Sat 20 July 2013

S A T U R D A Y COVER 49

POLITICS 9

Will There Ever Be Justice For The Dead?

The Treacherous Road To 2015...

E D I T I O N POLITICS 12

LIFE&STYLE 23

Suswam: Never!

Yaro:

I Won’t Go Back To Northern Governors Forum

Showering Hope On The Desolate

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,623

Arewa Youths Oppose Elders Over 2015

Why Rivers Police Commissioner Remains, By Minister

By Odita Sunday HE Minister of Police Affairs, T Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade (rtd) and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, yesterday gave reasons why the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, has not been removed.

There has been public outcry from the Rivers State government and some stakeholders, including state governors and members of the National Assembly, demanding the removal of the Police commissioner over his alleged involvement in the political crisis in the state, which snowballed into a fracas last week on the floor of state House of Assembly.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, the minister said investigations into the “unfortunate incident” was still ongoing and urged the public to await the outcome.

“The chairman Police Service Commission is in a better posi-

Say Jonathan Is Qualified To Contest As A Nigerian From Saxone Akhaine, Northen Bureau Chief SERIOUS crack appeared in A the North yesterday, over the plans by the Arewa elders to produce a Northern Presidential candidate to challenge President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential contest, as the Northern Youths Forum (NYF) said that its members will only support any candidate for the leadership of the nation on the basis of merit irrespective of ethnic or religious background.

Besides, the Arewa youths specifically criticized the recent joint statement by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and other elders groups which condemned President Jonathan over the crisis in Rivers state, other political upheavals and the sorry state of the economy, saying that the current negative situation in Nigeria was a result of the maladministration by some of the Northern leaders who are now criticising the government of the day.

They lampooned the Chairman of the Northern

NEWS 4

US Tackles Malaria With N11.7b

Elders Forum (NEF), Prof Ango Abdullahi and the ex-while Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sani Zango Daura and other groups of elders in the North for exhibiting hypocratical tendencies concerning the present state of the nation, “pretending to have forgotten that their acts of commission and omission while in government brought this nation and indeed the north to its present difficulties”.

In a statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity of NYF, Mallam Bello Gambo Bichi, the Northern Youths said: “ it may not to long before Nigerians and particularly Northerners begin to question whether the present lawlessness is not a direct result of their poor leadership legacies”.

Abdullahi, last Tuesday, led a joint press conference of Arewa Elders to criticised Jonathan on his role in the crisis in Rivers state and also unveiled the readiness of the north to ensure that the Presidency comes back to the region in 2015.

However, the Youths Spokesman, Mallam Bichi remarked: “ the crisis in the Governors Forum or the crisis in the ruling party are all a case of their past misdeeds hunting the present generation. And sensing the consequences of their misadventure while in government, they are now quickly shying CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

N150

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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NEWS 2

Obi To Dump APGA Ahead Anambra Guber Polls NEWS 3

JTF Commends Borno Vigilante On Hunt For Terrorists NEWS 5

Representative of Bayelsa State in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) contest holding in Yenagoa… today.

Child Marriage: Women lawyers Criticise Senate

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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FG Dares Ambassadors, Diplomats Over The Breaking Of Communication Rules From John Okeke, Abuja IGERIA will no longer N condone the breach of established channel of communication by some ambassadors and their diplomats, who have continue to make comments on political issues that amount to undue interference in its internal affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, who stated this yesterday during a briefing session with the diplomatic corps, explained that some ambassadors and diplomats, after drafting their letters, decide to send it direct to the Presidential Villa, instead of passing it across to the Ministry for onward considerations and assessment Ashiru affirmed that this was incompatible with the status of diplomatic missions, adding: “We will not hesitate to identify and deal with erring missions, who

Say No To Same Sex Marriage, Warns Against Oil Theft fail to respect Nigeria’s sensitivities and sovereignty.”

In the same vein, the minister maintained that Nigeria would not succumb to any pressure to accept the same sex marriage and urged the international communities to demonstrate a better understanding of the country’s traditions and cultural beliefs.

He said: “On gay rights, I must stress that this is not in accord with the culture and religious beliefs of the generality of Nigerians.

“Respect for human rights of a minute minority cannot be at the expense of the larger societal values, well being and orientation of the people.

Even laws are rooted in culture, which must be upheld for the good of the society.

“I, therefore, appeal to the international community to show a greater understand-

ing of the culture and traditions of our people.”

Speaking on criminal activities and illegal oil bunkering and theft in the Gulf of Guinea, Ashiru asked the diplomats to warn their vari-

tion to comment on it.

Everything falls within his purview,” he stated.

Olubolade added that the Police have an internal way of dealing with any erring officers and pleaded with

the public to allow the Police high command to deal with the matter accordingly.

“The Force has a way of dealing with an issue internally.

The public should allow the Force to investigate.

“However, I have asked the chairman of Police Service

“However, you must cooperate with us to address the international dimension to this scourge. The Nigeria Navy and NIMASA have been directed to take firm measures against any ship caught engaging in unwholesome activities, including oil theft in Nigeria’s territory.”

Obi To Dump APGA Ahead Anambra Guber Polls

By Samson Ezea (Lagos) and Chuks Collins (Awka) OllOWING the Appeal FChief Judgment that restored Victor Umeh as national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as against the Maxi Okwu-led faction loyal to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, there are strong indications that Obi might dump the party ahead of Anambra council/governorship elections slated for October 5 and

‘Why Mbu Remains Rivers Police Commissioner’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ous countries and nationals to desist from the acts, saying Nigeria would deal with the offenders.

“Oil theft in the Gulf of Guinea, as you are no doubt aware, has remained a major

challenge facing the country, as we continue to lose huge revenues arising from these criminal activities.

“We will no tolerate again any criminal activities of oil theft on our water coast. So, warn your countries to desist from these criminal activities.

Commission to look into the matter,” he added.

On his part, Okiro revealed that Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi had written officially to him about the matter.

He further explained that in the letter, the governor raised various allegations against the Police commissioner, including gross abuse of power.

“However, the principle of fundamental human rights demands that an accused person should be given a fair hearing.

“I have directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate the matter and once he is found wanting, he will be dealt with accordingly,” he explained.

He regretted the recent fracas in the state assembly members, describing it as “unfortunate.”

Umeh Sends Emissaries, Seeks Reconciliation November 16 The Guardian learnt yesterday.

A strong member of the Maxi Okwu faction of the party told The Guardian that the Appeal Judgment was a political blow to their camp, contrary to expectations that the case would go in their favour.

It was revealed that after the judgment, there was disquiet and tension in Anambra State Government House, Awka, as Governor Obi and his faction went into a close-door meeting that lasted several hours.

A source privy to the meeting disclosed that it was agreed that the judgment should be challenged at the apex court, while they search for alternative political platform for the council election slated for October 5 and the state governorship election fixed for November 16. The other, the source added, was to present before INEC the Appeal court judgment that upheld the convention that produced Maxi Okwu ledleadership of the party which was earlier given before the Monday judgment that reaffirmed Umeh.

“The decision to search for alternative platform in the interim was due to the fact that the Supreme Court has began annual vacation that will end by Mid-September just few days to the October 5 council poll in the state. That was the dilemma in their camp,” the source said.

The source also revealed that Umeh had on Tuesday sent emissaries to Obi, appealing to him to forget all that has

happened in the past so that they can work together ahead of the governorship election, but Obi refused the entreaties having made up his mind with supporters not to work with Umeh for fear of being taken unawares again.

On which political party Obi might likely pitch his tent, the source said that he is still consulting and the party will be made known soon.

The Guardian investigation reveals that most of his supporters are rooting for Chief Chekwas Okorie’s newly registered United Peoples Party (UPP) as a viable option, considering that other known political parties have been hijacked by governorship aspirants.

It could be recalled that the Maxi Okwu led-faction of the party had, on the instruction of Gov. Obi some months ago, paid Okorie a visit in his house in Enugu where they apologised to him over the treatment meted to him in the party by Umeh’s leadership.

Speaking on the development yesterday, Okorie said that he has not been formally approached, but if they do, he will receive them. He stressed that it has been his desire for the past three decades for the Igbo to be united.

Also, in his reaction, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Obi, Mike Udah said that the issue is purely a party affair and not government business.

Meanwhile, Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, a key kitchen

cabinet member and closeconfidant of the governor confirmed to The Guardian yesterday in Awka that the faction has already gone ahead to file the appeal at the Supreme Court.

He disclosed that the decision was taken a day after the Court of Appeal verdict. He noted also that the legal team that has been handling the suit has been beefed up and all grey areas and technicalities that formed the plank on which they lost at the Court of Appeal taken care of.

Nwobu-Alor admitted that the Court of Appeal verdict has brought more problems and confusion in the party and among the members, hence the decision to go for the Supreme Court litmus test.

He also assured that the whole new development does not in any way affect the work of Chief Reagan Ufomba’s Peace and Reconciliation Committee. “No, all these recent development does not affect the result of the committee’s work on reconciling members.”

He however decline to comment on what their next move would be if the appeal fails at the apex court.

In a related development, no fewer than 20 governorship aspirants, including Walter Okeke and about three females beat the deadline yesterday to pick the Expression of Interest forms for the election.

Among the female aspirants was Mrs. Josephine Anenih, former minister of Women Affairs and member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Eucharia Azodo.

2015: Arewa Youths Disagree With Elders CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 away from the truth and diverting public attention from a disease to the symptom of the disease”.

“They thought Nigerians and indeed Northerners might have forgotten the link between their past failures as leaders in contemporary Nigerian political history and the current lawlessness.

“They suddenly want to play the superman, who just came out of the blues to save Nigeria through Press Conference. In fact what they could not do to make Nigeria better when they served in various capacities as Presidential Advisers and Ministers, they are now doing so through Press Conferences”.

“The Zango Dauras and Angos of this world want to blindfold Nigerians and indeed Northerners to beleiving that a President they accuse of seeking selfperpectuation is wrecking havoc on his immediate constituency of Niger Delta, particularly Rivers state”. “ How would anyone in his right senses beleive this? The crisis in Rivers State is a constitutional matter which the leaders of that state be allowed to resolve amicably; and not just someone from afar fueling the crisis in the name of imaginary ambition of some leaders”.

Bichi argued that “ we challenge the duo of Ango and Daura to tell Nigerians and the north what they did to add value to the lives of Nigerians. Professor was

Presidential Adviser on food security, what did he do to impact positively on the lives of Nigerinas while in office? Alhaji Daura was Minister of Agriculture, he should tell Nigerians and indeed the North at he is pretending to be fighting for, what impact he made as Minister of Agriculture”.

The Arewa youths continued: “While we condemn in strong terms the negative utterances of the elders from any section of this country, we take exception to the press conferences designed to promote selfish interest at the expense of all Nigerians.

“And in terms of national leadership, we advocate for a good leader and not just a Northern leader. Nigeria would be greater without

ethnic champions, who cry over spilt milk. The future of the north will not and cannot be compromised to serve individual interest”.

Meanwhile, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, who spoke with The Guardian on whether the North was disposed to producing Nigeria President in 2015, said: “But we understand that zoning has been killed and meritocracy has taken the center stage in producing the nation’s president in 2015.

“So, everybody is free to contest and the North is not an exemption. We shall contest base on merit...there is nothing stopping the Ibos from also contesting the election.

The presidency should be opened to all sides of Nigeria,” he added.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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NEWS

JTF Commends Borno Vigilante On Hunt For Terrorists From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE military Joint Task Force T (JTF) in Borno State has joined residents and the state government in applauding the “daring efforts” of members of the state’s Vigilance Youths Group (BVYG), who have been continuously hunting for the fleeing Boko Haram sect members for over five weeks.

Since the youths commenced

their operations in Maiduguri metropolis, conducting “street to street and house to house” searches with their sticks, knives and cutlasses at strategic locations in the city, three top Boko Haram commanders and over 250 terror suspects have been arrested and handed over to JTF sector commanders for further investigations.

Meanwhile, the JTF has said that the Boko Haram terrorists

.Says Boko Haram Receives Foreign Assistance must have been receiving assistance from some foreign countries, as most of the weapons and ammunition they use in their “serial attacks and killings” are so sophisticated to the extent that even the Nigerian Army lack some of them.

Men of the JTF had entertained fears over the involvement of

unarmed youths in hunting for the fleeing insurgents, but with the success of the youths in arresting some Boko Haram commanders and other terror suspects, the security task force has endorsed and supported their activities.

Speaking on youths’ involvement and arrest of terror suspects, the JTF spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa said: “The JTF

has commended these youths for assisting our soldiers in arresting these terror suspects among people living in the metropolis. The youths have also renewed their efforts in supporting the JTF in the current operations.”

He said the JTF has also expressed its support and encouragement for the vigilante groups and youths associations of the three wards for their commendable efforts to end Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

Speaking on what gives the youths the courage to go after the terrorists, chairman of BVYG, Abubakar Mallum, in an interview in Maiduguri yesterday, said that God is behind them.

Mallum said: “Our members are not afraid. We also rely on people’s prayers. As all of you continue to pray for us, God will protect us until all the terror suspects are rooted out from our midst and handed over to soldiers for further investigation.

On how they fish out the terror suspects, Mallum said: “We rely on informal information provided by some residents, including relatives of the fleeing Boko Haram members. Besides that, some of the youths in this massive manhunt had monitored how the attacks and killings were perpetrated by the gunmen in the various wards and communities.”

Conducting Governor

Kashim Shettima on Thursday at the destroyed enclaves of the Boko Haram sect members in Zajeri, Bulabulin Ngarnam and Fulaja wards of Maiduguri, the field commander of JTF, Col. S. S. Ahmed disclosed that the weapons and equipment recovered from the Islamist insurgents indicated that they were smuggled into Nigeria from foreign countries.

Ahmed said: “The abandoned houses in those communities in the wake of insurgency were converted into a hiding places for terrorists. Other houses were also connected by drilling tunnels to create an easy ‘escape routes’ when our troops try to attack and arrest them.”

He said snipers among the terrorists usually climbed roof tops and trees and used sophisticated telescopes that can see clearly in the night to detect the movement of security personnel, noting that sometimes, the JTF finds it difficult to arrest them, as they move through the tunnels from one place or house to the another.

The JTF field commander commended the governor for assisting the security task force in restoring peace to the state, stressing that without the Governor’s assistance, they would not have achieved what they have so far achieved.

Justice Lies With God, Says Ige’s Daughter From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan HE eldest daughter of the T late Chief James Ajibola Ige, the nation’s erstwhile

Late Mrs Taiwo Abati, mother of the Media and Publicity Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Reuben Abati, was laid to rest yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Picture, top, shows Reuben, left, and his siblings: Robert, Lanre, Ralph and Iyabo at the graveside. Picture, below, shows Chief Emeka Anyaoku, left, Publisher, The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, Executive Director, Toke Alex-Ibru and Managing Director, Eluem Emeka Izeze at the occasion.

PHOTOS: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI AND PHILIP OJISUA

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice who was murdered in December 2001 by unknown gunmen, Funso Adegbola, yesterday declared that the family’s hope for judgment lies with God. Funso, who spoke against the backdrop of the court’s discharge and acquittal of Major Al Mustapha and Lateef Sofolahan over the conspiracy and murder of Kudirat Abiola, said what they are asking for at this point in time is justice from God. She said: “I feel sad for Kudirat Abiola’s family; I have an idea

Rivers Crisis: We Won’t Cooperate With New Police Probe Team, Pro-Amaechi Lawmakers Vow From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt HREE days after the Police declared leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, wanted, 26 of his colleagues have dissociated themselves from the second team of Police officers led by a Commissioner of Police and Senator George T. Sekibo investigating the crisis in the House.

The pro-Governor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers have also cautioned one of their colleagues, Mr. Evans

T

Bapakaye Bipi, to desist from impersonating the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree.

Amachree and 25 of his colleagues in a joint statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, however, pledged their support and cooperation to the Deputy Inspector General, Philemon Leha-led fact-finding team sent by the Inspector General of Police as well as the Senate Committee on Local Government factfinding mission on the crisis that rocked the House on July

9 and 10, this year.

They alleged that following the reconvening of the House on July 9, five pro-Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike lawmakers in alliance with the Rivers State Police Command and their thugs, carried out an unprovoked attack and assault on members of the House including the Speaker, Amachree, Lloyd and Wanjoku Azubuike.

They stated that thereafter, the five lawmakers made a spirited but unsuccessful

attempt to impeach the Speaker in obvious disregard of the procedures set out in Section 92 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Order 12 and Order 28 of the Standing Orders of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Since the botched impeachment attempt, one Hon. Evans Bipi has rather surreptitiously impersonated the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly in Defiance and gross violation of the laws of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria and has gone ahead to make publications in the national media. We hereby call on the public to disregard the impostor (Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi) and his fabricated fallacies which is targeted at misinforming the general public,” they said.

The lawmakers called on the Federal Government to ensure that there is peace and security in Rivers State and assured the people of the state of their commitment to uphold the Constitution.

of how bad the situation is.

The truth is that with our system as a nation, I do not think that we can ever get justice.

God said in his word that vengeance is mine and at his own time, he would avenge for us.

“We are not asking for revenge, what we look forward to is justice from God. We leave the killers to God and at the appropriate time, he would bring them to book.”

She, however, lamented a situation where some people kill and get away with it, adding, “this is a bad sign.”

On the justice system, Funso said the judges are human beings and as such they are not infallible.

“It is only the government that can appeal and not the family. We believe that some people have something to benefit from our own pains. It is the system; even if they kill or jail the suspected killers, it still does not bring our parents back.

“Our hope is not in government; we are not looking up to any man but God for justice,” she stated.

Book Launch HE launching of two books: T Talking at Random and Yoruba Traditional Religion, written by Omoleye has been fixed for Tuesday, July 30 at the Press Centre, Iyagangu, Ibadan by 11.am. Chairman of the occasion is Alaafin of Oyo, HRM Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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NEWS

US Tackles Malaria In Nigeria With N11.7 billion

By Chukwuma Muanya

• Partners ACC, NAFDAC On Counterfeit Anti-malaria Campaign

Spart of efforts to reduce an A estimated 100 million malaria cases with over 300,000 deaths per year in the country, the United States Government (USG) has provided $73 million (N11.68 billion) to support the President’s Malaria Initiative in Nigeria.

USG in partnership with AntiCounterfeiting Collaboration Nigeria (ACC) led by its President, Tee Mac Iseli and the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), yesterday, in Lagos, launched the Counterfeit Antimalaria Medication Awareness Campaign

(CAMAC).

ACC is a non-political, nongovernmental, non-profit making coalition, which was conceived in October 2006 with the aim of bringing brand owners, enforcement agencies and interested parties together, to form an effective ‘opposition party’ against counterfeiters, infringers and pirates in Nigeria.

ACC disclosed at the launch that it has resurrected two anticounterfeiting laws from the National Assembly and plans to represent them after a public discuss on December 5, 2013.

Also, the Commissioner for Health Ogun State, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, has warned that 80 per cent of fevers treated as malaria in Nigeria are not even as he called for appropriate diagnosis before treatment.

Acting Consul General of the US Embassy in Lagos, Dehab Ghebreab, at the launch of CAMAC said: “Given its devastating impact, malaria prevention and control are major foreign assistance objectives of the USG. With Fiscal Year (FY) 2013funds,theUSGisproviding $73 million to support the President’s Malaria Initiative in

NASU Serves Fresh Strike Notice From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE industrial crisis rocking T the university community is expected to further escalate soon as the non-academic staff unions have threatened to resume their suspended strike.

Speaking yesterday on the impending industrial action on behalf of the non academic staff unions, comprising the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), which form the Joint Action

Committee (JAC), the President of NASU, Ladi Illiya, blamed the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement by government.

The three unions had onMarch 9, 2013, suspended a strike action called in protest of the non-implementation of the agreement.

While expressing the reservations Nigerians have towards further strikes in the education sector, the three unions declared that the decision to reopen the strike action was caused by the recalcitrant nature of government.

Illiya said: “It appears as government is taking our under-

standing for granted thereby putting us under pressure from our members whose patience are fast running out.

It is in the light of the above that JAC is calling on wellmeaning Nigerians as a matter of urgency to prevail on government to address all the issues within the shortest possible time, failure which we may not be able to hold our members back from resuming our earlier suspended strike action without notice.”

The main issues in contention include funding of the universities, earned allowances and the NEEDS assessment report on the state of universities in Nigeria.

TheGuardian SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2013

2015: North In Search Of Lost Paradise President Jonathan’s second term ambition is upsetting the Cart in the North. Early callers for a Northern Presidency in 2015 appear to have lost steam, except for fiery Junaid Mohammed and Prof. Ango Abdullahi. So, when will the presidency return to the North - 2015, 2019 or even 2027, after the Igbo may have had their fair share of eight years?

IBBRU CENTRE: What Is The Appropriate Dress Code In A Religious Setting?

We Own The Land – Abuja Original Inhabitants Abuja Original Inhabitants take their case against the FCT administration to the court of public opinion.

They say their case is worse than that of the Niger Delta

Business: When Concessioning Serves Private Interests, Instead of the Public

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

Nigeria, a comprehensive package of malaria interventions, implemented by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which will reach an estimated population of 39 million people in eleven target states.”

Ghebreab said the US President’s Malaria Initiative supports four scientifically proven key interventions to prevent and treat malaria.

These, he said, are the promotion of insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual insecticide spraying, the scale-up of intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, and supporting better diagnostic services at public health facilities.

The Acting US Consul General

expressed her country’s optimism that the campaign will raise awareness of the dangers of counterfeit anti-malarials, and will help to reduce the high prevalence of counterfeit and substandard medicines in Nigerian markets.

According to her, given the importance of the programme, the Consul recently learned that the US State Department has provided the resources to continue the outreach next year, which they hope to do utilizing SMS technology to reach an even wider audience. “By using radio, the medium with the largest reach in Nigeria, we hope to spread the word to millions of Nigerians and help save lives,” she said.

Jonathan, Ibru, Anyaoku Bid Madam Abati Farewell From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta ROMINENT Nigerians, P including the Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Mike Oghiadomhe, Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, Publisher of The Guardian Newspaper, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, her son, Toke Ibru yesterday joined hundreds of other Nigerians to bid final farewell to the Matriarch of the Abati family in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Madam Taiwo Abati.

Madam Abati is the mother of Dr. Reuben Abati, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan. She passed on on Friday, May 23 at the ripe age of 82.

The St. John Anglican Church, Igbehin, where the funeral was held was filled to capacity with

many members of the congregation standing outside.

The Bishop of Egba Diocese of the Anglican Church, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Adekunle, in his sermon, extolled the virtues of Madam Abati, saying she led a fulfilled and exemplary life worthy of emulation.

The Cleric compared the deceased with Ladies Dorcas and Deborah in the Bible who were virtuous women whose lives were exemplary.

The Clergyman lamented what he described as unacceptable behaviour of some political office holders. He specifically mentioned the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly where a legislator allegedly smashed the head of one of his colleagues with the Assembly Mace, querying how Honourable such a person could be.

APGA Repositions For Anambra Guber Poll From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja OLLOWING the declaration Fauthentic of Chief Victor Umeh as the national chairman of the All Progressives grand Alliance (APGA) last week by the appeal court in Enugu, the party had disclosed that it will soon begin activities for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra state.

Speaking when he received the leadership of the Intra Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja, the APGA National Chairman, Umeh stressed the need for all party stakeholders to close ranks and map out strategies to ensure the party did not lose the opportunity of retaining the Anambra state government house which it currently occupies under Governor Peter Obi. He noted that despite the skirmishes witnessed in the party, it will still remain focused, stressing that the judgment of the Court of Appeal Enugu Division dealt decisively with the raging confusion in the leadership of by coming out hard on the judgment delivered by the Chief Judge of Enugu.

The APGA chairman noted that the appeal court judgment came at the right time as the party is preparing for the governorship election in Anambra, adding that it will soon role out its time table for the party primaries for candidates to run on its platform “When you have disagreement and at the end of the disagreement if it is resolved through judicial process, the people who lost should know that they have lost. In Anambra State governorship elections, we are not discriminating against any person. If you want to stay with us, you must stay with us in peace.

But if you will want to come and cause problems during the party primaries, we will not hesitate to sanction the person. We will not tolerate any disloyalty anymore within the ranks. It is very obvious that APGA will still remain the party to beat in the Anambra election,” he declared.

Umeh who expressed worry at the incessant squabbles and sponsored destabilization plots against party leaderships, argued that government funding of political parties will no doubt help to strengthen them and by extension democratic practice in the country.

17 New SANs Emerge From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE Legal Practitioners T Privileges Committee (LLPC) yesterday conferred the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on 17 lawyers, including the Editor of THISDAY Lawyers, Ms Olufunke Aboyade.

Secretary of LPPC, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi who announced the names of the new SANs said they would be inaugurated at a date to be announced later.

A Private Prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Godwin Obla and the Attorney General of Enugu State, Anthony Ikechukwu Ani are among the new SANs. Others are Adele Eberechi, Olumide Sofowora, Uko Udom, Suraj Sa’Eda, Anthony Anaenugwu, Joe Abrahams, Akinlolu Timothy Kehinde, Prof. Lawrence Asekome Atsegbua, Biriyai Dmabo, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, Olalekan Fatai Yusuf, Moyosore Jubril Onigbanjo, Aliyu Maitasamu Abdullahi and Victoria Olufunmilayo Awomolo.

Prior to their emergence, they were among the 43 senior lawyers short-listed for interview for the award.

Lawyers Want Bipi, Nwogu Arrested, As Court Rejects Lloyd’s Request To Stop Arrest From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt practitioners in LtionEGAL Rivers State say the declaraof the State House of Assembly Leader, Chidi Lyold, wanted by the Police is discriminatory.

Rather, they noted that Evans Bipi and Kelechi Nwogu, who ordered a police officer to shoot Governor Chibuike Amaechi, needed to be invited for questioning also.

Uche Okwuku, a lawyer, explained that part of the video of Tuesday, July 9 Assembly fracas revealed that Bipi admitted that he brutalised Lloyd earlier and threw him on the floor of the House.

Okwuku said Bipi, in the eyes of the law, could not be a speaker, alleging that his actions ignited the crisis that rocked the assembly last week, while Nwogu should be arrested for ordering a police officer to shoot the governor.

Another lawyer, Argus Obinna Chukwuka, said Section 4 of the Criminal Code provided clearly listed the party to offence to be those who actually committed the offence, those who in any way assisted in committing the offence, and those who played active role before and after the offence .

Meanwhile, a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt yesterday, threw out a request by counsel to Lloyd, asking the court to stop any move by the Police to arresting the lawmaker.

Justice E. Teetito declined the motion on grounds that the respondents must be put to notice before such motion could be granted.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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NEWS Child Marriage: Women Lawyers Criticize Senate’s Resolution From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja.

HE International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria, has expressed dissatisfaction with the resolution passed by the Senate to retain the provisions of section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which deems a married underage girl as an adult.

The Federation said that the resolution is contrary to the general views of Nigerians as expressed during the recent Constituencies Consultations conducted as part of the ongoing Constitutional Review process.

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In a statement issued yesterday by the its National President, Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau, the federation disclosed that “for section 29 (4) (b) to continue to remain in our constitution is a clear negation of Nigeria’s commitment to different international and regional treaties such as The Convention on the Rights of the Child, The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and The AU Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa which all prohibit child marriages.

“FIDA Nigeria reiterated that the generality of Nigerians have spoken during the constituencies consultations that section 29 (4) (b) does not deserve to be in the

Constitution and therefore should be deleted. It therefore behooves the Senate to grant Nigerians their desired wish, rather than allow itself to be deterred by the views of an

individual borne out of purely selfish considerations. It is generally accepted that ‘The voice of the people is the voice of God’”.

The Federation urged mem-

bers of House of Representatives rise to the occasion and stand with the generality of Nigerians by ensuring that the voice of the people is heard and upheld.

Nasarwa, Benue To Set up Grazing Areas From Msugh Ityokura, Lafia HE Governments of Nasarawa and Benue states met yesterday in Lafia the Nasarawa state capital to further brainstorm on ways to cushion the effects of the incessant killings of residents of both states by Fulani herdsmen at the border

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areas.

A communiqué signed by Benue state governor Gabriel Suswam and issued to journalists yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, after a joint meeting of both states, the federal government is to play a key position in bringing to an end the sustained conflict,

which has claimed many lives in the affected areas.

The meeting resolved for the mopping up of illegal arms and ammunitions/disarmament on both sides to pave way for an immediate cessation of hostility and directed for the assessment of all damage made during the crisis.

Expert Applauds Conviction Of Boko Haram Terrorists

By Laolu Adeyemi RESIDENT, Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu has applauded the conviction and sentencing of four members of the Boko Haram terrorist group for carrying out multiple bombings and killings in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Suleja, Niger State between March and July 2011.

Praising the courage and wisdom of the Abuja Federal High Court Judge, Justice Bilikisu Aliyu who sentenced the terrorists to life behind bars, Ekhomu said terror trial judgments should show the capacity of the judiciary to contribute in combating terrorism.

Ekhomu in statement made available to The Guardian called for capital punishment for terrorist crimes that result in fatalities saying terrorists must not go unpunished.

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JTF Releases Victims Of Kidnapping From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos HE kidnapped persons rescued by the Special Task Force (STF) on last Saturday in Jos have been released with an instruction to report to the STF headquarters anytime their attention is needed.

Spokesman of the force, Captain Salisu Ibrahim Mustapha, told The Guardianin a chat that the arrested kidnappers may be handed over to the police next week after their preliminary investigation.

According to the statement he issued in Jos, provision of timely information to security agencies by the civil populace is very essential. “Based on intelligence report provided to the STF, the STF wishes to inform the general public particularly the good people of Plateau of the raid operation it conducted on 12 July 2013 with remarkable success.

“On the said date, at about 12pm, STF Anti-Kidnapping Squad carried out a raid operation at Chiwarna Hotel located at Zinaria Layout Jos North Local Government Area and rescued eight victims who were kidnapped by a group of criminals. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were kidnapped at various locations of the metropolis and locked up in one of the hotel rooms.

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Chairman of ASO Savings & Loans Plc Mr. Olatunde Ayeni welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to the official commissioning of the Goodluck Jonathan Housing Estate, Idimu Lagos on Friday…

Nigerian Press Underutilizes FOIA At The Risk Of Democratic Progress, Says Jeyifo Ajibola Amzat WO years though have passed after the enactment of Freedom of Information Bill by Nigeria government, there is a crisis of underutilization of the law by the press and the Nigerian public, yet “the game in town is corruption.”

This observation is the thesis of the paper delivered by Professor of AfricanAmerican Studies and Comparative Literature at Harvard University, Biodun Jeyifor at 5th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series held recently at NIIA, Lagos.

In the lecture titled, The Freedom of Information Act and the Dictatorship of Corruption and Mediocrity, Jeyifor argued that, the press that fought hard for the enactment of the law has been “remarkably reticent” since the passage of the law, even at the risk of democratic progress.

Jeyifor said “corruption is everywhere but in Nigeria, the offenders rub it in your face and they don’t get punished”.

He however said the challenge is not insurmountable if the press is up and doing, “every democracy needs

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vibrant press to develop”.

The lead sponsor of the FOI bill in the House of Representative and one of the discussants at the event, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa said journalists needed to take public holders to task much more than they do at present. “They need to be asking the right questions including questions directed to the National Assembly.”

She asked: “What happens to N4000 being collected every year from university and polytechnic admission seekers by JAMB (Joint Admission Matriculation Board)? What happens to different levies collected at the airports?

Somebody should be asking these questions.”

She said, despite the fact that the law requires MDAs to submit their FOIA compliant report to the House; only 29 MDAs have so far complied.

“We have however made it compulsory for all MDAs to submit FOIA reports to the House before their budget could be approved. All MDAs must not only own a website, they must put the information that people require in the public domain,” she disclosed.

NPAN Worried Over Moves To Gag Press HE Newspaper Proprietors’ T Association of Nigeria (NPAN) at its meeting held yesterday in Abuja, among other important national issues, examined the state of press freedom in Nigeria and noted, with concern, that there is a clandestine move to revive the moribund Press Council, which is usually an official tool to gag the press.

It would be recalled unsuccessful attempts were made to use the Council against press freedom during the past military dictatorships.

A statement signed by NPAN president, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, said: “Since we have a democratically elected government in place over the last 14 years and counting, we do not expect our elected leaders to follow the tried and failed tactics of past dictatorships in Nigeria.

“Recent moves by some undemocratic elements in the federal government indicate that there are still persons in the government who will rather not have a free and fair press, but prefer to take steps to abridge the freedom of the press and the right of the people to have unfettered access to information.”

The NPAN expressed concern

over such move to bring back, through the back door, the Council, which Justice A. M Liman, in Suit N0 FHC/L/CS/1324/99, between it and the President, Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Information and National Assembly, ruled on February 25, 2010 that the Council was unconstitutional.

It called on the federal govern-

ment to respect the judgment and help deepen the country’s democracy by encouraging the full and complete implementation of The Freedom of Information (FoI) Act signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in a signal to the country and the world that he would run an open government anchored on a free press.

‘UN Not Aware Of Nigeria’s Plan To Withdraw Troops From Mali’ HEUnited Nations (UN) says T it was yet to receive official notification from the Nigerian government on the country’s plan to withdraw its troops from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

“We are only aware of the development through media reports, but we have not been formally notified by Nigeria about the troops withdrawal,” spokesman of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support, Andre-Michel Essoungou, said yesterday.

He, however, confirmed that Nigeria has officially notified the department of its inten-

tion to withdraw some of its troops (up to two battalions) from the UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the spokesman also said the department was in contact with a number of Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) to replace the troops being withdrawn from the mission in Sudan’s Darfur region.

“The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations is obviously very appreciative of Nigeria’s continued support to UN peacekeeping missions and we thank the government and people of Nigeria for the sacrifices to peace efforts worldwide,” Essoungou noted.

Nigeria is the fourth largest troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping operations.

Pan African news agency (PANA) on Wednesday broke the story of Nigeria’s plan to withdraw its troops from MINUSMA because the country felt slighted by the fact that no Nigerian was considered for any of the key posts in the mission, including the Force Commander, Deputy Force Commander and Head of Mission.

On Thursday, ECOWAS Chairman and Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, confirmed that Nigeria had officially communicated the decision to pull out its troops to the regional bloc.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 13, 2013

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NEWS

UNIJOS-ASUU Condemns Ongoing Post-UTME Test, Calls For Cancellation From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos HE Academic Staff Union T of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos Branch, rose from its meeting yesterday, dissociating itself from the ongoing Post University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) test

being conducted by the nonacademic staff of the institution. ASUU also passed a vote of no confidence in the exercise and its outcome just as it condemned the exercise and called for its outright cancellation.

Reading the text stating their position, which was signed

by ASUU UNIJOS Chairman,

Dr. David Nansoh Jangkam and Secretary, Dr. Noel Wannang at a press conference yesterday, Jangkam said that it amounted to a breach of university rules on examinations which vest the preparation and conduct of examinations the sole and sacred responsibility of academic staff.

He called on the university council and senate to rise up to its task of defending and preserving the academic integrity of the university system.

Jangkam noted that the union has strived to carry every sector of the University of Jos on board, adding that it appears that the adminis-

Oloko, The Guardian’s Photographer, Passes On At 57

By Debo Oladimeji HE family of the late The T Guardian photographer, Paul Oloko, yesterday visited the office at Rutam House, Lagos to officially notify the management of the company of the passing on of Mr. Oloko who died on Tuesday at the

Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Speaking during the visit, the immediate younger brother to the deceased, Mr. Declan Oloko, a staff of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar, said in tears that, “nothing could be

more painful than the sudden death of a beloved one.”

He added that Oloko had given The Guardian several commendations from prominent Nigerians, and organisations due to his sterling qualities, hardwork and the good quality of his job.

“He won several awards

nationally and internationally.

The family and the company shall miss him dearly. He was a very simple and upright person.

Very loving and embraced all his co-workers and friends. He was free with everybody,” he said.

He added that the burial arrangement would be communicated to the company later.

Amaechi Advocates Conducive Environment For Wealth Creation IVERS State Governor and R Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has called on Rivers people and those doing business to partner with his administration to create a conducive eco-

nomic environment that would boost wealth creation and reduce poverty in the state.

Amaechi spoke at the 2013 Rivers State Summit on Wealth Creation and Poverty Reduction, an initiative of

NEPAD and the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency with the theme, “Developing an Effective Comprehensive Framework for Wealth Creation and Poverty Reduction” in Port Harcourt.

The governor explained that as a means of changing the face of development in the state, his administration focuses on four basic areas of development, which include, education, agriculture, power and health.

tration lacks the will power to tell their “master” the truth possibly out of fear.

He lamented that the conduct of the Post-UTME test would undermine the strike

by ASUU, which would subsequently water down academic excellence and integrity as the academic staff are not involved.

Keep Your Environment Clean Campaign Tours Lagos Slums

By Sony Neme HE Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP) has commenced an awareness campaign tour nine most populated slums within the metropolis with the theme, ‘Keep Your Environment Clean Campaign.’

LMDGP is a World Bank-assisted project that is in partnership with the Lagos State Government.

According to the statement made available to The Guardian, the LMDGP Keep Your Environment Clean Campaign is focusing on selected parts of the affected communities.

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City Of Refuge Holds Convention ITY of Refuge Ministries C International will from Wednesday July 24 to Sunday July 28 hold a power-packed convention with the theme “Transformation Through Renewal”.

According to the Presiding Bishop of the Church, Oscar E. Ossai, the convention will hold at the church’s auditorium, 58, Ogudu Road, by Unity Junction, Ojota, Lagos at 6pm daily, except on Sunday when it will commence at 9am.

He said that Bishop Chris Raymond, Apostle Anselm Madubuko, Apostle Gbenga Igbafen and his humble self would minister at the five-day event.

Ijaw Group Faults David-West On Cremation

By Onyedika Agbedo

S controversy continues to trail, the cremation A law recently passed by the Lagos State and signed by Governor Babatunde Fashola, the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG) has described the statement credited to Prof. Tam David-West asking his children to cremate him after his death as an abomination in Ijaw land.

In a statement signed by the Coordinator of the IMG and former Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Comrade Joseph Evah, the Ijaw group lamented that “a prominent son of Ijaw land with deep knowledge of the culture and custom of the Ijaw people is demanding the unthinkable.”

Noting that the demand would be resisted, IMG said that Ijaws were “shocked and embarrassed that a world-class professor from our homeland made such a demand.”

The group noted that “the burial custom of the Ijaws is traceable to the origin of mankind and has fundamental and non-negotiable rites. We shall continue to maintain its sanctity till the end of time.”

The statement added: “We want our Professor to know that what he stated in his will to take place during his funeral will never happen in Ijaw land.

“If he wants to be cremated, he should go to India and wait till the end. His academic records are firstclass anywhere in the world and he is one of the few global citizens from Africa produced by Ijaw nation but demanding for a funeral of abomination for himself is taking radicalism too far and must be resisted.

“We hereby ask the children of David-West to reject and ignore their father’s will on the type of funeral he preferred.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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NEWS Govt To Boost Ginger Production With Processing Factories From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri HE Federal Government has stated its readiness to boost massive ginger production in all nooks and crannies in the country by establishing more processing factories across the federation.

Director General of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Azike Peter Onwualu revealed the Federal Government plan on Thursdays at Nwaorieubi, Mbaitoli Local Council headquarters of Imo State while commissioning a multi–million naira ginger slicing and drying processing factory donated to Mbaitoli Divisional Co–Operative Society Ginger Growers Association for the processing of ginger under the Federal Government’s Cluster Initiative.

Onwualu,who was represented by the RMRDC Director of Plants and Equipment Department, Dr. Seb C. Obasi, said similar gesture would be extended to other societies interested in the development of ginger in the 9,555 wards through the Ward Based Cluster Project (WBCP) in the country.

Onwualu, who saw the project as part of efforts to curb unemployment, said that RMRDC was seeking new ways to stem youth restiveness and social vices through the ginger potentials.

Onwualu stated that Nigeria is the third largest producer of ginger in the world, adding that about 92 per cent of ginger produced in the country is often exported.

Director General of Roots Crop Research Institute Umudike, Dr. Julius C. Okonkwo, represented by the Head of Ginger programme of the institute, Dr. Charles Amadi, promised that the institute would help to maintain the machine.

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Redemptorist Ordains Eight Priests, Five Deacons IGHT Redemptorist E priests and five deacons have been ordained by the Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, assisted by the Vice Provincial Superior Redemptiorist Vice Province of Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Callistus Nwachukwu, at Saints Michael, Raphael and Gabriel Catholic Church, Satellite Town, Lagos.

The newly ordained deacons are Henry Ugese, Hyacinth Agomouh, Chukwuemeka Amaefule, Clement Odoemena and Christopher Uwadiale.

The newly ordained Priests are Rev. Henry Nwokoro, Joseph Udoudo, Norbert Opara, Raphael Koleade, Godwin Abbah, Henry Mary Mbanefo, Alex Nwaodazie and Augustine Onojah

NCC Arrests Four, Confiscates Equipment Over Illegal DSTV Signals Transmission From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu EVERAL broadcast equipment worth over N3 million were confiscated as operatives of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) who also arrested four persons in a raid at storm Aba, Abia State yesterday in search of persons transmitting signals of the DSTV illegally.

Those arrested were three males: Mr. Obinna Onukaji, Mr. Somtochukwu Ezelue and Mr. Tochukwu Okonkwo

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and a female accomplice, Chikezie.

If found guilty, the four suspects would face jail, be fined or both in accordance with section 20 of the Copyright Laws.

NCC Zonal Manager, Mrs. Ngozi Okeke, who briefed journalists in Enugu after the raid on four outlets in a shopping centre and another outlet at Hospital Road, Aba, said the suspects were arrested “for selling and being in posses-

sion of contrivances like Liberty Star –TI, Liberty Star T3, Avatar 2, Avatar 3, Az Sky, Liberty Star T-5, which are used in perpetrating broadcast piracy”.

She said that the commission had earlier this month received a complaint from DSTV that some Nigerians had infringed on its rights of broadcast, adding that after a thorough investigation and surveillance report, Copyright Inspectors led by

Okwudili Macfoy Akachukwu and backed by 30 armed policemen raided the five outlets.

Okeke said investigation into the case would continue, adding that appropriate action would be taken at the conclusion of investigation.

She re-affirmed the commitment of the commission to stamp out piracy in its entirety in the country, adding that the success of the raid was an indication of the commis-

sion’s renewed commitment to its regulatory and enforce-

EMOGRAMS Old Students Meet Tomorrow MOGRAMS Old Students E Association meets tomorrow at Block 163, Flat 5, Jakande Estate, Isolo-Ejigbo Road, Lagos at 3 pm.

The host is Ughovero Godspower

Guest Speaker, Prof. Lawrence Ogbonnaya; Reddington Hospital Quality Assurance Manager, Dr. Olasumbo Davison; Chairman, Society for Quality In Health Care in Nigeria (SQHN), Prof.Ade Elebute and Deputy CEO, International Society for Quality (ISQua), Triona Fortune, during 4th Annual Conference of SQHN in Lagos…yesterday PHOTOS: GABRIEL IKHAHON

LASIEC Seeks More Wards, Polling Units For Lagos

By Tunde Akinola AGOS State Independent L(LASIEC) Electoral Commission has said that 376 existing wards and 8,465 polling units, which have been in use for about a decade, need to be increased to accommodate the electoral needs of 6,201,681

registered voter in the state.

LASIEC made the remark yesterday during stakeholders’ forum on delineation of wards and creation of additional polling units held at Surulere Local Government Area of the state.

Chairman of the Commission, Justice Abdul-

Fatai Adeyinka, noted that the delineation of wards and creation of additional polling units would help in producing more representatives in government for the electorates at the grassroots level and remove the pains voters usually experience in an effort to cast votes at distant polling

booths.

Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide, who commended the commission for its efforts on the exercise, sought to know how the additional financial cost of maintaining more councilors to be produced from the exercise would be

President Flags Off Housing Estate For Police Officials

By Odita Sunday and Tosin Fodeke N government’s bid to ameliorate effects of shortage of affordable housing in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned a 200-unit housing estate for members of the Nigerian Police Force.

Jonathan while speaking at

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the commissioning of the estate tagged ‘Goodluck Housing Estate’, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to fund the Nigerian Police no matter the cost.

He stated that the project, which is a result of public-private partnership (PPP) between the Nigerian Police

and Aso Saving and Loans, falls within the government ambition to provide affordable housing for Nigerians.

The president further urged other states to key into the PPP initiative, even as he said the Federal Government has concluded plans to establish a mortgage refinancing corpo-

ration to ease housing acquisition in the country.

He said that government would continue to improve on infrastructural facilities in Nigeria Police Colleges and barracks, adding that sustained growth can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Dogara Seeks Presidential Intervention On Bauchi’s Planned Council Relocation From Adamu Abuh and Terhemba Daka, Abuja HAIRMAN of the House of C Representatives Committee on House Services, Yakubu Dogara, has accused Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, of divisive tendencies and constitutional breach over attempt to relocate the headquarters of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state to Bununu.

Dogara, who spoke in Abuja at press briefing, said that the action was in contravention of

the Nigerian Constitution and called on President Goodluck Jonathan and all men and women of goodwill to “help prevail on the Bauchi State House of Assembly and the state governor to at least respect the Constitution and put a stop to the unconstitutional attempt to relocate the Headquarters of Tafawa Balewa LGA in the interest of our nascent democracy.”

The lawmaker, who is also seeking the intervention of the parliament through a pending motion already before the house, also stated

that the purported attempt by the State House of Assembly to relocate the council headquarters was ultra-vires, as powers to create such councils lie exclusively with the National Assembly.

The council in contest was created in 1976 with its headquarters in the historic town of Tafawa Balewa- the hometown of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, the Late Sir Abubakar Tafawa -Balewa.

Dogara said every action of a state assembly, from relocation to creation and boundary adjustment of a council is sub-

jected to Section 8( 5) of the 1999 Constitution.

“It is subject to an Act of the National Assembly. The action of the state assembly is clearly in violation of the constitution and to that extent void ab initio and of no effect whatsoever,” he added. Dogara vowed that no amount of threat, including the threat to recall him by his constituency, would stop him for advocating for the right thing, even as he said that he would ensure that the matter is “pursued and sustained until justice is done.”

met.

Chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Hon. Hakeem Bamgbala, appealed to the commission to embark on public enlightenment on the exercise to educate the electorate on the impending changes in the political process at council level in the state.

ADU Urges Mimiko To Select Successor From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin.

RESIDENT of Akoko Development Union (ADU), Kwara State Chapter, Elder Steve Ajulo, has urged Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, to search for a successor who will up hold his legacies as the next governor of Ondo State.

Ajulo, told The Guardian yesterday in Ilorin, that Mimiko has touched lives positively in the state, but warned of a looming danger if “the right person does not succeed him.”

Ajulo said: “ Since the creation of Ondo State in 1976, we have never seen a proactive governor as the incumbent governor. He provided his people water, electricity, education, health and commerce among others. These achievements are unprecedented in our history. But we are already thinking beyond our amiable governor now. We are thinking of who will succeed him. The aphorism that without a good successor whatever success will be short-lived should not be ignored.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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METRONOTES

Insurgency Disrupts Education In Borno, Yobe, As Students, Teachers Shun Schools From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri

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HE attacks and killings in some of the schools in Borno and Yobe states by suspected Boko Haram gunmen has forced teachers and students in public schools in the two states to stay indoors, fearing that they could be attacked, like their colleagues in Maiduguri, Monguno, Damaturu and Mamudo, where over 59 students and five teachers were killed.

Besides the holing up of teachers and their students, school attendance has already dropped by over 60 per cent since the attacks on Mafoni Junior Secondary School, Maiduguri and Ansarudeen Secondary School in Zajeri ward of the metropolis.

This will affected the Junior West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination at Mafoni Secondary School, as 155 students could not turn up to write the examination on Monday, July 15.

Speaking on the fears of teachers and students over the insurgency in Borno State schools, the Principal of Mafoni Junior Secondary School, Yusuf Tom, penultimate Friday, said: “This insurgency caused by Boko Haram sect members has affected many of our teachers and students in one way or the other.

“The school attendance has dropped and performances of students in examinations have also been affected negatively, with low marks scored in most of the subjects.”

On how the school was attacked, he recounted: “About three months ago, some gunmen came to the school and shot dead four of our teachers.

From then, our teachers and students are scared of coming to the school.

“Since the attacks and killings at the school by suspected gunmen, the attendance of our teachers has dropped because their colleagues had been killed before their presence, while students sustained injuries.”

He said besides the drop in school attendance, some parents have refused to allow their children return to the school to write the examination.

According to Tom; “Shortly before the Junior WAEC examination commenced, I had to go house-to-house, begging parents and guardians to allow their children and wards to write the examination that will determine their future educational pursuits.”

But he bemoaned that his persuasions fell on deaf ears, as only 155 out of the 242 students registered to write the examination, as the rest still feared further attacks by the sect.

Commenting on the intervention of Borno Vigilance Youths Group (BVYG) in the hunt for Boko Haram sect members, Tom said: “The youths have reduced tensions and fear among teachers and students.

“Since the attacks on this school, teachers’ attendance had fluctuated between nine and seven out of the total 40 on my register.

“With the emergence and intervention of vigilante youths assisting men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), things have normalised.”

The youths, according to him, have been talking to both students and teachers to return to schools, assuring them of their protection, as the hunt for sect members in Maiduguri continues.

The school principals, therefore, called

on stakeholders in the education sector to assist all schools in the metropolis overcome the sect’s insurgency.

He urged the stakeholders to emulate the initiatives of the vigilante group that has instilled confidence in teachers and students to return to school, adding that plain clothe security agents should be deployed to the secondary schools to fish out more sect members among the teachers and students.

To overcome the fears of students returning to schools, the Principal of Gwange I Secondary School, Hussaini Ahmad Talba, said: “Despite the chal-

lenges of security in the schools, I have always advised my children to attend school and never to leave school until closing hours.

“I think that has helped us a lot in safeguarding the lives of my children in school and on their way home.

“Even among the students, there are members of Boko Haram. So, I always tell my children not to talk carelessly while in school and on their ways home.”

