Sat 27 July 2013 by The Guardian Newspaper

S A T U R D A Y COVER 49

Controversial Senate Resolution: The Need To Protect The Girl Child Is Paramount

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The Last Battle? POLITICS 10

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LIFE&STYLE 23

Is PDP Suffering An Implosion Ahead 2015 Presidency?

Joseph Evah, Ijaw Leader, Knocks Sultan, Oritsejafor, Others, Over ASUU Crisis

Uche

Ndulue: Living Her Dream

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Saturday, July 27, 2013

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Sir. Emeka Nwokedi (middle) with members of the Lagos City Chorale shortly after a performance at the recently concluded 1st European Choir Games held in Graz, Austria. The City Chorale won two gold and two silver medals, ranking them among the best performing participants at the event.

Police Blindfold Rivers House Leader On Arrival In P’Harcourt From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt AJORITY Leader of the M Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, was blindfolded by the police on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport yesterday, before being taken to the Police Command for interrogation. The Guardian gathered that Lloyd, who had on Tuesday July 23 reported to Police Headquarters in Abuja following an earlier invitation by the police, was flown back to Port Harcourt yesterday morning amidst tight security. On arrival, the police immediately blindfolded him and

whisked him away to the Police Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt for further interrogation. Counsel to Lloyd, Emenike Ebete told The Guardian that he had anticipated that the

Police would arraign Lloyd in court to enable him apply for his bail but after several hours of delay, the police legal team failed to take him to court. He accused the police of deliberating frustrating

Lloyd’s legal team effort to secure his release. “The Police dehumanized him by blind-folding him from the airport to the Police Headquarters. Worst still, he was supposed to be arraigned

in court today (yesterday) but the police also frustrated his arraignment knowing too well that it was Friday. “The pplice know that if he CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

APC Alleges Plan To Scuttle Registration, Blames INEC From Madu Onuorah, Abuja HE anticipated registration T of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is running into troubled waters with the party alleging that the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is “shifting the goal post” and looking for reasons to abort the formal registration. APC averred that going by the provisions of the Electoral Act, it is now formally registered

as a party. But INEC spokesman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, dismissed APC’s allegations that INEC plans to stop its registration “as baseless and false.” Idowu asked: “Did the APC members also inform you

that we have been in constant touch with them in correspondences and visits to the offices they indicated as their address?” Saying they have satisfied all CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 2

Journalism Icon,

Alhaji Alade Odunewu, Buried In Lagos. (Tributes On Page 6) NEWS 3

ASUU May Call Off Strike Next Week

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

My Father Died Of Age-Related Ailment, Says Odunewu’s Son HE youngest son of the T late veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu (a.k.a. Allah De), Mr. Segun Odunewu, said his father died of age-related ailment. Odunewu told the News

Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikoyi, Lagos yesterday that the death of their mother in January 2012 might also not be unconnected with the death of his father. “Our mother died on

January 4, 2012 and the death of my father happened just last night; so I am still dazed about the development. “His health condition nosedived after the family cele-

brated one year of the death of our mother. This might have affected him somehow. Odunewu wondered why this should happen to the family 16 months after the

Journalism Icon, Odunewu, Buried In Lagos By Gbenga Salau T exactly 4:48pm yesterA day, the remains of one of the Doyens of Journalism, the late Alhaji Alade Odunewu, was committed to mother earth at the Ikoyi Vaults and Garden. The brief ceremonies before and after his body was lowered into the grave were coordinated by the Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Olarenwaju

Hamad. Hamad enjoined all present to live a worthy life that would impact on people around positively, which he said is not about the amount of wealth left behind or acquired during a man’s lifetime, but the legacies and positive contributions made to the society. He paid glowing tributes to the late veteran journalists for being fearless, critical, prolific and fair in his writings. The cleric noted that he could attest to this because as a

young man, he not only read the columns written by Odunewu, but also loved them because of the narrative format he adopted in presenting his thoughts. Hamad stated that the kind of writings Odunewu was known for are disappearing from today’s journalism. He prayed that Allah would show him (Odunewu) mercy

and guide those he left behind. Present at the event were former Governors of Lagos and Ogun states, Lateef Jakande and Olusegun Osoba; Publisher of Vanguard newspaper, Sam Amuka; Duro Onabule; Gbenga Adefaye; Vincent Maduka; Lade Bonuola; and Lanre Idowu; among others.

death of his mother.” Another family member, Mrs. Oreoluwa Odunuga (nee Odunewu), described the deceased as a very forthright man. “He was highly disciplined, very caring and Godfearing man.” “He abhorred bribery and corruption and was always reflecting his hatred for such vices in his columns in the defunct Daily Times. “I will miss his jokes, fatherly advice and his approach to life generally. “I will also miss his accommodating ability; he made everybody feel at home without any discrimination.” Chief Abiodun Adeniyi, a former Director of

News, Radio Lagos, said the deceased brought him into limelight in journalism. “After my training, Odunewu, then at the Daily Times of Nigeria, was instrumental to my working at the defunct Lagos Weekend newspaper as a stringer. “Through him, I secured a permanent employment with the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). “He was an ardent practitioner of investigative journalism and encouraged up and coming journalists. “His witty weekly columns in the newspapers then were always very incisive and the day was incomplete for those in authority if they had not read his columns,”

INEC Denies Frustrating APC’s Registration CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the requirements of the law regarding the merger, a source in one of the merging parties, alleged in Abuja that it is as if INEC is “playing games to stop the registration. He added: “Some of the members of the INEC Commission are card-carrying members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and they are coming under increasing pressure to stop the registration of APC.” The APC is an alliance by Nigeria’s three biggest opposition parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). APC’s request for merger dated June 5, 2013 was fol-

lowed up with a letter from INEC on June 12 requesting for, among others, 35 copies each of the APC’s constitution and manifesto. The APC replied INEC on July 1, this year submitting the documents requested. Now, APC sources are alleging that going by the provisions of the Electoral Act, their party stands registered. The source said: “Section 4 of the Electoral Act states that ‘On receipt of the request for merger of the political parties, the Commission shall consider the request and if the parties have fulfilled the requirements of the Commission and this Act, approve the proposed merger and communicate its decision to the parties concerned before the expiration of 30 days from the date of the receipt of the formal request, provided that if the

Commission fails to communicate its decision within 30 days, the merger shall be deemed to be effective.” Now, APC is saying in Abuja that because it submitted its formal request for merger on June 12, 2013, it stands registered, going by the above prescription. Sources within the APC told The Guardian that the party is apprehensive that INEC may not act on the proposed merger, hinging it on the court case by the All Peoples Congress which is contesting the acronym APC with the All Progressive Congress. Another source said: “We learnt that INEC is planning to write to us (APC) by Monday and their trick for not registering us is to ask us to seek a new name as there is a court case over the acronym. But INEC cannot

pre-empt what the court would want to do. It is intriguing.” On the effective date of APC’s application for merger, the INEC chairman’s spokesman asked: “Is it proper that we should take the date of application from the day APC wrote INEC for recognition in merger, or on the day they furnished the Commission with the necessary documents? “I am sure the proper date is the one they submitted the required documents and with such date in mind, the 30 days stipulated by the Electoral Act has not expired. “And even if it does, the law is also very clear that whether we write them or not, the law takes care of any ambiguity. I don’t see any reason for confusion in the matter so far until the expiration of the 30 days provided for by the law.”

Lloyd Transferred To Port Harcourt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 goes to court, he will get bail and so they just want to keep him till Monday in a bid to punish him,” he said. A top police officer who pleaded anonymity, said Lloyd was actually blindfolded to prevent people from recognizing him as he was being taken from the airport to Police Headquarters. The source did not however confirm if he was physically assaulted. Some of the pro-Governor Chibuike Amaechi members of the House of Assembly who had anticipated that Lloyd would be arraigned by the police, waited in vain at the state judicial complex yesterday. When The Guardian contacted the Police Command spokesperson, Angela Agabe, on phone to confirm if the

lawmaker was being tortured by the police, she claimed she was busy. Meanwhile, the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) in the House of Representatives, Dakuku Peterside, yesterday accused the Rivers State Police Command of subjecting Lloyd to torture in a bid to coerce and compel him to obtain an involuntary extra-judicial confessional statement. Peterside, the federal lawmaker representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal in a statement made available to The Guardian, said the torture of Lloyd is taking place at the Rivers State Police Command where he was transferred to under the strict and personal supervision of the state Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu. “For the records, let us state

Our Error Last Saturday, we ran a story with headline ‘Adada State: We Will Seek Redress In Court’. In the story, we introduced Chief James Ugwu as Chairman of Adada State Movement. This is wrong. Chief Ugwu is actually the PRO of the Movement while Chief Cletus Opata is Chairman. The error is regretted. —Editor

that section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, prohibits this crude and barbaric conduct of Commissioner of Police of Rivers State as every citizen of this country is entitled to respect for his human dignity and Mbu does not have unbridled power to deprive any citizen of this constitutionally guaranteed right, especially in a democracy,” he said. For Peterside, said the police action is not only condemnable, but also regrettable. The Rivers State Police Command under Mbu, according to him, seems not to be bothered by the fact that any evidence that is obtained by force, torture, intimidation or by any form of abuse, is not admissible in the court of law”. The lawmaker wondered why this is happening at this time despite the intervention of the National Assembly. “This inhuman conduct by Rivers State Police Command is not only a gross abuse of the fundamental human rights of the accused, but further confirms our fears that Mbu is out to eliminate Lloyd who has been subjected to horrific ordeal since his return to Rivers State, and other pro-Amaechi lawmak-

ers,” he said. This development, he stressed, is antithetical to the Geneva Convention which expressly demands that countries take effective measures to prevent torture within their borders. According to him, other international laws also confirm that torture and other mistreatment of persons in custody are also prohibited in all circumstances under international human rights law. Peterside however praised the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, for the civility and professionalism he exhibited during Lloyd’s short stay at the Police Headquarters in Abuja. He, therefore, called on “the Police High Command to do the needful and stop subjecting the accused to these inhumanities until full investigation into the crisis is concluded. He has neither been convicted of any offence nor condemned to perpetual incarceration in police custody by any court of law.” Lloyd was later driven out of the Police Officers’ Mess in an unmarked Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to a destination The Guardian could not ascertain at the time of filing this repor.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

NEWS

FG, ASUU Meet, May Call Off Strike Next Week From Karls Tsokar, Abuja and Lawrence Njoku, Enugu T seem an end to the proIupon longed strike embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may be called off as the body

and the Federal Government have come to a reasonable agreement. Rising from a three-hour closed-door meeting held at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) yesterday,

both parties achieved reasonable success in the negotiation as all issues except two were agreed on. The Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim was at the head of the FG team along with the

Education and Labour Ministers while ASUU’s team was led by its President, Dr Nasir Isa Fagge. Briefing journalists afterwards, the Chairman, University Needs Implementation Committee,

Gabriel Suswam said, “we agreed on all major issues except the issues of funding of the Universities or rather intervention and then the allowance of the University Lecturers. We believe that by next week the other issues

Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (right), giving a plate to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Suraj Adekunbi, during the Iftar/breaking-of-fast at the Government House, Abeokuta...yesterday.

Nwabueze Restates Call For ‘Peoples’ Constitution’ From Chuks Collins, Awka HE eminent professor of T Constitutional Law and former Education Secretary, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) has called for the replacement of the 1999 Constitution with what he calls the peoples’ constitu-

tion. The erudite legal icon who spoke at the presentation of his autobiography, Ben Nwabueze: His Life, Works And Times at the Women Development Centre, Awka, yesterday, said the 1999 Constitution is not the Supreme Law of the land

because its source of supremacy is not the Nigerian people. According to him, “what we have as the 1999 Constitution is not the Supreme Law. What is its source of supremacy? The military? No! It can’t be. The source of supremacy everywhere in the world is

the people.” Nwabueze, who is also the Chairman of The Patriots, a group of elderly statesmen, said the Igbo people must stand with one voice with other Nigerian ethnic nationalities to call for a national conference that will fashion out a constitution

‘Cut Salaries/Allowances Of Political Office Holders To Fund Power Sector’ From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja HE Anglican Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, Rt. Revd. Duke Akamisoko has called on the Federal Government to suspend every other agenda and focus on providing constant power supply for Nigerians. Speaking at the Second Session of the Second Synod of the Diocese yesterday in Nyanya, Abuja, the cleric noted that power is the key to the development of the country and urged the

President, Governors and the members of the National Assembly to cut down their salaries and allowances and plough the money into the power sector in order to move the nation forward. He said: “Light is the key to our progress; no nation can compete with Nigeria if there is constant power supply. When you have stable power supply, your progress cannot be quantified, the industrial development of Europe was fast-tracked by power. Government should

suspend every other agenda and project and give us electricity.” The Bishop, who noted that the 4000 megawatts being generated presently were grossly inadequate for the country, said that Nigeria needs about one million kilowatts of electricity to enjoy stability in the sector. The cleric observed that just like no man progresses in the absence of physical light, it will be difficult for any nation to develop when corruption is still the order

of the day, rule of law thrown into the abyss and innocent lives being wasted everyday without any solution in sight. Akamisoko stated that the confusion in the country today was as a result of the darkness which has engrossed the nation. He called on leaders at all levels to promote harmony, peace and unity among the citizenry and also channel the resources of the nation towards providing basic amenities.

Tukur Faults Fayose’s Suspension From PDP From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja HE National Leadership of T the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described the decision of the state chairman of the party in Ekiti State to suspend a former Governor of the State, Chief Ayo Fayose, without the consent of the national leadership as an affront. The National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, expressed surprise that such a

far reaching decision involving a former governor and a gubernatorial aspirant of the party could be taken by the state chapter without due consultations and consent of the national leadership of the party. Tukur made these statements when he received some members of the Ekiti State Executive of the party yesterday in Abuja. The National Chairman wondered why such a decision

should be taken in a hurry when he had promised to handle the issue at the national level with a view to finding a final solution to the problem. He said that such a decision violated laid down procedures and cannot stand and declared that the national leadership of the party would not condone any act of imposition of candidate in the party under his leadership. The PDP chairman said that in

issues of election to any office, the national leadership of the party would create a conducive and enabling environment for every member to contest. He said that even where it becomes necessary that there should be a consensus arrangement, everybody within the party must be carried along so that nobody at the end will feel shortchanged or isolated.

that is truly sourced from the people. “The constitution so framed will then be out through a referendum. That is the challenge before this country,” Nwabueze said. He pointed out that the kind of national conference The Patriots are calling for is not a sovereign national conference because there cannot be two sovereigns within one state at the same time. Nwabueze expressed regrets that the Igbo, his ethnic nationality, was drifting without a direction within the Nigerian polity and called for revival of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to play its role for the Igbo nationality in Nigeria. “Where is Ohanaeze today? What is happening to the one and only pan-Igbo organisation that can speak for us in relation to the Federal Government and other ethnic nationalities? “Ohanaeze today is in disarray, split into factions and we are all sitting doing nothing. We can’t allow this to continue,” Nwabueze said. He said traditional rulers must join hands with the governors of the South East to resolve the problem that has rendered Ohanaeze comatose. But he suggested that the first step towards resolving the Ohanaeze crisis is to conduct a fresh election into its national offices. “The stories about what happened in the other election make it imperative for a fresh election,” he noted.

would be resolved. Then, ASUU would probably call off the strike.” The Benue State Governor added that the SGF is meeting on the issue of earn allowance on Monday while his committee, which is dealing with the Needs assessment implementation, would be meeting on Thursday to assess all the infrastructural deficits in the Universities. “We are involving all the agencies that fund the universities - the CBN and all others. As soon as the two issues are resolved, we believe that the strike would be called off. “The issues of retirement age, setting up a pension administrator, setting up of budget monitoring unit, persuading companies to set up research centres, among others, have being agreed on,” Suswam said. “We agreed that all the funding agencies would meet on Thursday and we chart a way forward,” he noted. Although the Chairman of ASUU refused to speak to the press in an obvious show of dissatisfaction, a source within ASUU said they did not expect the Federal Government to bring all the cards on the table at once so they are still keeping their fingers crossed for next week when their demands would be exhaustively tackled. “For now, the strike continues indefinitely,” the source said. Earlier, in a bid to put up appropriate conditions necessary for academics in all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the Federal Government has inaugurated the Universities Needs Implementation Committee, with a mandate to prioritise requisite exigencies.

I Don’t Know My Successor Yet, Says Jang From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos LATEAU State Governor, P Jonah Jang has said that he has not anointed anybody who will take over from him after the expiration of his tenure in 2015. He urged the people of the state to join him in prayers to God to anoint the right person who will take over from him to continue to build on the developmental process of his administration. Jang stated this at the weekend when he was interacting with journalists in Jos. He said: “I believe that PDP will still form the government here in Plateau State. This is because I need to be told any state that has the pleasure of PDP, very strongly and firmly in the whole of the federation like Plateau. This is where PDP was born. So, we cannot throw our child away. Plateau will always remain PDP. “But, please join me in praying. I don’t know today who will take over from me. But I am praying that as God anointed me, he should anoint the right person to come and continue these projects gradually. By the grace of God, people will come for tourism here in Plateau State and not be going to Europe.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

NEWS YWCA Condemns Underage Marriage

Ladipo Traders Protest Imposition Of Baba Oloja By Onyedika Agbedo RADERS at the Ladipo Auto T International Market, Mushin, Lagos State, yesterday staged a peaceful protest against the alleged imposition of a Baba Oloja (market leader) on them by the Mushin Local Council Area. Carrying placards that read ‘Igbos are loving people, let us be’; ‘we don’t want Baba Oloja’; ‘we don’t want Baba Oloja: Ladipo market is an international market’; ‘LACEC is the only authority of Ladipo market’; ‘Governor Fahola please save Ladipo traders from intimidation’; and ‘eastern governors come to our rescue,’ among others, the traders gathered at the Odo junction axis of the market along Ladipo street where they were addressed by their leaders. According to the President General of the Ladipo Auto Central Executive Committee (LACEC), Comrade Ikechukwu Michael Animalu, the protest was meant to attract the state government’s attention to ongoing attempts to forcefully impose a Baba Oloja on the traders by Mushin local council, noting that the move is seriously threatening the prevailing peace in the market. He said: “We have staged this peaceful protest to draw Governor Fashola’s attention to this ugly development, which is

threatening the peace of the market. Few months ago, this market was shut down and it took the good understanding of the state government to reopen it. We don’t want another problem in Ladipo. We have been trying to comport ourselves in line with the understanding we reached with the state government before the market was re-opened. So, we don’t want anything that will disrupt our businesses again.” He added: “What really happened is that in this market, we have 38 independent units.

They do their own things as they like but there is the LACEC, which controls the affairs of the entire market. But recently, one Alhaji Habibu Oki, who owns a warehouse in the market, came with a letter that they have made him the Baba Oloja of Ladipo. We told him that we have been in existence for over 30 years and don’t understand the meaning of Baba Oloja. Before we knew what was happening, the chairman of Mushin Local Council called us and informed us that they want to install a Baba Oloja. He said

HE Young Women’s T Christian Association (YWCA) of Nigeria has conthe existence of a Baba Oloja would not conflict with that of LACEC. “But recently, the man (Oki) said we should close our shops, that they were doing something and we refused. He went and reported us to the Area Commander. We went to meet with the Area Commander, and in the course of discussion, he brought out some documents showing that Ladipo market now has a Baba Oloja and said that it is either we accept it or leave Lagos State for our home states.”

Chairmanship Aspirant To Resolve Communal Disputes From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka S preparations heighten for A the council polls in Anambra State, a council chairmanship aspirant from Anambra East, Hon. Hillary Onyehwelu Udanoh has canvassed the use of conflict resolution as a tool to resolve communal disputes in the state, particularly in his council area. Udanoh expressed concern that the wave of violent clashes among communities in the oil producing areas of Anambra, involving Aguleri, Umuleri and Anam would adversely affect development and also scare off foreign investors willing to do business in the area,

Speaking with The Guardianin his country home, Umueri, yesterday, he said, “I will liaise with the communities involved, ... set up fact finding committees, while all issues will be handled and treated at youth level.” Insisting that this arrangement will discourage quarrels and fighting in the communities, he added that the royal fathers and elders would be encouraged to attend the meetings. Udanoh regretted that the area had suffered neglect under various administrations and vowed to use his ideas and knowledge to embark on programmes and projects for development covering educa-

TheGuardian SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013

SPECIAL REPORT: Protecting The Children From Adults: How can children be protected from child trafficking, early marriage, slavery and other anti-social engagements? The Guardian went to town, to bring you views of experts. A must Read! SPECIAL INTERVIEW:

By Joseph Okoghenun

Maitama Sule, Elder Statesman Calls For A Revolution, But Not A Violent One. Hear him: “When Murtala came into power, within six months he started giving this country a sense of direction. Did he kill anybody? When Buhari was in power, in eighteen months, he instilled discipline into the society, he raised the moral tone of the society, he fought corruption and he was giving the country a sense of direction, did he kill anybody? So you do not have to kill, once you have a good leader, who will lead by example, people will follow and the society will change”

POLITICS

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Ekiti PDP In Disarray Over Consensus Arrangement Plus updates on ANAMBRA 2013

• What Clerics Say On Early Marriage And The Girl Child • Women Should be Empowered Not Because Of Gender, But Capacity

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Incidents Of Collapsed Buildings On The Rise, Only Sanctions Can Reverse The Trend – Experts

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tion, agriculture, industry, women and youth empowerment.

demned underage marriage proposal by the Senate, noting that would conflict with various international protocols and conventions Nigeria is signatory to. In a statement signed and made available to The Guardian by its National President, Lady Chikwue Ochiagha, in Lagos yesterday, the association said the proposal also conflicts with the 1999 Constitution and “Section 21 of the Child’s Right Act of Nigeria which forbids the marriage of persons below 18 years with imposition of a punishment of N500,000 or a 5year jail term, or both.” The statement noted that: “The Y.W.C.A of Nigeria is greatly concerned about the recent resolution of the Senate to delete Section 29 (4) (a) of the Constitution which provides

that “full age” means the age of eighteen years and above, leaving the sub section (b) which says “any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.” “It is important to call to remember that there are many international instruments to which Nigeria subscribed that will be violated should this act be allowed to scale through. On the list are instruments like Article 21 (2) of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the child which prohibits child marriage and betrothal, Article 6 (b) of the African Charter on Human and People’ Rights on the Rights of Woman in Africa which provides that the minimum age of Marriage for a woman is 18 years, Article 18 (3) of the Conventions on the Rights of the child, Article 27 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the child etc. At the local level, it said that the

BAOBAB Decries Violation Of Girl Child Rights AOBAB for Women’s B Human Rights (BAOBAB) has condemned in strong terms the recent fallout of the Nigerian constitutional amendment process in the Senate to retain the provision of Section 29(4) (b) which says that any woman who is mar-

ried shall be deemed to be of full age. A statement signed by the Acting Director, Anne Lawal, stated that, “This provision would imply that a female child even at birth, if married, is deemed to be of full age.” It said that it is particularly dis-

Delta To Employ 20,000 Youths From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba ORRIED by the high rate of W youth unemployment, the Delta State Government has resolved to employ over 20,000 youths in the next five years through the Small Public Works sub-component of the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project, the Commissioner for Finance, Chief Kenneth Okpara has disclosed. Okpara told youths, drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state at a formal stakeholders meeting in Asaba yesterday, that the project which is scheduled to run for five years is a World Bank and European Union-assisted project and is intended to alleviate their suffering. He explained that a total of 4000 unemployed and unskilled youth, as well as 10 engineers between the ages of 18 and 22 would be engaged under the scheme with salaries paid to them based on the minimum wage scheme during the first phase of the Youth Employment programme, which will last five years. The Commissioner explained that the State Government has entered into partnership with the World Bank and the European Union under the SEEFOR PROJECT and has been paying its counterpart funds, in her attempt to enhance opportunities for employment for the youth and access to socio-economic services. The Delta State SEEFOR Project Coordinator, Mr. Benson Ojoko said that the initiative would involve Youth Employment through Small Public Works, Public Financial Management Reforms, provide grants for

community driven development and also provide support for technical and vocational training institutions. Ojoko disclosed that the first phase of implementation, which is scheduled to commence in the state capital, Asaba, in August is targeted at the most vulnerable youths in the society. The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Betty Efekhoda pleaded that the womenfolk should be carried along in employment opportunities as the poverty situation is easily alleviated once they are empowered.

heartening considering that the high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria is primarily due to the prevalence of Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) / Rectovaginal fistula (RVF). It stated: “BAOBAB sees this clause as a clear violation of the rights of the girl child and various international treaties such as: “The Child Rights Act 2003: Section 21 & 22 which prohibits child marriage and betrothal Convention of Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): Article 16 (2) which says the betrothal and the marriage of a child shall have no legal effect, and all necessary action, including legislation, shall be taken to specify a minimum age for marriage and to make the registration of marriages in an official registry compulsory. “Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa Article 6 (b) which provides that the minimum age of marriage for

Sambo Lauds DMO Over Successful Euro Bond From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja ICE President Mohammed V Namadi Sambo has commended the Debt Management Office (DMO) for successfully floating the one billion US dollar Euro Bond. The Vice President gave the commendation yesterday at the State House, Abuja, when he chaired the 14th meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Debt Management Office. But he charged the DMO to ensure that the funds realised from the Bond sale was used for specific projects meant to touch the lives of Nigerians, particularly in the areas of road and rail construction, oil and gas, power, healthcare delivery, education and agriculture. Sambo expressed delight over the initiative of the DMO to erect

its head office, using the Public Private Partnership initiative of the Federal Government, charging the agency to expedite action so as to set example to other government agencies. He said: “I congratulate the DMO for being able to put up a building under PPP, this is the direction that government is taking. You should expedite action so that other government agencies can borrow from DMO on how to achieve government accommodation, on a Public Private Partnership basis,” adding that with this initiative “Government does not need to be spending money anymore to build offices.” Earlier the Director General of DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, attributed the success of the Euro Bond to the support the agency was receiving from President Goodluck Jonathan and Sambo.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

NEWS

Nigerians Bemoan High Electricity Charges By Ajibola Amzat and Bankole Shakirudeen Adeshina IGERIANS may have to wait longer for the succour promised by Federal Government’s on-going privatisation of the nation’s power sector. Investigations by The Guardian revealed that Nigerians are not only unhappy with the alleged “significant drop” in electricity supply, but feel “defrauded” as they are being made to “pay exorbitantly for electricity that is never supplied.” One fundamental question Nigerians are asking is: Why should FG, through it agencies like the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), increase

NERC Boss Gives Discordant Tunes electricity tariff by 100 per cent or more when supply has not improved. But in a swift reaction, the Managing Director of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, at a briefing last week, insisted that the new electricity charges were justified under the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO). While defending FG’s position on the charges, the NERC boss said Nigerians had been educated about the ongoing approved payment arrangement under MYTO, which would run till 2016. The MYTO, which was prepared by NERC showed that there would be increases in electricity tariff every year till 2016.

The tariff schedule showed that consumers would have to pay higher on two fronts. One, the fixed cost will go up every year. The energy cost or cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity will also increase. In defence of the customers, NLC had accused NERC of aiding and abetting the exploitation of many Nigerians by charging them higher tariff when electricity supply remains erratic. The labour union said NERC was part of the challenges hindering the successful transformation of the nation’s power sector, through its inconsistent and contradictory regulatory policies. But Amadi’s submission that

the new tariff are justified is a contradiction of what he told The Guardian in an interview prior to the introduction of the new tariff regime. In the said interview, published May 26 this year, Amadi had promised that the new tariff regime otherwise known as Multi-Year Tariff Order, would only witness 11 to 12 percent increment in charges, especially for R.2 Consumers. R.2 consumers are regarded as the residential consumers, who use single-face meter. But at a briefing in Abuja early this week, he backtracked, saying the electricity tariff, which now affects all consumers, especially Lagos residents, was fair and reasonable. Justifying the fixed charge component in the tariff, Amadi

explained that the fixed charge is a component of electricity tariff all over the world and is charged to recover some of the capital costs for producing and supplying electricity. Reacting on the issue, Nigerians however argued that there has never been any subsidy for electricity tariff by either the government or NERC. Rather, they accused NERC of charging consumers, including low consumers exorbitantly for service not rendered. For instance, Mr Ibrahim Bello, a Landlord at Ikotun said his street, which is under Ikotun Business District of PHCN, does not enjoy stable supply as it comes at a two-to-one day interval. “Why should government

EFCC Has Lost Its Value, Says Activist

Mr. Kunle Elegbede; Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu; Chief Segun Osoba; Mr. Lade Bonuola; and Mr. Nduka Obaigbena at the burial of Alhaji Alade Odunewu in Ikoyi, Lagos… yesterday.

Varsity Don Fingers World Bank In Nigeria’s Education Rot From Niyi Bello, Akure ORMER Vice-Chancellor of FProfessor the University of Ibadan, Olufemi Bamiro has fingered a World Bank report that concluded that government financing of higher education in Nigeria was not costeffective as one of the factors responsible for the downward trend in the nation’s educational pursuits. The report, which was released to the Nigerian authorities during the military era, according to the university don, sought to dissuade government from

direct financing of the university sector on the ground that the investment was not profit-oriented. Bamiro, in a keynote address at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) during the fifth Registry Annual Lecture of the institution held at its campus yesterday, said the military “which ordinarily was looking for a way to cage the academic community in an environment of dictatorship”, readily latched on to the report to deny universities the needed funding for growth. According to him, “all over the

Anambra Guber: APGA Wants Aspirants To Pay N2 Million ANDIDATES jostling to conC test the November 16, 2013, governorship election in Anambra State under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will be expected to make a nonrefundable payment of N2 million expression of interest fee to the party. The party, which has fixed August 3 for the approval of guidelines for the elections by its National Executive

tering solidarity, tolerance and interfaith dialogue in her remarks during the annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner organized by US consulate in Lagos midweek. Ghebreab amplified President Obama’s statement marking the start of 2013 Ramadan saying: “This Holy month is an opportunity for family and friends to come together and celebrate the principles that bind people of different faiths – a commitment to peace, justice, equality and compassion towards our fellow human beings. These bonds are far stronger than the differences that too often drive us apart.

ORMER Governor of Abia Fcommiserated State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has with Nigeria’s

From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja

S Acting Consul General, U Dehab Ghebreab has highlighted the significance of fos-

Kalu Condoles With Jonathan, Mourns Odunewu

From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is said to have lost its value, hence, it is accused of lacking the capacity to fight corruption in Nigeria, anticorruption activist, Auwal Musa has said. Musa, the National Coordinator of Zero Corruption Coalition, stated this in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital during the launch of the Niger Delta Anticorruption Network (NIDAN). According to him, most of the anti corruption agencies appear to have lost the public confidence in their fight against corruption due to lack of proactiveness and effectiveness in the way and manner they handle corruption cases in the country. Consequently, Musa noted that Nigerians are no longer scared about the agency stressing, “EFCC has completely been abused to the extent that those involved in sharp practices are now the ones urging you to call EFCC.” This ugly development, according to him, was due to the fact that the agency has compromised in its stand and responsibilities. “We are concerned the way the war against corruption has been undermined by government official. It is in our interest to ensure that corruption is dealt with and that corrupt peoplearenotallowedtoenjoy the goods they have looted.” He regretted that the situation

US Consul General Canvasses Religious Tolerance By Debo Oladimeji

Committee (NEC), said in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja that it would commence the sale of expression of interest forms from July 29 and will end the exercise on August 2. It added that the screening of aspirants would hold between August 15 and 16. The statement, which was signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sani Shinkafi, stated that screening appeals would hold on August 17, while ward congresses for the election of Ad-hoc delegates to the state

congress will take place on August 19. The State Congress (primary election) for the nomination of the party’s candidate for the governorship elections would hold on August 26, while appeals arising from the State Congress will take place on August 28. Shinkafi pointed out that the party would submit the name of its candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission on September 3.

world, military dictatorship and all forms of undemocratic governance are always uncomfortable with the freedom exhibited by the academic communities and they always want to suppress it by all means. So with such a report, the military authorities just decided to allow the universities to die of underfunding.” The university don spoke before the main lecture titled, “Higher Education and the Industry: Critical Perspectives”wasdeliveredby Mr. Dimeji Owofemi, the MD/CEO of Multi Trex Integrated Foods Plc. On his part, Owofemi put the blame of the rot in the university system on internal operators. According to him, “as much as the military during which period the underfunding of the universities reached a critical peak, feared and respected the academics, it was members of the same community that exposed the internal weaknesses of the system for the military to exploit. He cited a case of a university don who approached a military governor to complain that authorities of his university did not offer him a chair after many years in the system

and how the governor, not understanding that the man was complaining that he was not made a professor, “assured him that he was going to ask his boys to get him the best chairs from government furniture makers.” The professor also identified unbridled establishment of universities for political rather than industrial and academic consideration by governments without corresponding funding as another major bane of the rot in the nation’s educational sector. According to him, “as at the last count, I may not be up to date here because universities are being created after almost every Federal Executive Council meetings, we had 129 Universities, 71 Polytechnics, 47 Monotechnics and 79 Colleges of Education belonging to the Federal, State and private institutions. “When we had 27 Federal Universities, we were crying for funding and the whole system was on the verge of collapse for lack of attention, now that we have 40 Federal Universities, you can imagine the pain that these institutions are going through. The rate of creation of universities in Nigeria is the problem, not the number.”

first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, over the loss of her step mum, Mrs. Iwari Oba. He also described late veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, as a man committed to the advancement of Nigeria’s progress, saying his death is a huge loss to Nigeria and the journalism profession. Kalu, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, said the loss of such a mother figure could be devastating, no matter how old the person may be. Kalu, who spoke from Harare in Zimbabwe, where he is a part of the African Union Election Observer Mission for the country’s general election, said Dame Jonathan should be consoled by the fact that Mrs. Oba lived a life worthy of emulation.

Lawmakers Escape Death In Car Crash From Terhemba Daka, Abuja WO Federal Lawmakers in T the House of Representatives, Uche Ekwunife, Chairman, House Committee on Environment and Victor Afam Ogene, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, narrowly escaped death in the early hours of yesterday when the vehicle in which they were traveling was involved in an accident. The Lexus Jeep was said to have strayed and somersaulted several times before landing on its roof in a ditch along the Gwagwalada-Lokoja expressway in Abuja. An eyewitness said the accident occurred as the driver was trying to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming fuel tanker. Both occupants including the driver are said to have been moved to the hospital by men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). When contacted, Ekwunife, APGA governorship aspirant for Anambra state government House described the incident as a miraculous survival. All of us are in very stable condition. I am very grateful to God for His mercies,” Ekwunife said.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

NEWS

Eminent Nigerians Mourn Odunewu By Kabir Alabi Garba and Ajibola Amzat

Tributes have been pouring in for the veteran journalist, Alade Odunewu who bid farewell to the world on Thursday night. Odunewu passed away four months shy of his 86th birthday. Meanwhile, prominent Nigerians have begun mourning Odunewu whom many regard as a quintessential media professional and a role model to many Nigerian journalists. Odunewu’s Place Among The Greats Of Nigerian Journalism Is Assured, Says Jonathan RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has, on behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, condoled with the family of the late foremost journalist, AlhajiAlade Odunewu who passed away Thursday’s night at the age of 85. In a statement by Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Reuben Abati, Jonathan joins the Odunewu family and all who knew “Allah De” as he was popularly known in mourning the veteran journalist who attained national fame with his popular and widely read satirical newspaper columns with which he entertained, educated and edified the public. According to Abati, the President believes that as Odunewu is laid to rest in Lagos today, his family, relatives, associates, admirers and the many media professionals for whom he was an inspiring mentor and role model should be comforted by the knowledge that his place alongside the greats of Nigerian journalism is assured. President Jonathan said the veteran journalist would be eternally remembered and honoured as a nationalist and patriot whose notable contributions to national development extended well beyond his chosen profession of journalism to the public service of his state and Nigeria where he served with distinction as Commissioner, member of the Federal Electoral Commission and Chairman of the Nigerian Press Council. The President therefore urges the present generation of Nigerian journalists to strive to emulate Odunewu’s exemplary craftsmanship, courage, forthrightness, fairness, patriotism, honesty and moral rectitude which were most apparent in his life and also evident in ‘Winner Takes All’, the collection of writings which he has bequeathed to posterity. Alade Odunewu, A Journalism Giant, True Nationalist - Tinubu

HE demise of veteran journalism icon, Hadj Alade Idowu Odunewu has been described as the exit of journalism great by former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For Tinubu, the death of Odunewu perhaps draws the curtain on the generation of journalists who took the profession to an enviable and reputable status. Remembering his sojourn and stewardship at Daily Times with great pride and nostalgia, Tinubu said “ Odunewu’s death is like the vanishing of that lone shining star that serves as guide to others. An icon and a journalist per excellence, hardly can anyone in the journalism firmament of our country contest this position with him. He brought to journalism finesse, intellectualism, humour and a rare sense of patriotism. “If there was ever a Nigerian Journalism Hall of Fame, Odunewu’s banner must rise above

L-R: Publisher, This Day newspaper, Mr. Nduka Obagbena; Publisher Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu; Chief Segun Osoba; Justice Habeeb Abiru; and Chief Imam Sheik Abdul Rahman during the burial of Alhaji Alade Odunewu at Ikoyi in Lagos yesterday PHOTO: Gabriel Ikhahon all others because of his commitment to journalism and service to country”. Allah De Was a Man Of Uncommon Talent – Atiku ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the death of the veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Idowu Odunewu at the age of 85, would create a big vacuum in journalism for many years to come. Popularly known as Allah De in his celebrated column in the Daily Times, the former Vice President recalled, “his sense of humour gave his writing style a unique and inimitable quality and class.” According to Atiku, journalists had a lot to learn from the extraordinary talent of the late Odunewu whose column became so popular like a hot cake because of its satirical and humorous style. However, the former Vice President reminded Nigerians that the late Odunewu should not only be celebrated for his sense of humour, also because of his integrity. “From the accounts of the man I have read and from what I have heard about him, I am convinced the late veteran journalist deserves all the accolades being to his memory. His Death Deletes Media Think Tanks Aregbesola

HE Governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, has described the death of the veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, popularly known as Allah De, as a huge loss to the nation and the pen profession. Aregbesola said Odunewu’s death signals the end of several decades of service to fatherland and the mankind. In a statement by the Director Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola affirmed that the octogenarian’s death further deletes the media think tanks. The Governor said Odunewu, a prominent Nigerian journalist, who became famous for his satirical essays and his ‘Allah De’ columns in Daily Times of Nigeria, has contributed to

the development of journalism and progress of the nation. “The death of Alhaji Odunewu brings to mind the transient nature of man’s sojourn on earth. “His death however affects us all for he has impacted on just as he has served humanity with his pen. “A consummate and top-on-the- self journalist, Odunewu wrote with passion and uncommon vigour. “The media world has certainly lost a gem, gifted and experienced writer and information disseminator per excellence. “On behalf of myself, government and the people of Osun, I condole with the immediate and extended families of the deceased and the Nigerian Union of Journalists. May Allah bless him with Aljana Firdaus,” Aregbesola said. e Was Icon Of Journalism, Says Amosun OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has described the late veteran journalist and former chairman of the Nigeria Press Council, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, as an icon of journalism. The governor commiserated with the media community in Nigeria on the loss of the frontline journalist and renowned columnist. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Amosun described Odunewu as a cerebral writer and satirist extraordinaire. “Allah De, as he was fondly called, left indelible prints as a columnist, editor of Daily Times and chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Media Merit Award. The nation has truly lost a patriotic opinion moulder, educator and builder of men,” the governor said. His Death… End of Another Phase of Our Public Life, Says Maduka

DUNEWU’S passage is a great loss to the entire country. As my predecessor, he played his part effectively demonstrating high leadership quality with a first class view on media matters. He retired as Chairman of

“O

NMMA Board of Trustees last year and I took over from him, the same way he succeeded Alhaji Babatunde Jose some few years ago. Both of them took NMMA to an enviable position. Those working with them benefitted from their leadership. Succeeding him is a challenge for me. It would have been good to have him around and draw from his wealth of experience. His death marks an end of another phase of our public life.” Chairman, NMMA Board of Trustees, Vincent Maduka His Legacy Will Live For Long - Maida HE death of Odunewu is a great loss to Journalism and Nigeria. “Odunewu was our chairman at Nigeria Press Council and Nigeria Media Merit Award where I served as member for a very long time. He was my pillar when I served as President of Nigeria Guild of Editors. Odunewu was a professional to the core who combined experience and appreciation of the modern trends in journalism practice. Allah-De left but his legacies in our profession will live for a very long time.” Former Managing Director, NAN, Wada Maida.

“T

He Was Passionate About Journalism - Oyo had the privilege of drinking from his deep well of wisdom for more than two decades especially during her tenures as president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. “He was passionate about journalism and worked very hard to ensure adherence to the ethics of the profession. His warm smile, his sterling qualities will be sorely missed.” Former MD (NAN), Mrs. Oluremı Oyo.

DUNEWU was a thoroughbred professional journalist who wrote incisively and delivered his messages in elegant style. He never shared from public debates on what should be the role of the media in the society and especially under a democratic dispensation. In particular he was always quick to draw attention to journalistic excesses. irector, International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

NEWS NCC Warns Of Attacks On Telecom Facilities From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin IGERIAN Communications Commission (NCC) has decried the continuous attacks on telecommunications base stations across the federation and warned against the grave consequences of the vice on communications system in the country. NCC Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi, who condemned the vandalisation yesterday during the 9th edition of consumer town hall meeting organised by NCC for telecom stakeholders at Omu Aran, Kwara State, said the act might affect telecom investment in the country as telecommunications investors, like every other investors, would invest heavily only in peaceful environment.

ADB Approves $45m For Establishment Of Pan African University HE African Development T Bank (ADB) has approved $45 million grant to support the establishment of a Pan African University (PAU). The new university, consisting of five Pan African Institutes, will focus mainly on science, technology and innovation. According to ADB Director of Human Development, Agnes Soucat, the initiative will raise Africa’s standard of university

education, develop science and technology sectors and commercialise innovations. Currently the best African university ranks 113th globally. And of the 400 top universities globally, the only four located in Africa are in South Africa. Soucat said: “Thousands of students all over Africa will benefit from this project. This is truly an amazing regional effort to help African universities achieve world-class status.

It will increase the pool of African scientists and researchers not only to serve the needs of the continent but also to help youth become competitive in international labour markets.” PAU is expected to establish an academic network of already existing post-graduate and research institutions intended to serve all African countries. Consisting of five thematic

institutes based in East, West, Central, North and Southern Africa, PAU will deliver programmes in basic sciences, technology and innovation (East Africa), earth and life sciences including health and agriculture (West Africa), governance, humanities and social sciences (Central Africa), water and energy sciences including climate change (North

Africa) and space sciences (Southern Africa). The first three PAU thematic institutes will be based in Kenya, Nigeria and Cameroon. While PAU Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation will be in Kenya, PAU Institute for Life and Earth Sciences will be in Nigeria. And PAU Institute for Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences will be in Cameroon.

ACN Commiserates With First Lady On Mother’s Death HE Action Congress of T Nigeria (ACN) has commiserated with the First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, on the passing away of her mother. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it was shocked and saddened by the news of the death. The statement read:’’The death of a loved one is always a moment of deep pain and sorrow. Hence, we pray that God will give the First Lady and all those left to mourn her mother the strength to bear their loss. We also pray that God grant the departed eternal rest.’’

Tiv Youths Hail Reps Over LG Autonomy Law From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi SOCIO-CULTURAL organisaA tion, Tiv Youth Congress (TYC) has lauded the House of Representatives for voting in favour of local government autonomy, noting that the house is truly standing in defence of democracy and the people that voted them into power. The organisation, however, berated members of the Senate for betraying the confidence reposed on them by their constituents and described them as the “Judas” of their various senatorial districts. TYC, in a statement issued yesterday to The Guardian in Makurdi and signed by its National President, Comrade Saater Tiseer with Igbalumun Mfeyue, described the house as “ the peoples’ hope temple”. The statement reads: “We are calling on all people of good will to stand up and applaud the House of Representatives members for this wonderful feat. During the constituency consultations on the ongoing constitutional amendment, it was clear that the people were tired of the pocketing of the local councils by almost all the state governments where the funds have become their pocket money while the council chairmen merely act as class captains.

Special Adviser to Lagos governor on Lagos Eko Project, Ms. Ronke Azeez, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of at the 3rd Lagos Governor’s Education Award in Lagos…Thursday

Mimiko Vows To Make Ondo Cynosure Of All Eyes Bennywood Underway For NDO State Governor, Dr. North-West and South-West tarred roads, potable water, administration,wehaveplaced O Olusegun Mimiko has Local Governments, said that he power supply, eateries, large urban renewal and slum develBenue opment on the front burner of vowed to make the state the would fulfill all his campaign cynosure of all eyes through even distribution of dividends of democracy to the people of the state. Mimiko, made the promise yesterday while commissioning two neighbourhood markets at Irun and Iwaro-Oka in Akoko

promises. The governor had earlier commissioned Ondo City market and the New NEPA Shopping Mall in Akure with the Igbokoda International market also due for commissioning soon. The two modern markets have

parking spaces, toilets and security posts. Mimiko, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, assured that the people of Ondo State that they will not regret reelecting him as the governor. Mimiko said: “As part of the Caring Heart Agenda of this

state policy execution.” Ondo State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Bade Omoloja, appreciated Mimiko for urban renewal initiatives, which he said, have given the entire state a massive facelift.

America-Based Nigerians Want Boko HaramDesignated Terrorist Organisation HE members of the T Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans (CANAN) have held rally in U.S. to demand the designation of Boko Haram group as Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). The members, who were led by the Chairman of the association, Pastor James Fadele, and Executive Director, Mr. Laolu Akande, embarked on the rally

outside the White House in Washington. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the group wondered why the U.S. State Department had refused to pronounce the entire Boko Haram as a terrorist group instead of referring only to its leader. Earlier at a news conference held at the National Press

Club, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, also faulted the U.S. government over its delay to classify the group as terrorist body. Oritsejafor added that in addition to non-recognition of the plight of Nigerians, the U.S. has not offered humanitarian assistance to victims of Boko

Haram. “America’s ambivalence over the terrorist challenges in Nigeria is a stunning betrayal. After 911, Nigeria was amongst nations that cooperated with global efforts on tracing terrorist financing to the point that a designated foreign financier was uncovered running a cereal factory in Northern Nigeria.

Akpabio Urges France To Establish Nigerian-French Hospital In Uyo OVERNOR Godswill G Akpabio has urged France to strengthen bilateral relationship with Nigeria by establishing a Nigerian-French Hospital in Uyo to enhance medical tourism in Akwa Ibom. Akpabio, who stated this Thursday when the ConsulGeneral of French Embassy in Nigeria, His Excellency, Francoise Sastourne, paid him a courtesy visit at Governor’s Office, Uyo, noted “If we have a Nigerian-French Hospital in Uyo, that on its own means that there’s a lot of co-operation

between Nigeria and France. “We can find a way to partner in the major referral hospital that we are constructing at Itam and that can assist us in terms of medical tourism. Majority of our people are actually going to India for medical treatment. If we have Nigerian-French Hospital, we will serve foreign exchange and then medical tourism between the two countries would be encouraged”. Akpabio hinted that Akwa Ibom Government was looking for investors to partner the state in such areas as Ibaka Deep

Seaport, distribution of power generated by Ibom Independent Power Plant (IPP), Akwa Ibom International Airport, stating “we also need French investors to take interest there”. He commended France for her contribution to the restoration of peace in Mali and for her investment in the West African region, saying, “I must say that between France and Nigeria, the relationship must be deepened. Let’s improve our economic assimilation”. Sastourne , who described

development in Akwa Ibom as extraordinary and holistic,said Nigeria was France’s first economic partner in Sub-Sahara Africa and a major political partner because of her strategic influence in the politics of the region. Sastourne: “The relationship between France and Nigeria has been good. Our relationship is dependent too much on oil and gas and we want development more. We want our investors to come here; we are trying to convince them that Nigeria is a safe place to invest.”

From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi NEW film industry concept is underway in Benue State where all intending artists, film producers, directors and other major players in the entertainment industry in the state would be brought together to form Bennywood, a Benue version of Nollywood. The development is coming at a time when the Nigeria Video and Film Censors Board is planning a workshop for stakeholders in the film industry in Benue State. The plan of Bennywoood, The Guardian learnt,is being spearheaded by a major player in the international film industry,Tar Ukoh, also known as Mambissa.

