Sat 13 July 2013 by The Guardian Newspaper

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Rivers Assembly Crisis: Return Of Garrison Politics?

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Appeal Court Frees Al-Mustapha, Sofolahan POLITICS 9

By Joseph Onyekwere

Nigerians Not Cured Of Emotions, Sentiments, Says Gov Lamido

HE Lagos Division of the T Court of Appeal yesterday upturned the death sentence handed down to Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late

Gen. Sani Abacha, and Lateef Shofolahan, former aide to late Chief MKO Abiola by a Lagos High Court over the murder of Chief Kudirat Abiola. In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Rita Pemu,

the Justices set aside the judgment of the lower court and held that the prosecution in totality failed to establish the charge of conspiracy and murder against the appellants. In her lead judgment, Justice Pemu said it was foolhardy and

unreasonable for the lower court to have so swiftly convicted the appellants when it was very evident that the prosecution had a bad case. She held that there existed a huge shadow of doubt in the case of the prosecution, which

ought to be resolved in favour of the appellants. “In a criminal trial, the burden of proof is beyond reasonable doubt and this is a chain that cannot be broken. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 3

Terrorism: Court Denies Three Lebanese Bail NEWS 3

NLNG Agrees To Pay NIMASA, Continues Suit NEWS 5

Court Finds Jigawa Governor’s Son Guilty AMARA 21

Ladies Beware! Internet Love May Land You Nude On

The ‘Streets’

National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, Chairman, Heirsholding, Mr Tony Elumelu, President Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) Chief Kola Jamodu and National Vice President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu at the just concluded China-Nigeria Business Forum in Beijing, China.

Rivers Crisis Portends Danger For Democracy, Says Tofa From Adamu Abuh, Abuja ANO-based politician, K Alhaji Bashir Tofa, yesterday joined other Nigerians in condemning the political cri-

sis that has engulfed oil rich Rivers State. In a statement made available to The Guardian, he enjoined well meaning Nigerians to stop the ugly

trend in the interest of democracy. Alleging that the crisis could not have assumed a dangerous dimension without the tacit support of President Goodluck Jonathan, he urged

perpetrators of the dastardly act to beat a retreat for peace to reign. “What is happening in Rivers State is clearly very dangerous, not only to the lives of

Governor Amaechi, may be even his family and others, but to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. One wonders CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

Mixed Reactions Trail Acquittal Of Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan IXED reactions yesterday M trailed the acquittal of Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan for the alleged murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola by the Court of Appeal in Lagos. A human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the decision of the appellate court was not surprising. Agbaje said: “The level of evidence in that case left too many loopholes for the defence counsel to take advantage of and that is exactly what they have done.” According to him, the judgment has shown that there is no reasonable ground to detain Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan for almost 15 years. “It is good for the development of the rule of law in this country. The innocent shall not be unjustly punished. I hope the matter will now rest, except the Lagos State Government wants to pursue an appeal. Lagos State must not only be ready to pay damages for unlawfully and unconstitutionally detaining and prose-

cuting an innocent citizen for 15 years, but must be ready as well to offer apology to AlMustapha and co,” Agbaje said. Also, a criminal defence lawyer, Mr. Yemi Omodele said the judgment was a good development for both the bar and the bench. Omodele said: “Al-Mustapha has rightly exercised his constitutional right and he has got what he wants from the Court of Appeal. If the prosecution is not satisfied with the decision, they can file an appeal at the Supreme Court. But I believe that the Appeal Court’s judgment was very sound.” On his part, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, told NAN that the judgment was a temporary relief for Al-Mustapha. He said: “I am yet to be abreast of the reasons for the reversal of the judgment, but it is within the purview of the Appeal Court to review decisions of a lower court. It could be that they found out that the lower court erred either on the side of law or on the application of fact.

“However, the government may appeal to the Supreme Court. So, for now, it is a temporary relief for Al-Mustapha.”

A constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), cautioned that there should be no impunity in the country.

“That principle must be established in this country that anybody who infringes on a person’s right, particularly the

right to life, must pay fully for it under the law. That is what I want to say,” Sagay emphasised.

Fasehun Hails Mustapha’s Release, Urges Him To Forgive By Kamal Tayo Oropo T last, I am vindicated! I “A knew Al-Mustapha neither ordered, nor had a hand in the killing of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola; and that was why I stood by him.” Those were the words of the founder of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick

Fasehun, while rejoicing yesterday after the Court of Appeal cleared and acquitted former Chief Security Officer of late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, of murder charges. Fasehun, who was in court yesterday as he had been severally through the 14-year trial of Major Al-Mustapha, expressed joy at the unani-

mous decision read by Justice Rita Pemu. “I commend the judgment by the Court of Appeal. I salute the courage which they displayed in the face of daunting politics and powerful interests who wanted Al-Mustapha hanged by all means. “People used to tell me they could not understand why I would be going to court in

support of an officer who served in a regime that detained me for almost three years, destroyed my health and destroyed my businesses. But I told them that I had lived my entire life based on the principle of justice. And I would still protest injustice being done to even my worst enemy,” he said.

Appeal Court Quashes Al-Mustapha’s Conviction CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “The prosecution listed four witnesses PW 9, 10, 11 and 12 as witnesses, which it intended to call in the trial, but never called any of them. “PW 1 (Dr. Ore Falomo) testified before the lower court that the bullet extracted from the forehead of the deceased was white and of a special kind, but the prosecution failed to tender the bullet as exhibit, and this is fatal to case. their “The prosecution also called PW 4 (Investigating Police Officer, IPO), who investigated the death of the deceased, but this witness was never produced for cross-examination by the defence, as he never showed up in court. “This renders the evidence of the police officer inconclusive, as it denied the defendants their right to fair hearing, and no reasonable court can safely make a conviction on such inconclusive testimony.” She continued: “PW 2 (Sgt. Barnabas Jabila, aka Sgt. Rogers) and PW 3 (Mohammed Abdul), in their confessional statements to the police, said they were enjoined by the first appellant to murder Kudirat, but this statement was later retracted by them in court. “PW 2 and 3 retracted their earlier statement to the police and told the court that they were cajoled by the prosecution to indict the appellant, with a promise to give them monetary compensa-

tion. “This is a contradiction in the testimonies of the witness. It raises doubt in the case of the prosecution, and it is unimaginable that the lower court did not expunge this evidence. “For an offence like murder, I wonder why the Nigerian Police did not do a proper investigation. “Jabila, who was initially arrested as a co-defendant, was later called prosecution witness. Witnesses who ought to be called were never called. The bullet extracted was never tendered before the court. “Once there is doubt in the case of the prosecution, as in the instant case, it must be resolved in favour of the accused, and this doubt is accordingly resolved in favour of the appellants. “One thing is clear, Kudirat was shot, but the big question is who pulled the trigger? I find nothing in this case, which sufficiently links the appellants with the commission of the offence. “It is preposterous that in a 326-page judgment, the lower court was only concerned with securing a conviction at all cost. “Just as God is no respecter of person, so also is this court. “I hereby order that the appellants be discharged and acquitted, while the conviction and sentence of the lower court is hereby discharged. “For someone who has been incarcerated since 1998 on a baseless indictment, it is so unfortunate,” Pemu ruled. Two other Justices- Justice

Amina Augie and Justice Fatima Akinbami- consented to the judgment. The freed men were arraigned in October 1999 on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and their involvement in the 1996 murder of the deceased along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Justice Mojisola Dada had found them guilty of the offence and accordingly convicted and sentenced them to death by hanging. Counsel to the appellants, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), and Mr. Olalekan Ojo, however, challenged the judgment at the higher court 24-hours after the sentence of the convicts. In their appeals, the appellants contended that the death sentence passed on them by the lower court was unwarranted, unreasonable and a manifest miscarriage of justice, arguing that the trial Judge erred in law by arriving at the conclusion that they conspired to kill Alhaja Kudirat Abiola on June 4, 1996. The appellants faulted the Judge’s treatment of the contradictory statements of Jabila and Abdul, as well as the reliance on the testimony of Falomo on the bullet extracted from late Kudirat. Daudu told the court that the evidence of PW2 and PW3 contradicted each other and the evidence of the prosecution did not support the charge brought against the appellant. In his response, counsel to

the respondent (Lagos State), Lawal Pedro (SAN), told the court that there was evidence, especially under cross-examination, tendered at the lower court linking the convicts with the crime. In the respondent’s brief of argument, dated May 30, this year, Pedro urged the court to dismiss the appeal, adding that the Judge, whom the appellant accused of being bias, did not even allow his (Pedro’s) witness to conclude before closing the case. Following Pedro’s argument that his witness did not conclude, counsel to Shofolahan, Ojo, argued that the prosecution’s failure to call vital witnesses was tantamount to losing the case. “It is not permitted for any Judge to reprobate and probate at the same time. The Judge treated the evidence of PW2 and PW3 as corroboration for PW1. There is a catalogue of errors,” Ojo insisted. Citing the case of Ojutola vs Mabogunje, reported in 2013 (7) NWLR, he said Justice Dada did not behave like a referee, having no favourite, saying: “There were only four prosecution witnesses and one of them, Falomo, knew nothing about the matter.” He noted that the bullet said to have been used by the appellants was not tendered at the lower court and the Judge’s statement regarding PW2 and PW3 over issue of witness was contradictory. Justice Ibrahim Saulawa had earlier declined to be among the panel to hear the appeal based on personal reasons.

Tofa Condemns Rivers Assembly Crisis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 where else, from Bayelsa and Rivers? Will Jigawa, Sokoto, Oyo, Adamawa and Edo be next? This dangerous trend must be stopped immediately. “The President must know that he is treading on a very dangerous course, and he needs to be advised for his own sake. President Jonathan may be a good man at heart, but he seems to be a very week leader who just does what some hirelings close to him ask him to do or, maybe, even do without his consent, but cannot say or do anything to call them to order. “There must be a few people around who must summon the courage to tell him the truth, one of which is that the day will surely come when he will no longer be the

President, in just a few years time, and the law with then catch up with him. “We have seen many much more powerful world leaders who are now in prison over issues of murder of opponents, corruption and human rights abuses. We do not want to see any of our past leaders in the dock, either here at home or in The Haque for any reason. “I used to think, and even said it publically, that President Jonathan, may be anything but a dictator or an evil man, seeing the criticisms and, sometimes even the rubbish being thrown at him, without him responding angrily. I myself have criticized him a few times, hoping he will take heed, and hopefully he does. Patience (not Madam Patience) is one character a democratic leader must have and must treasure. Unfortunately, I think he is

loosing it! “If for whatever reason someone dies in Rivers State as a result of this unfortunate fracas, the President cannot escape liability, even if it is vicarious. We witnessed what happened to the former Governor of Bayelsa, H. E. Mr. Sylva Timipre, out of this personal vandetta; and we have seen what happened at the Nigerian Governors Forum, just to project self interest. Most people blame the President and the first lady for fermenting these rather unpresidential behaviours. “The President must begin to act as the President, above these fetish things, and do away with visiting vengeance or calamity on those he was told that do not support him. He may have enemies even in his own house, and he has to find a wiser way of dealing

with situations like that. All these are negatives in the personal and political records of President Jonathan, and many people will take them into account while considering whether they will support him in the future or not. “Another dangerous aspect to these unwise interferences and fighting perceived enemies, is their eventual effect on our young democracy. Forget about the President’s records, or whether he will end up in a certain court of law somewhere. What if he drags us and this democracy into the abyss out of which we cannot escape? The harm to this country, it’s peace, progress and prosperity will all be jeopardized. That may even be the beginning of the end for this country, as there are some enemies of the state who will use this as an opportunity to cause

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

NEWS

Terrorism: Court Denies Three Lebanese Bail From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HREE self-confessed T Hezbollah trainees — Mustapha Fawaz, Abdallah Thahani and Talal Ahmed Rodo — charged for alleged complicity in terrorist activities in the country were yesterday denied bail by the Federal High Court, Abuja Division. The trial Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, also refused the request made by the accused persons for the unsealing of Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort, all owned by one of the suspects, Mr. Fawaz.

Instead, Justice Ademola ordered that the trial of the trio on a-six count charge of terrorism and illegal importation of firearms be accelerated. Consequently, he fixed July 29, 30 and 31, 2013, for trial and accordingly returned them to the custody of the State Security Service (SSS). He also ordered that the accused persons’ lawyers, their family members and their doctors should be allowed access to them. In his ruling on their bail application, Justice Ademola held that the offence for which the trio are standing trial are grave and since the accused

persons have dual citizenship, there is likelihood that they may not be available to face their trial. The Judge also held that out of the many criteria available for him to explore in the exercise of his discretion in granting bail to the accuse persons, only one of that was fulfilled, which is the likelihood that the accused persons may interfere with witnesses. “Since, the prosecution has concluded its investigation, and that their witnesses are all SSS operatives, the likelihood that the suspects may interfere with evidence or witnesses are no longer there. I, therefore, resolved this criterion in

the favour of the accused,” Justice Ademola ruled. But he held that although the suspects have pleaded not guilty to the six counts, the prosecution has filed its proof of evidence such as pictures of firearms and ammunition recovered from the suspects, and after perusing the proof of evidence he has found out that prosecution has made a prima facie case against the suspects. On the issue of the medical report presented to the court by the suspects’ lawyers, the court dismissed the medical certificate that it did not conform to the requisite standard.

“I have examined the medical report and it failed to conform to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Abacha against the State. There is no medical reports with special circumstances that will warrant the court to rely on in order to grant the accused persons bail,” he ruled. The Judge also held that since the charges are all bordered on national security, the court is reluctant to grant the suspects bail. “Having perused the proof of evidence as regards exhibits 8(1) to 8 (4), which is a large quantity of negative weapons, the accused may jump bail. Moreover, once the security of

the state is in jeopardy, it is difficult for the court to grant bail. The court, therefore, refuse the applicants/suspects bail. However, their liberty to their counsels, family members and medical team should be allowed them.”

Report Blames Govt, Security Agencies On Arms Proliferation, Violence From Karls Tsokar, Abuja S Nigeria continues to grapA ple with how to control the large number of arms in the hands of the citizens, an interim report on armed violence and proliferation in the country has identified cracks in the efforts to check the menace, affirming that the lack of sufficient data among others hurdles the endeavour. Jointly presenting the report yesterday in Abuja, the Women’s Right to Education Programme (WREP), Centre for Public Opinion and Media Research (CePOMeR), National Working Group on Armed Violence (NWGAM), a representative of the Nigeria Police FCT Command and the United Kingdom (UK) based Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) International, said the extent ofarmviolenceinNigeriaisnot known because of the gaps in comprehensive facts, figures and statistics available.

...As Council Boss Blames Rising Crimes On Drug Abuse From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HAIRMAN of Udenu Local C Government Area of Enugu State, Dr. Godwin Abonyi, has

Armed soldiers, security operatives and sympathizers at the site of the collapsed a three-storey building in Kaduna… yesterday.

NLNG Agrees To Pay NIMASA, Continues Legal Suit By Olamide Olayiwola-Fadare HE Nigeria LNG Limited T (NLNG) yesterday agreed to pay to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on an “under protest” basis, various levies which NIMASA claims are overdue statutory payments by NLNG. According to NLNG in a statement signed by its General Manager, External Relations, Kudo Eresia-Eke, the total amount involved is $140 mil-

lion to cover arrears in these levies as claimed by NIMASA, having earlier made an initial payment of $20 million. The statement noted that the company “has agreed to pay, again “under protest”, the levies as they become due until a judicial ruling on whether these payments are justified can be obtained.” The statement reads in part: “Despite a court order to the contrary, NIMASA undertook a blockade of NLNG operations since June 21, 2013, causing pro-

duction to cease. This has now led to colossal losses to NLNG, and more importantly to Nigeria. “Owing to the NIMASA blockade which persisted in spite of court orders, the company has lost revenues of over N76 billion ($475 million), 65 per cent of which belongs to the Federal Government, which has thus lost about N50 billion in dividend, taxes, etc. The blockade had also led to scarcity of cooking gas with attendant spiraling cost and wors-

ening hardship on the populace, reduction of domestic gas to power, shutdown of offshore and onshore production facilities, etc. In addition, it has caused huge reputational damages to NLNG and Nigeria “As a result of NLNG agreeing to make these payments, albeit under protest, NIMASA has agreed to lift the blockade of NLNG ships immediately. NLNG is working to resume operations as quickly as possible.”

The statement quoted NLNG Managing Director, Babs Omotowa as saying: “We feel we have no other option than to now make these payments under protest. In doing this, we have taken into account the overriding national interest; in particular to stem the huge financial and reputation loss the country has suffered as a reliable LNG supplier, a destination for foreign investment and a nation of the rule of law.”

Rivers Is Drifting Towards Anarchy, MOSOP, NLC Warn From Kelvin Ebiri and Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HE Movement for the T Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has warned that Rivers State is fast drifting into a state of anarchy and if nothing is done urgently by government and its security apparatus, the state may revert back to the dark days of uncontrollable, politically motivated gang violence.

This is just as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State chapter, has raised alarm over the return of former militants in the state, saying that the people are not sure of getting protection from the police. MOSOP president, Legborsi Pyagbara, said the ugly political development in the state goes beyond mere presidential and PDP’s hierarchical

denials of involvement in the avoidable impasse in Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party. According to him, it requires immediate, practical and decisive steps to put an end to the crisis including ensuring security of live and property in the state. MOSOP said it took this position in view of the events of the past couple of days, occa-

sioning re-emergence of gangs reportedly taking over some strategic streets in Port Harcourt, cult rivalry and violence, some of which (violence) have been reportedly aborted by the security forces. It said this situation is troubling and should be roundly condemned. NLC blamed the state Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, for the worsen-

ing security situation in the state. Its state chairman, Chris Oruge, expressed the view when he led a delegation of members and activists on a solidarity visit to Governor Chibuike Amaechi at Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday. Oruge said: “All the militants, the bad boys who had left this state have reconvened and have been doing what they are doing.”

said that most crimes in the society have their root on drug abuse. He insisted that crimes have continued despite efforts by security agencies to checkmate it because drug abuse had become almost a common phenomenon in the country. Delivering a lecture in commemoration of the 2013 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Enugu, the council boss explained that every crime takes its root from drug abuse and illicit trafficking of drugs, lamenting that “the fact the youths are the most vulnerable makes it a great evil today that is projecting even a catastrophic tomorrow to the nation”. Abonyi said that the youths must go back to the path of glory, path of honour and dignity, stressing that it was the only way that tomorrow and the future of the country was guaranteed. He harped on the need for the youths to choose the path that could guarantee safe living, explaining that one of the dangers of illicit drugs was early death, urging Nigerians to invest more on better upbringing of children and youths to safeguard the future.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

NEWS Catholic Church Against Take Over Of Rivers Assembly From Anietie Akpan, Calabar HE Catholic Church through its Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Justice Development and Peace Committee (JDPC) and Caritas Nigeria has warned against the takeover of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the National Assembly. A release by the Executive Secretary/National Coordinator of JDPC, Reverend Father Evaristus Bassey “advised against the concurrence of the Senate to the motion to take over the Rivers State House of Assembly,” stating that it could be an invitation for ‘worse’ take-overs. The Catholic Church was reacting to a recent pronouncement by the Federal House of Representative taking over the day-to-day affairs of Rivers Assembly following recent fracas on the floor of the Assembly.

Political Crises Might Sink Democracy, Suswam Warns By Onyedika Agbedo GAINST the backdrop of perA sistent political crisis in the country ahead of the 2015 general election, Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam has expressed concern that the country might run into serious problems if care is not taken. Suswam, who spoke in an exclusive interview with The Guardian in Makurdi during the week, condemned inflammatory statements emanating from some political leaders in the country, saying it appears

the active players have not learnt lessons from the past. He said: “I am worried myself; I’m very worried because it does appear as if we the active players have not learnt the lessons of the past. The behaviour of a lot of people is very disappointing. There is a lot of impunity going on. People make all kind of reckless statements. People say if this does not happen, this country will go up in flames. They think that they are just making mere statements and people making these statements are going

free. And so other people are getting emboldened in taking actions, which were unheard of in this country. “So, I’m very worried that after all these years we might run into a situation that we did not anticipate. The reckless statements and dispositions of certain leaders are very worrisome. I got very worried with what happened in Egypt because the disposition of the president, who is now ousted was so rigid and such that was totally alienating other people from the process and the mili-

tary came in. The blatant disregard to constituted authority by highly placed individuals should give cause for worry.” The Governor reiterated his support for the Governor Jonah Jang faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), saying he had warned that if the body decided to go into an election to elect its chairman, it would be divided because there was no basis for any election. “As far as I am concerned, Jang remains the chairman of

the Governors Forum; Amaechi was not elected. We did not submit ourselves to the election. Once they started the issue of election, I opposed it stoutly. I said it is never done and that if we do election, this forum will be divided because there was no basis for any election,” he said. Suswam, who withdrew from the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) following the outcome of the controversial NGF election, foreclosed his return to the forum, nothing that the decision was well thought out.

JCI Eko To Clean Ojuwoye Market Today S part of its social responA sibility, JCI Eko, an affiliate of Junior Chamber International, will today hold its annual Clean-Up Lagos initiative at Ojuwoye market, Mushin, Lagos. The programme, which holds between 9am and 12pm, would have club members, volunteers and some Nigerian A-list celebrities engage in the environmental sanitation project aimed at raising awareness within the community on the importance of a cleaner environment to healthy living and increased life expectancy.

Teachers Award Mimiko, Kwankwaso Govs of The Year NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his Kano State counterpart, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, have been honoured as 2013 Governors of the Year by the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for their immense contributions to the revolution of education in their states . The event, held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, was to celebrate the 82nd Founder’s Day of the union, where dignitaries and stakeholders in the education sector gathered for the Rev Oludotun RansomeKuti Memorial Lecture with the theme, ‘Education, an Investment in Security.’ In his address of welcome, NUT president, Michael Olukoya, said Mimiko was considered for the award because of his unprecedented achievements in the field of education, which has become a pride to teachers, parents and students . Olukoya urged the governor not to relent in his efforts to bring back the lost glory of education in Nigeria.

Executive Director National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi, Dr. Mark Ukwungwu; Plant Breeder National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi, Maji Alhassan; Director and Head National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi, and Head of the Team of Journalists For Biological sciences for Farming in Africa(B4FA) in Nigeria Mr. .Alex Abutu at the National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi in Niger State…recently PHOTO LADIDI LUCy ELUkPO

Senate Committee Tasks Ministry On Road Repairs, Third Mainland Bridge By Tosin Fodeke series of debate Fof OLLOWING and concern over the safety the Third mainland bridge in Lagos, the Senate committee on Works yesterday moved to allay fears over its structural viability. The committee, headed by Senator Ayogu Eze, after an inspection of various road projects in Lagos state, stated that the committee had no doubt as to the integrity of the bridge but said continuous maintenance needs to be carried out by the Ministry of Work as well as the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency.

The action follows a motion raised by Senator Gbenga Ashafa on the floor of the House on the urgent need to investigate and avert the imminent collapse of the bridge. The Senate had mandated its Committee on Works to investigate and proffer solutions to avert the deterioration and imminent collapse of the bridge. The committee was also mandated to work in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works to find out the current state of the bridge and to take urgent action to rectify all structural damages. Eze, in company of Senators

Gbenga Ashafa, Shola Adeyeye, Barnabas Gemade, Babafemi Ojudu, Mrs. Remi Tinubu, Ayogu Eze, Bashir Garba Mohammed, Bukar Ibrahim, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and James Manager, further stated that it would still carry out further investigation with experts, even as issues bordering on the corroded steel casing of the bridge and bearings were issues that need to be investigated. He further stated that committee had also identified the need to improve the funding capacity of the ministry and agency, adding that the Public Private Partnership initiative was the major solution to fund-

Adekunle Fajuyi’s Wife, Eunice, Dies At 84 From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti HE wife of the late Military T Governor of the defunct Western State, Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, Eunice Ayodele is dead. Mrs Fajuyi, who would have turned 85 on July 27 this year, died in the early hours of yesterday in her sleep at the family house, Okesa area of Ado-Ekiti. According to her first and only surviving son, Donald Olufemi, she died peacefully while sleeping at about 6.45 am. Among the early callers at the family house were the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Mrs. Modupe Adelabu and the wife of Governor Kayode Fayemi, Erelu Bisi,

who commiserated with the family and were received by Donald. Adelabu and Erelu Fayemi described the late Mrs Fajuyi as a rare mother and prayed that God gives the family the fortitude to bear the loss. In his reaction, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi expressed regrets on the death of Mrs Fajuyi, saying that though her death at this time is painful, he is consoled that the deceased lived a fulfilled life0. Donald, while speaking to newsmen, thanked former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for his support for the family, especially for rebuilding the old family house in 2009. He also thanked Governor

Fayemi, Senator Femi Ojudu and others for helping the family in various ways, saying he would sorely miss his mother. “We had planned to celebrate her 85th birthday with a three-day event from July 27 to 29. This would have given us the opportunity of marking the 47th anniversary of her husband’s death, which is on July 29. We had planned to hold a rally, dinner night and award ceremony and we have paid for the venue. All these will now be put on hold. She showed no sign of sickness except for the normal complaints by old people,” he said. Members of the family will soon meet to decide on the burial arrangements.

ing road projects. Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, who was represented by the Director, Southwest Region, Kabir Abdullahi assured the committee that the bridge was safe and physically fit for human and vehicular movements. He state that based on recent

investigation by experts who undertook assessment of the bridge, there was no evidence of immediate threat of failure of the pilings, adding, “No cases of total loss of piles, clearance between the pile and pile cap or other major anomalies were reported on the tested piles.

At Imo Political Summit, Stakeholders Call For Equity In Power Distribution From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri CORES of delegates at the SPolitical maiden edition of the Imo Summit held at All Seasons Hotel, Owerri, rose at the weekend with the resolve to restore the zonal system of sharing power among the three zones equitably. The theme of the summit was “Restoring the Imo Charter of Equity” which they believed was altered in 2011 by the election of Chief Rochas Okorocha as governor of the state. They also frowned at the present seat of governance held by Governor Rochas Okorocha, promising to ensure that from 2015, the “Charter of Equity” will be restored to Imo East (Owerri), Imo North (Okigwe) and Imo West (Orlu). Owerri, it was agreed, should take the next turn of power. The forum had in attendance the Publisher of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel

Iwuanyanwu as the chairman of the event, with speakers as Senator Chris Anyanwu, Chief Elvis Agukwe, the National Coordinator of the summit, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, represented by Prince Obinna Okwuaka, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 1, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, former Secretary to the Imo State Government, Nze Ignatius Ummunna, Dr. Chris Asoluka, who moved the motion for the restoration of the Imo Charter of Equity, a former Commissioner in the state and Professor of Law, Nnamdi Obiareri, the keynote Speaker at the event, Prof. Nathan Protus Uzorma, among others. In his opening remarks, the chairman of the ceremony, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu regretted that the charter, which he partook in signing, was changed by the election of an Orlu man, in spite of the fact that an Orlu man had held sway in power for eight years.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

NEWS

Jonathan Warns Against Polarisation Of Armed Forces Along Religious, Ethnic Lines From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief ARNING against the polarisation of the military, President Goodluck Jonathan has urged the Nigerian armed forces to ensure that the twin problems of religious and ethnic sentiments, which are posing great threat to the country, do not creep into their ranks. Rather than allowing such divisive tendencies, Jonathan who spoke at the graduation ceremony of the Senior Course 35 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State, urged the leadership of the armed forces to discourage sentiments and encourage all military personnel to see themselves as comrades in the pursuit of a common destiny. Vice President Namadi Sambo, who represented Jonathan at the occasion, noted that religious and ethnic sentiments were the greatest danger to the security of the nation, saying that they are capable of threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria as one sovereign and indivisible country. “The greatest danger to our collective security as a people and a nation lies in the peril of ethnic and religious tolerance. These twin evils, if not checked, are capable of threatening our corporate existence as one sovereign and indivisible nation. “You must therefore discourage such sentiments and encourage your men to view themselves as comrades in

Yobe Okays N15 Billion Complete Roads, Health Projects From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri O complete the various road projects and health care delivery sectors in Yobe State, the State Executive Council (SEC) Thursday in Damaturu approved the release of N14.9 billion for disbursement to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government. The Ministry of Works took the lion share of N13.1 billion or 95 per cent of total funds to complete six ongoing roads and drainage projects in northern part of the state. Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the council meeting at the Government House, Damaturu, the Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Goni Fika, said that the approved projects for completion include the 36-kilometre Gadaka-Godowoli road with a 45-meter bridge at Ngeji, Yunusari-Yusufari road of 50 kilometres, and 20-kilometre Kafiya-Yunusari road project. He disclosed further that in the health sector, the sum of N1.5 billion was approved for the rehabilitation works at the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, 42 housing units at the same hospital, as well as the procurement of eight fully equipped brand new ambulances for hospital services and mobile clinic in the state.

the pursuit of a common destiny. “Furthermore, you must continue to anticipate and reflect on the ideals that we all cherish as a people and remember that as members of the armed forces, you will be judged by the type of lead-

ership you give to the men under your command,” he said. Stressing the relevance of the nation at the global level, Jonathan stated that Nigeria remained committed to the maintenance of international peace and security, and will

continue to collaborate with other African governments to promote peace, stability and development in the continent. He explained that in order to achieve this singular purpose, the nation would require the services of the armed forces for protection force in multina-

tional operations within the continent and beyond. He urged the military to live up to expectation and uphold the nation’s ideals in all the numerous peace keeping operations whenever they may be called upon to participate.

Controversy Trails PPA’s Name Change, As APGA Kicks … We Have Not Been Communicated, Says INEC From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has objected to the proposed change of name by the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to the All Progressives Peoples Alliance (APPA). The Guardian gathered that following the return of the founder of the PPA, Orji Uzor kalu to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), members of the party have decided to change its name, logo and flag to make it have a different outlook from what it was under the leadership of the former governor of Abia State. In reaction to the proposal, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which protested the proposed change to APPA noted that the acronym, if accepted by INEC will be conflicting with its own, stressing that it could lead to confusion among the supporters of the two parties, during elections.

10 Years After Ngige’s Abduction, Group Demands Culprits’ Prosecution From left Acting Vice Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, Pro-Chancellor Chairman, Governing Council, Prof Wale Omole, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola his Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi at the inauguration of the 8th Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomoso, Oyo State PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Court Finds Jigawa Governor’s Son Guilty From Abba Anwar, Kano FEDERAL High Court sitting in Kano presided over by Justice Fatu Riman, yesterday found the son of Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, Aminu, guilty of non-declaration of money in his possession in the case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was arrested on December 11, 2012, at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport for under declaration of USD 40,000, on his way to Cairo, Egypt for the treatment of his sick child, Rabi Aminu Lamido. Aminu declared the sum of USD10,000 on him, and another sum of USD40,000 was found in his possession after scrutiny by custom officers attached to the airport, which is an offence against Section 2, sub-section 5 of Money Laundering Law of 2011. He was in the company of his wife, two sons and his brother. His two and a half year-old child Rabi, who had sickle cell anaemia was treated for meningitis by Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, was recommended to go for treatment at Cairo. The undeclared money, he later explained was for the treatment of his ill child. The Judge in his ruling declared that Aminu was guilty as charged. But the judgement was without any penalty to the defendant. After another legal intervention by the Counsel to the Defendant, Offiong Offiong (SAN), the judge ordered that, 25% of the seized money of the defendant be returned to him.

Honourable Justice Riman, while reading his judgement, referred to an argument raised by the Counsel to the accused person that one security man of the airport Mr Junaidu was the person that misled Aminu not to declare all the cash in his possession. That was why Aminu did not voluntarily declared the remaining USD40,000 to authorities.

It was accepted by the court that the said amount under discussion was meant for medical treatment of Aminu’s child. That was why the non-declaration was not viewed by the court as having any criminal intent, as clarified by the Judge. Though the court charged the defendant, but no penalty was given to the accussed. “Since I came here this is the

most difficult case I met”, says Jutice Riman. On whether the case was amplified by some quarters to scandalize the rumored ambition of the father of the defendant, governor Sule Lamido, of contesting for the presidency in 2015, the Judge confessed that, “This court will not be dragged into the federal government relationship with the father of the accused.”

Nigeria Tops With Annual 7,028 Student Population In USA Colleges And Universities From Lillian Chukwu, Abuja HE Institute of International Education Open Doors 2012 has listed Nigeria as the largest sender of

students from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States of America with 7,028 students annually. The report showed that the

students are at more than 700 colleges and universities and that advising centres in Nigeria attend to more than 10,000 inquiries annually.

From Chuks Collins, Awka T the 10th year anniversary luncheon held at the Marble Arch Hotels, Awka recently by friends and associates of Dr. Chris Ngige to commemorate the July 10, 2003 abduction of the then governor, a pressure group, Anambra Multi-Party Coalition for Ngige 2014, condemned the non-prosecution of those involved. They lamented that the perpetrators of the dastardly act had all the past 10 years walked freely without prosecution, saying if the crime were allowed to be swept under the carpet, it would set a negative precedence and institutionalise brigandage in the nation’s contemporary political history. Addressing reporters, chairman of the coalition, Chief Ben Oranusi, a former Orumba South chairman, noted that “This is 10 years that these people committed this crime and ever since nobody has been prosecuted for abducting a sitting governor. We cannot go on like this. People must account for their sins against the state and the society.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

NEWS

PATHS2 Advocates Passage Of National Health Bill From John Akubo, Dutse HE Partnership for T Transforming Health Phase II (PATHS2) national program manager, Mike Egbon, has challenged Nigerian politicians, traditional institutions and religious leaders to put health issues at the front burner of political agenda by ensuring that the national health bill is passed and assented to. Egbon who spoke at a mega community mobilization and engagement in the Jigawa State Health for All Initiative of the DFID under PATH2, which took place in Ringim, recently said any country that is not healthy can

never think of development. It may be recalled that the earlier passage in 2011 was preceded by a massive protest by Nigerian women at the National Assembly because they are aware that about

55,000 women die annually from pregnancy-related causes in Nigeria, and up to one million Nigerian children under the age of 5years are also victims of preventable death. He appealed to the traditional

leaders to impress it upon the National Assembly to pass the health bill in to law. “I am talking about health bill here today because the traditional institution, our royal fathers can make the national

assembly pass that bill. The legislator present here today can also raise motion in Jigawa State house of Assembly to make sure that the health bill is passed.”

Jubilation In Kano Over Al-Mustapha’s Release From Murtala Muhammed, Kano THOUSANDS of youths yesterday took over major streets in Kano metropolis jubilating over the release of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha from death sentence for his alleged involvement in the killing of Kudirat Abiola. The Appeal Court sitting in Lagos yesterday pronounced

the discharge and acquitted AlMustapha, former Chief Security Officer of the late head of state, General Sani Abacha. The jubilant youths, who defied the sober mood of fasting period, trooped out in celebration and praise to almighty God. Reacting to Al-Mustapha’s release, the General Secretary,

Al-Mustapha Reception Committee, Abubakar Muhammed General, described it as superior will of almighty God on an incarcerated soul. Abubakar General disclosed that the release has further vindicated Al-Mustapha, indicating his innocence and lack of substantive proof to indict

him in the first place. “We thank almighty Allah for granting us success after seven years of struggle. We consider the Appeal Court verdict as an actofGod.Thatistotellyouthat whoever is not destined by God to die, nobody, no matter how highlyplaced,cancommitthat person to death,” he said.

Glo Sponsors London Fashion Week EADING Telecoms Lagreed Company, Globacom, has to sponsor the 3rd edition of African Fashion Week, London (AFWL), which kicksoff In August 1. The four-day event, slated to take place in London, United Kingdom, will provide platform for promoting the work of African and African inspired designers and fine artists globally. Globacom in a press statement on Friday stated that the sponsorship of AFWL is a further demonstration of the company’s commitment to the promotion and sustenance of African arts and culture as well as its rich fashion tradition. “As a truly Nigerian company operating within the African continent, Globacom will continue to be associated with the development of Africa’s rich culture, its works of art and its priceless body of literature’’ the statement added. The Company stated further that the fashion week would be an opportunity to showcase Africa’s rich socio-cultural heritage in general, and Nigeria’s rising fashion pedigree in particular. The African Fashion Week London (AFWL) is a collaborative fashion and arts exhibition that will showcase the best of African fashion, as over 100 top designers from the continent and beyond showcases their designs and products.

Old Students’ Association Meet HE general meeting of T Victory High school/Victory Grammer People queuing to register their GSM SIMs in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, following the restoration of communication networks in the state as a result of emergency rule... yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Mohammed Challenges Governors To Speak Up Over Impunity In Rivers

CLO Indicts INEC, Political Parties In Oguta Re- Run Crisis

From John Akubo, Dutse ATIONAL Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaidu Mohammed has urged the Nigerian Governors to speak up against the impunity rather than stay aloof while Nigerian democracy crumbles. Mohammed who spoke against the backdrop of the fracas in the Rivers State House of Assembly where five proJonathan Lawmakers attempted to impeach the speaker on Tuesday said the Governors must also come out clear whether they are still ready to support this President despite what he has been doing to democracy, the rule of law and the terrible corruption and the collapse of the national economy. He charged well-meaning Nigerians to speak up and if need be, come out and protest.

some members of staff of the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as politicians from both the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the crisis that rocked the re-run election into the Oguta constituency of the Imo

From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja IGHT group, the Civil R Liberty Organization (CLO) has criticized the activities of

state House of Assembly. INEC had earlier declared the rerun election as inconclusive, blaming the cancellation on series of electoral frauds and violence by the national assembly members of the various political parties. The CLO, which monitored the election in the eleven wards of the Oguta constituency, regretted that INEC allowed itself to be influenced by politicians who had interest in the election by imposing ad hock

staff that are loyal to them on the commission, adding that some members of staff of the commission who worked as collation officers played leading roles that led to the cancellation of the election. Briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja, the South East Zonal chairman of CLO, Comrade Chidi Onwunaraugwu, who explained how an INEC staff who worked as a collation officer deliberated frustrated the collation of results from his

center, claimed that he had to return to Owerri from Oguta because he could not find his way to the collation center. While backing the cancellation of the election, the organization regretted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has failed in three occasions to organize elections in Oguta constituency noting that the commission has not been able to fix the problem of violence and ballot box snatching in the area.

Police Minister, Olubolade Joins Ekiti Governorship Race Fayose Rejects Ekiti PDP Consensus Committee, Says Its Unconstitutional From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti HE Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade (rtd), yesterday declared his intention to contest for the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State. Speaking with newsmen in his country home, Ipoti Ekiti in Ijero Local Council Area of the State, Olubolade said he is coming to contest

for the office to pioneer landmark transformational development that is in tandem with the framework of the agenda being pursued by President Goodluck Jonathan. Meanwhile, the Ekiti State chapter of the PDP has set up an 11-man Consensus Screening Committee to scout for its governorship candidate in the coming 2014 election in the state.

In a statement on Friday by the State Chairman, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, the committee is headed by a retired high court judge, Justice Edward Ojuolape. In a related story, former Ekiti State governor and an aspirant in next year’s governorship election, Mr Ayodele Fayose has rejected the consensus committee set up by the State Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) to pick the party’s flag bearer. Fayose who said consensus arrangement not only contravened the party’s constitution, some names in the newly formed committee were known ardent supporters of some of the aspirants. According to him, the PDP constitution stated that picking of candidates would be done through a free and fair primary election.

School Old Students’ Association holds on Sunday July 13, 2013, at the school compound on Bank Anthony Way, Abule Onigbagbo Bus-stop, Ikeja, Lagos at 2:00pm.

Church Holds Conference HE Church of Pentecost T Nigeria holds her 2013 All Pastors and Wives conference at the Church of Pentecost National Revival Center, Mizpah at No.7 Peace Street, off All Over Polytechnic Road, Sango Ota from Tuesday, 16th to Sunday, 21st July. According to a statement made available to The Guardian, the programme which starts by 9.am daily has Apostle and Mrs. R. Ato Addison, the Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, Teshie / Nungua Area, Accra, Ghana and Apostle F. Obiri - Yeboah, National Head, Nigeria as guest speakers. The programme themed “Worshipping In Spirit And Truth” is going to feature indepth teachings on the kind of worship that is acceptable by God and impartation service.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

NEWS Families Of Ikeja Bomb Blast Victims Call For Help By Jesutomi Rotimi LEVEN years after the demise of their loved ones, the families of the victims of 2002 Ikeja Bomb Blast have called on Lagos State and the Federal Government to fulfill their promises. Chairman of 2002 Ikeja Bomb Blast Victims Families, Comrade Nurudeen Oyegbemi said, during press conference, that attention should be paid to the families of the remaining 80 victims. He disclosed that aside from the instant relief package of N500, 000 that was given to some of the families of the deceased in 2003 and N250, 000 for each missing person to take care of immediate expense, nothing else has been paid to the victims’ families.

Glo Storms Enugu With Concert LOBACOM hits the Coal G City of Enugu today with its scintillating show, the Glo slide and Bounce concert. The show, designed to showcase the newly signed Glo Ambassadors and signpost the new intimate connection between the Glo brand and Nigerian youths, promises to bethebrightesteverintheCity. In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom said that having held successful editions of the show in Abuja, Benin and Ibadan, “we can boldly say that Enugu will experience one of the best shows in the history of showbiz in the Coal City. We will give the people of Enugu an evening of fun and complete entertainment”. The statement added: “We have been to Enugu a couple of times for different kinds of shows. We appreciate very well the expectations of the audience there and we say with all confidence that the Glo Slide & Bounce Concert will change the perception of the people. This will be an entertainment like never before.”

Baptist Organisation Holds Seminar HE Men’s Missionary Union (MMU) of the Lagos West Baptist Conference (LWBC), is organising a Mission Seminar and Caring Day, as part of its programmes for this year. Acting Chairman, Deacon J.S. Kolawole, said the seminar, with the theme, ‘How far can you go on mission and caring?’ would hold today at the Covenant Baptist Church, Akute, Ogun State, at 10 am, with Rev. Olu Oyeniran as Guest Minister.

AGS Alumni Holds July 20

Some of the over 677 displaced victims of armed robbery, comprising 232 women, including 30 pregnant women, 380 children and 65 men, who had been taking refuge at Faskari Model Primary School in Katsina State for fear of reprisal attack after two of the suspected armed robbers were killed. PHOTO: NAN

PENGASSAN Threatens To Withdraw Members Over Rivers Crisis N view of the raging crisis in IAssembly, the Rivers State House of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has threatened to withdraw its members if the politicians would not conduct themselves in a manner

PENGASSAN President, Babatunde Ogun, said the violent action has showed that political leaders in the country lack respect for the constitution. “The events in the recent time are strong indications that the government may not be

able to guarantee the security and protection of lives and properties of our people. In that wise, we cannot continue to risk the lives of our members and may have to withdraw them until when the situation is under control.

Health Professionals Seek End To Appointment Of University Lecturers As CMDs By Joseph Okoghenun EALTH professionals under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), formerly known as Nigerian Union of Pharmacists, Medical Scientists and Professional Allied to Medicine (NUPMTPAM), have called for immediate end to the current practice where full time university lecturers are being appointed as chiefmedicaldirectors (CMDs)

of tertiary health institutions. The health professionals who made the call at the end of NUAHP National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Ilorin,Kwara State, said the “practice is inimical to good governance and detrimental to progress in our hospitals.” In a statement signed by NUAHP National President, Mr.Felix Faniran and National General Secretary, Mr. Obinna Ogbona , the association said

“Mr. President should stop henceforth from appointing honorary consultants who are full time university lecturers as chief medical directors (CMDs) of our teaching hospitals.” The group, which threatened to down tool if its demands were not met before or on July 31, also reiterates its demand for the sack of Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, for alleged discrimination against non-medical

practitioners. The association, which also condemnedtheconstitutionof hospital management boards, “asks for their immediate dissolution as it contravenes the provisions of decree 10 of 1985 now Act U15 LFN 2004,” and called for “ equitable representation of registered Unions and Assembly of Health Professional Associations on each board of management.”

Security Experts Call For Caution Over Insecurity By Babatunde Oso SSOCIATION of Safety A Practitioners and Professionals (ASPPro) has said that all hands must be on deck to curb insecurity in the country. The association also called for caution in the handling of

the challenging security situation across the federation. National Co-ordinator of ASPPro, Lanre Ajegbomogun, in an interview with The Guardian yesterday said the country is going through a period similar to the pre-civil war era and there is the

need for all to exercise utmost restraint, so as not to plunge the country into anarchy. Ajegbomogun especially appealed to politicians to avoid dragging the security agencies into the various flashpoints of crisis in the country, particularly, that of

Rivers State. According to the safety expert, who is also the Veterinary Director of Lahrivet Clinik, it was alarming if all the video and footage of the unfolding events in Rivers State were true.

Benue, Nasarawa To Involve Security Operatives To End Fulani killings From: Joseph Wantu, Makurdi and Msugh Ityokura, Lafia

MEETING of the 1972-1976 ENUE and Nasarawa states A Set of Anglican Grammar School, Igbara -Oke holds on Bhave resolved to involve security operatives and tradiJuly 20. The venue the residence of Mr and Mrs E. D. Owolabi of Plot 5 Block XX1, D. O. Fagunwa Street, Ijapo Estate, Akure. According to the secretary, Mr. Rufus Adu, the meeting promises to be a great reunion for the old students”.

expected of them. The union further described the fracas in Rivers State as a slap on democracy and the constitution, adding that the crisis could lead to breakdown of laws and order, not only in the state but also other parts of the country.

tional rulers to end incessant killings in both states by Fulani herdsmen. The resolution was taken at a peace meeting held yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, where Governor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State and

Gabriel Suswam of Benue State said that the crisis has snowballed into great tribulation that has continued to defy solutions. Al-makura particularly expressed grief at the dimension the crisis has taken in recent times, stating that if urgent steps are not taken, the crisis could snowball into a full blown war. “The problem now is a different kettle of fish. It has

brought pain and torment to both states. We have to tell ourselves the truth at this meeting, no matter whose ox is gored. The two states cannot be strained by artificial issues,” Al-makura said. Suswam said the continued invasion of his state by Fulani herdsmen through Nasarawa state was causing a great headache to his government, adding that action of leaders of both states seemed to be

exacerbating the situation. “The Fulani herdsmen come in their large numbers; over 600 people cannot come into a place and people will pretend not to see them. If people are pushed to the wall, they can react and we are getting close to that point. Discussion should be franked without apportioning any blame to anyone, but to find a lasting solution to the problem,” Suswam said.

MDGs Train 76 In Nasarawa From Msugh Ityokura, Lafia O fewer than 76 people N are being trained as volunteers by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nasarawa State to provide pertinent services in 178 primary health facilities as well as 30 primary schools across the state. The training which was flagged off by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura at the campus of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), is one of the interventions implemented under the 2011 MDGs Conditional Goals Conditional Grants Scheme to Local Government Areas (CGS-LGAs), and the second to the last activity left for execution under the period, according to the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on MDGs, Dr. Mohammed Raj.

Deloitte’s Security Rated Best Globally ELOITTE Security has been D rated as the best globally in security consulting. The ranking, which was done by Gartner in the Market Share Analysis: Security Consulting, Worldwide 2012 Report, showed that “Deloitte’s tops ranking based on aggregate global revenue.” Head, Deloitte Security and Privacy Services for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mike Maddison, said the report is heartwarming. “We believe this report provides tangible evidence that clients value Deloitte’s security consulting services above and beyond those of other service providers, ” he said. The security consulting service market grew by 5.8 per cent from 2011 to 2012, driven largely by advanced attacks, incident response and mobile security demands. Audit firms accounted for the largest overall revenue growth in the marketplace from 2011 to 2012 since they command the greatest overall portion of revenue in the market.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

METRONOTES

Agony Of Bank customers At ATM Points Commercial Banks may have reduced the human traffic in their premises by introducing cash machines outside the banking hall, but the machines are not widespread enough to serve the teeming bank customers. Hence, the scarcity of ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) has made it difficult for customers to access cash; the outcome thus is frustration, anger and despair. AJIBOLA AMZAT captures the experience of bank customers at two banks in Igando, Lagos. HE multitude in front of the First T Bank building at Igando Market stood out from the usual market crowd. yet, like the regulars in the market, they milled around the small pavilion where the bank’s ATMs are located. Frustration stood on their faces as they agonised over the inability of the machine to dispense cash. There are four ATM outlets inside the pavilion; each of them functioning, but none chugged out cash. Instead, the text on the screen reads: Temporarily out of service. The customers waited, then began to murmur, and they waited more; but the cash dispensers did not budge. Disappointed, the customers left eventually, directing their frustration at the two security men nearby as they hastened off, while a few oth-

ers tarried a little longer. “The network may come when people have already gone,” a customer said hopefully. He was wrong. For a long time, the cash machine served no customer. The security officer, who was already tired of explaining the frustrating situation to the crowd, eventually ambled off towards the security post, far from the direct insult of the irate customers, and began to mind another business. The remaining customers soon got the message: No help is near. One after the other, they too dispersed. close to the First Bank is another bank: Standard IBTc. The storey building used for the banking operation looks more like a residential house than a bank. yet the desperate customers had no trouble finding it. They came in droves to join a long queue of customers. Here, only one of the three machines was working. According to customers, the three were dispensing cash until two machines stopped. Small matter, as long as there was still one machine churning out cash. A few more minutes, the queue grew longer, forming a human train. Even customers from Ikotun who had heard that the ATM at Standard IBTc was discharging cash came to try their luck. It was as if the cash machine could feel the agony of the people for the machine was working fine – and fast too. Grrrrrrrrrr. And the cash was out! While the wait continued, a middleaged man came in, anxiety written all over his broad forehead. Seeing the long queue, his anxiety spread beyond the temples to the two sides of his face and to the lower jaw. Now, he cut the figure of an escaping prisoner captured just few inches away to

Queue at ATM point, GT Bank Egbeda, Lagos. freedom. Reluctantly, he approached the security man nearby to explain something. But not many people cared about a tête-àtête between two strangers. The guard’s head was nodding slowly as the man spoke. After listening to him, the security man’s face contorted to a cheerless form, just like that of the broad-faced man. Next was a

loud voice, “Please, ladies and gentlemen, kindly assist this man. He is on the way to the hospital with his wife in the car outside. His wife appears to be in labour. And he needs to withdraw some cash.” Without the slightest hesitation, the crowd shifted backward for the man to come to the front. A tinge of relief settled on his face as the man

The Earpiece Menace By Modupe Ojo EcENTLy, the use of the earphones and headsets popularR ly known as “earpiece” has become rampant among youths and especially in Lagos. They now want to receive calls or listen to radio on their handsets without disturbing anyone with the sounds. Mr. Tunde Francis(not real name) who sells phones accessories at Ojota explained that earphones come in different shapes, sizes and colours. Dj Tipsy also submitted that earphones or headsets are used by different categories of people for different purposes. The DJ”s will use the headsets in the club or in the studio to mix songs and get the original beats of any particular song. According to him, the different people that make use of the earphones or headsets professionally are the DJ”s -like the radio presenters, studio managers, camera operators etc.”The headphones amplify sounds better than the ear buds that just play the sounds as it is without giving it that extra effect

stepped forward to take position. Few seconds after, he was already punching the ATM button, and several seconds later, he had his cash stuck in the pocket, and was thanking everyone profusely on his way out. He was the last man to be served by the ATM. The machine was empty. And the time was 5:12 pm on

it should have,” he said. Another concerned person said earphones are easy to move around with it, he warned that they have caused so many accidents. Iyabo who is a hair stylist gave an instance when a young lady was recently knocked down by a vehicle as a result of the earpiece she used to cover her ears while trying to cross the road. She recalled that another one happened in Ikeja involving one young man who crossed the road while covering his ears with his earpiece. Mr. Ade Laja, a teacher blamed the parents who allowed their wards to become addicted to earpiece. According to him many parents are not vigilant enough. “The use of the of the earpiece in class or around the school premises is becoming a serious problem as many of the students are always listening to music with their earpiece when they should be reading their books. Samuel, whom owns a shop stocked with phone accessories in Ikorodu said some earphones don’t need to be attached to the phones because they are operated with the Bluetooth device and it will hung around the ears without wires like other earphones. “The use of the earpiece has increased due to the fact that more people are now having access to the new smart phones. Many people now use it while driving or walking.,” he said. He said that once the user realizes that he or she can’t concentrate while using the earpiece it is better to stop driving and make your call. He regretted that due to the abuse of earpiece many people have lost their loved ones in accidents. “The purchases of the earphones are higher than every other phone accessory because there is always a need for if is faulty one doesn’t need to repair it. For every phone accessory been sold, the earphone rates higher by at least 60%. Earpieces are instruments used to amplify sounds,” he said. Dr. Olamiji of Prima Hospital explained that the constant use of the earpiece can affect the ear and the treatment is a bit on the high side. One of the commuters in Ikorodu said that it is dangerous to make use of earpiece while crossing the road. “Some are so engrossed with it they forget happening around them. The other day, a young lady was hit by a car because she was using the earpiece and did not hear the tooting of the car while she was crossing the road. He urged the government to enact rules that will make it an offence for people to cross the road while using their earpiece.

TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013 | 9

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics 2015 Polls: Nigeria Is Not Yet Cured Of Emotions, Sentiments, Says Lamido Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, in an interview recently with journalists at the Government House, Dutse, disclosed that there was no magic wand to funding his administration’s massive projects in the 27 local councils of the state despite low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and allocations from the Federation. Lamido also spoke on 2015 elections, Nigerian Governors Forum’s crisis and the All Progressive Congress (APC). BOLA OLAJUWON was there. Excerpts:

N how he was funding massive projects in the state ARE you saying Nigeria is poor? Do you think Nigeria is poor? If the nation is poor, is the country poor? The nation is the people – people like you and I. Do we appear poor? Ask yourself. Why are you like this while others are like they are? The country is well-endowed. The country is very rich but the nation is poor. It is as simple as that. I’m being very honest. I feel very sad that we have lost the basics. The role of a person in office is to perform the functions of that office. Because of distortions and aberrations, we have literary submitted that we are hopeless. That is my pain. On Nigeria’s leadership issue When you say leadership, it is the people willing to be led. Three things, which define a state are missing. Nigerians don’t believe in law and order, which means we do not believe in due process. The way you drive, the way you beat the traffic, the way you attempt manoeuver past others. There are also Nigerians like you going to the same destination but then you are in a hurry and then you drive on the pavement ignoring the feeling of other people. They are also like you. They are also in a hurry. Number two, it is a country of people who are not patriotic. Nobody wants to make sacrifice for this country. You are looking to take out of it. You keep on taking out of it. So, we are not patriotic. Number three, we are terribly inpatient. You put in a government today and by tomorrow, you want result and yet you are not law-abiding. You will be looking for an advantage to exploit. For a Nigerian to get what he wants, he can deploy anything. These form the character of a nation. All of us must make sure we submit ourselves to the law of the land. On whether he would consider joining the presidential train in 2015 This country is applying democracy with idiosyncrasies and our own peculiarities – that it is not the turn of that person yet. It is the Nigerian chemistry you have to look into, which has been hijacked by people who manipulate it with differences. Today, if you go to somebody in the SouthSouth, he would say ‘my son is there, he must be!’ It would not matter

whether that man is killing him. So, first and foremost, the Nigerian chemistry, is it thoroughly healed? The elites, are they honest enough? The people, are they courageous enough to do the right thing? If you fall into our own compartment like South-South, South-East, Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani; when before election somebody was saying ‘our son must serve a second term’ and second tern comes after election – it is when you win election. But Edwin Clark would say, ‘our son must have a second term.” If he said he must get the PDP ticket, he can say so. But second term is a factor of election. When you say ‘he is our son, he must have it,’ what you are saying is a factor of election. If you are saying his party must give him the ticket, it is okay. They can say so. But it doesn’t mean he is going to win the election. But when you say he must win the election, then what are you talking about? Why then is democracy? In 2011, the name Edwin Clark was not part of PDP vocabulary. And then look at it today, it has become the main vocabulary. And what is the qualification? Emotion and sentiments. His fears for Nigeria in the face of current political scenarios It is just like Bola Ige of blessed memory and others in Afenifere and NADECO. When we talk about June 12, they were not anywhere near it on June 11. That is my worry – that people don’t reckon with history. People who take advantage of a national effort and kind of appropriate it. Where were they on June 11. It is the same thing we are going through! AsariDokubo and Clark, where were they on 2010? Where were they when PDP held their primaries? They were not there. So, you must not diminish Nigeria. It is true Nigeria president must come from a tribe, a village and a zone, but by the time you get there, you are absolutely a Nigerian. That is why in 1999, in trying to heal the wounds of June 11, we said fair enough, let us locate the presidency in the South-West. Truly, it is not the preserve of northerners only, but then in taking it to the South-West, we were looking for Yoruba Nigerian President and we decided on former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But Yoruba didn’t want him. So, what I’m saying is that today, coming to your question, it is not about my aspiration. Are we cured? Are the emotions gone; the sentiments, are they all gone? Are they ready to melt into what you call a genuine effort to be able to restore Nigeria as the leader of Africa, leader of the black race? So my aspiration, to me, is not a big deal. As far as I’m concerned, by my upbringing, there are some ideals I cherish and once they are being

followed by anybody, there is no problem. The entire thing is not about personal ambition, it is about working for a larger picture. How to address the Nigerian problems – the poverty, under-development, nepotism and all these kind of things. We are working around something, to bring some changes fundamentally. So that the Nigerian person, for once will learn to know what is called dignity. For once, he knows there is honour around him. When poverty has taken away your pride, you don’t feel honourable anymore because you are diminished; you are debased. So, to me, if the person in place is doing the right thing, I have no problem. Let him remain there forever. Now, it is left to us to sought out what we want. Emotions, sentiments, appropriation of power and of course, we will remain where we are; the richer will be getting richer while the poor will be getting poorer. On the confusion within the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and whether the crisis is 2015-induced You see, despite what you have said, you are also dealing with human institutions, which cannot claim perfection. The NGF is an formal forum, you don’t have to belong to it. It is just for

our own convenience and issues we discuss are just purely economic and security, that is all. We don’t discuss politics at that place. Really, the NGF is not a very big issue that you should be worried about. It is nothing for God’s sake. But in Nigeria, everything is for entertainment. Sometimes while the mind can leap out and begin to invite imaginations, me as a person, Sule Lamido, I’m a Muslim and there is something called destiny in my religion, which is God’s template where before the beginning of the beginning to the end of the more end with millions of billions of years, everything has been put in that template and by the time the time comes, then it becomes. Now who has that guarantee that he is going to live till 2015. Why are we wasting our energy and our steam over it? On APC’s claim that some renegade PDP governors would jump into the party I’m highly amused. Do you know what they call self-wish? These are local propaganda, which is terribly elementary. Since 1999, we have PDP, AD, APP and 14 years after in 2013, it is PDP only that has remained. AD had gone from AD into AC, into ACN, into something else and now going to APC. APP had gone into ANPP and then later on, they are going to APC. Now, CPC is a one-man party. It is not so lost out on us of some parties who see Buhari as their industry. So they hang on him and because he is very naïve, he thinks they are serious. Absolutely! He is politically naïve. Yes, he is politically naïve. I would say he should be walking with his eyes wide open because those around him in 1999 were somewhere else. Were they with him? Our people will say if you see a horse fully dressed walking alone in the forest, it must have thrown the owner off. Don’t ride it because it threw somebody away. I have also been wondering. The opposition abuses the PDP that we are murderers, party of riggers, a party of whatever – it is evil. Fine! Why do they want murderergovernors in their midst? Why do they want us to be there? Number two, this socalled APC is again what you call political fraud. Did people in the party came from heaven? They are the same old people. So you see, to me I laugh at it more so because the entire contraction is a creation of pain and anger. It is not about Nigeria. They are people who failed to make it in their political parties who think by coming together they can make it. If you input one PDP governor in APC, it will collapse.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

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POLITICS

Ekiti 2014: Why Bamidele Is Angry With ACN

Fayemi From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti HE war of attrition between a member of T House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele, and the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is traced to the fallout from the 2011 election, when he was denied the senatorial ticket he believed he won. Now, the ominous sign on how fierce next year’s Ekiti governorship election would be fought had begun to manifest, with a crack within the erstwhile united ruling party and how some of its members have prepared to fight dirty for the number one seat of the state. Ekiti governorship election had never been an easy ride. The 2007 election led to a re-run in 2009 and a six-year legal tussle that made it, perhaps, the longest in the history of electoral dispute in Nigeria. But the face-off between Bamidele and ACN has made some of the party members in the state that had been holding marathon meetings to have sleepless nights, as the implication of the infighting might distract them from jointly confront their arch political rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is roaring like a wounded lion. Bamidele is bitter with the ACN and his bitterness was compounded by the endorsement of Governor Kayode Fayemi for a second term by the national leadership of the party when it visited Ado Ekiti and. The battle line is already drawn and the legislator has made it clear to whoever cares to listen that it is going to be a tough political battle. Although some may see his confrontation with the leadership of the party, especially its national leader, Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, would rather be seen as a strange development between a political godfather and his “son,” but to those familiar with the post-election relationship between him and his party leaders, his action was not a surprise. Bamidele, a former commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State had wanted to go to the Senate in 2011. He, indeed, was said to have run one of the most sophisticated campaigns in the state, despite being one of the major financiers of the party before October 15, 2010, when the Appeal Court verdict terminated the PDP government. He contested the primary election for Ekiti Central Senatorial district against Senator Babafemi Ojudu, but the primary was truncated midway and Ojudu was announced as the ACN candidate for that election. Many believed Bamidele was in the early lead

Opeyemi before the election was stopped by the powers-that-be at the national level and it was not surprising that he kicked against what he considered an injustice to his person and undemocratic manner the party favoured his political rival against his interest. But the party did not leave Bamidele in the cold; it negotiated and handed him the House of Representatives ticket, which had already been won by one Jimoh Ibrahim from Ado Ekiti, and went ahead to win the election to the federal parliament. But since then, there has been no love lost between his supporters of Bamidele and those of Ojudu, who on several occasions engaged in open confrontation. Bamidele did not only find it difficult to forgive his party for “robbing” him of the senatorial ticket, but believed they must pay for it, if he was not assured of the ticket the next time. But with what is going on with that ticket, especially the rumour that the party is already looking in the direction of the former governor of the state, Chief Niyi Adebayo, and former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dele Alake, for the ticket, despite the fact that Ojudu’s interest in a second term, Bamidele must have come to the conclusion that it would be impossible to realise his ambition within the ACN. In the last two years, he had not been seen in both the state government and party functions, ostensibly due to the cold war between him and most of the party chieftains in the state. In fact, he had been accused by some ACN chieftains of being more at home with the opposition than ACN members. Perhaps in reaction to his alleged anti-party activities, there were some political decisions by the state government and the party believed to have been made to decimate or clip his political wings. For instance, Bamidele’s supporters alleged that the last cabinet reshuffle by Fayemi was done to off-load some commissioners loyal to him, while his 83-year-old father was removed as the ward leader of the party in Iyin-Ekiti. In fact, Bamidele and his supporters are seen as “enemies within or fifth columnists” by most ACN members in Ado Ekiti and there were reported cases of some of them being physically attacked, the incident involving one Remi Oguntuwase being a reference point. Perhaps to stop the brinkmanship, the national leadership of the party was in Ekiti

for a peace meeting with all the local leaders, where they advised them to sheathe their swords and embrace Bamidele and his supporters back to the fold. At the peace were the National Chairman of the party Chief Bisi Akande, Tinubu, Adebayo, former governor of old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Alake and the state Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe. During the meeting, Tinubu specifically told all the 177 ward chairmen that Bamidele is and should be a force to be reckoned within the ACN. He also asked Awe to reorganise the party executives in all the wards to have representatives of Bamidele as members. As a way of total reconciliation, Tinubu was said to have told party leaders to ensure that Bamidele’s father, who was removed on account of old age as ward chairman in Iyin Ekiti, should be given special recognition in the coming reorganisation of the ward executives. On the endorsement, Tinubu said the step was taken to douse the raging tension and rumour that he had been sponsoring Bamidele against Fayemi since the feud between the duo started. According to him: “This is not the official endorsement; we are coming for official endorsement of Fayemi soon. “I have heard a lot of people saying I am the sponsor, the endorser and financier of Bamidele, but I am here now to clarify issues to all our members.” Tinubu, however, urged Fayemi to mend fences with all the aggrieved members, particularly Bamidele, for the next election in the state to be an easy ride. He also told Bamidele to accept the olive branch from Fayemi and drop his governorship ambition for the party to come out victorious in all future elections. His endorsement of Fayemi for a second term was a confirmation of earlier endorsement by all the wards and party structure in the state, as also echoed by the state leadership of the party that met at Adebayo’s residence in IyinEkiti, where they okayed Fayemi to continue what they called “his good works.” According to them, Fayemi has brought unprecedented development to the state, citing about 700 kilometres of roads constructed with street light in Ado Ekiti, free computer for all secondary to and renovation of all secondary schools in the state, social security scheme for the elderly, which many states have now adopted, free medical care, revamping of dead industries, reviving of Ikogosi warm water spring resort and the recent self-

help initiative, where government recently gave millions of naira to 85 communities to execute projects of their choice. A party member told The Guardian that immediately after Tinubu departed the state, Fayemi advised Awe and other party leaders to commence work on how to implement his advice on how to resolve the crisis and re-integrate Bamidele and his supporters into the fold. But while the peace meeting was going on, Bamidele expressed his disgust at the endorsement of Fayemi for a second term by Tinubu and declared that nobody can stop him from contesting next year’s governorship election. He told his teeming supporters last weekend at the meeting of his political group, Ekiti Bibire Coalition, that he was determined to contest the election and there was no going back. The legislator restated his enormous respect for Tinubu, under whom he served as Special Adviser in Lagos State, adding that he was not contesting the election out of his own personal conviction, but based on the requests of Ekiti people. Bamidele then asked his people: “Were you not the ones that called me to come and contest?” to which they chorused “yes.” He continued: “I will always respect my benefactor, Tinubu, but Ekiti is first on my agenda. “The Tinubu that I know wants the best for Ekiti. If I could work for him for 11 and half years to make Lagos State a model, then I know he will want somebody like me to work with the people to make Ekiti a model. “Nobody can stop me from contesting the election. I cannot fight with Tinubu, just like it is not compulsory that we should agree on everything at all times.” Though an ACN chieftain in the state told The Guardian that the party was working round the clock to resolve the matter and make Bamidele see reasons why he should give peace a chance, but feelers from his camp suggest that he had made up his mind to dumping the ACN for another party to realise his ambition. A source said while the PDP is beckoning at him, Bamidele might have settled for the Labour Party (LP). Until now, the political calculus in Ekiti was that the election is going to be a straight contest between ACN and PDP, but with aggrieved politicians from both parties moving to the LP, the equation would certainly change. Bamidele would certainly not leave ACN without a scar and a chunk of its membership, but the effect of that would largely depend on how the party handles it. Though some of them believe he is a paperweight in Ekiti politics, who cannot win an election even in his hometown without the support of Adebayo, who many believe controls ACN structure in the state. But in all these, Fayemi has refused to be joined in the matter, as he has refrained from speaking publicly on the crisis, because, according to sources close to him, Bamidele remains his friend and brother and Fayemi has not seen anything wrong in Bamidele aspiration to become governor. Some political analysts in the state have described Bamidele’s ambition as “inordinate,” because by the time he would complete his term in the national assembly, he will have spent 16 years in government. However, some believe he is pursuing a “legitimate ambition” and see no reason why he should continue to tie himself to the apron string of Tinubu against the “clarion call of his people.” Though this is the beginning of a political battle that will either turn Bamidele to a hero, if he succeeded in winning the election, or eclipsed his political career, if he loses out. Events in the next few months would determine which way forward for him, especially as nothing is impossible in politics.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

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

Solutions To Overlapping Word Game ‘26’

Overlapping Word Game ‘27’ ___ Adedoja, Special Duties Minister

Diezani

Unit of former Greek currency

Intimacy

At another occasion

Cyclone

Beginner

Oneiric

Make certain

Hiccup

Guarantor

Upbeat

Somebody powerful

Atomic

Long story

Upbeat

Commemorate somebody

Atomic

Search for

Camp

Caretaker

Push Up

40th President of the United States

People

Response to question

Lest

Turn away from direct course

Stagger

Large, powerful prey bird

Error

Existing through all time

Ragolis

State in the USA

Ismaili

Small pasta tubes

Liability

Junior doctor in hospital

Typhoon

Large bat of Europe

Onlooker

Seed

Keratin

Against the law

Tincture

Workers collectively

Restless

Constituent of urine

Less

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

On The Path Of Winners By Bayo Ogunmupe ESUS once told a story which ought to be the primer on prayer (Luke 11:1-13). That story tells us that God wants us to pray, to ask Him freely and boldly for whatever we need. Ironically, that original intention has been seriously distorted. The principal reason for this is one word: importunity (Luke 11:8). Persistence is the unfortunate translation of importunity in most modern versions. What Jesus is saying is: “Your first barrier isn’t God. It is your own hesitance to ask freely. You need to learn the boldness that isn’t afraid to ask -- whatever the need or circumstance”. Another point of confusion lies in misunderstanding the word “ask”. Its tense in Greek conveys the idea of continual asking. But the continuality Jesus wants is in ceaseless petitioning. In other words, you need never hesitate to ask for something just because you asked for something else earlier. Any hint that heaven gets too busy with earlier requests to have either time or supply for the next is pure folly. Here is the message of the Jesus parable. One, you have a friend in the heavenly Father. He is on your side and available any time and in every circumstance. Two, boldness is your privilege. Your assignment is to ask. God’s commitment is to give as much as you need. Jesus strikes the death blow to hesitancy when he said ask. Ask with unabashed forwardness; ask with shameless boldness! Christ really teaches, “Your friend, my father, will rise to the occasion, and see that everything you need is provided.” But there are many hindrances to prayer. Aside our adversary, Satan’s workings against us, there is the self- inflicted turmoil we heap upon ourselves by ignorance, of rebellion against spiritual laws. The law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-8) is as certain as the law of gravity. Much of that for which mankind indicts God as unkind is the simple harvest of man’s own folly. The whole purpose of God’s commands is to warn against the destructive power of sin, not to badger man with a land-locking set of rules

Miracles

The Prayer That Creates Miracles which would take the wind out of full-sail living. “For this the love of God, that we keep his commandments are not grievous”( 1 John 5:3). Carnal violation of Jehovah’s order produces confusion and failure. Sin and Satan produce disorder and destruction. Allah shows the way to surmount our own propensity for failure and heart break. God shows us the way to overcome the slings of satanic fury bent on destruction. Indeed, prayer is the determining factor in our success. But the problem is that too few of us want to accept the fact that if we don’t pray, God won’t do anything. This is much more than a problem. It breeds the controversy, indeed a long-standing debate between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. To some, an emphasis on the responsibility of man suggests that eternal issues are sacrificed on the altar of man’s imperfection. To others, an emphasis on divine sovereignty suggests a deterministic universe in which God’s will irresistibly makes everything happen. Too much of human responsi-

bility produces an erratic world; too much of divine sovereignty a fatalistic one. Knowledge is the only armour against fate. But man is disinclined to accept responsibility for his life on earth. However, God did has given man charge of this planet. And the current disorder in the world is man’s making. The only people who can change our bleak circumstances and reverse, the tide of evil wherever it rises are those who pray to God. But sloth is the mark of the sons of Adam. We have been made poor by ignorance, timidity and laziness. If we will only pray, our problems would be solved. Christ solemnly charged us; “it’s up to you. If heaven’s will and power are to be worked on earth, you have to ask for it”. He removed the guesswork from man’s questioning: man is responsible. If hell or failing flesh wins, it is because no one withstands the fire or the foolishness. Jesus instructs you to “Ask…… seek…. Knock.” The combination is intended to unlock the shackles of helplessness. Ask-call on Yahweh to work in the midst

of those circumstances where sin or Satan is succeeding. Seek-pursue the path God opens (i.e. pray) knowing God will lead you to discover the underlying structure of the problem. Knock – strike the obstacle, like the friend knocking at the door who overcome the only obstacle between him and provision for his need (Luke 11:5-10); like the widow who stayed at the unjust judge’s door, striking the object that was shut up against justice being served (Luke 18:1-8); like the apostle who directed the church to pray in order that hindrances to effective ministry be crumbled (Colossians 4:2, 3). John Wesley put it clearly: “God will do nothing in earth except in other believing prayer.” Thus God holds to his original preposition: “man is in charge on earth. If hell is let loose, it is man’s duty to call upon me for the remedy. If he doesn’t call – if prayer isn’t uttered, I have bound myself not to be involved. If prayer is extended, I have bound myself to conquer everything that would destroy or diminish my beloved creature- man. There it is, prayer can change anything. The impossible doesn’t exist with prayer. To God belongs power, our duty is to pray. Without God, we cannot triumph or overcome our problems. But without asking, God will not do anything. “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear,” (Isaiah 59:1). That ought to settle the case for necessity for prayer. If the question arises, “is it okay to pray?” let the answer be settled, “Yes it is okay.” You can be sure God won’t mock or criticize you for asking anything. “If any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, and doesn’t rebuke you for asking.” (James 1:5). However, there is a battery of scriptures that make clear that some prayers will not be answered (James 4:3). Presumptuous attitudes in prayer will not be honoured (Luke 9.51). Prayer offered by a disobedient person or sinner will not be heard by God (Psalm 66:18). Intolerance and unforgiveness towards others blocks the provision of even our most basic needs (Mathew 6:11, 12). But if you want to win with prayer, you must be honest with God.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

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POLITICS

PDP’s Antics In Ekiti By Akintola Benson PPARENTLY anxious to divert attenA tion from the many internal crises ripping the party apart and daily rendering it more and more vulnerable in the forthcoming 2015 elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a misleading attack on the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The PDP has seized on the recent fence-mending mission of its leadership to Ekiti State to describe Tinubu as a despot bent on imposing a choice on the people of Ekiti. Of course, there is neither rhyme nor logic to this baseless accusation. In the first place, what moral right has the PDP to accuse anybody of despotic tendencies? This is a party that wanted to impose a chairman on the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), in the person of Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, and when this failed, it suspended the winner of the NGF election, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi from the party for enjoying the support of majority of his colleagues. A party that ordered a sitting governor not to seek re-election of a voluntary association, like the NGF, is now preaching the tenets of democracy to others. How ridiculous! This is a party that has made it so obvious that it is bent on harassing, intimidating and preventing anybody from challenging President Goodluck Jonathan for the PDP presidential ticket in 2015. Towards this end, members of its National Executive Committee

(NEC) are removed and replaced at will. Its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, remains in office against the will of majority of its NEC members, all because of his willingness to manipulate intra-party processes in favour of Jonathan towards 2015. All past national chairmen of the party since inception have all been imposed and removed at will by the Presidency- Solomon Lar, Barnabas Gemade, Audu Ogbeh, Vincent Ogbulafor, Okwesilieze Nwodo, and now Bamanga Tukur. The so-called national conventions that produced the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and later Jonathan, were clearly manipulated to arrive at pre-determined outcomes. We can all recall how former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva was brazenly prevented from asserting his right to seek re-election as the party’s governorship candidate, while the favoured candidate of the Presidency, Seriake Dickson, was foisted on the party and is today the governor of the state. In Kogi, aggrieved PDP candidates, who were manipulated out of contrived governorship primaries, are still in court seeking justice. We can go on and on citing instances why the PDP has no moral right to preach intra-party democracy to anybody. But then, let us come to the substance of the PDP’s allegation. How true is the claim that Tinubu is despotic and disdainful of democracy? In the first place, Tinubu was not

foothold in the Southwest? Is there no virtue in continuity when a government is delivering democracy dividends to the people the way Fayemi is doing in Ekiti? The people of Ekiti are known to be fearless, independent-minded and knowledgeable and nobody can push them around. Tinubu and the ACN national leadership spoke to the entire gamut of the state leadership of the party, including members of the executive council, national and state legislators, as well as local government councils and wards. Yet, there was not a single dissenting voice to the position of the national leadership from the large gathering of party members. Of course, we can understand the antics of the PDP, which wants the ACN to hold contentious primaries and go into the elections as a divided entity. The ACN is the party to beat across the Southwest and many aspirants will naturally seek to fly its flag for any elective office. Furthermore, the outstanding performance of ACN governments has further endeared the party to the electorate, thus making its platform for electoral purposes even more valuable. The party leadership thus has a responsibility to carefully manage internal party nomination processes, so that its tremendous success does not become a liability. This was evidently the reason for the party leadership’s mission to Ekiti.

Akande

Tukur

in Ekiti in his personal capacity; he was on a delegation of the national leadership of the ACN, which included the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, the leader of the party in Ekiti, Chief Niyi Adebayo, and a prominent member of the party from the state, Mr. Dele Alake, among others. The position forcefully articulated by Tinubu at the Ekiti parley was, therefore, that of the party. Again, the fact that the party leadership expended time, energy and resources to go to Ekiti to settle internal disputes and put its house in order towards next year’s election is indicative of a party that respects the electorate and refuses to take them for granted.

It shows that the party, despite Governor Kayode Fayemi’s outstanding performance in office, is approaching the next elections with all seriousness. And the logic of the ACN leadership is impeccable. Why do parties exist and why do candidates seek office? In a healthy democracy, the purpose is to fulfil the party’s manifesto and pursue the greatest welfare of the greatest number of the people. Now, if an incumbent is widely acknowledged as delivering on this mandate, why should a party dissipate energy on intra-party contests? Shouldn’t such energy be better saved to confront the opposition in the general election, especially given the des- Dr Akintola is a seasoned political scientist and Lagos-based lawyer peration of the PDP to regain a

As Uba, Anambra Governorship Hopeful, Declares For Labour Party From Chuks Collins, Awka

HE decision by multi-billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil/Gas Ltd, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, to take a plunge into politics on the platform of Labour Party (LP) might have changed the prospects of the party for good. His recent entry into the party has instantly turned the party into one of the most hottest and active parties in the state. As a mass mover, Ubah could not have entered into any other party other than the one that galvanises the people, a party that draws its membership from every Nigerian home. It was, therefore, not surprising to witness a mammoth crowd at his LP membership declaration event at the Udoka Housing Estate office of the party and the stakeholders’ meeting at Beverly Hotels Nnewi last weekend. At the event, Ubah expressed fears that Anambra State might be swallowed up by earthquake if the tempo of sinking of boreholes currently going on in the state was not checked. He observed that the failure of the state to provide portable water for the citizens in the face of biting scarcity of water has forced the citizens to sink boreholes at every corner. Bearing in mind that the entire state has been struggling to recover from severe threat of a man-made earthquake, Ubah appealed to the people for patience, and promised that his administration would give them the needed portable water. The Nnewi meeting was meant to fashion way forward for the party’s local government chairmanship and councillorship aspirants on the forthcoming council polls. Ubah disclosed that the party would win landslide and would contest all positions in all the 21 councils. Ubah emphasised on the need to return to basics, pointing out that the electorates have in the past voted in political parties with all manner of symbols like cockerel

and broom, but have been disappointed many times. So he urged the people to make a remarkable difference by voting a party with human symbol so as to have a transparent and accountable leadership. Chairman of the occasion, Chief Dan Ulasi, noted that Ubah is a very humane and

Uba

courageous fellow who is out to save the people. He prayed for a landslide victory for the party. Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and Secretary of the Ifeanyi Ubah Campaign Organisation, Dr. Emeka Eze, stated that thousands of those who

decamped from PDP, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the APGA and who attended the rally to join the new LP movement driven by Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation have chosen a part of wisdom and courage. Meanwhile, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly and top chieftain of the LP, Emeka Anohu, has denied news report that he was against the presence of Ubah in the party. The lawmaker pointed that he was out of the state on official assignment during Ubah’s membership declaration for LP- a reason why he could not attend the event. Anohu said that he saw the presence of Ubah in the party as a welcome development, adding that his entry has boosted the party’s political rating in the nation, as many of his followers have joined him to pick LP’s membership cards. He urged Ubah not to relent in his promise to build the party into a formidable one that has the interest of the Nigerian masses at heart. Anohu, who described LP as the only cohesive and united party in the country today, said that democracy thrives on numbers and popularity. The lawmaker, therefore, praised the efforts of the party’s national exco, led by the chairman, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, to enthrone internal democracy in the party nationwide. The Deputy Minority Whip in the state assembly said that he enjoys warm relationship with the state chairman, Sam Oraegbunam, and the national leadership of his party. As a result, he wondered where the on-line reporters got the junk views that a shady deal involving him before Ubah’s membership declaration was brokered. The lawmaker, the only such elected on the platform of the party in the South East geo-political zone, said he warmly welcome Ubah into the party. The party chief, who represents Ihiala 2 State Constituency and said he would be happy if everyone come to LP.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

POLITICS

Taraba Acting Governor, Umar Sacks Govt Officials Over Mismanagement Of Flood Victims’ Fund From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

HEN the news of the sack of the W Secretary to the Taraba State Government (SSG) Ambassador Emmanuel Njiwah and five commissioners was made public, people initially thought that the action was aimed at witch hunting loyalists of the ailing governor of the state, Danbaba Suntai who has been absent from office for almost nine months now. However, drums were later rolled out in celebration of their removal. This was when reason for their sack which was hinged on their involvement in the misappropriation of the N400 million given to the state by the federal government for the last year flood victims was made known to the people. Sacked alongside Njiwah were the Commissioner for Education, Yakubu Agbazo. Others are the commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Anthony Jellason, Commissioner for Works, Transport and Housing, Jonah Angyo, Commissioner for Women and Youth Development, Charity Jonathan Green and the commissioner for Water and Rural Development, Rebo Usman. Their sack as observed by The Guardian was facilitated by the House of Assembly ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the utilization of the aforementioned grants from the federal government to the state government to assist victims of the 2012 flood disaster. While presenting the report of their findings, members of the committee which were made up of the deputy speaker, Tanko Adamu Makarfi, Edward G. Baraya, Yahaya Abdulrahaman, Ibrahim Adamu Imam, Yohana Iratsi Adaki and Alhaji Shuaibu B. Adani who served as secretary felt sad that the flood committee which was chaired by the SSG derailed in their assignment. Rather than mopping up the tears on the faces of the victims of the flood disaster, Njiwah and his teams as alleged by the

House ad-hoc committee were said to have been be busy smiling to their various banks with the funds that ought to have been used in assisting the victims of the flood. Wondering why the Njiwah led-committee on descended so low to mismanage funds meant for the victims, the Committee called on both the acting governor and the leadership of the House to act fast by bringing to book persons indicted in the financial scam. Parts of the report read “ It is our strong belief that serious actions ought to be taken against those who use their privileged positions at the detriment of the masses of the state.’ They described the “ill action” of the flood committee as embarrassing and disgraceful to the state stating that “this is indeed an abuse of office and the confidence reposed in them.” They also noted that it appeared “as if the federal government intervention fund for the flood disaster victims in the state and the state funds released for logistics were not properly used to provide succor to the victims. Adding that the flood disaster in the state “could be said to be politicized, mismanaged and reduced to an avenue where privileged persons who were involved in the management of the funds played roles which seems to undermine the trust of their office.” The committee further described the action of the Njiwah-led committee as very unfortunate, disappointing, and embarrassment to Governor Danbaba Suntai. Njiwah and other affected commissioners whom many had earlier perceived as untouchable due to their closeness to Governor Suntai were not only thrown out of government as plans are underway to hand them over to the Economy and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) The Guardian learnt. Reacting over their sack, Conference of

all Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) Chairman, Rt. Hon. Hamidu Suleiman said, “their sacked was long overdue because of their negative attitudes to victims of last year’s flood.” “They are not being witch hunt because of their relationship with the ailing governor. They are only reaping what they have sown. So I totally disagree with those who think that their sack was to gradually get rid of the governor’s boys.” Suleiman believed that “Suntai would have even done worst than what the acting governor did because I remember him (Suntai) placing curse on any person that will tamper with the money (N400 million) without allowing it to get to the right beneficiaries.” “As far as we are concerned coupled with the joy I saw on the faces of the people when the news of their sack came to town, I don’t think there is any cause for alarm because their removal was very justifiable.” Suleiman who would not want to comment on the rumour making round that the governor is fast recuperating said “that was what we have been hearing since the day the crash took place.” It could be recalled that on arrival from the United States of America (USA) Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue state told Nigerians that the governor is speedily recovering and that while on a visit, he got Suntai connected on a telephone chart with both President Goodluck Jonathan and his vice, Namadi Sambo. Collaborating Suswan, the former deputy speaker of the Taraba state House of Assembly, Abel Peter Diah said that he recently engaged the governor in a heart to heart talk stating that “I called to congratulate him on his 52nd birthday and we discussed a lot.” In appreciation of Diah’s call, the governor was said to have reciprocated the call by reaching out to Diah on a mobile phone a week after Diah’s call. “When he called, a lot of people were with me and I increased the volume of my

Umar

phone so that those around me could hear his voice. He spoke well and we discussed a lot especially concerning the ongoing politics in the state.” Though he refused to disclose to The Guardian what they discussed but said that the governor from his speech is fast recovering. But the former Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Salome Jankada who was visibly dejected at the ways and manners top government officials are playing politics with the governor’s health called for the immediate confirmation of the acting governor as the substantive governor. Jankada who vowed to mobilize women and youth as well as well-meaning Tarabans into the streets to demand for “the right thing to be done” felt sad that contradicting stories have continued to emanate from the mouths of “those who suppose to be truthful.’ She said: “We are tired of their lies. Why is it only them that he has being speaking to”? Why can’t they make him to speak to the public the way our former President Olusegun Obasanjo did with late President Yar’adua?

‘2015 Will Lay Foundation For Nigeria’s Disintegration’ Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele is the founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church Lagos. In this interview with DEBO OLADIMEJI, he speaks on the state of the nation and the way forward.

I think if there is a problem between a governor and a president, it should be very secret. It shouldn’t be a public affair. What legacy are they setting for our youths? The whole thing is painful and sad. Do you think that Nigeria will break in 2015?

What do you think is responsible for the social cum political problems the country is passing through now? NTIL the government stopped ruling us with devilish power, there will be no peace in the country. The country cannot move forward. That was why I kept saying that President Goodluck Jonathan must seek the face of God before deciding to contest the 2015 general election. Nigeria is moving toward a revolutionary change. If we don’t manage our country properly there will be a kind of problem that we have never experienced before. We must pray that we will not lose any elder statesman. And I want to say that there should be no imposition of candidates in 2015 election. The government must prepare so that the country will not famine. I can see that famine is in the offing and we need to work seriously on the environmental pollution. President Jonathan must pray very well to prevent crisis in the country. What is your take on the Governors’ Forum crisis? The president must listen to the truth. Our president doesn’t want to listen to the truth. And nobody is ready to say the truth. Even the pastors surrounding him are not ready to say the truth. They like telling him what he wants to hear. And when people like us say the truth they ignore it. Between Jonathan and Rotimi Amaechi, I think they are all playing politics. They are going to settle their scores. But thereafter Amaechi must be very careful.

Ayodele

2015 will lay the foundation for the disintegration of this country, except we pray and Jonathan listens to the words of God. Jonathan will not win in 2015, but he will force himself in. A lot of people do not believe in rigging, but because of what they will eat will say ‘okay’. I tell you that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will go. They will unseat them at the Presidency. It may not be now, but it is going to happen. Some weeks ago some criminals were hanged in Edo state. Do you believe that such measures will help to curb crimes in the country? I don’t think that is the best way. We have to learn how to preach to people. God does not want the death of any sinner rather than for sinner to repent. The government knows what they are doing, but for me that is not the best. What measures are you taking as a man of God to bring sanity to the nation? We are doing a lot of things. I have been fasting for the past several months. I am just concluding the fasting tomorrow (last Saturday). At the same time we mobilized the achievers for permanent uplift and favour for the first time at National Stadium (last Friday). Thousands of people were there. It was transmitted it live on the TV. The lessons contain in my book ‘Warnings To The Nations 2013/2014 Edition,’ should be taken seriously. I see the hand of the Lord in it. Most of my predictions have been coming to pass. We celebrate God goodness in our country and in the life of the family of this church. We continue to pray to God to give us the power and ability to deliver people from their bondage. People came from all the walks of life. We want to tell people that we are a white garment church of a standard and substance.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

AFRICA I Am Less Anxious Than I Was A Week Ago, Says Graca Machel

Egypt Prepares For Rival Ramadan Protests UPPORTERS and opponents SIslamist, of the ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi are preparing to stage large, rallies in Cairo on the first Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan. Morsi’s supporters are gathering in their thousands in the east of the city to call for his reinstatement.Those whose mass demonstrations led to his removal by the military last week are expected to mass in Tahrir Square. Dozens of people have died in clashes since Morsi’s ousting. The BBC reported that Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement may have alienated many people while in office, but many Egyptians are also uneasy at the military’s intervention in the country’s politics, analysts say, and what is emerging is a battle for public opinion and the middle ground. On Thursday the US urged Egypt’s leadership to stop the new authorities’ “arbitrary” arrests of Muslim Brotherhood members, warning against targeting any particular group. Germany’s foreign ministry called for all groups to refrain from violence, while urging the Egyptian authorities to end restrictions on Morsi and allow an international organisation access to him. UN chief Ban Ki-moon has also warned against the exclusion of any party from the political

process. However, White House spokesman Jay Carney said that the US administration did not believe it should immediately suspend aid to Egypt. Washington is due to send four F-16 fighter jets to Egypt, but has not publicly confirmed that the delivery will go ahead. The US administration says it is examining whether the military takeover constitutes a coup - US law prohibits the

sending of aid to any country whose elected leader is deposed by a military coup. Morsi’s supporters have been staging mass protests throughout the week near the Presidential Guard barracks in eastern Cairo, where they believed he is being held. Morsi’s supporters say they are not seeking confrontation or violence, but given the bitterly polarised situation, with feelings running high on both sides, the potential is always there, correspondents say.

ELSON Mandela’s wife, N Graca Machel has said she is “less anxious,” about Their opponents are planning rallies for Tahrir Square, including a mass iftar - breaking the fast. Morsi was removed on 3 July - a year after he was elected following protests by millions of people across Egypt, and an interim President, Adly Mansour, was installed. While the new authorities have not specified where Morsi is, a foreign ministry spokesman has said he is in a “safe place” and being treated in a “very dignified manner”.

‘Suicide Attack’ Hits Mogadishu T least five people have A been killed in a suicide attack targeting African Union peacekeepers in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, witnesses say. A witness told the BBC he had seen the bodies of five civilians after a car exploded. The AU has confirmed that two of its soldiers were wounded in the attack on one of its armoured vehicles. No group has said it was behind the explosion but alQaeda-linked al-Shabab has often staged similar attacks. Its fighters were forced from its bases in the city two years ago but they have carried out hit-and-run bombings since then.

Last month, at least 15 people, including four foreigners, were killed in an assault on a heavily guarded UN office in Mogadishu. The vehicle which exploded on Friday was in the same area of the capital, not far from the airport and several blocks away from the UN office. A witness in the area told the BBC Somali Service the vehicle exploded in front of roadside shops. “We have two minor injuries. This is not something that can stop Amisom [the AU force] from stabilising Somalia,’’ AP news agency quotes the AU spokesman Col Ali Aden Houmed as saying. Ahead of Ramadan, which began on Wednesday, the

government warned the public that the Islamist militants tend to be more active during the holy Muslim fasting month. Al-Shabab is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia - and despite being pushed out of key cities in the past two years still remains in control of smaller towns and large swathes of the countryside. Some 18,000 African Union troops are in Somalia supporting the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected by MPs last September. His administration is the first one in more than two decades to be recognised by the US and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

the health of South Africa’s first black president than she was a week ago.”He continues to respond positively to treatment,” said Graca Machel. The 94-year-old is nevertheless said to remain in a critical state after five weeks in hospital. On Thursday, President Jacob Zuma said the veteran of the struggle against white minority rule “remains as much of a fighter now as he was 50 years ago.” BBC reported that he was admitted on 8 June with a recurring lung infection. Last week, President Zuma denied reports that

Mandela was in a vegetative state. Several people who have seen him since say he was conscious and responsive. Machel has been a constant presence at Mandela’s side in hospital and has largely been kept away from the legal rifts within the Mandela family which have been exposed in public over the past few weeks. She is the former president’s third wife. They married on his 80th birthday. Officials have urged South Africans to prepare to celebrate his 95th birthday next week. Mandela is revered across the world for his role in ending apartheid in South Africa. He was jailed for 27 years, before being freed in 1990 and elected president in 1994. He stepped down five years later.

Thousands Flee Congo After Uganda’s ADF Attack Kamango HOUSANDS of people T have fled the Democratic Republic of Congo after a group of Ugandan rebels attacked a border town, aid workers say. The Allied Democratic Forces raided the town of Kamango on Thursday, according to the Ugandan army spokesman. At least 18,000 people have crossed into Uganda, the Red Cross has said.The ADF is based in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo, where numerous armed groups have caused havoc over the past two decades. Uganda

army spokesman Lt Col Paddy Ankunda told the AP news agency that some people had been killed in the attack but did not give any further details. The rebels kidnapped some people, including a local chief, as they withdrew from the town, local media report. The ADF was formed in 1996 by a puritanical Muslim sect in the Ruwenzori mountains of western Uganda. In 1998 it increased its activities and a number of bomb blasts in markets and restaurants in Kampala were blamed on the group.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

SPOTLIGHT ON TRUSTEES SERVICES: Blueprint For Future Plans INVESTMENT ONE FINACIAL SERVICES: Passionate About Service Excellence NVESTMENT ONE Financial Services Limited (Formerly GTB Asset Management Limited) is licensed to act as Trustee by the Securities and Exchange Commission and provides trust services in three broad classifications of trust namely: corporate, public and private trusts to financial institutions, government agencies, state governments and individual investors. INVESTMENT ONE Financial Services Limited was incorporated in 2008 as an Asset Management Subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. to serve as financial advisers and managers to the emerging class. Following recent reforms in the banking industry initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. recently divested its ownership from Investment One. The Company is owned by select Investors, management and staffs. The company’s Board of Directors is led by Engineer Egbert Imomoh CON, who is also Chairman of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. and Afren Plc. Other Board members include Habib Jaafar, Joke Chukwumah (Mrs) and Alex Okoh. The Management team is led by Nicholas Nyamali who serves as Managing Director/CEO. Our company provides bespoke trustee services to blind trusts, Private Family Foundation, Charitable Trusts, living trusts, special purpose trusts and children’s education trusts. We also act as trustees to Living Trusts as well as executors to Wills. Put more simply, we act as trustees to mutual funds, debenture trusts, state government bonds and high-net worth individuals. Our Services Charitable Trust: A charitable trust is a type of trust which promotes a purpose such as advancement of education, sports, public welfare etc and does not primarily benefit specific individuals. The purpose of the trust is to benefit society as a whole or a sufficiently large section of the community Private Family Foundation A Private Family Foundation is run and managed by a trustee who oversees the Foundation's investments and distributes the Foundation's assets to the chosen charitable causes. Blind Trust A blind trust is a financial arrangement often used by high-ranking government officials to shield themselves from allegations that their personal financial concerns influence official actions. A trustee invests an official's money without disclosing specific assets in the portfolio. This prevents the underlying asset owner (“the Settlor”), while in an official public capacity, from being charged with favouring companies in which he owns stock Living Trust Living Trusts is a type of trust established during one’s lifetime and it can be changed or revoked it at any time. Such a trust can provide for asset management and income production during your lifetime and provide tax savings benefit Our company has a strong, seasoned trust management team with substantial industry experience in trust services. Our company is founded on the depth of the experience of its senior trust staff, acquired over several years. Its business philosophy is based on developing strong relationship with clients as well as maintaining a high level of professional and ethical standards when providing its trustee services. Investment One’s plan is to maximize our individual trust clients’ wealth/assets by significantly improving on the value of their assets and consequently increase returns on investment to our stakeholders and ultimately to our company. We also intend to grow our trust business by offering innovative and tailor-made products and services commanding a sizeable client followership thus resulting in being numbered as one of the top five trust companies in Nigeria. Specifically, we have aggressively deployed the Investment education project of our company to educate the public and professional groups through articles and seminars designed to highlight the benefits of Trust services as well increase the level of awareness This is because we believe that the trust services industry provides a platform to create and manage wealth as well as preserving such wealth for generations unborn. Though the trust vehicle has been used more aggressively overseas to

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trust and its benefits in the country, dearth of robust trust laws and trust cases which specifically address the peculiarities of laws affecting certain assets such as land in Nigeria; the resistance of people to transferring their assets to an independent third party i.e. the trustee and the high level of taxes paid by borrowers to create debenture trust deeds to secure their loans continue to bedevilled the industry. Trust services are highly regulated services which offer great comfort and security to its users because of the strict fiduciary duties imposed on trustees. Trusts also afford wealthy individuals the professional investment management of their assets, the confidentiality and greatly reduced incidence of institution of lawsuits challenging the distribution of assets to their preferred beneficiaries. For corporate bodies, trustees serve as representatives of the investors and relieve the corporate bodies of the burden of dealing directly with disparate number of investors with diverse requirements. For borrowers of funds, a trust will afford greater flexibility to deal with

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Modern investors face intense challenges in the quest to grow assets and achieve superior returns. We pride ourselves in having both fundamental and technical knowledge necessary to unlocking and retaining value in our local markets. • Innovation We specialize in discovering and generating new ideas to meet the diverse needs of our Customers. We provide a wide array of products and services in such as local and offshore equities and fixed income securities as well as alternative investment such as real estate securities, commodities and derivatives to private customers, financial intermediaries and institutional investors. • Service Excellence Our primary objective in meeting clients' expectations is built upon three service benchmarks- execution, performance and efficient reporting. We execute clients’ mandates speedily and generate regular market reports that serve to update our clients about the status of their transactions.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 13, 2013 17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

With Michael Uchebuaku

IN THIS EDITION

Love Adventure

True Confession:

‘I Slept With My Husband’s Best Friend’

‘I Find It Hard To Choose Between Two Men’

T was exactly one year ago. I was so Ibeing depressed and ready to give up on ever happy. My husband at the time was being very emotionally and verbally abusive. Then I got an e-mail from my husband’s best friend. He was wondering how we were doing, and needed to talk. He had just split with his girlfriend, and was devastated. I reached out to him, and we started talking over the e-mail. It progressed over a few months to cybersex. I had a vacation coming up, and was going to visit my daughter. He lived less than an hour away from her. I asked him if he would like to spend a couple of days with me, and we made plans for that weekend. I met him at his new apartment, and we had some wine and talked. He was incredibly good looking, and so sweet and kind. We ended up having sex. It was the most amazing sex in my life. He could do things with his tongue that I have never felt in my life. Well, it was only a couple of days and one night, but he helped me to snap out of my pity party, and actually divorce my abusive husband. I keep in touch with him, and he has since gotten back together with his girlfriend. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I do not feel guilty at all.

Love Adventure:

‘I Slept With My Husband’s Best Friend’ Matsigira Waterfalls:

Kaduna Wonder!

Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)

Love News

How To Have Baby-Making Sex

CULLED www.experienceproject.com

OR my first teaching practical I went to Fouter work at a public boys’ school in the suburbs of Sydney and discovered

True Confession From Abroad: ‘I Lied To My Family To Escape Their Christmas Chaos’

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FROM:

Joy Okoye, Miss Anambra

Love

If you want to be our next Princess of Love, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714, 07032944123.

to my delight that my supervisor was my favourite maths teacher from high school. Thomas, who had been my teacher for years 11 and 12, had been every girl’s crush as he was not just the only young, attractive male teacher at the allgirls school; he was also a genuinely nice person who we could tell wanted us to succeed. Thomas was still the fantastic teacher I remembered him to be and in the first few weeks of my first practical Thomas gave me lots of helpful advice as well as being fascinated to listen to my stories from my time in South America. It felt so good to talk to him, and in our break times I started asking Thomas about his life too. He had just gone skydiving for his 33rd birthday and loved spending the weekends with his sister’s kids. One day he explained that he had stopped teaching at my high school the year after my year group had left because he felt a lot of pressure being a male teaching at an all-girls school. I was about to joke about how to my 17-year-old self he was the closest thing to Leonardo DiCaprio I had seen in my life. Then I ikipedi that my 25-year-old self felt attracted to him in a completely new and very adult way. I was embarrassed to feel myself blushing and remembering the way my friends and I used to talk about him after class and felt really awkward around him for the last few weeks of my prac. I could tell he was confused about the way I avoided being alone with him and I really missed being able to ask him for advice

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

*If you want to be our next Princess of Love, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714, 07032944123.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

18 |

LOVE&LIFE ‘I Slept With My Husband’s Best Friend’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 — really I just missed talking to him. On my last day Thomas ikipedia a going-away afternoon tea for me and when he came over to give me a card and flowers from the staff he asked if he could speak to me privately. I followed him down the corridor until he suddenly stopped and stood looking at me without speaking for a few seconds. It was the first time we had been alone together for weeks

Love Connection ‘I Find It Hard To Choose Between Two Men’ Dear Love Doctor, My boyfriend of four years and I were having major problems for about two years. I ended up meeting a man from another state and we have been talking for about four months. That man and I believe we are soul mates. My boyfriend has changed back to being the man I met and fell in love with but now I don’t know what to do. I think I need to meet my potential soul mate in order to make a decision on which relationship to pursue. Both men know all about each other. Should I go meet the man in the other state? Love Doctor’s Advice: By all means, go meet him. But please, keep yourself safe. You apparently only know this guy from the Internet at this point. Yes, people absolutely can (and do) meet their soul mates on the Web. But people also sometimes find that the soul mate via chat is either a dud or even dangerous in person. As a 30something, I expect you know how to make sure that such a meeting occurs in a way that doesn’t make you vulnerable. Why do I think you should meet? Because if you don’t, you will always wonder “what if.” Every time you and your boyfriend have a disagreement, he’ll be competing with your fantasy of the out-of-stater. The “what-if guy” will prevent you from committing as deeply and truly as you should if you choose to stay with your boyfriend. Keep yourself safe. Meet the guy. Then choose, knowing what the choice is really about. Your say: Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. *Send your comments/stories to E-mail: Doctor. Love 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

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and my heart was racing. I felt so sad to be leaving the school and I also accepted that I was sad to leave him too. I was tempted to ask him out but was worried he would feel it was too odd since he had been my teacher so long ago. When he asked whether I would be interested in coming back to the school for my next prac I was stunned for a minute. I had been thinking about him on a more personal level but there he was thinking about ikipedia the next school term.