Speaking on the demoralisation of teachers and the fears of going to school, Talba appealed to Governor Kashim Shettima to, as matter of

urgency, implement the N18,000 minimum wage for teachers.

He bemoaned: “Our colleagues in other states are enjoying the minimum wage, as against the N6, 500 in Borno State.

The non-implementation of the minimum wage in the state, according to Talba, has not only affected teachers’ morale, but also the entire teaching staff of Local Education Authorities (LEA).

For now, many fear that the disruption of academic activities in the two states would drag them further behind in education.

Students on their way to school.

Creating Jobs And Rehabilitating Kogi Youths Through Yad4Kogi

Some of the beneficiaries

From Kolawole Timothy, Lokoja

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T is a new dawn for youths in Kogi State, especially those that have submitted themselves to through rigorous training and discipline under Governor Idris Wada’s Yad4Kogi (Youth Advancement and Development Programme for Kogi State) project.

The objectives of the programme, which include generating employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths, reduce rural-urban migration, stem social vices, channel the zeal and energy of the youths positively for self-development and create wealth to enhance socio-economic development of the state, are yielding fruit.

The programme, which commenced in the last quarter of last year, has since turned out several sets of trainings, with about 5,000 young men and women given employment opportunities and adequately equipped to contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.

The beneficiaries are aged between 18 and 35 years from the 21 councils of the state. They were trained at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Asaya, Kabba.

The Yad4Kogi programme has four major components- sanitation volunteers, agro-entrepreneurship development, cassava processing and rice production.

The sanitation component involves cleaning of roads, gutters and other public works avail-

able.

The youths involved are also known as Yad4Kogi volunteers, are given uniforms and kits to enable them carry out their duties and paid a monthly stipend of N7, 000 after satisfactory completion of the cleaning exercise.

This phase of the programme is for the indigent that were unable to afford higher education.

The volunteers are expected to work from 7am to 10am in the portion allocated at their local government area from Monday to Friday for a period of 12 months and spend the remaining part of the day to learn a trade, the cost of which will be supplemented by the government.

The zonal coordinators work hand-in-hand with the desk officers of each council to ensure proper monitoring and their activities are to complement those of the sanitation and waste management board.

The agro-entrepreneurship development training programme is aimed at tapping the agricultural potential of the state for employment generation and wealth creation for youths of the state and consists of graduates with OND (Ordinary National Diploma) and above.

The agro-entrepreneurs are trained on the entrepreneurship skill development, cooperative enterprises management, marketing techniques, record keeping and accounts, costing and pricing strategy, feasibility study for small businesses and business plan development, among others.

After training, the young entrepreneurs are given loans of N250, 000 in tranches to enable them start their various agro-businesses and are encouraged to form cooperative groups to pool their resources together for maximum benefit.

Meanwhile, to harness the benefits of the state, being the largest producer of cassava, Wada, it was gathered, has approved the establishment of four cassava-processing centres in four councils.

In addition, about 5,000 youths are being mobilised for cassava production in 16 councils.

The youths, from selected councils, are trained in cassava grit processing at Ayetoro in Ijumu coun-

cil and Odu-Ogboyaga in Dekina council.

They are tutored on the technology involved in the production of dry cassava grits and chips, operations and maintenance of the machines and quality control requirements needed for the products to meet export standard.

While the youths are trained on chips and grits, the women are lectured on garri production at the end of which they are given take-off grants in form of cassava tubers and linked to market sources.

The facility centre at Odu-Ogboyaga, when completed, it was learnt, will provide employment for over 100 youths and 100 women in cassava chips, grits and garri production.

Some of the equipments provided at the centre by the state government include stainless steel cassava gritting and chipping machines, hydraulic press and jack, garri processing machines, measuring scale, stitching machine, and wheelbarrows, among others.

The centre will be operated by the various cooperative groups and supervised by the coordinating office of the Special Adviser on Youth and Women Development.

According to the Special Adviser in charge, Mrs. Temitope Sinkaiye, so far, 15 cooperative societies have been formed and operating at the centre, each given cassava tubers worth N100, 000, with other youths trained to operate in their councils.

She also disclosed that about 2,000 youths had been mobilised and registered into cooperatives for rice production in Lokoja, Kogi, Bassa and Ibaji councils.

Guest speakers from various walks of life were invited to lecture the youths, including Dr. Iweriebon Ifeyinwa from United States (US); Mrs. Rhona Peters, a cassava grit and chips expert from Flo-Mulvina Nigeria Ltd.; and Mr. Ishola Adekunle from Hicmann Investments Ltd.; amongst others.

Community leaders, including parents, attested to the changes observed in the attitudes of their wards engaged in the programme.

TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013 | 9

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics

Jonathan

Amaechi

Amachree

Rivers PDP Crisis And The Tortuous Path To 2015 Presidency

By Samson Ezea INCE the Rivers State Assembly crisis eruptSunfolding ed, several political events are rapidly across the country simultaneously in what looks like a true indication that the intrigues and scheming for the 2015 Presidency between the North and South appears to be root cause of the Rivers crisis and its outcome might shape the direction of 2015 Presidency in the country.

While in a quick succession, Northern leaders from various groups had in a press conference in Kaduna warned President Goodluck Jonathan against re-contesting in 2015, four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors from the North were in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a solidarity visit to Governor Rotimi Amaechi where they were allegedly held hostage by youths loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike.

At the same time, the purported elected Speaker of the five anti-Amaechi lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Evans Bipi was in Aso Rock Villa to see President Goodluck Jonathan where he claimed that he is the authentic speaker of the state Assembly. Bipi, who was in Aso Rock for a dinner hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan for delegates of a summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, claimed that his headship of the House of Assembly is sealed.

In his words: “Of course, it is not contestable, I remain the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly because I have not been impeached. A motion for impeachment was placed on the Speaker and I emerged as the Speaker and I have not been impeached.

How would it be five? We formed a quorum.

It was a full house and I was duly elected; it was by over 23 lawmakers.”

Also, despite the denial and exoneration of the Presidency and Mrs Patience Jonathan from the crisis by their spin doctors who subsequently called Prof. Wole Soyinka names for offering advice on the crisis, Mrs Jonathan

opened up on the genesis of the crisis, while playing host to Bishops from Niger Delta region in Aso Rock Villa on Wednesday.

She denied involvement in the current political tussle in the oil rich city and stated that her problem with Amaechi dates back to four years ago in Anyugubiri in Okirika when she told Amaechi to engage her people in dialogue instead of demolishing a part of their community.

She said that aside throwing her advice to the wind, Amaechi went as far as sacking the chairman of the local government for holding a reception in her honour. She added that all her pleas with the governor to lift the curfew imposed on her people for nine months fell on deaf ears.

Hear her: “Rivers State issue is one thing I have committed to prayer because I believe there is nothing God cannot do. God restored me and I will do His work without the fear of man. The truth will always remain the truth and what God ordains must come to pass and so Rivers issue is something we have handed over to God. “This matter started four years ago at Anyugubiri in Okrika when I begged him not to demolish a part of Okrika but that he should dialogue first with the people. After that incident, he called the chairman of Okrika Local Government and sacked him for holding a reception in our honour. That boy was the first victim.

“He also put my people under curfew for nine months. I called him and pleaded with him but he refused. Then I began to hear all sorts of propaganda in the media against me; this is not the way.

“I have never spoken about this issue but as men of God, I believe you will say the truth always because there are a lot of conflicting interests; some will hear one thing and say the exact opposite.

“I also want you to know the genesis of this problem and pray that God touches Amaechi’s heart as per his hot temper because when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”.

Mrs Jonathan explained that she urged the

governor to sheathe his sword and allow peace to reign in the state. She said as a mother, she could not be fighting the governor, her son.

She also urged Amaechi to avoid being used by outsiders to fight “his own blood”.

She added: “I appeal to Amaechi to sheathe his sword so that we can defend our state and this country with love, unity, patriotism and truth at all time.

“Hebrews 12:14 urges us to embrace peace with all men without which we cannot see God. Amaechi is my son, I cannot fight him and I cannot kill him. He shouldn’t be used by outsiders against his own blood because this seat is vanity.

“One day, no matter how long it takes, we will leave this seat. Power is not forever. This seat is vanity, others sat here and left, so one day I will also leave and we will meet at home. So why should I fight him. Let’s take it easy and face issues. Let’s stop magnifying lies; we must respect our leaders and people in authority. Let’s give peace a chance.”

Reacting, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the governor did not demolish the houses around a school in Angubiri, Okirika, but obeyed Mrs. Jonathan’s advice. Semenitari, who recalled what happened in Okirika when the President’s wife visited, said the school shown to Mrs. Jonathan by the governor had no playground, adding that a playground and other facilities could only be provided if some houses around the school were demolished.

“The First Lady advised against it and the governor did not demolish the houses. The school is still there without a playground.

This issue happened a long time ago. What I don’t understand is that she still bears that in mind,” the Commissioner added.

On Thursday, the governors from the opposition party Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) paid a solidarity visit to Amaechi in Port Harcourt.

The elders of the North drawn from the

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Arewa Re-awakening Forum (ARF), Northern Union (NU), Code Group (CG) and Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) jointly condemned the crisis in Rivers State which they said represents a worrying evidence that the fate of Nigeria’s nascent democracy and national security is under threat.

While blaming the Rivers crisis on the invisible hands of the Presidency, they said said that “the alarming desperation of politicians for the electoral contests of 2015 is a major threat to the elections themselves, and, ultimately, the democratic process.”

Prof. Ango Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the leaders, said: “The clumsy and embarrassing conduct and fall-out of the election in the Governors’ Forum, the engineered crisis in the ruling party, the role of the spouse of the President in affairs of state and shameful and disturbing abuse of power and rule of law in Rivers State, are signs that Nigeria is descending into anarchy and lawlessness rarely seen in our history.

“The hands of the Presidency are clearly visible in all these events that appear to draw inspiration from the ambition of President Jonathan to stay in power in 2015. The most recent developments in Rivers State represent a new low in the shameful conduct of political office holders at the highest levels, and they should be condemned by all Nigerians.”

The northern elders then called on “President Jonathan to order an immediate cessation of hostilities in Rivers State and also stop using the Nigeria police to settle political disputes,” stressing that “the Nigeria police are not a political party and certainly not an arm of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

On the 2015 presidential election, the elders vowed to ensure the emergence of a northern candidate who would vie against Jonathan and defeat him.

Abdullahi insisted that the President has not kept to his promise of only serving for four

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

10 |

POLITICS

Rivers PDP Crisis And The Politics of 2015 Presidency Forum, we called him to order because we the people made him governor in 2007 on the platyears in office, saying that “the North by form of ANPP against PDP machinery led by virtue of its capacity of voting population President Olusegun Obasanjo and Adamu would ensure that Jonathan would not come Muazu. back to office in 2015.”

“The North is closing ranks and election is a The four Northern governors led by the game of numbers. We are also reaching out to Niger State governor Alhaji Muazu other zones. We are banking on Southwest Babangida Aliyu while in Port Harcourt, con- states, some states in outh-south and Southeast demned the crisis and threatened to stop to capture the presidency in 2015. If President funding the Nigerian Police. They also made Jonathan wins PDP Presidential ticket, the a u-turn to call for state police which they North will align with opposition, if they give a had vehemently opposed during the public northerner ticket’, the member said. hearing on the ongoing constitution review.

Also not resting on their oars are all the SouthThere is no doubt that the unfolding draSouth and Southeast governors who are strong ma is all about power struggle especially for supporters of President Jonathan’s re-election the Presidency in 2015 between the ruling bid in 2015. They are already closing ranks, PDP and the yet to be registered All with the exception of Amaechi, Progressives Congress (APC), and between GovernorAdams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the North and South zone. It is not about the people or good governance, it is about the selfish and personal interest of politicians to capture power by all means in 2015.

A key member of the North Elders Forum (NEF) disclosed to The Guardian that the visit of the four PDP governors from the North to Amaechi was the outcome of the consultations between the political leaders and the governors from zone.

The member said that if Amaechi is being persecuted because he is being seen as proNorth ahead of 2015, that the Northern elders would soon mobilize their people against any Northerner supporting President Jonathan’s re-election bid, especially Vice-President Namadi Sambo and others.

“Amaechi has the right to decide where to pitch his tent politically and should not be victimized. When Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State threatened to pull out Northern Governors’ Aliyu

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Chief Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

Traditional rulers from the two geopolitical zones are also forming a common alliance with the support of their state governors.

They recently held a two-day conference in Bayelsa where they issued a communiqué on the state of the nation.

A member of the national leadership of the PDP revealed that the visit by the four PDP governors from the North to Amaechi did not go down well with the Presidency and the party leadership, but they are still consulting on how to handle them in the face of crisis facing the party ahead their mini-convention.

“But you know that what is going to determine who occupies the seat of Presidency in 2015 goes beyond what is happening, but that is not to say that what is happening

now will not be part of it. Power of incumbency will always play a role and when the chips are down, these recalcitrant governors in the party will be called to order because they still have political ambition beyond 2015, ” he said.

It was disclosed that being seen as antiJonathan governors ahead 2015 are PDP governors from the North with the exception Mr Jonah Jang of Plateau State and Gabriel Suswan of Benue State who are under pressure from some of their political elders to align with their colleagues in the North in the struggle for Northern Presidency in 2015.

Others being perceived as anti-Jonathan governors include Amaechi, Oshiomhole, Okorocha, all the Southwest governors with the exception of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State. So, the Rivers political crisis appears to be a litmus test for 2015

Akande

Adada State: ‘We Will Seek Redress In Court’ Chairman Adada State Movement, Chief James Ugwu in this interview with UWAKWE ABUGU IN ENUGU speaks on their spirited effort for the creation of Adada state and why they will not relent until justice is done.

S a member of the delegation of A some leaders of Adada State Movement and officials of Enugu State Committee on the Actualisation of the creation of the proposed state that went to the National Assembly Abuja in furtherance of your agitation for the creation of Adada out of the present Enugu State, what exactly did you go there to do?

We actually went there to see the chairman of the senate committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in connection with our submissions in respect of our request for the creation of the proposed Adada State.

You recall that, unfortunately, when the chairman presented the committee’s report, he claimed that we submitted a request containing the signatures of some persons who are no longer in the National Assembly.

So, we had to go there to prove to him and his committee that we actually submitted clearly updated copies of our request, contrary to the claim.

We went to tell him, armed with the relevant documents, that we updated our request, in line with the unanimity of purpose of our struggle for the creation of the state of our dream.

All these while, we have never had dissenting voices. Therefore, there was no problem getting the right sight signatories to sign our updat-

ed request, in line with the dictates of the constitution.

We updated our request and have the records, and as I am talking to you, copies of the documents we submitted are here for you to see, as we submitted to chairman of the committee at the level of the senate, to the Clerk of the National Assembly and chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution.

What are the specific details of the reasons adduced by the senate committee for saying your request failed to qualify?

According to Ekweremadu’s report, our request was said to have failed, like other agitations, because it claimed that Paul Eze, a former member of the National Assembly, who had represented the UzoUwani/Igbo Etiti Federal Constituency, signed our document. But it is not true.

We showed them in Abuja that it was the current representative, Stella Ngwu, that signed our updated request way back in May last year.

In the case of the Enugu State House of Assembly, in which the committee claimed that it was former legislator, David Atigwe, that signed as representative of Igbo-Eze North II State Constituency.

But in reality, it was Tony Ogidi, the current legislator from the area who signed, and showed them the documents duly submitted in their relevant offices and duly acknowledged.

So, we proved to him that we actually met all the requirements, according to Section 8(I) of the constitution, and that what we had been waiting for actually was for the National Assembly to play its own role by directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to come and conduct a referendum.

We were taken aback when the report said our

Ugwu request was among those that failed to qualify, a situation that threw our area into a mournful mood, considering the diligence with which our agitation had been prosecuted all these while.

From day one, we had always known that our request had so far fulfilled the requirements, as spelt out by the constitution.

Having proved to him that your request was in order, what was his reaction? Do you still have hope getting justice?

Well, he gave us a keen attention, especially after seeing the acknowledgement letter showing that we actually submitted the updated request over a year ago. He promised to bring up our matter again in the Senate.

Like I said earlier, we obtained acknowledgement letters from the Clerk of the National Assembly. The law says you could submit such request to the Clerk, Senate

President or the Speaker of the House.

But in our own case, we sent to the Clerk, Ekweremadu and the Senate President and obtained acknowledgement letters in respect of each of these submissions made in May last year.

As it is now, we are still expecting this matter to be revisited by the National Assembly, in line with Ekweremadu’s promise.

But so far, we have not heard of it, even as the senate has resumed sitting. We are further worried that almost on a daily basis, we keep reading reports of the same wrong impression that we submitted a request in which former lawmakers were signatories.

Since you actually submitted authenticated request, what do you think the committee still went ahead to declare that your quest failed to qualify?

Well, it is quite unfortunate. And on

this note, we, as a movement, would want to call for a proper review of the committee’s work as it concerns our request.

We were told that the committee actually worked and gave its verdict based on the documents submitted by a consultant that worked for it.

It worries us that the consultant went to take the 2008 document of the 6th National Assembly to assess the requests for creation of states under the current 7th National Assembly, while leaving out documents submitted last year, as in our own case.

The situation calls to question whether the said consultant applied due diligence in discharging his responsibilities.

It is our view that considering the enormity of the mistake, the assessment should be revisited now in the interest justice, especially in line with the ideals of the country’s current democratic dispensation.

The House of Representatives has also pronounced in its report that there will be no state creation, perhaps also on the basis of non-qualification of the agitating groups…?

(Cuts in) I have also read it and it is one of the reasons we are making this case through the media.

Like in the case of the senate, we submitted the same thing to the Speaker of the House and the documents are here. Nigerians are entitled to the facts.

Our movement has published these documents showing our request and proving that the correct persons signed.

Now, the National Assembly is expected to tell Nigerians what the true situation should be.

What happens if nothing is done to remedy the situation?

We have no option than to go and seek redress in the law courts. If we are shortchanged and nothing is done to remedy the situation, as we are appealing, we will seek redress in court.

Lighthouse

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

Truth Has No Elder Brother...

Peacetime Killers And Their Victims: Can You Sort Them Out?

|11

Yemi Ogunsola yemiogunsola@gmail.com 08069074718

Path Of Winners

No Growth Without Discontent

By Bayo Ogunmupe

OUR subconscious, the powerhouse of Y your intuition will carry you to any level of success you desire. But this cannot

happen on its own, by chance, you have to build it, so in order to get your life to work, and take greater advantage of this resource, you have to build a channel for your creativity to flow through.

To enlarge this channel, you have to expand your consciousness. This involves expanding your ideas and beliefs by casting aside old beliefs. If you believe that the solution to your problems is outside of you, you will always look outside for solutions in order to find answers to your needs.

However, you should begin to look inside of yourself for the panacea to your problems. The outer world is a reproduction of your inner world, which is why you should look at yourself in a new way. No amount of will power or motivation will solve your problems if you look outside of yourself for answers, your frightened mind can only attract frightening experiences. This principle underlies why animals are attracted to their own kind. Your subconscious will always lead you according to your beliefs.

All you need do is to want something better than you have right now. Never settle down into self-satisfaction. There is no growth without discontent, while you may enjoy present situation, it is important that you grow from where you are!

If your life does not work the way you want it, it is because you have accepted false beliefs and values that keep you from being all that you can be. When you are stuck like that, then you should review your life and change your false values.

Waiting is a trap, why are you waiting to be happy, to be alive, to be wealthy? There will always be a reason to wait. But in life, you can only have two things: reasons or results. But reasons don’t count, results are what matters in life.

The way forward is to heal yourself, you are responsible for whatever happens to

you. Through the law of attraction, you attract everything that happens to you.

This is a hard pill to swallow, but it is the only way you can change. Often, we insist that reality should conform to our illusion. But the starting point of success is through control. A confused mind works in the direction of poverty, sickness and lack, while straight minds work for abundance and success.

Your basic task is to develop high consciousness, such that you can create the conditions of life you desire.

You can also alter your conditions by challenging your beliefs if even your ego is threatened. Whenever you want something in your life, you must always let go of anything standing between you and your goal. In your heart, you know exactly what you want and if you would listen to your intuition, it will tell you how to accomplish it. Your mind may sell you out, but your intuition never will. Your intuition is your connection with Jehovah, the ultimate power on earth.

Robert Boyle Learn to trust your intuition for no one could control you through it. Your intu- wealthy people. You cannot be talented ition alone can make you what you want or beautiful if you hate talented and to be. Success is your birthright, you were beautiful people. Whatever you resent is born to be successful and that success a statement of what you lack.

Remember, whoever you resent is you, requires no apology.

The way to gravitate from poverty to because we are all one. The more you love riches is to change your self-image. We and support others in their wellbeing, literally act out the kind of person that the more you will have everything. As we think we are! Besides no amount of you support others, you actually support will power will cause us to think another yourself in having whatever you want. way. This mental blueprint of our self- Being yourself is the secret of contentimage in turn tyrannizes our lives. But ment.

So it is with happiness, all happiness is sadly, who you are and what you are is not the same. Your ego may be trying to caused by comparison. You may feel trick you to believe your false self- image. unhappy when you compare what you To attain greatness, you should neutral- have now to that of another person. The ize your ego. The way to neutralize your truth about happiness is that you are not ego is to love yourself unconditionally. what you have, you are not what you do.

This is possible because your ego isn’t When you stop pleasing others by pleasabout loving yourself. And because life is ing yourself, you will maintain a state of consciousness, anything you assume to contentment and happiness. Where be true will become real in the course of there is no comparison, unhappiness is time. You will experience in life whatever impossible. Happiness exists when the mind isn’t removed from itself. But your you are deeply convinced is so.

You cannot be wealthy if you resent environment hinders your happiness.

Beware of where you live. It could be the source of your limitations. Imitate Jesus.

When the Christ found his Nazarene brethren hostile, he relocated to Capanaum. There he found succor and his ministry prospered.

Our champion today is Robert Boyle.

History remembers Boyle as the scientist who gave his name to Boyle’s law —- a natural law that sets out the connection between pressure and volume in gases.

His momentous discovery laid the basis for countless scientific developments that followed. But Robert Boyle was more than an able man of science. He was also a man of great faith in God and His inspired words, the Bible.

Boyle was born into a wealthy family at Lismore Castle, in Ireland in 1627. That time was a period termed “age of reason”.

That time was when thinkers tried to free men from the fanaticism that had enslaved the human race for centuries.

Boyle’s desire to learn was matched only by his intense desire to share his learning with others. Thus, he became a prolific writer. His writing influenced such great minds as Sir Isaac Newton. In 1660, Boyle was one of the founders of the Royal Society. This is a scientific institution that still exists in England.

Boyle has been described as the father of chemistry. As opposed to the Alchemists of his day who kept their findings secret, Boyle openly published all the details of his work. Further, instead of accepting, long-held myths, he championed the use of experiments to establish the facts. This way, he established that matter is composed of corpuscles, that combined in different ways to form substances.

Boyle summed up his way in his book—The Skeptical Chymist. There he urged scientists to avoid being dogmatic. He said scientists should distinguish fact from opinion, differentiate what they knew to be true from things they thought to be true. Before he died in December 1691, Boyle, with his sister Katherine, moved to London where he devoted himself to the propagation of Protestantism.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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POLITICS

‘My Withdrawal From Northern Governors Forum of chairmanship election of the forum in June…

I have continued to say that once some level of desperation is introduced into any contest, you run into problems. And there were some high level of desperation introduced into the contest for the chairmanship of the Governors’ Forum, which is a voluntary organisation. No governor is under compulsion to be part and parcel of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. The people who formed the forum felt that there was a need as governors of the states to meet and peer review each other. It is not for somebody to hijack the forum and think that he can now project an agenda. That is not the essence of the forum. And I will not be part of such an agenda if we are meeting as colleagues.

If I were the chairman, even if five governors say that they don’t want me again, I will leave

By Onyedika Agbedo, Joseph Wantu and Patience the place. But they became so desperate to the Onoabhagbe extent that they introduced a ballot box and printed ballot papers. It ended up in the situaHERE is serious tension in the land ahead of tion that we found ourselves in. the 2015 general election, which is still about It all arose from desperation by somebody to two years away and there are fears that if the remain in a position that, to me, has no meantrend continues unchecked, the political playing just because it has become an ego thing. ers in the polity might sink this democracy. As So, you create a situation where people now a major stakeholder in the system, do you also feel that the President and this person is fightentertain such fears? ing. But that is totally out of place. The presiI am worried myself; I’m very worried about dent has got that because it does appear as if we the active nothing to players have not learnt the lessons of the past. do with The behaviour of a lot of people is very disapthis. We pointing. There is a lot of impunity that is have going on. People make all kinds 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 that are making these statements are going free. And so other people are getting more and more emboldened in taking actions that 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. 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 military came in. The blatant disregard to constituted authorities by highly placed individuals should give cause for worry and I am very worried that if we don’t take time we might run into very serious problems.

Many Nigerians see the state governors as fuelling the crises in the country with the factionalisation of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) following the outcome

Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam had a very busy day, though expected, when The Guardian called at his office recently for an interview with him. But he was welcoming; he spared an hour within which he addressed a myriad of issues that threaten the peace of the country, warning that “if we don’t take time we might run into very serious problems.”

Excerpts:

T

never had a situation where the issue of the leadership of the Governors’ Forum became an issue in the public domain or a press thing. As far as I am concerned, Governor Jonah Jang remains the chairman of the Governors Forum; Governor Amaechi was not elected.

But you people submitted yourselves to the election and voted?

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, the forum will be divided because there was no basis for any election.

Even on that day, we said there was no basis for an election. But one thing that is fundamental that nobody is talking about is the fact that we had agreed to have a constitution. The constitution that was put on the table is totally different from what we agreed on. I was a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee with my learned senior, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, as the chairman. The constitution, which we drafted, had nothing to do with any person coming for a second tenure.

What we agreed on was two years in the south and two years in the north. That was what was drafted in the constitution; the one that was registered is totally foreign and alien to the entire Governors’ Forum. And we raised the issue; we said we cannot go into an election based on that constitution because it is a fraud.

I cannot be a party to that. So, nobody submitted himself to an election.

The outcome of the election led to your withdrawal from the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF). Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda also took that path. With Yuguda back to the NSGF, should Nigerians also expect your return to the forum?

I gave reasons for my withdrawal. I said that if we sit down with men of integrity, men who are leaders, and you take a decision, and you renege on that decision, I cannot stand that. There is no guarantee that you will be able to arrive at any thing. The essence of coming together is for you to operate and agree. In the case of the NGF, for the sake of the country and in the case of NSGF, to project an agenda that, first and foremost, represents the interest of the northern region. And we agreed by raising our hands. The chairman of NSGF asked us individually whether we agreed with the comprise candidacy of Governor Jang and we all concurred. And for people to agree on something and within the next two minutes they are doing something else, I think that does not portray leadership. So, why sitting in a meeting with people that you don’t believe that any decision you arrive at will be respected.

I am a full-blown northerner. It is a forum of 19 people and I have the right to step aside if I don’t feel comfortable that the interest of the people that I think I am representing will not be well represented in that forum. I am not asking any person to follow me. I did not take that decision based on any person’s advice. I have been a governor for six years, so I should know what is good for me and what is good for the people of Benue State and to some extent the people of the north. If at that small level we can’t agree, then how are we representing the interest of the north?

You know there is this cry about the north not getting their fair share in the country.

How can they get their fair share when their leaders are not truthful to even themselves?

Leaders must first and foremost be truthful to

themselves but they are not. How then would they represent the interest of the north?

And so I took a decision that was well thought out. It wasn’t based on any spontaneous reason. No! I thought about it and I felt that I should take that step. When we gather, the people expect that we are representing their interest. If that is no longer the case, what is the essence?

Six years into your administration, the opposition still accuses you of completing projects that were initiated by the previous administration and taking the glory. How truthful is that allegation?

I don’t think I should be commenting on this. If after eight years as governor and I wait to come and complain that somebody is completing my projects; that should be funny to anybody. Does it make sense to you? If after eight years and I say that the governor that will take over from me is completing my projects, I must be a huge joker.

When were the projects started? Everything project that I have started and completed were started from the scratch. So, which one are they talking about? They mention probably the Teaching Hospital. But if you know the stage the Teaching Hospital was when I came in, it was as good as starting it from the scratch. Aside that, I don’t know which project they are saying that they started and I am completing. But it is funny. When I leave here after eight years, any project that I cannot complete is not my project. I cannot even make reference to it.

So, I don’t listen to such statements because the people of Benue who are here can give evidence of the achievements of this administration by themselves. You can go on the streets and find out by yourself.

Overall, do you think your administration has done well?

I have delivered on my promises to Benue people and there is no doubt about that.

In all the sectors?

Yes, in all the sectors. I might not have done what I originally set out to do in the manner that I wanted them but in all the sectors, this administration has delivered on its promises.

If you go to the health sector, go to the hospitals and see where I met them and where they are now. In the area of rural development, if you visit the different zones of the state, you will see the number of rural roads that we have built using Dantata & Sawoe, PWD and other notable contractors. As we speak, they are working on different roads across the state.

I have built water treatment plants that any state can build. And I built three of them at the same time; the president commissioned them. Before I came in, we didn’t have a proper Government House, the governor didn’t have a lodge. One of the best lodges that you can find in this country now is the one that we have built. In education, just a year, we spent about N4.2 billion on classroom reconstruction; work is still ongoing in them. Also, the Benue civil servants collect more money than their federal counterparts.

As a result, all the young men are coming back to work here now. When I came in, there was apathy and despair in that sector.

How were you able to achieve that given the outcry that the minimum wage increase generated across the states?

It is very tight but if you are able to prudently manage resources, you can always achieve set objectives. Even as we speak, it is really tight but then you are here to serve people.

Their welfare is uppermost in my mind and I

I am a full-blown northerner. It is a forum of 19 people and I have the right to step aside if I don’t feel comfortable that the interest of the people that I think I am representing will not be well represented in that forum. I am not asking any person to follow me. I did not take that decision based on any person’s advice. I have been a governor for six years so I should know what is good for me and what is good for the people of Benue State and to some extent the people of the north. If at that small level we can’t agree, then how are we representing the interest of the north?

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

POLITICS

Was Well Thought Out And I Won’t Go Back’ have tried to balance things up to satisfy their yearnings. Good enough, we used to have excess crude money and I am very sure I have applied what accrued to the state from that fund prudently. That money helped a lot in executing most of the projects that you see. Also, when we receive our statutory allocation, we make sure that people are paid and they are happy.

Youth unemployment is a major a major challenge confronting the country presently. What has your administration specifically done to address the issue as at affects Benue State?

Benue State as you know is basically an agricultural state. It is not an industrial state. So, for us to meaningfully engage the young people it has to do with agriculture. On this note, I decided first and foremost to try to get modern implements because none of the young people will agree to go and engage in the manual farming methods that our parents were known for. I purchased a lot of agricultural equipment especially tractors and encouraged them to go into agriculture. The government subsidised it to about N3.5 million and made them to pay N1.5 million to pick a tractor and then pay the balance over a period of three years. So, that gives you a lot of room to make some money for yourself and be engaged. A lot of them have taken advantage of that.

We also provided quite a number of training to youths of this state. Some are in India, Egypt, England and other countries of the world training in navigation, sailing, and water engineering. We also have a couple of them training as pilots in aviation schools. These are specailised areas.

Skill acquisition training for the youth worth about N200 million is also ongoing. I have done this in order to encourage them, to engage them and take them off the streets.

So, we are training them in different fields so that they can use their skills instead of waiting for white-collar jobs that are not there. The vision is to develop people that are selfemployed to the development of the society.

In the area of sports, I have tried to encourage a lot of our youths to go into sports. When I came, the state was far behind in the area of sports.

In fact we were 35th in the National Sports Festival that took place before I became Governor. The previous year we were fifth. In the last one, something happened that dragged us back to the 14th position. This is because we have meaningfully engaged them in different sporting activities. And some of them are moving out to be national players in different fields.

So, we have done quite a bit to engage youths of this state. But we have a problem here. As you know, Benue State plays host to a Federal University of Agriculture, Benue State University, a private university, a polytechnic and two Colleges of Education. These institutions churn out graduates every year so you have more than 500,000 youths who are Benue indigenes graduating from these institutions. So, I am doing my best but we still have a large chunk that we are trying to further engage.

It is not an easy thing but we are applying ourselves to addressing the problems of youths in the state.

Are youths of the state part of governance in your administration?

In fact, they have taken over governance in this administration. I don’t know if my Commissioner for Land is up to 30 years old now but he became commissioner at 27 years.

But he is very sharp; he has a Masters

Suswam with some of them totally unprovoked. And so, if we have ranches for them and any person steps out of the ranches, you know that the person wants to create problems for the country. So, the Federal Government should begin to look at ranching these animals. That is the only solution to the incessant conflict between Fulani herdsmen and the farmers across the country. thing but the money was judicious- When people say we should create Talking about the 2015 election, are ly expended and the results are grazing areas, I don’t think that will you thinking of handing over power there all over the state for people to be practicable because we don’t have to somebody from another zone to see. So, that money was well spent. enough land to create those magnistrengthen the spirit of equity in the A major challenge facing your state tude of grazing areas. But if you have state? is incessant invasion of communi- ranches, there will even be some When it comes to issues of who ties by suspected Fulani herdsmen. basic amenities there. In the western becomes the president and goverWhat security measures are you world, ranches are such that people nors, it is not an issue I can sit down putting in place to curtail their even plant these grasses, harvest here as an individual because I am excesses? them and tie them up for the anigovernor and say it is going this way It is something that is very worrimals to feed on. So, we cannot create or that way. It is far beyond that. some because this problem cuts grazing areas with the astronomical People must engage themselves and across the entire nation, but growth in population that we are sit down and talk. because of the vegetation of the experiencing. That is one point.

Before I became governor, there state, it is more pronounced here.

But there is also a deliberate were lots of political shenanigans Benue falls under the Savana Sahel attempt by certain people to create that went on. All parts of the state vegetation and its grass is very diversions and problems in the state. contested from Zone A to Zone C. I nutritious to the animals. So, these So, I believe that part of what has am from Zone A; I eventually got the Fulani herdsmen seeing this very been happening has some political PDP ticket and won the election. So, sweet vegetation cannot leave this undertone as well. This is because the it is not for me to sit down alone place. last attack, which occurred recently, and decide. You know we have politBut because of the increase in pop- was totally unprovoked. We learnt ical bigwigs in the party in this state. ulation, the land is no longer avail- that Fulani militias numbering over We will all come together and look able in the same magnitude that it 600 came in the night and just razed at all the aspirants and take a deciused to be. So, when they come, the down two villages and killed people. sion. That is what will happen. places their animals used to graze It was not that the Fulanis came and What is your destination come 2015? in the past have become farmlands. were harassed. So, I think that the Are you heading to the Senate as This is where the conflict is coming invasion has some political underbeing rumoured? from. The Fulanis must take their tone; it is no longer the issue of grazMay be I can do something else as animals to graze and our people, ing areas. well. However, I think that early next who are basically farmers, must But as far as we are concerned, we year, I will take a decision as to what farm. will continue to resist such attacks.

I want to do in future. But I put that What I think we need to do as was We will take all measures to make in the hands of God. God played a done in the western world is to sure that our people are protected. I major role in whatever I have been. establish ranches for these people. have engaged meaningfully with the So, I think that as I move towards If we don’t have ranches, this prob- Fulani community to make sure that my exit from this seat, God will tell lem will continue; there is no other we live in peace. But we have been me what he wants me to do next. way to solve it than to have ranches. having these attacks every other time

The last attack, which occurred recently, was totally unprovoked. We learnt that Fulani militias numbering over 600 came in the night and just razed down two villages and killed people. It was not that the Fulanis came and were harassed. So, I think the invasion has some political undertone; it is no longer the issue of grazing areas.

Degree in Land and Survey. I have very active young men who are my special assistants. We are organising a carnival that is picking up; it is now close to what is happening in Cross River. My Special Assistant on Youths Development has been behind that. If you come here on December 27, you will be amazed at what you see. We started the carnival two years ago and we expect that we will expand it this year. The carnival is purely organised by young men.

So, we are engaging them in all spheres.

The decision of your administration two years ago to take a N13 billion bond towards infrastructural development of the state was greeted with criticisms from the opposition who still question how the money was spent. What is your take on that?

There is no way we would have achieved the much we have done so far with only the little money we receive from the monthly federal allocation. It is part of the money that we have been using to advance the state’s infrastructural outlook.

The bond money was like an icing on the cake for the state because when we got it, we were able to substantially complete most of our projects and then start new ones that are ongoing now. So, the money helped a lot.

You know sometimes people would just criticize and say all kinds of

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

14 |

POLITICS

APGA In Disarray Ahead Anambra Governorship Election

Obi

By Kodilinye Obiagwu (Enugu) and Samson Ezea Lagos of the confidence of members of the ItionNAllspite Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) facloyal to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Maxi Okwu, that the Monday judgment of the Appeal Court Enugu Division on the leadership crisis rocking the party will be in their favour, the court set aside the February 8 judgment of Enugu State High Court and reaffirmed Chief Victor Umeh as the National Chairman of the party to the disappointment of Obi’s faction.

In a unanimous judgment, the court quashed the judgment of Justice Innocent Umezulike which sacked the entire members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APGA on the grounds that their tenure expired in 2010.

In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Tom Yakubu and concurred by two other justices on the appeal panel, Justices Paul Galinje (chairman) and Modupe Kwasami, the appellate court granted all the four reliefs sought

by Umeh and resolved all the issues set out for determination in his favour.

The lower court had in its ruling on the case filed against Umeh by an expelled member of the party in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okuli, ordered Umeh’s removal on the grounds that his tenure had expired and went ahead to declare the November 10, 2011 National Convention of the party where Umeh and other NWC members were re-elected as unconstitutional. Umeh thereafter went to the appellate court to challenge the decision of the lower court.

In the course of the proceeding, the court granted a stay of execution of Umezulike’s judgment, paving the way for Umeh to continue as APGA national chairman pending the resolution of the substantive appeal.

Delivering judgment on the appeal, Yakubu dismissed all the objections raised by the respondent (Okuli) against the appeal, saying the lower court had no jurisdiction ab initio to entertain the case brought before it, since according to him, the plaintiff, having been expelled by his state chapter of the party, had no locus standi to institute the action.

He said even if Okuli was not expelled from the party, he was neither a contestant for the position of national chairman nor a member of the NWC whose interest might be affected if Umeh remained in office.

The court also frowned at the decision of the lower court to restore Okuli as a member of the party when he had, in his affidavit, admit-

Umeh

As Court Confirms Umeh As Chairman ted that he was expelled from the party, stressing that the trial judge went beyond his powers in granting a relief not sought by the plaintiff.

“There are several authorities (who have said) that the courts should not interfere with the internal affairs of the political parties except on issue of wrongful substitution as contained in Section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act 1999 as amended,” he said.

Reacting to the judgment, Umeh, who was nearly mobbed by a large crowd of supporters including members of the APGA NWC, former governorship candidate of the party in Imo State, Chief Martins Agbaso and the state chairmen of the party, said it had rekindled his confidence in the judiciary.

He attributed his victory to God and the tremendous support he enjoyed from party members. Addressing the large crowd of APGA members who converged on the Appeal Court premises after the ruling, Umeh, flanked by members of his NWC, said: “All those who listened to the ruling of the Appeal Court heard that all the decisions against me by the Enugu Chief Judge have been set aside”.

The Guardian learnt that immediately after the judgment was delivered, there was disquiet and tension in Anambra State Government House, Awka as Governor Obi and his faction went into a closed-door meeting that lasted for hours.

A source privy to the meeting revealed that it was agreed at the meeting that the judgment should be challenge at the apex court while they search for alternative political platform for Anambra council elections slated for October 5 and the state governorship election fixed for November 16 or at worse, present before INEC the Appeal Court judgment which upheld the convention that produced Maxi Okwu led-leadership of the party which was earlier given before the Monday judgment that reaffirmed Umeh as chairman.

“The decision to search for alternative platform in interim was due to the fact that the Supreme Court has begun annual vacation that will end by mid-September, just a few days to the October 5 council polls in the state. That was the dilemma of the faction loyal to the governor Obi,” the source said.

It was also revealed that Umeh had on Tuesday sent emissaries to Obi appealing to

him to forget all that has happened so that they can work together ahead of the governorship election in the state, but Obi refused the entreaties having made up his mind not to work with Umeh for fear of being taken unawares.

As it is now, it obvious that the battle for the soul of the party will shift to INEC, even though the Electoral Commission has in a letter accorded Umeh recognition as authentic national chairman of the party before the Appeal Court’s judgment on Monday that went in his favour. With two conflicting judgments from the same Appeal Court, though on different leadership matters of the party, INEC might be in a fix on which one to obey or not to obey.

The question now is: what would be left of the party ahead of Anambra governorship election without governor Obi’s support, considering that Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has pitched tent with the yet to be register All Progressives Congress (APC), while Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, one-time ally of Umeh, is already in Labour Party?

An opposition politician in the state who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that the way things are going in the party, the state government may find a way of scuttling the council polls slated for October 5. The politician said before the Appeal Court judgment that returned Umeh as national chairman of the party, there were plans by some people to approach the court to stop the council elections, citing lack of due process in constituting the State Electoral Commission (SIEC) and other issues.

The politician alleged that the state govern-

The question now is: what would be left of the party ahead of Anambra governorship election without governor Obi’s support, considering that Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has pitched tent with the yet to be register All Progressives Congress (APC), while Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, one-time ally of Umeh, is already in Labour Party?

ment had wanted to use the council polls to install its stooges as council chairmen to pave way for the victory of whoever governor Obi picks as his successor in the forthcoming governorship election.

Speaking on the next line of action for Obi, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Mike Udah said that the issue is a party affair and not government concern.

It would be recalled that the latest crisis in the party erupted after the death of its Presidential candidate in 2003 and ex-Biafra warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Umeh was accused of aligning with Okorocha and Ubah to hijack the party to pave for Ubah to contest Anambra governorship election on the platform, while Okorocha runs for the presidential election also on the party’s platform.

Obi on the hand was accused of stifling the party to use it and work for President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term in 2015 as he did with the party in the 2011 general elections.

It was from there that Obi’s uncle and his Special Adviser on Motor Parks, Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor accused Umeh of mismanaging party funds over the years, and lack of respect for Obi. It was allegations and counter-allegations until Jude Okuli approached Enugu State High Court asking for Umeh’s removal as the national chairman, a plea that the court granted and delivered judgment that technically removed Umeh from office. With this, Obi’s faction drafted Mr Maxi Okwu as their factional chairman after a national convention at Awka.

It was on the strength of this development that the state government announced October 5 for council polls in the state. But last Monday, Appeal Court Enugu nullified the High Court judgment and reaffirmed Umeh as national chairman.

Meanwhile, as Umeh continues to savour the sweet taste of victory, troubling questions arise: Has this ruling by the appellate court really ended the leadership crisis in APGA? Where does the ruling place the leadership of the other national chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu and his growing band of APGA faithful? Will Okwu go to the Supreme Court to contest the ruling? Will he get a quick victory before the impending elections in Anambra?

The true test for Umeh and Okwu in APGA would certainly be the October local council elections and the November governorship election. Both men are aware of this.

Predictably, Okwu has said that the ruling of the Appeal Court has opened another chapter of feud in the party. Of course, he will be in the centre of it because he has to fight for his ‘mandate; given by party faithful at a national convention of the party and supervised by INEC. He will be encouraged to fight because he knows that there is a valid court ruling which upheld the convention that elected him as APGA’s national chairman. He had said: “The judgment of an Awka High Court on our convention was upheld by this same Enugu Division of Court of Appeal.

There is now conflicting judgment of the Court of Appeal. It is unfortunate that the party has to go through turmoil”.

Since the convention, Okwu has never failed to point out that his leadership of APGA is more acceptable than Umeh’s leadership as “18 members of Umeh’s own NWC are with me. Umeh is a king without a kingdom, a General without an army; he can parade himself further but it will soon end”.

But not many in the party are relishing another fight. Former Deputy National Chairman of APGA (South), Chief Onwuka Ukwa, said in Enugu: “Those who are still bent on precipitating new crisis are advised that it is not the best cause of action. We are appealing to those who are bent on continuing on the old path because of their personal interests, to bear in mind that the overall party interest is supreme to their own interests. The decision of the appellant court is clear, definitive in content and firm in pronouncement. The sum of the entire position is that Umeh is the national chairman”.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

ISSUES&POLITICS Dr Frederick Fasehun is the founder of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC). In this interview with journalists, he explains his recent actions and relations with the Chief Security Officer to the late Sani Abacha, Major Amzat Al-Mustapha after the latter’s acquittal by the Appeal Court over Kudirat Abiola’s murder. YEMI OGUNSOLA REPORTS What is your relationship with Major Hamza AlMustapha?

Y relationship with Al-Mustapha is that of a man to a fellow man. He is a Nigerian, I am a Nigerian. He is a man falsely accused of an offence he did not commit. There was no justice in the judgement given to him for an offence he did not commit.

How could you have said “an offence he did not commit” when we had been told during the trial that he not only instructed those who shot Kudirat Abiola but he facilitated the supply of the weapons used in killing her?

Is that not the story you pressmen gave to the public? But you did not tell the public that this same witness who said that Mustapha gave him the gun to kill Kudi came back to court crying like a baby, sobbing and saying that he was induced to testify like that. He said the state induced him. He mentioned three people, including the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), at that time. He said he was promised a house in Abuja, foreign posting, his salaries would be paid in foreign exchange and their wives would be given money every month for sustenance. But when the state now failed to sustain its own part of the bargain; they too sarted singing. Some of them as a result of complying with the wishes of the state were set free.

They were walking the streets freely and even went back to their jobs. One of them was not even in Lagos in the month of June, 1997. He was not anywhere near Lagos. On the 4th of June, the day Kudirat was murdered in Lagos, Kachako was getting married in Kazaure in Bauchi State.

He got married at 10 o’clock while Kudirat was killed around 8,9am. But when the judge was going to give judgement in the lower court, she knew that such a crime might get death sentence; she itemised the evidence and said “ but there are circumstantial evidences”.

Circumstantial evidences in a murder case?

Okay, what are the circumstantial evidences, she did not say; According to the Appeal Court, she was fishing for the untrue, falsehood and lies.

And I think the Appeal Court wrote about 33 pages or so with various authorities cited. At the end, the Appeal Court didn’t see what circumstances the lower court referred to. The Appeal Court based its judgement on hard facts not circumstantial evidences, true evidences from credible witnesses, not witnesses that give one evidence and afterwards come back to the same court to retract such evidence.

What of the possibility of the accused being induced to withdraw the statements they earlier made?

Who would induce? The state? That is ridiculous.

Al-Mustapher was in prison for 15 years. He was even accused of planning a coup in prison.

Generals even said he was attempting to import stinger missiles into Nigeria. But when he was called to face a panel, he disgraced all of hem. He asked them how much they thought a missile cost. They could not answer. He told them, “sir, the smallest of them costs N250million dollars.”

I was supposed to be his accomplice in the coup and the SSS invited me. When they started querying me, I told to put their questions in black and white not orally; and I would respond in writing.

And they departed.

How come they linked you with the coup story?

Did you the two of you had a form of relationship then?

I don’t know. Now, I have always believed that Al-Mustapha did not commit the offence he was being accused of. Hence, I would occasionally visit him in Kirikiri and they must have thought that everybody that visited a criminal must be a criminal himself.

When and how did you meet Al-Mustapha?

I met Al-Mustapha during the sitting of the Oputa panel. I did not even know him at the panel until I had given my own evidence. I was going to the toilet and he was sitting very close to the entrance of the toilet. When I wanted to enter the toilet, he stood up and asked me, ‘ Are you Dr. Fasehun?’. Though startled, I said, ‘ Call it anyhow, I am Dr. Fasehun. And you, who are you?’ he answered: ‘ I am Al-Mustapha.’. I pulled back and said, ‘you Al-Mustapha? My God!’ I didn’t say a word to him after that. I just went to the

M

Fasehun

I Acted In Best Interest Of Nigeria, Yoruba, Says Fasehun toilet, came out and went my own way. But when that sitting ended, he came to see me. He said, “sir, congratulations”. I asked “what for?” and he replied. Mind you, I still had that grudge against him. He said, “because you are one of the few leaders that did not come to the Aso Rock villa. That is why I think you are a credible person.” It was about three months later that I took interest in his case. I started reading about it and of course I started visiting him. One of the conditions I gave him to move near him is that he must do everything in his power to preserve Nigeria’s unity.

Before meeting him, did you believe in the workability of the entity called Nigeria?

No Nigerian ever believed in the workability of Nigeria. Let us not deceive ourselves.

Including you?

Look, I founded OPC for a reason. That is why I founded OPC, people founded Egbesu, people founded MEND, people founded Yindaba, people founded Boko Haram, peope founded Arewa Consultative Forum and these are from the various zones constituting Nigeria. So that question has been answered.

Do you still believe Nigeria is working?

When you do what should be done and you manifest justice, justice is always right. Now that Nigeria has started doing right, I think God will reconsider His position on us.

Is Nigeria doing right now?

Yes, I think so.

How? When last did you hear any bombing by Boko Haram?

They still killed some kids some weeks ago.

I had always said that the key to the insecurity of Nigeria was locked up in Kirikiri. Now, AlMustapha is probably the most intelligent security operative this country ever trained. And you locked him up for 15 years. In the mean time, Yindaba came, Boko Haram came and we did not think that the answer was flying in the wind. And now, you have released Al-Mustapha

and Boko Haram has gone slightly quiet.

Why did you go with him to Kano?

I once said that Al-Mustapha should be released. If you don’t release him, please take him to Abuja, Jos or Sokoto; but please take him out of Yoruba land. This is because I sensed that even a fifth columnist could be sent to liquidate that young man. If he died in our hands, every Yoruba throat in the North would be slashed. I took him there to hand him over to the governor and the Galadima as the Emir of Kano was not in town. I handed him over and said, ‘when he was leaving here, he was in tatters. His hands were in shackles and his legs in chains. Now, I am returning him on behalf of the Yoruba people, hale and hearty and untouched. Please look after him.’ What I did was not for me. At 78 I am not afraid of death. I did it for my people. When I got to Kano, the crowd was not singing anything else but chanting: “Odua, Odua, Odua.” What is Odua?