Church Sets Up N220 Million Printing Press By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku HE Apostolic Church Nigeria, Lagos Area, Western and Northern Areas (TACLAWNA), has set up a world-class digitalised printing press worth over N220 million. The printing press, which is located at the LAWNA International Grounds, Olorunda-Ketu, Lagos, has the capacity to print over 18,000 copies per hour.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

METRONOTES WILMER Puts Smiles On The Faces Of Unemployed C’ River Youths ODWIN Otuodung graduated with a B. Sc G Physics from the Physics Department of the University of Calabar in 2010. He also in acquired skills in ICT and was variously engaged by companies to manage cyber cafes, hotels and business centres in Calabar. “But the salary was paltry and often came late; for months one only fed on stories as the oga would tell tales of shortfall in income or bad businesses so salary could not be paid that month, perhaps the next month would be better,” he said. However, in the past one year, Godwin who is from Mbarakom Village in Akamkpa, the community that the CALARO Plantation is situated- that is handed over by the state government to WILMER International, a Singaporean agribusiness firm, has been a machinery supervisor with the company and he now has a new story to tell. A story of job satisfaction, timely payment of salaries, free accommodation, free training, secure work environment and several other benefits now accrue to him as a staff of WILMER. “My mother sent for me last year that there was a new company in CALARO and that they were employing anybody who was ready to work. I had to come down from Calabar where I was for three years after graduation searching for employment. And true to my mum’s words when I reported in the estate the next day I was employed and assigned to the machinery unit as a supervisor since I hold a Bsc in Physics”. “I now live in a two- room apartment, my salary is timely, there is constant power supply, and no security threat here so I am okay”. Godwin’s story resonates in other hundreds of youths in Akamkpa and Odukpani Local Government Areas of Cross River State who have been gainfully employed by WILMER International in the past one year since they started operations as the new owners of the CALARO Estate which is putting a new lease of life into the moribund palm plantation. “I used to work for Wilson company in Port Harcourt but when I heard there are jobs right in my village I had to leave Port Harcourt and I was employed here and life has been far better than when I was in Port Harcourt,” Idoreyin Udofia whose mother is an indegene of Mbarakom said. Juicy stories abound for the boys and for the legion of girls engaged by the WILMER Company to work either as weeders, water spraystar or supervisors. For 21-year-old Janet Bassey, the employment with WILMER has given her a sense of selfworth and personal respect as the salary she earns is enough for her to take care of her needs and those of her siblings. “I earn about N28,000 per month which is enough for me to buy whatever I need and to take care of my sisters and brothers so no man can take advantage of me again because I cannot go to any man to ask for anything because I am hungry or want to do anything that will make me to submit myself to him so I can get some money.” For another 21-year- old girl, Idongesit Asibong, her joy in getting the job is the prospects of her saving money and furthering her education. “I have been working here for the past eight months and my salary comes at the end of every month and I am saving part of it because I want to write UME this year and further my education”. These stories from youths of Akamkpa and Odukpani are just a tip of the iceberg as the Singaporean firm which only started operations in November 2012 with the plan of turning the 50, 000 hectare plantation to an ultra

Farm workers at Wilmer at Mbarakom

Oil palms modern oil palm plantations with its partners PZ Cussons, plans to provide at least 20000 direct jobs in the next five years. Disclosing this during the inauguration of the plantation, the Chairman/CEO, WILMER International Limited, Mr. Kuok said their vision is to revive the oil palm industry in Nigeria and restore its past glory by investing in the entire palm oil value chain, adding that their focus is to develop oil plantations, processing mills, palm oil refinery, production of packaged edibles oils and nutritional edible and spread their distribution to Nigerian consumers He said Wilmer, which is Asia’s leading Agribusiness Group, is investing $400 million in agro- cultivation and processing and in will generate N1.375 billion naira in internally generated revenue to Cross River State. Mr Gerald Ada, the Special Adviser on Investment Promotion said “WILMER also has extensive investments in other economic cash crops such as Rice and Sugar as well as Fertilizer Plants. The company has capacity to cultivate 7,500 hectres annually and has entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with PZ Cussons for its refining operations. WILMER is a signatory to the International Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) which means that it is involved in sustainable palm oil production that is Ecofriendly and socially responsible. Speaking in the same vein, Cross River State Governor Senator Liyel Imoke disclosed that the state’s intention in handing over the plantations to Wilmer is to make sure it has an agricultural cluster unmatched by any other state in Nigeria The Imoke-led Administration in the state projects that Foreign Direct Investment into the state, which is put at over $2billion for last year alone, will create at least 40,000 direct jobs for its citizens in the next few years.

Pomp, Glamour As Benin Monarch Honours Ogbebor, Others From Michael Egbejule, Benin City HE Palace was agog with colorful sights T and sounds, crème d’la crème of the Bini dynasty as distinguished personalities from

Egbejule

all walks of life trooped out to celebrate their own, as the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa conferred the title of “Efeisoghoba” on Edo Business Mogul, Joe Asien Ogbebor recently. Ogbebor described the Benin Monarch as a King Par Excellence, adding that, His Royal Majesty was doing that in the spirit of promoting Bini citizens who have excelled in their various fields, and it will serve as an incentive to younger generation of Bini extraction. Eminent Bini indigenes have continued to shower encomiums on the Benin Monarch for his fatherly disposition and the presentation of royal beads bestowed on deserving individuals saying such would attract more socio-economic activities to the kingdom. Ogbebor said the Benin Monarch’s honouring of Benin indigenes including himself was born out of the desire of the palace to bring development and investment to the Bini. “It is also meant to encourage more Binis to bring back their wealth of experience to develop their ancestral home. It will also give the Binis at home a sense of belonging by providing economic empowerment to the youths,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

AFRICA

WORLD

Huge Rival Rallies As Morsi Is Accused

Ariel Castro To Serve Life In Prison Under Plea Deal

ENS of thousands of supporters T and opponents of Egypt’s ousted Islamist president are attend-

clashes between rival groups in the capital’s Shubra district, security sources say. The violence appears to have involved stonethrowing. A huge crowd of Morsi supporters has filled streets around Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque, where they have been holding a sit-in protest. “Sisi out! Morsi is president! Down with the army!” they chanted. Correspondents say the mood among the Morsi supporters around the mosque has been calm and stewards have been searching demonstrators to ensure no weapons are brought to the rally. Tens of thousands of army sup-

porters have gathered on Tahrir Square, the traditional focus for mass rallies in Cairo. “The people, the source of all power, mandate the army and police to purge terrorism,” read a giant banner stretched across one entrance to the square. Many people carried posters of Gen Sisi. Ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi is being held over allegations of links with Palestinian militants Hamas and plotting attacks on jails in the 2011 uprising that overthrew Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, it was announced earlier on Friday. He is to be questioned for an initial 15-day period, a judicial order said.

ing rival rallies, two people already killed in clashes. In what is seen as a trial of strength, supporters of Mohammed Morsi filled the streets around a mosque in Cairo to condemn his removal by the army. Army supporters converged on Tahrir Square, just a few miles away. BBC reported that Mr Morsi is in detention, accused of conspiring with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Earlier this week, the army chief, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, urged people to take to the streets to give the military a mandate for its intervention in removing Mr Morsi and establishing an interim government. Since Mr Morsi, the country’s first democratically elected president, was ousted on 3 July, dozens of people have died in clashes between his supporters and opponents. Militants have also staged deadly attacks in the Sinai peninsula. According to state media, two people died and at least 19 were injured when clashes broke out between rival demonstrators in the country’s second city, Alexandria. Many of the injured reportedly suffered gunshot wounds. It appears that Morsi and Sisi supporters confronted each other after Muslim Friday prayers. People beside the ambulance carrying the body if assassinated Tunisian opposition In Cairo, 11 people were injured in politician Mohamed Brahmi in Tunis…

HE Ohio man T accused of raping and holding three women captive in his home for about a decade has agreed to a plea deal that will see him imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole. Ariel Castro, 53, was arrested in May after one of the women escaped. He abducted Michelle Knight, 32, Amanda Berry, 27, and Gina DeJesus, 23, from Cleveland streets between 2002-04. Castro was charged with murder for beating and starving one of the women, who was pregnant, until she miscarried. In a courtroom in Cleveland, Ohio, Judge Michael Russo repeatedly warned Castro he would never be let out of prison. “Is that clear?” he asked Castro, who sat clad in an orange jail jumpsuit, his hands cuffed in front of him. “I do understand that, your honour,” Castro, an unemployed school bus driver, replied. “I knew I was pretty much going to get the book thrown at me.” The three women were

all taken from the same street between 2002-04 Under the terms of the plea deal Castro will receive an additional prison sentence of 1,000 years and his property and other assets will be forfeited. He will also be classified as a sex offender. The agreement protects him from further charges and from the death penalty. The judge said there were plans to demolish the house where the

women were held. At the hearing, Castro told the judge he was abused as a child and said, “My addiction to pornography and my sexual problem has really taken a toll on my mind.” Castro was charged with 977 counts including two of aggravated murder for the “unlawful termination” of one of the women’s pregnancies, as well as multiple counts of kidnapping and rape.

Driver Of Spain Train Crash Formally Detained HE driver of a train T that derailed on Wednesday killing 78 people has been formally detained, Spanish police say. The driver, who was injured and is under guard in hospital, is accused of “crimes related to the accident”, they say. There are reports that the train was travelling at more than double the speed limit at the time of the crash. Spain has declared three days of national mourning over the crash, one of its worstever rail disasters. The police chief in the

Galicia region, Jaime Iglesias, said on Friday that driver Francisco Jose Garzon Amo would be questioned “as a suspect for a crime linked to the cause of the accident”. He added that Mr Garzon could not yet testify because of his medical condition. Police also put the confirmed number of deaths at 78 - down from 80 announced earlier. They said the difference arose because human remains had been wrongly identified in the initial stages.

NEWSINTERVIEW

How We Improved Infrastructure In Imo, By Opara-Ndudu Mr. Nick Opara-Ndudu, former Commissioner for Works and Transport in the cabinet of Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, recently in Lagos, spoke with reporters on the development programmes of the administration. Victor Rickets was there. Excerpts: he situation on ground before the current administration of Rochas Okorocha HEN this government came into office - and this is a fact that is there for everybody to clarify or to crosscheck - we met a state that was significantly as far as infrastructure is concerned, in a state of disrepair. A lot of the roads were left unattended to. For those of you who are conversant with the capital city, Owerri, you will find out that most of the city roads were in different stages of dilapidation. Also, since the state was created in 1976, several parts of the state have really not had the opportunity to have modern infrastructure, particularly roads. And as a result, we found ourselves in a situation where some parts of Owerri metropolitan areas were gradually turning into slums. This was even against the backdrop of the fact that Owerri has a masterplan that provided for all these areas and all these routes. Yet, nothing was done by successive governments over the

past decades. But what is the state of infrastructural development in Imo presently? What the government did so far was essentially a process that will lead to the provision of at least basic motorable roads and other infrastructure in all these areas; that is for the Owerri capital area. These are facts that are there for everybody to verify. If you take a place like Apakoma Amahoya area that I mentioned earlier, you will find that this government, since it came into office, has provided about eight and 10 kilometres of roads within that area such that a lot of these areas have now been opened up. If you also got to the Prince park area, a lot of the roads are currently under construction. Also a number of roads are being done all across Owerri. As a matter of fact, Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s administration has awarded a total of about 180 road contracts for various streets in Owerri. This is on record Now, if you are also are very conversant with the geography of Owerri, you will find that there is this imaginary design, as I will call it, between the new Owerri and the old Owerri. In the past, if you needed to go from the old Owerri to the new Owerri, you would have to go through what we call the Port Harcourt Road or through the Akamkpa Assumpta Cathedral, and then you head towards Owerri. Whereas the distance between the new Owerri and the

Opara-Ndudu old Owerri is less than 200 metres. As a matter of fact, these two parts of town are divided by a river called Nwori River. So you will find that over the years, this Nwori River divided the new Owerri from the old Owerri, and nobody has thought of any connection between these two parts. It is to the credit of this government that that connection has been established. As we speaks, two bridges have been constructed across new Owerri such that the journey that we had to do in the past we can now do across new Owerri river and that won’t be more than 300 metres. The two bridges were constructed by this government. If you are also conversant with

Owerri, you will find out that one of the greatest challenges we have in the state capital is the issue of floods and erosions. Unknown to a lot of people, erosion in some parts of Owerri is as bad as you find them even in Anambra and in some of other area. We have awarded contracts to tackle these two problems. There is an ultra-modern conference centre, capable of sitting between 3,000 and 3,500 people currently under construction in Owerri that will be completed before the fourth anniversary or fourth year of this government. The government is also building 305 model secondary schools, out of which we have built 120 schools. The plan is that before the middle of next year, the final 305 schools

would have been constructed. And these schools are located one in each ward of the state. So, we are providing one of these schools in each ward in Imo State. Now, if you go to the area of health infrastructure, the government is also building 27 brand new hospitals - one in each of the 27 local governments of the state. Now if you go to Orlu, it has witnessed massive infrastructural transformation. Most of the streets in Orlu are today dual carriage ways. The government is dualising the road from Orlu town to Akokwa moving toward Anambr The same level of infrastructural transformation is going on in Okigwe. There is a popular saying in state in the past that says ‘every towns and villages have opened up except Orlu and Okigwe.’ But this government has broken that jinx, and that is in addition to the fact that the government is involved in the construction of hotels in both Orlu and Okigwe just to energise the development process. What about projects in other areas of the state? You might think that what this government is doing is limited to just Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri, that is not true. As we speak, and that is also for everybody to verify, this government has constructed in the past two years a total of about 310-kilometre asphalted roads. The emphasis on road has been because the government believes that roads as they are, are like arteries that drive development.

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics

Jonathan

Emerging Factors In PDP That May Shape 2015 Presidency on the alleged agreement between him and PDP governors that he would serve for one term, several crises have continued to erupt in the party which appear to be targeted at truncating Jonathan’s alleged second term ambition. Appearing to be lending tactical support to this agenda seen by many as Northern plot to capture the Presidency in 2015, was former President of the country and former chairman Board of Trustees PDP, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. This was the same man who disowned zoning in the party in 2011 in support of President Jonathan’s ambition, only to make a u-turn after the elections to ask that the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives should be zoned to southwest zone. This was after some PDP members in the House connived with some opposition party members to elect Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker against the PDP chosen Mulikat AdeolaAkande. NWC Crisis And Its Effects OT quite long after the party’s national convention in 2012 which produced the party’s new leadership led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, crisis of confidence hit the party’s leadership. Casualties of the crisis were men perceived as Obasanjo’s loyalists in the Southwest zone which include the party’s national secretary and former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governor of Ekiti State and national deputy chairman of the party in Southwest zone, Engineer Segun Oni and others. Obasanjo and his loyalists, especially the PDP governors whom he installed in 2007 general elections, saw this development as a political affront. This was to compound Obasanjo’s political woes having lost his state, Ogun to the opposition party in 2011 general elections due to the power tussle between his faction of the PDP and that of governor Gbenga Daniel in the state which the Presidency was accused of not handling well. The emergence of Tukur as the party’s national chairman appears to have put Obasanjo in a tight corner politically as the party leadership refused to align with his faction of the party in the state. His efforts to install one of his political allies as his successor as Chairman (BoT) failed as President Jonathan gunned for his estranged political ally and former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih. Since then, Obasanjo has been neither here nor there in the party as his influence in the party keeps waning. President Jonathan’s foot soldiers and spin doctors tried hard to detach his influence from the Jonathan Presidency. In order to get back at the Presidency and his foot soldiers ahead 2015 general election, Obasanjo found political solace in some of the PDP governors who appeared to be his moles in the party and by extension, in the Presidency. He went

Tukur

By Samson Ezea ERTAIN political events in the ruling Peoples C Democratic Party (PDP) in the last week, appear to be signs of factors that might determine who takes over power in the Presidency in 2015 on the party’s platform. It is no longer news that the centre cannot hold in the party again ahead of 2015 general elections. Apart from the battle of wits between the North and the South, especially the South South zone over who becomes President of the country in 2015, the PDP governors, despite the formation of PDP Governors’ Forum, are not speaking with one voice again. Besides, the leadership style of the national leadership of the party led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, appears to have created more confusion in the party than ever before. All these unfolding scenarios in the party have thrown up crisis of confidence among the party’s major stakeholders in the power struggle. Looking up to stem the tide of crisis in the party is the leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan. But despite his spirited efforts in managing the crisis, some stakeholders and governors in the party believe that he has not done, and is not doing enough, in the face of dwindling fortunes of the party ahead 2015 general election. Immediately after 2011 general elections which was won by President Goodluck Jonathan based

about making scathing comments and remarks about Jonathan’s presidency and his policies. With several crises in the party which appear as potential threats to the party’s success in 2015 general elections, especially the Presidency, it is now obvious to the President’s political strategists that the former President and his other exgenerals who hijacked the party machinery in 1999 to install Obasanjo as President of the country against all odds, are still strong factors in the country’s political permutations. That was how Obasanjo’s Presidential Hill residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State became a Mecca of sorts last Sunday when he played host separately to President Goodluck Jonathan and four Northern governors of the ruling PDP. The visits turned dramatic as the four governors arrived the residence just as Jonathan’s convoy made the last turn to descend from the hilltop road unto the IBB Boulevard. The governors were Malam Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Alhaji Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto). The visits came barely 48 hours after Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Godswill Akpabio had visited Obasanjo in his house in Abeokuta. Although the details of the interactions between the PDP leaders and Obasanjo were not made public, it was gathered that it may not be unconnected with the current crises in the party ahead of the 2015 Presidency. It was also hinted that the governors may have gone to tell Obasanjo to prepare for their departure from the PDP if Jonathan would not succumb to their wish to have his second term ambition dropped. This development, a source in the Presidency said, did not go down well with the President’s men who have vowed to resist any move to truncate the President’s second term ambition in 2015. The source disclosed that the President’s men were not surprised with the development, alleging that it was Obasanjo who initiated the idea Lamido/Amaechi ticket for Presidency in 2015. “The former President has been in touch with these governors and has been their source of

Not quite unaware of the subterranean moves and plots by the majority of the Northern governors and their leaders in the party, in connivance with some party leaders and governors from the South to frustrate his second term ambition, the president is already reaching out to some powerful Northern elders, dangling carrots to divide them and garner support ahead of the 2015

Obasanjo

Lamido strength and encouragement, capitalizing on the sour relationship between the former president and the Presidency for some time over certain issues,” the source said. In continuation of their consultation for the Northern Presidency 2015 under the guise of peace moves in the party, the four governors visited two former Heads of State, Generals Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) and Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd) on Monday in Minna, Niger State. The governors, after the meeting with Obasanjo, had revealed their plans to visit eminent stakeholders within the PDP in order to a stop the rapid disintegration of the party. The host governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, who spoke in the company of his colleagues, said they resolved to meet the former leaders to discuss pertinent issues affecting the country; especially, developments within the ruling PDP, Rivers State and the nation at large. “We have come to discuss some of the political problems affecting the nation especially as it affects the North, Rivers State and our democracy as a whole,” he said. He also said the meeting was fruitful, adding that they would also meet with more Northern leaders in the days to come to “chart the way forward for the region.” Aide to one of the governors told The Guardian that the governors will visit people such as of T.Y Danjuma, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

ThE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

POLITICS 2015 Presidency: The Permutations And Intrigues In PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 estranged founding members of the party. On the allegation that the agenda of the governors is about Northern Presidency in 2015, the aide said that the North is overqualified to produce a president in 2015 and that they have the potentials to do so. Investigation reveal that the Northern governors in the party, with the exception of Jonah Jang of Plateau state and Gabriel Suswan of Benue State, strongly backed by the Northern elders, are planning and mobilizing to fight for the party’s presidential ticket for 2015 with President Jonathan. The plan is in line with their recent utterances and political movements ahead of the 2015 general election. Ex-Generals And Founding Members Regroup S if the events of 1999 are about to repeat themselves in the party ahead 2015 Presidency, Northern elders and their governors appear to be banking on the support of retired military generals and foundation members of the party to pull the rug off President Jonathan’s feet in 2015. It would be recalled that it was General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), T.Y Danjuma, Abdulsalami Abubakar and others who hijacked the party’s structure in 1999 with their enormous resources to make Obasanjo the presidential candidate of the party at the Jos Convention against the highly favoured former vice- president of the country, Chief Alex Ekwueme. Although it has appeared before now that their influence in the party has waned, recent developments have shown that they are still forces to reckon with in the party and the politics of the country. A former Senate President on the party’s platform disclosed to The Guardian that the ex-generals are still strong factors in the party, that apart from having their loyalists in the strategic positions in the government across the country and the party, they also have enormous resources to throw around. “The visit of the Northern governors to some of them was part of the ongoing consultations to ensure that the crisis in the party over 2015 Presidency does not break the party to the advantage of the opposition parties. “There is every cause for worry in the party because it has never been like this before. The governors are already sharply divided almost two years ahead of the 2015 presidential election. There is need for dialogue unless the party risks losing the Presidency in 2015. “I have never seen it like this in the party since 1999. The party leadership and Presidency cannot continue to fight on all fronts, especially when it is clear that the President might be seeking for a second term in office. Most of the governors they are fighting are on their second term and have nothing to lose if the party loses the Presidency. “I was with President Obasanjo in 2003 when he knelt down

before the state governors to beg for his second term support. I am seriously suspicious of the agenda of the party leadership with all these self-inflicted crises in the party ahead 2015 Presidency. The governors are not bothered about the use of anti-graft agencies to harass them or their allies. They appear to have much dossier on the alleged corruption in the Presidency. Presidency’s Counter Plans OT quite unaware of the subterranean moves and plots by the majority of the Northern governors and their leaders in the party, in connivance with some party leaders and governors from the South to frustrate his second term ambition, the president is already reaching out to some powerful Northern elders, dangling carrots to divide them and garner support ahead of the 2015. Leading the onslaught are two governors from North-Central zone and one governor from Northeast and Northwest zone respectively. Also in their league are elders and foundation party members from the zones and Christians from the North, although they are in the minority. Another strategy already adopted by the Presidency is having the support of the majority of the PDP governors and some few opposition governors. Ahead of the party’s mini-convention slated for next month, the Presidency is leaving no stone unturned in its effort to ensure that it has strong grip on the party’s leadership ahead of the party’s presidential primaries. To achieve this, it will ensure that all those supported by the anti-Jonathan governors for any position in the forthcoming party convention will be defeated in the election. Also in the Southwest zone where President Jonathan is expected to face opposition if he wins the party ticket, his strategists are already reaching out to Christians and non-indigenes in the area, especially in the commercial city of Lagos with large population. Another strong factor for the Presidency is the power of incumbency and enormous resources. It is believed that when the chips are down, the Presidency might dangle carrot and stick before the anti-Jonathan governors which they may likely succumb to for future political survival and relevance after the 2015 general elections. Rivers State PDP Crisis ESPITE First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan’s recent assurance that the ongoing political crisis in the Rivers State will soon be over, there are clear indication that there might be no end to the crisis soon. The Guardian learnt that there are strong moves by the five members of the house of Assembly allegedly backed the Presidency to impeach Governor Chibuike Amaechi by all means, a development that made Amaechi to approach the court to stop such moves. But even in the face of this, it was revealed that despite condemnations and criticisms that have trailed the crisis in the state, the anti-Amaechi camp is strategiz-

ing on the next approach to ensure that he will be eased out of office before the 2015 Presidency. So the National Assembly’s takeover on Thursday of the legislative functions of the Rivers State house of Assembly might just be a momentary respite for the embattled governor and his loyalists as his political enemies will now go back to drawing board for a fresh onslaught. Also to make matters worse, the South-South Peoples Assembly led by Chief Edwin Clark, recently held a press conference in Abuja during which they called on the national leadership of the PDP to expel Amaechi from the party. Investigations reveal that Amaechi is being seen in the South-South zone, especially by the Ijaws, as a black leg in the family, but other ethnic groups in the zone are also of the view that President Jonathan’s administration has favoured his Ijaw people at the expense of tribes in the region. Whether Amaechi and his loyalists will survive the onslaught is not yet clear, but whichever way it ends or goes before the 2015 Presidency, will go a long way in shaping the outcome. The Northern Elders And Their Governors F the 19 states in the North, four, Borno, Yobe, Nasarrawa and Zamfara, State are in the hands of the opposition parties, All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress For Progressive Change (CPC). The remaining 15 states are being controlled by the ruling PDP whom their state governors are on their second term, except that of Gombe and Kwara. Obviously, the governors have been under pressure from their leaders to support the Northern Presidency agenda in 2015. It was in line to achieve the objective that Governor Sule Lamido, Ibrahim Kwankwanso, Babangida Aliyu, Murtala Nyako, Aliyu Wammako appear to have hit the ground running with their recent visits and consultations. But how far such intrigues will help to achieve the objective in the party with President Jonathan’s alleged second term ambition, is yet to be seen. Southeast Governors And Their Leaders ELL, there has been clamour for Igbo Presidency in 2015 by some stakeholders from the zone. But it appears that in the prevailing circumstances, the project looks a bit impossible because of the alleged second term ambition of President Jonathan. Most of the southeast governors, with the exception of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, appear to be working towards the second term ambition of President Jonathan. Okorocha recently declared that 2015 Igbo Presidency was possible in his yet to be register All Progressives Congress (APC), but without stating how, considering the caliber of people and interests in the party ahead 2015. Unlike their colleagues in the North, majority of the Southeast governors in the party might queue behind President Jonathan. Afterall, the zone occupies almost 35 per cent of the appointments made by President Jonathan’s government so far.

‘Consensus Will Prevent Rascals From Getting PDP Ticket In Ekiti’ Senator Gbenga Aluko, who represented Ekiti South in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke to MUYIWA ADEYEMI in Ado-Ekiti on his governorship ambition and the decision of the national secretariat of the party to adopt consensus to pick its flag bearer for next year’s election. hAT is your take on the large number of W aspirants seeking PDP ticket for the governorship election? They all have rights to aspire and this is a strong signal that PDP is a party to beat in Ekiti State, but when the time comes, the men will be separated from the boys. The last time I was on the political field as a senator, I did tell people that politics is the only profession in Nigeria today that you do not need any qualification; hence people jump into it and say they want to be governor of the state. In fact, it is insulting to the people of the state and the country that people who don’t have experience administrative experience had been governor of the state. Recently, somebody told me in Abuja that most people in Ekiti State know that I am the best to be the governor, but the problem they have is that I am too independent. I said that independence should really be my strength, not be a negative thing, because it is only when you are independent that you can do what is right for the people.

have seen that the monetisation of politics in Nigeria can spring up the worst person, and we have seen it happened in Nigeria. It is impossible to do democracy in the midst of poverty. So, consensus is a way of eliminating rascals in this political game. The people who will take the consensus will be the ‘cream’ of the society. I support the idea and believe it would come up with the best candidate. What is your relationship with other political leaders in the state? The kind of politics I play is not the politics of acrimony or bitterness, because when you reach a certain level in your life, you must be able to accommodate everybody, including your opponents. I have been in the PDP when it was unfashionable to be a member of the PDP. What would you do to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state? There is no state in Nigeria today that I think knows exactly the numbers of staff it has. So, the wage bill in virtually every state, including the federal government, is bogus. All you need to do is deploy technology and when it is a ghost worker, you don’t upset anybody, because the people that are physically present will get paid. Aluko Another thing is that corruption in governIf you are not independent, whatever people ment is very high. There is a lot of leakage in come to tell you, even when it is against the the system. When they tell you they received people’s wish, there is a tendency for you to do only N3 billion, they will never tell you when it. they receive oil windfall. The party’s national secretariat was reported to There was a time local government chairmen have said that its candidate for the Ekiti govertold us they were getting zero allocation and norship election would emerge through conasked them why they were still in office when sensus. What is your view on this? they were getting zero allocation. I support the issue of consensus wholehearted- They were not getting zero allocation, they ly and totally. As an experienced politician, I were only getting zero allocation to give to

people, but for them, they were getting something. What is your view on zoning the governorship slot to Ekiti South? The federal character is zoning. It is one of the statutory commissions in the Nigerian constitution that the Senate has to approve. I don’t have the choice than to accept the position of zoning, because as a lawmaker, I must obey the constitution, since it is a constitutional matter. When we say there is zoning in Ekiti, out of the three senatorial districts, two have produced governor. So, we are saying the South should be allowed to produce the next governor; that there should be rotation. When some of us wanted to be governor in 2007, they disqualified four of us. None from the North was disqualified, because the governorship was zoned to the North. They said I didn’t have primary school leaving certificate. I just believed that my time hadn’t come in 2007. I am just hoping that my time has come this time. What is your view on six-year single tenure for the President and state Governors? If I were in the Senate today and confronted with either having a four-year two term or a sixyear single term, I will tell you that I will vote for six-year single term, because the aggravation that is caused by the quest for re-election is too intense and doesn’t help development. If we have a six-year single term, the person knows that he is spending six years. If I have my way, I will tell them to implement it today and give the President two additional years. Then he will stay till 2017, but he cannot re-contest, instead of him contesting for four additional years.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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POLITICS Ondo Should Take Its Rightful Place In Niger Delta, Says Ebiseni Sola Ebiseni, a lawyer, who is serving for the third time as Commissioner for Environment in Ondo State, first under the administration of Adebayo Adefarati and now under the administration of Olusegun Mimiko, represented the state at the maiden edition of National Council of Niger Delta held in Uyo recently. He spoke to ITUNU AJAYI on the infrastructural needs in oil communities of Ondo, neglect of bitumen as revenue earner, amnesty for ex-militants and the need for a holistic approach to solving the challenges of Niger Delta states.

HAT is the place of Ondo State in the Niger Delta project, essentially in the Action Plan, and your expectations from the Council? Concerning the Niger Delta, we said that Ondo State has a place in the history, especially in oil production in Nigeria. Ondo-Niger Delta axis occupies the western coast range of the region and it comprises of the people of Ilaje, who are Yoruba and the Ijaw/Apoi and Arogbo. Ondo State is very significant in the equation of oil and gas in Nigeria. It was in Araromi in the present Ilaje local government area of the state that oil was first discovered in 1908 by the Nigerian Bitumen Corporation, a German company whose pioneer activities were truncated as a result of the World Wars. After the wars, all exploration activities resumed in the East of the Niger Delta, leading to Oloibiri’s discovery in 1957 in commercial quantity. It was from Oloibiri that oil was first exported as a commercial product of Nigeria in 1957, but what we are saying is that the first evidence of the fact that there is oil in Nigeria, which encouraged further activities, was in Ondo State. Our expectation from the Council, first and foremost, is to ensure that the Niger Delta, as a region, is treated holistically in such a way that rivers, creeks and the Atlantic Ocean crisscrossed the entirety of the region, from Calabar, Cross River in the far east to Ondo State in the west. And for this reason, first, we are looking forward to regional integration where all the nine states of the Niger Delta will be interconnected by roads, by canals and even by air transportation. Beyond that, as a state, there are two projects that are very dear to us, and I made that point at our meeting here. You spoke passionately about the East-West road and the need for Ondo State to be a part of it. How would your state benefit from this project now that there’s a time frame for its completion? The Niger Delta has been talking about the East-West road; and we are saying that road was conceived in the 50s, Nigeria had three regions — the North, the West and the East. At that time, the Mid-West had not been created; so, a road from Calabar then in the Eastern Region, and Warri then in the Western Region would appropriately be called East-West road. But by Nigerian’s current geopolitical nomenclature, if you want to talk about an East-West road, it should be a road from Calabar passing through Warri, Ondo State and up to Lagos. What we are talking about is that Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria; the Niger Delta cannot be an island unto itself. Our developmental activity should be such that we take advantage of centres of development; that is our position. Ondo State should be one of the major states that would benefit from the East-West road. The road should pass through it. Then talking about the coastal roads, which are very important; Ondo State, of all states in the Niger Delta belt, has unique features, which are most peculiar. All the coastal communities, which number about 198, are situated in a plain crisscrossed by various canals and shorelines. Ondo State has about the longest shoreline in Nigeria and our shoreline is peculiar because while others are sandy beaches, our entire

Ebiseni shoreline consists of saturated and very soft mud, which has made the environment subject to continuous coastal erosion. So, that creates challenges for development. The resultant effect of this is the submergence of most of these communities into the Atlantic Ocean, with concomitant adverse effect on the lives of the occupants and the people of the area. The hostile characteristics of the environment has been worsened by the long years of neglect, as well as by degradation and pollution of the land, air and water occasioned by oil exploration and exploitation activities. So, when we are pulling resources together at the level of the Niger Delta, and with the assistance of foreign partners and development agencies, then we are looking for the possibility of taking advantage of that. That is why we are insisting that the coastal roads must be properly coastal; they must be littoral, and run through all the communities along and parallel to the Atlantic corridor. That’s from Calabar passing through the coastal area of Ondo State to Lagos and to the Lekki Peninsula. These roads have been designed as coastal roads even since the 1960s from the Bar Beach to Calabar. That is our own concern. Thus, at the end of the day, with the stand of Ondo State in the matter — since we are talking of a holistic approach to the development of the Niger Delta — we should see that the NDDC must be alive to its responsibilities. And there must be equity even in the appointment of member-states to different positions within the NDDC. We are the fifth largest producer of oil in Nigeria and we feel that our place has not been duly given to us. And then, we want collaborations. You know, we are not an island unto ourselves; there is supposed to be a synergy between the development agencies, the Ministry of the Niger Delta, the NDDC, the various commissions and all member-states for the development of the oilproducing areas. The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) was the first of its kind in the entire Niger Delta. It was deliberately set up for the development of oilproducing areas in 2001 and other states in the region are copying it and working with the vision. We feel that these agencies created at the state level, together with the NDDC and the Ministry

of the Niger Delta, the oil companies and development agencies should collaborate in such a way that we avoid duplication of projects in the region. Like you had pointed out, the major thrust of the Action Plan is synergy, so that there won’t be room for duplication of projects. What are the major projects Ondo State is looking at from this collaboration? A major initiative and intervention is required to bring succour to the people on the coastline, by ensuring that the shorelines in the affected areas are protected, commencing from the state’s border with Delta State in the eastern fringe, up to Erunama in the western end, around the Olokola Free Trade Zone. It is considered expedient to massively support these areas to avoid being washed away into the Atlantic. The protection of the shorelines, especially at locations such as Molutehin, Awoye, Obe, Aiyetoro environs and the OriokeIwamimo-Abereke axis is of utmost urgency and recommended for immediate action. The road network in the riverine communities of the state is most deficient. While the recent initiative of the NDDC, through the award of the Ugbo-Oghoye road, Awoye, Molutehin, Ikorigho, Obe-Enikansulu shoreline protection, Arogbo and environs, water front protection and the Agadagba-Obon-Arogbo bridge/road are most commendable; we are of the view that there must be a synergy between the agency and the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs to fast-track the completion and delivery of these projects without delay. Conversely, we like to express the state’s displeasure over the abandonment of the IreleSabomi-Igbotu (Apoi) road that was awarded by NDDC since 2006. We want the Igbokoda to Igbekebo road to be constructed with bridges; this road will link the two local government headquarters in the Niger Delta areas of the State. Attention should also be given to Aboto/Atijere/Itebu/Kunmi road, AlapeOriokeIwamimo road with bridges and Zion Pepe/Agerige/Uhapen road. Though the State Government, at our own end, has continued to address the needs of road networks within the limit of our finances, government could do more with collaborative efforts on some of these mega projects. These projects would definitely open up new

vistas for the performance of the economy of the Niger Delta through entrepreneurial development and industrialisation. One of the major challenges of the riverine area of Ondo State is the difficulty in providing potable water. The presence of heavy metals and salinity of the available underground water had posed a serious challenge over the years, and all attempts at seeking alternatives had been a daunting task. As water is most essential to livelihood, the most viable option appears to be the harvesting of fresh water from the various bodies of water, development of treatment plants, storage and reticulation to various locations spanning several kilometres in both Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas of the state. The likely bodies of fresh water to be considered in these areas include Oluwa, Alape, Ofara, Talita and Arogbo, which would be suitable for such water supply mode. There are also much to be done in the sandfilling and land reclamation of Ilepete/Ilowo/Oroto, Odofado/Akinsolu/Jinrinwo, OriokeIwamimo/Motoro/Abealala/Ogogoro/Etugbo and Epetoron in Ukparamo area of Arogbo. We expect new town development and dredging of canals and waterways both in Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas. Another important area is for tourism potential that abound in the coastal areas of the state to be harnessed. Some of these attractions include Oropo, Opotuo and Alape Lagoons; the Araromi beach, the Awoye beach; Igbokoda waterfront, as well as the Ugbonla-Aiyetoro corridor, Agadagba-Obon and Igbobini. It is our prayer that the protection of the shoreline, the interconnection of the riverine road networks and the provision of potable water will form key areas of intervention for the state in the infrastructural investment component of the Action Plan. The Niger Delta has been concerned about oil, it seems the government is not looking at other minerals in the area. Bitumen is in abundance in Agbabu. Is the region not thinking towards this direction? Well, it has to do with the structure of the Nigerian federation. Mineral activities are in the Exclusive Legislative List, which only the Federal Government has the authority to legislate on. Yes, researches have shown that bitumen deposit in Agbabu area in Irele, Ilaje and Okitipupa and virtually every part of the south senatorial district of Ondo State is the second largest in the world. During the Obasanjo administration, there was hue and cry to develop it and that whole area was laid out into plots for the purpose of exploration and extraction of the mineral. Yes activities are still going on there, Ondo State is one of the beneficiaries of one of the plots. But the truth is that bitumen’s exploration and exploitation is capital intensive because it costs more to deal with bitumen exploitation than to deal with crude oil. Has Ondo State been fairly treated in the amnesty deal? What are the expectations of the Council from the programme in the foreseeable future? I won’t say Ondo State was not properly taken care of because even the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty (Kingsley Kuku) is an indigene of Ondo State. But there is continuous demands and agitation by the youths and it is because of the kind of advantages the amnesty programme has given. But what we have said in this conference is that we should lay less emphasis on amnesty; we should not be talking about the youths of the Niger Delta so that people will not see taking up of arms as a way of getting the attention of the government and accessing government’s facility. So, we should be talking more about the development of the area. Those who had gone into training, curtsey of the amnesty programme and have benefited, especially in the education sector, training and the rest of them should be allowed to fix themselves into the society when they finished their trainings, and should be able to compete with other youths who, on their own, have gone to school with the intervention of their parents. It is not going to be a situation that after amnesty, they should be given special consideration in employment, no. That is capable of separating them from the rest of the society. This method we think will eliminate stigmatisation. We don’t want them to be treated as if they are outcasts. They should be able to compete with their fellow youths for the benefit of the Niger Delta, get jobs for themselves and fuse into the society.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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POLITICS

Anambra 2014: Aspirants May Re-Enact 2010 Scenario From Chuks Collins, Awka ITH about 90 days to the November 16 goverW norship election in Anambra State, virtually all the political parties and aspirants appeared docile and unprepared, practically. It was really hard to single out any aspirant or party that could be said to be active on the political turf even as the big test seemed just a few months away, no thanks to the prolonged wait the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) subjected the stakeholders to regarding the release of the guidelines and timetable for the election. Before then, most aspirants had given all manner of excuses for their worrisome inactivity, including that they didn’t want to run foul of the laws or be seen as jumping the gun by engaging in open politicking. Even with the commission blowing the kick-off whistle about three weeks ago, many still have not found their rhythm and evidently may never. But, to be sure, a number of intrigues and scheming from the various political blocs and camps in the state are beginning to unfold. As the PDP grapples with self-rediscovery, it is has become imperative for it to address certain key issues, what with the discordant tunes from the various segments of the polity, particularly as the North continues to insist on retaking power in 2015. It is amazing that even those who have not visited the state in the last two to 10 years dashed to the Wadata House headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pick the Expression of Interest (EOI) form. The rising number of aspirants ostensibly led to increase in the cost of the form from N250,000 in 2009 to N1 million this time around. Evidently, the cost has not dampened the spirit of any of the litany of the about 27 aspirants, over half of who are said to be women, including one said to be a hairdressing salon operator in Awka. Of all those currently posturing for the plum job, a few have elicited quite some interest from political observers and keen participants. For instance, people appear excited about the entry of people like Walter Ubaka Okeke and Alex Obiogbolu into the race.

Okeke’s supporters boast that he remains top on the list and well-fitted for the job, considering his vast experience in private business, being a key player in Nigeria’s oil/gas services sector since 1995, and political acceptability. Obiogbolu, many believe, has what it takes to govern the state, but it is not yet clear how his Onitsha roots may count against his aspiration. But many admit that he is capable and qualified, with immense administrative experience in government and a reputed medical officer and businessman who has a lot of enduring legacies to his credit in the state’s civil service. Sylvester Okonkwo, a close confidant of Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, is one of those also eyeing Government House, Awka and is said to be banking on his association with the PDP Governors Forum to make headway. Unfortunately the present political equation of the state does not favour his aspiration, as he comes from the Central zone, like Obi and Ngige. For Senator Andy Uba, it was said that his natural greatest challenge is competition. Some serving and former members of the House of Representatives, including Ben Nwankwo, Fort Dike, Eucharia Azodo and Lynda Ikpeazu attended recent meetings with the senator and some politicians from the state. Some stakeholders urged the party to consider holistically the inputs each of the aspirants has made to the growth or otherwise of the party in the last 10 years in deciding who flies its flag. They insisted that while some were busy building the party from families, wards and council levels, others were found to have been more concerned with how to wreck it to its very foundation. Dr. Obinna Uzoh, another aspirant, is a devout Catholic who counts on support from the huge Catholic population in the state to boost his aspiration. Uzoh done more for the faith in his home state, in terms of buildings and donations to charity, probably more than any other faithful. Keen watchers say PDP appears set for the familiar move again, knowing full well that the present PDP under Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is not kidding on enthroning internal democracy and discipline. It was, therefore, unconscionable for the party to

give a vague directive on e-registration of members in the state vide a letter dated July 25. The letter, without any clear reference, was purportedly signed by the party’s Acting National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar. The exercise, according to the three-paragraph letter, was to last for 10 days, beginning from Wednesday, July 24, 2013 in all the 326 electoral wards in the state, as a pilot scheme. Curiously, it was to commence a day before the writing of the official authorising letter, hence members wonder who is actually behind this confusion, since the state is politically very combustible right now. Already, the aspirants have expressed shock at the exercise, having agreed at a meeting with party hierarchy to shelve any such thing in the state till after the election. Investigations show that only Okeke, Obiogbolu and another aspirant, Tony Nwoye, have gone round the state and visited members to inform them of their intention to run. However, when all the indices are considered, the PDP may end up with a dark horse, like Okeke, ahead of Uba, Nicholas Ukachukwu and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof

Okeke

Charles Soludo, who is rumoured to be considering joining the crisis-ridden All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Okeke had in the course of his tour of the 326 wards displayed an unusual mastery of the state’s geography and political idiosyncrasies of the various zones. And going by Tukur’s pronouncements during the inauguration of Governor Seriake Dickson-led PDP Reconciliation Committee on Thursday, they are very prepared to reclaim Anambra, among other states. Political watchers say lack of geo-balance and respect for the sensibilities of the electorate by the key players in the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) may be the greatest headache Senator Chris Ngige would face. Religious and clannish politics brought upon the state by the Obi administration appears the most attractive, with it currently festering. Some faith-based organisations openly supported him during the long-drawn election petition proceedings, a gesture he has reciprocated. Today, he is accused of still playing the churchpolitics card and favouring a particular denomination in virtually everything in the state. APGA crisis and opposition to Obi’s style are factors, which have worked in PDP’s favour as it prepares to retake the state. Opinion polls have continued to give PDP an edge, especially due to the government’s non-conduct of council election in the state since 2003. Apart from putting the ambitions of so many grassroots politicians in abeyance, the state government has appropriated the allocations of the 21 councils since it took over almost eight years ago. Even Umeh has exonerated Prof Titus Eze, former chairman electoral commission (ANSIEC) of any offence. He was dismissed from duty for alleged misappropriation of funds, but Eze insists he never received any query over the account in question and approached the court to redeem his image. For now, there is still a lull in political activities in Anambra State, despite INEC’s release of timetable for the November 16 election, and all appears to be going the familiar way of governorship elections in the state.

do not need to search further or any longer, for the Messiah is here. They have found out from the tour he organized recently that Uba’s investment is huge, massive and outstanding. The facilities include ships, jetties, depots, filling stations, tankers, and a host of others. It became apparent from findings from the tour that Uba’s Capital Oil & Gas Industries Chief Sunday Akabueze is a businessman and a Chieftain of the Labour Party from Akama na Nansa is one of the biggest distribuAutonomous Community of Ihitenansa in Orsu Local Council Area of Imo State. He has overtime proved him- Limited tors of Petroleum products in Nigeria. self to be a strong supporter of Chief. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who is aspiring to be the next governor of It is of great importance and fact that Anambra State come November 2013, on the platform of the Labour Party (LP). In this interview, Akabueze Capital Oil and Gas has been a major player in the down stream sector even insists that Ifeanyi Ubah is on course and has all it takes to win the Anambra governorship election come before the subsidy regime. The comNovember. pany has tankers, which supply fuel all over the country. In fact, the activiand women, an activist, a lead fightBy Laolu Adeyemi more people as a governor? ties of the company in the area of super for the rights of men and women, Who is Ifeanti Ubah as far you are ply of petroleum products are one of youths, and the underage in concerned? the reasons fuel is available everyOU are from Imo State, why are Nigeria. He is equally a very strong, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah is a successful where today. you championing the casue of committed and spirit filled businessman, an oil magnate from On a personal level Ifeanti Ubah Ifeanyi Ubah’s governorship bid in Nnewi in Anambra State. He is a ful- Christian, a catholic for that matter. awards scholarships to indigent stuAnambra? The good people of Anambra State dents, with many students in various The man Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is not filled man, a good organizer of men schools in Nigeria, courtesy of Uba’s for the people of Anambra State sponsorship. He tars roads everyalone. He is Ifeanyi Ubah of Ndigbo where. His filling stations supply fuel and Nigeria generally. Actually, I am free of charge to motorcyclists in from Imo State while he is from Nnewi every Monday. He intervenes Anambra State but irrespective of in all cases where poor people are where I am coming from, God used being discriminated against or marthis man from Anambra State to turn ginalized. He donates money my life around positively. A lot of Ndi throughout the federation in pursuit Anambra have also experienced and of worthy causes. This may be the reabenefited from this man’s generosity. son his detractors wanted to rubbish God has used him and is using him him recently by framing him up. and will still use him to turn around Besides, Ubah sits atop many successthe lives of many Ndigbo and ful, blue chip companies, namely, Nigerians positively. He is a detribalKnoil and Hachfer Engineering ized Nigerian. And that is why many Company Limited; Chevron Oronite people from various states and tribes and Chemical Company Limited, First whom God has used this man to turn Nigeria Independent Oil Company their lives around positively, are sayLtd., Capital Group Congo S.A.R. in ing he is good to govern Anambra Congo Democratic and Oil Force State. If God can use him to make peoNigeria Limited. He has business ple from different states and tribes as interests in Oil & Gas, Jetty a private businessman, don’t you Development, Bonded Terminal, agree with me that, that same God Truck park facilities, telecommunicawill use him to better the lot of even Ubah Akabueze

‘Ifeanyi Ubah Is Beautiful Bride Of Anambra Politics’

tions, real estate and general merchandise. So, tell me, what is man of this calibre going to loot that he has not seen or does not have? Frankly speaking, the issue of aspiring to be governor in order to have the opportunity to loot the state treasury is far from Ifeanyi Ubah. He has seen it all (wealth). He truly means to serve his people. Ok, but what other things would you say he has done over the years to deserve Labour Party’s ticket for the governorship election in Anambra? Chief Ubah has made a great mark in the fight against poverty and diseases. His company, Capital Oil & Gas Industries has contributed immensely towards curbing the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Nigeria, especially in the Southwest and the Southeast. He has been engaged actively in organizing and mobilizing men/women to embrace healthy etiquettes and for social activities. He is deeply involved in community development and before his aspiration he had been engrossed in several community development efforts, especially as they relate to women and child health. He is a committed catholic who has contributed a lot to the development of the church in Nnewi, the entire Anambra State and beyond. So, his choice of LP as his party scores the bulls eyes in leadership. By this singular choice those who talked him into this, to them is the credit and whatever comes out of it goes to them. Labour Party is a party with a new face. Just like Ifeanyi Ubah. They have one spirit and one mind. His supporters are supporting a man whose impact in the coming election is projected to be massive and that stems from the fact that he is not budged by the traditional infirmities that affect professional politicians.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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POLITICS

‘Orji’s Plea To Foreign Investors Is Yielding Results’ Diaspora Special Adviser in the now dissolved cabinet of Governor Theodore Orji, Kingsley Megwara gives an update of successes recorded by the governor’s drive to attract investors to Abia, including the dialysis centre which was commissioned last Tuesday. By Ibukunoluwa Kayode

OU have just commissioned a modern dialysis centre. What does this point to in your legacy projects series? Last Tuesday we commissioned the Abia Diagnostic and Dialysis Center and the event was witnessed by the Minister of Health Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu who was on hand to open the centre, located at the Abia State Specialist Hospital, with six newly installed dialysis machines. Several prominent Abians including Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe, Bishop Ikechi Nwosu, Dr Anagha Ezeikpe and Professor Mbanaso applauded the pace setting gesture of the governor. Additionally, the Nigerian Optometric Association in its 37th annual conference gave her most prestigious award to Governor Orji for his leadership role in the health care service sector of the state. In summary, Abia remains the leading state in Nigeria with over 710 primary health care centres located in 291 political wards in the state. We have been able to bring health care closer to our people making us the leading state in the immunization of communicable and preventable diseases in the Southeast. So, we are not surprised that these awards continue to pour in for the governor for his developmental and innovative strides. How did Abia State fare in China when the governor i accompanied President Goodluck Jonathan in his recent visit to the country? There was a town hall meeting organised for

President Jonathan by Nigerians in China. Governor Orji used the opportunity to meet Abians under the auspices of the Abia Progressive Union in China. They congratulated him on his legacy projects dotted all over the state capital and the three Senatorial zones. On his part, the governor accompanied by Chief Eleanya Okoroji, President Aba Chamber of Commerce pleaded with them to remain law abiding citizens in the country they have found themselves shunning the lure of drug business and addiction. Hard work, he told them, remained the hallmark of Abians while integrity was their virtue. He pleaded with Abians who had set up factories in Gwanzo and other Chinese cities to come home and replicate same in Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia. He promised to return soon to meet with them. Also in far away Atlanta, the governor’s wife, Mrs. Odochi Orji was honoured by the Nigerian women in Atlanta with their highest award ever given to the wife of any governor in Nigeria. The Woman of Valour award was made because of her contribution to the development of the girl child in Abia State. Other contributions cited include her role in the fight against HIV/AIDS and child prostitution. Abians living in the USA hosted her to a banquet after the award. The First Lady promised she would continue to push for those values that elevate womanhood and their participation in the electoral process. How do you quantify Abia’s gains from the last Nigeria-Canadian Investment conference in Ottawa? Abia State featured prominently with our son Ojo Maduekwe as host. We connected very well with the three Canadian ministries of Transport, Commerce and Industry as well as Education and their ministers. Quite frankly, after the conference most of the leads were followed up. We moved from Toronto to Ottawa at the behest of the investors. Maduekwe was extremely helpful marketing our potentials and capacities with prospective investors. For us the aim was to advertise Abia as a new investment haven. One of our unique selling points was the recognition that Abia State as one of the safest investment havens in the country and this is an obvious attraction to investors plus our ranking as the

first in the country in terms of human resource development. Aba of course remains an attractive investment destination as a commercial nerve centre of the east attracting the West Coast countries. Right now we are getting ready to sign a document on a sister state relationship basis with Ottawa extending to cultural, educational and scientific fields. There is for example, the O.C. Transpo Corp-the largest transport company in Canada, which we visited, and evolving to a working relationship in the development of our mass transport company. We are also in touch with an environmental and food processing company. In our calendar of events, we are expecting a group of South African companies interested in Abia State. They include Sell123 URL Co, Ambassador Foods Company, OTVMS Verman Co, West Plan Management & Recycle Co, John Wood International Co and the Nigerian Business Community. John Rossiter, Board Director, Ottawa Provincial Regulatory Authority was of great assistance. We are also looking forward to a London conference in September where a town hall meeting will dwell on the need for Abians to come home regularly and be part of the development process that is unfolding under this administration. What is your response to the accusation by Governor Orji’s opponents that he travels frequently? But, that is not true; the accusation is false. Last year, Governor Orji made two international travels primarily to meet prospective investors and persuade Abians to come home. Some governors are known to have travelled over 63 times during their tenure whereas Governor Orji has not exceeded 10 trips in six years. The governor believes problems at home are paramount and everybody knows him to be a homeboy, therefore it is laughable to make insinuations that the governor travels abroad more frequently than expected. Governor Orji is focused on work and proactive activity has been his forte in the last six years with a modern conference centre, over 265 clinics including the mobile models, over 100 hospitals each with a capacity for 100 beds in the Senatorial zones, electricity and water for the urban and rural parts of the country with massive housing and

Orji road projects. I am an Abian and I can tell you no governor that ruled Abia till date has been able to do this much. Above all, he has brought peace and tranquillity to the state. The popular mantra here is that he has surpassed the expectations of both the pessimists and optimists. Twenty years from today historians and Abians will judge him favourably. In many of the town hall meetings held, the positive response to the governor’s administration has resonated more often than his opponents could bear and it is understandable why they behave the way they do. What do you make of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu’s criticism of your principal Governor Theodore Orji? Abians know where we are coming from. This state was in a shambles due to the maladministration of the former Governor. His Excellency Governor Theodore Orji has succeeded in laying the right foundation for progress and from now henceforth Abians will have every reason to expect an evolution of a great state, a state they will always be proud of.

