us of the consequences of not doing the right thing and making the wrong choices, religious leaders preaching passionately to us to do the right thing in order to live a fruitful life here on earth and for our souls to be whole thereafter.

Helen thought, “oh making intentional right choices have eluded me. Here I am today faced with wonderful opportunities that I cannot touch or behold, simply because I made the wrong choices”.

“Helen!” the voice echoed once again, “you are talking to yourself and weeping. What happened? Why are you in such a painful mood?” “oh, how I wish I could turn the hands of time and start my life all over again. If only I had listened and made the right choices. If only I had followed my dream and vision instead of living someone else’s dream. If only I had believed in myself and molded my life according to who God says I am in Him”.

“Ngozi, my dear”, Helen said in tears, “I have missed it again. You know what, they kept saying the same thing at the end of the interview. ‘Young lady, we can see the potential and talent in you, if only you had taken time to develop them. better luck next time’”.

“Ngozi, look at me,” said Helen, “why is it that people are seeing these potentials and talents in me, but I have refused to see them, neither have I deliberately tried to discover them? oh!

What a wasted life I have lived.”

Helen grew up in a remote village with five siblings. Her parents brought her up in the fear of the Lord, inculcating in her the right values and principles. She was a very intelligent young lady and at the age of 17, after secondary education, her uncle took her to the city to further her education as her parents could no longer afford it.

“Len-Len” as her mum fondly called her, “please listen to my words”, her mum said the day she was leaving to go to the city. “Always remember where you come from, your dream and vision, what you want to become in life. Your fu-

S

By Tony Nwanne o doubt, lovers of reality shows will have cause to stay glued to their television set this month, as a new reality N and talent show for persons with disabilities, Special and

ture is in your hands, hold it, guard it jealously and do not allow anyone to kill it. You can only (pulling her right ear) achieve your dreams when you commit your ways into God’s hand. He will grant you the grace to make the right choices. Your entire life depends on the sum of the choices you make. You are the sum of your choices.”

“Nwam (my daughter)” she continued, “you are leaving the village to go and bring back light to the family. Your younger ones look up to you, please do not disappoint them.” And as she hugged her she whispered into her ear, “we will be waiting for you to come back a successful lady.”

Helen said, “I promise to make you proud, mama”.

Helen started weeping as she remembered those parting words from her mother on that fateful day. “What have I done with my life? What happened to the wonderful dreams and visions I had? If only I had made the right choices when I got to the crossroads of my life. If only I had made the right choices when faced with the temptations of life.”

“It is not too late”, said Ngozi as she consoled her friend.

“You can still make the right choices now to make things right.”

“Yes” Helen agreed. “trials, temptations with beautiful colours and enticing promises that I never knew had bitter endings. Yes, I chose them and they have drowned my dreams. oh! Wise choices, if only I had paid heed to wise counsels…” (uncontrollable tears rolled down her cheeks as she hugged her friend). “What do I do now? I made wrong choices and lost out on wonderful opportunities.

Helen had wonderful dreams. She wanted to study Medicine and specialize in Pediatrics. Helen had always had a passion for caring for little children and had in the past volunteered and assisted in the village Health Centre in taking care of sick children. With her good result and promising future, her uncle was determined to sponsor her education to any level of her choice.

When Helen got to the city, life presented a lot of competing options. the options were so many and most of them enticing and deceitful. Helen was at a crossroad. Which of these options should be magnified and adopted? She looked at herself and saw beauty. by the time she entered the university, she could not resist it anymore. She decided to magnify the outward beauty and forgot her dreams. She became the hot girl on campus, joined the cult and was too much that she became the chosen girl for ‘dragon,’ the leader of a notorious gang on campus. two years later, Helen was expelled from the university after getting herself involved in cult activities that led to the death of two students. Helen’s dream was shattered, and her wonderful potentials remained untapped. “ Some choices we live not only once but a thousand times over, remembering them for the rest of our lives.”

Gifted Nigeria, is set to hit the screen.

Packaged by Elyon Hub with the full backing of the Joint National Association of Persons with disabilities, the talent show, according to the organisers, aims at empowering, inspiring and motivating talented persons with disabilities. It also aims at providing a positive environment for participants to challenge themselves mentally.

Speaking recently at an event to unveil the modalities of the show, the Chief Executive officer of Elyon Hub, Jumoke oyewole disclosed that the motivation to discover and showcase a generation of talented people with disabilities followed several months of research by Elyon Hub who took to the streets in search of people with disabilities with credible talents that have not been discovered.

“We have developed an innovative competition that will showcase talented persons with disabilities. the show will cover all kinds of talents such areas as Singing, dance, instruments, comedy and art,’’ adding that, “the show will begin in Lagos and it will kick off with a live demonstration in the last week in January, and will later be shown periodically on television so as to allow the general public to vote for their favourite contestant.”

According to oyewole, the winner of each season will be trained in the areas of their talent, in order to help them become world known legend in their fields.

While commending Elyon Hub on the initiative, the chairman of the Special and Gifted Project, davis Jenkins, noted that the show is poised to develop an innovative competition that will encourage people with disabilities in the society to realize their own talents.

“Participants would be selected and grouped into different talent areas by a panel of judges in an auditioning process; the participants will be provided with accommodation, welfare, and facilities for rehearsals, special instructors and a platform for performance. they will then be presented and be voted for by the panel of judges, by online voting, text messaging and by a live audience while winners will receive cash prizes ranging from one hundred thousand to twenty thousand naira.”

Cast and crew of the Special And Gifted Nigeria Reality Show

Nigeria’s Got Talent 2: Korede, Laff Doctor, others emerge HEAd of the season 2 of the Nigeria’s Got A talent tV reality show, the judges, through series of auditions, have selected

from the viewing public. With only one slot remaining, eventual runner-up, Laff doctor found himself faced with the prospect of lossome contestants, who will compete in the ing out to the 3llers, a Port Harcourt-based show. Saxophonist Korede odukale and co- dance crew that had surprisingly made the median, Laff doctor kept alive their hope of top three. the moment of nervousness was going home with the N10 Million grand ended for the comedian came when judges prize after beating six other contestants to Yibo, Kate and dan voted in his favour ahead. the two finals ticket available from episode An elated Korede, who wants to be a civil one of the semi-final stage in the on-going engineer, spoke on his emergence after the season two of the show sponsored by Airtel show.

Nigeria. ”I’m very excited, I’m happy; I don’t know Also inching closer to the prized money what to say. I was nervous at first, but now I are david Adekoya, a 9-year old drummer have got over it and I’m very excited. When I boy from Ibadan and Asaba-based dance first entered in for the competition, I knew I crew, C.I. Squad, both of who emerged ahead would come this far. I also knew God was on of six others in the second episode of the my side and that he would help me come semi-finals conducted at the bamako Close this far, so I had this confidence,” the SS1 stustudio of optima Media Group (oMG). dent of International School, Lagos, said.

13-year old Korede came tops of his group Also speaking after his qualification for the after amassing the highest number of votes finals billed for January 31, 9-years old david

expressed surprise over his choice ahead of other equally good contestants. the primarysix pupil of St. Anne’s Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan, said, “I am surprised that I made it to the finals. I never thought I could make it. Now, I am not afraid anymore. I am going to the finals to win the N10 Million” the C.I.Squad beat singer, omotolani to the finals ticket after being unanimous picked by the three NGt judges. It was however, a moment of disappointment for omotolani, who broke down uncontrollably on stage and could not utter a word when show presenter, Andre blaize offered her the mic for comments. the Season two of the reality tV show commenced on october 9, with nation-wide auditions in select cities including Abuja, PortHarcourt, Asaba, Calabar, Enugu, benin, Ibadan and Lagos .the semi-finals opened on december 29 with the finals expected to hold on February 8, 2014.

David and Andre

40 Saturday, January 18, 2014

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TheGuardian

Saturday, January 18, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

41

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekendbeat Odunze… Home To Make In school, his music teacher also saw the talent and helped to shape it by moving him to the senior school choir where he sang with experienced choristers. It was while with the choir that his love for music blossomed. From there, he started doing acapella with his siblings, and later led youth choirs and groups within the city of enugu where he lived. however, in search of a better life, Odunze relocated to the

By Chuks Nwanne United States, where he earned a Degree in Communications and Public Affairs. even at that, he kept touch with music and hOUGh he was born and raised in the eastern part of Nigeria, emmy later became one of the lead worshipers at house on the Odunze (born Chukwuemeka Odunze) had to relocate to houston, Word, a family church in houston, Texas, USA. United States where he flourishes as a gospel music artiste. The songToday, the singer is back in the country to make his own writer, author and composer is also the founder and CeO of Psalmist contribution to the entertainment industry, which he left as Music, an outfit that creates the platform for young talents to nurture a young boy. Aside from his latest movie project, Back Stage, their craft. which is still in the works, Odunze is home with his long A passionate artiste, Odunze’s interest in music awaited debut album titled But God. The new work, which is started as a hobby. Along the line, it grew already online, is a compilation of the artiste’s life experiinto a passion too precious to let go. With ences. influences from the likes of Fred ham“All my siblings grew up with music, and they all sing. But it mond, Commissioned, The was five years ago that I started devoting more time to it. My Winans, Boyz II Men, and his father, Dr. new work, But God, is a 13-track album that announces my arDon Odunze, it didn’t take long be- rival in the industry; I wrote all the songs,” he harped. fore young emmy found his In a bid to get the right mix for the production, Odunze rhythm. worked with different producers in the United States, with a “Those days in church, I would magic touch of Nigeria’s Cobhams Asuquo. spend long hours watching “We used four studios in the US to produce in houston, Balthe church band and choir re- timore, Dallas. I worked with three producers; one of them is hearse. My family and the famous Cobhams Asuquo; he produced the first track, Celfriends soon realised that ebrate. It was a wonderful experience working with him in my interest in music was 2013. I have since realised that you must thank God for everygenuine and unwaver- day of your life; that is what the track is all about. When you ing. At that point, I celebrate God daily, you will remain inspired for greater joy.” began to accompany As a script writer, “what inspires each of my music note are my parents on their from different aspects of life that bond us; different song ministry trips for mar- comes in different ways. For example, I got a lyric while riage seminars and watching a cartoon. If you are an artiste, you will see what crusades,” he re- other people don’t see even within their own environment. called.

You get inspiration from anything.”

Though he spent Though he is known for gospel recordings, Odunze has long hours on the written some inspirational songs for other people. road while travel“I’ve done awards shows with inspirational and R&B stuffs. ling with his par- Depending on what the event is about, I try to suit the situaents for tion. We did the Golden Icon Academy Movie Awards, GIAMA, ministration, for at houston, US with RMD, Lancelot Imasuen and other NolOdunze, it was one lywood practitioners in attendance.” of the most interOdunze’s mission in Nigeria this time, is to make a differesting part of his ence. life. Those days, his “The transitional process has not been too bad because I father would give come home each year and I have always been in touch with him few minutes the music and movie industry here. I also have a huge family to entertain the and friends following here and that kind of soft landing here. congregation be- I have people, who are supporting my effort and helping me fore preaching. to push through that has made my transition very easy.”

“I remember the The artiste believes that, no matter what you are doing in first time I sang in Diaspora, you need to think home. front of a crowd of “If your people don’t know you, I don’t think you are achievabout 3000 people at ing very much. That encouraged me to come home and let the age of 12; something my people know me. I believe that with my years of experihappened within me that ence in the US, I have many things that youths here can benday, which I still can’t describe. efit from, especially those aspiring to go abroad for the From then, I knew I was born for proverbial gold; there are things they can learn from me.” this,” he noted.

T

Olamide Set To Boost Kingsbridge Entertainment

By Ijeoma Opara he CeO of KingsTment, bridge entertainAminu Lateef Olamide otherwise known as Olamide Baron has relocated to Nigeria from his base in europe. Olamide is in town to rebrand Kingsbridge entertainment. The debonair Aerospace engineer also disclosed that he is in town to rebrand his clothing line - And One More Thing (AOMT), which has been in existence since 2009.

The record label owner said his first call in 2014 would be to rebrand Kingsbridge entertainment from a record label to a full-blown promotional and management company.

“Before now Kingsbridge

entertainment is known as just a record label. So I am here to see to expansion of the company. The idea is to move it from being just a record label to a company that manages and promotes artistes, as well as a company that manages and promotes musicals and events,’’ he said.

Presently Olamide, is working with the boss of Marvin Records, Don Jazzy, on a new project.

“We have also laid down a couple of projects ahead of us, which includes tours to europe with A-list Nigerian artistes. We are open to collaborations with other record labels since we are now a management company with a bigger team’’ Asked what difference he intends to make with his clothing line, Olamide Baron said, “we will be making more of local outfits, which include, Jalabia, Kaftan, Agbada among other

unique designs in Western and afro outfits, since we would now be producing locally from the avalanche of raw materials and talents that we have in Nigeria.’’

Olamide

42 Saturday, January 18, 2014

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WEEKENDBEAT

‘I Still Miss Fela’ NLIKE other Fela’s children U – Yeni, Femi and Seun – who are in the limelight for their role in the showbiz industry, Motun Anikulapo-Kuti loves to be in the background. Aside from managing the Kalakuta Museum, the young lady feels comfortable taking the back seat.

“In those days, I used to go to the African shrine; the drummers used to teach us how to play drums. But along the line, I stopped. With my brothers already doing well with music, I decided not to be an entertainer. Right now, I’m working here, which is my own way of playing in the entertainment industry,” she said.

Despite pressure from friends to get Motun on the limelight like her siblings, the young lady stood her grounds, maintaining a low profile.

“I’m not really your outgoing type, I love to work from behind. Sometimes, people tell me, ‘Motun, you have to be doing this, you have to be doing that…’ But I like myself

the way I am. But some people still recognise me at events as Fela’s daughter.”

How do you feel?

“It’s really embarrassing for me because I’m not your limelight person; I work better in the background.”

For Motun, being Fela’s daughter is more of a blessing than challenge.

“It’s mostly a blessing than a challenge; the only challenge is the fact that being Fela’s daughter puts you in the spotlight, which I don’t really like. I don’t think I want to be in the limelight for any reason. I wasn’t really close to my father, but I picked respect, generosity and openness from him,” she noted.

If given the opportunity to meet with the late Afrobet legend today, Motun would love to, “sit down and talk with him; I still miss my father. For me, that will be an opportunity to meet him in person. I don’t have anything in particular to talk about, but sitting down and chatting with Fela would be great for me. Unfortunately, RMD and Genevieve he’s no more,” she said.

How has it been running the Kalakuta Museun?

“It’s been interesting, though our rooms are not ready. The museum itself is on, but we are still working on other facilities such as the Coffee Shop, Souvenir Shop and lodging for guests. However, the roof bar is already working; people come here every day.”

Frontline model Ojy Okpe and Polo boss, According to the Executive Director, “Polo In terms of maintenance, “we By Chuks Nwanne John Obayuwana, also appeared in the conveys to our esteemed customers, a reare doing our best to keep this S a luxury brand, Polo has always asso- commercial, which is currently online. newed desire for glamour, poise and eleplace neat and up to standard. ciated itself with class and distinction.

Speaking at a media briefing held re- gance. With our new TVC, we convey a My big sister is doing her best to ensure we maintain this fa- So, when the brand resolved to feature cently in Lagos to unveil the TVC to the message of celebrating every passing mocility. Its still work in progress, Nigerian TV stars in its latest commercial media, the company’s Executive Director, ment. Polo customers should expect expetagged Celebration, it became a sort of en- Jennifer Obayuwana informed that the riential treatment in the provision of but we will get there soon. dorsement for Nigeria’s flourishing show- commercial was conceived as platform to luxury products,” she said. biz industry. project Polo as a luxury brand that was The 40 seconds plus commercial was Already running in some select interna- synonymous with the celebration of a life shot entirely in Dubai, UAE, as can be seen tional channels, the new TVC features no- of glamour, style and elegance. by the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa behind table showbiz personalities including “The TVC is a celebration of achievement, Genevieve Nnaji in one of the shots. The loveteran thespian of note and the Commis- life and success and to project Polo as a cation is the magnificent 5-star Armani sioner for Tourism & Culture, Delta State Hotel in Dubai and the job was shot by of disseminating information Richard Mofe-Damijo. RMD, as he’s fondly brand identifiable with these.”

On the choice of acts for the TVC, award winning video director Sesan depending on where they are. called starred alongside Nollywood diva, We should not just reach out Genevieve Nnaji, who looked super gor- Obayuwana explained that, “we decided Ogunro, while his sister, Fade Ogunro, style to use these styles personalities because the acts. to the township performance geous in her red outfit.

“We needed a conducive location for the the campaign celebrates youthfulness alone, but to the larger comAlso in the work is former beauty queen munity. Once you are able to Ene Maya-Lawani and popular show host, and class. It features Nigerians, who have TVC, which was why we went to Dubai. Bedo that, you will be surprise at Eku Georgina Edewor, who was featured made a success and a name for them- sides, we wanted to give our stars a treat. the kind of people that would prominently in the last Tatler UK Maga- selves and have risen to greater heights in It’s all about celebration. Though we shot come on the show,” he ex- zine write-up titled Nigerians have arrived. their fields through hard work within the abroad, the director ensured we have Nigerian vibes in the production,” she said.

African continent and beyond.” plained.

Nevertheless, as one of the judges, he informed that they are going to judge the people by the standards of what they are going to give to them at the show regardless of the By Geraldine Akutu is Chief Host, Alhaja Sherifat tured in some movies includbeen lots of advancements. feeling that some people that Aregbesola will be Mother of ing Omo Shubi, Sarah, Ologbo We are not there yet, but we LAPANDEDE, a new Yoruba can do better are somewhere. movie by Akintayo Foluke is the day at the premiere, which Gigolo and Wasila Coded also will surely get there one day.

About his relationship with will attract key stakeholders runs Exclusive Taste Arena, a There are still many things we NGT since its inception, the ready to hit TV screens. The including politicians and cap- fast food outfit. movie, which focuses on have not gotten right and I artiste described the project Though Alapandede is Akinnemesis and issues that border tains of industry. wish the government could as embracing.

“I am launching it in Os- tayo first as a producer, she ascome to our aid. This issue of “Nigerians on board made on all facet of life, will be hogbo because I want to use sured that it would not be piracy is really a massive chalme to believe it would be a shown first to a select audience it to honour my Goverher last as she is lenge. It is not easy to put in massive show and I also felt it on February 9, at the Leisure nor, Ogbeni Rauf poised to produce money into a production and Spring Hotel, Iwo Road, Oswould be great if we NigeriAregbesola.

The more movies and end up not reaping it back,” ans are involved too,” he hogbo, Osun State, before it event will be graced also contribute will make the screening round Akintayo said that she has pointed. by the crème la in the effort to succeeded in the industry and eventually be released to Also, he disclosed that he was crème of the socigrow the Nigerlargely due to the grace of not surprised when Ama- the waiting movie crowd. ian movie in- God and passion for whatever Producer of the movie, Akin- ety, which includes rachi was voted as the winner dustry, which she does. tayo Foluke explained that the some members of of NGT’s season one. the Federal House of she described movie, which stars top Yoruba “There is nothing I do that is “The girl came up and we all Representatives,’’ she as one of the not passion driven; I can movie practitioners such as assumed in error that she was disclosed. best in the stand for two hours cooking a little girl that just wanted to Murphy Afolabi, Yinka Quadri, An actress, proworld. without being tired-that is dance but she actually im- Toyin Aimakhu, Kelvin Ike- ducer, caterer and a “There passion; the same thing apduba, aims at teaching morals pressed us for to get her pass teacher, Akinhave plies to other things I do. I am not because she was 8-years- and the facts about life.

According to Foluke, who is tayo is proa trained teacher. I went old. And we were not the only prietor of through teachers college. I one seeing that; people at wife of the Federal Lawmaker Easy Path representing Ayedire/ Iwo / Olahad my degree in Education home were seeing it too.

Nursery from Lagos State University; I “Godwin with the violin got Oluwa constituency Hon. and Prialso went for training in catersomething that attracted Amere Akintayo, “the movie m a r y ing. In acting, I trained under people to his performance portrays the ills in the society school.

Murphy Afolabi; I couldn’t too. So in terms of perform- and it teaches one to be patient The achave been doing all these ance where you had to get the in life; not to look for fast t r e s s , without passion,” she enaudience along, Godwin was money by all means.”

While Governor of Osun w h o thused. supposed to be the favourise.

State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has fea-

In New TVC, Polo Celebrates Nigerian Stars A

Motun

NGT: Yibo Wants More

By Olushola Ricketts HE Nigeria’s Got Talent T (NGT) season two is now at the semi-final stage but one of the judges, Yibo Koko, believes the quality of the contestants could get better.

In a chat with The Guardian, he said it is no longer news that Nigeria has massive talented individuals. According to him, “When the basic prerequisites for tertiary education is lacking, skills or talent acquisition becomes the main stream.”

He disclosed that the reality show could be better considering his background and the kind of people in the Niger Delta region and other areas that are yet to get the opportunity to showcase their talent.

“What is the thing that makes some people not to be aware of the show yet? To make the show better, the key thing is visibility. I know it is media’s responsibilities but people are still listening to town criers and all other traditional ways

Yibo

Foluke Steps Out With Alapandede A

Saturday, January 18, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

43

SHORT STORY

Spare The Rod, Spoil The Child

By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) S a young boy, Muda, alias Omi Ata, (meaning Pepper A water), was spoilt beyond redemption by his doting parents, particularly his mum. He was overfed and over-pampered that at a stage it seemed he had become so rotten in manners that maggots were dropping from his body. Muda Afolabi’s degeneration into the abyss of waywardness and rot started at a very young age in the primary school. In those days, he would only go to school if he so wishes and would come home with stolen pencils and biros, sometimes with pilfered money, and his parents would never question or scold him for such acts.

Spare the rod, they say, and spoil the child. But to Muda’s parents, the reverse was the case. Somehow, Muda managed to scale through the hurdle in primary school. He was promoted to the final class through the help of his mum who bribed his class teachers and the headmaster so that he could go to the next level, which was secondary school. Muda, to be precise, was an absolute dullard in school. However, he could be dull in school work, but he was an expert in thuggery, thieving and lies. If he tells you good morning, make sure you take a proper look at your wristwatch; it could be late in the night, or a blazing afternoon.

When he entered secondary school, all societal ills rolled into his soul and body. By the time he managed to get to the final class, he was the perfect reincarnation of sin and an embodiment of all bad things. He would not go to school, but loaf around with his friends and peers of the same character and mindset. While he was much more younger in primary school, he indulged in smoking cigarettes secretly; but now in the secondary school, he had the wild and weird habit of smoking marijuana with frenzied passion. Some of his weird friends used to prepare tea with the illegal weed and he (Muda) and others would sip it with relish.

There was a particular time in the month of March that the proprietor of his school caught him and his awkward friends smoking marijuana at a joint very near the school premises.

The proprietor threatened to expel him. He called his parents to intervene. His mum was on hand to bail him out of the problem. She had a very soft and tender passion for him and would always cover him up when he did wrong or committed

punishable atrocities. Gradually, Muda started drinking Shepe and Paraga – locally concocted hot drinks that would make one go wild and high. That was Muda, alias Omi Ata, for you.

It got to a point that the school authorities could not tolerate or stomach his wayward and utterly debased way of life – he was instantly expelled from school. This particular move was the genesis of Muda’s descent into the dark, unwholesome abyss of crime.

His first attempt into full time crime was as a pickpocket. He would go to bus stops and position himself at strategic places.

Whenever a bus came to a standstill, he would struggle with other passengers and in the process dip his hand into their pocket and filch out money. He was always successful at bus stops such as Oshodi, Mushin, Ojota, CMS and other crowded places in Lagos. At times, he made thousands from such unholy ventures. On such days, he would very happy and spend lavishly on his girlfriends. He lied to his parents that he was doing casual work at a nearby factory. He would even buy things for his mum and dad. They didn’t bother to investigate the true source of his income.

“Thank you, my lovely son,” his mother would say. “I know one day I’ll depend on you for survival. You make me proud and bold to say that there’s also life and success other than educational pursuits. I’m proud of you, Muda, you’re now a big boy.” She would pat him on the head like a local hunter would pat the head of a loyal and dutiful dog.

“Oh, mummy,” Muda would reply, “you can always count on me. Don’t mind whatever our neighbors or anybody says. Money will never be my problem, but how to spend it.” At about 16, Muda had started dating young ladies.

He began to soar in the world of crime. The money he could filch as a pickpocket was not enough to meet his extravagant lifestyle. He turned into a burglar three months later. Life as a burglar was equally exciting to him and very eventful. On a particular day, if he went on a burglary mission and was successful, he would earn hundreds of thousands of naira. He had about four young men who teamed up with him in the evil business.