Definitely not Dr Faseun. It is the Yoruba. When we got to the leaders and I had spoken, one of their eminent leaders got up and said, “Dr. Faseun, we kept quiet but we were watching what you were doing.” (I don’t know what he meant by “you”). But after this journey we have seen you as the biggest bridge builder in this country. When I was leaving, two days ago, 45 northern leaders, including those who have been popular lawmakers in this country, saw me to the airport. I was acting on behalf of the Yoruba. How could you be a journalist and not be free to go to Kaduna just because you are a Yoruba man who had contributed to liquidating their son? And fortunately on Monday, the Yoruba community invited me to speak to them. For your information, the Yoruba community in Kano is four million strong. At their massive secretariat, they asked me some of these questions. When I got round to explaining to them why I was in Kano, a sheik among them got up to say ,”sir, we have nothing to give you but a chieftaincy title. I don’t believe in

chieftaincy titiles anyway. He said High Chief Olododo. For one to be so called by Yoruba, I felt so proud. The Yoruba are a very critical people.

And if they had seen me as an olododo then I am glad.

You said you took your actions for the Yoruba people, but was there any form of interaction between you and other leaders before you acted?

I did not interact with anybody on that issue.

Have you been invited by any of these Yoruba groups on your action?

No. Nobody has invited me.

How can someone associated with probably the most wicked regime in the history of Nigeria be as innocent as you have painted AlMustapha? Could any of the killings that allegedly took place in the regime have occurred without his knowledge and tacit approval? Are there some things you know that we don’t know? If you said he knows nothing about the death of Kudirat, who killed her or who ordered it?

I don’t believe the last has been seen about the death of Kudirat. I also know that Nigerian authorities sweep serious issues under the carpet. If the Chief Security Officer of the country, Chief Bola Ige, was assassinated and we know nothing till now. Al-Mustapha was a servant of the regime and a military man whose code of conduct was order and obey. You want him to disobey Abacha? Who killed Kudirat Abiola is the thousand dollar question. And that is why I said ibi ti a ko oju si, ona ko gba’be (Things are not as we think). Is it that security operatives just killed the other victims? The assassination of Bola Ige should have provoked the biggest investigation in the land. But it did not. As a matter of fact, his wife even collapsed and died as a result of the ineptitude of security operators. If Abacha had ordered that people should be killed and gave that order to Al-Mustapha, he could only disobey his boss on one proviso, that he left the military and fled the country.

You are indirectly agreeing now that AlMustapha killed some people on behalf of Abacha?

People were killed during the regime of Abacha even Abiola himself was to be killed. It was this same Mustapha that changed the abode of Abiola and took him to a save place.

He also organised possibilities of meeting between Abiola and his wives. But we do not want to remember that two days after Abiola was killed we, Yoruba, went to the Aso Rock Villa. E je ki a yo ipin ni oju ara wa)Let’s not be blind to our own faults) There was an allegation that you were being sponsored to destabilise the South West by refloating the United Party of Nigeria (UPN). Your recent visit to Kano is seen as confirming this.

With all modesty, I would be counted as one of the Yoruba people that are in love with the Yoruba race. And there is no way, and I think I have demonstrated it in various ways, that I will work against the interest of the Yoruba people.

Those sponsoring damaging comments about me are doing it from their political standpoint which I had tried to expose. But unfortunately, I don’t have the money to sponsor the exposure.

Many Yoruba people of current times don’t believe in integrity. They think money is everything. They don’t even believe in what Awolowo struggled for, the rule of law, democracy and multiparty system. They are trying to smuggle in one-part system through the back door into the South West. And we don’t see that.

Dictatorships don’t fall from the sky.

Dictatorship is nurtured by the people. And I have tried to remove the veil from the face of the Yoruba people. This is not democracy. This is one-man party dictatorship unfolding. We don’t see it because I don’t have the money to make people see. People see me as a wretch who just cries through the wilderness. I don’t pray that the system would mature. I am going to be 78 in another month. Nigeria has no position for me, but if I see any trend as inimical to the interest of the Yoruba people, I should be in a position to say, “don’t go through there, a tiger is lurking behind that door”. That is my interest. What do I need from Nigeria: a bed to sleep on, a car to ride in? No. I eat once a day. I have no children again for me to train in school. There is nothing I want for Nigeria other than peace, amity and unity. And I believe all of us should not because of a past of bitter incidents think the country should not exist. I used to say if the Yoruba people are not part of this government, we would go away from it if necessary or if possible. But I have since changed my mind that what Nigeria needs is unity. And the people who can play a major role in this country are the Yoruba. Should we then fail to exercise that attribute by still looking at what people had done to us in the past? If you do not forgive the past, you will not be part of the future.

16

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 20, 2013 17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

With Michael Uchebuaku

IN THIS EDITION True Confession:

‘My Daughter Wants To Share Her Room With Her Boyfriend In My House’

Love Connections

Princess Of

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Love Adventure: ‘I Left My 21-Year-Old Husband For A School Boy’

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Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)

True Confession From Abroad:

Women Looking For Relationship/Marriage:

Love News

Groom Caught Cheating At His Wedding Reception

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Call: 07031028714, 07032944123.

Ebube Nwagbo Nollywood Actress

‘I Left My 21-Year-Old Husband For A School Boy’ UM-OF-THREE Jay Davenport M married her second husband when he was 18. Her new fiancé is even younger.

A big smile lights up Jay Davenport’s face as she recalls her Boxing Day engagement. Recounting every precious moment, she is giddy with excitement. There’s no doubt the 37year-old mum-of-three from Mt Tamborine, Qld, is in love.

But the shocking fact is her fiancé, Jushon, was a 16-year-old high-school student at the time of the proposal –

Love Adventure and Jay was still married to a 21-yearold!

“I do love him,” says Jay, shyly. “I just wish people would leave us alone. I haven’t broken any laws, we’re not hurting anyone, and we are really happy.”

Jay first met Jushon when he was 15.

A friend of her eldest daughter Skye, now 18, Jushon would park his bike in her backyard and was often in

and out with Skye’s crowd. But falling on hard times, and with nowhere else to go, he ended up moving in.

“He’d been sleeping in the skate park for nine days,” Jay recalls. “And everyone knows my door is always open to people who are having a hard time.” The unlikely couple soon became friends, supporting each other through personal problems.

Jushon was trying to cope with a volatile relationship with his nowestranged mum, Jay with the breakdown of her second marriage just

two years after saying, “I do” to then18-year-old Drew Lawson. “I just felt I could open up to her,” explains the shy teenager, who’s now 17. “I never open up to anyone, and it felt good.”

Jay and Jushon’s relationship story was published in Woman’s Day .

CULLED FROM: ninemsn.com *Do you have an amazing or adventurous love experience to share? Tell us how you met. E-mail your story to: ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714, 07032944123.

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Men Looking For Relationship/Marriage Owolabi needs a responsible woman CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

18 |

LOVE&LIFE ‘Help! My Daughter Wants To Share Her Room With Her Boyfriend…In My House!’

Dear Love Doctor, Y 20-year old daughter is away at university and is coming home for a long weekend with her boyfriend. They’ve been going out together for six months and this is her first serious relationship although she’s had more casual boyfriends in the past. we’ve met him twice and now and while discussing her visit she’s asked if they can share her bedroom whenever they come here and although I didn’t give her a definite answer I’m very uncomfortable about it, as is her dad.

I want her to come home to see us and really don’t want her visits to be reduced over this issue, but I don’t think I’m ready for this. we discussed sex and contraception when she was much younger and when I tried to mention this a couple of months after she met this boy, she simply said she didn’t want to talk about it and found me speaking to her embarrassing. we also have a boy of 17 and a much younger daughter of 12 and I’m not sure what precedent we would be setting by agreeing to this, especially since our son has a girlfriend who sometimes stays over but always sleeps in the spare room.

How can I sort this out without a fight or alienating my daughter?

M

Advice: Any decision you make has to be a long term one, as your younger children will be watching you like hawks to make sure they all get treated the same way.

That can be difficult in this situation because you either have to agree that any sexual relationship, providing that it’s happening over the age of consent, can be carried on in your home or you say that only long term relationships can have that privilege, or you maintain that that could only happen if a couple were engaged or married.

If you go for the first option, you then have to consider how you will feel if one of your children goes in for a series of one night stands at any point because you could be meeting a series of strangers in the kitchen every morning and with the last option you are setting a fairly high bar – what happens if none of your children marries but settles happily into long term relationships?

This would probably be an easier decision to make if you weren’t worrying about the younger siblings, but if you make it clear that you value long-

Romantic Jokes Nude Beach wO parents take their son on a vacation to a nude beach. The father goes for a walk on the beach and the son goes and plays in the water. The son comes running up to his mom and says...”Mommy, I saw ladies with boobies a lot bigger than yours!” The mom says...”the bigger they are, the dumber they are.” So, he goes back to play.

Several minutes later he comes running back and says...”Mommy, I saw men with dingers a lot bigger than Daddy’s!” The mom says...”the bigger they are, the dumber they are.”

So, he goes back to play. Several minutes later he comes running back and says...”Mommy, I just saw Daddy talking to the dumbest lady I ever saw and the more and more he talked, the dumber and dumber he got!”

T

Words Of Wisdom Make yourself the right person and you’ll find the right person for you.

term and loving relationships, you are encouraging all of them to be open about their own relationships and also saying that you respect their judgment when it comes to choosing long-term partners.

However, there are a couple of useful strategies if you want a little more time before taking this big step, bearing in mind that her boyfriend might actually be quite embarrassed at the thought of sharing a bedroom in your home, having only met you twice.

Explain your concerns about her sib-

you would appreciate her help in setting a benchmark for the family. That means that for the next few visits, lings to your daughter, especially con- they have separate rooms though you cerning her brother who might feel he might have to turn a blind eye to any should also have his girlfriend staying night time wanderings but that some time in the foreseeable future, that in his room and ask her if you can situation will change and they can compromise for the next six months, at which point you can rightly say you share a room. know him much better and this is defi- As your children get older, this is a decision which will come up again, so nitely a long term relationship and you need to do some careful thinking needs no excusing or explaining. about the long term implications of There is a big difference in maturity what you agree as well as the short between 20 and 17, which she will term to make sure everyone feels undoubtedly agree with and tell her

True Confession

comfortable.

Your say: Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts.

Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com If you’re in a crisis, call for help: 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08023700641 or Chris 08023913619. Visit www.romancestory.org

TRUE CONFESSION FROM ABROAD wAS 25 years old and had been Ibecame married less than a year when I pregnant. Stuart and I had been together for three years and were married in a small ceremony early in 2002. we had always talked about having a family together and we both came across as ‘kid people’.

Stuart had said he wanted a girl and a boy, Molly and Henry. Little did he know I never wanted kids and hadn’t planned on having them...ever.

I took the pill religiously. My life was like clockwork and contraception was always high on my list of priorities. I’d planned to have a hysterectomy soon after we got married to ensure the nightmare of pregnancy was never realised.

To my regret, I didn’t take action soon enough. A mere eight months after I became Mrs. Stuart, I found myself praying for menstruation whilst stuck head first down a toilet bowl. The doctor confirmed I was eight weeks pregnant.

I loved Stuart and never had the intention to hurt or betray him.

Although I bestowed a secret that was sure to do both - I could never have a child. Not because I was flawed physically, but because I’ve always had an emotional glitch.

To me, the thought of procreating seemed unnatural. I was always happy to be around children, and was often thought of as someone who would one day make a loving mother. But I never thought of myself as a mother and am perhaps too selfish to ever dedicate my life to the growth of another.

I realised the way I thought about parenthood was typically frowned upon in my circle of friends, family, and most of all by Stuart. I vowed to keep my mouth shut and ensure my real feelings were never discovered.

I figured I would fake reproductive ailments my whole life and Stuart and I would live happily ever after, just the two of us.

I’d hoped the honeymoon period would last our entire marriage seeing as children were never to interfere. This delusion was shattered as soon as my doctor announced with glee that in approximately six months, I would become a new mother.

I was so determined to never have to consider such a procedure, that I’d never actually thought about abortions. It was strictly against my parents’ religion to even consider such an act, so my first feelings after hearing the dreaded news were complete mayhem.

I went home to Stuart and told him with a fraudulent smile that I was in fact pregnant with his son or daughter. He was over the moon and would not stop kissing my stomach. His actions made me feel even more nauseous than I already was.

It may seem strange looking back on the situation why I would even bother to tell him, he’d be none the wiser. But Stuart was my best friend and lover and because of that, I did contemplate keeping the child for no other reason but to please him. This feeling of generosity lasted little

‘My Husband Thinks I Miscarried, When I Really Had An Abortion’ longer than my anti-nausea medication.

I tried to convince myself that having a child might bring happiness into my life and that I was devilish to think otherwise. This selfloathing tactic only made me hate the child even more for provoking me to hate myself. It was decided; I could not go through with the pregnancy.

Stuart would have divorced me on the spot if I had asked him to consider abortion, so I researched and consulted all behind his oh-so-enthused back.

A few days before the procedure, I began to fake stomach cramps to ensure Stuart wouldn’t be overly shocked at the event of a miscarriage. I also warned him of the high risk of complications in the first trimester.

All the betrayal and deceit began to eat away at me and a huge ball of

guilt made permanent residence in my throat. Regardless of guilt’s acidic ache, I couldn’t face the alternative of bringing a child of my own into the world. I went through with the termination whilst on a prolonged lunch break from work. It was simple and clean and took no longer than an hour.

I went home to my loving husband and allowed the weeks of pent up emotion to overflow in an effort to convince Stuart I was truly devastated as a result of a sudden haemorrhage that occurred on the way home from work. Of course Stuart insisted I go straight to the hospital. I lied and told him I had already gone, where they confirmed I’d lost the baby.

Naturally, he was devastated. His pain only strengthened my guilt, which contributed to an uncontrollable outburst of emotions.

To Stuart this seemed natural, as to him I’d just lost my child. To me, I’d killed his child.

Over the next few years we continued to try and conceive, or Stuart thought we had. In actual fact, I’d had a hysterectomy a mere four months after my abortion.

My deception had begun to take its toll on our relationship and I started resenting Stuart for provoking my lies. I’d wished I’d been honest with my feelings about children, or alternatively married someone who shared my unenthused-about-procreation mentality.

Stuart and I separated earlier this year. I never confessed the entire truth of my delusive past, but I did admit to never wanting to conceive. This became a hurdle Stuart and I would never overcome and it ultimately broke apart our marriage.

I have since looked into my past and can never quite believe the tumbleweed of lies I spun throughout my marriage. I am now single and vow to ensure honesty is priority in my next relationship.

Lies broke my love and destroyed a life I could have had with an amazingly wonderful and generous man. I do blame myself for everything that went wrong with our marriage, but will never regret not having a child.

Names have been changed.

Picture posed by models.

Your say: Have your say about this true confession...

Have you had a similar experience?

Tell us your story. Call 07031028714.

Courtesy: womansday.ninemsn.com.au NB: Call Mike on +2347031028714 if you have a story from abroad to share with us.

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Please do not respond to any strange numbers besides the official number 07031028714 above for link up or to publish your request. Be warned!

ThE GUArDiAn, saturday, July 20, 2013

| 19

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

LOVE&LiFE

his cave is also the shrine T of Omashi-iyi, the oracle of Akpu believed to offer protection to its

The Omashi-Iyi Cave: Love News

Groom Caught Cheating At His Wedding Reception

GErMAn groom has A brought about an abrupt end to his wedding when he was caught cheating with a waitress at the reception. To make matters worse, he was caught by his new father-inlaw.

According to the story from Austria, which has emerged some months after the event, the pair snuck into the kitchen for a secret rendezvous just hours after the newlywed said “i do” to his bride.

The father-in-law went into

the kitchen for a snack but was instead confronted by his sonin-law’s infidelity.

Austria’s Vorarlberg Online reported that the groom wanted to experience singlehood one last time before he tied the knot. his timing was obviously a bit off.

Understandably, the bride’s father called off the celebrations, turning off the music and sending everyone home without an explanation.

The bride asked for a divorce from the wedding registry on the same day, but was refused.

Under Austrian law, she had to stay with her adulterous husband for six months before they were allowed to call it quits.

The court eventually granted the divorce and the groom has now remarried — to none other than the waitress he was caught with at the wedding reception!

Your say: Do you have any wedding disaster stories? Let us know.

Courtesy: ninemsn.com.au. *if you want to advertize or sponsor Love & Life call 07031028714, 08023700641, 07032944123.

people and adherents. Within the cave itself are hundreds of sacred bats that have inhabited it since the origin of the cave, centuries ago. As is always the case with caves, this one contains compartments, crevices and a very long tunnel about 1km long.

Approaching the cave, there is a stream, semi-circular in form, which borders the cave and forms a pool at its entrance; this stream is hooded by trees and bamboos, a natural setting for a cave or a hiding place.

The cave is in the custody of the chief priest of Omashi-iyi who offers a yearly sacrifice at the entrance of the cave to appease the gods of the land, to solicit for their blessings and to predict the future on behalf of the people. The cave is a wonder as one experiences the sheer thrill watching the colony of beautifully coloured bats flying all over its entrance.

Courtesy: logbaby.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.

Lovers’ Answers Game The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers.

Cha Cha, on 08142568962, is asking all men: “What will make you leave your girl and follow other girls?” *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

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Premature Ejaculation/Low sperm Count – solution is here. Call 07025350586.

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Call Mike on 07031028714, 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 20, 2013

20

RELATIONSHIP

Stand Out From The Crowd

By Alita Joseph EOPLE who stand out from the crowd get the best relationP ships. They did not meet the enviable partner by running with the crowd. They shine through by being different. Have you been doing things the same way because “that is how everybody does it? But you find your relationships bore you.

Now that you have pleased everybody, try to do things that way you have always thought would get you noticed, but had not dared because your friends would not approve.

Friends have the habit of clumping together and would not like one of them to step out of line. If your desire to be different gets so strong, it means you want to get the best out of life. And it is not wrong if you feel that you have outgrown the entire boys of your area in Mushin and now want to mingle with boys around Ikoyi.

Bear in mind however that the grass will not necessarily be greener when you do step out of familiar grounds as people will remain people with their peculiar behaviour. One thing is certain however, and that is that without the proper knowledge, you will fish for guys in the murky waters of Ikoyi only and those pin-ups in the journals would remain out of reach. With the right knowledge, the relationship sky is your limit. You can hook even the most knowledgeable man around. So equip yourself by: Being Curious Few weeks ago, I had this discussion with this beautiful girl.

She impressed me with her knowledge of events both within and outside this country. Her analysis and opinion were so original and convincing. When she gave a detailed knowledge of financial situation in Europe, I asked her if her interest came from the fact that she was born there. She was not, she said, and pointed out that with satellite TV and all, information is readily available for those who care. We moan about the state of the economy that we concentrate so much on making money. Make your money, but make sure that you live life fully. Travel; learn everything that comes your way. A man would be happy to know one who is so knowledgeable.

Do Things Differently If all your friends have decided to join the cultural troupe, shift to Ballet Dance. What is there to make you special if you will all talk about Bata dance? You know what happens when all of you try at the same time to narrate what happened at a show?

Everybody wants to say something because she thinks that she knows better. But when you alone know your game, they want to listen. With mouths wide open, they wonder as you talk about plie. And when alone with your guy, you walk

around on tiptoe around the house while wearing this skimpy lingerie with a dancer’s toned body. Forget that matter, please.

Be A Good Listener The person who people like to mingle with is the one who listens to people. Show interest in people and in what they have to say. Be simple enough to admit that you do not know it all and want to learn new things. Listen without judging.

Even when you don’t agree with what they say. Ask questions.

Your friends like you to ask questions based on what is said. It shows that you have listened and the question you ask would win you the most interesting guy in the room.

Be Yourself

The world is full of interesting people, so do not feel intimidated when you come across another attractive woman who looks like she will shine brighter and take the attention of that man you have been eyeing all evening. Stand firm with the knowledge that you are two different people with different behaviours that make you who you are. If she wins his attention in the end, be bold to admit that he was not meant to be your friend. Look for other available and interesting guys.

Be bold Know your mind at all times. Know what your beliefs are on different topics. Broaden your mind by reading other people’s view to know if they agree with you. Think. Read widely and voraciously. You don’t know who would engage you in a de-

Being The Chosen One ter” than the other woman, please don’t get me wrong! It’s a problem that many women have.

HERE are some instances when you like a An instance: There’s a man in their life they like man but he’s involved with someone else. very much, and the guy likes them too but unThis is a very common thing in the dating fortunately, there’s another woman he likes game and there’s no doubt that you are going more. And that’s pretty frustrating. You’re so to lose him. Unless, of course, you do this be- close to winning his heart, but there’s a tramp fore the other woman does. So, how do you trying to steal him from you. Right? make a man like you more than he likes anOver the years, I’ve heard women complain: other woman? Clue: It’s not about being “bet- “I’ve tried everything to make him like me

By Kemi Amushan

T

more than her! I tried being a better flirt. I tried being a better conversationalist. I tried looking prettier and sexier than her, and it still didn’t work!” My answer to these ladies is always the same: Of course, it doesn’t work. Why? Because when you try to “beat” the other woman by being more flirty than her, or more interesting than her, or more attractive than her, and so on, it means you’re playing by her rules. And when you play by her rules, she’ll always win. No exceptions! When you play by her rules... * You’re pretending to be someone you’re not. * You’re showing you’re afraid and desperate. * You play the dating game with a lot of hate. * You’re practically chasing the guy (bad news).

So how do you make a man choose you instead of another woman? The real question in this is that “Is he really worth it?” Usually when I ask my friends this question after they’ve asked me how, they just stare at me like I’m crazy. But they immediately realize what I mean. Maybe the reason why he likes her more… that mean, arrogant, manipulative little girl is that he has serious issues.

Maybe he’s attracted to women who treat him bad, or maybe he’s just easily fooled by a woman’s advances. It could be a million and one reasons. My point is if he has issues, he’s not worth it! And that should be your first step. Before you try to “win” his heart from the other woman, make sure he doesn’t have issues. Make sure he’s worth it!

And once you’re sure he’s worth it, then it’s time to move to my second step which is making him like you more than all the other women in his life.

Many times, we try to become more attractive to make a guy like us more. * We try to dress up better. * We improve our conversation skills. * We flirt a little. * We tease him and invite him to chase. * And so on.

Usually, this is great advice but only if you’re trying to become more attractive to men in general. But if you’re trying to become more attractive to one particular man, it’s not enough.

You need to understand one of the deepest, most important lessons about winning a man’s heart: It’s not about you, It’s about how he feels about you. In other words, if you want him to fall in love with you, he has to feel in love with you! And most times, that means: * He has to feel like a man around you. * He has to feel admired around you. * He has to feel important around you. * He has to feel like dating you and chasing you. * He has to feel like he needs to meet your standards, whatever it might take.

That way, whenever he has to decide whether to spend time with you, or to spend time with the other woman, he pauses for a while and he realizes that he has much more fun, he feels much more happiness and he experiences the feeling of true love more whenever he’s with you. Ladies, that’s how you make a guy choose you instead of any other woman in his life!

Unfortunately, most of the dating advice on the Internet about making him choose you instead of her are too general. Like I mentioned before, it’s not all about being more attractive to men in general but what’s most important is being attractive and winning the heart of one particular man.

To the man and the happiness we all deserve,

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

LOVE & LIFE 21

08033832503 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

WEEkEND with AMARA

Femininity vs. Feminism the subtlety of Satan would be of control and initiated by the devil and his co- comfort, companionship, and physical stimIyouTHINk laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous. I’ll give horts to destroy creation plan. As godly women, ulation simply because they are tired of tryan example. The feminist movement is

for help. Deal with those things and friends that keep reminding you of this horrible we must understand that we win battles on our ing to make it work with men. But, from what lifestyle. Throw away those sex toys, videos, and not about empowering women to be femi- knees. We don’t fight with flesh and blood; it’s I have come to know from my Lord Jesus, no magazines; they can only hasten your destrucnine; it uses masculine tactics to achieve its more spiritual than physical. Lasting victory one is beyond the hope of healing and deliv- tion. agenda. Get it? Feminism, which is anything will only be gained as we war in the spirit. erance.

Have you been broken over and over? It’s not a but feminine, does not stand for femininity, Don’t get me wrong. I am not in support of Ladies, you don’t have to go against nature reason for you to hate men and begin to hurt which is where a woman’s true power lies. women feeling and acting useless without a and creation plan just because love isn’t yourself thinking you are hurting Though it pursues some causes that most of man. I stand before men and women and speak forthcoming. You can still find love. All someone else. Simply pick up the us would consider honourable, it masks an my mind at all times over every issue without you need is make Jesus your first love and lessons from that experience and agenda that is more sinister than the minding whose ox is gored. But that doesn’t watch Him as He brings that very man open up again to love. As long as you masses, or even some of the leaders of the mean I shouldn’t depend on my man for guid- who deserves your tender heart. Forget live, never stop loving because that is movement could believe. In the end, femiance, assistance, and direction because God, Je- the immediate gratification for your why you live. The Potter loves you and nism will do us all more harm than good. hovah, has made it so. I am the weaker vessel, longing as that will make you fall prey to He wants to put you back together Once we are all on the bandwagon of “femi- yes I can achieve whatever a man can achieve lesbianism and ruthless men. Rememagain. nism,” we will find ourselves going in the and much more, but the place of authority in ber Esther the slave girl. Don’t forget I am a living testimony to what opposite direction of where we really the home remains his. He has the power of au- Ruth. Her case was entirely useless God can do to a shattered, broken, wanted to go. I don’t know about you but I thority, I have the power of influence and so he until God supernaturally raised Boaz. and useless life. Don’t give up yet, find this really disturbing. It seems that the does what I want him to do.

Some have men in their lives but don’t hate every man because he left main women fighting for abortion rights For those who are confused at the anger you they still desire their fellow you. Don’t start fighting for equal are not interested in having children or witness from the feminist camp, it is important woman. It’s all in your mind rights with men just because you building strong and godly homes and chil- to note that anger masks extreme pain. Major- my dear friend. See yourself as have been battered and bruised. Nadren. How far do we push the envelope in ity of these feminists are lesbians and women someone who needs help ture has created us to submit the name of equal rights? And do you, a who are hurting from past experiences. Many (that’s if you will accept to men and it is woman, really want to do everything that times we criticize lesbians—I used to see them that) and cry only through men do? as hopeless and useless. But unto God submission that These are important questions we need to from my recent interacwe can control ask ourselves. I have sat down to think and tions with some of them, I our men. There ask myself these questions and Amara has can tell you that lesbianis a good man concluded that she has no business with a ism is borne out of a reout there; he is man who cannot be a man and function in lational void. It is a just a few steps his God-given roles of providing and protect- longing for love gone away from the ing. Perhaps you just see feminism as being out of control. door of your able to do certain things if you wanted to do A lot of women are heart waiting them. But that begs the question; don’t you daily trooping onto for a clean-up have better things to do with your time than this very deadly road of before he takes battle over issues that have no urgent relelesbianism. A lot of his place. God vance to your world? them have resorted to has sent him; I feel this whole “feminist movement” is out seeking out each other’s don’t let him go.

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela

08167089656 (SMS only).

E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Anchor Your Heart In Truth “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Proverbs 4:23

NOTHER translation says it this way: A “Above every charge keep thy heart, for out of it are the outgoings of life.” – Young’s Literal Translation. The choicest and most essential part of our lives is our heart; the strength of our convictions and dreams lie in our heart, we feel in our heart and preserve with our hearts, etc. To put it simply, our heart is who we are; what is in our heart is what eventually expresses itself in our words, actions and gestures. Likewise, everything that tries to change, convict or influence us has to get to our heart. Whether it comes via our senses; feeling, appearance of things or the sway of words, it is all designed to reach and anchor itself in our hearts. All you really need to do is to watch some of the adverts that run on television; there, try to feed the desires one might have for security, love, success, health, etc.

If this is true, it is of utmost importance then that we censure and choose carefully what we permit to take root in our lives or in this case, hearts. Like the Young’s Literal Translation terms, it “above every charge”.

To charge means “To make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle” (Wordweb).

Which implies that at every step, anything contrary to life should not be allowed into your heart. In this age of increasing darkness and uncertainty, it is necessary to be always vigilant and brave – uncompromising concerning the foundational principles of our redemption.

Here, I will assume that the necessary upon which everything else lies is in place – being eternal life and salvation – now we will go unto some of the tools that are very necessary to triumph and accomplish one’s destiny.

Strengthen Yourself This is a very important point. True leaders (whether you are in charge of a troop or not, we are all lights in the darkness, we all have our levels of influence,) should be able to see further than each situation.

True leaders have the greater responsibility to not only be encouraged but to lift others up. They ought always to keep a level head and be the voice of reason. Here is a perfect example: “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” – 1st Samuel 30:6 These men of David were formally castoffs who technically owed David their lives. It is understandable how bleak they must have felt. However, David did not allow their discouragement or sorrow to waylay him.

The story ends with the restoration of everyone captured including their goods.

Had David not strengthened himself in the Lord, this victory and many more would not be in history.

When You Are Weak, Don’t Mingle With

The Weak When you are weak is the best time to avoid those who potentially will think exactly like you would. Those who will help you see how bleak your situation is or how theirs is and how much problems they have. It is good not to avoid people based on their issues but it is wisdom to choose the right time to be with them.

When you are strong you can encourage another and lift the person up; you can see beyond his or her issues and offer good advice, very importantly, you can protect yourself because you are in the light. When you are weak, depressed or in the dark anything you see from that perspective is warped, perverted and exaggerated. At times of weakness, it is wisdom to seek those who are strong and will be able to shed some light into our situation. It is wisdom to avoid those who would deepen the pit you have found yourself in and elongate the time of the dark cloud above you. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” Proverbs 27:17. Choose wisdom.

Fear not Now this is one very common principle that unfortunately has a root in most people’s hearts. It all starts from our childhood; we are

taught to fear everything from darkness to strangers and the devil. What is the result?

Bondage. “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” Hebrews 2:15. Whether it be the fear of tight spaces or allergies or the unknown it all boils down to death of some aspect of life; spiritual, physical, emotional, etc. We can respect what a speeding car can do if it collides with a person but the Truth says “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”. Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Whether it is news of wars or the dread of seeing your boss, “above every charge keep thy heart” in the perfect peace and rest that our God has freely given. Lets us consider Job who through permitting fear into his heart opened a door for the devil “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” – Job 3:25 ANCHOR YOUR HEART IN TRUTH: ALWAYS kEEP THE END IN VIEW. “Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,” Philippians 3:14 (ASV) I love this truth because it leaves everything in the past in the past. It does not give consequence to what was, neither does it to whatever situation presently is but only a reaching forth to one’s goal.

Whatever you need to do to keep the end in front of you, do it. Write it on your wall, bind it on your neck, live a life of discipline, simplicity and chasing hard after God; do not pick any weight that burdens and let go of all burdens–do not be robbed of your true inheritance by anything in this fleeting world. The time is short and many are already leaving. Let your end only mean that you can say “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7 (kJV) Image and Etiquette addresses general perceptions, societal norms and expectations and personal expressions with the goal to cultivate social graces, suavity and a dignified presence for personal development and effective interpersonal relationships. If you have questions on Image and Etiquette please send them to askpamela@regalgraces.com or SMS 08116706879.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

22 LOVE & LIFE

MARITAL SEX

‘Are Women Better At Cheating?’

NFIDELITY, especially in Nigeria, has always Iwomen been associated with men. While very few indulged in it, majority of others were mostly at the receiving end – the victims.

However, recent happenings have shown that women have braced up to the fact of their situation and are now not only as guilty as men but are seriously and rapidly closing the gaps.

The number of women cheating on their husbands has increased significantly in the last few years. If 20% of men were cheating, women cheaters have risen from about 5% to 15% as they unconsciously struggle with their male counterparts.

Jobs outside the home -- with the ready-made excuses of working late, business travel, financial dependence/independence, mobile phones, internet chat rooms and email, changing social attitudes among others —give modern women more opportunity to

meet other men and start affairs.

Perhaps, with the notion that what a man can do, a woman can do even better or that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, they are very ready to beat the men to their own game. As we all soak ourselves in western cultures and flow with the current of civilization and globalization, ladies would soon overtake the men in this game of cheating.

Having seen that women not only cheat, but almost now do so as much as men, the questions are: “Where and how do they do this job without leaving a trail? Why do they look so innocent and are always the ones that cry wolf at the slightest hint of their husbands infidelity? Why then do we heap all the blame on men? Why do they have to do it?

So many tough questions you may say, but

the answers are not far-fetched. A friend’s half sister “Jane”, whom I contacted in the course of my investigation asked, “What do you want us to do? We have different reasons and so far, it has brought so much peace to my family that I am not in a hurry to quit. I just told my sister because we are very close and I’m 99% sure that nobody else knows. If hunters learn how to shoot without missing, Eneke the bird said it will change tactics and learn to fly without perching. So far, it works for me, I don’t know about others and that is the much I can say. If I hear it anywhere, it is you-o. Don’t even think of mentioning my name,” she warned.

Extra-marital affairs could take place anywhere, at home, in the office, while on business trips, just name it. While it is a common knowledge that some married women have affairs with their domestic staff, their hair stylist, beauticians, and even their husband’s friends, others go for cute young men in their neighbourhood.

The in-thing is women going on business trips to have sizzling affairs with their lovers. Some have their lovers over there in the person of their agents, business partners or some other men, others settle in their lovers’ house here in Nigeria for some days or a week on their way going or coming from their business trips.

Sounds incredible, but sorry, it is true.

One young lady confirmed in court recently during her divorce proceedings that she went to her traditional marriage ceremony from her lover’s house (the lovers wife is not in the country) and travelled on a two-week business trip a week after her wedding. She spent a week with her lover and a week on business. Her poor hus-

band was always full of praises for her ‘industry.’ She continued with the affair as long as the marriage lasted until she made up her mind to leave the husband after five years of marriage and two kids. As for the father of the kids, don’t worry, the court will take care of that.

Unfortunately, women are better liars and so catching them is more difficult. They are more psychologically disposed and sophisticated than men to lie. It will be wicked of you to suspect such an industrious woman.

Besides, with her innate ability to keep secret, cry when needed, and her ability to conceal her feelings and leave no trail, it is difficult to catch a woman on a mission to cheat.

More blame goes to the men because most of them do it with impunity and own up when pestered. They find it difficult to keep secrets. They feel that it is their world and they don’t give a hoot. They are full of themselves and some ask, ‘what can you do if you know?’ The society doesn’t frown so much at male infidelity as they do the female’s. As a matter of fact, it is a sign of virility in some places. They are more impulsive and less careful, to the extent that they can bring their loot or rather prey, home believing that their wives like other women as they say have ‘fish brains’ and are too dumb to find out.

Women cheat and still carry on with their normal life as if nothing is happening. Their lovers are also less likely to be interested in ruining their marriage and so are readier to abide by the no-call, no-email policy of some of them to avoid leaving a trail. Women who cheat do everything within their power to cover the trail because of the implications of their actions and the consequences if it were discovered. According to Jane, “The lie is more to protect her husband from the humiliation of being made a cuckold, to protect herself from the judgments of others, to protect her reputation as a married woman and to maintain control of the situation while managing the relationships.”

She insisted that she would feel guilty about the affair only if he finds out and so far, the eleventh commandment, ‘Thou shall not be caught’ has remained unviolated.

A Constant Heart

By E. C . Samuel

your heart doesn’t need them. Don’t let the person your spouse did not O many people come to a place in marry to determine your moods or their relationship and realise their cause a rift between the two of you. spouses have changed. But the truth Be careful of gossips, hearsays and is that it is them who have changed. prejudices. Be sure your spouse conThe love and passion they once firms a thing before you believe it! shared had waned with the pressure Take what your spouse says. Don’t of life. For others, the challenges and stretch your heart. Let it be tender unexpected difficulties have like that of a child. I used to tell peodrowned the ‘vital signs’ of true ple that being gullible does not affection. It has lost its heat, warmth mean we can be deceived. Trying to and passion. At some point, they investigate, probing of issues that begin to get bored of each other and will take the sweetness and trust off seek alternatives. What has hapyour heart, should be avoided. If you pened to their heart? Why has it are in that marriage to stay, you have gone wilt? to guard your own heart. It is easy to The truth is that the heart can grow lust after someone else; it is easy to hot, cold, or lukewarm. Hearts can sleep with someone not your spouse, grow thorns and weeds, if they are if you do not guard your heart. The not examined. To have a love that precious thing you hid for your lasts, there are several admonitions spouse, guard it. Sustain your feeling, from God’s word. for your spouse. Put your spouse 1. “Thy word have I hid in my heart, always at the top of your feelings. that I may not sin against thee” Ps. That is the reason for the word ‘cher119 vs 11. Those words you expressed ish’; whatever you cherish, you will to each other. The vows, pledges, relish! There is no special person silent covenants and reassurances. other than the one with you.

Some people hear with their ears 3. “…Purify your hearts, ye double alone. They don’t take it to heart. minded” James 4 vs 8. Hearts need When the marriage vows becomes clearing. Check for bitterness, faults, mere formality, it is likely to fade out malice and offences unaddressed, of memory. In fact, we learn by heart lurking somewhere. Those kinds of what we want to commit to memoquarrels unresolved, and you just say ry. The heart can hide things. Let ‘leave it like that’, or you say ‘it is your heart be behind your words. enough, let’s not talk about this Mean it. again’ Those you secret observations 2. “Keep thy heart with all diligence and discoveries that make you put a for out of it are the issues of life” brand name on your spouse and say Proverbs 4 vs 23. To remain in love ‘I never knew this is how you are’. for 20, 30 and 50 years means you Once in a while, go clean. Remove have to keep watch over your heart. them privately in counselling and Keep it diligently, carefully. Make prayers. Take your spouse out and efforts to ward off things you know just wash it off in love and genuine will alter how you feel about your repentance. spouse. Some news may be true, but 4. Expand your love zone. “…because

S

the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost”….

Romans 5 vs 5. Don’t keep love only in the ‘bottom’ of your heart; shed it abroad; so that there would be no space for a rival. Let it effect your bedroom, your plans, your career, your finances. If you love your spouse and put them into consideration in every area of your life, it would be easier to forgive.

Spread what you feel to every area of your life. If the only time your spouse feels love is when you have sex, something is really wrong! If it only when you want to get something from each other that you become nice, you are just fooling yourself. It would show soon.

Spread love all over your heart for your spouse. Love, from the bottom to the top. Love with the whole of your heart.

5. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick” Prov. 13 vs 12. Your love will not last if you are selfish. If you want your spouse to do you all you want, but you never really want to

know what makes him or her happy.

What is your spouse’s dream, hope, expectation, desire, passion, drive, source of satisfaction? Have you discovered? Do you just ask your spouse to do your bidding and you leave him, or her miserably regretting ever getting married to you? Have you really asked? Do you help in dividing the red sea before your spouse, and let him pass on dry land? Elkanneti told Hannah that he has more than ten sons, yet she was never happy, until she had a child. Michel never understood that David was God’s beloved and the sweet Pslamist of Israel, and that part of his life was music and entertainment. She despised him. Make your spouse’s dream come true, and you will forever be a treasure. Secretly plan how to make your spouse successful. Don’t just use your spouse! Please!

6. “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them” Psalms 62 vs 10.

Money does not need our heart. We can only hold money in our hands.

More so it has wings and can fly.

Some have destroyed good relationships because of the status that money accords, the luxury it affords.

Many people who were sweet together when they had just enough for the day, are now fighting over property, rights, who to give and who not to give, how to control what. It will consume all the good in you. That’s why the love of money is the root of all evil. It has a way of changing you, if it gets your passion. If money or the lack of it determines your moods, expression, lifestyle, dreams, and happiness, I am not sure you will be able to get enough of it. And that’s greed! No matter how rich you want to be, don’t give it your love. No matter how rich you become, never store a dime in your heart. If you really understand money, it should be in your pocket, or hands but NEVER IN YOUR HEART. The most important things in this life are things money cannot buy. A lot of people have changed because they gave money plenty space in their hearts.

7. Heal the heart “heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad” Prov. 12 vs 25. We get weary and depressed as long as we are in this world. Some times we get angry. But no depression can resist a soothing word.

“Soft answer turneth away wrath”. If we can choose our words wisely, we would do well in marriage. The Bible says anyone who can bridle the tongue, will eventually be perfect. Words should come slowly when it concerns the matters of the heart. We will offend each other. But we should heal through words. I use a favourite scripture whenever I explain the importance of our choice of words in healing wounds and settling disputes. Most quarrels are inspired by Satan.

E. C . Samuel Intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com 08027173447 sms only

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 20, 2013 23

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Life&Style Mrs. Doris Kucheli Yaro is Executive Director, Gabasawa Women and Children Empowerment Initiative (GWCI), a non-governmental organisation. She discusses with OZO MORDI the organisation’s efforts to uplift the quality of life of children and women of the North.

M

RS. Doris Kucheli Yaro carries a burden in her heart: The pain of seeing so much suffering in an otherwise wealthy nation.

Lately though, She hurts mostly from the loss of close relatives and neighbours who have lost their lives in the Boko Haram uprising.

Doris Yaro is the Founder and Executive Director, Gabasawa Women and Children Empowerment Initiative (GWCI), a non-governmental organization, a Christian and indigene of Bornu State. Unaware of the tension that western education would cause in some parts of the North, especially in Bornu State, she took the initiative to educate children who otherwise would not have access to school.

“I wanted to end that vicious cycle of poverty and a security guard giving birth to security guard. I thought that the son should have other choices of professions through education.”

Her vision did not come out of the blue, she said, adding that she had a passion to help people in need. But what gave her a path was when she did the national service in Kaduna State. “It was then I discovered that we the northern women’s children have been left behind, not just educationally, but economically too.

“I come from the North-East. I served in Rido Community in Kaduna, where women lived mostly in Purdah. One day, I saw this malnourished child and traced him to one of the women.

So, I decided to do some enlightenment and empowerment programme.”

According to her, when she had to relocate to Lagos with the transfer of her husband, she found that the situation for the women and children was not so different. “Some children would make noise as they scavenged the refuse bins in Ogudu, where we live. I did not find it funny, not while my children were in school.

“I traced them to uncompleted buildings and found that not only were they from the North, but they were from the North-East. I discovered the same vicious cycle among domestic security men.”

She started by enrolling them in schools and paid fees where parents could not afford to do so. She wanted to help those few, she says, adding that the Gabasawa initiative is a success story today.

But another source of the pain she bears these days is that some of the students sponsored by her organisation were slaughtered on their way to write their examinations recently.

“It was just a passion to help”, she says, stating that it became an organisation in 2004, when she had a phone call inviting her to a meeting.

“At the meeting, I was asked the name of the organisation that I represented, I told them that I had none and they laughed at me. They also told me that it was a meeting of NGOs, but I did not understand what they meant because I had not heard the word before. But I told them that I was invited. They then pressed me to tell them what I did. They were impressed and told me that I had a big work at hand.

“After the meeting, one of them who is my mentor today, took me aside and asked me how I have been going about it. She then told me that I had an NGO and told me to regis-

WOMAN

Showering Hope On The Desolate... ter it. When she saw that I was reluctant, she told me that my initiative was sensitive and that registration means that I can defend myself should there come challenges in the future.”

Her mentor, she reveals, was the one who gave the name Gabasawa, from the Hausa word “gabas,” which means “east.” She speaks Hausa.

She is happy with the group that gives aid to the under-privileged that can come from any part of Nigeria, stating that from training about 180 children at the beginning, they have 7,500 today. “We are also intervening in about 2,500 homes. We started by educating children of security guards and Shuwa Arab, but today, we have included orphans and other vulnerable children with emphasis on education, women empowerment, psychosocial support, shelter and health.

“We also have microcredit empowerment, drug awareness campaign, youth empowerment capacity building,” noting that on drug awareness, they have reached out to youths in schools and Mile12 food garage.

On women empowerment, she says that they are trained on business management, proper bookkeeping and account, customer service and saving. They are helped to form a savings and loan association. “The key thing is that they imbibe a savings culture to prepare for the future with a take-off grant from GWCI. With focus on qualitative and sustainable intervention, GWCI has introduced into her food and nutrition programme demonstrations on how caregivers can use local foods to make healthy and nutritious meals for the family.

Malnutrition is not a thing of the past or what is experienced only in war situations, she observes, showing a mother nursing a child with swollen limbs.

The older sibling is recorded gnawing away at his finger. Her organisation was called in because for both, food was not available because mother and father had no source of income.

Five hundred women who have been made widows by Boko Haram insurgency have been given seedlings so that they can engage in largescale farming to earn a living for their families.

But challenges make it difficult to do certain things, she says, observing that one of such bottlenecks is an environment that is still hostile to women empowerment.

“Some husbands are happy when their wives can contribute

withdrawn from school and given out in marriage against their wish. Six of them are now mothers at 14. One of them died from the complications of pregnancy,” she laments, adding that her organisation does not abandon them when parents give them out against their wish.

“They come back after one year and we train them in relevant skills. The joy is that many of them are in the secondary school now. The challenges may weigh down sometimes, but we are not discouraged. When you see the children transformed from shy to outspoken, you are to the family’s income, but some still cannot cheered up.” tolerate it. They feel it means too much inde- She adds that she looks forward to a bright future for the society, pointing outing out that this pendence. We had a woman who was diis only possible through education. She states vorced by her husband because he claimed that she is set in her goal of making it possible for that she became ‘wise’ and ‘westernized.’ the less-privileged who hunger for it.

“She learned skills from us and got a daily She calls on the government to show more comemployment besides her trading. She became the family’s breadwinner and the hus- mitment to that sector, observing that ASUU strikes puts children on the streets with many of band became aggressive and took up a them not knowing how to occupy their hands in dagger at some point. We reconciled them this May, but she has had to give up the out- the free time. Citing Rita, a student of the Lagos side employment. That is a brilliant woman State University [LASU], who is earning some who could have gone far if she had been well money as a hairdresser, she notes that the devil finds work for the idle and bored youth. “Educaeducated.”

According to Mrs. Yaro, the husband regret- tion ensures security for a nation. It enlightens.”

Empathy, she observes, comes from an educated ted his decision to divorce his wife because person. An educated person is the one who is conhe felt the loss of that extra finance, within the period of nine months that she was away. siderate of fellow human beings, she stresses.

Her philosophy, she says, is to make the world a Funding is another problem, she says, adding however that kind -hearted individu- better place. Her parents are Reverend and Mrs. Inusa Wakshama, and she says that they have inals have come assisted by paying her workfluenced her a lot. For example, visitors who turn ers.

Forced and early marriage is another, “a big up at the Yaro’s house were welcomed and served food. “My parents raised us that way,” one”, she says. she emphasises.

“Girls who show great academic brilliance are

Yaro

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

24

WOMAN Thelma Adaeze Okonkwo, Managing Director of Quintessentially Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s only seven-star concierge services provider, speaks on the work of the company, and on Royal Lifestyles Group’s sponsorship of Miss Nigeria beauty contest.

By Kemi Amushan

How long has Quintessentially been here in Nigeria?

What does Quintessentially really do?

UINTESSENTIALLY is what I call the ultimate It has been three years and a half, but globally, intervention for the business executive, for it has been around for the past 13 years and it is still expanding. this high profile individual, for this celebrity that has a tight itinerary; this person that has a What opportunities do you see for Quintessentially in the Nigerian economy? personal struggle of trying to balance hard In the Nigerian economy, as well as the global work and living. Quintessentially has always economy, the outsourcing market has become tried to be the ultimate service provider and a huge market especially in Africa as an emergconveniences support system, to make sure that everything about every aspect of your life is run seamlessly. It means that we run bespoke errands for you centered at giving this individual a virtual taste of the world.

Whether you are traveling for holiday, for business, whatever the interest for which you are traveling, Quintessentially will be on hand to help you ease into the environment as if you are a local. In the consortium, we have over 960 businesses that have been developed over 10 years, targeting these different aspects of your life which is mainly your health, your business, your family and you as an individual because when you have things going well in these aspects of your life, you will automatically have a balanced life.

Let me give you insight into the kind of requests that we get from clients: somebody calls you and he says: ‘my wife is pregnant and she is craving Don Kings doughnuts and she wants it to be flown in from the UK in the next 24 hours’. So Quintessentially is that company that caters for you from the most important aspect of your needs, to the most mundane whim, because we believe that you have worked so hard and being able to access anything that is inaccessible should not be a problem as long as you have a company like Quintessentially that you can leverage on.

Quintessentially as a business gives you that networking platform where you can travel globally and network with people of like minds, and promote your business and get your commendation. So it is the business of informed delegation because we know that when you know how to delegate your logistical headache to people, you automatically clear your headache. For corporate organizations, we advise them to give this beautiful service to the brains that run their companies, the senior management team, the executives because when you clear their headache and make sure that all other aspects of their lives are put in order. They will concentrate and put all their energy into their work and increase their level of productivity.

But when they do not have this kind of service, you see them buying into the company’s time and using it to attend to their personal errands and obviously this will take a toll on the productivity rate of the company. So those are the options of collaboration that we offer our corporate organizations. Then we also create an avenue where you can gift quintessentially to your priority clients. So that means you can use quintessentially as a tool to sustain profitability in your business. Any client that you serve and you now go out of the box to give him a service that if his wife touches down in Croatia, in Netherlands, in any part of the world, she is bound to have a group of specialists who are specially trained to do this kind of job, take her orders, take her right off the airport and take care of her just as long as she makes that call, you can be sure to retain that client for good.

Our unique selling point is that we have all kinds of services in our bouquet. You don’t have different kinds of people running different kinds of errands for you, in which case if anything goes wrong, you don’t have a professional body to hold liable. Quintessentially provides that security you need. You want to do your domestic staffing and you want to get people that are professionals, thoroughly verified to chauffer your children, to be your cook, to be your gardener, Quintessentially comes in at every aspect of your life to make sure that life is so much easier.