Love Adventure Of course I replied that I would love to come back and, wanting to get away before he saw the tears that had started welling in my eyes I turned away to walk back to the staff room. I had taken about three steps back towards the staff room when I heard Thomas say something quietly behind me. I felt his hand on my shoulder and heard him say my name

like a question. I turned back to face him and he saw how upset I was. I remember laughing through my tears as I felt his arms come around me. We have been married for two very happy years now, and I got a full-time job teaching at a school near our house while he still teaches at the boys’ school where we met again as adults. Everything has been wonderful but I am really nervous about going to the

reunion with my old teacher as my date. I’m very proud he is my husband, but at the same time I’m nervous for how the other students will react to him and what they will say about him. I’m also anxious about what the other teachers will say when they see that we are together and how they will act towards Thomas. I’m tempted not to go, but at the same time I’m so curious to see where everyone’s lives have taken them and hope to see that they are all as happy as I am. Your say: Have you had a similar experience? Share your stories and thoughts below.

Love News

How To Have Baby-Making Sex OU don’t have to be a gymnast or Y know any fancy yoga poses, but there are ways you can help the sperm get to its final destination: the egg. You have the timing right, you’re in the mood and you finally get around to doing the business. So what’s the best way to make love in order to get pregnant? Should you be up against a wall or in the missionary position? While it’s possible to get pregnant in any position, there are certain ways that make it a little more likely. Let gravity do the hard work Making sure the sperms are as close as possible to your cervix (the neck of your uterus) is vital for egg fertilisation. Getting sperm to swim up your fallopian tubes is the key, so help them by letting gravity do some of the work, either by lifting your bottom and legs up in the air or leaning

them against the wall. You could also try lying on your back in the missionary position with a pillow underneath your hips to give you an extra lift. Be a missionary It might seem like the boring way to get intimate, but the missionary position, with all that deep penetration close to your cervix, is going to give your partner’s sperm a little extra help in their swim for the egg. Stay in bed Don’t leap out of bed and go straight to an aerobics class after sex: if you want to get pregnant, stay put. Lie on your side and draw your knees into your stomach. Get your partner to bring you tea and croissants in bed and don’t forget to take a pre-pregnancy folic acid tablet with some orange juice. Stick a pillow under your hips, put your feet against the headboard and relax for a while. Try to visualise

your body making a miracle. Have an orgasm As well as bringing a smile to your face, good sex makes babies! It’s official: a post-coital study of women found that those who had orgasms and enjoyed sex retained more sperm than those who didn’t. It’s all to do with the muscular contractions you experience during an orgasm, which suck up more sperm. Do your pelvic floor exercises Strong pelvic floor muscles are good for women, they’re good for him and they’re good for making babies! Well, we don’t know for sure, but a few pulls in and up after sex can’t do any harm, can it? Staying behind Doing it doggy-style is guaranteed to get your partner’s sperm close to that all-important organ, the cervix. Want another position for deep penetra-

tion? Lie side by side as you have intercourse. Don’t be on top Get off him! You don’t want to be on top at the end of the action, as all his sperm may come rushing back down again. By all means, do it this way before he comes, but when you know it’s getting serious, swap positions! Don’t rush Enjoy the moment. After ejaculation, ensure your partner stays inside for a few minutes before withdrawing slowly. All material is © Mother & Baby: Making Babies Courtesy: ninemsn.com.au *If you want to advertize or sponsor Love & Life call 07031028714, 07032944123.

CONFESSION FROM ABROAD

‘I Lied To My Family To Escape Their Christmas Chaos’ Y husband Paul and I have got a lot M in common, especially when it comes to our mothers. There’s no way to put this politely as the honest truth is that they’re demanding, overbearing and experts at emotional blackmail. Unfortunately when we got married, that just added “competitive” to the mix as they tussled over us like two dogs with a bone and Christmas became a nightmare of unreasonable demands. Both our dads had the sense to stay out of it, but our mothers expected us to spend Christmas Day with them and paid no attention to our plaintive pleas to try and have a peaceful Christmas. “I need my family round me on Christmas Day. I don’t ask for much but that’s all it takes to make me happy,” announced my mother. Meanwhile, Paul’s was weeping down the phone to him, claiming inexplicably that for all anyone knew, this could be her last Christmas and “Is it too much to ask my only son to make the effort?” We should really have stood up to them but that first Christmas we decided to make the effort, telling his family that we’d be with them for Christmas lunch and my family that we’d reach them for Christmas dinner. Despite the two-hour drive needed for each visit it would have been just manageable had either mother recognised the effort we put in, but in the end, his mother moaned that we didn’t spend long enough with them and mine went on about us eating so much lunch we didn’t do justice to her lovely dinner. Fed up, totally hot and bothered and feeling that Christmas was a dead loss, we started our third two-hour drive of the day feeling completely disgrun-

tled. By the time we got back to our own house, we were shattered and grumpy — Christmas was hell. This went on for three years, with neither of us plucking up enough courage to stand up to our mothers, but by the fourth Christmas, we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I was eight months pregnant and we promised each other that next Christmas would be in our own home with our baby. On Christmas Eve, I started feeling more and more unwell and Paul took me to the hospital, where I was firmly told to put my feet up for the next few days as I was going nowhere. It was very hot, my blood pressure was up and my feet and legs were swelling badly so the last thing I needed was hours travelling in the car. Paul rushed out to buy some food and I phoned both mothers to tell them what the doctor had said. Their reactions were almost identical and equally unbelievable. “Never mind me then,” said Paul’s mother and my own was even more dramatic, saying “I can’t believe my only daughter won’t even make the effort for me on Christmas Day.” I knew they were both being totally unreasonable, but awash with pregnancy hormones I spent the whole of Christmas Day in tears and Paul reached the end of his tether, swearing that from now on Christmas would only be on our terms, something we felt even more strongly about when Carrie was born a month later. The following year, we took a week’s holiday just before Christmas, renting a little holiday home 300km away and telling our families we would be back on Christmas Eve. Instead, we packed the car with all the

food and drink needed for a fabulous week, including Christmas dinner and all the presents for Carrie’s first Christmas and headed off. When we got there, we phoned our mothers from the local pub and said that there was no mobile signal but we wanted them to know we had arrived safely and were having a wonderful time. On Christmas Eve, we put Carrie in the pram, strolled down to the pub and phoned both mothers to tell them that the car had broken down and we couldn’t get rescue services till the 27th, but not to worry as we’d managed to get food from the village shop so we were just going to relax and make the most of it. We were stifling giggles as we said it was such a shame about missing Christmas Day with everyone and of course there was no way we’d let anyone drive that distance to get us.

Safe in the knowledge that no-one knew exactly where we were we ambled back to the little house and had the most peaceful, blissful Christmas, no-one telling us what to do or making a fuss over nothing. Ever since then, we’ve had Christmas by ourselves at home with Carrie and now with her little brother, Conor, though anyone who wants to join us on Boxing Day is very welcome. Names have been changed. Picture posed by models. Your say: Have your say about this true confession... Courtesy: ninemsn.com.au Woman’s Day reader NB: Call Mike on 2347031028714 if you have a story from abroad to share with us.

THE GUArDIAn, Saturday, July 13, 2013

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

LOVE&LIFE

Matsigira Waterfalls: Kaduna Wonder! ATSIrGA Waterfalls takes its source from springs on the Kagoro hills casM cading from four different natural funnels off the sheer rock cliff from about 25 metres to form a large pool at the bottom. Situated in Madakiya, close to Kafanchan, about 227 kilometers south of Kaduna, the water at Matsirga Waterfalls drops 30 meters into a gorge that has been supported by beautiful rocks. The fresh cool breeze around the area has something to offer for tourists. At the point of impact with the river, the cascading showers of the fall creates a rainbow-like mist which appears and disappears mysteriously. The river formed by Matsirga Waterfalls increases with the rainy season overflowing its banks. A natural rock shelter at the river bank forms a cover and resting place for picnicking. Like a half umbrella, it provides shade for tourists amidst the wondrous continuous waterfall. A heritage resort known as Madikiya Heritage resort is being developed by a private investor within the fall area to serve the relaxation needs of tourists and visitors. Also, the proximity of the Kagoro Hills and nok Museum provides an added advantage to tourists visiting the area. Courtesy: www.cometonigeria.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.

Special Request CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Love Dictionary Chioma, 21, student, in Owerri, tall, beautiful, needs a sugar daddy. 07039520944. BB PIn 22C6916E. *Connect to Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request. Women Looking For relationship/Marriage: Florence, 37, needs a Yoruba man for marriage. 08133032766. Faith, 35, fat, busty, needs a sugar daddy. 08025117116, 08145757672. Funmi, 24, tall, slim, fair, fresh graduate, needs a man to take care of her. 08094000733. Chisom, 25, wants a sugar daddy. 08063827142. Cherry, 23, needs a sugar daddy. 08079209086. Angel, 31, needs a widower for marriage.08106842453. Becky, 28, works, needs a sugar daddy. 07082829814. Ayo, 30, educated, needs a responsible man for marriage. 08147297815. Ifeade, 28, tall, needs a man of 35-50years for a romantic relationship. 08160665906. Chinazor, 27, student, needs a rich man. 07064700509, 08174051915. Men Looking For relationship/Marriage: Owolabi needs a responsible woman for a relationship that can lead to marriage. 08148446441. Peter needs a working woman of 24-32years for marriage. 07036793530. * Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup. *If you have announcements to make: Call Mike-07031028714 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 publish your request. Be warned!

What Is Oral Sex On A Female? UnnILInGUS is the act of using the mouth, lips, Personal hygiene is important as poor hygiene C and tongue to stimulate the female genitals. may lead to bad odors, accumulation of sweat Cunnilingus is an oral sex act performed on a female. It involves the use by a sex partner of the mouth, lips, and tongue to stimulate the female’s clitoris, vulva, or vagina. The clitoris is the most sexually sensitive erogenous zone for most women, the stimulation of which may result in the production of erotic sensations or sexual excitement. A female may receive cunnilingus as part of foreplay to produce sexual arousal. Sufficient oral clitoral stimulation can result in an orgasm.[1] Though the person receiving cunnilingus must be female, her sex partner may be of either gender. Oral sex when the receiving partner is male is called fellatio. Technique Author Shere Hite notes in The Hite Report that most women achieve orgasm easily from clitoral stimulation as part of cunnilingus or some other form of direct clitoral stimulation.[1] The receiving female’s partner may use fingers to open the vagina lips to enable the tongue to better stimulate the clitoris, or the female may separate the vagina lips for her partner. Separating the legs wide would also usually open the vagina sufficiently for the partner to orally reach the clitoris. Some sex manuals recommend beginning with a gentler, less focused stimulation of the labia and the whole genital area. The tip, blade, or underside of the tongue may be used, as can the nose, chin, teeth and lips. Movements can be slow or fast, regular or erratic, firm or soft, according to the participants’ preferences. The tongue can be inserted into the vagina, either stiffened or moving. The performing partner may also hum to produce vibration. Cunnilingus may be accompanied by digital vaginal penetration or the use of a sex toy, which allows for the simultaneous stimulation of the g-spot, and/or into the anus.[2][3]

and micro-residue (such as lint, urine or menstrual blood), which the cunnilinguist may find unpleasant or nauseating. Some women remove or trim pubic hair, which may also enhance their oral sex experience. Sexually transmitted infections Chlamydia, human papillomavirus (HPV), gonorrhea, herpes, hep atitis (multiple strains), and other sexually transmitted infections(STIs/STDs) — including HIV — can be transmitted through oral sex.[9] The documented risk of HIV transmission through cunnilingus is considered to be extremely small, and far lower than that associated with fellatio, vaginal, or anal sex. There have only ever been two documented cases of HIV transmission through cunnilingus.[10][11] If the receiving partner has wounds or open sores on her genitals, or if the giving partner has wounds or open sores on or in his or her mouth, or bleeding gums, this poses an increased risk of STI transmission. Brushing the teeth, flossing, undergoing dental work, or eating crunchy foods such as potato chips relatively soon before or after performing cunnilingus can also increase the risk of disease transmission, because all of these activities can cause small scratches in the lining of the mouth. These wounds, even when they are microscopic, increase the chances of contracting STIs that can be transmitted orally under these conditions. Such contact can also lead to more mundane infections from common bacteria and viruses found in, around, and secreted from the genital regions. HPV and oral cancer Links have been reported between oral sex and oral cancer with human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected people.[12] In 2005, a

research study at Malmö University’s Faculty of Odontology suggested that performing unprotected oral sex on a person infected with HPV might increase the risk of oral cancer. The study found that 36 percent of the cancer patients had HPV compared to only 1 percent of the healthy control group.[13] Another recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests a correlation between oral sex and throat cancer. It is believed that this is due to the transmission of HPV, a virus that has been implicated in the majority of cervical cancers and which has been detected in throat cancer tissue in numerous studies. The study concludes that people who had one to five oral sex partners in their lifetime had approximately a doubled risk of throat cancer compared with those who never engaged in this activity and those with more than five oral sex partners had a 250 percent increased risk.[14][15][16] Source: en.wikipedia.org. Fertility Problems/Fibroid/Seeking Male Child: Do you have Fibroid, sexually transmitted infection/disease, find it difficult to get pregnant, have any form of infertility problem, miscarriages or need a baby boy or girl? Call 07025350586, 08122352054. Low Sperm Count/Premature Ejaculation – Solution is here. Call 07025350586. Baby Sex/Gender Selection – Decide the sex of your baby (male or female). Call 07025350586, 08122352054, 08131161840. Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hook up. Also call if you have engagement, marriage, wedding, anniversary or birthday announcements to make.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

RELATIONSHIP

What He Wants Even On First Date By Alita Joseph EN, like women, have a list of what they want from a reM lationship. And when he asks you out on a date, he expects that you have these qualities that make his dream woman. Looks make a good impression at first sight and he pursues with the belief that the other things he wants lie beneath and would unfold when you meet up for a meal or a chat. How you behave therefore determines if he invites you again. First impression goes a long way, especially with a man. He sees you for who you are and may decide that he could live with what he sees. He makes a final resolution that you are that person he seeks or that you are not. He does not want to mould or patch up a character to make up for qualities he wants in a wife, unlike a woman who wants to change a man. What he wants is clear to him. The average male wants: A Caring woman Men love a woman who devotes total attention to them. It shows that she has their best interest at heart. After a few dates however, it is not your duty to wash his clothes because they are awful. But your caring nature will surely shine through from the way you talk. Discuss intelligently. Ask him general questions that concern his person and his job. Do not try to change his habits because you do not like them. He already knows where he is weak and may hope that you can help him to overcome them with time. Look for subtle ways to help him without judging or nagging. Any move he perceives as high- handed will make him feel that you have come to take over his life. Do Not Feel Jealous Men will always talk to other women or even stare at them — - and in your presence. Depending on the type of interest and the amount he shows, try not to show that you are jealous. Make a joke of the situation even when you want to fight the intruder. Making fun of the situation will kill any budding in-

terest. Do not feel jealous, it won’t stop the man from showing interest in the opposite sex. He is flattered that other women apart from his wife or betrothed still find him attractive. He will not pursue the interest most of the time. But when you are jealous, he may do so just to annoy you. When you feel jealous, mention that girl that always hangs around him, he knows that you think he is much in demand by other women and that you feel proud of him. Don’t show total indifference to the situation though, just do not be possessive. His Friends like You Men like it when you are comfortable with their male friends. It makes them feel special to think that their friends approve of their choice of a girlfriend. Bimpe is one girl I admire. Some

people would call her a man’s woman, and it is possible that she does not like the company of fellow women, but I think she knows a good way to nurture her relationship. Most Sunday afternoons, she is to be found among a group of five boys – one her boy friend of two years. The others come to their apartment to relax and they can make a lot of noise talking sports and politics. Sometimes, Bimpe is at the receiving end of their jokes. She knows how to give back without feeling offended. They say things they know would be difficult for a woman to take, not because they want to annoy, but may harbour the wish that you could leave their friend. They see you as a threat who wants to take their friend away. But if you can show them that you are not a threat but one who is ready to accommodate them, you become friends. Laugh at their jokes. Throw it back at them when they make fun of you. You Like Him As He is Men feel insecure over little things. Show him that you like him the way he is. When he complains about how he cannot buy that jeep yet because of lack of money, tell him that you see the potential in him for bigger things – stress that you date him for that. Point out that special thing you see that makes you think that he could buy an aircraft if he could only concentrate on his job and not complain. Be Independent Independence means not relying on him completely. It also means not relying on him at all. Do not do things that will make him feel that at some point in life, you will not need him at all. A man feels unimportant when his woman shows that she can do without him. Take this story, for example. It appears insignificant, but the result was costly. The boy and girl met in Lagos and when it got to a point where they felt that things should go higher, the boy took members of his family to meet the girl’s. Drinks were served. But where was the opener? Before it could be located, The One Who is Spoken For who had impressed her prospective in-laws up to this point went round and opened every drink with her teeth. Amidst shock and collective gasp, the leader of the delegation took the boyfriend aside and explained why he has to wash his hands off that relationship. One of his reasons was that the girl was too impatient and would reduce him to insignificance in due course. Another, according to the elder was that she has shown a special affinity to the bottle. “I would not be happy that my late brother’s son married a woman like that. Independence to a man means that his girlfriend misses certain things about him when they are apart, but not enough to put her life on hold. Do something on your own, but do not leave him out. Support Him When a man talks about his ambition, he hopes that his woman will support him. Encourage him by telling him how he can go about it. Help him to plan so that it becomes a reality. It is what he expects of you.

When He’s Still Talking To His Ex By Kemi Amushan OST men make this very silly mistake of M talking about their ex’s with their current partner. Now, is your man still talking about his ex to you? Are you feeling angry, jealous, or betrayed by his behaviour? If he is still communicating with his ex, what should you do? They’re still texting, chatting, and even meeting up. You get the feeling he hasn’t gotten over her yet. And when you ask him about it, he tells you they’re “just friends.” Should you believe him? Over the years, I’ve seen and heard women whose men were still talking to their exgirlfriends and ex-wives. Women in this situation tend to do one of two things: * They freak out, get mad, and tell him to stop seeing his ex or else… And about 99% of the time, the relationship ends in a bad breakup and the guy goes back to the other woman. * They don’t do anything, and hope he’ll stop communicating with his ex all on his own. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work either. The man tends to either get bored of the relationship or take advantage of it. And yes, he goes right back to the other woman. Seems like a hopeless case, right? Not to worry. In today’s Newsletter, we’ll be talking about the right way to make a man stop communicating with his ex so much and instead spend most of his time, money, and energy on your relationship. Before you know it, you won’t need to worry about the ex-girlfriend anymore and you can finally focus on enjoying a strong, happy, satisfying relationship with your man. The good news is that it’s actually easier than you think. Now, the best way to make a man get over

his ex and start loving you is to get over your fear. Did you catch that? Your greatest enemy in this kind of situation is not the other woman, but your own fear of losing him. You’re afraid he hasn’t gotten over her yet. You’re afraid she’s trying to get him back. You’re afraid he’s two-timing you. Your fears keep adding up. And it’s exactly this fear that forces you to make bad love decisions such as getting mad, freaking out, accusing him of cheating and so on. Now, some of you might be thinking that it’s not your fault that you are just reacting to his insensitivity! That he started it! He’s the one at fault! My answer? It doesn’t matter who started it. Remember the two pillars of a strong, happy, loving relationship? * Trust * Communication And when you’re ruled by fear, you make bad decisions that weaken the trust and communication in your relationship and that just brings the breakup closer and closer. My advice is that you don’t weaken your relationship. Instead, strengthen it by getting rid of your fear. Let me tell you about two of my friends Tinu and Dammy. They both had boyfriends who haven’t gotten over their exes but they reacted to the problem in two different ways. Tinu kept arguing with her boyfriend and accusing him of two-timing her. In the end, the guy got tired and left her and promptly hooked up back with his ex. Depressed, Tinu started begging the guy to come back and she realized she had become the ex who wouldn’t go away. Dammy on the other hand read one of my newsletters, she carefully studied my love lessons, and applied my strategies

and today her boyfriend “Jonathan” has totally gotten over his ex. Today, Dammy and Jonathan are happily engaged. The funny thing?” when I saw Dammy recently, she said to me that she’s actually on good terms with Jonathan’s ex. “She even once told me that Jonathan made the right decision in choosing me instead of her!” Dammy told me. Dammy’s story inspired me a whole lot. It’s important for women to build trust and communication with their boyfriends. Once, I watched a movie of a “Dating Guru” it was so hilarious. He read an e-mail from a fan of his. The fan wrote that her boyfriend was still friends with his ex-girlfriend, and she asked the guru what to do. To my horror, the guru told the woman to leave the guy right away, calling him a “lying, cheating, good-for-nothing player.” Which of course, is a crazy assumption. If you were still friends with your ex boyfriend, does that make you a “lying, cheating, good-fornothing man?” Of course not. But unfortunately, I’ve read books and I’ve heard people give this kind of crazy advice time and again. And it has caused many breakups, divorces, and broken dreams all of which could have been avoided if they taught a different approach. You need to know one simple fact that he could still be attached to his ex-girlfriend or ex-wife. He could be a player and doesn’t believe in commitment. He could simply not be ready for a relationship. And so on but if he has issues, remember that there’s a wrong way and a right way to help him get over his issues and make him love you. Being a slave to your fear is the wrong way. Trust me. Be in check of your emotions, don’t let it take over you and ruin everything you’ve worked so hard at keeping. To the loving relationship we all deserve, good luck in love and life. Cheers.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

LOVE & LIFE 21

WEEKEND with AMARA

08033832503 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

Ladies And The Internet Age st

is the 21 century. We live in such a time ItoTwhen nothing is hidden. People are closer each other now than before. We have seen naked pictures of women, both married and single all over the Internet. Trust human beings; we are often quick to rush into conclusion and judgement. Only a few like me create time to think of what could have led to posting of the picture online. We are quick to criticize without thinking that she may not be a whore after all. What if that picture is from her ex-boyfriend, fiancée, or husband? I heard the story of a very good and decent girl whose fiancée posted her nude pictures on social media after she broke up with him. That love can go sour tomorrow. Ladies, I don’t care if that man is your fiancée or husband; any man who opens his mouth to ask you for some nude pictures does not love you, neither does he have any regard for you. I want you to read this message sent to me by a lady I know too well after she read my Facebook post: “Men are very deceitful, Amara. I must thank you and others for this piece of wisdom and advice to our ladies and women out there. This does not apply to young women alone but also married women are the ones mostly into this game now especially here in Abuja. I remember in nursing school then when this man from Washington came and had an engagement party to marry me. He travelled back to the USA after the engagement and then started telling me to send nude pictures to him since I wasn’t there. I won’t lie; I did all that but the one that kept me wondering if he was truly my husband was when he called and told me to be sleeping with other men and whenever I did, I should call him and leave the phone open so he could hear us and feel satisfied. This made me begin to think if this man was real. “One day I called him and told him I will never do what he asked for and that I was done with the relationship. He got angry and told me to throw away the ring he had given me, that he was done too. That was how I freed myself. “Before then, I was not a born-again Chris-

block them as soon as they do that because I know they are demons and evil. I am sorry to say this, but I also have a Reverend Father now on my Facebook page. He lives in Texas and started calling me after getting my number from Facebook. I responded to his call the first time because I was excited to hear from him thinking that he would be praying for me as a Reverend Father. He went into telling me that my voice was sexy; he tried to tell me to touch my breasts and begged me to send him pictures of my breasts. I never answered his call again and blocked him immediately on Facebook. “This kept me wondering what life is all about and for a servant of God; God forbid! We truly need God’s help and intervention in our time and more of people like you who are advocates and who will never flee from the truth. It’s better to have one friend than a thousand stupid ones who will only end up abusing you.” Ladies, stop using your BB and computers for the wrong things. Become useful to yourself and the society. Quit those long and regular chats with men because they often lead you to nowhere. A man who loves you won’t lure you into cyber sex with him. It’s sad to know that ladies are now the very ones pushing these men into all the rubbish. Why make yourself cheap just because of money or marriage? Remember Anita Hogan? She didn’t take those pictures for the world; she took them for herself and hubby, but if what I heard is true, her laptop repairer released them. You shouldn’t have any of those things in your gadgets; what do you need them for? A commissioner friend told me how, during their state excos meeting, another commissioner was busy passing his phone round for others to feed their eyes. What a shame! Be careful; things you do today will always haunt you tomorrow. Even if he is your husband or boyfriend today, love goes sour sometimes. Hooked to the internet Stop making yourself a whore and don’t allow anyone to make you one. Make sure your head is tian. I was so much cruising life until the time I like that. And this is to tell you that any man busy till you are ready to go to bed. Stop those who is for you will never ask you to play dirty endless night discussions with men and quit the came to my senses and realised that one was not growing any younger. The man who is now because he sees you as his wife. Sometimes BBM craze. too I begin to wonder if he is not a man. my fiancée has never asked me to send him You think those chats are hidden? You are mak“I usually have some of these men who don’t ing a great mistake. People will always treat you nude pictures either to remember me or anyreally want anything meaningful with you thing like that. Even on phone, he has never the way you present yourself. Let that man see a mentioned I should touch myself or anything but talk you into sex gradually and I always focused lady and not just another lady.

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela HE desire of most T young people today is fame and financial riches. They have as models and a beacons, a handful of show business personnel, a lot of whom can be termed as the blind guiding the blind. The world in general measures success on the yardstick of fame and money (which has never brought anyone true happiness). This kind of success becomes an end to achieve which any means is permissible...sadly. I believe we would have greater men and women if more people stopped looking outwards for the answer to their life’s question/s and looked inwards – into the will of the Creator engraved within their hearts. Your place and purpose One person, compared to billions of others in the earth can be likened to a drop in a mighty ocean. How insignificant one person seems from this perspective —- this is a reality! How can anyone stand out? We have this evidence of the possibility of standing out; the fact that not one person, dead or alive, has the same fingerprint! This is God’s unique personal seal on every man born. We are all distinct and special, wouldn’t you say? Albeit, we have not all been called into the spotlight, neither have we all been called to achieve great feats (for many measure success by this too). However, to every man God has given a portion of faith; to everyman some talents according to grace and therein lies our niche and responsibility. It is when we compare ourselves with oth-

08167089656 (SMS only). E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Great Drops In A Mighty Ocean ers; when we desire the attention and status of another that we often miss the mark. This, I believe, is one of the great robbers of destinies – comparing ones self to others. It ought not to be so for we all have different purposes. It is a devaluation of ones potential and a discredit to ones capabilities to assess ourselves by the performance of others, for we are all judged by the yardstick of God. The value of contentment Here is an illustration. Although a laptop, when the lid is down, can serve as a means of support by reason of its smooth, flat surface, it was not made to be a place mat. Though it might yearn to be arrayed as one of the place settings on a dining table, it was not made to be that. Using a laptop as a place mat only abuses its purpose and is near to being at the end of its purpose. Sadly, this is the sort of life a lot of men live. When we indulge the desires of our heart which is contrary to our purpose, it can only birth abuse, discontentment and bitterness. We have each been called to a place, and there will always be greater persons than ourselves; we must learn to be content with this fact. This will be a check for us

when we want to compare ourselves with others. Jealousy and/or envy is birthed in this way and when those emotions take firm root in our souls, we miss our way and fall from grace. The value of faithfulness One man was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, much love and attention from family and friends. Meanwhile, another man was born orphaned, very little love was given and opportunities for his development were limited. However, they both have this requirement in common; in whatever measure you have been given, you are expected to be faithful. To a rich man, so much more is expected and much more will be required of him. Also, to the poor man, in whatever little he has received, he is required to show him-

self faithful as well. In whatever you have, be diligent and prove yourself a faithful steward in the sight of God and not man. It should console us that God hasn’t called everyone to be a Moses of his time, however, he requires us to be faithful, like Moses was, in all that He has given unto us (Hebrews 3:1-5). God who sees in secret would reward you openly in this time and in the one to come. Whatever gifts or calling has been given to you, he has empowered you and has made provision for you to be faithful. The Fourth Wise Man There is a story I read a long time ago called The Fourth Wise Man. He was scheduled to have met the baby Jesus with the other three wise men, however, he couldn’t make it because he stopped on his journey to help one in need. Three times in his lifetime he had the opportunity to meet the Jesus and three times he stopped in his journey to help one in dire need. Finally, when he died, he saw Jesus, who thanked him for the three times he was of assistance to him saying “When I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty you gave me a drink...” Astonished he replied “Lord when did I help you?” Jesus answered “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.” Mathew 25:35-40 (ASV). Likewise, whatever we find we are empowered to do, we should do it faithfully. Image and Etiquette addresses general perceptions, societal norms and expectations and personal expressions with the goal of cultivating 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 08038240870.

ThE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

22 LOVE & LIFE

MARITAL SEX By Juliana Idoko

hIS is the story of the marital life of Bob and Gail Livingstone. Bob is a therapist and author of Unchain The Pain, The Mind Body Soul Solution, Redemption of the Shattered and several others. he is a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker with a private practice in San Francisco. A member of the National Association of Social Workers and an associate member of The California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, Bob is also a “Psychology Today” verified therapist. he is a frequent consultant with US major radio stations, television networks, newspapers, and magazines. A unique therapist, Bob has worked for 25 years with a variety of clients, including adults, teenagers and children. he led an adult bereavement group for many years and has specialized in anger issues. he has worked with incarcerated women and also helped many children of divorced families. The story portrays their challenges for over 40 years and how they overcome and live peacefully and happily together in a divorce-prone American society. We hope it both encourages and gives you clues to how to handle your own marital challenges. Enjoy... My wife Gail and I recently celebrated our fortieth wedding anniversary. We have been together longer than many of my psychotherapy clients have been alive. When we got married, Richard Nixon was president. We have been together through Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Regan, Bill Clinton, both Bushes and almost one term of Barak Obama. In an era of uncertainty; where one out of two marriages ends in divorce, I am wondering why we have been able to maintain such a strong bond. Gail and I both believe in perseverance and hard work. A marriage will never be successful on auto pilot. You have to continue to problem-solve and be honest with each other when your relationship isn’t going well. Trusting that your partner has your back and wants to contribute to your safety is essential. Gail and I each want each other to have career success as much as we desire that for ourselves. The emphasis on supporting each other’s personal aspirations is important. Gail owns her own Afro-centric elementary school in San Francisco. I am a psychotherapist and writer. We both value social justice and progressive politics. We are both athletic, love going to new restaurants

‘Married For Forty Years: How Did We and hearing live music. We drum, value friendships and connect well with children. Having common values and interests is another essential in order to have a successful relationship. How can you expect to connect if you have little in common? It is important to compromise; it is not fair or healthy to insist on getting your own way all the time. Sometimes, conflicts will emerge as you attempt to work through issues. These conflicts are normal. It is helpful to have a conflict resolution plan that you both agree with. Couples have conflict. If you are in a long-term relationship and not experiencing conflict, you are either avoiding fighting or you have buried your true feelings. Many feel that feelings of anger and disagreement must be extinguished as soon as possible, but this will not make for a strong relationship.

Finding appropriate ways to express your hurt are helpful and will eventually make your relationship stronger. Working out a compromise can be rewarding for both of you. Giving to your partner is one of the most important aspects of a relationship and it is in your best interest to master this. When we do fight and we indeed do so, we agree not to be physically or emotionally violent. There are certain words that are off limits and will not be used. It is clear that once you break these boundaries, it will be difficult to undo the damage. We agree to take time outs when the discussion seems to be going nowhere or if one of us is too distraught to continue a dialogue. We agree on a time to revisit the discussion. If we do have a fight, we both agree that finding a resolution to the conflict as soon as possible is essential. We don’t want to go to bed at night angry

with each other and feeling like a dark cloud is hanging over our heads. Unresolved conflicts lead to a pattern of not working through differences. This pattern will create an unwanted distance between couples. I realize that it is cliché to say that your wife is your best friend, but often times, clichés spell out the truth. A best friend is someone you would rather be with than anyone else. She is also my most trusted ally and I know she will be honest with me no matter how sensitive the subject matter is. It is not about “she completes me”. No, I am responsible for climbing out of my own empty space. But, it is so helpful to have a trusted mate to discuss feelings of inadequacy and disillusion. She helps me find a new perspective and suggests new ideas to try. Being together as long as we have, we have faced the best and the worst of times. She experiences all my strong points and flaws that others are only partially aware of. She gets on my last nerve at times and I know there are times I drive her crazy with my impatience. Other times, she is the key to helping me get through the hard times. After forty years, we have gone through the tragedy of losing loved ones through death and health crises. We’ve shared financial meltdowns, falling out with friends, being elated together when watching a sunset, being angry at each other over what turns out to be a huge misunderstanding. When you have a marriage with forty years longevity, there is the possibility that you will make huge mistakes and intensely hurt the one you love the most. You also have the time and situations to redeem yourself by coming through in extraordinary ways. You can transform a dreadful memory into something positive, compassionate and loving. After all these years, I still feel like this is what heaven must be like during our most intimate moments. I strive to be a better man for her. That is, I want to be more understanding, more willing to take risks in order for our dreams to come true, to be kind even when I’m agitated and to not give up on anything. I love it when she walks into a room. I love watching her teach the children. I love the way she smiles when I make her laugh. I love her calm presence. I am an extremely fortunate man. My dream of being in love forever has come true. I’m signed up for the next forty years.

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…”

EOPLE leave. Not all relationships will last for a lifetime. And here, I am not talking about marriage. Marriage is not just a relationship, it’s a vow, a covenant. And this article is essentially for those who are not married yet. There are general reasons why people leave and love fades. Some make sense, some may not hit a point. By and by, you can’t tie people to you. But some friendship and relationships are so deep, that any break will result in pain. But you can be alright and build back your life. Two can’t walk together except they are agreed. Life is a journey. We are not all going to the same destination. And when some people realize that you are not on same course, they may leave. What are you to do in a broken, ended relationship? I want to assume that there is an understanding between the parties, so, Build back your self-esteem. You may think something is wrong with you or no one loves you enough to stick, but it isn’t true. Yes, we all have weaknesses, but there are some good things about you. Take time and list things about you that are honest, healthy, hopeful and helpful. What do you think you have that people would need? A smile, encouragement, generosity, honesty, faith, skills, abilities, etc? Think of them and improve on them. *Never nurse a grudge. No matter how you feel about the person who left, or whom you left, forgive. Let

When Relationships End go. Don’t entertain any bitter feelings. Talk it over with the person, pray, seek counsel. Take care of the emotional baggage that relationship carried. It is not right to go about telling people how bad the person has been, justify yourself for leaving the person. Just let it go. In fact to deal with gossips, still keep friendly appearance with the person. Deal with feelings of guilt and rejection. *Make changes. Much of yourselfconcept is validated by feedback that you get from others.

Determine a part of your personality which you want to change. Maybe you would need to learn how to say “hello” to more people, or to be on time to work or school, or to stop putting off small jobs, like making your bed each morning. You may have to learn to be more constructive with your speech and a bit accommodating. Maybe you need to be ‘assertive’ without being ‘aggressive’. Maybe you need to learn to respect people’s privacy. Every relationship reveals something about us.

*Make friends and show genuine affection. Attend seminars and intelligent programmes where you would meet people, try and be nicer. I am not talking about another long-term, committed love relationship. Becoming involved too soon results in carrying the emotional garbage from the past relationship into the next one. You would likely end up with someone just like the one you left, or someone just the opposite. Just enjoy good people around you. *Learn to be a single person. Some

people never learnt to be independent individuals before marrying. If you have not learned to be a singly successful person, you will only end up hiding in a marriage. It is possible to develop a close, non-sexual, non-romantic friendship with a member of the opposite sex! A friend whom we can talk with is a real ‘life-saver’ during a crisis! You must have at least one life-line friend of the same sex, and one of the opposite sex. *Learn love again. Many of us are struggling to fulfill ourselves. Our love tank is dry; then we say to someone ‘I love you’, which probably means, ‘please love me’. Saying ‘I love you’ from an empty bucket tends to be very manipulative. When we say we are ‘falling in love, what do we really mean? Most times, it has more to do with loneliness than with warmth toward the other person. Falling in love to overcome loneliness is not actually love. Sometimes, we love the idealized image of the person. When the difference is realized, we become disillusioned, and falls out of love. Most love are truly immature: “Love means doing something to someone or for somebody, taking care of the person, being in control, feeling draw never saying you are sorry, being strong. Or nice. Then, one day, if something goes wrong, we wonder if we weren’t nice enough! The problem is that we never knew unconditional love. We may earn respect, but not love. Learn to love yourself; I often counsel people to make love to themselves first before they can make love to others. E. C. Samuel 08027173447 sms only Intimatefaithminstry@yahoo.com

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

WOMAN

‘Justice For Women, Children Is Society’s Burden’ Mrs. Biola Adimula is the Principal Partner, Biola Adimula and Co, an Ilorin-based law firm. She is also the Chairperson, Women and Child Watch Initiatives (WOCWI) a non-governmental organisation. A former chairperson of women lawyers in Kwara State, she discusses the vexed issue of domestic violence. By Fatima Abubakre ITH her disarming modesty in appearance, W speech and conduct, she is bound to leave a lasting impression on you. Meeting Mrs. Biola Adimula, Chairperson, Women and Child Watch Initiatives (WOCWI) a non-governmental organsation, you will definitely be captivated by her humility, unpretentiousness and warmth. A woman of many parts, through perseverance, she has been able to achieve her goal in life, which is championing the cause of women and children through the instrumentality of the law. Being the Principal Partner, Biola Adimula and Co, in Ilorin, Kwara State, she is not a role model only in her office and the organisation, but also to her immediate family. Born in Omupo and raised by parents who were farmers, she recalls her growing up days, which she describes as interesting: “I was not born with a silver spoon; my parents were farmers. So, I was used to farming and working very hard. I go to farm in the morning before going to school and after school went back to the farm to work and bring back some harvest. Because I had no other life, I was enjoying it with my brothers and sisters. I will say that it has paid off today because it has given me versatility and I can do so many things at the same time.” With more than 18 years in legal practice, Adimula, who obtained her first degree in Law from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has a passion for championing the cause of abused women and children. So, she delves more into family law cases and issues that have to do with women and children, in addition to property business of buying, selling and managing properties for her clients. She also lectures at the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin. Her words: “You will discover there are so many needs in the society. What inspired me was the burden to serve; the burden to do humanitarian services for those who are suffering, especially to defend those that cannot defend themselves because they cannot afford it. Access to justice for women and children is a serious issue and one of the things we cannot run away from in the society these days is domestic violence.” Her experiences as former chairperson of women lawyers in Kwara State come handy in the discourse of domestic violence. “What is interesting is that when you come to hear about such cases and you take it up by going to court, once you start, the woman will cooperate when she is still suffering that beating or agony. But as soon as you are, may be one quarter way to the matter, they will begin to come and beg that they don’t want to continue with the case because of family integrity and that they don’t want to leave their children, they don’t want to leave their family home, and you will not be able to pursue it.” “Some women cannot access justice because of poverty; others, because of ignorance. They are not aware that there are a group of women lawyers that can do their cases free of charge. For some of them, it is because they want to maintain culture and customary integrity. Even if they will die in the hands of that husband, let them be in their husband’s house so that people will not say that they have left their husband’s house. She discloses that domestic violence cuts across the strata of the society as both rich and poor women are affected. “In fact, the society women are experiencing it more but because of integrity, maintaining high social status, they will not want to speak out. Therefore, one of the major problems we have for access to justice for women is not speaking out. However, these days, perhaps because of awareness and sensitization programmes, some women are coming out to speak about it and this is one of the things that we do in our Non-Governmental Organisation.” Adimula, who shares her views on the rising incidence of rape cases in our society, however, points out that it is a very sensitive issue that is difficult to prove by virtue of the provision of the law wherein you are expected to provide a minimum of two witnesses and proofs to show that there was actually a

rape. “It has been very cumbersome,” she admits, “but the improvement of the law is putting in place the Child Rights Act 2003. And in Kwara State, it is the Child Rights Law 2006. Under this Child Rights Law, the evidence you need to prove rape is milder, such that what is expected for such a girl that is raped is to go the hospital at least within 12 hours to take the test and to be able to show medical evidence in court. By so doing, you can be able to establish the offence of rape and the rapist can be brought to book; and I hope that this law will be implemented seriously because so many people do not know that the law is in existence.” Commending the efforts of the Chief Justice of the nation, Justice Mariam Mukhtar in bringing sanity to the Nigerian judiciary, she says probing of some judges, no matter how highly placed, would ginger others to do the right thing. “The issue of corruption in the judiciary is something that is quite painful in the sense that we usually say that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. But suddenly you wake up and you discover that there is a lot of corruption in the judiciary and it went to an alarming situation that we could not even hide our faces as members of the legal profession which is supposed to be honourable. “Not only in the judiciary, we also have legal practitioners that are also very corrupt but some of the steps being taken by disciplinary and privileges committee on professional ethics are good signs that sanity can be brought back in the interest of the public. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), especially at the national level, has set up a committee; a lot is being done to ensure that corruption is being monitored and branches are expected to report issues of corruption,” she explains. For all she achieves in the pursuit of her passion, she appreciates the tremendous support of her husband, Professor Issac Abiodun Adimula, a physicist. “I thank God for the support of my willing husband who is always there to allow me to go and do my professional work and also to be able to have peace at the home front. However, everyday I wake up very early to ensure that I take care of the home front before going for any endeavor for the day,” she disclosed. Born on February 21, 1967, Ruth Abiola Adimula, is a member of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a Life Member, International Federation of Women Lawyers. She is also a Fellow, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, United Kingdom (UK) and Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK. A Christian who can’t stand deceit, her philosophy of life is “Live and Let Live.”

Adimula

TheGuardian

24| Saturday, July 13, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend Kanayo .O. Kanayo and Kenneth Okonkwo

For their accomplishments in the entertainment industry, 15 distinguished motion picture practitioners were yesterday at the National Theatre in Lagos inducted into the prestigious Moviemakers Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame, the first of its kind in Africa, is an initiative of veteran filmmaker and one of the founding fathers of indigenous filmmaking in Nigeria, Chief Eddie Ugbomah. Established in 2002, the Hall of Fame has as its Grand Patrons, industrialist and playwright, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi and Chairman of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, An Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) who is reputed to have produced 13 celluloid films, including the box office hit, The Rise and Fall of Oyenusi. The late Nollywood actor, Ashley Nwosu, Pet Eneh, the entertainment lawyer Efere Ozako, Justus Esiri, Enebeli Enebuwa, Sam Loco and James Iroha (Gringory) were among those inducted posthumously at the ceremony which held with support of the National Theatre and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). The living heroes and heroines that were inducted were Olu Jacobs, Livinus Nnochiri, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Tunde Kelani, Bukky Wright, Aunty Bukky Ajayi, Bimbo Akintola, Zik Zulu Okafor, Ibinabo Fibiresima, Madu C. Chikwendu, Kanayo .O. Kanayo and Kenneth Okonkwo.

Their Labour Earns Them A Spot In The Moviemaker Hall Of Fame

Bimbo Akintola

By Shaibu Husseini Bukky Wright When recently on a live phone-in radio programme movie buffs were asked to name an actress who possesses exceptional acting skills and who acts with life and vigour, the name of that talented actress who sizzled in that Tunde Kelani feature film Saworoide, came up for mention. Most of the callers agreed that Oluwabukonola Ajakeade Wright has continued to impress them. Born and raised in Lagos, the Economics graduate of the university of Lagos whose first feel of the screen acting turf was in Images, a movie by Fidelis Duker wanted to do more in terms of acting challenges after a colleague, Shan George introduced her to a few people who gave her some cameo opportunities. An encounter with ace cinematographer who himself was inducted yesterday, marked the beginning of her journey to the top rung of the movie ladder. Kelani got Bukky to feature in Saworoide and that outing contributed in turning Bukky’s acting fortunes around. Not only did she draw attention to her honest and concise handling of roles, she became an instant choice for producers who were in search of an actress who could interprete a role with precision and clarity of diction. Today, Bukky gets the sort of adulation that stars get in Hollywood. Nollywood audiences cheer when her name sprawls across the screen. Bukky who has acted in over 100 films and has also produced a few including Owo Ale and Agbeeke, is today celebrated as Nigeria’s most enterprising actress and one of the most recognizable faces in Nollywood.

Bukky Wright

-Akpotha Chioma Chukwuka

Celebritygist… Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha Is Bereaved OPuLAR Nollywood actress Chioma ChukP wuka-Akpota is mourning. The top actress lost her mum, Mrs. Grace Egoyibo Chukwuka recently and the star and producer of Bended Knees has in the last couple of days been getting everything set to lay her mother to rest. Oma, as the actress is simply called, sent a black berry broadcast to announce that the burial has been fixed to hold on Thursday July 25, 2013 at Chukwuka’s compound, umezechem Nkalafia in Irefi Oraifite, Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra state. How-

ever, there will be service of songs today at ‘Mama’s’ Lagos residence at 23 Idowu Randle Street, Aguda, Surulere from 5pm. A Christian wake keep scheduled for July 24 at 4pm will precede the final interment ceremony. Oma also hinted that there would be an outing service at All Saints Church, Irefi Oralifite. Meanwhile, the burial clothes meant for friends and colleagues of the actress have reportedly been over subscribed. A close family source hinted that Oma has placed fresh orders for the ‘aso ebi’ from—wait for this—‘Lagos Island’.

CELEBR ITY Bimbo Akintola Ask of Tutu, the Out of Bound star who erupted like a volcano and etched herself in the memory of many in that movie by Richard Mofe Damijo and fingers will point to Bimbo Abiola Bukola Aina Onoyigbe Mary-Ann Akintola. Bimbo has risen to become one the most sought after actresses in Nollywood. A theatre arts graduate of the university of Ibadan who started acting way back at Maryland Convent Private School, Lagos, Bimbo’s passion for acting got to the peak soon after she left secondary school and was admitted to study theatre arts at the university of Ibadan. She engaged the raised platform there and took part in a number of skits on the Oyo State Broadcasting Service. Born to a renowned Islamic scholar and a business woman, Bimbo is one theatre spirit who is easy-going, likes company, loves reading and singing. The third in a family of six, Bimbo who has a phobia for dogs was in 1999 voted the Best Actress of the year by the organizers of the annual REEL award for her unforgettable input in the movie ‘Out of Bounds’. She has received several awards for her efforts since then. So far Bimbo says she has featured in over a 100 movies with a dozen others still at various stages of production. The star of critically-acclaimed movies like Back To Life, Widows and Cast Away has also taken part in a number of movies produced in Yoruba like Owo Blow and Eje Mi. Bimbo picks her outing in Out of Bound as her most challenging movie run yet. Still single and interestingly ‘not searching’, Bimbo says marriage to her would come when it would come. Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, MFR Anayo Modestus Onyekwere who is popular as KOK is a leading Nigerian actor. The 2006 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) best actor in a leading role made his debut in 1992 as a leading actor (Chief Omego) in the phenomenal Nollywood movie Living in Bondage. An alumnus of the university Of Lagos and a native of Nru umueze Oboama Ezinihitte in Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state, KOK who prides himself as having come from the single largest community in Nigeria (Mbaise) with the highest number of movie stars in Nollywood (Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Eucharia Anunobi etc.) is undoubtedly one of the pioneer members of the Nollywood industry. The actor who cut his teeth as an actor in four of NTA’s rested soaps, Ripples, Checkmates, Village Headmaster and the New Masquerade is listed on the credit lines of hit movies like Circle of Doom and Across the Nigeria. The actor’s actor of vast credit who outside acting enjoys a lucrative pastime as events compare and communication consultant, has appeared in over 250 movies from 1992 till date and has equally garnered awards from home and abroad including the Afro-Hollywood Award and ZAFAA Award. Appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Actor Guild of Nigeria (AGN) at a time to head the guild in interim capacity, K.O.K who holds the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) threw his hat in the ring in 2010 when he contested as a House of Representative aspirant in his native Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State. But KOK didn’t secure his party’s ticket. He still has his eyes on politics though. Kenneth Okonkwo He never had ‘wearing the wig and gown’ as a career wish. Even his playing the unemployed man, Andy who sacrificed his wife, Merit on the altar of greed in that ground breaking two part movie by Kenneth Nnebue titled Living in Bondage, was just an attempt to satisfy an urge to act. In fact, there was nothing, prior to 1992 (the year Living in Bondage was released) that suggested that Kenneth Okonkwo who is popular as ‘Andy Okeke’ was going to emerge an actor or even a legal practitioner. The actor of vast credit once revealed that until that year when his career swivel chair engaged a decisive bend, he never had a grand sense of mission that he would become an actor, producer and or even a legal practitioner. Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo who has been called to the Nigeria bar always had his eyes on emerging a businessman. Born to a father who owned a number of business interests, the natural thing to do and that was what Ken as the dashing actor is simply called thought too, was to warm himself up to succeed his father in any of the firms, particularly ‘daddy’s transportation business’. It was to prepare young Okonkwo to take over smoothly from daddy that he enrolled to study Business Administration at the university of Nigeria (uNN), Nsukka, Enugu State. So the expectation roundly was that Ken would oversee ‘daddy’s transportation business’. By the time they could spell out Ken, he was in Lagos and had found a new love: acting! Ken revealed that he was attracted to acting because of a later discovery that it “allows you to use your boundless talents and it also permits free expression of self:”. In Lagos, Ken didn’t have to beat the footpath for long before he secured a role in Ripples, the long rested television soap by Zeb Ejiro. As Captain John Mark, Ken, a native of Nsukka, Enugu State put up a high wire act that endeared him to many. From there he landed a role — lead role in Living in Bondage and that provided the spark for Ken to be locked on to acting and to engage his destiny in a long dialogue. Hailed as a ‘power dresser’, Ken instantly became a big earner and toast of most movie producers in the Nigeria movie culture. A movie was said to be incomplete if it does not star Kenneth Aboshieri Chigbonoriri Arinzechukwu Okonkwo. Today, Kenneth deservedly enjoys a good rating as an actor in Nollywood. He similarly enjoys a proud place of honour in the story of Nollywood especially when told from the days of Living in Bondage.

| 25

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

FITNESS With Oyinkan Talabi (Bodyworks)

Get Your

Balance Back Y

OU'RE smart, hard-working and good at what you do, but the truth is, you probably feel like your life is just a nonstop set of demands you have to meet, with hardy any satisfaction. You wish you could be in more control of your days, get the most quality out of them but your current reality is, you're usually racing to keep up. This cuts across every level in organizations, from drivers all the way up to the MD in large companies. There are a few habits that if you gradually incorporate into your life, will help you build more quality into it and one day you’ll wake up a very successful man. Before going on, let’s understand the premise of success we are building from. To be successful is not about things, it’s not about what you own, what you can buy or what you need to buy. Success is not about “quantity” but about “quality”. A successful man is a man who has peace of mind, good health, a happy family and peaceful family. You can own the biggest house in town and not be happy or have peace or have good health. Some have one or the other, some have none and some have both. I believe a successful man is a balanced man. In this age where everything is so fast, it’s so easy to get lost and out of balance. These 10 habits will help you find and keep your balance. I’ve listed them in an order of the most basic and fundamental, to the highest level. Pick as you can, gradually. 1. Get sufficient sleep every night. Sleep is often the single most undervalued behavior in our lives and the one with the most immediate power to improve our experience in every waking moment. Just one more hour of sleep a night will leave you feeling more physically energized, emotionally resilient, and mentally clear. So, go to bed early as often as you can. 2. Move more. It's not only good for your heart's health, but also for your mental health. Do some form of exercise that significantly raises your heart rate for 30 minutes at least four times a week and move frequently during the day. 3. Eat less, more often. Food is fuel. Lean pro-

teins and complex carbohydrates are high-octane fuel. You're best off when you keep feeding your internal furnace in small doses throughout the day, beginning with breakfast. 4. Renew / take breaks more. Human beings aren't designed to work or sit continuously. We're meant to move between spending and renewing our energy. Ideally, take a break every 90 minutes, even if only to spend a minute or two breathing deeply. 5. Invest in those you love. The greatest gift you can give to your loved ones is your undivided attention. Better to be fully present with someone for an hour than physically present, but distracted, for multiple hours. 6. Give thanks. We're far quicker to notice what's wrong in our lives than we are what's right. At least once a week, say thank you and tell someone how you appreciate him or her. 7. Do the most important thing first. Early in the morning, you're likely to have the most energy, and the fewest distractions. Start your workday by focusing without interruption, for 60 to 90 minutes, on the most important and/or challenging task you can accomplish that day. 8. Practice reflection. Everything around us is so urgent; we're so preoccupied with doing things so quickly that we rarely take time to think about what it is we're doing. Set aside 15 to 30 minutes at the end of each workday (or in the evening) to reflect quietly and without interruption on what you learned that day, and what your highest priorities are for the following day. 9. Keep learning. Our brains work better if we challenge them, and life becomes more interesting when we do. Reading books is a simple and surefire way to learn and grow, but so is building a daily practice around learning a new language, a sport, a musical instrument, or around how to write code, fix a car, or draw. 10. Give back. Take at least one hour a week to put your own needs aside and devote that time instead to adding value to someone else or the world at large. One hour a week is very little time, but it's a start — and it's also more than most of us regularly give. Love your body… and it will love you back!