Back from burgling a wealthy man’s house, he would bring plenty of money home and his parents would share in his loot, not asking where he got the money he was spending so lavishly.

There was a day the police arrested him and his gang on their way from a burglary mission. Instantly, they parted with

some of their loos and gave the officers a handsome amount and they were released without prosecution. Everyday Muda was growing and maturing in crime. He was now close to 20 years, but he had the physique and stature of a man in his 40s.

If his dad probed him too much on his source of income, he would tell him he was into importing and exporting business.

You can never catch Muda napping when it comes to mouthing sweet, big and smart lies. His larger than life character and journey into the precarious zones of crime fetched him a whopping half a million naira in one fell swoop; and that very week he rented a mini-flat and furnished it beautifully. The mini-flat was a stone’s throw from his parents’ house.

Surprisingly, Muda graduated into high-scale robbery by the month of December. They (Muda and his gang) targeted banks and big companies. Most of their operations were always successful. Muda had now become the kingpin of a robbery gang. He had made millions through heinous crime. He had several sophisticated cars and houses he personally owned. At times, they robbed homes of wealthy people, too. The kind of firearms they used in their operations included modern artillery.

Muda was now very rich and his parents enjoyed from his ungodly wealth. He told his parents that he was into import and export business. He had become so rich and powerful in the underworld that his gang even went to neighbouring countries like the Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana to carry out their nefarious activities.

On a particular bank robbery operation in Victoria Island, Muda and his gang were confronted by a team of hardfighting anti-crime police officers. The fire power of the police was too much for Mudu’s gang and they succumbed to the long arm of the law. Muda was arrested along with other members of his gang. The news was aired on TV and radio. It came to the hearing of Muda’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Afolabi, that Muda had been arrested during a robbery operation.

They found it hard to believe until they saw Muda himself and his partners in crime being paraded on the screen with arms and ammunition placed in front of them. A couple of weeks later, they were arraigned in court and charged for armed robbery. The chief judge presiding over the case, Hon. Emmanuel Olaosebikan, did not mince words when he sentenced Muda and 10 other members of his gang to death by firing squad. Muda broke down and wept in the court’s premises.

Wonders shall never end. It was a dramatic surprise to people at the court’s premises to see the kingpin of a robbery gang weeping like a baby. So, people who take delight in making others cry could shed tears when their time is up?

A month later, he and his gang were taken out of Kirikiri Maximum Prisons to face death at the firing range. Close to 1,000 people gathered at the Kirikiri firing range that January 12 to witness the killing of the 11 member armed robbery gang.

The armed robbers, with Muda leading in the front, stepped down from the Black Maria van at about 10:45 a.m. They were in chains and handcuffs. A couple of minutes later, they were tied to the stakes to face hot bullets. Gun-wielding soldiers were positioned smartly opposite the condemned men and were eager to silence the notorious armed robbers. All the while Muda was trembling and crying at the stakes. The other members were just silent and waited patiently for the last order from the commandant at the firing range.

A priest appeared at the scene and moved towards each member of the gang, praying and asking them their last wishes and requests. Some of the members just mumbled inaudible words; others shook their heads sideways signifying nothing. Unbelievably, when it got to Muda’s turn, he sighed, looked up and down and gazed penetratingly at the huge crowd.

“Pastor, I’ll like to have a word with that tall woman wearing brown Ankara over there,” he said.

“Who’s she to you?” the man of God asked really surprised.

“She’s my mum,” Muda answered quickly.

“Woman,” the priest called, “your son wants to have a word with you.”

Muda’s mum was shocked and confused, her legs became so heavy and her whole body felt bloodless instantly.

She moved forward with numbed senses. The whole crowd wondered what was happening.

“Mama,” Muda whispered when his mum was within earshot, “let me tell you a secret.”

“What is it?” his mum answered, moving closer.

“You see, I am…” Muda opened his mouth, bared his teeth and in a second bit off the right ear of his mum! Blood spurted all over the woman within seconds and Muda’s mother was equally dripping with blood.

Mrs. Afolabi’s right ear was at that moment in Muda’s mouth; he continued chewing it while the woman writhed in pains and anguish, screaming: “Yee! Yee!! Yeeee!!!

I have no ear again! Almighty God!” she continued crying.

She was led away by the black-robed priest. The ground was soaked with blood and the crowd was stunned at the bizarre drama that had just taken place. Two minutes later, there was marching and deft movements by the soldiers and they pumped volleys of hot bullets into the stomachs and chests of the condemned armed robbers.

44 Saturday, January 18, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Arts&Culture Nike Gallery Glows With Symposium, Exhibition

By Gregory Austin Nwakunor HE tall, white building housing Nike Art T Centre on Elegushi Road, Ikate Roundabout, Lekki Expressway, Lagos, is a busy place, any day. The imposing building gallery is ever friendly, with the cool breezy air of the seaside beach calming art collector’s nerves. The exhibition hall, no doubts, is a showcase of cultural memorabilia.

The gallery that chief (Mrs.) Oyenike Monica Okundaye, ‘Mama Adire’, as she is fondly called, built is more fun whenever there is an art show.

You are sure to see the dark-complexion lady with cut-glass cheekbones; full lips and pointed chin attend to everybody, as if it was the opening of her own show. She always wears warm and affectious smiles, as her eyes rake over the art works on display. But you don’t blame her. Nike is a perfectionist and she likes things being properly organised.

However, rather than bank on her achievements and focus solely on her studio work and business, she is determined to do more for the Nigerian art sector.

This, perhaps, was the direction this Saturday afternoon when her Gallery hosted a one-day round table symposium on Tradition and Communication in Modern Art. The symposium held alongside a joint art exhibition titled, Stitches of Partnership 2, which had Okundaye and former Ondo State Commissioner of Arts and Culture, Chief Tola Wewe, on the bill.

The show featured over 50 paintings, out of which many were executed in terracotta, reflecting Yoruba cultural motifs.

Some of the exhibits include Mask in display, Family reunion, Bumper harvest, Present generation and others.

The high networth guests and array of public figures, who made it to the show’s opening, seem an assemblage of who-is-who in the country’s art and ‘art collection’ circuit. The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, was, in fact, the special guest of the event.

While declaring the event open, the Ataoja spoke glowingly of Okundaye, whom he described as a pacesetter in arts. From a poor village girl in Ogidi-Ijumu, Kogi State, she has risen to become an artist and gallery star that is the pride of Nigeria’s visual art sector.

Considered to be the foremost batik designer in Africa, her fame as an artist and teacher has taken her all over the globe. In the last two decades, she has given workshops on traditional Nigerian textiles to audiences in the United States and Europe.

Though brought up in the traditional weaving and dying, as practised in her hometown of Ogidi-Ijumu, she has become known for a modern approach to traditional themes in her colourful batik and paintings.

Finding that the traditional methods of weaving and dying were fading in the country, Okundaye set about launching a revival of this aspect of Nigerian culture, building art centres

At the show opening... Nike is standing third from right

Ahneva, Nehru Odeh of News Magazine, Hope Orivri, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Segun Kadiri of Tell Magazine. The moderator was Agozino Agozino, an art journalist.

Agozino captured the essence of discussion as convened by the gallery. In his words, what the panel should do is to appraise the impact of tradition and communication in the society.

“How do we overcome many of the prejudices against African art and culture? And the role of Western culture in the assessment of African arts and culture?”

Nnabuife said, “there is no way the media could appreciate the level of awareness art has received in Nigeria without the contribution of Nike Gallery.”

He said that from her little beginning at Ofatedo, Osogbo, Osun State, the gallery has HE symposium, which held a day after the exhibition opened, was equally well attended. since grown to become the biggest promoter It attracted writers, scholars, culture administra- of arts. The painter and art journalist Nnabuife tors and art businessmen as well as arts aficiona- said over the years, Nike has made visible presence in the media space, which in a way, condo. Also present was former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Renee-Sanders and the art collec- tributed to the growth and assessment of arts and culture in the country. tor, Opral Benson.

Putting the issue in another perspective, Aloh Discussants included Jimanze Ego-Alowes, Dan went down memory lane. According to him, Aloh, Aviation writer and News Editor Core one of the greatest challenges facing the sector Television, Chuka Nnabuife, former Weekend Editor, Nigerian Compass, and African American is government. He said, there is no gain saying award winning fashion designer, Queen Ahneva that the ministry is one the poorest funded in terms budgetary allocation since creation.

Aloh argued that for almost one and half decades, especially since 1986, when the then military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, appended and authorised the Nigerian Cultural Policy, the unending song on the lips of almost every art practitioner was: Let’s have the culture ministry.

Then suddenly it came. It was a surprise gift from the former president, chief Olusegun Obasanjo, one of his earliest policy pronouncements upon coming to power as a civilian ruler in 1999.

The ministry was established, according to Aloh, “to promote Culture and Tourism as leverage for economic growth and development; to promote the upliftment and preservation of the rich culture of the people, using tourism to advance the development of a diversified, balance and strong economy thereby generating wealth creating employment and alleviating poverty and also making it a major foreign exchange earner.”

But lofty as the initiative appeared, he said the Obasanjo gift appeared Greek, from the birth in 1999. From the nomenclature, Ministry of Tourism and Culture to Culture and Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd left); Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka (2nd right); founder, Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Okundaye (left) and Special Tourism, the fusion of the two bodies from different ministries into one body, and why Adviser to the Governor on Sanitation, Mr. Bola Ilori (right), during a Batik Exhibition at the Centre for Black tourism appeared to lead, Why bond the two Culture and International Understandings 2014 Take-Off activities and unveiling of the World Tallest Drum in very big sectors and Who should head it? The Osogbo, State of Osun last Wednesday. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

that offer free courses for young Nigerians to learn traditional arts and crafts With the four centres located in Lagos, Osogbo, Abuja and Ogidi-Ijumu in Kogi State, Nike has trained over 4,000 Nigerians free of charge in the making and designing of different Nigerian textile clothing, embroidery and weaving.

Over the years, she has used her arts as a means of empowerment and fighting social challenges such as prostitution and poverty.

As an ambassador of goodwill, the first exhibition of her works was in 1974, in the 50 states of the United States of America (USA). In 1985, she was sponsored by the United Nations (UN) to represent African women in the World Women Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

T

emergence of the new ministry generated a series of debate from the Coalition of Nigerian Artists (CONA) According to Aloh, to make matter worse, the ministers appointed to head the nascent creation did not have the art resume to lead the ministry, so it seemed until the coming of High Chief Edem Duke.

He said one of the reasons why Nigeria is confused today is the way leaders are adopting foreign cultures to the detriment of indigenous ones.

Aloh concluded by saying that despite these flops at the policy and executive administrative summersault, the scenario in the sector has not been a bad one as private individual and non-governmental organisations seem to have taken the challenge and propelled themselves to flashes of success even beyond the shores of Nigeria.

Participants at the symposium queried the unholy tag, fetishism, which is used to describe African culture.

While acknowledging that he is proud of his African cultural heritage, a participant noted that the Western religion does not make sense to him. He said that the best way to liberate the African culture is for people to imbibe his kind of “fearlessness in the face of foreign culture.”

Another speaker berated the current trend where supposed experts do not promote or write for African culture.

On how to move forward, all agree that all hands must be on deck to change society positively and that culture has a role to play.

According to Queen Ahneva, there is no doubt that Africa, through its culture, remains the origin of civilisation. The widely travelled international designer, however, cautioned those who are embracing Western culture hook, line and sinker.

She noted that from her over three decades of working and showcasing African to various parts of the world, she has come to the realisation that Africa remains the cradle of human civilisation.

She said that African should be proud of their heritage. “Africa is one of the richest continent in the world when it comes to fashion and designing. But over the years, you will discover that these rich heritages have not been tapped. What you rather see are people rushing for Western fashion which is actually compared to what we have.”

In the words of Ahneva, plans are already afoot to change the situation. She noted that this is one of her missions in Nigeria.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, January 18, 2014 | 45

NEWSMAKER

‘Government Made ASUU Popular’ Professor Akpan Hogan Ekpo, Director General of West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), owned by the Central banks of Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The professor of Economics, specialising in Macro-economics, former non-executive director of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) between 2005 and 2009; president of the Nigeria Economic Society (2008-2010); and vice chancellor of the University of Uyo (2000-2005); among others, spoke on the institute, life outside routine official engagements, university education and the incessant strikes by lecturers, as well as the rot in the system.

By Godwin Ijediogor Basically, what does your institute do?

UR mandate is to build capacity on a consistent basis in the area of macro-economic management, debt management and financial sector management among senior officers of Central Banks in the West African sub-region and institutes of finance and planning and relevant institutions.

In addition, we do some researches. The idea is that by the time we integrate to become a monetary union, the skill gaps are not too different from one country to another.

Essentially, it is a training institution for central banks in West Africa. We are very good at debt management, to the point that the World Bank asks us to lead the team while it follows.

This is because you can borrow, but how you manage your debt is very important. If you don’t manage your debt well, it can cause a lot of dislocations.

As a former vice chancellor, what do you think is the way out of the numerous disruptions in the higher education system due to incessant strikes by especially the lecturers?

I came in as a young lecturer to meet the strikes, and it has continues since then from time to time.

Part of the problem is motivation of the university staff, academic and non-academic.

As it used to be, let us have universities or we don’t have them. Let us have real universities or we don’t have them. In other words, you can’t have half and half.

We have watered the whole thing down and

O

that is part of the problem. You can pay me good salaries, but I won’t enjoy my work.

When I returned to the country from studies abroad, I found out that the student were enthusiastic to learn. Even on Sundays, we fixed lectures and they actually came.

When it started collapsing, there was longer interest, because the university is part of a wider system. So, for me, to sustain university education in Nigeria, we have to go back to the primary and secondary levels and build them up; make them strong, because the university is a derive-demand.

If those two levels are not strong enough, you cannot have a good university system; it would be very weak. That is what I have seen, and I have been there for years. I have seen the height and the decline, and it is very frustrating.

When I was vice chancellor of the University of Uyo, I sent away almost 2, 000 students for entering the institution illegally. In those days when I came back to Nigeria, very few people entered the university illegally.

In those days, there were bad students, but very few of them. Now, you have very few good students.

I always tell government to fund the universities well and monitor how the funds are being used. You don’t go for accreditation when you are not adequately funding the universities.

What are you going to accredit?

Again, are we sincere about free-tuition universities in Nigeria? Nigeria can only offer free tuition if it arranges its priorities. But must it be that once somebody gains admission, he/she enjoys free tuition? Or should the person show

evidence of work? That is if you are bright, but from a poor home.

If you are from a rich home, and you are an average student anyway, why should government subsidise your education? A lot of things are wrong now, but we can get it right because it used to be right before.

My thinking is the time we had the braindrain, during which I also left fro Zimbabwe for four years, was the best time for us to reassess the university education again.

The most painful was that some of us government (through scholarship) trained abroad to come and train others left.

But rather than reassess the situation, government went ahead to employ from anywhere to fill the gap and they killed the system.

I have told people that it is government that made ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) popular. It is just a union, if you give them what they want, they won’t be agitated or go on strikes.

There have also been allegations that even the managers of the universities- the Governing Councils and Vice Chancellors- contributed to the rot by mismanaging funds meant for upgrading the schools. What was your experience, as a vice chancellor? So, how do we moni-

To sustain university education in Nigeria, we have to go back to the primary and secondary levels and build them up; make them strong, because the university is a derive-demand.

tor the use of the funds recently released for the upgrading of the universities?

It is possible. But in my time as vice chancellor, it was very difficult to take university’s funds.

In my time, when the money came from the National Universities Commission (NUC), I would call the Bursar and the unions to my office and show they what we had just received and show them the wage bill. In my five years as vice chancellor, there was no month we were unable to pay salaries.

I believe at a point, the younger lecturers who could not behave as the older ones started making handouts to sell and collecting money for grades. There are actually some lecturers who sell grades. I saw it in my time and I actually sacked some of them.

I had thought that the private universities would come to compete and move the standard higher. But most of them came and even made things worse.

An example is the entry level. If you score, say 120, and you cannot gain admission into the public universities, you can easily be admitted into the private universities.

Even the quality of the teaching staff is an issue, coupled with the fact that most of them are over-stretched. The university creates its own staff; the First Class and Second Class Upper graduates were retained in the universities in those days, but that has stopped in Nigeria long time ago.

If you have a wishy-washy First Class material, he/she will get a Masters and doctorate by default and there will be a vicious circle of ignorance.

Most PhDs are not worth their salt in Nigeria today, but that wasn’t the case years back, because a Nigerian first degree from the foremost universities in those days was like having a Masters abroad. I can tell you so because I studied abroad throughout on government scholarship.

If you want to go to university, go there and get the right training. Not everybody should go to the university, which is another thing we are getting wrong. We feel that everybody should be a graduate, which is not necessary.

In America, only 56 per cent of the people are graduates. Others have skills and they live better than most graduates.

It was happening in Nigeria in those days. In those days, if you attended the Trade Centre in Yaba, Lagos and obtain your City and Guilds in Welding, etc you were highly priced.

I tell people that to destroy is very easy, but to rebuild is not.

In Lagos in those days, there was only one private secondary school, called Corona. The other one was a German school. All the rest were either public or religious based, but aidgrated schools.

The minister of education then, his children went to public schools. The difference then was that while their children were dropped at St. Paul’s Primary School, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, I trekked there. But we enjoyed the same facilities.

Government was very careful then and watched what went on. During lunch, because some children could not afford to buy food, it decided that everybody should have free lunch.

And because the teachers didn’t know when the examiner would come, they all sat up.

I am shocked how we destroyed the whole system in a short time. I think it was the military that destroyed the system, but I could be wrong.

When you fight for something and you get it, you will plan it well. No mater their mistakes, they took time to plan for the country.

The military just found a country and just destroyed it. They were dictators, but they were not benevolent dictators, as we saw in countries like South Korean, Singapore, etc.

Outside work and economics, how do you spend you time?

I like watching comedy, listening to news and most times reading.

I work at even weekend and when I am free, which is once in a while, I go to church, because I am hardly around on weekends.

I do a lot of community work. Once I am free, I go to my village, Etinan, in Akwa Ibom State to mobilise youths, talk to them about the future and so on.

There are some people from the community I sponsor, so I see how they are doing and whether they are making progress in their academics.

Interestingly, I still go to the university to teach post-graduate students macroeconomics, free of charge.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

46 | Saturday, January 18, 2014

YOURMONEY

Customers Complain Over Bankers’ Complicity In Financial Fraud The ongoing banking reform by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, no doubt complements the efforts of his immediate predecessor, Prof Charles Soludo. Besides transforming the hitherto large but weak financial institutions into reliable and sizeable 25 with N25billion capital base each, the reform is also helping to boost public confidence in the banking system. However, there are strong indications that this confidence may be waning gradually, as more and more customers accuse bank officials of fraudulent manipulation of their bank accounts.

BANKOLE SHAKIRUDEEN ADESHINA reports.

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ANK-RELATED financial frauds have been on the increase in the country. In fact, the frequency of manipulation of customers’ bank accounts, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards and other online means of transactions, have attained a disturbing dimension in recent times.

The Guardian’s investigations have revealed a number of factors that could possibly be responsible for this criminal act. They range from the ingenuity of the cyber criminals, to the carelessness of customers in handling their confidential bank information, attitude of some fraudulentminded bankers and weak or, in some cases, ineffective regulatory policies by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Across the federation, especially in Lagos State, hardly a day goes by without the perpetration of this crime. Needless to say, many cases have gone unreported.

In specific terms, the discrepancies range from the outrageous deduction of money from customers’ accounts in the name of fixed monthly Charge On Transaction (COT); unauthorized proxy usage of their accounts, dispensing of incomplete, outright seizure and subsequent forfeiture of requested money at some ATM booths; illegal debiting of accounts without procurement of any goods or services whatsoever, among others.

Victims substantiate their allegations with the alleged mind-boggling tale of how young bankers suddenly become stupendously rich, acquiring wealth disproportionate to their legitimate earnings. They insisted that almost all the new generation financial institutions in the country are culpable.

Indeed, there have been instances where such allegations have been substantiated with some banks allegedly paying off defrauded customers with a plea not to go to the media, human right groups or any other group to make noise!

Interestingly, the disturbing trend has already attracted the attention of the National Assembly, which in turn is in the process of legislating against the ugly trend.

A bill intended to punish online banking fraudsters and other cyber crime related offenders is currently before the National Assembly and has passed through first reading.

In some cases, victims have made the necessary noise, which eventually led to the arrest and prosecution of the culprit(s). But in most cases, the victims whose accounts have been willy-nilly breached and their hard-earned savings stolen have never been given justice.

Some of them narrate their ordeals below: It was on May 29, 2013. The long wait had finally come to an end. Miss Olubusola Odubela heaved a huge sigh of relief as the expected bank alert notifying her of the remittance of her monthly salary, vibrated on her phone.

The unprecedented delay by the Ogun State Ministry of Finance, the employer of the parttime lecturer at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta in effecting the said transaction, was attributed to the ongoing reshuffling of the school’s academic management team.

But surprisingly, about five minutes after receiving the ‘good news’, the mother of one received another bank alert (debit transaction!), notifying her that the sum of N3,000 had been withdrawn from her account.

Olubusola quickly stood up, grabbed her telephone and rescanned the message, in an attempt to ascertain what was happening.

While in this confused state, another alert came into her phone: it was yet another cash withdrawal notification on her account! This time, it

ATM users on queue was a sum of N1000, totaling N4000 ‘unauthorised withdrawal’ from her account within a spate of five minutes.

To forestall a bigger ‘fraud,’ Olubusola quickly ran to the next available Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to withdraw the large junk of her hard-earned salary, leaving the sum of N1000, the supposed minimum bank balance for savings accounts.

Mysteriously too, the remaining N1,000 was also illegally withdrawn around 7am the following day.

In an attempt to retrieve her money, she hurriedly went to her bank at Abule-Odu, IyanaIpaja, Lagos. “But guess what, I was ridiculously confronted by one lousy and very rude fellow who, without investigating the fraud, jumped into the conclusion that I must have compromised by ATM pin.

“I initially spoke with the Customer Care Officer on phone before going to the bank in person.

What I got was so annoying. I told him that it was not possible that I could have compromised my ATM pin, because I’m well educated about the confidentiality of the information and the implication of exposing it. Besides, I told him that I am the only person who has knowledge of my ATM password and other details.

“Unconvinced by my efforts to explain my cleverness at handling the ATM card, the guy insisted, and with a rude tone, that I should press my husband very well. That he (my husband) may end up being the culprit. I was thoroughly embarrassed.

“However, I’m convinced that the individual responsible for the fraud must be an in-house person within the bank. The person must have been monitoring my account and was aware of the remittance of my salary. That calls to question the integrity of our financial institutions,” she said.

Other victims of bank fraud who spoke with The Guardian are Mrs. Lilian Mba Nfoma , a teacher; Alhaji Sakiru Balogun, a civil servant and unionist; Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammad-Robiu, an Islamic teacher and Mr. Rahmon.

Mrs. Nfoma, a mother of two, disclosed that the sum of N76,500 was fraudulently debited from her account in August 19, last year. She explained that the fraud was carried out shortly after she went to withdraw N5,000 from her account at the Ikotun, Lagos branch of her new generation bank.

About 30 minutes after the transaction, she started receiving more alerts, indicating that she was either using her ATM card to make further withdrawals, or somebody else was doing that on her behalf.

With five unauthorized withdrawal totaling N76, 500 on her account, the teacher quickly ran to the bank to lodge a complaint but was ignored. “Nobody seemed to be interested in what

I was saying,” she recalled.

Angered by this neglect, Mrs. Nfoma initially gave the bank an ultimatum to refund her money; an ultimatum, which elapsed November 30 last year.

“I have been patient enough and God knows.

After the incident, I visited the bank severally, called their online customer care officers and even did them mails, but they never responded. They seem to have forgotten about me. And I won’t take it lightly with them, unless my money is fully refunded because it’s my hard-earned money and I have a family, myself and children to care for,” she added angrily.

She disclosed that in the course of her frequent visits to the bank to seek redress, she “met other customers who had been similarly defrauded but reimbursed by same bank after threatening to go to court.”

Also, the contrasting experiences of the duo of Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed Robiu, a Member of the Mission Board, Nasril-Lahi-Li-Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Ikotun branch and that of Alhaji Sakiru Balogun, Chairman, National Union of Local Government Employees of Nigeria (NULGE), Ikotun Branch are yet serious fraud cases to ponder upon.