I See The Hands Of Private University Owners In ASUU/FG Face-off, Says Evah Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG) and former Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Comrade Joseph Evah spoke with some journalists on the failure of the Federal Government to meet demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which have resulted in the incessant closure the nation’s ivory towers. ONYEDIKA AGBEDO was there.

HAT is your take on the ASUU/Federal Government face-off, which has resulted in the incessant closure of our universities? It is very simple; right from the Obasanjo era, there have been wicked individuals who are in the corridors of power. They also have interest in private universities where they are making billions of Naira as profits. So, they make sure that they destroy the government universities to enable their private universities prosper. They are the ones manipulating the people in power to frustrate ASUU demands. It is the same way with our refineries that are not working. The busi-

Evah ness men who own private refineries abroad with their link men in the Presidency and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) frustrate the working of the refineries in Nigeria in order to flourish their private refineries abroad so that Nigeria will continue to import refined petroleum product every year from them. Throughout the world, it is only Nigeria that imports the commodity they produce and it is now the tradition. So, nobody cares. What is the implication of all the frequent closure of the universities in the

life of our the nation? People in government don’t care because their children don’t attend public schools. When I go through the demands of ASUU, I thank God that we still have patriotic Nigerians who want to leave this world after their lifetime as great contributors to mankind. They want our universities to compete with the best in the world; they don’t want to compromise standard. The government cannot tell us that there is no money to support infrastructure and manpower development to equip our universities; we are all seeing the wastages going on in the country. A lawmaker earns more than the salary of five Professors put together in Nigeria. You can see that Nigeria is a mad country. So, those lawmakers will not care if Professors are crying about universities development since all their children are in private universities. Now this strike is coming at a dangerous time. I mean elections are around the corner and if this strike is not called off before the year runs out, it will affect the Ijaw people’s campaign for the country to give our son a second chance in 2015. This strike can rubbish all the good works President Jonathan has done so far because over 80 per cent of Nigerian parents have their children sitting at home frustrated and some going into crime. It is very dangerous if this strike is not called off now because the President as a former

lecturer is still a member of ASUU. So, he should ignore all the manipulations against ASUU to enable us celebrate victory for our children. It is not about ASUU as a group but about our children and the future generation. But those working with the President are supposed to know that this type of strike around 2015 will cause problem for his re-election campaign and advise him appropriately? President Jonathan is surrounded by people that will never tell him the bitter truth; they look at his mood and tell him what he wants to hear. And if they know you are coming to tell the president the truth they will use security men to block you. It is the mad advisers that are creating problems for the President all over the place. In 2008, God used President Jonathan and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to save my life. I was unconscious for three days in a hospital; I will be ever grateful to them. The President is my friend, so if I see people deceiving him, it pains me. Look at the way Senator Ewherido died. He was one of the best brains the Urhobo nation has ever produced. He was holding a meeting with some people and experienced heart attack and there was no help. His people were calling a German hospital for help from Nigeria. For God’s sake, why can’t government provide the facilities here and empower the people? Don’t you think religious leaders in Nigeria should join in begging the Federal Government to do the right

thing? Have you ever heard a top religious leader condemning the Federal government for frustrating ASUU since the problem started with the Obasanjo government? Why will they do that when they are using religion to set-up private universities and make billions of Naira in profit? The reason Nigeria is not moving forward is because these top religious people invite this wicked political class to their churches and mosques to endorse their wickedness. You cannot see such madness in South Africa or Ghana. This ASUU strike, if it were in South Africa, Desmond Tutu would have mobilised the masses against the Federal Government to accept the ASUU demands. But here, religious leaders like the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Orisejafor, and the Sultan of Sokoto, who is the head of Muslims, appear on television to tell the people that God’s miracle is on the way for Nigeria. That is how they deceive the country every year since they are living comfortably. If we were in a sane country, the religious leaders would have stepped into the matter and taken over negotiation with the Federal Government because we are talking about education, which is bedrock of every nation. But they don’t want to offend the Federal Government; they also see the destruction of public education system as the growth of their own church business, which includes private universities that the fees are beyond their poor faithful.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

| 15

POLITICS

NGF Crisis Playing Out In Rivers’ Assembly, Says Ekiyor Chris Ekiyor, a former president of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), currently Chairman of Patani Council of Delta State, spoke to ALEMMA-OZIORUVA ALIU in Benin City on the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and other national issues. hat is your view on the fracas in House should concern themselves W the Rivers State House of with law-making and oversight funcAssembly on Tuesday? Could it all be tions, but what they did was a show about the politics of 2015? What happened in Rivers State Assembly is a disgrace to democracy in the sense that these same people who go about castigating youth leaders and young people in society, are the ones doing things in a manner that is irresponsible. There are laid down principles and conditions for carrying out such actions, but what we saw on television was an embarrassment to the hallowed chambers of the state Assembly by making a caricature of what honourable means. Are the 32 members planning to be governors or president that will make them to be caught in the NGF (Nigeria Governors’ Forum) brouhaha? I have always said that the NGF is not constitutionally recognised and so whatever they have is all about freedom of association and they should be able to resolve it at their own level. A lot of the governors have also said they feel embarrassed by what is happening to the NGF, but for it to now play itself out at the Rivers State House of Assembly, if that is what it is, is really a shame and regrettable. I feel honourable members of the

of shame and you cannot imagine that these group of people, whether the minority group or the majority group, will degenerate to that level and resort to what looked like a cult war. It is quite unfortunate. The President is the President. In the working climes of democracy, a ruling party does not unseat its candidates for any reason, except the PDP is telling itself that it has failed. If the ruling party is considering denying its candidate a second term, it means the party has failed Nigerians. Then, there is no need for them to even field another candidate. In other climes, when a party nominates a candidate, the party supports the candidate till he finishes his term, as enshrined in the constitution. It is only in Nigeria that I see that in the mid-term of a sitting governor or president, other members will be trying to unseat such a person. When I look at what happening in our party, because I am a member of that party, they are indirectly telling us that we have failed. It is a sign of vote of no confidence in our party, because it is not Goodluck Jonathan; it is PDP that won the election and it

Chief Tunde Olusunle, former top aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a one-time People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial aspirant for Kogi West, spoke to KOLAWOLE TIMOTHY in Lokoja on sundry political issues affecting the state and country. What do you think is responsible for the early campaign for the Kogi West Senatorial seat ahead of the 2015 general elections? imagine that the early campaigns for National Assembly offices in Kogi West, especially that of the Senate, cannot be divorced from the political undercurrents at the federal level where national discourse has been focused on the issue of the presidency, come 2015, in recent times. There are those clamouring for the position to return to a particular section of the country, while there are also apostles of retention of the status quo, come 2015. And both sides do have their convincing and compelling arguments. If the noise from the Kogi West is the loudest compared to the other two senatorial zones, Kogi East and Central, it is because the present

Olusunde

means they are saying that PDP does not deserve a second ticket. So, we are telling ourselves that we have failed Nigerians. That is the implication of those saying that Jonathan cannot run in 2015. Some of the leaders of the party don’t seem to understand the implication of these agitations against him not to run. The ideals of democracy is that when a party fields a candidate, it is the party that wins the election and the party has a right to run two terms. So if the party itself is now saying ‘we have not done well and have to change our candidate’, then we should tell ourselves we are not fit to rule. I feel our party should do more in institutionalising itself, rather than fighting one another. What will you say on the security challenges across the country, particularly the resurgence of violence in the Niger Delta? You understand that outside of the Niger Delta, the other parts of the country have security challenges. It is a country that is emerging and what we see is a reflection of how our society is evolving. The only thing I see is that our security agencies are not up and doing enough to follow up. For instance, there is serious shortage of manpower in the police force. There will be security breaches everywhere in a situation where most divisions don’t have men to carry out day-to-day policing and

Ekiyor our borders are not adequately manned. I think the government has to look inwards, recruit more men and give proper training and improve the strength for local policing. Some people believe these security challenges emanate from the fact that some people were granted amnesty in the Niger Delta when they took up state? arms against the First, we have to have a rethink, because if that amnesty was not granted, by now Nigeria would have been grounded to a halt, economically, or possibly we would have been in a full blown civil war, where the JTF would be burning down Niger Delta communities and the militants would have been blowing up pipelines and there would be no oil production. I think that was what the Kingsley Kuku was trying to say when he was misquoted to be threatening violence, when he was only saying that

2015: Kogi West Senator Will Come From Yagbaland, Says Olusunle occupant of the seat is serving his second term. The senators representing the East and Central zones are serving their first terms. The general expectation of the people of Kogi West is that 2015 offers an opportunity for a change in the occupant of the seat, by which time he would have served two full terms of four years each, totaling eight years. The former occupant of the senatorial seat in Kogi West, under the post-1999 democratic dispensation, Senator Tunde Ogbeha (CON), served for eight years as well, before the incumbent. It stands to reason therefore, that the people of Kogi West deserve a change in 2015. Can you give a brief insight into the mutual understanding on the rotation arrangement in Kogi West? There was an understanding between the three federal constituencies which make up Kogi West senatorial zone that the position should rotate between the three constituencies, after each occupant would have served two terms. The first federal constituency to produce a senator for Kogi West with the advent of democracy in 1999 is the Lokoja/Kotonkarfe Federal Constituency. In 2007, it shifted to Kabba/Bunu-Ijumu Federal Constituency where the incumbent comes from. Some of us from Yagba Federal Constituency who took a shot at the position in the run-up to the 2011 general elections heeded the advice of our political leaders and elders and stepped aside. They felt we should allow the rotational agreement take proper root, so that Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu will serve its two terms, and we reasoned with them, all in the process of developing a sustainable political culture. Indeed, we paid so much obeisance to the pleas of our elders that we resolved to work for the return of the incumbent and to frustrate what we considered the meddlesomeness of the former Kogi State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, in Kogi West politics, because it was obvious he favoured a particular candi-

date from Yagba Federal Constituency who served his administration for over five years. That was just how committed we were to the rotational arrangement which we believe should be respected in the spirit of political fairness, justice and equity, even morality, come 2015. Coming from a background of this existing understanding that the seat should rotate among the three federal constituencies in Kogi West, some have argued that since zoning is undemocratic, the best candidate should be considered on merit and performance. Do you subscribe to this idea? Don’t forget that zoning of political offices didn’t pass the test of the recent constitutional amendment effort undertaken by the National Assembly. At the same time, don’t forget that if we have not made sacrifices as a people and reached an understanding to zone particular offices at various levels of government, the fragile peace and national unity which we are enjoying today will be endangered. What do you think is the strongest argument by proponents of the continuation of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency in 2015? That fair is fair: If former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the South west served two full terms of four years in the nation’s highest political office, then why won’t we allow President Jonathan who is from the SouthSouth, serve a second term to ensure that the geo-political zone from which he comes has served its turn to the fullest? Simple. And don’t forget that zoning at the senatorial level is not peculiar to us in Kogi West alone. It is everywhere. It engenders peaceful co-existence and political harmony. The Rivers East Senatorial Zone in Rivers State for instance, is the home of the Ikwerres, the Okirikas and the Etches. Senator Azuta Mbata who represented Rivers East Senatorial Zone from 1999 to 2007 is Ikwerre. The incumbent who has been in office since 2007, Senator George Sekibo, is Okirika. There is an understanding between these three groups – the

but for Jonathan, there would have been no peace in the region. Yari Gandi was the one who first said that peace in Niger Delta is peace in Nigeria, because he realised that if the economic base is rocked, we face an economic collapse and any country facing economic collapse is as good as facing war. But in the history of this country, there has never been a time when we were not under security threat. Even during the military, people were threatened here and there. The issue is that Nigeria must remain indivisible. We must address these issues amicably, as Nigerians, and every Nigerian should have the right to aspire to any position. What is your reaction to complaints from other ethnic groups in the Niger Delta – the Urhobo, Itsekiri and others – that we have a President of Ijaw extraction that is not representing the region, but is empowering only the Ijaw? I am an Ijaw man at the forefront of campaigning for justice in the Niger Delta. I am a known name and was almost killed by the JTF in this campaign to restore peace in the region and of course, the militants themselves. I am not empowered. I don’t have a federal government appointment or contract. As a Nigerian, I aspired to the House of Representatives, but I didn’t win. I am doing my things as a Nigerian and a medical doctor, providing services. The President cannot employ everybody. The government cannot employ or appoint everybody. Perhaps the Ijaw may have benefited more under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua because Jonathan is a little laid back dealing with Ijaw issues, so the benefits that would have accrued to us in this peace deal is not coming to us; we are being short-changed.

Ikwerres, the Okirikas and the Etches, that an Etche senator will take over in 2015. Then when you talk about performance and merit, you cannot assess a man who has not occupied an office to be a performer or a nonperformer. You have to give him an opportunity to serve before you draw up a marking scheme for him. And just like the Yoruba proverb popularized by the late Chief MKO Abiola goes, ‘You cannot shave a man’s head in his absence’. You can only attempt an objective, dispassionate appraisal of performance and merit, when all parties concerned have been given a fair chance on a level playing ground. The question that has been repeatedly asked by the supporters of the incumbent is: Who in Yagba Federal Constituency can match Senator Smart Adeyemi in terms of resources and clout? The people of Yagba Federal Constituency will consider it a gratuitous insult, the insinuation that they are in short supply of credible, competent, enlightened and experienced human resources to fly the flag of the Yagba people in the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2015, or to hold any position at whatever level for that matter. You seem to forget that from Nigeria ’s immediate post-independence to the present, some of the most reputable actors on the national socio-political stage from North Central Nigeria are Yagba people from our three local government areas of Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro. I am talking about people like Chief Sunday Bolunrunduro Awoniyi, CON; Chief Silas Bamidele Daniyan, CON; Chief S. Ade-John; Chief Moody Olorunmonu; Chief Olayinka Simonyan; Prof. Eyitayo Lambo; Chief Kola Jamodu, OFR; Ashiwaju Jide Omokore; Otunba Funso Owoyemi; Dr Joseph Eyitayo Adetoro (Federal Commissioner for Agriculture, Health and Industries, respectively from 1967 to 1974 during General Yakubu Gowon administration;,respected activist, Chief Seth Abel Mayekogbon who is listed in the first edition of the 5000 intellectuals of the world; sixth edition of Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in the Commonwealth; Pioneer Military Administrator of Taraba State, Col. Joseph Awoniyi, immediate Director of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Osten Olorunnisola; Chief Duro Adeyele, SAN; Brig-Gen. Samuel Teidi; and Brig-Gen. Paul Okuntimo.

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, July 27, 2013

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

With Michael Uchebuaku

Love Connections

IN THIS EDITION

Princess Of

True Confession:

Love

Help! I Love Her, But Her Heart Is Divided Between Me And Her Malaysian Lover!’

Love Adventure: ‘How I Cheated On My Wife With Her Twin Sister!

Ogbunike Cave

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A Tourist’s Delight! Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)

Love News Brad And Ange To Wed Aboard The Queen’s Holiday Boat True Confession From Abroad:

‘I Faked A Miscarriage To Go On A Holiday’

Ebube Nwagbo

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

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Continued on Page 18

what you read next, I love D being married and I love my wife. Nothing gives me more pleasure

‘I Cheated On My Wife With Her Twin

than taking the tram home each day from my job in a Melbourne architectural office to our terrace in St Kilda and seeing my beautiful wife Angelica. In our seven years together, we’ve had our ups and downs but we’ve managed to ride them out. And I’ve never strayed…until now. Angelica is a twin. She tells people she’s identical to her sister Lisa and as children, not even her dad could tell them apart. But I could always spot the differences—whether it was her slightly greener eyes or smaller mouth. I’m not trying to deflect blame here, but my life could have been completely different had our first meeting gone differently. I had met the pair at a dinner party and although I was being set up with Lisa, Angelica got in there first. Lisa seemed warmer and softer but her more dominating and older (by two minutes) sister continually stole the show by saying

something clever or by making suggestive whisperings to me at the table. She was an outrageous flirt and, as I found out later, has a voracious sexual appetite. Angelica has an unusual mix of super confidence in the bedroom and debilitating low self-esteem the follow morning. I didn’t realise until after we were married that she had her own split personality. By night, she’s experimental, demanding and insatiable; by day she’s like a baby needing to be looked after every minute. The fact that she doesn’t work only exacerbates the problem. I get phone calls all day at the office over the littlest things — Angelica wants me to drop everything and come running. I suggested she start a business or do an art class, but she would have none of it. Matters only got worse when she said having a baby would make everything all right.

ESPITE

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She had the same pear-shaped body and blonde hair, but somehow Lisa had become my fantasy. Is it cheating when you are still sleeping with your wife? My suspicion was that it had more To be honest, I thought that it would to do with her competing with her remain a fantasy, until one day my wife twin sister who, although divorced, was doing a great job balancing her said Lisa would be coming to dinner work as an interior designer and as a that Saturday and without her child. I don’t know if my wife was simply testmother of a four-year-old girl. She also, as I found out, still looked ing me but my heart jumped at the pretty amazing. Angelica would con- thought. And I’m sure she was suspitinually bait me with pictures of her cious when it came to the day and I was shaven and had discarded my usual twin looking tanned and gorgeous uniform of rugby jumper, shorts and in her bikini on some holiday. She thongs for a new shirt and trousers. would tell me that I probably That night, I couldn’t keep my eyes off believed I’d married the wrong twin and even suggested that I thought of Lisa or her backless dress. And I don’t know if it was the wine but I’m sure she Lisa when we were having sex. I don’t know if it was the badgering was flirting back at me all through dinner and we were both tipsy by the time or whether there was a kernel of truth in what she said but I did start dessert arrived. So, when my wife said she was off to bed, I was relieved to have to fantasise about Lisa. In a strange way, it was quite erotic making love Lisa all to myself. I suggested we duck out to the veranto someone who looked so much dah to sneak a cigarette. The naughtilike the person I lusted over.

Love Adventure

ness of it only added to the excitement. After chatting about architecture and design, something I could never do with Angelica, I lent forward and kissed her. To my amazement, she didn’t back away. I put my hand down her backless dress and felt that skin I had fantasised about so many times. I pushed her up against the railing and made love to her right there and then, underneath the bedroom where my wife slept. The next day my wife found me sleeping on the couch … alone. She never said a word. People say a twin knows when something happens to the other one. I’ve never been game enough to ask and find out. CULLED FROM: www.ninemsn.com *Do you have an amazing or adventurous love experience to share? Tell us how you met. Email your story to: ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714, 07032944123.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

18 |

LOVE&LIFE ‘I Love Her But Her Heart Is Divided Between Me And Her Malaysian Lover!’ Dear Love Doctor, I dated a girl back in 2002 and we loved each other so much. But something happened along the line and we both stopped seeing each other. Later we met at Ibadan in 2008 and we became close to the extent that she used to visit me and pass the night in my house. However, about a month ago, I

made my intention known to her that I intend getting married to her. But she previously had a guy she was dating who travelled to Malaysia. Now the guy is back and wants her back. Now her heart is divided because she doesn’t know what to do, but I truly love her and I am not ready to lose her to another man. What

n’t very strong in the first place. Her heart cannot be divided if what she really feels is true love. should I do? Let her take her time and follow From Adeyemi, her heart. If she truly loves you as E-mail: adeyemi_t009@yahoo.com you think, she will marry you. Love Doctor’s Advice Your say: Do you have advice on Everything depends on the girl. If this problem? Please share your she could date someone else, it thoughts. Call 07031028714 or means her commitment to you was- 08131161840.

True Confession

Love News

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Brad And Angie To Wed Aboard The Queen’s Holiday Boat

Romantic Jokes The guy at the gym A guy at a gym saw a beautiful girl walking into the gym. He was looking for a way to get the girl’s attention, so he asked the trainer, “Which machine can I use to impress the girl?” The trainer replied; “Use the ATM.”

Words Of Wisdom True love wins even when all seems lost. Lovers’ Answers Game The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers. Amarachi, on 08103217580, is asking all men: “Why is it hard for men to fall in love?” *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are planning to get married aboard the Hebridean Princess, a ship previously chartered by the Queen. It had previously been reported that Brad and Angie would tie the knot at their French chateaux, but it seems son Maddox has changed their minds. “It was Maddox who came up with the idea of the ship,” a source told The

Sun. “He came across it after looking at photos of the Carnell Estate in Ayrshire [Scotland], where they stayed and all loved. “It’s just what they’re after. It can hold up to 50 of their friends and family and serve as a traditional, romantic setting – all totally private.” Hiring the ship would cost a pricey $450,000, although they

would have the option of moving it around Scottish waters throughout the wedding celebrations. “They could always sail to a secluded bay off the Orkney or Shetland islands and have the ceremony there,” the source continued. “The kids are all hooked on old British voyages, so they would love it. The fact that Maddox

found it makes it more special.” Queen Elizabeth has previously chartered the Hebridean Princess to sail around Scotland for family holidays and to celebrate her 80th birthday. Courtesy: ninemsn.com.au *If you want to advertize or sponsor Love & Life call 07031028714, 07032944123.

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relationship. 08101525726. Nnanna, 38, needs a lady of 30-38 years for marriage. 07088469807. Ugo, 39, needs a working, bornagain lady of 30-38 years for marriage. 07065229583. Smart, 26, in Lagos, wants a sugar mummy. 07037392027. Omaji, 35, businessman in Lagos, from Benue, needs a woman of 2533years for marriage. 08137131744. Kaycee, 33, a building contractor, tall and caring, needs a mature Igbo graduate lady for marriage. 08081347944. Segun, 30, banker in Oyo, needs a lady of 20-25years for a sexual relationship. 08021484069. Desmond, 24, in Abuja, wants a sugar mummy. 08096329472. * Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup. *If you have announcements to make: Call Mike-07031028714 or Simon-07032944123. *SCAM ALERT: Beware of scammers! Please do not respond to any strange numbers besides the official number 07031028714 above for link up or to publish your request. Be warned!

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

RELATIONSHIP

Hold Back A Bit By Alita Joseph

ANY of us do this. We tend to reveal too much information about ourselves. We chat so freely because we do not want to be seen as too secretive. Even when people ask probing questions on personal information, we still oblige them and spill everything because we want to be seen as friendly and accommodating. Sometimes however, we regret our words because our friends or confidants use them to hurt us. Cecilia, a friend says that she has learnt her lessons, not from a friend, but from her own elder sister. The said sister, she states, has always seen her as a rival. Educationally, Cecilia has done better and therefore has a better job. “But she is still my sister and I would always forget her betrayal and her penchant to put me at loggerheads with our parents. I would tell her everything from boyfriend problems to work hassles. But when we have the least argument, she would use them as weapon to taunt me. Worse was that she deliberately twisted every information to suit her evil design. So our mother was always angry with me.” Do you feel oppressed and want to offload a bit, you should know who to confide in because only few people are really interested in what bothers you or want to know if you have eaten breakfast or not. On the main, they want to get on with their own lives and may feel bored when all you can talk about is youyou. Even your so-called best friends would be bored when you reveal the most intimate detail about yourself. So how do you know that you talk too much? You reveal details best kept secret because you think that you make an interesting topic. So when your friend asks you how you are faring in your new relationship, you tell her what happened at your dinner date. You always end your discussion with “my sister, I will gist you more later”. You talk too much if you

would tell the new guy the whole thing about a past relationship, including the way guys still bother you to befriend them. You spill all when you have just discovered that your friends and guy do not tell you everything. These are all signs that your friends and guy do not feel safe with you. They think that if you can tell everything thing about yourself, you would not think twice about revealing their secrets. Learn to control what intimate details you reveal. You also give the impression that you

want to be noticed by all means. Before you talk, think of how much information this person has shared with you. When you share with the thought that that person would keep quiet and sympathize with you, you may be disappointed. However, you can help your friends by sharing personal information. But a little detail is enough. Sift through to know how they can benefit from your experience. For example, the world as we know is a small place. Thus, we tend to recycle relationships. It is therefore possible that Johnny, Jenny’s boyfriend could have gone out with some girls you know before he became Jenny’s boyfriend. So, if he was your friend for a while, you could help your close friends by blowing the whistle. You would not have to reveal too much about why you think that he is not a relationship material. Too much talk and they will think that you are jealous or think that you are exhibiting your usual ‘notice me’ attitude so that everybody would know that you once went out with Johnny. Tell one of your friends exactly what he did to make you leave him and think that it would not be fair to keep quiet and let your friend suffer the same treatment. Jenny may choose not to listen, but you would have done your duty as a friend. It is good to share information with your friends, but know what is useful and helpful. And with your guy, too much personal information does not impress him. Take a cue from him. How much does he tell you? Weigh what you think and do. How would you feel if he were to reveal all his deeds to you? Talking too much does not mean that you have to clam up. “Antonia will never tell you anything”, my friend Joy would say in frustration. Irrespective of the sighs and angry words, Antonia would remain quiet, never revealing anything. “That is why you always get into trouble. If you don’t give out information, nobody will tell you anything.” Still Antonia is bottled up with her personal experiences and the secrets of her close friends. Everyone values her faithfulness but we know that she is too secretive for her own good. We are all aware of a disastrous relationship, which, although she refuses to discuss, has affected her in a big way. If you can relate so well with Antonia, learn to loosen up a bit. Confide a little personal detail in your friend. You have some you trust enough to value their opinion. Share a bit and you will learn from their experiences. Even your guy would see you as a warm person if you talk about your family and friends. Keep back those things that you think are boring. Leave out useless details of a previous relationship; he is not interested. Do not talk too much about how much you spend on clothes or beauty treatment.

Changing Your Man The Right Way By Kemi Amushan

’M sure most men would not agree to this topic but it’s not what you think. It isn’t an easy job trying to change someone. I don’t really feel comfortable when I meet someone for the first time and then we decide to go into a serious relationship and then he tries to change me. That would certainly not go well with me but I could see reasons if the change is for my own good. Anyway, just read on. Did you know that you can change your man but not in the way you might think? You need to learn the right way to fix his flaws and bad habits but in an experienced subtle way. Now, is your man perfect? Of course not. Nobody’s perfect. But in the dating game, your goal is to find the guy who’s “perfect for you.” Unfortunately, there are some men out there who fall just short of being “perfect for us”. We may love these guys for who they are, warts and all, but deep inside, we wish they were just a little better. Then they’d be perfect. He may have a bad temper. He may be a little lazy. He may be untrustworthy. He may treat you badly sometimes. He may not believe in getting married, at least not this decade. What about you? Do you have a man in your life right now who’s “almost perfect?” If so, what’s his flaw, weakness, or bad habit you’d like to change. So, that he’d finally be perfect for you? Whatever it is, I have some good news. Whatever weakness, addiction, or bad habit your man might have, you as his woman, have the power to make him change for the better. Now, instead of worrying and feeling bad about his flaws, you’ll be enjoying the love, attention, and affections of a man who, without doubt, is perfect for you. But that’s not all...You won’t even have to “monitor” his progress. Once you change his behavior, it’s like a train that won’t stop, he’ll be sweeter, he’ll work harder, he’ll be more patient, he’ll treat you better. All that good stuff that “ideal men” are made of! Now, when I tell this to some of my friends, they raise an eyebrow and ask: don’t you always say we can’t change a guy?” but the thing is there are ways to change a man and other ways to change a man if you know what I mean. Now, the horribly wrong ways we try to change a man and fail miserably is that we use the wrong approaches. I’ve

seen ladies and women use all sorts of crazy strategies just to make their men change; all without success. And over the years, I’ve realized that these crazy strategies fall into one of three categories: Facts, fear, or force. “Facts” is when we try to convince our man to change by telling him facts like: “Stop smoking—- you’ll die of lung cancer,” or “Stop eating so much -- you’re gaining weight.” Unfortunately, facts don’t work. If they did, there wouldn’t be any doctors who smoked. Right? “Fear” is when we try to scare the guy into doing what we want. This is a particularly popular approach used by women who are going out with, or are married to, players or womanizers. They try to tell the guy: “If you ever talk to that woman again, I’m leaving you. I swear.” Unfortunately, the “fear” approach rarely works, because the moment the woman isn’t watching, boom, the guy does it again, this time more quietly and more discreetly. As the saying goes, “When the cat is away, the mouse will play.” Fear only makes him more sneaky and secretive, but it won’t change his bad habit. And finally, “Force” is when we try to force the guy into changing. Some women take away the guy’s cellphone (if he chats with other women). Others cancel their home Internet connection (if he’s addicted to gambling or girly sites). Still others hide the keys to the liquor cabinet. You get the idea. Some women can go to the extreme to get the attention of their men not knowing that they are driving them further away. And you guessed it, it doesn’t work, either. I’ve seen men get pretty violent when change is forced upon them and I don’t want to put you at risk! Facts, fear, and force are the three “wrong ways” to change a man. Now let me tell you the right way. In fact, it’s the only way to change a man. The only way to change a man’s behavior and in turn, make him love you more is to change how he feels about you. If he treats you like a friend, then it’s likely because you make him feel absolutely no romantic attraction towards you. If he’s cold around you, then it’s likely because you make him feel bored or uninspired. If he treats you like a sex toy, then it’s likely because you make him feel too horny or he feels you’re an “easy” woman. If he’s avoiding you, it’s likely because you make him feel uncomfortable. And if

he treats you badly, then it’s likely because he feels bad, angry, or miserable whenever he’s around you. Let me say that again. If you want him to change how he treats you, then you’ll have to change how he feels about you! When he stops feeling bored, or uncomfortable, or angry around you and starts feeling good, and proud, and secure around you. - He’ll start loving you more. - He’ll be more attentive to your needs. - He’ll prioritize your relationship over his work.

- He’ll start talking to you about the future. - He’ll start treating you with respect. - He’ll start asking you out more regularly. - He’ll keep in touch more often, even just to ask how your day was. And so much more. All because you changed the way he felt about you! It’s as simple as that, ladies. Do it the right way and stop complicating your love life. To the loving long-lasting relationship we all deserve. Good luck in love and life. Cheers.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

LOVE & LIFE 21

WEEKEND with AMARA

08116706852 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

HE word, ‘sexy’ could mean something positive to you. But to T me, it’s something degrading. I want to remain old-fashioned in most aspects of life. Ladies, I don’t think we should always buy into every word we hear. The fact that some public figures want to be addressed that way doesn’t make it right for you. Yes, Meagan Fox tagged herself ‘Sexy Christian’ after she wore a revealing dress to the last BET Awards. Don’t be deceived. When all they do is call you ‘sexy’, please don’t enjoy it; it may not mean you are a beautiful woman. Let’s now look at the difference between a beautiful woman and a sexy woman A Sexy Woman A man sees a sexy woman and his first thought is how to have sex with her. This might be his first and only thought, almost an obsession. His entire interest in her is based on how quickly he can take her to bed and when he finally does, his so-called interest in her will dissipate quickly. In other words, his entire motivation for pursuing this woman was predicated on her looks and nothing more. Having satisfied his urge to possess her, he has no more substantial use for her in his life. He might keep her around and continue to deal with her because she is sexy and he feels good having a sexy woman on his arm or in his bed. Still, this ‘relationship’ is sustained by his superficiality. She was initially something to conquer and now she is something to show off; nothing more or less. After this phase wears off, she will be discarded. A woman who is sexy or hot only has an effect on a man below his belt. The attraction is purely superficial and such is the quality of the person’s feelings towards her. A hot and sexy woman is generally regarded as such by all those who gaze upon her. A sexy woman is just a mere sex object for men; they don’t see more than the physical when they look at her. According to Dave Chapelle, you are not a whore, but you are wearing a whore’s uniform. For that woman (or girl as they don’t want to be addressed as a woman), being sexy is both an asset and a weakness in attracting men.

Sexy Versus Beautiful

knows how to carry herself with every feminine glory and grace. A beautiful woman will never expose the part of her body that should be properly covered. A beautiful woman has it all, including being sexy but men don’t see her as a good ground for escapades; she is for keeps. A woman who is perceived as beautiful has a much more profound, and pronounced affect on a man. He desires much more A Beautiful Woman than this woman’s body, or recognizes that she is worth a lot The primary difference between a beautiful woman and a sexy more than just a romp in the sack. The attraction towards her is woman is men’s motivation for their pursuit of her from the deeper within. As such, a woman doesn’t have to be above aververy beginning. age in looks in order to be beautiful. It is as they say, “in the eye When a man encounters a woman he finds beautiful, instead of the beholder”. of his mind turning to how quickly he wants to have sex with Hot and sexy women are everywhere. Beautiful women are her, his thoughts are of being with her. It’s always “I would love fewer, more precious, and not to be taken for granted. Bear in to keep her forever” versus “I would like to have sex with her.” I mind that it is quite possible for a woman who is exceptionally believe a man views a beautiful woman in terms of a girlfriend, hot to also be exquisitely beautiful. And all women can be sexy if wife, companion and mother of his unborn kids, rather than they try hard enough. Mind you; you can be properly covered merely an object. and sexy. A beautiful woman is that woman who loves God. She is foBeauty is much more than physical appearance. We all must cused and full of positive energy. She has respect for culture and have come into contact with physically attractive women who knows how not to let go of her values for peer pressure. She are creepy, rude, degrading, and abusive. Most men run away

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela

08116706879 (SMS only). E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com rules and etiquette of the ideal image. However, we have gone beyond the rules and etiquette, which can only take us so far; we have gone into the heart of that ideal Personality (by His grace). It is profitable to act aright, but it is much more fruitful that the right attitude, words and behaviors stem out of true character (or, if you will, a genuine personality).

FORGET for a moment all that is required from you from everybody else—your father, your mother, your boss, your husband, your pastor, your friends, your children – everyone. What does the creator of all things require from you? The One who upholds all things with the power of His Word, the Judge, the One in whom we must give account, your Father whose ways are higher than yours, whose thoughts we cannot comprehend, whose standards are above all. He requires that you be conformed (be similar, be in line with) to the image of His Firstborn Sson, Jesus. This is our destiny; this is who He created us to be like – His son. This is the ultimate prize – our inheritance; that we will be changed to be just like Him; conformed to His glorious image! “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren”. Romans 8:29

quickly or better still, keep her a little longer and parade her for all eyes to see. Do you wonder why some men get frustrated after spending a few months with that sexy woman? He took her because she is sexy and not because she is beautiful. Developing your inner being is more important than going out of your way to look sexy. Women can do some things if they want to be seen as a potential wife instead of a potential conquest. Since men are visual creatures, their behaviour towards you is usually influenced by your outfit, the places you visit, the way you walk, talk and carry yourself. Purposely or accidentally, each will influence what men expect and think of you. You are free to pretend men don’t superficially judge women and women don’t superficially judge men and neither actions really matters in your life, but you would be in denial. This may be unfair but life itself isn’t fair. My fellow ladies, please strive more to be a beautiful woman and not just a sexy woman. If you are just sexy, you will lead more men into damnation. But if you are beautiful, men are going to know the truth of life and God through you.

It should bring us peace and relief that we don’t have to be brighter, prettier, funnier, quieter, more outgoing, stronger etc, in the sense and understanding that other people want us to be. We just have to live to please God; to be whom He alone predestined us to be and not to conform to the ever shifting requirements, tastes and ideas of men but only to look unto Jesus who will make us perfect Himself.

Growing Into His Shoes

There is an image and likeness, an end already predetermined; a model, a destiny, a person, that we were created after. We were created in His image – not in another image to evolve at a later time. Have you ever gone so far away from His will and tried to get back into it dreams but to look steadfastly at the author of your own volition but failed? and finisher of our faith. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but His word reFriends, I do not wish to dwell on our short mains true and His word is not chained; His comings or inadequacies, our past defeats or mercy and faithfulness endure forever! disappointments, our limited understanding or lack of it, our secret hopes and broken This column was designed to speak about the

I find that every now and again, I need to reassess myself to see if I am living to please God and not another, even myself. It is human nature to try to satisfy and become the sort of people those whom we love want us to be because we desire their happiness (bless their souls!). However, we all see dimly and know only in part. Therefore, it is vital that we consciously check, through His help, if we have strayed somehow away from the narrow path. You see, we serve a God whose thoughts are higher than ours, whose standards are perfect and who requires that we in turn walk before Him perfect. Yes, His requirements of us are very high but they are simple too. Simple in the sense that we have it in a book; simple in the sense that we have Him as Teacher to teach us what His Words mean, simple in the sense that we need only believe and present ourselves to Him for it is He Himself who works in us what is befitting to Him.

He has made it easy for us to know if we are on the right path. The right path is filled with peace, love, joy, grace, favour, fulfillment, answered prayers, life – Him! And the broad way is filled with everything dark and fallen. More so, He is the one who upholds us and leads us through the paths of righteousness. He is ever present and able. His rod and staff comfort us. A staff is used to guide and a rod to chastise but both are instruments of Love. I see the Lord’s staff when He teaches me, strengthens me and comforts me. I also see His rod when He makes my way too narrow that I cannot do anything else nor find peace apart from His Will. Both His rod and staff reveal the depth of His love for us, and His faithfulness to His promise that He will never leave nor forsake us but uphold us so that we can stand blameless before Him and spend eternity with Him. God will chastise whom He loves and it only proves that we are dear children. If you are being chastised by the Lord, humble yourself and let his rod and staff COMFORT and CONFORM you into the perfect image of His Son even as by His Spirit. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 3:18 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 27, 2013

22 LOVE & LIFE

MARITAL SEX

How To Talk To Your Husband About Sex

ever reason, no longer a go-to hot spot, say so— and tell him what does feel good these days. Don’t berate or belittle. HERE is no disputing the fact that sex is a “You don’t have to be mean to get what you major factor in the success or otherwise of want,” says Creager. Start with “a mental state of marriage relationships. In spite of its huge acceptance.” That means presupposing that importance, problems in that department your man takes your best interests (and your remains the main reason for most infidelities pleasure!) to heart. So, instead of saying, “We and divorces. need to talk about the dismal state of our sex The average couple believes that sexual problife,” say, “I know you want me to feel good, and I lem is one of the most difficult to solve in marthat you want to chat, so you both have time to author of The Long, Hot Marriage, is that what want you to enjoy sex, too, so I want to talk riage. But experts and those who have been think about what you want to say. used to be a surefire pleasure-inducer no about how we can make it better. That OK with there totally disagree. Sexual issues in otherwise Look back fondly on the good/hot old days. longer works, thanks to a changing body (like you?” good marriages are often resolvable. With comSometimes, a shared sense of nostalgia for after having kids) or just shifting preferences Make “I” statements. munication, they say, you can do much more what the two of you used to do can be enough as you get older. If you don’t tell him what Angle the conversation so it’s about you. “You’re good than you can imagine to your sexless mar- to lead you down the path of talking about sex works (and doesn’t work anymore), how will telling him, ‘This is not about what you’re doing riage. openly. You could say, “Remember when we he know? Think of it as updating a map as wrong, but about what I want,’ ” says Creager. So However, they are always quick to add that used to spend hours just kissing? I miss that.” new roads—or roadblocks—are put in. instead of saying, “You never give me enough there is a huge difference between ‘nagging’ and Or, “I loved when you used to just grab me from Be clear about what you want. foreplay,” say, “I would like more touching and ‘communication’, between ‘talking to’ and ‘talk- behind; it made me feel so wanted.” If you’re not sure what floats your boat, caressing time before we move to the main ing with’. Spouses are required to talk with each Realize that he doesn’t automatically know there’s no way you’ll be able to communicate event.” other every day, not just discussing social issues how to please you. it to your partner, says Creager. If you used to Remember your non-verbal expression, too. and children upbringing but also about sex and The bumbling, fumbling man who can’t find just jump into bed and get right to it, but now You may have the whole non-blaming thing how to make it more exciting. his way around the female body may be a would feel more comfortable with a long going on in your words, but what about in your That is where the problem lies, but don’t cliché, but in some cases, it’s true. But what’s make-out session on the couch first, tell him actions, your body language and your tone of scratch your head yet, that is what we want to actually more common, says Todd Creager, that. If a certain part of your body is, for what- voice? “All these things communicate your feelshare with you today. We are very much aware ings, too,” says Creager, so be sure you’re relaxed how difficult it is for most couples to talk about and ready to speak without letting anger or frussex. How do I tell him he is horrible in bed? How tration get in the way. “Take a few deep breaths, do I tell her that she is driving me out with her uncross your arms and sit close to him.” incessant ‘headaches’? are issues many couples Have solutions in mind, and be open to his find difficult to handle. ideas. In order not to trigger another war that you It’s one thing to get across your needs and can’t end, consider these pointers by Denise desires, but you also have to listen to where he’s Schipani about discussing the subject with a coming from. “His preferences may have less-than-talkative husband, or even wife. changed, too, and you need to meet him Don’t broach the subject in bed. halfway,” says Sharky. Think on better times for Right before or after sex, when you’re naked, is sex, or ways you can juggle your schedules. “You not the best time to examine faults or dissect might also consider a short course of therapy,” performance, says Kimberly A. Sharky, a certified says Sharky, who points out that sex therapy Sex Therapist in Chicago, United States. “It’s tends to be solution-oriented and brief. You when we’re at our most vulnerable.” Plus, your could also browse for books or videos on bedroom, and certainly your bed, should be a improving your sex life. sanctuary, not a place to air grievances. Instead, Remember that this isn’t a one-time conversachoose a pleasant but neutral place, such as a tion. restaurant that’s romantic enough to be relaxTalking about your sex life isn’t something you ing (and noisy enough for a reasonable amount tick off a list once in a lifetime; it’s an ongoing of privacy!). discussion. Some couples make a regular date to Make a plan to talk. check in with each other on all sorts of things, There is something to be said for spontaneity, from financial plans to their children’s activities. but this may not be the time for it. “If you blindWhy not also set aside time to do a health check side your husband, you’re more likely to make on your sex life? him defensive,” says Sharky. Give him a heads-up

By Juliana Idoko

The Husband As Leader And Lover Ephesians 5: 18 – 29 OLES always determine relationships; relationships create responsibilities. The man is not only the head of the home, he is also the heart of the home. He has on him a huge responsibility. He determines the tone and mood of the home. He is a major factor in the destiny of that family. His headship provides a cover, an authority which the family, as an institution and organization, needs. Hence, he needs to think, pray, plan for the good of the home. He must look out for them. We don’t marry to settle down as in rest. We marry to start building. All your experience will be needed here. All the divine inputs in your life will be necessary. You are leading your family somewhere; your wife that chose to go with you, and the children you both brought to the world will need all you know and have to be happy and fulfilled. You must make up your mind to give them a good life, and help them reach their goals. The man (husband) is also the heart of the family. He is the emotional bond. As the man, loving your wife is a full-time responsibility. It takes every ounce of creativity. Love your children and let them see it. Don’t hide your emotions, admirations and interests from your family. Talk; let them hear principles of life from you. Let them see you, know you, then trust you. Loving is not always sweet. It may require us to take hard decisions, say things that may not be easy to accept. Christ died for the church

but also allowed it to suffer to strengthen it. The present day palava about never offending anyone you love is far from the truth. Even as sweet as Jesus was, people were offended because of him. Love hurts but would not harm. The only thing is that, as husband, deep down our hearts, we should be convinced that we are doing the

very best for the overall happiness and fulfillment of the whole family. We should speak the truth in love. We should be tenderly tough, when necessary. But I need say our love cords should be strong, safe, and satisfying. Please, wives, we should make it easier to be loved. Wives should note. *Husband is not a dictator – Eph. 5

vs 23. He should dialogue, make the decision deliberately with the good of the people he loves! Some men act as a tyrants because they are not scripturally and spiritually enlightened, or they have a lot of personal problems for which this supposed leadership is really a cover. *The husband is not superior — Gal. 3 vs 7

We are all one. But being equal spiritually does not mean we have the same function (I Cor. 11 vs 3). There is a way scriptural leadership is run. One person says the final word. But we are still equal. That your husband makes decision is not suggesting he is better, or higher, or stronger! He is just assuming his role and that office need to be respected! *The husband is not the exclusive decision maker. A good leader asks the opinion of everyone, and knows when a decision is best for everyone even if it doesn’t come from him. No one leader knows it all. He needs input from subordinates. Don’t make decision in areas in which you are totally incompetent, talk to your wife if you know she is gifted and capable there. That’s leadership. *The husband is not always right. But he is responsible, he should take the initiative. He may make mistakes. Yes! But that does not make him less than a leader. The husband should always remember that he could do wrong and must make efforts to apologise and put things right! *But please wives, we are talking about a human being – husbands are not omniscient any more than wives are! Whenever you look at your husband, feel respect! It is not easy! So please, wives, I ask, are you making it easier or harder for your husband to function in his role? E. C. Samuel 08027173447 sms only intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 27, 2013 23

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Life&Style husband was later transferred back to Lagos and then I had already resigned so I decided to now pursue this dream. “I first of all did my Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Education at the University of Lagos. I traveled to the United States in 2011 and did some certificate training on Early Childhood Education in Arlington University Texas. I did some few courses on Montessori education and I started Dawn Michaels By Chukwuma Muanya School on my return.” She said that Dawn Michaels School proT a time, I started having this yearning that vides a joyful learning environment that I should make a change in education benurtures children to reach their educational cause I found out that what I enjoyed then, our and personal potentials. “Dawn Michaels children are no longer enjoying them in terms School recognises that each child is an indiof morals in schools,” said Mrs. Uche Ndulue, the School Director of Dawn Michaels School, a Christian school located at Ago in Okota Isolo area of Lagos. She added: “Also, our children are slowly forgetting our values. So I said let’s do this, let’s help our kids; let’s bring back a little of the old tradition education, and of course fine tune it to suit today’s education. So, I started this dream.” Uche said she was indeed worried by the growing moral decadence in the society and inability of most children especially in cities such as Lagos to speak or write their Mother Tongue. Dawn Michaels School caters for children between three months to eleven years. The school has promised to graduate children that will not only model Christ but will be able to speak and write their local language. Uche, in an interview with The Guardian said: “Dawn Michaels started in September 2012. We intend to graduate children who will model Christ. People exiting Dawn Michaels School should be able to read properly, write and compete in best of their abilities. They should possess a life love of learning. Then we would have instilled an increased understanding of acceptance of diversified winners, to demonstrate respect and care of the universe and they respect people from all ages, ethnic groups, religion and from all backgrounds. “Here we do both Ibo and Yoruba. We encourage our children to speak these languages. We do cultural day. We celebrate cultural days and we expose them to different cultures in Nigeria. We have clubs were we encourage the children to speak their mother tongue.” Dawn Michaels School is a Christian nursery and elementary excellent and disciplined school focused on hard work and upholding core Christian values of Godliness and character in developing the total child. Uche Ndulue is a graduate of Physics Electronics from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Education from the University of Lagos, and a certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Montessori education from Arlington University Texas, United States. Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori based on her extensive experience in special education. Montessori education is practiced in an estimated 7,000 schools worldwide, serving children from birth to 18 years old. Montessori education is characterised by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological development. Are there provisions for music classes, science laboratories, sports, cultural groups, dance groups and all those things that make a child complete in Dawn Michaels School? “Yes! We call those co-curricula activities. We do that. We do music, we do fine arts, of course we have science lab. We do swimming, Taekwando, Bale, dancing, drama among other activities,” she said. On how and why she established Dawn Michaels School, Uche Ndulue said: “At a time I started having this yearning that I should make a change in education because I found out that what enjoyed then, our children are no longer enjoying them in terms of morals in schools. Also, our children are slowly forgetting our values. So I said let’s do this, let’s help our kids, let’s bring back a little of the old tradition education and of course fine tune it to suit today’s education. So I started this dream. I was still working and was picking things I needed. I was to reloUche Ndule cate to Port Harcourt so I had to resign but my

Mrs. Uche Ndulue said she set up her school to groom academically and morally sound children. That is why she is taking them quite early to busy herself with achieving these goals.