WELLNESS & BEAUTY By Victoria Ekanem

Treating Dark Circles Under The Eyes (3) Supplements Take Cod Liver Oil supplements to strength your eyes and Vitamin E to improve your skin. Vitamin C, Folic Acid and Iron will also help to reduce the dark circles around your eyes. Gingko and Vitamin A may also be beneficial. Vitamin E Vitamin E is vital for the health of your skin. Vitamin E creams are great for the skin anywhere on your body but the area around your eyes often needs more help. If you can’t find a Vitamin E-enriched cream that you like or you feel that your eyes need a bit of extra help, here is an inexpensive way to do it. Buy some Vitamin E supplements in capsule form. Carefully break open the capsule and squeeze the gel on to your finger. Gently rub the gel around your eyes.

TheGuardian

26 | Saturday, July 13, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Travel&Tourism

... Explore, experience the best of destinations!

The Wall of Truth

Igbale-Aiye: Building An African City On The Ruin Of An Ancient Village At a summit held in Libreville, Gabon in 1993, Louis Farrakan, an African –American suggested that, African governments should allocate a territory to all Blacks of the Diaspora with the hope that the American Government fund the construction of the future city. Today, the vision has taken a larger dimension through the effort of a non-governmental organization known as African Cultures International Institutes (ACII) founded by the President of World Council of Pan African Organisation, Olofin II Olofindji Akande, a 1981 graduate of geology from the Houari Boumediene University of Algiers. The city, which is to be known as Igbale Aiye, the City Headquarters of Humanism is located between the border of Nigeria and Benin Republic, Ketou, Republic of Benin. AJIBOLA AMZAT visited the city still at its early stage of construction and returned with this report. On the Way To Igbale Aiye N three hours or thereabout, the bus from Ayetoro, Abeokuta ended its journey at Ilara, Ketou, the border town between Nigeria and Republic of Benin. Thereafter, the journey was continued on a motorcycle taxi at 60 km per hour through three villages: Idigny, Illikimou and Akpotokou. The earth road, bordered on both sides by green grass and tall trees, is straight but crooked, yet the motorcyclist has mastered the route like the practised monkeys hopping on the trees nearby. His red eyes

The Blessing Palace

appeared to have grown accustomed to the dusty road; for he sped forcefully through the wind without showing any sign of visual difficulty. Eventually, the road leads to a junction where four statues of guardian lion are seated on a pedestal; each of the foursome faces the four cardinal points at entrance of Igbale Aiye, the proposed city for all Africans from all walks of life. “Those lions are not mere statues”, said Olofindji Akande, “they pack spiritual power to ward off anyone with

evil intent against the city.” The Dream To Build a City Though it was the African-American, Louis Farrakan who first articulated the recommendation that African governments should allocate a territory on African soil to all Blacks of the Diaspora, the conception of that dream indeed preceded the echo of Farrakan at the conference hall in Libreville. Early in the 80s, Olofindji Akande, a committed pan-Africanist had already sought advice of Ifa oracle concerning his burning desire to see a Promised Land built for all Africans at home and in Diaspora. The ancient divinity assured him that the city he and his compatriots planned to establish would be great, but the place where he desired to site the city may not be appropriate. Some individuals later suggested to him that he consider a place around Bakassi as a symbolic settlement to end the boundary dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon, “but we refused because we did not want the people for whom we originally conceived the idea to think that suffering in Africa motivated us to reach out to them,” said Akande. In the end, it was the border

The entry point into the underground village

town between Nigeria and Republic of Benin that became the site of the new city. According to Olofindji Akande, the ancestral spirits ordered his steps to the new site, because the place eventually turned out to be an archeological treasure no one ever dreamt of. The City Sandwiched between the territories of the two nations, Igbale Aiye is surrounded by Ijio, Imeko, Ika in Ogun State on the Nigerian side, and Save, Ketou and Pobe on Benin Side. The location is on the outskirt of Akpotokou. Somewhat, the chosen name for the city has esoteric character to it. Literally translated as the sacred grove at the centre of the earth; it is a name that evokes trepidation even in those ones who are remotely familiar with the word. Yet the fearsomeness in the name is not as gripping as the fright evoked by the spirituality of Igbale Aiye, especially the site called Blessing Palace. The city gate (the Wall of Truth), bearing the flags of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Igbale Aiye, is located on a rocky plane on top of an underground ancient village. Of that village, all that remain now are the nine tunnels re-

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

TRAVEL&TOURISM

African Renaissance City On The Rise ferred to by the residents of Akpotokou com- In her influential book, The Gram Code of munity as Ajindorun(very deep hole). The tunnels African Adam, Acholonu informs the world that served as entry points through which the an- the pyramids of Egypt are recent achievements cient people used to access the cave. On both compared with the West Africa underground vilsides of the passageway are footsteps chiseled lages whose builders earlier lived in West Africa with precision that bears testimony to the tech- before sojourning later in Egypt. nological advancement of the people of that Interestingly, it was at the investiture ceremony time. Inside the cave, there is a wide space, organized for the Professor of Africa Studies as which according to legend, served as the African Renaissance Ambassador (ARA) in Janufortress of the community head, “Noah’s ary 2006 that it was discovered that the space on Palace”. This stronghold, now re-christened the which the ceremony took place was an underBlessing Palace, is almost the size of a medium- ground village, which spreads over a kilometer sized sitting room. The soil texture inside the of land. cave is soft like agunmu (herbal powder), but Oral investigation had also revealed that there not dusty. The roof surface is a huge mass are two other underground villages and mystic formed by crumbs of fossilized stones that sites where Amu Oodua (Oodua’s earthenware) looks like rusty metal. was found not far from Inside the cave, there the underground vilis a dark warren that lage discovered in the overall objective of the agreeconnects the ‘palace’ 2006. These discoverto other sections of according ment is to build a cultural city that ies, the village. “In this Olofindji, further auwill cultivate universal, fair and place are the legion of thenticate the finding ancestral spirits,” said sustainable peace. The agreement of Professor Acholonu Olofindji. The Blessher partner. will also help eliminate the rem- and ing Palace is now preThe Convention Estabserved as one of the nant of slavery, satisfy the nostal- lishing Igbale Aiye tourist spots in Igbale government of Regia of the descendants of former The Aiye as well as other public Benin in May slaves and promote global frater- 2012 has signed the underground villages. The architecnity through cultural diversity and City-Headquarters tural design of the agreement with dialogue of religions city consists of places African Cultures Interof worship for all relinational Institute, gions of the world, emgranting 300, 000 bassies of all the 194 countries of the world, a acres of land for the building of Igbale Aiye. The memorial for the souls of all deported and en- land space of the City-Headquarters include the slaved Africans, academies of science, hotels to areas around Pobe-Ibere- Oja Odan Road (South), offer ethnic-specific service and other facili- Save-Idjio boundary (North), the boundaries of ties. The idea is to make the place looks like Benin and Nigeria (East), Pobe-Ketou road, byMecca or Jerusalem where people of peace con- passing Ketou, towards Oueme River (West). gregate and fellowship, says Olofindji Akande. According to the convention signed by the govThe city’s foundation stones, collected from the ernment of Benin Republic and ACII, the overall four corners of the world by the monarchs who objective of the agreement is to build a cultural attended the First World Conference on the Pre- city that will cultivate universal, fair and susvention of Conflicts in the 21st Century held in tainable peace. The agreement will also help Cotonou, Benin, were laid in 1999. eliminate the remnant of slavery, satisfy the nosAccording to Olofindji Akande, now the Vizier talgia of the descendants of former slaves and of Igbale Aiye, the city is conceived not only to promote global fraternity through cultural diprovide home for the family of former slaves de- versity and dialogue of religions. scendants, and other Africans in Diaspora wish- Largely, the city will be self –sufficient and will be ing to find an ideal life in Africa, but also to allowed to hold its fund and currencies and opaccommodate other citizens of the world who erate account in any convertible currency. share the ideal of global harmony and peace. The city is also free to transfer its funds and curThis vision was supported by the research find- rencies within the territory, from one country to ing of Catherine Acholonu Olumba, a professor another and freely convert all currencies in its of African Cultural Studies and Prince Ajay Prab- possession into any other currency. hakar, that Africa is indeed the cradle of hu- The government of Republic of Benin would exmanity, and a home to advanced civilization. empt the new city from paying taxes on its trans-

‘

The reception

’

Olofindji Akande action, and the president and the international staff of the city will be accorded diplomatic status. In short, the modus operandi of the new city-state will be similar to that of the Vatican City in Rome, only that this town will be open to all man and woman of peace in the world, said the Vizier of Igbale Aiye. Notwithstanding, the new city may not fully take off until Nigeria, a co-partner in the project complete the concession of another 300, 000 acres of land to the city.

African Renaissance Ambassadors (ARA) Individuals with remarkable support for Africa and Diaspora issues are nominated for the office of African Renaissance Ambassadors (ARA). These people are endowed with authority to continue promoting the ideal of Africa without border, improving the lives of African living in Africa and in Diaspora, and enrich the knowledge base of the continent. The list include Professor Wole Soyinka, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Wale Adeniran, Peret Mere Jah, Robert Mc Namara, Professor Albert Tevoedjre, Dr. Nafis Sadik, Ambassador Grilles Forget and his wife Yvette Savard Forget, Rogiaten Biaou to mention a few. Members of the commission of elders of the African Renaissance include all the past heads of states, heads of International organization such UN, AU, distinguished academic, professional, clergies and others. The Growing City Presently, Igbale Aiye is still in its early stage, most of the proposed structures and facilities are yet to be in place, the city is still like a distant world to many except the locals nearby, but that is no worry to Olofindji Akande. “People will find their way here at the God-appointed time,” he stated. Already, two governors in company of Professor Wole Soyinka had visited Igbale Aiye in May this year to participate in the jubilee of African Renaissance celebration at Igbale Aiye. The two are Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun and Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. And they have pledged the support of their governments for the development of the city. Many more visitors are expected between January 15 and 30 when the annual Humanism Feast in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. will be held. Other programmes for the year include annual Festival of African Renaissance, 25th May; annual Feast of Worldwide Brotherhood, 16th August; and annual International Colloquium on the Gulf of Benin Underground Villages, 29th December to 15 January. These programmes will surely attract many more people to the new city. Notwithstanding, it is worth noting that the road to building the City- Headquarters of Humanism is a long one. And the journey may continue into the new century, but the journey has started already, and in the lead is a tireless visionary, Olofindji Akande.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

HOME&DECOR

Safety And Comfort In Kid’s Space By Ekwy P. Uzoanya ECORATING children’s room should D be made interesting to help spark creativity, aid development and even shape their tastes. It requires more skill than is required in handling adults’ room. This is because the plan is expected to bring in all the features that appeal to a child’s development and childlike fantasy. The room is a safe place to sleep, play and study. Recognise that children’s ideas change more rapidly than adults’ as they grow; requiring that flexibility and versatility should be considered when decorating their rooms. By and large, issues of safety, décor, storage and space should be integrated in providing them a hazard-free, comfortable, functional and beautiful space. Children’s safety comes into play in considering the size of the room. A spacious room is desirable because young children spend their time mostly on the floor. It makes room for free movement and play. Space should also determine the size and type of furniture. For example, a bed can have storage unit beneath. Even the placement of a child’s bed and seats should be a safety decision. Do not place them by a window or traffic area. Window treatment should be simple. Avoid long draperies (floor length) especially in young children’s room as they can pull them and may fall in the process. Rather shades, blinds, valances, cornice boxes and shorter curtains would be better choices. There should be no hanging tablecloths, exposed electrical outlets, breakable or heavy items on shelves, and no sharp corners on any furniture. Colour is a primary consideration in planning children’s room. Pre-school children and toddlers love primary colours and complex patterns engage them for a long time. An inexpensive way to decorate their room is using paint. But because their taste changes fast, neutral colour can be used instead. Large murals on posters boards with complex patterns and colours will pep up the place. Adding a colourful area rug is a way to bring colour to the room. Pick one most suitable to the kid’s need. Note that all child rugs and carpets should be fire resistant, static resistant and stain resistant.

Caring For Cast Iron Cookware OOKWARE such as pots and pans made from cast iron C are natural choice for cooking. Cast iron is non-toxic and has excellent heat retention and diffusion properties. But cast iron will react with or stain many foods; therefore, bare cast iron cookware should be seasoned. One way to do it is simply wiping the cleaned cast iron with a good oil or fat and use for frying and roasting, particularly high fat foods. The oil or fat will soak the cast iron and gradually con-

vert into a seasoning over time. Cast iron cookware comes with enamel coating and this type does not need to be seasoned. Care Cast iron cookware can stand the test of time if properly cared for. Wash in hot water. Hot water is more effective at washing off dirt and grease from cast iron cookware. Hot water also will dry more quickly, preventing the cookware

from rusting. Do not over scrub. Over scrubbing cast iron cookware removes the healthy coating it has developed. Dry over heat. Turn a stovetop burner on and place the cast iron cookware on it. The heat will cause the pan to thoroughly dry. Be careful when touching the hot pan. To re-season the cast iron cookware, rub a thin layer of shortening or cooking oil into it to keep it from deteriorating and rusting.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

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FOOD&DRINKS By Chinelo Nwagbo this period of Ramadan fast, this edition IweofNwill this column and subsequent ones be dealing with nutritious foods that can be taken to break the fast. Oatmeal is a one of the nutritious and healthy recipes to use in breaking fast. Oat meal is satisfying and highly nutritious food with high protein, carbohydrate especially complex carbohydrate, vitamin B1, B2, B6, potassium, phosphorus, unsaturated fatty acid. Therefore this dish is nutritionally balanced and is ideal food that can be used to break fast during this special period. Intake of oatmeal is essential for promoting health and overall wellbeing. It is beneficial to students, worker, businessmen and women and those that want to keep the nervous system (brain) at the top level of performance because of the its high glucose, unsaturated fatty acid, phosphorus, vitamin and lecithin content. These nutrients help stimulate intellectual activity, invigorate the brain and improve adaptation to stress situation. Oatmeal is also an ideal dish for children to help attain maximum growth and development. Pregnant women are not left out of its benefits. Taking oatmeal during pregnancy helps in successful pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy baby. It is also beneficial to lactating mothers, sports men and women because of its high caloric and protein content. In summary, oatmeal should be included in the menu plan and must be taken by those that are suffering from constipation because of its high fibre content, which helps in free movement of the bowel. Take oatmeal to break your fast today and enjoy all its health benefits. Ingredients Quantities Oat 500g Ground peanut 160g

Oatmeal (Nourishes the body)

Vanilla powder 2 tablespoons

Brown sugar 160g Wheat germ 100g (1 cup) Water 125ml (½cup) Olive oil 8 tablespoons

A Grape Wine Of Perfect Refreshment By Ibukunoluwa Kayode HEN it is time to choose light W refreshment, grape wines are a great choice of cabernet to fill the mood. This type of wine contains little or no red pigmentation at all, and Angora White Wine from Turkey is one of the choices to pick. Delivering satisfaction to its consumers over the years, Angora White is among the fast selling wine in restaurant and hotels across the globe and also perfect for dinners, cocktails and other occasion. It can be sighted in most wine stores here in Nigeria. Angora white is made from rich full-bodied grape wine with lively, round and well balanced intense long lasting taste. The wine is very pale yellow in colour, with lively, round and well-balanced intense and long lasting fruit flavours. This wine combines elegance and depth in balance that reveal its distinctive aromatic character. Angora white in its friendly nature can be matched perfectly with grilled fishes, grilled chicken, seafood, fresh cheese, and salads. In other to get the optimum refreshment, this wine should be served at six to eight degree Celsius.

Method of preparation Combine all the ingredients and spread the mixture over an oven tray. Bake in 180oC oven. Stir occasionally, when the water and the oil have been absorbed. Turn the oven off and let cool. Store in an airtight container until it is time to use. E- mail: chineloeby@yahoo.com

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

CHEF’S DELIGHT By Kemi Amushan

EKKI/Victoria Island has slowly been gaining a reputation when it comes to restaurants/lounges and their food innovation. I have been dining in some of lekki’s best-kept secrets for some weeks now, and I must say it’s quite an experience. With restaurants sprouting like mushrooms in lagos, there’s no doubt of you having a wonderful meal anytime you pop into a good restaurant/lounge. And for those of you searching for a culinary experience like no other, look no further than Xovar Lounge.

A Howling Good Time At Xovar Lounge

XOVAR Lounge (pronounced ‘Zovar’) is a one-stop entertainment centre; with its Indoor and Outdoor Lounge situated on a large expanse of beautiful architectural landscape within the Lekki axis of Lagos. The lounge boasts of a large interlocked area, Xovar lounge is truly unique in its style. With outdoor pond and grill features, you are provided with an event space that not only caters for the capacity of your preference but also provides an element of distinctiveness. For your comfort, XOVAR Lounge offers a fantastic and extremely versatile ambience from its wifi enabled inner lounge to the outdoor rustic decked seating areas with a fish pond, 4 outdoor mega screen TVs for clients to view the premiership/champions league matches, sports events and live concerts. The decor allows the simplistic beauty of the food to really shine, though beauty isn’t the only thing bringing folks to Xovar. XOVAR Lounge’s Restaurant which serves both the Indoor/Outdoor Lounge offers the client the very best in tasty well-made grills, local and continental meals from an internationally trained French chef. There’s a wellstocked bar with over 500 known brands of liquor and a wide array of cocktails to choose from served by beautiful, sexy, well behaved, well spoken bunnies (waitresses) with attention to detail. Apart from the regular cocktails you get in any lounge /restaurant, Xovar offers their own signature cocktails which will send you over the top and relaxed. Trust me, the taste is exquisite. Their internationally trained French chef prepares both international and local dishes to the taste of the clients. Because of the love of seafood of most clients, the chef prepares prawns alongside Singapore noodles for like 810 customers every morning. That particular dish IS being ordered for the most. Every restaurant/lounge have their special signature dish. For Xovar the internationally trained French chef has his own dish called ‘The chefs special dish” it consists of prawns, snail, peppered gizzard, goat meat and pepper chicken on a platter. Its very spicy and delicious. A lot of people also order for grilled steak or grilled catfish which could be eaten with chips or fried yam or plantain as a side order. You can choose and combine whatever you want to eat just as if you are at home. The arena is also perfect for large scale conventions or mini concerts, weddings, birthday parties, outdoor exhibitions to smaller scale family or social gatherings with its capacity to seat up to 1,500 guests banquet style or 3,000 conference style comfortably. Their daily activities include business lunch from and the food served at that time is

half price. They also render home and office delivery which is free for lekki and VI axis only. For ladies who want to hang out after a hard days work and get their groove on, Xovar offers Ladies night on Thursdays and the 1st round of cocktails is free for all ladies. I would thoroughly recommend Xovar lounge to anyone with exquisite taste. I know I’ll certainly be returning there soon. Xovar lounge is home away from home for all. Its relaxation at its finest.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

GARDENING

Plumbago – “Sky Flower”

Plumbago Zeylanica L. “Ceylon Leadwort” (found in Africa, Middle East, South Asia, Oceania)

Elegant ‘imperial blue’ Plumbago auriculata as containerised specimen plant

under and in front of shrubs that have stronger framework. Plumbago can be pruned as a formal hedge, or used in mixed informal hedges. Its rambling habit makes it highly suitable for use as a flowering ground wave. Plumbago is used as a porch or patio container plant that spills over the sides and showers the air with pretty blue flowers. Plumbago responds well to pruning. It will flower profusely after being cut back or after a growth flush, as it bears flowers on new wood. It may need to be cut back to keep it tidy. Plumbago will scramble into trees if allowed, and depending on the size and style of your garden, you may need to control it. It is very useful in large gardens and landscapes as it forms suckers and will cover fairly big areas. A favourite of butterflies, plumbago is visited

lar corolla with five petal – like lobes; they are produced in racemes. The white form P. zeylanica, P. scandens L. P. albacultivar is very attractive. It is slightly less vigorous than the normal blue, but it is a prolific flowerer and wonderful for working gardeners who only see their gardens in the twilight – the white blooms appear to glow in the dusk. Plumbago indica is red. Culture Plumbago does best in light, sandy soils with good drainage and likes slightly acidic pH. The foliage may turn yellow due to manganese deficiency but applying manganese sulphate will cure that. Plumbago should be pruned heavily to keep it neat and within bound and to make it bushy to maximize the number of flowers. It produces flowers on the

where to grow a plumbago in your zone is really a matter of where to dig the hole. Companion Plants Ornamental grasses make great companion plants; their roots don’t compete for moisture or nutrients, they require little pruning or fertilization. Try Phormium Tenax (New Zealand Flax), which grows in 9 inch clumps of wide, tapered foliage in a range of cultivars, from the copper, pink, white and yellow-stripped MaoriQueen to the dark purple – red Rubrum. It grows well in sunny sites and well drained soil. Shrubs Choose shrubs less than 6ft tall so as not to create shade for your plumbago, and allow adequate space in between to avoid root competition. The century plant (Agava Americana) which grows from 3 to 6 ft tall, thrives in sunny, well-draining sites and tolerates drought and salt. Groundcovers Groundcovers can grow around and even in the slightly shaded spots beneath – a plumbago. These low spreading plants help prevent erosion and weed growth. “Purple Heart” or “Wandering Jew” (Setcreasa Pallida ‘Purple Heart’) grows 6-12 inches tall and spreads into a mat of striking foliage. This plant blooms with pink flowers and thrives in the sun to partial shade and moist well – draining soil. Dwarf jasmine (Jasminum parkeri) adds fragrant, yellow flowers to the landscape. This deciduous shrub grows 12 inches tall with a 30-inch spread, and grows well in full sun to partial shade. Perennials Sun loving perennials add color to the garden. Compatible species include gerbera daisies

Plumbago’s gracefully arching branches cascading down a wall

Plumbago indica (“Indian leadwort,” scarlet leadwort P. roseus).

LUMBAGO is a terrific plant to grow. It is tolP erant and you can have fun doing different things with it in the garden. Plumbago is an extremely reliable, resilient plant which has been popular for home gardens as well as commercial landscapes for many years. Plumbago is a genus of 15-20 species of flowering plants in the family plumbaginaceae, native to Central America, South Africa and Southern Asia. It may be found growing in gardens all over the world from warm temperature to tropical regions of the world, and was apparently popular as a standard plant in Europe. The plant was already known as a garden plant and named auriculata by botanist Lamarck in 1786 and Thunberg named it P. Capensis in 1794. The generic name, derived from the Latin word plumbum (lead) agree (“to resemble”), species in the genus have flowers that are lead blue colored and also referring to it being a supposed cure for lead poisoning, and the ability of the sap to create lead-colored stains on skin. Auriculata means ear shaped and refers to the leaf base. If baby blue is your color, Plumbago auriculata has got to be your choice of plant. Prized for its profusion of light-blue flowers, it can be trailing or upright in growth habit. They grow as small shrubs, climbers and perennials. Plumbago is an adaptable plant. It can be grown as a hedge or as a loose shrub, or espaliered against a wall. It will even climb through other plants. Usage Plumbago plants are sprawling shrubs with branches that resemble vines in its natural surroundings can grow six to ten feet tall with a

Its beautiful planted over stone with wooden retaining wall in background. spread of 8-10 feet. Knowing this provides the first clue to how to grow a plumbago, along with where to grow one. Plumbago plants are prized for the profusion of blue phlox-like flowers it produces for extended periods, flowering throughout the year, with pleasant fragrance. Plumbago can be pruned to grow like a vine and scramble over supports or left to sprawl with its long, gracefully arching branches. It is beautiful when planted over a stone or wood retaining wall, allowing its branches to cascade over in a waterfall of foliage and unusual blue flowers and it will bloom all year long. Use plumbago in borders, in foundation plantings and for colorful massed beds, or as an edging plant for the flowerbed design. Being a fast grower, many gardeners use plumbago as a background or filler plant

Plumbago bush creates terrific habitat for birds and butterflies by butterflies, and is one of the larval foods plant for the common blue butterflies (cyclyrius pirithons) which is apparently fairly common in gardens as a result of the popularity of plumbago as a garden plant. It attracts hummingbirds and their feathered relatives. A relatively recent trend is to have birds and other wildlife to gardens by creating the right habitat and plumbago makes a good fast growing “exclusion zone” or busy-clump plant for attracting birds which like dense growth. It is very fast growing, has few problems, is drought resistant and rewarding and will grow in any soil but will perform best if planted with plenty of compost. The species include herbaceous plants and shrubs and apart from the blue flowering auriculata, there are also plants with flowers that are white, purple, red or pink with a tubu-

current season’s growth. Light Needing full sun for best growth and flowering. It can grow in partial shade but flowering will be reduced. Watering Plumbago survives with little watering once established, and is considered moderately drought tolerant. In temperate zones 8B-11 Plumbago can withstand some frost. Even if killed to the ground, it usually recovers quickly. Propagation Plumbago is propagated easily from seed, cuttings and suckers. The easiest method of propagation is division by removing rooted suckers from the mother plant. Because of its pest and disease resistance, how to care for a plumbago is pretty basic,

Plumbago in mixed planting with “Purple Heart,” Phornium tenax, and Coleus

Plumbago wassii (Origin Namibia)

Beautiful geraniums shades the verandah

(Gerbera jamesonii) an 18-inch-tall perennial that blooms with pink, red, yellow and salmon flowers. Brazilian verbena (Verbena bonariensis) The 4 foot-tall perennial produces purple flowers that attracts butterflies, and thrives in sunny, well-drained sites. This plant also goes well in plantings of yellow, blooming blackeyed susans, and other sunflower relatives. Yellow mums and yellow-flowed sedums also make fine combinations. Plumbago grows best in sunny sites with well-draining, sandy soil, choose companion plants that share plumbago’s cultural needs and hardiness. Plumbago shrubs produces brightly colored flowers and are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. A tough beauty, making it a perfect candidate for urban plantings. It is fast growing and is almost always smiling.

Plumbago sprawling shrub beneath tree in landscaped garden

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

FASHION

Akudo Wears Miss Nigeria Crown 2013 The 2013 edition of the Miss Nigeria competition took place in style in Lagos last Saturday. It was a grand event witnessed by many celebrities By Ibukunoluwa Kayode th

HE 38 Annual Miss Nigeria T Beauty pageant/charity ball grand finale, which held at the Intercontinental Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos, was a night where beauty met with brains as Anyaoha Ezinne Akudo clinched the coveted crown. After a selection process that involved voters from all over the country and a panel of judges where the contestants were judged on poise, intelligence, cultural values as well as beauty, the 22-year-old Law graduate of Abia State University made her way through to wear the crown. Akudo, who was also named the most photogenic, was closely followed by Queen Celestine taking the second place as the Miss Congeniality while Sadiq Olive emerged second runnerup. The new queen was crowned by the 1st Miss Nigeria 1957, Chief Grace Tinuke Oyelude. Akudo’s role as Miss Nigeria would see the beauty queen represent the highest of ideals; a combination of beauty, grace and intelligence; artistic and refined, who will serve as role model to young and old alike, a spoke person using her little to educate millions of Nigerians on issues of importance to herself and the society at large. The 22-year-old Law graduate will also spend her year in office working for the Miss Nigeria Foundation, handling projects with special focus on ensuring better lifestyle in areas of environmental issues and education, where she would work with both the federal and state governments through their ministries of culture and tourism, health and women affairs with her availability to work on special projects on behalf of international non-governmental organization such as WHO and UNESCO. “I am so excited to have won. There are many other pretty girls that we had the competition together, but I won. I am so honoured and I want to thank God for this victory,” said Anyaoha of her win. The beauty queen walked home with N3million cash prize, a brand new Toyota Corolla car, luxury accommodation for one year, a trip to California sponsored by MUD cosmetics and free trips to any part of the country by Aero Contractors. Top celebrities in the Nigerian entertainment and social scenes also electrified the night. Celebrities such as Dakore Akande, Jay Jay Okocha, Munachi Abii, Elenu, Kenny Saint Best, Millen Magese, Nikki Khiran, Tiwa Savage and Seyi Shay as well as this year’s creative director Elohor Aisien were among the A-list personalities that graced the event that was hosted by TV personality Eku Edewor and comedian AY Makun,

Akudo and runners-up

Akudo, Miss Nigeria 2013

Crowning of the queen

Search Begins For Africa’s Next Top Model HE search has begun for T the continent’s next supermodel as Africa’s Next Top

will be present at all the scouting auditions to personally select the 12 lucky girls who Model starts scouting on the will travel to Cape Town, continent. South Africa for the filming of The first historic season of Africa’s Next Top Model. South Africa’s Next Top Model will African Fashion Designer, be filmed in Cape Town, Thula Sindi will also be presSouth Africa. Aspiring models ent at the scouting auditions who want to get a chance to in Nigeria and Angola. travel to Cape Town, South Africa’s Next Top Model will Africa and “live the beautiful be aired on M-Net’s life,” must attend one of the AfricaMagic channels later scouting auditions taking this year. place in selected locations. Applicants must be 18-27 Supermodel, Oluchi Orlandi, years old at the time of appli-

cation, at least 5’7” (170cm) in height, and must not have an existing contract with a modelling agency at the time of application. Plus-sized models are eligible to apply, but no male models. Ladies, in countries where no auditions are being held can also email their pictures and completed entry forms to coulditbeyou@antmafrica.co m or team@antmafrica.com. The audition in Nigeria will take place on July 23 at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. Oluchi

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

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FASHION

7 Heavenly Scents For Summer RESHLY sprung from nature, the season’s best fraFfarmers grances feature notes that often linger in the air at markets and flower stalls on Saturday morning. From juicy plums to sweet honey to delicate roses, these eaux rouse the senses subtly -nothing feels too heavy on the skin- making them ideal for summer’s lighter mood. Here are for ideas on what to mist on for every summer event. . Ralph Lauren Romance Summer Blossom: Fresh tropical fruits like mandarin and guava, followed by whiffs of jasmine petals, coconut water and vanilla. It is ideal for a weekend spent by the ocean. . Jo Malone Plum Blossom Cologne: Sunny yellow plum and succulent honey against a backdrop of creamy sandalwood and clean,

white musk. It is ideal for an afternoon garden party. . L’Occitane Eaux de Cologne: Eau Captivante is a gourmand composition of lime, mint and lavender; Eau Universelle is a citrus blend of grapefruit and bergamot and Eau Ravissante is a floral mix of rose and freesia. Wear then on a holiday spent touring in the country. . Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush: Sparkling champagne and apricot blossom with a heart of white freesia and a base of cashmere woods, sheer musk and white amber. It is great for evening cocktails. . Flora by Gucci: A range of floral-based scents-everything from sultry white florals to delicate violets to creamy magnoliawith undertones of green leaves and earthy woods. They are ideal forEuropean holiday in the city . Boucheron Jaipur Bracelet: Fresh violet leaves, basil and lemon scent of verbena behind a mysterious veil of silky marigold, hyacinth and cypress. Wear it for a midnight dinner party . The Scent of Departure Bali: Sun-kissed mandarin, fresh lemon and delicate white florals laced with amber wood and a hint of vanilla. Dab it on when going for a rooftop soiree. Courtesy: HarpersBAZAAR.com

Rivers Holds 2013 International Fashion Week IVERS State is set to place its capR ital city, Port Harcourt, on the world fashion map following its unveiling of the forthcoming Port Harcourt International Fashion Week 2013, themed, Native & Vogue. A Private Public Partnership (PPP) initiative of the state government, the three-day fashion week event, which is scheduled for September 20 to September 22, will bring together professional fashion designers from Nigeria and the international community. Designed to provide the platform for upcoming designers to undergo tutelage under the mentorship of professionals, the three-day fashion event will also have young designers showcase their works in a competition that will have the winner go home with a cash prize of N500, 000 and an all-expenses paid six months scholarship to the reputable Vukani Fashion School, South Africa. Addressing newsmen at a press conference in Port Harcourt on the

state’s preparedness for the event, the Rivers State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari stated that the government is powering the project in partnership with the public sector because of its commitment to restoring the state to its place of glory and make it a destination of choice for Business, Tourism, Fashion and Entertainment. Semenitari noted that the Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration rebranding effort in Rivers State is looking at the elements of change and focusing on the creative economy to attract more people to the state. “Native & Vogue is therefore a platform to harmonize the energy of Rivers’ young people, provide them with new opportunities to express themselves and show what is new in the state.” “Rivers state was the channel from which fashion came to this

part of the world because we made the first contact with the whites and Rivers people are very fashionable. Native & Vogue would showcase designers in Port Harcourt, take the best of Rivers and present it to the world. The former Miss World, Agbani Darego and over 60 local and foreign models will be part of the event and indeed everybody involved in fashion, from designers, models, stylists to jewelry makers has the opportunity to participate and tap into the world of unlimited opportunities that Native & Vogue presents”, she added. Highlighting the activities for the three-day event, the proprietor of one of the partnering companies, House of Bunor Creazioni, Mr. Frank Osodi noted that the event will have segments for meet & greet, exhibitions, fashion shows, workshops, training, consulting and fashion competitions.

Frank Osodi, Proprietor, House of Bunor Creazioni; Remi Diagbare, Editor Vanguard Allure and Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, Rivers State Commissioner for Information & Communications at the press briefing on the 2013 Port Harcourt International Fashion Festival held recently in Port Harcourt.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

SOCIETY

At 80, Braithwaite Visits Ikoyi Prison Recently, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite paid visit to Ikoyi Prison as part of activities to mark his 80th birthday anniversary in Lagos. Below are some faces during the visit.

Deputy Controller of Prison, 2nd in command, Head Welfare, Mr. Aliu Baba, founder Tunji Braithwaite Foundation, Dr Tunji Braithwaite, Deputy Controller of Ikoyi prison, Mr. Bamidele E.O Foluke Salako and others

Aliu, Braithwaite, Publisher of The Guardian, Mrs. Maiden Ibru, Dr. Grace Tunji Braithwaite, Foluke Salako and Bamidele

(R-L) Dr. Grace Braithwaite, Mrs. Ibru, Bamidele, Dr. Braithwaite and some members of Tunji Braithwaite foundation

Some Inmates at Ikoyi Prison

Funeral Service For Opuene Iyalla The funeral service for Mr. Opuene Senibo Iyalla (ACII, FCII) took place recently at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. Here are some faces at the occasion.

L-R Miss Fadesola, Master Fabiawari Joe-Iyalla, Mr. Olusola Dosekun, Mr. Ibituroko Fubara, Drp Apiribo Joe-Iyalla.

Widow of the deceased.

L-R Mrs. Alamina Shasore Asunramu, Miss Fadesola Sotinwa, the deceasedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son, Master Fabiawari Joe-Iyalla and Mr. Olusola Dosekun

R-L Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Kenneth Kobani and Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo PHOTOS: CHARLES OKOLO

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 13, 2013 | 35

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Entertainment

Sony Neme nemesony@yahoo.co.uk 08111813096

31 Years After, PMAN On The March Again T was an emotional atmosphere in Benin IUwaifo, City, Edo State home of Prof (Sir) Victor when he hosted the National Caretaker Committee of Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), whose mandate is to restore peace in the embattled union. The Ekassa King whose tax clearance was used to register the union was full of joy when the 10-man team led by Kevin Luciano-Gabriel arrived. His joy is that the reason for his gesture, 31 years ago, is about being fulfilled: that of making the union a respected association that members would be proud to call their own. The same scenario was replicated at Warri with Tony and Emma Grey; at Awka with Morrocco and Oturkpo, where Bongos Ikwe took almost two hours to educate the team on how to ensure a better and well-positioned union. The situation was not different at Port Harcourt as both the elders led by King Sunny Brown and Arthur Peppleled Caretaker committee of the State Chapter were on hand to endorse the committee’s efforts at BenHarry Hotel. They also discussed the way forward. Luciano-Gabriel in his speech expressed regrets over a situation where PMAN has no data base for members, no structure of any kind and no fund to run the union, just as the logo and the constitution has r e mained d same since inception. “The

Uwaifo

…Gets Uwaifo, Bongos Ikwe, Morroco, Grey, Other Endorsements union has lost respect from both members and larger members of the country, while union of pepper sellers and vulcanizers are thriving. One wonders what people are looking for in a union that has no dime and a befitting secretariat,” he declared. It was a rewarding day as the team spent almost three hours with Uwaifo. In his welcome address, Uwaifo said: “I am very sure that this committee is focused, and I declare my total support and will provide necessary assistance to the committee. It is a good idea for the efforts and energy put into the peace process to rescue PMAN from going abysmal. I commend the team and promised to be in touch with other elders.” He particularly asked for the opinion of Chief Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade, and was told that Chief Obey has been contacted, but was on a trip abroad for medical checks, and he promised to receive the committee when he returns. KSA had not replied yet. Uwaifo also called on the chairman of the state chapter, Richard Okhowin, whose team was at the meeting, to work with the Luciano team. Uwaifo, who heads the elders’ forum in Edo State, said Benin chapter was at peace. Also in attendance were Alhaji Waziri Oshomah, and Okuoimose Okuoimose (ex-PMAN national secretary). The team’s next port of call was at Warri the following day with both Tony and Emma Gray respectfully. Emma Gray, Chairman of Delta State chapter of PMAN, in his address expressed regret over the failure of the union, which he pinned on the inability of the union’s national leadership to meet its obligations. He bemoaned a situation where anybody assumes membership without clear- cut criteria, unlike what is obtainable in other labour unions. He however, advised that, “The issue of Hadjia Dangaji should be looked into as part of the problem and that it should be downplayed as much as possible. “For me, the love and unity of PMAN is the only way out,” he declared. Tony Grey on his part was full of appreciation. For the Ozzimba king, who is number 19 member of the union, “PMAN has been trampled to the ground and this is

the time to raise it … My regret is that almost all past presidents forgot so soon the reason for being elected. Only Okoroji brought a face to the union. Greed has denied Nigerian musicians of greater success. PMAN should learn a few lessons from COSON.” He further advised on the need to avoid giving the devil further opportunities by working closely to achieve greater success. At Awka in Anambra State, it was the same song of Uhuru as Morrocco Maduka, leader of the South East Elders’ forum couldn’t hide his joy when the team visited him. After listening to Mike Okri who explained the mission and vision of the committee, he declared his total support and promised to mobilize the entire zone to work with the team. He said, “I had some bias before your arrival as I was informed that the team’s mission was to install sole administrators in South East… I promised to speak on behalf of this team at the South East meeting on August 14. As a mark of his appreciation, Morrocco, who said he preferred to see the team as a peace committee rather than a caretaker committee, gave a bottle of Moet to the president. The team narrowly escaped death at Ugbokolo, a town very close to Oturkpo as one of its vehicles sank in the middle of nowhere at about 12 midnight. When the team finally arrived at Oturkpo, they drove to Bongos’ Double K Hotel where they had an almost two hours of lecture on how to run a successful union. Bongos Ikwe, after hosting the team to a buffet, and a tour of his hi-tech studio, enquired about the team’s aims and objectives. He started by asking for an explanation on the original aim of PMAN, which the president took time to explain as a voice for Nigerian musicians. Bongos further asked, “Who is a member, and what happens to a musician who refuses to join or obey the constitution?” He stated, “Unless the union is owned and driven as a business concern, even if government gives billions to PMAN, individuals will continue to fight. If I may ask, what is the mandate of elders who have no idea about the sharing formula as the union has

Timaya, Okey Bakasi, Others For Ogonis Laugh @ Home REPARATIONS have reached an adP vanced stage for the maiden edition of the annual music and comedy carnival tagged Laugh @Home. The fun package is slated for December in the oil-rich Gokana, Ogoni town, Rivers State. The Guardian gathered that the carnival will feature singers and comedians such as Klint da Drunk, Okay Bakassi, Dan da Humourous, Timaya, Wizboi, Mr. Raw, Mira and Neebuen among many other upcoming acts. Mira Simboroba, Chief Executive Officer, Simboroba Entertainment, disclosed plans to raise the bar in home coming Xmas carnivals beginning from this year. The music and comedy carnival is supported by Senator Magnus Ngei Abe who hails from the town.

In a statement signed by Media Image Managers, (MIM), “The hiplife artiste, popularly called Mira, disclosed that the reason Simboroba Entertainment has been silent for some time, is that we are planning something big. Now, we are ready; that is why we are preparing the minds of our brothers in Gokana, Rivers State and environs for this entertainment menu never witnessed before in our famous blessed Ogoniland.” He added: “We believe in bringing the best home, to give our brothers the opportunity of enjoying what we enjoy out there.” He expresses deep appreciation for Senator Magnus Abe, described as a father of all for his regular support aside constituency projects in Rivers South East constituency of Rivers State. “Since 2011, things have

changed remarkably in our constituency, all thanks to the hardworking Senator,” Mira said. Laugh @ Home, according to Mira, is a free show meant to encourage brotherly love, especially during the Christmas season. “It’s a homecoming carnival and an opportunity for proper bonding between the young and old. We constantly need to promote peace and unity with events like this in our community. That is why we are blazing the trail in Ogoniland.’’

Bongos

Kevin

none? You should bring members together, and the constitution, which must protect all members, must determine how PMAN funds are disbursed.” After the questions, he brought smiles to the faces of the team, when he said, “If I do not support the committee, I won’t have welcomed you here. I had refused to be a member of the union since inception unless it is run by professionals and sold like a commodity. There should be a situation whereby the union is run by a general manager,” adding, “I should be seen as number one friend of this committee in view of my clear stand and advice.” His parting words: “What I want you to do is to get the stage ready for us to perform all the days of our lives. We shall meet more often and discuss together so as to enable us have a PMAN that we will be proud of.” Members were accommodated in a decent hotel where they were treated to breakfast buffet before departing for Rivers State by 12noon. At the meeting with Bongos Ikwe were PMAN State chairmen of Katsina, Benue and Kogi. In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, the show of love continued as King Sunny Brown, Tony Odili (Rex Lawson’s band members) Arthur Pepple (Jnr), Bobby Say, a stakeholder and a voice in the state PMAN; Robin Mayo, Sample and others declared their total support for the committee. They all defied the heavy security situation in the state to meet with the committee.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

36 |

ENTERTAINMENT Stories by Sony Neme

Fathia Brings ‘Make Me A Success’ To Nigeria MRS FATHIA Plange is an Executive Director in Broadcasting and Channel Management. An International award-winner for a TV Show ‘Make Me A Success’ a reality show which she created. She has brought the show to Nigeria. Her other roles include: Executive Director of Trend TV and CTL Africa channel, which is an African entertainment channel available across Africa, and Trend Media City, which will be launching an African Film and Television Academy, a unique filmmaking institute opening soon in Lagos and Port Harcourt. She is also the Chief Operations Officer for the African Film and entertainment Investment summit to be held in Lagos in December 2013. The executive producer is credited with creating successful formats and winning International awards for reality shows, game shows, documentaries and unscripted formats. She is also a successful entrepreneur with a UK production company, and other business interests in the education and enterprise sectors. Mrs. Plange has over 18-years experience working with major broadcasters and networks in the Television-Media industry in the UK and Africa, with cross-cultural skills beneficial to the industry. She is also into creating and developing channels, channel negotiations and distribution for satellite, cable and terrestrial channels on all media platforms. She is also an expert in business planning, development and implementation of media projects for clients in the media industry. She is currently the Executive Director of Programming and Production at Trend TV and Trend Media City. Mrs. Fathia Plange holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management from the London-based Thames Valley University. In a chat at her Victoria Island, Lagos office with The Guardian, she revealed her plan for the a reality show that will have the ordinary artisan, secondary

school leavers and graduates in a house in a whopping N100m prize money. Her words: “We create TV programmes like our award-winning show Make Me A Success to help young people improve job prospects, start a small business and get out of unemployment, the show is entertaining, educational, inspires and motivates the youth, and promotes businesses.

Fathia

NESCAFÉ Hot Air Balloon Fun In UNICAL And UNIBEN HE Abraham Odia Stadium, University of Calabar, was recently agog with fun and excitement for three days as students took a ride in the NESCAFÉ ‘Magic Mug’ hot air balloon. They also competed in singing, dance and standup comedy as well as the hottest new DJ on campus. In each category, winners went home with handsome prizes such as LCD TV sets, Home theatres and Samsung Galaxy smart phones. An excited Rejoice Eziedo, a final year student of Administration and Planning, Faculty of Education, enthused, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. School can be very dull and boring without gigs like this. In spite of the fact that it was during examination, the Abraham Odia stadium was packed full all three days that the program lasted. Everyone went home with something and it was so much fun.” University of Benin was the next stop for the funfilled experience as the balloon lifted great personalities into the Benin City sky to reveal a rare

overhead view of the ancient kingdom of wonders. Just like in Calabar, it was a battle of talents in all categories. It also witnessed the introduction of guest artistes BMG and Dizzy who thrilled the audience with their ingenious rap style of singing with amazing acrobatic and athletic display of awesome ‘body language’. Interestingly, the whole new Digital Interactive Media ‘super photo booth’ was on board at both venues. This added to the experiential thrills of the students and consumers at large. According to the Brand Manager, NESCAFÉ, Kayode Oladapo, “NESCAFÉ is identifying with young people, class

and reality. The NESCAFÉ Hot Air Balloon and the battle of Talents provide the opportunity to interact, socialize and enjoy. The experience is to also introduce the brand to young people who we expect to cultivate and sustain a NESCAFÉ drinking culture so as to enjoy all the benefits associated with coffee.” He promised that Nestlé Nigeria will always be there for their consumers. Last year, the University of Ibadan, and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Kwara Sate Polytechnic took their shares of the excitement and enjoyed the privilege of flying high above their respective cities for the usual breath-taking views associated with flights in the Hot-Air Balloon. The photos taken were given to students on the spot who also took their own individual pictures on the NESCAFÉ red carpet. Additional prizes were also given to loyal consumers who liked the new Facebook fan page of NESCAFÉ on www.facebook.com/nescafeafrica.

Glo Slide & Bounce Got Ibadan Dancing HE ongoing Glo Slide& T Bounce concert got Ibadan, Oyo State capital on a dancing mood on Saturday. The event held at the prestigious Caso Event Place, Ibadan, witnessed the best of entertainment as Glo music Ambassadors were at their best as they posted scintiliating performances. First on the stage was Omawunmi, who was in her electrifying mood, followed by Bez and Chee who both gave a good account of themselves. Thereafter, Okey Bakassi who was in charge of the night got the audience to pick three out of seven selected from all the entrants in the youtube video they had posted as part of the promotional package of the event. At the end, contestants number 5, 7 and 3 went home each with a Samsung Galaxy grand guose. Thereafter, the show continued with Waje who rocked before Lynx came to do what he knows how to do best. Then the DJ got the audience on their toes before Naeto C’s entrance was widely celebrated. Then came Bona Boy. Nigerian youths have been advised to apply Globacom’s unlimited philosophy into whatever they do in order to achieve their ambitions in life, irrespective of odds, oppositions or challenges. This was the consensus of all the artistes who performed at the well-attended third edition of the Glo Slide & Bounce tour held at the exquisite Casa L u c i o Events

Centre, Ibadan on Saturday. The artistes in separate interviews c o m mended Globacom’s youth initiatives and robust support for home-grown entertainment and culture which had significantly raised the standard of living of entertainers and turned them to employers of labour. The duo of Peter and Paul of PSquare described Glo as second to none in the country and cited the appointment of JKolo as a youth ambassador as one of the numerous ways the proudly Nigerian company has been encouraging youths across Africa. Afrikalypso crooner, Lagbaja, advocated the sustenance of cultural values, norms and mores and taught the audience how to dance the ‘bata’ dance while Port Harcourtbased Burna Boy dazzled with his popular songs interspersed with Yoruba folkloric songs. Omawumi, Bez, Waje, Chee, the NaetoC, MI and Lynxx were

PSquare

Omawunmi all empathic in urging youths to believe in themselves by being committed, disciplined and determined at all times. Three youths, namely, a Mass Communication student of MAPOLY, Sophia Olurankinse, Seun Adeyanju of FUNAAB and Atofarati Kehinde, a 500 level mechanical Engineering student of LAUTECH won prizes for their enteries on the weekly Glo Bounce with artistes online singing competition on You Tube at the Ibadan concert. They thanked Globacom for giving them the opportunity to creatively use their leisure and asked the telecommunication company not to relent in its efforts at encouraging the future leaders of the country Also speaking, Glo Business Director, Oyo 1, Mr. Lawrence Okpako said the large turnout at the concert was confirmation that “ Glo is the number 1”network in Ibadan and assured Nigerian youths of more juicy packages on the network in the days ahead. He enjoined youths in Enugu to get set to receive the Glo Slide & Bounce train next weekend while four other cities of Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo and Lagos will host the concert on w e e k l y basis.