While Alhaji Robiu, with some interventions, was lucky to retrieve his questionably suspended $100 supposedly deposited in his older generation bank account, as part of incentives for his spiritual exercise in the just concluded pilgrimage in Mecca, same can’t be said of Alhaji Balogun’s experience. He is in the process of losing his N250, 000 to the bank fraud.

For the said $100, one Alhaja Musa Juwarat had deposited the amount (with teller number 1324215), on October 11, last year, into Alhaji Robiu’s account as part of contributions to support his pilgrimage in the holy land.

But the money, which was officially acknowledged by the banker on duty then, according to findings, never got to the supposed beneficiary.

It took six weeks, about two weeks after the 37 days of spiritual exercise had ended in Mecca, before the issue was sorted out.

Two days after the deposit, Alhaja Juwarat called Alhaji Robiu for confirmation but was bewildered by his response: “I have not seen any alert or remittance into my account,” Alhaji Ibrahim had replied.

This prompted Alhaja Juwarat to severally visited the Iyana-Ejigbo branch of the bank where she made the lodgment, to lodge her compliant. But all her explanations fell on deaf ears.

Speaking with The Guardian, Alhaji Robiu said against all odds, he was able to retrieve his money, thanks to the intervention of his friend who pretended to be a military man and threatened to report the case to the Central Bank of Nigeria or invite fellow military person-

nel to assault the bank’s workers before the money was released.

While Alhaji Robiu was lucky, Alhaji Balogun’s ordeal was pathetic. He explained that the amount that was fraudulently stolen from his account was meant for the payment of his children’s school fees.

The unionist explained that within three days, he had received alerts of seven unauthorized transactions from his account at his bank’s Ikotun branch, running into about N250, 000.

The stolen money was used for the payment of purchases via known online shopping platforms such as www.konga.com and www.cipg.comusing on PAN. He added that the fraudster even used his account to pay for recharge cards purchased online for an “existing” MTN telephone line.

“I have been running from pillar to post in an attempt to retrieve my money but to no avail.

My frustration was aggravated by the preconceived mindset of the bank that I have compromised my account details,” he lamented.

Four months down the line, Balogun is yet to be refunded his money.

Mr Olayinka Odutola, a banker with about three decades of professional experience, shrewd financial risk management expert and currently the Director General, Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals, said a number of factors could be responsible for bank frauds.

He identified high level of ignorance among customers on online banking and banks’ faulty recruitment policy as the most prominent.

“Unfortunately again, banks have ‘unconsciously’ been encouraging this fraudulent practice by engaging in recruitment of casual staff than professionals. Though it is far cheaper to use more casuals instead of the normal staff for banking operations, however the truth is that casuals know they are casuals and their stake is limited to that of casuals.

“Even where staff are employed on regular basis the law (CIBN Act) stipulates that the banks should ensure the registration of all such staff with CIBN. This has serious implications in banking business because the activities of professionals are monitored by CIBN which will not hesitate to apply necessary sanctions, including the withdrawal of membership of such a staff found out to be involved in fraudulent practices.

“This is enough to dissuade a staff from pursuing the unprofessional and disgraceful act. A banker who knows that his or her certificate can be ‘invalidated’ if he commits fraud will not ordinarily do so because he knows that he is staking his career in addition to other sanctions as stipulated by the law, including imprisonment,” he said.

YOUrMONEY saturday, January 18, 2014 47

tHE GUArDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BrANDINtELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535, 08111813032

Why Advertising Industry Will Miss Sesan Ogunro

By Abiodun Obisesan O doubt, the untimely N but glorious exit of the shining light of creativity in Nigeria has left a huge gap within the country’s advertising industry.

Group Managing Director, Eminent Communications, sesan Ogunro, is regarded as a consummate brand builder, tenacious adman, ingenious administrator and humble ‘boss’ among his contemporaries and friends.

In an audacious show of solidarity to the deceased iconic advertising guru, eminent marketing communication experts across the country gathered to pay a glowing tribute to one of their own. sixty-one-year old Ogunro, who was seen as one of Nigeria’s prominent advertising experts, was shot by a robbery gang on his way back from carol service at Jobi Fele Way, Alausa, Lagos, about 10.40pm on December 22, 2013. the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) recently organised a special Valedictory session in honour of the late Ogunro, who chaired AAAN’s Professional Practices and Government relations Committee till his demise. the event took place last week at the Protea Leadway Hotel, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos. the family of the deceased led by the widow, Mrs. Modupe Ogunro, his children, siblings and other family members were in attendance.

At the event, industry gladiators took turns to lament why they would strongly miss this ingenious adman. the AAAN President, Mrs. Bunmi Oke, during her speech, eulogised the deceased, noting his contri-

butions to the development of the association in particular and the industry in general were enormous.

“On behalf of AAAN, I want to express our empathy to the family because we are also sharing from this incredible loss. Uncle sesan was a towering light to most of us in AAAN and will be sorely missed. On December 20, 2013, in his usual manner, he sent me a complimentary card. However, by the time I sent mine to his office they had gone on holidays. that has taught me an invaluable lesson that one should not defer or delay in reciprocating greetings. this valedictory service is our little way of showing love and solidarity to family and friends.’’

Oke presented the tools of advertising business as a rite of passage to the widow on behalf of the association in addition to a condolence letter. the programme had in attendance practitioners from all sectoral groups including advertising, broadcast media owners, print media owners, clients and advertisers.

Dignitaries that attended the event included Mr. Ayo Owoborode, Chairman, AAAN Board of trustees; sir steve Omojafor, AAAN trustee; Mr. Biodun shobanjo, AAAN trustee; Mrs. Bola thomas, AAAN trustee; Mr. Kolawole Ayanwale, AAAN past president; Mr. Enyi Odigbo, AAAN past president; Mr. Willy Nnorom, a member of APCON Governing Council; Mr. Charles Chijide, OAAN President; Mr. tolu Ogunkoya, MIPAN President; and Mrs. Abimbola Ipaye, Director, APCON, among others. some of the dignitaries that delivered farewell tributes

Ogunro were Mr. Jimi Awosika, CEO of Insight Communications; Mr. soni Irabor, CEO of Inspiration FM; ADVAN Vice President, Mrs. Iquo Ukoh; and Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, Chairman APCON, among others. the CEO of Inspiration FM, soni Irabor, in his tribute, shared very profound and nostalgic memories of the late advertising icon. “sesan’s departure has left a very deep and thought-provoking gap

on me. I was fortunate to have met him in 1977 during our training in broadcasting. that brief meeting I had with sesan left the most indelible impression on me. He was very talented and always had a bright smile for every one that he came across. sesan will be sorely missed. the creative industry will never be the same without him.” similarly, the Chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Lolu

Akinwunmi recounted sesan’s exploits in the regulatory body.

“Ogunro was a Fellow of the APCON. He was one-time Chairman of APCON’s Advertising standards Panel (AsP) and Chairman of APCON’s Membership and Privileges Committee. He was a solution provider and very dedicated to his duty.

He was also the Chairman of Professional Practice Committee of Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN). My heart is very heavy as I can only pray that God will keep the family together. the imaginative exploits of the late ad expert has created an unbelievable mindshare for brands in several categories. some of his artful creations have even become national monuments today,” he said.

Also, Marketing Director at Nestle Nigeria, Mrs. Iquo Ukoh, paid glowing tributes to the late ad icon. she said: “there is absolutely no way one could talk about the mileage of some of our brands without attributing its success to sesan. For instance, the Milo clap ad was orchestrated by sesan. It is so sad that we had to lose such a very forthright and talented ad man now. the first time I had an encounter with him, I was awed by his humility and great sense of humour. No doubt, he will be sorely missed for his creative output and depth.”

Chairman of Zenith Bank and founder of stB McCann, sir steve Omojafor described Ogunro as a thorough bred professional who was ethical and creative in his work.

According to him, ‘‘he was one of the first generation fellows that had a good understanding of the ethical

1860 Travels Presents Hospitality Packages

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ItH the stage set for Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, one of Nigeria’s leading travel agencies, 1860 travels has concluded plans to give many Nigerians the opportunity to be part of this year’s world cup in Brazil with several friendly hospitality packages that is highly affordable.

Brazil, a country known for its renowned world class natural tourism potentials with rich cultural heritage, would make the World Cup tournament perfect for family holiday and adventure.

Emphasizing its hospitality package, the company stated that, “1860 travels has carefully inspected accommodations, transportation and championship locations in Brazil to develop a travel package for varying needs, budgets and desires that will be uniquely available to aspiring tourists.

“For visa assistance, we will be making several information and protocol services available to World Cup tourists who requires visa to enter Brazil as we are ready to provide all the components needed for a thrilling Mundial experience. “the travel packages for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil are classified by the quality and location of the hotel and the amenities that are included in the package. the accommodations in these categories will meet a myriad of budgets and needs.

For those looking for regular accommodations, the Bronze category is a 2-star property. For the deluxe accommodations, the silver & Gold categories are a 3-star & 4-star property respectively and for those looking for luxury, the Platinum category is a 5-star property. Interested tourist can sign up via this dedicated website, www.mundial2u.com. “transportation is an integral part any travel packages to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the company has stated that the arrival and depar-

ture will be eased by its experienced staff who will guide tourists on their journey to and from Brazil. Ground transportation to and from the venues will also be included in the package. the company has also concluded arrangements with a number of airlines to get tourists the best possible options for air travel at a discounted fare.

In order to reduce stress for traveling sports tourists who are going to be rooting for their team at the World Cup, 1860 travels said it has also made arrangements to have match tickets available to tourists weeks before the commencement of the Championship.

Every four years, the world gathers for the FIFA World Cup, a tournament meant for qualified

senior teams of FIFA member federations from every continent of the world. It is the world’s biggest sporting event known for its prestigious nature of gathering people from all works of life and background. the forthcoming World Cup billed to hold between June and July this year, will no doubt be very spectacular and it will be great to be part of the event live. therefore with the company’s experience specializing in providing travel packages to major sporting events such as the Winter and summer games, CAF Championships and the FIFA World Cups coupled with its expertise as sports tourism specialists, tourists are rest assured of its tour programs.

Mrs. Nkechi Alli Balogun (left); Mr. Femi Ekundayo; Mr. Femi Adesina; Dr. Rotimi Oladele; Mr. Yomi Badejo–Okusanya and Mr. Joseph Okonmah at the event.

dealings of advertising. He was also a global player who exemplified good character, distinct creativity and team spirit.”

Also, Co-founder of JtW LtC, Mr. Bola thomas; CEO of Insight Communication Limited, Mr. Jimi Awosika, among others, said Ogunro would be greatly missed in the industry. the presiding minister at the special valedictory session, Evangelist shedrach Obasa of International Church of Christ encouraged the gathering and indeed family members to take solace in the fact that the deceased was magnanimous enough to pray for his supposed enemies and his own soul. “this occasion must be a trying one for everyone including the family. During his last moments, he prayed to God for the forgiveness of his assailants. It is very similar to Christ’s experience on the cross and I have no doubt where he is.”

In spite of the sober atmosphere at the session, industry players used the opportunity to express concern about the ugly security situation that has plunged the country into disrepute and further deepening the loss of brilliant minds.

Entertainment maestro and renowned video producer, sesan Ogunro Jnr, thanked the various marketing communication associations for their love.

“It is a period of sober reflection. the last time I saw him was when he came to the states to see my family. His death came as a rude shock.

However, I want to thank AAAN and others who have rallied round us during this sad moment,” he said.

Amcor Dust Extractor Launched For Public Use

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UArDGAtEs Limited has introduced the AMCOr dust extractor/moisture controller to the Nigerian market for public use. the product creates high quality environment in offices and locations where dust, damp or moisture can endanger human life and ICt, electronic and electrical equipment. the dust extractor/moisture controller secures the environment from cancerous deadly diseases, stops damp and helps check high humidity problems.

It removes dust generated from note counting machines, which could result in deadly diseases, stops and prevents mildew and damp, thereby making bank notes crispy and clean in storage.

According to the manufacturers, the product also prevents great loss of investment due to moisture, high humidity and dust accumulating on ICt boards, which leads to rust, non optimum performance, high maintenance cost, short circuit. this fully controls dust, moisture and humidity level in environment, which prolongs life span and optimum performance of equipment.

Guardgates Limited pioneered the introduction of AMCOr dust extractor/moisture controller over 12 years ago in Nigeria, a product acclaimed as a high quality air treatment for use in bank vaults, bulk & sorting centres, ICt server rooms, data centre, data base and record storage, utility power control room.

48 YOurMONEY Saturday, January 18, 2014

THE GuArDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BrANDNEWS La Casera unveils ‘Apple Story’ Winner FTEr months of intense public anticipation, The La Casera Company Plc recently unveiled the winner of the popular ‘Share Your Apple Story, Be A Star’ campaign for its flagship Apple drink.

The event, which was held at the company’s corporate head office in Lagos, also saw 26-year-old Dagu Shangevlumun Michael getting a free VIP tour of the La Casera factory for handson acquaintance with the production process of the trendy soft drink.

For the uNIJOS final-year student of Biochemistry, the experience was second-to-none since he never anticipated his entry would clinch the top spot among many.

“I still find it hard to believe that my Apple Story will be shown to the whole world as the new La Casera advert. I have received first-class VIP treatment from La Casera and an opportunity that would motivate me to aim for the stars in whatever I do, which I deeply appreciate. I must say, with no iota of doubt in my mind, that I truly love the drink like the slogan says,” he enthused.

Speaking on the development, Chief Operating Officer, La Casera Plc, Mr. Dileeban Ponniah, noted that it was a pleasure deepening the existing bond with customers. He emphasised that La Casera had successfully run the Apple Story campaign for the second year so far, and it was only getting better.

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BrANDINTELLIGENCE Consumers Endorse Hollandia Yoghurt ‘refresh ‘n’ Win’ Promo

Heineken Launches Sunrise Campaign To Encourage responsible Consumption

EINEKEN, the world’s international premium beer, has INNErS in the ongoing Hollandia Yoghurt ‘refresh ‘n’ Win’ H launched its Sunrise campaign in Nigeria as part of the W promotion have applauded Chi Limited, makers of the latest phase of its worldwide goal to encourage responsible yoghurt drink, for keeping to its promise of rewarding consumers who participate in the promo with various mouthwatering prizes worth millions in Naira.

The promo, which started in December 2013, and will end on February 28, 2014, is aimed at promoting and deepening the market penetration of Hollandia Yoghurt across the country while also creating awareness for the brand’s value propositions.

Till date, the promo has recorded tremendous participation from all parts of Nigeria with thousands of entries being sent in every day.

The Managing Director, Chi Limited, Mr. Deepanjan roy explained that “Hollandia Yoghurt ‘refresh ‘n’ Win’ promo was conceived to reward the ever growing population of consumers across Nigeria that has made Hollandia Yoghurt their number one drink.”

A cross section of satisfied consumers, who expressed their views on the promo, said the gifts are bonus on the tasty nourishment that they get from Hollandia Yoghurt. unable to hide her excitement, one of the lucky winners of an ipad, Pius Joy from Enugu, shares the story of how she won: “I have always loved the unique taste of Hollandia Yoghurt. When I saw the ad of the promo on TV, I said maybe this is my time. So, I started scratching and texting. When I was invited for the draws, I didn’t believe that I will win but I still came. So, when I announced as one of the winners of an ipad, I was really shocked.”

Cannes Lions 2014 Opens For Delegate registration

consumption by its consumers.

The campaign themed “tomorrow belongs to moderate drinkers,” leveraged on the iconic Heineken premium beer brand to deliver and reinforce its responsible consumption message.

According to Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, the Sunrise campaign is a key part of the award-winning “Open Your World” global initiative, which celebrates and encourages aspirational behaviours among consumers.

Heineken, decided to roll out the Nigerian campaign during the festive season to maximize the message’s relevance and impact. Hence, millions of adult consumers got the message via print media, social media pages as well as through out of home platforms strategically placed in locations around Lagos.

Ekanem added: “The Sunrise campaign is Heineken’s way of showing that our ‘man of the world’ brings to life the powerful idea that ‘there are no limits, when you know your limits’.

We want to show that enjoying Heineken in moderation can be an integral part of connecting and engaging with friends, meeting new people and exploring new experiences. We have both the opportunity and the responsibility to make moderate drinking aspirational.”

As an industry leader, Heineken implements a consistent approach to encouraging positive attitudes by its consumers by supporting the consistent increase in responsible drinking.

Nobel Carpets Breaks New Ground With Kiddies range Of rugs

HE 61st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity (15-21 T June), the world’s largest and most prestigious annual IDING on the crest of its bumper Yuletide offerings for cusr awards celebrating creative excellence in global advertising and tomers, Lucky Fibers Plc, makers of Nigeria’s foremost carcommunications, is now open for delegate registration. pets and rugs brand, Nobel Carpets, has ushered in the New Group Brand Manager, The La Casera Company Plc, Mr. Mani Siddhartha (left); ‘Apple Story’ winner, Dagu Shangevlumun Michael; and Marketing Manager, The La Casera Company Plc, Mr. Bayo Obarotimi, during the unveiling of the LaCasera ‘Share Your Apple Story, Be A Star’ winner in Lagos...recently.

Globacom To Deepen African Stakes In Mobile, Data Services LOBACOM Chairman, Mike Adenuga Jr, has stated the netG work’s resolve to invest more to offer mobile and data services in Nigeria and across the African operational footprints.

According to him, “our subscribers in the West African subregion whom we serve directly and the millions of others we serve through our Glo 1 armoured submarine cable and roaming footprints can rely on us to keep our promise of providing a network that guarantees seamless communications in Africa; and between Africa and the rest of the world”, Adenuga said.

Adenuga’s statement was contained in a message delivered at the Glo CAF Awards ceremony hosted by the company at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos recently.

Through its wholly-owned Glo 1 submarine cable, the network is connecting Africa with the rest of the world and has made significant progress in providing mobile telephony and data services across its operational footprints on the continent.

He stated further that, “we are pleased to inform you that just as African football is making appreciable progress, Globacom has also made significant progress in the telecommunication industry. We have continued to deploy the best telecommunications technology to build a robust network that will continuously offer our customers seamless, world-class mobile and data services.”

Official market information obtained by Technology Times from the Nigerian telecoms regulator showed that despite its late entry into the telecoms market in 2003, Globacom has active mobile phone connections counting 24,129,183 lines and active Internet subscriptions of 1,014,166 at Q3 2013, a mobile telephony position that places it second to MTN Nigeria.

Managing Director and Executive Creative Director, Noah’s Ark Communication Limited, Mr. Lanre Adisa, noted that the addition of Adebola would further strengthen the creative depth for which the agency is known in the last five years of its existence.

“An agency is as strong as its creative capacity, hence any agency that is aspiring to retain and attract good businesses must make it a point of duty to continue to invest in the creative capacity of the agency by adding more experienced hands and training and retraining the creative team,” he said.

Adebola started his advertising career as a creative intern at LTC/JWT before joining Bate Cosse as a Creative Executive where he worked on leading brands such as Virgin Nigeria and uBA. He was later poached by DDB Lagos where he worked as part of the MTN Team. At DDB, he won the Young Lions Film contest in Nigeria where he represented Nigeria at the Cannes Festival of Creativity in 2009.

Cannes Lions delegates can choose from a range of packages, including three-day, four-day, seven-day and premier package passes, all providing access to world-class content, inspirational exhibitions, screenings and award shows showcasing the best global creativity in communications, as well as unrivalled networking opportunities. Special discounted packages are available for young creatives, young agency executives, young marketers and students, helping to provide the next generation with invaluable learning opportunities.

“Cannes Lions offers delegates the opportunity to step away from their day-to-day work and truly immerse themselves into a unique environment of creativity for a few days,” says CEO of Lions Festivals, Philip Thomas.

“With exceptional inspiration, learning and networking opportunities, it’s a chance for the global creative communities to recognise accomplishments and take the industry to new heights.”

For the first time, the overall content for Cannes Lions will this year be themed around ‘Creativity in Action’ with a packed week of more than 50 seminars delivered by world renowned thought leaders and more than 20 hands-on learning workshops. Brazil Day will provide attendees with an insightful oneday content programme on Brazilian creativity, marketing and cultural understanding.

X3M Ideas Backs Campaign Against Gender Violence 3M Ideas has unveiled a pro-bono campaign in support of Project Alert, a Non-Governmental Organisation’s (NGO) outcry against brutality against women.

The campaign, running under the theme “Speak up, end abuse”, is conceived and executed by X3M Ideas with photography input by Camara Studios.

Speaking on the campaign, which is developed for print and online platforms for a start, the Chief Creativity Officer/CEO of X3M, Steve Babaeko, said the campaign is the company’s way of supporting a laudable project facilitated by Project Alert.

According to Babaeko, brutality against women is a societal ill which is claiming the lives of many a woman in the society. “We saw value for the society in what Project Alert was doing and we decided to support them by creating this campaign as our own contribution to the good works.”

X3M Ideas used comedians and other popular stars in different fields as models to tell the Project Alert story. Julius Agwu, Seyi Law, TEE A, Sound Sultan, Tunde Ajayi and Emma Collins, among others, were able to eulogise the woman, extol her special contributions to the human race and how she should be treated with dignity and respect.

Julius Agwu, a comedian modeled as a pregnant woman and says “Labour pain is the only pain she should feel” meaning that she should be spared any other pain whatsoever.

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Year with specially designed wall-to-wall rugs targeted at the kiddies segment of the market.

The product offering will see the unique rugs and other toys being displayed at the kiddies play section of target eateries across Lagos, where smartly dressed brand ambassadors will be on hand attending to interested customers.

Speaking on the development, National Sales Manager of the brand, Mr. Hemant Nasar, said Lucky Fibres Plc was not resting on its oars as it concerns catering to the aesthetic yearnings of adults, but was extending its reach to the viable kiddies market segment where kids are known to appreciate the value of colourful and engaging designs, especially those bearing their favourite characters.

“Our customers cut across various spheres, age ranges and walks of life. Kiddies are of course not left out of the loop; that is why we are extending our product offerings to their own segment of the market,” he said.

Nasar, disclosed that the range of designs on the rugs include alphabets, puzzles and colour bubbles that will simply captivate children, adding that Lucky Fibers was not looking at a one-shot deal, as new designs of its kiddies range of rugs would be introduced into the market on a quarterly basis going forward.

Mastercard, Ecobank Partner To Accelerate Electronic Payments COBANK and MasterCard, has announced a multi-country E licensing agreement which will provide access to MasterCard’s payment solutions for Ecobank’s customers in a further 23 African countries.

The agreement is the culmination of a Memorandum of understanding (“MOu”) originally signed in November 2011.

The collaboration comes at a time when MasterCard is working in partnership with governments and financial institutions around the world to broaden usage and acceptance of electronic payments, thus promoting their benefits relative to cash transactions of convenience, security and reliability.

Today, over 85 per cent of retail payments globally are still carried out using cash or check, with the percentage being much higher in Africa.

According to Ecobank’s Group Executive Director responsible for Domestic Banking, Patrick Akinwuntan, “the provision of convenient, reliable and accessible financial products and services forms the bedrock of Ecobank’s Pan African strategy.

We also recognise that partnerships with leading global players such as MasterCard are key to accelerating the migration of our customers to a ‘cashless society’ throughout Africa.”

Ecobank is now licensed by MasterCard in the following 28 countries: Burkina Faso, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African republic, Chad, republic of the Congo, Democratic republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea (Conakry), Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Commenting on this partnership, Ecobank’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Thierry Tanoh said, “this agreement demonstrates Ecobank’s vision which is to provide our customers with convenient, accessible and reliable financial products and services.”

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Saturday, January 18, 2014 49

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover Long Battle For The Heart Of Rivers

Governor Rotimi Amaechi From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt HE nervous political tension in Rivers State T almost reached its crescendo last Sunday, following the shooting of the Chairman of Senate Committee on Petroleum (Down Stream), Senator Magnus Abe by the police during a rally organized by the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) in Port Harcourt.

The shooting of Abe, who represents Rivers South East Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate and the disruption of the SRM rally at the College of Arts and Science in Port Harcourt by the police, was preceded by several months of hostile relationship between the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and the State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu. When penultimate Saturday scores of SRM members were erecting public address system, canopies and arranging chairs for their sensitization and mobilization rally slated for the next day, none of them had envisaged an unprecedented police onslaught the next day.

Though the SRM rally was slated for 12 noon last Sunday, at about 6: 00 am on that fateful day, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Tony Okocha, received a call from some persons guarding musical equipment and facilities put in place for the rally, that the police had besieged the College of Arts and Science.

Perturbed that the large deployment of armed policemen might be a precursory move to abort the rally, Abe and Okocha decided to visit the College of Arts and Science. On their arrival at about 9:30 am, Senator Abe met with the most senior police officer, CSP (Dr.) Uche Michael Chukuma, and sought an explanation and justification for stoppage of the rally.