“A

Uche Ndulue Lives Her Dream

WOMAN vidual; that all children are creative; that all children need to succeed. Therefore, we respect the individual needs of children; foster a caring and creative environment; and emphasise the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of each child,” Uche Ndulue said. She said to attain the set goals the school has a team of highly qualified and dedicated staff and caters for children between the nursery ages three to 20 months (in the Crèche/toddler), two to five years (in the nursery department) and five to ten years in (Basic 1 to Basic 6). The School Director said it is Dawn Michaels School committed objective to provide tradi-

tional education in its basic classes. She said this type of approach to learning is one that adheres to set standards of testing and measuring the progress of a child’s learning. Uche Ndulue said there is a set of curriculum that defines what is appropriate for a child to learn and to master at each grade level, and most Nigerians grew up being educated in this type of method. According to her, preschool in Dawn Michaels School is Montessori-based, which operates at an exceptionally high standard and this will be achieved through the use of fully equipped Montessori classrooms complete with all appropriate Montessori materials and teaching aids.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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WOMAN

Nigerwives: Helping To Educate The Blind Mrs. Roseline Afolabi, National President of Nigerwives, Nigeria, and Coordinator of Nigerwives Braille Book Production Centre, Mrs. Jean Obi discuss what the association stands for and its national project geared towards helping blind people to learn and live independent lives.

The whole mission of the project, they explained, is to provide services to assist blind people to attain their educational potential, become independent adults, earn their own living and play their own part in the community. This is because blind persons can work in work environments as long as certain things they need are available. At the Lagos branch of Nigerwives where the project began, it was a response to the concern expressed by some of their members in the branch who were teaching in St. Gregory’s College, King’s College and Queen’s College, where they discovered that Ekwy P. Uzoanya By the blind students had no textbooks. Mrs. Obi recounted: “I was involved also beVISIT to the Nigerwives Braille Book Pro- cause I was in WAEC and I initiated the induction Centre on its King’s College An- house Braille facility for blind students for nexe, Victoria Island, Lagos location their question papers at WAEC. So, I knew was quite revealing. From the main office the problem the children were having with housed in two portakabins, activities involv- examination because it is the same texting the production of braille books for blind books that they use. I got involved in Braille students take place. Everything – from the in 1974, before Nigerwives. gathering of the papers to cutting them in “When we started meeting in Nigerwives, the required pages, transcribing books and we found that there were other members the actual brailing and binding of the copies who were concerned that these children had – is done here. no books and we asked questions, what we The centre is an initiative of Nigerwives, could do about it, and so we decided that Nigeria, an association of foreign wives of people should record textbooks on cassettes Nigerians resident in Nigeria. Its primary and we got a copying machine for cassettes aim is to assist the integration of the foreign so that blind children could get recordings wives into the Nigerian society. It was of their textbooks at the secondary level. formed in 1979 and it became a registered “In fact, blind students that went through organization in 1987 with branches across secondary school in the 1980s and 1990s deand outside the country. pended on the books we recorded, and these Haitian-born Mrs. Roseline Afolabi is the were used all over the country. We copied current National President of the associaover 200 secondary school books tion. She has been living in Nigeria since in that decade – 1980, free of 1974. Mrs. Jean Obi (MBE, MFR) is the Coordi- charge. We had a relationnator, Nigerwives Braille Book Production ship with Nulec to sell the Centre. She came from the United Kingdom cassettes to us cheaper.” as Education Officer to Queen’s School, Running the centre Enugu and got married here 50 years ago to The centre has 10 memher Anambra State husband, Mr. Chukwuebers of staff made up meka Obi. These two women were on hand of five sighted and to talk about their association and the book five blind people. centre, a charity, which is unique in its area The five blind staff of focus. all come from quite Beyond this goal of coming together to distant parts of help one another get integrated into the en- Lagos in public vironment, there were other common prob- transport. lems arising from their experiences in the It provides a their husbands’ country. There did seem range of servcontradictions bordering on their citizenices including ship status that they needed to sort out with production of government. braille textFor instance, at that time, Afolabi and Obi books recalled, were barred from taking pensionfor able employments. There was another issue of remittance of funds abroad. Government took a decision on the need for expatriates to be able to remit part of their income to their home countries. But these women were excluded from that arrangement until the 1999 Constitution allowed them to have dual citizenship. “So, it was the first thing we took up because we had our commitments to our families and it would not allow us do that because we were not considered expatriates. But if you look at it, we were expatriates because the same government labelled us aliens because we were not Nigerians by birth. “We were treated as non-Nigerians when it came to residence and we paid residence fee every year. But when it came to remitting money home, we were Nigerians and things like that. It was not until 1999 that the Constitution allowed us to have dual citizenship. If you took Nigerian citizenship, you have to give up your own and it was not until 2004 that they stopped requiring us to pay for residence permit,” they said. Beyond these goals, the women also deemed it necessary to support community projects where they live. This conviction spurred the setting up of the Nigerwives Braille Book Production Centre in the 1980s by the Lagos branch. It was adopted as a national project of the body in 1995. Afolabi

Obi secondary schools, individuals at home, university students and primary students; computer training, Mathematics workshops, Braille Reading Project and enhancing access to special aids. With time, the place has grown to braille examination papers for various institutions with blind students in the country. This enables the students have examination papers in a format they can access themselves, rather than read it to them, as some schools did in the past. “By so doing, you are giving them equal opportunity with sighted ones. It is not just in the Lagos branch that blind people benefit from the initiative; there are so many branches that have very close links with their local schools for the blind and make sure that those

schools benefit from the centre,” they said. Years ago, the centre got support from various organizations including Nestle, Chevron, Mobil, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Total VT-Leasing and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Small World, an international women’s organization. But it is not so any more. Throughout last year, no assistance came their way. As a result, running the centre, they said, has not been an easy, especially with respect to funding. To keep the centre afloat requires buying materials for brailing, buying diesel to run the machines and paying staff salaries. “It’s hard work because people like to give equipment but they don’t like to fund the running of the centre. I can understand that because there is a lot of misappropriation of money but we have a very good record of accountability here. So, some people are willing to grant that. But normally most associations have a rule that they will not give money for administration, they will not give money for salaries. But however much equipment you have, if you can’t pay the staff to use it, then you cannot operate. “To keep our operations going, we need about N500, 000 monthly. And we spend about three times the cost of what is used to produce the regular books, yet we sell them at the cost of the books for sighted children. Particularly last year, we found it very tough; we lived from hand to mouth but we managed and we always paid salaries on time. We appeal to corporate bodies for obsolete printed paper at least A4 size for reuse to produce Braille books, ” they said. Mrs. Afolabi informed that at the point when it could not pay staff salaries last year, Mrs. Obi had to pay them from her personal money. To tackle funding challenge, the organization is seeking avenues for fundraising to keep the Braille Centre working. Through the 1,000s Club, people can make little donations. “We need the support of organizations. We are asking people to donate NI,000 a month, just as charities in the UK get donations. We believe it will work,” they appealed. Having blind persons in its employ is a demonstration of its commitment to ensuring that qualified blind people can work and earn a living. It is giving incentives to organizations that are willing to give them employment. “If you are ready to employ a qualified blind person, we will back you up; provide support for any problems and find solutions to them. We will do the same if you are ready to take a blind student in your work environment for three months on industrial attachment.” Branches of Nigerwives across the nation are equally busy with projects for their communities. For example, the Abuja branch has worked closely with the Primary School for the Blind, Jabi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In Ibadan, it took up the Visually Impaired Unit of Omoyeni School for the Handicapped, a government institution, as its project. The Kaduna branch has interacted with Kaduna State Special Education School (KASSES). In Uyo, they have a complex that will cater for many events.

Braille book production unit

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

PEOPLE

From Marine Engineering To Marketing, Udoye’s Inspiring Story not saying I should go and start selling Aloe Vera! A well-known chief engineer like myself? I said, ‘No, I had no time for that, I was busy.’ He said, of course, that I was busy being broke. Indeed, I was truly busy. I had a big office; I had a big title. But I had no money. And this guy asked me how much I was earning. I told him. And he asked if I wanted to know what he earned the previous month. I said, of course. And he showed me his bonus cheque for $33,000, just for one month. If you convert that to Naira, it was about N4 million for one month. From that day, I didn’t sleep again. The man murdered sleep in my life. I took a honest look at myself: a professional, slaving, working hard for 30 days and 30 nights each month and I had little to show for it. And here was this man, who was even my junior on the job, making 10 times more money than myself. What did I do? I resigned my job. I returned from Singapore to Nigeria Olawunmi Ojo By against everybody’s advice – my wife, my mothAs a trained Marine Engineer, how did you get er and father. They all advised against my startinto the multi-level marketing business? ing this business, but I turned deaf ears. I came WAS working in Singapore as a marine engiback and started. neer when I came across this business opporIn my very first month as FLP distributor, I did tunity for the first time. It was at a point in my not do quite well. Some people were laughing life when I was looking for something else to do. at me. My first FLP bonus cheque was a poor I was sick and tired of my job: the long hours, so N4, 300. But by the time I ended my first year, I much stress and not enough time for my family was earning over N500, 000.00 each month. and myself. I was searching for what else to do By the end of the second year, my cheque that could actually give me financial and time exceeded N1 million per month. And then, of freedom. Then I was fortunate to come across course, all the dreams I had - which I could not the FLP business through a colleague who achieve in 15 years of hard work as a marine worked with me in the same company. engineer - everyone of them became a reality When he left the company he went back to his in less than four years with Forever Living country and joined Forever. I met him about 10 Products. months after he left. I saw that the man had How did you model the business to thrive in changed completely. He was driving a Jaguar. Enugu? He wore a solid gold Rolex wristwatch. I could I was based in Lagos and but had gone to see money written all over him. I asked him Enugu to work. In no long a time, I built a team what had happened: “Had he robbed a bank?” of downlines there. But the members of my He said, no, he never robbed a bank. But that he team were having a very difficult time getting had discovered a lucrative business opportuni- the products to Enugu. Either they traveled all ty. the way to Lagos or went to Port Harcourt. In Of course, I wanted to know all about it. He each case, they were going through a lot of began talking about Forever Living Products stress, danger and much expense. And it and showed me ‘Aloe Vera.’ I said, ‘No, you are occurred to me that the Igbo people are very

Former director, Nigerian Maritime Administration, Vincent Udoye, is one of the Sapphire Managers of Forever Living Products (FLP). As a Sapphire Manager, he is a major sponsor of many leading distributors in Enugu and Eastern Nigeria. After a Success Showcase event in Enugu, the marine engineer-turned-marketer spoke on his inspiring story and recounted what led to the explosion of FLP multi-level marketing business in the Eastern region of the country.

Udoye industrious and very hard working. How come we have FLP centres in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Warri, yet we didn’t even have one in the whole of Igboland – in Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia, and Enugu States? I approached the Managing Director and said, ‘Sir, I give you a promise. If you can come to Enugu, within a couple of years, you will be amazed at what you will see.’ He took me up on that challenge. Luckily, the management opened a Distribution Centre in Enugu in 2011. Today. The story is inspiring. Everyone is celebrating the success of Forever in Eastern Nigeria. The MD is very happy, the company is very impressed and the people are excited. Mark you however, that this is just the beginning. In a couple of years, this hall will be too small to convene a Success Showcase event because more people are coming from Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi States to do FLP business. In Enugu itself, Forever Living Products is growing in leaps. When we began training and held meetings to introduce FLP in Enugu, we had about 30 people in the hall. Today, it is always a crowd; it is in the thousands. This business is exploding in the East. And I am calling on everybody, no matter what you are doing,

even if you already have a job, you can still do this business part time. If not for health reasons, you can use good products for your own good health or for the money you are going to make. Are you looking for financial freedom, or time freedom, or good health? All of these things are found in Forever Living Products business. How were you able to entrench unity among the different FLP teams in the region? I have a very strong team here in Enugu. But that is not the only team here. We have other teams too. Some people have sponsors and team leaders who come from Port Harcourt or Lagos or Warri or Abuja. All the teams may sometimes approach the FLP business in different ways. So, our Managing Director felt that it would be in the interest of all if we come together and begin to work as a team. As anyone knows, business succeeds when there is teamwork. Among all FLP distributors worldwide, we understand that the meaning of the word TEAM is “Together Everybody Achieves More.” So, instead of trying to undercut each other, we all benefit from our collective strength. After all, the potential is awesome. We have not even tapped 25 per cent of the potential business in this market. There is so much to do.

…And Damachi Bows Out After A Glorious Career By Olawunmi Ojo ECENTLY, Prof. Nicholas Agiobi Damachi, OON, a Federal R Permanent Secretary, retired from service having served as Permanent Secretary in eight Federal Ministries/Offices, including the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Federal Ministries of Science and Technology, Information and Communication and Education within a space of seven years. His last duty post was in the Ministry of Defence. Appointed Federal Permanent Secretary in October 2006, the rare opportunity of serving in all aforementioned ministries offered him a uniquely broad picture of the Federal Civil

Damachi

Service. Along the line, he also served as the Secretary to the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reforms between 2009 and 2012. His was a challenging but glorious career within the corridors of power. Born on March 16, 1953 at Obudu, Cross River State, Professor Damachi received his B.Sc and M.Sc degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Ohio State University in 1976 and 1978 respectively. His early educational achievements included a Distinction in his First School Leaving Certificate and Division One (Aggregate 13) in WASC, which earned him a Federal Government Scholarship to the Ohio State University. For his outstanding performance, he was placed on the Dean’s list in his Freshman Year and on the University’s Honours’ Roll in his Sophomore Year (second year). He obtained his Ph.D from the College of Engineering, University of Cincinnati, USA in 1981. He was the first Ph.D in Industrial Engineering and the first Black to receive a doctorate degree from the College of Engineering since the College was established in 1900. Over the past three decades, Prof. Damachi has worked in the Academia, Industry and Government. He started his career as a Systems Engineer (Intern) in the Technical Services Group Division of Water, City of Columbus, Ohio, USA (1977). At the University of Cincinnati, he rose to the rank of Adjunct Professor of Industrial Engineering. His pioneering and seminal work on the use of Computers in Developing Countries was underscored by the book Computers and Computer Applications in Developing Countries by Macmillan, which he co-edited in 1987. Back home in Nigeria, Damachi served between 1990 and 2002 as Director at the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), where he made over-reaching contributions to the development of employment generation programmes, including the establishment, and operation, of a statistical base for dealing with mass unemployment. Indeed, his experience at the NDE constituted a major impetus for his most recent work, Splash Theory of Wealth Distribution and

Creation. It is also note-worthy that an appreciative NDE, at its 25th Year Anniversary, honoured him with a Merit Award in recognition of his contributions to Job Creation. In 2002, he was transferred to mainstream Federal Civil Service of Nigeria and initially deployed as Deputy Director (Appointment, Promotion and Discipline) to the Federal Ministry of Finance. Subsequently, he served as Director in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Bureau of Statistics and in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). In 2006, he got appointed Federal Permanent Secretary and served in that capacity for seven years. As an Engineer of no mean status, he is duly registered with Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and is a Fellow of Nigerian Academy of Science, Fellow of Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Fellow of Nigerian Society of Engineers and Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Industrial Engineers. He is an intellectual of diverse research interests, well published and recognized in the following: International Who is Who of Intellectuals 1985; Who is Who in the World 1984 – 1985; Who is Who in the Mid West USA; Men of Achievements 1985; International Register of Profiles 1985; Selected 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century (2001); Alpha Pi Mu (Industrial Engineering Honour Society); and Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Honour Society) for noteworthy achievements in Science and Engineering. Damachi was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on December 22, 2008. He is also a proud recipient of other Awards, such as the Distinguished Fellowship Platinum Award of the Institute of Environmental Accountants, National Directorate of Employment’s Merit Award in Recognition of Contributions to Job Creation and the International Centre for Peace and Charity’s Dr. Kwame Nkrumah African Distinguished Public Service Order of Merit Award 2012. He is widely recognized as a distinguished Industrial Engineer, researcher, educator and public administrator.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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TRAVEL&TOURISM

Fashola

Duke

What The Supreme Court’s Ruling Means for Tourism Industry In Lagos The Supreme Court’s verdict has now provided Lagos State Government the opportunity to reposition the tourism industry. KAMAL TAYO OROPO and AJIBOLA AMZAT examine the significance of the ruling in this report.

HE recent pronouncement by the Supreme Court that only a State House of Assembly can make laws on Tourism has put an end to the six-year legal contest between the Federal Government and Lagos State Government. It has also gives ‘”sweet victory” to Lagos State and 35 others, according to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji. The court’s decision follows a contestation between the two governments over who has the authority to license and grade hospitality establishments. This had resulted in the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and the state government setting up parallel registration and regulation structures in the states. Eventually, the Lagos Seventh Assembly passed ‘Hotel Licensing Law of Lagos State and the Restaurant Consumption Law of Lagos State’ in order to lend the force of law to its undertaking. Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola signed the bill into law in 2010. To prevent Lagos from implementing the law, the Federal Government therefore approached the court. But the recent ruling by the Supreme Court has put an end to this controversy.

Six years after, the full panel of the Supreme Court has unanimously declared that only the State House of Assembly could license and grade hotels, restaurants, fast foods outlets and other hospitality establishment. The Court held that the Constitution of the Federal of Nigeria 1999, as amended, only empowers the National Assembly to regulate tourist traffic, a term which does not extend to hotel registration and licensing. But what does this judgment mean for tourism and hospitality business in Nigeria? In what ways will the new pronouncement affect NTDC relationship with the states? Has the ruling put an end to duplication of tax regime and rating in the industry? Whose interest will this ruling serve in the last instance? These are easy questions that may throw up difficult answers, and each answer tends to throw up more difficult questions. As a response, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, one of the gladiators involved in the legal sparring at the courtroom said, the ruling provides an opportunity for Lagos State to take full charge of tourism and unfold its several plans without any form of encumbrances by the Federal Government. Yet, there is a question of how to achieve uniform grading of hotels across the 36 states of the federation without creating confusion. Also the issue of duplication of charges does not seem to have disappeared even with the removal of the NTDC hold on hotels. But the Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Oladisun Holloway at a press briefing held on Wednesday argued that grading could be divergent only if the rating is subjective. With the professionals in

charge of grading exercise, he expressed hope that the grading process will produce an acceptable outcome. Mr. Holloway however noted that divergent rating is not an irregularity because even in the countries where tourism and hospitality business is already at advanced stage such as America, there are multiple ratings of hotels, which may be different from state to state. Reiterating the significance of the judgment, he said though Lagos state has lost about N3.75 billion in tax revenue in the last six years, the benefits of the Supreme Court’s ruling is not measured in term of cash; rather, the importance of the judgment is defined in term of massive job opportunity for Lagosians and the sanity that effective control by Lagos state government will introduce to the tourism industry. Lagos state would encourage hotels to compete among themselves and aim for the best always, he stated. And for the hoteliers who may think the state government would go after them, the commissioner denied that his ministry is on such mission. Asked to comment on the ruling, the Area Manager Nigeria, Starwood Hotels & Resort, Mr. Alexander Gassauer, said the judgment has not changed anything about the operation of his organisation. “The ruling means nothing to us because we are already doing more than what the law requires us to do.” He said Sheraton Lagos Hotel and other hotels in their chain of hospitality establishment would cooperate with regulatory agency recognized by law. Similarly, the Company Secretary, Eko Hotel and Suites, Chief Samuel Alabi said the Supreme Court’s decision is final. “The oracle has spoken, and all must comply.To do otherwise is to invite the wrath of the law.”

He said his organization had earlier registered with both NTDC and Lagos State, but with the new verdict, “We will only register with Lagos state government alone because our hotel is located in Lagos. But the Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Dr. Taiwo Oladokun, said the verdict was not delivered against NTDC, instead it was a verdict against the Federal Government of Nigeria. In a phone conversation with The Guardian, Oladokun said NTDC is a creation of FG, and the National Assembly, not NTDC enacted the tourism law in question. Therefore it is only the attorney general of the federation that can comment on the ruling. “We are waiting for the statement of the Attorney General, therefore the ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation can’t make any comment now.” Also, the NTDC Director General, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo is yet to swallow her doubt on the ruling when The Guardian contacted her on phone for comment. Her SMS reply reads: “I would not want to comment until the attorney general has reviewed the judgment and advised me on the way forward,” adding however that, “NTDC is a child of Law”. Notwithstanding, the new reality is this: the Supreme Court’s judgment will make Lagos State richer considering that it has more 3000 hospitality establishments within its jurisdiction, yet the verdict has also placed a new responsibility on the state. It is the responsibility to improve the welfare of the people and the business interests of the investors in Lagos through the economic instrument of tourism and leisure services.

Starwood Offers Three ‘Tasty Treats’ In Three Months

L-R: Head of government of government Relations, Visa Sub-Sahara Africa, Mr. Daniel Ngwepe; DG (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo and Country Manager West Africa, Mr. Ade Ashaye, when Visa Sub-Saharan Africa Property Limited partners with NTDC.

TARWOOD Hotels & Resorts has announced a three-month “Triple Benefits” programme for its steadfast customers known as Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members. SPG, the only loyalty programme in the travel industry, offers comprehensive food and beverage related benefits to its members worldwide, says the Area Manager Nigeria, Starwood Hotels & Resort, Mr. Alexander Gassauer. During media briefing held on Tuesday at Sheraton Hotel,

Lagos, Mr. Gassauer said SPG members would enjoy three exclusive benefits whenever they dine at one of over 600 participating restaurants and bars in Starwood hotels & resorts around the world between July and September. The restaurants and bars include those at Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resorts, Akwa Ibom, Le Meridien Ogeyi, Port Harcourt, Sheraton Lagos (Lekki) and the Sheraton Abuja Hotel. “Each participating venue

will offer three Food and Beverage (F&B) benefits, including a 10-30 percent discount, during this three-month promotion. Perks that members may enjoy include a free meal for kids under six years, and 50 percent savings for kids under 12, bonus Starpoints when dining in a group, a 15 percent discount on a relaxing spa treatment, as well as a complimentary glass of wine or a cheese platter. Learn more about this offer at spg.com and spg.com/moments

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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TRAVEL

The Lagos City Chorale during choral performance in the just-concluded 1st European Choir Games held in Graz, Austria.

Lagos City Chorale, Nigeria’s Successful But Unsung Choral Ambassador hence the top awards. They were indeed specially selected with of the Religions, Music Contemporanea and Mixed Choir, at Congress Graz. won two Gold and two Silver diplomas, making Nigeria the other choirs to perform at the closing concert th participating nation with the highest number of awards in The group which participated in the 7 World Choir Games in the Austrian Open Competition for choirs from all over the Cincinnati Ohio, USA last year and won three Silver Medals in three different categories of the Competition, had been showcasing world. Nigeria’s positive abilities at the world’s centre stages through Also as part of this global choral festival in Graz, Lagos participating and winning laurels for Nigeria in global chorale City Chorale was selected to take part in two friendship concerts in Murau, a typical Austrian village with great an- music festivals and competitions in the past few years. tiquity, and Schloss Eggernberg in Graz. After an enthralling performance in Songs of Spirit Festival in Minoritensaal, Graz, we met the Mayor of Graz and in Heiligenkreuz a. Wassen. The Song of Spirit Festival is designed to bring together people of different religions and to foster peace and unity amongst them using the medium and potency of harmonious choral music. Impressed by its array of scintillating choral and cultural expositions, Lagos City Chorale was equally invited to lead the service in a Catholic Church at Heilingenkreuz a. Wassen on Sunday 22nd of July. The 10-day event which brought together over 50 choirs from different countries of the world to contest in the Austrian Open Competition, had only Nigeria’s Lagos City How was the experience like in Austria Chorale flying the African flag. They were more fascinating T was very more challenging than it was when we went to in their varied and sparkling costumes in national colours Cincinnati, United States of America in the sense that getwhich attracted cheers and loud ovations in public places ting people to sponsor the group in order to compete with and after each performance. the rest of the people of the world in choral music , was a her- Their performances which attracted large audiences, were culean task. adjudged to be of high standard by the international jury, At the world music event, the Lagos City Chorale displayed The Chorale with the Norwegian contigent during the march of the nations at the breathtaking performances which attracted the commendaevent. tions of the natives, organizers, and other participants alike. We contested in With about 50 classic choirs competing, each choir tried to portray its indigenous culture, costume through choral four categories which music and choreography. But here at home, appreciation of were Folklore, Music of the choral music seemingly is on the lowest stratum. How did you make it to Austria? Religions, Music ContemWe had to go round and write letters to corporate bodies, governments and individuals that we know have the ability poranea and Mixed Choir, to assist. What was the response? won two Gold and two SilThe response was not too encouraging, apart from Chief Mrs. ver diplomas, making Laila Fowler who gave us basic support, and the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola who helped in her litNigeria the participating tle capacity. A few others and the choir members on their own made efforts here and there. Up to 4pm. on the eve of nation with the highest our departure, I was still soliciting for funds. As a matter of number of awards in the fact, we had to painfully drop six out of the 39 members that were selected. We pleaded with them to understand our Austrian Open Competiplight. What was the City Chorale performance like? tion for choirs from all over We contested in four categories which were Folklore, Music Nwokedi (middle) with members of the Chorale before a performance. the world.

Undeterred by the horde of challenges which had characterized its existence in the past two and half decades, The Lagos City Chorale, the unsung choral ambassador, has once again attracted international accolades for Nigeria which accords little recognition and support to choral music. The Chorale, which had found a plinth for national cohesion and a springboard for international expression, apparently, is impelled by an impregnable avowal to march on, winning laurels and respect on the global cultural landscape. The Master of Music, Sir Emeka Nwokedi who led the chorale on this patriotic international expedition, in this chat with ELIJAH EDA SAMUEL, relives the glorious moments which saw Nigeria emerging the country with the highest number of awards at the 1st European Choir Games Held In Graz, Austria which was concluded this week.

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

28 | Saturday, July 27, 2013

Weekend

performer. Everywhere I go, people hail me. I enjoy a lot of goodwill and respect. I am comfortable and enjoy what I am doing and I thank the Almighty Allah for Allah has proved that He is ever so sufficient”. But there are pains? She admits there are but explains: “Well, what I will consider the other side of it comes with the profession and it has a lot to do with the way people see us outside the screen. Some people don’t look at us at all in positive light. They can’t differentiate acting from real life. They call us all sorts of name, from prostitutes to wayward people and all that. But you see, all these impression they have are not correct. We care a lot about our image, our names and family names. We also know the limits imposed by our religion, culture and laws of the land. Fans should not judge us from afar. I am not a bad girl as portrayed in the role I played. I am cool and simple and I fear God”. Rumoured at a time to be in a relationship with fellow Kannywoodite, Tijani Gandu, a rumour she has dismissed, Maryam looks forward to an eventful and successful career in the movie industry. She says: “I want to do more work and even work outside our industry like in Nollywood and even Bollywood. I just want to be the best and also to remain relevant”.

By Shaibu Husseini you are in Kano or anywhere in the Northern part of the IanyFcountry where Hausa movies are relished and you ask movie buff of Maryam Haruna Ibrahim, the fellow would probably not know whom you are referring to. But mention that you want to see the actress and singer that is affectionately called Hajju Maryam or Maryam Hiphop and fingers will point to the amiable, humble, respectful and free-spirited Maryam who is without a doubt a recognizable face in the home video industry up North called Kannywood. From playing a supporting role in Tijani Gandu’s Yar Mare, Maryam who incidentally began her career in Kannywood starring as a hip-hop singer in most Kannywood movies, has become a huge screen star that is increasingly regarded as a darling of the huge fan base that the vibrant Kannywood industry has built over time. An alumni of the Kano State School of Management where she earned a diploma in English and Hausa Studies, it was those outings as a hip-hop singer that earned Maryam the alias, Maryam Hip-hop. The name has stuck since then and hardly do people call her by her given names. “I lost my real names a long time ago. It’s either they call me Maryam Hip-hop or Hajju Maryam. Those names have become my stage names”, she enthused. Star of A Kan Mace Me Na Yi Maka?, Abbana and other critically acclaimed Kannywood movies, Maryam earned a well deserved break in Kannywood when she interpreted delightfully the role of a drunkard in Yar Maye. The movie featured Hadiza Gabon in lead role. Maryam would have played the lead but for a last minute decision by the producers who in their wisdom found Hadiza a good centre to hang Yar Maye on. But it was not as though Maryam could not deliver. Some of her colleagues on that set said she could and they alluded that she showed stuff during the audition. But they reasoned and rightly too that she probably lost out to some commercial considerations. In Kannywood, just like in Nollywood, reality is still that a movie was sure to at least break even upon release, if it has one or two popular faces. Maryam was relatively new so the producers were not ready to take risk. But she didn’t lose out completely. She was considered for a supporting role and she acquitted the role well enough. For a Kano based film critic, Maryam “nailed the role” and the critic was sure that her performance in the movie would earn her other roles. Indeed, her effort there not only made her instantly popular, but it made producers to consider her for roles in subsequent productions. An actress and singer who revealed that she has never been sexually harassed since she set out to be an entertainer, Maryam who revealed that her ultimate ambition is to be well married “to a descent and God fearing man”, was lavish with thanks to foremost Kannywood Producer and Director, Ibrahim Sharokhan whom she described as her mentor. “He introduced me to Kannywood and he actually paved the way for my emergence as an actress. He encouraged me and informed me about productions. He also made good recommendation about me to people and involved me in productions. That made things easy for me because through that, people realized that besides singing, I could act too. It was later that I met people like Nafisa Abdullahi, Ali Nuhu, Sadiq Mafia who was very supportive, and many others who all welcomed me with open arms and encouraged me”. A devout Muslim who is attracted to intelligent, honest and God fearing people, Maryam’s best performance in a movie yet is her performance as a drunk and a lose lady in the movie Yar Maye. Her fans have not forgotten how she almost made them conclude, with her portrayal of the role, that she was relieving an experience. The character Maryam played in the movie did everything a young woman shouldn’t do – drink, smoke and engage in illicit affairs. Was Maryam reliving any experience? She chuckles and replies: “God forbid. I was only playing a role. I have never done any of those things and I am not into those things, neither do I associate with people who are into stuffs like that. But I am happy at the reaction even of the crew and it shows that I played the role well. But truth is that, the character is an exact opposite of my person. There is nothing about that character that you can associate with me”. If Maryam would agree to play a drunk, would she ever agree to act nude even for a million dollars? “God forbid”, she screamed and adds: “God forbid. I am a Muslim and from a re-

CELEBR ITY

Celebritygist… Omoni Oboli Is Back

From Hip-Hop,

Maryam Now Paints Kannywood’s Acting Skies spected home and I will never continue any discussion on it and will not even hear of it. My religion, culture and the society I come from forbid it. Our society abhors anything like that. It is not decent. I want money but not that kind of money”. A performer who spends her off-stage periods composing songs, reading, watching movies and visiting very close friends, Maryam who named Kannywood front liners such as Rahman Hassan, Hauwa Waraka. Ali Nuhu, Adam Zango and Shuabiu Lawan Kumurci as some of her role models, says she has no regret being an entertainer. She admits it has been rewarding. “I have no regret. This has been very rewarding. I have had it so good. I mean, I have been able to buy a car from the proceeds of my work as an actress and

Where was top Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli returning from on Tuesday that she almost held traffic up at the departure level of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport? A member of the Celebritygist fan club squealed to Celebritygist that they had to wait for minutes before they could make their way out of the airport because the actress of Figurine and Anchor Baby fame, watched as some folk stuffed two vans with the suit cases she brought back from the trip. Problem, as Celebritygist gathered, was that one of the vans was parked right on the road and so vehicles couldn’t pass through. A uniformed man who swore to tow the van changed his mind and almost asked the star actress for her autograph when he came face to face with the actress. Shoeeeeeeeee. Power of being a popular face, abi?

Remembering Tony ‘Daddy’ Umole

Thought we should let you know here on the flagship that popular Nollywood actor and soapie star, Tony Umole who died early in July, has been interred. The remains of the actor who was affectionately called Daddy, an alias he earned for playing Daddy in the weekly television drama series One Love, was laid to rest on July 12 at the Atan Cemetery, in the Yaba area of Lagos. A funeral mass at the St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba preceded the final interment rite for the long-standing actor-cumscriptwriter who is undoubtedly a household name. Fans of the tall and heavily built actor say they will miss ‘Daddy’ who kept them glued to their television sets week in, week out. They say they will miss ‘General,’ another alias the actor earned as star of the television serial, Ex-

Umole

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

FOOD&DRINKS Mixed Vegetable Rice With Chicken Served With Grape Juice By Chinelo Nwagbo

Method of preparation Wash and parboil the rice with water and drain. Add the drained rice to boiling water. HIS is a holy month for Muslims all over the world. It is also a Reduce the temperature when the rice starts boiling and leave period they fast and draw closer to God. Today’s article proto simmer or cook untill the rice becomes soft and the water vides useful information on mixed vegetable rice with chicken, dries up. which is an ideal meal for general wellbeing suitable for this pe- Remove from fire and serve. riod. Ingredients Quantities for preparing chicken vegetable soup This nutritious dish has chicken, rice and some vegetables Chicken 1 whole such as carrot, zucchini, and cabbage as its base ingredients. Onion 1 medium bulb Studies have shown that regular consumption of vegetables Carrot 2 medium size help in keeping fit, promoting healthy living preventing many Zuchinni 1 medium size diseases, reducing age-related negative processes in the body by Cabbage 1 small head up to 40 per cent, protecting against cancer, treating digestive Seasoning cube 1 and eyes disorders; preventing/treating cardiovascular diseases Thyme ½ (half) teaspoon such as hypertension, coronary disease and blockage of artery Curry powder ½ (half) teaspoon walls as a result of fat deposit. Method of preparation Vegetable rice with chicken contains essential nutriCut and wash the chicken ents like protein, dietary fibre, folic acid, vitamin C, meat. A, E, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and Season the chicken magnesium that helps promote good meat with salt, health. Using nutritious foods like onion, thyme, mixed vegetable rice served with to curry and seabreakfast promotes quality and soning cube healthy life. It is an ideal food for and set children as it helps to attain maximum growth and development. The high vitamin A, C and protein content vegetable rice with chicken makes it an ideal food for people that want healthy immune system to fight against diseases. Consumption of vegetable rice with chicken helps to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast and lung cancer, and also contributes to the prevention of heart disease, stroke and other illnesses because of its high antioxidant vitamins content. Using this meal to break fast will not only nourish the body but also make one keep fit throughout the fasting period. Ingredients Quantities Rice 3 cups Water 1 litre

aside. Wash, clean and chop the onion, zucchini, and cabbage. Heat the oil in a frying pan and sauté or fry the onion, zucchini, cabbage, chicken meat and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes. Then remove from fire and serve with rice. Ingredients Quantities for preparing stew Onion 1 medium bulb Fresh tomatoes (ground) 8 medium size Tomato puree 1 tin Fresh pepper (ground) 2 medium size Olive oil 3 tablespoons Sweet pepper (red tatashe) 4 mediun size Seasoning cube 2 Water 1 litre Salt To taste Method of preparation Pour the olive oil into a pot. Add the grounded ingredients (tomatoes, pepper, and onion) together with the tomato puree. Stir and fry for another 10 minutes. Add the maggi cubes. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Stir and add salt to taste. Remove from heat and serve with vegetable rice and chicken. Grape juice Grape juice provides energy-producing sugars and vitamins. It is rich in vitamin B1, B2, B3, C niacin, potassium, iron and nonnutritive substances (phytochemicals, flavonoids, anthocyanidines, resveratrol). Consumption of grapevine juice has a lot of therapeutic/healing properties. Grape juice helps in elimination of uric acid in the kidney. Its regular intake is beneficial for arthritics and people suffering from gout. It helps in prevention of renal disorders, prevention of cardiovascular diseases and treatment of anaemia. E-mail: chineloeby@yahoo.com

Rejuvenation For The Palate By Ibukunoluwa Kayode NDULGING in some wine does not call for special occasion. IinAfter a hard day work, taking some Erath Oregon Pinot Blanc a glass will certainly rejuvenate the palate with a note of refreshing taste. Erath Oregon is a wine that will deliver in this respect. A product of Oregon, United States of America, the makers say that this wine is a careful combination of selected fruit aromas of pineapple, citrus, kiwi and fragrant honeysuckle bloom. It offers mouth-filling flavours of melon, apple and lemon zest that leisurely retreat to a fresh, palate cleansing finish. This white wine can be served at both formal and non-formal occasions such as cocktails, dinners, birthday and weddings. It can easily be purchased across any sophisticated to local wine markets in Nigeria at an affordable price. This vintage wine is holds a structure of purity of fruit, bright

mouth-watering acidity and perfect balance, which makes the result enticing, expressive and food friendly. Also, this wine is specially made for people who love to indulge in light alcoholic wine but rich in high acidity and fruits flavours that are fresh and bright. Oregon comes in a bottle size of 750 millimetre with an alcohol base volume of 13 per cent. It holds a friendly food pairing with sea foods such as clams, smoked salmon, mild cheese, crudités and antipasto.

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CHEF’S DELIGHT

My Romantic Encounter With

Italian Gourmet By Kemi Amushan STEPPED out of my car on a cold rainy day, Ithatmy stomach grumbling, reminding me I had to fill it. At the corner somewhere, along Admiralty Road in Lekki Phase 1, catches my attention. It is Italian restaurant with an outstanding waterfront called Primi Piatti. Forgetting all previous plans, I decided to try it out. I never had Italian food in my life. Primi Piatti is an exquisite cosy, comforting and calming restaurant. When you enter, you immediately feel relaxed and at home. There’s a peaceful classical melody playing faintly like lightly falling rain in the background that just calms you. The permeating aroma of the restaurant also hits your nose as the intermingling scents of pasta, steak, soups and more assault your senses, so that you swear you can taste it just by the smell. As I was being guided to my seat, I noticed that the tables were spaced out for a peaceful experience to avoid overcrowding and allow you to have a sense of privacy when you are making conversation. I also noticed the walls around me were coloured, a warm and inviting beige and chocolate brown mixed with burgundy, I think that gives you a comforting feeling and a sense of upper class. The atmosphere at Primi Piatti is something you’re unable to get anywhere else. Trust me. While I waited to meet the chef/owner, I was offered a cocktail called the mojito tanquerey. It’s a blend of soda water, mint leaves, a dash of lime, brown sugar and gin. The taste was fantastic. I wanted something sweet and alcoholic and I got the perfect blend. Then, he walked out of the kitchen to join me at my table. He introduced himself and immediately, I was smitten. Chef Reme is a very friendly person, down to earth and a lovely host too. He ordered one of their specials for me called the Rib Eye and said I would love it. He hurried back into the kitchen to make my meal as I sat patiently by my well-set table, sipping my mojito and daydreaming about going on a boat cruise on one of his boats on deck. Admiring the ocean and wondering away, my meal landed in front of me without me knowing because I was so far away in dream world. Food looked yummy and exquisite and couldn’t wait to dive in. My steak looked out to this world. Some minutes later, Chef Reme came to join me to give me a detailed account of how the meal was prepared and I was in awe of how easily and fluently he described the procedure of preparing it. The sauce on my Rib Eye was a Portuguese sauce made up of fresh vegetables. It was a burst of sensations in my mouth. The steak was cooked through and every bite was juicy. You know there’s just something about Italian food. It’s full of flavour and very healthy. They use a lot of herbs such as basil, ciantro, rosemary and parsely to mention a few, to bring out the flavour of each meal. W hen eating an Italian meal, you never leave the table until you are full. But it’s the good kind of full because unlike some foods, they don’t make you feel like you are clogging your arteries with bad fats. You get a real homely feel when eating Italian food, because the culture itself promotes family and the celebration of life. Chef Reme also has other signature dishes such as pirates of the Carribean, which is a seafood platter sort of and universal dishes such as Soups, chicken campagnola, pasta, salads and also deserts for lovers of sweet things. Let Chef Reme captivate your heart today like he did to mine. There’s everything for everyone at Prima Piatti.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

GARDENING

Foliage Power

Agave “Blue Glow’s” succulent bluish – green rosettes add dramatic form to landscape shapes. Many people find the arrangement of plants difficult because they become confused by the plants themselves, but thinking about them in the abstract allows one to regard them simply as objects in space. These objects can be grouped not only with one another, but also with land form and buildings. Few buildings look well rising straight from naked grassland or hard surfaces, but almost all can be reconciled to their surroundings by the

Alocasia sanderiana “Elephant Ears” bold foliage, dappled texture is made doubtly interesting by lustrous cream leaf veins cy, and forms the major horizontal and vertical masses which compliment the other structural forms of building and ground shaping. Structure With Trees The largest element available for this purpose is the tree, which gives a sense of vertical scale to even the smallest enclosure. As you plan your garden, you should always be thinking of the finished effect in three dimensions, so that the placing of trees and the way in which they bal-

Chorus Line, pleasing border of contrasting foliage Plant form N the days before color photography became a simple matter, even the most experienced photographer knew that in order to make a satisfactory picture, the arrangement of forms, textures was all-important. If any of these elements were missing or not considered properly, a picture in black and white could not be a success. Although gardeners tend to be obsessed by color this is generally fleeting and changes at different times in the year, while form and textures remain to give stability to the garden picture at all times of year. Plants As Abstract Shapes Looked at through half-closed eyes, almost every plant from the largest to the smallest has a specific outline which, once you have appreciated it, is quite unmistakable. A very large number of plants have shape which are almost geometric, and one can see triangles, both upright and inverted, globes, half-circles, pyramids, cubes, columms, rectangles and other shapes as well as forms more generally related to the plants. Having trained your eye to appreciate and to categorise plant form in this way, your first consideration when designing plantings should be satisfactory arrangement and grouping of abstract

Spiky columnar cacti’s sculptural form is emphasized by background of feathery croton shrubs.

careful use of trees, shrubs and ground-shaping, all of which help give them appearance of stability and belonging. The living structure of the garden The structure of a garden consists in essence of a balance between masses and voids. A mass is formed by objects or group of objects above ground level, a void by any surface or space on which one can look down. Masses are essentially vertical, voids horizontal and it is the interplay of these two complementary forms – vertical mass, horizontal void – which gives the garden its underlying shape. The artificial shapes formed by the demarcation lines between lawns, paved areas and flower beds, and by such structures as walls, fence and screens, represent one kind of structure. But the major part of garden structure is formed by plant material. This defines space, Use objects such as rocks or stones to create balance and creates a background for more detailed decoracontrast to texture and shape of plants. tive planting, provides shelter, shade and priva-

Small perennial edging, architectural plants and trees beautify drive along residential estate.

Small rooftop terrace garden incorporates natural plants to create serenity and privacy.

Exotic Korean fir tree as specimen plant by entrance of house ance or contrast with architectural forms must be considered from the outset of your garden design process. Perhaps, the most obvious use for trees in many gardens is that of screening undesirable features that are outside the site and therefore beyond your control. In that case, don’t use trees with striking shapes. The nearer you can place your tree to the observer and the farther from the object to be hidden, the smaller the tree or even large bush – required to do the job: an important fact to remember when there is only a limited range of vision or a number of viewpoints. Wind Sunshine Shelter And Privacy Shelter from wind and the hot sun is another vital element in some garden, and again trees are most generally used for this purpose. Structure With Hedges Probably the most obvious structural element in the garden is the hedge, and before choosing

An effective use of different groups of foliage plants for groundcover, focal point, hedges, windbreak architectural trees

Dramatic yucca filamentosa graces entrance step and railings any plant material, it is essential to decide the purpose, which the hedge is to fulfil whether to form a fence line or a background to other plantings, or to form an element in its own right. In every case, however, whether the hedge is to be clipped or not – the chosen shrub must have a basically neat and regular growth habit. Straggling and floppy shrubs, even when planted in line, will never make satisfactory hedges or space dividers. Structure By Balance There are two kinds of balance in the garden, symmetrical and asymmetrical. The first is generally a matter of formality. The second is apparently informal, but should be just as carefully controlled in a less obvious way. Both require the use of structural planting. In essence, it is a matter of relating the forms of plants to one another, making use of complimentary shapes or contrasts and relating these to the shape of the ground and adjoining buildings.

Purple Ajuga with tiny pink flowers gives echoing backdrop for display of blooming hibiscus

Striking bright sword like variegated leaves of dracaena highlights plant arrangement

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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FASHION

White Heat This summer’s white is coming, not only in clothes, but also in ultra-chic white handbags By Nike Sotade

OOKING forward to a summer holiday? Don’t forget the crisp white clothes that go with the sunny season. Summer is the perfect time to embrace white, including white sunglasses and white jeans. And one can’t quickly forget about fresh white handbags. On days that you don’t feel like wearing the colour of purity, designers have given you an option with these white carry-ons that also spell summer. Thanks to style setters like Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba, Rachel Bilson and some popular fashion labels, the bag of choice these days is done in the sleekest kind of white. The effect is totally chic and all-out attention grabbing, albeit in the coolest way possible-just look to these snow-white handbags for the proof. Whether you opt for a carryall, tote, satchel, Kelly, clutch or a cross-body style, the result is just as well as chic. A classic colour in every sense of the word, these ultra-feminine bags with clean white finish, is a very chic way to go this summer. Why don’t you join these celebrities who have already added white purses to their repertoire and sport the look of that fashion-conscious summer lover you desire to be.

Glo To Sponsor Subscribers To Africa Fashion Week In London OST-PAID subscribers on the network P of National Telecommunications Operator, Globacom, will have a chance

Maria Arrington, Scouting Manager, Africa’s Next Top Model project and Oluchi Onweagba Orlandi, host and Producer of the project at the press conference announcing the search for Africa’s Next Top Model in Lagos. The Lagos auditioning took place on Wednesday

migrate to Glo Infinitizer. Glo Infinitizer is an amazing postpaid product launched recently which allows to attend the forth-coming African subscribers on the platform to call any of Fashion Week London (AFWL) holding the 26 million lines on the Glo network between August 1- August 4 in London, free and enjoy one gigabyte of data free U.K. for internet surfing once the subscriber The AFWL is sponsored by Globacom pays the monthly subscription fee of N5, and the company has concluded 000. arrangements to sponsor its post-paid Globacom in a press statement in Lagos subscribers to attend the four-day event. on Wednesday stated that it teamed up In this respect, Globacom has initiated with the organisers of AFWL “towards cela promo that will see subscribers on the ebrating our unique and diverse African Glo Infinitizer package winning all cultural heritage through fashion.” expenses paid trip to the fashion show. The telecoms company also promised to Globacom said lucky subscribers select- continue to be associated with the develed for the trip will also have VIP tickets opment of Africa’s rich culture, its works for the show. of art and its priceless body of literature. The company said that in addition to The 2013 edition of AFWL is expected to the subscribers who are already on the attract over 100 A-list African designers Glo Infinitizer platform, other postpaid and exhibitors, who will showcase the subscribers whose usage range between rich socio-cultural heritage of Africa in N3000 and above can also stand a general and Nigeria in particular. chance to win the golden tickets if they

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

FASHION

Ankara On The Radar With the ethnic fabric, anything can happen, as designers explore all its possibilities this season By Noni Utomi FRICAN fashion has gone global, A indeed. Especially with the upcoming Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL), it is a solid proof that our good classic Ankara has taken itself to a whole different level. Today, this colourful cotton fabric is not just worn in Africa alone but internationally, too. The unique style comes in numerous designs, not just in dresses, but also in accessories such as shoes, bags and jewelleries. Everyday, different designers are improving their skills on how to create stylish Ankara fashion items and they are coming out with lots of beautiful designs. It is amazing the amount of things designers can do with this fabric. For example if you have an old pair of shoes and give it to designers to revamp, they can just touch it up with Ankara fabric and before you know it they would have done some amazing work on it and it becomes brand new. Lately, it seems like everywhere we turn it is Ankara. It seems as if an Ankara volcano has erupted, exploded and taken over the fashion world! Designers and celebrities love the fabric. They glorify it. Celebrities such as Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian and many others have all been seen wearing African prints, simply because of the different styles that have evolved around it. Ankara is now worn in a more trendy and stylish ways than before. People have now started paying much more attention and have become more creative in designing amazing and gorgeous Ankara styles.

Miss Nigeria To Champion Campaign Against Child Marriage “These children are not prepared for the tedious demands of marriage and family life. This kind Following the recent controversy trailing the of law will keep relegating the girl child to the Child Marriage Act at background and will the ongoing also reduce her chances Constitution amendof being educated in ment in the National order to liberate herAssembly, Miss Nigeria self.” 2013, Akudo Ezinne “Child marriage perpetAnyaoha, has added her uates poverty and leads voice to the campaign to poor health as chilagainst child marriage dren will not only be in Nigeria. withdrawn from their The law graduate of peers, but they will have Abia State University, psychological trauma who has cancelled all and physical challenges her engagements in such as Vesico Vaginal Lagos to seek audience Fistula” she said. with the leadership of The young damsel who the House of Representatives to pres- in the next few weeks ent the petition, person- will launch her pet project is determined to use ally described child marriage as a violation her office to fight sexual of human rights adding violence stating that this act is not only harmful that the girl child to the girl child but also should be allowed to to the family, communilive out her childhood ty and the nation as a instead of subjecting her to sexual and physi- whole because it stifles development. cal abuse. EWLY crowned N queen has hit the ground running.