Who are your target clients at Quintessentially?

Our target clients remain high net worth individuals, opinion formers, celebrities, people that have a tight itinerary, people that find out that 24 hours in a day is not enough for them to achieve their delivery base at work and also have a balanced family life, because it has been a constant struggle to achieve a coveted worklife balance.

Q

ing market because you have a situation where a lot of CEOs do not have to over-function, they do not have to be the jack of all trade and master of none. So what we are saying is outsource these things to specialist people that their level of expertise is targeted towards handling that aspect of your work for you. It will create a lot of job opportunities, if people can actually learn how to do it, and it helps organizations to maximize their profits because now, some-

‘Quintessentially, The Ultimate Service Provider’

In the consortium, we have over 960 businesses that have been developed over 10 years, targeting these different aspects of your life which is mainly your health, your business, your family and you as an individual because when you have things going well in these aspects of your life, you will automatically have a balanced life.

thing like a protocol department in your company, these are the people that take care of travel logistics in your company. If any staff doesn’t get to travel, you must pay them because they are on your payroll. But their services are not required daily. But you can cut the costs by outsourcing it to a company like Quintessentially where you can pay as you go literally.

What is the connection between Quintessentially, Palatially Wines, Angels Champagne and Recherche?

These are businesses that we have identified as looking out for the same target market. Pallatially stocks exotic wines with limited editions that you can’t find everywhere. Recherche is a premiere event company that creates bespoke events for high net worth individuals and celebs, and they manage only people that are in this group of target audience. That is the relationship. We have been working hand in hand with them to make sure that we service all the needs of our clients because we understand that our clients are the kind of people that we expose to different kinds of things. They want you to keep re-inventing yourself. They want you to let them have access to that luxurious item that nobody has. Palatially Wines helps us to make sure that when it comes to wines and spirits, we have that. Same way with Recherche events, for people that want to have private events and expect the best results. So they are our partners and that is the relationship.

What was Quintessentially’s objective in supporting Miss Nigeria beauty pageant?

The business we are in is an image business.

So for Miss Nigeria, it is very iconic for you to be singled out as the female ambassador for the most populous black nation on earth.

And when you talk of Quintessentially, you are talking about the exquisite, you are talking about an extended level of exposure; the elegant, the informed, the refined taste. The objective is that on this journey that Miss Nigeria is going to go on, she will have to represent the country in the most quintessential form. We want to pass that on to our youth because she has become an ambassador for the country and a lot of our youth look up to her. So her comportment and everything that comes with that office has to be quintessential. That is the sort of thing we like to endorse.

Okonkwo

| 25

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20 2013

PEOPLE

‘Lagos Will Enjoy More Humanitarian Projects’

highest amount of money for the Polio Plus in the club when I was coordinating it. We are looking forward to this service year. Rotary is a collective pillar and I believe that with the cooperation and assistance from fellow members we would make greater impact this year.

What are your plans for the club?

We have some projects that we want to highlight. We are going to partner with a notable indigenous manufacturing computer firm, Zinox Computers, for the e-library at the Lagos Central ??? We’ll also partner with Allied Computers. We are going to distribute computers to secondary schools generally.

We are going to get involved in the distribution of wheel chairs to people who are in need of such —- we are going to collaborate with the district.

One of the promises I made during the induction ceremony in the district was to stretch out the hands of fellowship to members of the district. We made a pledge that recently at the island maternity, one of the star projects was to provide two threatre lights in the two operating rooms. But there are three operating rooms in the island maternity in Lagos; the pledge we made is that we would provide the third one.

It was very gratifying to learn from the medfinancing. I spent a lot of time with church ical director that from the day we inaugurated work. the light, the mortality rate since we installed Why are many people distrustful of Nigerian the light is reduced because surgeons can lawyers? now see more clearly and not make mistakes The individual makes the profession and, of when they are cutting the patients. That course, people in the profession have spoilt shows that the Rotary Club of Lagos the profession. We also have people who has made an impact in our have integrity and name to protect in the Job. immediate community. We One of the things I realize is that you don’t are still going to partner have to be dishonest to make money. with the Federal Sometimes, when people have dispute, it Government of does not necessarily mean a lawyer should Nigeria and tell them to go to court because going to health institucourt is expensive and time- consuming. tions to assist Ordinarily, you don’t remain friends any in immumore after returning from court; but when nization of you recon cile, that is better. You should be children able to tell your client if he is in the wrong. for Polio You don’t have to defend your client when he Plus. is wrong. I have lost several clients like. I told Rotary them that I couldn’t defend them because interthey are wrong. And they walked away.

How would you assess Nigeria politics?

I think Nigeria politicians have to shift from power and wealth acquisition to service to humanity. Once that happens, we would get there. People that don’t want their names Background? stained should not be involved in politics.

WAS born into a legal family. My father is a Nigerians should brace up to pay the ultilawyer and he died 40 years ago. I have been mate pride. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice practicing for 27years. I was born into a your life for achievement.

Christian family. I am married. I ran a corpoOn the problems confronting the country rate law firm and I also ran real estate consulranging from insecurity and unemployment. tancy firm. I operate from Lagos. I studied law What is the way forward? and politics at the University of Keele in Improving Nigeria is the responsibility of Staffordshire, England. I practiced in the everybody; it goes beyond the legal profeschambers of Chief Ajayi, a Senior Advocate of sion. Everybody has to play certain roles to Nigeria(SAN) from 1986 to 1988 and make this country a better place.

Ajumogobia, Okeke & Oyebode between 1988 Government should invest more in educaand 1989. I also specialize in real property and tion; government needs to equip and train conveyancing, the administration of personal teachers and give them the right incentives to estates, both foreign direct and overseas encourage them to see teaching as a dignified investment within Africa. Iam a consultant to profession. Government should also provide a number of foreign investors. jobs for unemployed youths, if you don’t have What inspired you to study law? job you will feel humiliated.

I think many reasons. My initial intention Why did you join Rotary Club? was to read architecture because I was admitI was invited and I think it is a good forum ted to Howard University to study architecfor giving assistant; that is one of the things ture. But for one reasons or the other I did not that attracted me. I joined rotary by accident study the course. I went to do my A-levels in 20years ago. I used to have a notable client England and I did law and politics for my A(he is late now). He was a lawyer and one of levels. I did combined honours in law and pol- the oldest members of Rotary Club of Lagos. itics. I went to the law school in 1985 I was He would come over to my office when I was called to the Nigeria Bar in 1986. I worked for in Ajasa Street, Onikan and he would invite three and half years with one of the very me out for launch on Wednesday. We met at notable barristers in Nigeria, Chief Ajayi, a the Ikoyi Hotel then and it was a free launch.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) and I wanted And it was good, the calibre of members, the to have another field in the aspect of law prac- fellowship, it was fun. tice. So I worked with one of the top corporate And over the years, one has been involved in firms. I did about one and half years there and projects like Polio Plus. I think we raised the after five years to tutelage I stepped up my practice in 1991 and I have been in practice since then.

I also set up an insurance company with some people, Heritage Assurance now Mansard Insurance. It used to be GT assurance before it was changed to Mansard. I got a license; I was a founding director. My main focus for my law practice is on investment, natural resource advisory, structuring agreement for clients that we service and general corporate work into some corporate finance.

I also do extensive advisory work for real estate from conception to development

Mr. Kehinde Ayo-Kasumu is a legal practitioner and a consultant to a number of foreign trading firms and investors. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. He was recently inducted as the 53rd president of Rotary Club of Lagos. He spoke to Oluwakemi Ajani about his life and what interests him in rotary

national has been very involved in stamping out polio in the world. As far as Nigeria is concerned, the Federal Government is doing a lot, but I think is a number of coordinating immunization exercise. We are going to build libraries and donate books to secondary and tertiary institutions to educate young minds; we are going to have a literary day to encourage young minds to read and built confidence in the student.

We also have a micro credit system in place.

One of the cardinal things for Rotary International is water and sanitation. We are going to dig boreholes in some of the remote areas in the community. These are some of the star projects we are going to do this year.

As the need arises, we are going to collaborate with individuals to help the community.

How was Growing up?

I came from a very strict family. I lost my father when I was very young. My mum was very tough and strict, I did a lot of things that many of my age mates then did not do. I supervised a structure at fourteen years of age.

I coordinated it and I also provided the workers at the site. I was very good in art and my children are also good in art. I used to do a lot of artwork when I was in the secondary school.

What is your philosophy of life?

First is to love your God with (the whole of) your heart. Then, as a man, you don’t chase women when you have a wife.

I

It was very gratifying to learn from the medical director that from the day we inaugurated the light, the mortality rate since we installed the light is reduced because surgeons can now see more clearly and not make mistakes when they are cutting the patients.

Ayo-Kasumu

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

26

PEOPLE

Shema

Shema: A Governor And His Passion For People

By Olawunmi Ojo ou don’t have to be a member of the “Y Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for your child to enjoy free education in Katsina State.

You don’t have to lobby anybody for your child to be sent abroad to read medicine, pharmacy, nursing or environmental engineering, or indeed get free medicare for yourself and family in government hospitals”.

This was part of the solemn declaration Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema made to the people of Katsina State at the outset of his second tenure. Shema had made a pact at the inception of the first tenure, which he kept, and which earned him the second tenure.

Now, in his second tenure, the governor is building on the solid foundation he laid during the first tenure. In Katsina, Shema builds bridges of understanding that there should not be discrimination on the basis of political affiliation. That is why he pointed out at his second inauguration that government services shall not be dispensed on the basis of whether you belong to the ruling PDP in the state or the opposition.

Indeed, government should serve all the people without discrimination. But this is a society where government services are sometimes dispensed according to party loyalty.

This sets the politician apart from the statesman. The politician continues to play politics after election has been won and the government formed by taking care of only his loyalists. The statesman does not know the difference between his loyalists and the people once government is formed. He takes care of all the people without recourse to political affiliation.

Shema demonstrates that he is a statesman.

He has passion for the people. He believes they are the very reason he is in government. The governor sees education as the instrument to transform Katsina. “We believe that education is the key to social mobility and the general

transformation of the lives of people in any society. This is our concept of fairness and justice to all political zones, justice to all strata of the society – the poor, women, children and rural dwellers,” he once said.

Indeed, all strata of society are being educated in the state. The Shema administration is particularly educating the girl-child.

Societal culture inhibits the education of the girl-child. To break this barrier, the state government gives allowance to parents who send the girl-child to school. Several girls schools have been built across the 34 local government areas to make this a reality. The Almajiris – child beggars, are also being educated and get allowance to encourage them stay in school. The Almajiris being sent to school is a process to make them useful to themselves and the state in future. The children have, in the past, constituted public nuisance, so taking them off the streets is a plus for social security in the state.

Shema’s massive investment in primary and secondary education has shot up school enrollment at the primary school level from about one million in 2005 to close to 1.5million in 2011 – about 50 percent increase – and, at the secondary school level, from 142,729 in 2005 to 280,973 in 2011. “This was achieved through free education up to secondary school and payment of WAEC, NAPTEB, NECO and NCAIS (National Colleges of Arabic and Islamic Studies) fees which motivated children from humble backgrounds with an assurance that they will write their final examinations for free”, the governor said.

The icing on the cake of the Shema giant

Shema demonstrates that he is a statesman. He has passion for the people. He believes they are the very reason he is in government.

strides in the education sector is the completion of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University Project started by his predecessor and mentor, the late President Yar’Adua. Not only that, he gave out more than N1b (including land, school buildings and hostels) to the new federal university in Dusinma as part of the state government contribution to its successful take off. And for the youth disposed to learning trades, Shema built the craft village where there is virtually every trade to be learnt - from GSM and computer repairs to tie and dye, welding, carpentry and the like.

This human development project has produced many graduates that today contribute to the socio-economic development of the state. And the governor helps them to stay in business.

Katsina has large deposits of kaolin, a major raw material for the production of paint and chalk. Graduates of the craft village involved in the production of paint are the sole producers of the paint used in the painting of government buildings in the state while those making chalk supply all the schools in the state. Mechanics produced by the village have been the ones taking care of the governor’s two official cars since his first term.

Shema is a believer in the age long saying that health is wealth. This explains why all that has been done in the health sector is geared towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the sector, including cutting the child and maternal mortality rates by 2015. The star projects in the health sector include a multi-million Naira 250-bed orthopaedic hospital, the bestb (in terms of infrastructure) in the country presently, rehabilitation of General Hospitals across the state and construction of six comprehensive health centres in addition to the renovation and upgrading of nine healthcare centres to comprehensive health centres. The government procured 34 mobile ambulances – one for each LGA – while med-

ical care is absolutely free for pregnant and nursing mothers as well as children under five years. Accident victims in Katsina are entitled to free treatment for the first 48 hours.

Agriculture is the major occupation of the Katsina people and the sector has a pride of place under the Shema administration.

Farming goes on all-year-round because of the attention payed to irrigation. So whether it rains or not, farmers have no problem watering their plants. There are several irrigation dams across the state supporting large-scale agriculture. One of them is Jibia Dam, which increased yield from 100 hectares of land in 2007 to 3,500 in 2011.

Shema supports the agro-allied industry to create jobs and add value to agricultural produce. His plan is to improve governance and service delivery using medium term fiscal and monetary stability approach without excessive short term tightening to achieve more sustainable and balanced approach. So prudent is his management of state resources that his administration has not borrowed internally or externally to execute projects.

Rather, he has generated interests on funds placed in banks to execute some projects. The new Government House is one of the projects being built from the bank accrual.

A successful corporate lawyer, Shema has come a long way since he joined the administration of then Governor Yar’Adua in Katsina as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. From being a commissioner, he was seconded to the PDP national executive as national vice chairman, North-West. He acquitted himself in that job and would have been returned to Katsina from Abuja to become the secretary to the state government (SSG). But he believed that the opportunity should be given to another person. He eventually became the governor in 2007, thanks to the vision of Yar’Adua, his mentor, who, as it has turned out, made no mistake in putting him at the helm of affairs.

Until last month when Yamani, his first son, an Harvard graduate wedded, very little or nothing is known about Shema’s family. “It is deliberate,” he says, “There is really nothing so special about my family. But more than that, they are introverts. When they prefer to be indoors and with their friends, what do I do?

Yes, they may not be known everywhere like children of other governors, that is their lifestyle. I think that is our nature generally. If not for public office, I am sure my name would not have mattered to you, because I would just be your average next door neighbour.”

Shema is a loyal party man. This was aptly demonstrated recently when he subsumed his ambition to be the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) under the PDP leadership position that the chairmanship position should go to Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State. But beyond chairmanship of NGF, Shema is content, not only as chief executive office of Katsina State but more importantly, grateful to God for using him as a channel of development in his dear state.

Shema’’s achievements have not gone unrecognized. In one day, the Nigerian Union of Journalist, Zamfara chapter honoured him as the best performing governor in the country.

Hours later, the Nigerian Labour Congress, Katsina State chapter conferred on him not only the best performing governor but also the most labour-friendly. Few months earlier, the national body of the labour union had honoured him with the same award. Just last week, in far away Republic of Ireland, a Non Governmental Organisation, NGO, Girl-Child Network Worldwide in partnership with another NGO, Women of Love, honoured him for his special interest and dedication in the total upliftment of the girl-child in the state.

In a release, the NGO stated that it was impressed by the establishment of the schools and payment of special allowanceS to parents to encourage them retain their daughters in the schools. The body stated that Shema’s promotion of the girl-child rights fitted perfectly into its objective of supporting and promoting girls’ rights, empowerment, and education by reaching out to, and advancing the circumstances of African girls who are economically deprived, at risk of abuse, subject to harmful practices, or living in areas of instability. It added that it envisions, just like the Katsina governor, that girls are empowered and retained in school to attain quality education.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

27

HOME&DECOR

Lift For The Bathroom HOUGH the bathroom is among the most hidden part of T the home, it does require some touches to enliven it.

Apart from choosing, changing tiled floors or walls, or replacing existing fixtures such as showers and sinks, colour has a way of impacting on the appearance of the place.

The first thing to do is decide what colour range can be used. If the bathroom has existing features such as ceramic tiling or fixture, bring in any other piece to match those colours that are already there.

The easiest way o decorate a bathroom is by using fabric coverings. Throw carpets down to cover up boring tiles and add some colour to the floor. They will also soak up colour and help prevent slippage.

Bathroom accessories such as towels and washcloths that match the overall colour allow for changing the look of the place.

Being a functional area, the bathroom needs to be organised. Choose containers with an eye towards colour and style, and you will be adding natural dĂŠcor touches to the room.

The shower curtain is one of the most important dĂŠcor pieces that can easily change the look of a bathroom. It is prominently displayed, usually taking up a large section of the visual area of the room. This is the piece that can pull the whole bathroom together. So, choose it carefully by ensuring that every other colour brought into the room will have to match with this piece.

Decorating With Chests a variety of shapes, colour and sizes that appeal to the senses. Some touch of craftsmanship can make them eyeHESTS have a place in a modern home, whether it is in first time fur- catchers in any space.

Chests can be tall, low wide or trim. Difnishing of an apartment or making ferent shapes such as square rectangle some changes in some places. They make the home elegant when carefully and oval can be made out of wood types selected. The interesting thing is that it like mahogany masonia and teak. Metal is also used for chests but wood appears is not only the bedroom that they can make use of them. The living room, bath to be more favoured.

In the living room, a two-drawer chest entertainment corner are that places in a corner sitting conspicuously will that can benefit from them. help to store items and also create a With chests, drawer upon drawer can be provided for practical storage. In ad- beautiful ambience. In the bedroom, the bedside is another place to be graced dition, they lend the kind of feel that with a small chest. makes a place inviting.

A small chest with about three drawers Like all other furniture, chests come in

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya

C

is suitable for a study to keep things such as pens, pencils, rulers and even reading glasses. In the bathroom, a space-efficient free-standing storage can be added to an existing scheme. This can be used as hideaway for bathroom articles such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and towels. In the dining, use them to hold cups, cutlery, dishes and linen. In the lounge, this can be used to decoratively elevate the look of the place.

For a pleasant outlook and refined character, style and finishing are important. The purpose determines the size.

The size of the chest should in turn be determined by the place it is going to be place.

28 |

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

FOOD&DRINKS

Coleslaw: Recipe For Cancer Prevention

By Chinelo Nwagbo OLESLAW is a delicious and nutritious food that is preC pared with varieties of vegetables. Vegetables as we all know contain a number of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin A, which are beneficial to the human diet. These vitamins and minerals are needed by the body on a daily basis, and they also help the body stay healthy so that it can prevent or cope with disease and injury.

Studies have shown that vegetables when eaten in good quantity can prevent, correct or heal diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancers, arthritis, obesity, levels of cholesterol in the blood (hypercholesterolemia) stroke, kidney disease and bone loss.

Medical doctors and nutritionists always recommend intake of vegetables to anaemic patients.

Coleslaw contains vegetables like cabbage, carrot, lettuce and onion. It is a perfect delicious filling and nutritious food that contains all the essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, K, E, B group (vitamin B6, B9) sulfur, calcium, potassium iron, magnesium, phosphorous and carotene that promote good health.

Coleslaw is inexpensive to prepare and it has many health benefits. Regular consumption of this nutritious salad helps to prevent some form of cancer like leukemia (cancer of the blood), breast, and prostate and lung cancers. It promotes healthy cardiovascular system

and bones; boosts immune system, and prevents the hardening of blood vessels, which can cause stroke and eventually lead to premature death. Pregnant women, women and girls that menstruate can benefit from consuming coleslaw to help replenish blood lost as result of child delivery and menstruation.

It is

advised to wash all the vegetables and utensil used in the preparation properly to help prevent contamination. Homemade coleslaw is better preserved by putting it in the refrigerator.

Ingredients Quantities Cabbage 1 small head Celery stalks 2 Spring onion 2 Shredded carrots 2 Mayonnaise 120ml Milk spoons Fresh tomato Juice of

satisfaction on every occasion. This deep vibrant red, purple hues wine can serve any occasion from formal to informal.

INCE red wine has been scientifically This delectable rich wine can be purchased from any local or sophisticated wine markets proven to benefit the heart and make function effectively, Wyatt Earp Shiraz is across Nigeria at an affordable price. Also, a red wine that you can derive heath benefits this wine can be indulge during weddings, birthdays, dinners and cocktails to deliver from and at the same time have get a good notes of refreshment on the palate of every note of refreshment.

Wyatt Earp has over the years served its cus- guest.

Earp is an intense and fragrant fortified Shitomers internationally and domestically in its home, south Australia, delivering optimal raz with clean lifted spirits perfumed with

S

2 medium size 1 lemon

Chopped Flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoon Sea salt ½ teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper ½ teaspoon Method of preparation Slice the cabbage as finely as possible, discarding the stalk, and place the shreds in a large bowl.

Add the prepared shredded carrots, celery and sliced spring onion and mix together.

In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and milk, then the lemon juice and parsley, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add this dressing to the vegetables and stir until well mixed.

Garnish with cut tomatoes.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for two to three hours.

E-mail: chineloeby@yahoo.com

Wyatt Earp ‌ Tasty And Satisfying

By Ibukunoluwa Kayode

4 table-

blackberry, liquorice and spice to rejuvenate the palate for long tasty finish. It has the flavour that delivers careful selection of balanced aroma and varietal style.

With a food friendly match, Wyatt Earp can be paired with blue cheese, poached pears, hazelnut chocolate tart, walnuts and vintage matured cheddars a refreshing moment.

Earp Shiraz holds 18.5 per cent alcohol base volume and can best be enjoyed chilled with ice cubes.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

| 29

CHEF’S DELIGHT

By Kemi Amushan

S

OMEWHERE in the heart of Victoria Garden City, (GGC) Ajah, Lagos is an exotic Chinese restaurant I came across recently. I am a seafood lover and I enjoy eating in many different types of seafood restaurants in Lagos. I had the pleasure of dining at Su Chao, which is located at the Eleganza Shopping Mall.

Su Chao offers authentic Chinese cuisines. With their exclusive and serene facilities, the place is your perfect destination for dining out.

Su Chao restaurant’s location is close to many great stores, banks and other places of interest. It is a good place to do to if you are hungry for a seafood dinner. It has plenty of parking spaces.

Even though this restaurant was busy at the time of visit, there was no looking for a table.

The hostess was friendly and assured of prompt service. And it was. A courteous waiter who took my drink orders. But before the drink came, I had enough time to savour the state of art interior setting where the culinary skills that go into preparation of Chinese cuisines would be displayed. I drooled at the array of seafood choices on the menu.

The menu has something to please everyone. It has many grilled and fried seafood options. Appetisers such as lobster in garlic sauce, lobster, crab and seafood stuffed rolls, spring rolls, steamed pork dumplings, steamed prawn dumpling, samosa are available at affordable prices. Some entrees are quite pricey and some are affordable.

When I ordered my food, I got a decent amount of food for my money. The meal was delicious. The prawns were very tasty. The lobsters were fabulous and very tender. The prawn mayonnaise spring rolls were spectacular and very moist. The stuffing was delicious. The meal had a garlic and butter flavour and it was excellent. I was very pleased with the service and the high quality of food offered.

Many assorted cocktails and mocktails are available, on the menu, along with beer and any other beverage one might desire. My salad that came with the meal that I ordered was also tasty.

Dessert options are offered such as mixed fruit salad, Su Chao ice cream among many others. They were affordable.

I rate Su Chao four out of five stars. I enjoyed dining there and writing about it.

The seafood is very good and visiting

For The Love Of

Seafood At Su Chao

this restaurant is a thing of joy. From all the food I’ve described above, the restaurant delivers spectacular seafood.

Su chao offers a cosy environment for a quiet family dinner, birthday parties, business lunch or dinners or if you want, a solo time out alone.

Visit Su Chao today and tempt your taste buds with their delicious assortments of mouth watering superb dishes.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

30

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

GARDENING

Color In the Garden NE aspect of gardening that is most excitO ing is the aspect of color and its use in gardens and landscapes.

Most garden advice begins with a discussion of color, texture and form. Color is arguably the most prominent factor in a garden design and often the first one considered. Color is what most gardeners are drawn to. Color is all around us, and in the garden it is one of the most powerful resources (others are texture, form and light).

When you get right down to it gardens are really about color. That color can come from flowers, foliage, bark, pottery, furniture, fences even artwork, but in the end it is all about color. Does color influence your mood and do you lean towards a certain color. We know what we like when we see it.

Our gardens are meant to enhance our lives Classic white garden design influence of Gertrude Jekyll color wheel, with the six main colors of the spokes or pie slices of the circle. The three primary colors are red, yellow and blue.

Combine these, and you get the colors in between the secondary colors. So red and yellow makes orange, yellow and blue make green, and blue and red make purple. Add black to these six basic color you have shades. Add white to these colors, and you have “tints” of color, and you have popular pastels. Then, of course, you can mix various combinations of the basic six to get all the other colors.

On the wheel, colors are arranged by their relationship to each other, in progression.

Classic English border design influence of Gertrude Jekyll Violet-red to Red to Orange-Red to Orange and to make our homes look better. Color is to yellow-Orange to Yellow and so on, in the a unique way of expressing ourselves. When we decorate our houses, we tend to use color schemes – whether following personal preference or current trends. Color can be cool and soothing or warm and exciting, it can be a riot or a river.

It can be front and center or something more subtle, but whatever our choices color is the goal. Any color scheme can work, it’s your garden so if you are happy who cares what anyone else thinks. However, understanding the basic principles of using color in design can help make that picture in your head a reality. Be it a soothing quiet sanctuary or a patio ready for a party, good garden design involves knowing how to combine colors so that the final product will be one we like.

Gertrud Jekyll, (1843-1932) an English Victorian era gardener, demonstrated how to exploit color by designing her borders around a specific color theme. In the late

Contrasting colors of hosta and coleus 1800s, the great impressionist French artist Claude Monet [184-1926] created parts of his garden at Giverny as a living palette where single species were massed in beds – the purple and lavenders of the Iris, the pink and red of the peony and the blues of the delphiniums roses and waterlilies.

To begin do you know what color really is?

This will vary depending on whether you are an artist, a photographer, an electronic graphic artist, or a printer. Let’s state here, that in all but art, color deals with light both absorbed and reflected – and is composed of three basic colors, plus black in case of printers. Since garden design with color is most closely related to art, let us explore this view of color. A good way to start is by studying the color wheel in art.

Most people are familiar with the artist’s

White is sometimes called the peacemaker in the garden.

Example of white are white gardens and moon gardens – those that show up at night in moonlight or with low lighting. White either flowers or variegated foliage is also good to use in shade to brighten up the dark area.

Follow these basic rules when choosing flowers for your garden, and you are on your way to good design. As with rules and principles, there are exceptions and you can have attractive designs with striking effects such as riot of mainly warm color, as long as this is the effect you are trying to achieve.

Tropical warm colorful border yellow/orange and yellow/green-split/compliment) Polychromatic: all colors The effects these colors give in an “outdoor room” or garden space or bed, are the same effects you can achieve indoors.

The colors on “top” of the wheel – red, orange, and yellow are the warm or hot colors. The others green blue, and purple are the “cool colors”, warm colors are vibrant they stimulate and energize keep a person alert, they give feelings of warmth, security or to the extreme hot, passion and excitement. Cool colors give the opposite effects – calm, serene, relaxing.

The main color of gardens and landscapes is green, a cool color often, the effect of cool colors can come mainly from foliage and

Colors in the garden at Giverny home of impressionist artist Claude Monet

Hot summer colours at Giverny

Contrasting colors of foliage

English border of contrasting summer flowers

same order they appear in the spectrum.

Most modern color wheels only contain 12 colors, while there are many more subtleness in nature.

However, it is good tool to begin to train your eyes to see the relationships between colors and how they transform and play off of one another.

Combining and playing with colors in the garden Basically, breaks down to 2 choices Harmonious (colors that are next to one another and share some values) Contrasting (color that don’t) The four color schemes are Monochromatic: Shades of only one color Analogous – color colors that are neigbours on the color wheel (e.g. red, orange, yellow) Contrasting – colors that are directly opposite on the color wheel (e.g. red/green, yellow/purple or triads e.g. violet with

lawns and leaves of woody plants. These form the “background” of landscapes.

Warm colors tend to “advance” or be closer than they really are, so use them to draw attention to parts of the garden or landscape, to make parts of gardens appear closer. Cool colors tend to “recede” or be further away than they really are, so use them to make parts of the garden seem farther away, or not too noticeable and spacious. White deserves special mention for its uses in gardens. It is a good example of the difference of light and art theory. If you put all the colors of light together, white is formed. Yet in art, combine all the main color pigments and what do you get? A muddy grey.

White draws more attention to itself than even warm colors, so use it sparingly, use it to contrast with other colors, to separate colors from one another or just by itself.

Monochromatic black

Pink chairs complementing potted geraniums

Soft triad of pastel colors in purple, pink and while bloom monet;s garden in Giverny

The famous, green bridge and waterlilies. Giverny

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

31

DIARY

Chairman, Al-Brett Group, Chief Albert Iyorah (left) Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu during, Iyorah’s condolence visit to Tinubu on the death of his mother in Lagos recently.

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state (middle) cutting the tape at the official opening of JADES HOTELS at zone 5 wuse in Abuja recently. Flanking him from left were the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Jerry Gana, and CEO of the hotel, Rev. (Arc.) Benson Ezem and his wife

Chief (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole, father of the bridegroom and the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered); Mr. Abiola Oladipupo Olawale-Cole, the bridegroom and Chief (Mrs.) Bola Olawale-Cole, mother of the bridegroom at the traditional wedding (Engagement) of Abiola to Rebecca Ekundayo held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos...Saturday.

Rev Chudi Eke receiving the FCIA Fellowship Award Certificate from Dr Noble Oguguo of Chartered Institute of Administrators in Abuja …recently

General Manager Four Points by Sheraton Lagos Christian Tomandi And the song writer and singer Waje at the recognized charity event ‘The Global Party 2013”.

President, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Dr. Sulleyman Ndanusa being decorated by his predecessor Mr. Tunde Busari at the former’s investiture at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja …recently

Mr. Olufemi Isaac and former Miss Vissou Racheal Omobolanle during their wedding ceremony at Iba Registry in Lagos…receentrly.

Director, Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), Engr. Rasheed Teslim-Balogun; Executive Chairman, LSPWC, Gbenga Akintola; Chairman, Badagry Local Government, Moses Husitode Dosu; Special Adviser on Rural Development, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe and Chairman, Badagry West Local Government, Bamgbose Joseph Hontonyon at the stakeholders’ meeting on New Badagry Asphalt Plant in Lagos… recently

From Left: Mr Ireti Akinola; Convener of Culbeat Mr Kunle Akintayo; Mrs Olutoyin Oyelade; Mrs Fadeke Adeyeye; Mr Ayodele Bamisaye and Mr Ademola Odunlade at the 2013 Reward Nigeria event organised by Culbeat New Concepts Limited at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos last week.

THE NEW EXECUTIVE OF URHOBO SOCIAL CLUB. From left: Chief Emma. Egoh-Publicity Secretary, Chief Silver Etsemitan-Social Secretary, Bishop Joseph Salubi-Treasurer. Dr. Isaac Feludu-General Secretary, Chief Simeon Ohwofa-President, Evang. Emma Evue-Immediate Past President, Mr. Austin Enajemo-Isire-2nd V.P., Bar. Jitobor Akenike-Legal Adviser, Mr. Francis Anidi- Asst, Gen, Sec and Engr. Charles Ughuvwu-Financial Sec.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

32

FASHION

African Fashion Lights Up Paris Runway

From left: Diana - Tanzania; Fay Designs - Zambia; Moiei - Liberai; Frank Osodi - Nigeria

... African Fashion Star Competition FINALE T

Bee Authur - Ghana

IT was a weekend of glitz and glamour as Legendary Gold Limited in collaboration with the World Fashion Organization, Paris Luxury Events and the Embassy of Nigeria in France, presented the Africa Fashion Reception of the World Fashion Week at the prestigious Salle Wagram, which is located in the exclusive and very Porsche 17th district of Paris.

The Africa Fashion Reception (AFR) featured the collection of 16 leading African designers from 16 African countries. These designers were carefully selected to represent their countries from a pool of applicants from the various countries based on their look book submitted months earlier.

Participating designers by country includes Anggy Haif, Cameroun, Francois 1er, Burkina Faso, Soucha, Egypt, Fay designs, Zambia, B’Exotiq by Bee Arthur, Ghana, Kipusa, Kenya, Moie, Liberia, Maria Bocoum, Mali, Siham El Habti, Morocco, Frank Osodi, Nigeria, Lilly Alfonso, Malawi, Dady de Maximo, Rwanda, Nafytoo, Senegal, Diana Fashion, Tanzania, JSE Couture, South Africa, and Chaivo designs, Zimbabwe.

The event gathered the very exclusive French and African audience led by the Mayor of Paris, the Nigerian Ambassador to France who was represented by Kenneth Nwachukwu, Minister in charge of Economic, Investment and Trade in the Nigerian Embassy, Chairman/CEO, World Fashion Week and members of the Board of Governors of the World Fashion Organization. Others that made the guest list included Ambassadors from over 12 countries, Dame Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Merit Gordon Obua, Wife of the CSO to the Nigerian President, Aisha BabangidaShinkafi, Alex Oriaku, Consul General, Nigerian Embassy, Dele Momodu, Comrade Jude Imagwe, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Youth & Student Matters) etc.

The global fashion press and buyers were not left out as they all had a fulfilled day with the quality of what the designers presented.

During the event, Mrs Merit Gordon Obua, Wife of the Chief Security Officer of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was invested as Patron of World Fashion Organization – Africa by the Chairman/CEO of the World Fashion Week. She is presently the only African so honoured.

The benefitting charity/foundation of the Africa Fashion Reception was officially introduced to the global audience. It was the Better Life Programme for African Rural Woman, which was represented by its Chairperson herself, Aisha Babangida Shinkafi.

With the incredible success of the AFR Africa, President of Legendary Gold observed: “Again we have just been able to step up the game.

Paris still remains where it is when it comes to fashion. It is still the world’s fashion capital.

Taking into consideration how difficult it is to impress the French fashion industry, acceptance in Paris at this level is all anyone can ask for.”

Debby - Nigeria

HE top 6 final contestants of the African Fashion Star Competition have been chosen! Fashion designers from all over Africa submitted their designs and sketches in hopes of winning a paid internship with the fashion brand EDUN and classes at a world famous fashion school in New York City. EDUN is part of the luxury group LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy) and recently did a collaboration with Diesel .

The winner of this competition will also be signed to Frallain and have their collection featured under the brand. The Competition finale which will be hosted by Mr. Fab from Fab Magazine, will take place on July 31, 2013 at the Porsche Center in Lagos, Nigeria. After weeks of hard work and creating their designs under the

guidance of Monami, Lary K Ojomo, Lanre Da Silva, Deola Sagoe, the top six contestants will showcase their work in a fashion show. Judges Bryan Ramkilawan, Deon Redman and Ituen Bassey will decide who will become the “African Fashion Star”.

Each contestant will send three different looks down the runway in the hope that their designs will qualify them for the top score and a chance to live and work in New York City.

Sponsors of this event include Moet Hennessey, ISIS Models, Herstorian Productions, Porsche Center, LDI Africa, Africa Fashion Daily, STV and The Guardian .

Contact: Kanika Singh, Frallain Incorporated (516) 342-0566; info@frallain.com

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

| 33

FASHION

Beautiful Buns Pull off a great sleek bun with braids, weave-on or your natural hair.

It is the look of the moment.

By Noni Utomi HE bun hairstyle brings out the unique beauty of a woman in series of ways. The buns are styled in such ways as box braid buns, side buns, top buns and more.

Buns on the hair are glamorous, yet simple and classic. It is a timeless hairstyle and it doesn’t get out of trend.

Fashion has taken the bun hairstyle to a new level from regular hair transferring to braids, which makes it quite sexy and attractive. It is also the latest hairstyle sported at fashion shows.

Women can sport the bun for many events, from graduations and weddings to date night and dinner parties- it is the foolproof hairstyle. What is more? With so many variations, the bun is never boring. Here are some amazing bun hairstyles recently seen on the red carpet.

T

Entry Begins For LFDW Young Creative Entrepreneur & Young Designer Of The Year Awards 2013 AGOS Fashion and Design Week (LFDW) has started accepting applications for the Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) and Young Designer (YD) of the year awards 2013. The YCE awards programme is unique in that it rewards the talent and initiative of young creative entrepreneurs from across the creative fashion industry recognizing the central role they play in the development of a competitive and sustainable creative economy.

One of the key objectives of the YCE programme is to sensitise the UK creative sector to the opportunities that come from working with other creative entrepreneurs in emerging economies. A second objective is to better understand the dynamics of being an entrepreneur in the creative economy.

British Council and LFDW have identified the need to identify such talents and provide them with the right networking abilities to further expose their business to the muchneeded prominence and simultaneously grow the Nigerian fashion industry.

The winner of the fashion award will be invited to take part in a tour of the industry in the UK anticipated to take place in September 2013.

With the Young Designer of the Year Award, LFDW offers young fashion designers the opportunity to be participants at targeted seminars and workshops facilitated by British

L Fifi Ejindu Talks About Upcoming AFWL African Arts and Fashion Banquet WITH a few weeks left to the biggest African fashion extravaganza outside of Africa, the Africa Fashion Week London 2013 scheduled for August 1-3 at Old Truman Brewery, AFWL patron Princess Fifi Ejindu has given an exclusive sneak peek at Africa Arts and Fashion Banquet to be held at The Dorchester Hotel on August 4, 2013.

The first edition of African Arts and Fashion Banquet supported by the AFWL patron, Ejindu, will see leading dignitaries, first ladies, celebrities, designers and business people both from Africa and the Diaspora attend this exclusive event at the prestigious venue.

Speaking of the event and her support to AFWL 2013, she said: “With this event we intend to raise start-up funds for emerging talents and tuition fees for extremely talented designers, hence in a way we are empowering the youth of Africa.

Therefore, this is our way to

help emerging talents to a global platform and the funds they need.”

African Arts and Fashion Banquet will play host to the crème de la crème of African dignitaries and VIPs as well as the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Edem Duke.

Other equally noteworthy guests include the First Lady of Cross River State, Her Excellency Mrs. Liyel Imoke and Ghanaian economist, scientist, political writer and former chairman of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana, Professor Edward Ayensu who will be the keynote speaker at the prestigious fundraiser.

Speaking of the African Arts and Fashion Banquet, CEO and founder of AFWL Ronke Ademiluyi said: “When you empower young people it is like an investment because if they are better educated and

empowered, the future growth of our countries will be high, which is all the more the reason we should all strive to do more to help our young emerging talents reach their full potential.”

Council and a chance to exhibit their collection in front of a select audience at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week.

LFDW normally chooses between 10 to 12 young designers who are trained in Master Classes by British Council for a week to enhance their design skills towards their competition during the LFDW, where one designer will be crowned the winner.

Past winners include Isoken Ogiemwonyi (CEO of Retail Store, L’Espace) for the Young Creative Entrepreneur Award and Josh Samuels for Young Designer of the Year Award.

The screening sessions for the awards will kick off in Port Harcourt on August 26, Abuja on August 28 and ends in Lagos on August 30.

Interested participants can visit www.LagosFashionAndDesignWee k.com for more details. Prizes for the winners include: a LFDW Young Designer of The Year cash prize from MTN; British Council facilitated networking opportunities with creative entrepreneurs globally at London Fashion Week; British Council facilitated Master classes; mentorship opportunities with leaders in the creative industry and retail opportunities with leading brands in the industry.

LFDW is scheduled to take place from October 23 to 26, 2013.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

34 |

SOCIETY

Omolola Soyombo Finds Her Missing Rib ECENTLY, the dean of faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof. Omololu Soyombo and his wife, Abiodun, a manager with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the AkR ingbade families celebrated their children union when Omolola Soyombo, a United States trained pharmacist got married to Adegoke Akingbade at Fountain of Life Church Ilupeju, Lagos. Here are some faces at the occasion.

Mr. Adegoke Akingbade and wife, Omolola Soyombo

Parents of the groom‌Mrs. Florence Akingbade and Adewale Akingbade

Parents of the bride, Prof. Omololu Soyombo and wife, Abiodun

Lady Yemisi Rufus-Giwa and Mrs. Helen Oyenuga

Funke Olaode, Sola Osisanya and Funke Olonibuwa

Pastor Bimbo Runsewe, Mrs. Feyi Osinupebi and Mrs. Yanju Aremu

Pastor and Pastor Mrs. Taiwo Odukoya

Pastor Mr. and Mrs. Kayode Kolawole

Pastor Taiwo Odubiyi and Mrs. Jumoke Akin Taylor

Akeem Ahmed, Daniel Owoeye and Omotola Soyombo

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 20, 2013 |35

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Entertainment

Sony Neme nemesony@yahoo.co.uk 08111813096

Glo X Factor: 12-Year-Old Boy’s Video Records Highest Views

part in this contest, there will be no contest. Let your parents know that Though ineligible to compete in the show, being less than SIGNIFICANT record has been set in the ongoing Glo X Factor competition with the audition performance of 12-year- 18, Emmanuel, who hails from Ghana, decided to try his luck God has blessed you all and us with this young at the Kumasi audition of the show. “There is an age limit, old Emmanuel Mensah becoming the highest watched video man…” she said in an but he has taken time to come out here. He is a small guy of any singing reality TV show contestant on You Tube. with big ambitions. Let us hear him. We are rooting for you, emotion-laden voice.

The video has so far recorded 109,658 views on You Tube, MI said: “He is amazwe want you to do well,” Onyeka told him as he came on eclipsing by far the number recorded by videos of other ing, but he is just too singing reality television show contestants in West Africa. The stage. young to be in the conWhen Emmanuel began to sing, the judges and members nearest to it was 20,185 hits on a contestant’s video in another of the audience could not believe that the sonorous, mature test now. You are one music reality show. and beautifully controlled voice they were hearing was com- of the best voices I have His rendition of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Look To You’ was so powerfully and beautifully done that it left a judge in the show, ing from the little boy on stage. By the time he was through, ever heard.” Even the normally hard-tothe audience and judges were on their feet, clapping and Onyeka Onwenu, in tears. MI described him as having the Emmanuel please Reggie Rockhailing. “most wonderful voice” she had heard in a long time. The Onyeka had hugged the boy tightly and planted a long kiss stone was short of video has also attracted thousands of emotional online comments in praise of the prodigious talent, with many asking for on his forehead. “I don’t know what we are going to do about words. “My heart is still beating fast. Onyeka has said it all.

All I want to say is that I thank God for people like you. You the age limit. But I know they won’t break the rules, but a waiver of the X Factor age restriction to allow Emmanuel to are truly blessed,” he told Emmanuel. don’t be discouraged, by the time you come of age to take compete in the show.

A

AFTA Brings Movie City To Nigeria …Begins Registration In September Stories by Sony neme OOD times are surely here for aspiring filmmakers and actors as a G movie city that will rival the famed Hollywood is in the making.

That is, going by the words of the promoters of Africa Film and Televi-

Pauline

sion Academy (AFTA), who are partnering with Pan African University, Lagos and University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

To underscore their seriousness in building a movie location to be known as Trend Media City in Lagos, a replica of Hollywood, The Guardian reliably gathered that registration for the batch of students will begin in September with an initial 100 students.

In an interview with The Guardian at its Victoria, Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, the institution’s marketing manager, Miss Ani Pauline Ekpo, said, “AFTA, which is founded mainly to build capacities in Africa film industries is designed to set a pace in African films. You know that Africa is blessed with abundant talents, and the industry has become a major source of employment generation and economic activities. As a result, it can no longer be ignored with its enormous potentials.”

She said their decision is, “To bring out the best potentials as much as we can. That is where AFTA is coming in with state-of-the-art facilities that meet with the 21st century filmmaking. AFTA will train the next generation actors, producers and directors among others in Nigeria, frica and the rest of the world.”

Miss Ekpo hinted that AFTA is bringing experts from across the world to achieve their purpose. Her words: “That is partly why we are partnering with India-based Whistling Wood International, which has been rated as one of the best film institutions in the world. We are also partnering locally with Pan African University’s School of Media and Communications, and University of Port Harcourt.”

Ekpo said that with these three respected institutions, their expertise and professionals they can only get the best for AFTA. “AFTA will provide the best in filmmaking, directing, acting, photography, editing and lighting among others. The whole idea is just to take the Nigerian film to another level. Already, we have gone very far in terms of planning and execution as we are set to put structures on ground and ensure that we take our films to global best standards,” she stated.

She further revealed that AFTA will be located within the Trend Media City that will become a creative hub, “That will be in our phase two that will be infrastructural development. It will be Hollywood equivalent in Nigeria. A whole film city where everything about filmmaking could be located to save our talented movie makers the stress of sourcing locations and properties for the films.”

She said what stands AFTA out is, “we are going to be very thorough professional in the true sense of it. We are not going to be contended with short courses, as we will be offering two years diploma and three years degree courses from 2014 in virtually all fields of filmmaking. It is an international school with Africa and the entire world as our target market.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

36 |

ENTERTAINMENT

How I was Duped, Camerounian Showbiz Promoter

Agbor

GBOR Gilbert A Ebot is a Camerounian film producer who does collaboration movies with Camerounian and Nigerian actors. He is credited with Before the Sunrise directed by Fred Amata, Land of Shadow directed by Zack Orji, The Blues Kingdom, Pink Poison and FAR. That was before he was allegedly scammed by an impostor who pretended to be Wizkid on March 7, 2013. Agbor was allegedly defrauded of the sum of N 1,290,000.

Ebot who shared his nasty experience with The Guardian, said the trouble started when, “Miss Helen Arrey, a Camerounian came pleading that I help her get a Nigerian artiste for her event in Douala- Cameroun. I told her I know the Manager of 2face, J Martins and Chidima. She said she would like 2face or Chidima. When I talked to Efe

– 2face’s Manager , he told me 2face would not be available. I called Tony Mba, he said since it was a humanitarian thing, Chidima would come.”

He said that was an understanding between Helen, through him and Tony Mba. “Two weeks later I went to the US, I was shooting a new movie and Miss Helen Arrey called me to inform me that Chidima was coming to Cameroun and that I should look for another artiste for her event. I met Mr Ayuk Ojage online, who happens to be a friend in the industry. He was in Lagos but had moved back to Cameroun. I asked him if he knew any artiste and he said he knew Wizkid. I told him about the show and that the Lady has $10,000. He called me back while I was in the US to say Wizkid had agreed.”

Based on that information, when he got back to Cameroun, he set up a meeting between Ayuk Ojage and Helen Arrey as he was on set in Buea – Cameroun shooting with Dakore Akonde, Melisa Determined and Ikechuwu Oyanka. “Mrs Helen called me that she had the money and I should help pay to Wizkid. I had been talking on the phone and the guy sounded like Wizkid “ I had met Wizkid in the US, but am not close to him and I know his real names to be Balogun Ayodeji,” he recalled.

On his return to Nigeria with his flight back to Cameroun the next day, March 7 at 10am. So he had to pay the money into a Guarantee Trust Bank account of Balogun Ayodeji in Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos at 8.30am. He said he called the number of the supposed Wizkid to meet him at the airport because there was heavy traffic in Surulere so as not to miss his flight.

“When I got to the airport and called him, he said he was in traffic, and I waited without luck before I left for Cameroun and to my movie set. I called Ayuk Ojage and he said ‘Bro, he just called me and that he would send the video to us through Youtube,… I am sure he is my guy, ’” Agbor said.

After a week and no word from Wizkid, Ayuk Ojage allegedly said he was sure Wizkid was busy. Agbor came back to Lagos and went to Wizkid”s house to ask him why he had not called or sent the information needed for the event.

But Wizkid was shocked and said he had no idea of what Ebot was talking about as he did not know any Ayuk Ojage, “I called Ayuk Ojage and in my presence Wizkid said to him; ‘guy I don’t know you.’

“Wizkid advised me to immediately report the matter to the bank and the Police. He promised going to EFCC office to report. I went to the GT Bank in Bode Thomas in Surulere and wrote a report and to the Police station also in Bode Thomas and incident the case. The Police got a court order for the account to be closed.”

Meanwhile, the young man is between the devil and the deep blue sea as Miss Helen Arrey has petitioned the authorities in Cameroun that he has scammed her of $10,000. Agbor was subsequently arrested at the airport.

According to Agbor, to clear his name, he is repaying, though he can’t access the remaining cash in the closed GT Bank account.

Bayelsa Hosts The Next MBGN Bayelsa State. On parade will be beauties carefully selected from auditions that took the organizers Nigeria, MBGN 2013, holding this through the length and breadth of the country to source for the best Saturday at the Banquet Hall, beauties with brains.

Government House, Yenagoa, Productions presSforILVERBIRD ents 32 beautiful contestants the Most Beautiful Girl In

Julius

Laff 4 Christ Sake Holds On July 28 EW weeks to the London ediFmultiple tion of Crack Ya Ribs show, award-winning entertainer, Julius Agwu, will be staging his annual Laff 4 Christ Sake show on July 28, 2013 at The Dome- This Present House, Lekki Lagos. For the first time, the show will be holding in the church led by Pastor Tony Rapu.

Make no mistake about it; that is where the Ikwere man worships.

Comedians slated to perform at the show are Senator, Funnybone, Akpororo, Owen Gee, Mc Abbey, Acapella, Mc Longs and Mc Jay. Musicians on the bill are Tim Godfrey & the Extreme Crew, Frank Edwards and Tosin Martins.

On his decision to move the show to the church, Julius Agwu

said he is only obeying the clarion call of his pastor. His words: “This is the first time we are staging the event in a church, my place of worship. My Pastor, Tony Rapu was part of the event last year and thought it was fascinating and as such approved that it be brought to the church. So it’s open to everyone to come and experience God in an atmosphere of laughter.”

Laff 4 Christ Sake is an evening packed with gospel rhythms and jokes. The show began way back in 1994 and grew to become a very comfortable environment for Christians to relax and have fun.

The organizers revealed they are doing everything possible to make the show one of the most successful Laff 4 For Christ Sake ever and that there will be many surprises at the show.