A brief altercation ensued and the officer who

Rivers CP, Mbu was acting on strict instruction directed that everyone, including the Senator and Okocha, should leave the college premises or else they would be forced out. At that point, the Senator asked: “Am I not a citizen of this country, don’t I deserve to know why you are taking this extralegal action? Am I an illegal immigrant in my father land?”

In their bid to rid the college of Save Rivers Movement members, the police started firing tear gas canisters into the air to disperse crowd.

When this did not deter the people, the police started shooting rubber bullets, which eventually struck Senator Abe on the chest and knocked him down. He was immediately rushed into his car and driven to Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Diobu, for urgent medical attention. Amid the pandemonium that ensued, the police intensified firing of tear gas and rubber bullets. The discomforting odour of tear gas could be perceived several hundreds of meters away from the college. The police, which had pulled down all the canopies erected for the rally, also blocked both ends of Rumuola Road and prevented motorists and passersby from accessing the area.

“As early as 6a.m, my phone rang and the call said, the police, about five (5) troopers had besieged the premises and dismantled the canopies, chairs and table arranged for the event, while teargas was shot to disperse the crowd that morning. When I got to the venue, I saw crowd of Policemen, including three (3) Armored Personnel Carriers (APC), and also saw how the venue was upturned by the police. It was not too long I met Senator Magnus Abe, and the police continued the shooting of teargas and rubber bullets. One of the rubber bullets hit me on my leg and also touched Senator Abe.

Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wogu Boms said the Police authorities erred and acted illegally when they dispersed members of the SRM and prevented them from holding their rally last Sunday. He said the constitution does not authorize the police to issue permission to members of the public before they could gather

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari said the state government has it on good authority that Senator Abe took the bullet originally meant for Governor Chibuike Amaechi who was billed to be present at the event. According to her, “This is disconcerting especially in the light of recent revelations that the presidency may be training snipers ahead of the 2015 elections and that Governor Amaechi is top on the list of those to be eliminated Right now, I can’t walk properly. Despite the police invasion, we were armless. When we saw that Magnus Abe had been injured, we managed to put him into a vehicle that took him to the Hospital for medical treatment, before he was flown abroad,” he said.

But CSP Chukwuma, in his account of the incident, told the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, led by Senator Igwe Paulinus Wagwu and Senator Hadi Siraka, during a fact finding mission to the Rivers State Police Command, that the police only used teargas canisters to disperse the crowd when it became obvious that they were not willing to heed police directives to leave the venue of the aborted rally.

He explained that Senator Abe shouted and used disparaging language on the commissioner of police. He also accused Mr. Okocha of sitting on the ground, shouting and daring the police to shoot him.

“Senator Abe kept using disparaging language against police commissioner, but we remained calm, appealing to him and the chief of staff to go and also urge their supporters to leave the premises of the College of Arts and Science. When we noticed that the situation was getting increasingly tensed, we decided to use minimal force by resorting to the use of teargas (tear smoke) to disperse the crowd that was now getting increasingly agitated. I saw Senator Abe and Okocha run towards the Living Faith Church at Elegbam in Rumuola. I led the operation to the venue of the rally. No single shot was fired. We did not shoot anyone with rubber bullets because we do not have

rubber bullets in our command. How can we use what we don’t have in our armoury? Yes, we used teargas and nothing more,” he added.

The Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Ahmad Muhammad, has hinged the police action on the failure of the group to obtain a police permit for the rally.

But SRM chairman, Aholu Charles, told journalists in Port Harcourt that precisely on January 7, 2014, the SRM notified the Police authorities, through a written letter, of the planned rally. He explained that the police had in the past provided the required security for SRM activities without any official letter to SRM leadership notifying them of its willingness to provide security.

“What the police did was callous; an affront on the lofty guarantees provided by chapter 4 of the constitution of Nigeria. It is barbaric; it is simply an attempt to replace democracy with autocracy. It is simply an attempt to subvert the rights of Nigeria and an attempt to undermine the Rivers man. As an organization, we stand to fight the cause of the Rivers man. The Rivers man has suffered a lot and we are entitled to enjoy rights under the constitution,” said Aholu.

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, told the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, which visited the state on fact finding mission, that he did not grant SRM permit to hold the rally and that the command does not have rubber bullets in its arsenal.

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50 Saturday, January 18, 2014

COVER

‘Instead of Protecting Lives, Today’s Police Kill’ Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, social crusader and retired Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, said the actions of the police in Rivers State falls short of expectations, just as he decried the high level of impunity in the country’s democracy From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi OW do you view the action of the H Nigerian police in Rivers State in recent times?

Well, to the best of my knowledge and I believe, that of many Nigerians, the actions of the police towards opposition in Rivers State falls short of expectations.

It is of good knowledge that the police by their rule of engagement are not expected to use firearms to disperse a peaceful and unarmed gathering.

At worst, what they should do is to use tear gas to disperse them. As you will understand, the recent incidence in Rivers State is another sad commentary on the police.

Here again, the politicians gathered for a rally; they were peaceful, orderly and unarmed.

They said they gave the police prior notice in writing of their intention to hold a rally. So, the action of the police was not only brutal but also inhuman and against the guiding principles.

What do you mean by the guiding principles here?

The guiding principles here is that in a situation like this, the force used by the police to disperse a crowd must be proportionate to the force threatened by the people.

But rather than abide by this principle, the police were reckless and high-handed. This negates the development of democracy. In simple terms, the shooting the police carried out at the venue of the rally shows that they

had a motive.

If governor Amaechi were there, they would have shot him. And it is clear that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu is acting the script of some people, but not that of the Inspector General of Police, IGP. As a retired Police officer, you seem disgusted with today’s Police Force?

Yes, I am dissatisfied because, the present day police in Nigeria is the direct opposite and shadow of its past. Instead of today’s police to protect the people’s lives and property, they kill them.

With acts of impunity taking place in the country day in and day out, where is the hope for the safeguard of the country’s constitution under which our democracy operates?

With what is happening around us, we are nearing a dashed hope in Nigeria. The country’s constitution, which should be safeguarded is being violated and raped with impunity.

People who should protect it are not saying anything for their love for power, which is transient. I think this is an invitation for anarchy.

Do you also believe that some authorities in Nigeria are being thrilled over recent happening in Rivers State?

It is quite evident. If you follow the trend carefully, you will observe that president Goodluck Jonathan and the Inspector General of Police appear unconcerned with what is happening in Rivers State even with the shooting of a senator by the police recently.

A cartoon in a national daily newspaper shows a woman laughing and congratulating a commissioner of police for a job well done.

Behind her is a truck loaded with gift items.

This is the true scenario. We had the same sit-

It is clear that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu is acting the script of some people, but not that of the Inspector General of Police, IGP

Abubakar Tsav uation in Maiduguri between Governor Goni and CP Tahiru Jiddah, in Kano between Governor Abubakar Rimi and CP Sani Wali and in Enugu between Governor Nwobodo

and CP Eiyetene.

But the consequences of these are well known to us. President Jonathan and IGP Abubakar must realise that they will be held responsible if this democracy fails.

Rivers State: Still In The Throes Of Intense Power Struggle CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 According to him: “All our men sign for the arms they take out of the command for operations. So, you can easily trace the use of arms and ammunition. Since we do not have rubber bullets in the Rivers State Police Command, it is clear to all that none of our men shot Senator Abe. It cannot happen because we do not have the rubber bullet, with which they claim the Senator was shot.”

He further said: “I turned down their request for a permit to converge at the venue of the proposed rally because on the two occasions they applied for police permit they sold us a dummy. They applied for a permit to organize a welfare empowerment at the Liberation Stadium at Elekahia in Port Harcourt, and I granted it because I believed what they said they wanted to do. Any person in the position of authority should support welfare programmes designed to help the poor, the sick and the under -privileged. But what happened? We in the command were surprised when we realized it was an APC declaration rally.”

“Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, the interim chairman of the APC, Bisi Akande; former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu; a leader of the APC, Chief Tom Ikimi and a host of others were there at the Liberation Statdium.

So, you can see that the reason for the permit was completely false. They lied to the police.

Information available to the police showed clearly that the gathering was a political rally and the police was not prepared to be deceived anymore.”

But the Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wogu Boms said the Police authorities erred and acted illegally when they dispersed members of the SRM and prevented them from holding their rally last Sunday. He said the constitution does not authorize the police to issue permission to members of the public before they could gather. He argued that the Public Order Act of 2004 only empowers the governor of a state to grant permission, and which it could delegate to the police if he so desire.

Boms recalled that the Court of Appeal voided the provisions of the Public Order Act in a mat-

ter between the IGP and ANPP in 2007, adding that the Public Order Act violates the provisions of the 1999 constitution, which guarantees freedom of association and assembly, thus, remains null and void. “Whether somebody died, or whether somebody was hit by rubber bullets is not relevant. The major question should be that, is there any law that empowers the police to do what it did,” he asked.

Boms therefore urged the State Commissioner of Police to tell the citizenry under which law he acted to disperse an assembly of lawful persons. “It is not enough to condemn the IGP, Police Service Commission, but let them tell the world the order in which they acted upon,” he stressed.

He explained that every citizen was entitled to police protection, even the governor who is now considered an opposition, insisting that the Commissioner of Police was taking orders from powers above. The Commissioner warned that if the police continues in its act of impunity, the state might slide into insecurity and therefore called on the authorities to be alive to their responsibilities to ensure that all live peacefully.

Rivers State Government said the unprovoked shooting of Senator Abe, is cause for worry and an indication of the length that the Peoples Democratic Party is willing to go to silence opposing views.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari said the state government has it on good authority that Senator Abe took the bullet originally meant for Governor Chibuike Amaechi who was billed to be present at the event. According to her, “This is disconcerting especially in the light of recent revelations that the presidency may be training snipers ahead of the 2015 elections and that Governor Amaechi is top on the list of those to be eliminated.”

The state government condemned the disruption of the SRM rally especially since the disruption is selective seeing that the police do not only allow members of the PDP Grass root Democratic Initiative (GDI) to hold rallies but indeed provides them with protection. It therefore, reiterated its call for the redeployment of Mbu from Rivers State before he turns

According to Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, “All our men sign for the arms they take out of the command for operations. So, you can easily trace the use of arms and ammunition.

Since we do not have rubber bullets in the Rivers State Police Command, it is clear to all that none of our men shot Senator Abe. It cannot happen because we do not have the rubber bullet, with which they claim the Senator was shot

the state into a graveyard because of his intolerance and unprofessional behaviour.

Presently, there is a growing outrage in Ogoniland where Senator Abe hails from. Both the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and Rivers South East Youth Council, have condemned in strong terms the highhandedness and excessive use of force by the Police on members the SRM and the subsequent shooting of Abe. MOSOP president, Mr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara said Nigerians had hoped that politics in this dispensation would be played with civility, decency and devoid of political violence. He observed that regrettably, the current level of political intolerance in the country and Rivers State in particular, is deeply troubling and condemnable.

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COVER

Forces Against The Soul Of Rivers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50 “In the present circumstances, we consider the action of the police as unprofessional, insensitive and an unfortunate demonstration of the growing regime of impunity in the country which we must all rise up to tame if democracy must survive. No matter what may have happened, the group or Senator Abe did not merit such level of cruelty. As MOSOP had warned recently on Ogoni Day, never again shall we allow the blood of any Ogoni person irrespective of political persuasions, political parties or affiliations to be spilled needlessly in the name of politics,” he said.

MOSOP has therefore demand that the Inspector General of Police and the Federal Government should urgently conduct comprehensive and thorough investigation into the incident with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice Angry youths who were drawn from Gokana, Tai, Khana, Eleme and Oyigbo Local Government Areas of Rivers State on Monday barricaded the East-West road for several hours to protest the shooting of Senator Abe. The weapon wielding youths disrupted vehicular movement and prevented people workers from accessing the Port Harcourt Refinery, the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone at Onne. Several persons travelling to Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States were forced to make a detour through Abia State.

One of the leaders of the protestors, Bari Mowan said the demonstration was an opportunity for them to come together and express their displeasure over the action of the Nigeria Police Force. He explained that it was a similar action of the security agents that led to the death of Ogoni leaders like Ken Saro-Wiwa.

Similarly, Mr. Friday Needam said the police was on a dangerous mission in the state and he has urged Nigerians to pray that Senator Abe returns from medical treatment in the United Kingdom alive.

“The police in Rivers State are on a dangerous mission. We want people of this country to pray that nothing happens to Senator Abe because the Ogoni will not allow any of their sons or daughters to be killed again like Saro-Wiwa and others by the Federal government and its

agents. We are warning politicians not to use the blood of any Ogoni to cleanse Rivers State or Nigeria. Nigeria cannot continue to use the blood of the Ogoni as a sacrifice in political temple to redeem the past. It can no longer happen,” said Needam.

Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition (NDCSC) in reaction to the incident, said the Rivers State Police command has further made good its retarding agenda, well oiled from political high places of the land to end the rule of law and enslave participants of democracy through the maintenance and enforcement of tyranny.

NDCSC chairman, Mr. Anyakwee Nsirimovu, who has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to stem the police abuse of citizens’ right to assembly, stressed that to destroy the essential element of liberty as the police is unconstitutionally being encouraged to do, for the sake of illusionary ambition that does not take into account the fundamental liberties and wellbeing of citizens, may be a prelude to great tragedy.

“NDCSC calls on Mr. President to note and most seriously too, that to deny association, assembly and free speech, in Rivers state, his government is setting itself up as superior, in one manner or another to the body politic. This is inimical to the basic precept of participatory democracy, that all men are created free and equal. Free and equal men and women have the fundamental right to discuss public affairs as it affects them in private and public. The power holders have no right to distort the thinking of the body politic by regulating and withholding its freedom to seek and discuss, through the abusive use of police powers,” said Anyakwee.

The former head of National Intelligence Agency (NAI) and chairman of defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission, Mr. Albert Horsfall, has urged the police authorities to insulate their personnel at all level from being involved in these alleged acts and to maintain their usual good integrity and impartiality especially in this matter of partisan politics.

He said it was regrettable that politicians across the political divide are bent on creating chaos in the state and have dragged the police into the conflict. He observed that the Nigeria police, even in the days of some of the worst tensions in

Inspector General of Police, Abubakar this country, such as led to the civil war, had usually been seen to be impartial and professional.

“To discover that as it appears now, both parties are once again instigating and supporting political violence and even getting the Nigeria Police allegedly involved in favour of one party or the other is bad politics and therefore condemnable. The latest violent event is the one that led to the alleged shooting with rubber bullets of a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic. Surely, such inimical practices are not good politics, not in anyone’s interest and must stop immediately,” he said.

Governor Amaechi had last year petitioned the Police Service Commission, accusing Mr. Mbu of taking sides openly in the Rivers political crisis and supporting those who, in his

opinion, intend to bring down his government and has demanded his redeployment. This was followed by a National Assembly resolution calling for his redeployment, but yet to no avail.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mbu who forcefully stopped the SRM rally, has insisted that his redeployment is essentially within the ambit of the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar to whom he remains loyal.

“I have no reason to throw in the towel as a police officer. I have been investigated by the Police High Command and the Police Service Commission, which are the two regulatory bodies for the police force and I have not been found wanting. So, there is no reason for me to resign my from the Force if that is what you mean,” Mbu said.

Signposts, Echoes Of The Crises

By Joseph Okoghenun S the Rivers State Crisis keeps ragA ing, the list of victims that have suffered from its fallouts have been on the increase. And sadly so, it has affected more people on the fringe than the main actors.

While some of these victims have reportedly died as a result of the unending crisis, others have been bedridden in hospitals just as some others have had their political future truncated, at least for now.

One of the first victims of the crisis was anti-Amaechi lawmaker, Mr. Michael Okechukwu Chindah, who was hit hard with a mace by Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Llyod, during

Chidi Lloyd

a brawl on the floor of the house on July 9 last year. Chindah sustained serious injury on the head that left him unconscious before being rushed for care at a private hospital in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. He was later rushed to a London hospital for advanced medical treatment.

While the free-for-all lasted, effects within the chambers, including a mace, which was alleged to be fake and computers used by members during sittings, were destroyed beyond repair.

In the months that followed, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu and Nigerian Police Force, suffered integrity crisis, as many observers accused both of tak-

ing sides with the Peoples Democratic Party-faction led by the Presidency and the then State Minister of Education, Nysom Wike.

The call for the redeployment of Mbu was rife just as Nigerians urged the police to be objective in the crisis.

Meanwhile, Llyod, who also sustained injury during the fracas, was later declared wanted for alleged attempted murder by the police. He was later arrested, detained and arraigned before a Port Harcourt High Court on July 31 while the case was adjourned to August 6 for hearing.

The presiding judge, Charles Wali, granted the detained legislator bail following an exparte motion filed by the legislator’s counsel, praying the court to grant him bail on health grounds.

However, in January this year, the Rivers State Police Command said it arrested Llyod for the alleged murder of Police Sgt. Urang Obediah and Mr. Kingsley Ejeuo Llyod’s kinsman and arch political opponent.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, explained that while pursuing Ejeuo, Llyod knocked down and killed Obediah, who was trying to stop him, and went ahead to crush the Volkswagen Passat car Ejeuo was driving in and also killed him.

Muhammad said the police initially thought the incident

was a mere accident, which ought to have been manslaughter. He, however, said the police had to change their mind when Mbu directed the Area Commander, Metro Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, to visit Lloyd on his hospital bed and commiserate with him.

He said, conscious of what he did, Lloyd relocated to another hospital when facts emerged that he (Lloyd) drove a bullet proof vehicle, while pursuing the late Ejeuo and in the process knocked down Obediah, who died on the spot and moved ahead to smash Ejuo in his Passat car. Denial and courter denial have since followed the arrest.

The crisis has claimed the political life of some cabinet members of the Amaechi government in recent times, as some commissioners and aides in the government have resigned their post since Governor Amaechi defected from crisis-ridden PDP to All Progressives Congress (APC).

The first to resign was the Rivers State Special Adviser on Flood Control, Hon. Obinna Anyanwu, who left because of the antiAmaechi position of his father, Prince Emma Anyanwu.

Commissioner for Urban Development, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo followed as he resigned from the Amaechi government following the governor’s defection to APC. Rivers State Commissioner for Housing, Marshall Stanley Uwom also resigned his appointment on Monday, saying, “I am not comfortable with Governor Amaechi’s defection to the APC. I am not disposed to leaving the PDP, where I feel politically comfortable.”

The Rivers State Local Government Service Commissioner, Chief Azubike Nmerukini has also been hit politically by the River State Crisis. Nmerukini was said to have been forced to resign his position as the Chairman of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission (RSLGSC) last week, according to sources, as a result of his refusal to defect to the APC with the governor.

The crisis in the State however recorded one of its biggest victims on Sunday, when operatives of the state Police Command fired tear gas and allegedly shot the lawmaker representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, with rubber bullets.

Abe and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, had gone to the venue of a rally organised by the Save Rivers Movement, a mobilisation group of the APC, at the College of Arts and Science in Rumuola, Port Harcourt when policemen started dispersing people claiming that there was no permit for the rally.

At the Krisany Hospital in Port Harcourt, where the senator was rushed to, the Medical Director, Dr. Mckay Anyanwu, said Abe had internal bleeding after being hit by the bullets, adding that the federal lawmaker was rushed into the hospital in a state of shock evidenced by low blood pressure. The injury has attracted the attention of the National Assembly just as the crisis seems to have further dented Mbu’s integrity. But Nigerians have stressed that his bias for the PDP is uncalled for. Interestingly, the crisis has also reignited the call for state police.

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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics PDP’s High Leadership Turnover Continues, As Tukur ‘Falls’

By Godwin Ijediogor OLLOWING the planned transition to civilian FAbdulsalami administration in 1999 by the Gen. Abubakar regime in 1998, the dismal human and democratic rights records of the military dictator, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, a group of politicians, under the auspices of the All Politicians Summit, convened a meeting in 1997 to fashion a way out of the quagmire.

But the group, led by former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, was brutally haunted by Abacha security agents.

Soon, a group of 18, and later 34, political leaders dared the junta to form the G-34, which later became rallying point of the associations that metamorphosed into the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Article 14 of the party’s constitution specifies tenure of office for all elected executives at all levels. The national chairman, for example, is entitled for a four-year term, renewable by re-election, at the national convention.

But since 1999, no chairman had ever completed his tenure, let alone re-contest, as the party’s leadership, especially at the national level, has been dogged by intrigues, horse-trading and scheming, all in an attempt by successive Presidents to have their way and pocket the party’s structures.

The substantive chairmen were the late Solomon Lar, Barnabas Gemade (now senator), Audu Ogbeh, Ahmadu Ali, Vincent Ogbulafor, Okwesilieze Nwodo, and then Bamanga Tukur.

Bello Haliru Mohammed and Abubakar Kawu Baraje were appointed to preside in acting capacity.

Lar emerged in 1998 and held the position until he handed over to Gemade in 2002.

Gemade was elected national chairman after a tough competition with the late Sunday Awoniyi to succeed Lar, in part due to zoning rules that favored giving the post to a northerner.

But Gemade’s era was never smooth, coming at a time PDP faced a lot of implosions, aggravated by the face-off between the national headquarters and the Presidency.

He acted almost independently, believing that then President Olusegun Obasanjo would always honour any party decision, forgetting that by PDP’s constitution, the President elected on its platform is the leader of the party.

The contest for the position became fierce among Gemade, Nwodo (who was then National Secretary) and Ogbeh, but the latter emerged victorious, thanks to the weight of Obasanjo, making Gemade’s tenure one of the shortest.

Ogbeh, ostensibly realising the circumstances of his emergence, did not over-reach himself and humbly recognised Obasanjo as the party’s leader and even a godfather.

But their romance did not last for long, as his closeness to Obasanjo’s deputy, then Vice President Atiku Abubakar soon became his undoing at a time the President and his Vice were not having the best of relationship.

But his letter to Obasanjo following the abduction of the Anambra State governor, Chris Ngige, by some policemen and the crisis that ensued fast-tracked his ouster.

It was no surprise that Obasanjo picked Ali, who had worked under him as Education minister when he was head of state as Ogbe’s replacement, first in acting capacity.

Till date, the manner and circumstances surrounding the resignation of Ogbe from that position remains mysterious.

Ali never opposed Obasanjo, and even if he did during the third term saga, he never allowed his dissention known to the public.

Little wonder he remained till the end of Obasanjo’s tenure and supervised the party’s national convention that ushered in the late President Umaru yar’Adua as Obasanjo’s successor.

Ogbulafor emerged as the consensus choice at the party’s National Convention in 2008, as an alternative to the rival leading candidatesSam Egwu (who was backed by Obasanjo) and Anyim Pius Anyim, when all 26 other candidates, including Egwu and Anyim, withdrew in his favour.

Ogbulafor was eased out when he fell out of favour with the powers-that-be and forced to resign on the basis of clamour by party members, who felt that he carried a huge moral burden over an allegation of corruption against him.

Nwodo was later chosen in his place.

Even Nwodo did not last too long in that position, as he was off-loaded to take care of some interests, handing over the baton, in interim capacity, to his deputy, Haliru Bello Mohammed from Kebbi State.

He was later appointed Minister of Defence, paving the way for then national secretary, Kawu Baraje, still in acting capacity, who held sway until the election of Bamanga Tukur in March 2012.

Tukur was elected to the position with the support of the Presidency, and indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan, despite not being the choice candidate of his Northeast zone.

This, coupled with his style of leadership, made it a rough ride for Tukur, especially with the state governors, who appear bent on seeing him off, following his controversial decision regarding the Adamawa State executive of the party.

Not only that, some members of the national leadership were not at ease with his style of leadership, as he was alleged to had courted enemies for himself and the President during his tenure through his actions and inactions, especially in the Southwest.

This had re-enforced those opposed to him to push further for his ouster, which many thought was around the corner, if the President must make in road in his perceived second term ambition among the governors, who controlled quite a lot of the party’s voting structure.

Tukur also had the reputation of quarrelling with his National Working Committee (NWC) members and even trying to dislodge them, like he succeeded in doing in some cases, willy-nilly.

The first obvious sign that the umbrella was tearing apart emerged at a mini-convention of the party in Abuja, when some influential members, including former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and state governors, and led by Baraje staged a walkout that left many stakeholders dumbfounded.

It seem became the beginning of things to come for the party. It also sent a strong signal and was the first sign that President or Presidency that it was losing grip of its control and influence and indeed hold on the party, as the dissident group became known as the New-PDP or nPDP. But Tukur carried on like nothing happened, boasting of his clout and merely bandying the matter, even when he was sliding down the political pathway.