Natures Gentle Touch Hair Institute To Train Professional Hairstylists order to raise the stanItheNdard of salon services in country, the Natures Gentle Touch Hair Institute is offering professional training to hairdressers and salon owners. The Institute is owned by Africa’s leading hair and beauty group, Recare Limited, and brand owners of Natures Gentle Touch, a nat-

ural hair care brand that provides solutions to different hair and scalp problems like hair breakage and dandruff. According to Ukachi Obiuzor its spokesperson, the Institute which is located at Plot 209, Muri Okunola Street Victoria Island, Lagos is out “to elevate the quality of hair care services ren-

dered to salon customers by offering basic, intermediate, advanced and specialist courses.” The institute also provides the best and most comprehensive hair education styling and beauty education to students, graduates, working professional seeking a career change, practicing stylists looking to

upgrade their skills and even for people without previous hair styling knowledge. To live up to its mission he said: ‘’The curriculum of the institute is influenced by global trends and techniques and it spans through hair cutting, platform artistry, salon management, trends and design, hair structures theory and much more.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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SOCIETY Faces at the burial ceremony of Madam Maria Taiwo Abati, mother of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, last weekend.

Media and Publicity Adviser to the President Dr, Reuben Abati (right) Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and Chief of Staff to the President Mike Oghiadomhe

Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Ali Gulak; Presidential Aide, Oronto Douglass; Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadomhe; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Tunde Lemo

Chief Emeka Anyaoku (left), Publisher, The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Executive Director, Toke Alex-Ibru; Managing Director, Emeka Izeze and former Presidential Spokesman, Segun Adeniyi

Publisher, The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Executive Director, Toke Alex-Ibru; Emeka Izeze and Segun Adeniyi

Minister for Information, Labaran Maku with Abati family

Abati family at the Graveside

Managing Director, The Guardian, Emeka Izeze (left); Editor Martins Oloja; Chairman, Editorial Board, Prof. Wale Omole; Publisher, The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru and Editor-in-Chief, Debo Adesina.

Managing Director, This Day Newspaper, Eniola Bello; Abati and Tunde Rahman

Chief Raymond Dokpesi, George Udo and Controller of Prisons, Ogun State Command, Adams Babatunde Lawal Abati; Basirat Fawehinmi- Biobaku and Barrister Tunji Biobaku

PHOTOS: PHILIP OJISUA AND FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

SOCIETY

When Afejuku And Oduko Signed The Doted Line Dr. Anire Afejuku of Warri Kingdom and Engr. George Oduko of Okporojo Iddi Edda, Afikpo LGA, Ebonyi State tied the nuptial knot at Holy Cross Cathedral, misRECENTLY, sion road, Benin City. Here are some faces that graced the occasion.

Prof. and Mrs. Tony Afejuku and the couple.

Prof. Afejuku and his daughter

Mrs. Alero Afejuku and the parents of the groom, Osuu Sylvester Oduko and Mrs. Oduko

L-R, Prof. Abdul Yesufu (of National Open University, Lagos), Chief Martins Ifode (ex-journalist and business man), Prof. Sam Oyovbaire (former Information Minister in I.B.B.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regime), and Prof. Louis Ojogwu (Professor of Medicine, UNIBEN)

Prof. Oyovbaire, Afejuku (second right) and other guests

Prof. Oyovbaire, Prof. Ojogwu and Prof. Afejuku

Daddy Showkey and Barr. Olu Afejuku, elder brother of the bride.

Prof. Afejuku, the couple and Daddy Showkey

Couple (middle) flanked by guests during the traditional wedding

R-L Prophet Theophilus Olabayo, Prof. Afejuku, the couple and Bishop Obireke

TheGuardian

36 | Saturday, July 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Entertainment

T was fun unlimited on Tuesday as the final IX nine contestants for Globacom’s N24million Factor prize money were unveiled amidst pomp and glamour. It was their first live performance. The eight solo artistes and a group that emerged are Pheel, Eshum, Ankara Boi, Princess Pat, DJ Switch, Vicky, DNA Twins, Symphony and SmoothBoiz. The colourful event which took place at Dream Studios in Lagos also attracted notable entertainment and media celebrities who commended the telecom giants for bringing the world’s biggest singing reality television show, to Africa. Those who spoke at the unveiling opined that the show offered aspiring singers a global platform to realize their ambition, just as the programme has led to positive international focus on the country. They took to the stage during the week to solicit public votes to remain in the chase for Globacom’s N24million prize money and a recording contract with Sony Music. It was their first performance on a spectacular X Factor magnificent stage, where the contestants crooned from songs chosen from the theme “Music of The Great Divas”. Though they justified their selection by the judges, those who got standing ovations were Vicky, Eshum, DJ Switch and Smoothboiz. Vicky’s“Where Do Broken Hearts Go” in a beautiful voice and her dramatic performance with one of her backup singers was a joy to behold. She is mentored by Onyeka Onwenu , but Reggie Rockstone said of her performance, “I shouldn’t be praising you because of the competition, but, girl, you were too good. Next time, I am going to carry you up myself.” Beautiful Eshum from Ghana was another revelation with her song, and MI promptly gave it to her thus: “You are a star and everything about your performance was great. If you keep going like this, you will be difficult to beat.” Onyeka who also mentors her said, “You are truly special and this was somebody who was in hospital just a few days ago.” Another quality performance came from the rapper, DJ Switch, who turned the track, “True Colours” around and wove rap into it to earn commendation by the three judges. Some of those who lauded Glo’s efforts in the promotion of entertainment were Ovation In-

Fun Galore As X-Factor Unveils Nine Finalists ternational Magazine Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu; Chief Executive of Music Africa, Phillip Trimnell; General Manager, Programme Director of Beat FM, Deji Awokoya and Olisa Adibua repectively as well as Partner, EME Records, Tunde Demuren. Others were Chief Executive Officer of Aristokrat Records, Priye Isokari, popular radio presenters, Steve Onu (Yaw) and Tosin Bucknor and musicians Burna Boy, Bez and Chee. Chief Momodu had this to say: “I am really excited about this, especially because of what it offers our young ones. There is no better way to do it than what Globacom has done. It will go a long way in helping our youths. Look at the state of California in America today, it is all about entertainment. It is growing bigger and bigger. So, for Glo to bring X Factor here tells me that we are getting there, though slowly but surely.” Viewers can watch the performance at 7.00 p.m. on Saturday on AIT and Soundcity and on STV, AMC and V Channel at 8.00 p.m. The show is also broadcast on Sundays on NTA at 5.00 p.m., WAP TV at 6.00 p.m., ONTV and Real TV at 7.00 p.m. as well as on TVC at 8.30 p.m. and Kennis Music at 9.30 p.m. Now that the “lid is broken”, the question is: “Who will be the first to get evicted?” It is now up to the public to decide who goes home next week as Globacom has announced a range of exciting prizes for voters in the show. The prizes include Glo Bolt internet modems, Samsung Galaxy tabs, Blackberry phones and Glo recharge cards. The contestants voting numbers are Eshum “501”, Ankara Boi “502”, Vicky “503”, DJ Switch

“504”, Pheel “505” and Princess Pat “506”. Others are the DNA Twins “507”, Symphony “508” and SmoothBoiz “509”. About The Contestants DNA TWINS : Blair and Clinton Robert turned 17 on June 16. The twins are from a family of 13 children and attended Madonna Model Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State. The twins had it rough as they moved into their uncle’s home because of the misfortune that befell their father who was based in London.. PHEEL: Philip Otuya is 26 years old and hails from Kwale, Delta State from a large family of 12. He studied Industrial Relations and Personnel Management at the University of Lagos and lives in Isolo, Lagos. He started singing at the age of nine in the church choir. He did his first recording in 2006. ESHUN: Ethel Esi Eshun is 21. She had dropped out after just two years in junior high school when her parents separated. Her father lost his job and her mum was unemployed, so she could not continue her secondary education. She later went to a computer school but has not been able to further her education since then. She hails from Accra, Ghana. ANKARA BOI : Michael Inalegwu Ogah. 23-yearold Michael is a law graduate of University of Abuja. He formed the group Ankara Boiz five years ago with Damola after he heard him playing a guitar and liked his performance. He is from Oturkpo, Benue State, and lives in Abuja. VICKY. Victoria Ebi Gomoti, 20, is from Biseni, Bayelsa State. A secondary school leaver, she still intends to study Mass Communication in the university and also go for a professional

Sony Neme nemesony@yahoo.co.uk 08111813096

course in music. Her parents are divorced. Her mum, whom she says has made plenty of sacrifice for her, has been taking care of her singlehanded. She resides in Gbagada, Lagos. PRINCESS : Mohie Patience Uyoyo Oghene is 49 and has been married to Patrick Mohie for 21 Years. Together they have three beautiful daughters aged 18, 15 and 12. She lives in Ikota, Lekki, Lagos. She describes herself as “basically an all-round entertainment person.” She is a singer, songwriter, actress, gospel minister and script-writer. She has also released a gospel album. She is from Isoko South, Delta State. DJ SWITCH: , 29-year-old rapper Obianuju Catherine Udeh adopted the stage name DJ Switch because of her versatility and ability to switch from one thing to another. She is from Udi, Enugu State, and studied geology at the University of Port Harcourt. She worked briefly with Halliburton and is now a professional DJ. She grew up in Warri, Delta State, but lives in Abuja. Her father is late and she is the last of eight children. SYMPHONY: The group comprises Agyei Solomon (23), Orgle Nii Nortey Vanderpuye (21) Boateng Silas Karikari Mensah (24) They only met each other at the audition queue in Kumasi and decided to perform as a group instead of going solo. Solomon is a student of Materials Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, while Nii Nortey is studying Industrial and Rural Art in the same school. Silas is a product of the University of Development Studies, Northern Ghana. SMOOTHBOIZ: The second group in X-Factor, it is made up of 25- year-old Victor Simeon from Okpella in Edo State, Festus Oboh and his brother (24), David (23) from Ekpoma, Edo State, and Peter (25) from Obiaruku, Delta state. They came together during their secondary school days at Government College, Ikorodu, Lagos for Victor who lost one of his legs in an auto accident. They formed the group to help him raise money for prosthesis. Sadly, Peter lost his father a few weeks ago, but his three friends say they will work harder in the competition for him.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

| 37

ENTERTAINMENT Stories by Sony Neme

‘We Mean Business On COSON War,’ Says Chukwuji

MBGN 2013: KCEE, Jared, Timi Got All Dancing T was entertainment at its best at the banIinquet hall of Bayelsa State Government House Yenegoa last Saturday as the Silverbird Group crowned the 26th Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Expectedly, the air-conditioned venue witnessed glamour that the elite beauty pageant is known for. To spice up the mood was the Limpopo crooner, KCee, Timi Dakolo and Jared Bruce, a Los Angeles-based Hip-hop artiste. The three artistes ensured that the distinguished guess that included the state governor, Seriake Dickson and his cabinet as well as a delegation from the Presidency, led by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, had a swell time. For the contestants, there was no dull moment as they exhibited the best of chore-

Timi

ography while dancing to the Limpopo beat produced by Del B. He got the audience dancing with his hit song in duet with Harrysong. The event actually started at exactly 7.50pm when Los Angelis-based hip-hop musician, Jared Bruce, entertained the ecstatic audience. Next was the entrance of Seriake Dickson who was full of praises for the Silverbird Group, just as he promised that whoever won the MBGN 2013, would be made a special adviser on culture and tourism for Bayelsa State. He went on to invite investors to take advantage of the enabling environment in the state. With the welcome speech over, the judges were unveiled. They were Mohamed Jamal, Jason Newsome, John Opara, Ini Okorie Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde and Thandeka Sibisi. The two comperes, Chioma Agulobi and Chris Okonwa were simply fantastic in their delivery, while Abdul looked good as an announcer. Jared made his second appearance of the night at exactly 8.40pm before the second appearance of the beautiful contestants as they displayed s o m e good choreography

R. Chinedu Chukwuji, General Manager, M Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s sole Collective Management Organiza-

dancing to the beats of Limpopo. Midway into their show, KCEE, owner of the music made a dramatic appearance and got most members of the audience dancing. His exit was welcomed with the screening of the bevies’ activities during their two weeks camping at Myton Hotel, Yenogoa and grooming in Bayelsa State, some of which was a colourful regatta in their honour, a visit to historic sites like Olibiri, where crude oil was first drilled in the 50’s among others. Guy Bruce, Vice President, Silverbird Group, thanked the state for hosting the event. He went down memory lane recalling how in 2001, Agbani, an MBGN Queen, won the Miss World crown. Another highlight of the very entertaining event was a special recognition award for Nollywood superstar, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. Omotola, who is also an Ambassador of Amnesty international, seized the opportunity to register her protest against the Child Marriage bill by the Senate.

Kcee

tion for musical works and sound recordings, has reiterated the decision of COSON to take every necessary step against some copyright defaulters. This declaration follows last week’s decision by the society’s board to ensure that the right of every Nigerian musician is not violated. Chukwuji said there was no going back as every arsenal in the COSON armoury would be unleashed on those who have refused to heed the voice of wisdom. Chukwuji made the remarks when a group of music users visited COSON office to obtain copyright licences. He further stressed, “I have said it many times before and I will say it again. COSON is not joking. We are a professional organization and we have the mandate of our members and much of the international community to deliver to them what is their right under the law. We have used all forms of moral suasion to get all music users in Nigeria to obey the law. Those who are wise are working with COSON and have no problem. Those who are recalcitrant will pay a huge price. I have no choice but to execute the directive of my board. Our team of lawyers and the law enforcement agencies are being briefed. We mean business’’ He added that in the international copyright community, Nigeria had been a laughing stock for too long and that the COSON Board was resolute that the abuse of the rights of musicians in Nigeria which had gone on for several decades and has cost the nation millions of jobs and massive capital flight must end now. According to Chukwuji, “To try to intimidate COSON would be a waste of time because on the COSON Board today are three crack lawyers. Furthermore, our chairman has dedicated a lifetime to this struggle and he is tried, tested and familiar with the terrain. COSON is not joking.”

Fatai Rolling Dollar Lives Again …O’jez holds special tribute night on Sunday RGANIzERS of the monthly O’jez EnterO tainment Awards have concluded plans to organize a special tribute night in honour of the late veteran highlife musician, Fatai Rolling Dollar (FRD), who passed on last month at the age of 86 years. The event is scheduled to hold on Sunday, July 28 at O’jez restaurant inside the National Stadium premises, Surulere, Lagos beginning at 7pm. That will afford fans of the late Highlife musician another opportunity to pay tributes to him. The celebrity hangout had last month cancelled the June award, which was billed to hold on Sunday, June 30 to allow time to plan a more befitting honour for FRD who was part of the O’jez entertainment family for over a decade. Sunday’s event also coincides with the 41 days mourning of the ace musician who was a Moslem. In a statement signed by the outfit’s media Company, Media Image Managers (MIM), the Managing Director of the outfit, Chief Joseph Odobeatu said, “Everything has been put in place to ensure Sunday’s event turns out a success. We are working in collaboration with the late musician’s family and they are happy to be part of the celebration of the life of their great father.” The Guardian reliably gathered that the Evergreen Band as well as the O’jez Band that have backed the musician in most of his gigs at the O’jez dancing restaurant every Friday and last Sunday of the month will be on the stand to dish out his popular tunes from when he began playing music over 50 years ago. Also on the bill are comedians Elenu, MC Shakara and Elder O. “zee Boy and zee Girl will also perform to give Baba (Rolling Dollar) a befitting honour. We waited this long to allow others do theirs while we planned for his 41 days mourning. After Sunday’s event, I am sure Baba will be proud wherever he is, that indeed we valued his contribution to the O’jez brand in the last 12 years,” our source further explained. Mr. Adewunmi Olagunju, son of the late musician, was full of thanks to O’jez Entertainment Limited for the honour done his faher. His words, “I am quite aware of the relationship my father had with O’jez.... I was one of his biggest fans because I hardly missed his shows. On behalf of Fatai Rolling Dollar’s fam-

ily, I say a big “Thank you” to O’jez group for this honour. He always spoke about O’jez almost every time we were together and he was truly grateful for the contributions of O’jez to his music career.” Chief Odobeatu had given assurance that O’jez would play an active role in the 41 days burial rites. He was however silent on what level of support O’jez was going to give the family on Sunday. “I can assure you that we will show that we appreciated Baba while he was alive and will do anything to ensure the family is assisted in our own little way.”

Chukwuji

Bowler Hats Bash Coming NTERTAINMENT-loving NigeriE ans will be treated to a funfilled evening of comedy, music and more at the maiden edition of Bowler Hats Bash (BHB). This firstof-its-kind event holds on Saturday, August 3, at the upscale Niteshift Coliseum, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos amidst razzle-dazzle. Leading entertainers expected to thrill at the grand gathering include: Limpopo exponent, Basorge

KCEE, Solidstar, Okey Bakassi, Gbenga Adeyinka, Basorge Tariah, AY, African China, Mr. Raw Nwanne, Segun Arinze, Bovi, Elenu and AB Cowboy. The trio of D-Don, D’Lectura and Charles Inojie will anchor the special evening groove. Other talented acts billed to rock at the bash, which begins at 5.p.m., are: Klint D’ Drunk, Yaw, Dauda, Bigiano, Mr. Patrick, Elder O, Austino Milado, kid sensations, TJ Sax and OzzyBoscoWonderkid, MC Abbey, Acapella, Rugged Pastor, Igos, Ajebo, MC Ice, Danni B, Alincology, Mr. Makati, Korede Bello, Harrysong, Austino Milado, Benjy D’ Joke, Gabby,

Nero The Sexy Dancer, Kolina, Moran Cee and a host of others. Musician cum radio personality, DJ Stramborella, will be on the wheels of steel dishing out hit songs. Award-winning African Heritage Band will also be on the Coliseum’s big stage to hold guests spellbound with tantalizing live music and support any music star willing to perform live. Promoters of the historic show, Contacts Communications, while giving more insights, disclosed that Bowler Hats Bash, was conceptualized to further enliven the nation’s thriving entertainment atmosphere. According to the organizers, “BHB has been designed as a special and fun-filled evening of comedy, music and more with Nollywood, music and comedy stars in huge attendance. Nigerians have witnessed Jeans Carni-

val, White Gig, Green and White Party, Black and White Ball and several others. This time, we are bringing them Bowler Hats Bash, which we intend making an annual ritual. It’s a proudly original Nigerian concept.” Its Coordinator, Azuh Amatus, stated that BHB is a free event, but strictly by invitations: “It’s a classy and exclusive show and the dress code we expect from our teeming guests, both male and female is a bowler hat of any colour with a trendy attire. Aside music, comedy, BHB will also afford our invited guests the opportunity to relax, unwind, interact and network. It’s strictly a Bowler Hats Affair, so come party with your bowler hats on!” BHB is supported by Achievas Entertainment, Manis Global, AEG Consulting, Blue Dolphin Petroleum and Sam Kargbo Productions.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

38 |

ENTERTAINMENT Glo Slide & Bounce Groove Train In Port Harcourt ESIDENTS of Port Harcourt R and its environs had a good time last weekend in

Cross section of wine testers listening to an exhibitor

Wines of South Africa At A Grand Tasting In Lagos HE second edition of the Wines of South T Africa (WoSA) grand tasting session was held on Friday July 19, 2013 with jazz music to

Over 350 wines from different wine-land regions were showcased at the event from 28 wine producers such as Cape Diamond Wines, the bargain. The event, which took place at the Remhoogte Wine Estate, Tokara, Napier, external ballroom of the Federal Palace Hotel, Riebeek Cellars, Asara, Laricmal, The Township had the biggest tasting and largest gathering Winery, Robinson & Sinclair, MAN Vintners, of South African wines in Nigeria. Kanu Wines, Vinglo Wines, Bizoe Wines, Sijnn In a statement made available to Entertain- Wines, De Trafford, DGB Wines, Grande ment by Uchechi Abakporo, Projects and PR Provence Wines, Distell, Overhex Wines InterManager, Spronks Creations Ltd and Spronks national, Ses'fikile Wines, Pernod Ricard Wines, Boisson Palais, the grand tasting is brought to Uni Wines, Diemersdal Wines, Oldenburg Nigeria by WoSA; an organization which pro- Wines, Lathitha Wines, Cape Dreams Wines, motes the export of South African wines in the KWV and Raka Wines. international market in conjunction with the According to Abakporo, “The wine varietals South African High Commission. The event co- were made up of red wine, white wine, incided with global commemorations to sparkling wine, rose and brandy from Tokara. mark Nelson Mandela Day in Lagos. And they were presented in a walk-around tastAccording to Aderonke Sobodu, Managing Di- ing while guests were serenaded with live jazz rector/CEO Spronks Creations Ltd, “The annual and treated to a sumptuous variety of canapés.” event aims to promote South African wines in She further explained that “The event had an the Nigeria wine market valued at about N47.4 overwhelming attendance of over 450 guests billion a year. However, South African wines among which were the South African ambascurrently account for about one-fifth of all sador to Nigeria, diplomats from the US and wines sold in Nigeria, just as Nigerians are de- Spanish high commissions, bank executive diveloping an increasing taste for wine, which rectors importers, distributors, restaurateurs, makes it an attractive destination to investors hospitality managers, portfolio managers, conwith keen interest in emerging entertainment noisseurs and elite consumers who gathered to markets.” explore, taste and discover the array of wines Interestingly, some of the brands showcased on display.” at the tasting are not yet in the Nigerian marThe package was put together and coordiket, but the tasting provided a platform to fos- nated by Spronks Creations Ltd, the organisers ter trade opportunities for such brands while of the annual Nigeria International Wine And strengthening and expanding other trade Spirit Fair (NIWSF) that will be taking place in channels for existing brands in the market. November 2013.

Vivian Metchie Returns Bigger And Better OVIE fans are in for a M special moment as talented and beautiful actress,Vivian Metchie, has staged a return to an industry she describes as her first love. The graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan had started with a movie called Blind Trust produced by Leo Smiles of blessed memory. Thereafter, she acted in Desperate and Dangerous by Charles Kay before she got her biggest break in the series....Candle Light by the Sheik, Zeb Ejiro where she played Marvis (aka Do-Good's Madam). In a chance e n -

counter with Metchie in Lagos on Wednesday, the Anambra State-born screen

queen said she had taken time off to raise a family of two boys and two girls. Yet, she is just like you knew her. Other jobs that made her a notable face in the industry were, “ Karishika, Samadora, Evil Genius, All for Winie, Fire on the Mountain, Vultures, White Angels, Worst Marriage and Yoruba movies like Omo Britiko, Mio se ko gba, Bekunbekun, Arikuyeri.” She further said, “ I'm working on shooting two of my own very soon! All is almost set. I'm back fully now because the movie business is my first and only love.”

spite of the tense political situation in the Garden City. The expectation of the people was also high in anticipation of the musical explosion from the Glo Slide & Bounce concert. It indeed turned out to be the balm the people needed to relieve tension. It was timely as it was soothing to the human minds as the people threw their differences aside and got united by quality entertainment from the leading telecoms provider. Expectedly, artistes line-up for the event was unique: the dancing duo, Psquare; Lagbaja; homeboy Burma Boy; Omawunmi, MI and the lady with velvety voice, Waje. Others include Lynxxx, Bez and Chee the Voice. Held at the beautiful Aztech Arcum event centre, Stadium Road, many believed that the event could not have come at a more auspicious time as residents trooped out in their thousands to savour the show. From 6.00pm that Saturday when the gate of the

venue of the show was flung open till 4.47am the following morning the enthusiastic audience was practically on it feet rocking. “It was a 10-hour night of fun and entertainment and we demonstrated that when it comes to giving joy and happiness to the people, no company does it better. It was indeed entertainment unlimited, an evening that will remain indelible in the minds of the people,” explained an insider who spoke on condition of anonymity. He added, “One noticeable factor that distinguished the Port Harcourt edition of the concert from other shows that had held in the city was the flawless fusion of music, dance and comedy with a very participatory audience. It was a compact event and the organizers did not spare any effort at ensuring that the audience had value for their time.” The over 2,500 audience were held spell-bound by the artistes who posted good performances at the fifth in the series of nine shows organized to celebrate and intro-

duce the newly appointed Glo Ambassadors to the people. The concert has in the past five weeks carved a niche for itself as a thriller that is a must-watch for all and sundry. The combination of the best of Nigeria's home- grown musical talents and comedy merchants, Okey Bakassi and Basketmouth at the show, gave the concert an edge over other shows in the city. They set Port Harcourt “on fire” with their spontaneous and hilarious jokes. The audience could not have got a better deal. In his welcome speech, Globacom’s Divisional Director, South-South, Mr. Sam Edoho, said the concert “is an avenue to let the young folks realize that they have unlimited benefits by keeping faith with Globacom, the network that cares for the people." Notable residents who graced the events included the Rivers State Commissioner for Youths, Sir Owone Wonodi; Commissioner for special Duties, Mr. Dickson Umunakwe, and Commissioner for Transport, George Tolofari.

Jaga In A Familiar Terrain AGACEO Otsemobor (aka JAGA) is not entirely Jsecond new on the Nigerian music scene, being the son of Nollywood actress/writer, producer, and singer, Shan George. Like-motherlike-son, the 24-year- old Nigerian songwriter, music composer, producer and video director who was trained at the University of East London is on familiar terrain. According to the young man, formerly known as “Mista Dry Gin”, he has seven Mixtapes, over 50 collaborations with artistes like Kanebi of Play Records, Novo from Giant Music, Bugzy from Street Soldiers, Newham, London, J.Budman and from NoLimit Records, Russia to mention a few, as well as 100 production credits to his name. Interestingly, he is known in the underground Nigerian Hip-Hop circles, and he is presently in Nigeria working on his 8th Mixtape and debut album. Music has always been a part of him. His words, “I started rapping at the young age of 12, started producing at the age of 15, ran a studio in the UK for five years, mixed and mastered vocals for upcoming artistes in the UK for several years and went on to win Rapper of the year in 2006 in a competition hosted by Asha. My environment, society, mood, and mostly God, those are what inspire me.” He said though inspiration comes from the Almighty God, “I am also influenced by musicians like Snoop Lion, Ludacris, 50 cents, Busta Rhymes, Dbanj, Wizkid, MI, Mode 9 and a host of others.

Jaga and mum, Shan George

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 27, 2013 39

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture Culture Promotion Unites OAU, CBAAC

Mrs. Alaba Kehinde (left); Prof. Adeoti; the VC, Prof. Omole; DG of CBAAC, Prof. Babawale and Chief Yemi Ogunyemi… By Kabir Alabi Garba

AST Tuesday at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) scored yet another strong point in the pursuit of its mandate of making Nigeria the arrowhead in the preservation, promotion and propagation of African cultural heritage. The occasion was the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a view to aggregate expertise and resources in the quest for reinvigorating cultural values of Nigerians. Held inside the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, the brief but significant ceremony also attracted other principal officers of the University including Prof. Michael Ajayi (Deputy VC); Dotun Awoyemi (Registrar); Director, Institute of Cultural Studies (ICS), OAU, Prof. Gbemi Remi Adeoti; Mrs Alaba Kehinde, Chief of Staff to VC; Peju Oyebisi of Corporate Affairs; Lanre Abiodun (PRO) among others. Led by its Director-General, Prof. Tunde Babawale, the CBAAC team comprised of key officials such as Mrs Funmi Ladele, Dr. (Mrs) Gloria Chuma-Ibe; Dr. Anthony Onwumah, S.M. Bankole, Alhaji Tajudeen Odusi and other. Also in attendance to witness the event were Prof. Dele Layiwola of Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan; the inaugural Director of OAU’s ICS, Prof. Bade Ajuwon; immediate past Director of ICS, Prof. Akin Alao; popular broadcaster, Chief Yemi Ogunyemi. It was indeed, a full house. In his opening remarks, Prof. Babawale thanked the VC for the honour “of being received here so warmly and I have a feeling of nostalgia being here. I cannot remember when last I was in the Vice-Chancellor’s office. I must say that since you assumed office, you have brought a finesse and sophistication and excellence into the management of the university.” Babawale recalled the long years of knowing the VC, celebrating his high profile of being a goal getter and an accomplished administrator. “I have known you for quite sometime and I have never associated with you failure and you are ready making a success and make a greater success of the effort,” said Babawale as wide applause enveloped the venue. On the mission of the visit, he said, “we are here because we started a journey about a year and half ago which was inspired by Prof Olayiwola, the former Director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, with which we have signed an MoU as far back as 2007 and that MoU led to the setting up of a CBAAC outreach office at the UI, which has enjoyed very warm relationship with the University through the institute in the area of research, conferences and seminars and every other activities that have to do with the promotion of African studies and culture generally. “So when he came here on sabbatical, he said this is a fertile ground and that incidentally both of us were classmates here. And he said, ‘look this is our home and fortunately the Vice-Chancellor is also our man - man of culture though a man of God. He is a minister, and at the same time, a culture activist and that this is the appointed time

for us to repeat what we have done at the University of Ibadan, under his regime.’ And I think I called him (VC) on phone and he was excited and he said we should go ahead. “We started by putting the MoU together asking the university to send its proposal on how it wants it to be, we made our input and we came up with the document that we are to sign together. Primarily, I know that the university was established for the purpose of advancing knowledge so that that kind of knowledge can be applied to solving problems relating to culture, technology, problems affecting society generally. “Incidentally, CBAAC was also established to promote African culture and Obafemi Awolowo University has been associated with the promotion of culture. In fact, its motto is for learning and culture. So, there is a meeting of minds and that this meeting of mind can be concretized in the form of an MoU so that we can combine the expertise of the OAU in the area of research in the area of African culture and studies with our own expertise in the area of advocacy for African studies and African culture, and that will form a perfect synergy for the advancement of culture in the African continent and this was the main reason that brought about this idea of an MoU with the university. “Incidentally, we have also been domiciled in Ile-Ife for some four-five years now at the palace of the Oni of Ife. We have an outreach office there. We hope that will also provide us an opportunity and platform to reach out to the institute here and the university at large. “It is therefore our pleasure to be here to see the concretization of this idea and the practical manifestation of the objectives that we have had. With a very dynamic vice-chancellor in office, I am sure that the sky would be the limit in the implementation of the content of the MoU. I have no doubt in my mind that we have a very willing partner in his administration and we have a university that is committed to Africa and the application of knowledge to finding solutions to contemporary problems.” Babawale concluded. Responding, the VC described the ceremony as momentous, while acknowledging the ingenuity and purposeful leadership that Prof. Babawale has brought to bear on the CBAAC and its activities. “When you were appointed as the DG, we in the university felt that it was a very thought out appointment, because it is one of the few occasions that we believed the Federal Government really put a round peg in a round hole. So, we were comforted and that all hopes are not lost in the nation. “But more importantly, I have been following your tenure, especially your first tenure, how you started, we noted significantly the renaissance and the revamping that you brought to the issue of culture and the synergy between the university and the centre. I have said this often in your absence and at different fora that for once, we have an academic that can blend ‘the town and the gown’ in the area of cultural renaissance and remapping. And I want to thank you and I want to say we are not sur-

Prof. Omole and Prof. Babawale… signing the documents

Front seat: Prof. Ajuwon (left) and Prof. Dele Layiwola. Back: Adeoti (right); Dr. Onwumah; Prof Alao and others prised as someone who is an alumnus of Ife and we believe that wherever, you will always raise the banner and flag for the essence for which this university was set up. “But I want to underscore this, the giant strides you have been making, during your first appointment and the second tenure, it is not by accident. The motto of the university is for learning and culture and to have someone that could apprehend its totality and essence, is worth commended. “One of the things that this administration did that was cardinal is the new vision that we started to drive since I came on board is the fact that if we are developing human capital, we are developing the nation. We have spent so much in the development of our members of staff, both academic and administrative, attending conferences and seminars to ensure that the vision of this university will continue to be sustained. We thank CBAAC for being a good partner in that. “When the issue of collaboration with CBAAC came up, I had no doubt that a day like this will come and that it would be a worthwhile effort. The university has signed many MoUs, some were dead on arrival, some are already in comatose state, but some are thriving and this one we are signing today will be one of those that will thrive. “I can say this because we have an antecedent in you and all that you have been trying to do, not only for university but for us - current Director and former Director of ICS, Prof Adeoti and Prof. Alao - they kept keeping me abreast of all that is going on about the collaboration. And I am happy as a Vice-Chancellor that this is happening at my time and I want to assure the centre, and you have said it all that a man of God is a man of culture. “But let me say this that in the context of sociology of religion and culture, you cannot divorce the faith of a man from his origin. That is why for me as a Christian, and as a pastor, I believe that this is not the end of life, there is a place we are all going after and consequently

we discover that culture has a role to play. “When Christianity first came, it was solemn and it was as if it was a funeral party but consequently culture came in, they started to beat bata drum, gangan in churches, and you could see a revamping of the culture, and the young ones that left came back, praises were rendered in glorious atmosphere. “I believe that there is a lot culture can do. First, it is strategic. Secondly, culture is security. Young boys and girls that should have been on the street marauding causing havoc, when they hear good music in the churches, they can identify with the instruments, so it takes some people off the road and that is the sociology of culture. How it can be synergized. So, I want to thank you sir for coming and when I see you I am emotional as an alumnus especially that you are from History (Department). I want to thank you so very much.” And thereafter, attention shifted to the signing of the documents as the representatives of the two parties: Prof. Omole and Prof. Babawale sealed the deal before shots from camera lens drew curtail on the ceremony that lasted for about 45 minutes. The MoU has a total of nine articles, while the kernel of the collaboration is subsumed under articles 2 and 3. Both read: “The University, through its Institute of Cultural Studies (ICS) will collaborate from time to time with the Centre (CBAAC) to jointly organize and finance programmes and activities that would be mutually beneficial to both parties and contribute towards the achievement of corporate goals of the parties. Such programmes and activities shall include, but not limited to conferences, lectures, workshops, seminars, symposia, art exhibitions, and festivals of the arts. “Both parties shall design and execute co-ordinate educational and/or research programmes and will regularly consult each other in order to evaluate the effectiveness of such programmes as have been agreed, and give a review of any action or actions whether completed or in progress at any time.”

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, July 27, 2013

40 ARTS

Ake Arts And Book Festival… Rock City Takes A Shot At Book Fiesta By Anote Ajeluorou N spite of a seemingly famished book culture in the country, book enthusiasts desirous of redirecting Nigerians’ attention to reading again are unrelenting in their efforts to entrench a new health in the sector. Such new health include creating avenues to stimulate the zest for books by bringing books and those that write them in one spot to interact with the people. One such avenue if the forthcoming Ake Arts and Book Festival to be held in Abeokuta in November later this year. The theme for the maiden festival is ‘The Shadow of Memory’, with organisers seeking to explore the impact of Africa’s rich but chequered past on the present, and the extent to which this has been captured in African literature and the arts. The festival is the creation of Lola Shoneyin, writer and author of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives and organised by her NGO, Book Buzz Foundation. The festival has three distinct aims, namely to promote literacy and a sustainable reading culture; to support schools in developing reading spaces and to organise Ake Arts and Book Festival. According to the organisers, the maiden edition with holds from November 19 – 24, 2013 in

Abeokuta, Ogun State. It is a six-day programme of cultural, artistic and literary fiesta. These will include readings, master classes, workshops, performances and talks delivered by both Nigerian and international authors, thinkers, poets, filmmakers, actors, artists and academics. Other events include visit to schools, a stage play, film showings, a musical concert, library openings and a comprehensive book fair to which pupils, publishers and book buyers will be invited. Members of the public are expected to participate in these events to promote social inclusion. Organisers have premised the festival in the rocky hills of Abeokuta, as backdrop, as the biggest and the finest annual event on the African cultural calendar. Discussions will be centred on important issues such as the public and individual perception of nationhood and how truly free freedom of expression is in Africa. More targeted themes such as women’s rights and child literacy will also be addressed, as ways of examining how the arts can contribute to development in these areas. Ake Arts and Book Festival is generously supported by the World Bank, with joint fund-

ing being provided by Shell Nigeria Ltd, Chevron, the British Council, Goethe Institute, British Airways, Channels TV and the Ekiti State Government. Other major features of the festival include Master Classes, in which experts will teach budding writers on elements of writing in fiction, short fiction, documentary-making for women, writing poetry that sings, from Page to Stage, Illustrating Children’s Books, Writing for Children, Effective Editing, Interviewing Celebrities, Creating Graphic Novels, Life Writing, Playing to the Gallery: Acting Tips for Practitioners and Art Criticism. There will also be workshops, panel discussions, book chats, bookfair in collaboration with Bounty Press, art exhibition, music with Elder’s Corner, film shows, with Home and Pariah as expected films. Interestingly, a novel aspect of the festival is Soap Box, where writers, poets, designers and manufacturers cherish the opportunity to showcase their works, books, inventions and products. We are offering thirty-minute slots for this at the AABF. School Activities with include ‘Read By Example Programme’, art competition, writing competition for children from 11-16 years among others.

Shoneyin

A Champagne Toast For Achebe... In Lagos

Toyin Akinosho; Etisalat’s Event head, Ebi Atawodi; event curator, Tolu Ogunlesi; Brand Manager, Moet Hennessy Champage, Ann Ogunsulire, former editor, The Guardian on Sunday, Mr. Jahman Anikulapo during a toast to the late Prof Chinua Achebe sponsored by Moet and Chandon in Lagos recently

Deji Toye making a presentation at the event Guests at the event

Remembering Fagunwa, The Master Storyteller By Gbenga Salau

O celebrate and draw attention T to the creativity displayed by Daniel Fagunwa, a pioneer novel writer in the indigenous language, in his major five novels, fifty years after his death, the Centre for Black Arts and African Civilisation, (CBAAC), in conjunction with Ondo State Government and the Fagunwa Study Group has concluded arrangement to host a conference on Daniel Fagunwa between August 8 and 10 in Akure, Ondo State. The Director General of CBAAC, Professor Tunde Babawale, who disclosed this in Lagos on Thursday, said that the conference was put together to examine the impact and significance of his works, as the organisers recognised the broad cultural, literary, political and institutional dimensions of Fagunwa’ creativity. “The year 2013 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the tragic death of Chief Daniel Fagunwa, the renowned Yoruba-Nigeria author

and educationist. With the publication in 1938 of Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irumole, Fagunwa initiated a practice of Yoruba-language imaginative writing, which quickly generated a tradition within Nigeria and beyond Yoruba language. “He was one of the pioneer writers especially in the indigenous genre. Though he was very educated and in fact a school teacher but he decided to write in the indigenous language. And he wrote five of them during his lifetime. Within a very short span of time, 1938, when the first was written titled Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irumole, which Professor Wole Soyinka later translated into A forest of a thousand demons in 1968. This was followed by a second one, Igbo eledumare in 1949, which was also translated by Wole Soyinka as The forest of Eledumare. “The last was the Aditu Olodumare, which was published in 1961 was phenomenal and he died two years after, 1963, report-

edly through an accident. The very significant thing about this is that we are commemorating the man’s death, fifty years after; and the reason is that as a Centre (CBAAC) is committed to the promotion of culture and indigenous languages. And we found his works of being of great significant to our mandate as a Centre so because of that we decided to join hands with a group of scholars at home and abroad, who initiated this idea of a conference to celebrate this writer. “And we decided to be part of that process and organizing that conference in conjunction with the Ondo State Government. Incidentally, Daniel Fagunwa was born in Ondo State, Oke-igbo and I think this is one of the reasons the Ondo State is interested, as one of the heroes that came out of the state. The conference is between August 8 to August 10 and efforts are on to ensure a successful conference.” In his view, the conference is important in order to draw atten-

tion to the significance of this particular scholar to the development of Nigerian, black and African literature. “Though he wrote in indigenous language, there had been a lot of writers and scholars who made their Phd thesis on his works and we shall meet some of them at that conference.” In giving an insight to the depth of Fagunwa’s work, Babawale said one of his works had been reprinted 24 times, and some of the works had been translated into French and English. “Some of the things scholars talk in contemporary times has been foretold in some of his novels, when you talk about the importance of nature, which is conservation that we talk about today. With this, many think he was a horticulturist. And that tells you the depth of his work. This conference will bring together scholars who have worked extensively on Fagunwa novels.” According to the CBAAC Boss, Prof Wole Soyinka has accepted to delivered the keynote address,

while Professors Niyi Osundare, Femi Osofisan, Dan Izenbaye would be presenting papers at the conference. A member of the D.O Fagunwa study group, Mr. Kunle Ajibade, gave a brief on how the idea of the conference was born at a roundtable discussion during a conference when one of the characters in his books was exhibited at the conference. “After deciding to hold the conference, we pondered over the organisation to hold the conference with, and I did not hesitate at all in picking CBAAC. And it has been wonderful and I feel comfortable all the time doing something like this with CBAAC. We did it before when Odia Ofeimu clocked 60. So I congratulate you for the good work you have been doing. “After this conference, there is going to be a book and we are already working on that and have started raising money for that. And everybody we meet feels excited about the conference.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

DIARY

Snr. State Counsel, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Biola Ajayi; Professor M.M Akanbi of University of Ilorin; Justice Peter Affen of the Federal High Court, Abuja; Chairman, ICSAN Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Adeyinka Hassan; and Mr. Tony Ebeh at a dinner organized in honour of their colleagues who were recently appointed as Professors and Judges in Lagos

PA to AGM Starwood Hotels in Nigeria-Deborah Benjamin, Head of Food & Beverage Marketing- Queen Warmate, Area General Manager for Starwood hotels in Nigeria-Mr. Alexander Gassauer, Area Public Relations Coordinator for Starwood Hotels in Nigeria-Nanji Tyem, Senior Public Relations Consultant for Sheraton Lagos Hotel-Ms. Bose Oniopaku during the roll out of SPG triple treats Benefits in Nigeria.

Mr. kinremi Akinwunmi of Ogun State Broadcasting Service and Mr. Odita Sunday of The Guardian during their graduation ceremony after a successful completion of a professional programme in Journalism at the Pan African University, in Lagos… recently

Dr Sunny Udeze, Dr Jude Udenta, Dr Jude Udenta, Mrs Tina Okafor and Prof Ike Ndolo Chariman ESUT Appeal Fund Committee during a Public Relations Seminar at ESUT Enugu…recently.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), Mrs. Triona Fortune (sitting left); Chairman, Society for Quality in Healthcare (SQHN), Prof. Ade Elebute; SQHN Secretary, Mrs. Njide Ndili; Treasurer, Mrs. Fola Laoye; Chairman, Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring And Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Omotayo Bello; NNPC Medical Director, Dr. H. Saidu and Dr. Tinu Oyekan during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between SQHN and ISQua to ensure SQHN’s participation in ISQua Fellowship programme and marketing, held in Lagos…recently

Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal, Managing Director, Labob and Sons Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Najeem Ajisafe and the Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Rasak Kunle Oyeleke at Ajisafe’s 50th birthday celebration …recently

President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole (second left-front) carrying baby Keira Adanganga Ebere during her dedication at Michael, Rapheal and Grabriel Catholic Church, Lagos last weekend. Olawale-Cole is flanked by Keira’s parents, Engr Ulonnam and Dr (Mrs) Adaobi Ebere and others

Deaconess Bola Balogun, Mr. Gbenga Ogunnowo, the celebrant, Mrs. Ogunnowo, Mr. Seun Ogunnowo, Lady Evangelist Akiode during Mrs. Ogunnowo 80th Birthday in Ibadan… recently

Members of the Abia State Chapter of National Association of SeaDogs with students of School of the Blind, Umuahia, during the presentation of Braille books and Mobility Canes donated by a USA based blind Professor, Mrs. Sue Duffi and the Fraternity to the blind Students in Umuahia…recently

A cross-section of pupils of Royal Master’s School, Lagos, who went on excursion to De United Industries Ltd at Ota, Ogun State…recently

42 |

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

SHORT STORY By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855)

T was on one of those Mondays that Fakunle would always engage his wife in endless argument over the feeding money for his three kids. He had just returned from one of his many fruitless job-hunting journeys and was just smiling. Since he was sacked from his former place of work three years ago, it had been tales of woe and sorrow. Two of his children had stopped schooling because their parents couldn’t raise money for their fees. Fakunle had turned into a professional beggar to make ends meet for the past few years and now it seemed everybody had known and realized his bag of tricks concerning raising money. So, nobody in the whole neighbourhood showed him pity again, since everybody had one particular financial problem or another. “Lizzy darling,” he cooed into his wife’s ears. “We’ll soon be in money! Real money. Did you hear what I just said?” “How are we going to make it when you’re still jobless?” she replied. “ You just don’t worry! I assure you, we’ll soon be in millions. Believe me!” he answered. “Fakunle, stop this day dreaming and face realities. Your eldest child, Gbenga will soon stop going to school as from next week because of the debt we are owing his school. Heh, have you got another job?” “Well, something like that.,” he retorted, trying to avoid any further probe or question from his wife. “Oh, thank God Almighty for His mercies!” His wife exclaimed and hugged him, smiling heartily. That evening, on the bed, Fakunle’s mind was heavy with thoughts of his newly found way of making money. He was pondering about the new discovery. He knew he had lied to his wife that he had got a job. What more could he do than frame up such a lie to ease the tension and excitement in his wife’s mind. The next moment, what happened that day flashed through his mind. He’d gone out as usual in search of work and he unbelievably met his childhood friend, Fola Ojuolape who had now become one of society’s big-wigs and the super rich. Fola was cruising in his chauffeur-driven Mercedes S-class when Fakunle spotted him in a traffic gridlock along Broad Street, Lagos. Fakunle was inside a bus. He went down immediately and waved him to stop and Fakunle opened the door and entered. “How are you doing Fakunle?” asked Fola, “Quite an age! Where have you been since all these years?”. “Folee…Folee!” exclaimed Fakunle. “It’s just a stroke of luck that made me see you. In fact, at first, I didn’t realize it was you because you’ve grown so fat but on further scrutiny, I knew I couldn’t be wrong. You know, it is almost 14 years ago!” he said excitedly. “Oh yeah, you’re quite right Fakunle. When did you come to Lagos? And what are you doing now? How’s your family?” Fola asked. “Ha, Fola! Don’t let’s waste time on that. I have a big problem, as you can see. It’s mother luck that made me see you. I have been unemployed for the past three years. You’re my childhood friend. I know you’ll help me. Please Fola change my life for the better. I’m really suffering. I can do anything just to be like you. To be known and respected in the society as a money bag.” “Ha! Haa!! Haaa!!!” Fola laughed heartily. “You think you can do anything to make money?” “Yes Fola, I’m tired of suffering,” he replied. “Okay, come closer, let me whisper into your ears. I’ll teach you the secret of making money. I mean real millions! Ha! Haa!! Haaa!!!” Fola burst into laughter. That very day, Fola took Fakunle to a great traditional diviner, the master of witchcraft and sorcery. In the presence of the old, bald-headed diviner, they swore and took an oath never to let out the secret to anybody. “Drink this, and this and this,” said the old diviner. “Fola is like my own son. I hope he has told you everything concerning this ritual? If you betray me, you’ll die.” “Yes, Baba,” answered Fakunle. “And you have agreed on the terms?” he asked once again. “Yes, I’m ready Baba, no going back.” Fakunle replied. “Okay, bring him here tomorrow. You heard me. Is that right?” the old man muttered. “I’ll surely bring him here as we agreed,” Fakunle assured. Fola gave him N10,000 to buy other items for the ritual such as one big white calabash, a big box and four yards of white clothes. But the biggest item on the list was his 14-year-old son, Gbenga, who would be used for the ritual in making money. That eventful night, Fakunle watched his dear son as he slept peacefully in the midst of his two junior brothers. “Bring him here tomorrow…” The words re-echoed in his mind a dozen times but he had made the sacred vow, and any negative decision now would be disastrous for him at this crucial moment. He dozed off with the words in his memory. The following Tuesday, Fakunle had planned secretly with Fola how they would abduct Gbenga on his way from school. The time was now 2p.m. and the boy was on his way home. Fakunle cornered him. He was surprised to see his dad that afternoon because he heard him telling his mum that early morning that he would be going to a company where he had an appointment. Gbenga’s fear increased the more when he saw his father with a stranger. Without much ado, Fakunle convinced his son by telling him to follow him in order to buy some clothes for him. The boy agreed. They both entered Fola’s Land Cruiser Jeep and left the spot without anybody suspecting anything. They took

the boy to the remote shrine on the outskirts of Lagos. It was 6p.m when Fakunle arrived home with smiles radiating his face. “Lizzy darling!” he called, “you know what! I’ve just got a job of N100,000 per month! How do you see that?” “Wow! That’s great!,” she answered enthusiastically, “But you know something, I haven’t seen Gbenga for the past few hours. I really don’t know why he’s not yet back from school.” “Maybe they are doing something at school; let’s go there to ask after him,” he replied pretending to be innocent. They searched every nook and cranny of Lagos and lodged complaints at the various police stations in the city. It was even aired on the radio and television about the missing boy. Lizzy cried and wailed pitifully for her missing son. Fakunle feigned tears also for he was a master-pretender. About three months later, Fakunle became a millionaire! He started buying posh and exotic cars and building magnificent mansions all over the town. He was stupendously rich and became an amazing spender! The formally lean and haggard-looking fellow had now become chubby. He now wore flamboyant and splendid clothes. He travelled to every part of the world frequently to enjoy himself. People were shocked and stunned by his sudden rise to affluence. His wife was the most bewildered by her husband’s sudden wealth. It was the greatest mystery to her. They now occupied a grand mansion in highbrow Victoria Island in Lagos. Fakunle’s mansion had a secret white room where he alone entered. That was where Gbenga his supposedly lost son was sitting atop of a big white box, and a white calabash placed on his head. This was the power room where Fakunle made his millions

and nobody except him dared enter. Whenever he needed money, all he did was enter the room and call the boy’s name thrice and unbelievably, the white box would be brimful with millions! About two years later, Fakunle was just back from a social outing and was very drunk and being goaded by bacchanal bliss he headed for the mysterious room. He opened and called the boy’s name thrice times. Money gushed out and he laughed and laughed uproariously and staggered out of the room leaving the door half-opened. Some 10 minutes later, Wale, one of his sons, strolled past the room and saw it opened. He peeped and what he saw filled him with awe and shock. “Heh!” he cried, “My brother, Gbenga! Mummy, mummy come and see brother Gbenga!” As the young boy was shouting, money was drizzling all over the room. His mum was in the kitchen and she came running quickly. “Ha! Haa!! My God Gbenga!!! Help! Heelp!!” Instantly, Gbenga stood up in a zombie style and headed for his dad who was in his room still sipping champagne. The boy had grown very sharp claws like that of a lion. He had completely changed. He looked like a possessed spirit or a demon. Fakunle was unaware of Gbenga’s presence. He suddenly turned and before he could utter a word, the boy sank his long finger nails into his throat and breathing heavily, he strangled his dad. Lizzy and her two other children had appeared at the scene. They were crying and sobbing heavily. The next moment, Gbenga headed for the white box in the mysterious room. His mum and other brothers followed behind. He opened it, poured out three cowries from his mouth and collapsed. He gave up the ghost the next minute.