Massive Turnout Expected As MDA 7 Regional Auditions Begin HOUSANDS of entries have so far been received as the T process of selecting Nigeria’s top dancing family begins on the number one family dance television show Maltina Dance All (MDA). The exciting and emotional process will be kickstarted with regional auditions in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. If the flashmob scene that took place during the press briefing heralding the call to entry for the competition in June is anything to go by, season 7 of the show tagged “The Evolution” will be uniquely different.

Aside Port-Harcourt, the other auditioning centres are Lagos and Abuja. A breakdown of the regional auditioning dates released by the brand shows that it will hold in Port Harcourt at the Atrium Event Centre on July 19 & 20; Lagos - National Theatre on July 25, 26 and 27 and Abuja - Nicon Luxury Hotel on August 2 and 3. Consumers who missed the opportunity of registering online at http://www.maltinadanceall.tv would have the opportunity to register at the audition venues.

During these regional auditions, consumers and respective family members also stand a chance to win any of the numerous regional dance competition prizes like Blackberry phones, 21” Flat screen TV sets, Home theatre systems and lots of re-

freshing Maltina drinks.

The show, according to Mrs. Ngozi Nkwoji, Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, is all about the emotions, excitement, fun and the unbreakable bond that ten families will showcase when they challenge themselves by learning and perform-

ing various dance styles from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and to the present in the famous Maltina Dance All academy.

“This is going to be evolution of dance from time past to the present. The winning family will go home with the grand prize of a whopping N6 million and of course, a brand new car. The first and second runners up will also get N1 million and N500, 000 respectively,” She added.

Mrs. Nkwoji stressed “Seven years is a long time for a show to still be relevant and we’re very glad Maltina, through MDA, continues to bring the brand experience of sharing happiness and fun to the consumer. The MDA ‘Evolution’ is a show that should not be missed. We put a lot of work into it and ensure that every year there is something bigger and better.

What we are doing with Maltina Dance All is to “share happiness” and to also create more emotional connection with consumers because families and dance are two winning components in the Nigerian environment.”

The TV show will be aired from September this year on major TV networks and video uploaded on YouTube and Facebook. Also, viewers can participate and win fabulous prizes through the interactive SMS platform during the show.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

| 37

ENTERTAINMENT

COSON Board Tackles Copyright Royalty Defaulters we will implement the directive of the Board to the letter. There will be no retreat and no surrender.”

On her part, star artiste and COSON Board member, Azeezat Allen, said, “The Board identified some in the strategic meeting on Tuesday, July 16 in Lagos at which broadcast industry who believe that they can employ several critical decisions were taken. The meeting took divide and rule tactics and break the unity of the place at the boardroom of the society in Opebi, Ikeja. music industry. They obviously do not understand According to a statement made available to The that this is a revolution. COSON has revealed to NigerGuardian by Chibueze Okereke, Head, Communication, ian musicians what is possible. The rapid growth of Media & Strategy, a key member of the Board, Mr. Efe COSON has shown that we can successfully run a posiOmorogbe explained after the meeting, “We reviewed tive, professional, transparent and accountable organithe compliance level with respect to music copyright royalty payments in Nigeria and came to the conclusion zation in our industry. I know some musicians who have received over a million naira each as royalty from that while there are several users who have shown that COSON in the last six months. Before COSON, they were they want to play by the rules, there are those who are getting nothing. This is therefore personal. Nobody playing games. They erroneously believe that they can wants to go back to the days of old. Those who may conspire, delay and successfully confront COSON and have decided to fight COSON surely miscalculated.” continue the era of free music. They are badly mistaken Interestingly, this is coming after the historic events and clearly do not understand the passion, total deterof the COSON Week, and the society’s Chairman, Chief mination and zeal that drives the work of COSON.” Tony Okoroji, General Manager, Mr. Chinedu ChukMr. Omorogbe, who doubles as CEO of Nowmuzik and wuji and Chairman of the Board of the COSON Music manager of several top Nigerian artistes such as 2Face Foundation, Evangelist (Dr.) Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi Idibia, J. Martins, Sheyi Shay, Tunde & Wunmi Obe and Sunny Neji, among others, declared that, “Those who are were commended for the exemplary leadership that ready to work with COSON will find out that we are very successfully drove the seven historic events.

The Board also singled out for special commendareasonable and friendly. I however assure those who tion, the Nigerian media and the many partners of want a fight that they will badly regret the day they deCOSON who made COSON Week the talk of the nation. cided to engage COSON in a fight.”

It was also decided that arrangements be made to Another member of the Board, Hon John Ewelukwa widely broadcast some of the events so that those who Udegbunam, National President, Music Label Owners & may have missed them can enjoy the thrills and frills Recording Industries Association of Nigeria (MORAN), of the unforgettable COSON Week. said, “The Board has instructed that we immediately Among other decisions taken by the board was the begin a nationwide mobilization of the members and convocation of a one-day digital licensing summit supporters of COSON for a historic showdown with under the banner of the Nigerian Music Industry Coalithose who have shown no respect for the law and the rights of musicians and investors in the music industry. tion to critically assess the digital exploitations of muIf they think we are joking, they will be shocked because sical works and sound recordings in Nigeria.

HE Board of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the T nation’s sole approved collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings held a

Okoroji

Ex Rex Lawson Band Leader Wants A Progressive PMAN ING Sonny Brown, a famous trumpeter and highlife music icon, has thrown his weight beK hind efforts of the new caretaker committee of Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria, PMAN. In a mail sent to The Guardian, the ace trumpeter and second-In-Command to the late Rex Lawson, who is also an elder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Kings Palace, Rivers Province 2, Port Harcourt, was full of prayers for a better and progressive PMAN His words: “I am praying for the progress of PMAN, and for the union to go forward and make the founding fathers proud. I was born on October 1, so as I celebrate my birthday with Nigeria on Independence Day, I want a joyful union to celebrate with me.”

King Sonny Brown has an enviable but debatable record of training almost all the musicians in Rivers. He had played with the late Bobby Benson in Lagos, and Baby Face Paul Isamade, Nat Buckle, then travelled to Accra, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and other West African countries then back to Nigeria and resided at Kano. He has so many records to his credit that includes So-Bioama and Ojuu Juo Belema Among some notable artistes that passed through him was the late Prince David Bull, Showman Dele. He is presently based in Port Harcourt and he is the Chairman of the Elders Council of PMAN, Rivers State.

King Sonny Brown

Naeto C his dramatic appearance in the middle Lagbaja, Omawumi, with of the hall just as all eyes were riveted on the stage. He wowed the crowd with his tradiparticipatory performance that got Naeto C, MI, Others tional fans singing along.

MI commended Globacom for the inimWow Enugu itable support for the entertainment industry, especially the discovery of new talents LOBACOM Ambassadors and Nigeria’s A-list through the X Factor Television singing realGsingers heightened the entertainment ity show, where he is one of the judges. temperature of Enugu on Saturday as the Glo Slide & Bounce train zoomed into the Coal City for the ongoing eight-city tour. The expansive Golden Royale Entertainment Arena, venue of the concert, was bursting at the seams with thousands of fun seekers comprising youths and the old but young at heart residents from Enugu and adjoining cities.

Lagbaja stole the show with a standing ovation from the audience who could not resist dancing to his monster hits like “Nothing for you”, “Konko Below” and “Unlimited” duet with PSquare. Omawumi and Mi also gave their best as the crowd yearned for more In his welcome address, Globacom’s Divisional Director, South East, Mr Mike Ehumadu, urged Nigerians to continue to support Globacom, as the proudly Nigerian company has a lot in stock for the youths in the days ahead.

The pace of the concert was set by the first act of the night and Africa Rapper Number One, MI, who got a wild ovation from the audience

Naeto C, who was the last act was highly sought after by the crowd for photographs after his performance and securitymen had a herculean task controlling the surging crowd. It was a ten-over-ten act that got the audience dancing the night away.

Lynxx, Chee, Waje, Burna Boy and Bez ensured that there were no dull moments and some fans were rewarded with gifts like X Factor t-shirts and compact discs while Basket Mouth, Okey Bakassi, Jimmy and DJ Spinall added pep and laughter to the event.

The trio of Agu Munachiso, Michael Kareem Richman and Judith Olurankinse won Samsung Galaxy phones for their entries in the on-line singing competition on You Tube tagged “Bounce With Artistes” which featured Omawumi.

From Enugu, the Slide & Bounce train would move to Port Harcourt next weekend before hitting Calabar, Uyo, Lagos and Abuja in subsequent weeks.

TheGuardian

38 Saturday, July 20, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture ‘World Sango Cultural Festival Will Boost The Economy Of Nigeria’ Otunba Biodun Ajiboye is the Group Chairman of Logical Media Group, an event and media consultant handling the maiden World Cultural Sango Festival slated for August 22-31, 2013 in Oyo, Oyo State. He spoke to GBENGA AKINFENWA in an exclusive interview on the essence of the festival, its economic benefits and many more.

HAT is the essence of the World Sango W Cultural Festival and why is it coming at this time?

The culture of Nigeria has been misconstrued for a foreign culture. The socio-economic development of some African countries, especially Nigeria is built on the foreign culture. We have seen examples of countries all over the world where their socio-economic development is built on the culture of the people. Countries like China, who have made tremendous progress in technology, medicine and other aspects of life, built their development on their culture. This progress has gone beyond their local environment, the Chinese is gradually becoming a world power, why can’t we in Africa, why cant we in Nigeria appreciate our cultural value? It is one of the reasons why the World Sango Festival is coming at this time. We want to go back to the basis and appreciate our culture. A man who has no respect for his cultural value has lost his essence of livelihood, his essence of living. Therefore, the Kabiyesi, Iku Baba Yeye, Alaafin of Oyo, the hero of Yoruba land, reasoned that Alaafin Sango, the third Alaafin of Oyo, who reigned in 1078, should be remembered, that is why we have decided to hold the festival. Sango festival had existed over the years but the World Sango Festival is the new creation, is the new brand that is coming, to harness from all over the world, about 42 countries in the world where Sango is recognized with the population of 160 million people, to bring the headquarters to Nigeria, for them to have a cultural renaissance, to begin to appreciate their ancestral home which is Nigeria, this is the basic essence of the festival.

Who are the brains behind this concept?

Sango is a native of Oyo, so in the whole of Brazil, there are over 700million in Bahia that are Sango followers, in the whole of Argentina, there are over 1.7million people. As a matter of fact like I said everywhere in the world where Sango is respected, worshiped and followed, they could trace the root of Sango to Nigeria. So we are saying let Nigeria, let Oyo State be the international headquarters, be the world headquarters so that we don’t lose our culture, so that Bahia in future, so that Cuba in future would not say they are the original owner of Sango. Oyo is the ancestral home of Sango and that is why we have said let us have the festival with the headquarters in Oyo. It is the Alaafin Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi’s III concept. He has appointed our firm, Logical Media Group as event and media consultant, which I represent and we have craved on and we have been branded to ensure that this meets international standard. This festival has gone to every country of the world where the tradition of Yoruba is respected and you’ll see that a lot of them would come to Nigeria.

Who are the sponsors, any foreign support?

The interest goes beyond Cuba or Brazil, all these countries have shown interest but for now we have only gained the interest of our South West Governors. Osun has given us sign of tremendous support, Oyo is showing sign of support for us, so are Ogun and Ekiti. So, we are having support from Yoruba states’ governments because this is a Yoruba thing, we are

Ajiboye building the Yoruba nation, we are reorganising our cultural essence and we are going back to the basis to respect, to recognise and make our culture important all over again. Don’t forget that culture is the greatest foreign exchange earner, a lot of countries of the world earn their foreign exchange; earn their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) basically from culture.

So culture is a great investment and this is exactly what we are talking about.

How many countries have shown interest to feature at this maiden edition?

We have the interest of almost all the countries, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba and many more. As a matter of fact, there is a place in Southern Carolina called Oyotunji African Village, it’s an American settlement that was established in 1973 and it is built around the Yoruba culture and tradition. The way the typical Yoruba village is run, is the way they run their affairs there. It is the international headquarters of the World Sango Festival, so we are reaching out to the world that is exactly what I am trying to say. We are seriously reaching out to the world.

Some people believed that the untold hardship being experienced in the country is the aftermath of FESTAC 77 festival described as the celebration of idolatry. Don’t you think this belief might hamper the success of this festival?

No, I don’t believe it can hamper the success of the World Sango Festival because it is a cultural festival like Osun Osogbo, Argungun or any other yam festival in the east. I don’t know what FESTAC 77 has to do with the problem of Nigeria, I don’t know where such thinking is coming from but the truth is that the cause of Nigeria’s problem is bad leadership. If we can go back to the root and respect our culture, corruption would stop in this country. Let those who are

essence in any part of this country that can generate as much money as what the World Sango Festival can generate, we only need the government to see. And when we talk about branding, the best way to brand our image is through our culture, tourism. So you can imagine the economic benefit.

Considering the tourism potential of the festival, is Culture and Tourism Ministry participating?

We have reached out to the Minister of Culture and he has given us his support, we have reached out to the National Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), though we have not heard from them officially but they have shown tremendous interest. Don’t forget that the festival has a lot of activities that would be performed on daily basis. For 10 days, every state of the South West would have their Council of Arts and Culture perform, every day. There is going to be a setting arena of about 200m radius with lots of activities with standby generator. We have Ogun Ajobo day, we have reached out to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and their other counterparts in all the states in the South West and they have given us their support, they are coming en masse, we are likely to host 200,000, 300,000 people, there would be Aje Oloja day for the market women.

What is the relevance of Sango to the culture Yoruba race?

Sango was the third Alaafin of Oyo, the Oyo Empire, the creation and the entrenchment of the Oyo Empire. He was the dominant factor for the creation of Oyo Empire. Alaafin Sango because of his supernatural power as a king in Yoruba land was actually the one that dominated the Oyo Empire that extended to Benin Republic, Bida in Niger State and Togo. Alaafin Sango was the third Alaafin of Oyo, he was a powerful man, when he speaks fire comes out of his mouth and nostrils, he was able to conquer the Oyo empire and when he left, he left a symbol called Ose Sango. With the symbol, an Egba war was brought to an end with the mere sending of the symbol. Hardly is there in power, those planning to take elective offices any Yoruba community where Sango is not take their oaths by Sango, that if they embezzle recognised, where Sango is not revered, where Sango is not followed. So Sango is predomimoney let Sango deal with them and lets see nantly very important to the culture of the the consequence, lets see if corruption would not stop in this country. If we are serious about Yoruba people, he was a strong warrior. stopping corruption, it is not a legislative affair What benefit would this bring to the Yoruba it is a social problem that must be solved socio- race?

It is a unifying factor, unlike Olojo Festival of culturally, let us apply the socio-cultural solution to the problem of corruption in this coun- Ife, unlike the Ojude Oba in Ijebu, Lisabi in try. Yorubas have a way of stopping corruption Abeokuta and others; this is a festival that affects all Yoruba lands. We have reached out in this country if they give us the opportunity, to every Yoruba settlements and all of them that’s the little I want to say about that. have seen it as a major festival, a unifying What economic benefit would Nigeria derive Yoruba festival that all Yoruba people young from the festival? and old want to be part of, it is not sectional.

I just told you that there are over 106 million More importantly, we are starting with the people in forty countries of the world whose Yoruba eminent and excellent awards, a unifysocio-cultural life, whose mode of living is tied ing event to recognize Yoruba people that to Yoruba tradition. Let us give them their have excelled in business, telecommunicayearnings. They are craving every day to come back to their ancestral root, they want to know, tion, politics, sport, and jurisprudence and in almost every aspect of life that the Yorubas a lot of people in Florida, Miami, Venezuela, have excelled, we want to recognize them.

Argentina, Portugal, Cuba, Brazil, everywhere, they want to come to Oyo their ancestral home, Every important sub-ethnic tribe of Yoruba we have not given them the opportunity. Don’t have been chosen to be represented, Alaafin of forget these people are Yorubas the slave trade Oyo is the chairman, we have the Ila ,Orangun took to the Caribbean and the North and South of Ila, as a member of the board of Principals, we have the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, we have Osemawe America, 500,600 years ago, they took with them their religion and this religion and belief of Ondo, Awujale of Ijebu-Ode and others who have been written to tell them that it is high system have become very widely respected.

They know that they are from Nigeria, they are time we do something in Yoruba land, to from Oyo and they are craving to come back. A unify our people. These are the benefits we are lot of them on facebook have told us how much bringing to the table and of course Otunba Biodun Ajiboye is the Secretary-General of the they are craving to come back. So imagine in three years if we have one million out of the 106 Yoruba eminent and excellent award, which is taking place on Friday, August 30, 2013 in Oyo million people who would come to Oyo, their town. You can see that it is a dynamic thing. ancestral home for annual prayers, for annual The festival is a 10-day thing, from August 22 to festival and each of them spends $1,000 multi31, 2013. plied by one million is $1billion. So if $1billion enters the economy of Nigeria is that not an economic benefit. There is no other cultural

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, July 20, 2013

ARTS 39

A Secondary School Student’s View Of Things Fall Apart

By Ayomide Oyekanmi Protagonist HE main character of this book is Okonkwo, a man, who had fame, lost it, and died tragically.

Setting It was set in the 1890s. The probable locations in lower Nigerian villages, Iguedo and Mbanta, in particular.

The Plot Unoka, the father of Okonkwo, was a man with great disrepute. He was an idle man, who owed a lot of debts and kept piling them until death. He was not only lazy, but also quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow. He liked fun and entertainment and was a great flutist. He drank heavily too, which he could only afford by borrowing more money. But the worst, he was both an agbala and an efulefu. An agbala is someone who has no title. And an efulefu is a worthless man. Okonkwo hated this about his father- he in fact hated everything about his father.

Okonkwo, at a young age, had beaten Amalinze the Cat (The Cat because his back had never touched the floor in a wrestling match. So one would understand the importance imposed when Okonkwo had beaten him). His fame, thereafter, grew like a bush fire in the harmattan’.

The book describes all of Okonkwo’s success extensively: He was the greatest wrestler in nine villages. He was a wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams. He had taken two of the four titles obtainable in the village. All this for one man and one would ask. Did he enjoy such a life throughout the book? But Achebe wasn’t about to bore us now, was he?

Mbano, a nearby village, killed a woman from Umuofia. They had two choices — give compensation or start a war. But Mbano knew about Umuofia, about Okonkwo’s war prowess. So, they gave the compensation — a boy, Ikemefuna, and a virgin. The virgin was given to Ogbuefi Udo, a chief of the clan, whose wife was killed. Okonkwo then, was asked by the clan to keep Ikemefuna.

After three years, Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, as according to the clan’s superstitious laws. But the problem was Okonkwo had committed a taboo as he was warned by the gods of the land to not be involved in the murder of Ikemefuna.

Ezeudu, a great man of the clan, has just died. He was celebrated well and at his funeral, there were a lot of gun shooters. But of all the gun shooters,

T

only Okonkwo’s gun exploded. Now we know that at this time Okonkwo had committed two taboos. Could this be the gods of the lands’ way of getting him back?

The explosion of his gun caused a murder.

For this, Okonkwo got exiled for seven years.

Okonkwo left and went to Mbanta and stayed there, among his mother’s people.

While in Mbanta, Okonkwo heard of the people of Abame who killed a white man and were wiped out afterwards.

When Okonkwo returns to Umuofia, everything’s upside down. The White man had come, built churches and by the leadership of Mr. Brown, they were growing fast. Okonkwo was particularly ashamed that even men with clan titles who are supposed to uphold the clan’s in have joined the white men. Okonkwo through the foolish courage that always had its dominion over him killed a court messenger of the white men. For this, the white men set out to end Okonkwo. But Obierika leads them

Ajayi-Lycett

to Okonkwo’s body, which now dangles from a tree, lifeless- Okonkwo had committed suicide. Okonkwo is the buried by the white men who are ‘strangers’ because, it is taboo for any member of the clan to touch the body of a man who commits suicide.

Characters Okonkwo: He, by determination became unlike his father. He had two titles of the clan. He had a life dominated and motivated by fear- Fear of failure and weakness like his father. He ruled his family with a strong hand and trained his children with such brutality for fear of being thought weak. He had been blinded by pride or better, foolishness.

This also led him to kill himself as he would not have any kill the great ‘Okonkwo’. In the end, Okonkwo had only been malevolent to himself.

Obierika - Okonkwo’s good friend. He was able to keep Okonkwo up-to-date with the things that happened in Umuofia during his exile. His son Maduka won a wrestling match and was showing much promise.

Uchendu-He is Okonkwo’s cousin. He was the person who accepted Okonkwo in his motherland when he got exiled. He is the oldest man in Mbanta- As we can see in the depicted picture.

Ikemefuna- Was given to the Umuofia clan as sacrifice to prevent a war. He lived with Okonkwo’s family for three years. He became very close to Nwoye (A son of Okonkwo).

Okonkwo liked Ikemefuna but he liked superstitious beliefs more. So Okonkwo killed ikemefuna as against a warning from the gods.

Unoka: The idle, improvident, unsuccessful efulefu (worthless man) was the unlikely motivation of his son. His buoyant attitude made his life look somewhat specious. He died a dishonoured man and a debtor.

The Climax Okonkwo’s murder or commits ochu against the court messenger.

Symbols Two of the main symbols are the Locust and Fire. The locusts symbolize the white colonist descending upon the Africans, seeming to augur good but actually portending troublesome encounters.

Fire epitomizes Okonkwo’s nature- he is fierce and destructive.

A third symbol, the drums represent the physical connection of the community of the clansmen in Umuofia and act as metaphorical heartbeats that beat in unison, uniting all the village members.

Important Quotations 1. Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer Things fall apart; the center cannot hold Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world Explanation Achebe hints at the chaos that arises when a system collapses.

2. And at last the locusts did descend.

They settled on every tree and every blade of grass, they settled on the roots and covered the bare ground.

Mighty tree branches broke away under them, and the whole country became the brown earth colour of vast , hungry swarm.

Explanation This passage from Chapter 7 represents, in highly allegorical terms, the arrival of the colonizers. The locusts have been coming for years, but their symbolic significance in this passage lies in the inevitable arrival of the colonizers, which will alter the landscape and psychology of the Igbo people irreparably.

Title I think the title captures the whole story— because for Abame, Mbanta, Umuofia and Okonkwo, things did truly fall apart.

My View Of the Book Achebe is trying to convey to the world the disaster the white man has brought to our soil. The Igbos once had a culture, something they really believed in but the white man came and skillfully eroded off every bit of it, and it was at this point in time things fell apart. This is a book written to make us remember. Remember who we once were and to make sure our cultures are not striped from us. To remember that all who work together will eventually succeed in the cause they set out for and lastly to remember that those who don’t work together, eventually will fall apart.

•Ayomide Oyekanmi is an SSII (Year 11) student and a Prefect at Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State.

Yinka Davies (right), and a guest

Camera Rolls For Soyinka’s Ake HE production of the feature film adaptation of Wole T Soyinka’s childhood memoir, Ake, finally began last week at various locations in Abeokuta, the birthplace of the Nobel Laureate.

On Saturday, July 13, 2013, which also coincided with the 79th birthday anniversary of the literary giant, the film crew started rolling the camera in what is set to be a ground- breaking movie production.

The film’s cast is already expressive of the seriousness and the epic dimension of the project. Initial scenes relating to the formation of the Egba women’s movement led by the late Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the mother of the deceased musical icon, Fela Kuti, was taken.

On the set at the first phase of the production’s schedule was Mrs. Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, starring as madam Amelia, also nicknamed as ‘Kemberi’, a prominent Egba women’s leader, Amelia is also a fire-breathing public speaker, who took the stage in her captivating rendition during the historical encounter with the Alake, at the wake of the Egba women’s riots.

The riot, which temporarily deposed the powerful monarch, took place in 1945 and ultimately earned Nigeria the abolition

of the poll tax on women and the institution of the Universal Adult Suffrage (meaning that women could also vote at local and federal elections), laws still in force today.

The film is scheduled for an international premier in 2014.

That will be in time for two outstanding events: the centenary celebration of the Nigeria Amalgamation of 1914 and the 80th birthday of Professor Soyinka.

Also on ground at the early stage of the shoot were such theatre and movie sensations as Ben Tomoloju, (who is playing the role of Essay, Soyinka’s father), Yinka Davies (playing Mrs. Kuti) and Akin Sofoluwe (Soyinka’s grandfather).

The film’s Executive Producer, Dapo Adeniyi said, “one of the things that was envisioned was to try and tackle a number of scenes at the inaugural phase of the shooting.

There were a number of operational difficulties that came up, which are not unusual at major production locations. A delivery vehicle suddenly developing a fault and holding things up, for example. We also had to face some unusual challenges that will face an equally unusual production of this size.

“The important thing is that, we have been able to face up to the work and now we are trying to build a realistic momentum.”

The production is scheduled to last until December 2013 and the post-production until March 2014. One of the aspects of production that many had looked forward to was the revelation of who and who are cast for the all-too-important children’s roles. Four different children will play the part of Wole from ages 2½ to 11. We finally are able to meet and actually feel Wole at 11 in action. His identity? Oluwamayokun Olumoroti, a student of Maverick High School, Ibadan.

The Director of the production, Yemi Akintokun revealed that: “Yes, it is obvious from the first day on set that we got the choice right. He is able to deliver his lines and is convincing in his role. His previous experiences in drama were on stage.

Making the transition to electronic acting is what we have to help him achieve. The voice level, his pitch, but he is alright and will do just fine”.

There are many locations in Abeokuta, a number in Ibadan and one in Lagos. The Ake parsonage is relocated from the original site in Ake to the old and disused parsonage in Iberekodo. There is the iconic school hall of the original AGS (Abeokuta Grammar School) which was the original hub of the women’s movement formed by the Kuti’s. The place where the original riots began and spread out.

40

THE gUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

HEALTHFEATURE

‘Beware of Western Push For Birth Control’ From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

E

xPERTS have urged Nigerians to be wary of steps by developed countries to control population in Africa.

The experts, who spoke in Enugu during a two-day international conference hosted by Happy Home Foundation in collaboration with Culture of Life Africa recently, said there was need for Nigerians to be sensentised to the dangers of birth controls before they are hoodwinked into utilising contraceptives and other birth control mechanisms.

Biomedical Scientist, Uju Ekeocha, who has been living and working in the United Kingdom in the past eight years, said there was a deliberate plan to reduce fertility rate in Africa. She said that many population controllers are working in the country in the guise of helping the African woman. The scientist observed that encouraging the use of free contraceptives among women was not only wrong but also dangerous. Ekeocha regretted that while western countries have not given room for such practices in their environment, Africans were being encouraged to adopt them.

She called on the Nigerian government to resist the “pressure” in the interest of the health of women and encourage women to live their dignity as created by god.

Director of Research and Training at US-based Human Life International, Dr. Brain Clowes, explained in a paper titled: “The World Population Control Agenda: The Nigerian Situation”, the various ways international organisations and groups are exerting pressure on the Nigerian government to give in to their demands.

He said: “population controllers saturate the media with birth control themes and make it appear that these ideas represent nothing more than a spontaneous change in local customs.”

He spoke about a top-secret publication of the

Participants at the conference United State government, called the NSSM200 (Kissinger Report), saying that Nigeria is among the “countries listed in the publication for imposition of population control”.

Clowes noted that between 1991 and 2012 alone, $3,451,749,000 was spent on Nigeria for population control activities, lamenting that the NSSM - 200 has not raised the standard of living globally, but recommends “legalisation of abortion, financial incentives for countries to increase their abortion, sterilisation and contraceptives use rates and indoctrination of children”.

Clowes said: “We are all witnesses to the fact that this is going on right now in Nigeria.

Another motivation for population controllers in Nigeria is that contraception and

abortion are profitable. The Bill and Melinda gates Foundation and the western government want to get 120 million more women, mostly Africans on contraception. They want to spend 60 billion dollars yearly on this.”

He stated that some western governments are funding abortion using their international donor agencies scattered all over Africa.

President of the Delaware Right to Life, Nicole Collins, said abortion has always led to increase in violence, explaining that shootings and killings in the west were all around the radius of International Planned Parents Federation (IPPF) abortion clinics.

“Also the violent treatment meted out to prolifers who peacefully try to convince young

girls from entering abortion clinics bears evidence that the pro-abortion groups do not care for women”, she said.

A fertility care expert at the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital (UNTH), Dr. Iheoma Allinor , said that oral contraceptives could lead to breast, cervix and ovarian cancers.

In a statement released at the end of the twoday conference, it was agreed that Nigeria was in dire need of a health structure that should reflect the reality of human lives, beliefs, morals and culture and not one which will legitimise a biological colonialism of the people. The statement advised that abortion, trafficking of human ovarian eggs and embryonic tissues and cloning of human beings should remain banned under any condition.

‘Factors Behind Delayed treatment’ “ Second, when patients come to the hospital, they are expected to undergo tests. Some of these tests can easily be done, while some others are LTHoUgH concerns over delay in specialised tests that are done in few treatment have become global, centres and can only be done for a developing countries, including few number of patients at a time. For Nigeria, are the worst affected. instance, 100 people could want to Many who resort to self-medication do a test that can only be done for confess to The Guardian that they are five people per day or week. There scared of going to hospital for treat- would be build-up of patients before ment due to long queues he had we exhaust the 100, if more do not experienced in hospitals in the past. even join them. Delayed treatment one Mrs. Regina ohure said she had generally has to do with the failed sought eye treatment from the Lagos healthcare system we practice in State University Teaching Hospital Nigeria. In other parts of the world, (LASUTH) for a whole year without there are strong primary, secondary any headway. and tertiary healthcare systems.

The general notion among patients, The Guardian learnt, is that doctors are mainly to blame.

But some experts, who spoke to The Guardian, attribute delayed treatment to several factors.

Family Health Consultant at LASUTH, Dr. Johnson Adeyemi, blamed patients, shortage of medical personnel and disoriented medical system.

“Nigerians have poor ailment perception. Lots of Nigerians have had their medical condition for a very long time, but would not present themselves promptly for treatment in hospital. For example, we could have patients that cannot see very well as they get older. Ideally, they should have presented themselves the first moment they noticed poor vision.

But they would wait until they can no longer see. Because it has become emergency and there are lots of patients with similar complaints coupled with the fact that the manpower to handle those complaints are not there, delayed treatment results,” Adeyemi said.

Patients waiting for treatment

By Joseph Okoghenun

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LASUTH, a tertiary healthcare institution, should not be ideally handling all health cases. There are lots of health cases that come to the hospital that are not supposed to be handled by the hospital. For instance, someone with uncomplicated hypertension or diabetes does not ideally need to be in LASUTH. Rather, he/she should go to a primary healthcare or a general hospital.” According to Adeyemi, these centres become overburdened, adding that shortage of health personnel is another challenge.

“Doctors, nurses and other specialists are in acute shortage. In LASUTH, we have just four ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultants. Compare that with

the number of patients that come to see these doctors, you will know why there is delayed treatment. LASUTH is a teaching hospital, so in addition to conducting clinics, the doctors have to go to theatre for operation cases, teach medical students and colleagues and research the current ways of treating cases,” he added.

Cost of treatment is another reason, he said, why there is delay in treatment. “Lots of patients complain that they have been kept for a long time in the hospital, but if you investigate, the amount they have to pay for some of these tests is what delayed their treatment. For instance, you ask someone with

stroke to go do a computed tomography (CP) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which cost about N65,000.... how many patients have N65,000 to do such tests? The patient might go away for a long time and come back to think that by simply doing that test, all his problems are solved. But even doing that test might not solve the problem. He would feel somehow when the doctor recommends another expensive test. He might to go away for along time to raise such money. This is how health funding cause delay treatment.

In other parts of the world, some tests are seen as basic tests. But we see such tests are specialised tests. In the UK, CP is a basic test so that when a patient comes down with stroke, the test would be conducted within minutes because patients are covered by health insurance. But here it is out-of-pocket thing.”

A public health physician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Dan Dante, blamed social economic problems for delayed treatment. “Social and economic problems are responsible for delayed treatment. Delayed treatment can be in different forms. It could be in the form of delay to take decision on medical care by the patients. It could be in delay to get to hospital as a result of infrastructural decay and delay at the hospital. The most important delay is the one that has to do with taking decision by the patient to seek medical help. For instance, a woman could be in labour, but would want to take permission from her husband who may be 100 kilometres away before seeking medical care.”

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 20, 2013 | 41

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

NaturalHealth Natural Health With G. C. Ihesie

Mobile phone no: 08033065263, E-mail: ihesie84@yahoo.com.

Home and Natural Remedies for Bronchial Asthma (II) Home Treatments for Asthma STHMA is a serious condition – especially severe cases of asthma or persistent asthma (status asthamticus) which should always be treated by a competent health-care practitioner.

Many allopathic health professionals believe that asthma is an incurable health conditon that can only be managed symptomatically like hypertension, heart disease or diabetes mellitus. Of course, there are few cases, where some children have been found to spontaneously “grow out of it.”

However, natural medicine healthcare providers know that with proper diet, wholesome lifestyles, healthy physical exercises and if the factors that can trigger an attack are identified and avoided, asthma, though a chronic health condition, is treatable in most cases. Even in severe or persistent asthma, there are many natural products, which if administered appropriately, can help control, reduce the frequency and the severity and help the patients maintain a normal, active life.

Like any other health problems, prevention is the key. Therefore, asthmatic patients are advised to identify, know and avoid those things which can trigger an attack.

Generally speaking, asthmatics are told to stay away from some foods: Pasteurized cow milk, ice cream, chocolate, refined sugar, extremely cold liquids, “modified” wheat starch and white flour products, fried foods, alcoholic beverages, eggs, nuts, and seafood (shell fish, fish), foods with additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG) and preservatives, boxed foods and most canned foods – which are known to be capable of triggering allergic asthmatic reaction or contribute to phlegm build-up in the respiratory tract.

Also to be avoided include: *Moldy foods: molds commonly grow on peanuts, poorly stored whole grains, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, skins of various fruits and some vegetables.

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* Pet or animal allergens such as animal’s dander (skin, scales or flakes from the fur or feathers), perfumes or strong body sprays. * Carpets, mattress covers and pillow allergens. * Cigarette smoke, smoke-filled room, uncomfortable cold air; and prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields, television or or computer radiation. * Strenuous physical exercises, chronic stress, anxiety, etc., are known to aggravate asthmatic symptoms.

Dietary Advice Asthmatics are advised to maintain proper dietary habits such as taking plenty of organically grown fresh fruits, vegetables (e. g. salads), sprouted seeds – which are not mucous-forming but alkaline-forming.

Emphasis should be placed on one’s native traditional foods rather than on the Western industrialized foods. The daily diets may be supplemented with the followings: Antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E; vitamin B6, B-complex, pantothenic acid, pure fish oil and calcium and magnesium.

Calcium deficiency early in life may result in the narrowing of the chest bone – a factor that increases the susceptibility to chest infection that may later lead to asthma.

Vitamin C, for example, is a powerful antioxidant with immune boosting and antihistamine properties. Up to 3000mg is usually recommended daily.

Fish oil has anti-inflammation activities and reduces inflammation if 2 tablespoons is taken daily Some useful and healthy exercises are recommended for the asthmatic.

These include: * Massaging the chest of the victim -during an acute condition -- with shear butter ointments or with eucalyptus oil. This helps in easing off muscular tension and spasms. Massaging will also help in bringing about a healing relaxation. * Breathing exercises, blowing up of balloons or blowing out of candle light. * Swimming, walking and cycling are also very beneficial in most cases.

However, asthmatic patients should not indulge in strenuous and energy-sapping exercises as these can precipitate attacks or crisis.

Herbal Therapies: Basically, the herbs that are used in the treatment of asthma consist mainly of those that are grouped under antiinflammatory/antispasmodic and broncho-dilating herbs. Also, herbs with sedatives and expectorants properties are added.

Coffee: Drinking a hot cup of black coffee helps to stop an asthma attack. The caffeine acts as an antiinflammatory agent —- it helps to reduce mucus production and swelling along the airway.

Turmeric: Curcumin is the yellow pigment that gives turmeric its orange color. It is a powerful antiinflammatory and antioxidant agent. Also, turmeric has a bronchodilator effect. Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk, and drink this mixture as an effective asthma home remedy.

Garlic: Chewing high doses of peeled raw garlic (up to five cloves at

a time) is one of the most effective anti-inflammatory agents and bronchodilators that relieve asthma symptoms during an attack.

Onions: Raw onions/pure honey syrup is one of the cheapest and most effective means of allaying the dry cough, throat irritation, difficulty in breathing and other symptoms of asthmatic attacks. This is prepared by placing thin slices of raw onion (medium size) into a suitable bowl and then covered with 3 to 5 teaspoonful of pure honey. The bowl is then covered tightly and allowed to stand for about 8 to 10 hours. After mashing the preparation, it is then filtered and bottled.

One to two teaspoonful of this is taken every 2 hours Garlic and Onion are high in vitamin C and quercetin (a bioflavonoid), which inhibits the production of leukotrienes Cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which acts as antimicrobial and circulatory stimulants and helps to desensitize the airways. Add one teaspoon of Cayenne pepper powder to a glass of warm milk, and drink this mixture to help relieve

asthmatic symptoms.

Many anti-asthmatic herbs like eucalyptus, lemon grass, fever plant, pepperomia, cloves, ginger, green tea, thyme, mullin, colt’s foot, plantain, etc., have expectorant effects – helping to break up and expel mucus (Phlegm) A correct combination of the above herbs (one or two) selected carefully from each group to make up an herbal mixture for an asthmatic requires some professional competence. However, there are numerous home remedies that relieve the symptoms of asthmatic attacks, e.g.: * A combination of bitter kola powder, Garlic powder and honey to make a thick syrup. * A mixture of onion, black pepper and honey. * A mixture of lemon juice, honey and radish. * Pure honey and castor oil are mixed in a ratio of 2:1 to give a syrup that relieves symptoms of asthma, cold, catarrh and cough. The remedy is equally good in relieving arthritic pain. About 1-2 teaspoonful of this preparation is taken 3 times daily. *The hot gel pressed out from roasted Aloe Vera, mixed with honey, will help to expel excessive phlegm and mucus from lungs when up to two spoons are taken four times a day. Also, this preparation will help to relieve spasms along the entire respiratory passages. *A mixture of pure honey, bitter kola powder and garlic, with a little ginger root, will give a syrup with high mucilage and demulcent activities.

This mixture will help to allay symptoms of cold, catarrh, cough, sore throat, or any irritation along the entire respiratory tract.

Periodic fasting on a mixture of honey, apple cider vinegar and water is one of the most effective means of cleansing the body of excess mucus accumulation, and this is also useful in increasing one’s innate diseaseresistance mechanism. This remedy is particularly useful to those that are susceptible to cold, catarrh, asthma, sinusitis, chest infections, or generally ear, nose and throat infections.

PetLife With Dr.Tunji Nasir

By Dr. Tunji Nasir

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NE of the annoying things we have to put up with in the tropics is the menace of mosquitoes, which carry the very deadly malaria parasites responsible for the death of millions of Africans. This is the result of lack of commitment from most communities to eradicating the scourge. Even with dedicated programmes from several world bodies, regional organisations and national programmes like the Roll Back Malaria Initiative, it has always been the same story-- death, malaise, economic losses, school absenteeism. All just because the parasite is always a step ahead of us in its evolution and resistance to our preventive and therapeutic efforts.

We have all failed to attack the problem from the root. That is, not allowing breeding grounds for the mosquitoes in our environment. We allow them to breed and then start seeking ways of killing them.

So, mosquitoes will continue to be nuisances to our lives as long as we do not do things right.

For man, it is bad enough when you get bitten by mosquitoes and you spend the rest of the day, itching.

For our dogs and cats, these mosquitoes portend more than itchy annoyance; they are seri-

Heartworm: Straight To The Heart ous irritants, more so, that these unfortunate pets cannot help themselves much to physically get rid of them.

What is even more poignant is that, there is no evidence that pets can suffer malaria as a result of mosquito bites. They suffer more and it is a condition that presents a clinical challenge.

In some locations around the world, especially countries bordering the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, a lot of mosquitoes carry the parasites causing heartworm infection –Dirofilaria immitis. Unless your dog is on a preventive medication, a bite from an infected mosquito could pass this dangerous parasite to your pet.

As the name implies, the heartworm takes up residence in the heart of the pet causing coughing, rapid breathing, weight loss and sometimes death. They are mostly seen in dogs though cats have been known to suffer the same fate.

Since man has not found the right formula to stop mosquito bites, it would be appropriate to seek ways of reducing mortality from the effects of the bites as suggested by Walter

Weirich, a professor of Surgery and Cardiology at the Purdue University, School of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana. *Stop the terrorists: It is recommended that all dogs and cats are given heartworm preventive medication; so even when bitten by an infected mosquito, the medication already circulating in the bloodstream will destroy the heartworm parasites and prevent its deleterious effects.

These medications are cheap and available in two forms; either by monthly injection or tablets. Nowadays, a chewable form of the medication is also available to make it more pet-friendly. Ask your vet, if you have not done so. * Don’t be in denial: A lot of people have argued about the possibility of the occurrence in Nigeria —- wherever they got that from! Do not be over- confident, treat the condition as real, whether your dogs stay outside or inside, get the preventive medications. * Test before medication: It is extremely dangerous to give the preven-

tive medication to a dog that is already infected.

Therefore, seek your vet to do a test to confirm the absence or presence of the condition before you start the medication. The test is available in Nigeria now from reputable animal hospitals and clinics.

Since technology changes, make sure your vet uses the most recent and more accurate test. * Be exact: When using the medication, ensure that the accurate strength of medication suitable for your pet is used to forestall overdose or resistance issues. Also stick to one form of medication chosen for you by your vet. Do not mix drugs or their strengths. * Mosquito Nets: Screening your house with mosquito net is still an acceptable form of reducing the number of mosquitoes in your environment. And, if it is working for you, it can also work for your pet. So you can screen his house to reduce the number of bites he suffers. * Environmental Sanitation: It is a universally accepted fact that mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Do not allow this in your environment and trust me, by doing this, you are sure to reduce the mosquito population and possibility of your pet coming down with heartworm infection.

TheGuardian

42 | Saturday, July 20, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Travel&Tourism

... Explore, experience the best of destinations!

The great procession of Ifa worshippers to Oke Itase

A Day At Oke Itase, ‘Cradle’ Of Humanity Recently, Ifa faithful across the country converged at Oke Itase in Ile-Ife, Osun State to mark the World Ifa festival day. Likened to the religious tourism often made to sacred places by adherents of other faiths, OLAWUNMI OJO witnessed the two-day religious pilgrimage by Ifa worshippers, and reports.

HE crowd had semblances of those that throng T worship camps dotting the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The excitement in the air was palpable.

The occasion was the annual World Ifa festival day.

The venue was the Ifa temple in Oke Itase in Ile-Ife. And vehicular and human traffic was heavy.

“Ours is a religion of peace and harmony. Ifa is Olodumare’s sacred message to mankind. Orunmila is the harbinger and interpreter of that divine message of Olodumare. Ifa is the embodiment of totality of human and other creatures’ existence. It is a guide for the existence of man from cradle to grave. In fact, it is the basis for understanding the beginning and end of all living and non-living things.

These were words of an Ifa faithful, as he spoke glowingly of the faith he holds dear and which he believes defines his essence and existence.

Ifa temples spread across the world number well over 100. There are Ifa temples in the United States of America, Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Brazil to mention a few.

And every year, adherents of the faith throng these temples for the festivity.

The yearly celebration,” he further explains, signify that people are gradually going back to their roots. And it would please you to know that Pastors and Imams join us for this festival. Thereafter, he bursted into a sonorous rendition… emi o soro ile mi o, emi o soro ile mi o...

Oke Itase, short for Oke eyi ta ti se wa in Yoruba language and literarily translated as ‘the spot where the shrine is located is the source or the origin of all human beings on earth,’ is believed by Ifa worshippers as the place where the Noah’s ark berthed after the great flood. This, perhaps, adds to the importance attached to the sacred location.

On the festival day, the procession of Ifa adherents, observers and tourists, led by Araba Agbaye, Chief Adisa Aworeni moved to the shrine as early as 7am. By 8am, the procession moved round the shrines and groove in Ile-Ife and its environs. It was indeed a great procession. In Ifa religion, Araba Agbaye is to the faithful what the Pope is to the Catholics or the Sheik to Muslims.

The faithful, who thronged the festival came from all parts of the country. They danced to the melodious beat of the local gong and drums. The sight was a beauty to behold. The procession berthed at Ope Agbonniregun (the Agbonniregun palm tree) in Oke-Itase to perform certain rites by 10.40am. And by mid-day, the crowd had grown considerably.

As would be experienced with such huge crowd, commercial activities rose. Food vendors had a swell day within Oke-Itase and environs. Restaurants and bars were filled.

Business took an upward swing for Motorcycle operators and transporters. “I always pray for this festival to hold every day of the year.

Since two days ago, my returns have increased and today, I can tell you confidently that as at 11am, I had my delivery money for the day. You can now imagine how much I stand to gain today,” Rasak Oni, an okada rider said. It was the same testimony for Alhaja Olanrewaju, a food vendor. “Alhamdulillah. Since yesterday, business has been booming. The patronage is so much that I am cooking again. I cooked twice what I normally sell; yet the food is finished.”

By 3.05pm, a long procession, led by Araba

Procession to Ok daughters of highe Itase: The beautiful young daug Awo Olodu Merin priests carrying their father ’s re hter of Araba leading 16 young dinlogun (16 Ifa Hi spective Ifa. They gh priest) represent the

Agbaye danced to the Ooni of Ife palace for the Isurere rites. The rites were done almost an hour and half later because the procession walked for over an hour through Oke-Itase to the palace. There were the daughters of the high priests who carried their respective father’s Ifa, led by a beautiful young girl said to be the daughter of Araba. She led the other 16 young damsels who represented the Awo Olodu Merindinlogun (16 Ifa High priest) with her Ifa firmly on her head too.

The procession left the palace for Oke-Itase and there was invocation. The young damsel that led put her Ifa before the seat where Araba would later sit. The other 16 girls put theirs on the ground below the first one. Araba came in few minutes’ later and paid homage before sitting on the chair. The other Awo Olodu merindinlogun (16 Ifa High priests) came in and paid their homage to him.

The proceeding for the evening started with the feeding of Ifa. After the feeding, there was merriment amid dancing and jubilation inside the small hall housing the shrine. By now, the

Oke Itase, short for Oke eyi ta ti se wa in Yoruba language and literarily translated as ‘the spot where the shrine is located is the source or the origin of all human beings on earth,’ is believed by Ifa worshippers as the place where the Noah’s ark berthed after the great flood.

shrine beamed with excited faithful, it had also become stuffy and too small to contain them all. The Ife Keredidi drum rite was performed before the chanting of Iyere Ifa. After the chant, Abebe Agiri dance rites were done and Ifa ethical talk was done by Olori Awo. At midnight, special prayers were offered for peace in Yorubaland, Nigeria and the World at large. Araba came up to inform the crowd about the Ifa divination for the New Year. He warned that, “except we love and care for each other, there may be serious calamities.”

Araba implored all faithful to be truthful, show love and kindness and to leave in peace with each other. He said the problem of Boko Haram would soon be a thing of the past. He declared that Ifa has said Nigeria will rise and be a great nation again. “The Yoruba race will play a great role in the rejuvenation of the country because Nigeria will soon emerge as a world power that people from all walks of life will be rushing to,” he added.

He declared further, “Nigeria will become the hub of commercial activities in the world.

We will become the beautiful bride sought after by the world because Ifa has said that it is not by mistake that I am in Nigeria. All the gods have come together and agreed to lift this nation out of her problems. The gods have agreed to deal with everyone that does not want the growth of the country. Ifa has instructed that you should be careful in the New Year. You should love yourself and love others. Live in peace and the sacrifices we are told to do by Ifa to avert dangers and bring peace to the land, we will do immediately.”

As early as 7am the following day, there was

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

TRAVEL&TOURISM a procession to the palace to meet with Ooni of Ife and feed him back on the events of the previous day and what Ifa said. The Araba offerred special prayers for the Ooni and the other 16 Ifa High priests joined him in the prayer.

After the prayers, Olori Ejugbona, Aworeni Awofolaju rendered songs with gong and dances while others danced and echoed after him. Araba gave the Ifa messages for the New Year to Ooni.

In his response, Ooni commended and thanked everybody for their steadfast love and peaceful conduct throughout the festival. “I know how tedious it could have been since yesterday morning not to have slept. I want to say that all the sacrifices to be made as prescribed by Ifa will be done immediately.” He prayed for the people and the nation too before the procession moved back to the World Ifa Temple.

Speaking on the essence of the festival, Owolabi Aworeni, the son of Araba Agbaye and an undergraduate Yoruba student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife said, “You will be surprised that Ifa temples are all over the world. Ifa is Olodumare sacred message to mankind. It is the embodiment of totality of human and other creatures’ existence. The yearly celebration, as you can see, has shown that the people are gradually going back to their roots. We are not local; you can see the number of foreigners that attended the festival. My prayer is that one day, these foreigners would not re-package Ifa and bring it back to Africa and we will still take it from them as the gospel truth.”

Soon, Nigeria Would Become World Power — Araba Agbaye

It is believed that whatever you askeat this shrine will be granted. Such is the faith of the faithful that even foreigners entered the shrine to make requests and offerings.

Inside the shrine, I met Embel Olayemi from Spain, Ricardo Fatoyanga, Jesus Fayemi, Idibere Awogbemi and Barry Gold from Venezuela. I also met Awodele Ifayemi from USA, a pure American who told me of his passion for Ifa. He was decked in buba and sokoto. When I spoke with him, he asked me to go online and check his website: ileIfa.org. A visit to the site brought more pleasant surprises: he has authored many books on Ifa. He looked at me and told me, “I am sure you are wondering what I am doing in Ife. I am here for the Ifa festival. This is not my first time. Ifa is life. I am from Colorado in USA but I have embraced Ifa and I am at peace. I will remain in Ife for a while to savour and enjoy my people and my belief.”