After several failed attempts to make him change his ways or have him removed, the Baraje-led group and five governors elected on the party’s platform, having been barred from using the name or acronym PDP by a court of competent jurisdiction, dramatically quit the party in November last year.

The governors are Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers); Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa)-.

They later pitched tent with the fledging opposition party, the All Progressive Congress

(APC).

Finally, Tukur has gone the way of his predecessors. But unlike them, he left the party in a mess and did more damage to it that ever envisaged by members.

He would be (un)fondly remembered for further polarising the party down the line, leading to the exit of the five governors and the

party losing its numerical parliamentary majority in the House of Representatives (and probably in the Senate too when the time comes) due to the defection of some members to the APC. It bandying remains to be seen whether his exit will actually steer the party back on course, having drifted for so long and so far.

Tukur

‘I Will Survive It’ Alhaji Bamanga Tukur spoke to SAMSON EZEA in Abuja in February 2012 on why he wanted to become Peoples Democratic party’s (PDP) national chairman, how he intended to handle the state governors, insisting he would nor suffer the fate of his predecessors. It remains debatable if he succeeded in doing those things he promised to do before his ouster this week. fathers?

It was when we failed to apply internal democracy in the party, refused to do things the (PDP)? right way and failed to realise I am one of the founders of that it is being look unto to the party and still a major stakeholder. If the party is not deepen democracy. We moving the way it supposes to imposed candidates, instead of move, I believe there is need to providing a level playing ground for all the aspirants on reposition it for better perthe party’s platform. formance.

We need to correct all these Besides, the party has zoned the position of national chair- anomalies that have held the man to my geo-political zone- party down for a while now.

We have members all over the Northeast. country and control governSo, I believe it is time and proper for me to drive the seat ment in various states, includnow. I want to restore the par- ing the centre. So, we are supposed to be exemplary, as a rulty’s past glory, because when ing party with large followers we formed the party, it was a all over the country. mass movement.

But today, we have lost all the How will you manage the overbearing and domineering elective positions we won in influence of state governors on the 2007 general election in the party platform, if elected? the Southwest to the opposiIt is in the interest of the govtion and we keep on having ernors for the party to be propproblems among our party erly democratised in the way faithful in the zone. and manner of doing things.

I want to unite PDP as one No governor will like to lose a indivisible family again.

At what point did PDP derailed second term, so they need to from the vision of its founding be open and receptive to Hy do you want to be the W national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party

reforms that will always give the party victory in elections.

If we continue the way we are going, we may lose more elections to opposition in the future.

Do you think you can survive the proverbial banana peels that have swept most of the former office holders from the position?

I will survive it, because the party needs a founding father, like me, to steer the ship of the party; somebody who knows yesterday, today and can lead the party well for tomorrow.

But most of the past occupiers of the post were equally founding fathers, yet they did not survive the banana peels?

I don’t think (Dr. Okwesilieze) Nwodo, for instance, was removed from office because he was trying to reform the party.

Besides, reforming the party is part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s policy. We cannot achieve anything without sanitising the party.

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Saturday, January 18, 2014 53

POLITICS

Those Scrambling To Succeed Tukur

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur waves to his supporters after being elected new chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja on March 24, 2012.

PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

By Joseph Okoghenun EFORE the official resignation of the immediB ate past Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, several members of the party from the North-East part of Nigeria had been struggling to succeed the PDP stalwart.

As the National Executive Committee (NEC) meets on Monday to deliberate who become the next chairman of the party, barely any minute changes, any of the following PDP members might just become the next chairman of the embattled party.

The Guardian, however, gathered that most PDP governors want the position to be occupied by someone from a state not controlled by the PDP in the zone. While Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states are controlled by the APC, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi states are controlled by the PDP. Idris Umar Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, is one PDP

member seriously contending for the chairmanship position. A former member of the House of Representatives, Umar was a serving senator in 2011 before he was appointed Minister of Transport.

Umar, who from Gombe State, has the serious support of the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

But close sources believe that Mrs.Jonathan’s support for him may be his major undoing, as the party’s governors have resolved to resist any attempts by her to have a say in the emergence of the chairman of the PDP. Moreover, the minister would have to contend with his state governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, who like other PDP governors, is opposed to the chairman coming from his state.

Musa Babayo The immediate past acting National Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Musa Babayo, is another aspirant contending for the position.

Babayo, who hails from Bauchi State, is a found-

ing member of the PDP and has been a Senatorial candidate of the party for Bauchi North in 2003 and 2007 elections.

An M.Sc graduate in Management and Technology of the University of Wales, the Chairman of Board of Trustees of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has Ph.D in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Abuja.

A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN) and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Babayo had clearly defeated Tukur at the North-East zonal congress of the party in 2011, but was dropped for Tukur to emerge chairman of the party, owing to party intrigues.

Amb.Hassan Adamu Former President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ambassador Hassan Adamu, is one man on the list of those that may emerge chairman of the party soon.

The Wakilin Adamawa, who hails from Adamawa State, is a founding member of the PDP and member of PDP Board of Trustees representing Adamawa State.

The former Minister of Environment and Agriculture and Rural Development had served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States of America. Adamu is said to enjoy huge respect across in his home state of Adamawa, which incidentally is where Tukur hails from. But age is not on the side of Chairman of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC); he is as old as Bamanga Tukur.

Adamu Muazu The former Governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Mu’azu, who is the chairman of the National Pension Commission (Pencom), is another contender for the post. But his albatross is the governor of his state, Isa Yuguda. Mu’azu and Yuguda are sworn political enemies. Yuguda had to defect to the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to contest the 2007 governorship elec-

tion, which he won and thereafter returned to the PDP. Although it has been reported that the president has been making frantic efforts to reconcile Yuguda and Mu’azu, it is uncertain if Yuguda will yield to the effort. But if the reconciliation effort succeeds, his chances might be brightened.

Gambo Lawan Chairman of the Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP) during the Abacha administration, Gambo Lawan,is being tipped to replaced Tukur.

Lawan, who hails from Borno State, vied for the PDP chair during the exercise that brought Tukur to office. He is believed not to be privy to the plan for him to emerge as national chairman of the party. But for those pushing for his nomination, he is viewed as capable of restoring broken confidence in the party.

Mohammed Abba Gana Former special adviser to the president and presently, member of the Board of Trustees, BoT of the PDP, Mohammed Abba Gana,is one of those being tipped for the position. Gana, who hails from Borno State, had served as a Special Adviser on Civil Society to then Vice President Atiku Abubakar until 2006 when he was sacked by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo. He had previously served as a Federal Capital Territory Minister from 2001 to 2003.

Senator Abubakar Mahdi Senator Abubakar Mahdi, who hails from Borno State, is the leader of the faction of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) that elected to remain with the PDP. He is also an ally of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Mahdi, according to sources, has the backing of the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih.

Should Mahdi emerge the PDP chairman, he could checkmate Atiku, who was believed to have supported the registration of the breakaway faction of PDM as a political party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

‘How We Kicked Polio, Meningitis Out Of Katsina’ Executive Chairman of Katsina State Primary Health Development Agency, Awe Aliu, in speaks on how the government is taking heath care to everybody, irrespective of status.

HAT kind of attention is the Katsina State W government giving primary health care?

I have been here since the agency was created in 2005 to provide primary health care for the people, even as it collaborates with the local governments to provide effective primary health services in the state.

The Katsina State Primary Health Development Agency has five departments for proper running of its activities, namely administration, finance and supply, primary health care, ophthalmology and disease control, projects and pharmaceutical services.

We are responsible for improvement of maternal and child health, preventive care services, immunisation, health education and mobilisation of the people towards better heath behaviour.

We collaborate with donor agencies in the state, even as we coordinate the comprehensive health centres (one in all the 34 council.)

We have four health facilities. Katsina has four major gates and around each of these gates, there is a facility, which acts as the first level of referral in the health care chain before the general hospital.

We also have one mobile ambulances in each of the 34 councils to penetrate the remotest parts of the state to give health facilities to the people, who ordinarily would not have the opportunity of coming to town to receive healthcare services.

Each council identifies which locality does not have health facility, makes a list of the villages and on daily basis, the ambulance visits a particular village to renders services.

About 70 per cent of Katsina’s 7.1 million population live in rural areas and we have over 1,700 health facilities, ranging from primary health care to comprehensive health services and the general hospitals.

Even then, there are some villages that still do not have a single health facility; hence government thinks that pending when such facility would get to them, it would give them health facilities in mobile ambulance, which is well equipped and manned by three personnel.

In the morning, they take off from the council headquarters and begin the job for the day by going from one locality to another, after the village heads will have passed the message across to their subjects on the time and date of the coming of the ambulance. By this action, the ambulance is able to render integrated health services to virtually everybody in the state.

The first thing they do when they get there is to conduct health education concerning how the people should improve and protect themselves against common ailments.

Thereafter, the sick ones among them would be identified and attended to and all the children within immunisation are identified and vaccinated against the six child killer diseasestuberculosis, measles, polio, partosis, tetanus and yellow fever.

The ambulance personnel also do delivery services. For example, if they find a woman in labour, they would deliver her.

The ambulance also provides referral service. If it comes across a patient with an ailment beyond the personnel, they would convey him/her to the nearest health facility around.

The mandate of my agency is to coordinate and monitor the activities of the ambulances, which are given drugs that would last them for that duration on quarterly basis.

Where are these drugs kept for that long period?

Each council has a department store where the drugs are kept. The one that they collect from the headquarters here lasts for one month.

When they exhaust it, they return to collect another batch for the next month.

But the drugs we have are usually for three month-duration.

How do you prevent the drugs in your health facilities from finding their way into the open market or being commercialised by your personnel?

When we give them the drugs, we don’t end it there; we have people that monitor them, including traditional leaders.

Beyond that, we have records for the ambulance itself, such as where it is going and on

what date, time and even mileage.

We have also directed that traditional leaders must sign a certain document each time the ambulance visits their locality as a way of endorsing the fact that the ambulance was in their domain.

On monthly basis, we have what we called integrated supportive supervision team that goes out to go look at the activities of the ambulance in each council.

Apart from looking at the health facilities, they also check the mobile ambulances in order to give proper evaluation of their activities for the month.

Katsina is one of the states that started implementing COMESS/CONES, the new improved salary structure for health personnel in the country; hence all our health workers are adequately taken care of.

So, I don’t think they would want to commercialise drugs meant for the poor people.

At the same time, they are indigenes of these localities and those they are treating are their own people, so I don’t think they will have the conscience to do that.

Everybody cannot be 100 per cent honest, but we are doing everything humanly possible to check such negative attitude and so far so good, as we have not recorded anything of such.

Talking about the overall administration of this agency, it is this present administration that upgraded virtually all the health facilities in the state and has built over 10 new ones, with one presently being constructed in Kurfi council.

How are you tackling cases of polio cases?

Polio is an issue to Nigeria as a whole; not only Katsina State. In the northern part of the country, there are states endemic of the disease, but in Katsina State, we have overcome polio.

This is 12th month since we recorded the last case of polio in the state. The issue of polio eradication is not that of the agency alone; it is something that all other sectors are putting in their own contributions.

So, we are collaborating with the traditional rulers and Ulamas, among others to get rid of the disease.

How are they being provided for Almajiris, medically?

Like I said, we have the mobile ambulance

Aliu that goes from village to village to look after the people. The governor looked at the under-served sector, which he identified as the Almajiris, and believes there must be a clinic of sort for them.

So, we started one as a pilot project in three councils where Almajiris are mostly populated, with mobile ambulances manned by two health care personnel and every morning, they go from one Almajiris school to another.

Under this agency, we have been able to vaccinate over 4.1 million people against cerebral meningitis, which is one of the diseases that is rampant in the north, especially those within the ages of one year to nine.

Before now, we used to have outbreak of meningitis on annual basis once the weather is hot, usually around March to May. But since the vaccination, we no longer have the outbreak.

We have equally distributed over 2. 7 million treated mosquito nets across the state against malaria.

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TRAVEL&TOURISM

Olumo Rock…The Ageless Fortress of The Egbas Beckons Tourists From Everywhere AJIBOLA AMZAT visited Olumo Rock recently, and captured his experience in this report.

T mid-morning sometimes in November last year, the anA cient city of Abeokuta is a sprawling settlement under the haze of thick dust and harmattan fog. Visibility is a challenge except for the fortunate ones with a gift of optical acuity. And passing vehicles does not help matters. They raise swirl of dust in their wake, leaving a residue of powdery air on the houses nearby and passersby. Yet, the people of Abeokuta go about their business oblivious of this fallout. Everyone seems to be going towards directions where dust further thickens. Only a few is heading towards the safety of Olumo Rock, the most pristine part of the town.

O-l-u-m-o Rock. This is the place where clear sky spreads out itself atop an outsize rock. It is indeed an irony of history that the same place where the people of Egba had taken refuge centuries ago is now a place less visited except by the foreigners from far afield.

Back in time, this fortress was the Rock of Gibraltar of the Egbas. It was an ideal place of refuge when the Egba people were under the attack of enemies from the next door. The people then believed that God built the rocky fortress exclusively for their security. Little wonder they later christened it Olu’mo, which means ‘built by God for our refuge’. Some historians would however insist that the Olu’mo is the short version of Oluwa fimo, meaning ‘God has put an end to our suffering and wandering’. It is no understatement to say that the Egbas suffered recurring misfortune in history. But not many people remember those trying times anymore. The memory of that turbulent era has dissolved with the passage of time.

Today, very few people would bear in mind the details of epic battle fought by the Egbas against the warlords of Old Oyo Empire, the slave hunters of Dahomey and other vicious raiders of the Egba kingdom. In the 1842 Battle of Arakanga, Egba people reportedly defeated the Ibadan army, and with assistance from missionaries, defeated Dahomey army led by King Gezo. Historians also recorded the account of tribal wars of survival fought by the Egbas against the people of Ota in 1842; Ado, 1844; Ibarapa, 1849; Ijebu Ere, 1851; Ijaye, 1860-1862 and Makun, 1862-1864.

Perhaps much fewer natives still retain the memory of valiant deeds of warlords such Sodeke, the first Balogun of Egbaland; Ogunbona, the Balogun of Ikija; Okunene, the Sagbua of Ake and head of Ogboni fraternity; Apati, Bada of Kemta; Alatise; Adagba, the hunter/farmer and a host of others. Sodeke, the account says, led Egba people from Orile Egba to Abeokuta

in 1830. Certainly, not many children in Egbaland are familiar with this detail anymore. Yet this apathy is forgivable because time is the robber of memory.

Notwithstanding, Olumo Rock, a 37m high boulder stone stands deviant to this steady incursion of memory loss. A resolute custodian of Egba history, Olumo Rock tells the stories of a courageous people who have mastered the art of survival even in the most precarious environment. And so, in the eyes of the Egbas, the rock is a deity.

Right from the entrance of Olumo Rock Tourist Complex (ORTC), the majesty of the igneous rock formed by molten lava through a volcanic eruption million years ago, according to geological account of the area, is unmistaken. Surrounded by dense greenery, the rock from a distance looks like a leprous beast in the middle of a forest. This fearsome magnificence endows Olumo Rock a kind of spiritual aura that makes a first time visitor stands in awe of its prominence.“In this rock lies the rich history of Egba people,” says Kola Anidugbe, the General Manager of ORTC. It is for this reason the government of Ogun state through ORTC has decided to preserve Olumo Rock, not only as a memorial to their progenitors and a living museum with vestiges of ancient belief system, but also as a tourist town for the people from all walks of life. Efforts of the past and present administrations have resulted in the transformation of the community from its primitive state into a modern tourist centre. Yet, this is achieved without defiling the purity of Olumo Rock. Alongside the modern fixtures in the Olumo Rock complex are the relics of the earlier settlers, shrines, worshippers of deities, living animals, plants and trees, so much that the general setting of Olumo Rock now is a hybrid of primitivity and modernity.

In the past, one needed to climb endless steps along a staircase that is almost perpendicular in order to get to the mountaintop, now an elevator has been installed to lift tourists up to the mountain peak. The gradual ascent of the elevator allows a panoramic view of the surrounding beauty of Abeokuta.

And from the top, one can see scattered forests bordering clusters of buildings with rusty roofs, and the winding Ogun River intersecting arrays of buildings. During the colonial era, that river used to be an important route for traders carrying goods by canoe between Abeokuta and the Lagos colony.

Within sights are structures of high historical values.

One of such monuments is the building that first accommodated Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta. Rev. S.G Pinnock, a Methodist Missionary who later became a Baptist established the school on Friday 23rd January 1923. ‘Egunya Hill’, as the building is formerly called, accommodated the school till 1974

when it was relocated to Oke –Saje. Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) is now using the school for transmission because of its height advantage. The old residence of the colonial District Officers of Egba Division, Mr. John Blair and Mr. J.G Pyke still stands tall in the city. The building is now being preserved as the permanent Government House of Ogun state.

St. Peters Anglican Cathedral, Ake, the first church in Nigeria also lies within line of sight. Eminent missionaries the likes of Mr. Henry Townsend, Rev. C.A. Golmer and Rev. Ajayi Crowther ministered in this church. Then, there is the Central Mosque Kobiti, the only mosque where the Egba Muslim community converges for Friday prayers. The mosque was re-built in 1925. Among the places of historical significance visible from the crest of Olumo Rock is the family house of the Nigerian icon of democracy, Bashorun MKO Abiola. In addition to these historical structures are the arrays of dated houses dotting the landscape of the ‘Gateway City’. Abeokuta, literally translated as the city underneath the rock, indeed belongs to the class of ancient simplicity.

Nevertheless, a tour of the Olumo Rock Tourist Complex does not begin with ride to the mountaintop. Visitors are first taken round the 500-seat capacity multi-purpose hall where conferences, seminars, workshops and symposia are held on regular basis. The hall is soundproof to prevent noise interference from reaching outside where other tourists enjoy the serenity of the centre. In the wisdom of the planners of the complex, it is better to keep the auditorium far from the crowd that visit during festive periods.

Behind the auditorium is the museum which comprises of art gallery and research and documentation department. The gallery features works such as painting, sculpture, figurines and books. Oyedeji Banji, the curator of Olumo Rock art gallery, describes the gallery as “a meeting point of contemporary and historical arts”. Prominent in the gallery are the works of Mr. Anidugbe. One of them captures the developmental stages of Olumo Rock from its primitive state to the modern state.

Next to the museum is a restaurant and Bush Bar where both local and European food and drinks are served.

Tourists usually prefer local rice tucked inside a wrap of wide green leaves, garnished with small chunks of assorted meats, and stew prepared with green pepper and red palm oil. Most meals go with fresh frothing palm wine, the type that produces multiple winks when it settles down in the calabash, and causes satisfying belch from the belly. Nearby is a music stand from where blends of highlife and Afro music waft steadily. “Life is fun here eh,” a tourist wonders aloud.

But the real excitement is the tour of the mountain.

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TRAVEL&TOURISM The Ageless Fortress of The Egbas Beckons Tourists From Everywhere The tour officer, Ms Modupe Adebayo is a bubbly character with the gift of the gab. “Don’t be afraid for anything; we never had a casualty here – none that I know of,” she announced cheerfully. According to her, the denizens of Olumo Rock are benevolent spirits who see to the safety of every tourist who come visiting. And for this favour, the Egba community led by its paramount ruler, Alake, offers rituals of a big black cow to the deities every fifth of August. During the festival, the Egbas regardless of their religious faith assemble at Olumo Rock with different requests. That is why the praise poem of Olumo Rock starts thus: Olumo abel’owo, abel’omo, abel’oro, meaning the deity that pleads to God on behalf of the mortals for riches, children and wealth.

The tour of the mountain range starts at the first landing, named Lisabi Garden. It is a natural garden hanging on the rock. What is really peculiar about this garden is the presence of

aged trees such as flamboyant tree, which produces flower of Barbados; The neem (Dongoyaro) tree, which is used to cure malaria and halitosis, and baobab tree (adansonia digitata) known as the king of trees in Yorubaland. On their own, the trees are symbol of endurance having survived for many decades on the rocky plane and outlived several Alakes.

The baobab tree is perhaps the biggest and the longest living tree on Olumo rock according to the report of researchers from different universities. The Egba people believe the tree is inhabited by the deity of longevity, Orisa Igun. Therefore worshippers gather round the ‘mystical’ tree every March during the 30-day festival of Orisa Igun to offer gratitude and pray for longer life.

Somewhere on the East side of the mountain is the main shrine where the devotees of Orisa Igun, mainly old women, have taken permanent residence. In their estimation, proximity to the

space of the deity is an assurance of long life. The priestess of Orisa igun, Chief Mrs. Sinatu Aduke Amusa (aka Iya Olumo) is a living testimony of the claim of the longevity power of the god.

She will be 130 years old this year. The postal of her 128th birthday celebration two years ago is hung on the wall of her small house on the rock. “She has been living in this place since I know her, says the tour guide. “Kind –hearted tourists sometime give money to her and her acolytes, and she in return consults the god on their behalf. She also offers prayers for them.”

In front of the worshippers’ den is Akoko tree. The leaf of this tree does not wither either during the dry or rainy season. And the leaf is one of the necessary ritual objects used in the coronation of Alake, says Ms. Adebayo. In Yorubaland of the Southwest Nigeria, coronation ritual of a king is incomplete without the Akoko leaf. At metaphysical level, Akoko leaf is deemed to have the power to preserve the life of a king.

Right under a slab of boulder is Oju’bo Obalu’aye, also known as Sonpono, the deity that visits people with small pox.

The affected ones are brought to this shrine for cure. Around this place, the relics of the earlier inhabitants of olumo Rock are preserved through sculptural art form by Olumo Art Movement Group led by Mr. Anidugbe in 1984. The sculpture represents the struggle and hazard of the settlers went through when they were hiding inside the rock. The illustration includes human heads, pots, cowries etcetera. The standing heads represents the survivors while the buried heads represents those who did not survive the period of adversity. Cowries are used to represent the Yoruba custom of consulting Ifa before a decision is taken.

The last stage of the tour is at the summit of the rock.

Tourists can either follow the elevator or take the ancient route.

The latter is a slippery rock-strewn path that tests human sense of coordination and stability. Passing this route causes a feeling of vertigo even in the brave ones. “This is the passage used by the early settlers when going to the mountaintop. And anything that falls from your pocket here cannot be retrieved. So keep your phones and other valuable items safe,” the tour guide warns. Expectedly, not a few opted for the elevator.

At the top of the mountain, the entire city of Abeokuta lay beneath like a huge canvas of a surrealist painting, and at the edge of this canvas is a thin line where the sky meets the earth.

No eye can behold such incongruous splendor of nature except it sees from the crest of Olumo Rock.

NSE Meets To Promote Growth Of Local Content

By Debo Oladimeji HE Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) held its Nigerian Content Workshop 2013 in Abuja recently with the theme “Engineering Entrepreneurship and Nigerian Content Development”. It was designed to give Nigerian engineers entrepreneurial and managerial skills for starting, owning, sustaining and expanding engineering businesses. The workshop was well attended by over 500 participants from the public and private sectors and the academia.

While welcome guests, Chairman, NSE Nigerian Content Committee, Engr. Chris Okoye, opined that Nigeria could be where she wanted to be, “if we can develop engineering capabilities to drive the Nigerian Local Content Programme”. He cited examples of countries like China and India, which unexpectedly, shifted the global economic power and were ready to rule the future. He further stressed that if Nigeria must make progress and achieve its Vision 20-2020, then it must begin to produce most of its important capital goods at home.

He stressed, “This can only happen if the country builds the requisite manpower in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). These have been the major strengths of leading countries in manufacturing and economic achievements such as Japan and the USA”.

He identified reasons for poor economic and industrial performance to include lack of technological firms in manufacturing industries, low level of technology and misplacement of priorities on the needs of the domestic market. He tasked engineers to discover the world of business to enable them express their engineering creativity. He thanked key collaborati ng partners and congratulated the two Nigerian establishments (NAPTIN and OTIS Engineering Ltd) for winning the NSE Nigerian Content 2013 Award.

NSE President, Engr. M. B. Shehu, who was unavoidably absent due to other international engagements, had his vice, Engr. Otis Anyaeji, ably representing him. The President noted that the theme was apt, especially in the phase of on-going power sector reforms and privatization, where Nigerian companies were ‘missing in action’. He stressed that based on their profession and expertise, engineers were bet-

T

ter positioned to participate at both the managerial and entrepreneurial levels of these companies. He urged engineers and relevant agencies to demonstrate greater commitment and be more proactive in future privatisation processes.

Shehu noted with satisfaction the enormous achievements of Nigerian Content Committee, stating that by the extent of work the committee had surpassed the duties of a committee and would rather recommend its upgrade to the status of a Board of the Society to enable it accommodate and effectively dispense its responsibilities. He was optimistic that of a successful conference that would lead to engineering entrepreneurship and prosperity in the country.