Curse Of The Old Magician

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 27, 2013 | 43

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

NaturalHealth Natural Health With G. C. Ihesie

Mobile phone no: 08033065263, E-mail: ihesie84@yahoo.com.

Home and Herbal Treatments for Flatulence T is believed that on a daily basis, our Ipints body produces about one to three of mixture of gases collectively called flatus. These gases include hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, methane and carbon dioxide. The characteristic offensive odour of flatus is due to the traces of other gases such as indole, sulfur-containing compounds and skatole. They are formed in the stomach and large intestines from the activities of different types of bacteria living in the entire digestive tract which are responsible for fermenting undigested foods. Therefore, it is a perfectly normal bodily function to pass out gas through belching (burping) or from the rectum (flatus), especially after eating a heavy meal. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, was quoted as saying that: “Passing out gas is necessary to well-being.” And records had it that the Roman Emperor Claudius once decreed that: “all Roman citizens shall be allowed to pass gas whenever necessary.” However, the emission of the mixture of these gases (flatus) becomes an embarrassing social and health hazard when it is excessive. Flatulence is basically the condition of having excessive mixture of gases or gas in the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, small and colon/large intestine). Flatulence is one of the most common health problems that affect many people all over the world. Although it causes social embarrassment, it is not life-threatening. However, excessive and recurrent flatulence may, in few cases, be a sign of gastro-intestinal problems, especially when it is accompanied with severe abdominal cramp and pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, blood in the stool, etc. Such should be properly investigated by a competent health-care provider to determine the root cause of the prob-

lem. Causes of Flatulence The main causes of flatulence are poor diet habits, overeating and the inability to digest all the food that is consumed. And undigested food passes from the small intestine into the colon (large intestine), where they are fermented by the harmless bacteria and then produce gas. Some foods are acid-forming and contain more gas-producing constituents and are more difficult to digest than others, e.g. beans, fatty, oily or fried foods, eggs, dairy products, red and fatty meats, white flour products, cakes, biscuits, whole grain, peas, black coffee, most fruits and vegetables containing soluble and insoluble fibres. Overeating of these foods is known to cause flatulence. However, some foods can produce gas in one person and may not cause gas in another. Some people have a deficiency of an enzyme called lactase and therefore cannot properly digest the lactose (natural sugar) found in milk and other food items like cheese, ice cream, bread, cereal, etc. These people who are said to be lactose-intolerant may experience excess gas (flatulence) after eating the foods containing lactose. Wrong combination of foods: Eating protein or acid fruits with whole grains at the same meal or combining acid fruits with other foods can cause fermentation and the release of poisonous gases and acid by-products that can give rise to flatulence. Eating in haste, improper chewing of food, swallowing of air (aerophagia) directly or when eating, drinking carbonated beverages, or chewing (e.g. bubble gum), etc., can cause flatulence. Drinking with meals has been found to reduce or upset the

functional capacities of digestive enzymes. The ingested foods may not be digested properly and can cause indigestion. Drinking while eating also induces overeating. Eating foods at odd hours, e.g., eating late at night and going to bed immediately or engaging in strenuous activities, e.g. sex immediately after food may lead to poor or delayed digestion that will result in fermentation, excess gas and ingestion. Eating food when one is having nervous tension, inner disharmony or emotional upsets, or angry or worried, inhibits the flow of digestive juices, slows down bowel action, and produces the poisonous bile that causes digestive problems such as indigestion, flatulence, gastritis, peptic ulcers, etc. Some drugs or medications like narcotics, or heavy use of oral antibiotics, and some diseases like acute pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal cancer are known to cause flatulence. Symptoms of Flatulence (Gas) Flatulence has specific symp-

toms such as: *A feeling of uncomfortable fullness after eating that gives rise to abdominal bloating. *Excessive release of gas through the mouth -- belching (burping) or from the anus. However, belching is equally a sign of peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophgeal reflux disease or other disorders of the digestive tract. *Discomfort or pain in the abdomen, which pain usually mimics that of appendicitis or gallbladder stone if it is felt on the right side of the colon or may be confused with that of heart problem if the pain is on the left side of the colon. Diagnosis of Flatulence (Gas) Excessive and repeated flatulence with abdominal pain may require a detailed medical investigation in order to rule out some other deep-rooted gastric or intestinal disorder such as intestinal obstruction or perforation, abdomen tumour or colon cancer, malabsorption, etc. Home Remedies for Flatulence The best way to prevent or reduce the problem of flatulence is to identify and avoid all the foods and habits that cause flatulence, e.g.: *Beans, fatty, oily or fried foods, eggs, dairy products, red and fatty meat, white flour products, cakes, biscuits, whole grain, peas, most fruits and vegetables containing soluble and insoluble fibres (pears, apples, broccoli, cauliflower), black coffee, milk, ice cream, carbonated beverages, sodas, beer, chewing gum, whole-wheat bread, bran cereals, and some oral medications. *Poor food combination, eating too frequently or taking snacks in between meals, or eating to satisfy appetite and not hunger could cause flatulence. *Eating fruits like watermelon with starchy foods at the same meal.

*Overeating, irregular eating, eating when one is not hungry or drinking with meals. *Consumption of extremely hot or cold foods, etc. Use of Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal is one of the most effective natural remedies used in the home treatment of abdominal bloating and malodorous intestinal gas (flatulence) and other gastrointestinal problems. Usually 1-2 dessertspoons of the powder is stirred into a glass of water and taken orally twice, or the capsule of about (500mg to 1g) is taken three times daily. The Use of Assorted Carminative (Aromatic) Herbs: Carminatives herbs are herbs that have very strong aroma or scent (fragrance) due to their high content of volatile oil or essential oils. Most of them have cleansing, antiseptic and antispasmodic properties on the digestive tract and they generally help expel gas rapidly and prevent abdominal cramp. Most of them are spices with pungent taste and they give flavour when added to foods. These herbs include black pepper, basil, ginger, lemongrass, xylopia, alligator pepper, onion, garlic, fennel seeds, sage, rosemary, peppermint, fever plant, cloves, turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, caraway seeds, oregano, etc. The Use of Bitters: Generally, bitters is a combination of herbs or a natural product specially formulated to stimulate digestion, appetite and to prevent gastrointestinal problems like flatulence, promote the detoxifying properties of the liver, purify blood, control the flow of bile and influence, and enhance the functions of the pancreas and the spleen. Most of the digestive bitters have very strong anti-microbial activities and they work better when administered in small doses.

PetLife With Dr.Tunji Nasir gland which sometimes is accompanied by an infection of the bladder and will show the usual signs of illness like fever, depression, vomiting, diarrhoea, and painful urination. Sometimes, the dog may arch its back and can discharge blood or pus from its prepuce. Your vet will carry out some tests to determine the offending organism (s) and determine the appropriate antibiotics to use. A lot of the time, your dog may need to be on this drug for a very long time because of the peculiarity of this condition.

Prostate Problems In Dogs ROSTATE problems are fast becoming a P nightmare for males whether man or animal. It is more or less a norm rather than the

that as the pet ages, this gland gradually swells —- exerting some pressure on the urethra which it had encircled, manifesting therefore as exception in many male populations. If it difficulty in urination and may also have an becomes cancerous, it ranks second to skin can- effect on bowel movement because of the cer which is also an insidious killer of men. anatomical relationship with the rectum espeIt is indeed a genuine fear for every man, especially if the swelling makes it to expand backcially if the risk factors are preponderant. wards and obstructs the rectum either partially Unfortunately, till date, medical science cannot or completely —- causing a classic constipation. correctly predict the fatality or otherwise of Pets suffering constipation as a result of prostaprostate cancer. So many men are sure target tic enlargement may void flattened or ribbonfor this arrow and live in constant fear. like stool and they can be severely impacted. In the pet population, the rate of diagnosis of In dogs, prostatic problems can manifest in prostate problem is also becoming alarming. several forms, namely Hitherto, it was mostly undiagnosed, unreport- * Benign hyperplastic prostatic enlargement (a ed or not taken as a serious problem. However, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate). because owners are focusing more on the care This is usually caused by testosterone and is of their pets, attention is gradually being put seen in dogs from about five years of age and on a myriad of diseases and surprisingly, progresses as the dog grows older in which case prostate problems feature very prominently. the symptoms get more profound. A significant Various cases of urinary incontinence, consti- population of pets having this problem pass pation, urinary tract infection (especially cysti- out blood in their urine and some have suffered tis —- inflammation of the bladder), male infer- considerable pain in addition. tility, have all been linked to prostate problems and a lot of owners are in awe why their Treatment of this condition is not necessary beloved pets should suffer from this kind of unless symptoms are profound. However, neucondition. tering has been found to improve symptoms It may then be apt to let you know that the shortly after this exercise because of the prostate is an accessory sex organ that funcremoval of the source of testosterone. The other tions in male fertility as it produces the fluid option is to treat with a drug that reduces the through which “sperm” is transported and it is size of the prostate without affecting the fertiliusually at the neck of the bladder. The reality is ty of the dog if it is intended to be used for

* Prostate Cancer: This is actually rare in dogs but had been diagnosed before and every male dog has the potential of developing the condition. Unlike the first enlargement discussed, this is not hormone (testosterone) dependant and cannot be treated with any special drug unlike the first. Therefore, neutering does not slow the progress of the condition, neither does it prevent it from occurring.

breeding. On the whole, your vet should carry out the necessary tests, including taking a biopsy to determine if this is an ordinary enlargement or cancerous growth before treatment or a benign neglect is contemplated. *Prostatis This is an inflammation of prostate and it is usually a bacterial infection of the

* Prostatic cysts: These are fluid-filled sacs seen in the prostate. They can be small or big depending on their cause and may be a consequence of prostatic enlargement. If their cysts are large, your vet may surgically drain them or neuter the dog to decrease the chances of the condition from progressing. I am sure you are wondering how this will all end, well, visit the page next week to learn what you can do to help your pet.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 6, 2013

HEALTHFEATURES

‘We Need More Biomedical Engineers’ Dr. Olurotimi Odunnubu, an orthopaedic surgeon recently appointed as the Medical Director (MD), National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL), bares his mind on the hospital’s new focus and his assessment of the nation’s orthopaedic healthcare system. By Joseph Okoghenun HAT is your hospital doing to W reduce patients travelling abroad for medical treatment? The Act setting up this hospital challenged the hospital to perform three basic functions. First, the provision of clinical services to patients as well as specialty in orthopaedics and trauma and plastic surgery. The second function is training of medical personnel and paramedics and the third is research in our special fields. In terms of providing services, the hospital is known more for treating injured patients with fractures. But that is not what orthopaedics is all about. It means correcting deformity; ortho means “straight”; making a crooked person straight. That is what the specialty is all about. Sixty per cent of our jobs deal with injured patients from either road traffic accident or domestic accident, while the remaining 40 per cent has to do with making life comfortable for patients with deformities. For the last 10 years, we have developed sub-specialties because orthopaedic is too large. And most people who travel abroad for orthopaedic care travel to see orthopaedic sub-specialists. We are now having paediatric orthopaedics to especially look after children with deformity and injury because children are not little adults; they have their peculiarities. We have arthroplasty unit with specialists that replace joints like the hip and knee when they degenerate. Those are the two commonest joints that are prone to degeneration because they carry the weight of the body. When a patient is arthritic and disable as a result, we can change the joint. We also have arthroscopy. Instead of opening joints and life spaces, we use small instrument to look into joints, just as we do for the abdomen. We have trauma unit for special trauma and spine unit. Altogether, we have five sub-specialties. All the 15 orthopaedics consultants in the hospital are divided into these sub-specialties; there is nobody that is just practising general orthopaedics anymore. With this level of focus, the skills have been developed. All those who have been employed have been sent for one course or another in these sub-specialties. We have three plastic consultant surgeons. We have burn units for acute and chronic burns. Two of our consultants are sub-specialists in microvascular surgery, which has to do with treatment for injured or afflicted blood vessels that supply blood to various parts of the body. Sometimes, patients are brought to the hospital and there is no blood flow from one part of the body to the other parts of the body. In the past, all of them had to end up with amputation. But if they come here early enough, with microvascular surgery, we can create a bridge between the injured part and the viable part to fix the limb.

Odunnubu What are your challenges? Our challenges are human, material and financial related. The sub-specialisation I mentioned earlier is ongoing. To be able to use the instruments, we have to train surgeons and supportive staff. All these different cadres of staff need to be trained regularly to update their knowledge. That costs money. One of our greatest challenges is maintaining our equipment, apart from raising money to acquire them. Many hospitals also have this challenge. We have many hospitals in the country with radiograph and laboratory equipment that are just lying in there. After one fault or the other, there is nobody to repair them. The suppliers do not have the technical backup to support the supplied equipment. That is a major challenge for hospitals. We keep buying new equipment; they get bad, you can’t repair them. I think the time has come for very good schools for biomedical engineering to be established in the country for

the knowledge of biomedical engineers to be updated. Things are changing. And I do not think the biomedical engineers we have in the country are keeping up with the changes in technology. The hospital was established in 1945; it did not even start as a hospital, but as a rehabilitation centre for injured world war soldiers. We still have very old buildings, and the older the building, the more expensive it is to maintain. The Federal Government has decided to give us more buildings, but government has funding challenges because of many projects they are

handily. Therefore, we are looking for non-governmental sources of funding. We are in partnership with the private sector to ensure the completion of buildings and projects we have in mind. Our source of funds is still mainly from government though. We are in partnership with some foreign organisations like Smile Train, which funds treatment of cleft lips and cleft palates free of charge. We have ongoing partnership with Inner Wheel in the treatment of sickle cell patients with hip problems. A lot of them are disabled with hip pathology. It is very expensive to treat. One

The suppliers do not have the technical backup to support the supplied equipment. That is a major challenge for hospitals. We keep buying new equipment; they get bad, you can’t repair them. I think the time has come for very good schools for biomedical engineering to be established in the country for the knowledge of biomedical engineers to be updated.

hip replacement is about N800, 000. How will you access orthopaedic medicine in Nigeria? It is developing. 30 years ago, the number of orthopaedic surgeons was less than 30. Only certain countries have met the recommended ratio. In Britain, it is 1 orthopaedic surgeon to 15,000 population and in Japan, it is 1 to 10,000. We are still far. We are talking of 1 to 500,000. Most of the orthopaedic surgeons we have are concentrated in urban areas. At the last count, we had just about 325 orthopaedic surgeons in the country. Orthopaedic surgery is a very capital-intensive sub-specialty and very few state governments have been able to establish orthopaedic surgery units in their hospitals. It is only the three major federal orthopaedic hospitals —Lagos, Kano and Enugu —- that are driving orthopaedic surgery and training in the country. Out of the 325 orthopaedic surgeons in the country, about 140 were trained in this hospital. Is there no way to integrate traditional bonesetters into orthopaedic medicine in Nigeria? We have been training them in the past years. Traditional bonesetters treat only fractures. But many fractures do not really need treatment. When you come to hospital with fracture and it is bandaged with POP (plaster of Paris), the POP is not really treating the fracture; it is only holding the fracture in straight position so that the fracture can heal in that position. Anybody can claim success if the fracture heals. But the main thing with traditional bonesetters is that it is not regulated the way orthodox medicine is regulated where we have peer control or government control. We have discovered that most patients have complications from traditional bonesetters as a result of applying splint too tightly, especially for children. Adults will remove splint when it is too tight. But if children want to remove it, they are often suppressed until the damage is irreversibly done. They will then come to the hospital with gangrene or dead limbs. If we do not remove the gangrene, the patient would die because the infection would spread to other parts of the body. That is where people would say that the amputation was done in a hospital, forgetting that the treatment started in the traditional bonesetters place. We have documented these through photographs, we have organised workshops for traditional bonesetters and showed them photographs of the complications they have caused and how they can recognise too tight splint. It is a question of advocacy for the patient. If they want to treat patients, they should be able to recongnise tight splint, reduce it and refer the patient to a hospital. They should understand their limitations. In orthodox medicine, doctors are trained to understand their limitations so that if a patient with fracture goes to a general medical practitioner, for instance, he should know what he can do and what he cannot do. There are some fractures that need operation.We have to train them that when they have such fracture, they should refer it to the orthopaedic hospital. General medical practitioners know that there are some fractures they should not handle but must refer to the proper place. So, if we can even take care of recognising tight splint and fracture that cannot heal, we would go a long way. The important thing is to ensure that their practice is safe.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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YOURMONEY

Orya

By Roberts Orya HE last indicator of recovery from a major fiT nancial-cum-economic crisis; whether it is global, regional or national, is unemployment rate. Accordingly, very high unemployment has remained around the world, signalling lack of total recovery from the last global crisis. The April 2013 U.S. jobs data shows approximately 23 million Americans are unemployed. That is almost the entire population of Ghana, which a 2012 headcount put at 24.9 million. Three of the most crisis-battered countries in the Eurozone: Greece, Spain and Portugal, have unemployment figures of 27.2%, 26.7% and 17.5%, respectively (Eurostat, March 2013). Closer home, in South Africa, which is Africa’s largest economy, 25.2% of the labour force is unemployed, according to employment report of Q1, 2013. We also see the evidence that Nigeria is grappling with high unemployment rate. The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says unemployment in Nigeria is at 23.9% and growing at 16% annually. Worrisome as the foregoing might be, the aggregate and country-specific statistics understate the core issue with the current high unemployment rates around the world. We have to look at the demographics of unemployment, the extent to which it challenges self-actualisation of individuals and the risk it poses to cohesion of society. Youth Unemployment The heaviest toll of unemployment is generational. Whereas global adult unemployment rate is 4.5%, global youth unemployment rate is 12.6%, according to a recent report by World Economic Forum and International Labour Organisation. Approximately 900 million young adults are without gainful employment globally. This represents nearly three times the total population of South America, the continent that harbours the emerging market powerhouse, Brazil. From Brazil we have been watching on satellite television the burst of energy of youth as protesters line the streets to demonstrate against increases in bus-fare. They later added to their grievances high tax rate, high cost of living and official corruption which show the fluidity of street engagement. Instead of been engaged in the workplace, Brazilian youths found expression in the streets. Youth unemployment has reached 20% in Brazil, according to USAID which stated that 52% of youths in the Northern region of the country are without jobs. South Africa, another member of the BRICS, has 48% youth unemployment rate. Except South and East Asia with singledigit youth unemployment rate, what we have in all regions of the world is double-digit youth unemployment rate, including the OECD countries combined. At 64.2%, indeed, youth unemployment is the face of the economic crisis in Greece. Nigeria is more or less fortunate. Youth unemployment in Nigeria is estimated at 37.7%, ac-

Job Creation:

Supporting National Actions For A Global Challenge cording to African Economic Outlook 2012 report published by a coalition of UN agencies and African Development Bank. Root causes Demographic structure or high birth rate hardly provides any conclusive insight on the relatively higher youth unemployment rates around the world. Yes, high birth rate has contributed to larger youth population in Africa, with high youth unemployment as fallout. But aging population has been an outcome of development in much of the OECD bloc where, nevertheless, youth unemployment is in the double-digit. However, birth control programmes have limited growth of the youth population in China and in South East Asia, with the possibility that it has influenced the single-digit youth unemployment in the region. But growth in manufacturing (boosted by outsourcing) and trade has been cited more to account for lower youth unemployment in South East Asia and China. “Jobless growth” is more likely to provide the valid explanation for the currently high global youth unemployment. In the United States and much of Europe’s big economies, stellar GDP growth rates in the immediate years to 2007 have been linked to the asset bubbles that drove financial sector growth. In the developing countries, especially Africa, the extractive industries– hydrocarbon and precious metal – had driven high economic growth rate with the help of high prices of commodities. Therefore, in the Northern hemisphere, activities of portfolio investors and traders provided a smokescreen for the prosperity experienced. Leverage in public expenditure to finance non-economic projects including expensive social programmes and wars ensured the prosperity of this era hard no economic roots, and thus couldn’t provide the basis for sustainable job creation. Even the ‘temporary’ jobs that were created in the banking sector and by the shadow banks have evaporated in the same way the public sector has been shedding unsustainable jobs. In the Southern hemisphere, government treasuries became bloated quite alright. But counter-

cyclical fiscal policy reforms which several African countries had embraced (for good end) also meant that government could not invest, knee jerk, into the productive sectors. Indeed, I am referring to a period that even coincided with privatisation of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) because of negative experiences of collapse of business entities government had directly invested in. External earnings in a lot of the developing economies therefore went into building of reserves as buffers to help counter possible external shocks, wage increases for civil servants and pre-investment activities including audits, restructuring and feasibility studies. In the Nigerian situation, getting round vested interests and balancing the politics with the appropriate solution identification, at the very least, slowed down reform execution as would be noted with the power sector. Apart from the challenge of economic restructuring in much of the developing countries, there is a weak link between high external receipts through sales of commodities and job creation. Nigeria is one of the countries where this has become common knowledge amongst policymakers, who are now making determined efforts at ensuring job creation to absorb manpower that is added to the economy yearly. All about job creation We are used to job creation as a key campaign message when candidates for U. S. President stand on the electoral campaign soapbox. But the Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has brought job creation into the centre of economic policy in Nigeria. In this regard, youth employment has been prioritised across the formal and informal sectors. It is useful for Nigerians to know, for the purpose of support and participation, the various channels through which the government is delivering on the important goal of job creation. A recent presentation at the Ministerial Platform by the Federal Ministry of Finance saw Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy & Honourable Minister of Finance and Dr. Yerima Ngama, Honourable Minister of

State of Finance highlight efforts and results so far achieved under the various programmes to create employment for the youth. Under the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!) Programme, young entrepreneurs and youths aspiring to own their businesses are being trained. Over 12,000 young people have so far benefitted from this initiative. It doesn’t stop at training. Smart business projects are being selected for funding. A gender component to the programme has seen 1,200 women funded to take their businesses to the next level. On the aggregate, over 14,000 jobs have been created in the early stages of YouWiN! By 2015, at least 80,000 jobs would have been created through support of youth entrepreneurship. I am particularly thrilled by the community service and graduate internship innovation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). The programme has a lofty target of generating 370,000 jobs for the youth annually. So far, 178,000 jobs have been created under the programme. The graduate internship programme has already placed 50,000 graduates in private sector organisations where good corporate ethos and seeing business ideas in operation will positively impact start up businesses of tomorrow. What is left is for Nigerian youths to come forward and demonstrate their talents and readiness to take their destiny in their hands by being creative, enterprising and supportive of government efforts. On a broader level, we are seeing across the country, at Federal and State levels, programmes that are delivering jobs through infrastructure development and maintenance, urban renewal and housing projects, investment in tourism and reforms in the agriculture sector. Indeed, the Federal Government, through relevant MDAs, is coordinating investment and funding for job creation in the frontier areas including agriculture, ICT and manufacturing. When it gathers momentum, implementation of the reforms in the oil and gas sector is expected to contribute to development of new and not-so-new industries in the midstream and downstream sub sectors. Nexim in the mix At Nexim Bank, we are pursuing a strategy that connects our funding to job creation. As I had mention in my past articles, we have prioritised Manufacturing, Agriculture, Solid Minerals and Services sectors (The MASS Agenda of Nexim Bank) because these have high capacities to provide export revenues and creation of jobs. With over N29 billion in disbursements to these sectors since August 2009, Nexim Bank has been able to support creation and sustenance of more than 27,000 jobs. In the process, Nexim Bank has generated over $230 million foreign exchange earnings for the economy, ensuring that the quest for a more diverse base for external earnings for the Nigerian economy is achieving scale. Export businesses can count on the partnership of Nigerian Export – Import Bank. We have an array of products and services to support non-oil exporters. Because a lot of the businesses we support are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Nexim Bank is providing hand-holding functions for entrepreneurs through information and advisory services for entry into foreign markets. To make this more impacting, Nexim seriously needs to start giving buyers’ credit guarantee facilities to potential buyers of Nigerian manufactured goods outside the country, as obtainable from other top-notch EXIM Banks, including U.S. Exim, Exim India, etc to improve the competitiveness of our products. Conclusion The challenge across the world’s economies today is how to create jobs for the citizens, especially young people. Finding sustainable solutions to high unemployment rates has seen governments take more active role through catalytic policies. In Nigeria, we are seeing strong responses towards stemming youth unemployment by President Goodluck Jonathan. Some of the initiatives of his Administration which I have not mentioned here are subjects of my subsequent articles. Suffice to say here that McKinsey, in its Africa at Work: Job Creation and Inclusive Growth 2012 report projects that 72 million new wage-paying jobs will be created on the continent in the next decade, quite apart from other employment types. Nigeria holds a frontline position in making this to happen. Therefore, citizens’ response to government initiatives for job creation needs to be positive, active and proactive. Roberts Orya is Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export – Import Bank

46 YourMoney

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535

By Abiodun Obisesan celebrity, according to Hershey Firedman and Linda Friedman in their paper Endorser Effectiveness “is a personality (actor, entertainer or athlete) who is known to the public for his or her accomplishment in areas other than the product class endorsed.” The usage of celebrities as brand ambassador within the ambits of marketing communications has become a veritable communication tool, which brand owners have consistently explored to position their respective brands thereby giving them the top of mind awareness with consumer. Besides, the emergence of Marshal McLuhan’s envisioned ‘global village’ through the renewed impact of the mass media, heightened by the digital media expansion have made the business of celebrity branding a huge money-spinning project. This explains the reason why International Sport icons and entertainment super stars like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Rihanna, Bill Cosby, Shakira, Zenedine Zedane, David Beckham, Serena Williams and the like, have elevated the business earnings from endorsements far beyond their earning in their respective profession. No doubt, the phenomenal rise of celebrity ambassador branding and endorsement in the overall mechanics of advertising and branding has brought more innovative marketing and communications solutions for multinationals and other brand custodians. Large corporations have come to realize that the overall image of a brand ambassador within society is an integral element to attract consumer attention and patronage. However, in spite of the flashy, aesthetic, ostentatious and embellishing trappings of brand ambassadors and their seemingly magical impact on the brand. Questions have been raised on how brands in developed economies react with fury whenever their ambassadors falter. While this is true of advanced societies, brands in Nigeria and, by extension, African countries continue to allow an embat-

Do Scandals Affect Celebrity Branding in Nigeria? tled brand ambassador handle their image even when there are issues bordering on scandals and misdemeanour. One could recall that in the wake of Tiger Woods’ late 2009 car accident and the following acknowledgement by Woods of marital infidelity, AT&T and Accenture, Gillette (owned by Proctor & Gamble), and Gatorade all promptly cut their sponsorship ties with him. Invariably, these global brand owners are being mindful and circumspect about the attendant repercussion the negative publicity a sport colossus in that mould can have on their respective brands. This is because a brand ambassador creates an association in the mind of the customers between that person and the brand Similarly, the hue and cry of the global media about the doping scandal of track star, Marion Jones can never be shed aside in a hurry. When she finally admitted that she indeed used steroids and lied to prosecutors in the grand jury the backlash from the sports world, her fans, and the entire public clearly rubbished the huge brand equity she had earned over the years. In the same breath, American cyclist, Lance Armstrong, winner of seven Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005, was not only stripped of his title, he was also banned for life from the sport by the International Cycling Union. The reason was not farfetched. After series of public and court denial, Armstrong owned up to having spiked his system with anabolic steroids. He was estimated to have lost over $10 million in endorsement opportunities. More startling revelations have also hit the global media space with brand ambassadors surrounding doping and other scandals. The list is endless: Ben Johnson, Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell. This is because brand ambassadors are often influential people identified by a business or product in a

Akindele specific industry or category. It also instructive to note that in the event of scandal on the part of these brand ambassadors, brands suffer inestimable loss. On the Nigerian landscape, it is a different ball game entirely. The advent of brand ambassadorship which has empowered Nollywood stars, music super stars and the like with mouth-watering sums of money seems to overlook the possible calamity an embattled brand ambassador could have on the brand. Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw’s marital debacle and the shine this development takes away from the Onga family show is a case in point. The core brand message of that communication project seemed diluted by her devalued marital status. With the rate telecommunication organisations are signing on Nollywood stars and musicians, one can only wish that these brand ambassadors do

Armstrong not erode the brand equity of such brand. One can only be modest in mentioning some brand ambassadors like Anita Hogan, Jim Iyke, Tuface Idibia, Davido, and a host of others whose impropriety and scandals have raised a lot of questions about their status as brand ambassadors. The recent Facebook divorce of Funke Akindele has become a major talking point among brand analysts, especially being a brand icon of a popular Telecommunications giant, Globacom, Vita Foam and Qlichy.com. No doubt, these brands have a tough decision to make regarding the possible celebrity gossip that is bound to trail Funke’s crashed marriage and the possible impact it could have on their respective brands. Would this be the case? It appears to be too close to call because experience has shown that brands in Nigeria

are indifferent to the possible impact embattled brand ambassadors could have on their brands. In the words of Mr Yomi Badejo Okusanya, CEO of CMC Connect the reason for diverse reaction could be in the cultural differences of the two regions. ‘‘I am of the opinion that our brand ambassadors, in this part of the world have discharged their duties remarkably well. Those scandals abroad that attracted global attention were mostly criminal in nature. Oscar Pistorius killed someone and Lance Armstrong misled the world for a long time and they paid for it. Nigeria’s brand ambassadors’ misdemeanours have been more on the moral side. You know, our environment is much milder and accommodating on this kind of issue. This might be a strong indictor why our brand owners react differently.”

In the opinion of a Public Relations expert and Managing Partner of TrueContact, Ken Egbas, getting these stars to be seen using their products or services and the expectant domino effect on the populace is what leads to product endorsement by brands or prominent personalities. “This convergence point becomes the foundation that the brands marketing team builds their campaign on. When this is properly it can produce positive results, but in times of crisis, owing to perhaps a misconduct by a celebrity endorser, subtle sub-campaign can be waged to accentuate the values that brought about the ‘marriage in the first place”. He concluded by offering enduring nuggets to brands. “In Nigeria, I really do not see most of these brands carrying out thorough research on the impacts of these celebrities on their brands, I mean a preduring- after campaign research to see how the relationship is faring. This is what has led to most brands even using the wrong choices of celebrities in the first place. I also think these are reasons why most marketing teams are unable to navigate the multiple product endorsement by these celebrities, which by the way, has a negative impact on customers purchasing intentions. It has been discovered that the number of products a celebrity endorses negatively influences consumer perception of the endorser and the endorsement itself”. The use of celebrities to influence brand acceptance, create brand awareness and enhance patronage in Nigeria is gaining currency by the day. The challenge however, is that, sometimes the celebrity falls into bad waters and this ultimately affects the brand. This means that, while the marketers relish in the benefits of using these supposed icons to leverage their brands, they should also not forget to put in place a crisis template, per chance something goes wrong with the icon, so that the organisation will not be caught napping or the brand left with a slur. Again, there is also the need to deploy a lot of creativity in using these celebs, if the marketer must

Pernod Ricard Holds Campaign To Promote Responsible Drinking, Driving ECENTLY, Pernod Ricard R Nigeria held its Responsib’All Day campaign,

as part of the company’s CSR initiative, to introduce a culture of responsible drinking across all ages in Nigeria, from the point of retail to the outlets. Responsib’All day, an initiative created by Pernod Ricard has been practiced globally for years and is devoted to combating underage drinking and drink- driving. Every year, over 18,000 employees of Pernod Ricard in 70 Countries pass one message with one voice… Responsible drinking. “We want to deliver a message of moderation so that alcohol consumption remains a pleasurable experience, synonymous with festivities and conviviality” said Patrick Ricard. Pernod Ricard Recommends Zero Alcohol for underage individuals and has set two objectives; delaying the age of the first drink and delaying

the age of first intoxication. To promote responsible drinking, employees of Pernod Ricard Nigeria set out to spread knowledge about Alcohol and Safety Driving for Nigerians of all ages. With partners such as FRSC, The Palms Shopping Centre, CFAO, SMOOTH 98.1 FM, Bellanaija, Lost In Lagos, Maestro Media and volunteers like celebrity advocacy and YMCA, they joined forces to promote the first Responsib’All Day Nigeria. The program kicked off at the Ojota Motor Park, Ojota, Lagos by engaging the public transport drivers and passengers in various activities including a talk on the hazards of drink driving, to which they were very responsive. Pernod Ricard Nigeria employees handed out “Don’t Drink and Drive” T-shirts and with the permission of the vehicle owners, displayed stickers with the same tag line

on public transport vehicles. After leaving the motor park, the MD Of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Dariusz Opierowiec along with Sade Fagbola and FRSC representative, Segun Ogungbemide featured on Smooth 98.1 FM, to further enlighten listeners on the danger of irresponsible drinking, not just in drivers but also for underage drinking. At noon, the awareness continued at The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, Lagos. Shoppers were handed fliers on the importance of responsible drinking. They also got a chance to write messages to friends and loved ones that were lost due to drunk driving by signing special messages on the “Canvas of Memories”. Later in the day, the Pernod Ricard Nigeria employees together with its partners and volunteers gathered for cocktails at Soul Lounge to celebrate the first edition of the event. Pernord Ricard is currently

co-leader in the premium spirits globally with a presence in 70 countries and our global brands include Absolut Vodka, Chivas , Martell, Malibu, Mumm , Jameson Irish Whisky, Perrier

Jouet and many more. Pernod Ricard advocates responsible drinking and ensures that commercial communications do not encourage or condone excessive consumption or misuse

of any kind. The Group Supports public Health Authorities, promotes dialogue with the community and funds research projects.

A cross-section of drivers and NURTW officials at Ojota motor-park being addressed by officials of Pernod Ricard and FRSC about responsible drinking and driving

YourMoney 47

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

BRANDNEWS

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

Falcon Petroleum Empowers Women

One-Day Lagos Governor Visits Dufil

JCI Sweeps Lagos Market

S part of its Corporate Social Responsibility thrust, one of Nigeria’s leading Oil & Gas conglomerates and operator of the Ikorodu Natural Gas Distribution Franchise Zone, Ikorodu, Falcon Petroleum Limited has empowered 58 women within the Ikorodu community through her Vocational Skills Acquisition and Women Empowerment Programme. The CSR initiative entails a 3-month intensive vocational training in four key areas (Bead Making & Wire Works, Catering, Decoration & Events Management and Dress Making & Design), a mandatory one-month industrial placement and an endowment pack to start-up and run gainful business ventures all on the bill of Falcon Petroleum. Speaking recently at the graduation ceremony of the beneficiaries held at the Rainbow Event Centre, Itokin, Ikorodu, Managing Director, Falcon Petroleum Limited, Professor Joseph Ezigbo described the initiative as the company’s way of giving back to the society by empowering the less privileged women and also to entrench a better relationship with its host community-Ikorodu. Ezigbo noted that this gesture is in consonance with the ‘Train a woman, Train a Nation’ maxim geared towards empowering the women to become self-sufficient and financially capable of sustaining self, family and the country at large.

HE winner of the Indomie 2013, National Spelling Bee Competition, Master, Boadley Juwon Afolarin, who emerged this year’s one-day Governor, on Monday, July 22, paid a courtesy call to the corporate headquarters of Dufil Prima Foods, major sponsor of the annual spelling Bee competition. Master Boadley’s courtesy call, which is the first of his official visit, is intended to say thank you to Dufil Prima Foods for its huge support of the Spelling Bee competition. The one-day Governor was accompanied by state executives and other media

UNIOR Chamber International (JCI) Eko recently held its 2013 Jaimed “Clean Up Lagos,” a corporate social responsibility activity at maintaining an hygienic environment and also

partners who took turns in commending the company for its unrelenting support of the National spelling Bee competition and education as a whole. Speaking during the visit, the one-day governor thanked Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie noodles for ensuring that the grand finale of the competition was a huge success. Boadley expressed appreciation to Dufil, saying he was impressed with Indomie for partnering with the Lagos State Government by being the title sponsor of the competition.

Agencies Must Challenge Clients on New Thinking - EXP Boss HE Chief Executive Officer of EXP Nigeria and organisers of T Africa Experiential Marketing Summit (AEMS), Wole Olagundoye has urged agencies in experiential marketing

From right. Honourable Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Lagos State, Engr. Taofiq Tijani presenting a certificate to one of the beneficiaries of the Falcon Petroleum Limited CSR Women Empowerment Programme in Ikorodu Community, Tanwa Agboola while the Managing Director, Falcon Petroleum Limited, Prof. Joseph Ezigbo watches at the graduation ceremony in Lagos on Thursday.

business and others to continually challenges conservative clients to embrace new thinking in the profession rather than always being scared of doing anything beyond traditional realms. Olagundoye, who recently hosted the 2013 Africa Experiential Marketing Summit in Lagos, also promised to consolidate on the successes recorded at the maiden edition of the summit in Nigeria. He said, “Whereas we cannot do all these things, the clients on the brand side need to begin to develop the courage to do these things because they are always scared of doing anything that is beyond traditional realms. We have to start to challenge these frontiers and push these boxes as well.” Olagundoye said the goal of the company is to differentiate itself in the marketplace. “For us, this is how to differentiate ourselves in the market.

impacting on people’s healthy living habit. The cleaning exercise which held at the Ojuwoye market and its environ in Mushin Local government area of Lagos was declared opened by the Oba of Mushin, HRH Oba Fatai Aileru who expressed gratitude to the initiators of the “laudable project” and their supporters for deeming it fit to bring the project to Mushin. He implored the people to support the project and to always maintain clean and hygienic environment where they live and do business. The “Clean Up Lagos” exercise also saw top movie and music celebrities, which include Yemi Solade, Kenny Saint-Brown and Eedris Abdukarim actively participating in the exercise that lasted about three hours. The trio led the throng of JCI members and market men and women to clean the environment. To make the event a composite health package, participants were given free bars of Lifebuoy soap to impress the benefits of proper hand washing and total protection against germs. Speaking on the event, President, JCI Eko, Jide Adeyemi explained that the annual “Clean Up Lagos” by the members, volunteers and some Nigerian A-list celebrities is “an environmental sanitation project aimed at impacting on the community the importance of a cleaner environment to healthy living and increased life expectancy”. The annual event is a way the chapter contributes its quota to environmental development and well-being of the people, thereby advancing the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7, “Ensure environmental sustainability” corroborated the Project Chairman, Fumi Ayodele. Speaking on the activity, the category manager, Skincare, Unilever Plc, Rotimi Ogunsiji explained that Lifebuoy, a brand from Unilever Plc teamed up with JCI Eko because the “clean up Lagos” a social course activity is in line with what the brand stands for. Speaking at the end of the exercise, the three celebrities expressed satisfaction being a part of the project and pledged to always be available for the project they described as “touching the people’s lives”. Apart from Unilever Plc - the Lifebuoy, other partners on the project include Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

Renaissance Credit’s Money Solutions To Lagos Residents few weeks after obtaining A a state license from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Renaissance Credit Nigeria, the international consumer finance company has opened an outlet at Kings Plaza, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere. This outlet is the first of many, as the company plans to roll out outlets all over the state to meet the needs of consumers by offering its simple money solutions which include Cash Loans between N50, 000 and N500, 000 in 24 hours, Point of Sale Loans to purchase household appliances and electronics at various retail outlets in the state; and its savings products which come with attractive interest rates. “By spreading our reach across Lagos State, we are

delivering our business objective of making consumer loans more accessible to middle to low income earners in Lagos State”, says Mr. Oluwole Emeya, Vice President Sales, Renaissance Credit Nigeria. On his part, CEO of the company, Mr. Olusegun Akintemi, stated that “the choice of Surulere comes naturally, as the population of the region is largely made up of the individuals who fall within the company’s target market.” With its wealth of experience in consumer finance and backed by leading technology provided by T24 and Experian, Renaissance Credit is well equipped to deliver unparalleled consumer satisfaction to its customers across the state.

Customers Laud BA’s Efforts On Traveling With Children OR most parents, travelling with children can be a major headache. But not so for British Airways customers who have benefitted immensely from the measures the airline has put in place to improve the comfort and travelling experience of passengers travelling with children, as well as kids travelling alone. From Lagos to Istanbul, Cape Town to Hong Kong, Cairo to London, it’s been the same case of satisfied customers stepping off from aircrafts with warm smiles on their faces, and commendations for the airline. For one parent, Lolade Bamidele, a UK-based Nigerian businesswoman, what impresses her most is the care and dedication of British Airways’ cabin crew to her three-year old daughter during flights between Lagos and London. Another customer, Mrs. Tolu Pinheiro, CEO of Lifestyle Collectables, spoke in the same vein, and commended BA’s crew assigned to its World Traveller Plus cabin, describing them as ‘fantastic.’ Her very words: “I flew from London to Lagos on BA75 flight May 17, and I would like to commend British Airways on the fantastic crew assigned to the World Traveller Plus cabin. The entire team was fantastic; the service for me was first class treatment. After take-off, the entire staff was so polite, pleasant and happy to serve.”

L-R Dan Hanover, Editor & Founder of Event Marketer Magazine (USA), Carol Abade CEO Exp Group, Kim Skildum-Reid, Sponsorship Author & Consultant (Australia) Olu Akanmu, Thought Leader in strategy, Management and Policy at 2013 African Experiential Marketing Summit (AEMS) held at the Civic Center Lagos Friday, July 12, 2013

WSI Sets Standards For Internet Marketing S part of efforts to provide A innovative digital marketing solutions for clients, besides developing and executing results-oriented marketing strategies, which are tailored to clients specific needs, an internet Savvy institution, WSI-Axon has set new standards for internet marketing in Nigeria. According to Head, Digital Marketing, WSI-AXON Nigeria, Ms. Amara Nwankwo, “ if you have invested in a traditional marketing strategy but haven’t fully explored the possibilities of digital marketing and you want to earn its benefits, WSI is the way to go.” “As a business owner, perhaps you have an existing Internet marketing campaign you’d like to augment, or a core digital strategy that works for you but you’re missing a piece of the puzzle, such as social media or mobile marketing. No matter where you are on the spectrum of digital marketing, WSI canhelp,” she said. She added that whether it’s a dynamic website design, search engine optimization,

email marketing, or the emerging and exciting worlds of social media and mobile marketing, WSI is on the cutting edge of what’s possible to discover what works for your organization. “Over the years, most companies used the traditional marketing platforms to achieve their marketing goals. In recent times, the business world has changed and currently operates at a faster rate; the internet has therefore been employed by a lot of companies to realize their objectives. Hence, it is therefore advisable for companies to follow this lead and take up this profitable trend.” She said. Ms. Nwankwo noted that the benefits of using digital marketing are to achieve measurable results and objectives;making business decisions using real data and qualitative results; digital marketing affords companies the opportunity to reachtheir target audience exactly where thereis direct and immediate feedback from customers.

JCI Eko President, ‘Jide Adeyemi, Olori and H.R.H Oba Fatai Aileru (Oba of Mushin)cleaning the Ojuwoye market, Mushin during the Clean-Up Lagos project of JCI Eko…recently

Pedabo Consulting Admits Khanoba As Partner S part of their pursuit to build a world class professional A and consulting firm, the Directors of Pedabo Associates Limited has announced the admission of Mr Killian Khanoba as a Partner. Killian who holds an MBA Degree with over 15 years professional experience in taxation, Audit and Financial Management consulting is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. The new position took effect from the 1 April 2013. Recently, well-wishers in the industry gathered to wish him all the best as he begins this new journey in his career path. Killian joined Pedabo in 2009 as a senior consultant and rose through the ranks involved in service delivery to the Firm’s clients in financial services, banking, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, oil and gas and many other sectors. Through the years before becoming a partner, Killian has brought in a depth of experience and value adding contributions to the Firm’s growth and success. He has displayed excellent skills and impacted positively on all staff and to the firm as a whole.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

48 |

NEWSMAKER

‘To Sustain Businesses, Nigerians Must Develop Company Culture With Best Practices’

Langkraeur

Julia Langkraeur, an entrepreneur, is a member of the Entrepreneurship Leadership Committee and a certified global trainer with Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO), a global non-profit organization engaging entrepreneurs worldwide to grow businesses. Recently, she was in Nigeria as lead faculty for EO Nigeria’s two-day conference which featured board members’ strategy meeting and forum trainers forum. On the sidelines of the conference, she spoke with OLAWUNMI OJO on how EO intends to entrench entrepreneurship through mentorship and promote sustainability in businesses, among other issues. You play a significant role in Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) globally as a certified trainer. How did it all start for you? am from a little tiny town in the middle of nowhere in the United States but I now live in the great, big city of London. I’ve been in London for 16 years; I’m a dual-citizen now. The things that truly drive me are to travel, which explains why I’ve travelled all over the globe. I love experiencing and seeing different cultures. I love interacting and learning from businessmen and women in different countries. I’ve been to 75

countries, trained over 800 members and I’ve also trained entrepreneurs in 18 countries. I have been a member of Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, London, UK chapter since 2003, and became a certified forum trainer in 2007. I have been involved in leadership, volunteering for board divisions on the local chapter and then working on the regional council. While working on the regional council as regional director, managing the region of Europe, Middle East and Africa, I hosted all EO Presidents’ meeting in London. That was when I met these two gentlemen who today are the President and Publicity Chairman of EO Nigeria; they were looking to launch the Nigerian chapter. That was how we started talking about how EO could help entrepreneurs in Lagos. That was January 2012. How does EO help individual entrepreneurs to develop their businesses, most especially those entrepreneurs from developing countries like Nigeria? The mission of the organisation is to engage leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow. It delivers the mission in three ways. First is the peer-to-peer learning through local fora, local leadership positions and through network. Basically, it gets entrepreneurs together so they can share and learn from each other. Second is what I call once in a lifetime experiences - members have opportunity of attending regional conferences around the globe, having access to intensive entrepreneurial masters’ programme, among others. Third, they are connected to experts, who provide mentorship, which exposes them to varied areas of entrepreneurship. From your interaction with EO members in Nigeria, what traits have you observed peculiar to them and the country?