Speaking further on the Temple of Wisdom, Nurudeen Olatoye Arogundade, a graduate of History of Obafemi Awolowo University shed light on the shrine. He said, “Ile Ase is a very important site in Ife. To let you know how important it is, every chief of Ile-Ife, either honorary or tradiTemple of Wisdom Ile Ase, referred to as Ogunladin and known tional must be taken into the temple for blessings and oath. The only person, as far as I know as the Temple of Wisdom is another important site embedded in the palace of Ooni of Ife. that was not taken in there was Prof Amuib Opeloyeru, Professor of Islamic and Arabic StudIt attracted a lot of people, as they trooped ies who was the Commissioner for Local Governinto it to pray for different purposes, dropping their ‘thanksgiving offerings’ afterwards. ment and Chieftaincy matters from 2004 to 2010

Cross section of Ifa priests in a procession at the festival in Osun. He did not enter into the inner chamber of the temple for oath and blessings. The oath and blessings was administered with Quran and by the Deputy Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdul Hameed at the entrance of the gate of the Temple. He was Seriki of the source. That was between 2007 to 2008. Every other honorary and traditional title holders were taken

into the inner chamber for oaths and blessing.”

But why is anyone not allowed to photograph the inner chamber? To this, he replies: “It is the belief that when those things are exposed to the world, it is like the mystery of the traditions are been exposed. Whereas there are similar things in Israel where Christian faithful pray and drop money at a special site with the belief that such prayers will be granted automati-

Lagos Airport Hotel Upgrades For Quality Services

By Chika Onwukwe N a bid to maintain its posiIhospitality tion as Nigeria’s foremost centre, the Lagos Airport Hotel has embarked on holistic rehabilitation and upgrading of its facilities to meet today’s taste. The hotel, which started operation 72 years ago, is determined to sustain high standards in service delivery, a culture that has earned it a pride of place over the years in the Nations tourism landscape.

Addressing a press conference held recently at the

hotel complex Ikeja, the MD Lagos Airport Hotel Kayode Adenigba stated that the new management is set to inject modernity into the renowned tourist destination and place it on the same platform with newly built hotels in terms of outlook and services. This we have achieved within the shortest possible time.

“As you can see, we have done a lot of renovation here to improve on the facilities.

Some years back, most of our rooms were yearning for upgrading, but I’m happy to in-

form you today that we have completed work on two of our blocks called Adebayo and Adebayo Extension with 60 classic rooms and 55 deluxe rooms respectively.

The luxury rooms in Harold block are all in good shape including the suites,” he said.

He continued: “The only block we are still working on is the Independence block with total of 96 rooms. However all the rooms are habitable but what we are doing is refurbishment to be on a par with current situation in the hospitality industry.”

N100 Million Budget For Osun Festival

By Ajibola Amzat HE 2013 celebration of T Osun Osogbo Festival is estimated to cost about N100 million, says Osun Festival Consultant, Ayo Olumoko.

According to him, the twoweek annual festival planned to take off Monday, August 12 and end on Friday, August 23, would be co-sponsored by the government of the state of Osun, MTN, Grand Oak Limited, Nigeria Breweries and other corporate organisations.

Speaking at the press conference held at Lagos Airport Hotel, Lagos during the week, the Special Adviser at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mr. Oladipo Soyode said it is challenging to work out the budget for the festival because the sponsorship is sourced from different corporate bodies.

“To have the idea of the budget for the festival, one has to speak to various sponsors of the festival, and this

place might not be an appropriate place to talk about budget,” he stressed.

Buttressing the argument of Mr. Soyombo, Olumoko said “the budget is a sensitive issue that should not be talked about at this forum. The last time we talked about it in 2009, it brought a lot of disaffection from the community.”

However, drawing on the previous spending, since 2006 when Unesco included Osun grove on the World Heritage list, he said the festival would gulp nothing less than N100 million this year.

“In the next few years, we would know more about the budget because we plan to get the festival quoted in the stock market, then you will know more about budget.”

The festival coordinator, Jimoh Buraimoh commended major sponsors such as MTN, Nigeria Breweries and Nigeria Distilleries for supporting the event over the years.

“We commend all the sponsors for staying with us over

the years while we also call on others to come on board and supports the Osun Osogbo Festival,” he concluded.

Renovated Airport Hotel

La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort Voted The Best Resort In Lagos tality.

The award, which is widely endorsed and celebrated by the by the operators in the Travel industry players, as it is devoted to rewarding and recogand Tourism trade. This was nising excellent service and unveiled at the Travellers product, would be cherished Awards Nigeria 2013 cereand further serve as a boost for mony held recently during Abuja Bantaba – travel exhibi- the resort, said the management. tion and talk shop event.

While pledging to continue to The management of the resort described it as a welcome improve on the resort and its development and a testimo- service delivery, the management expressed thanks to the nial of the exceptional natuorganisers of Travellers Awards ral ambience and quality of for its commitment to developthe resort, which over the ing the industry and the genyears has strived to offer to the world international stan- eral public as well as its numerous clients for voting for dard facility nestled against un-tempered natural beauty the resort and its patronage and traditional Africa hospi- over the years.

A CAMPAGNE Tropicana Lvoted Beach Resort has been the Best Resort in Lagos

The resort, which is located within the fringes of Ikegun Village, Lekki, Lagos, enjoys serene and appealing natural scenery serenaded by the titillating pull of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the admixture of mangrove forest, fresh water lake, fringed palms, savannah and white sandy beach, which imbue the resort with a picturesque paradise enclave of some sort.

Face of La Campagne displays the award won by the resort

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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SHORT STORY

By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) O man could resist Sandra’s beauty.

Not in this world. No suitable adjective could be coined for her celestial beauty. She was angelic, stainless and spotless. She was light-skinned, tall, charming, gazelle-like and enchanting. She had a carriage that dwarfs thousands of beautiful ladies. Her eyes shone and sparkled like a thousand stars. Her teeth was as white as snow. She was gap-toothed too. Her smiles could disarm the fiercest of warlords. Sandra’s beauty was out of this world! Everything about her beauty was excellent.

The only snag was that Sandra was possessed by an evil demon that killed any man she fell in love with within two months of the relationship. Her targets were usually young men who had a bright future ahead of them.

Sandra had a supernatural power in her that enabled her know if a young man would become successful in the future. So, the temptress would lure them into her evil arm and within two months, they would die. A lot of young men had met their waterloo and subsequent death in her hands. She was a student of National University, studying Political Science.

Victor Orimola was a dashing young man who met and instantly fell in love with Sandra the very first time he set his eyes on her.

They lived outside their campus. It didn’t take long before Sandra packed into Victor’s apartment and they became live-in lovers.

He didn’t have the least knowledge of Sandra’s past evil deeds.

He fell for her hook, line and sinker. Victor was a final year student studying International Relations. Sandra’s mesmerizing and hypnotizing beauty befuddled the senses of the young man and he became her slave whose impending doom and death was around the corner. He didn’t know he had bitten more than he could chew. Victor was tall, dark-skinned and handsome. He was a very brilliant young man. His past academic attainments confirmed this. He had an ambition to be a diplomat or an ambassador.

He worked diligently, painstakingly and assiduously to realize his dream and ambition of becoming an ambassador. And to be sincere with you, the odds were in his favour, until he met and fell in love with Sandra. He was the only son and child of his parents.

“Check out my skin,” Sandra cooed into his ears one cool evening as they were about making love. “And you’ll see that there’s no blemish on it. I am the queen of the universe. No one is as beautiful as Sandra in this whole wide world. Take me to the highest level Victor …”

Victor moved closer in ecstasy and said gleefully: “Oh, beautiful Sandra you have always filled me with excitement, rapture and joy. If I don’t make love to you on a particular day I feel lost, hopeless and forlorn. I feel like a fish out of water. Your love is my life. Take me, O Mother of Eroticism and Concupiscence!”

The love Sandra gave her victims was a spiritual one that was evil as well as utterly consuming. She possessed the soul of men and would use it anyhow she liked. She had the heart of men in her hands. Each time Victor made love to her was a minus in his life. He was dying gradually. After every love session, Victor would be so weak and lethargic that it would seem every ounce of blood in his body had been drained away completely. He was getting thinner and thinner by the day but all the same, he couldn’t leave her; he had no power to say no. Sandra always got the upper hand whenever they indulged in the art of love-making. He couldn’t resist her evil power. He wanted her the more, despite the fact that he was losing everything, physically, spiritually and mentally. It was a sort of slow death.

At about 5p.m one particular Saturday, he made love to her and after the love session, he became tired and fagged out. Then it seemed a strange creature, like a black dog walked out of his manhood and went out through the door. He couldn’t understand how he was feeling the next moment. He started vomiting blood. He was almost passing out when his parents came visiting and saw him in that pitiable condition. He was rushed to the hospital. For three days doctors battled to save his life. At last, the doctors confirmed to Victor’s parents that his condition was beyond their understanding, as all the drugs they’d used had no positive

N

Sandra, The Diabolical Beauty improvement on his ailing health.

Victor was now taken to a spiritual church. All this while, Sandra was nowhere to be found. After a powerful prayer session, the man of God told them to fast for seven days. He revealed to them that Victor was in love with a mermaid and that the curse of death she placed on him would only go if he avoided her and moved closer to Almighty God. After the seven days fasting, Victor started getting better. When he got home on the eighth day, surprisingly Sandra appeared to him and was shocked when she saw him holding a Bible.

“Geeesh! What’s that you’re holding Victor?” Sandra asked really annoyed and irritated.

“I am holding God’s Holy Book”, Victor replied her.

“Don’t let me ever see you again with that book,” she said. “Put it down now, I command and let’s make deep love …” she ordered.

Without questioning her, Victor put the Bible on the table and sat on the bed. Apparently he was under her magic and spell. Sandra moved closer

to him and was about touching and seducing him when a terrible breeze, like a hurricane, started blowing. It was a powerful wind.

“What’s happening to me?” she questioned, “A power stronger than mine is all over this place! Orisha, I beg you! Help me! I’m not feeling okay! Help! Help!! Help!!!” she screamed.

Power of the Holy Ghost was all over Victor’s room. Sandra couldn’t understand what was happening. She was shaking and restless. The whole room was turning round and round in her eyes. She left Victor’s room hurriedly that day. Victor went to the church the following Sunday and narrated his experience to the man of God. The man of God told him to change school immediately and be more prayerful. He explained to Victor that Sandra’s evil power must be totally exorcized from him so that he could know peace in life; that his days on earth were numbered.

Thereafter, Victor went to his parents; he told them the experience he just passed through.

His parents waded into the problem and Victor changed school. He was admitted to the University of Jos the following week and he moved out of Lagos. Victor became more spiritual and prayerful.

When Sandra called at Victor’s former hostel and realized that he was no longer there, she was very angry. Two days later, Sandra started dating another young man by name Richard. Richard was a young, handsome and attractive guy who got swept off his feet by the alluring and stunning beauty of Sandra. Sandra had vowed that Richard, her new catch, would never escape from her claws.

Victor was now based in the University of Jos and continued his course of study. About two months later, he came to Lagos and heard a strange story. He was told that Sandara had died! He couldn’t believe his ears! Sandra actually died in a bus accident with her new lover, Richard. The bus they were inside veered from the road and hit the iron railings by the side. It remains a mystery that among the whole occupants of the ill-fated bus, only Sandra and Richard died. Other passengers survived unhurt.

A coupe of years later, Victor graduated from the University of Jos with distinction.

After his youth service (NYSC), he got a job opportunity in Canada. At the moment, Victor lives in Canada, working as a diplomat. He is now a deeply religious person and understands the divine power of the Almighty God on mere mortals. The memory of Sandra, the beautiful mermaid, lingers on his mind. And this makes him wary and cautious of the opposite sex.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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NEWSFEATURE

PHCN:

Less Service, High Tariff think they should do. If it is privatization that will solve the problem, then so be it. It’s so annoying to keep paying for the services PHCN don’t render effectively,” he said.

HE Power Holding Company of Nigeria One of the landlords in the area, Baba Onile, (PHCN) recently increased its tariff said PHCN should be checked, reformed or which, judging by its poor services, is hardly whatever the government can do to bring justifiable. Businesses are collapsing, unem- back its lost glory. “It is pure injustice to keep ployment is on the increase due to failed paying for services not rendered. This counpromises by the powers that be to fix the try is the only place where people pay high power sector. bills for services not rendered.

Bade Adeola, a landlord at Okerube, a “The issue of PHCN and its unjust tariff is Lagos suburb, a staff of Alimosho Local affecting my business. My wife sells frozen Government, is angry with PHCN because foods and since her generator broke down, there is nothing for them to show for the she had to depend on PHCN for elusive increment in tariff. power,” he said.

“My electricity bill has jumped from He estimated that his wife has lost about N10,000 last month to N20,000 this month. N60,000 due to poor power supply. “If it is It is exorbitant. What they have been telling privatization that will solve the problem, the us is to be patient. For the past five days, we sooner the better. As far as I’m concerned, it’s haven’t had light. I am really annoyed,” he not fair to keep paying for services not rensaid. dered. Last month they brought a bill of His colleague, Olalekan Tijani, lamented about N30,000 as against the N16,000 they the exorbitant bills, especially for people liv- normally bring. I had to return it back to ing in Abaranje and Okerube who mostly their office because the bill can’t be for my fall in the low-income category and who household,” he said. cannot afford generators.

He regretted the new PHCN billing system “The way they are dealing with us in whereby Nigerians have to pay double of the Abaranje and Okerube is very bad. They tariff they paid before. want us to come and start begging them.

Residents of Ikorodu are also not happy Their service is very poor. The PHCN should with new tariff. Many of them don’t even stop bringing exorbitant bills for the conunderstand it at all. Mrs Biola Mariade, a tradsumers. They should try and put an end to er who sells drinks in bulk, said she had to the embarrassment they are causing us,” he stop the sales of cold or chilled drinks said. because of poor power supply. She said she His friend, Akintunde Apelogun, could sell drinks for days using ice blocks, bemoaned: “This month, they brought lamenting that the business is no longer N1,500 bill for me. I am using only one profitable. room. That is total rubbish. The situation “One of the electricity poles just fell and the has been on and off for a while now”. residents, shop owners have been billed to As for Tonade Ajibola, electricity supply is purchase another one since last year but we now on and off light like disco light in are still on it,” she said.

Abaranje. “Any time they bring the light for Mr Tope Idowu said PHCN officials only two hours, be expecting the PHCN officials know how to distribute bills with flimsy to come with their ladder to disconnect the excuses. He said the new billing process is light. It is annoying for one to be paying for unacceptable with the erratic power supply. what one is not enjoying,” he said.

As for Laide Lateeef, PHCN’s services have People living in Abesan Estate in Ipaja are been unsatisfactory for a long time now. “We livid over the increase in tariff in spite of the have been expecting the situation to change epileptic power supply. Mr Stephen, a tradfor good but it is getting worse. Members of er, said that in the last three to four months, the community are planning to attack the PHCN has been bringing crazy bills to the PHCN officials if they come to disconnect people in Ayobo. “They brought a bill of their lines for lack of payment,” he said about N5,000 last month. This month they A secondary school student, Mide Lasisi said brought a bill of N9,000 . For what? whenever the PHCN officials want to disconWhatever government can do about this, I nect the light, they bring the light for a few

By Debo Oladimeji, Jesutomi Rotimi, Modupe Ojo and Awawu Mohammed

T

hours within three days and thereafter, they come and harass the people for their bills.

“They will come with their ladder to disconnect the light. They will cut the wires of the houses of the people that are owning them and go with it. When you go to their office to pay for your bill, it’s another story entirely. You won’t get your wires back and if you keep coming, they hurl insults at you,” she said.

Mr Kehinde Balewo said that in his community, the power supply is like a PS game that can be paused and resumed at any time. He also described it as a flash of thunder most times and that several of his household appliances have been destroyed and taken for repairs.

“People now just sit and watch whatever happens. There was a time they attacked a PHCN staff and they were not given light for six months and the bills kept coming,” he said.

Tunde Olayiwola said that there was a time that the members of his community walked to the PHCN’s office to complain.

“Before we got there, the police were shooting into the air and they denied us entrance. They promised that the power supply will be better and for three days, there was constant power supply before the power cut for months,” he said. He added that they now make use of generator to work in his office.

The situation is the same in Orile, Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government. Mr. Henry Umeh, a landlord in the area, insists that it is a fraudulent act for PHCN to make Nigerians pay for electricity they never enjoyed.

“The new tariff by PHCN is not only outrageous but exploitative in nature. It is like a daylight robbery on the poor Nigerian consumers,” he said.

Unfortunately, he said, the meters have been configured in such a way that Nigerians, willy-nilly, would be made to pay for the electricity that PHCN never supplied.

“For instance, my house used to be billed one thirds of what I am paying presently.

It’s like over 200 per cent increment, yet, the supply is still erratic and undependable.

“Initially, what we thought was that because of the increment, we were going to experience stable supply of electricity. But alas, the present situation is worse than

what it used to be.

“As we are speaking, you can see that there is no light. They only give us electricity only when they want to distribute their miserable bills or carryout disconnection,” he added.

Ifunnaya Onodu, a shop owner at Shokomu Street, said epileptic power supply has been stunting the growth of small and medium scale enterprises like hers.

“This has become a big problem for my family. Earlier before now, I used to pay the sum of N1,500 monthly for my electricity bill. But now, I pay N2,500, making an increment of 100 per cent.

“It is not only unfair to charge more fore less or nothing, but criminal. Ironically, before this sudden increment, we had better electricity supply in our area. But now, for complete two days, we have seen light only for an hour. And yet, we are paying more tariff,”she said .

She said that the only solution to cover the loophole is prepaid meter and privatization of PHCN. “If you need to make a phone call, you have to recharge your phone with airtime. The same thing should apply to electricity management too,” she said.

Engineer Gbenga Asa, the Senior Manager, Distribution, Ikotun PHCN Business Unit Office regretted the recent fracas at PHCN Abaranje Service Centre, with one of their clients over the issue of non-payment of electricity bills.

“We disconnected the man’s light because he was owing PHCN. He reconnected it back. That was what led to the fracas at PHCN, Abaranje Service Centre.

The matter is still with the police. It has not been fully resolved. PHCN doesn’t increase tariff. It is NEC that does that,” he said.

He insisted that PHCN has good relationship with its customers. “We don’t fight them. It is expected of them not to fight us. The only instrument that can count the energy cost is the meter,” he said.

He disclosed that the PHCN is already giving prepaid meters to those people who paid for them. “Those that are yet to pay for their prepaid meters, there is nothing we can do for now because the company is going through transition. We are only attending to the people that have

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YourMoney

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535, 08111813032

After AGMs, What Impact Will AAAN, ADVAN, OOAN, NIPR Make?

By Adeshola Ogbodo HE marketing communications industry in T Nigeria is worth billions of naira today, thanks to the continued influx of foreign investors and the springing up of new businesses, which has propelled the industry towards a steady rise and has thus contributed to the growth of the economy. As such, the activities of stakeholders in this multi-billion-naira industry are of utmost importance to the country.

Recently, some key regulatory bodies and stakeholder associations, mostly in the vibrant advertising sector of the marketing communications industry in Nigeria, embarked on Annual General Meetings (AGMs) which served as platforms for industry professionals to network, socialise as well as discuss challenges and solutions to issues relating to their sectors. But as the AGMs of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN), Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) have come and gone, what should the industry be expecting? Also a new association, Experiential Marketing Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) was recently inaugurated.

AAAN, one of the oldest and vibrant associations in the marketing communications industry, is the umbrella body for advertising agencies in Nigeria. Recently, the body celebrated its 40 years anniversary when it held its Annual General Meeting/Congress at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State. The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun formally declared the event open.

The AAAN AGM provided the opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on how far the burgeoning advertising industry has come in Nigeria over these past 40 years and what the next 40 years portends for the industry. The AGM/Congress saw the re-election of Mrs. Bunmi Oke, COO 141 Worldwide, as the president of the association for a second term. Oke is the second woman to occupy the position of president in the history of the association. In her acceptance speech, Oke, who has always been an advocate of ethics and professionalism, stated that her administration would continue to uphold ethical practice and professionalism in the conduct of marketing communications business.

She also pointed out that advertising agencies had driven the economy fairly well in the past years. Highlighting agencies’ successes in building international brands, she said at a time when Integrated Marketing

Communication is bracing up for the challenges of globalisation and reforms in the marketing communication sector of the Nigerian economy, the industry was poised to enhance its relevance and harness its knowledge, views, perception and experience, and channel them through effective and productive contributions.

“Agency role in national development goes beyond offering marketing communication services to the private sector. It extends to fully engendering proper understanding of government policies and revealing to the public ways by which they can participate, benefit and contribute to the growth of the economy,” she said No Nigerian agency has won any Cannes award in its 60 years of existence and this is a major concern for industry observers.

Despite this, Oke expressed happiness at the role the association continues to play to enthrone creative excellence and growth of Nigeria and global advertising industry and economy at large.

The outdoor advertising sector in Nigeria has also witnessed tremendous growth year on. As at 2011, a survey carried out by Mediafacts, a publication of MediaReach OMD revealed that advertisers spent N28.142 billion for outdoor advertising. Although there is still no standard method for measuring impact of outdoor advertising, the sector continues to enjoy increased patronage by advertisers.

Recently, the 84-year-old OAAN, the oldest sectoral group in the advertising industry and the umbrella body for outdoor advertising practitioners in Nigeria, held its AGM in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. President of OAAN, Mr. Charles Chijide, while speaking at the meeting, decried the proliferation of regulatory agencies across the federation, stating that these regulators have made it somewhat difficult for them to carry out their businesses. He affirmed that within the past 12 months, the association was able to record significant gains amidst barrages of economic challenges that confronted member-agencies in the course of business.

The president stressed that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the next AGM will be held at the OAAN secretariat. The OAAN AGM also saw the admission of five new associate member-agencies on probation for a period of two years.

Last week in Lagos, the ADVAN, the only body in the country that represents the collective interest of advertisers, held its 15th AGM tagged “Marketers Evening” in Lagos. The objective of the event was to advance marketing decision-making by disseminating

President AAAN, Mrs. Bunmi Oke.

ADVAN President, Kola Oyeyemi

unique insights to ADVAN members, as well as bringing members together with industry leaders to develop new ideas, and facilitate industry-wide networking.

The AGM was well attended by leaders in the nation’s marketing industry and at the elections that preceded the social outing, virtually all members of the Executive, including the President, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi were returned to their positions. ADVAN is a strong voice of 60 of the biggest marketers in Nigeria representing over 200 brands with an annual marketing budget of over N100 billion.

Also the Lagos State Chapter of the NIPR has elected new executive council members at the end of its 24th AGM/PR Week to run the affairs of the body for the next two years.

Managing Director of Jasek Communications Limited, an Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) firm, Joseph Okonmah, emerged the newly elected Chairman at the end of a keenly contested election between him and two other candidates, Ken Egbas and Kunle Ogedengbe, who is the outgoing Vice Chairman. He promised to reposition the institute to achieve its stated mandate.

There was no election for other positions as the contestants were unopposed. They are Comfort Nwankwo, Vice Chairman; Sheriff Akinpelu, Secretary; Silas Udoh, Treasurer; Abiodun Olatunbosun, Auditor; Prudent Onyejiaka, Assistant Secretary; Fortune Mbamalu, Financial Secretary; and Kalu

Olekauwa, Public Relations Executive. The positions of Ex Officios are still vacant.

Meanwhile a new association, EXMAN, was officially unveiled in Lagos recently with the inauguration of the executive council led by Mr. Kayode Olagesin as president.

Performing the official inauguration of the five-man exco, which also include Rotimi Olaniyan (Vice President); Otis Ojekhoa (Gen. Secretary); Kenny Salami (Financial Secretary); and Henry Alade (Publicity Secretary) at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Lagos, chairman, board of trustees of the association, Mr. Bola Akingbade declared that the coming together of members as a professional body in the area of creating experiences would to help build brands.

According to the BoT Chairman, the establishment of the body was long overdue as its area of focus is of greater importance to the advertiser.

“Experiential marketing has come to be in the vanguard of modern advertising and its relevance is becoming stronger and stronger by the day,” he said.

After these meetings and elections of new executives, it remains to be seen how the stakeholders in the various associations and bodies would collectively strive to attain global standards and maintain best practices which would help to further grow the various sectors in the industry to ensure they compete on a global scale and break the jinx of a Nigerian company winning an award in Cannes.

‘Samsung Electronics Is Spearheading Introduction Of Eco-friendly Air Conditions’ The future of air conditioning usage lies in the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), along with conservation of energy and the environment. In this interview, Director, Consumer Electronics, Home Appliances, IT and B2B, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Sunil Kumar said Samsung has developed air conditioners that address all three concerns of Health, energy bill and the environment.

What are some of the general issues consumers have with air conditioners?

ONSUMERS normally have three major complaints— compressor and PCB blown off by voltage fluctuation and gas leakage as a result of rusted fins. Samsung has addressed these three complaints because we believe that even if one is buying entry level air conditioners, which are supposed to be economical, they should get value for their money.

What solution is Samsung providing?

We will touch upon two major categories, split AC and package AC, which are popularly referred to as

C

floor-standing AC. Our entry level split air conditioners comes with Triple Protection technology, which is for compressor protection, PCB protection and anti-rust coated fins.

Unique technology makes compressor work smoothly between 140v to 450v and PCB between 80v to 400v.

Fins are chemically treated to prevent rust and corrosion.

Our deluxe models have same Triple Protection Technology and Samsung’s unique Virus Doctor, a technology that helps eliminate all bacteria and air borne viruses. In fact, it eliminates 99.99 per cent of deadly H1N1virus, also known as bird flu virus. Virus Doctor has helped con-

sumers enjoy cool and hygienic air.

Then we have the premium models, which have the same feature as deluxe and are made from aesthetically point of view, as indoor unit is after all a part of our interior. It comes in mirror finish.

Package air conditioners come in three specs; entry model, luxury model and the newly introduced F900, also known as Memory. Memory is super-sleek and is designed based on Jet Engine technology. Memory’s Powerful 14-meter wind blast spins and keeps growing as it travels to ensure air in entire room get circulated. It comes with three independent fans that can be used in any combination to get the desired cooling. It’s fitted with a heat sensor for optimal and focused cooling. It uses eco-friendly R410 gas and highly energy efficient inverter compressor, which help saves 70 per cent of energy bill as compared to its conventional counterpart.

It has a four way filter mechanism, full HD i.e. 100 per cent dust filter, magnetic filter that has static energy to attract and hold back particle matter, carbon filters that absorbs odour and

remove moisture and Virus doctor cheaper and the technology is easily for elimination of air borne bacteria available. This gas when released into the atmosphere depletes the ozone and viruses.

How effective are Samsung air condi- layer. This increases the impact of Ultra Violet (UV) radiation and hence tioners? global warming.

Samsung air conditioners are user Montreal friendly. The indoor flap can be Protocol opened very easily by any day to day advised manuser, slide out the filter and clean by ufacturers to holding it under running water. This switch over not only ensures clean and healthy to more ecoair all year round, but also prolongs friendly the life of that unit and reduces enerrefrigerant gy consumption. like R410.

What impact would these air conditioners have on the environment?

Most air conditioners commonly use R22 as refrigerant, which as per Montreal Protocol was to be phased out by 2013.

Developed countries have already complied with it. But developing countries are still using it because it is Director, Samsung Electronics, West Africa, Sunil Kumar.

YourMoney

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

BRANDNEWS

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Astymin Brilliance Reward Maltina Dance All Season Seven Nokia 1020 Breaks Through Regional Auditions Begin Global Market Excites Kids RINCIPAL Analyst at Xenon Flash instead of LED T F P Informa, Malik Saadi, flash, visual setting, and says the Nokia 1020 is IDSON Healthcare Plc, through its popular Astymin brand, is set to inspire more pupils to excellence with the third edition of the children’s academic performance appreciation and reward programme, Astymin Brilliance Reward.

The event is scheduled to hold on Saturday July 27, 2013, at Grange School, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Astymin Brilliance Reward is a unique initiative aimed at encouraging and rewarding outstanding performance amongst primary school pupils.

The best pupils from about 200 schools across several states across the South-West and South Eastern region will be recognised, appreciated and rewarded with educational materials at the event.

According to General Manager, Marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Ola Ijimakin, the company embarked on the programme to once again demonstrate its brand promise to

impact positively on the lives of the people. He noted that one of such platforms is to promote children’s educational development, courtesy of the Astymin brand.

He revealed that the ABR event has grown in numbers of schools, content and quality.

“The inaugural edition took place in July 2011 with 110 schools in attendance, mostly from Lagos. The second edition had 170 schools in attendance, covering more states including Ogun, Oyo and Osun,” Ijimakin said.

He added that the Astymin official website www.myastymin.com, which was launched at the last edition, will this year be relaunched with very significant upgrades. “The website is more user-friendly with exciting features for learning, sharing competitions and fun. Every ABR winner will now have an @myastymin.com id,” he noted.

HOUSANDS of entries have so far been received as the process of selecting Nigeria’s top dancing family begins through the number one family dance television show, Maltina Dance All (MDA).

The exciting and emotional process will be kick-started with regional auditions in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. If the flashmob scene that took place during the press briefing heralding the call to entry for the competition in June is anything to go by, then Season Seven of the show tagged “The Evolution” will be unique.

The regional auditions are used as the platform to select family representatives who are expected to qualify their families before the show proper kicks off. Aside Port Harcourt, the other audition-

ing centres are Lagos and Abuja.

A breakdown of the regional auditioning dates released by the brand shows that it will kick off in Port Harcourt at the Atrium Event Centre from July 19 to 20th; Lagos – National Theatre from July 25, 26, and 27; and Abuja – Nicon Luxury Hotel from August 2 to 3.

Consumers who missed the opportunity of registering online for the competition would have the opportunity to register at the audition venues.

During these regional auditions, consumers and respective family members also stand a chance to win any of the numerous regional dance competition prizes like Blackberry phones, 21” Flat screen TV sets, Home theatre systems and lots of

Etisalat CEO Advocates Sustainability In Business TISALAT Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Stevens Evans highlightE ed the essential nature of sustainability at the recent International Sustainability Conference themed “Sustainability Management in Growing Emerging Markets”.

Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives can only make the desired impact on people, community, environment and business if sustainability measures are strategically built into them and implemented.

Evans said: “Sustainability is not something done beyond business; it is about the business itself. One of the reasons why Etisalat Nigeria has been able to record modest achievements on CSR is because we have gone beyond the general myth and incorporated sustainability into the life, blood and culture of the organisation, as opposed to making it something we do downstream.”

The CEO counseled businesses to take on CSR as an integral part of the business that could also contribute to its overall success.

“Business owners have to remember that a well-thought out CSR strategy can improve the business, particularly if the area chosen is in harmony with the core competences of the business,” he said.

Dean, LBS-Pan Atlantic University, Dr. Enase Okonedo, in her opening remarks, noted that the conference was “to enlighten the CSR stakeholder community and share knowledge on the best way to drive good public initiatives by corporate organisations. She called on business leaders to take sustainability as a core part of the business, stressing that “CEOs must make sustainability one of their top three priorities or else, little will be achieved in that regard.”

smashing all camera innovation records but it will not be successful without a huge marketing boost.

Nokia announced its latest flagship smartphone, the Lumia 1020, recently in a special event held in New York. This smartphone is not just another evolutionary upgrade - it is packed with some revolutionary technologies, most of which are related to camera and computational imaging.

Lumia 1020 comes with a 41-megapixels sensor, a technology previously embedded into Nokia’s PureView 808. However, the Lumia 1020 has been enhanced with a number of additional features such as Optical Image Stabilisation using floating lens technology, colour sharpness,

open camera API for advance computational imaging. It is impressive to see all this sophisticated hardware packed into such a beautiful and compact industrial design.

These characteristics will no doubt put the bar far too high for those of Nokia’s competitors that are looking to differentiate on the camera quality. So far, there are a couple that will soon be introducing 20MP in their future products, but most use 8MP sensors and plan to upgrade to 12MP by the end of the year.

However, it remains to be seen how the device will behave in terms of power consumption and sensor heating effect, processing such high-quality images requires advanced processing hardware.

LG Donates Cutting Edge Products To SOS S part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activiA ties, LG Electronics, a global leader in Consumer Electronics and Home Appliance, visited the SOS Children’s Indomie To Feed 2.5 Million Muslims N commemoration of the IRamadan, Muslim fasting month of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, has announced its plan to feed 2.5 million Muslims across the nation.

According to the Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, the company is identifying with Muslims during the 30 days fasting period as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by serving Indomie meals dur-

ing ‘Iftar’ (evening break) at various popular central Mosques across the country.

Ashiwaju revealed that Indomie, as the leading Noodles brand in Nigeria, believes strongly in connecting with its consumers through varied engagement platforms and that the month of Ramadan provides such a unique opportunity to connect with and engage the Muslim consumers, having an understanding of what it depicts as a period of discipline, prayer and worship to God Almighty.

Village in Isolo, Lagos, and donated various LG products to the centre.

It was a convivial and fun filled atmosphere as representatives of LG Electronics, through the refreshments and numerous games that were provided interacted freely with children of the centre, numbering well over 100.

“Our visit to the SOS Children’s Village is part of LG Electronics’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities aimed at putting smiles on the faces of the children as a way of supporting their dreams and aspirations,” General Manager, Home Appliance division, LG Electronics, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung, said in his message to the organisation.

Speaking further, he said: “As a leading global brand we are committed to making a real difference in improving society and helping address poverty problem in the communities we operate in. For us at LG Electronics, CSR is a natural inclination. Children are the future leaders, and for that reason, they deserve all the love and attention in order to ensure that their development is not in anyway disturbed.”

Tiger Brands Fetes Children IGER Brands, the makers of Dangote Noodles, Deli-foods and T Dangote Pasta, recently organised a free children’s party for over 3500 children from 55 schools in Lagos.

Keynote Speaker/Director, Euro-China Centre for Leadership and Responsibility (ECCLAR), Professor Mike Thompson (left); Founder/Director, AACE Foods, Mrs. Ndidi Nwueli; Director, Etisalat CSR Centre Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr. Chris Ogbechie, and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans at the event.

Guinness Gives Scholarships To Outstanding Students S a demonstration of its A commitment towards empowering youths through education, Guinness Nigeria, one of the country’s foremost breweries recently gave out scholarship awards to several outstanding students across various universities in the country.

The annual Scholarship award, which is in its fifth year, is aimed at rewarding university students who have performed exceptionally well in their various courses of study and to encourage them to continue to excel.

According to the Managing Director, Mr Seni Adetu, “doing this is a testament to our belief in Nigeria; we are investing in growing the future of Nigeria, irrespective

of what is happening around.

We take the subject of corporate social responsibility very seriously which is why we always ensure that we make an effort to enrich the lives of the people in the communities in which we operate”.

Adetu added: “The reason for the scholarship programme underscores the unwavering commitment of Guinness Nigeria Plc to the education of our youth because of the incontrovertible role they play in economic development. We are, therefore, very proud that the company will be granting scholarships to undergraduates in different courses of study from our host communities in Benin, Aba and Lagos throughout the duration of their course.”

The gesture was perceived as an effort to give back to the children who are the major consumers of their products.

Speaking at the funfair held at Dangote complex, EbuteIkorodu, the Managing Director, Tiger Brands, Mr. Vasu Moodley said that all children should be treated equally and given equal opportunities. He added that the programme was organised to see the children come together and give them a sense of belonging in the society.

Also, the Marketing Executive, Dangote Noodles, Deli-foods and Dangote Pasta, Tokunbo Dosunmu, expressed her delight at seeing the children in a joyous mood.

She said the company is committed to catering for children and making them happy.

Ribena Partners Madonna Alumni On Family Funfair IBENA fruit drink, a prodR uct line of GlaxoSmithKline, GSK recently threw its weight behind the maiden edition of the Madonna University Alumni Family Funfair held at the Anthony Sports centre in Lagos.

Speaking on the Funfair, the President, MUAALAG, Gerald Obakhume, remarked that the event is aimed at promoting family ties among the alumni members.

“The family plays a critical

role in nation building.

Unfortunately, the family continues to be relegated to the background. Why? It is because of other issues seeking our attention, from financial issues to social issues. This is an opportunity to re-commit ourselves to our family and bond better.

And we are grateful that Ribena has partnered with us to promote the funfair.”

He added that the association is always in the forefront of empowering members across the state.

Youth Community Leader, SOS Children’s Village; Mr. Alex Ndupuechi (left); Social Worker, SOS Children’s Village, Dr. Bolanle Nassar; Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohammed Fouani; and General Manager, Home Appliances division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung, at the event.

Ikeja Rotary To Induct New President, Board of Directors HE Rotary Club of Ikeja, T District 9110, is set to formally induct Rotarian Goke

Olayinka as the 47th president of the club on July 21, 2013.

The investiture ceremony, which is billed to take place at the Best Western Hotel, Ikeja, will also witness the induction of the 2013/2014 Board of Directors of the District.

Some of the dignitaries expected to grace the event include, the special guest of honour, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru; Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Tunde Savage who is the guest speaker and father of the day; and HRM, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle 11, the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

NEWSMAKER

Participants at the event

SIFE, FCMB: Empowering Youths For National Development three local governments, namely Mai-adua and Kaita in Katsina State; and Dundaya and Gumbi districts of Wamako Local HE clarion call on Nigerian youth to make Government of Sokoto State. The project, in meaningful contributions to national 2011, directly impacted positively on 950 residevelopment is yielding positive responses. dents and indirectly impacted on 5,000 othIndeed, some of them, under a partnership ers. between the Students In Free Enterprise In emerging as the winner of this year’s chal(SIFE) “now Enactus” and the First City lenge, the Kaduna Polytechnic Enactus team Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc recently exhibitintroduced an innovative solution for cooked the potential to play significant roles in ing which comprises the “Save 80 Stove”, tackling some challenges in the society.

Wonder Box, Briquettes and Briquettes This year, the partnership, which started in Machines. The “FCMB Evergreen Save 80 2011 addressed the challenge of desert Stoves” helps to reduce the amount of fireencroachment through the extension of a wood used for cooking by 80 percent with project designed by Enactus team in Kaduna the use of briquette made from waste materiPolytechnic to Katsina and Sokoto states, als such as rice husks, maize shaft, saw dust reaching and empowering over 600 people and paper to eliminate the use of firewood in many communities. completely. To create an effective process of Enactus, a global network and non-profit achieving the project goal, 70 percent of the organization, is renowned for developing target group, mainly women, were trained in leadership and entrepreneurial skills in the production of briquette and the utilisayouths. Essentially, the youth, particularly tion of the “Save 80 Stoves”, This has gone a students in higher institutions, are taught long way to create employment opportunihow to identify challenges in their local ties and also tackle desertification through community and develop ways of using busifelling of trees for cooking purposes. The stuness and entrepreneurial skills they have dents of Kaduna Polytechnics also initiated learnt to find solutions to these challenges. and executed projects in skill acquisition in The youth are taught to identify problems in leather works, pastries and fish farming. their communities and creatively design Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State projects and programmes that can empower were the second place winners, while Bayero residents to resolve such challenges.

University, Kano came third. Projects presentAt the 2013 Enactus national competition, to ed by the Oko Poly included production of celebrate the dexterity and novel ideas feacarbon-free energy and provision of potable tured in students’ project work, a total of 34 water for over 3,000 rural dwellers in their institutions of higher learning were present host community. Bayero University (Kano for the contest but only 28 were adjudged State) presented a project that focused on qualified to participate. Altogether, 16 teams training of 300 women on Neem oil extracmade it to the semi-final round from the tion and how it could be used to make shamopening round which was held on July 3, poo, lotion and soaps as well as linking them 2013 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria up with buyers. Neem seed, bark and leaf conIsland, Lagos. The semi-final, which was held tain compounds with proven antiseptic, on July 5 saw only four institutions making antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, contracepit to the grand finale. tive and sedative properties. The university The Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna emerged students also taught farmers in their commuwinner of the competition and automaticalnities how to recycle household waste, and ly qualified to represent Nigeria at the constructed a green house where vegetables Enactus World Cup to be held in Mexico in are planted all year round. These projects September this year. One of their projects were executed in Kura, Lambu, Kumboyso, tagged ‘Evergreen Project’ and sponsored by Gwarzo and Madobi local governments in FCMB, was aimed at addressing the chalKano State. lenges of desertification, poverty and ecoAddressing guests and participants during nomic empowerment. It was targeted at the final round of the competition, Deputy

By Felix Kuye

T

Managing Director of FCMB, Mr. Segun Odusanya, said that the bank “ believes in innovations that address not just our current needs, but those that are enduring and impactful without compromising the wellbeing of the society and our future generations yet unborn. He noted that activity and project ideas from the competition point to recent progress in the fight against environmental and atmospheric issues, such as climate change, global warming, deforestation and excessive emission of carbon dioxide and other green house gases.

According to Odusanya, “as a co-sponsor of the Enactus national competition which saw the Kaduna Polytechnic winning a chance to represent Nigeria at the world cup in Mexico in September, FCMB identifies with the importance of youth empowerment in the country through a deliberate and sustainable effort to enhance skills acquisition and reward laudable endeavours and achievements by young minds. He pointed out that the bank’s values of excellence and sustainability are what inspire its consistent attempts at “grooming an innovative, techno-centric generation with national development aforethought.”

And to extend its reach and help deepen the understanding and sustainability of projects implemented by the Enactus teams across the country, FCMB launched its “Top Ten Projects Sustainability Challenge. This students were motivated to implement more than 230 community projects in 20 states with a focus on sustainable impact and improvement in the quality of life of standard of living of the target group in the communities.

The Country Director of Enactus, Adesuwa Ifedi explained that in determining the winner, emphasis was placed on projects executed by the students that considered the relevant economic, social and environmental factors. She added that such projects were also identified to enhance effective empowerment of the people, the community while also showcasing an entrepreneurial approach as well as business and economic concepts.

“Having come up with these beautiful proj-

Balogu

Adesuwa ects, we were not looking solely at income leverages, but other factors which can improve quality of lives,” Ifedi noted.

Enactus is currently active in 200 tertiary institutions across the world and engages over 2000 dynamic students. Participating students form teams on their university campuses and apply business concepts to develop outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. An annual series of regional and national competitions provide a forum for teams to present the results of their projects, and to be evaluated by business leaders serving as judges who select winners that would represent the country at the annual Enactus World Cup.

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 20, 2013 49

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Abubakar

Adoke

Aloma-Mukhtar

Overhauling Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System

By Joseph Onyekwere HE recent discharge and acquittal by the T Court of Appeal vis-a-vis the earlier conviction and condemnation by the Lagos State High Court, of Major Al-Mustapha, continues to elicit debate.

According to a Lagos based legal practitioner, Daniel Onwe, in criminal matters, conviction must at all times be based not just on proof, but on proof beyond reasonable doubt. “That is to say that every element of the offence in question must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

And proof must be by credible evidence, and not sentiment, no matter how strong.

Obviously, the case of Al-Mustapha arouses so much sentiment due to the personalities directly or indirectly involved on both sides as well as the surrounding peculiar circumstances,” he averred.

He explained that the judge on his part is limited to only the pieces of evidence before him.

“In other words, a judge can only convict if the pieces of evidence brought before him establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt, otherwise he has a duty, not just discretion, to discharge and acquit the accused person.

“Therefore, when an accused person is discharged and acquitted, it only connotes that the prosecution, rightly or wrongly, did not succeed in proving its case beyond reasonable doubt, and not necessarily that the accused persons did not commit the offence he was charged with.

“Again, being humans, judges may evaluate evidence wrongly, or err in law or its application depending on their idiosyncrasies. That is why, in this circumstance, the Supreme Court is there for the eventuality of such error.

“On the duration of the court proceedings, our court proceedings are naturally time taking, no doubt. However, it would be remembered the defence contributed handsomely to the delay

by their objections and sometimes playing to the gallery.

“It is interesting that it is only the role of judges that are singled out for commendation or condemnation as the case may be when a judgment is given. But it is not the judges that conduct investigation and gather evidence; the police and other law enforcement agencies do. So, if investigation is not properly done, there may not be sufficient evidence before the judges to really do substantive justice.

“Also, it is the duty of the prosecution to assemble and tactfully present the relevant evidence. Where there is a lapse on the part of investigation or prosecution, the judgment may fall short of the expectation of the public.

“Finally, justice should be done in such a manner that even the average man on the street would see and agree that justice has been done, lest public confidence in the criminal justice system may be eroded. And this is dangerous for any society”, Onwe declared.

The problems besetting procurement of justice in Nigeria are multi-farious and multidimensional. Efforts are now on to address the challenges resulting in the administration of Criminal Justice Bill, which is a proposal for an Act to make provision for speedy and efficient administration of criminal justice in courts.

The challenges range from too many cases in courts to trial delays and denial of justice, inadequacy of judicial personnel, corruption, lack of modern management technology and absence of case management techniques.

The general belief is that when passed, it will significantly improve the criminal justice system. The bill deals fundamentally with the problem of delay in the dispensation of criminal justice.

The administration of Criminal Justice Law will compliment beautifully the Freedom of Information Act 2011, Evidence Act Commission Amendment Act 2011, the Legal

Aid Reform Act 2011, the National Human Rights Commission Amendment Act 2011 and other justice sector reform laws which were all enacted by the 6th National Assembly.

Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu pointed out that the myriads of perennial problems besetting Nigeria’s criminal justice system and many of these are located in the history and origins of the nation’s criminal laws and procedures, founded, as they were, in the pre-colonial era and entrenched during colonial and military rules.

Against this background, the bill now under consideration contains many admirable and forward-looking proposals. These include provisions articulating clear objectives for the Criminal Justice system for prohibition of arrest of family members in lieu of suspect, the humane treatment of arrested persons, proper inventorisation of arrested persons, digital recordings of confessional statements, establishment of central criminal records for remand, prohibiting stay of proceedings until after judgment, speedy day-to-day trials, regulation of plea bargaining, protection of pregnant convicts from capital punishment, provision of

On the duration of the court proceedings, our court proceedings are naturally time taking, no doubt. However, it would be remembered the defence contributed handsomely to the delay by their objections and sometimes playing to the gallery.

sentencing guidelines and alternatives to implement, as well as any administration of Criminal justice Monitoring Committee to monitor the proposed reforms.

In addition, to the legal institutional components of the administration of criminal justice, certain social and moral values are supposed to be reflected in and form a part of the system. The legal foundation for the criminal justice is the constitution, particularly the portions that relate to the powers of the court, or jurisdictional mandate of the courts.

Also, the sections of the constitution that deal with fundamental rights are central to the criminal justice, particularly the provisions on right to liberty, right to fair hearing. Excising the power of the state to try and convict a person for committing a crime, the state must comply or respect the constitutional provisions on rights.

Also, the constitutional provisions have direct control on the definition of a crime and may place several restrictions on the scope of the application of a penal law. For instance, it is the constitution that ensures that an act cannot become a crime based on a law that came into force after the act was committed. This is known as the non-retroactivity of a criminal law.

Apart from the relevant portions of the constitution, Nigeria’s criminal justice comprises of the various laws in force both at federal and state levels which establish or define crimes or conducts that are prohibited at the pain of criminal sanctions. Such sanctions comprise mainly of prison sentence and/or fines. There may be other sanctions such as forfeiture, restitution or community service. The constitution does not control the kind of punishment that the law can impose. It does this through the prohibition of cruel and unusual treatment.

To understand the criminal justice system, one needs an illustration of how it works. The process commences when the police have a rea-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 51

50

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

COVER

Will There Ever Be

By Samson Ezea HE recent Appeal Court judgment which discharged and T acquitted the alleged killers of Kudirat Abiola after 14 years of dogged trial, has again raised questions on the place of

Ige

Dikibo

Williams

Nigeria’s criminal justice system in securing justice for the dead.

In the days of military junta, many believed that the judiciary was not active due to the unnecessary and undue interference from the government.

A lot of Nigerians had thought that the situation would be different with the inception of democracy in the country in 1999, but it appears that nothing has changed.

With the killing of the then Minister of Justice in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Chief Bola Ige in his home in Ibadan Oyo State, many had thought the government that he was serving would quickly bring his killers to book.

But just after his murder, Deputy Inspector general of Police Abimbola Ojomo, now retired, who was then the Head of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, was commissioned to handle the case. She enlisted the services of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad under Assistant Commissioner of Police, Amusa Bello to find Ige’s killers.

After combing Ibadan, Osogbo and Ife, most of Iyiola Omisore’s aides became guests of the Alagbaon office of the FCID. But suddenly, Ojomo was retired and Bello was redeployed. A serious dimension in the case was the double speak of Ige’s security guard, Andrew Olotu, who went to court three days after Omisore won his election, to say that he was tortured to implicate Omisore.

Just like a script written and being acted, events began to unfold. Following the change of statement by the key prosecution witness, the widow of the slain Justice Minister died of heart attack. Omisore regained his freedom after Justice Olagoke Ige granted him bail. He was sworn in as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2003.

Justice Ige granted the plea of Omisore’s counsel, Mr. Kunle Kalejaiye for bail. The decision of the judge to grant Omisore bail in the murder case drew criticism from many quarters, especially those that sympathize with the Ige family.

To some people like Prof Wole Soyinka, the dimension the case took was a surprise. At Ige’s funeral, Soyinka alleged that his assassination was a high level conspiracy, planned and executed by powerful people in authority.

During the funeral service at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, the Nobel Laureate said in clear terms ‘”those who killed Ige are right here among us.” On another occasion, he said that ‘”those who are at the centre of the conspiracy to kill were so confident because they knew that nothing could be traced to them.’”

Ige’s case is not peculiar as no high level murder case in Nigeria has ever been investigated and culprits brought to justice.

Right from the days of military rule till date, successive governments, with all the police and other security agencies, have failed to bring to book killers of murder victims.

In October 1986, Nigerians were shocked with the murder of Dele Giwa through a letter bomb attack on that fateful Sunday. Dele Giwa, Editor-in Chief of Newswatch Magazine, was killed by a letter bomb alleged to have carried Nigeria’s Coat of Arms. It was alleged that shortly before the time, he

had received a call from a top Army officer who called to confirm if he was at home. A few minutes later, a dispatch rider brought a parcel. Dele Giwa seemed to have been expecting it and he asked the rider to bring it in to him immediately. While chatting with his colleague, Kayode Soyinka and trying to open the envelope, the bomb exploded and that was it.