COSON Management Staff Returns From Copyright Administration In Norway driven by the most developed N keeping with its resolve to related issues.” On the resolve to train more human resource; which is why Iofbroaden the knowledge base its staff in the area of copy- staff of the organization, Chair- we will never stop investing in right administration and other related trends in the emerging world of copyright matters, Copyright Society of Nigeria, recently sent one of its management staff, Mr. Vincent Adawaisi, on a two- week training in Oslo, Norway. Mr. Adawaisi, COSON Head of Data Tech, had embarked on a WIPO-NORCODE Training on Management and Exercise of Copyright and Related Rights with a view to increasing his knowledge in the ever-dynamic world of intellectual property and copyright-related issues. Adawaisi, while recounting his experience said, “The dynamism and the ever-emerging changes in the industry requires such training to keep practitioners abreast of the latest innovation in the administration of copyright and other

man COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, said human empowerment in the most professional way possible, is one of the key policies of the Society. He said “COSON is a very professional organization

human capital development.” For the General Manager, COSON, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji; COSON is poised to ensure that no member of staff is left behind in the empowerment drive of the organization.

My Music aims at Preaching Goodwill In Africa, Zim By Tony Nwanne OSEPH Onebunne is one artiste whose music talks about Nigeria and Africa, and how his love for Africa compelled him to delve into the music scene. Fondly called Zim by his fans, Joseph’s new single, Africa, is currently making waves and enjoying rotations on radio stations. Zim, who started singing in 2000, found solace in preaching

the message of peace, love and harmony in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, talking on the need for Africans to live in unity. “This track, Africa, is one song that talks about the good things of Africa, the people, culture and the traditions. The song talks about the positivity of the continent, Africa and Africans, who have, overtime, made sure that Africa remains a peaceful, accommodating and loving continent…”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

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ENTERTAINMENT

Update On Nigerian Film Society …Jab Adu, Emem Isong, RMD, Tade Ogidan, Wale Adenuga, Fregene Others In RGANISERS of the envisaged Soci- Guardian for editorial supports, he meeting actually began, owing to cis Oladele and Dejumo Lewis specifO ety of Nigerian Film and Video said the aforementioned, “Are some prior commitments. Four other col- ically withdrew their initial acceptProfessionals have continued in their key colleagues who had earlier for- leagues seem to have been unable to ance because they disagreed with efforts to get the union recognized. Notable professionals have expressed their willingness to be part of the new society. Among them are Jab Adu, Sandra Obiagu, Emem Isong, Kunle Afolayan, Richard Mofe-Damijo, BobManuel Udochukwu, Tade Ogidan, Wale Adenuga, Tunde Kelani, Jimi Odumosu, Yemi Sodimu, Naomi Fregene and Lloyd Weaver. The convener, Dr. Ola Balogun, in his letter of appreciation to The

Emem Isong

mally notified me of not being able to be physically present at the initial meeting owing to prior commitments or absence from Lagos… Balogun further noted that, “For the benefit of the Nigerian public, nearly all the professionals (approximately 25 persons in all) whom I invited to join the envisaged Society of Nigerian film and video professionals sent me acceptances by sms or email. Regarding attendance at the initial meeting that was held on Tuesday, July 2, the following colleagues excused themselves from attendance owing to absence from Lagos or prior commitments, while at the same time formally confirming their desire to be members of the envisaged body. In addition, he said, “Messrs Mahmood Alli-Balogun and Yemi Solade came punctually to the meeting (which began late for unavoidable reasons), but unfortunately had to leave before the

King … Touching Lives With Music By Omiko Awa SIDE from working in the Vineyard of God, ministering to different people and hosting The Deep Things of God Conferences in the United States, Johnny King is a motivational speaker and the Lead Pastor of Sound Doctrine Ministries, Arlington, Texas. He is also involved in music and has produced a couple of music CDs. Speaking of his sojourn in music, King said, “My love for music goes back to my childhood days when I attended St. Thomas The Apostle School, Franklin County, Columbus, Ohio, where I featured in stage performances to hone my talent.” However, with King’s parents parting ways, the young man almost lost focus of what

he wanted in life; but drawing from his childhood dream, he made use of the trying situation to carve a niche for himself by going fully into music. “I gave my heart to Christ on March 5, 1989 and since then I have been singing from church to church and from one special programme to the other, though at a small scale.” Influenced by great acts like Kool and the Gang, Shalamar, The Whispers, Billy Ocean and others, Kings ventured into music playing inspiring gospel songs. “I have featured in many shows, where I sang in Churches, conventions, camp meetings, concerts, weddings, parties and even self-organised programmes,” he said.

attend the meeting that took place on July 2 for diverse reasons, even though they had earlier confirmed to me that they were interested in joining the envisaged Society of Nigerian film and video professionals. I am yet to hear further from them.” He added, “Three other persons whom I also do not intend to name did not respond to my invitation one way or the other, while Messrs Fran-

Balogun

the third crucial stage, the Judges’ Home Visit. A press statement by the national operator made available to The Guardian reveals t h a t “The

Home Visit follows the conclusion of the first two major stages, which were the Auditions and the Boot Camp of the show brought to Africa by Globacom. Contestants who made it through the auditions in Nigeria and Ghana had last month gone into the Boot Camp where they were further screened and the number pruned down by the judges.” The statement further said those who scaled the camp have now been divided into three groups with each group assigned to one of the three judges, MI, Onyeka Onwenu and Reggie Rockstone. The judges’ duty is to mentor the singers assigned to them and help prepare them for the live performances. The contestants are grouped into the “Under 23”, “Over 23” and “Group singers”. Interestingly, the telecast of the show would climax with the unveiling of the Top 9

Gbadamosi date in early August, in order to ensure that all intending members have the opportunity of being present at the constitutive meeting of the Society of Nigerian Film and Video Professionals. To this end, notices will very shortly be sent out to prospective members specifying the exact date and venue of the meeting.”

P.R.E Registers His Appearance With Take It Up By Tony Nwanne LTHOUGH, his entrance into the music scene is new, David Kosowei Etete, fondly called Pretty, Real and Entertaining (P.R.E.) has continued to make waves with his kind of music. P.R.E, who hails from Bayelsa, has brought his own brand of Afro-infused rap and R&B to the Nigerian and international scene. Formerly a member of the duo “Twisted Minds”, he recently opted out to focus on his solo career. With confidence and poise, P.R.E is outspoken with his own individual style, while running his entertainment company, Twisted Mind records. Since his debut into the music scene, he released his first solo single, Tatashe, during the summer of 2012 and followed it up with Take It Up, produced by Leriq. The energetic, up-tempo track is a remix of Take it Down, a pet project from his time in Port Hacourt. The video was directed by Clarence Peters and has Tuface making an

Glo X FactorContestants Move To Judges’ Homes FACTOR, the world’s X biggest singing reality television show has moved into

me on some aspects of the approach to setting up the proposed body. “As you rightly noted, membership of the body is restricted and is by invitation only, based on perceived affinity, track record, availability to attend meetings in Lagos, and genuine commitment to a set of common goals regarding the upliftment of film and video production in Nigeria, Africa, and the world-wide African Diaspora.” More persons, he said, may be invited to join following decisions on each case by the body’s Board of Trustees, while branches may be set up in others parts of the country. “Finally, you may wish to note that those colleagues who were able to attend the initial meeting held a very fruitful meeting under the Chairmanship of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi (OFR), at which it was decided to reconvene the constitutive meeting of the envisaged body at a

contenders and the live performances to be followed by the audience voting and evictions, just as the Judges’ Home Visit is part of the mentoring process. It is also intended to help create bonding between the judges and their candidates and further assist in the assessment of the candidates. Veteran gospel singer and Glo ambassador, Sammy Okposo, had last week paid a surprise visit to the Boot Camp where he delivered a pep talk to the contestants. The multiple award-winner gave the excited audience tips on how to be successful in the show and advised them to be original in their singing and overall performance. Globacom said the Top 9 contenders for the ultimate prize of N24 million and a recording contract with Sony Music will begin to emerge this weekend in Episode 9 of the show which will be broadcast on Saturday on AIT and Soundcity at 7.00 p.m., and on STV, AMC and V Channel at 8.00 p.m. The show will also run on Sunday on NTA at 5.00 p.m., WAP TV at 6.00 p.m., ONTV and Real TV at 7.00 p.m. as well as on TVC at 8.30 p.m. and Kennis Music at 9.30 p.m.

appearance. The video for Tatashe, which was shot in South Africa, enjoyed significant airplay and P.R.E’s versatility and passion for music is also clear on Bad Oh feat. Phenom, the video for this has been a firm favourite with the public. He then released Gbeborun (produced by Xela) and Let You Know (produced by DJ Klem), the video for which has just hit our screens. He featured in Port Harcourt, London, and Paris with Burna Boy, which earned him prominence with his fans. Currently in Lagos to focus on his music career, P.R.E. lived in the UK and Nigeria, spending a considerable amount of time cutting his teeth in the UK underground Hip-Hop scene before moving back to Nigeria in 2009. The dread-locked, charismatic, rapper made a name for himself, especially among the Nigerian community in London, which led to him opening for Nigerian

Hip-Hop sensation, MTV award-winner and BET award nominee, M.I, for his first UK performance. A versatile lyricist, poet and Hip-Hop aficionado, P.R.E is inspired by a variety of artistes such as Jay Z, Notorious B.I.G, Damien Marley, Wyclef and Usher. He is constantly working on his craft and has worked with numerous big name producers and artistes to develop his signature flow and production skills. He is taking on the Nigerian music scene with his own exciting brand of entertainment. He believes with his kind of music, he is here to stay, and will definitely make his way to the top. “I know I’m here to stay because I studied music in school, and I know the rudiments of music. Apart from that, I have a huge passion for music. Since I came back to Nigeria, I have listened to different kinds of music that Nigerians like, so I try to infuse the Nigerian side to make them feel the songs,” he said.

‘I Want To Be Modern Day Anu’ HOUGH a starlet, watching her perform on T this fateful day, you are captivated not just by her stunning beauty and brainy demur but also by her electrifying presence and gripping stagecraft. The fact that Anuoluwapo Samantha Ozigbu was able to hold her own on stage performing alongside great artistes like American Jay King and Club Noveau – world class R&B crooner--and of course, Iyanya, during the last Easter&More concert, shows the level of her maturity within such a short period. The world is at her feet and this, Anuoluwapo, a sensation singer, dancer and entertainer, who prefers to go by the stage name of Anu, knows too well. She makes no pretence about her willingness to conquer the world. Born in Florence, Italy to a mixed parentage (Her father is from Imo State while the mother is from Lagos State), Anu’s multi-talented skills were were evident from childhood. She took part in art, ballet, drama, singing and dancing events during her primary school days at Saint Saviour Primary School, Ikoyi. At age nine, little Anu represented her school at the debutant UNICEF ‘roll out malaria and kick out polio’ musical concert, among others. At Queens College, Yaba, the combination of natural beauty, brains and artistic talent stood her out as she won many laurels for the school and herself at different academic, singing and dancing competitions. Her natural endowments further blossomed

during her tertiary education in the University of Lagos where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. In 2010, she ventured into the world of beauty pageant when she participated in the Sisi Oge Beauty Pageant organised by Heritage Production and was crowned the queen for the year. That singular act of courage is what has set her on the path to her destiny as her encounter with Atunda Entertainment opened a new vista for and her eyes to the world of possibilities in the entertainment industry. Aware of the sleazy and oddities that go with the entertainment industry, especially for a young, charming and pretty lady like herself, Anu says she is resolved to be true to her art and a shining light and inspiration to the womenfolk, especially young ladies. Besides, she finds joy and fulfilment in what she does, ‘‘I feel a sense of fulfilment majorly because it is what I have always felt and dreamt of doing. I am not going to be discouraged by the odd stories that I hear because I consider myself to have run into the path of my destiny the moment I met with Atunda Entertainment.’’ With her sight trained on earning worldclass stripes, Anu finds inspiration in many people. The list includes the late African songstress and activist, Miriam Makaba, whom she admires for her doggedness in selling Africa to the world and fighting for the liberation of her country, South Africa and empowerment of the womenfolk.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

DIARY

Former governorship aspirant in Lagos, Akinyegun Owolabi Salis (left), presenting ICT equipment worth N1 million to the Lagos Mainland Division of the Boys Scout of Nigeria. Receiving the equipment are Asst. Divisional Commissioner, Emmanuel Odogun, Yeye Akinyegun Olabisi Salis, and Joy Roberts, Asst. District Commissioner, Lagos Mainland Scouts in Lagos…recently

Commissioner for Finance, Kwara State, Demola Banu; Managing Director, SAP West Africa, Richard Edet and Commissioner for Finance, Taraba State, ID Wanapia at the SAP Africa revenue management summit held in Abuja…recently

Principal, Avi-Cenna International School, Ikeja, Lagos, Mr. David Ogburn, presenting a certificate to one of the 52 students who graduated from the school after completing their secondary school education in Lagos...recently

Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority, Mr. Terver Gemade (right) receiving the Golden Award for Quality and Business Prestige won by the Authority from Mr. Charbel Tabet, President/Chief Executive Officer, Association Otherways Management and Consulting at the Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Resorts, Rome, Italy…recently

Global Head, Fixed Income and Credit Products, Standard Chartered Bank, Biswaroop Tapan Barua; Head of Consumer Banking, West Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Carol Oyedeji; MD/CEO Infranet Limited, Kunle Ogunbufunmi; MD/CEO J.B Farms, Ajibola Adebutu and General Manager, Wealth Management and Priority and International Banking, Ijeoma Anusionwu at the wealth and leisure event organized by Priority and International Banking of Standard Chartered Bank in Lagos…recently

Mr. Christian Herpin, Gen. Manager Air France; Mr. Tayo Ogungbenro, Partner KPMG (speaker); Mr. Marcel Hotchet; President Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and MD, Schneider Electric; Dr. Josh Bamfo, Senior Manager KPMG; Mr. Josef Hoyek, Financial Manager, Air France; Mrs. Ize Matebese, member FNCCI Board of Director and Mr. Eni D. Eni, GM FNCCI at the FNCCI business luncheon held in Lagos…recently

Executive Director, ARM Pension Managers, Dapo Akisanya (left), Managing Director, Sadiq Mohammed; Non-Executive Directors, Emmanuel Ikazoboh; Aliyu Yar’Adua, Dan Akujobi, Chairman, Board of Directors, Chris Okeke; Non-Executive Director, Jumoke Ogundare; Shareholder, Jonathan Kogis, Representatives, KPMG Professional Services, Ayodele Othihiwa; Deji Oluwatola, Subomi Oraka, Executive Director, ARM Pension Managers, Layi Afolabi at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ARM Pension in Lagos during the week

The Proprietor, CEDEC International Schools, Apapa, Lagos Dr. (Mrs) I. P. Unachukwu (middle) with the PTA Chairman, Pastor Obidi Aduaka and other members of the PTA Executive during the school’s fathers’ forum held at the school premises… recently

(R-L) Managing Director, Tiger Brands, Vasu Moodley; the Customer Care Executive, Dangote noodles, Pasta and Deli foods, Mojisola Fisher; the Marketing Executive Dangote Noodles, Pasta and Deli-foods, Tokunbo Dosunmu and a guest during a party organized for over 3500 pupils in Lagos…recently

President Nigerian Society Of Engineers (NSE), Mustapha Balarabe Shehu; Tunde Jaiyesimi, the newly inducted fellows and President, Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB) Chuks Emeife at the investiture of new fellows in Abuja …recently

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 13, 2013 | 39

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture By Itse Sagay

HIPSON, one of the greatest authorities on the Law of Evidence defines the subject as: “… the testimony, whether oral, documentary or real, which may be legally received in order to prove or disprove the facts in dispute.” (Phipson on Evidence, 11th Edition, 1969, paragraph 3, page 2). Furthermore, according to Phipson, evidence is, the means, apart from argument and inference, whereby the court is informed as to the issues of fact as ascertained by the pleadings. After the Nigerian Evidence Act of 1945, which was our first legislation on the subject, no other significant legislative activity occurred in this area, until the Evidence Act of 2011. The 1945 Act was re-enacted under the 1990 and 2004 Laws of Nigeria respectively, as Caps 112 and E 14. Documentary evidence is to be found in Part V (Sections 78 – 134) of the 1990 and 2004 enactments. In the 2011 Act, whilst still under part V, the sections concerned are now 83 to 120. Documentary Evidence is generally regarded by students and practitioners alike as the most technical and therefore the most difficult aspect of the Law of Evidence. The new book Documentary Evidence – Cases and Materials (Philade Co. Ltd., Lagos; 2012 - volume 2) by the Hon. Justice P.A. Onamade is a follow up on volume 1 which the productive and indefatigable author published in 2002. This work takes into consideration all the changes introduced by the 2011 Act. It is the Law of Evidence TODAY, presented through a knowledgeable and skillful editing and presentation of relevant pronouncements of our appellate courts, from cases decided as early as 1906 and as recent as 2012. The first thing that strikes the reader is the epic scope of the work. It far exceeds what one normally associates with Evidence Law, and includes several other subject areas, (some which are comprehensively covered) wherever it concerns proof and even procedural matters. These include, illiterates protection law, documents affecting land, registration of instruments, right of occupancy under the Land Use Act, Survey plan, interpretation of documents, execution of documents and Documents before Appellate Courts. In addition to this extensive scope, the Author has prepared a table showing all the changes, brought about by the 2011 Act to the pre-existing Act. Although it is not necessary to list all the 20 chapters of this work, one needs to state that it includes all the traditional topics of documentary evidence, plus the unusual ones listed above. These include motions and affidavits, primary and secondary evidence, public and private documents, expert witnesses, weight of evidence, confessional statements, etc. Apart from the rules and principles which are well known and established in the Law of Evidence, this exhaustive compendium contains a lot of interesting materials revealing rules and principles that are novel, indicating changes in judicial thinking, or bringing out into the open, matters that were either obscure or uncertain. In some other areas, there has been clear conflict of authorities. A good starting point is a re-affirmation of the established principle that a document tendered in court is the best proof of its contents and no oral evidence will be permitted to discredit or contradict the contents

Documentary Evidence – Cases And Materials In Print

thereof except in cases where fraud is pleaded. (A-G. Bendel State v. UBA Ltd. [1986] 4 NWLR (Pt. 37) 547). This is consistent with judicial decisions to the effect that documents tendered and admitted in a Court speak for themselves and are therefore the most reliable or in fact the best evidence compared to oral evidence. (Felicia Akinbisade v. The State [2006] 17 NWLR (Pt. 1007) 184 at 201; Anyanwu v. Uzowuaka & Ors 40 NSCQR 1 at p. 20). However, the reader is alerted that documentary evidence is not known to customary law – (Ohibodun v. Oba Adeyemi Lawal [2008] 17 NWLR (Pt. 1115) 1 at 34). As should be expected, there is much material on admissibility and relevance. The cases in this book clearly confirm that relevance is the main condition for admissibility and it is irrelevant that such evidence was improperly obtained. Even documents not pleaded, may be admitted, if they constitute evidence by which material facts are to be p roved. – (Valentine A Abdul & Ors v. Benue State University [2003] 16 NWLR (Pt. 845, 59 at pp. 77 & 80 – 81). Again the book contains many authorities constituting an exception to the rule that only the maker of a document can give evidence of its content. Exceptions include when the maker is dead or where it would be impracticable to produce him – (Omega Bank Plc v. O.B.C. Ltd.; 21 NSCQR 771 at pp. 800 – 801). While the chapter on Motions and Affidavits appears to confirm well known rules and principles, there are some interesting and intricate issues not commonly discussed. For example, the fact that affidavits must prove the reliefs sought in the Statement of Claim is not commonly

realized. Thus where an affidavit is at variance with the prayers of the applicants, the motion effectively has no affidavit. So too must a court discountenance a self-contradictory affidavit. (Ochor v. Dr. Alphonsus Ojo [2008] 13 NWLR (Pt. 1105) 525 at 542; Lawal-Osula v. UBA Plc [2003] 5 NWLR (Pt. 813) 376 at 391). It is also not proper for counsel handling a case to depose to an affidavit on the facts of that case, because, he cannot be counsel and witness at the same time – (S.N. Ibe v. Peter Onuorah (No. 2) [2001] 9 NWLR (Pt. 719) 519 at 527). The issue of primary and secondary documents is extensively dealt with. It is once again re-iterated that primary evidence, is, the original document, and is the best evidence. Secondary evidence, which is inferior or a substitute for primary evidence, will only be admitted, if primary evidence is lost or inaccessible – (Emmanuel Onyejiaka v. The State [1997] 11 NWLR (Pt. 530) 645 at 651). Secondary evidence or copy of a public document is only admissible when properly certified. In the case of private documents, secondary evidence is admissible when the original is in the possession of the person against whom the document is sought to be proved, or any person legally bound to produce it, and the person fails to produce it after notice has been given to him. It is clear that it is only in the case of a public document that the need for certification of a secondary document arises – (Adetoro v. Union Bank Plc [2008] 13 NWLR (Pt. 1104) 255 at 294; Malam Sari Ogu v. Marid Tech. & Multipurpose Co-op. Society Ltd. [2011] 8 NWLR (Pt. 1249) 345 at 373 – 374). The cases also stress the fact that a photo copy of a certified copy of an

original, is not admissible. Although courts have given conflicting decisions on this issue, from the authorities quoted in this book, the current position is that a photocopy of a certified true copy is not admissible – (SPDC. (NIG) Ltd v. Nwolu [1991] 3 NWLR (Pt. 180) 496 at 504; Ezekiel Oguleye v. HRH Oba Joshua Aina [2011] 3 NWLR (Pt. 1235) 585 – 587). The book confirms that an expert witness, is a person who is specially skilled in a field in which he is giving evidence and that he need not be academically qualified in that field, provided he has acquired sufficient expertise in the field. An expert is needed in court when the knowledge of the expert’s evidence is outside the common knowledge of the Judge – (SPDC Nig. V. Chief Tigbara Adamuke & Ors [2003] 11 NWLR (Pt. 832) 533 at 599). There is an extensive section on pleadings. A document pleaded forms part of the facts. The reader is informed that failure to produce a document pleaded, means it is either non-existent or that that pleading has been abandoned – (Registered Trustees of the RCCG v. Bankole [2011] 1 NWLR (Pt. 1227) 41 at 58-59). On the issue of whether evidence given in previous judicial proceedings are admissible in a subsequent and different proceedings, we learn that this is possible only when that witness is dead, or cannot be found or is being kept out of the way by an adverse party or when his presence cannot be obtained without unreasonable effort or expenses. The weight to be given to a piece of evidence is also discussed in this book. A document tendered for identification purposes only, has no evidential value, neither can a court come to a conclusion on the basis of an exhibit not before it – (Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo & Ors v. Godwin Edremoda [2009] 8 NWLR (Pt. 1142) 166 at 198). The issue of the admissibility of a confessional statement receives adequate consideration in the book. Thus a man may be convicted solely on his confession if it is free voluntary and direct. It does not require corroboration. However, the confession is not admissible if it was obtained by threat, or promise. Moreover, the confession of an accused person is not admissible against a co-accused, unless such co-accused and the maker of the confession are accused of conspiring to commit the crime – (Richard Igago v. The State [1999] 14 NWLR (Pt. 637) 1 at 23). It is impossible, in this brief review, to discuss all the numerous areas covered and analyzed in this book. There is an extensive coverage of evidence in land cases and issues like Rectification, Registration of Instruments and consequences of non-registration in evidential law, the Land Use Act, Deemed Rights of Occupancy, Survey Plans as sine qua non of litigation on title, possession or right of occupancy to land, the admissibility of a document which is undated or unsigned or whose maker is unknown, the meaning and legal effect of “Without Prejudice”, conflict of affidavit evidence, admissibility of documents prepared and executed outside Nigeria, documents written

in a language other than in English – all these are presented in great detail. Of particular interest is the consideration of cases on the admissibility of evidence recorded on audio tape, video tape, films, etc. These types of evidence are admissible provided they are the original or primary evidence of what they contain. For example, if the audio or video tape captures an actual event, and is not a copy of another tape that was made during the event, it is admissible. If however it is a tape recording an official broadcast of a State Broadcasting Station, it must be certified. But a recording made directly of an event is primary evidence. – (INEC v. Action Congress [2009] 2 NWLR (Pt. 1126) 524 at 595; Zeribe Ezeanuna v. Chukwuka Onyeama [2011] 13 NWLR (Pt. 1263) 36 at 74). Newspaper Publications are also admissible once certified, although that does not constitute admissible evidence of the facts reported. Perhaps, the most major innovation of the 2011 Evidence Act is the provision recognizing computergenerated evidence as admissible, in sections 84 and 258, the interpretation section. This brings the law up to date with technology and reality. This and other innovations in the 2011 Act are highlighted in a well prepared table at the end of the book. Some other changes introduced by the 2011 Act include, a statutory definition of “Hearsay”, a definition of when a fact is proved or disproved, presumptions that documents produced in other jurisdictions which bear official seal or stamp of that country, are authentic and therefore admissible in Nigerian Courts. Also the 2011 Act provides for the conviction of a person to be admitted as evidence in civil proceedings. Altogether this book is a major achievement in its chosen field of documentary evidence. Its coverage is unprecedented and catholic in scope, includes vast legal documentation and knowledge in areas not normally regarded as part of Evidence Law. Indeed in his forward to the book, the Hon. Mr. Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola states as follows: It surprisingly and pleasantly breaks the narrow boundaries of strict documentary evidence jurisprudence by including under its cover the several contexts in which the discerning reader would appreciate a robust learning. Thus the book contains topics such as Interpretation of Documents, Expert Witness, Weight of Evidence, Rights of Occupancy under the Land Use Act and several others. As a result, a reader refreshes his memory of a wide spectrum of topics, notwithstanding that his primary quest was documentary evidence in the strict and narrow sense. There are indeed several surprising gold-mines in the book. One of such, among several others, is a collection of cases on the meaning of words and phrases.” This book is an absolutely compelling read, and must be the daily companion, in and out of Court of any serious legal practitioner. The honourable Mr. Justice P.A. Onamade has produced a work that has reached the peak of this intellectual and professional endevours. He surely must now be asking himself as Lord Denning did many years ago, “What next in Law?” If I know the honourable Justice Onamade, more books will role out of his intellectual production line before he finally hangs up his gloves. •Itse sagay is a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

40 ARTS

Return Of Isiuwe-couple For The Sake Of Human And Equestrian Life By Tajudeen Sowole About ten years after their last art exhibition together, couple artists Emmanuel and Angela Isiuwe are back on the Lagos art turf with a joint effort titled Our World, Human and Equestrian Life, holding at Didi Museum, Victorian Island, Lagos from tomorrow Saturday, ending Monday, July 27, 2013. Central to the title of the exhibition is Emmanuel’s long time passion for horses. For Angela, it’s also a continuation of her interpretive lines, dragging viewers of her work into a higher intellectuality of art appreciation. With the Durbar and other equestrian themes that have been stressed on the Lagos art exhibition circuits, what else could be new or of interest painting horses? Horses, Emmanuel seems to be saying should be appreciated beyond using them for festivals or other common usage “it’s about the relationship of man with horses,” Emmanuel explains. He argues that “nearly all the inventions of man are inspired by horse”. Noting that, it’s not coincidence, for

Etisalat, African Artists’ Foundation Flag-Off LagosPhoto Festival 2013

example that some machines are decimated or classified, based on strength, in ‘horsepower. In the Nigerian art scene that is gradually taking ‘contemporary ‘ contents more seriously, specialization or focus on being a master in specific areas, is often labeled as ‘repetitive themes’. Emmanuel is perhaps, one of the artists who disagree with the notion of repetitive themes. The longer, the masterly, so suggest some of his works. In fact, he boasts that he has “been paining horses since 1993”. In Our World, Human and Equestrian Life, one of the works titled Ghost Mode explains the attachment some people have to their horses. Emmanuel goes into the spiritual realm to bring a horse owner’s agony of losing his much cherished animal to the jaws of death. The myth of ghost, he argues, is not just in humans, but across animals in general. Viewed in soft copies, Emmanuel’s rendition of horses on canvas affords an opportunity to take another look at how nature creates diverse species of animals in one breed. Spotted among other horses in Guardian Angel, for example, is a white horse, supposedly of the stallion family. But there is more to it, Emmanuel explains, recalling that the capture is a reenactment of loose horses moving in Lagos, and may be “guarded by an angel horse”. Extra terrestrial support, he insists, is the only explanation he could arrive at seeing such “a distinct white horse among the stray and un-kept horses in Lagos”. Quite of documentation value is Emmanuel’s Guardian Angel: loose horses were common site in Lagos and Victoria Islands until the Lagos State Government’s new laws on stray animals enacted last year, which empowers authority to prosecutes owners. What is however an alteration, which could be deceptive about Guardian Angel is the forest in the background – not exactly representative of a highly urban Lagos. Angela’s strokes of brushes, largely in outlines forms are not exactly unfamiliar. She had shown in Biola Akinsola-led all women exhibition Naija Woman, the Creative Touch and several other group exhibitions. Between then and now, Angela has been “more

its advantage; a bit of hunger brings more patronage”. While so much of experimentation is now common among artists to join the contemporary train as fast as possible, Emanuel insists that there are still so much yet untapped areas of the canvas. “Nigerian artists have yet to explore the canvas enough”. Part of Emmanuel’s bio reads: his works have made impressions locally and internationally. He has a style which has endeared him to many lovers of works of art worldwide. Emmanuel’s work has featured in many exhibitions in Nigeria, Benin Republic and the U.S. For Angela Lagos and Abuja as well as several cities in Africa, Europe and the U.S. have her paintings adorn Hotels, Offices and Homes. Angela renders her paintings in evocative swift lines. She is married with five children.

Tate Celebrates Meschac Gaba’s Museum Of Contemporary African Art By Kerryn Greenberg

OST Innovative Telecommunications Company in Nigeria, Etisalat, has once again thrown its weight behind the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) for the 2013 edition of the Lagos Photo Festival with theme: ‘The Megacity and non-city’. This was made known today at the press conference organized at the Eko Hotel & Suites to announce the start of this year’s activities. Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans in his opening remarks said the company was delighted to be part of the Lagos Photo festival as it has increasingly become a major event Lagosians, Nigerians and indeed Art Aficianados around the world look forward to every year. On the company’s involvement in the Festival, Mr. Evans said both Lagos Photo Festival and Etisalat share intrinsic attributes, one of which is to provide a platform to communicate ideas, innovate, nurture talent and promote passions. “Etisalat is passionate about giving a voice to the growing arts community. We believe photography is a veritable tool used in telling great stories that address social issues in and around the world, as well as shaping public perceptions about Nigeria and Africa at large. That is why we organize the Etisalat Photography Competition as part of the Festival activities to encourage and reward upcoming photographers in the country,” he said. Speaking further Mr. Evans said, “Etisalat is committed to sharing in the passions and aspirations of our customers, whether in sports, music and arts; and will continually explore other laudable projects such as the Lagos Photo to be a part of.” On what this year’s festival will deliver, Brand Director, LagosPhoto Foundation, Wunikan Mukan said the theme: The Megacity and the Non-City, will look at both the development of urban centers in Africa and the influences of technology, through the Internet, digital revolution, and examine how they have transformed photography and our sense of place in a globally connected world.

elaborate”. The main difference, she discloses is the incursion from her fashion design background. This much she expresses in quite a number of fashion-related pieces, particularly, a monochrome piece titled Head Form, in subtle representation of the Niger Delta identity of western bowler hat, baggy shirt and native wrapper. Of nostalgic, for Angela, is the walking stick, which she argues, “completes the symbol of authority, seeing my father in the attire, for example”. But Head Form could have been mistaken for just another depiction from the west; Niger Delta borrowed western hat alone is too foreign to stand on its own without the other native paraphernalia. About ten years after their last show together, there has been indeed a long break. And that quite a lot of changes have taken place on the Lagos art scene, during this period, do not shut the Isiuwe couple’s art out of relevance, Angela assures. “Having taken a break for so long has

HE Benin Republic-born artist T Meschac Gaba first conceived the Museum of Contemporary African Art during his 1996–7 residency at the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in Amsterdam. He describes finding ‘another reality’ when visiting museums in Europe, a reality in which he could not imagine how the art he wanted to create could be integrated: ‘I needed a space for my work, because this did not exist.’ Gaba has claimed that the Museum of Contemporary African Art is ‘not a model… it’s only a question.’ It is temporary and mutable, a conceptual space more than a physical one, a provocation to the Western art establishment not only to attend to contemporary African art, but to question why the boundaries existed in the first place. Before leaving the Rijksakademie in 1997 Gaba presented the first part of his project, the Draft Room. Prefiguring many of the conceptual

concerns and the aesthetic approach that Gaba would develop in later rooms, the Draft Room contained an unusual assortment of handmade, found and altered objects. There were several works made from decommissioned banknotes, as well as heaps of ceramic foods that reflected his astonishment at the excessive overproduction in Europe. Over the next five years further rooms would appear, one by one, in exhibitions and museums internationally. Some rooms, such as the Library, Museum Restaurant and Museum Shop, are familiar elements of most contemporary Western art museums. However, by placing these traditionally subsidiary activities at the heart of his project, Gaba calls into question the nature and function of the museum and our relationship to it. By supplementing these sections with others, such as the Humanist Space, Marriage Room, Game Room and Music Room,

Gaba’s museum is a space not only for the contemplation of objects, but for sociability, study and play in which the boundaries between everyday life and art, and observation and participation are blurred. The Art and Religion Room brings together religious artefacts and everyday objects arranged side by side on a large, cross-shaped wooden structure. Referencing the long relationship between art and religion across cultures, this room also mimics contemporary Benin, where Gaba explains most people are poly-religious: ‘Catholics brought Christianity, but for my ancestors Catholicism and Voodoo are not different… You will see sculptures of angels, of Jesus Christ and Mami Wata all in the same house.’ While Gaba broaches many serious questions in his Museum of Contemporary African Art, his approach is in equal parts sincere and playful. On 6 October 2000, invited guests and ordinary visitors

to the Stedelijk Museumin Amsterdam witnessed the marriage of Meschac Gaba to Alexandra van Dongen. Well-wishers brought presents, which, together with the bride’s wedding dress, veil, shoes and handbag, their marriage certificate, guest book and wedding photographs and video, feature in the Marriage Room. Here art and life are indistinguishable and the relationship between viewer, art object and artist is reappraised. The desire, in the artist’s words, ‘to share my fantasy’ continues throughout many of the twelve rooms. In the Salon visitors are invited to play the Adji computer game, an adaptation of the traditional African game Awélé. In the Architecture Room the public can build their own imaginary museum using wooden blocks, and in the Game Room gallery goers are able to play with sliding puzzle tables, reconfiguring the flags of Chad, Angola, Algeria, Senegal, Seychelles and Morocco. While interactivity is a crucial part of this project, collaboration is equally so. Other artists have contributed objects to the Museum Shop, and have prepared and hosted dinners in the Museum Restaurant; the role of curators is enshrined in the Library with a ‘curators’ table’, and in the Architecture Room there is a ladder with colourful plexiglass treads inscribed with the names of the institutions and organisers who have presented Gaba’s project. When the last-completed section, the Humanist Space, was first presented in 2002 at Documenta 11 in Kassel, visitors could use the gold bicycles to navigate the city. It was a fitting culmination to the Museum of Contemporary African Art, extending its reach out of the museum and into the street. •Kerryn Greenberg is Curator, International Art, Tate Gallery, London

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

SHORT STORY By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) ONY, by nature, had an unforgiving spirit. T He was really wicked, unrepentant and diabolical. He was a businessman into buying and selling. He had about five boutiques in Surulere, Lagos, where he sold men and ladies’ wears. He was in his early 30s, but he looked like someone in his mid-40s. He was rich, in terms of money. He put sales boys in all his shops and boutiques who on daily basis deliver the proceeds to him every evening. Tony used juju and voodoo to draw customers to his shops in large numbers. He always gave his sales boys the juju water to wet his shops every morning. Whenever his boys wet his shops with the water, amazingly customers would troop in and buy plenty of goods. They would sell till their stocks were exhausted. As a matter of principle, Tony always ordered his sales boys to make sure they wet his shops with the juju water first thing in the morning. Failure to do this would definitely land his boys into trouble as he would beat them silly with horse whip. If they failed to wet the shops, Tony would get to know. The two boys who were working with him as sales apprentices around this time were Ugo and Ikenna. They were aged between 13 and 14. They were dutiful and hardworking young boys who hated the depraved and wicked nature of their master. They particularly hated the ungodly habit of wetting the shops with juju water. They hated his guts and hard stance on business but each time they rebelled against him, he would teach them bitter lessons. Tony would do anything to make money. He patronized a lot of herbalists and medicine men who gave him magic potions in order to draw customers to his shops. Tony was dark and tall. He was a victim of stroke; his left side, from his arm to his leg, was paralyzed. But despite this, Tony was a very fiery, irascible and aggressive man who was naturally mean and stern. He always reneged on his promises. Most of the young apprentices who worked with him were on contract basis for some years after which he was supposed to pay them a particular amount for their services to him at the end of their tenure. But he would renege on his promises. The case of Ugo and Ikenna came to the fore. Tony felt Ugo was becoming heady. When it was time to settle Ugo after his tenure of service as sales boy had expired, Tony wore his thinking cap and played a fast one on the young lad so as to avoid paying the stipulated amount. He called Ikenna and told him to put his colleague in trouble by accusing him of stealing some money. Ikenna felt bad to betray Ugo because he thought Ugo was innocent and truthful. When Tony realized that Ikenna wouldn’t do as he ordered, he thought of putting both of them in trouble. After they delivered the day’s proceeds to him, he stood up in annoyance and spurted: “You are both thieves! You’ve stolen N20,000 from today’s sales! I’ll take both of you to the police station but before that, I’ll beat you till you shed tears of blood! Now lie down both of you!” In furious anger, Tony went for his horse whip and pounced on them. He started whipping them with all his strength and might. The boys cried and cried, writhing in pains saying they were innocent, but all these fell on deaf ears. He made sure he tore the skin of the young boys with his horse whip. Thirty minutes, later he dragged them to the police station and levelled a false accusation of theft on the two lads. He moved near the officer in charge and said: “These two boys stole N20,000 from my money today officer! I want you to force them to confess by manhandling them!Officer, deal ruthlessly with them! I want my money back!” “Tony! Tony! You’ve come again! How can these young lads steal such an amount of money? What would they do with it?” the office queried. “I’m telling you the truth and you don’t believe me!” Tony replied, more vexed. “Deal with them till they part with my money! Put them in the cell and torture them till they confess!” he ordered. After a while the officer said: “Okay Tony, you can go. We’ll make sure they confess by torturing them. I’m sure they’ll confess when we handle them forcefully.” “Thank you officer!” he said excitedly, with an evil sneer on his face and left the station.

When he came back to the police station the following morning, the officers lied that they had punished the two sales boys but they denied ever stealing their master’s money. Actually, the officers only interrogated the boys but they didn’t maltreat them. And the boys insisted vehemently that they knew nothing about any stolen money. Tony wasn’t satisfied with the outcome of their findings. He vented his anger in a dramatic way, saying: “Heh, officers, you think you can fool me? Biko, release the boys to me. I am taking them to a powerful juju woman! They’ll confess when we get there.” Without mincing words, Tony dragged the duo out of the police station and took them to a oneeyed juju woman who lived on the outskirts of Lagos, very close to Ogun State. The woman’s ramshackle hut was near a thick jungle. The boys were afraid when they got to the woman’s shrine. Only bicycles or motorcycles could get to the woman’s abode. Without much ado, the woman began her consultation with the gods after Tony finished his own side of the story. She was a fearful sight to behold. She was tall and dark. Her teeth were black and dirty. Her right eye was hollow and sunken, like a bottomless pit. Her face created fear and horror in the minds of the boys. She looked like the messenger of death. “Ogrricha! Oggrricha!! Ogriccha!!!” she chanted, baring her dirty teeth. “Now boys, step on these cowries with your two legs while I dance to the drum of the gods around you! If you steal your master’s money, you won’t go home because thunder will strike both of you dead instantly! Ogrricha!” The boys were terror-stricken, their hearts were pounding with trepidation. The fearsome woman was circling round the boys who were really aghast with fear. About 10 minutes after

In furious anger, Tony went for his horse whip and pounced on them. He started whipping them with all his strength and might. The boys cried and cried, writhing in pains saying they were innocent, but all these fell on deaf ears. He made sure he tore the skin of the young boys with his horse whip. Thirty minutes, later he dragged them to the police station and levelled a false accusation of theft on the two lads. the macabre dance, she told the boys to sit down on a mat. She called Tony and told him point blank that the boys were innocent and should be freed. “These boys didn’t steal your money Tony. If they did, they should be dead by now!” She stopped talking and swallowed her saliva. Her findings further angered Tony. He stood up in annoyance, flexed his muscles and said furiously: “What nonsense! This is not the end of the matter! I’ll show you brats that I’m your lord and master! Let’s go!” Tony’s venomous heart hatched another evil plan: to kill the boys. He thought of killing them through food poisoning. When they got home that eventful afternoon, he lied that he had forgiven them. The boys thanked him but deep down in their hearts, they knew he didn’t deserve their thanks. They wondered why he put them through all the gruesome and terrible experiences when they knew nothing about any stolen money. Later, Tony bought three chilled bottles of soft

Tony The

Heartless Businessman

drinks and laced two with a potent rat poison. He gave the two boys to drink and held the third in his right hand. The boys thanked him for his generosity but they were still very careful because of these ‘strange’ gift. They were yet to drink the soft drinks when Tony’s phone rang and he put his bottle on the table, picked his mobile phone to receive the call. He started chatting heartily with the caller and he was carried away by the conversation. The boys knew that was a divine opportunity they had been waiting for. They swapped the bottle of soft drinks by giving him the poisoned one. A couple minutes later, after he had ended the telephone conversation, he picked the bottle of soft drink on the table not knowing that the boys had exchanged his own bottle with theirs. He gulped it down with a sardonic smile. The boys had emptied the content of the other bottles while Tony was still chatting on phone. “You’ve finished drinking yours so quickly Ugo, Ikenna!” he said, an evil grin on his face. “Yes, master, thank you very much!” they said simultaneously. Something queer and stranger than fiction happened a couple of minutes later. “Heh, my stomach! What’s happening to me?” he screamed. “What’s the problem master?” the young boys asked in surprise. “Chei! Chei! You’ve changed the drinks, you crazy boys!” he shouted. “We didn’t do anything master!” they replied. Before long, Tony collapsed and started rolling in pains. He held his stomach and started vomiting a black substance on the floor. He called the boys and confessed that he had the intention of killing them. The boys were shocked and dumbfounded! The whole place was filled to the brim with passersby and neighbours. It was a shocking story and scenario! Tony was rushed to the hospital but he died the second

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

NATURALHEALTH

Home And Natural Remedies For Bronchial Asthma In some quarters, it is believed that the cause of asthma is not known. However, they are of the Mobile phone no: 08033065263, opinion that there are several factors that can E-mail: ihesie84@yahoo.com. play a role in causing bronchial asthma; and Asthma (also known as bronchial asthma) is some of these factors are: one of the inflammatory or chronic obstruc- *Asthma tends to run in families. tive disorders, which affect the bronchial *Diet: excessive intake of refined carbohydrates, tubes (the airways) and the lungs. It is charlactose-containing products, dairy products, acterized by episodes of an acute shortness changes from native diet to the Western of breath. processed foods that may be very low in the natAsthma affects both the young and the old. urally occurring protective antioxidants. Also, Studies have shown that the incidence of gluten in grains such as wheat, rye, barley and asthma is steadily rising in the last 40 years. oats, is a culprit. Gluten is also routinely added Asthma attack commonly occurs when the to many processed foods. These are the sources mucuos membrane lining the airways of mucus congestion and inflammation. becomes irritated and inflamed or swells *Allergy to some foods, e.g. pasteurized cow due to exposure to some asthmatic triggers. milk, eggs, citrus fruits, peanuts, food additives The inflammation may give rise to excessive (such as MSG), preservatives, etc. production of mucus or set up spasms and *Exposure to environmental or airborne partitightening in the muscles of the bronchial cles such as pollens, moulds or yeasts, dust and tube and may lead to an obstruction of the house mites, pet dander, tobacco smoke, air polairways and insufficient intake of oxygen lution and toxins, chemicals, gases, perfumes or that result in the characteristic and common sprays, mattress covers and pillowcases, extreme symptoms of asthma such as: weather conditions, drugs (such as aspirin), etc. Dry cough or excessive coughing, especially *Exposure to internal allergens resulting from at night, feeling of chest tightness or chokharmful microbial (bacteria, viruses, yeasts or ing, shortness of breath, copious production fungi) infections which liberate endotoxins of mucus, difficulty in breathing with wheez- (internally produced microbial toxins) that can ing -- that may vary from one patient to cause colds, flu, pneumonia, respiratory disoranother. ders, middle ear infections, chronic sinusitis, Asthma attacks are not usually serious. candidiasis, etc., which are the most common However, there are some patients who may causes of inflammations and congestions. experience the attack suddenly, and this *Chronic stressors: “excess emotions” and physimay be very severe and sometimes can be cal stress, strenuous exercises, anxiety, worries, life-threatening, while others may have it anger, fear, prolonged exposure to electromagmild or suffer it gradually over a period of netic fields, e.g. working under fluorescent light time ranging from hours to days. Also, there in the work place or office, TV or computer radiare some patients who may be free of symp- ations. toms until they come in contact with asth*Other causes of bronchial asthma include ma triggers or during any strenuous physipoor bowel movements, poor circulation, hypocal activity. glycemia, birth trauma, etc. The symptoms may be experienced at night Medically, there are two categories of asthma: (nocturnal asthma) or in the early morning. Extrinsic Asthma and Intrinsic Asthma. Causes of Asthma Extrinsic Asthma is that asthma which has an By Godwin Ihesie

By Dr Tunji Nasir ITHOUT the eyes, the body is not whole. W The eye is the centrepiece of anyone’s existence because it facilitates vision-which is needed to see the world. For our pets, especially dogs and cats, problems with vision rule them out of capabilities and instead of being assets, they turn to liabilities. And except a prior bonding had been established, they are quickly discarded by owners who invariably find them to be nuisances around the home. Or what is the use of a pet that bumps into things all over the house? Once this happens, perceptive sense becomes totally inadequate. It becomes the end game for any pet meant to be a guard dog. What can a blind dog guard? So the eyes are very important in facilitating a tight bond between pet and owner. It is thus imperative that every owner makes the care of the pet’s eyes paramount. Every owner should learn to pay adequate attention to the eyes of their pooches and report anything abnormal to their veterinarians, who would carry out a diligent work to establish the problem, if any. It is part of the owner’s responsibility to acquire a requisite knowledge of how to carry out a home eye exam to detect subtle indicators of a problem- like tearing, cloudiness or inflammation of any part of the eye. *Look into his eyes: A brightly lit area will be good for this; look at him eyeball to eyeball and make sure that the eyes are bright, clear without cloudiness. The area surrounding the eyeball should be white, pupils of both eyes should be equal in size; there is no tearing, discharge or any crust in the corners of his eyes. *Thumb down: Using your thumb, roll down the inner eyelid and look into the lining —- it should be pink. Red or white colours are not acceptable. If red, there may be an ongoing infection, if white, the pet may be aneamic. *Other things:

identifiable cause which may be due to airborne or a wide range of inhaled irritants (tobacco smoke, fumes from frying oil or burning wood), environmental allergens and pollution, foods and chemical sensitivities, strenuous exercises, extreme changes in temperature, etc. These triggers can provoke immune reactions and then release inflammatory substances that can cause bronchospasms. Most cases of bronchial asthma in children and adults have been linked to allergy. Intrinsic Asthma may not have any identifiable cause and it is not usually due to allergies. However, some health authorities believe that it may be associated with emotional factors, mucus congestion and microbial infestations, etc. Intrinsic asthma tends to be chronic. As we have noted above, asthma may

For Their Eyes Only Other possible red flags apart from the ones already mentioned are tear-stained fur, partially and completely closed eyes, visible third eyelid and unequal pupil sizes —-which are also indicative of a possible problem in the eye. In order to prevent most of these signs; you must do the following depending on the type of pet that you have. (a) Clean, always clean: To make the eyes gunk-free, use a damp cotton ball to clean the eyes starting from one corner of the eye to another, wiping outwards and avoiding the eyeball —- so that, the integrity of the cornea is preserved (b) For the hairy pet: For breeds with long hair that usually grows around the eyes; covering them most of the time, regular trimming with a scissors with rounded tip is recommended. It is important to keep the eyes clear of anything that could disturb the fields of vision or serve as a source of irritation. (c)When washing the pets: Avoid direct contact of the eyes with soaps and shampoos because they can also be irritants. It is important to apply a protective ointment. Also avoid spraying directly into the eyes. This usually occurs when applying flea/tick/ sprays. (d) Wind, wind and wind: Avoid situations that could expose the eyes of your pets to debris from the wind. This happens sometimes when pets stick their heads out of your car window when driving at high speed or when you are particularly in a location with high wind. Most debris can cause injuries that will have lasting deleterious effects on your pet. (e) Sure bet! Some dogs are certainly going to have problems with their eyes as they grow older. It is in their genes. Be sure you don’t have one of such. If you do, get prepared and have the eyes checked regularly by the vet to forestall having the problems unannounced.