Chairman, House Committee on Local Content, Hon. Asita Honorable, while delivery his goodwill message, reminded engineers of the challenges he posed to them at the previous year’s workshop. He hoped engineers were at the forefront of urging government to complete major engineering infrastructures such as the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, which has been virtually abandoned. He expressed happiness with the conference organisers and wished them fruitful deliberations.

In his keynote address, Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, expressed delight for the privilege of presenting one of the keynote addresses. He identified a converging point between engineering and entrepreneurship, as well as a common focus in what PTDF and NSE were trying to achieve in the local content development programmes, noting, “These include engineering manpower and infrastructural development for the oil and gas industry, wealth and job creation which target over 70 percent increased local participation”.

Oluleye noted that recurring capital flight was a drain to the economy, but also observed that the country had saved an appreciable sum. The PTDF boss reviewed the mandate of the Trust Fund and listed some of the intervention programmes and the achievements of PTDF scholarships to includes: University lecturers’ training, sponsorship of critical stakeholders to relevant international conferences, establishment of ICT centres and other critical research and development infrastructure, endowments and other programmes in various universities

Engr. Reuben Okeke, FNSE, DG NAPTIN – one of the companies that won the 2013 Nigerian Content award (seated),Engr. Raymond Wilcox, FNSE, head, Nigerian Content, Chevron; Engr. Kunle Adekule, FNSE; Engr. Chris Okoye, Chairman Nigerian Content Committee; Engr. Otis Alhaeji, Deputy President of NSE; Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, Executive Secretary PTDF and Engr. W. Uzuebu, Chairman, Board of fellows, NSE at the workshop. which promotes the import of goods and servin the country. ices and In-Country Value (ICV), which proExecutive Secretary, Nigerian Content Devel- motes development and use of local capacity. opment and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. These, he said, were Nigeria’s target strategies.

Ernest Nwapa, pointed out in his keynote that On the consequences of excessive importation government could make all the laws and poli- to the economy, he stressed capital flight of cies, but that it behooves on the people/entre- over $380 billion in 30 years; loss of jobs to preneurs to come forward and transform the about 10 million direct and indirect jobs; loss policies into action to benefit the nation. He of investment in local yards and facilities and identified three common areas between general loss of total industrialization platform.

NCDMB and NSE to include: job creation, buildNwapa pointed out the need to improve maning capacity and creating a framework for par- ufacturing up to an appreciable level to gain ticipation of Nigerians to contribute to the the benefits accruable for full local content, economy. He made strong cases for more ef- adding that what makes for a great oil profective collaborations among NCDMB, NSE, duction country was its robust local supply Council for the Regulation of Engineering in chain, infrastructural facilities, ownership and Nigeria (COREN), and others in establishing manufacturing industries. He graphically guidelines and standards; establishment of showed the progress recorded so far by some shop floors, centres of excellence and support new and emerging Nigerian oil and gas comto institutions; funding for engineering, tech- panies contributing to the Nigerian content nology and research and development; devel- initiative. oping framework for leveraging capacity in oil Two local companies, National Power Trainand gas to impact on other linkage sectors of ing Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) and Otis Enthe economy. gineering Ltd, were awarded the 2013 NSE Nwapa identified two strategic resource ex- Nigerian Content Award after reading their citraction options to include Revenue-Focused, tation and areas of strength in which the

56 Saturday, January 18, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Change of Name ABIDAKUN: Formerly Miss Damilola Rebecca Abidakun now Mrs. Damilola Rebecca Adeleye. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEYINKA: Formerly Miss Adewoyin Adeola Adeyinka, now Mrs Akinwale Adeola Adeyinka.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

ABIOLA: Formerly Miss Abiola Felicia Olaitan now Mrs. Adebayo Felicia Olaitan. All documents valid. Public note.

ADUN: Formerly Miss Veracruz Oseyemwen Adun now Mrs. Vera Oseyemwen Shamaki. Former documents valid.

Public note.

ABORISADE: Former Miss Aborisade Tolulope Omolola now Mrs Oke Tolulope Omolola. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, public note.

ADEBAYO: Formerly Miss Adebayo Funke Suliyat now Mrs. Ojo Funke Suliyat. Former documents valid. Public note.

ADEBANJO: Former Miss Mosunmola Kuburat Adebanjo now Mrs. Mosunmola Kuburat Folarin.

Former documents remain valid. Unilag, public note.

ADEBOYE: Formerly Miss Adelola Abosede Adeboye now Mrs. Adelola Abosede Adebayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEDEJI: Formerly Miss Oluwadamilola Tosin Adedeji now Mrs. Oluwadamilola Tosin Adejumo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEDIRAN: Formerly Miss Olutosin Elizabeth Adediran now Mrs Olutosin Elizabeth Ariyo. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

ADELEKE: Formerly Adeleke Oluwatoyin Ayoade now Mrs. Onwordi Oluwatoyin Ayoade. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADENIJI: Formerly Miss Adeniji Adeola Bosede now Mrs Bukoye Adeola Bosede. Former documents valid. Public note.

ADESINA: Formerly Miss Adesina Ajoke Omowumi now Mrs Olalekan Ajoke Omowumi. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

ADEYEMO: Formerly Adeyemo Atinuke Caroline now Adebusuyi Atinuke Caroline.

Documents valid. Public note.

ADEYEMO: Formerly Adeyemo Opeyemi Deborah now Mrs. Olaperi Opeyemi Deborah. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEYEYE: Formerly Miss Opeyemi Deborah Adeyeye now Mrs. Omolewo John Opeyemi Deborah.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AFUYE: Formerly Miss Afuye Olabisi Olubunmi now Mrs. AdarighofuaSmart Olabisi Olubunmi.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

AGBO: Formerly Miss Vivian Chikaodili Agbo, now Mrs Vivian Chikaodili Ibekwe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AGUSI: Formerly Miss Agusi Gloria Agaezichukwu, now Mrs Orji Gloria Agaezichukwu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AHMED: Formerly known as Taiwo Afolashade Ahmed now Taiwo Afolashade Ayanfeoluwa.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AJANI: Formerly known as Miss Olawumi Esther Ajani now addressed as Mrs Olawumi Esther Oladunjoye. Former documents remain valid, NYSC public note.

AJAYI: Former Miss Ajayi Odunayo Hannah now Mrs. Oladeji Odunayo Hannah. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AIWANSOBA: Formerly Miss Aiwansoba Endurance now wishes to be addressed as Miss Edogiawerie Endurance Adesuwa. WAEC and general public take note.

AKANBI: Formerly Miss Akanbi Adekemi Elizabeth now Mrs. Olatoye Adekemi Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINBI: Formerly Bukola Funmilayo Akinbi now Bukola Funmilayo Dasilva. Former documents valid. Public note.

AKINDUNBI : Formerly Miss Akindunbi Moyinoluwa Tolulope, now Mrs Adekoya Moyinoluwa Tolulope. Former documents valid. Public note.

AKINNAWO: I, formerly Miss Olufisola O. Akinnawo now Mrs. Olufisola O. Odusanya. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKPASUBI: Former Miss Akpasubi Edith now Mrs. Ehiozuwa Edith Osagie.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINTOLA-IDOWU: Formerly Tolulope AkintolaIdowu now Tolulope Owolabi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKPABIO: Formerly Miss Enoh Daisy Akpabio now Mrs Enoh Daisy Emmanuel Iyeh. Former documents remain valid.

Public note AKPANA: I, formerly Aboh Comfort Akpana now Aboh Peggi Stephen. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ALABI: Formerly Miss Abimifoluwa Bose Alabi, now Mrs Abimifoluwa Bose Agbede. Former documents valid. Public note.

ALLIYU: Formerly Mr Alliyu Bamidele Shodehinde, now Mr Alliyu Bamidele Gold. Former documents valid. Public note AMADIFE: Formerly Miss Ebele Emmanuella Amadife, now Mrs Ebele Emmanuella Onuegbu.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

ANEKE: Formerly Miss Aneke Ukamaka Louisa, now Mrs Temple Ukamaka Louisa. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANEKE: Formerly Miss Aneke Lilian Chinwe, now Mrs Ezeoba Lilian Chinwe. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANIEKWE: Formerly Evelyn Chinwe Obiora Aniekwe Obiezue, now Mrs Evelyn Chinwe Alobele. Former documents remain valid.Public note.

ANIKWE: Formerly miss Anikwe Lucy Uzoamaka now wish to be addressed as Mrs Onuoha Lucy Uzoamaka all former documents remain valid general public take note.

get Bennett wishes to be called Deborah Bridget Anslem-Omeh. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANYAMELE: - Formerly Miss Uchechi Akwaugo Patience Anyamele, now Mrs Uchechi Akwaugo Patience Ogbonna. Former documents remain valid.

General Public note.

AROMASODUN: Former Asanat Taiwo Aromasodun now Mrs. Asanat Taiwo Ogunneye. All documents remain valid.

Public note.

ARUWUONYE: Formerly Miss Goodness Ogechi Aruwuonye now Mrs. Goodness Ogechi Ibadin.

Former documents remain valid. NYSC and public note.

ASANI: Former Asani Olawale Abiodun now Hassan Olawale Samuel.

Public note ASHAOLU: Formerly Miss Omoyeni Olubunmi Ashaolu now Mrs. Omoyeni llawole. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ATUKPOR: Formerly Miss Atukpor Lilian Ngozi now Mrs Lilian Ngozi Anene.

Former documents remain valid, public note.

AYENI: Former Miss Lydia Ayeni now Mrs. Lydia Okpara. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AYETIGBO: Formerly Miss Ayetigbo Victoria Temitope, now Mrs Salawu Victoria Temitope. Former documents valid.

Public note.

AYOGU: Formerly Ayogu Samuel Nnaemeka now Ezea Samuel Nnaemeka.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BAKARE-ADEBIYI: Formerly Miss Olajumoke Bakare-Adebiyi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Olajumoke Adenrele. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANISULOWO: Formerly Miss Amodu Memunat Olushola now Mrs Anisulowo Monisola Olushola.

All former documents valid. Public note.

BELLO: Former Oyeniran Mary Oluwatobiloba now known as Bello-Oyeniran Mary Oluwatobiloba. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANOPUEME: Formerly Mrs. Chinagorom Felicita Anopueme now Mrs. Chinagorom Felicita Samson. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

BELLO: Formerly Miss Atinuke Abiodun Bello now Mrs. Atinuke Abiodun Oludimu. Former documents valid. Public note.

ANYANWU: Formerly Miss Chibundu Anyanwu now Mrs. Chibundu Deborah Odoko. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANSELM-OMEH: Formerly known as Deborah Brid-

BABAJIDE: Formerly Esuola Samuel Babajide now Mr. Esuola Samuel Olajide. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BABADIJI: Formerly Miss Babadiji Oluwatosin Rebecca now Mrs. Odusi Oluwatosin Rebecca. All former documents re-

main valid. Public notes.

BISIRIYU: Formerly Miss Yetunde Amina Bisiriyu now Mrs Yetunde Flourish Oladeinde. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BLESSING: I, formerly Miss Belinda Blessing Obaro now wish to be known as Mrs. Belinda Obaro Okosun. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

CHANGE OF FAMILY SURNAME. UGWUEKE: Formerly Ugwueke Family, now Ugwueke Roland Family. Former documents of family members remain valid. Public note.

CHANGE OF FAMILY SURNAME. AKPUSI: The family members of late Chief Stanley Obiora Akpusi, now wish to be known and addressed as Chinyelugo family.VIZ: Franklin Chukwuemeka Chinyelugo, Felicia Obiageli Chinyelugo, Collins Ugochukwu Chinyelugo, Bridget Ifeyinwa Chinyelugo.Former documents bearing Akpusi remain valid. General Public take note.

CHANGE OF FAMILY NAME. MBANUSI: Family of Mbanusi, now known as John: John Felix Chukwuma, John Cyril Echefuna, John Isaac Ifeanyichukwu, John Moses Chibuike, John Francis Chinedu, Dr. John Anthony Arinze, Mrs John Roseline Obiageli, Mrs John Loveth Osihna, Miss John Ebere Paschaline. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

CORRECTION OF STATE OF ORIGIN.I, Sunday Sylvanus, Male, a native of Amuda Eluoma, Uzuakoli in Bende LGA of Abia State, hereby states that my correct State of Origin is Abia State. That this correction supercedes all previous ones. General public take note.

CHIJIOKE: Formerly Miss Blessing Ngozi Chijioke, now Mrs Blessing Ngozi .T. Oba. Former documents valid. Public note.

CHIAWA: Formerly Miss Chiawa Stephine Chinenye Now Mrs Chielo Mary-Stephine Chinenye.

Former documents remain valid, public note.

CHINAKA: Formerly Miss Gracious Nneka Chinaka now Mrs Gracious Nneka Nwadike. Former documents valid. Public note.

CHILOKOA: Formerly Maryanne N. Chilokoa now Mrs. Maryanne N. Okolo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

CHIKELUE : Formerly Miss Chikelue Christiana Chioma now Mrs Nwabuisi Christiana Chioma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

DADDAH: I, formerly Miss Okiemute Abigail Daddah now Mrs. Okiemute Abigail CharlesNwoko. Public note.

DAMISA: Formerly Miss Anita Damisa, now Mrs Anita Akpuma. Former documents valid. Public note.

DANIEL: Formerly Jemima Abeni Daniel now Jemima Abeni Owaraojo. Documents valid. Public note.

DISEMOH: Formerly Miss Rachel Preye Disemoh now wish to be addressed as Mrs Rachel Preye Hamilton former documents remain valid general public note.

DONBAIKEYEI: Formerly Miss Donbaikeyei Tarikebi Joan now Mrs Omijeh Tarikebi Joan.

Former document remain valid. Public note.

EDEMEKA: Formerly Miss Edemeka Austine Nnah now Mrs. Eka-Austine Ubong Udom. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EDEKELE: Former Miss Edekele Priscilla now Mrs. Eduje Priscilla Gbadagri. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EDU: Formerly Miss Helen Ntami Edu, now Mrs Helen Ntami Nnadozie. Former documents valid. Public note.

EFFIONG: Formerly Miss Uduak Edet Effiong now Mrs. Tahirih Emmanuel Udousoro. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EJIKE-OKOLI: Formerly Miss Rita Tochi EjikeOkoli, now Mrs Rita Tochi Oguine. Former documents remain valid.Pubic note.

EKECHUKWU: Formerly Miss Ekechukwu Lucky Chinaza now Mrs. Maduako Chinaza Lucky. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EKORIKO: Formerly Miss Ekoriko Martha Precious now Mrs Uwaifo Martha Precious. Former documents remain valid. Public note EKE: Formerly Miss Oluebube Eke now mrs Oluebube Ekeoma. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, public note.

Saturday, January 18, 2014 57

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Change of Name EKPECHOGU: Formerly Miss Ekpechogu Nkechinyerem Damaris Now Mrs Uzor Nkechinyerem Damaris. Former documents remain valid, public note.

FRIDAY: Formerly Dirikumo Friday Ohiosimuan now to be known as Dirikumo Bubaraye Ohiosimuan.

Former documents remain valid. Public note

EMOKHARE: Former Miss Emokhare Augustina now Mrs. Okuwe Emokhare Augustina. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

GODFREY: Formerly Miss Godfrey Osinachi Gold, now Mrs Ahuchuba Osinachi Gold. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EZOMO: Formerly Miss Ezomo Eghoghon now Mrs. Azaka Eghoghon. All documents remain valid.

To Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

Public note.

HASSAN: Formerly Miss Nofisat Adeyinka Hassan, now Mrs Nofisat Adeyinka Durotoye. Former documents valid.

Public note.

EZEOBI: Formerly Miss Ezeobi Vivian Uche Now Mrs Izuchukwu Vivian Uchechukwu. Former documents remain valid, public note.

ESIM: Formerly Miss Esim Ann Ngozi, now Mrs Nwankwo Ann Ngozi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

FAMUYIWA: Formerly Dr. (Miss) Famuyiwa Tolulope Yejide, now Dr. (Mrs ) Awoyinfa Tolulope Yejide Onaolapo. Former documents valid. Public note.

FALADE: Formerly Miss Olabimpe Omolola Falade now Mrs. Olabimpe Omolola Chibogu. Former document remain valid. Public note.

FAMUYIWA: Formerly Master Oluwaseyi Joshua Famurewa now Master Oluwaseyi Joshua Olumurewa. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

FAMUREWA: Formerly Master Oluwaseun Paul Famurewa now Master Oluwaseun Paul Olumurewa. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

FAMUREWA: Formerly Joy Obiageli Bisola Famurewa now Mrs. Joy Obiageli Bisola Olumurewa. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

FAMUREWA: Fornerly Mr. Olugbenga Emmanuel Famurewa now Mr. Olugbenga Emmanuel Olumurewa.

Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

FASANYA: Formerly Demilade Fasanya now to be addressed as Demilade Olawumi Alamu.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

FOLAGBADE: Formerly Miss Folagbade Ayo now Mrs. Babalola Ayo. Former documents remain valid. Metroeyes Limited, Kogi State University, University of Lagos & general public note.

HORTON: Formerly Miss Edwina Warigbani Horton, now Mrs Edwina Warigbani Nwaogu. Former documents valid.

Public note.

ICHABA - ODUKOYA: Formerly Yemi Sariyu Ichaba-Odukoya now Yemi Sariyu Towobola Ichaba.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IFECHELOBI: Formerly Miss Ifechelobi Ndidiamaka Kelechi now Mrs Ezeigwe Ndidiamaka Kelechi. Former documents remain valid. Public note IFEME: Formerly Miss Ifeme Chidimma Cynthia, now Mrs Anajekwu Chidimma Cynthia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IGHAGBON: Formerly Mr Joseph Harrison Ighagbon, now Mr Joseph Freddie Nero.

Former documents valid. Public note.

IHEAKA : Formerly Miss Iheaka Nkem Cynthia Favour, now Mrs Uduji Nkem Cynthia Favour.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

ILOEJE: Formerly Miss Iloeje Obianuju Ebere, now Mrs Okoye Obianuju Ebere. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ILORI: Formerly Miss Ilori Peace Temitope now Mrs Oladipupo Peace Temitope. Former documents remain valid. Public note IMARENAKHUE: I formerly MISS Osas Imarenakhue now known as Mrs Osas Jaunegg. Former documents remain valid. Nigeria/Austria Embassies, General public note.

IMO - Formerly Dr. (Miss) Chioma Queen Imo, now Dr (Mrs) Chioma Queen Chikere Kobirim Former documents remain valid.

General Public note.

IZUAGBA: Formerly Mr. Izuagba Benard Anayo now addressed as Mr. Udeh Benard Anayo. Former documents valid.

Public note.

IZUAGWU : We Formerly Izuagwu Chimdalu Staphinie, Izuagwu Chigozirim Micheal, Izuagwu Chimeremeze Emmanuel, Izuagwu Victory Nkwachikwerem now Emmanuel Chimdalu Staphinie, Emmanuel Chigozirim Micheal, Emmanuel Chimeremeze Emmanuel, Emmanuel Victory Nkwachikwerem.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IWUOHA: Formerly Miss Ifeyinwa Linda Iwuoha now Mrs. Ifeyinwa Linda Onugha.

Documents valid. Public note.

JEGEDE: formerly Miss Jegede Oladolapo Abimbola, now MRS Falana Oladolapo Abimbola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

JONES-BELLO: Formerly Jones-Bello Sesan Oriyomi now known as Bello Sesan Oriyomi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note JOHNSON: Formerly Miss Gloria Nwachi Johnson and Chinedu Williams Ibezim, now Mrs Gloria Nwachi Ibezim and Chinedumije Williams Ibezim. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

now Mrs. Olaleye Kumuyi Taye Omowumi. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

NGENE : Formerly Miss Ngene Gladys Uju now Mrs Nwosu Gladys Uju .

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWAGBARA: Formerly Sunny Matthew Nwagbara now Sunny Matthew Nwagbara-Daniels. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

MAKANJUOLA: Formerly Titus Rasheed Makanjuola now Makanjuola Ashiru Titus. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

MALA: Formerly Miss Damilola Ruth Mala now Mrs. Damilola Ruth Badejo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MENSAH: Formerly Mrs. Mensah Margaret Atinuke now Miss Izasomeh Margaret Atinuke. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

MOMODU: Formerly Momodu Judith now Mrs Momodu Uwaiya Judith.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

JOSHUA: I formerly Miss Ibaraye Joshua now wish to be addressed as Mrs Ibaraye Joshua Nzekwue.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

MOORUFA: Formerly Miss Taiwo Temitope Adesola Moorufa now Mrs. Samuel-Ojaoba Temitope Adesola Deborah. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

KAREEM: Formerly Miss Kareem Abidemi Elizabeth now Mrs. Martins Abidemi Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MORAKINYO: Former Miss Modupeoluwa Ibidunni Morakinyo now Mrs. Modupeoluwa Ibidunni Adele. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

KEHINDE: Formerly Miss Adebimpe Kehinde now Miss Ogunmileto Adebimpe Dorcas. Former documents remain valid.

Mushin Community Senior Secondary School, IdiAraba, note.

MUHAMMAD: Formerly Mr. Amaan Shaikh now Mr. Muhammad Amaan Shaikh. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

KEN: Formerly Ken Uzodinma Ositadinma Egbunike-Awachie now address as Ken Egbunike.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

LAWAL: Formerly Miss Lawal Temitope Olubunmi, now Mrs Adesanya Temitope Olubunmi. Former documents valid. Public note.

LAMIDI: Formerly Lamidi Sodiq Obafemi now Abiru Sodiq Obafemi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

LAWAL: Formerly Miss Lawal Temitope Olawumi now Mrs. Ogunmilua Temitope Olawumi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

LONGE: Formerly Miss Longe Taye Omowumi

MUSILIU: Formerly Miss Musiliu Kehinde Grace, now Mrs Oketokun Kehinde Grace. Former documents valid. Public note.

NJINKEYA: Formerly Miss Njinkeya Peace Ifesinachi Now Mrs Asii Peace Ifesinachi. Former documents remain valid, public note.

NMEREGINI: Formerly miss Nmeregini Nnenna Mercy now mrs Nwoko Nnenna Mercy. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NNAMAH: Former Miss Nnamah Ezeife Angela now Mrs Ezeife Angela Alilonu. PAU, SMC and public note NNAMANI: Formerly Miss Oluchi Immaculate Nnamani, now Mrs O luchi immaculate Akpu. For-

mer documents valid.

Public note.

NNAMANI: Formerly Miss Nnamani Esther Chidiebere, now Mrs Edeh Esther Chidiebere. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NNAJI: Formerly Miss Nnaji Ngozi Vivian, now Mrs Chibuzor-Eze Ngozi Vivian. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NURUDEEN: Former Miss Esther Omoyele Nurudeen now Miss Folashade Ester Omoyele.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWACHUKWU: Formerly Nwachukwu Chioma Ugochi now Mrs. Chioma Ugochi Utoh. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWAFOR: Formerly Miss Nwafor Obarijima now Mrs Nwafor Jimajima Kasemi Alex. Former documents valid. Public take note.

NWOSU: Formerly Miss Nwosu Celestina Chinonyerem, now Mrs Rufus-Ibebuike Celestina Chinonyerem. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBASIDIKE: Formerly Sarah Obasidike Chidima now Sarah Uchechukwu Chidima. Public note.

OBASIDIKE: Formerly Uchechukwu Obasidike Moses now Moses Uchechukwu Osaro. Public note.

OBASUYI: Formerly Miss Adesuwa Lemcity obasuyi, now Mrs Adesuwa Lemcity Sonubi. Former documents valid. Public note.

OBBU: Formerly Miss Alero Hilda Obbu now Mrs Alero Hilda Unokan.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBISIKE: Formerly Miss Obisike Sandra Chizobam now known as Mrs. Iwe Sandra Chizobam. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OBOT: Formerly Miss Nancy Imebong Obot, now Mrs Nancy Imebong Petz. Former documents valid. Public note.

ODEBIYI: Formerly Miss Abisoye Oluwatosin Odebiyi now Mrs. Abisoye Oluwatosin Koleoso. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ODUA: Formerly Miss Chinwe Chidinma Odua now Mrs. Chinwe Chidinma Okpotse. Former documents remain valid.