During the administration of the late Sani Abacha, Rear Admiral Babatunde Elegbede was the first to die by the bullet of hired killers tagged armed robbers. The retired Naval Officer was felled by assassins’ bullet right in the presence of his wife.

Since 1994 when he was killed, his killers have not been found by the state till today.

In the same vein, another Naval Officer, Omotehinwa, who was close to Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade, was shot in a broad daylight. It would be recalled that Akinrinade was among those who formed the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to fight the government of late Sani Abacha.

Alhaja Suliat Adedeji, the influential Ibadan politician and a friend of the Abacha family till her death, was gruesomely murdered in her Ibadan home. To ensure that she did not survive, she was reportedly shot in her private part after attempt to get her driver make love her to her failed. The driver was asked to sleep with her after being stripped naked, but he ran away and her assailants shot her. She bled to death. Her killers are still at large despite assurances by security agencies that the killers would be brought to book.

Also, Chief Alfred Rewane, a backer of NADECO was killed in his home in Lagos. The police paraded some people as his alleged killers and that was where it ended. Architect Layi Balogun, former presidential aspirant, lost his life in the hands of assassins later tagged armed robbers. Air Commodore Anthony Ikhazobo, former Minister and NFA chairman, was killed in 1999 and his killers are yet to be brought to book after many years of unending trial in court.

Uche Orji a senatorial candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party ANPP for Imo State, was killed in the wake of the 2003 elections. Nobody has ever been apprehended. The Anambra State chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr Barnabas Igwe and his pregnant wife, Abigal were brutally murdered in their home in the commercial city of Onitsha. Till today, nobody has been held responsible for the dastard act.

Victor Nwankwo, the younger brother of a publisher and politician, Arthur Nwankwo was killed in his house in Enugu in 2006. The killers are still at large.

Chief Harry Marshal, a former chieftain of People’s Democratic Party and later coordinator of All Nigeria’s Peoples Party presidential campaign in South South, was murdered in his Abuja home only for the police to parade some people as armed robbers confessing to have killed the man.

According to the robbers they went after him because of the campaign money they heard was with him. The question they did not answer or which they were not asked is who informed them that Harry Marshal was collecting any money?

One of the most troubling cases of murder was the case of Napoleon Igboku-Out, journalist and environmental activist.

Igboku-Out allegedly stumbled on a piece of information in 1999 that borders on national security. A day after he came back from a fruitless trip to Abuja, Igboku-Out was visited by unknown assassins. The rest his history. He was slaughtered.

A.K Dikibo, the then national vice chairman PDP Southsouth, was murdered along Asaba-Benin expressway at the peak of the political crisis between Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State and political godfather, Chief Chris Uba in 2003.

Four undergraduates of University of Port Harcourt Rivers State that were allegedly killed in Aluu Community sometimes ago

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

51

COVER

Justice For The Dead?

It is obvious that individuals kill other human beings simply because they can. These are the senseless killings: killing sdone without emotion, and without remorse. Who, for instance, killed Jerry Agbeyegbe; Sunday Ugwu; Momoh Lawal; Odunayo Olagbaju and Janet Oladapo; Ahmed Pategi; Victor Nwankwo; John Nunu; Funsho Williams; Chimere Ikoku; Ayodeji Daramola; Dele Arojo; Isyaku Muhammadu; Udo Marcus Akpan; Ogbonnaya Uche; Theodore Agwatu, and Emily Omop? And then there was Abigail and Barnabas Igwe.

Journalists have especially taken some of the hardest hits in Nigeria. Take, for instance, the killing of Tunde Oladepo; Okezie Amaruben; Fidelis Ikwuebe; Nansok Sallah; Edo Sule Ugbagwu; Bayo Ohu; Nathan Dabak; Bolade Fasasi; Modu Gubio; and Enenche Akogwu.

The list is endless.

It is often believed that some people are capitalizing on the lacuna in the criminal justice system to commit murder, especially politically motivated ones, knowing that it will be difficult to prove the case beyond reasonable as demanded by the law.

In the days of military junta, many believed that the judiciary was not active due to the unnecessary and undue interference from the government. A lot of Nigerians had thought that the situation would be different with the inception of democracy in the country in 1999, but it appears that nothing has changed. With the killing of the then Minister of Justice in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Chief Bola Ige in his home in Ibadan Oyo State, many had thought the government that he was serving would quickly bring his killers to book

Ohu

Akogwu

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 sonable suspicion that a person has either committed a crime or is committing a crime. It continues through the end of trial, and continues, in case of conviction, through sentencing, imprisonment and release upon the completion of sentence.

If a police officer believes that a person has committed or is committing a crime, an arrest occurs. What happens after that or the processes that such a person goes through all the way to acquittal in court or release after his jail term or completion of alternative punishment, constitute the criminal justice system.

The criminal justice process involves several distinct stages.

And in any individual case, the process can terminate at any of such stages as in the case of Al-Mustapha terminating, (though temporarily if there is an appeal) at the Court of Appeal.

In the Nigerian system, the most active stages are arrest, filing of criminal charges and the bail hearing, which is otherwise known as detention hearing.

Arrest: For the police to arrest, the legal standard is that it must have a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed. That suspicion then forms a basis upon which the police officer applies to the court, with an affidavit, for a warrant of arrest. The affidavit shall set out that offence has been committed and the facts upon which such suspicion are based. The judge reviews such application and usually issues a warrant for the suspect to be arrested.

It is not in all circumstances that the police must first apply and obtain a warrant of arrest before an arrest could occur. If, for instance, a police officer witnesses a crime being committed, he can make an arrest on the spot without the need for a warrant.

Charging the suspect: The next stage in the process after a person has been arrested, is charging him formally with the commission of any one or more of the offences in the various laws that establish crimes or offences in Nigeria. This involves filing a charging document, known as An Information, in Nigeria. The information contains a short statement of the offence and the section of the law involved.

It is followed by a more detailed description of the act that formed the basis of the particular violation. The short and detailed statements of the offence are known respectively as the count and particulars of the offence. Each set of count and particulars constitute the complete information for the offence in the charging document. There could be several sets of such information. The information comes with summons from the court stating the date for the case and the suspect to be presented in court.

How soon after the arrest that a person is charged and presented to the court varies. But the constitution requires for that to be done within 48hours. In most parts of the world, the time line is really short and within a few hours, usually less than 24 hours after arrest.

Bail application and detention: This is the next stage after a suspect has been arraigned in court. As of today, this is clearly the most difficult stage and strangely the most decisive one in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. As has been demonstrated by both the police, the prosecutors, and even by many judges, this is the grand finale or do-or-die stage in the process. In other parts of the world, the detention hearing stage which is routinely crossed relatively quickly, is not a major stage in the process. That is to say, detention hearing does not rise higher in importance than the trial stage.

In Nigeria, on the other hand, it is everything. This is why over

Al-Mustapha

Kudirat

Questions On Criminal Justice System 75 per cent of prison inmates across the country are people awaiting trial, which means they are people who were either denied bail by the courts or who received harsh and excessively difficult bail terms they could not meet.

And this is why many people have remained in awaiting-trial status longer than the period of jail term they would have served if they were promptly tried and convicted of the offences they were charged with.

In America and all Commonwealth countries, once a person is arraigned, the court assumes jurisdiction to determine whether the person should be

detained or set free pending the trial of the person for the offences charged. It is fairly automatic that the judge will address that matter and make a decision either way and set out the terms for further detention or release.

In carrying out this function, the judge is guided by a body of jurisprudence centering on the full package of due process rights of the accused, particularly the presumption of innocence. This is weighed against the need to ensure that the accused, if released, would be available for trial.

Another area of grave concern in the criminal justice as pertains to bail, is the fact that judges routinely impose excessive and harsh bail terms which force suspects to remain in custody even after being admitted to bail. According an international legal practitioner, Emeka Ugwuonye, at the rule and policy-making levels, the courts should make new rules of procedure to ensure that bail applications and hearings do not last longer than two weeks and a judge must give judgment on bail within 24 hours after the hearing.

“Also, there should be no basis for a judge to not hear oral bail application. Such rule must require that a judge receive a report if after 30 days, a person admitted to bail fails to meet terms of bail.

Such a report should be a basis for the court to hold a hearing within seven days on whether to vary the terms of bail. Similarly, the legislatures should make laws to the same effect. At the professional organization level, the Bar Association must step up to the plate and fight this crisis”, he suggested.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

NEWSINTERVIEW

Wolade

A Near-Encounter With Olokun, Yoruba Deity Of The Ocean

By Yemi Ogunsola OU can’t just behold the image of “Y Olokun. Special rituals must first be performed. Not even members of the Walode household can see the image without the proper rituals.”

The speaker, Chief Walode of Ife sat surrounded by some titled men of Ife. It was at the Walode Compound where we had journeyed all the way from Lagos that morning in mid-June. The reluctance to take Lagos journalists to the shrine of Olokun was thick in the air. Our hearts sank.

The compound, comprising mainly adobe buildings, looked as ancient as the town of Ife is reputed to be. Trees gnarled with age seemed to watch the visitors with antediluvian eyes.

But visible around are ample representatives of modern times: electric poles, disused tires, sounds of transistor radios…

The room itself boasted a set of settee… a television set (?), handsets croaked or rang to life occasionally.

The Walode is the Abore (Chief Priest) of Olokun in Ile Ife. He it is who performs rituals whenever clients came to propitiate Olokun, the Yoruba deity who presides over the mysterious world of the deep seas and oceans.

Apparently in his mid-forties, chief Kolawole Omotayo was a civil servant in Lagos before he got his “call” about six years ago. He fielded questions with the flair of a public relations expert.

Walode, also known as prince Adetunmbi, was one of the children of Ooni Olumobi who reigned in Ile-ife centuries ago. Olumobi himself was one of the children of Ooni Lafogido, the first son of Lajamisan who also reigned in Ile-ife.

Is it not true that the original Olokun image had been “stolen” long ago from Ile-Ife by white explorers?”

To this came a chorused “Nooo!”, as Walode rebutted, “It was not the original they took.

The original remains with us here… The deity hid herself from them, always evading their profane search for it.

Another of the Wolade guests added: “You don’t even bring any light close to the real Olokun, be it natural or artificial – torches, lanterns etc are forbidden. It is also forbidden for any person with tribal marks to behold Olokun.

What will happen if these taboos are broken?

The Walode and his company exchanged baffled glances. “Why would… anybody want to find that out?” The Walode wondered aloud.

According to the Walode, Olokun was among the numerous deities who descended from space (Orun) to Ile Ife in antiquity. Her mundane specialty was bead making, especially the type favoured by the royalty. And that’s why one of her praise names is Olokun Seniade (Olokun maker of royal beads). But spiritually, she specialized in bestowing children.

Her husband, while resident on the Earth, was Oranfe, an old fiery deity, who predated

Sango in his reputation as a wielder “thunderbolts”. The Walode recounted the Yoruba creation story with some interesting additions.

It was the extraterrestrial, Orisaala, who was originally sent by Olodumare (Supreme Being or Supreme Council of his home planet) to sandfill the water-filled world as part of preparations to make it habitable to humans. But then, Orisaala got inebriated with emu olufon —- wine from olufon palm and subsequently fell sound asleep. Olufon palm, Walode explained, grew in ofurufu (outer space?).

After waiting in vain for news from Osaala, Olodumare sent Oduduwa, another space traveller, to check on Orisaala.

However upon getting to Orisaala and meeting him sound asleep with the Apo Iwa (pouch of creation) beside him, Oduduwa did not bother to wake him, but collected the pouch and made for the world to perform the sand-filling.

“Till today, Osaala and Oduduwa still contest for seniority… Osaala rules at Oke Itapa while Oduduwa reigns at Obadio,” The Walode declared.

In remembrance of the “five-toed hen” (a space craft with five-pronged landing gear?) that was used to spread the sand from Ife to other parts of the world, a five-toed life hen is part of the yearly sacrifice offered during the celebration of Olokun festival.

“It was from Ife that the waters of the world were driven (through sand-filling) all the way to Lagos —- and there are still underground waterways that link Ife with Lagos…” the Walode declared. Really?

Yes, came another chorused response.

“In fact, any sacrifice offered to Olokun in Ile-Ife here appears on the Lagos beach by the following day…”

The journalists made a mental note of the distance such sacrifices would swim even as the crow flies.

Among items used to mark the yearly Olokun festival are Ekuru (steamed mashed beans), Akara (bean cake), porridge, fish, rats, snail (for ero), but as the Walode listed the various herbs used to bathe the Olokun icon, one of those gathered signalled to him not to mention a particular item and the priest promptly aborted the disclosure. “What could that have been?”

The response was a conspiratorial laughter. We let it pass.

The Walode insisted that the true worship of Olokun derives from Ile Ife and any deviation from the source is “fake”.

One of the taboos of Olokun is duplicity. The deity abhors deceit of any form and her devotees and priests must be above board in this wise. Olokun bestows on her votaries abundant wealth, and victory over enemies. The Walode cites his own personal experiences to prove this.

There is much that is fascinating about Ile-Ife. For instance, it was mentioned in the course of the interview that the Ark of Noah lurks somewhere among the hills of the ancient town.

And as to the claim that ‘life” (on Earth) started in Ile-Ife, is it mre coincidence that “life” really sounds like a corrupted “Ile-Ife.”?

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

NEWSINTERVIEW

‘We’re Promoting Pilgrimage For Rebirth Of Our Nation, People’ Recently, the federal government reappointed the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy Opara for a second tenure of five years. The reappointment, it was said, came on the strength of his impressive stewardship. In this interview with OLAWUNMI OJO, he speaks on strides made by the commission in recent time, steps being taken to redress long-standing limitations to pilgrimage, highlighting plans by Federal Government to reduce travel cost to Israel with direct flights from Nigeria through a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), and more importantly, how the programme is being retuned for national development, among other issues.

OW have you been able to place NCPC on H the enviable pedestal it occupies today?

My journey to this office wasn’t expected; it was divinely inspired. But the summary of the success we have achieved is God, hard work and commitment. I don’t have a fixed closing time. I believe that anything God has assigned us to do, we must put in our best and allow God to help us. Even where we have weaknesses, he will turn it to real strength and that is what has helped me to get to where I am today.

Today, the number of Christians going on pilgrimage to Israel has increased. Secondly, we have been able to widen the scope of the pilgrimage. Before now, our national pilgrimage ends only in Israel and Sinai. But we have extended it to Rome. I had a tripartite agreement with the Vatican and the Italian government. So now, our Christian pilgrims can go to Rome and the Vatican.

We have also extended the pilgrimage to Greece. So our pilgrims are able to visit Corinth, Thessalonica, the Philippi and other places where Paul worked.

When I came on board with my colleagues, the Federal Commissioner, we didn’t have an office space, we were squatting; we were at the mercy of the National Hajj Commission and I remain indebted to them because they were able to accommodate us in spite of the religious differences. They showed that we are one. At a point when the place could not accommodate both of us, they vacated the place for us; it was quite interesting.

Later on, we were able to get this place, which is our headquarters. We acquired, renovated and furnished it. In those days, we didn’t have vehicles; I used my private vehicles.

Today, however, we have been able to get a good number of cars to enable us move from one state to the other.

We have also been able to establish six zonal offices and employed people to work in those offices. They were not there when I came in.

Before now, we didn’t have a solid base in Israel where we could call ours but now we have a place in the embassy we use as office.

We have also been able to establish an active medical team.

Before now, we didn’t have a database. We now have a very strong database such that when you click the computer, you get information about the pilgrims. So in the event of a problem, we can easily trace the state the person comes from. Our website is very active.

And it has helped with application processes.

The entire system has been decentralized.

These are some of our achievements. But above all, we have been able to increase the spiritual content of our pilgrimage; visiting

the Holy land is not just a jamboree. The general travel experience for pilgrims has been improved remarkably.

How do you hope to consolidate the strides made thus far?

It is my dream to build an organization that will be a model. We no longer operate like the civil service. Before I took over, we struggled.

Everything depended on government. But things have improved. So, I intend to leave a legacy that will outlive me.

Often times, government functionaries account for the highest number of pilgrims.

What efforts are being made to make pilgrimages more open and all-inclusive?

That is a very good question. I want to start by saying that for example, Lagos State Government paid for about 200 or 300 pilgrims last year, but the people that went from Lagos were more than 2000. These were individuals who paid for themselves. And in most states, people pay. The era of depending on government is over; there is now emphasis on self-sponsorship. We have visited so many churches to raise awareness on self-sponsorship.

In fact, the marketing department of the commission was in Lagos to preach to Christian traders, and thousands of the traders responded positively. Intending Pilgrims should be able to sponsor themselves. I am not interested in government

sponsoring pilgrimage alone. My idea is that if state governments decide not to sponsor pilgrimage tomorrow, pilgrimage must go on. Those who believe that President Goodluck Jonathan is sponsoring people got it wrong; he only sponsored medical doctors because pilgrims need medical attention. He sponsors consular because with the massive number of pilgrims they will not issue visa, so we need consular officers to always go with us.

I want to say to state governments that they don’t need to pay; encourage your contractors to sponsor pilgrimages. The whole essence is to make people spiritually and morally transformed. When they come back, they will help the system and the government to move forward. The reality is that when people go on pilgrimage, they come back as better human beings. They come back renewed with ideas that will move the nation forward.

There are allegations that some governors in the north refused to sponsor Christians on pilgrimage. What is your reaction to this development?

I believe that it is lack of understanding. To become governor, the Christians in those states must have voted for you. So when you sponsor only Muslims, you are only creating enemies and factions and at the end of day, it will affect the state. They should know that

One of the things that will help us reduce the overhead cost is bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Israel and when that happens, Arik Air, Aero Contractors and others can fly to Israel. They will be able to work down on the prices. Mr. President has written to them that he wants to visit Israel before the end of the year. When that is done, so many issues will be resolved and it will affect the cost of flights to Israel Opara

what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

Governors in the north should be able to create a balance between the two religions. If I give an opportunity to my Muslim brothers, I should also give the same to my Christian brothers.

When I came here, we didn’t have an accommodation, the Hajj commission was already three and half years in existence before we came and they accommodated us for two and half years before they moved to another place.

That was encouraging.

The high cost of flight ticket and airlifting is a major challenge for intending pilgrims. What are you doing to ensure a reduction in cost of pilgrimages?

One of the things that will help us reduce the overhead cost is bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Israel and when that happens, Arik Air, Aero Contractors and others can fly to Israel. They will be able to work down on the prices. Mr. President has written to them that he wants to visit Israel before the end of the year. When that is done, so many issues will be resolved and it will affect the cost of flights to Israel.

With the present arrangement, it is a ninehour flight. But when you fly directly from Nigeria to Israel, it is a five-hour journey. The agreement will go a long way in reducing the cost of tickets. My dream is to have more than 100,000 Nigerians visit Israel annually.

How many Nigerians go on pilgrimage annually before the introduction of Easter trip?

Before I came on board, it was about four to five thousand pilgrims. But today, it is over 20, 000. Our target is that by the end of the year, we would have had over 30,000 people travel to the Holy Land.

How do you assess the effect of the pilgrimages on people afterwards?

We came up with a monitoring index mechanism. We write letters to missions who sponsor these people to appreciate them and let them know that their people performed well during the pilgrimage. They ask us to send an assessment on how their lives have been after the pilgrimage; that helps us in projecting pilgrimage and encouraging other people. Now, the reports on the pilgrimages have been highly positive and encouraging.

It is time to pray for the nation and be upright as Christians. The moment we turn the pilgrimage into a jamboree, I will resign. If pilgrimage no longer serves as a tool for spiritual transformation, then, there is no need. This partly explains why, in conjunction with the states Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards, we are driving pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth. It is our believe that as individuals go on pilgrimage and encounter God, they would in turn positively influence the lives of their family, the society and the nation at large.

What have been your major challenges?

There are lots of challenges. The major one is that of the bilateral agreement. If we are able to solve this major challenge, by next year, you will have hundreds of thousands of people struggling to go to Israel on their own. It is not a government thing; government is just a facilitator. There is plan by Federal Government to commence direct flights from Nigeria to Israel following Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) between both countries before the next Christian pilgrimage scheduled for October 2013.

Who is John Kennedy Opara?

Before now, I was a very successful businessman. I had my first degree from the University of Calabar, got my Masters from the University of Jos, where I am also currently running my Ph.D. programme. I have been privileged to do other programmes abroad. I have been fortunate to occupy some religious positions in the religious circle. I was the President of the Full Gospel Business Men International (FGBMI) before being elevated to the post of International Director of the FGBMI Worldwide.

I was the first black man to serve in the world planning committee for three consecutive times and it gave me a lot of exposure.

ThE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

54 |

NEWSINTERVIEW

‘Killers Don’t Deserve To Live’

Rt Revd Duke Akamisoko has conquered the world in terms of communication technology such that they can use a satellite to see what we are doing here, there is no hiding place anymore. The world is not just a global village, but a home where you see everything. If this is a country that is working, those satellites that we launched several times can solve our problems because when you have a satellite over your country, it shows you can see everything at once but at a time. They said the satellite is missing, I don’t know whether they have found it.

Are you in support of capital punishment?

Very well, it is in my Bible, if you kill, you are killed. Go and read the book of Deuteronomy What would be your comments on insecurity in and Leviticus; the Bible is my constitution. If Nigeria? you kill, you go, you have no right to live and it VERyThING has not been done yet, there are will serve as a deterrent to anybody that wants countries that have tackled this security to kill.

Then where is the place of forgiveness? problem and nipped it in the bud. We have not done anything yet on security matters.

I said capital punishment is in my Bible and Emergency rule, granting amnesty are not solu- you are talking of forgiveness. I am telling you tions to the problem. The solution to the probabout the Bible that I preach, the same Bible lem is that there are big people behind our that talks about forgiveness, also made us to security problem. Government knows them know that there are offences that you don’t ask and they still walk freely. I believe government for forgiveness. If you kill anybody, you are not has the database of the big names who want to worthy to live, it is not an issue of forgiveness. trouble this government; government should When man is not punished for evil, he does have the courage and bring them to book. Even more. In your home if a child steals and he’s Saudi Arabia that is 99 percent Muslims, they not punished, he will steal more and may later don’t tolerate this nonsense we tolerate here in become an armed robber. We over- spiritualize the name of religion. The security problem we things in this country and think that if we go have is not as complex as in Pakistan, Israel or to church, there will be magic; if we pray, there as it was in UK or US but they have nipped it in will be miracle. No, we must take our destiny the bud, it can be done. What we need is the in our hands in this country, we must punish courage to take the right decision at the right evil.

Should this Capital punishment apply to the time and in the right way. members of the Boko Haram?

Can you estimate the cost incurred by your church as a result of this problem of insecurity. I say it again, if you kill, you should be killed. I can give you one thousand and one verses in It is unquantifiable; you have to take every the Bible which says you shouldn’t take life; life measure to protect people on Sundays. here, I is too precious to toy with. I am talking about used to have two security guards; I have increased it to four. In the secondary school, we my Bible that I preach and not the Nigerian constitution or human right, if you kill, you used to have two, I have increased it to six. But in advanced countries, it is not my responsibili- will be killed.

What is your take on the ongoing political crity to put security here; in US and UK you don’t see pastors employing security, it is the number sis in Rivers state? one responsibility of any government to protect There is no crisis anywhere; these politicians the lives of its citizens. China has 1.6billion pop- have found a way of messing up everybody ulation, Nigeria is 167million while the whole of because we see these people criticizing themselves but when they are sharing our money, Africa is about 800million population. China

Rt Revd Duke Akamisoko is the Anglican Bishop of Kubwa Diocese in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He spoke to journalists on the security challenges in the country, crisis in River state and why Capital punishment should be applied on anyone who kills. NKECHI ONYEDIKA was there and reports.

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do you hear it? Is Rivers State not still getting its share of the oil revenue intact? Let us not allow these people to deceive us, politicians are one irrespective of their party. When they are busy sharing our money, they don’t talk of PDP or APC, they share it neatly and go their way and the masses are left to be wandering in abject poverty. All that you read in the newspapers is different from what they discuss at night when they meet. The politicians knows what they want and they are getting them intact, the people suffering are the poor masses that can barely have one square meal, the children that are dropping out of school, the universities that are closed and children are back home. It is the masses that are suffering, the politicians are not suffering anything, those impeached are still receiving their salaries. Politicians are never comfortable when there is peace, they create crisis, give it some useless debates, to get them published in the newspapers and they take what belongs to them. What should worry us now is the closure of our universities and not whether they impeached a Speaker. Even if he wasn’t impeached, what has he done and the ones that are there, what are they doing? What should worry us are the roads that are not passable, the water that is not available for the common man, the schools that are closed down. These politicians have eaten enough, they are supposed to be jailed. Every segment of this country is in crisis, we need charismatic, determined and focused leadership that would stamp its feet on the ground and say “enough is enough”. Nigerians should never lose hope in God even though they have lost

I believe government has the database of the big names who want to trouble this government; government should have the courage to bring them to book. Even Saudi Arabia that is 99 percent Muslims, they don’t tolerate this nonsense we tolerate here in the name of religion.

hope in man.

Do you support the call for churches and mosques to be paying tax?

When people don’t have anything to do, they say all kinds of things. The issue with this country is not about tax but whether we have used the oil money well. Three years ago, a conference was organised by the Federal Inland Revenue Service on how to generate more revenue for the country through tax. I represented the Primate at the conference and one man said he could not go to his village to collect tax because the road to the village was impassable, and I asked, “what moral right do you have to go and collect tax from a man that has no road to access his place, let alone water or light? The best tax collector in the world is Israel but if you go to Israel, you won’t mind paying your tax because virtually all that you need is provided by the government through monies generated from tax.

Are there really plans to establish Anglican University in Abuja?

The plans are still on, we had made presentations to the National Universities Commission (NUC). We have 25 hectares of land, the NUC team went there and after their survey, they told us that the land is too small that the law stipulates that you must have 100 hectares of land if you want to open a private university. I have already gotten the 100 hectares, in this Synod, we are raising N5billion from our friends and well-wishers to kick-off. One of the best areas of the Anglican Church is in education, the best of the universities are owned by us.

What about the high fees being charged by private universities in Nigeria.

People should not be worried about that. In the UK where you have some of the best universities, the fees are very high. What government does for British citizens is to give them grants, every British child goes to school not on the account of his parents but on a grants given by government throughout his/her four years. And the government starts deducting it from your salary as soon as you start working. Education is not cheap anywhere, what we should advocate is that government should compulsorily give scholarship to every citizen of this country. Every citizen is entitled to good education, the oil money should be properly used to educate the Nigerian child.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

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TRANSITION

Pius Ewherido: A Brother In The Truest And Purest Form (1963-2013)

By Francis Ewherido RITING has never been so difficult and I W can tell you I have written some tough examinations in the course of academic pursuits.

This assignment is a different kettle of fish: to write a tribute for my late brother, Senator Akporokena Pius Ewherido, the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District and the only Senator elected on the platform of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), until his demise. I have written tributes for and on him before — birthdays and other celebrations — this is different. The mere reference to him as “late” and in past tense wrenches my heart.

Bros P., as my younger siblings and I called him, was my immediate elder brother. He was born in Oviri-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Council, Delta State, on May 4, 1963. My father, Joseph Ewherido, was then the headmaster of Oviri-Olomu Model School. By the time I was born, we had moved to Ughelli. Teachers then were like soldiers and policeman — constantly on transfer. My earliest memories of Bros P. were in 1969 – 1970 when he was in primary two and three.

Time flew by and as we grew older, we became closer like normal siblings growing up together in closely-knit families. He was my big brother and watched my back while I looked up to him for guidance and protection. I was traumatised anytime he was hurt or came on stuck in any endeavour. I never wanted any harm to come to him and those who hurt him hurt me more than they did to him because he had an unbelievable capacity to absolve pain and hurt.

I remember our university days, how we used to write letters to each other; how we used to coil up in bed, dreaming and fantasising, during holidays. I remember how we used to tease my father that contrary to what he told us earlier that his alma mater, the University of Lagos, was the best in Nigeria, ours (Bros P’s was the

University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, while mine is the University of Nigeria, Nsukka) were ahead of UNILAG in character and in learning. Those were magical times; no harm was intended, just bragging rights or more like the child who claimed his father’s farm was the biggest when he had not gone around to see others. But they were memorable times. When Bros P. graduated, he was top of his class.

Even in those our university days, Bros P. was never afraid to dream big and he was uninhibited by the prevailing circumstances and obstacles of the time. He never sat on the fence on any issue and was never afraid to be a lone voice. He refused to kowtow, no matter the size or capacity of the opposition or obstacle.

He was rigorous in intellectual matters, tenacious in his opinions and pushed himself beyond limits to ensure that he was not pushed around in intellectual discourse.

Long before the world knew Bros P. as a loving person, a compassionate and selfless politician who gave hundreds of scholarships and numerous empowerment programmes, my siblings and I already did. As the best graduating student in his class, Bros P. had planned to go back to his alma mater as a graduate assistant, but fate had other ideas: our father died at about the time he was graduating. It was important to him that our father’s wish that all his children had a minimum of first degree be fulfilled and he felt that he would not be able to contribute much to the education of our younger siblings with the N500 monthly salary as a graduate assistant.

Consequently, he went into business not at a high level but from the basement. With his innate single-mindedness, he became a successful businessman and was a pioneer in changing the face of audio-visual business in Warri, Delta State. Who could forget his wavemaking audio-visual company, Omega Videovibes in Warri and its environs in the late

80s and 90s? He was thus able to play a major role in helping to fulfil our father’s wish and other family matters.

When Bros P. wanted to go into politics, I was one of those who were uncomfortable with his choice of endeavour. So, when I expressed my reservations about his involvement in politics, he told me that he had his mind made up long ago and that was what informed his going back to study law. That was Bros P. for you: he was a visionary and never went into any endeavour unprepared. He also told me he wanted to serve humanity and politics was the only endeavour he was passionate about that offered him the best and widest platform to live out his passion. The other was the Catholic priesthood, but he did not have the calling.

Long before the world knew his tenacity and single-mindedness in pursuit of goals, we already knew. They were in-born; we grew up to meet him that way. I remember when he finally made up his mind to go the Senate. He told me he was ready to contest the senatorial election and nobody or obstacle was going to deny him victory. We had prayed vigorously about it and when I saw that typical look of determination in his eyes, I knew it was a done deal, the challenges of the time notwithstanding. The road to victory was filled with unbelievable obstacles; enough to scare off the faint hearted but not Bros P. Victory eventually came.

Bros P. was cerebral and intellectually intimidating. It was no accident that eight of his bills were passed into law in his eight years in the Delta State House of Assembly. Within two years in the senate, he had sponsored four bills already and he confided in me before he passed on that he had four others ready and was waiting for the opportunity to introduce them.

Bros P, all my life, I was with you and I thank God I was there with you till you your last breath. I would have been haunted for the rest

Ewherido of my life if I was absent. Your death has brought me so much pain, agony and trauma.

I pray God my life returns to normalcy and becomes complete again someday. I feel so hollow, so much emptiness. Death came like a storm and snatched you away from us; like a candle in the wind, you stood little chance.

You know what; I see the hand of God in all these, even though it still does not make sense to me. Like papa’s death, may be some day it will. Your 50th birthday, only 57 days before you left us, is now a distant memory. You refused to celebrate the milestone because you felt the money would be better used to empower constituents. The world only knew about it via adverts placed by family, friends and well-wishers. I do not want to mourn like an unbeliever because I know you are with God; you were anointed twice before you passed on. That bit gladdens my heart. Rest on, my beloved big brother, a dominant lion in the Ewherido Pride. You were a brother in the truest and purest sense; brothers don’t come any better. We will certainly be united someday at God’s own time.

Ewherido wrote from Lagos

Rachael Bolanle Adenuga, One Year After

By Onyedika Agbedo HIEF (Mrs.) Rachael Bolanle Adenuga (nee Falegan), the daughter of the late Pa Daniel “Baba” Falegan of Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti, and Madam Beatrice “Eye” Boje Falegan (Nee Adeoba) of Oketoro, Iyin (Uyin) Ekiti, transitioned to join her heavenly father on Thursday, July 19, 2012.

One year later, her five children and their respective spouses recall her life and times, noting that life is certainly not the same without her. The vacuum she left has been so difficult for them to fill. However, through the grace of God, they have been bearing her loss slowly, as time heals wounds.

In their collective tribute to her signed by her daughter, Adebimpe, they described her as a mother who “loved her children unconditionally and truly lived to see the success of each them.”

They wrote: “She was so involved in our lives and the lives of our friends that not one day goes by without a word or two about her. Mummy had special relationships with everyone.

She could engage anyone in a conversation regardless of your pedigree, a very interesting and meaningful one too. She was extremely caring and had genuine interests in people. She was considered a “Peoples Person”. She had the most affectionate smile and a contagious laughter. There was never a dull moment around her. Her love for life was obvious in her relationships. She loved her children unconditionally and truly lived to see the success of each one of them.

“Mummy’s business life reflects an untold story that can be used as a case study in a business school. She was a visionary in every sense. Her sense of business was way ahead of her time. Her courage as a woman was exemplary. She had so many ideas and

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was brave enough to try several of these out without any fear of failure. This to me defines success.”

The late Rachael was born on May 13, 1941, in Ado-Ekiti, Ondo-State (now Ekiti State). Her father, Pa Daniel Falegan, was a farmer and community leader. Her mother, Madam Beatrice (Eye Boje), the third of Baba’s nine wives, was an earnest textile and clothing merchant. Rachael was the last child of her mother.

Her childhood home was a large compound; a place filled with activity, where she acquired the tools for her life of achievement.

Attached to her mother, who traveled to and from Lagos purchasing and selling her goods, Rachael learned and practiced the skills that would later enable her to emulate her mother as a successful business woman. Rising early, she prepared bean balls (akara) for sale before school. After school, she accompanied her mother to the market to assist in trading chores.

Rachael began nursery school at age four. At age six, she was enrolled at Emmanuel School, Ado-Ekiti. Later, she attended Upper Emmanuel School. Rachael excelled in her studies and sang in the school’s choir. For secondary education, she attended Ekiti Anglican Girls’ School (now Christ’s School), the first in a series of Nigerian Anglican Girls’ Schools. She was one of the pioneer students of the school in 1955. The school enforced strict discipline and a stern dress code of crisply starched blue and white uniforms.

Rachael enjoyed mingling with her peers. She was in the Literary, Debating and Dramatic Societies, where she met interesting girls from different parts of Nigeria and the world.

She began her A-Level studies at St. Theresa’s School, Ibadan, Oyo State,

Adenuga and later moved on to Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State. Completing her A-Levels, she went on to teach at Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesha, OyoState and then Babalola Memorial Girl’s Grammar School. She later gained admission to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The Nigerian civil war began while she was in her second year at Nsukka.

Initially, university officials believed the situation to be a minor affair, but conditions deteriorated and students were urged to vacate the campus.

Many students were drafted and others returned to their homes. Professor Sam Aluko rescued Rachael, driving her to Ekiti in his car.

In 1967, Rachael transferred to the University of Ife, Ibadan campus.

While attending the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Ile-Ife, Rachael met and married the love of her life, Professor Atanda Adegbesan Adenuga of blessed memories, who was then a University of Ife, Ibadan Campus, Junior Faculty of Agriculture Lecturer. They were united in holy matrimony on September 28, 1968.

After completing her studies at the university, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with Honours (1968) and a Library Science Diploma (1972), Rachael embarked upon a career as an educator. For more than a decade, she was English Lecturer (Oduduwa College); Senior Tutor (Modakeke High School); Vice Principal (Ife Girls High School); and Princi-

pal (Ife Community High School) until her early retirement in 1979.

Rachael accompanied Ade to America from 1970 to 1973 after the birth of their second child and only son.

They lived in Boston with Ronke and Femi (their two children at the time), where Ade was a visiting professor at Harvard University and Rachael a unit secretary in the Boston’s children hospital. Their marriage, which produced five children, lasted for 25 years following the untimely and premature death of her husband in 1993 at 56 years.

This left her devastated but she mustered courage to face the task ahead.

Rachael’s life was extremely eventful. A “Serial Entrepreneur”, from the early 70s until her passing, she established and operated eight successful businesses. Among her many commercial ventures were Giant Value Boutique, Ife Stores Limited; Ife Travels limited; R & B Construction; R & B Petrochemical Industry NIG.; R & B Fashions; BEEBEE Fashions; and Poly Bookstores & Supermarket in Ibadan. Her entrepreneurial accomplishments also led her to be involved in several international projects from Capetown, South Africa to Brazil.

At exactly 10 years after the death of her husband, she relocated from Ife to Lagos after spending 35 years in Ife. While in Lagos, she established Nuga Fabrics and Nuga Pearl Park Estate, her livelihood until her time of transition.

She was a member of various professional and philanthropic organisations.

She received many honorary chieftaincy titles and also received several awards.

She is survived by her five children, three sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, 11 grandchildren and many relatives.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July, 20, 2013

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Change of Name ABIOLA: Formerly known as Abiola Olubunmi Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Fasakin Olubunmi Abosede.

General public note ADEAGBO: Formerly Miss Adeagbo Omokehinde Ayobami now Mrs. Omokehinde Ayobami Fatokun. Former documents valid.

Public note.

ADEYANJU: Formerly Miss Adeyanju Adeyinka Iyabode now Mrs. Orobi Adeyinka Iyabode. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwatoyin Mfonobong Bassey. All documents remain valid. Globacom Nigeria Limited and general public to note.

AGBAOYE: Formerly Abimbola Modupeola Agbaoye now Abimbola Modupeola Olusegun.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEBISI-LEKAN: Formerly Miss Ifeoluwa Adebisi-Lekan, now Mrs Ifeoluwa Olawoyin.

Former documents valid. Public note.

ADEBOWALE: Formerly Miss Adebowale Oluwatosin Arinola now Mrs. Oluwatosin Arinola Segun-Aina.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AJAERO: Formerly Miss Olivia Osinachi Ajaero now Mrs. Olivia Osinachi Mgbe. All former documents remain valid. Public take note.

AKINYEMI: Formerly Oluwaferanmi Amarachukwu Malomo Akinyemi and Immanuel Chijoke Olaitan Ulom are now Oluwaferanmi Amarachukwu Malomo and Olaitan Chijoke Malomo. Respectively. Former documents valid.

Public note.

ADEAGBO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeagba Adefunke Oluwayemisi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abiodun Adefunke Oluwayemisi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEDAYO: Formerly Adedayo Adeyinka Victoria now Adewoyin Adeyinka Victoria. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEJUMO: Formerly Miss Adenike Ajike Adejumo now Mrs. Adenike Ajike Adeoti.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADELEKE: Formerly Miss Adeleke Busayo Adenike, now Mrs. Oyeniyi Busayo Adenike. Documents valid. Public note.

ADEOLA: Formerly Miss Yemisi Adeola now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Yemisi Ojeniran.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADERIBIGBE: Formerly Aderibigbe Temitope Yemisi now Mrs. Osoneye Temitope Yemisi Oluwole. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADEWUMI: Formerly Miss Adewumi Omowunmi Olubukola now Mrs. Ebitigha Omowunmi Olubukola. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AJAGBE: Formerly Miss Olapetan Abiodun Ajagbe, now Mrs Olapetan Abiodun Idowu-Samuel. Former documents valid. Public note.

ALAMU: Formerly Miss Alamu Kafayat Kikelomo, now Mrs. Olanite Kafayat Kikelomo. Documents valid. Public note.

AMANAMBU: Formerly Miss Florence Chinuru Amanambu now Mrs. Florence Chinuru Enwere. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AMISU: Formerly Amisu Bilikisu Adenike now Mrs. Ogunfowora Adenike Bilikisu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADENIJI: Formerly Odujinrin Olalekan Adeniji now Etti Olalekan. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AJAYI: Formerly Miss Ajayi Afolasade Victoria, now Mrs. Taiwo Afolasade Victoria.

Documents valid. Public note.

AKINGBADE: Formerly Miss Opeyemi Bukola Akingbade, now Mrs Opeyemi Bukola Ajenifuja. Former documents valid. Public note.

AKINPELU: Formerly known as Oluwemimo Oyebimpe Akinpelu now Mrs. Oluwemimo Oyebimpe Oladiji. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINYEMI: Formerly Miss Oluwatoyin Sylvia Akinyemi now to be

AKONI: Formerly Miss Akoni Taiwo Omolola, now Mrs. Dawotola Taiwo Omolola. Former documents valid.

Public note.

AKPAN: Formerly Miss Idorenyin Samuel Akpan now Mrs. Idorenyin Odudu Isemin. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

AKPORJOTOR: Formerly Ogun David Howell Akporjotor, now Ogun David Howell. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ALI: Formerly Miss Ali Comfort Magawo now Mrs. Jigah Comfort Magawo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ALI: Formerly Miss Ali Patricia Ngozi, now Mrs. Nwaigbo Patricia Ngozi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ALLEN: Formerly Allen Adepeju Elizabeth now Adewunmi Adepeju Elizabeth. Former documents valid. Public note.

ALLI: Formerly Miss Alli Mariam Oriyomi, now Mrs. Bamgbose Mariam Oriyomi. Former documents valid.

Public note.

AMUSA: Formerly Miss Amusa Aminat Olasunkanmi, now Mrs. Sanni Aminat Olasunkanmi. Documents valid. Public note.

now Mrs. Onu Uchenna Gladys. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANEKE: Formerly Miss Aneke Ngozi Juliet, now Mrs. Anike Ngozi Juliet. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANIAGOLU: Formerly Miss Aniagolu Patricia Amuchechukwu, now Mrs. Ezeh Patricia Amuchechukwu. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, public note.

Akanbi Comfort Bamidele. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

Chidimma Amanda Umolu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AYANTUGA: Formerly Miss Ayantuga Oluyinka Olugbemisola now Mrs. Omotunde Oluyinka Olugbemisola. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

CHUKWU: Formerly Miss Joy Ogadinma Chukwu now Mrs Joy Ogadinma Okorie Ajunwa. Former documents valid. Public note.

AYELAGBE: Formerly Ayelagbe Oluwaseun Olatunji, now Oluniyi Oluwaseun Olatunji.

Former documents remain valid. Public, please note.

ANYANWU: Formerly Miss Anyanwu Mercy Nkechinyere, now Mrs. Oniru Mercy Nkechinyere. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri. Public note.

AZEEZ: Formerly Miss Azeez Ayisat Aduke now Mrs. Baruwa Ayisat Aduke. Former documents remain valid. Lagos State Ministry of Education and general public note.

ASIFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as Ruth Roli Asifor now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ruth Roli Jibor.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BABAJIDE: Formerly Miss Adenike Abike Babajide, now Mrs Adenike Abike Babajide-Oke. Former documents valid. Public note.

ASHIRU: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rasheedat Adetutu Ashiru now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rasheedat Adetutu Sulaimon.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANUGOM: Formerly Miss Anugom Obianuju Florence now Mrs. Azuike Obianuju Florence. Former documents remain valid. First Bank Nigeria Ltd and public note.

AROMAYE: I, formerly Miss Aromaye Wuraola Oluwakemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeseun Wuraola Oluwakemi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANEKE: Formerly Miss Aneke Angela Chinyere, now Mrs. Eneh Angela Chinyere.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AWA: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kalu Onyinyechi Awa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajike Smiles Onyinyechi. All former documents remain valid. General public and Babcock University should please take note.

ANEKE: Formerly Miss Aneke Uchenna Gladys,

AWE: Formerly Awe Comfort Bamidele now

BAKARE: I, formerly Miss Bakare Ganiyat Funmilola now Mrs. Giwa Ganiyat Funmilola. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC, public note.

BELLO: Formerly Miss Bello Fausat Kikelomo, now Mrs. Adisa Fausat Kikelomo. Former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

BOGUNDO: I formerly Olufemi Julius Bogundo, now Mr. Olufemi Olumuyiwa Olutoba. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHIMEZIE: I, formerly known and addressed as Vivian Chidinma Chimezie now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Vivian Chidinma Oramadike.

Former documents remain valid. Channels TV and general public take note.

CHINAZOR: Formerly Miss Nwadilekwo Chinazor, now Mrs. Nwadilekwo Eziefula.

Former documents remain valid. Nigerian Police, public note.

CHUKWUAGOZIE: I, formerly Miss Chidimma Amanda Chukwuagozie now Mrs.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: ANIEKAN: Ibanga Udotim is same person as Michael Peter Udotim.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

DANIEL: Formerly Miss Faith Emmanuel Daniel, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Faith Osamuwamen Kennedy Irenegbe.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

DICKSON: Formerly Miss Linda Uchechi Dickson Obiocha now Mrs. Linda Uchechi Ajaero . Former documents valid. Public note.

ECHIODA: Formerly Miss Echioda Martha, now Mrs. OgboleEchioda Martha. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EGBUNIKE: Formerly Miss Eugenia Egbunike, now known as Mrs. Offor Eugenia.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EGENTI: Formerly Miss Egenti Uche Gabrielle, now Mrs. Amunike Uche Gabrielle. Former documents remain valid.

NTA, public note.

EGWUONWU: Formerly Miss Egwuonwu Modesta Tochi, now Mrs. Nwonu Modesta Tochi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EHINMIDU: I, formerly Miss Roselyn Oluwabunmi Ehinmidu now Mrs. Roselyn Oluwabunmi Bankole. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EJIMOFOR: Formerly Miss Ejimofor Juliet Chiamaka now Miss Unaeze Juliet Chiamaka. Former docu-

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July, 20, 2013

57

Change of Name ment note.

valid.

Public

EKPO: Formerly known as Miss Helen Enogie Ekpo now to be addressed as Mrs. Helen Enogie Itua. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

ELIKWU: Formerly Elikwu Vincent Amechi now Okonkwo Vincent Amechi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EMERSON: Formerly Miss Nnette Emerson Udobong now wishes to be known as Mrs Nnette Felix Anaba.

Former documents valid. Public, take note.

EMIOLA: Formerly Miss Temitope Abimbola Emiola now Mrs. Temitope Abimbola Bright. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ENUMAH: Enumah Mercy Ogochukwu now Mrs. Onyeagu Mercy Ogochukwu. All documents remain valid. Public note.

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

ERINUGHA: I, formerly known as Annie Chika Erinugha now to be addressed as Anne Chika Udemezue. Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

Etubu sylverster, now Etubu Sylvester Jesumudiamen. Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

EGWU: Formerly Nzim Jessie Egwu now Mrs. Obu Jessie Joshua. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EZEAKAIBEYA: Formerly Miss Chioma Blessing Ezeakaibeya now Mrs. Chioma Blessing Mmeje. Documents valid. Public note.

EZIMORA: Formerly Miss Ogechukwu Uzoma Ezimora now Mrs. Ogechukwu Uzoma Oruche. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EZE: Formerly Miss Josephine Nkechi Eze now Mrs. Josephine Nkechi Iweanya. Former documents remain valid. Woollen and Synthetic Textile Company take note.

FADAHUNSI: Formerly Adefunke Oluwafunmi Fadahunsi now Mrs. Martin-Ajayi Adefunke Oluwafunmi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FALADE: Formerly Yinka Bola Falade now Yinka Falade-Onikoyi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FALETI: Formerly Miss Jadesola Ebunoluwa Faleti now Mrs. Jade Ebunoluwa Akinsola.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FASAKIN: Formerly Miss Fasakin Grace Tolani now Mrs. Oluwatoki Grace Tolani. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ESHO: Formerly Miss Temilola Omolola Esho, now Mrs Temilola Omolola Ikemefuna. Former documents valid. Public note.

ESSIEN: Formerly Miss Enem Donatus Essien now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Enem Chinedum Anosike. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

FASHOGBON: Formerly Mrs. Christiana Ekaete Fashogbon, now Mrs. Christiana Ekaete Etukudo. Former documents valid. Public note.

ESSIEN: Formerly Mrs. Gladys Onyelo Essien, now wish to be addressed as Miss Gladys Onyelo Okonkwo. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

FATOKUN: I, formerly known as Olajide Alabi Fatokun now wish to be known as Olajide Alabi Oluwatokun. All former documents remain valid. N.B.A and general public note.

ETUBU:

FATOKUN: Formerly Omolara Olukemi Fa-

I

formerly

tokun now Omolara Olukemi Oluwatokun.

All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Teaching Service Commission and general public note.

IKE: Formerly Miss Ike Grace Oyinyechi Chinyere now Mrs. Adetoyi Grace Oyinyechi Chinyere.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

GBADEBO: Formerly Miss Gbadebo Ajoke Rukayat now Mrs. Afolabi Morenike Ajoke Rukayat. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IKENNA: Formerly Mr. Onuorah Frank Ikenna, now Mr. Onuorah Frank Ikechukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

GERMANY: Formerly Miss Stella Germany now Mrs. Stella Ohwowhavwotu. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

GINIKANWA: I, formerly Miss Ginikanwa Uzochukwu Julia now wish to be known as Mrs. Nana Uzochukwu Julia. Public please note.

IBE: Former Miss Ibe Mary Akuoma now Mrs. Akagha Mary Akuoma. All documents valid. Public note.

IBITOYE: Formerly Miss Ibitoye Deborah Oluyemisi now Mrs. Festus Deborah Oluyemisi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IBRAHIM: Formerly Miss Ibrahim Halimat Sadia Tinuola, now Mrs. Gobir Halimat Sadia Tinuola. Documents valid. Federal High Court, public note.

IDIODEMISE: Formerly Erhuvwu H. Idiodemise now Mrs. Erhuvwu H. Onogure.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IFEAGWA: Formerly Miss Ifeagwa Kelechi Christophine, now Mrs. Obidigbo Kelechi Christophine. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IGWE: Formerly Igwe Agwu Kalu now wish to be addressed as Igwe Agwu Igwe Kalu.

Former documents valid. Public note.

IHEUKWUMERE: Formerly Miss Iheukwumere Kelechim Nnenna, now Mrs. Kelechim John Otaka.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IKUESAN: Formerly Miss Adewunmi Abosede Ikuesan, now Mrs Adewunmi Abosede Madu. Former documents valid. Public note.

ILABOR: Formerly Miss Ritamagaret Onyedi Ilabor, now Mrs Ritamagaret Onyedi Obeid.