I had a very positive experience both with the EO Lagos entrepreneurs and visiting Lagos as a tourist. First, I am impressed with the persistence, tenacity and passion of the members I met who want to grow strong, profitable companies with international standards. They are hungry to learn from their peers in Lagos, and from members in other chapters around the world, both in their specific industry and different industries for contrast and comparison. Can you say there is opportunity for entrepreneurial growth in Nigeria? The first thing that I have realised is the opportunity for entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The population size and potential of the economy is enormous. I see how entrepreneurial organisations have grown in other countries and I thought they could really help Nigeria specifically. That is why EO now has a chapter in Lagos. What does EO seek to achieve globally and in Nigeria? There are three things that EO does. It puts entrepreneurs in the same room and gives them a structure to enable them learn from each other; it connects them to experts when they need it, and it gives them access. So, EO Nigeria would affect how entrepreneurs grow their businesses. And if we can grow businesses quicker and bigger, we can employ more people. If we can employ more people, we can then have a lasting effect on the economy. If you are an entrepreneur and you have the support of systems like the EO, which is like a family, when you are faced with challenges like power failure, and competing with multinational companies, you can strategise, brainstorm and come up with various experiences to share, to survive the difficult times. So, generally, you need to have a support network of other peers that have been through different experiences

other than you. And that’s what EO is all about. That is why I am so happy for Nigerians because if we can grow this organisation, we can be the support mechanism for entrepreneurs and the generations to come. How does EO encourage women involvement and support women entrepreneurs in running their businesses? Women only account for about 10 to 12 per cent of the total EO membership. My personal goal is to actually encourage women entrepreneurs to take part in organisations like this so they can have a balance above their work-life, family-life, and for themselves personally. By extension, I also want support them to grow their businesses because women manage businesses slightly differently from men. There is proven statistics about gender difference. Women use their intuition, so we manage differently and can still mange very big businesses. We want to be able to manage businesses, and have family, and raise fantastic children. EO helps women entrepreneurs by supporting them with peer groups and expert advice whenever they need it. I’ve met two women entrepreneurs here in Nigeria that are both EO members. I was impressed with their ability to create a work/life balance while still having ambitious plans and goals for their respective businesses. One is Funmi Babington-Ashaye and the other is a woman called Shade. Funmi is a widow, and she has raised her own children. And I think if women can see role models like her, they can see a way through the challenges they face. EO give them a peer group that they can lean on and rely on through difficult times. It is the same thing with males. The males in EO are looking to have a better work-life balance too. They want to have more time with their family and raise responsible children. They want to have meaningful relationships. So, EO doesn’t just focus on businesses and how we can help people in business, it focuses on their business, their family, personal lives, and also on the community. So, it is all encompassing. What other support program do you have, especially for young women and youths to grow their businesses? We have many programmes around the globe. The Nigerian chapter is very young. We have a GSE (Global Students Entrepreneurs) programme for entrepreneurs that are in school. They can be in high school or university. We also go and find those students that have become entrepreneurs and support them through competitions. You raise them up and give them a peer group and show them other entrepreneurs around the globe that are still students. We also have mentorship programs for entrepreneurs in EO. It is about the full chain of helping, giving to the organisation and giving back. We give back through volunteers, we give back through mentoring, and we give back by helping young entrepreneurs as well. Business sustainability is a problem in a country like Nigeria; what advice do you have for Nigerian businessmen and women on how to sustain their businesses? I would encourage all entrepreneurs to use best practices in developing their company culture, best hiring practices, identifying their niche or expertise, evaluating margins and establishing efficient business processes in order to build and grow sustainable businesses. I personally use a lot of best practices, which I learned from both business experts and my peers in the organisation. I believe these best practices are of vital importance in an economy like Nigeria. What are those basic requirements that keep business thriving from your experience as an entrepreneur? For me, those requirements are that: One must have a good company culture, continue to hire, train and inspire players and identify a welldefined industry, sector, and market niche. Besides, you must know your unique selling propositions and be able to identify your target prospects. You must also know the selling process or selling cycle, and close the right clients. You must continue to re-evaluate and develop strategies to grow the business so you have a sustainable, re-occuring revenue streams and profit in order to manage your

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 27, 2013 49

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Ekweremmadu

Mark

Whether For Citizenship Or Marriage, Girl-Child Must Be Protected By Godwin Ijediogor OR the records, the issue at stake during the Fweek, deliberation and voting in the senate last regarding what has come to be known as the child-marriage debate, was the right of a woman to renounce her citizenship of Nigeria and at what age and marital status that right conferred. Section 29 of the 1979 Constitution (as amended) allows a Nigerian citizen of ‘full age’ (18 years and above) to renounce his or her citizenship by declaration in a prescribed manner for the renunciation. Actually, there nothing new in that section and some wonder why the agitation over it, just that most Nigerians appear to have misunderstood or misinterpreted the import of the senate deliberations, thereby misconstruing it to be all about child marriage. Many believe this to be so in a country where the privileged explore any perceived loophole or lacuna to get away with some things that should ordinarily be criminal or against the norm. The Senate Committee on Review of the Constitution Committee had recommended the deletion of Subsection 4(b) of Section 29, which says “any woman, who is married, shall be deemed to be of full age,” from the constitution on the grounds that citizenship rights are not specific to gender. The senate had earlier passed, by a two-thirds majority, Clause 4, Section 29 (4) (a) of the constitution, which states that “for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section (a), ‘full age’ means 18 years and above,” and Section 29 (4) (b), which adds that “any woman, who is married, shall be deemed to be of full age.” Interestingly, the move to retain the clause was championed by former Zamfara State governor, Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima who it was introduced what the then President Olusegun Obasanjo called ‘political Sharia’ into the Nigerian system. Yerima allegedly lobbied his northern colleagues against the removal of the clause. It would be recalled that Yerima sometime ago reportedly married a 15-year-old and divorced her two years later, at 17. He was said to have earlier prevailed on her to drop out of

school for the marriage, only for him to divorce her two years later to marry a 13-yearold daughter of his Egyptian driver, so as to remain within the limit of four wives at a time permitted by Islam. The former governor had argued that a girl, regardless of her age, once married, assumes full mental capacity to renounce her citizenship and deleting Subsection 4(b) would be against Islamic tenets. He stated that the clause violated the tenets of Islamic Law, saying it tacitly criminalises marriage to girls under 18. He argued that the National Assembly lacks such power, in view of Item 61 under Part 1 of the 2nd Schedule of the Constitution, which bars it from legislating on any issue that concerns Islamic or traditional matters. A second vote, widely seen as controversial, defeated the initial ‘yes’ vote, which had retained Clause 4, as those pushing for its retention failed to garner the two-thirds vote needed to defeat Yerima’s position. By the same token, the senator successfully convinced his colleagues to retain, rather than delete, Section 29 (4) (b), which says “any woman, who is married, shall be deemed to be of full age.” Simply put, an under-aged, once married, becomes woman enough to be conferred that right, thereby giving hunters of young and under-aged girls for marriage the legal coverage. And removing that clause, as attempted by the senate, would have exposed those intending to marry (or had married) under-aged girls to the wrath of the law. This would have caught many parents who give away their adolescent girls for marriage at an early age and indeed their (prospective) husbands, in the web. That the idea was championed by Yerima whose antecedents above made many uncomfortable, raised further suspicion concerning the ulterior motive of the move; hence the criticism trailing the senate deliberation/action, especially from non-governmental organisations and women and girlchild rights advocates. Under Section 21 of the Child’s Rights Act of Nigeria, it is an offence to marry any person

Child marriage is an appalling violation of human rights and robs girls of their education, health and long-term prospects. A girl, who is married as a child, is one whose potential will not be fulfilled. below the age of 18. Violation attracts a punishment of N500, 000 or five-year jail term, or both. Thirty-five senators, led by Yeima, voted against the committee’s recommendation that the sub-section be deleted. In Nigeria, particularly in the northern states, child marriage is a common phenomenon, mainly for cultural and pecuniary reasons. Some children are given out in marriage to men as old as their fathers right from birth and over time, made to withdraw from school to begin new lives as wives. Many of those married off so early become mothers when they are still children and are susceptible to diseases associated with early sexual activity and childbearing, especially with older men, such as Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF, leakage of urine into the vagina) or and Recto-Vaginal Fistula (RVF, leakage of feaces into the vagina) and the attendant stigma and rejection. Globally, Nigeria ranked 10th in maternal deaths in 2010 and 15th in infant mortality last year. Already, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), worried by Yerima’s stance that the deletion of that subsection is at variance with Islamic law, said “it presupposes that Nigeria, a secular state, is populated only by Muslims.” According to CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor: “Yerima is again advertently stirring up another controversy about the supremacy of Islamic law to the Nigerian constitution, after the one he raised when he

introduced Sharia, the Islamic legal code, in Zamfara State. “As a senator whose case of marrying a 13year-old Egyptian girl is still fresh in the memory of Nigerians, Yerima should only be seen and not heard in matters of this nature. “If he is now commenting on a case in which he has interest, it can only mean the action of someone trying to get himself out of the hook through some undeserved legislation.” Oritsejafor appealed to senators, and indeed the legislators, not to use their rights as lawmakers to harm children below the age of 18, but to choose the interest of these children above their own. “These girls should be allowed to develop individually because this resolution, if implemented, would hound girls below 18 years into marriages they know nothing about,” he said. But the senate last Tuesday sought to douse the tension raised by its failure to delete the controversial sub-section, insisting that childmarriage was not part of issues recommended for amendment in the constitution. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Chairman of the committee and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said there was nothing new in that section, having being in existence since 1979. He urged Nigerians to show understanding and possibly read the section to understand that the issue has nothing to do with early marriage or Islam, assuring a revisit, if Nigerians feel strongly about it. “We have no Bill to approve early marriage. We are not sponsoring any Bill against Islam. This particular provision has been in our Constitution since 1979. “Ours was an attempt to remove that aspect, so that men and women would have equal footing, regarding the issue of renunciation of citizenship. And we will never support early marriage,” he stressed. Ekweremadu disclosed that majority of the senators actually voted for the deletion of the sub-section, but the effort failed because it could not secure 73 votes, representing the two-thirds majority, required to get it passed. In the same vein, senate spokesman,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

COVER Whether For Citizenship Or Marriage, The Girl-Child Must Be Protected CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 Eyinnaya Abaribe, said no interpretation of the sub-section could be found in the constitution, emphasizing that what was done during the voting had to do with the issue of renunciation of citizenship and the manner and method by which it could be done. He explained: “Prior to this time, if you are a Nigerian woman and you are married to a man who is a foreigner, the man cannot be a Nigerian citizen on the basis of that marriage. But the senate has amended that. “With respect to child-marriage, the National Assembly has a law, the Child Right Act, which stipulates that marriage age is 18 years and above and a contradiction of the Act attracts a fine of N500, 000.” But despite these explanations and clarifications from the senate, the campaign against the resolution is not abating. Rather, it is becoming intense as more individuals and groups/organisations join the fray. Some of them are already collecting signatures to force another vote on the clause, ostensibly in tandem with Ekweremadu’s assurance, while others have started mobilizing to make the House of Representatives to take a different line. A recent study, quoted by Dimeji Daniels, a concerned Nigerian, revealed that despite the dangers and risks associat-

ed with child marriage and efforts being made globally to check the trend, the statistics in Nigeria showed that 20 per cent of girls are married before the age of 15. In the Northwest zone, 48 per cent of girls are married before age of 15, with 27 per cent of married girls aged between 15 and 19 involved in polygamous marriages, thereby compounding the emotional and psychological torture they are exposed to, given the attendant wrangling in polygamous homes, even in Muslim climes, where it is permitted. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), “only two per cent of 15 to 19-year-old married girls are in school, compared to 69 per cent of unmarried girls. “Some 73 per cent of married girls, compared to eight per cent of unmarried girls, received no schooling, and three out of four married girls cannot read at all.” On his part, Executive Director of UNPFA, Babatunde Osotimehin, said: “Child marriage is an appalling violation of human rights and robs girls of their education, health and long-term prospects. A girl, who is married as a child, is one whose potential will not be fulfilled.” The United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) said between 2011 and 2020, over than 140 million girls would become child brides worldwide, which is 14.2 million annually and 39, 000 daily. Of this figure, 50 million would marry before the age of 15.

Marrying Off Teenagers Cannot Have Religious Backing, Says Tofa

Sani-Yerima

Omotola Says No To ‘Paedophilia’ By Sony Neme

Tofa Form John Akubo, Dutse ORMER presidential candidate on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the botched 1993 election, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, has described any attempt by the Senate to endorse early marriage of teenage girls by conferring adulthood on them through any guise, as counterproductive. Speaking from Saudi Arabia on the controversial issue of early marriage of young girls, Tofa said: “I need not to go into the constitutional provisions as all these were exhaustively discussed by others. “The main issue is that marrying off young girls of immature age to anybody, young or old men, is of course, wrong. It is even worse if an innocent girl of young age is married off to an old man. “Some ignorant people, or shall I say mischievous people, will always use religion for per-

sonal and political ends. They hardly even care that they are dragging the image of ‘their’ religion into the mud. As long as they can satisfy their desires, for them, any statement is justified. “It is very sad when people of meagre knowledge about a matter do disseminate nonsense to an ignorant public, and most people who should know better keep mute about it. Which section of the Shari’a they are quoting when they say a matter is Islamic? Marrying off innocent young girls has nothing to do with religion; it is a bad and cruel socio-cultural practice that in these days and times must be rid off by whatever feasible means. “It is a practised by people who are backward, and who do not care about the progress of their communities or society at large. I would want the National Assembly to be brave enough, in the interest of progress, to enact a law that will prohibit the marrying off of girls that are below

the age of 18. “But, at the same time, governments, both federal and state, should give free education to all boys and girls whose parents are proven to be incapable of paying their fees up to the senior secondary school level, at least. “Thereafter, it should be the joint responsibility of governments and their communities to find ways of sponsoring promising students to attain their peaks at the tertiary levels,” he said. Tofa said education and education alone is the only way out for the country, adding that many of the young girls given out in marriage at an early age are a serious loss to society. He noted that some of them could have become doctors, engineers, teachers, top civil servants, diplomats and so on, but were cut off from society, either due to the poverty of their parents or the selfish interests of some male maniacs in the society. “The federal and state governments must raise their allocations to education in their annual budgets to somewhere near the 25 per cent that the United Nations (UN) recommends. “We must realise that without meaningful education, we will not go anywhere. Most of our problems in this country are a product of illiteracy and education is our best way out. “I call on all people who value the lives of these girls and the development of our societies to rise up and make a principled stand on this and other issues that drag us backwards. “Above all, people must understand that this has nothing whatsoever to do with the religion of Islam,” he stressed.

Some ignorant people, or shall I say mischievous people, will always use religion for personal and political ends. They hardly even care that they are dragging the image of ‘their’ religion into the mud. As long as they can satisfy their desires, for them, any statement is justified.

PEAKING in Yenagoa, the SSaturday Bayelsa State capital last during the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant on the senate vote as it concerns child marriage, Nollywood celebrity, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, kicked against any move to legalise child marriage under any facade. Jalade-Ekeinde, who was honoured at the colourful event, noted: “I say No to pedophilia and No to the senate action,” which tended to endorse child marriage in Nigeria. She added: “I am today one of the Most Influential Persons in the World because I wasn’t given off to marriage before the age of 18. “It scared and totally shocked me that the senate would not be passing a law ensuring that every child should compulsorily be enrolled in school. “A very alarming number of children today are on the streets hawking or have been abused, raped or married to men who should be protecting them. “Who protects the children of Nigeria? Would we wait for another Malala Yousafzai before we act? Should we now remove the parental caution on movies

Omolola

that says, ‘Not for persons below 18?’ “This is a call for justice and equity for children, especially the Nigerian girl-child, who has the right to quality education, childhood and the decision of whom and when to marry.” She continued: “They no longer stalk your daughters or give them gifts to engender their trust. All they need do is, hiding under the cover of religion, ask for a child’s hand in marriage. “Some of the senators supporting child marriage have their daughters in school. When they are tired of the child, either on account of expanded vagina or VVF, they jump on another kid from a poor family. They are the neo-pedophiles.”

Who protects the children of Nigeria? Would we wait for another Malala Yousafzai before we act? Should we now remove the parental caution on movies that says, ‘Not for persons below 18?’

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

COVER

No Age Factor In Islamic Marriage, Says MURIC mentators disrespect and contempt of Islamdom. What are these rules? The conditions of marriage in Islam are four: proposals and acceptance (al-Ijaab wa alqubuul), approval by both parents (ridaa alwaalidayn), payment of a dowry by the groom (almihr) and the presence of at least two male witnesses at the ceremony (shaahidayn ‘aadilayn). Age is, therefore, not part of the conditions that must be met before marriage can be solemnised in Islam. Where the bride is a ‘minor,’ Islam prescribes protective solemnisation of marriage without consummation. This means that the girl who is deemed to be of tender age is left untouched by the man until she attains puberty. Another major condition for child marriage is that the girl herself has the right to repudiate the marriage when she attains maturity, if she does not like her ‘spouse.’ What is MURIC’s position on abuses of such girls under the said marriage arrangement? MURIC believes that honourable and dignifyAkinola ing child marriage is better than child prostiProf Ishaq Akinola, Executive Director of tution which is rampant in Nigerian cities and red-light zones. Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), in this In comparison, the globalisation and promointerview with BANKOLE SHAKIRUDEEN tion of homosexualism and lesbianism is a ADESHINA, says Islamic religion does not direct challenge of the Creator’s divine order. put age factor in marriage, alleging that the Whereas child marriage involves two proud and happy families, same-sex marriage drives controversy seems aimed at discrediting families of the two parties underground, Islam as a religion. embarrassed and emotionally devastated. The notion of a secular Nigeria is an unmitiWhat is MURIC’s position on the issue of girl gated farce. We challenge those behind this child marriage? monumental deceit to produce the word ‘secN the raging controversy on child marriage as it affects the review of the Nigerian ular’ from the Nigerian constitution. How can you say Nigeria is a secular nation when the constitution, the Muslim Rights Concern word ‘secular’ is not in our constitution? It (MURIC) will like to put the records straight before too much damage is done to the polity. does not exist and it is a mirage. The fact of the matter is that Nigeria is a mulIslam is a complete way of life and its instituti-religious country. It is when some people tions (including that of marriage) are based want to rob Muslims of their Allah-given and on divinely ordained and well-documented fundamental rights that they label Nigeria ‘secrules. Whoever wishes to legislate constructively or ular.’ We, therefore, appeal to our lawmakers not comment objectively on any aspect of Islam to allow self-acclaimed constitutional ideomust, therefore, arm him/herself with the logues to railroad them into tampering with divine and documentary evidence. Anything the Allah-given and fundamental rights of short of this will earn lawmakers and com-

Muslims. Nigeria’s constitution must take into consideration, the various ethnic and religious groups to create a symphony. Any constitution that does not take these into consideration is not only draconian, but also designed to fail from the onset. For instance, the Nigerian matrimonial law which stipulates marriage to only one woman, is designed to cater for Christians. Legislators must leave alone those clauses which cater for Muslim marriage. Otherwise, they will be unfair to Muslims. We must all remember that justice is the soul of peace. MURIC appeals to Nigerians to learn the art of tolerance. We must learn to live with one another without attempting to bend any particular group towards a particular mindset. Let us learn to respect our differences. There can be no social cohesion unless we learn to accept Muslims as Muslims and respect their way of life. In the interest of peaceful coexistence, we advise Nigerians to resist further attempt to stereotype and stigmatise Muslims. It is paradoxical that some feminists and activists now claim to be defending the rights of the Muslim girl-child. Where were they when millions of Muslim women were disallowed from registering for votes in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and other states in the South on account of their wearing of hijab during the 2007 and 2011 general elections? Why have they remained silent since the Lagos female pupil was given 43 lashes of the cane by a heartless school principal? Is that not child abuse? Why did they leave the Muslims alone to clamour for redress? Parasites, pretenders and interlopers should stop poking their noses in the affairs of Muslims. Who wants his own daughter to suffer? These people should stop shedding crocodile tears. Nobody can love our daughters, our wives and our mothers more than us.

Tales Of Victims Of Child Marriage By Awawu Mohammed HE trauma and pains of child-marriage, as well as ugly stories of young girls married off early in life, easily offer an insight into the vexed reaction of Nigerians against what they perceive as the Senate’s approval of child marriage in its debate and vote on constitution amendment. Stories of women such as Fatimah Hassan, Amina Abagana and Hadiza Adamu are eye-opening. Fatimah, the first child in a family of eight children, got married at the age of 14. The marriage denied her the opportunity to complete her education as she was forced out of school in primary five to join her elderly husband. Fatimah never enjoyed the marriage. Besides being too young to shoulder the responsibilities of a mother, her husband, Alhaji Musa Haruna, 28, never knew how to treat a baby-bride like Fatimah. And that Fatimah was the third wife did not help matters either. “The most painful part of it was that my parents did not ask for my consent before marrying me off. I think it was poverty that led them to marrying me off at that young age,” she recounted. All her attempts to run away failed. “I tried to run away from the union, but I could not because of my four children as I had nowhere to go to with them. Whether that situation was more frustrating than the unhappy situation of my marriage, I cannot tell now,” she said. Like Fatimah, millions of young girls, mostly from the Northern part of

Nigeria, are often given away in marriage to men they called ‘uncle’ before they clock 18. According to the United Nations Education Children Fund (UNESCO), this is one of the reasons why Nigeria records 10 million school dropouts yearly. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), high prevalence of child marriage exists in Nigeria, with 20 per cent of girls getting married by age 15, and 40 per cent by age 18. “In the Northwest region, 48 per cent of girls were married by age 15, and 78 per cent were married by age 18. Although the practice of polygamy is decreasing in Nigeria, 27 per cent of married girls aged between 15 and 19 are in polygamous marriages,” the report said. According to some of the childbrides who spoke with The Guardian, cultural beliefs and religious practices are the most contributory factors responsible for the trend. Amina Abagana, who was married off at the age of 14, told The Guardian that child marriage is a cultural issue prevalent in parts of Borno State where she comes from. Amina, who is now 26, recalled that men started asking for her hand in marriage while she was a baby. “I was still a baby when different men were coming for my hand in marriage. It was not a strange thing to my parents because the practice is part of our culture. “My parents held on a bit to allow me complete my primary education and finally collected the bride price

from one of the numerous suitors,” she reminisced. But Amina stated that she never enjoyed the union with Abu, who was always beating her, and when she could no longer cope with the domestic violence, she packed out of the marriage, after bearing two children for him. “I had to run with my two children to my auntie’s home. She sheltered me from the frustration that encumbered me. It was two years later that Abu gave me a divorce paper,which meant the end of the marriage in Islam, which both of us ascribed to,” Amina said. At a point, her parents brought another husband for her to marry, and she accepted the man. The marriage was initially smooth, as every woman would want it, but that was not for long as crisis set in a few years later and the marriage broke up again, after she had had three children for him. “After the marriage broke up, I went back to my aunt again because it was too frustrating to live as a single a mother with five children. “My aunt helped me to open a provision store in Lagos on which I currently survive,” Amina recounted. Hadiza’s story is not different, except that she grew up with her grandmother who married her off to a neighbour at the age 12, without an opportunity to go to school. “Denied basic education, I wanted to have a shop, but that was not to be as my husband denied me that opportunity, saying after all, he has been providing me with my basic needs,” Hadiza said.

Why are they crying more than the bereaved? We know that the rat should be careful when the cat starts performing ablution. But don’t you think that child marriage reduces the chances of these girls going to school or receiving competitive empowerment skills? This issue has nothing to do with educating or empowering anybody. The point is that marrying a girl out does not deter her from going to school. I am an academic and I can say that 60 per cent of my female students are married. Most of these ladies either started afresh or furthered their education from where they stopped, due to marriage, and that does not have anything to do with their age. If they are talking about education, how many children is the government educating? UNESCO said 26 per cent of the national budget of all member countries be provided for education, while our own government is allocating a meagre six per cent. Who are we fooling? The fundamental issue that needs to be addressed as urgent as ever is the issue of poverty. There is so much poverty in the land and 80 per cent of Nigeria’s population live below the poverty line. Government should do something about that and stop this unnecessary mischief. It should be diligent enough to perform its constitutional obligations, like providing quality education, healthcare services, employment and ensuring the safety and security of lives and property.

Benue: Senate Stance A Miscarriage Of Peoples’ Will From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi N Benue State, the peoIaction ple have described the of the Senate as total misrepresentation and miscarriage of the will of the people. A social critic and former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, said what the senate has done is an exercise in futility, urging it to go back and take another look at that section in tune with the will of the people. Tsav stated that encouraging child marriage amounts to abetting immorality and child prostitution which could result to childbirth-related deaths. Similarly, a child rights lawyer, Mr. Peter Ikyur, told The Guardian that upholding that subsection of the constitution amounts to adding more problems to the already existing ones in society and is clearly child abuse. Ikyur regretted that in most states in the Northern part of Nigeria, early girl-child marriage is attached to religion and culture, as Islamic prohibits ladies being single and so give their female children out for marriage at the ages of between 12 and 15 years. He dismissed the misconception by some Nigerians that the right to marriage means attainment of adulthood,

stressing that a girl-child must be encouraged to prepare herself for marriage through acquiring sound education to be self-sustaining and be useful to society, her husband and herself. Narrating her ordeal to The Guardian, 16-years-old Ladi Galadima, a resident of Kaduna Street in Wadata, Makurdi said her poor parents, who could not afford even her school uniforms, forced her into marriage at 14. Her husband, who was just a petty hawker, found it tough taking good care of her when she was to be delivered of her first child through Caesarean Section (CS) a year ago. She said even after then, things remained quite tough for the family as they struggled to feed, and the possibility of enrolling the child in school when the time comes remains bleak. A medical doctor in Makurdi, John Upong, said girl-child marriage poses a health danger to those involved, noting that apart from physical retardation in growth, the family so produced from such marriages would continue to suffer miserable trends in life, particularly on the part of the female. Upong added that such girls are usually susceptible to child delivery problems and are often victims of early death, especially during delivery.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

COVER

‘There Was A Procedural Error By The Senate’ Mrs. Chigoziri Ojiaka is the Principal Attorney at J. C. Ojiaka & Associates, Co-founder, Gender and Child Rights Initiative (GCRI) and the National Secretary, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria. She said there was error of procedure even in the process that culminated in the adoption of the resolution by the Senate. By Ekwy P. Uzoanya HERE was a procedural error by the Senate of the National Assembly of Nigeria, in relation to amendment of Section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “I recall that the National Assembly called for Memoranda from the public for the amendment of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. To that end, so many groups and civil society organizations sent in their memoranda expressing several interests for amendment to many sections of the Constitution. These same processes were voted for in all the State Houses of Assembly where memoranda were submitted and voted for in accordance with Section 9 of the Constitution that provided for mode of altering provisions of the Constitution. Section 9 states that: (1) The National Assembly may, subject to the provisions of this section, alter any of the provisions of this Constitution. (2) An Act of the National Assembly for the alteration of this Constitution, not being an Act to which section 8 of this Constitution applies, shall not be passed in either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is supported by the votes of not less than twothirds majority of all the members of that House and approved by resolution of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the states. Section 8 of the Constitution dealt with creation of states and boundary adjustments, which has special procedures for amendment. We are aware that none of the groups agitating for state creation were able to fulfill all the conditions for so doing and therefore, that issue was laid to rest without further deliberations on that.

“T

The Constitutional amendment committee collated all the passed proposals for amendment for final voting on each subject matter by the National Assembly. The Senate raised the issue of Section 29 (4) (b). Section 29(1) provided that any Citizen of full age who wishes to renounce Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for renunciation. Sub Section (4) stated thus: (a) “Full age,” means the age of eighteen years and above; (b) Any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age. The sub section (4) (b) was referring specifically to the issue of renunciation of citizenship of Nigeria. The implication is that any girl below 18 years of age, who is married, is deemed to have the capacity to denounce Nigerian Citizenship. Sub section (a) had already defined full age to mean any person up to 18 years and above. Why will ‘young girls’ be singled out from the purport of that section? This is one of those gender discriminatory sections in the Nigerian Constitution. A child is described as any person below 18 years of age and therefore cannot be married. The crux of the matter, to my mind, is that this sub section is indirectly legalizing child marriage for girls. Simply put, a 10-year-old girl who is married is deemed to be a woman of full age. This is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience. How can people be comfortable with marrying off a little child to beget another child? Children lack the capacity to enter into legal agreements and therefore, are not capable of contracting a valid marriage. The case at hand is that the Senate President called for voting on the issue of deleting sub section (4) (b) from the constitution as expressed by many Nigerians. Twothird majority of members of the senate voted in favour of the deletion of this sub section. Thereafter, a Senator raised objection that the proposed deletion will amount to an infringement of his Islamic religious right. The case at hand is not about the content of the marriage provision under Islamic law visa-a-vise the Constitution, as Section 10 of the Constitution of Nigeria prohibits the government at the federal or state level adopting any religion as state religion. Rather, it is about the process of amendment of the Constitution. Several groups had already expressed their interests and reservations on this particular

Ojiaka issue, both at the federal and state level. Voting had already taken place to that effect, which is final on the matter. The Senate President acted in error to allow further deliberation on the matter. The opinion of one Senator cannot override that of the generality of Nigerians. That objection to the earlier voting amounts to nothing at this point in time. The reference made to Section 37 on right to private and family life and Section 38 on right to freedom of thought conscience and religion, is not a valid argument, at best self-serving. The right of the girl child as a human, not the personal right of a lawmaker, is at stake here. Allowing such an obnoxious provision in the constitution amounts to an infraction of the right of girls as it is a violation of Section 34 which entitles them to the right to dignity of human person, amount to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, slavery and servitude. It is also an abuse of Section 42 of the constitution which grantees every citizen right to freedom from discrimination based on sex.

The reference made to Second Schedule, Part 1, item 61 on Exclusive Legislative list on formation, annulment and dissolution of marriages other than marriages under Islamic law and customary law, including matrimonial causes arising thereto, to my mind, applies to legislation on those issues by the National Assembly. The issue at hand is not legislation on matrimonial issues but rather, fundamental issues arising from a constitutional amendment, not just a bill. The Islamic law position or customary law provision on marriage is not in dispute here. Every religion or customary law application to people who agree to be guided by those principles, are issues of personal law applicable to individuals. By Section 14 of the Evidence Act, an alleged custom has to be strictly proved by the evidence of the person alleging it and must be corroborated. Islamic laws, Customary laws and native laws and customs are all treated as customary laws and have rules of application even after they have been established as accepted within a particular community or group of people. Their applicability and enforcement is dependent on: • if it is not repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience; •If it is not incompatible, directly or by implication with any law in force; • If it is not contrary to public policy. These principles were endorsed by Nwokedi J. S. C. in the case of Agbai V Okogbue (1991) 7 NWLR at page 417 thus: “The doctrine of repugnancy, in my view, affords the court the opportunity for fine turning customary laws to meet changed social conditions where necessary. When however customary law is confronted by a novel situation, the courts have to consider its applicability under existing social environment”. In another parlance, the Supreme Court of Nigeria had to adjudge as invalid, a rule of Maliki School of Moslem law which did not allow highway robbers standing trial, from defending themselves, in the case of Guri V Hadeija Native Authority (1959) 4 F. S. C., 44. Suffice it to say that the court of law has the jurisdiction to interpret and apply the law based on the interest of justice and subject to social and environmental factors at the material time. Customary laws do not apply automatically. The point to note here is that the Moslem personal law or native law and custom of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria, shall not be the determining factor towards what shall not be contained in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nor shall it override the interest and aspirations of the people of this country. Section 29 (4) (b) of the Constitution shall stand deleted as per the votes cast earlier by the Senators on the issue. It amounts to an error to call for a subsequent voting as a result of the objection raised by one person. This amounts to an afterthought and an abuse of the Constitutional amendment process.

‘Delete Section 29 (4b) Of The Constitution For The Girl Child’ By Debo Oladimeji and Tunde Akinola

OMEN Arise and Campaign For Democracy (CD) organized a one-day stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Thursday on the need for the Senate to delete section 29(4)(b) of the 1999 constitution. The contentious provision provides that any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age. Dignitaries at the meeting included Mr. Jimi Agbaje, National Treasurer, Afenifere; Mrs. Funmi Falana, Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) , Dr Keziah Awosika, Director, of Women, Law and Development Centre, among others. Addressing participants at the event, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili said citizens must come to the rescue of the Nigerian girl child by lending their voices against any law that infringes on her fundamental human rights. She noted that the long years of military rule had adversely affected

the ability of the people to contribute constructively to government’s policies and processes. “Citizens have to fully engage in the democratic process. However, it seems to me that we do have a turning point by virtue of the last couple of days when citizens decided to pay attention to what goes on. “It is an issue that affects everyone. It has no religious, ethnic or ideological coloration. It is an issue of protecting the girl child, ensuring that she is given every opportunity to be at a stage of mental, physical, and physiological readiness to make some certain decisions in life,” she said. The fact section 29 (4)(b) was not expunged from the constitution, she said, posed a great danger for the girl child as it exposes her to matrimonial responsibility at a tender age. “Whether Christian or Muslim girl child, what is recognized across religions is mental capability to make sound decisions,” she stated. According to her, as former

Minister of Education, one of the key initiatives of her reform was the issue of child education. “In fact, I proposed to have a Gender and Equity Commission to deal with the issue of girl child education. It attained such level of importance in public policy for us. “I believe we must look beyond even this conversation and ensure that we mainstream everything about economic development strategy and the policies that underline them in a way that will mainstream the issue of the girl child and give her all the opportunities in life to be the best she can be to complete globally with her contemporaries in any part of the world. We must make this a topic of our public debate and make sure the budget and policy priorities of government advance the cause of the girl child,” Ezekwesili said. Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, wife of Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, said that the issue under contention is not exactly on child marriage per say. “It has to do with women’s citizenship. Unfortunately, there is a

clause in the constitution as it is now, that needs to be deleted. Section 29(4) b which says that any married woman is considered to be an adult. “For us, that will enable certain people interpret it that they can marry a girl child at any age. That is why they have called this stakeholders’ meeting to let the people know that under no circumstances should we allow for a constitution that will leave that kind of door open,” she said. She added that there is no need defining a child who is married as an adult. “It is something that is totally unacceptable and is unreasonable. Having said that, we are grateful to those senators who voted reasonably even though the eventual outcome was not favourable,” she said. Fayemi called on the senate to open the issue to ensure that Section 29(4) b is deleted from the constitution, and come out with a constitution that treats Nigerian women and the girl child with dignity and respect.

Mrs Ranti Adebule, Secretary to the Lagos State Government who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola, said that in Lagos State, the Child Rights Act law has been passed since 2007. “I believe that will give equal opportunity to the girl child like the boys. Of course, the freedom to do anything that is within the law is permitted. I believe that the senate will revisit this section,” she said.

Ezekwesili

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

COVER ‘I Support Girl-Child Marriage, But Under The Right Conditions’ Hajia Rabi Shodangi, president of the Almanar Women Association, a Northbased non-governmental organisation (NGO) dealing in women empowerment and marriage counselling, among others, was married at a tender age. In this interview with BANKOLE SHAKIRUDEEN ADESHINA, she says the concept of child marriage, prescribed by Prophet Mohammed Rosululah (S.W.A), was noble, but has been grossly abused by some men and recommends harsh punishment for those contravening the stipulated guidelines. What is your reaction girl child marriage? EFORE answering the question, I would like to emphasise the importance of cultural diversity in the way we think, live, behave and co-exist generally. Ideally, different cultures respect people differently, and this informs the expansion of different choices and human values that we embrace as a people. Interestingly, cultural diversity is a global phenomenal that people should take into cognisance before condemning the cultural values of a particular ethnic group for whatever reason. If we find something wrong about a particular peoples’ ways of life, the ideal thing is not to force them to change it through condemnation, but first understand why such culture came into being. We should also take time to explore the positive sides and find ways to improve the negative side. However, for the sake of the issue at hand, I must confess that I am totally in support of girl child marriage, but under the right condition, because my religion allows it. It is just that we don’t follow the conditions attached anymore and that is why we have problems. If anybody, be it government or whoever, wants to help, I think what they need to do is to sit down and ask questions regarding the right conditions for this thing to be successful and enforce the guidelines by punishing violators to serve as deterrent to others. What are these right conditions for girl-child marriage? One, a girl must have been counselled on what marriage is all about prior to selection. She must be educated, at least up to the secondary school level, and empowered with the

Shodangi relevant skills by her parents before she is married off. But because of economic inequalities, many families find it difficult to afford these basic things for their children; hence the desperation of some to give them out in marriage, even when the kids have not yet received the least of education or empowerment. Therefore, this is an obvious challenge where the government’s intervention is urgently needed through the provision of free education for children, so that the children of the poor would also have the chance of being educated. Secondly, the guidelines say a girl must feel ready and in love with the man she wants to marry before the arrangement is sealed. Ironically, the explanations behind the feeling ready are very funny. The point is that girls start having sexual urges too early these days, especially as soon as they commence menstruation, and in most cases, they do this at the early ages of 13, 14 and 15 years or so. And once they are sexually active, they begin to develop the sense of wanting to try and have a bite of it and if they are not properly counselled on that, they would end up being sexually abused. We have seen cases of brutal raping and

impregnating of these vulnerable young girls, which is far worse than being responsibly and legally married off to a man. Thirdly, it must be certified that the man who is marrying the girl must be of good character and religious. The religion would help him understand the original ideology behind the concept of child marriage and it is believed that based on that, he would not abuse the girl. The man must be deemed capable, financially too, to take care of the girl. These are the necessary conditions that must be adhered to before the marriage takes place, and it is better to, instead of condemning a man’s culture, help him to strengthen it by enforcing the guiding principles. If you do otherwise, it would make the man more determined to want to do it more. Are you saying cultural diversity is a justification for child marriage? What I am saying is that there should be understanding and tolerance for people’s culture. Yes, child marriage is a culture in the Northern part of the country, but instead of people opposing or condemning it, they should find out why it is so and how it is supposed to be done and help. Government has the power to enforce the basic principles that guide the culture and if you enforce these cultural values that guide child marriage, people would respect it and the married girls would be better for it. Apart from providing free education for all, including the children of the poor, government can also help by opening up empowerment programmes that would benefit the children of the poor, at little or no cost. These palliative measures would help to dignify and strengthen the child marriage of a thing, as condemning it would not. For instance, I am a product of child marriage too, because I got married at the age of 17 immediately after my secondary school, but because my marriage was conducted under the right condition, it allowed me to continue with my schooling and I was able to have children early while I was still strong. This is the reason I am not against it as a culture, but I insist that it should be conducted under the right condition. Can you explain the preconditions that led to your marriage at 17 and your disposition to the idea then? I just completed secondary school then, but while I was in school, my husband used to visit me on Visiting Days. Actually, we were related, so I know him and

my parents know him very well too, and he was a graduate himself, working and showed capability to take care of me. And over time, I found out that I was in love with him. The most interesting thing about him was that he was educated, religious and of a good character, and happily, thereafter, the marriage worked. Although I would not say I quite understood what marriage was as at that time, but he was there for me. He was kind and ready to teach me so many things and supported my education. How sure are you that many of these other young girls who find themselves in this situation would be as lucky as you were? That is the more reason I am stressing the need for free education and empowerment programmes for the poor, so that every child would be on equal footing, in terms of education and empowerment, even before such marriage arrangement arise. And on a personal note, this is the area my association has been working on, conducting free marriage counselling and offering moral development programmes for both the married and the teenage girls. We train them to understand the concept of marriage; what is expected of them when they get married; how to live in such condition; and all that. Unfortunately, most of these children were never taught all these principles, so they don’t know. Besides, we found out that most of these girls were married off without any skill, thereby making them economically weak and vulnerable, and our organisation has been in the fore-front of empowering most of them with different skills and small-scale businesses. These are the areas government can intervene, not forcefully condemning a people’s culture. Do you agree that child marriage has deprived so many girls the right to quality education in the North? Yes, it has. But this actually happens because the parties involved do not observe the necessary conditions. They only look at the marriage aspect, carry the young girl and devour her. The problem is that the parents, in most cases, are not in position to protect their daughters after giving them out, because in most cases, they would have been adequately remunerated for it, making the husband uncontrollable, even when he is abusing the girl. So, I believe the community and government should help to ensure that these things are done under the right conditions, so that the culture would be a win-win situation for all the parties involved.

‘Child Marriage Has Huge Health Implications For Nigeria’ By Joseph Okoghenun OR the Country Director of Ipas Nigeria, Fsenate Dr. Ejike Orji, the ongoing controversial debate/voting as it indirectly relates to early marriage, would escalate the country’s fragile healthcare system, maternal deaths and morbidity rates, with long-term implications for the larger society. Orji, a gynaecologist and obstetrician and women’s rights activist, opined: “It has become a very knotty issue because the health implications of child marriage are huge as any child that has baby before the age of 18 is especially at risk. “Most of the complications that kill women arise from four areas of gynaecology and obstetrics, including when a teenager starts having baby before the age of 18. “The second factor arises when a woman does not space her children for a minimum of two years apart. “The third area has to do with a woman trying to have a fifth pregnancy, which is often more dangerous than the four previous pregnancies put together. And the last has to do with a woman having a child towards the age of 40.” The reproductive rights activist continued: “Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Nigeria used to contribute 10 per cent to global maternal deaths, whereas our population is about one per cent of the world’s population.

“Even though the maternal mortality rate has reduced, we are contributing about 14 per cent to global maternal mortality rate. “What this means is that other countries are doing things better and are reducing the deaths of their women than Nigeria is doing, and one of the greatest contributory factors to our high maternal deaths is teenage pregnancy. “Six years ago, when assessment was done on the age of women that were dying from maternal conditions, it was discovered that 70 per cent of maternal deaths came from young girls below the age of 18. “What this means is that if we just leave our girls alone to grow beyond 18 years of age before making them pregnant, we can even reduce maternal deaths by almost 50 per cent.” Orji noted that aside escalating maternal deaths, teen marriages and early pregnancy could lead to Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a common health condition in Northern part of Nigeria, as almost 70 to 80 per cent of women suffering VVF are girls below the age of 18. He explained: “Vaginal (V) is the private part of a woman where a baby passes through during child birth. Vesico (V) is the bladder and fistula (F) is a hole. “Because of the pressure between the head of the baby and pubic bone during childbirth, the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to the outside, is often damaged and creates a hole, called fistula,

between bladder and vagina. “This is because the baby is too big to pass through the narrow birth canal during childbirth, as the girl’s structures are not yet well developed.” Orji added that teenage girls with VVF could be counted fortunate to have survived the ordeal of childbirth, adding: “VVF patients are the ones that actually survived the rupturing of their uterus. As the uterus ruptures, the girl child and the baby will die. “VVF shows maternal morbidity and is a symptom of a bigger problem. What this means is that the girl-child will be draining urine, because there is nothing to stop the urine from flowing freely and the woman cannot control the urine and will smell of urine. “The husband will be the first to reject her because no man would want to make love to a woman whose vagina is full of smelling urine. “So, the husbands will drive these women out of their houses and these unfortunate women go back to their families, who at a point, also reject them because they smell of urine all over the place. “Finally, the girls will reject themselves and ask, ‘how can I be smelling urine?’ It is a big problem. “Also, we are reducing the ability of more than 40 per cent of our children coming into developmental work in Nigeria, instead of giving our children the opportu-

nity to be the best they can be in life. “Child marriage has a lot of rights issues because the child will not be able to go to school, will lose her childhood forever and permanently, and will not have the opportunity to develop her full potentials.”

Orji

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

TRANSITION

Alade Odunewu (1928-2013) By Lanre Idowu S the Holy Book enjoins us to honour our fathers and mothers A so that our days may be long on earth, we pay tribute to a distinguished father of Nigerian journalism and an accomplished Nigerian. We pay tribute to Hadj Alade Odunewu, OFR, FNGE, informed commentator and acclaimed ‘dean of satirical journalism’. We salute a fine gentleman, and a leading light of the drive to enhance media professionalism as an integral part of nation building. He is 80 this Tuesday. The drums are already being rolled out. Newspaper interviews, feature articles are being published. Prayers are being offered. Editorials will be written. A book launch has been fixed. A party is to follow. Another book is being put together. All for a man, who seems to find it so easy to relate with all. What is it about Odunewu that excites us, media and non media men and women? For one, it is not everyday we come across our worthy ambassadors celebrating such a landmark; so novelty is appealing. Secondly, it is part of the measure of our self worth when we acknowledge goodness in others. Thirdly, in a nation acutely lacking in authentic heroes, it is always refreshing to find someone whose story is exemplary enough to examine and share with others. So collectively, we can say that society renews itself when it promotes positive values through the lives of its members who have worthy lessons to bequeath. As a professional, Odunewu is an enduring lesson in singleminded pursuit of an objective. Ever since he was in school in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Onitsha, he had been exposed to the writings of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who, through a chain of newspapers, was the leading public opinion moulder of the 40s and 50s. Odunewu’s elder brother, Mobolaji, was a journalist, who edited one of Azikiwe’s papers, The Eastern Nigerian Guardian. If young Alade’s interest in Journalism was kindled by the writings in the Zikist papers, his career pursuit was guided by his brother. Journalism was good path to fame and public service. Odunewu was already familiar with the writings of Peter Enahoro and Ebenezer Williams and it is fair to say alongside the duo of Azikiwe and Mobolaji, the quartet shaped Odunewu’s initial journalistic steps. He was one of the earliest Nigerians to receive formal training in Journalism as he secured a Federal Government scholarship to study Journalism at Regent Polytechnic (now University of Westminster). Alongside obtaining his diploma in Journalism, he also won the New Statesman prize for Best all round student. His career began at the Daily Times in 1950 when he was recruited as a Reporter. He later moved to the Tribune as Editor/Managing Editor (1956-57); Daily Service as Editor (1959-60); Allied Newspapers as Editor-in-Chief (1960-64). He was Sunday Times editor in 1964, before being uplifted as the Daily Times editor (1964-68) and Editor-in-Chief (1968-69). He later served as Chief Executive of the publications division. So, it can be said that Odunewu has held all the important positions in Journalism: reporter, sub editor, editor, columnist, editor-in-chief and CEO. He has also held some of the most challenging public communications assignments: Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Culture in Lagos State, and Public Complaints Commissioner and Electoral Commissioner at the national level. His achie-

Odunewu

vements in both worlds are commendable. Odunewu’s voice of wisdom from his columns in various newspapers from the 60s to as recent as three years ago rings loud again in his relaunched book, Winners take all. Odunewu attributes his staying power in Journalism to ‘‘job satisfaction.’’ And feels that if he comes back to this world, he would gladly opt to be a journalist again. He has every reason to want to be. Apart from the top media jobs he has held, he has been richly honoured by the profession. From the Nigeria Union of Journalists to the Nigerian Guild of Editors of which he is a past president, to the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), to training schools like the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, to the 1999 industry-led initiative of late Tunji Oseni where he was named as one of the 14 icons of Journalism development in 140 years of Nigerian Journalism. As part of the tribute to this much loved man, some of our finest writers are rounding off work on a major book, Nigerian Columnists and their Art- essays in honour of Alade Odunewu. A worthy addition to Journalism littérature. Contributors to it include:

Adidi Uyo, Ben Lawrence, Felix Adenaike, Tony Momoh, Dan Agbese, Gbenga Omotoso, Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase, Stanley Egbochuku, Maxim Uzoatu, Eniola Bello and Ray Ekpu. The book, edited by Lanre Idowu, will be publicly presented in January 2008. It will feature references to the writings of such columnists as late Olabisi Onabanjo, Peter Enahoro, Alade Odunewu, Sam Amuka, Gbolabo Ogunsanwo, Olatunji Dare, Tunde Fagbenle, Muhammed Haruna, Adebayo Williams, Azu Ishiekwene and Reuben Abati, to mention a few. Odunewu’s strength as a journalist lies in his intellectual depth, elegant wit, biting sarcasm and disarming simplicity of language. Fifty-seven years after he joined the profession, he remains not only a respected name in the industry but also a principal actor in the continuous search for journalistic excellence and responsibility. As chairman of the Nigerian Press Council in the last 13 years, Hadj Odunewu has lent his name and stature to the pursuit of that which is noble, fair and just in our profession. The unseriousness on the part of the executive arm on what to do with the Press Council (NPC), which accounts for the state of comatose it now lies despite agreement among media stakeholders in 2002 on what must be done to make it work, must be one of his regrets. We seize the occasion to appeal to the Yar’Adua government to look through the records, dust up the agreement and use it as basis to fast track serious legislative exercise to give us a Public-Private sector driven Press Council, which is one of the cheapest and most effective means of promoting responsibility in the media. Sponsor of the Informed Commentary category of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) since inception in 1992, Hadj Odunewu is also the current chairman of the Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA), where he appropriately also sponsors the Best Columnist of the year prize since 2006. Both award schemes have made unparalleled private sector contributions to the conscious effort to enhance professionalism in the media. Odunewu says the awards have impacted heavily on Journalism practice. ‘‘People are now conscious of the fact that are being looked at; competition is getting keener by the year. Quite a good number of awardees have gone to greener pature and have done the profession and country proud. We must commend those behind these noble ideas.’’ In a nation where reputations are sullied at the drop of a hat, he is a man of means who has dined with kings and mixed with commoners and remains acceptable in both worlds. Modest in taste, dignified in carriage, he is a living testament that hard work pays and modesty is a virtue. May all those privileged to serve as public communicators find an enduring lesson in this virtue. And may the rest of Odunewu’s life be spent in good health, good company and good spirit. To the rest of us, let us pray with the psalmist that Almighty God should ‘‘teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.’’ Happy birthday, Allah-de ! First published on November 20, 2007, Idowu, who is the Editor-inChief, Media Review, and Trustee of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), wrote this piece in honour of the late Odunewu during his 80th birthday celebration.

Clifford Ndubisi: Two Years In Mind By Elvis Eromosele

times and bad, he never lost his capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with his T was two years on July 16, since the dreadful warmth and kindness. His philosophy was ‘I news of the sudden death of Senior Apostle can’t do better than my best’. But he always Clifford Ndubisi at the age of 78. Yet, it seems strove to do his best, always. He was a good just like yesterday. man! We, the family, have all been trying in our difPa Ndubisi was always thoughtful, considerferent ways to cope. It has not being easy. The ate and always kind. When Jed, my son was feeling of loss is still so real. sick early 2011, he quickly dispatched his wife, First, I want to pay tribute to Papa for myself. (my now late, mother-in-law) to come to the What a good and gentle man he was! I loved house and make peppers soup for him. Durhim the first time I met him over 17 years ago. ing the 2007 Christmas when we could not afHe treated me with such respect and was inter- ford to cook, he sent us a quarter-bag of rice ested in everything I had to say. and money to make a pot of stew. Papa, none When his daughter, my wife Elizabeth, incan take your place in our heart. formed him of our plans for marriage, he took it I agree that “No man is perfect”, but it was calmly. Considering that I only just started near impossible to pick any fault with him. Pa working in Daily Times and was already owed a Ndubisi was a simple man who appreciated hefty six months salary; it demonstrated his be- the simple joys life offered. lief in potential. He also was a family man, and spent most of While he was not rich, yet the story of his life his time at home. When he is not at work, he was one that drew attention to the virtues of in- sought to spend time with his family. He entegrity, hard work and commitment to a cause. joyed nothing better than inviting the grandHe ‘walked’ what he ‘talked’. Plus he said what children over for weekends and holidays. he meant and meant everything he said. Words only cannot express what he meant to He worked as a dry cleaner in the University of his family, and what his family meant to him. Nigeria, Nsukka; as a Chief Clerk in a logistics He had a loving wife who cared for him, and company and as a security officer. Pa Ndubisi that care was exceptional during the last week was never shy of his work. He harped on the dig- of his life when she barely left his side. Only nity of labour. He was tireless. Thankfully his Happiness and Pa Ndubisi can fully apprecichildren all imbibed this habit. I know because ate the depth of their bond formed over 40 my wife is such a tireless worker herself. years together. Perhaps that is why they are toHe was an exceptional human being. In good gether again less than a year later.