Dog Eyes

Cat Eyes

be mild or severe in some cases, and may result in abnormal changes in the lungs and trouble with breathing, persistent cough, insomnia due to night time disturbances, and in the elderly (those above the age of 55). Asthma may further increase the risk of other diseases like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and stroke; and may be life-threatening or lead to death in some cases. Diagnosis: Health-care providers usually diagnosed asthma by listening to the sound of the lungs to hear the asthma-related sound through the use of stethoscope. Also, other tests like full blood count to estimate the eosinophil, lung function tests, skin allergy tests, etc., are carried out in order to make a definite diagnosis of bronchial asthma. To be continued.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

HEALTHFEATURE

‘How To Reduce Infectious Diseases’ By Joseph Okoghenun XPERTS have called on Nigerians to develE op the habit of regularly washing their hands with soap to reduce infectious diseases. The experts, who spoke in Lagos recently during the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) conference, also said that unlike several other countries, Nigeria was yet to tap into the benefits of e-health. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), e-health is the delivery of health information for health professionals and health consumers through the Internet and telecommunications. NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said the importance of e-health can never be overemphasized. He called for urgent action by the relevant agencies of government, including the Federal Ministry of Health and its communications and technology counterparts, to ensure that Nigerians begin to get the benefits of e-health. “Whereas there is overwhelming evidence that developing countries such as India, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda have explored the potentials of e-health in transforming their health systems and economies, Nigeria has yet to enthrone a strategic policy for sustained utilisation of e-health in a way to maximise its alluring and undeniable benefits towards strengthening our healthcare system,’’ Enabulele said. Speaking on ‘The Role of Hygiene in Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria’, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Chief Research Fellow and Dettol representative at the Global Hygiene Council, Dr. Nneoma Idika, said in order to achieve a pragmatic ehealth policy for the country, the promotion of hygienic practices which include regular hand washing, should be encouraged. The medical scientist said that research findings have shown that proper hand washing with soap helps to reduce diarrhoea disease by 50 per cent, respiratory infections by

Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Lagos Chapter, Dr. Francis Faduyile; Dettol Representative at the Global Hygiene Council, Dr. Nneoma Idika; Secretary, NMA, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Bamigboye Babatunde; and President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Dumebi Owa at the NMA Annual Conference in held in Lagos…recently 25 per cent as well as eye and skin infections. She added that safe disposal of wastes and medical care for domestic animals have a role in breaking the chain of infection transmission. Idika added that the more government and other stakeholders accord the concept of hygiene its deserved place, the more the health of the people would be improved. She observed further that hygiene cuts across every sphere of life, ranging from personal, laundry, environmental, food, home and hospital, stressing that hygiene is important to keep Nigerians healthy. Idika identified poverty as the reason for poor living conditions in most developing countries and urged government to design strategies to reduce poverty to boost healthcare. The health researcher advocated for

increased synergy between the public and private sectors, policy consistence, capacity building and enlightenment programmes to achieve integrated healthcare delivery for Nigerians. The conference was co-sponsored by Dettol, a global leader in the health hygiene category and brand in the stable of Reckitt Benckiser. Idika said: “Infectious diseases kill nearly 10 million people annually mainly in developing countries. Fifty per cent mortality in subSahara Africa is due to infectious diseases, while two million people die annually due to diarrhoea diseases especially children Under-5 , according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). “In developed countries, reducing infectious disease is achieved by programmes that integrate hygiene promotion with

improvements in water supply and sanitation. Recent studies in the United States reported that disinfectant products stopped the spread of influenza by 31 per cent. In Nigeria, regular hand washing with soap reduces by 30 per cent mortality due to diarrhoea infections’’, Chairman, Lagos State branch of NMA, Dr. Francis Faduyile, said the choice of e-health as the conference topic was part of efforts by the doctors’ body to make healthcare more accessible and affordable to the common man. “With e- health, we can have a far and wide healthcare accessibility to Nigerians. It is obvious policy makers need to drive it down but we also need to educate ourselves to let our members know that there is a new thing happening. e-Health is not strange because with electronic medical records, wherever you go, a doctor will be able to see your history and know how to continue treatment,” Faduyile said.

Foundation Moves To Curb Heart Diseases Among Teenagers By Joseph Okoghenun R. Chike Edward Okoli had M achieved much at a young age to the admiration of everyone that knew him. He had graduated in Law at the University of Hertfordshire and obtained his Masters degree from the University of Exeter, both in the United Kingdom. He later returned to Nigeria to set up oil servicing company. It was a rude shock when five days after his 25th birthday, he died from undetected coronary artery disease, a type of heart condition. A foundation found after him, Chike Okolie Foundation, has taken it upon itself to educate secondary school children on the causes and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. When the foundation, along with some experts, visited Government Senior College at Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently, it was on a single mission to create awareness on cardiovascular diseases and run tests for students. The awareness programme, which was supported by Emzor Pharmaceutical, First Bank of Nigeria, Diamond Bank, Sterling Bank Nigeria and Nestle Nigeria, was in partnership with the Lagos Ministry of Education. Chike Okoli Foundation Progarmme Coordinator, Mrs. Beauty Afred, said the relevance of the heart health programme could not be over emphasised as most students do no know that their lifestyle could affect the

state of their heart. Reports from American Heart Association have shown that teenagers’ unhealthy lifestyles could lead to several diseases, including heart diseases. Senior Registrar at Public Health Department of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Sanusi Olatunbosun, who lectured the students on the importance of healthy heart, said that the heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body that needs to be pro-

tected through healthy lifestyle. “If the heart fails to pump blood regularly, there would be problems. Our brain can’t stay more than three minutes without blood. Failure of the heart to pump blood can lead to stroke,” the public health expert said. Olatunbosun listed the risk factors for heart diseases to include cigarette smoking, excessive intake of salt, excessive alcohol consumption and sedentary lifestyle. Other risk factors he listed included obesity, malnutrition, stress and genetics.

Olatunbosun said: “A lot of studies have shown that we are having more heart diseases than before. Our goal is to help young children to imbibe the culture of healthy lifestyle at young age to prevent cardiovascular diseases. That is why we target schools. Why public schools? We believe that pupils in public schools might not have access to information as other students would have in private schools. Teenagers need to know that death from cardiovascular diseases is real

and that people can die suddenly from heart diseases. “ We have modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for heart disease. One of the modifiable risk factors includes smoking; the commonest cause of heart disease anywhere in the world is smoking. If any teenager is smoking cigarette, we advise that he should stop. Another factor that is responsible for heart disease is alcohol. So the message to young ones is do not start drinking alcohol. The third factor is malnutrition or poor feeding habits. Fasting and oil-based foods could lead to obesity. In US and other countries, experts are battling with epidemic of obesity among children. Although we have not gotten to that level in Nigeria, we must control it. Obesity would not only cause heart diseases, it can lead to cancer. We want young people to eat lot of plants-based foods, fruits and vegetables and avoid food that are rich in cholesterol, especially fried food. “Furthermore, children must avoid stress and imbibe the culture of relaxation. People are highly stressed up. One of the factors responsible for cardiovascular diseases is lack of adequate relaxation. The next factor for heart diseases is high salt intake. That boils down to our fast foods; most of the foods in our fast foods are high in salt, as they use it to preserve their foods. The noodles most parents give their children contain a high level of salt. To control salt intake, do not add salt to cooked food. Salt is one of the causes of hypertension and other heart diseases.”

YourMoney

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535

Trebet Water Unveiled, Raises Market Bar With New Technology By Ntia Usukuma ESEARCH has revealed R that, beyond the issue of rising health awareness, other factors that bolster the increased demand for bottled water consumption in Nigeria include - perceived purity of the water brand, rising disposable incomes, new launches and promotional activities. All of these and other factors combine to help sustain a strong growth in total volume sales in the highly fragmented bottled water market. 2012 market report of Euromonitor International indicates that Coca-Cola has a commanding lead in the bottled water segment in Nigeria, claiming an off-trade volume share of 12% with its Eva brand. Eva had an early mover advantage and a high quality reputation in the category. Moreover, like other soft drinks brands offered by Coca-Cola, Eva is widely distributed, and benefits from continuously strong advertising support. C-way was the second leading player overall, claiming an off-trade volume share of 8% , while Nestlé Nigeria Plc rounded out the top three with a 5% share thanks to its Nestlé Pure Life brand. Other prominent players in this highly fragmented category included Ragolis Water Ltd, Spring Waters Nigeria Ltd, KRS Investment Ltd, Warm Spring Waters Nigeria Ltd and Voltic Nigeria Ltd. There are local market players in most states across the country. However, this ratio is bound to change as Nigeria’s bottled water market is poised to witness some intense and strategic brand warfare in the near future following the emergence of Trebet Table

water, a new brand in the segment, produced with the latest machinery, and a gamechanging technology called reverse osmosis. The new brand was formally unveiled to consumers at an impressive public presentation ceremony held at Wellington Hotel, Warri Delta State last Saturday, July 6, 2013. The new brand is produced from an ultra-modern factory located at Kilometre 15, NNPC Road, Ekpan in Warri, Delta State. The unveiling ceremony was witnessed by the representative of The Director- General of The National Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. E.O Abarime; State Head, Edo/ Delta, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) Mr. Ojo Ilesanmi Akogun; immediate past President, Nutrition society of Nigeria (NSN), Professor Ignatius Oninawo and, Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue, chief Oseni Elema, as well as different guests from various sectors of the economy. The Chairman of First Beltino Investment Nigeria Limited, ( owners of Trebet water) Dr. Lee mon Ikpea, and the MD, First Beltino investment Nig. Ltd, Mrs. Justina Ikpea, were on hand to receive guest at the event. The immediate past President of Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof .I. A. Onimawo delivered a brief public lecture at the event titled: “Clean and Safe Water as an Important Part of Good Family Nutrition”. In his presentation, Prof Onimawo revealed that, Chlorine, though used by other water bottling companies as water purification element in the form of hypoclorous acid, could also cause cancer. He also decried the

excess exposure of town dwellers in Nigeria to Lead because it has severe health effects that can last a lifetime. In his words, “Lead poisoning can cause damage to your brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. In addition, it can stunt growth and has even been linked to crime and antisocial behavior in children. And Most of the lead in drinking water comes from the lead in pipes that bring water to the home.” Prof Omimawo also explained that Ingestion of water contaminated with Cryptosporidium can cause diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headaches, and low-grade fevers, lasting from 1 to 2 weeks. He explained that a combination of submicron (less than 1 micron) filtration and ozone disinfection that is used in Trebet water can eliminate cryptosporidium. In her speech at the unveiling ceremony, the representative of The DirectorGeneral of NAFDAC Mrs. E.O Abarime commended First Beltino for the event, especially the papers presented at the event which she found quite relevant. She further emphasized that the most meaningful and effective way to affect positive behavioral change in the society is through public enlightenment campaigns. During a facility tour of the factory by selected journalists a day before the public presentation, water experts at the factory confirmed that the Reverse Osmosis System is the best water purification technology available in the world currently. This technology, according to experts, has been scientifically proven as having the capacity to purify water with zero percent error

L-R: Representative of NAFDAC DG, Mrs E. O. Aburime, MD/CEO First Beltino Investment Ltd, producers of TREBET TABLE WATERs Mrs Justina Ikpea, Chairman, First Beltino Investment Ltd, Dr. Leemon Ikpea and Chairman of the Occasion, Pastor (Dr) Osagie Ize Iyamu during the unveiling ceremony .

L-R Chairman of the Occasion, Pastor (Dr) Osagie Ize Iyamu, Charirman, Edo State Internal Revenue, Chief Oseni Elema (Standing) and State Head, Edo/Delta State standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Ojo Illesanmi Akogun at the unveiling ceremony rates. It eliminates any opportunity of bacteria escaping, while ensuring that, essential nutrients useful to the body remain in the water. Throwing more light on this Mr Daniel Ejueyitchie a trained Chemist and Production Manager at the ultra-modern Trebet factory revealed that, while other water bottling plants in Nigeria employ just a single technol-

ogy, Trebet employs series of technologies to bring out the best result. He explains further, “the water we produce will always undergo different purification phases in the reverse osmosis module. After this, the water passes through the “ozonation” phase. The ozone phase increases the life span of the water, and no living organism that passes through this process of filtration, can survive. So our water is totally

clean water. This technology called reverse osmosis, will not allow iron to pass through, it will also not allow even microns or contaminant to pass through so, at the end of your input, what you have is a product that is pure and unique.” It is the strength of this technology that has motivated First Beltino Nig. Ltd, brand owners of the new product to showcase the advantages of Trebet bottled water to consumers, an advantage they want to use as an instrument of conquest in the market. According to the MD of First Beltino Investment Nig. Ltd, Mrs. Justina Ikpea “ we left nothing to chance by ensuring that we follow best practice and good ethics in the process of producing this premium Table Water brand. Consequently we sought the approval of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control [NAFDAC] and registered Trebet Table Water with registration number BI8982. There is also Trebet premium sachet water with registration number, BI-9060L”. On the motivation behind Trebet, Justina Ikpea said “ what motivated us to go into the production of bottle water is the zeal to bring into the market what can be termed clean, hygienic water produced in a very safe environment and affordable to all. That is why we are using the latest technology in purification called Reverse Osmosis. The product goes through triple purification method to ensure that the water is devoid of bacteria. By the grace of God, We intend use this advantage to make Trebet water an acceptable brand in the whole Nigeria, and even beyond.”

Chivas Honours Top 100 Men In Nigeria EADING luxury Scotch Ljunction whisky, Chivas, in conwith new luxury 5star hotel, InterContinental Lagos last Thursday, July 4 honoured 100 accomplished men in Nigeria from various fields of endeavour. Among the honorees were nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, environment activist, Dr Newton Jibunoh, Globacom chief, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jim Ovia, industrialist, Aliko Dangote, Segun Oniru, Tonye Cole and General TY Danjuma. Others include Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, Ifeanyi Ubah, Modupe Alakija, Tony Elumelu, and musicians Femi Kuti, Tuface, D’Banj, and Banky W, among others. Referred to as ‘Chivas Top 100 Men in Nigeria,’ the occasion was one to remember in Lagos as astute businessmen and philanthropists, regard-

ed by Chivas as the powerful and established game changers in Nigeria, were hosted to a grand dinner at the new InterContinental hotel. The event, which had the who-is-who in attendance featured diverse dignitaries and celebrities from Nigeria and its environs like Jay Jay Okocha, Newton Jibunoh, Banky W and Ghana’s Andre Graccaggla. Guests were greeted by hostesses in 1920s themed outfits at the lobby of the hotel, before being serenaded by classical music from a violinist as they enjoyed some canapés, special cocktails, Champagne and Chivas scotch. The evening started with a Scotch tasting session by connoisseur and Chivas brand ambassador, Nelson Asika. Following that was a popular dance from the

1920s, the Charleston, performed by a dance group, Baillamos. The group also performed the Argentine Tango and the Quick step. Other performances included a soloist; Nene, who gave show stopping performances with her rendition of popular songstress Jennifer Houston’s ‘I’m not leaving without you’ and other hit songs. Let’s not forget the harmonising voices from Neon and poetry recitation by Tope Sadiq honouring the Chivas top 100 Men in Nigeria. General Manager of Intercontinental Hotel, Didier Coeln, expressed his gratitude to Chivas as their first client and also for trusting the management enough to host an event on the second day of the hotels’ opening. Chivas is a product of unique origin, a proud line-

age of Scotch whisky makers and more than two centuries worth of history since the year 1840. This brand of scotch, which is produced by the Chivas brothers and owned by Pernod Ricard, has

won numerous gold medal awards. This highly sought after Scotch was an immediate success since its introduction to the market and has been a long-time favourite among real Scotch connois-

Baillamos doing the Charleston dance at the event

seurs as well as members of the well to do stratum of the society. Chivas can be found only in the hands of the upper echelon. Chivas congratulates the Top 100 men aand says, continue to Live

YourMoney

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13,

BRANDNEWS

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

Close-Up In World Record For Teeth Brushing

SMC, Trend Media Prepares For African Movies Summit

VER 300,000 young Nigerians gathered recently at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, as well as other locations around the state, to participate in the World Record breaking Teeth brushing challenge. The challenge sponsored by leading oral care brand, Close Up toothpaste, in partnership with Lagos State government, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), HEIT Solutions, Vas2Net & Core Media, saw various school students take part in brushing their teeth at the same time at different locations. Speaking before the kick-off, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, said that the challenge was a representation of how people ought to take care of their bodies, with oral care being a priority. “The Lagos State government supports a comprehensive healthcare system. A simple oral hygiene routine, such as brushing twice daily, restricts the number of visits to the dentist. Unfortunately, many people do not take care of their teeth and mouth because they consider them small among the body parts that should be taken care of. There is little consideration that this part of the body is where all the food that we eat in order to nourish the rest of our body passes through,” Fashola said. Mr. Mabo Thabe, Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria, makers of Close Up toothpaste and other household brands, who spoke at the event, said that Close Up was supporting the challenge as part of its commitment to promoting and reiterating a healthy oral care culture for Nigerians.

HE School of Media and Communication, Trend Media City Ltd and the Federation of Pan-African Filmmakers has commenced its awareness drive for the African Film and Entertainment Investment Summit first ever summit scheduled to hold from the 11th -13th December, 2013, at Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. Addressing the media at a stakeholder forum, Professor Emevwo Biakolo, Dean of SMC, Pan Atlantic University, revealed that the the summit is aimed at growing investment in entertainment industry in Nigeria and creating trade development opportunities for stakeholders in the industry . “The summit has been designed to provide an annu-

al forum for financiers, foreign and local investors, film and other content producers, studio executives and media experts to meet to secure financing, expertise and technology for Pan African film, television, music and entertainment content, infrastructure and capacity development.” he said. He further added, “The event will incorporate extensive discussions, clinics, workshops, guest speaker sessions, business meetings and social events that will help our present and future leaders in the film and entertainment industry to develop their capacities or transform original ideas into global quality products. A major plan of the summit is to launch at least one film and entertainment fund.”

BrandiQ X-rays Performance of APCON, PRCAN, Others N line with its reputation as Iprovides a premium publication that incisive and balanced reports on all key segments of marketing and the marketing communications industry, BrandiQ International magazine, in its fourth edition released recently, has taken extra steps to dig out in details, activities of different associations and regulatory bodies existing in Nigeria’s marketing communications industry.

Excitement as Star League Winners Receive iPads in Enugu EQUEL to the successful completion of the Star League – Text Sredeemed & Play campaign, premium lager beer brand, Star has the brand promise it made on April 2, 2013 by per-

Students from various schools in Lagos brushing their teeth during the Close-Up sponsored Lagos World Record with Teeth brushing challenge at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos

South Africa Named Destination Of The Year Africa’s reputation as one of the world’s most soughtSfromOUTH after off-shoring destinations has received endorsement the European Outsourcing Association (EOA), which named the country as its destination of the year for 2013. Last year’s winner was another African country, Morocco. It was honoured along with MEDZ Sourcing, which manages business parks in Morocco that are dedicated to off-shoring. The EOA is viewed as Europe’s most important association of professionals and experts in the outsourcing industry, according to Abderrafie Hanouf of MEDZ Sourcing. It has over a thousand corporate members representing national trade associations from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom. South Africa was a finalist last year, and this year saw off competition from Russia and Serbia to clinch the top spot, and put the continent of Africa on the global map. It also boosts the African brand The ceremony took place on in Amsterdam. South Africa was entered by the national association, Business Processing enabling South Africa Business Processing enabling (BPeSA), and the award comes hot on the heels of its October 2012 triumph at the London-based National Outsourcing Association’s annual ceremony, where it was voted the UK offshoring destination of the year.

Pan-African Channel, TVC-News Expands Global Broadcast VC News, the first genuine 24-hour pan-African TV news channel from the stables of the Continental Broadcasting Service Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria, was recently launched on the UK’s BskyB platform (EPG 572) to expand her global broadcast. Nigel Parsons, the Chief Executive Officer TVC News and the former head of Aljazeera English, said: “Without shying away from reporting the conflicts or the corruption, the famines or the wars, the mission of TVC News is also to tell the many positive stories coming out of Africa.” He added: “Stories – good or bad – will be told ‘Through African Eyes’.” The news channel serves as a medium for Africans in

every part of the world to be heard on the global scene. Through its fair and fearless reporting, TVC News will tell the unreported stories from under-reported regions across the continent, all from an African perspective. TVC News provides a mixture of news, current affairs and other informative programming from across Africa and beyond. The daily programming focuses on subjects such as politics and business, the arts & culture, health, youth and gender issues, sports and entertainment, and specially-tailored weather reports. The panAfrican news channel aims to challenge stereotypes and correct factual inaccuracies and misperceptions about Africa and its peoples.

sonally delivering prizes to winners in their homes and offices in the coal city of Enugu. Peter Oyiniachunomo Obayin, a retired Manager of Union bank received his prize excitedly, at his No 8 Awolowo 1 Uwani, Enugu North home while Chukwunonso Odiari had his iPads® presented to him at his workplace, Nike Lake resort hotel, Abakpa Enugu. The other winners, Chinedu Ogbue, Ada Igwe (NYSC member), Ubala Nwabueze, Agbo Ugochukwu Athanasius, Maduka Madueze, Nnabike Jablin, Segeus Alaimalu and Uche Aliamanu received their prizes at a special prize presentation event that took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in the presence of family members and friends. Speaking at the prize presentation event, Star Brand Manager, Omotunde Adenusi said the brand is redeeming the promise it made to consumers at the commencement of the league. “We are constantly looking out for revolutionary and creative ways to excite, engage and reward our consumers. It gladdens my heart that people have come to love it. We believe that there is no limit to what one can achieve”.

The July- August edition of this highly intellectual brandfocus magazine is x-raying the activities, achievements and challenges of different associations and regulatory agencies, juxtaposing them with global best practices and expectations. The bodies Xrayed in the magazine include the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN); Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, (PRCAN); Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria, (MIPAN) Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ( NIPR). Besides, there are many other segments of the magazine marketing practitioners would find very relevant. Key industry leaders are featured in the interview segment where they expose their minds on critical industry issues.

Onecard Launches Innovative Product Nationwide NECARD Nigeria, a techO nology-based organization offering unique, secure and convenient top-up options for user accounts to all individual, industries, corporate and retail customers recently announced the launch of its new product, Direct TopUp. Direct TopUp is a top-up management service for retailers who want to generate income via sales of mobile airtime and utilities, with one easy-to-use platform. It generates income for traditional top-up vendors, as well as organizations with high volumes of visitors: hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, cafes, shopping malls, airports. A single transaction can enable a customer top-up

from N50 to N50, 000 across various services. Direct TopUp offers a unique, secure alternative to topping up accounts in many sectors from mobile accounts, cable TV, utility and more. Its robust, user-friendly platforms and JAVA appenabled phones allow users access and top up their various prepaid accounts quickly and easily. With minimum investment, a Direct TopUp franchise partner benefits numerously; a partner can gain control over exclusive territories like local government areas, communities, corporate spaces, manage inventory of any size, generate sales at multiple locations nationwide, track all transactions, etc.

Royal Father Commends CHI Foundation HE leader of Lekki community in Lagos, Onilekki of Lekki, T Oba Liasim Olumuyiwa has expressed his profound joy and that of his community to CHI Foundation for constructing two

S2 (L-R) One of the winners of the Star League Text and Play Promo, Amaka Igwe receiving her Ipad from the Brand Manager- Star Lager Beer, Omotunde Adenusi in Enugu. PHOTO: BASSEY PETER

Maz-Tokheim Launches Digital Screen Fuel Dispenser AZ Limited, a Nigerian M indigenous fuel and fleet equipment firm, has launched the Tokheim Quantium 410T and 510T, a first of its kind digital screen fuel dispenser for fuel stations in Africa. The fuel dispenser allows for video and audio display of products by advertisers. The introduction of the equipment increases the possible revenue stream for fuel stations that can now use the fuel dispenser not only to dispense fuel but also to call the attention of buyers with the video and audio adverts on it. This fuel dispenser, when is not being used for selling of fuel, its busy making money from

the adverts playing on it. The Chairman of the firm, Patrick Okpuzor, who spoke at the official opening of the office in Lagos on Wednesday said, “We are not only introducing the Tokheim 410 and 510 from Europe but also the Tokheim 330 Quantium Bikers Point, which is very good for fuel stations to sell fuel to generator owners and kerosene users. It can dispense fuel from four nozzles at the same time and reduces time spent on dispensing because it has the small money denomination preset buttons of N200, N500 and N100, so it reduces the time needed to re-set the machine for a new sale to another small quantity buyer.”

30m deep boreholes with 1Hp submersible pump for his community. The CSR project also has other facilities like a state of the art water treatment plant, 5,000 liters storage tank on 4m steel tower, six (6) dispense points, 3.5 KVA generator, Plant room/Perimeter fencing/Power supply etc all built at the cost of about N13M . Speaking at a brief commissioning ceremony, the royal father also prayed for God’s protection and blessings to remain with CHI Foundation, CHI Limited and its associates for this unique gesture. He assured them that the borehole will be adequately taken care of. Also speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the foundation Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun said that the event marks another milestone in the life of CHI Limited Foundation, which is born out of CHI Limited commitments to the wellbeing of Nigerians particularly those communities that lack such basic amenities. According to him ‘’ A community with access to clean save water is half way through the journey of healthy living” he urged the community to protect the facility and use it in a sustainable manner, pledging the continual support of the foundation in other regards.

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, July 13, 2013

LIVING

Anxious? Depressed? Try Greek Philosophy Crippled by social anxiety and burnt out after a decade of hedonism, Jules Evans eventually found inspiration from the ancient Greeks. Here he tells how 2,000-year-old words of wisdom transformed his life and equipped him to help others solve their modern-day problems By Jules Evans

bond market. My life had truly gone awry. By that point, an expensive therapist at the Priory had diagGrowing up in the Nineties, my friends and I were nosed me as suffering from depression, social anxiamateur neuroscientists. Every weekend, we conety and post-traumatic stress disorder (I think he ducted experiments on our brains with various was paid per diagnosis). I investigated these disorchemicals, to see what happened: marijuana, LSD, ders on the internet, and found they could apparentMDMA, amphetamine, mushrooms, all tossed into ly be treated by something called cognitive behavour system like ingredients in a cauldron. We had ioural therapy, or CBT. I also found there was a CBT some hilarious, beautiful, even spiritual times. Then I support group for people suffering from social anxinoticed my friends beginning to burn out. ety, which met every Thursday in the Royal Festival My best friend had a psychotic breakdown when he Hall (not on the stage). One Thursday I went along. was 16. He’s been in and out of mental care homes I found 10 people sitting in a circle, eyeing one ever since (he’s now 35, like me). Other friends devel- another nervously. One of them had bootlegged a oped paranoia, bipolar disorder, depression and anx- CBT audio course from the internet. For 10 weeks, we iety. In my first year at university, I started to get listened to the course, practised the exercises, and panic attacks, too. My body would be filled with mor- did the “homework”. And for me, it worked. The tal terror, in the most un-mortal of situations. I lost panic attacks stopped after a few weeks, and I graduconfidence in my ability to know myself or to steer a ally got back my confidence in my ability to steer a coherent course through life. I started to distrust course through life. I steered a course to Russia, myself, to avoid social situations. I was terrified that I where I worked as a foreign correspondent for four had permanently damaged myself before the age of fun, vodka-soaked years. 21. When I came back to the UK in 2007, I decided to After graduating, in one of the universe’s little jokes, I research CBT. I went to New York to interview the got a job as an intern at Tatler magazine. This is not psychologist who’d invented it, Albert Ellis, and the best place to work if you have social anxiety. I was asked him where he’d got the idea for it. He told me surrounded by a pashmina mafia of glamorous socie- he’d been directly inspired by ancient Greek philosoty ladies, unimpressed by my atrophied social skills. phy, particularly by a line from the Stoic philosopher The only other boy working there was Ben Fogle, and Epictetus: “Men are disturbed not by events but by his radiant charm further illuminated my social their opinion about events.” inadequacies. Ellis, like the Greeks, suggested that our emotions Then I hit rock-bottom: I became a financial journal- always involve beliefs or interpretations of the ist. I got a job reporting on the German mortgage world. Our interpretations may often be inaccurate,

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, July 13, 2013

ARTS 47

LIVING 1 Accept the limit of your control irrational or self-destructive, and this over externals will make us emotionally sick. In my The Stoic philosopher Epictetus case, I had a value system that put a huge wrote: “Some things are up to us, emphasis on popularity and social perothers are not”. We don’t have formance (I went to one of those schools complete control over externals, where popularity is practically a relidespite our best efforts, but we gion), and this flawed belief system had do have control over our caused me to suffer. thoughts and beliefs – so concenWe might not be conscious of how we trate your energy there without interpret the world, because our beliefs driving yourself crazy over are ingrained and habitual. Our beliefs things you can’t immediately are like a pair of glasses we have worn for influence. so long, we forget we’re wearing them. 2 Focus on the present moment But we can learn to bring our unconSeneca, another Stoic, wrote: scious life philosophy to consciousness “What is the point of dragging by asking ourselves questions. In CBT up sufferings that are over, of this is known as the “Socratic method”, being miserable now, because from Socrates, who tried to teach his felyou were miserable then?” We low Athenians the art of asking themcan go through life walking backselves questions. Then, if we decide our wards, constantly ruminating on life philosophy is no good, we can past injuries or on how things choose to think differently. were better in the past. Likewise That might sound incredibly simplistic we can worry endlessly about the and over-optimistic. Some philosophers, future. Or we can simply choose psychologists and neuroscientists would to make the most of the present. argue that our capacity to choose a path 3 We are what we repeatedly do in life is severely constrained by our It’s not enough to have occasiongenes, our childhood, our circumal epiphanies. The key to the stances. They might insist that we’re not good life is good habits. We can the “captain of our soul” as the Stoics create habits by memorising and suggested – we’re helpless spectators. repeating certain maxims, and The Stoics were aware of how little we by seeing every situation as an control in life. None more so than opportunity for training. Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher of the first 4 Contemplate the universe century AD, who grew up a slave in the If ancient philosophers were feelRoman Empire (his name means ing particularly stressed by every“acquired”). He divided all of life into day concerns, they would find a two categories: the things we control quiet place and imagine the vast and the things we don’t. We don’t conexpanse of the universe. On such trol the economy, the weather, other occasions the Stoic philosopher people, our reputation, our own bodies. and Roman emperor Marcus We can influence these things, but we Aurelius told himself: “Many of don’t have complete control over them. the anxieties that harass you are The only thing we do have control over is superfluous… Expand into an our own thoughts and beliefs, if we ampler region, letting your choose to exercise control. thought sweep over the entire Epictetus suggested that emotional universe.” problems arise when we try to exert 5 Let love lift you up complete control over something exterWe don’t always think of philosonal. When I had social anxiety, for examphers as great lovers, but Plato ple, I rested all my self-esteem on others’ claimed that the secret to philosjudgments of me. This made me feel very ophy was learning to love. He helpless, anxious and paranoid. The antibelieved that we could lift ourdote to this self-enslavement was to stop selves out of egotism by passiontrying to manage others’ opinion of me ately loving other people, or (which is impossible), and instead to beauty, or goodness, and focus on controlling my own thoughts through love we could even conand beliefs (which is possible). Then I nect to God. immediately felt stronger and more in The revival of stoicism control, and eventually people started Stoicism was invented around responding to me differently. 300BC, but it’s enjoying a revival Sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, it’s Grounded: Jules Evans at home in north London. ‘Greek philosophy is a road map for the good life,’ he says today. Here are some contemponot quite that simple. The problem, as Photo: Martin PoPE rary Stoics: the Greeks well knew, is that we’re Albert Ellis, the inventor of cogniincredibly forgetful creatures. We sleeptive behavioural therapy, was walk through life, as Socrates put it. We inspired by the Stoics’ therapeumight read a book or hear a lecture and tic ideas. have a light-bulb moment, but then a outs for half-an-hour every day for 10 weeks, and back to the original source in philosophy, Derren Brown, the magician, is a big fan of few days later we forget and go back to our old listen to them on tapes. I also had a little hand- because CBT leaves a lot out – Greek philosoway of seeing things. We are creatures of book with useful maxims in it – if I was having a phy wasn’t just a feel-good therapy, it was also the Stoics. His TV series, Apocalypse, was habits. Aristotle wrote: “It makes no small dif- bad day at work, I’d retreat to a nearby park and a road map for the good life, and the good soci- inspired by the Stoic technique of imagining the worst that can happen to you. ference, then, whether we form habits of one repeat some of its phrases to myself. ety. Elle “the body” Macpherson named her son kind or of another from our very youth; it Another technique the Greeks used was keeping I now live in London, and help to run the makes a very great difference.” a journal. This is an important way to track your London Philosophy Club, which is the biggest Aurelius, after her favourite book: Meditations The good news is that we can change our in the world with more than 3,000 members. by the Stoic and Roman emperor, Marcus progress in strengthening moral habits. habits. Epictetus said “there is nothing more My book, Philosophy for Life, is being published Aurelius. Epictetus recommended that, if you want to The former prime minister of China, Wen malleable than the psyche”, and contempoin 19 countries, and I have taught in universiimprove your temper, “count the days when Jiabao, claims to have read Meditations more rary neuroscience agrees. Every day, we have a you were not angry”. CBT also recommends ties in the US and South Korea. choice to either reinforce a habit, or challenge using journals to keep track of unconscious For someone who used to have crippling social than 100 times. it. The Greeks understood the importance of phobia, I do a lot of talking – this summer I’m James Stockdale used Stoic philosophy to surhabits and follow your progress. habits to the good life – their word “ethics” talking at Camp Bestival, at the School of Life in vive seven years in a Vietnam POW camp. He Philosophy needs to be more than theory, it went on to become vice-admiral of the US comes from “ethos”, meaning habit – and they needs to be practice too. Epictetus warned: “We London, and at a “festival of happiness” in developed some great techniques for habitHolland. In November, some other Stoics and I Navy. may be fluent in the lecture-room, but miserTom Wolfe “converted” to Stoicism after readformation. ably shipwrecked when it comes to practice”. I are organising a week of events around the ing about Stockdale. The hero of his 1998 One technique is the maxim, which is the con- couldn’t get over social anxiety purely by chal- world, called “Live Like A Stoic Week”. densation of an idea into a short, memorisI’ve realised that philosophy can heal suffering novel, A Man In Full, discovers Stoicism in lenging my thoughts in the safety of my bedprison. able phrase, like “everything in moderation”, room. I also needed to go out and practise, and and save lives. But it’s not necessarily the last “know thyself”, or “the robber of your free will make myself go to parties even when I was nerv- word. Now, after 10 years of practising philoso- In November, you can take part in “Live Like A does not exist”. Greek philosophy was ous. Every situation we’re in can be an opportu- phy, I wonder if it leaves something out, if it’s Stoic Week” designed to be memorised. Students would too rational, self-controlled and unemotional. nity to practise philosophy. Seneca, the Stoic ‘Philosophy for Life: And Other Dangerous repeat these maxims over and over, even sing philosopher and politician, wrote: “The Stoic I work at the University of London, at a place them, until they became neural habits. They’d sees all adversity as training.” called the Centre for the History of Emotions, Situations’ by Jules Evans (Rider) is available from Telegraph Books at £8.99 + £1.10 p&p. Call also write maxims into little handbooks where this year I have started researching Today, CBT is available free on the NHS. It has 0844 871 1514; books.telegraph.co.uk (enchiridia), which they carried around so brought some of the Greeks’ ideas to millions of ecstatic experience, and how people can Jules Evans will be speaking at Camp Bestival, they were always armed against their old bad people. Many people have used it to learn to achieve euphoria through music, dancing, habits. drugs or the passionate love of God. As a friend Lulworth Castle, Dorset, August 2 “take care of their souls”, as Socrates put it – Philosophy for Life CBT uses a similar technique. In the social anx- which is where the word “psychotherapy” put it recently: “Back on ecstasy, eh?” Culled from the Telegraph iety audio course, we would read out handFive coping techiques from Stoic philosophy comes from. I hope some of them might go

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

NEWSMAKER

Bart Nnaji:

Happy Cheers to A Power Icon

Bart Nnaji By C. Don Adinuba ANY intellectuals have their heads in the sky but no feet on the ground. This is to say that the intellectuals have a lot of ideas, but they are not practicable. Very few academics are both first class theorists and excellent practitioners. French philosophers call such gifted people l’homme engage, meaning a man of action or, better still, a practical man of ideas. A good example is the existentialist philosopher, Jean Paul- Sarte, who in the 1960s made global headlines for rejecting the Nobel prize in literature. Nigeria does have its practical persons of ideas, men and women who marry theory and praxis, people who, for the benefit of the larger society, put into practice the fascinating theories they explore in classrooms, academic journals, seminars and conferences. As Bart Nnaji marks his57th birthday on July 13, it is apposite to do a brief reflection on his role in Nigerian society as l’homme engage. Nnaji has for decades struck the popular imagination as the first black man to be named a distinguished engineering professor in American history , the first foreigner to deliver the US Secretary of State’s annual Distinguished Public Service Lecture, the first black person to serve as director of the United States National Science Foundation-endowed Centre for e-Design, the first African to earn the Baker Distinguished Research Fellowship in Industrial Engineering and so on, most Nigerians remember him for his preeminent and pragmatic part in the search for an enduring end to Nigeria’s most paralyzing infrastructure challenge: irregular electric power supply. Nnaji could have been satisfied with his status as a super professor in the United States, earning a very impressive income from the US army, navy, air force , IBM, etc, but he chose to take the extremely dangerous but immensely patriotic step of plunging straight into the uncharted and murky waters of Nigeria’s electricity business even before the enactment of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act of 2005 which ended the Federal Government’s

monopoly of power generation, transmission and distribution. His case is reminiscent of the story of current Singaporean Prime Lee Hsen who, having broken every record in the Department of Mathematics at Cambridge, could have remained in the university to enjoy himself as a globally recognized academic, but rather elected to join his country’s army and later the civil service where his incredible talent would impact more directly on his emerging nation. It all began with the establishment of Geometric Power Ltd in 2000 to build in Africa power stations and facilities to compete with the best in the world. In 2001 Geometric Power completed in record time the 22Megawatt Abuja Emergency Power Plant which was commissioned by (then) Vice President Atiku Abubakar. For almost three years, the plant supplied electricity, without a second interruption, to State House, the corporate headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the International Conference Centre as well as the Abuja Business District. This achievement impressed so many Nigerians, including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who was then the World Bank vice president. When in 2003 Mrs Okonjo-iweala had become Nigeria’s Finance Minister and was visiting Aba in Abia State with then World Bank President James Wofohnson, manufacturers in this foremost industrial city were asked the most difficult challenge confronting them and they wasted no time identifying erratic power supply. Aware of tremendous bureaucratic bottlenecks involved in building a dedicated power plant in Aba, the minister asked Nnaji if he could take the bull by the horns. Nnaji accepted the challenge enthusiastically. The 141MW Aba integrated power project, which has cost $460m, will be commissioned in August, marking a new phase in Nigeria’s engagement with history. But it has been largely years of tears, sweat and blood, thanks to deliberate man-made obstacles which we often call “the Nigerian factor”. Nnaji was still grappling with the Aba proj-

ect when President Goodluck Jonathan asked him to become in June, 2010, his special adviser on power and chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP). The appointment was greeted with aplomb all over the country. He selected the most capable Nigerian technocrats and experts he could find in various fields, extending the recruitment to economics, law, finance, media and communication as well as general management and gas resource management. The PTFP produced the path breaking Roadmap for Power Sector Reform launched by President Jonathan in Lagos on August 26, 2010, to the satisfaction of the Nigerian people and the admiration of the world. The PTFP was instrumental to Nigeria’s attainment of almost 4,000MW by the time Jonathan was facing an election in April, 2011, almost doubling the quantum of power within one year. It was self-evident when Jonathan was forming his administration, after the vote, that Nnaji was the best man for the Ministry of Power. He was in office for only one year, yet his tenure has become the standard by which other ministers are now judged. He demonstrated infectious leadership. He did make everyone in the Nigerian power system work and think. Leading by personal example, there were numerous meetings, workshops, seminars and retreats, each with an action plan which he personally followed through. Staff and consultants were often stunned at the expertise he displayed not just in power engineering but also in finance, project management, international business negotiations and reputation management. A highly reputable international consulting firm was once reeling out figures about power development in Nigeria and Africa at a retreat when the minister politely stopped the presenter. “These figures and facts cannot be correct”, he said, and carefully provided detailed statistics right there. The consultant was overwhelmed and thanked him profusely for “expanding my scope of knowledge”. Within two months of work-

ing under him, I was confident enough to constantly stand for hours before top university professors, business executives and media networks to discuss electricity. Nnaji is hard work personified. Always the first minister to report for duty at the Federal Secretariat and the last to depart, the Ministry of Power staff used to be amazed to see him come straight to the office from the airport while returning from a stressful overseas trip. I wasn’t. At the University of Massachusetts and University of Pittsburgh, he was always voted the most hardworking professor. He would, on return from Christmas and New Year holidays in Nigeria, drive from the airport to his laboratory and stay there till early morning hours. While he was the briefly the Minister of Science and Technology in 1993, I was his special assistant. I would leave his suite at 3am to retire, yet as early as 7am he would be on his way to the office. He would typically knock on my door at Nicon Hilton Hotel, prompting the reply, “Please, l am still sleeping. I would be with you at 8am”. I would then humorously add in Igbo, “This ministerial aide is more powerful than his boss!” Nnaji, a very simple hearted fellow, would predictably burst into a laughter which would end with the usual scream: “Ceeee Dooon!” Nnaji is an engineer, academic, entrepreneur, leader and administrator who recognizes that the modern firm and bureaucracy must make a provision for those called in modern management theory “knowledge workers”. These are gifted experts and specialists who may not conform to bureaucratic culture but produce good results, sometimes path breaking. Bart Nnaji does inspire as he challenges us all. Literary scholars describe persons like him as well rounded characters. I salute him on his 57th birthday for, among other things, his uncanny ability to excell in the combination of theory and practice in the service of his fatherland. Adinuba is head of Discovery Public Affairs Consulting.

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 13, 2013 49

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Wike

Amachree

Amaechi

State a decade ago when Dr. Chris Ngige, the then governor of Anambra State, was forcefully abducted in Government House, Awka on July 10, 2003 by a team of policemen led by the then AIG zone 9, the late Ralph Ige at the peak of the political crisis between Ngige and his estranged godfather, Chief Chris Uba who had the backing of the Presidency. As if Ngige’s failed abduction was not enough trauma for the people of the state, the estranged godfathers and his thugs returned to the state accompanied by policemen to burn down government institutions and offices with impunity. In a bid to get at Ngige by all means, security operatives attached to his office were withdrawn. Till today, nobody has brought those behind the dastardly act to book and some of them are still in the corridors of power. Coincidentally, the River State Assembly crisis took off a day after President Goodluck Jonathan traveled to China and his mouthdevelopment. The same plot was hatched in Ekiti piece in the party and government are already Before Lloyd and the four lawmakers exonerating him from the crisis. returned to the House, the five anti-Amaechi State against the government of Not too long after, the same bitter pill of members of the Assembly had already Governor Ayodele Fayose, but the democratic illegality was meted to Ngige’s sucimpeached Amachree and elected Evans Bipi execution met a brick wall following cessor, Mr Peter Obi by the same forces when as his successor in a sitting that was he was illegally impeached by the members of described as a kangaroo plenary. Amaechree its open condemnation by the then the State House of Assembly who did not meet was accused of ineptitude. Chief Justice of Federation (CJN) the constitutional requirement of 2/3 majority It was however at the point where Bipi was impeach the governor. about giving his acceptance speech Justice Alfa Belgore who described toThe House of Assembly members were that Amaechi, Lloyd, Amachree, other lawthe whole processes orchestrated by camped in a hotel in Asaba by the forces makers and security operatives arrived at Obi. It was from the hotel that they the Assembly. the Presidency to impeach Fayose as against were brought into Awka at 5.00 am to impeach Scores of policemen who were present unconstitutional, even before its con- Obi. It took almost one year before the court when the incident occurred, watched helpdeclared the impeachment illegal and Obi was lessly as the legislators threw punches at one clusion, a development which made brought back into office as governor. another. the Presidency to retreat on the plot Nigerians witnessed such illegality again in Amaechi, who was apparently shocked by the development, ordered the arrest of the and declared a state of emergency in Plateau State, when the then governor of the state, now Senator Mr. Joshua Dariye who was five lawmakers allegedly fomenting trouble the state. allegedly in the bad book of President in the Assembly but he was ignored by the Olusegun Obasanjo because of his perceived policemen who appeared to be divided on opposition to Obasanjo’s failed third term plot the crisis. On Wednesday, the crisis took the Port Harcourt appear to be a tip of iceberg and loyalty to Atiku, was impeached by six another dimension as pro and anti-Amaechi members of the state Assembly. To ensure that supporters engaged one another in a free-for- of what to expect in the polity ahead of 2015 general elections. he was removed from office by force, the all fight on the streets of Port Harcourt. If not so, how did five lawmakers out of 32 Presidency unleashed anti-graft agencies and It would be recalled that state members find their way into the State security agents on him and provided adequate Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu has Assembly Complex under the full glare of the security for six members of the State Assembly been having running battles with Governor security operatives and commenced House led by Mike Dapianlong. They sat in the middle Ameachi since the PDP crisis started. proceedings without the Speaker of the House of the night to impeach Dariye. Although the Commissioner said he drafted Dariye’s deputy, Mr. Michael Botmang was his men to the Assembly complex as request- and other members present? This is even when they know that they have not formed swiftly sworn in as governor of the state by ed by the Speaker, the question is what the constitutional quorum of 2/3 majority of 32 Justice Lazarus Dakyen, the same judge Dariye instructions did he give to his men before members, which is 11 members that is required removed as acting Chief Judge of the state sending them to the Complex that made of them. months before the impeachment. This was them to act the way they acted when the fraThe timing of the incident in Rivers State despite an order by another acting Chief Judge cas was ongoing? of the state dissolving the panel and two court To most Nigerians, the ugly incidents in the Assembly complex and on the streets of the state capital on Tuesday and Wednesday, is Rivers State Assembly and on the streets of reminiscent of what happened in Anambra CONTINUED ON PAGE 53

Rivers Assembly Crisis:

A Return To Garrison Politics Ahead 2015? By Samson Ezea N Tuesday, the ongoing crisis in the Rivers O State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which led to the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi by the national leadership of the party took a different and more ominous dimension as the pro and antiAmaechi state Assembly lawmakers engaged one another in a free for all fight over who controls the affairs of the House. The crisis degenerated following an attempt to impeach the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Otelemaba Amachree. Five members of the House opposed to Amaechi had engaged about 13 of their colleagues in a fight shortly after the pro-governor lawmakers resisted the move to remove Amachree. The Leader of the House, Mr. Chidi Lloyd; Michael Chinda and Martins Amahule were however not lucky as they sustained serious injures during the fracas. Amachree is known to be one of the governor’s strong supporters in the crisis ravaging the state since the past four months. The five anti-Amaechi members who were present at the House as early as 8am on Tuesday, had after procuring a fake mace, decided to take charge of the sitting after waiting to no avail for the Speaker and his Deputy, Mr. Leyii Kwanee, to arrive. It was gathered that one of the anti-Amaechi lawmakers, Mr. Kelechi Wogu, moved a motion for Amaechree’s removal as the Speaker, a development which infuriated Lloyd. Lloyd was said to have dashed out of the Assembly with about four pro-Amaechi’s lawmakers to inform the governor about the

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

COVER From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt OLITICS in Rivers State almost touched a P nadir on Tuesday when five lawmakers in the 32-member House of Assembly attempted to impeach the Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree, and other principal officers of the legislature. This futile effort, which resulted in the hurling of television tripod, punching, bloody faces, torn suits, and hospitalisation of some lawmakers, seem to have heralded a new era in the state legislature, which since 1999 has been deemed to be one of the most peaceful in the country. Tuesday’s scuffles by lawmakers appears to be a quasi-climax of the lingering politically motivated crisis that has rocked the state since Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wikeled faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through an Abuja High Court, ousted Godspower Ake, the pro-Governor Chibuike Amaechi state PDP chairman and replaced him Felix Obuah. On Monday, Amachree had sent letters to the 32 members to reconvene for the first time since April this year primarily to consider an amendment to this year’s appropriation law sent to the House by Amaechi. Due to the subtly tense political situation in the state, the Speaker had sent a letter, through the Clerk of the House, to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, and the Commander of 2 Amphibious Brigade to provide security for the lawmakers to meet. The decision to write to the security chiefs, it was gathered, was intended to prevent the reoccurrence of the incident of May 6, this year, when supporters of the anti-Amaechi faction of PDP invaded the House to demand the reinstatement of the suspended chairman of ObioAkpor local government, Timothy Nsirimi, and his 16 councilors. As earlier as 8am on Tuesday, over 40 anti-riot policemen had been deployed to the Assembly complex, giving some unsuspecting lawmakers assurance that the legislative business of the day would be conducted without any rancour. Initially, the policemen posted to the main entrance of the Assembly building were busy frisking everyone entering the chambers, but as supporters of the anti-Amaechi lawmakers, who were chatting war songs, thronged in their numbers, the policemen suddenly stopped those entering the legislative complex. The first to arrive the House were five lawmakers- Evans Bipialaka (Ogu/Bolo); Victor Ihunwo (PHALGA III); Martins Amaehule (Obio/Akpor I); Okechukwu Chinda (Obio/Akpor II) and Kelechi Nwogu (Omuma), who had been accused by Amaechi’s loyalists as possibly legislative pawns likely to be used by some external forces to effect impeachment of the governor by any means possible. Shortly afterwards, Leader of the House, Chidi Lloyd, and Azubike Wanjoku joined them. Amid the exchange of pleasantries, there ensued an altercation between Lloyd and Chinda, and for inexplicable reasons, Bipialaka swooped on Lloyd and slapped him repeatedly. In an attempt to prevent the ensuring crisis from degenerating further, Amachree, who had just walked into the chambers to exchange pleasantries with his colleagues, tried to intervene, but he too was attacked by Bipialaka, who by them was fuming and beckoning on his supporters to enter the chambers. “We went in as members, who had not seen ourselves for sometime, because of the crisis in the state. “I was on my seat and without provocation, Bipialaka came to me in the full glare of everybody and on camera and started raining punches on me. “As his leader, I did not react, because I felt that it is something we could settle, whatever it is, maybe I didn’t greet him also. “But when that continued, the Speaker intervened and said, ‘ha, what’s happening.’ Then he reached out for a camera tripod and used it freely on me, himself and Chinda, and flogged me to their satisfaction,” Lloyd recounted later. At this point, the five lawmakers pounced on the first three pro-Amaechi colleagues inside the chambers, while their supporters, comprising mainly ex-militants, cheered on at the gallery. According to Lloyd, it was at this point that Ihunwo asked him to run for his dear life, because youths, allegedly armed with guns, had been brought into the complex. Having chased the pro-Amaechi colleagues out of the chambers, the five lawmakers decided to effect a ‘leadership change.’ Basking in the euphoria of having overpow-

Rumbles In Rivers

Amaechi’s supporters running helter skelter in front of Governemt House Port Harcourt on Wednesday

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Amachree presiding after the crisis in the House of Assembly Complex on Tuesday ered their colleagues, Ihunwo announced himself as Pro-tempore Leader, while Nwogu brought out a fake mace and Amaehule moved a motion for the impeachment of Amachree, supported by the other four members. Chinda nominated Bipialaka for the post of the Speaker, to which there was no dissenting voice. Ihunwo then called for a vote by the four and Bipialaka emerged as the ‘Speaker pro-tempore.’ He was then immediately invited to assume the seat of the Speaker by Ihunwo, with both men hugging each as Bipialaka proceeded to address his four other colleagues. He announced the suspension of all the proAmaechi lawmakers and invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the finances of the House. As Bipialaka was making his speech, amid the raging pandemonium outside, Amaechi, who had been briefed of the crisis rocking the Assembly, arrived with his security details to res-

cue the lawmakers. Lloyd said further: “I am sure somebody may have reached out to the governor, who came in with his own security, as these other policemen were there standing helplessly, watching what was going on. “After a while, we heard that they were trying to meet and had procured a fake mace, so we went back and I took the mace, while they were sitting,” Lloyd. As the governor stepped into the chambers, one of the anti-Amaechi lawmakers ordered his police orderly to shoot him. At this point, Lloyd went for the mace and chased the five lawmakers out of the chambers, as seen on television. Chinda was, however, unfortunate to escape fast enough, as Lloyd repeatedly slammed him with the fake mace and inflicted severe head injury and his blood littered all over the flood of the chambers.