Former documents valid. Public note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: IMMANUEL: Immanuel Ogie is the same person as Immanuel Christopher Ogie. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IYOHA: Formerly Miss Winifred Eferomo Iyoha now Mrs. Winifred Eferomo Obienu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

JOHN: Formerly Mrs. John Ngozi Blessing now Mrs. Ngozi Uwaomah. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

JOSEPH: Formerly Joseph Gladys Afone, now Mrs. Attoh Gladys Afone.

Documents valid. Public note.

JUNAID: Former Miss Tomilola Oluwafisayomi Junaid now Mrs. Tomilola Oluwafisayomi Shofu-Akanji. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

KELUBIA: Formerly Kelubia Omo Utubor now Utubor Jude Omo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

KUKU: Formerly Miss Kuku Taiwo Olufunmilayo now Mrs. Kuye Taiwo Olufunmilayo.

Former documents remain valid. Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and public note.

LAWAL: Miss Lawal Abisola Olayinka now Mrs. Oluwatayo Abisola Olayinka. Former docu-

ments remain valid.

Public note.

Izundu Chinemerem Nwaivu now Ikechukwu ChineLATO: I, formerly Miss merem Izundu. ForJoan Ehimwenma Lato, mer documents now Mrs. Joan remain valid. I.T.F. PubEhimwenma Dimuna. lic note.

All former documents remain valid. Edo State NWEZE: Formerly Miss Post Primary Education Nweze Deborah Board, Edo State Min- Ijeoma, now Mrs. Igwe istry of Education, pub- Deborah Ijeoma. Forlic take note. mer documents remain valid. Public MAHAMOUD: Formerly note.

Miss Mahamoud Habibat Iyabo, now NWOBODO: Formerly Mrs. Abdul-Lateef Ma- Miss May Mgbechi hamoud Habibat Nwobodo now Mrs Iyabo.

Documents May Mgbechinyere valid. Public note.

Obinna. Former documents valid. NYSC, MAIKUDI: Formerly Public note.

Miss Fatima Mohammed Maikudi and OBIDIEBUBE: Formerly Fatima Tari Maikudi Miss Obidiebube now Miss Fatima Tari Sheila Chimdinma Mohammed Maikudi. now Mrs. Ezeani Sheila Former documents re- Chimdinma. All formain valid. Public note. mer documents remain valid. General MBAH: Formerly Miss public take note.

Mbah Ezinne Lilian now Mrs Iwuoha OBI: I, formerly Miss ezinne Lilian. Former Ijeoma Maryann Obi documents remain now wish to be known valid. NYSC, public and addressed as Mrs. note.

Ijeoma Ann Ajoku. All former documents reNATH-UTOH: Formerly main valid. General Miss Ebunoluwa public take note.

Oghale Nath-Utoh, now Mrs Ebunoluwa Oghale OBIAKO: Formerly Miss Priscillia Ajagun. Former docu- Obiako Ginika, now Mrs. Mbaments valid. Public jekwe Priscillia Ginika. note.

Former documents reNJOGA: Formerly Miss main valid. Public Njoga Sabina Uka- note. maka, now Mrs. Uzochukwu Sabina ODAFI: Formerly Miss Ukamaka. Former doc- Sonia Obianuju Odafi uments remain valid. now Mrs. Adekola Public note.

Sonia Obianuju. Former documents reNKPA: I, formerly main valid. General Chinyere Ogbeyalu public take note.

Nkpa now Mrs. Chinyere Onuma. All ODEYEMI: I, formerly former documents re- Miss Odeyemi main valid. General Omobola Ruth now public take note.

Mrs. Ogunyomade Omobola Ruth. ForNOCHIRIONYE: Anne mer documents reChibuzo Nochirionye main valid. Public now Mrs. Anne note.

Chibuzo Apata. All documents remain valid. ODIARI: Formerly Miss Public note.

Odiari Eucharia Ekene now Mrs. Ajayi EuNWACHUKWU: For- charia Ekene. Former merly Miss Amarachi documents remain E v a n g e l i s t a valid. General public Nwachukwu, now Mrs. note.

Amarachi Evangelista Muonaka. Former doc- ODUNLAMI: Formerly uments remain valid. Miss Odunlami OluOkezie Sch. of Mid- funsho Olabisi now wifery Abiriba, public Mrs. Odunlami-Fajumi note.

Olufunsho Olabisi.

Former documents reNWAIWU: Formerly main valid. LASG, genMiss Ozioma Ndidi eral public note.

Nwaiwu now Mrs Ozioma Victoria Dada. ODUSANYA: I, formerly Former documents Miss Odusanya Grace valid. Public note.

Olabisi now Mrs. Onasanya Grace NWAIVU: Formerly Olabisi. Former docu-

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July, 20 , 2013

58

Change of Name ments remain valid.

Public note.

OFFORBUZOR: Formerly Miss Grace Chioma Offorbuzor now Mrs. Grace Chioma Enudi. Former documents valid. Public note.

OGBONNA: Formerly Miss Ogbonna Jane, now Mrs. Ifeanyi Jane.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGHAE: Formerly Miss Oghae Eghen Judith now Mrs. Adobamen Eghen Judith. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

OGUNDARE: Formerly Miss Ogundare Falilat Funke henceforth bears Mrs. DapoAdeyemi Falilat Funke.

Former documents remain valid. IBMS London, British Embassy and the public to note.

OGUNDARE: Formerly Mr Ogundare Akinbiyi Olatubosun, now Mr Oluwadamilare David Olatunbosun. Former documents valid. Public note.

OGUNDARE: I, formerly Ogundare Olawale Peters now Dare Peters Olawale. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGUNDIPE: Formerly Miss Abimbola Omotayo Ogundipe now Mrs Abimbola Omotayo Uboegbulam. Former documents valid.

General public note.

OGUNWANDE: Former Ogunwande Olanrewaju Samson now Mr. Olawande Olanrewaju Samson. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OHIEMEAGOR: Formerly Miss Ohiemeagor Osehon Susan now Miss Ohiemeagor Omono Susan. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OJADAH: Formerly Ojadah Blessing Friday, now Nnah Blessing Friday. Former documents valid. Public note.

OJOKOH: I formerly known as Ojokoh Udah Edwina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edwina Agube Ogbiloja.

All former documents

remain valid. General public should take note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Uju Anastesia now Mrs Obianuju Chidubem Oha. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Eunice Nkiruka, now Mrs. Okonkwo Eunice Nkiruka. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OKONKWO: Formerly Miss Ifeanyi Theresa Okonkwo now Mrs. Ifeanyi Theresa Okonkwo Omuekwu.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKONKWO: Formerly Miss Okonkwo Onyekachukwu Felicia, now Mrs. Anekwe Onyekachukwu Felicia.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKPODIONG: Formerly Okpodiong Mary Edet now wish to be addressed as Boniface Deborah Eriugo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKUEYUNGBO: Formerly Okueyungbo Akinola Babatunde now Olugbenga Akinola Babatunde. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKUNLOLA: Formerly Miss Okunlola Olubunmi Afolake, now Mrs. Oni Olubunmi Afolake. Documents Valid. NSCDC, public note.

OKWOR: Formerly Miss Okwor Angela Onyinye, now Mrs. Ugwuanyi Angela Onyinye. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OLABODE: Formerly Miss Olabode Shakirat Olabisi now Mrs. Bakare Shakirat Olabisi. Documents valid. FIRS, public note.

OLADUNJOYE: Formerly Miss Oladunjoye Rashidat Olabisi, now Mrs. Hassan Rashidat Olabisi. Documents valid. Public note.

OLANREWAJU: Formerly Mr. Olanrewaju Olakunle Micah now Mr. Disu Olakunle Micah. All former doc-

uments remain valid.

Public note.

OLATERU-OLAGBEGI: Formerly Miss Adetola Olateru-Olagbegi, now Adetola Akerele. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OLAYIWOLA: Formerly Olayiwola Yewande Funmi now Mrs. Balogun Yetunde Funmi.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

Mr. Onyirioha Uche Daniel now Mr. Uche Daniel Will. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Tolorunshagba Omowumi Esther. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OPASANYA: Formerly Miss Opasanya Olufunmilola Sarah, now Mrs. Oyewole Olufunmilola Sarah.

Documents valid. Public note.

OYEOLA: I, formerly known as Miss Sarah Damilare Oyeola now wish to be known as Mrs. Sarah Damilare Olagunju. All former documents remain valid. The Nigeria Immigration Service and the general public should note.

OPUTAH: Formerly Miss Oputah Vivien Nkechi now Mrs. Vivien Nkechi Oweaka.

Former documents valid. Public note.

OLUIGBO: Formerly Sandra Amaechi Oluigbo now Sandra Amaechi Okeoma. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ORITSEJAFOR: Formerly Clara Oye Oritsejafor now Mrs. Clara Oye Otoki. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OLUNLADE: Formerly Miss Olunlade Aderonke Helen, now Mrs. Ojo Aderonke Helen.

Documents valid. Public note.

ORJI: formerly Miss Charity Okoro Orji now Mrs Charity Okoro Eddy Ndukwe.

Former documents valid. public note.

OLURANTI: Formerly Oluranti Timothy Olusegun, now Pastor Oluwadare Timothy Ayanfeoluwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSENI: Formerly Miss Ganiyat Olusesan Oseni now to be known as Mrs. Ganiyat Olusesan Adekoya. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OMOHA: Formerly Miss Mercy Omoha now Mrs. Mercy Agbo.

Former documents valid. ABU Zaria, public note.

OMONUA: Formerly Miss Oluwafunmilayo Sussana Iretioluwa now Omonua now Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Sussana Iretioluwa Abulude. Former documents valid. Public note.

ONAH: Formerly Miss Onah Irene Ogechukwu now Mrs. Omeje Irene Ogechukwu. Former documents valid. Public note.

ONANUGA: Formerly Miss Onanuga Bilikis Olukemi, now Mrs. Liadi Oluwakemi Elizabeth.

Documents valid. Public note.

ONI: Formerly Oni Temitope Rukayat now Mrs. Ayodele Temitope Rukayat.

Documents valid. Public note.

ONYEKATU: Formerly Miss Onyekatu Nancy Nkechinyere, now Mrs. Osuji Nancy Nkechinyere. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONYIRIOHA:

Former

OSIOMWAN: I, formerly known as Miss O s i o m w a n Ehimwenma Courage Chibuikem now wish to be called Mrs. Ofili Ehimwenma Courage Chibuikem. Previous documents remain valid. General public note.

OTUBELU: Formerly Daisy Obianuju Chinonye Otubelu now Mrs. Daisy Obianuju Chinonye Ogbogu.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OWEAKA: Formerly Mrs. Vivien Nkechi Oweaka now Mrs. Vivien Nkechi Albert.

Public note.

OWARIEN: Former Miss Owarien Ighomena Sandra now Mrs. Ajibola Ighomena Sandra. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OYEBADE: Formerly Mr. Oyebade Adeshina Akinolu now Mr. Olanrewaju Adeshina. Akinolu.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OYELERE: Formerly Miss Oyelere Omowumi Esther, now wish to be addressed as Mrs.

OYINLOYE: Formerly Miss Oyinloye Ifeoluwa Rachael now Mrs. Ifeoluwa Rachael Ojikutu Sanni. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

documents remain valid. Public note.

UGWU: Former Calista Ifeoma Ugwu now Calista Ifeoma Ozioko.

Former documents remain valid. College of Education Nsukka, general public note.

UKACHUKWU: Formerly Miss Chidinma Maryrose Ukachukwu, now Mrs. Chidinma Maryrose Onwuka.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UNAICHI: I, formerly Miss Unaichi Chinonso Modestar now Mrs. Nwachukwu Chinonso Modestar. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

SHODIYA: Formerly Shodiya Aderonke Caroline now Lasisi Aderonke Caroline. For- USHI: Formerly Miss mer documents re- Ushi Nneka Janemain valid. Public note. frances, now Mrs. Ezugwu Nneka JaneSHOFU: Former Mr. frances. Former docuOluwatosin Olalekan ments remain valid.

Shofu now Mr. Public note.

Oluwatosin Olalekan Shofu-Akanji. Former UWUIGBE: Formerly documents remain Miss Uwuigbe Osagbemworhue Gift now valid. Public note.

Mrs. Osagie OsagbemSONEYE: Formerly Son- worhue Gift. Former eye Olubunmi Ayo- documents remain dotun now Mrs. valid. Public note.

Ogunsanya Olubunmi Ayodotun. All former UZUKWU: Formerly documents remain Miss Uzukwu Perpetvalid. General public ual Onukwuwe, now Mrs. Chukwuebuka note.

Perpetual Onukwuwe.

SONUGA: Formerly Former documents reMiss Sonuga main valid. Public Oluwatosin Sarah now note.

Mrs. Shokunbi Oluwatosin Sarah. For- WAHAB: Formerly Miss mer documents valid. Wahab Oluwamodupeola Ifedolapo now Public note.

Mrs. Adeleke SOOLA: Formerly Miss O l u w a m o d u p e o l a Olusola Omolayo Soola, Ifedolapo. Former docnow Mrs. Olusola Omo- uments valid. Public layo Salako. Documents note. valid. Public note.

YUNUS:IF FOR Formerly SUNDAY: Formerly Nna- Yunus Wasiu, now Bamani Ugochukwu Sun- balola Yunus Olaitan. former documents day now Nnamani AllTHE PURPOSE Israel Ugochukwu. All remain valid. Public former documents re- note.

OF THIS main valid. General public note.

UGBENE: Formerly Miss Ugbene Vivian Nkechinyere, now Mrs. Oguanuo Vivian Nkechinyere. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UGHULU: Formerly Miss Ughulu Evelyn Iyere now Mrs. Adisa Evelyn Iyere. All former documents remain valid. Public take note.

UGWU: Formerly Miss Blessing Ehi Omoo Ugwu now Mrs. Blessing Ehi Mbanu. Foremr

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

59

TRANSITION Remembering Very Rev Father Denis Joseph Slattery (1916-2003)

By Anthony Odugbesan and Abu Akanene GREAT educator and sports administrator, the Very Rev. FaA ther Denis Joseph Slattery, SMA, OON, died on July 7, 2003, exactly 10 years and 13 days today. He touched the lives of many Nigerians and his legacy will endure for a very long time.

The late Father Slattery was born in Fermoy Country Cork, South Ireland on February 29, 1916. A product of a strong Irish spirit, a people steeped in constant search for self-determination among dominant neighbours, he later became a Catholic priest, founder of schools, sport administrator, editor and journalist.

He became an altar boy at the age of 10. Once, an old man who attended Mass regularly, called him and said: “You serve Mass beautifully. I think you will make a priest.” This seemingly harmless remark will come to plant the seed of his vocation.

Truly, young D.J. Slattery had a seriousness of purpose and had often talked about vocation and in due time, he entered the Junior Seminary.

In the Major Seminary, life was rather drab and hard. Food was poor, dormitories were badly heated and the chapel was only heated on Sundays. By the second year, he had sciatica. He recovered and buried himself deeper into his chosen vocation.

He spent two years in the seminary. The extra year was spent getting private tuition in Latin to enable him pass matriculation examination.

He was ordained a priest on December 17, 1939, and his first assignment after ordination was to contribute to raising money for the church. He felt humiliated because he had to practically beg. Little did he realise that he would be doing the same for the rest of his life. This was the beginning of an arduous and tasking pastoral life.

In 1941, in response to Archbishop Leo Taylor’s request for the Society of African Missions (SMA) teachers for his diocese, Father Slattery, then a 25-year-old Catholic Priest of the SMA, arrived Lagos. He was posted to Ilawe Ekiti, a little village in the hinterland of the western part of Nigeria.

He was recalled to Lagos in 1942, and by then spoke the Yoruba language. In Lagos, he was posted to St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, as a teacher and Games Master. His stature seemed to have endeared him to his new students. A mutual relationship was formed which led to great exploits in the football field. The stay in St. Gregory’s College was short but not before he had laid the solid foundation of excellence that enabled St. Gregory’s to dominate the Zard Cup, later Principal’s Cup competi-

duty. “The British are gone and I am (Slattery) still here,” he recalled after Nigeria’s independence.

Fr. Slattery later went on to write hais Masters Thesis on the Labour Struggle in Nigeria. A founding member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Guild of Editors, he contributed immensely to labour and journalism.

As a sports administrator, he made remarkable contributions to the development of football and football administration in Nigeria. As an inside-left, he had played First Division football in Lagos with the Lagos United. But it was as a referee that he made his greatest contribution. He was the foremost Nigeria referee of his time. He held sway at the Referees’ Association and the Nigeria Football Association as well as several others too numerous to list here.

When he was asked to found a boys only school on the Lagos mainland, there was no cheque book attached. He was literally being asked to mould bricks without straw. So, he begged for space at St. Paul’s Catholic School, Ebute-Metta. Five classrooms and the school started in 1956. He named it St. Finbarr’s after an Irish Saint called Finbar from County Cork. Finbar was a true educationist Bishop and philosopher. So, the college had a name and finally moved to the permanent site in Akoka. Yet the idea of founding Nigeria’s first Grammar cum Technical School was pure from Father Slattery. He believed that an emerging independent nation would require the training of craftsmen and artisans to help run the fledgling economy –i.e. fill the vacuum in the middle level manpower cadre.

He created an excellent school where education and physical expression went into a perfect manage. The motto of the School is “Fidelitas” which means Faithfulness. Products from the Slattery school are expected and known to be faithful based on their tion for several years. training.

In 1943, he was posted to the Catholic Printing Press as a jour- St. Finbarr’s College dominated and won the Principal Cup sevnalist and later Editor of Catholic Herald. At the Herald, he cul- eral times to demonstrate his commitment and development tivated a radical posture and became concerned about of football in Nigeria. Finbarr’s College was then able to proNigeria’s self determination as he thundered from the paper duce great academicians, administrators, engineers, statesmen, and the pupil “Nigerians.” His years as Editor of the Catholic soldiers and sportsmen. Indeed, there is hardly any field of Herald were turbulent and immensely contributed to the pre- human enterprise where you will not find a Finbarrian. independence struggle forming a lasting relationship with Father Slattery’s missionary zeal, which became the hallmark Labour leaders and politicians. of his life, can best be summed up literally thus: “He was He used the Herald to champion workers cause during the touched by the finger of God.” There was no endeavour that was General Strike of 1945 and the Enugu Coal Mine Strike where placed before him that did not suit his style. And he made a 20 striking miners were killed. Thrice, the British Colonial success of then all.

Government tried to throw him out of the country after sevOdugbesan and Akanene wrote on behalf of St. Finbarr’s College Old eral warnings. But according to him, he was just doing his Boys Association.

Samuel Ayo Akpeji Ojo (1921-2013)

Rest On, My Wonderful Hetty

By Okotie Jonah PJJ!!! She screamed with little regard for who may be watching or listening on the long Hall One corridor by D Block as Joy and I made to climb the stairs. “Hetty, this is Jonah; Jonah, this is Hetty” we heard next. I wondered to myself who was this lady full of life and not ashamed or reserved about expressing her emotions in the exalted University of Benin Hall One girls hostel.

That was how I met her and will always remember Hetty Juwah – full of life, expressive, unreserved about identifying with and loving her own.

Born on September 29, 1971, to Ogbueshi Fidelis Ogbolu Juwah and Chief Mrs. Veronica Juwah, she was very determined and God-fearing.

That introduction was the beginning of a relationship that blossomed into love, division, loathsomeness, recovery, marriage, parenthood and ultimately separation by death. It was my opportunity to meet and know a woman described as full of love, faith, wisdom, life, grace and beauty.

Pa Jay!!! Yes that was my pet name. She made me feel like the most important person in the world and best thing that ever happened to her long before she consented to marrying me. Did she even consent! Rather, she was waiting on me to say what she had always known and was expecting to hear. And so when I finally did come to my senses to ask or will I say inform her of my decision to go

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Ogbueshi on with the relationship, she had long gone ahead to say yes, yes, yes! Only to call back the next day to ask if I meant what I’d said about marrying her (after all I’d proposed three years earlier only to call it off some months later for not being ready then. It was okay by her as long as I will be happy and remain her friend). To which I answered, “tell your parents and I’ll be coming to personally tell your father of my interest”.

When I finally did come, I ran to the marriage though I had no resources. And once done, it was indeed full.

Without job for about four months, we ate, fed and lived joyfully. For I found I had one who was too full of love for me that nothing

mattered to her more than my joy. Like she always said “Jonah, I want to see you happy as you‘d always been”.

And when the marriage had its challenges, she was willing to pack out without any one’s knowledge (especially family and friends) to give me my space so that no one will disturb me or know that she’s not staying with me. To which I replied, “you don dey mad”! What an option to imagine!!

If anything, she made me happy and I enjoyed cooking for her. We made great plans for the future. Where I have the business and reside today is a place I would have been 10 years earlier. And when the baby did come, all she wanted was for him to be an

exact replica of me, for she loved and coveted every feature of my physique. “Does he look like you?” was one of the questions I remember being asked ever in that moment of turmoil and intensity as she was rolled to the private ward of LASUTH. And when I answered in the negative, she turned her face away in disappointment.

She was an inspiration, a friend, a lover, a wife, a teacher, a fighter, a work giver, a mother and much more. To you my wonderful Hetty, I say adieu! Or is it “Good night!” like C.S Lewis said, “for children of God, there are no good byes but goodnight, for we shall wake up in the morning light”.

Thanks for all the love and more! Even if we had not married, I’ll still have missed you!

I miss you! But, I promise to tell who you were. You were a hero indeed! You believed when there was nothing in me, even when failure stared at me in the face threatening to rock my entire being. You believed for me and stood against every negativism till success came through. Thank you indeed! Rest in your Chief Lover’s bosom! He had always cared and been there for you much more than me. And He knew He really did. He took care of us well through and through. It will be 10 years on July 22, 2013, since you have been gone. But I remember well! And so too do many!

He’s very much like me now and he’s grown to be a 10 years old man. Shalom my dear Chu-Chu!

and his siblings being the first child of the family.

In a tribute to him, his surviving eldest son, Sunday Ojo, described his late father as “a jovial and lively old man, friendly and compassionate individual. He hardly passed through a street without receiving cheers and admiration from both young Ojo and old.”

According Sunday, his late HE late Chief Samuel Ayo father left Ibadan for his Akpeji Ojo, from Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Council Area hometown, Igarra after the of Edo state was born into the death of his father and setAnona family on February 21, tled in Opoporiku area of the town where he started his el1921, in Ibadan to the late Pa ementary education, which Eshimi Ojo and the late according to him, was trunMadam Dorcas Ojo. Popularly called Ada-Fape, Pa cated due to lack of funds.

Ojo passed on to glory June 13, He said his father left behind a wife, nine children, 36 2013, at the age of 92. He was grand children, four great an astute farmer in cash and grandchildren and “will be food crops. He assumed the remembered for the leaderheadship of his family after ship role he played as the the death of his father and oldest man in Anona kinstarted fending for himself dred.

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Prince Francis Tabansi, 82, Passes On HE death has occurred of T Prince Francis Nwana Tabansi. He died on June 4, 2013, after a brief illness.

He was the founder of Tabansi Press Limited in the 1950s and was the pioneer publisher of the famous Onitsha Market Literature.

The late Tabansi will be buried in his hometown, Nri, Anambra State on September 20, 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Catherine Tabansi; seven — Obiageli, Kelvin, Frank, Pascal, Maureen, Anselm and Ijeoma —; and numerous relatives.

Tabansi

TheGuardian

60 Saturday, July 20, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports Saudi Coach, Still Passionate About Nigerian Athletics His story reads like a fairy tale. When former Nigerian sprinter, Taiwo Ariyo, decided to take on a coaching job in the Middle-East (Saudi Arabia) a few years ago, he never envisaged that he would become the country’s most successful sprint coach of all time. Ariyo joined the Saudi Athletics Federation as coach in 2009 after stints with two European countries, Turkey and Cyprus. He was in charge of track and field for Cyprus for four years before crossing to Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, the Nigerian is well respected, having turned around the country’s athletics to a global status since he took over as head coach. His area of specialty is the short distance races and one of his products is Ibrahim Muhammad, who became World junior and Asia gold medalist in 2012. At the just concluded 8th IAAF World Youth Championship in Donetsk, Ukraine, Ariyo spoke on a number of issues in an interview with GOWON AKPODONOR. He narrated his working experience in the Middle East, his feelings for Nigeria’s athletics and what he intends to do in days to come.

T the time Taiwo Ariyo left the shores of A Nigeria in the mid 2000s to try his coaching skills in Europe, not much was known about him, although he was a quiet achiever in the track and field.

As an athlete with Ondo State, Ariyo made his mark, winning scores of medals in the 100m, 200m, 400m and the relays at various competitions. His biggest moment for the Sunshine State was the gold medal he captured in the 4x100m relay at Makurdi ’96 edition of the National Sports Festival.

As a coach in Nigeria, Ariyo nurtured a good number of stars within two years in the 100m, 200m, long jump and the 400m hurdles. One of the athletes that passed through Ariyo’s tutelage is Chilaka Emmanuel. The search for a betterlivingconditionandworkenvironmenttook Ariyo to Europe sometime in the middle of 2000 with Turkey as his first port of call. He moved to Cyprus soon after, where he stayed for four years over seeing the country’s athletes in track and field.

His best moment since becoming athletics coach came with his move to Saudi Arabia.

“Things are really looking well for me in Saudi Arabia because apart from being paid well, the government provides tickets for me to fly all over the World attending competitions with the athletes. They provide me free accommodation and I don’t spent a dime for food,” he told The Guardian at the Olympics Stadium in Donetsk.

“My duty as coach is to produce athletes for the country in the sprint and hurdles events and I have done so to the satisfaction of Saudi people.

Last year, I led the country’s athletics team to Spain and one of my boys, Ibrahim Shali Muhammad, picked a medal in the 400m hurdles. I have also produced so many champions, who currently rule Asian athletics. Majority of them made it to the last Olympics Games in London and others have qualified for this year’s IAAF World Championship in Moscow, Russia.”

The just concluded 8th IAAF Youth Championship in Donetsk, Ukraine, coincided with the Ramadan fast by Muslims all over the World, and Coach Ariyo’s plan of making an impact at the youth level was affected.

“I came with eight boys from Saudi Arabia for this championship, but they could not perform well because of fasting. Over there in Saudi, the athletes don’t joke with their fasting and that affected their performance in this competition.

I love the way the government of Saudi Arabia goes about its sports programmes.

“From the beginning of the season, the coaches know in advance their activities for the year and that enables you to plan ahead. That system is missing in our country back home. The Nigerian society doesn’t give coaches chance to plan ahead and as such, it becomes difficult for them (coaches) to groom athletes. It is a pity,” Ariyo stated.

To open the gate of success for others, Coach Ariyo has engaged two other Nigerian coaches in Saudi Arabia. “I have to take along two coaches from Nigeria to assist me over there. I engaged Coach Lateef Mobisesan to take charge of our Youth Development. Also with me is former African champion George Akpadoni. He is the coach in charge of our long and triple jump in Saudi Arabia. Not every Nigerian will like to carry their fellow brothers along, but I have to do it because it is also a way of giving back to the society back home. I am very sure these coaches will gain some international experience to take back home in time to come,” he said.

Like Saudi Arabia, Team Nigeria could not win a medal at Donetsk 2013 IAAF World Youth Championship in Ukraine, a performance Coach Ariyo attributed to a number of factors.

“There is a big difference between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia when it comes to this business of track and field. I have traveled to various parts of the World and the feeling people have is that no matter any circumstance, Nigeria should be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with countries like USA, Jamaica, Australia and Great Britain at every athletics meets. What the people do not know is the situation of things in Nigeria and how the government responds to issues concerning our sports, especially athletics.

“In the first place, Nigeria doesn’t appreciate what she has. I have worked with American coaches, Polish and French and the questions they ask all the time is what is happening to our

Ariyo (left) with Saudi Arabia’s 400m hurdles champion, Ibrahim Shali Muhammad

My duty as coach is to produce athletes for the country in the sprint and hurdles events and I have done so to the satisfaction of Saudi people. Last year, I led the country’s athletics team to Spain and one of my boys, Ibrahim Shali Muhammad, picked a medal in the 400m hurdles. I have also produced so many champions, who currently rule Asian athletics. Majority of them made it to the last Olympics Games in London and others have qualified for this year’s IAAF World Championship in Moscow, Russia.

athletics, especially the sprints? At this stage of my life, my movement is not determined by money alone. I am well respected in Asia because of what I have put into athletics.

“If things are in order back home, maybe, I would be thinking of assisting my country’s athletics instead of nurturing athletes in other countries.

“That is my plan right now because it is time we started thinking of what we can give back to the system back home, instead of waiting to grab from what comes out of the system.

“As soon as the IAAF World Championship in Moscow is over, I will come to Nigeria to organize a seminar for athletics’ coaches. People keep criticising the government back home for doing things wrong in sports, but no one is ready to take the bull by the horn to correct things. It is time we started thinking right,” Ariyo stated.

THE GUArDIAN Saturday, July 20, 2013

| 61

SPOrTS

Neymar And Messi Will Light Up The World Of Football T does not happen often that three of the best four players Isame in the world would play in the same football club at the time! For that reason the world cannot wait for the resumption of the Spanish La Liga.

One of the most anticipated events in European football history is about to take place. South America’s current best player has joined the team that already has two of the world’s current three best players to add to the firepower of a team already seen by many people as the best football assembly in the history of the game.

As Neymar Da Silva Santos Junior moves from Brazil to Spain, a massive movement that is creating unprecedented global interest, the prospect is thrown up of a player-combination that has been long imagined but never seen in the

World Footballer of the Year, Lionel Messi, with the Young Footballer of the Year, Neymar during the last FIFA gala. Both players will file out for Barcelona from next season.

Telecom Games: Etisalat Seek To revive Title Challenge TISALAT Nigeria’s goalE keeper, Chima Nnorom is optimistic that his team will put behind them the poor result of last week’s outing against MTN Nigeria on match Day 1 of the 2013 Nigeria Telecom Games.

Etisalat will play against Alcatel Lucent in the only match of Match Day 2 tomorrow as the teams prepare for the more hectic fixtures beginning from Match Day 3 when all games will be played in one day.

It will be Alcatel’s first match in this year’s tournament but the French leading telecommunication equipment supplier also looks forward to their first major success. An official said they had embarked on extensive training regime to make their outing this year the best since they began playing in the championship.

“We got one of those results that makes football a game you can never predict, began Nnorom, while looking ahead of this fixture.

He added, “we are very positive and remain determined to wrestle the trophy from MTN at the end of the tournament.”

The Etisalat safe hands, who was voted MVP in the maiden edition of the tournament, explained that his confidence stems from the fact that there are still many more games to play

and “we are definitely going to avenge this defeat at a time it will matter most and that is when the trophy will be at stake.”

“We don’t have any problems with match rustiness as the players have been engaging in serious workouts and have been primed by the coaching crew to face any opposition this year.

Alcatel will be the team to beat,” boasted the official.

MTN, Airtel and LM Ericcsson will enjoy match free day but will return to the pitch upper week when competition in Chess would also start.

history of the game.

Permit me to take us back in time and recreate the imaginary game generations have been playing with the world’s greatest players.

Imagine a team in the 1960s and early 1970s that has a combination of Brazil’s Pele, Portugal’s Eusebio and Northern Ireland’s George Best.

Or a combination in the 1970s and 1980s of Holland’s Johan Cryuff, Brazil’s Zico and France’s Michel Platini in one team.

Or a combination in the 1980s and 1990s of Argentina’s Maradona, France’s Zinedine Zidanne and Brazil’s ronaldo playing in the same club.

Such awesome striking power only exists in the realm of imagination. The world never gets to see it in reality.

Now things are about to change and that’s why the world cannot wait for the La Liga to recommence.

In Iniesta, Xavi and Messi, FC Barcelona already had an awesome midfield combination that for the past several seasons had treated the world to champagne football with mesmerizing elegance and artistry. Their style of football influenced and introduced a new football philosophy to the world.

Now, FC Barcelona have raised the standard even higher.

They have gone across the Atlantic to import and to add a new spice to that already lethal concoction.

Neymar comes to Barca with solid football credentials. He has just emerged atop the ladder of global football with a virtuoso performance in the just concluded Confederations Cup that saw him lead Brazil to victory and emerge the championship’s best player.

Without doubt his stellar performance justifies his current rating as probable successor to the incomparable Lionel Messi, as the world’s best player. The point of interest is that the two of them team up at a time that they are at their best. Plus the worrisome fact that they play similar roles for their respective clubs.

It is likely that the immediate impact of this combination would be that La Liga overtakes the English Premiership in television viewership in the new season! And that Barcelona may now attract a global followership of fans to rival those of Manchester United, Arsenal and even real Madrid.

A combination of players of the stature of Neymar and Messi in one team is indeed very uncommon in world football. FC Barcelona are charting an uncertain territory and

By Christian Okpara

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rESTLING superstar, Osita Offor, also known as De Ultimate Commander, will join the South African embassy in Lagos today for the Mandela Day celebrations scheduled for the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island.

De Ultimate Commander, who is also preparing for an outing in South Africa in honour of the Madiba next month, will join other dignitaries from within diplomatic circles, industry and sports, to honour the ailing first president of South Africa, who is 95 years old this year.

A letter signed by South

Segun Odegbami this would attract a close study by scholars of the game.

How can one team accommodate probably the greatest player in history and possibly the best player (on current form) in the world?

Neymar is a rare gem, a grand master himself, the artist that can turn around the fortunes of a team with one moment of magic. In that regard he finds good company in Lionel Messi. The big questions are these: Would Neymar relieve Messi of some of the pressures and responsibilities he had shouldered alone in Barca and make him an even better player and more effective than he had been? Or would the almost certain contest for goals between them become a destructive force? Would they compliment each other, or destroy each other? Is FC Barcelona about to explode or implode?

I guess it will all depend on how Barcelona’s new manager manages the egos of the world’s current best players and finds room for both of them in every game, for neither of these players can be a bench warmer in any club in the world, including FC Barcelona, even as they play similar roles for their teams now.

Until the new season starts, we can only salivate the prospect of a true footballing spectacle in the next few weeks. Only Camp Nou has the capacity and the spectator sophistication to accommodate two ‘gods’ on the same turf.

The rest of the world can only wait thirstily for the moment Neymar and Messi (and Iniesta) will march out together onto the stage in Barcelona and start to give the kind of performance such as the world has only been dreaming of but has not seen!

South African Embassy, Ultimate Commander Celebrate Mandela Day African embassy’s Nondumiso Ngubane and Julia Omochere, the consulate expects the world heavyweight wrestling champion and his associates to join in the event in ‘celebration of an international icon: Nelson Mandela,’ which will hold on the ground floor of Silverbird Galleria by 1.00 p.m.

The event with the theme:

World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, De Ultimate Commander (left) tangos with USA’s Shelton Benjamin during a past championship in Lagos. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI.

‘Embracing his values and honouring his legacy,’ will have South Africa’s Consul General, Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa and his staff on hand to receive the dignitaries at the venue.

Speaking on his participation in the Mandela Day events, Commander told The Guardian yesterday that he was excited to join others from across the world to “celebrate a dogged fighter for freedom and peace.”

According to Commander, “It is an honour to be called upon to do anything whatsoever a colossus like Dr. Nelson Mandela. He is the biggest role model any progressive minded individual could wish for and I am so glad I will be there to play my own role for our great Madiba.

“I want to tell my fans that this is just one of the activities lined up for the great man in which I am honoured to be part of.

“Next month, I will be in Port Elizabeth for a championship fight in honour of Mandela. It is still part of the activities to mark the sage’s 95th birthday.

“Apart from my fight, there are plans for Nigeria to play an international friendly

against South Africa next month, just as there are various musical and diplomatic events lined up to celebrate the living legend.”

Also speaking on the events lined up for Mandela’s 95th birthday celebrations, Aghalieaku Arinze, who is among the organisers of De Ultimate Commander’s participation in the event, said there are plans to bring some of the best wrestlers in the world to Nigeria later this year in the campaign to restore peace to Nigeria.

He said: “As you are aware, Commander, apart from being a NAFDAC ambassador, is also the National Assembly Ambassador for Sports and Peace.

“He is expected to join NAFDAC and the National Assembly to campaign against fake drugs, performance enhancing drugs, HIV/AIDS and other social vices. And so, we have a lot of activities lined up from now to the end of the year.”

The world heavyweight champion was at the US Embassy yesterday as guest of the American consulate during the launch of the campaign against fake antimalaria drugs in Lagos.

The GUArDIAN saturday, July 20, 2013

62

sPOrTs Transfer Update

Barcelona Warns United Off Fabregas ArCeLONA vice president, Josep Maria Bartomeu has warned Manchester United that Cesc Fabregas is not for sale.

United have tabled a bid for the former Arsenal midfielder as David Moyes looks to lure him back to the Premier League.

The red Devils have made Fabregas one of their top targets this summer as they aim to add some creativity to their midfield.

Moyes revealed yesterday that he was waiting to hear soon on the club’s bid for Fabregas as he tries to make his first big-name signing at Old Trafford. however, Bartomeu has moved to quell any talk of an imminent transfer for Fabregas by insisting they will not entertain any offers for the spain international.

“Barcelona can assure you we will not entertain any offers for Cesc,” Bartomeu told Sport. “It is totally ruled out, he’s not for sale.”

Fabregas has always repeatedly said he wants to stay at his hometown club and it appears Barcelona have no plans to lose the 26-year-old this summer.

The player’s stance was reiterated by Barca boss. Tito Vilanova on Tuesday as he said: “It’s normal to receive offers for our players from other teams. We have very good players, and we have to be very happy to have Cesc with us.

“I am conscious that he has received offers for other teams, but I had a conversation with him and he let me know that we wanted to stay

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here, and his dream is to be successful here. “so he is not thinking about any other club, not even for money or for minutes, even if he knows all the competition he has here with Xavi, Iniesta and also this year against sergi and roberto,

but he told me that his dream is to be here. I’m not worried at all.” regarding the offer for Fabregas, Moyes had said: “I couldn’t tell you exactly where we are with that, but I will hopefully know a little bit more in the next day.

Man City Confirms Negredo signing, Agrees Deal For Jovetic ANChesTer City has conM firmed the signing of spanish striker, Alvaro Negredo from sevilla.

The 27-year-old, who has 14 spain caps and six international goals, follows Jesus Navas from seville.

A statement on the club’s website said: “City are delighted to announce the signing of Alvaro Negredo, who becomes the club’s third new recruit of the summer.”

Negredo will cost City a reported initial fee of £16.4million plus add-ons of

PsG close In On Marquinhos

up to £4.2million.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini is close to signing another striker, Montenegro’s stevan Jovetic, from Fiorentina.

The serie A club announced last night it has reached an agreement to sell Jovetic, 23, to City for a fee of £22.4million.

Negredo will wear the number nine shirt that was left vacant when emmanuel Adebayor moved clubs.

The 27-year old was fourth top scorer in spain last season with 25 league goals, behind Lionel Messi, Cristiano ronaldo and radamel Falcao.

Negredo told a press conference in spain earlier this week: “I have spoken to Navas, he’s an important player in anyone’s squad and I’m very

happy to be playing with him again.

“Manuel Pellegrini completely convinced me to join Manchester City. It’s a big club and a new challenge for me.” he is the third signing for City so far following Navas and Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho from Ukrainian champions shakhtar Donetsk for a fee of around £30million.

Fiorentina striker, Jovetic will be their fourth high-profile signing of the summer, subject to a medical on Friday (yesterday).

City moved quickly to finalise the £22m deal for the Montenegro international as new boss Manuel Pellegrini continues to reshape his squad.

ArIs st Germain coach, P Laurent Blanc is confident a deal for roma defender Marquinhos will be completed soon.

The reigning French champions have spent much of the summer chasing the Brazilian teenager’s signature.

They would appear to closing on his capture, with the 19-year-old centre-back all set to put to paper.

Blanc believes a transfer could be pushed through before the weekend, with Marquinhos due to undergo a medical in Paris on Friday (yesterday). should those physical examinations uncover no cause for concern, an agreement, which is reported to be worth around €35million (£30m) will be tied up.

Fabregas

Transfer Gossip

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Bale hints At Tottenham stay AreTh Bale has dropped him on the pitch.

G “We have a great relationhis strongest hint yet that he could stay at Tottenham ship,” Bale is quoted as saying

Tottenham are set to ignore any bids from Manchester United for 24-year-old forward Gareth Bale. however the prospect of playing Champions League football for the Old Trafford club is now thought to be tempting the Welsh star.

this summer by praising manager Andre Villas-Boas ahead of the new season.

The Welsh winger’s agent had previously hinted at a potential move to real Madrid, while Manchester United also enquired about the 24-year-old only to be stunned by spurs’ 70m pounds asking price.

But last season’s PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year is keen to continue working with Tottenham boss Villas-Boas, who he believes gets the best out of

ANChesTer United say they will not sell striker Wayne rooney, 27, even if the england international and Chelsea target hands in an official transfer request.

The Premier League champions want to hold talks with rooney and his agent Paul stretford to clear the air after confusion regarding recent comments from manager David Moyes.

Chelsea are prepared to make rooney their highest-paid player despite the risk that it may unsettle other top players at stamford Bridge.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been told he can spend £40m on Liverpool’s 26-year-old striker Luis suarez. The Anfield club now say that they want £55m for the controversial Uruguayan.

Wenger’s pursuit of real Madrid’s Gonzalo higuain, 25, has been hindered by Chelsea’s interest in the striker.

Manchester City have made a £25.8m bid for Benfica winger eduardo salvio, 23, but the Portuguese side are believed to want £34.4m for the Argentina international.

West Brom have rejected a bid of £850,000 for unsettled striker Peter Odemwingie, 32, from Dubai club Al Nasr.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe reina, 30, has been targeted by former boss rafa Benitez, now in charge at Napoli. sunderland are set to sign Velez sarsfield full-back Gino Peruzzi, 21, for £5m as the Argentina defender arrives for a medical.

AC Milan are prepared to make a move for Ajax midfielder Christian eriksen, 21, who is also a target for Liverpool. spurs have made an improved offer of £20m for Valencia striker roberto soldado after the spanish club turned down an initial bid of £17m for the 28-year-old.

in the Evening Standard.

“Last season we had a great campaign and obviously we came up short but we had a great working relationship on and off the field.

“We chatted quite a lot about tactics and stuff like that. he definitely got the best out of me last season and hopefully can again.”

Bale scored a career-high 31 goals for club and country last term and the Tottenham hierarchy are desperate for the 24-year-old to stay at White hart Lane.

Bale

Wolfsburg Wants Gustavo Deal OLFsBUrG general manW ager, Klaus Allofs has expressed an interest in Bayern Munich, midfielder Luiz Gustavo.

The Brazil international is expected to see game time limited at the Allianz Arena

Arsenal Agree Deal For Brazil’s Bernard, readies £40m For suarez here is a growing speculaT tion that Arsene Wenger and Arsenal are set to announce their first major signing of the summer with Brazilian international, Bernard. Many sources are

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims there is not enough loyalty in football. Officials from the club tried to prevent questions on Wayne rooney at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, but that did not stop Mourinho sending a clear message to the unsettled Manchester United striker in the answer to one particular question.

Bernard

reacting to esPN reports of a deal being struck between the two clubs.

It is believed that Arsenal have agreed to pay the €25m (£21m) needed to lure the Atletico Mineiro man to the Premier League.

Bernard, who plays predominantly on the left side of the midfield, was part of Brazil’s Confederations Cup winning squad and is considered one of the hottest prospects in south American football.

Wenger has targeted a number of high profile additions, seemingly moving in on the likes of Gonzalo higuain and

Marouane Fellaini, however, a move for Bernard is perhaps more in keeping with the Gunners boss’s transfer policy.

Bernard has made 97 appearances for Belo horizontebased side Atletico Mineiro, scoring 21 goals in the process.

Meanwhile, one of the main transfer sagas of the summer in Luis suarez could come to a conclusion with Arsenal set to make a new bid of £40m. The Uruguayan has made his intentions clear to leave Anfield with Liverpool rejecting the idea, but Wenger is looking to make suarez his

in 2013/14 following the summer arrivals of Mario Gotze and Thiago Alcantara.

The 25-year-old operates in a deeper role than the attackminded signings, but could find it difficult to hold down a spot in Pep Guardiola’s plans as competition for places increases. his possible availability has been noted by Bayern’s Bundesliga rivals, with Wolfsburg having already started to put transfer wheels in motion.

Allofs told BILD: “If you are looking to improve your team, and if the player is available for transfer, you have to discuss the name of Luiz Gustavo. There is no doubt about that.

“We are interested in him and we have told his agent about that.”

On a possible move away from the current holders of the Bundesliga, German Cup and UeFA Champions League crowns, Gustavo said: “What can I say? I am under contract until June 2015. We will have to wait and see how things turn out.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 20, 2013

63

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

FIFA releases Ticket Prizes For Brazil 2014 World Cup ICKET prices for internaT tional fans attending the football World Cup in Brazil will start at $90 (£59, 69 euros) for initial group matches.

Football’s governing body, FIFA, announced that the cheapest ticket for overseas fans for the final on 13 July was $440 (£288) and the most expensive $990 (£650).

The tournament starts on June 12 next year, with the first game being played in Sao Paulo.

Tickets will go on sale from August 20.

Fans have until October 10 to apply and a ballot will be held to decide which of these applications are successful.

Only later will tickets be sold on a first come, first served basis.

In total, about three million tickets will be available for fans.

For Brazilian nationals, the cheapest tickets start at $15.

These are only available for students, those aged over 60 and people on social welfare programmes. For other Brazilians tickets start at $30.

The lowest price paid for a ticket in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was $20, also for group stage matches in the special category set aside exclusively for residents.

The governing body had previously said that tickets in Brazil would be the “cheapest ever”.

The FIFA ticket website will include a map of the ground that shows the location of different categories of tickets.

This meant there would be “no surprises” over where fans would end up sitting, said FIFA marketing director, Thierry Weil, who is in charge of ticketing strategy.

Supporters can request a maximum of four seats per match, and for a maximum of seven matches.

He said there would be a reselling system run by FIFA, if people were unable to attend games for which they had bought tickets.

Broke NFF Can’t Move Into New Home Yet HE Nigeria Football T Federation cannot afford to move into its new building, the Sunday Dankaro House, because it has no money to furnish the offices.

The keys to the brand new N337 million edifice was handed over to the NFF on Thursday, but officials of the federation say it would continue to operate out of the Glass House for the foreseeable future.

The building still requires furnishing, and a top member of the NFF told KickOffNigeria.com that the Federation, which is facing lean times, cannot afford to splurge on furniture.

“To move into that place would take almost our entire subvention for one quarter,” an NFF official, who did not want to be named, said.

Initial projections is that it might take as much a year before the Glass House makes the full move to Sunday Dankaro House.

But to facilitate a work around, some officials are mulling the idea of a partnership that would help them secure the required office equipment.

Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare competes in the long jump contest of the IAAF Diamond League Herculis meeting at the Stade Louis II in Monaco…yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Ahead South Africa 2014 CHAN Qualifier

Keshi’s 18 Stars For Abidjan Battle Out Tuesday

By Christian Okpara uPEr Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi, is expected to name the 18 players scheduled to travel to Abidjan for the final African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier on Tuesday next week, an official of the team has revealed.

The Eagles are currently preparing for the encounter at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.

According to the official, who pleaded anonymity, the coaches have already picked 15 of the players, while they are looking at six others to see who among them would complete the squad for Abidjan.

He said arrangements were on to see that the team leaves for Abidjan latest on Thursday, adding that barring any unforeseen occurrence, the team would be announced on Tuesday.

He said, “The core members of the team are there, so what the big boss is look-

S

ing at is the other players that can add more bite to the squad.

“Keshi told the players before this phase of preparation began that none of them is a sacred cow and I think he is quite impressed

by the seriously and friendly manner the players have approached their quest for inclusion in the final team.

“Be sure that at the end of the day, some new players would join those already part of the main stream for

the trip to Abidjan.”

The Eagles yesterday at the FIFA Goal Project defeated FC Abuja 1-0 in a friendly game arranged to test their readiness for the Abidjan showdown.

The team began prepara-

Abia Warriors Good For Federation Cup Final, Boasts Abiaye

By Christian Okpara BIA Warriors Team A Manager, Ofor Abiaye, believes the 2013 season is his team’s year for glory both in the league and the Federation Cup. Abia Warriors sit atop the Nigeria National League (NNL) (the second tier of the Nigerian league) Group B table, and are also currently in the last 16 of the Federation Cup. The umuahia-based team will meet Akwa Starlets in the last 16 of the cup competition on

Wednesday with the winner going to the quarterfinal.

Top Nigerian clubs Enyimba and 3SC will battle for a quarterfinal place in this year’s Federation Cup on Wednesday.

Speaking on his team’s chances in both the league and the Federation Cup yesterday, Abiaye said Abia Warriors are in a position to make this season their best ever, saying the run in to the end of the season could not have been better.

“We will meet Akwa Starlets on Wednesday in Calabar

before we move to Ijebu Ode for our last away game of the league. Our last game of the season is in umuahia and we need only a draw to be promoted to the Glo Premier League.

“In the form we are right now, Akwa Starlets cannot stop us in the Federation Cup. When you look at the remaining teams in the Federation Cup, aside Enyimba, Kano Pillars and rangers none of the other teams can stop our march to the title.

“If we have the luck of the draw, we will avoid these three teams until the semifinal, and

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FELIX OGuEJIOFOr ABuGu

tion for the return leg of the CHAN qualifier against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Monday.

Nigeria won the first leg of the tie 4-1 and will meet the Elephants in the return leg on July 27 in Abidjan, Cote

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anything can happen because we fear no foe,” Abiaye enthused.

Aside the Abia Warriors versus Akwa Starlets game, other Federation Cup matches billed for Wednesday include the Akwa united versus Enugu rangers tie, Heartland against Sharks of Port Harcourt and the Kano Pillars versus Gombe united fixture.

Niger Tornadoes will meet Warri Wolves, Nasarawa united has a date with Sunshine Stars, and ABS will battle with Lobi Stars, while the game of the round is the Enyimba versus 3SC battle in Abuja.

The winner of the Federation Cup will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.