He never seemed his age. He was an amazingly healthy man. Aside from the occasional, high blood pressure scare, he hardly visited the hospital. The last week passed so quickly. He returned home Tuesday morning (worked night) and complained of pain in the leg. I visited him in the hospital that evening —he actually walked here himself—he cried when he saw me. I stayed, prayed with him and left confident he would return to ‘work’ in a day or two. Alas it was not to be. My wife and children skipped school the next day to go see him. He appeared to be deteriorating on Thursday, and was transferred to LUTH later that evening. In LUTH on Sunday night, he told my wife to go home and look after the kids. He slipped into a peaceful sleep on Monday and was confirmed dead on Tuesday morning. That was the longest one-week in my life. We rest however in the knowledge that he has gone to a better place. He was a great dad to my wife and her two brothers and sisters; a wonderful father in law to me and the other inlaws; and a fantastic Papa (grandfather) to all the grandchildren. Pa Ndubisi, because you were always so healthy, agile and bubbly, we failed to realise how the years had passed. This is why we were caught ‘unawares’. Papa, you were a good and gentle man! Continue to rest in the Lord! Eromosele lives in Lagos Ndubisi

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July, 27, 2013

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Emem Chinedum Anosike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ESOMCHI: Formerly Miss Esomchi Juliet Nnenna, now Mrs. Ifeanyi-Okagu Juliet Nnenna. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ESURUOSO: Formerly Miss Esuruoso Mufuliat Adeola now Mrs Biiya Mufuliat Adeola. Former documents remain valid. Public note EWEBIYI: Former Miss Kikiowo Omolara Yetunde now Mrs. Ewebiyi Omolara Yetunde. Public note. EZE: Formerly Mrs. Eze Veronica Nwamaka, now wish to be addressed as Miss Onwuegbuzie Veronica Ugochi. All former documents remain valid. Public note. FAROTIMI: I, formerly Mr. Farotimi Oluseye Oladele now Mr. Olurotimi Oluseye Oladele. All former documents remain valid. Public note. FARAYOLA: Formerly Miss Farayola S i m i s o l a Oluwabunmi now Mrs. Fajemirokun O l u w a b u n m i Simisola. Former documents valid. Public note. FASHOGBON: Formerly Mrs. Christiana Ekaete Fashogbon now Ms Christiana Ekaete Etukudo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. GADIGA: Former Miss Hajara Luka Gadiga now Mrs. Hajara Ibrahaim D. Diriki. All former documents remain valid. Public note. GAFAR: Formerly Gafar Aminat Omotayo, now Mrs. Olabulo Aminat Omotayo. Documents valid. Public note. GBOBOR: Formerly Miss Joy Eyitemi Gbobor now Mrs. Joy Eyitemi ChidozieEzike. Former documents valid. Public note. GEORGE: Formerly Miss Tomilola Ebuoluwa Adenike George now Mrs.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July, 27, 2013

Change of Name Tomilola Ebunoluwa Adenike Musari-Martins. Former documents remain valid. Public note. HAMMED: Former Miss Hammed Fatimoh Tunrayo now Mrs. Fashola Fatimoh Tunrayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IDOWU: I formerly known as Miss Oluwafisayo Idayat Idowu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwafisayo Praise Ayeki. All former documents remain valid. Public note. IFEDE: I, formerly Miss Ifede Anuoluwapo Olutoyin now known as Mrs. Shomefun Anuoluwapo Olutoyin. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. IGBOANULAM: Formerly Miss Chidinma Vivian Igboanulam, now Mrs Chidinma Vivian Ojebuovboh. Former documents valid. NYSC & ASU ULI & public note. IGHODARO: Formerly Miss Susan Nkonyeasua Ighodaro, now Mrs. Susan Nkonyeasua Itoje. Former documents valid. Public note. IHEANACHO: I, formerly Miss Iheanacho Chinonso now known and addressed as Mrs. Uba Chinonso. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. IHUOMA: Formerly Ijeoma Catherine Eleodimuo now Ijeoma Catherine Ihuoma: All former documents remain valid. The public take note. IKE: Formerly Ike Uchenna Okeke, now Nwankwo Uchenna Okeke. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IKEH: Formerly Miss Ikeh Uju Francisca now Mrs Ubadiniru Uju Francisca. Former documents valid. Public note. IKEJI: I, formerly Miss Chinyere Gloria Ikeji now known as Mrs. Chinyere Gloria Okeke. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ILONA: Formerly Miss Ifeoma Uchenna Ilona now Mrs. Ifeoma Uchenna Enukora. Former documents remain valid. Public note. JAGUA: Formerly Miss Jagua Bilikisu Ayinke, now Mrs Animashaun Bilikisu Ayinke. Former documents valid. Public note. JOSEPH: Former Miss Joseph Olasumbo now Mrs. Oguntoye Olasumbo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. KALIO: Formerly Miss Ibifuro Precious Kalio, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ibifuro Precious Owupele Orupabo. All former documents remain valid. General public note. KOSEMANI: Kosemani Oyindamola Islamiyat is the same person as Kosemani Oyindamola Islamiyah. Former documents remain valid. Public note. KWUBIRI: Formerly Miss. Joy Chituru Kwubiri now Mrs Joy Chituru Igbokwe. All former documents remain valid. Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Public take note. LAWAL: Formerly Miss Lawal Zainab Mopelola, now Mrs. Shoge Zainab Mopelola. Documents valid. Public note. LIADI: Formerly Mrs. Sherifatu Agike Liadi now Mrs. Olatunbosun Ruth Sherifatu. Former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc & public note. MBA: Formerly Miss Mba Nneka Euphemia, now Mrs. Mbah Nneka Euphemia. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MEDUA: Family of Patrick Ugeh Medua now wish to be known as Medua-Ugeh Patrick. I, formerly Mrs. Ugeh Patrience Nkonyeasua now Mrs. Medua-Ugeh Patience Nkonyeasua, Former documents remain valid. Public note. MORADEYO: Formerly Miss Janet Oluwafeyisayo Moradeyo now Mrs. Janet Oluwafeyisayo Akinwnmi. Public note. MUSARI: Formerly Olumuyiwa Damilola

Musari now known as Olumuyiwa Damilola Musari-Martins. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NDUKWE: Formerly Mr Chinedum Ndukwe Jonah now Mr Chinedum Nelson Jonah. Former documents valid. Public note. NJEPU: Formerly Miss Chioma Felicia Njepu now Mrs. Chioma Felicia Okechukwu. All former documents remain valid. Public note. NIMOTALAI: Formerly Miss Olufunnmi Afolashade Nimotalai now Mrs Adebayo Afolashade Nimotalai. Public note NWAFOR: Formerly Miss Nwafor Ogochukwu Ezinwanne, now Mrs. I l e c h u k w u Ogochukwu Ezinwanne. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWAGBARA: Formerly Mr Erasmus Uche Nwagbara, now Mr Erasmus Uche Romanus. Former documents valid. Public note. NWAOHU: Formerly Miss Ngozi Theodora Nwaohu, now Mrs Ngozi Theodora MikeOlugbake. Former documents valid. Public note. NWOKOMA: Formerly Miss Nwokoma Ugochinyere now Mrs Ihesiulo Ugochinyere Florence. Former documents valid. Public note. NWOKOYE: Formerly Miss Lilibell C. O Nwokoye now Mrs. Ezepue Lilibell Chineche. Former documents remain valid. ITF, public note. NYONG: Formerly Miss Dianabasi Okon Nyong now Mrs. Diana Daniel Onyor. All documents remain valid. Public note. OBASA: I, formerly known as Obasa Folakemi Funmilayo now to be known as Eboreime Folakemi Funmilayo. Former documents remain valid. Obafemi Awolowo University, public note. OBODOEKWE: Formerly Obodoekwe Chinenye Patricia, now

Mrs. Onyeanusi Chinenye Patricia. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OCHUKO: I, formerly known as Miss Soko Christy Ufuoma Ochuko now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Unugbo Christy Ufuoma Soko. All documents remain valid. Public note. ODO: Formerly Miss Priscilla Nebechi Odo, now Mrs Priscilla Nebechi Oyiga. Former documents valid. Public note. ODUNLAMI: I, formerly Miss Adeyimika Funmi Odunlami now known as Mrs. Oluwayimika Anike OluwatosinGeorge. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. OFFILI: Formerly Miss Offili Agatha Uchechukwu, now Mrs. Okeke Agatha Uchechukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OFFOR: Formerly Miss Nkeiruka Dorcas Offor, now Mrs. Nkeiruka Dorcas Chukwurah. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGALA: I, formerly known as Miss Comfort Joseph Ogala now wish to be called Mrs. Comfort Bissallah Ahmed Ekele. Former documents remain valid. COE ZUBA, public note. OGBONNA: Formerly Miss Nkeiru Tina Ogbonna, now Mrs Nkeiru Obike. Former documents valid. Public note. OGEDENGBE: I, formerly Mr. Muyiwa Ogedengbe now known as Mr. Olusola Ogedengbe. Former documents remain valid. Federal Ministry of Agriculture, general public take note. OGINNI: Formerly known as Miss Oginni Lolade Caroline now wish to be called Mrs. Oshodi-Glover Lolade Caroline. All former documents remain valid. First Bank (Nig) Plc and general public note. OGOO-EZEAZUKA: I, former Miss Jennifer Ogoo-Ezeazuka now Mrs. Jennifer OgooEzeazuka Sarzilla. Former documents remain valid. Public

note. OGUNBADEJO: Formerly Miss Iradat Tiwatope Ogunbadejo now Mrs. Iradat Tiwatope Olujide. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Inland Revenue Service and public note. OGUNDE: Formerly Bukola Aderemi Ogunde now Olajubutu Bukola Aderemi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNDIMU: Formerly Miss Ogundimu Bolanle Oluwambe, now Mrs. Shonola Bolanle Oluwambe. Documents valid. Public note. OGUNDIPE: Former Mr. Ogundipe Samuel Busayo Olumide now Mr. Kolawole Samuel Busayo Olumide. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNLOLU: Formerly Miss Ogunlolu Mosunmola Tayo, now Mrs. Adedeji Mosunmola Tayo. Documents valid. Public note. OGUNNOWO: Formerly Miss Ibukunoluwa Tolulope Ogunnowo, now Mrs Ibukunoluwa Tolulope Obanla. Former documents valid. Public note. OGUNREMI: Formerly Miss Funmilola Adebusola Ogunremi, now Mrs Funmilola Adebusola Mobolaji. Former documents valid. Public note. OHAMA: Formerly Miss Ohama Rita Odinaka, now Mrs. Ogbu Rita Odinaka. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly known as Chinelo Adennia Okafor now Mrs. Chimelo Adannia Chukwuka. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Kate Chinanu now Mrs Akpalu Kate Chinanu. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note. OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Eucharia Chidimma, now Mrs. Eziko Eucharia Chidimma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Joy Chinelo, now Mrs. Iyoke Joy Chinelo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKEKE: Formerly Miss Okeke Miriam Ogechi now Mrs. Korie Miriam Ogechi. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. OKEREKE: Formerly Miss Okereke Ifeoma Esther, now Mrs. Iwunze Ifeoma Esther. Former documents remain valid. Imo State University, public note. OKHUELEIGBE: Formerly Miss Isibhakhomen Anne Okhueleigbe now Mrs. Isibhakhomen Anne Ogah. Foremr documents remain valid. Public note. OKO: I, formerly Mr. Oko Okocha is now Mr. Okocha James Oko. Former documents remain valid. Ecobank Nigeria Ltd, Lington and Bernie Consulting. General public take note.

OJENIKE: I, formerly Miss Ojenike Bosede Bamgbe Blessing is now Mrs. Ekundina Bose Bamgbe Blessing. Former documents remain valid. College of Medicine Unilag, general public take note.

OKOYE: Formerly Miss Evelyn Ijeoma Okoye now Mrs Chijioke Evelyn Ijeoma. All former documents remain valid. Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, public take note.

OJEWANDE: Formerly Mrs. Ojewande Omowumi Stella now Mrs. Omowumi Stella Kuteyi-Oke. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKPAKOVWOKO: Formerly Miss Okpakovwoko Ebruphiho Obaro now Mrs. Obosi Ebruphiho Obaro. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OJIAKOR: Former Miss Ojiakor Peace Omerebere now Mrs. Umeorah Peace Omerebere. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKPARA: Formerly Mrs. Uloaku Helen Okpara (Nee Adaso) now Mrs Uloaku Helen Emmanuel Obike. All former documents

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

TRANSITION

Untimely Exit Of The People’s Senator, Pius Ewherido By Wilfred Ziregbe NDOUBTEDLY the most prominent Urhobo political representative in Nigeria while he was alive, he very well represented the over three million Urhobo people primarily living in eight local councils in Delta State, but also well scattered along the coastal creeks of the Niger Delta to the South Western Ilaje and Igbokoda communities down to Lagos and the cool and serene landscape of Jos in Plateau State. The late Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido’s short and abrupt reign as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria reinforced the progressive strides of the people of the fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria in swimming with nascent international currents that culminated in the election of forty-something-year-olds as American and Russian Presidents. Putting the preface ‘the late’ before Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido’s name rankles my heart and sensibilities. Questions aplenty, but no answers. The folks in Senator Ewherido’s home town and elsewhere, just like I, are yet to accept and come to the painful reality that the giant iroko tree with fresh green leaves has indeed fallen so suddenly and unexpectedly, despite its obvious might, opulence and sturdy posture. The peace loving and industrious people of Eghwu in Ughelli South Local Council Area of Delta State are still in utter shock and disbelief. Will you blame them? Will you blame us? As the distressing and unbelievable news of Senator Ewherido’s passage spread painfully across Eghwu and beyond the country that illfated Sunday evening, a momentary reprieve flew in. News of our beloved Senator regaining consciousness from his coma crept in. Mourning turned to merriment. Foes became friends. Across all strata, calls were being made and remade. But alas, Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido was indeed gone without a farewell to his fans, constituents, friends, relatives and family. Who will console us in our time of great grief and sorrows? Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido was born on May 4, 1963, in Ughelli, Delta State to the late Pa Joseph Ewherido, a retired school principal and Mrs. Paulina Ewherido, his grieving aged mother. His foray into politics was not accidental. He had long nursed the ambition of serving his people at the grassroots level. Prior

to the 1999 elections, he had pitched tent with the defunct United Nigerian Congress Party (UNCP). In 1998, he had elected to serve his people as a local council chairman, but despite his desire to get the council seat, he was frustrated. He eventually opted for the Delta State House of Assembly, where he was the Deputy Speaker, and then Acting Speaker for considerable length of time in his eight-year stay. Senator Ewherido left the Delta State House of Assembly in 2007 to run for governorship. He was thoroughly exasperated with the political scheming that threw him out. He resorted to taking time off politics and tending his farm in his village. Ewherido, on re-entry into politics, pitched his tent with the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), and was the party’s highest ranking political office holder. Despite being a lone DPP member in the Senate, his legislative pedigree spoke volumes. It is the constitutional role of the legislator to make laws for the order and good governance of the country. In his tenure as a legislator in the Delta State House of Assembly, Pius Ewherido is reputed to have moved well over 40 motions, which were adopted by his colleagues and he sponsored or co-sponsored at least eight bills, some of which have been passed into law. They include: Law Prohibiting Harmful, Cruel and Discriminatory Practices Against Females and Widows; Prohibition of Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation; A Law to make Provision for the Employment of Indigenes in Delta State and other Matters Connected Therewith; A Law to Make Provision for the Amendment of Legal Officers (Harmonisation of Salaries with Magistrates) Law in Delta State, 1999 and for other matters connected therewith; A Law to Make Provisions for the Establishment of Delta State Blood Transfusion Databank and Other Incidental Matters 2006; A Law to Provide for the Grant of Bursary and Award of Scholarship to Students of Delta State origin in Educational Institutions and Matters Connected Therewith; and Employment of Legislative Aides, Employment protection for Deltans in Junior staff category in establishments in Delta State 1999. At the Nigerian Senate, where he was the sole DPP representative, Ewherido did not buckle. In his brief but eventful legislative excursion

Ewherido in the Senate, lasting just two calendar years, he personally sponsored at least four bills and also co-sponsored several others, amongst which were: A Bill for an Act to make provisions creating the offence of Corporate Manslaughter and matters incidental thereto; A Bill for an Act to establish the Welding Standards Regulatory Council of Nigeria; A Bill for an Act to alter the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for Devolution of more responsibilities to States and Public Sector Accountability (by the creation of the office of Auditor General of the Federation as distinct from the Auditor General of the Federal Government of Nigeria); and A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to streamline the jurisdiction of the appellate courts for quick dispensation of justice and for

matters incidental thereto. A quick review of Senator Ewherido’s bills clearly indicates his thorough imbuement of Oliver Weddel Holmes legal disciples who believe that the law is not a brooding omnipotence in the sky rather it is a flexible instrument for social and orderly change. Former Vice President Atiku, Ewherido’s neighbour in Abuja, speaking on his death, noted that he lived a remarkable and enviable lifestyle, noting that ‘anyone that lived peacefully and respectfully with his neighbours without a hint of suppressed grudges like Ewherido did must be one in a million, especially in a country like ours where some big men spare no effort to be noticed.’ We can only pray that Ewherido should not die with his dreams of a better Urhobo, a better Delta State, and a better Nigeria. Amen.

Tribute To Steve N. Osemeke (1953-2013) By Nick Dazang HEN the passing on of Mr. Steve N. Osemeke, who was until his retirement the Deputy Secretary, Public Affairs and Election Observation, was announced on Thursday, June 24, 2013, the entire staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters at Maitama, Abuja, were thrown into deep and comprehensive mourning. How was it possible for a man who had left the Commission some three years ago to inspire such profound pathos and emotion? It was principally because Mr. Osemeke, as we all deferentially called him, approached his job with passion and empathy. The quintessential Public Relations man and professional par excellence was simply fastidious and possessed a knack for perfection. “Copies” and editorial drafts submitted to Steve, who once served as Chairman of the Commission’s Editorial Board, had to be thoroughly and meticulously vetted – sometimes “surgically” – to borrow from his pet and beloved word. Steve obsessed himself with excellence and asserting the pre-eminence of the Public Affairs Department in the Commission’s scheme of things. On account of this, he strained himself not to carry himself in a manner as to bring diminishment to the department. And he enjoined others not to do the same. To set a personal example, he affected a rare sartorial elegance by turning out well and investing lavishly in his appearance. He also

made sure that assignments given to the department were done excellently and with a professional touch, thereby endearing it (the department) to the management. There was no major committee set up by the Commission in which the department, under his watch, was not factored. If he set store by his, and his staffers’ neat appearance, he was punctilious to a fault. One of his first motions as Deputy Secretary was to issue queries to some management staff who came late on a difficult and inclement day when it had rained heavily and the then Kubwa and Karu traffics had unraveled. Like Phinehas in Biblical history, I had to stand in the breach between the offending staff and Steve who had already flown off the handle. But just as quick as he was to take exception to “lousiness”, his other pet, condescending word, he was quick to forgive and to empathise. Steve, in his unique way, was generous to a fault and was always eager to affect the lives of others positively. And not a few staff knew of this predilection. And they took advantage of it. Little wonder, each time he acted for the Secretary to the Commission, staff thronged his office seeking for “approvals” to solve one problem or other. Without exception, Steve would oblige them. By laying premium on excellence and celebrating talented and hard working staff,

Steve was able to inspire and spur them on. This was more noticeable at the Editorial Board when articles authored by staff were published in the newspapers defending the Commission or explaining its position. Steve would lionise the author(s) and make sure that at the end of the day some “refreshments” were made available to facilitate “clearing the cobwebs” and well-written articles in the future. In addition to a knack for excellence, Steve, like all ambitious men, was self-driven. His determination to excel was aided by a savvy and sagacity cultivated through his rigorous training and experiences. Apart from training as a journalist and serving as a reporter at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the Observer, he had the distinction of serving as Chief Press Secretary to six governors – military and civilian – in the former Bendel and Delta states. These experiences stood him in good stead and prepared him for the uphill tasks of Directing, seamlessly and with élan, the Public Affairs Department of the Commission, which he started in 1993 and subsequently held the positions of Administrative Secretary and Coordinator, the Electoral Institute (TEI). Though not a religious fanatic or an ethnic bigot, Steve was proud of his Catholic background and his rustic hometown, Onicha Ugbo. He was always quick to point to the pre-eminence and universality of the

Catholic Church. Whenever we travelled by road, Steve who had a phobia for flying, would regale you with the place of the Catholic Church in antiquity and compare it disdainfully with other “nascent” and “fly-by- nightchurches”. As if that were not enough, he would find recourse to his native Onicha Ugbo and the Delta Igbo. He would also underscore to you, in the lighter mood, of course, that even though other Igbos lay emphasis on commerce, his Delta Igbos prefer to devote their time to acquiring education. There is no gainsaying it: Steve will be sorely missed. He was an avuncular gentleman. He carried himself as that Uncle you wished you had. He never took offense. But he did not suffer fools gladly either. He was empathic without undermining his quest for excellence and his laser-beam focus. He was always dressed resplendently without being vain. He inspired by hard work and personal example and not by idle words and posturing. He brought passion and panache to the job. And he invested all his energies in it. He was an intellectual, a man who believed in ideas and their capacity to move society forward. Above all, and like all good writers, he respected his colleagues who wrote well. May his gentle soul rest peacefully with our Lord. And may the good and ennobling life he lived console us and assuage the pain of his passing on to eternal glory, Amen. . Dazang is the Deputy Director, Publicity, INEC.

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division Six Championship

Team Nigeria before the game against Bahrain. Inset: Runs for Ricky Sharma.

PHOTOS: WWW.CRICKETEUROPE4.NET

Excitement In Team Nigeria Camp, As Argentina Come Calling

This time, the hero was Saheed Akolade (6-27 in 8 overs), who produced an inspired display of fast bowling to rip through the Bahraini batting line-up, with only three batsmen reaching double figures in a total of 104 in 33 overs. Olympio also impressed with ball, returning figures of 3-23 in 10 overs. Nigeria then knocked off the runs with minimum fuss, opener the championship and Vanuatu tagged along as the runners up. Segun Olayinka making 50* in 80 balls, including four fours and By Christian Okpara So, in the battle of old foes, Nigeria came out tops, scoring 230 all a six, as victory was secured in 28.1 overs. Now at the verge of achieving an incredible feat, Skipper VERYBODY associated with Team Nigeria at the on-going ICC- out in 49.2 overs. Adegbola praised his teammates for daring to believe in their Pepsi World Cricket League (WCL) Division Six play-off is excit- The heroes of the first day of the campaign were Adekunle abilities even when the bookmakers thought otherwise. ed at the prospect of the country qualifying for the Division five Adegbola (44) and Segun Olayinka (34), as the top-scorers, with He said, “Saheed’s bowling was awesome today and Oluseye did of the league. This incredible feat was not what many followers Oluseye Olympio’s 3-41 helping Nigeria to a slender victory. a great job in supporting him. Segun also occupied the crease of Nigerian cricket expected when the team left for their training In the second game, Team Nigeria continued their good run of form by notching up a big 111-run win over Kuwait at Grainville. well and did a good job for the team. tour of England last month in preparation for the champiBatting first having lost the toss, Nigeria posted an imposing “Our last game now is against Argentina and there is nothing onship. more or less for us than to be victorious. We’re going to give it our At best, even the officials expected Team Nigeria to do enough total for the second time in this tournament, making 263-9 in best to finish in the top two.” to retain their position in the Division Six, which is the last rung their 50 overs. Dotun Olatunji (66) top-scored whilst Ricky Sharma (47) and Kunle Adegbola (44) made important contribuArgentina is seen as easy meat for the Nigerians, but wicketof the world league following the scrapping of Division Seven. tions. keeper, Ricky Sharma, is not taking anything for granted. But since Adekunle Adegbola and his boys began their campaign in this competition, the expectations have changed, as the In reply, Kuwait never really looked like troubling Nigeria as they According to the Lagos Indians’ star, “over-confidence can be a were all out for 152 in 40.2 overs. dangerous enemy to any complacent team, so we have decided boys keep posting one victory after the other. Again, Adegbola was the hero, as he made 4-24, while Olympio that we will not rest until we have achieved our aim of picking The sweet song began at Les Quennevais, where Team Nigeria returned figures of 3-37. the ticket to Division Five. started their campaign with a-six run defeat of perennial foes, Team Nigeria, however, came unstuck in the third game against “Argentina in this division means that they have a good team. Vanuatu. hosts, Jersey, who posted a comprehensive six-wicket victory in So, we will brace up for a strong challenge from them, but we can Nigeria and Vanuatu came into the Division Six from the assure Nigerians that we are ready for battle.” Division Seven Championship in Botswana, where Nigeria won the top-of-the-table clash. After that loss, Skipper Adegbola acknowledged that his team did Team co-ordinator, Olisa Egwuatu, who on the eve of the compenot live up to expectations, but he promised that they would rise tition said Nigeria would do everything possible to retain their again to reclaim their position in the forefront of the promotion position in Division Six, now believes that only a monumental race. disaster would stop the West Africans from reaching the Holy “We started badly today, losing three early wickets, but big credit Grail. TEAM P W T NR L PTS NRR to Ricky Sharma, who occupied the crease to take us to 96. Jersey’s According to Egwuatu, “We have done so well to get to this stage JERSEY 4 4 0 0 0 8 +1.664 openers were fantastic though and their spinners also did a great where we need only one win to qualify for Division Five. So, we job. are going to give it everything we have because there may not be VANUATU 4 3 0 0 1 6 +0.831 “We have to win our next two games but by God’s grace we’ll be any chance better than this. second at the end of today and I still believe that we will meet “We want to thank Dr. John Abebe and all those that have supNIGERIA 4 3 0 0 1 6 +0.532 Jersey in the final,” he said. ported us to this level for their efforts. One thing we promise is True to Adegbola’s promise of bouncing back to reckoning, ARGENTINA 4 2 0 0 2 4 -0.555 that we will reward them with victory over Argentina.” Team Nigeria on Thursday posted an eight-wicket defeat of All the teams observed yesterday as rest day, as all the final BAHRAIN 4 0 0 0 4 0 -0.833 Bahrain in their fourth game of the competition to be in the ideal games will hold today. position to join Jersey in the hunt for the title and promotion tick- Aside Nigeria’s clash against Argentina, table toppers, Jersey, will KUWAIT 4 0 0 0 4 0 -1.315 et. take on Vanuatu at Farmers Field in a top-of-the-table clash, while

ICC Pepsi World Cricket League Division Six Table

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, July 27, 2013

THe GUarDIan Saturday, July 27, 2013

SPorTS European Round-Off

Martino Promises To Bring new Style, Ideas To nou camp erarDo Martino has G insisted that he will be looking to instill his own football philosophy and ideas at Barcelona following his appointment as the club’s new head coach. Martino was named this week as the successor to Tito Vilanova, who was forced to step down due to health issues, and he is determined to have Barca continue playing attractive and attacking football. “I want to find a style the players are comfortable with

and also add my own personal touches, to introduce a few ideas of my own and make the team more complete,” Martino stated at a press conference. “My Paraguay team was nothing like the team we had at newell’s old Boys [in terms of playing style]. I try to adapt to the qualities of the teams I am coaching, and that is something I will look to do at Barcelona. “There are excellent footballers here, if we can return to the great ideas that

Barcelona has had [in recent years], we will have a very competitive team. “The pressing that has been such a feature of this team is something I want us to get back. I want Barcelona to be a team that is comfortable in attack and that plays high up the pitch.” The argentine then went on to express his gratitude to Barca for giving him the chance to prove himself in europe. “I’m very happy, very grateful for the attention and the confidence [placed in me] at this club, with such great tradition and history,” Martino said. “even if you are extremely ambitious, it is hard to imagine being at a

club like this. a year ago, I wouldn’t have imagined it but now I am here and I am very grateful for that.” Martino also had words of encouragement for Vilanova and wished his predecessor all the best as he continues his fight against cancer. “Sadly, we know that I have arrived here due to an unfortunate situation, so I would like to take the opportunity to send a big hug to Tito,” Martino said. “We have spoken and he [Tito] welcomed me, wished me luck. I am grateful to him. I want to send him a lot of strength. I don’t know him personally but we know what he is going through and we wish him all the best.”

Bayern’s ribery, neuer out of Super cup reBle winners, Bayern T Munich, will be without winger Franck ribery and goalkeeper Manuel neuer, when they travel to Borussia Dortmund for the Super cup today in a repeat of last season’s champions league final. coach Pep Guardiola, who took over after Jupp Heynckes’s record-breaking season with the Bavarians, said the two players were nursing minor injuries from their friendly 2-0 win over Barcelona this week and would not be fit for the first chance of a trophy this season. Guardiola, who won 14 of 19 possible titles in his four years at Barcelona, also cast doubt on the participation of midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who only recently came back from injury. “Bastian will travel with us but we do not know yet if he can

Torres Will Benefit From competition at chelsea, Says Mourinho HelSea manager, Jose c Mourinho, believes that competition for places up front next season can only benefit striker Fernando Torres. after initially struggling at Stamford Bridge following his

50 million pound move from liverpool, the Spain striker appears to be on his way back to rediscovering his best form, scoring 27 times in all competitions last season. However, Torres was vying

Martino

Transfer Gossip arcelona midfielder, cesc Fabregas, has told friends he B would like to move to Manchester United. The Premier league champions have failed with two offers for the 26year-old Spain international. Manchester United will not sell striker Wayne rooney, 27, even if they sign Fabregas from Barcelona. United are targeting real Madrid forward, cristiano ronaldo, 28, again as they look to avoid a backlash from fans if they fail to sign Fabregas. chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, is prepared to wait until after the start of the Premier league season before signing rooney. liverpool have made Valencia striker, roberto Soldado, 28, their main target as they look to replace 26-year-old luis Suarez. Tottenham have had a £22m offer for the Spain international rejected and Valencia want to sell Soldado for £26m by 3 august for tax purposes. liverpool manager, Brendan rodgers, says Suarez’s desire to join arsenal “does not add up” and that he is already at a bigger club than the Gunners. The reds have told arsenal they have a week to meet their £50m valuation of Suarez or they will miss out on the Uruguay striker. Suarez would be happy for the Premier league to settle the mix-up over his contract clause with liverpool. rodgers’ recent comments about Suarez apparently owing liverpool and their fans for the loyalty shown in him have angered the player. celtic striker, Gary Hooper, 25, has passed a medical ahead of a £5m move to norwich. lille’s former chelsea forward, Salomon Kalou, will reject a move to West Ham after being told he would not play through the middle for the Hammers. West Brom have also had a £4m bid accepted for the 27-year-old Ivory coast international. French winger, charles n’Zogbia, 27, could be set to leave aston Villa, with Hull and crystal Palace considering bids. West Ham are set to open up talks again about a move for 31-year-old Southampton striker, rickie lambert. The Hammers are also interested in West Brom striker, Peter odemwingie, 32, after deals for the nigeria international to join crystal Palace and Fulham fell through. West Brom are hoping to sign Udinese striker, Matej Vydra, on a season-long loan deal. The czech republic international, 21, scored 20 goals during a loan spell at Watford last season and has also been linked with Swansea and Sunderland. Former Blackpool captain, Ian evatt, 31, is training with Blackburn after leaving the Bloomfield road club earlier this summer.

Torres

solely with Demba Ba for a starting spot in the latter half of the campaign something Mourinho believes did the forward no favors. “I think Fernando should be happy, because we have competition in the team, and that is good for everybody in every position,” Mourinho told reporters. “I think Fernando will be pleased because during his time at chelsea he was basically the only striker and then after that there was the arrival of Ba in January. “now the team has three (other) strikers, and that is good.” Mourinho has added andre Schurrle to his squad from Bayer leverkusen ahead of the new Premier league season, while romelu lukaku - who scored 18 times on loan at West Brom last term - is back at Stamford Bridge.

Fabregas Is not For Sale, Barcelona Warn Man United arcelona vice-president, B Josep Maria Bartomeu, has told Manchester United that they will not sell midfielder cesc Fabregas at any price. United manager David Moyes revealed on Thursday that the deal was “ongoing” but the Spanish club insist no offer will be accepted for the

Fabregas

26-year-old. Bartomeu said: “United’s interest for cesc Fabregas is obvious, he’s a great player but it does not bother us. “It does not matter what they offer us, we are not selling him.” The Premier league champions have failed with two bids for the former arsenal player,

the latest of which is understood to be £30m plus add-ons. Bartomeu was speaking at new manager Gerardo Martino’s first news conference following his appointment as Tito Vilanova’s replacement. “I’m not going to involve myself in the club’s accounts, but considering the club has already rejected two offers, I would guess it will reject a third,” Martino said. “In other words, Fabregas will remain here.” United made their first move for Fabregas on 15 July by tabling a £25m bid and executive vice-chairman, ed Woodward then flew home from the club’s asia tour to try to secure his capture. However, the reds have now been told no matter how much they bid, the Spanish champions will not listen to offers. “If there was a higher offer would we accept it? no. We’re proud that a club like that wants one of our players,” added Bartomeu.

play. He has only a few training sessions under his belt,” the Spaniard told reporters yesterday. Mario Goetze, Bayern’s big transfer from Dortmund, will also miss the game as he is still recovering from the muscle injury that kept him out of the champions league final in May. The two teams have slugged it out in the Bundesliga in the past three seasons with Dortmund winning the 2011 and 2012 editions and Bayern returning to the top last season, when they also added the champions league trophy and the German cup. Bayern beat Dortmund 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp arjen robben goal in the champions league final in london and also eliminated their rivals in the German cup quarter-finals. “You have no excuse if you are Bayern coach,” Guardiola said. “a final is a final and you have

Ribery

Magath lambasts Gotze over Bayern Move orMer Bayern FMagath, Munich coach, Felix has criticised Mario Gotze, over his decision to leave Borussia Dortmund for the champions league winners ahead of the 2013-14 campaign. The Germany international left BVB for Bayern after the Bavarians triggered his 37 million euros exit clause earlier this year, but Magath feels the 21-year-old Gotze should have given Dortmund back more than ‘just’ a lucrative transfer fee. “I don’t understand how someone can give back so little to the club that raised him as a footballer,” Magath told the Bayerischen Rundfunk. Magath believes Bayern will once again dominate the Bundesliga, even suggesting it will go the whole season undefeated. “I’m convinced Bayern Munich will win the German championship. I don’t think any team will be able to compete with them, from my point of view, the first place is taken already,” he explained. “Bayern probably won’t lose a single match, an end of their dominance is not in sight. In the long run, that’s unhealthy for the league and even for Bayern.” Bayern kicks off the new season on Saturday when it meets Dortmund for the German Supercup.

THE GUARDiAN Saturday, July 27, 2013

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SPORTS

Mid-Term Report - The Good, The Bad And The Sad Of Nigerian Football The good Eagles Of Hope! Nigeria started 2013 on a good note. HE Super Eagles, against all odds, conquered the rest of Africa at the African Cup of Nations hosted by South Africa in emphatic fashion. The team did not lose any match winning it. Since then the team has continued its winning ways, dominating its World Cup qualifying group. Undoubtedly, the Super Eagles remain the strongest national team in Africa, not coming even near losing any match in Africa this year. At the Confederations Cup, with several home-based players in the squad, they played gallantly, giving the rest of the world a good indication of how formidable, dangerous and difficult an opponent they would be during the next World Cup. The route to finally qualifying may still be littered with potholes, but, except a real disaster happens (which is very unlikely), it can almost be taken that Nigeria will lead the rest of Africa to the World Cup football carnival in Brazil in the summer of 2014. Their march continues steadily and in style. New NFA House! last week, the Nigeria Football Association was gifted a new ‘home’ in Abuja. The NFA became beneficiaries of the noble action of a few Nigerians that wanted to set an example in prudency, integrity, transparency and accountability. The Presidential Task Force set up by the President to ensure that Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup successfully completed its primary assignment, and then assigned to itself another one – to build a befitting football secretariat for the NFA (totally unsolicited for) with the money left-over. Under usual circumstances such unspent funds would have lined the pockets of the members, who had worked hard to raise it in the first place. But, not this time. Under the leadership of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, whose leadership and courage in difficult times during that period was noble

Sunday Mba and Victor Moses celebrating Nigeria’s defeat of Cote d’Ivoire at the South Africa 2013 CAF Nations Cup. PHOTO:

and exemplary, the members were unanimous in agreeing to spend it in constructing a legacy project that would add great and permanent value to Nigerian football. Hence the Sunday Dankaro Football House, that was commissioned last week by the Vice-President of Nigeria. All Nigerians are now proud of a proper football secretariat house named after, perhaps, the best Chairman of the NFA since independence in 1960. Globacom’s Return To The League! The return of the telecommunication giants, Globacom, as sponsors of the Nigerian Premier league meant the restoration of an essential lifeline to Nigerian football. A new lease of life was breathed into the league and improvements in all aspects of it are slow but increasingly visible. The Bad Age Cheats! Nigeria’s Under-20 national team returned recently from the FiFAUnder 20 Youth championship in Turkey. The team was ‘fantastic‘ winning all but one of its matches and came back after losing in the round of 16 to Uruguay. Whilst the championship was ongoing my former team mate, a respected legal luminary, whose sense of judgment and responsibility have never been in question, ‘Chief Justice’ Adokie Amiesimaka, in his weekly newspaper column, wrote that at least two players in that team were closer to 30 than 20 years of age! i waited to see what the public reactions would be, if the country would turn up side down, if heads would roll, if some conniving officials would be sanctioned, if an inquest would be set up. i could have waited forever. Just as i knew would happen, nothing happened since then! Everyone and everything had just trudged on, the silence from the football fraternity (and that includes the press) a deafening endorsement of warped values! Here, in the Nigerian football planet (as in several other African countries as we have found), to cheat is all right provided you do not get caught! That’s how morally traumatized the Nigerian public has become that falsification of documents and reduction of ages in order to win can be justified! Any criticism is regarded as unpatriotic lullaby nauseatingly been repeated over and over again like a broken gramophone record! Yet everyone knows that age-cheats have significantly reduced the impact of discovering, developing and sustaining proper football talents in the country. With some authenticity the country would have done more and achieved a great deal more in international football. Scandalous Matches! The story of the world’s greatest match-fixing scandal has not completely gone away. it was previously unheard of that any football match could end with scores of over 60 and 70 goals. But it happened in Nigeria – 69 goals and 79 goals in a blatant display of indecency and corruption. Even in an environment acclaimed for its tolerance of the worst form of corruption, the odour of this particular scandal was so putrid that any attempt to cover-it up would have failed. The call for punitive action against the perpetrators was so loud and numerous that not to be seen to do something would tantamount to being an accomplice to a most foolish act. Punitive action took a little while coming, but when it finally did close scrutiny reveals that it is a clever ruse clothed to inflict the least pain on the greatest culprits. The match and club officials were banned from participating in any football match for life. The four clubs involved were also

Gaiya Explains National Assembly’s Support For De Ultimate Commander By Christian Okpara HAiRMAN, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya, on Wednesday explained that the National Assembly was supporting World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, Osita Offor, also known in the rings as De Ultimate Commander, because he is a good role model for the youths of Nigeria. Speaking in his office in Abuja while receiving De Ultimate Commander’s delegation to the House of Representatives, who is among the champions of youth empowerment in the National Assembly, said he was delighted by the exploits of the wrestler, who has ‘traveled far and wide in his search for glory for the nation.’ Gaiya said, “De Ultimate Commander is not a stranger to the National Assembly…he is an ambassador to the Assembly and we want to assure you that it is the desire of the National Assembly to promote excel-

lence in sports. “We are promoting De Ultimate Commander because he is the world champion, who has brought so much honour to the country and we will not allow his efforts to go in vain.” According to Gaiya, De Commander is not only promoting his career, he is also promoting the corporate image of Nigeria. He added: “We are promising that any endorsement you require you will get it expressly. “We already have a bill that will give corporate sponsors of sports tax holidays and soon it would be assented into law to give people like you the opportunity to get sponsors for your activities.” Gaiya promised De Ultimate Commander and his entourage that he would be in South Africa to watch the World Champion’s outing in Mandela Day celebrations in Pretoria. Before then, he promised to ensure that Nigerians were encouraged to participate in the ‘Battle of legends,’ a championship which

involves wrestling, boxing and music with some of the best known artistes from across the world participating in a carnival-like show billed for later this year. “Apart from football, we have 38 other sports and we are trying to see how to make them grow so that we can diversify and encourage our teeming youths the opportunity to take these sports as their profession. “Sports is a very big business, which can help to decongest the large pool of unemployed youths of the country. When that happens, we would have succeeded in curbing youth restiveness in the country because as they say, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Speaking earlier, the promoter of the ‘Battle of legends, Aghalieaku Arinze, told the chairman of House Committee on Sports that their visit was part of the programme to ensure a successful event. He said, “We came to see you because of your contributions to the growth of sports in the country.

Segun Odegbami banned for 10 years! That’s all. The rest of life can go on. People have even been praising the football association for prompt action. But to look closer is to reveal the ruse and the hand-slap. i can guarantee that all the ‘banned’ players will soon masquerade under new names and new data in different parts of the country and continue playing their football. Other clubs, with the unquenchable appetite for sacrificing everything for winning, would not take the trouble to verify the real identity of players before engaging them. Supervising football officials, for some small gratification, would simply look the other way. is this not Nigeria? Furthermore, the banned clubs do not really exist beyond the name registration in the association offices. None of them would have been registered as a corporate body. The owners will just come up with new names for the clubs and resume their trade - a conduit for selling spaces on the league table at the end of every season to teams that can afford to buy them to gain promotion, or for the slave trading of players to obscure clubs and leagues abroad. So their purported ban is simply a body-swerve, selling a dummy. What is the punitive measure for the real culprits – the club owners and the football association officials? The owners of the clubs have been let off the hook laughing their heads off at our collective foolishness. At that level of club operations, who does not know that it is the club owner that calls All the shots? Nothing happens without his knowledge and approval. They are the puppeteers pulling the strings behind the scene. They must have known about everything that transpired and must have been active pilots of the drama. When it exploded in their faces they were quickest to distance themselves from the acts, and started to shed crocodile tears. They looked for scapegoats by scrapping the clubs that did not really corporately exist in the first place, and banned unknown and faceless club officials. The Sad Deaths In The Football Family! The Nigerian football fraternity has continued to lose several of its actors this year: Okey isima, Emmanuel Omuinu, Jossy lad, Thompson Oliha, Olu lagunju, Dr. John Okoro, Sunny Badru, Pius Oleh, Bob Olayombo, Sunny Ozogula, Deacon Ayo Ositelu, Architect Abdullahi Shime Abubakar. May all their souls rest in perfect peace with the Almighty.

Telecom Games: Airtel Debut Against Ericsson, As MTN Face Alcatel iRTEl Nigeria will make A their debut in the Nigeria Telecommunication Games (NTG) when they square up against lM Ericsson in the first fixture of Match Day 3 of the 2013 season, which will also see MTN Nigeria seeking to consolidate their position at the top.

Airtel Nigeria may be playing their very first game but the Bharti Mittal Boys are definitely no push-over given that their sponsorship of the Airtel Rising Star soccer project will rub off positively on their players. The company’s Vice President, Corporate Communications

and CSR, Emeka Opara, said they have trained adequately to face every opponent in the tournament. “At Airtel, whatever we embark on is approached with a mind to excel and our participation in the NTG is about winning fairly and squarely.

De Ultimate Commander (second right) introducing the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya (right) to event promoter, Aghalieaku Arinze (second left) and event director, Vitalis Ojetabu (left), when the World Heavyweight Wrestling champion and his team paid a courtesy call on the National Assembly…on Wednesday.

TheGuardian

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

eguavoen Urges FG To Redeem Pledge, As Oliha Goes Home From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City He remains of former Super eagles international, Thompson Oliha, was yesterday laid to rest in Benin City, edo State, with former captain of the team, Austin eguavoen, calling on the Federal Government to redeem its pledge of a house in Lagos for the late midf i e l d e r . Oliha is among the few members of the glorious Super eagles of 1994, who won the African Nations Cup in Tunisia, yet to get the houses promised them then by late dictator, General Sani Abacha. Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and ex-Super eagles players paid their last respects to the ex-international at his lying-in-state at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. Oliha died on June 30 in Ilorin Kwara State after a brief illness. Among those present at the late star’s interment yesterday were officials of the NFF, edo State, Kwara State and former international col-

leagues of the former Iwuanyanwu National star. They eulogized Oliha, whom they variously described as a humble gentleman and a dedicated player in the service of his fatherland. NFF representative, Leye Adepoju, described the late Oliha as “a disciplined gentleman and a patriotic Nigerian, who the present crop of players should emulate.’’ The interment was preceded by a memorial match between edo selected players versus ex-internationals and players of Kwara Academy, Oliha’s last employer. Some of the players, who featured in the match, are Austin eguavoen, Aloy Agu, emeka ezeugo, Ben Iroha and Baldwin Bazuaye. At the event, edo and Kwara governments separately pledged N1 million each to the Oliha’s children, Aisosa and Paris. Oliha’s remains were later interred in his house at No. 3 Thompson Oliha Avenue, off Sokponba Road at about 1.30 pm yesterday.

Glo Premier League

I Have Not Quit Sunshine Stars, Amoo Insists By Olalekan Okusan ONTRARY to reports that Coach Fatai Amoo has resigned as technical adviser of Sunshine Stars of Akure, the former 3SC gaffer says he is still with the Ondo State side. Amoo told The Guardian yesterday that he still remains with the team, but he called on the Ondo State Government to ensure an enabling environment for the team to fulfill its potential in the Globacom Premier League. “I have not resigned or quit Sunshine Stars. I love the team and the people of the state because since I joined the team I have enjoyed the support of the state government. But my worry is the atti-

tude of the fans. “When we lost the Federation Cup to Nasarawa United, the fans that felt that we did not deserve to lose the match assaulted us. I want to tell you that we prosecuted the match with 14 players because some of our players are with the Super eagles, while some others are nursing injuries. So we have to make use of the ones available. We tried our best and we only lost 1-0, which should not be the end of things because we still have the league to prosecute,” he explained. The Guardian recalls that shortly after their elimination by Nasarawa United in the Federation Cup, Amoo left the team over alleged threat to his life

enter Chuba Akpom, The New Arsenal Saviour eeNAGe striker, Chuba Akpom, is the revelation of Arsenal’s tour of Asia, which ended yesterday in Japan. The youth team striker yesterday came off the bench to score the winner as Arsenal completed an unbeaten tour of Asia with a 2-1 win against Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds. Arsenal had taken the lead through Lukas Podolski, a half-time replacement for Olivier Giroud, before Japan international, Yuki Abe, scored the equaliser with a long-range effort. But Akpom sealed the victory for Arsenal eight minutes from time when he capitalised on a defensive blunder to score his fourth goal of a successful tour. Arsenal could have won by more. Alex OxladeChamberlain and Theo

Walcott both hit the woodwork in the first half and Giroud saw a lofted shot drop just wide of the post. But manager Arsene Wenger was happy to have come through a tough test after beating Nagoya 3-1 and putting seven goals past both the Indonesian Dream Team and Vietnam. “We wanted a competitive game and we were not disappointed,” Wenger told www.arsenal.com. “The game was played at a good pace. They tried to catch us on the break, defended very well and were very sharp on counter attack so it was a good test for us.”

Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Mba (right) tries to beat Cote d’Ivoire defender, Baresi Gloudoueu during the first leg of the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualification match in Kaduna. Nigeria won 4-1. PHOTO: AFP

Ahead South Africa 2014 CHAN Qualifier

Super Eagles Ready For The Double Over Cote D’Ivoire By Christian Okpara He Super eagles enter T today’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire as football followers’ firm favourites to win the ticket to South Africa 2014. The home-based eagles defeated the Ivoirians 4-1 in the first leg played in Kaduna last month and going by the preparedness of the Nigerians, observers believe only a disaster would stop them from carrying the day. The match kicks off by 4.30 p.m. Nigerian time. Nigeria arrived in Abidjan on Thursday morning and immediately set about their final preparation for the game scheduled for the Houphouet Boigny Stadium. The Super eagles had their last training session yester-

day evening in Abidjan with Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, paying special attention on junior international, Alhaji Abdulahi Gero. Gero’s sudden rise may not be unconnected with the injury to top striker, Gambo Mohammed, who was left out at the last minute by the technical crew. But the enugu Rangers forward seems to fit perfectly into the mould of Gambo, with his strong build, good height and very sharp reaction in front of goal. According to Super eagles’ Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, Gero is competing with the other strikers for a starter’s shirt and could get Keshi’s nod to lead the attack. Alaiya disclosed that in his final address to the team after training yesterday evening, Keshi declared that he had absolute belief in the ability

of the players to overcome any team in Africa, but again urged them to have belief in themselves. “Nothing good comes easy and I am sure that by the end of Saturday we will be the team smiling home with the CHAN ticket,” he said. Also looking ahead to a successful outing, defender, Godfrey Oboabona, says the team is primed for success, adding that all the players know what it means to play in the CHAN. According to Oboabona, “We are all determined to play in the CHAN because it is a shame that a country as big in football as Nigeria has not played in the championship. “We are ready for all the things they have in store for us, and as long as the officials are fair, we will come out victorious.”

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Also among the believers in Nigeria’s superiority over Cote d’Ivoire is fiery Ivoirian critic, Mamadou Gaye, who has written off his home team, the elephants. Gaye said when he visited the Super eagles Ibis Hotel camp in Abidjan on Thursday night that poor planning by the Ivorian FA has ensured that the team cannot qualify against a better-organised and better-prepared Super eagles. He accused the Sidi Jallo led Ivorian FA of fostering a mediocre coach on the homebased elephants, while the Aminu Maigari-led NFF was quick to pick Stephen Keshi to be in charge of the Team B. “They have already killed the psychology of the players by failing to draft Sabri Lamouch, who is the team A coach, to handle the home boys and psychologically when the players saw your Big Boss on the bench against them, a Nations Cup winner, they froze out and that will repeat itself here in Abidjan,” the sports commentator declared.