Public note ODUNTAN: I, formerly Miss Oduntan Olabisi now wishes to be known

and addressed as Mrs. Ayodele Olabisi. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ODOGWU: Formerly Miss Praisel Edomwande Odogwu now Mrs Juliet Praisel Edomwande Okonkwo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OFOEGBU: Formerly Miss Ofoegbu Ugochinyere Nkeoma, now Mrs Anucha Ugochinyere Nkeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OHENHEN: Formerly Miss Faith Iyayi Ohenhen now Mrs. Faith Iyayi Ohenhen-Lewis. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGUNBAJO: Formerly Olubusola Adenike Ogunbajo now Olubusola Adenike Akinlaja. Former documents remain valid.

General public please note.

OGUNJOBI: Formerly Miss Ogunjobi Bukola Eunice now Mrs. Oniororo Bukola Eunice.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNMODEDE: Formerly Miss Afusat Arinola Ogunmodede now Mrs. Afusat Arinola Ogunboyejo. Former documents remain valid.

OGUNDEJI: Formerly Miss Temitope D. Ogundeji now Mrs. Temitope D. Adewole. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGUNSOLA: Formerly Miss Lateefat Taiwo Ogunsola, now Mrs Lateefat Taiwo Agboola.

Former documents valid. Public note .

OGUNTOLA: I, formerly Anthony Olufemi Oguntola now wish to be known as Anthony Oluwafemi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGUTA: Formerly Henry Danwell Oguta Oyobolo now Menry Donwell Oyobolo. Former documents remain valid.

National Open University of Nigerian (NOUN). Public note.

OGUNYEMI: Formerly Miss Ogunyemi Ajoke Oluwatoyin now Mrs. Bolarinwa Ajoke Oluwatoyin.

Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OHADEKWE: Formerly Miss Ohadekwe Chika Joan now Mrs.Okwuashi Cjika Joan. Former documents remain valid.

UNIBEN, public note.

OKAKA: Formerly Miss Sarah Ebeagbor Okaka, now Mrs Sarah Ebeagbor Ekwerike. Former documents valid. Public note.

58 Saturday, January 18, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Change of Name OKHUELEIGBE: Formerly Miss Okhueleigbe Odegua Tina now Mrs. Edewor Tina Odegua. Former documents valid.

Public note.

OKORIE: Formerly Miss Francisca Nonye Okorie, now Mrs Anyim-Ben Francisca Okorie. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKUNJOLU: Formerly Miss Adeola Timilehin Okunjolu, now Mrs Adeola Timilehin Oyeleke OKUSANYA: Formerly Miss Okusanya Olubunmi Grace, now Mrs Korede Olubunmi Grace.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

OKPOBRISI: Formerly miss Joyce Orobosa Okpobrisi Now wish to be addressed as Mrs Joyce Orobosa Obibi former documents remain valid general public note.

OJEBE: Formerly Miss Ojebe Nwanne Goodness now Mrs Michael Umeh Nwanne Goodness. Former docment valid. Public note.

OKAKA: Formerly Miss Sarah Ebeagbor Okaka, now Mrs Sarah Ebeagbor Ekwerike. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKANLAWON: I, formerly known as Miss Okanlawon Lucy Folashade now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onah Lucy Folashade. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKORIE: Formerly Okorie Dickson now Ikechukwu Gabriel Ochiagha. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKUNSANMI: Formerly Okunsanmi FolayemiHannah now Mrs. Nwaodia Folayemi Hannah.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONIKEDE: Formerly Miss Abisola Modinat Onikede, now Mrs Abisola Adeola Adebajo. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLA: Formerly Ola Olabisi Helen now wish to known as Adeyenuo Olabisi Helen. Ocean Suites International and public note ONOH: I, formerly Miss Peace Ngozi Onoh now wish to be known as Mrs Peace Ngozi Chikwelu. All former documents remain valid. NAFDAC and public note.

OMOKO: I, formerly Mr. Tony Omoko now Mr. Tony Mc Vincent. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ONODIAMA: formerly Miss Flora Oghenero Onodiama, now Mrs. Flora Oghenero Oluwafolakemi Ogunlusi. All former documents valid.

Public note.

OLADEGA: Formerly Miss Oladega Rebecca Folashade now Mrs. Kovobau Rebecca Folashade. Former documents valid. Ogunsubeb, Adoodo/Ota LGEA, public note.

OLAJIDE: Formerly Miss Olajide Olasumbo Esther now Mrs. Abiodun Olasumbo Esther. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OLANREWAJU: Formerly Miss Oluwakemi Olanrewaju now Mrs. Eunice Oluwakemi Tiwo. All former documents remain valid. Public take note.

OLATUNDE: Former Miss Olatunde Damilola Olajumoke now Mrs. Obisesan Damilola Olajumoke. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLAWUYI: Formerly Olawuyi Deborah Funmilayo now Ayodele Deborah Funmilayo.

Documents valid. Public note.

OLUKOYA: Formerly known as Miss Olukoya Olayemi now known as Mrs Olayemi Lanre – Oyewole. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLUGBAIYE: Formerly Mrs. Olugbaiye Oluwakemi Alice now Mrs. Abayomi Oluwatosin Olasumbo. Financial Inastitutions and Embassies, public note.

OLUSHINA: Formerly Miss Olaoluwa Oluwaseun Olushina, now Mrs Olaoluwa Oluwaseun Aderinwale. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLUWAKOLAWOLE: Formerly Miss Oloko Oluwasola Akintola R. A now Mrs Oluwakolawole Olusola R. A All former documents valid. Public note.

OMOTOSO: Formerly Miss Omotoso Oluwaseun Deborah now Mrs. Obajobi Oluwaseun Deborah.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMORODION: Formerly Miss Omorodion Rosemary Iekpitan Asibor now Mrs. Osamor Rosemary Eromomen Asibor.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

ONUEGBU: Formerly Miss Onuegbu Stella Njideka, now Mrs Eze Stella Njideka. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ONWUEMELIE: Formerly Miss Onwuemelie Ogochukwu Cynthia, now Mrs Ani Ogochukwu Cynthia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONWUEGBUZIE: Formerly Miss Ann Isioma Onwuegbuzie now Mrs. Ann

Isioma Morkah. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ONWUKIKE: Formerly Miss Chinaza Annastacia Onwukike now Mrs. Chinaza Annastacia Agudosi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONWUKA: Formerly Miss Catherine Irukwu Onuma now Mrs Catherine Jombo Charles Onwuka.

All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, public note.

ONYEDIRE: I Ifeoma Kindness Onyedire wish to be known as Ifeoma Kindness Odogwu. All other documents remain valid.General public take note.

ONYENEKWE: Formerly Miss Onyenekwe Amaka Patricia, now Mrs. Eiremiokhae Amaka Patricia. Former documents valid. Public note.

OPAWUSI: Formerly Opawusi Iyabode Oluwaseun now Mrs. Akinsomi Iyabode Oluwasun. Former document remain valid. Public note.

ORJI: I, Miss Orji Peace Chibuzo and Chibuzo Orji Ulu is one and same person now to be known as Mrs Peace Chibuzo Simon. Former documents valid. Public take note.

ORJI - Formerly (Mr) Orji Roland, now (Mr) Orji Aliomachukwu Roland .

Former documents remain valid. General Public note.

ORISHA: Formerly Samuel Oyedele Orisha now addressed as Samuel Oyedele Oluwaloba. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSAHON: Formerly Miss Osahon Christy Orensaruna now Mrs. Origbo Christy Orensaruna. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSEDAHUNSI: Formerly Miss Yetunde Iyaniwura OsedahunsI, now Mrs Yetunde Iyaniwura Odusanya. Former documents valid. Public note.

OSHILAJA: Formerly Esther Yemisi Oshilaja now Mrs. Esther Yemisi Olabiyi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSHOFISAN: I, formerly Miss Temitope Oshofisan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Temitope Gbenga-Salu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSINAIKE: Formerly Osinaike Grace Anuoluwapo now Adeleke Adeola Deborah. Former documents valid. Public note.

OSUMAH: Formerly Miss Osumah Kubura, now Mrs Jubril Kubura. Former documents valid.

Public note.

OTU: Formerly miss Aniebiet Sunday Otu now wish to be addressed as Mrs Aniebiet Moses Iyere Former documents remain valid general public note.

OWOKADE: Formerly Miss Emmanuella Abiodun Owokade now Mrs. Emmanuella Abiodun Ehi -Asher. All former documents remain valid.

OWULADE; formerly Miss Owulade Adetobi Wonsebolatan, now MRS Falana Adetobi Wonsebolatan.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OYEBAMIJI: Formerly known as Oyebamiji Jelilat Abiola now Raji Jelilat Abiola. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OYENUGA: Formerly Miss Shakirat Olasubomi Abiodun Oyenuga, now Mrs Shakirat Olasubomi Abiodun Hopkins. Former documents valid. Public note.

OYENIRAN: Former Oyeniran Mary Oluwatobiloba now known as Bello – Oyeniran Mary Oluwatobiloba. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

note.

SAKA: Formerly Miss Saka Fatimah Oyebola now Miss Daramola Fatimah Oyebola. Former documents remain valid. Public note SALAKO: Formerly Miss Jumoke Olayinka Salako, now Mrs Jumoke Olayinka Okereke. Former documents valid.

Public note.

SOLATE: Formerly Miss Solate Folakemi Omowumi now Mrs Omole Folakemi Omowumi. All former documents remaalid Public note SOPHIA: Former Miss Ogala Sophia now Miss Ogala Casey. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

TAIRU: I, Tairu Abiodun Taofikat now wish to be known as Olugbemi Abiodun Taofikat. All former documents remain valid.

UBA: Formerly Miss Ifeyinwa Jane-Frances Uba, now Mrs Ifeyinwa JaneFrances Agogbua. Former documents remain Valid Public note.

UGO: Formerly Miss Grace Ugo now Mrs Grace Ugo Ejindu Ejindu. Former documents valid. Public take note.

OYETI: Formerly Miss Feyisola Abiola Owolawa now Mrs. Feyisola Abiola Oyeti. Former documents valid. Public note.

UGOH: Formerly Miss Stella Nwanyinna Ugoh now Mrs. Stella Nwanyinna Anyanwu. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OZIEGBE: Formerly Miss Oziegbe Margaret Atise, now Mrs Imafidon Margaret Atise. Former documents valid. Public note.

UDOKA: Formerly known as Winifred Udoka Ugwu now Winifred Udoka Ugwu-Iwunze.

Documents remain valid. Public note.

OZIOMA: I, formerly Dr. Miss Iwuchukwu Ugonna Ozioma, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. Mrs. Onwumere Ugonna Ozioma. All former documents remain valid. Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, and the general public take note.

PETER- AWE: Formerly known as Mrs Peter- Awe Sarah now addressed as Mrs Awe Sarah. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

PHILIPS: I, formerly Stanley Ihe Philips now wish to be known as Stanley Ihe Igbeta. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

RASAKI: Formerly Miss Rasaki Abiodun Suliat now Mrs. Tijani Abiodun Suliat. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SAKA: I, formerly known as Azeezat Monisola Saka now wish to be known and addressed as Azeezat Monisola Oladoja. All former documents remain valid. General public

UGWOKE: Formerly Miss Ugwoke Esther Hanniel now Mrs. Williamson Esther Hanniel. Former documents valid. Public note.

UKAEGBU: Formerly Miss Ukaegbu Chioma Eucharia Now Mrs Enwerem Chioma Eucharia. Former documents remain valid, public note.

UKAEGBU: Formerly Chinyere Ukaegbu now Mrs. Chinyere Victor. All other documents remain valid. Public note.

UKEKI: Formerly Miss Celestina Sylvia Ukeki now Mrs. Celestina Sylvia Emiko. Former documents valid. Public note.

UKOBA: Formerly Miss Priscilla Ukoba now Mrs Priscilla Nkemdilim Enwere. Former documents remain valid. Public note UMEH: Formerly Miss Jane Ifeoma Umeh, now Mrs Jane Ifeoma Nwajagu. Former documents valid. Public note.

UMEOFIA: Formerly Joy

Uzoma Umeofia now Mrs. Joy Uzoma Nwoye.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UMEZULIKE: Formerly Miss Umezulike Joy Obiageri, now Mrs Anichukwu Joy Uzoyibo.

Former documents remain valid.Public note.

UWADIA: Formerly Miss Uwadia Peace Udoka now Mrs. Okeleke Peace Udoka. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UWATSE: Formerly Miss Uwatse Abiodun Elizabeth now Mrs. Abiodun Elizabeth Uwatse Owonibi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UWELU: Formerly Miss Glory Temitope Uwelu, now Mrs Glory Temitope Tomori. Former documents valid. Public note.

UZO: Formerly known as Miss Uzor Mirabel Nchedo now addressed as Mrs Nwosu Mirabel Nchedo. Former documents remain valid. Public note UZOZIE: Formerly Miss Onyinyechi Olivia Uzozie now Mrs Onyinyechi Olivia Uwazie. All former documents remain valid.

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Canadian High Commission, public note.

UZUAKPUNWA: Formerly Uzuakpunwa Uju Chidinma now Inomah Chidinma Uju. Documents valid. Public note.

YUSUF: I, formerly known as Yusuf Godwin now wish to be known called and address as Emmanuel Godwin Itanife.

IF

FOR

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

Saturday, January 18, 2014 | 59

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

MARITAL SEX

What Is The Truth?

“Pilate said unto him, what is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews and said unto them, I find in him no fault at all.” (John 18 vs. 38) UT sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; “B and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1Peter 3 vs. 15) “But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and striving about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” (Titus 3 vs. 9) My purpose, as a pastor and preacher, is to make people to see God’s point of view and ultimately accept the Lordship of Jesus in their lives.

Having taught and preached for quite sometime, I realised that no one has the absolute complete truth. We know in parts and prophesy in parts. That which is perfect has not come.

I have had readers respond to the articles and others send question and yet others give honest criticisms. I don’t know all the truth, but I think I am not wrong.

The opposite of a truth is not necessarily a lie, but can be another truth. There are several truths around a matter.

I appreciate the perspectives of others, but I need give reasons why I do what I do or write the way I do.

I believe in marriage and the permanence of it.

I try all I can to see that every marriage fulfills its purpose.

I understand that there are no perfect situations and no two issues are treated same way. I feel for those whose marriages have been dissolved and pray for them daily.

I am a Bible-believing Christian, but I avoid religious extremes and superstition submerged into doctrines. I have convictions, but I don’t force it on anyone.

I believe righteousness is first a gift and then a lifestyle. Someone accused me of making state-

ments that he feels do not approve of me as a pastor, and he summarised the articles as stories and not sermons. I actually agreed.

When we preach or write, we are talking to an audience that we don’t know. People are going through what we have not been through or may never go through. God loves everyone, no matter his/her story or background. I consider that in my approach. So, I say something is wrong because it is, not because it is not my sin.

It is important to note that some things are not necessarily a sin; like some convictions feel oral sex is wrong and the rest. But my approach is that within marriage, between couples, they can choose whatever sexual style fits them. No two people are the same. The bed is undefiled in marriage.

There are people who go into details about what is clean and unclean, and I don’t argue that. But such Christians should realise that only God can say something is unclean. If He

declares it clean, we should not argue.

What we see as white may actually be black, if we didn’t see well. We don’t know the whole thing. The Bible says if we reason with God, our sin as scarlet will be as white as snow (Isaiah 1 vs. 18).

Have you heard about white sins? I am not sounding heretic; I only want us to understand the principles above the practice. Then, without the pastor, there we can judge rightly.

I know there is unfaithfulness in most marriages and it is wrong, but I would rather talk about how to avoid it and overcome the temptation rather than judge how a faulter should be treated. It could be me. Many times, we pay attention to the condemnation and judgment of our sins than how to get rid of them.

I teach how to have sex with your spouse and be satisfied.

I also teach that there is no perfect person.

You may marry a pastor who has a challenge

in an area of his life. Maybe he is not good with money or women. He has to deal with it if he desires to please God. But marriages, we need to stick to each other.

All our forceful approach to such domestic challenges gets things worse. I suggest prayers, counseling and Godly wisdom.

Your wife may have had a past, a history with lesbianism or a kind of sexual deviation.

Instead of condemnation and regret, let us see how we can turn it around and use it in helping the marriage succeed. These are practical sides of life that some religious people want me to overlook.

I have said again and again that if your spouse enjoys masturbation, instead of condemnation, make your spouse free and both of you should have mutual intimacy.

Masturbation may be wrong, but not in every case. These are some of the approaches some good people do not find palatable.

The truth is that I wasn’t sent to them. They know a lot already. They have overcome their weakness, so my recommendations are not for them.

I am also of the opinion that not everyone should marry. Even in the Bible, not everyone married. And it doesn’t means they were demon-possessed or something.

Some people are not suitable for marriage and they can be happy and live a fulfilled life.

Maybe the reason we have so much problems today in marriage (especially among Christians) is because we mismatch people.

We make people feel they are less successful or irresponsible until they are married.

All these forged into our Christians teachings is the reason for the confusions young people face today about this Christian faith.

I am not the best preacher, writer or columnist on this issue. If you find what fits your personality, history and connection, please stick to it. Of making many books is no end. Much study is weariness to the flesh. Just be admonished by the little we have been able to put down.

I wish everyone well, a happy life and eternity with God. I hope my work achieve a good purpose; the perfect will of God. -E. C. Samuel crossrayz@gmail.com; intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com 08027173447 (SMS only)

METRONOTES Gay Activists, Others Fear Police Extortion With Anti-Gay Law

By Joseph Okoghenun

T

HE anti-gay law signed by President Goodluck Jonathan has begun to generate different reactions among gay and non-gay communities alike with the intense fear that the new law may be used by men of the Nigerian Police Force to extort money from innocent Nigerians.

Immediately the news hit the media and social media during the week,

many gay activists and others took to social media to register their concerns, support and protests.

One of such prominent gay rights activists who expressed his concerned through twitter during the week is Mr.Joshua Adesina, who feared that police might use the new law to extort money from innocent Nigerians. “ Gays are not our problem. People like Senator Yerima are our problem,” Adesina said. “ It (the

anti-gay law) will be used as political weapon; it will be used to settle personal scores; police will make money daily with it.”

Nigerian-born but UK-based gay pastor, Rev. Jide Macaulay, alleged that the Nigerian Police Force already have a wanted list of gay people in Nigeria. Macaulay has been on a selfexile in the UK to avoid the wrath of Nigerians. He said: “Being gay is illegal in Nigeria. Police have a ‘wanted’

list and are torturing people to give names. And dozen of people have already been arrested. All hands are on deck, both in Nigeria and abroad. We are documenting the arrests and harassment of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people.”

A man, who identified himself as a Lagos gay lawyer, Mr.Ayo Sogunro, said the law is an invitation to the Nigerian police to harass and obtain money by force from innocent Nigerians. “In their righteous excitement, Nigerians do not realise that they can now be legitimately harassed by police on a suspicion of being gay.

Consider: Your papers are complete, but the policeman still wants to extort you. He can decide to investigate your sexuality at the station. Your boss is frustrated with your rejections of his sexual advances. He can now report you for investigation as a lesbian. Nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) are still striving to free people illegally detained for ‘theft’ through landlords.

Now, add ‘gay’ to the list of weapons.”

Tola Fidler, a UK-based Nigerian, wants the law to be challenged in a competent law court, saying “in a country where people are lynched on almost on a daily basis,the bill should never have been.” Fidler,who said she did not like the homosexuality charade, added: “People will be killed based on suspicion alone. Hopefully, the court can void the anti-gay law as its provisions run contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.”

Someone who simply gave his name as TT said the anti-gay law would be hard to enforce. TT said: “The question is how will our so called security oper-

atives identify a gay person? How will they execute this new law in the scheme of things? I don’t encourage gay; it is against our culture. But please let us be realistic. I think this new law is absolutely pointless and irrelevant to Nigeria at this point in time.”

Effizy is concerned whether the law would not lead to outright labeling of innocent Nigerians. “What is the implication of this law?”, he asked. “ Does it mean people can just get be pointed out and labeled? How can this law guard against its abuse as a potential weapon of oppression and false accusation? How can evidence be established on this new criminal law? This feels to me like one of such laws that can be heavily abused by people, including the police.”

A Lagos-based lawyer and dancer, Mr. Abayomi Aka, said “this law will be misread as open-season on all to blackmail and extort people regardless of their sexual orientation,” adding “ this law has injurious sections which affects us all”.

One man that has been speaking seriously against the law on social media is 37 –year-old Bisi Alimi, one of the first few Nigerians to publicly identify themselves as gay on television breakfast show about 10 years ago in Lagos. Alimi has been fighting the country for several years from UK where he currently resides. He revealed during the week that his family members in Nigeria are afraid of being attacked. “ I just spoke to my mum. She is not just unhappy but afraid,” Alimi, who has been speaking on the issue with UK media, said.

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Saturday, January 18, 2014

NEWSINTERVIEW Recently, the Director, Centre for Business in Society at University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), South Africa, Professor Arnold Smit, was in Nigeria for the 14th Annual BEN-Africa Conference held at the Lagos Business School (LSB) Pan Atlantic University in Lekki, Lagos. In a chat with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS at LSB, Smit spoke on how the conference could help restore business ethics in Africa and why business schools across the globe must collaborate.

Can you tell us about what you do?

AM Arnold Smit from South Africa’s Stellenbosch Business School. I work for the Executive Development where we are responsible for the global sustainability agenda which is about those things we are confronted with such as climate change, global warning, resource scarcity, etc in a growing global population where we have less resources. The task we are confronted with is how to help business to deal with these agendas and incorporate them into management practices.

As the President of the Business Ethics Network Africa, BEN-Africa Conference, the annual event brings together practitioners, academics, consultants and managers to talk around issues of business ethics. The mission is to strengthen the commitment and competence of Africans to do business with moral integrity by facilitating interaction between academics and practitioners who share an interest in business ethics.

At the recent edition in Lekki, Nigeria, we did a lot of academic work on things that are germane to the Nigerian society. We dealt with issues in business ethics, corporate governance, consumers’ behaviour, corporation between the private and public sector and host of others. The conference had a quite number of keynote speakers, including Nigeria’s Pat Utomi who spoke on the challenge to the practice of ethics in the Nigerian business terrain.

Ben-Africa Conference is not an official initiative of the business school; it is a 14-yearold organisation that brings together individual all over the continent to deal with business ethics and issues. The challenge we face on a daily basic is a just reminder that we need good and responsible leadership. If not, we are likely to follow leadership that would continue to lead us to the wrong direction.

How do financial crises come about? At different times also, people exploit people and go away with it. We need more responsible leadership in Africa.

In LSB, there is Centre for Responsible Leadership and Ethics as well as Centre for Corporate Governance in Africa. There is now much focus on the ideal leaders that can take responsibilities and this applies to all business schools across the world. I think the two agendas go together. So it is good for Ben-Africa to corporate with business schools and for business schools to embrace Ben-Africa conference too. We also need to develop ethics agenda in the way we teach finance, mathematics, public management etc.

How would you compare the standard of Nigeria’s business schools to what is obtainable in South Africa?

I might not be able to compare the educational system here in Nigeria with South Africa’s. I cannot talk about Nigeria’s educational system from a school point of view but what we received in terms of input for the conference is really of high standard.

And the kind of work done by the people in the academic environment is a good one.

Although I have been to Enugu before, this is my first visit to Lagos Business School. I think what I have discovered here is that we are all functioning business schools. If what I have seen here is an indication of the standard of tertiary education in the country, I think this is a good example that one can look and emulate.

From USB’s point of view, we are proud to be associated with LSB and Nigeria as a country and we are looking forward to doing other things together.

What we want the mangers at the point to do is to understand what they need to do because this is a very complex world.

Although if we look at the continent as a whole when it comes to business education, we have good business schools in different African countries.

In South Africa, we have quite a number of strong business schools with international standards too but there is still need for business schools to collaborate. You can see today that business schools take their students across the globe to be exposed to

I

‘Business Schools In Africa Need To Collaborate’

lot of people see your country as place to do business, you need to set up a good governance system. There must be rules to guide the game you want people to play in your own country. In that area, I think we have the respect of many African countries too.

I also think our retail sector is strong. Over the years, we have developed a strong retail sector. Our brands such as MTN, Protea, DStv, Shoprite, Stanbic, Spar etc are successful and now spreading to other parts of the continent.

We also have strong history around the Mining Industry too where we have had to learn some important lessons around corporate government, social responsibility

Smit South America, Russia, China, Singapore etc. I do not know much about the schools in Nigeria or the system, but I know we can do a lot of things together with LBS and other business schools in Nigeria and beyond.

How can we improve the relationship between South Africans and Nigerians to enhance business activities?

I think it is fair now because it used to be poor in the past, especially at the diplomatic level. I think the element of respect for one another’s customs and values is important. Nevertheless, I believe there are a lot of good things happening between both countries now. More Nigerians are coming to South Africa to do business and South Africans are com-

ing to Nigeria.