The governor’s security details quickly rescued all the trapped lawmakers and some staff of the Assembly and moved them to the Government House, Port Harcourt. Bipialaka, who managed to escape unhurt, later met journalists outside, amid cheers from his supporters, and pronounced himself as the authentic Speaker of the House. “My name is Evans Babakaye Bipi. I represent the people of Ogu/bolo constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly. “I am the new Speaker, newly-elected in the early hours of today. What happened is that the House reconvened. We were all served notice of meeting, we came there and the House was full and I was elected the new Speaker, because the former Speaker was impeached. “So, I was elected the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and hope has been given to Rivers people by me,” he said. Ihunwo and Nwogu, on their part, affirmed the purported impeachment of Amachree and described it as a new dawn for the state legislature. They both pledged to work with their own Speaker and to give him all the necessary support. Shortly after the governor’s departure, 22 lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Amachree, reconvened and received the Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, who then presented a bill for an amendment of this year’s appropriation law to the lawmakers. While the 22 lawmakers were sitting, Bipialaka stormed the Assembly with scores of thugs and tried to force his way into the chambers, but was prevented by security men attached the Deputy Governor. After the House sitting, the Ogu-Bolo lawmaker’s supporters attacked Ikuru’s convoy as he was departing the House and also punched a security detail of the deputy governor, who fell down on the spot. When asked if their ultimate motive was to impeach Amaechi, Bipialaka, who has requested, through his counsel, to be represented independently in a suit filed by the governor seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent the House from removing him from office through unconstitutional means, said if the situation warrants it, the governor would be impeached. “I don’t know if it will lead to the impeachment of the governor; I don’t know. What we

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

COVER

Assembly are fighting for is injustice and these anti-democratic activities in Rivers. “I will never lead an impeachment against him, but if it warrants it, then he will go,” he asserted. Amachree later told journalists that as far as the House was concerned, the leadership has not changed. He stated: “I am the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and all the other officers and the Clerk are here with me. “The leadership of the House is intact and what Bipi told you is pure fallacy; a lie.” The Speaker expressed dismay that the Police refused to salvage the situation, regretting that despite his formal letter to the commissioner of Police requesting police protection, hoodlums were allowed access into the legislative premises to cause mayhem. “I directed the Clerk to write to the Commissioner of Police and also the Brigade Commander, but to my greatest surprise, I did not see one single soldier there (at the Assembly premises). The police I saw were acting funny. “One of my colleagues was even beaten by the police. The computers in the hallowed chambers were all destroyed by the five members,” he said. By Wednesday, Bipialaka and three other antiAmaechi lawmakers, on hearing that the former Speaker of the House, Tonye Harry, had announced that the pro-Amaechi lawmakers would reconvene by 10 am, decided to fix sitting for 8am. But before his group could commence their sitting, thousands of pro-Amaechi supporters stormed the Assembly complex, threatening a showdown with them. Worried about possible breakdown of peace and loss of lives and property, the Police, aided by soldiers, came in and asked everyone to leave the complex. The Police, which had deployed armoured vehicles at Moscow Road, by William Jumbo Junction, and Moscow Road by Marine Base Junction, respectively, started firing teargas to disperse the teeming crowd.

There was speculation that the Wednesday meeting of the anti-Amaechi lawmaker was intended to recall the suspended Obio-Akpor chairman, his vice and the 16 councillors, and move against Amaechi, irrespective of his pending lawsuit seeking to prevent the House from employing unconstitutional means to remove him from office. Bipialaka later accused the Police and Amaechi of preventing him from resuming his legislative duties as the newly elected Speaker of the legislature. He threatened to go to the House on Thursday to reconvene sitting, but this never happened, as security operatives had taken over full control of the complex. “I was duly elected yesterday as Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly. I came in today (Thursday) to resume normal duties only to meet Amaechi and his Police people there. “The Police stopped me from going to my office to resume my own legislative duties. I was so embarrassed,” he said. He continued: “The truth remains that Rivers people does not want Amaechi any longer. Look at the Police right in front of Government House stopping me to resume my legislative duties. “Let them see, I am duly elected as Speaker. Why is Amaechi stopping me from performing my legislative duties? Nemesis will not forgive me.” Ihunwo explained that they decided to meet on Wednesday to counter Harry’s claim that Amachree was the authentic Speaker and thanked God that the pro-Amaechi lawmakers were unable to sit. “Thank God they are unable to sit. Thank God Mr. Speaker is here. If not for the fact that Amaechi had stopped him with his policemen and his thugs.” While the anti- Amaechi lawmakers were addressing their supporters, NIPOST office at Station Road, which is less than 500 metres from Government House, Amaechi’s teeming supporters, presuming their presence was an attempt to storm the Government House, went after them and fierce fighting ensued, result-

Evans Bipi fumming during the crisis in the Assembly Complex on Tuesday ing in the hurling of stones, bottles and other dangerous weapons. Several persons sustained gunshots and various degrees of injuries in the ensuing violence. The Police later arrived the scene, shooting live ammunition in the air and firing teargas in the direction of Government House, while chasing Amaechi’s supporters. Mbu later arrived the scene, but did not enter the Government House. Amaechi, who had a breakfast meeting with 24 of the lawmakers on Wednesday at the

Government House, regretted that it had become slightly difficult for the lawmakers to discharge their statutory duties, because the Police in the state were unable to protect them. He wondered what would have been the fate of the lawmakers if he had used his security to intervene in Tuesday’s fracas that ensued following a futile attempt by five legislators to impeach Amachree and other principal officers of the House. “I have asked the Commissioner of Health to ensure that all those hospitalised are taken care of, even if there is a need to fly them out of the country, we will fly them out. “But we hope that the federal government will know there is no need for the siege on the Rivers State people, because of political interest,” he said. Twenty-six pro-Amaechi lawmakers had in a joint statement denied the allegation that Amachree was impeached as the Speaker. The lawmakers at the meeting at with the governor included Amachree (Speaker); Kwanee Leyii (Khana II); Ewor Nname R. (Ahoada-East I); Aye A. Pepple (Bonny); Irene M. Inimgba (Phalga II); Harry (Degema); Lucky Odili (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni II); Augustine Ngo (Abua/Odua); Chigbo S. Eligwe (Ahoada-West); Josiah John Olu (Eleme); and Wanjoku. Others are Chikere Azubike (Ikwerre); Ibiso N. Nwuche (Ahoada-East II), Hon. Innocent B. Barikor (Gokana); Ben Horsfall (Asari-Toru II); Victoria W. Nyeche (Phalga I); Legbosi Nwidadah (Khana I); Brown, Onari (Akuku-Toru I); Nwaogu, Okechukwu Akara (Oyigbo); Belema Okpokiri (Okrika); Felicia Barizasi-Tane (Tai); Andrew Anderson Miller (Opobo/Nkoro); Victor Amadi O. A. (Etche I); Gift Wokocha (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni I); Golden Ben-Chioma (Etche II); and Lloyd (Emohua). “The purported claim by Bipi to be the new Speaker is false and hallucinations of the most debased form. We urge members of the public and the press to disregard such claims. “We hereby declare that we are 100 behind Amachree, even as we are fully in support of Amaechi,” they said. They condemned what they described as the desperation of the Abuja-based politicians to scuttle democracy in Rivers and called on the Inspector General Police (IGP) to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state. “We urge Rivers people to remain calm and peaceful, as truth, justice and the will of the people will always triumph. Light will always triumph over darkness,” they added.

House Of Reps’ Resolution On Rivers Crisis Is Premature, Unconstitutional, Says Agbaje By Joseph Okoghenun CCORDING to Lagos-based constitutional lawyer, Fred Agbaje, A the recent resolution taken by the House of Representatives to take over the legislative powers of the Rivers State House of Assembly is not only unconstitutional but also premature. Agbaje said the constitution only empowers the National Assembly to take over the legislative powers of any state House of Assembly when the latter members can no longer meet to legislate under crisis. Agbaje said: “Section 11 sub-Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution empowers the National Assembly to legislate for any state of the federation where legislative power of that state can no longer be carried out in prevailing atmosphere. But sub-Section 5 of Section 11 states that in a situation where a House of Assembly can still meet to deliberate and do business even in the presence of threatening condition, the House of Assembly must be allowed to be. “In spite of what happened in Rivers State House of Assembly, majority of the lawmakers still met to take a resolution. Therefore, should the House of Representatives not be blamed for peremptorily prematurely taking a position that the Rivers State House of Assembly can no longer legislate for the people of Rivers State just because of the recklessness of a few? Would the House of Representatives not be accused of taking sides in the matter when evidence on ground shows that Rivers State House of Assembly still met to embark on their business? It would have been a different case if the House could no longer meet to deliberate. “I understand the fear of the House of Representatives members that if they allow Rivers State House of Assembly to continue, breakdown of law and order might result. But if the House of Representatives members must act on the constitution, they must act on it to the letter to benefit of people of Rivers State; they must act on all the passages of the constitution that are related to it. If they say they are acting on Section 11 sub-section 4, what of sub-section 5?” The constitutional lawyer further said that the resolution of the House of Representatives stands null and void under the prevailing circumstances. “The emphasis of Section 11 is on the National Assembly,” he said. “From my knowledge of Constitutional Law, the House of Representatives alone does not constitutes the National Assembly. It is only when the Senate passes its resolu-

tion, which needs to be harmonised with the House of Representatives’ resolution, that one can call it the resolution of the National Assembly. For now, the National Assembly has not taken any position. House of Representatives just passed that resolution for people to see that they are working.” Agbaje added that parliamentary privilege, which says that whatever a lawmaker says on the floor of a House of Assembly cannot be challenged in the court of law, does not apply in the face of Rivers State House of Assembly fracas. “Yes, there is parliamentary privilege, which means that whatever that is exclusively said in the hallow chambers, even though slanderous or libellous, is protected from legal action. But would you extend that to a situation where brazen criminality has been committed? You broke someone’s head and you were charged to court only to claim parliamentary privilege? That must be a parliamentary privilege in the graveyard. It would amount to carrying the concept of parliamentary privilege beyond ridiculous extent. “Immediately a lawmaker takes action or inaction to the realm of criminal law, then the police, acting under Section 4 of Police Act, in which the responsibility of the police is spelt out to arrest and prosecute criminals, will pick the lawmaker up. Then let the arrested lawmaker come to court to say that the man he wounded or killed as a result of his reckless act is not entitled to live under the Nigerian Constitution. Don’t forget that Nigerian constitution under Section 4 guarantees right to life and right to dignity of the human person. So, parliamentary privilege does not extend to criminality. “The police was at the scene of the crime. What is the constitutional and statutory responsibility of the police, if not to maintain law and order? In a situation where law and order has been threatened, if not violated, is it not essential and the fundamental responsibility of the police to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others? That would have enforced the principle that we are all equal before the law; the law is supreme above everyone of us as held by the Supreme Court in the recent case between the Nigerian Army versus Yakubu 2013, Eight Nigerian law Weekly Report, part 1355, where the court said: ‘The law is not a respecter of person or any corporate institution or any organisation who wish to violate the provision of the law or any other law,” Agbaje said. The constitutional lawyer, who called on the police to investi-

gate the lawmakers involved in the mayhem, urged aggrieved lawmakers to go to court to enforce their human rights. “There are two options available to those affected: Criminal option, which ought to be pursued by the police, and civil option to be pursued by those affected. The only people that are exonerated from criminal trial are the president, vice-president, governors and the deputy governors. By logical analysis, nothing prevents the police from investigating the lawmakers who caused the criminal mayhem in the Rivers State House of Assembly and prosecute them, because they are not the ones who enjoy constitutional immunity. They were not legislating when they caused that mayhem; they went there with clear criminal motive. The intention and the act itself are what the law punishes. Aside that, the aggrieved lawmakers can go to court to enforce their rights to personal dignity and rights to life.”

Agbaje

THe GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

COVeR

‘Rivers Crisis Will Cost The State, Nation A Lot’ Chief OCJ Okocha, former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) told ANN GODWIN in Port Harcourt that what played out at the Rivers Assembly on Tuesday was unfortunate. How do you describe the current political situation in Rivers State House of Assembly? T is most deplorable, and all lovers of democracy and good governance must see it as an unmitigated disaster. As Rivers people, we should always cherish the ideals of democracy, and I personally insist that law and order must not only be maintained, but also enforced. The House of Assembly is supposed to be a hallowed place, and politicians are wont to describe their meeting place as a “hallowed chamber.” All proceedings there must be conducted with discipline and

decorum paramount at all times. What could be its consequence on democracy and the economy of Rivers State and Nigeria? A total disaster, as I have said. Good governance and the rule of law are now under threat of grave danger, and I fear that it may cost the state and Nigeria quite a lot to recover from this sad and sorry saga. Worst of all is that our politicians seem to have forgotten that the negative impacts of the saga may continue to keep our State in a state of destabilisation, with serious and deleterious consequences for all. Politicians must never forget that the primary purpose of government is the welfare of the people, and the security of life and property. What are your fears regarding the situation? Anarchy and chaos in Rivers State; and this will make us to lose all the gains we had made in the maintenance and enforcement of law and order under the

government of Amaechi. It is truly a sad and unfortunate prospect. What of the resolution of the House of Representatives? It is a prospect, which we can contemplate, since it is duly provided for in the constitution, which also requires the concurrent resolution of the Senate. But my question is whether that will serve the best interests of Rivers State. I do not think it will, and I therefore call on all the m embers of the Assembly to take urgent steps to put their house, our House of Assembly, in order. Any comment on the clamour for the recall of the state Commissioner of Police? I have always respected the Police. My father was a Commissioner of Police in the former eastern Region of Nigeria. Police in any civilian administration has the responsibility of maintaining law and order.

As our civilian administration is presently structured, the Governor of Rivers State is the Chief Security Officer of the State. The Commissioner of Police is obliged to work with the governor of Rivers State to ensure that “law and order” is duly maintained and enforced in Rivers State, and that all the citizens and residents of the State are guaranteed due security of their lives and properties, and further that they can go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation or threats of like nature. And we all, politicians and other members of the public alike, must remain law abiding.

Okocha

‘Nigeria’s Democracy Is Suffering ‘A Stitch In Time Saves Nine’ Grave Consequences’ Deputy Speaker of the Angus Obinna Chukwuka, a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, fears that more Assemblies could tow the same line to settle scores among members. From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt How can you describe the current political situation in Rivers State? He situation in Rivers State is an apology, politically speaking. everywhere, particular close to the Government House, courts and House of Assembly are tension saturated. One is disappointed that we could easily come to this point in our democracy, where violation of human rights, denigration of human dignity and abuse of legislative processes have turned grand norm. I screamed, for instance, when I saw honourable members fighting and a man hitting a colleague with an object. My courage completely failed me when a man in police uniform joined in the fight, kicking and brutalising a member. You could see it clearly that those who have found themselves as governors and legislators in our country have no business being there. The level of cruelty and bestiality demonstrated by some members of the Assembly leave a doubt in my mind as to whether some of them actually have a heart in their body. Since there is no immunity protecting members of the House in the circumstances demonstrated, it is proper for those involved in the bestiality to be immediately recalled or prosecuted. It was a sad day in Rivers State and for Nigeria’s democracy. What do you think are the consequences on Nigeria’s democracy?

The event in the Assembly is not strange to Nigeria’s democracy, as we have in recent time had such fights in the House of Representatives, where Dino Melaye and his cohorts were severely brutalised with their clothes torn. Indeed, the floors of the federal House have severally witnessed violence. The Rivers State Assembly have taken an example from them and advanced a bit forward. Depending on how the situation is handled, more Houses of Assembly in the country may borrow a leaf and there could be blood every stemming from legislative business. Businesses of the citizens would be hampered and people will go hungry. Thieves and miscreants will even cash in on such opportunity to unleash mayhem. Government will also lose revenue from closure of civil service point of duties and other avenues through which it earns. A typical example is the situation on Wednesday, July 10, when lawyers and litigants were not allowed access to the court premises in the Port Harcourt judicial division/district due to the security situation created by the impasse and government lost revenue on that occasion because judicial businesses were frustrated. In summation, Nigeria’s democracy is already beginning to suffer grave consequences. The citizenry will soon become adapted to using violence and bestiality as a form of legislation. Soon, there will be no need for formal elections, recalls or judicial adjudication, as anarchy will become the acceptable tool, depending on how the sit-

uation in the Rivers State House of Assembly is resolved. One immediate consequence if not urgently resolved is that it could lead to inter-tribal wars or killings, as camps loyal to Amaechi and Nyesom Wike may enter the bloody zone, using lethal weapons. Hoodlums and kidnappers may use the opportunity to wreck more havocs and democratic institutions may become paralysed and Nigeria will be will be worst for it. What do you make of the resolution of the House of Representatives? By virtue of Section 11(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the National Assembly is empowered to make laws for the federation or any part of it, with respect to the maintenance of public safety and order. Also, by virtue of Section 11(4), where a House of Assembly of a state is unable to perform its functions, by reason of the situation prevailing in that state, it may make law for the peace, order and good government of the state until such a time as the state Assembly is able to resume its functions and any such law enacted shall have same effect as if it were enacted by that state’s Assembly. Again, it is interesting to note that the constitution stated the National Assembly, not the House alone should do so. It is a joint composition of both the senate and the House that is constitutionally empowered to do so. Invariable, the House ought to suspend its plan to take over the function of making laws for Rivers State or on behalf of the Rivers State Assembly, pending the outcome of the resolution of the senate factfinding or investigative committee on the imbroglio and a decision to team up with the House. In other words, the senate must expressly endorse the same resolution for it to become effective.

Rivers State House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee, spoke to ANN GODWIN in Port Harcourt on the crisis.

How would you describe the current crisis in the Assembly? He current situation is an attempt by a micro minority in the Assembly to foist themselves on the majority members of the Assembly through brigandage and supported by the state Police command. Unfortunately for them, it failed, as all the principal officers are intact. Their plans didn’t work out, as they didn’t know we would insist on prevailing. They thought they could panic us to run for our dear lives to enable them take absolute control and maybe subsequently impeach the governor and his deputy and take over the state. That was why they came with thugs and. Their scriptwriters underestimated our reaction. The people of Rivers State and our supporters are getting worried, but we are calming them down to avoid the

Kwanee

break down of law and order. What is the consequences for the country’s democracy and the economy of Rivers, and Nigeria at large? What is happening in the state poses grave danger to our present democracy. You would remember that it was this same scenario in the First Republic that led to the breaking down of the political process and collapse of that republic. This is not a PDP matter; it is a collective matter for the country and every Nigerian should be concerned. Whoever is authoring this script is an enemy of Nigeria, democracy, peace, progress and national development. These people are envious of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s achievement. Of course, this is enough distraction to the government, as without this crisis, government could have done a lot within this time, but they have slowed the pace down. It is even affecting business activities and the security of the state. You are aware that criminality is re-surging in the state, which is the treasure base and the largest producer of oil and gas in the country and whatever affects the state affects the entire country.

Whosoever is beating this drum should give peace a chance. It is not only Rivers State, but Nigeria as a whole that s in danger. What are your fears, if the uproar is not handled and addressed urgently? My fears are that if all the parties involved respecting the rule of law do not handle this matter quickly, things could degenerate. We, on our own part in the state Assembly under the leadership of Otelemaba Dan Amachree, have been respecting the law, but the five other legislators have no respect for the law. They feel that the powers-that-be are behind them and they are not accountable for anything they do. My fears are this could lead to bloodletting, because I don’t foresee a situation where Rivers people will fold their arms and watch Amaechi removed just like that. Today, maintaining law and order is difficult in far away Northeast states. There are flashpoints in Plateau and Nasarawa states and if Rivers State is added, I don’t need to tell you the danger it portends for the country. A stitch in time saves nine. What is your take on the resolution of the House of Representatives on Wednesday regarding this crisis? The resolution of the House of Representatives is okay, provided it is just for a while to calm frayed nerves. After that, we will continue our business, since we were elected to make laws for Rivers State. Any comment on the continued stay of the Mr. Joseph Mbu as the state Commissioner of Police in the state? We have made our stand clear that he should be redeployed out of the state, and I think the House of Representatives have even endorsed that. That is the only sure way and the first step towards resolving the crisis.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

COVER

Rivers Assembly Of ‘Fighters’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49

ed to cover the period he was illegally out of office. The same plot was hatched in Ekiti State against the governorders restraining the panel from going ahead with the task ment of Governor Ayodele Fayose, but the execution met a assigned it by Justice Dakyen. brick wall following its open condemnation by the then Dariye went on exile from where he fought his illegal Chief Justice of Federation (CJN) Justice Alfa Belgore who impeachment in court. It took more than one year before the described the whole processes orchestrated by the Supreme Court declared the impeachment illegal just two Presidency to impeach Fayose as unconstitutional, even months to the end of his second term in office. before its conclusion, a development which made the The scenario repeated itself in Oyo State under Obasanjo’s administration when the then Oyo State governor, Chief Rasidi Presidency to retreat on the plot and declared a state of emergency in the state. Ladoja was illegally impeached by the minority members of Also recently, the Speaker of House of Representatives, the State House of Assembly loyal to his estranged political Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal was lamenting about the politics of godfather, the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. Adedibu who was Obasanjo’s strong political ally, was provid- harassment, intimidation and pettiness that are ongoing in the polity ahead of 2015 general election, asking when it has ed all the needed support by the Presidency to oust Ladoja become an offence to attend events organized by opposition from office ilegally. For almost two years, Ladoja was in court politicians. fighting for his restoration. When reprieve came his way, his As the political events in Rivers State unfold in the days tenure as governor had almost expired and was never extend-

Dariye

ahead, many are of the opinion that there are obvious signs that there might be no end in the political war among the gladiators in the state soon. Gradually, the crisis is taking toll on the people of the state and no one knows how it will end and how. A source close to anti-Amaechi lawmakers disclosed to The Guardian that since the plot by Amaechi’s political enemies to lure some pro-lawmakers to get 2/3 majority to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor failed, they have decided to toe the line of illegality by using five antiAmaechi lawmakers to attempt to impeach the Speaker to pave way for Ameachi’s possible impeachment. Mr. Benson Oloya, a public affairs analyst described the Rivers Assembly crisis as a shame. “These are evidences that Nigeria has no strong democratic institution or principles which was one of the major reasons President Barack Obama refused to visit Nigeria during his recent tours of some Africa countries,” he said.

Obi

Ladoja

‘Show Of Shame; Most Worrying, To Say The Very Least’ Ledum Mitee, former president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), believed the move by House of Representatives to take over the duties of the Rivers Assembly is unnecessary, since the dispute seems to be between a minority of only five against an overwhelming majority of 27, which sat after the fracas to consider an important issue as supplementary budget From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt What is your reaction to the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly? HE show of shame that we witnessed in the Rivers State House of Assembly is most worrying, to say the very least. It not only asks serious questions about the quality of political representation and leadership, but also sends dangerous lessons to our children. Although altercations and even fist-fights in parliaments are not uncommon, but when it degenerates to the bestial level that we all saw on television and YouTube, then the only way, in my view, that we could attempt to salvage our sense of values is to prosecute at least those that were evidently involved in the savagery. I can find no justification for the level savagery that were displaced by supposedly ‘honourable’ men that was reminiscent of the ‘Choba 4’ tragedy of recent history. How would this affect the politics and economy of the state? The tragic events that is playing up in the state today portend grave consequences to the economy of not only the state, but also the country at large, especially considering the strategic position of the state to the country’s economy. It similarly asks questions on our type of democracy, something close to what the late

the House of Assembly, available reports indicate that the House actually convened thereafter and successfully conducted a very important assignment as consideration and approval of a supplementary budget, something they, the House of Representatives, have not been able to do for months now. The constitutional provision under which the Representatives purported to act contemplates when there has been break down of order and the Assembly is no longer able to carry out its constitutional functions. That does not appear to be the case here, as the dispute seems to be between a minority of only five against an overwhelming majority of 27. Unless the majority wants to abdicate their

music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, would call ‘demonstration of craze.’ Again, that is what happens when positions of responsibility are given, (and I use the word ‘given’ advisedly, because that is what happens) to those who should otherwise be given positions of employment. What are your fears, if the situation is not addressed urgently? My fears are that we, the Rivers people, are increasingly becoming the sad victims of the politics of 2015. It does appear that the battle against the presumed aspirations of the President for re-election in 2015 is being tested in our state. That explains why even those whose states are not fairing better are most vociferous about the Rivers situation. And I believe what we are seeing are the fallouts of that battle. Regrettably, the press has not been very innocent in this battle, which has been progressively cultivated and hyped into the dangerous level we have seen now. Is the resolution by the House of Representatives capable of resolving the crisis? I think the House of Representatives resolution is hasty and does not bear relevance to realities of the situation and the contemplation of the constitutional provision on which they purported to act. Although there was that show of shame in Mitee

responsibilities, I do not see how such tiny minority can legitimately carry out any purported impeachment, that seem to be the fear. What is your view on calls for the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police? I think the Commissioner of Police may more or less be a scapegoat in this political battle, which to a large extent, is externally induced. From what I personally witnessed on the streets of Port Harcourt on Wednesday, (I actually got caught up in the mayhem on my way to work), the Police to a large extent discharged their duties well and helped to prevent what would have been a free-for-all street fight between rival groups with grave consequences.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

NEWSINTERVIEW

‘Why Our Forthcoming Convention Is Centred On Transformation Through Renewal’ From July 24 to 28, the City of Refuge Ministries International will at its Ogudu, Lagos, auditorium hold a convention with the theme ‘Transformation Through Renewal’. The presiding Bishop of the Church, Oscar E. Ossai, spoke with journalists on the plans for the convention and other national issues. ONYEDIKA AGBEDO was there. What informed the choice of the theme of the forthcoming convention of your church, ‘Transformation by Renewal’? HE Ministry of City of Refuge is a building ministry. It is a ministry that has a vision to raise an army of men and women for nation building. And the platform through which we raise this army is serious teaching. This convention is one of our platforms through which we bring light into issues that will help us to build. President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda is from God. Read Romans 12: 2. The message is: Don’t be a conformist, be a transformer but your being a transformer can only work through the renewal of your mind. So, we are trying to help the government to galvanise thoughts to see that you cannot transform a system without renewing the minds of the people, creating the right values for people to walk by so that transformation can be easy. This is what we are trying to do. And so from July 24 to 28 at the church auditorium, 58 Ogudu Road, via Unity junction, we have great men of God of various gifting who are coming to knock in these principles. Bishop Chris Raymond, Apostle Anselm Madubuko, Apostle Gbenga Igbafen and my humble self will be ministering at the convention. It will hold at 6pm daily from Wednesday July 24 and then at 9 am on Sunday the 28th. All we want is for people to come and hear how a changed mind will make transformation easy. Based on the convention theme, how will you comment on the state of affairs in Nigeria ahead of the 2015 general elections? Basically man is a political animal so political activities are gearing up. The 2015 election is by the corner and you can see all the political parties and all the players as it were taking positions. Talking about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it has always been like this. Once elections are approaching, there is a whole lot of internal difference of views and opinions. But the party is an existing platform for access to governance and power. So, the fear of being edged out makes a lot of people to align because what can you do. Opposition politics in Nigeria as far as I am concerned has never worked. I mean it can only work to the extent of your having your say but you cannot have your way. So, as many as would want to have their way as it wear would put their tails in between their legs and align with the structure and keep waiting. So, it is not a democracy yet; a democracy is the people’s government. You are not doing the people a favour because they are stakeholders. It has continued to be like that; the electioneering results we keep getting seem to be structured results. But thankfully, today we are talking about transformation. The transformation agenda of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan cannot succeed without first of all, a renewing of the mind of the people. A goat can never

behave like a dog until you remove what makes it a goat — the heart of a goat — and put in the heart of a dog. When you do that, even if the skin looks like a goat, it will start behaving like a dog. So, where can we start from in re-organsing Nigeria? How can we teach our people to develop a mind that is renewed? How can we re-organise our definition of success? How can we re-organise our approach to issues of money? Now, I am saying that that is where the church of Jesus Christ comes in; it is only in the church that somebody can really be dispassionate barring the challenges we have where you see pastors or church leaders that are getting involved in things that are embarrassing. It is only a religious person that can look at his mother in the eye and tell her ‘Mama, this thing you are doing is wrong’. Why? There is a higher power that he submits to. So, we must come to a point where our political leadership develops a renewed mind. What I am asking for is a changed approach and a change in definitions. How can we change the value system of the people of Nigeria? It was not like this in the 60s; it was not like this in the early 70s; it was not this bad in the early 80s. And every passing electioneering period it is like it’s getting worse. That reminds me of what the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal said recently. Where the Speaker of the House, a chief beneficiary of the system is accepting that we now need a revolution to move on is a serious comment however you look at it. This is something people like us have been saying for a long time; a revolution in the way we perceive development, a revolution in the way we perceive political office, a revolution in the way we perceive success. Even in the church, there must be a re-thinking. Looking at the issue of Boko Haram insurgency, do you think that the government is winning the war? I have a problem with the question; the battle has just begun. I don’t know about winning the war because America has been in Afghanistan for many years. Iraq is till boiling. Egypt is going down the drain. So, I think the battle has just begun. But the activities of the sect has reduced since the declaration of a state of emergency in the three most affected states… But they still kill people every now and then. However, a whole lot is being done. The level of carnage is reducing and greater majority of Nigerians accept that declaration of a state of emergency in the affected states was a good move. But again, what is the origin of Boko Haram? What is the ideology of the group? What are they asking for? I remember that I sent an e-mail to Nasir el-Rufai once. I said to him ‘you are a leader in the north. Can you not go back and help the youths of the north to synchronise their views and put it on the table so that the country can know what the issues are’.

Ossai

For instance, if they are saying ‘do away with western education because it has made us leave our farms and is unable to provide jobs for us’, it is something I will like to associate with. If they are saying that everybody has been brought to the city and the development so far is unable to provide food for our children and us and the level of unemployment is extra-ordinary, the argument makes a whole lot of sense. If that were to be the case, we will sit down and say ‘is the problem with western education or the implementers of the educational policies?’ So, the violence and shedding of blood is what makes every person to become unsympathetic to whatever they are doing. There are those who insist that Boko Haram is a strategy by the elites in the north to capture power in 2015. Do you share the view? I don’t think so. May be they have tried to use the structure as politicians to advance their interest but I think it goes beyond that. I say so because so many northern politicians have been killed likewise their elites. Even core Moslems in the north have been attacked and killed; they are also losing. Nobody is happy with these happenings except those that perpetrate them. If they wipe out every person, if the power elites in the north are behind Boko Haram as a means of re-capturing power, who are they going to rule when they get power? We all know the level of carnage that Boko Haram has wrecked on this country. I think that anybody who can go to this extent in the search for power is a beast. From you vantage position, to what extent has the activities of the Boko Haram sect affected the church especially in the north? It has affected the church to a very

large extent. There was a time people were so scared of going to church in the north. But let me also tell you something — I am a student of church history and revivals. The church of Jesus Christ always does better during persecution. Once there is peace, the church becomes cold. So, anybody who is throwing bomb as a way of scaring people from going to church is providing more strength to the church. The church was birthed in persecution; the blood of the martyrs sealed their testimony as a result of which it grew. So, the Boko Haram insurgency has affected the church to the extent of showing clearly those who go to church to play because those are the people that are running away. For serious diehard Jesus’ followers, the more you kill them, the better they are in their hold of Christ. Where do you see the future of this country? The future is bright. In fact, the future of Nigeria has never been brighter. I am not talking based on factual indicators. I am a spiritual man; I have the Holy Spirit. Nigeria is in the heart of God’s plan for revival in the world. With all the challenges in Nigeria, where else can you go and start a business and in less than two years you make 100 per cent return on your investment? I have travelled through the United Kingdom in recent times. If you hear the number of companies that have shut down you will be shocked. When I heard about the British policy of 3000 Pounds visa bond, I knew Britain was looking for money to service its failing system. So, Nigeria is still one of the best countries in the world. If we can just get our politics right, if we can just solve our internal issues, everybody will be headed here. All the challenges facing Nigeria are caused by human errors; they are challenges of misfit of leadership.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

TRANSITION

Anyanwu, Ex-National Manpower Board Head, Dies EATH came calling for D Mr. Edwin Onuoha Onyema Umunnakwe Anyanwu, former Executive Secretary of the defunct National Manpower Board on June 15, 2013. A consummate civil servant, he retired from the National Manpower Board as the Chief Executive. He died after a brief illness at the age of 68. A requiem mass, scheduled for Thursday, July 18, 2013 will hold in his honour at the SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Mopol Junction, Nyanya, Abuja. His remains will be interred on Friday, July 26, 2013, at his hometown, Umuezeala-Ogwara, Ehime Mbano, Imo State. The late Anyanwu is survived by his wife, Mrs. Chinyere B. Anyanwu, six children and other relatives. Anyanwu was born on March 3, 1945 to the family of Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. Elizabeth Emekwuru Anyanwu of Umuduruoha kindred in Umuaro village of the ancient town of Umuezeala Ogwara in Ehime-Mbano LGA, Imo State. For his early education, he attended St. Michael’s Primary School, Umunakanu II from 1951 to 1959. Following

Anyanwu

his brilliant performance, he proceeded to Okigwe National Grammar School, Umuna-Okigwe through a very high competitive entrance examination, as was then the case. He later transferred to Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt, from 1964 to 1965 where he completed his secondary school education in flying colours. In his characteristic busy life, he spent some time and taught at Santa Maria Secondary School while preparing for higher education from 1965 to 1967 before the onset

of the Biafra-Nigeria civil war. The end of the civil war marked the beginning of his chase for higher education, which took him to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1971 to 1973, where he obtained B.SC (Honours) in Economics. After his National Youths Service, Anyanwu attended many other higher institutions both at home and abroad, including the University of Lagos (1977-1978), North Eastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (19811982), Royal Institute of Public

Administration, London (1985-1988) and University of Manchester (1988). He obtained so many professional certificates through several workshops, seminars and conferences. He specialised in Demography, Human Resources Development Planning, Economic Development Planning Management and Administration. Fully equipped and grounded in education and training, he delivered many scholarly papers in public institutions, conferences, workshops, and seminars. In all standards, the late Anyanwu was well read and used his knowledge and skills to groom many people. As a young university graduate, he joined the Federal Civil Service as Planning Officer in National Planning Commission in 1974, and over the years rose to the post of a Deputy Director in the National Manpower Board. Through hard work, integrity and fair play, he rose to the higher post of a Director and eventually attained the esteemed position of the Executive Secretary of the Board. It was from here that Anyanyu retired from active public service into private life till his

Tribute To Jackson Edokpa, A Consummate Ombudsman HIEF Jackosn Ibhayotoku C Edokpa, the immediate past Hon. Chief Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Abuja, is dead. The unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, May 30, 2013, after a brief illness. His death came as a rude shock to the Commission. The Esan Chief was born on the November 19, 1937. He was also a former Head of Service and Secretary to the old Bendel State Military Government under Col. (now Senator) Tunde Ogbeha. He was appointed the Chief Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission in July 1993 for a three-year tenure in the first instance which was renewed for a second term in 1996. He was in that office until 1999 when his second term expired. The late Edokpa will be remembered for his immense contributions to the growth and development of the Ombudsman in Nigeria. During his first term in office, he held a workshop for investigation officers inspite of the paucity of funds in 1994. He also struggled to secure for the Commission vehicles left behind by MAMSER that was then wound up though this had been inherited by the National Orientation Agency (NOA). He equally endeavoured to secure vehicles from the pool left behind by the then defunct National Assembly.

Under Chief Edokpa’s leadership, the Public Complaints Commission introduced a system of awards for hardworking officers, non-accident bonus for motor drivers and driver mechanics. He strengthened the operations of area and zonal offices of the Commission across the federation. Zonal Officers on Grade Level 10 and above were deployed to supervise the work of area officers and report back to State Headquarters. The new approach had some advantages which included less burden for complainants who would not have to travel long distances to access the free mediation efforts of the Commission, decongestion of staff at the State Headquarters and the opportunity for the staff to broaden their horizon by having new experiences in their places of posting. It also stimulated healthy rivalry among the staff in terms of work output while at the same time improving public awareness about the Commission at the grassroots. As Chief Commissioner, the late Edokpa’s contributions helped to project Nigeria on not just the African but the world stage. During his tenure, Nigeria became a member of various committees including the one that fashioned out the blueprint for the future functioning of the International Ombudsman Institute. He was also

elected as Vice-President representing the African Region on the Board of Directors of the International Ombudsman Institute. His election as Vice-President of the African Region took place at the Argentina Conference which was attended by delegates from 86 countries from all over the world. It was during this same conference that African membership of the Ombudsman was raised from 11 to 27 and its voting membership from five to 14. Further to this achievement, the African Ombudsman Training Centre was established at the University of Daresalaam, Tanzania. Approval was also given for equal membership of three Directors on the Board of the International Ombudsman Institute by each of the six Regions including the African Region. He secured for the Commission a voting membership at the International Ombudsman Institute with its Headquarters in the University of Alberta, Canada. It was on the basis of this that the Nigerian Ombudsman was elected a Director of that International Institute. He was also in Paris, France, on the invitation of the National Ombudsman for France to attend the first Europe/Africa meeting of National Ombudsman which took place on March 17, 1995. It is instructive to note that the Paris conference attracted greater attendance from the African countries

with a record of 16 African countries as against the Third African Regional Conference of Ombudsman held in Abuja in 1993 that had only eight African countries participating. He collaborated with similar Ombudsman around the world to source fund from international donor agencies for the organisation of a workshop for investigation officers of Ombudsman in Africa in Pretoria, South Africa, in August 1996. Eighteen Francophone and Anglophone countries participated with Nigeria, the prime mover. He usually presented papers at all engagements. African countries which benefitted from the Nigerian Ombudsman experience during the time of the late Edokpa included South Africa, Lesotho, Togo and Namibia. The late Edokpa lived an exemplary life that is worthy of emulation both in public and in private. He was not only a devoted husband and father, but also a community leader who did much to impact on all those that interacted with him. He created a niche for himslef as a worker for justice in the annals of Nigerian history. Indeed, the Ombudsman family in Nigeria, Africa and the entire world can say of Chief Jackson Edokpa that he came, he saw and he conquered. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. . The Public Complaints Commission, Abuja, contributed this tribute.

Encomiums, As Joseph Chukwumerije Is Buried From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia T was a day of sorrow for IIsuochi the people of Uhude Ngodo in Umunneochi Local Council Area of Abia State on Thursday when the remains of the late Joseph Ahamefula Chukwumerije were interred in his modest country home amidst wailings. The late 78-year-old lawyer was an elder member of the famous late Chief J.O Chukwumerije family. Described variously as ‘Uncle Joe’, ‘Man of Peace’, ‘Candle in the Wind’, ‘That’s Right’ and ‘Master Chorister’, Chukwumerije died in his sleep on June 19, this year. In a written tribute to him titled “Safe Journey Joe” his younger brother and senator representing Abia North District, Senator Uche Chukwumerije was full of praise for the life led by his elder brother. According to the senator “Joe’s was an ascetic lifestyle that challenged a saint’s. He negotiated earth’s sojourn along a self-defined lane. If there were other lanes, he seemed blissfully unaware of their existence and remained immune from their competitive distractions.” He noted that this gave the late Chukwumerije’s mind serenity, peace and strength beyond human conceit. The Senator stated further that “true to his life’s selfless undemanding tenor, Joe passed on peacefully in his sleep.” The family tribute read by Mr. Dike- Ogu Chukwumerije during a funeral service at the Wesley Methodist Church, Ngodo, where he was a notable chorister and

Chukwumerije Secretary, noted that the late Chukwumerije in his later years, devoted much of his time to the church and attended every meeting that he was meant to participate in. “He also pressed his life-long interest in singing into service of the Lord by joining the choir and serving as a committed chorister and lived his life with quiet dignity,” he noted. Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, who was represented by his deputy, Sir Emeka Ananaba in company of a large entourage of top government officials, while condoling with the Chukwumerije family over the demise of Uncle Joe, described the deceased as a peaceful and patriotic elder that contributed immensely to the growth of the community, church, state, nation and the legal profession. The Governor prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul in the bosom of the Lord.

Remembering Joseph Adeyemi, One Year After HE death of Pa Joseph T Adeyemi in the early morning of Wednesday June 6, 2012, took us his loved ones by surprise, as we never expected it. Yes he took ill few days back then, but early in the week before he passed on, we thought he had recovered, as he started taking his meal and returned to his jovial self as he recognized all those who were at his bedside. Of course, this was not the situation when he was admitted at the University Collage Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. A year after he passed on, the memory of his caring heart still lingers in the minds of his immediate family—children and grandchildren, including other relatives and associates. Pa Adeyemi was a consummate worker as he was an outstanding auto technician and a community leader, whose house in Ososani Road Oke Ado Area of Ibadan was home to many first timers, who had no where to stay. The late Adeyemi was born in December 1924 in Ondo Town, Ondo State. He became a teacher after he left school and later, left Ondo for Ibadan in Oyo State, to study

Automobile Engineering at the University College, Ibadan. He later took up appointment with SCOA Motors in 1952, before returning to set up his auto workshop. Blessed with wives, children and grandchildren, the late Adeyemi spent the rest of his life caring and praying for the success of his children.

Adeyemi

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July, 13, 2013

Change of Name ABAH: Formerly Abah Grace Agnes now Mrs. Ude-Ekumankama Grace Agnes. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ABEGUNRIN: Formerly Abegunrin Mayowa Kayode now Abolurin Mayowa Kayode. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ABEL: Formerly Mrs. Abel Naomi Nna, now Mrs. Egunubi Naomi Nna. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna North Local Government Education Authority, general public note. ABIOLA: Formerly Miss Abiola Bimbo Gloria now Mrs. Shadiya Bimbo Gloria. All documents remain valid. Public note. ABUBAKAR: Ibrahim Abubakar Mohammed now wish to be known and addressed as Ibrahim Osh i o z u w e h Mohammed. Public note. ADEBAYO: Former Miss Adebayo Yemisi now Mrs. Abejide Yemisi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEDEJI: Formerly Miss Adedeji Temitope Adesola now Mrs. Ayodele Temitope Adesola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEDOYIN: Formerly Miss Blessing Adebola Adedoyin now Mrs. Blessing Adebola Ojo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADELABU: Formerly: Miss Adelabu, Aderonke Esther now Mrs. Akinola, Aderonke Esther Ikorodu North LCDA, First Bank, Lagos State Polytechnic and public note. ADENIKE: Former Miss Adenike Abiola Ajose now Mrs. Abiola Ajose Adaralegbe. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEPOJU: Formerly Badaru Adetilewa Adepoju now called and addressed as Adeniyi Adetilewa-David. Former documents remain valid. Public take

note. ADESOPE: Formerly Miss Oluwatosin Rachael Adesope now Mrs. Oluwatosin Racheal Amusan. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADETIMA: Formerly Miss Adetima Rose Olufunke, now Mrs. Ayilola Rose Olufunke. Former documents remain Valid. TESCOM Ekiti State, public note. ADEYEMI: Formerly Miss Adeyemi Bolanle Funke now Mrs. Sonubi Bolanle Funke. All former documents remain valid. Public note. ADIELE: Formerly Miss Adiele Charity Uloaku now Mrs Omelihu Charity Uloaku. Former documents remain valid. General public note. AGBIGOR: Formerly Mr Godwin Ezire Agbigor, now Mr Godwin Ezire Robinson. Former documents valid. Public note. AGO: Formerly Miss Ago Veronica Eneagu, now Mrs. Onwughalu Veronica Eneagu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AIBAMWEN: Formerly Miss Aibamwen Omosede Lucy, now Mrs. Fayomi Omosede Lucy. Documents valid. Public note. AKINOSHO: Formerly Oluwabusola Elizabeth Akinosho now Mrs. Oluwabusola Elizabeth Adesola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKINSANYA: Formerly Miss Akinsanya Abimbola Olusola, now Mrs. Sunday Abimbola Olusola. Documents valid. Public note. AKINSANYA: Formerly Akinsanya Ayodeji Oluwakemi, now Mrs. Opere Ayodeji Oluwakemi. Documents valid. Public note. AKINWUNMI: I, Dr. Miss Akinwunmi Remi Omotunde now wish to be known as Dr. Mrs. Akinyemi Remi Omotunde. Luth

Management, general public and The Association of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria take note. Former documents remain valid. ALOZIE: Formerly miss Alozie Christiana now Mrs Ugochukwu Solomon Christiana. former documents valid. NYSC, public note. ALOZIE: Formerly Miss Alozie Onyinyechi Anita now Mrs Henry Onyinyechi Anita. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note. ALUMONA: Formerly Miss Chinyere Chinwe Benedette Alumona, now Mrs. Chinyere Benedette Ogbonna. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AMANZE: Formerly Miss Nneoma Happiness Amanze now Mrs Nneoma Ekeh Chigozie. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note. ANEKE: Formerly Miss Justina Obiageli Aneke now Mrs. Justina Obiageli Okaforer. Former documents remain valid. PHCN, public note. ANEKE: Formerly Miss Aneke Ugonne Sandra, now Mrs. Ugwu Ugonne Sandra. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANTHONY: Formerly Miss Cecilia Catherine M. Anthony, now Mrs. Cecilia Catherine Ariyo. Former documents remain valid. Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, University of Abuja and Public take note. ANYALEBECHI: Formerly Miss Anyalebechi Nchekwube Ogechi, now Mrs. Nwabude Nchekwube Ogechi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. APATA: Former Miss Apata Elizabeth Bukola now Mrs. Badejo Elizabeth Oluwabukola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ASHIRU: Formerly Miss Tawakalitu Kikelomo Ashiru now Mrs. Tawakalitu

Kikelomo Oreniwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AYEGBA: Formerly Miss Ayegba Zainab Ahmadu, now Mrs. Emmanuella Zainab Ayuba. Documents valid. Public note. AZUDIUGWU: Formerly Miss Azudiugwu Nneka Rose, now Mrs. Odina Nneka Rose. Former documents remain valid. Public note. BASSEY: Formerly Miss Bassey Udeme Joseph now known as Mrs. Udeme Jeremiah Umukoro. All former documents remain valid. Public note. BILE: Mrs. Bile Philomina is still the same person as Ebebe Atonke Philomina. Documents valid. Public note. BISIRIYU: Formerly Miss Bisiriyu Fatimat Bisola now to be addressed as Mrs. Ametepee Bisola Adebukola. All former documents remain valid. Public note. CHIKWE: Formerly Miss Ada Hope Nkiruka Chikwe now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ada Hope Nkiruka Nwaigwe. Former documents remain valid. General public note. CHRISTIAN: Formerly Miss Tina Ifeyinwa Christian now Miss Destiny Ifeyinwa Christian. Former documents valid. Public note. CHUKWU: Formerly Rebecca Joy Chukwu now Nwabude Rebecca Chiamaka Joy. Former documents valid. Public note. CHUKWUEDO: I, formerly Miss Gloria Ijeoma Chukwuedo henceforth wish to be known as Mrs. Gloria Ijeoma Olisa. All former documents remain valid. British Council and general public please note. DADA: Formerly Dada Oluwaferanmi Anabella now Akintunde Oluwaferanmi Anabella. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

DIKE: Formerly Miss Dike Immaculata Chinonye, now Mrs. Enwerem Immaculata Chinonye. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Miss Enwereji Chinyere Rosemary now Mrs. Adeyemo Chinyere Rosemary. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

DOSSOU: Formerly Miss Anthonia Olubunmi Dossou, now Mrs. Anthonia Olubunmi Williams. Former documents valid. Public note.

EZEMIAH: Formerly Miss Ezemiah Victoria Enakome, now Mrs. Uzuazoubona Victoria Enakome. Documents remain valid. Ogun Tescom, General Public note.