Every day, I see ordinary Nigerians who are not even in business living in South Africa. There are places in South Africa where you find Nigerians more than other nationalities. South Africa happens to be a place Nigerians love to go and it is also the other way round because we South Africans are curious about Nigeria. Basically, I think it is vital that both countries learn how to collaborate.

In what areas do you think Nigeria’s economy can benefit from South Africa?

Well, I think there are a number of things that we are making progress in.

We seem to attract the respect of the world in our governance system. When a

dimensions of mining and environmental protection. I think Nigeria is much in need of corporate governance and good social and environmental practices in her Oil and Gas industry too.

What advice do you have for business students?

For young and aspiring business students, they should be sure that what they are there for is the legacy they like to leave. Business school students should first figure out why they want to be in business. It should not just be about enriching their pockets because it should be for the sake of creating values for customers, communities, and society in general. But there are growing numbers of business school students that are thinking differently of the purpose of business and what is should be about.

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, January 18, 2014 61

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports CHAN 2014:

Keshi

Igesund

South Africa Holds The Ace Against Nigeria F

OR the first time, the Super Eagles will be going into a contest with the Bafana Bafana as the underdogs due to the patchy display the Nigerian team has put up so far in the ongoing African Nations Championship in Cape Town.

When both teams square up tomorrow, the Eagles will need a win to progress, while a draw will guarantee the South Africa a passage to the quarterfinal stage.

The Nigerian team found itself in this situation having fallen 2-1 to Mali in the opening game and securing a 4-2 win over Mozambique in the second group game. However, the Nigerian team led by out-of-form skipper, Goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim is yet to convince the fans here that it has what it takes to do well at this championship.

Despite the team’s sloppy display, it has a date with history, and that is, to protect Nigeria’s superiority over Bafana Bafana. The last game involving both teams in the Mandela Challenge last year ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria and the only win in favour of the South Africans came in November friendly last year.

And Nigerian fans, both at home and in South African will be hoping for a win, and qualification to the quarterfinal.

To get the best out of his team, coach Stephen Keshi would have to psyche up his boys, alongside the team, psychologist, Robinson Okosun, a strategy that came in handy in the victory against Mozambique. The coach will be without Ikenna Ene Paul and Benjamin Francis while Gbolahan Salami, who got a knock

would enjoy a lot of home support, Egwuekwe stated that a charge atmosphere at the stadium would bring back the best in the team. “we will give our best,” he stated.

The MVP of the Eagles/Mozambican game, Ejike Uzoenyi is already looking beyond the South African Game, saying that the Nigerian team would lift the trophy despite the shaky start. “I am happy to have won the award but I believe with this improved performance, we can win the title. against Mozambique should be fit enough to start.

The Nigerian players are also aware that pride is at state in the crucial encounter, which many of them have agreed is a ‘do or die’ encounter. Defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has said that the team would play better to ensure victory over the South Africans.

“It’s true we have not been very good at this championship, but we showed that we have character against the Mozambicans and we did not give up until we won the game. It would be a different game against the South African and we hope to get the result that will take us to the next round.

When reminded that the South African

Agbim, whose performance has let down many of his compatriot is already calling on Keshi to give him another chance to rewrite the wrong, as he pleaded for another chance to be on the side against South Africa.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana midfielder Matty Pattison, who had a good game against Mali, believes South Africa need to go all out against Nigeria to secure victory, noting that sitting back and hoping for a draw could injure his team’s chances.

Besides the positive approach to the game, Pattison also feels that Bafana Bafana should hold the ball for longer and not be in a hurry when they face Nigeria next.

South Africa beat Mozambique 3-1, a game in which Pattison did not play. But he got a start

in the 1-1 draw with Mali and hardly put a foot wrong in a simple yet effective deep midfield role, although he pushed further forward late in the game.

Asked if he felt there is an area that Bafana can improve on before the final group game against Nigeria on Sunday, the Bidvest Wits man said: “We should just keep the ball more.

Sometimeswemustnotbeinahurryandespeciallyifweare1-0upwherewecankillthegame off.

“We can make the opposition chase more of the ball. In the first half it was pretty hot and warm (against Mali). We wanted to push for that second goal but it didn’t come.

“Had we scored the second goal then it would have killed the game off. We have a pretty tough group and if we do well in this group then we will do well in the tournament.

“We have to go into that game (with Nigeria) all guns blazing. We have to get the result.

“We can’t sit back and let them come to us or play for a draw; it is never the right way to play.

I am sure we will go into that game trying to win it.”

South Africa and Nigeria clash at 19 h00 tomorrow at Cape Town Stadium.

It would be a different game against the South African and we hope to get the result that will take us to the next round

62

tHE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, January 18, 2014

SPORtS

Sports Spectacular - A tribute to Chuka Momah!

N a strange way he has been a part of my life since I first Ihow, played for Nigeria in 1976. Somehow, I do not remember we met and became friends, hanging out and doing all the ‘good’ things that young unattached young men would normally do. Yinka Craig, tunde Makanju, Phil Ebosie, tunde Fagbenle, Ayantee Udo Udoma, Dayo Sobowale, and Chuka Momah all contributed to my initiation into the ‘beautiful and bountiful’ side of Lagos life, if you know what I mean. As the youngest and most naïve amongst them, I was ‘hungry’ to devour everything they taught me like a man waiting for the temptress’s forbidden apple. Now I know better.

But it is only recently that it occurred to me how much of my life Chuka Momah influenced.

A few weeks ago I was invited to the media presentation of his latest work, a book that has been long in coming but that I

Momah

can easily testify is worth all the years of waiting for its invaluable content – a rare collection of his writings through decades of literary entertainment and education. the event had a most uncommon assembly of some of the most respected personalities in the Nigerian sports media, the young, the ageing and the very old! It was the wonderful sight of Uncles Bisi Lawrence, Fabio Lanipekun, and Dele Adetiba, all veterans and gurus of sports journalism, that jangled my memory and made me to realize how long I had known Chuka, to recall the depth of my relationship with him and to acknowledge how much I ‘owed’ him for impacting so massively on my life-afterfootball.

As a player in the national team up to the early 1980s whilst we socialized Chuka wrote lavishly in his weekly column about my football exploits. So I feasted not only on his stories about football, but also about other sports, particularly boxing, cricket and tennis. His writing style was masterful and his insight and knowledge were encyclopedia! He wrote in the Guardian which must have influenced my writing for the same paper when I left the stable of Sunday Tribune. Michel Obi was our sports editor and mutual friend.

At about the time I retired from the game of football in the mid 1980s Chuka had included television into his media retinue. His television programme, directed and co-produced by Uncle Fabio Lanipekun, became the best and the first independent sports programme on national television. the television programme, like his newspaper column, was called Sports Spectacular!

One day in 1989, during the Under-17 World Championship in Scotland, I asked Uncle Fabio why Chuka was the only independent presenter of sports on NtA. He challenged me to join the wagon and I took the bait and within months, during which time Chuka had exited the television scene, I was presenting a 4-minutes sports segment of Livi Ajuonuma’s The Sunday Show on NtA Channel 10. Within a few years not only did I become a presenter of other major sports programmes on television, I also established the first independent sports production company, a very successful outfit that became the training ground for many independent television presenters and producers in Nigeria, with a film library of archival sports footages (through Uncle Fabio’s guidance again) that must rank as the best and richest in the country till this day!

Chuka Momah soon went into sports administration, head-

HotSports Appointed Official Media Partner Of NFF IGERIA’S leading sports properties management and production company, HotSports Nigeria Limited, has secured rights as the Official Media (nonmatch) Partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

NFF and HotSports announced this at a joint Press Conference addressed.

With its new status as the Official Media (non-match) Partner of the Nigeria Football Federation, HotSports is at liberty to be at every of the Nigeria national football teams event to film and observe activities within the camp of the various teams as they prepare for competitions all over the world without interfering with the job of the technical staff of NFF and the players.

According to taye Ige, CEO of HotSports, this initiative was informed by the desire to provide richer programme offering on television to football fans and bridge the gap between super stars and their fans.

With this, he explained, a whole new window has been created for the supporters of the different Nigeria’s national football teams who view HotSports’ programmes on television to become integrated in

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of players in camp as they the daily lives of the players prepare for different tournaby allowing them insight ments.” into the world of the Ige maintained that the Nigerian stars. partnership, which spans 3 Ige said: “HotSports will be there when the players wake years would deliver enormous benefits not only to up in the camp, have their football fans but all the parmeals, train, during tactical ties involved, including the sessions, warm up and moments before games. With country’s football.

General Secretary of NFF, this development, fans are Musa Amadu, represented by offered the opportunity to Demola Olajire, Director of feel part of the process as they also share in the success Information, NFF, commendof the teams. Beginning with ed HotSports for the laudable initiative. He said the compaFIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup, exciting times await football ny was granted the exclusive rights because of its pedifans as they would have gree. access to details of activities

Action from the 2nd BRF Wrestlemania tourney in Lagos.

ROFESSIONAL wrestlers P across the country and neighbouring African countries continued hostilities in the second day of the 3rd BRF Wrestlemania holding at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos. the competition, which is being organised by a Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by Charles Odugbesi, is staged in the last three years, to honour Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Wrestlers from Congo Democratic Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola and Cameroon are taking part in the event, which ends tomorrow. the tournament is support-

Segun Odegbami ing the Nigeria tennis Federation and getting to the apex in Africa.

I followed in his footsteps and ventured also into the murky waters of administrative politics. Where he succeeded I failed woefully! In four attempts I could not muster the political savvy and sagacity to win any of the elections to become head of Nigerian football.

A few weeks ago, after several years of procrastinating and prevaricating, and trying to make his book the perfect masterpiece, he presented the completed work to this rich audience of the crème of Nigerian sports journalism. the occasion was another demonstration of Chuka’s creativity. He brought together Uncle Bisi Lawrence, whose weekly articles in the Vanguard would make excellent tutorials for students of the art of sports writing; Uncle Fabio Lanipekun, the encyclopedia of Nigerian sports: Michel Obi, the multi-lingual and multi-talented sports master (columnist, radio and television presenter); Nduka Irabor, the courageous investigative journalist and former member of the House of Representatives; Dele Adetiba; the man with the golden voice who ruled the airwaves in those days along side the great Earnest Okonkwo, Yinka Craig, and Sebastian Effurum; Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, the first female and doyen of female sports casting in Nigeria; and so on! He then added to this group an army of who’s who in the current world of sports journalism in Nigerian.

It became a great day of eulogies in celebration of the berthing of a great work – a 1224-page compendium of sports information, stories and analysis. I can testify that the book, Sports Spectacular, is a beautiful, invaluable, authentic reference and a truly unadulterated reading pleasure.

I can clearly see now, how Chuka has impacted on my life in his footsteps that I have followed without realising it and acknowledging him. that’s why I am paying him this special tribute!

3rd BRF Wrestlemania Enters Day two ed by the Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation and according to the coordinator, Hammed Olanrewaju Mohammed, fans would witness the best of wrestling action more than the WWE show watch on television.

LOC boss, Odugbesi, said: “this edition will be special because the Governor himself has promised that he would personally come to watch the final on Sunday at Rowe Park, while majority of the chairmen and chairperson of local governments and local council development areas have given us the assurance that they will storm the venue to watch the best of professional wrestling at the 3rd BRF Wrestlemania.” titles in seven different weight categories will be at stake in the three-day tournament.

For today, Silent toger battles Young Mike, Dangerous Angle and Mosendo at war, De Blaze takes on Living Star, tyamupepe from DR Congo versus Sharpman and Iron Scatter fights Big Fish. tomorrow, the winners from in each day will fight each other after which there will be a big fight tagged ‘Survival Series’ which involved two groups of five wrestlers each. the last man standing will win this category, while Royale Rumble battle will round off the activities of the three-day competition.

Ota Branch Wins Nanka Champions League tA Branch defeated O defending champions, Onitsha, by 2-l to win the lucrative Nanka Champions League, which hands the victorious team N1.5m as prize money. to get to the final, five-time champions, Onitsha branch, defeated Lagos 1-0, while Ota Branch edged out Gboko branch also by 1-0 in the annual end of year competition that brings all the sons of the two villages together.

In the thrilling final watched by about 15,000 fans at the NEROS Sports Stadium, Nanka, Ota Branch took the lead in the first half through a spectacular strike by Sunday Ogbachara that flew beyond Onitsha goalkeeper, Ekene Ezeike. the first half ended with Ota branch maintaining the 1-0 lead. But the second half brought the fight in the Onitsha boys, who did not want to surrender their title so easily to their brothers from across the Niger. they promptly leveled up through Ikechukwu Udoye, who capitalised on Ota goalkeeper, Emeka Izundu’s inability to hold firmly to the ball to get the equaliser. the game was heading to extra time before once again Sunday Ogbachara hit the clincher 18-yard box. the victory was Ota’s first in 10 years and their sponsor, Ebere Nwosu, Managing Director of Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Ltd, could not hide his delight.

Saturday, January 18, 2014 63

THe GUArDiAn www.ngrguardiannews.com

SPorTS My plan was to send him to the PEPSI Football Academy under Kashimawo Laloko, but the KFA came up when I realised Westerhof was in charge. “I sent him to Ilorin and he was selected after trials.

The two Barnabas

CHAn 2014: The Story of Two Barnabas imengers in Super eagles’ Colour t’s rare in football, but Barnabas imenger and son, nanen, have made history as the first father and son to play for nigeria in the modern era.

There have been several successful ‘father and son’ playing acts in football across the world. english football has celebrated Frank Lampard senior and Frank Lampard junior, Harry redknapp and Jamie rednapp, Kenny Dalglish and Paul Dalglish, ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips, (whispering) Brian Clough and nigel Clough, and, of course, Paul ince and Tom ince.

According to ojeksaikhoje.blogspot.com, Barnabas and his son, nanen, now hold the nigerian record.

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imenger senior’s footballing exploits are well documented at clubs like BCC Lions, elKanemi Warriors and later, Lobi Stars. The duo now has a lot in common.

Like his father who represented nigeria at the USA ‘95 Gold Cup and the 1995 King Fahd Cup (now FiFA Confederation Cup), nanen made nigeria’s final squad to the on-going CHAn 2014 in South Africa. nanen’s goal for the Super eagles in nigeria’s 4-2 win over Mozambique at the CHAn also earned him a place in the history books, as father and son are goal scorers for the Super eagles. imenger and his son have been coached by former Super eagles Dutch manager, Clemens Westerhof. it is the only record of father and son

The moment Westerhof realised his identity as my son; he said this is Barnabas Imenger Junior and that’s how the name has remained with him, the father told ojeksaikhoje.blogspot.com. “Throughout his time at the KFA, he was called Barnabas and it was the same situation when he joined Kwara United.

receiving football lessons from the same coach in nigerian football history.

The senior imenger was in Westerhof’s army that earned nigeria a place at the USA ‘94 World Cup and also qualified for the African nations Cup in Tunisia.

However, he didn’t make it to both competitions. interestingly, he got his time later as a member of nigeria squad to the USA Gold Cup and King Fahd Cup. The son, nanen is not new to the Super eagles as he made his debut when Stephen Keshi started his first assignment with the league stars with a friendly against Angola, on the eve of the 2012 Afcon.

With four caps against Angola, egypt, Jordan and Mozambique, nanen could just push into Keshi’s preliminary squad for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. With his brilliant goal at the CHAn, it’s obvious nanen can make a name for himself.

Years after his exit from nigeria, Westerhof returned to steer the Kwara State owned Kwara Football

Academy from infancy. it was at the KFA that he came across nanen, whose father was one of the numerous stars that frequented the national team during his reign.

“The moment Westerhof realised his identity as my son; he said this is Barnabas imenger Junior and that’s how the name has remained with him, the father told ojeksaikhoje.blogspot.com.

“Throughout his time at the KFA, he was called Barnabas and it was the same situation when he joined Kwara United.

“People don’t even know his name is not Barnabas. Since Westerhof called him Barnabas, it’s been difficult correct it, so he’s added Barnabas as his middle name,” imenger said. imenger is excited with his son’s progress in the world of soccer. “i’m delighted with nanen’s progress because he has always been passionate about football. in fact, he was captain of his school team.

“My plan was to send him to the PePSi Football Academy under Kashimawo Laloko, but the KFA came up when i realised Westerhof was in charge. “i sent him to ilorin and he was selected after trials.”

The young attacker, who can play from the wings has already made an impact at one of his father’s former clubs, Lobi Stars and finished as top scorer last term. nanen learnt his trade at Kwara Football Academy and got a chance to debut in the league at Kwara United.

From Kwara United, he got a chance to play in europe for Sweden’s lower division side, Trelleborg. However, he returned to the country to join Lobi. “i brought him to Lobi Stars on his return to the country to monitor his career. i’m happy he’s back and that’s why he made the CHAn team,” imenger stated.

Unknown to many, imenger collapsed when nanen was about to play a penalty during Lobi’s last league match against Kano Pillars, in Katsina-Ala, last season. “it was a tensed atmosphere for me because he missed a penalty during the State Cup final. i didn’t even know what happened until i was revived,” the former Arab Contractors striker revealed.

To nanen, the incident won’t stop him from playing penalties for Lobi. “i didn’t know my father collapsed after the match. We were close to Makurdi when a teammate mentioned it. “it sounded funny, but that’s because my father is alive. i’ll continue with the assignment of taking penalties for Lobi,” nanen told ojeksaikhoje.blogspot.com.

Man United not out of Title Chase, Mourinho insist oSe Mourinho insists that Manchester United are not out of JSunday the title race as he prepares his Chelsea side for a Super clash with the red Devils.

Chelsea host United and, even though David Moyes’ side trail leaders Arsenal by 11 points - and the Blues by nine - Mourinho maintains they can yet retain their crown.

“Arsenal and Manchester City are the top two teams,” the Chelsea manager said.

“City have the ammunition and Liverpool have a fantastic chance because they are not in european competition.

“Man United are Man United. eleven points is a big gap but i believe they’ll push all the way.

“We play against the champions. We play Manchester United, not a team 11 points behind the leaders. “i’ve played many big matches and this is what my experience tells me. A team that appears to be in the most difficulty can be the most dangerous.”

Mourinho is adamant that Moyes needs no words of comfort from him as he looks to make his mark - and silence the critics - at old Trafford.

“There is no reason to have sympathy for Moyes,” he said. “He has a fantastic job and is very stable.

“The club gave him fantastic trust, it’s a club with a fantastic culture who believe in the manager. He will at least have the time of his contract to build a team and reach success for many years. He has a fantastic job and needs no sympathy.”

Mourinho said he is more concerned about creating a lasting legacy at Stamford Bridge than winning the title this season.

“We are not desperate to win the title, i keep saying the same,” he said.

“We want to build a team for the future, find a transition between the Chelsea of the last decade and Chelsea of the next decade. But we will try to fight for the title until the end. “everyone’s going to lose matches i believe. Let’s see what is going to happen unless Man City win every game and kill everyone with 20 points difference.”

Mourinho said new signing nemanja Matic will not start tomorrow but he hopes to have Frank Lampard back in his midfield for the first time since the new Year.

“Matic is not starting the game. Branislav ivanovic i don’t think can play. Frank Lampard has a chance as he is training,” he said.

Wenger Pledges Future To Arsenal rSene Wenger indicated he has already decided whether A to stay on as Arsenal manager, with public confirmation of a contract extension expected to follow in the coming weeks.

The 64-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the season, and talks have been going on for some time to tie up the long-term future of the French coach.

Wenger was again pressed on those contract negotiations at yesterday’s press conference ahead of the visit of Fulham, and whether there was any time frame at which a firm conclusion had to be reached one way or another.

“There is always a point where you have to decide, of course,” Wenger said.

“There is a point where you have to decide and there is a point where you have to make your decision public.”

When asked if that meant he had already made his decision, Wenger replied: “You can take of that sentence the way you want it.”

Arsenal are also looking to secure new deals for defender Per Mertesacker and full-back Bacary Sagna, the France international who is out of contract in the summer.

Wenger said: “We are making good progress and hopefully we can announce something soon.”

Arsenal are expected to bring in some attacking reinforcements this month to try to help offset the loss of england forward, Theo Walcott to a serious knee injury.

Schalke’s German international, Julian Draxler, who is said to have a £37million buy-out clause, has been touted as a potential target - with some reports suggesting the player had been spotted on a tour of Arsenal’s Hertfordshire training complex.

Wenger, though, insisted nothing was imminent.

“That’s like an unidentified flying object - some see them everywhere,” the Arsenal manager said. “i am curious as well (to see what will happen), but the transfer period lasts until the 31st of January.

“Are we close to signing anybody? At the moment i would say no.”

Wenger added: “The transfer market in January is a low key transfer market.

“There is very reduced activity (generally). There will be some of course, but in the last three days as always.”

Anderson To Join Fiorentina will put Anderson through a medical yesterday FTheiorenTinA ahead of his planned transfer from Manchester United. italian Serie A club welcomed the 25-year-old Brazilian midfielder to Florence on Thursday, in anticipation of what is expected to be a loan move.

Fiorentina announced on their website that Anderson met with sporting director Daniele Prade and technical director eduardo Macia.

Anderson, who has spent six-and-a-half seasons with the Barclays Premier League champions after joining from Porto, has dropped down the pecking order at old Trafford under manager David Moyes.

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Super Eagles Ugonna Uzochukwu being challenged by Mozambique’s Diogo Alberto in their group match on Wednesday in Cape Town. Bafana Bafana says they will attack the Eagles in tomorrow’s last group match

We Will Attack Eagles, Says Bafana put a foot wrong in a simple yet effective deep midfield role, although he pushed further forward late in the game.

Asked if he felt there is an area that Bafana can improve on before the final group game against Nigeria tomorrow, the Bidvest Wits man said: “We should just keep the ball more.

Sometimes we must not be in a hurry and especially if we are 1-0 up where we can kill the game off.

“We can make the opposition chase more of the ball. In the first half it was pretty hot and warm (against Mali). We wanted to push for that second goal but it didn’t come.

“Had we scored the second goal then it would have killed the game off. We have a pretty tough group and if we do well in this group then we will do well in the tournament.

“We have to go into that game (with Nigeria) all guns blazing. We have to get the result.

“We can’t sit back and let them come to us or play for a draw; it is never the right way to play. I am sure we will go into that game trying to win it.”

South Africa and Nigeria clash at 19h00 on Sunday night at Cape Town Stadium.

Echiejile Hits France For Monaco Deal AFANA Bafana midfielder Matty Pattison, who had a good game against Mali, believes South Africa need to go all out against Nigeria and not sit back.

Besides the positive approach to the game, Pattison also feels that Bafana

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Bafana could hold the ball for longer and not be in a hurry when they face Nigeria tomorrow.

South Africa beat Mozambique 3-1, a game in which Pattison did not play.

But he got a start in the 1-1 draw with Mali and hardly

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IGERIA international N defender Elderson Echiejile is set to join bigspending French league side Monaco from Portuguese club Sporting Braga.

His contract with Braga was due to end in June and he returns to France having spent three years with Rennes from 2007.

The 25-year-old played every match for Nigeria as they won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year.

Monaco are second in Ligue 1, five points behind leaders Paris St-Germain.

The club has invested heavily in players since gaining promotions last season, signing the likes of Radamal

Falcao and Joao Moutinho.

He made 108 appearances for Braga and scored eight goals in his four years at the Portuguese outfit.

This move finally ends many months of speculations about the future of the player, who has been linked with several clubs including some from the English Premier League.

Big-spending Monaco, who parade the likes of Colombia superstar Radamel Falcao and ex-Barcelona star Eric Abidal, is currently second on the French Ligue 1 table with 42 points from 20 matches, five points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore joined Monaco from

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TAIWO AKERELE

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Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee earlier in January.

Several Nigerians have played for Monaco in the past including Victor Ikpeba, Lukman Haruna,

Sani Keita and Rabiu Afolabi.

Ikpeba was the most successful, his 13 goals helped them to the French title in 1997 and that success saw him crowned African Footballer of the Year.

Rooney, Van Persie Out Of Chelsea Clash AYNE Rooney and Robin W van Persie will both miss tomorrow’s trip to Chelsea, David Moyes has confirmed.

The Manchester United pair have been out of action since the beginning of the month and the middle of December respectively and despite rumours at least one would return in time for the trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, neither striker has managed an adequate recovery.

Rooney has returned to training, while Van Persie is still a few days away from rejoining

his team-mates, according to boss Moyes.

‘He’s [Rooney] training, doing some running and looking good. I don’t want to put a date on his return,’ said the Scot.

‘I’m hoping Robin has a good chance of training at the start of next week. It would be a great boost.’

The news means Moyes is likely to start with Danny Welbeck again, with the England international having scored three in the last five outings.