EBHODAGHE: Formerly Miss Ebhodaghe Helen Usinome, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Adepetu Helen Usinome. Former documents remain valid. General public note. EKEH: Formerly Miss Ekeh Helen Onyemachi, now Mrs. Nwauzor Helen Onyemachi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EKEOMA: Mrs. Ekeoma Gloria Ifeoma is the same person as Mrs. Obi Gloria Ifeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EKIWE: Formerly Miss Ngozi Ekiwe now Mrs. Ngozi Nwogo. Former documents remain valid. UBEB Ebonyi State, public note. EKUSIA: Formerly Miss Sandra Nkechi Ekusia now Mrs. Sandra Nkechi Uka. Former documents valid. Public note. EKPENYONG: Formerly MissÂ Ekpenyong Blessing, now Mrs. Victor Ekere Blessing. Documents valid. General Public note. EMENIKE: Formerly Miss Emenike Esther, now Mrs. Ibeka Peter Esther. Documents valid. General Public note. ENE: Formerly Miss Ene Chinwendu Clara, now Mrs. ChineduDavid Chinwendu Clara. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ENEHE: Formerly Miss Priscilla Oyiza Enehe, now Mrs. Priscilla Oyiza Solomon. Former documents remain valid. Public note.Â ENWEREJI:

Former

EZENNIA: Formerly Miss Amaka Ezennia, now Mrs Amaka Kenechukwu Okafor. Former documents valid. Public note. EYO: Formerly Miss Victoria Yetunde Eyo, now Mrs Victoria Yetunde Oku. Former documents valid. Public note. FAGBEMI: Formerly Mr. Fagbemi Aiyenigba Samson and Mrs. Fagbemi Ifedayo Janet, now wish to be known and address as Mr. Olugbemi Aiyenigba Samson and Mrs. Olugbemi Ifedayo Janet. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic, Federal Staff School, Kaduna, general public note. FAGBENRO: I, formerly Miss Kabirat Ayodunmola Fagbenro now known as Mrs. Kabirat Ayodunmola Afolarin. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, general public take note. GBADEBO: Formerly Gbadebo Fadekemi Motunrayo now Mrs. Samuel Fadekemi Motunrayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. HARUNA: Formerly Miss Zainab Haruna now Mrs. Lasisi Musa Zainab. Former documents valid. Public note. HENRY: Ozue: Chukwuma Henry now Ozue Bobby Chuks. All documents remain valid. Public note. IBE: Formerly Ibe Ifeoma Mirian, now Mrs. Amadi Ifeoma Mirian Princess. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July, 13, 2013

Change of Name IFUDU: Formerly Mrs. Chidiebere Ifudu, now Mrs. Chidiebere Oruruo-Ifudu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IGE: Formerly Miss lge Oluwabunmi Iyabode, now Mrs. Egbetola Oluwabunmi Iyabode. Documents valid. Public note. IGWE: Formerly Miss Ngozi Atinuke Igwe, now Mrs Ngozi Atinuke Oni. Former documents valid. Public note. IGWILO: Formerly Miss Geraldine Chinenye Igwilo, now Mrs. Okolo Geraldine Chinenye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IHEZE: Formerly Miss Chinazo Anominachi Ihezie now Mrs. Chinazo Anomnachi Iwuogu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. LEBI: Formerly Miss Lebi Evelyn Oluwayomi, now Mrs. Balogun Evelyn Oluwayomi. Former documents valid. Public note. ILORI: Formerly Miss Ilori Kehinde Mulikat now to be addressed as Mrs. Folasiyi-Oshaniyi Kehinde Mulikat. All former documents remain valid. CBAAC and general public take note. ILURIMI: Formerly Miss Ilurimi Ruth Temitope now Mrs. Alani Ruth Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public note. ILUYOMADE: Iluyomade Tomike Joy now Mrs. Makinde Tomike Joy. All documents remain valid. Public note. ISHOLA: Formerly Miss Ajibola Joy Ishola, now Mrs Ajibola Joy Nwuko. Former documents valid. Public note. IYANOYE: Formerly Miss Abiodun Elizabeth Iyanoye, now Mrs Abiodun Elizabeth Adeola. Former documents valid. Public note. JEKAMI: Formerly Miss Jekami Bukola Temidayo now Mrs. Ige Bukola Temidayo. All

former documents remain valid. General public note. JEMILUGBA: Former Miss Wuraola Damilola Jemilugba now Mrs. Adebola Wuraola Damilola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. KALU: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nelly Nnena Kalu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nelly Nyong Inwang. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. KETOME: Formerly Miss Grace Nyakugie Ketome, now Mrs. Grace Nyakugie Abaya. All former documents remain valid. Federal College of Education Zaria, general public note. KUNLE: This is to inform the public that I Kunle Francis who’s surname is Kunle wish to change my name to Akinnawo Gbenga and the effect should have a change on all my documents that bear my former surname. The Skye Bank and the general public should take note. LAWAL: Former Miss Ganiyat Adeola Lawal now Mrs. Adeola Ganiyat Osho. Former documents remain valid. Public note. LAWAL: Formerly Lawal Omotayo Nafisat, now Mrs. Shodunke Omotayo Nafisat. Documents valid. Public note. LAWAL: Formerly Miss Saidat Adepeju Lawal now Mrs. Saidat Adepeju Akeem-Sulaimon. Former documents valid. Public note. MAKINDE: I, formerly known as Atinuke Kikelomo Makinde now wish to be known as Mrs. Atinuke Kikelomo Ajao. All former documents remain valid. General public please note. MAMMAN-LAGOS: Former Miss MammanLagos Binta Tolulope now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ogunrekun Binta Tolulope. Former documents remain valid. General public note. MATHEW:

Formerly

Miss Mathew Comfort Foluke, now Mrs. Amoo Comfort Foluke. Documents valid. Public note. MBACHU: Formerly Miss Chinelo Adline Mbachu, now Mrs. Chinelo Adline Ozigbo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MBAH: Formerly Miss Mbah Celine Ukamaka, now Mrs. Ugwuede Celine Ukamaka. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MBAMALU: I, formerly known as Miss Ivy Amaka Mbamalu now wish to be known as Mrs. Ivy Amaka Umechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public note. MGBEKE: Formerly Dr. Maureen Ewere Mgbeke now addressed as Dr. (Mrs.) Maureen Unwana Samuel. Former documents remain valid. LASUTH & public note. MURITALA: Former Miss Adijat Labake Muritala now Mrs. Adijat Labake Adebayo. Former documents remain valid. Public please note. NEBECHI: Formerly Miss Ann Ejimolenke Nebechi now Mrs. Ann Ejimolenke Oyediya Agbai. Former documents remain valid. General public note. NGUKOR: Formerly Miss Ifechukwu Geraldine Ngukor, now Miss Ifechukwu Geraldine Joseph. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NGWU-OGBUGO: Dorathy I Ngwu-Ogbugo now Mrs. Dorathy Ukwuani. All documents remain valid. General public note. NJOKANMA: Formerly Miss Vita Njokanma now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Vita Bayo-Aladejobi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NMERENWANNE: I formerly known as Joseph Alajemba Nmerenwanne now wish to be known as Joseph Alajemba. All documents remain

valid. General public take note. NMERENWANNE: I formerly known as Hope Kelechi Nmerenwanne now wish to be known as Hope Kelechi Alajemba. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

OBI: Formerly Miss Obi Ifeyinwa Augusta now Mrs. Eze Ifeyinwa Augusta. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGBEIWI: Former Ogbeiwi Constance Itohan now Mrs. Constance Itohan Ekpo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBODOKWE: Formerly Miss Obodokwe MaryAnn Chijioke, now Mrs. Igbo Maryken Chijioke. Former documents remain valid. IMT Enugu, public note.

NWEKE: Formerly Miss Nweke Gloria Anulika, now Mrs Eleh Gloria Anulika. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGIDAN: Formerly known as Oluwabukola Oluwafunke Lilian Ogidan now Oluwabukola Oluwafunke Lilian Olatunji. Former documents remain valid. ODEWOLE: Former Public note. Miss Aderonke Oluwatoyin Odewole now OGUNDIPE: Formerly Mrs. Aderonke Oluwa- Miss Mayowa Oyinlola toyin Osho. Former Ogundipe, now Mrs documents remain Mayowa Oyinlola valid. Public note. Alagbe. Former documents valid. Public ODEYEMI: Formerly note. Mrs. Odeyemi Adebukola Ademidun, OGUNKOLA: Formerly now Mrs. Ogunbiyi Miss Olayinka MoAdebukola Ademidun. jisola Ogunkola, now Documents valid. Mrs Olayinka Mojisola YSLGEA, SUBEB, public Adesanya. Former docnote. uments valid. Public note. ODIKPO: Former Miss Uzoamaka Omoleayo OGBULAFOR: Formerly Odikpo now Mrs. Uzoa- Miss Adaugo Conmaka Imoleayo Gerald stance Ogbulafor now Ugeh. Medical and Mrs. Adaugo ConDental Council of Nige- stance Okafor. Former ria. General public documents valid. Public note. please note.

NZEAKO: Formerly Miss Nzeako Chinenye Grace now Mrs. Ofili Chinenye Grace. Former documents valid. Public note.

ODILI: Formerly Miss Odili Omenogo Esthes, now Mrs. Aguihe Esthes Omenogo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNDEYI: Formerly Miss Ogundeyi Abimbola Oluwatosin, now Mrs. Kodaolu Abimbola Oluwatosin. Documents valid. Public note.

NZEKWE: Formerly Miss Nzekwe Caroline Nnenna, now Mrs. Ovaga Caroline Nnenna. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ODOGIYON: Formerly Miss Odogiyon Adekemi Foluke now called Mrs. Ijaiya Adekemi Foluke. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNLOLA: Formerly Miss Ogunlolu Mosunmola Tayo, now Mrs. Adedeji Mosunmola Tayo. Documents valid. Public note.

ODUKOYA: Former Odukoya Micheal Olugbenga now Badejo Michael Olugbenga. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ODUSINA: Formerly Mrs Adepeju Oluyemi Odusina(Nee Otafuwa), now Mrs Adepeju Oluyemi Latona. Former documents valid. Public note.

OGUNMOYERO: Formerly Miss Tosin P. Ogunmoyero, now Mrs Tosin Busayo-Itiola. Former documents valid. Public note. OGUNNUBI-JOHNSON: Formerly Miss Enokegwe Afoma Ogunnubi-Johnson, now Mrs. Enokegwe Afoma Thompson. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

NNAMANI: Formerly Miss Nnamani Maryjane Chinelo, now Mrs. Anichebe Maryjane Chinelo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWADIKE: Formerly Miss Nwadike Gift O. now Mrs. Stephen Gift O. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWATAH: Formerly Miss Nwatah Blessing Tobechukwu, now Mrs. Ihusah Blessing Tobechukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NZEWODO: Formerly Miss Chino Nzewodo now to be known as Mrs. Chino Justin. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. OBANOR: Formerly Evarister Ifeyinwa Obanor now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Evarister Ifeyinwa Ozegbe. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OBAZE: Formerly Miss Obaze Anthonia E. now Mrs. Amanyi Anthonia Ebele. Former documents valid. Public note. OBI: Formerly Miss Obi Uchechi Augusta now Mrs. Nwaokobia Uchechi Augusta. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OGBARI: Formerly Miss Amanda Atutu Ogbari, now Mrs Amanda Nelson. Former documents valid. Public note. OGBOBO: Formerly Miss Ogbobo Benedeth Ngozika now Mrs. Ugwu Benedeth Ngozika. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNRINDE: Former Miss Ogunrinde Elizabeth Odunayo now Mrs. Yusuff Elizabeth Odunayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNSANWO: Formerly Miss Ogunsanwo Anuoluwapo Omotara, now Mrs. Toki Anuoluwapo Omotara. Documents valid. Public note.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July, 13 , 2013

Change of Name OGUNYANWO: Former Miss Oluwakemi Busayomi Ogunyanwo now Mrs. Oluwakemi Busayomi Dayo-Olabisi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJEMUYIWA: Formerly Miss Ojemuyiwa Ojebola Ekundayo now Mrs. Samuel-Shettima Ojebola Ekundayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJIAKA: Formerly Miss Ojiaka Serah Voilet Chigoziri, now Mrs. Eze Serah Voilet. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJO: Formerly Miss Ojo Gift Oluwatofunmi now Mrs. Ewuola Gift Oluwatofunmi. Former documents remain valid. General public note. OKEKE: I, formerly Miss Ifeyinwa Virginia Okeke now known as Mrs. Ifeyinwa Steve Ogbu. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. OKIKIOLU: Formerly Okikiolu Oluronke Modupe now Mrs. Aderibigbe Oluronke Modupe. Documents remain valid. Public note. OKOKON: Formerly Mrs. Akpan lmaobong Okokon, now Mrs. Akpan lmaobong Itoro. Documents valid. Public note. OKOLIE: Formerly Miss Okolie Victoria Helen now Mrs. Anibuko Victoria Helen Obiageli. Documents valid. Public note. OKONJI: Formerly Miss Ijeoma Marian Okonji, now Mrs Ijeoma Marian Ubani. Former documents valid. Public note. OKONKWO: Formerly: Miss Okonkwo, Adaoha Chibuzor now Mrs. Onyebuchi, Ada-Curtis. General public note. OKUESO: Formerly Miss Okueso Funmilayo Olasumbo now Mrs. Odubawo Funmilayo Olasumbo. Former documents valid. Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Shagamu,

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, public note. OLABODE: Formerly Miss Olabode O l a w u n m i Oluwatosin, now Mrs Dilureni Olawunmi Oluwatosin. Former documents valid. Public note. OLANREWAJU: Formerly Mr. Olanrewaju Olakunle Mical now Mr. Disu Olakunle Mical. All former documents remain valid. Public note. OLANREWAJU: Formerly Miss Olanrewaju Kemi Stella now Mrs. Legunsen Kemi Stella. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OLAYODE: Formerly Miss Olayode Yemisi Tokunbo now known and addressed as Mrs. Ajaga Yemisi Tokunbo. All documents remain valid. Public note. OLOMO: Former Miss Olushola Deborah Olomo now Mrs. Olushola Deborah Olomo-Whenu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Omidiji Moses Abolade now Mr. Olalekan Moses Abolade. Documents valid. Public note. OMOKIRI: Formerly Miss Omokiri Oluwaseyi Ruth now Mrs. Akinmolayan Oluwaseyi Ruth. All documents remain valid. Public note. OMOLE: Formerly Mrs. Omolade FaboyedeOmole, now Miss Omolade Faboyede. Former documents remain valid. NDLEA and general public take note. OMUEDI: I, formerly known as Miss Omuedi Oghenereke Naomi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ojoago O. Naomi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONU: Formerly Miss Onu Chizoba Miriam, now Mrs. Okoronkwo Chizoba Miriam. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLORI: Formerly called Oloh Abolaji Shadiat now called Mrs. Shadiat Abolaji Adebayo. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

ORIABOR: Formerly Mr Oriabor Yemi Sylvester, now Mr David Yemi Sylvester. Former documents valid. Public note. ORIJI: Formerly Miss Kate Nwanyinna now Mrs. Sunday Kate Nwanyinna. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note.

OLORUNNISHOLA : Formerly Miss Taiwo Kofoworola Olorunnishola, now Mrs. Taiwo Oriola. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSAKWE: Formerly Miss Chukwunyenwa Victoria Osakwe now Mrs. Chukwunyenwa Victoria Adejo. Former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc and public note.

OLUBISI: Formerly Miss Olufunso Olubisi Rebecca now Mrs. Olabanji Olufunso Rebecca. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSENI: Formerly Miss Oseni Tawakalitu Olayemi now Mrs. Akeredolu Tawakalitu Olayemi. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLUWAFEMI - OJO: Formerly Opeyemi Ayodele Oluwafemi-Ojo now Opeyemi Ayodele Omole (Mrs). Former documents valid. Public note.

OSHIOREMOR: Former Miss Oshioremor Omamofe Dorcas now Mrs. Agbokhana Omamufe Dorcas. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONUOHA: Formerly Miss Emily Nnene Onuoha (Emily N Herbert), now Mrs. Emily Nnene Akparanta. Former documents valid. Public note. OMIDIJI: Formerly Mr.

OSUNDELE: Former Olubanke Oladoyin Osundele now Mrs. Olubanke Oladoyin Lufadeju. Former documents remain valid. Public note. RAFIQ: Formerly Miss Aishat Omolola Rafiq,

now Mrs. Aishat Omolola Adebusuyi. Documents valid. General public note. SAKIRU: Former Sakiru Mujidat Ebudola now Mrs. Sanni Mujidat Oluwakemi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. SEYI: Aremu Jamiu Seyi now Aremu Jamiu Wole. All documents remain valid. Public note. SHODEYA: I, formerly Miss Shodeya Aderonke Caroline now wish to be known as Mrs. Lasisi Aderonke Caroline. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. SHOLOLA: Formerly Miss Olubunmo A. Sholola and Olubunmi A. Michael â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Oluyomi now known as Mrs. Olubunmi A. Amusu. Former documents valid. Public note. SHONEYE: I, formerly known as Oluwakemi Hannah Shoneye now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Oluwakemi Hannah Odubela. All documents remain valid. Public note.

Bank Plc, public take note. UDEINYA: Formerly Miss Udeinya Nancy Maryann, now Mrs. Nancy Maryann Chidi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UDOGWUGWU: Formerly Chizoba Dorathy Udogwugwu now Chizoba Dorathy Udeh. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. UGIRI: We formerly known as Ugiri Longinus Anayochukwu, now wished to be known as Iheoma family. Former documents remain valid. UNTH, public note. UGWU: Formerly Miss Ugwu Loretta Ogechukwu, now Mrs. Onummadu Loretta Ogechukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UMORU: I formerly known as Sunday Umoru now wish to be known and addressed as Jephthah Jephthah. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

UMORU: I f formerly known as Queen Ufuoma Umoru (nee SOBANKE: Formerly Utoro) now wish to be Miss Sobanke Funke known and addressed Biodun, now Mrs. as Ruth Jephthah. All LawalÂ Ayokunle former documents reFunke. Former docu- main valid. General ments remain valid. Public please take Public note. note. SUNDAY: Formerly Miss Victoria Nneoma Sunday now Mrs Treasure Okechi Chinjikey. Former documents valid. NYSC, ABIA-POLY, public note. TIJJANI: Formerly Fatimah Jummai Tijjani now Mrs. Fatimah Jummai Hassan. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UCHE: Formerly Miss Uche Mercy Nkeiru, now Mrs. Obu Mercy O. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UCHE-UKAH: Former Miss Uche-Ukah Chinonyerem Kelechi now UcheNwachukwu Chinonyerem Kelechi. All former documents remain valid. Diamond

UMORU: I formerly known as Stephen Eseoghene Umoru now wish to be known and addressed as David Eseoghene Jephthah. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note. UMORU: I f formerly known as Peace Oghenefejiro Umoru now wish to be known and addressed as Hannah Oghenefejiro Jephthah. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note UMANA: Formerly Miss Umana Idongesit Edet, now Mrs. Idongesit Kenneth Edagha. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UMEH: Formerly Miss Umeh Chinonye

Agatha now Mrs. Sonye Chinonye Agatha. Former documents valid. Public note. USHI: Formerly Miss Ushi Nneka Janefrances, now Mrs. Ezeugwu Nneka Janefrances. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UWUIGBE: Formerly Miss Umuigbe Osagbemworhue Gift now Mrs. Osagie Osagbemworhue Gift. Former documents remain valid. Public note. WAHAB: Formerly Miss Wahab Oluwa M o d u p e o l u Ifedolapo now Mrs. Adeleke Oluwa Modupeola Ifedolapo. Former documents valid. Public note. WALSON: Formerly Miss Walson Bonsome, now Mrs. Olowookere Bonsome. Former documents remain valid. Public note. WHEGBERE: Formerly Miss Eunice Onoriode Whegbere now Mrs. Eunice Onoriode Oderinwale. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

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TheGuardian

Saturday, July 13, 2013 59

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports

Crown of Ogbomosho and Kano Pillars vying for honours during a 2012 Federation Cup group game at the Agege Stadium, Lagos. Stakeholders say Nigeria would not realize its potential in the game if match-fixers and others, who bring it to disrepute, continue to have their way. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI.

Match-Fixing Scandal

‘We Must Jail These Unpatriotic Nigerians’ which hosted one of the centres of the Nationwide League play-offs, Plateau United IGERIA was last weekend made the butt of had held Police Machine to a goalless draw in the world’s football jokes by four teams, one of the group games. The Plateau United who conspired to record among them 146 Feeders then defeated Bubayaro 2-0, the same goals in two separate matches. result Police Machine recorded against Akurba The Nigerian Nationwide League games FC. So the teams, tied on four points apiece, between Plateau United Feeders and Akurba FC needed to score goals to win the group on of Nasarawa ended in a stupendous 79-0 in goals difference hence they threw caution to favour of the former, while Police Machine of the wind. Adamawa defeated Bubayaro FC of Gombe 67The irony of the situation is that both games 0. were played simultaneously to avoid matchWhen the matches’ results hit the airwaves, a fixing. scandalized country was thrown into sadness In the wake of the scandal, the Nigeria on the extent some individuals could go to tar- Football Federation (NFF) suspended all the nish the image of the country. teams involved in the show of shame, while Considering the fact that it takes up to one their officials, the match officials and everyminute to score a goal and then restart the body involved in the matches were sumgame, the question on most football followers’ moned to Abuja to ex0lain their roles in the lips was how did the teams achieve these faninfamy. tastic scorelines? But followers of Nigerian football believe the The fact that Plateau United Feeders led NFF action could be the prelude to sweeping Akurba FC by 7-0 as at half time, while Police the matter under the carpet. Machine was leading Bubayaro 6-0, makes the Their argument is hinged on the federation’s result more horrendous as it means that treatment of previous cases of match-fixing, Plateau United Feeders scored 72 goals in the including the Lobi Stars versus Sunshine Stars second half, while Police Machine netted 61 case of last season. goals in the same period. In that case, Lobi Stars’ Vice Chairman, Before those matches played in Bauchi State, Dominic Iorfa, accused Sunshine Stars of

By Christian Okpara

underhand dealings with match officials for their rescheduled Premier League match billed for the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi. The match officials were said to have been caught in the same vehicle as officials of Sunshine Stars FC on the way to the game in Bauchi. At the end of the NFF’s investigation of the case, the panel led by Leye Adepoju came hard on the dramatis personae fingered in the issue. NPL sides, Sunshine Stars and champions, Dolphins were fined N20 million and N10 million respectively, while Dolphins’ manager, Stanley Eguma, was barred for five years from football related activities. Commenting on the judgment then, Iorfa, who doubles as Lobi’s technical adviser, insisted that match-fixing is a dent on football and should be tackled decisively. “Match-fixing should not be treated with kid glove. It is a serious issue, and like every serious issue, anybody found wanting must take the maximum punishment,” he said. But since then, it has been business as usual with those banned from the game for five years still going about their duties as if nothing happened. A football analyst, Sabinus Ikewuaku, told The

Guardian that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should handle the current issue because “this has gone beyond football alone.” He said, “Those banned from the game following the Lobi/Sunshine Stars case are still managing their clubs, going about their duties as if nothing happened. “Because Nigerians don’t care, or should I say, follow up on issues of national integrity, people have continued to things with impunity because they know that at the end of the day nothing will come out of the investigations. “Cast your mind back to the Akwa United versus Calabar Rovers’ 13-0 case, which aided Akwa United to gain promotion instead of Bussdor, or the Kaduna United versus Zamfara United game, which ensured that Akwa United were relegated. The panel set up to investigate that case said nothing wrong happened and that was it. “Until we did proper investigation and jailed the culprits some people would continue to drag the country into this kind of disrepute. If we are sincere with the talk of growing the local league, then we must follow the exam-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 60

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, July 13, 2013

NEWSFEATURE

Expanding Frontiers Of Youth Employment By Simeon Nwakaudu xPANDING the frontiers of employment E amongst the youth of Nigeria is one of the key areas of implementation for the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Having declared 2013 as the year of vocational and technical education, the administration has set in motion a framework to create employment for youths who dropout from education after their secondary education. The principal objective of the Federal Ministry of Education since 2011 has been to use education as a tool of empowerment, equipping the students with the relevant skills to impact positively on the nation and improve their respective communities. Key programmes have been initiated and are being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education to improve the nation’s reliance on technical and vocational education as one of the ways to go for the nation. The new schools under the process of implementation for the boy-trader child in the South-East and SouthSouth are indicative of the seriousness that the Federal Government attaches to this line. To help improve the employment opportunities of Nigerian students the Federal Ministry of Education has started an entrepreneurship programme with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO, with the target of creating a critical mass of human capital with entrepreneurial, managerial and technological knowledge, skills and attitudes to combat youth unemployment, eradicate poverty and develop the private sector. Generally, the UNIDO technocrats after survey of the Nigerian situation state that at least three million Nigerian students graduate from the senior Secondary school level of education annually. Out of this number, two million are said not to proceed to the proceed to universities and other tertiary institutions. They instead move into the job market, seeking various forms of employment. Indeed, most of the secondary school leavers

lack the requisite skills to effectively function in the employment market or be employers of labour themselves. This group of Nigerian youths are the main targets of the entrepreneurial programme being worked out by the Federal Ministry of Education, UNIDO with a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council, NERDC, an active participant. All the 36 States of the nation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have also been factored into this programme to ensure effective implementation across the board. It is a programme driven by an effective and carefully planned curriculum with 34 trade subjects developed for Senior Secondary Education. All the trade subjects have entrepreneurship education infused into them. Already, implementation has been tested in pilot states. Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike who is leading the Federal Government’s implementation of the programme has opened an implementation platform that involves all the Education commissioners of the 36 states and the education secretary of the FCT. The Minister recently convened a consultation meeting with all the commissioners where he announced the partnership programme with UNIDO. During the meeting, the minister announced that the partnership programme will be comprehensively implemented by the Jonathan administration. He noted that the implementation of the programme is hinged on the Vision 20:2020 report that suggested that Nigeria should focus on the development of a critical mass of human resources with technological, entrepreneurial and managerial skills to improve opportunities that will enhance the living standard of the people. According to him: “In order to achieve this and to remedy the situation, UNIDO, with a long standing experience in the development and implementation of entrepreneurial programmes in Africa, agreed to collaborate with

to be US$4,836,965 of which UNIDO is to provide the sum of US$2,173,000. Counterpart inputs will US$2,107,500 while support counterpart is US$556,465.” In his remarks, Dr Patrick Kormawa, UNIDO Team Leader, said that the programme is aimed at addressing the employment challenges of three million Nigeria students who fail to proceed to senior secondary school after their junior secondary programmes. He said that UNIDO is prepared to support the efforts of the Government of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education, NERDC, States and the FCT in strengthening the existing trade/entrepreneurship curriculum already introduced into senior secondary schools by enriching the entrepreneurship content. Prof. Godswill Obioma, Executive Secretary of NERDC assured that the organization will facilitate the coordination of the implementation of the programme to ensure that success is achieved. Going forward, the partnership between the Wike Federal Ministry of Education and UNIDO will the NERDC in facilitating strategic efforts of the ensure that Nigeria will be one of the few counNigerian government”. tries with a large population of skilled and He said that collaboration has led to the introyoung workers. This will be achieved because duction of entrepreneurship curriculum into the youth have been prepared for the real world formal education in Nigeria, with different levof work and life when they are still at school. The els of stakeholders meetings holding to formal- entrepreneurship curriculum of the secondary ize the process. schools will also change the mindset of youths He added that the key areas that will be focused from employment seekers to employers of on in the course of the partnership include; labour. strengthening the already existing trade/entreWith the states expected to buy into this projpreneurship curriculum for Senior secondary ect, it is expected to have a multiplier effect Schools, infusing entrepreneurship skills into across the country in the coming decades. There carrier subjects at the senior secondary educawill be a shift from an economy where certifition level for implementation and developing cate holds sway to an economy where skills teachers guides and monitoring and evaluation hold sway. tools. The holistic approach of re-positioning the Wike noted: “The project is to cover the 36 states nation’s education sector from the basic to the of the country and the FCT, while the governtertiary level has been handled with unequalled ment coordinating agency is the Federal commitment. Nationally and internationally, Ministry of Education with inputs from the partners are now willing to be part of the educaNERDC and the 36 States Ministries of Education. tion transformation agenda. The total amount required as input is expected

SPORTS ‘We Must Jail These Unpatriotic Nigerians’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 59 ples of other countries, whose leagues were tainted by the antics of match-fixers.” Earlier in the week, the owner of Bubayaro FC, which lost 67-0 to Police Machine, Shaibu Ahmed Gara-Gombe, said he had disbanded the team for the infamous show of shame in Bauchi. Gombe, who said he was in Lagos and not at his club’s game when the match took place, said he had ordered the team not to play the match but he was ignored by team officials. “As soon as I heard the result, I disbanded the team,” he told BBC Sport. “It’s disappointing that some people would bring the game to disrepute out of desperation.” He added: “I have written a petition to the (state) police in Bauchi to investigate this shame and arrest anyone found to be involved.” It is also claimed that attempts to make arrests after the Bubayaro match were thwarted when players and officials disappeared immediately after full-time. Some, who attended the two matches reported incidents including questionable refereeing decisions, inexplicable added time and club officials rather than ball boys returning balls into play immediately after goals had been scored. Also speaking on the game earlier in the week, NFF Vice President, Mike Umeh, described the incidents as “national disgrace of the highest proportion.” According to Umeh, Nigeria is number one in Africa and “we are held highly all over the soccer world. Why should we stoop so low? Umeh, whom is a member of the NFF’s Organising and Disciplinary Committee, said, “We are yet to get the report but I can assure you that every individual involved in those matches; the referees, match commissioners,

club officials, players, even the state FA officials and everybody that had a role to play in the two games have some explaining to do.” He wondered why whether match officials were sleeping when one of the matches recorded over 50 goals in the second half alone. “In a game of 45 minutes? Is that possible? That means they were scoring more than a goal in one minute,” Umeh questioned. He explained that the football house would not take any decision on the issue yet. “Although the four clubs and the results have been suspended, we are yet to take the final action as regards this case. The Amateur League has a board and not until they submit their report to the Disciplinary and Organising Committee, there is not much we can do.” Writing on what he described as the disgrace of the highest order, former national team captain, Segun Odegbami, said the culprits must be brought to book to act as deterrent to others, who might want to toe the same line. “These are the facts: The matches took place between four clubs that must have registered owners; the matches must have been organized and supervised by a State FA; the matches must have had a match commissioner and referees appointed by the organisers. “How could all these people have allowed whatever happened to happen if they were not complicit in the whole arrangement? “Nigerian football authorities must use this set of people that allowed such a scandalous event to ever take place as an example of how not to desecrate the beautiful game of football. “To me this ‘small’ act in one little corner of Nigeria was just a microcosm of the state of Nigerian football. It was the worst advertisement for Nigerian football administration,”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, July 13, 2013

SPORTS

Shame! Shame! Shame! Theatre Of The Absurd! T just cannot be true. I mean the story making the rounds INigeria about two football matches that took place last week in and ended up with basketball scores. It must not be true. Which sane society would allow such a disgraceful act to be perpetrated? Yet, it is all over the national, international and social media that two football matches actually took place and ended up with score-lines that make the word ‘ridiculous’ look like an understatement. It is reported that four football clubs in the Nationwide League in Nigeria, playing to secure promotion or to avoid relegation, were made to play their last matches simultaneously to avoid the possibility of connivance between the clubs. But what actually happened during the match was nothing short of the worst kind of scandal conceivable. The two matches ended with 79-0 and 67-0 score-lines! How could such scores ever have come up in a regular football match? Unfortunately, it is only in Nigeria that such could take place and the world would turn upside down.

This is a country blessed with abundant natural physical and human resources that are wasting away like beautiful flowers in the desert through self-inflicted practices that result, often, in squandered opportunities. Elections are never transparent, free and fair; match officials are often compromised through bribery; several games are fixed; players are ‘slaves’ (either underpaid or not paid at all); leagues fixtures are unstable and the season drags on endlessly; club and players’ documents are hardly ever authentic; agefalsification by players is an acceptable practice; the list of absurdities is long and ugly! So, everyone knows that Nigeria’s full potential in football can never be achieved if things remain the same. We thought things were improving slowly. And then this! The tragedy of all this is that no one is ever held culpable for this state of affairs. Life just goes on regardless of the extent of damage done to the game. How bad can a football team be for it to concede 79 goals in one match? In Nigeria there were not one but two such teams, so ‘bad’ that they conceded over 140 goals between them in only two matches played simultaneously. These are the total number of goals some clubs score in a whole season! It is simply ridiculous. The reports from the match revealed that the 4four teams were monitoring results of each other via telephone and were acting out a script to out-score each other in the race between them for promotion. What happened as a result is better imagined. The spectators, match officials, security agencies, and everyone at both venues watched as every rule and ethic in football was denigrated, desecrated and thrown to the dogs with reckless impunity and abandon. It is a complete sham and a farce. It is the ultimate disgrace for Nigerian football that any such matches could have taken place with the active connivance of all those involved and the world has not collapsed around the perpetrators. I hear that only suspensions have been meted to the clubs and the match officials. That is a slap on the wrist as far as I am concerned. These are the facts: the matches took place between four

Segun Odegbami clubs that must have registered owners; the matches must have been organized and supervised by a State FA; the matches must have had a match commissioner and referees appointed by the organisers. How could all these people have allowed whatever happened to happen if they were not complicit in the whole arrangement? Nigerian football authorities must use this set of people that allowed such a scandalous event to ever take place as an example of how not to desecrate the beautiful game of football. To me this ‘small’ act in one little corner of Nigeria was just a microcosm of the state of Nigerian football. It was the worst advertisement for Nigerian football administration. The owners of the clubs, the venue where the match was played, all the match officials involved from the State FA to the match commissioner and match referees should have been history by now – banished forever from any place or activity that ‘smells’ football in Nigeria and put behind bars for life! That way they can start to appreciate the incalculable damage their stupid act has done to a country that is struggling to panel beat its poor image around the world. What a shame!

Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi.

Oil Firm Plans Football Academy For Rivers’ Youths From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt PORT Harcourt-based firm, Riquest Oil and Gas Limited, says it plans to set up a football academy in Rivers State with the aim of harnessing more talented youths in the Niger Delta region. The Managing Director of the firm, Okonkwo Chinedu disclosed this in Port Harcourt while hosting the Dolphins Football Club for winning the recent Glo Premier League match against Akwa United. The firm’s manager also expressed hope that the move would keep the youths out from the street and as well, reduce criminal activities in the region. According to him, “I was a footballer and I have keen interest in sports, so to ensure sports development in this country all hands must be on desk. Nigerian football is coming up but we need to work hard to measure up with the developed countries. “That is why we in Riquest Oil have planned to set up a football academy in Port Harcourt before the end of this year. We intend to scout for talented youths, who are not privileged to display their talents. We want to use this academy to harness them and showcase them before the year runs out.” On the recent woeful performance by the Super Eagles

at the Confederations Cup in Brazil, Chinedu said the footballers and the coaches should be encouraged and not condemned, stressing that they played well. According to him,” Keshi is trying and need more encouragement; people should not condemn him because of the loss. You remember that they played without the five key players so they tried,” Chinedu noted. Also speaking on the academy, Dophins’ Coach, Eguma Stanley, urged other cooperate organisations and individuals to emulate Riquest Oil for the good of the society.’ He said,” we in Dolphins expect encouragement from people to enable us to continue to make impact in the African football. There is need to partner with us in other areas. It is a kind of motivation to us.

Ericsson, Alcatel Open 2013 Telecom Games friendly match between A two Nigeria Bankers Games giants, Sterling Bank and Mainstreet Bank, will headline the opening ceremonyies of the 2013 Nigeria Telecom Games (NTG), which kicks off tomorrow at the University of Lagos Sports Complex. Fela Bank-Olemoh, the Chief Executive Officer of MediaVision Limited, organizers of the NTG, announced during the week that the 2013 Games promises to be highly competitive and colourful. “We are poised to organize the best Telecom Games ever and the opening ceremonies which will feature a friendly match between Sterling Bank and Mainstreet Bank is indicative of the innovations we have introduced,” stated Bank-Olemoh. He said the opening ceremony would also feature a match past by all the teams

and their supporters in a carnival-like parade. According to the schedule of events released by the organizers, the first match of the competition on Day One will be between LM Ericsson and Alcatel Lucent while MTN Nigeria, the defending champions will confront their arch rivals, Etisalat Nigeria in the second match of the day.

National junior player, Joseph Imeh (right) with Country Area Manager, South Africa Airways, Thobi Duma, during a thank-you visit by Imeh to the management of the airways for their support during his training tour of South Africa.

Team Nigeria’s Athletes Grumble Over Allowances From Gowon Akpodonor, Donetsk, Ukraine HE initial high spirit in Team Nigeria’s camp here in Donetsk, venue of the ongoing 2013 IAAF World Youth Championship, seems to be fading away, creating fear that the country might not achieve much in the competition after all. At the end of day one of the

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Astroturf 2000, Aderoju Ademoroti (left), exchange signed partnership agreement with the Managing Director, 2AT Limited, Adekemi Badmos, during the official signing of the MoU between 2AT and Astroturf 2000 for the Starting New At Golf (SNAG) initiative… recently.

competition, virtually all Team Nigeria athletes qualified for the next stage of the championship and the athletes were looking forward to receive their daily allowance of $50 per day. They left the Olympics Stadium in high spirit only to be told on arrival in their hotel that ‘money has not come from Nigeria. “One of the officials told us that no money has come from Nigeria, meaning we don’t have allowance,” one athlete told The Guardian. “We were told that we will get $50 daily allowance here in Ukraine. I just hope they will pay us so that we can buy some things for our families and friends back home. We are doing our very best to do the country proud in this competition even though we are young athletes. “Our President (referring to President Goodluck Jonathan) told us the other day that Nigeria will always back us anytime we fly the nation’s flag outside the country. He hosted

us after the AWAC Games, gave us money and we appreciated it. We need his support here in Donetsk because this is World Stage and we are doing well,” the athlete added. The Guardian learnt yesterday that approval of money for Nigeria’s participation in the on-going IAAF World Youth Championship in Ukraine was still being delayed at the National Sports Commission (NSC) office in Abuja. A source hinted yesterday that the Sports Minister/Chairman of the NSC, Bolaji Abdullahi had given approval of the budget resented by the AFN for the trip, but a director in the ministry who is in-charge of Federations and Elite Athletes is allegedly delaying it. Efforts to speak with NSC officials yesterday were unsuccessful. An official of Team Nigeria here confirmed yesterday that they were yet to get money from the NSC for the competition.

the GUarDIan saturday, July 13, 2013

sPOrts European Round-Off

Bayern Just need Fine-tuning, says Lahm ayern Munich captain, B Philipp Lahm, says his team are “not reinventing football”, but admits some minor changes are being made to the treble winners under new coach Pep Guardiola. the Bavarians won the Bundesliga, champions League and DFB-Pokal under Guardiola’s predecessor, Jupp heynckes last season, playing a different style to the one favoured by the catalan at his former club Barcelona. after just over two weeks’

working with Guardiola, Lahm acknowledges some things have changed, but says the new coach has not set about revolutionising a side who have just celebrated their most successful season ever. “Pep Guardiola has his own ideas,” Lahm said. “he expects a few things from us, like the way we move or our passing and positional play. “We’re going to have to work on the fine-tuning in the coming weeks, but it’s only about small things.

“We are not reinventing football.” Guardiola does not have to change much, either, and perhaps his biggest challenge will be sustaining the hunger levels Bayern showed on their march to glory last term. Lahm says the catalan will not have to worry about that, though, as they look to build on a campaign in which they won four trophies - also including the German supercup - by clinching six in 2013/14. “We have really good chances to win titles again,” the

Germany full-back added on his club’s website. “We’re certainly not going to get any worse. the competition in the champions League is obviously extremely hard, though, and we are the ones everybody will be hunting because everybody wants to knock out the holders. “But nobody need worry that we’re going to sit back and relax after winning the treble. the opposite is more likely to be the case because there’s a lot still in this side.”

rodgers Fighting to Keep suarez at Liverpool renDan rodgers has B revealed he is in regular contact with wantaway striker, Luis suarez, as he steps up his bid to persuade the controversial player to remain at Liverpool. the Uruguay international informed the reds of his desire to leave anfield this summer, with arsenal said to be preparing a lucrative bid. rodgers does not want to sell the 26year-old, though, and is determined to keep him at anfield ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign. “at the moment he’s on a break, we’re in constant communication,” rodgers told talkSPORT. “he’s got three years left on his contract, we don’t want to

sell him. We think we can put up a real fight next season. “I spoke to Luis, of course over the last few months, there have been a lot of speculation over his situation. the fact remains the same we value the player, he had a terrific season for us last year, and showed us his quality.” suarez received a 10-match domestic ban for biting chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic toward the end of last season, while the previous campaign he received an eight-game suspension for racial abuse. But rodgers has insisted that despite his various controversies, suarez is a top player and is committed to Liverpool.

‘napoli Better Off Without cavani’ coach, antonio JwillUVentUs conte, believes that napoli be a stronger team with-

Lahm

Transfer Gossip anchester city are close to beating off competition M from chelsea for Fiorentina forward, stevan Jovetic, 22, but will have to pay the £30m asking price. Manchester United striker, Wayne rooney, 27, still wants to leave Old trafford with chelsea in pole position to land him for £25m. tottenham are to offer aston Villa the choice of Benoit assouekotto, 29, scott Parker, 32, Jake Livermore, 23, or tom huddlestone, 26, along with £20m in exchange for their 22year-old Belgium international striker, christian Benteke. arsenal could be stuck with Denmark striker, nicklas Bendtner, 25, as his prospective switch to eintracht Frankfurt is close to collapse. arsenal are set to up their £30m bid for Liverpool’s Uruguay international striker Luis suarez, 26, as their attempts to buy real Madrid striker, Gonzalo higuain, 25, falter. the Gunners are also looking to revive their interest in sevilla midfielder, Geoffrey Kondogbia, 20, who is also a target for real Madrid, chelsea and Manchester United. real Madrid will not give up on signing tottenham forward, Gareth Bale, 23, this summer until the transfer window finally slams shut. Manchester city have suffered a setback in their quest to sign alvaro negredo, 27, after the spanish striker claimed he was happy to stay at sevilla. Fulham are considering a move for Liverpool’s Uruguay international defender, sebastian coates, with Brendan rodgers prepared to sell the 22-year-old after he failed to make an impact in two years at anfield. reds boss rodgers says he is now targeting “marquee signings” having already added four new players to his Liverpool squad. Promising 17-year-old left-back, Luke shaw is set to reject offers from Manchester United and chelsea and sign a new contract with southampton. napoli striker, edinson cavani, 26, is on the verge of a £54m move to Paris st-Germain. trabzonspor have joined turkish rivals Galatasaray in the race for chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, 26. swansea boss, Michael Laudrup has told four of his players they can find new clubs. alan tate, 30, Luke Moore, 27, Kemy agustien, 26 and Leroy Lita, 28, were all left out of the swans’ squad for their pre-season trip to holland. sunderland have managed to sign 28-year-old Italian midfielder, emanuele Giaccherini for £6.8m despite Juventus’ original valuation of nearly £11m. the club are also closing in on tottenham midfielder, tom huddlestone, 26, who is unsettled at White hart Lane. QPr manager, harry redknapp is lining up another reunion with striker Peter crouch, 32. crouch has played for redknapp at Portsmouth twice, southampton and spurs, with

chelsea’s romeu Joins Valencia

out edinson cavani amidst reports that the Uruguay international is on his way to Paris saint-Germain. the 26-year-old cavani netted 29 goals in 34 serie a appearances to help napoli to second place in the table last term, yet conte feels the Partenopei will only benefit from a potential summer transfer by being able to reinvest the huge sum it would receive the Uruguayan’s services. “I think PsG paying 63 million euros for cavani is a gift to napoli,” conte said at a press conference. “I would have preferred the ‘Matador’ to stay at napoli. With him, we normally always beat them. napoli will reinvest that 63 million.

“Moreover, now they have rafa Benitez. he has won everything as a coach and for me is underrated.” assessing the Bianconeri’s other rivals ahead of the new season, conte highlighted Inter, ac Milan and Fiorentina as the other major threats to his side’s scudetto crown. “Inter have a great coach, and Milan only lost once in the second half of last season,” conte said. “Fiorentina are also becoming a great side with Mario Gomez coming in. “the arrival of rudi Garcia will help roma. he did very well in France.” Juventus will be gunning for its third consecutive serie a title this season after clinching the scudetto both in 2012 and 2013.

heLsea midfielder, Oriol c romeu, has joined La Liga side Valencia on a seasonlong loan. the former Barcelona youngster appeared nine times for the Blues last year before injuries disrupted the second half of his campaign. new manager Jose Mourinho has already signed andre schurrle and Marco van Ginkel, while adding veteran goalkeeper Mark schwarzer, as he continues to shape the squad to his liking.

Cavani

Suarez

Pellegrini hints at new Faces eW Manchester city boss, n Manuel Pellegrini, has hinted the club may be about to announce a new signing in the next 24 hours. Pellegrini is with the city squad in south africa for a mini pre-season tour ahead of the Barclays asia trophy in hong Kong. the chilean’s first match in charge in charge of the citizens will be against supersport United in Pretoria on sunday, followed by another in Durban next thursday. Pellegrini is also looking to strengthen his squad and has suggested there may be transfer news imminent, although he is not certain and did not discuss specific targets. he said: “We don’t know at this moment who is going to come here. “We are trying to bring the best players into our squad. I am always open to young players, and to good players.

I could not reject real Madrid, admits Illarramendi eaL sociedad midfielder, r asier Illarramendi, admits he couldn’t possibly turn down real Madrid and described his impending move as “irresistible.” the spain Under-21 international is on the verge of swapping the anoeta for the santiago Bernabeu this summer after the Blanco confirmed they had triggered the youngster’s 30 million euro release clause. even though Illarramendi stressed it was not an easy decision to leave san sebastian after 12 years at the club, the 23-year-old says he could not resist the allure of the spanish giants. “I became aware of the interest while on holiday,

there was contact, the only ones I spoke to were my agents,” Illarramendi said. “I spoke with my people, we considered it and I thought this is a unique and irresistible offer. I feel the colors of La real and will always be a fan, I struggled a bit to make this decision, but it is a good decision. “I have been here 12 years and the decision was not easy, I had a hard time deciding. I want to give thanks to the directors, the coaches in the youth team, my teammates, I wish them all well.” Illarramendi will become the fourth summer recruit to join the capital club following the arrivals of carlos casemiro, Isco and Daniel carvajal.

Illarramendi

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Ahead Brazil 2014 World Cup Qualifier

Keshi Dreams Emenike, Ameobi, Anichebe Attack Against Malawi UPEr Eagles’ coach, Stephen SAmeobi, Keshi, wants to unleash Shola Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Anichebe on Malawi when both teams meet in a decisive Brazil 2014 World cup qualifier later this month. Ameobi just has one cap for Nigeria, while Anichebe has not played for the Super Eagles since Keshi became the coach in 2011. Newcastle United’s Ameobi was listed in Keshi’s team for the South Africa 2013 Nations cup campaign, but the Magpies stopped him from being part of the victorious team owing to the nature of contract he has with the English team. Keshi told BBC yesterday that a clause in the striker’s club contract which prevented him from playing at this year’s Africa cup of Nations has been removed. “He’s been dealing with this for a while and I’m happy it [the clause] has been removed,” Keshi said. “Just as we were giving up on him, he called to give us the good news.” The 31-year-old Ameobi has played only once for the Super Eagles, in a 3-1 friendly win over Venezuela in Miami, florida in November 2012. He showed his worth in that game by setting up the third goal but Keshi has been unable to call on the former England Under-21 international’s services since then. Keshi is delighted Ameobi is set

to return in time for a 2014 World cup qualifier at home to Malawi in September - a game which Nigeria must not lose if they are to secure a final play-off spot for next year’s tournament in Brazil. “I’ve always admired Ameobi’s wealth of experience and I respect his personality for him to make himself available is fantastic,” said Keshi. “I would love to have all my strikers available and Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Brown Ideye and Victor Anichebe are all fantastic players. “When we start selecting the squad to face Malawi, to have someone like Ameobi available is excellent for us. “It is superb to have all these players available for our important games because it will help our quest for a World cup ticket.” Anichebe recently excused himself from the national team to concentrate on his club football with Everton. But sources close to the striker say he is now ready to resume his international career. Keshi has been trying to get Anichebe to rescind the decision to shun the national team and the latest news would be music to his ears. Nigeria’s leading striker at the Nations cup, Emmanuel Emenike, is back in action after missing the World cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia, as well as the Brazil 2013 confederations cup.

club Owners raise Election Advisory committee, Rejects LMC’s Interview For New Staff From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja N a move that suggests that IAssociation the club Owners of Nigeria are not willing to give the League Management committee (LMc) enough time to totally restructure the Nigerian league, the club Owners yesterday raised a committee to advise it on how to conduct elections for principal officers of the league. The LMc and club Owners after a peace meeting brokered by the Nigeria football federation (Nff) last month in Abuja, had sued for peace and agreed on the sharing formula for the N550 million paid by globacom Limited as the Nigerian Premier League title sponsorship fee. But rising from a meeting yesterday in Abuja, the club owners, who insist that the LMc’s tenure would run for only one year, set up a fiveman committee, headed by S.B Aluko of Kwara United to advise and guide it on how to approach the election into the League board, in line with fIfA standard electoral code. The committee also has Zanna Mala (El- Kanemi Warriors), Dumbor Awanen

(Dolphins) and Alabi Demola (3Sc) as members, while Oscar Okeke of Heartland fc will serve as its secretary. The association also in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting disassociated itself from the reported interview conducted by the LMc to replace the current staff of the defunct NPL, while advising that the LMc should ensure that the workers are not thrown into the labour market, as well as ensure the payment of all their salary arrears among other things. The club owners also urged the LMc and all the parties involved in the title sponsorship and television right to respect all existing contractual agreements and MOU in order to avoid further litigations, adding that the LMc should spell out stiffer sanctions on clubs that do not allow live or video coverage of matches, as well as those involved in assault of match officials.

Super Eagles’ star, Victor Anichebe (right) contests with Belgium’s Jeroen Simaeys during the semifinal match of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Shanghai, China.

Ukraine 2013 IAAF World Youth Championship

Amusan, Adewale Through In 200m From Gowon Akpodonor, Donetsk, Ukraine frIcA’S fastest youth, Divine Ejowokoghene Oduduru, may be on his way to the United States if the scholarship is anything to go by. Impressed by Oduduru’s performance in the on-going IAAf World Youth championship in Donetsk, some coaches from the American camp were said to have approached officials of Team Nigeria, seeking the services of the Delta Stateborn Oduduru. President of the Athletics federation of Nigeria (AfN), Solomon Ogba, told The Guardian yesterday after Oduduru ran a new personal best in the 200m, that the federation has received offers from the US, adding that other Nigerian athletes were also on the radar of the Americans. “They (American coaches) came pleading that we should allow them take Oduduru and some other ath-

• American Coaches Besiege Team Nigeria’s Camp letes to their country. They promised them scholarship,” Ogba said. Oduduru was full of anger, as he approached the starting block for the 200m heat yesterday, having missed the chance of qualifying for the 100m final the previous day. In the boys 200m heat eight, Oduduru ran one of his best races this year, setting a new personal best time of 21.24 seconds to hit the next round. The Nigerian brushed aside his closest challenger from the United States, Noah Lyles, who ran 21.28 seconds to place second. The American also made a new personal best in the process. In the girls 200m also yesterday, Adewumi Deborah Adewale qualified ahead other contestants from Italy, Kazakhstan and India. The Nigerian returned in a time of 24.15 seconds to move into the next round of the championship.

Also through to the next round of the girls’ 200m race is Oluwatobi Amusan, who ran 24.50 seconds to move on to the next round. The performance by the Nigerians thrilled Ogba, who arrived the city of Donetsk yesterday. However, it was a different ball game for Nigeria’s triple jumper, Uruemu Theophilus Ejovi, as he failed to qualify for

rangers Sure Of Winning cAf confederation cup Appeal IgErIA football kick them out of the cAf N federation’s (Nff) offi- confederation cup, cAf seccials say they are confident retary general confirmed that that the Enugu rangers would be reinstated in the cAf confederation cup on July 20. In a letter acknowledging receipt of rangers’ appeal to the organising and disciplinary committee decision to

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the next round despite the support from members of Nigerian community in Ukraine. Another Team Nigeria athlete, Bashiru Abdullahi, also failed to make it to the final of the boys 110m hurdles yesterday. Despite running a personal best time of 14.02 seconds, Abdullahi finished last in heat three to kiss the event good bye.

••ABc

the appeals committee would sit on July 20 to decide on their petition. Nff secretary general, Musa Amadu, who made the letter available to MTNfootball.com, said “ We have put together all available evidence that Emmanuel Daniel was duly cleared to play for rangers. “He was not listed by Shooting Stars for the present season and as such cannot be a Shooting Stars player.