Sat 15 June 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

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JTF Releases Shekau’s Wife, 22 Others In Yobe From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE military Joint Task T Force (JTF) in Yobe State on Thursday released Hassana Yakubu, one of the wives of the wanted Boko Haram sect leader, Shiekh Abubakar Shekau.

A member of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Reconciliation (PCDR) disThe closed this to Guardian in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Hassana was released along with seven other wives of top commanders of the Boko Haram sect. Fifteen of their children, aged between five and eight, were also released.

In the PCDR member’s words: “Hassana was released last week alongside Malama Zara, wife of slain leader of the group, Mohammed Yusuf, and seven other wives of top commanders of the Boko Haram sect who have been in detention for 10 months.”

He added: “Other Boko Haram suspects released by

NEWS 5

Boko Haram Sacks 19,000 Farmers In Borno

the Yobe JTF are three children of Shekau as well as 13 others who were arrested alongside their mothers in various locations in Yobe State.”

The released persons, according to him; “were handed over to the Yobe State Government which in turn handed them over to the Borno State Government.

They were later reconnected with their families in a brief ceremony which took place at the executive chambers of the deputy governor of Borno State, Zanna Umar Mustapha.”

The Guardian also learn that the women and children were brought to Maiduguri

by Barrister, Aliyu Shehu, Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Asma‘u Kabir Kolo, and were received by Borno State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu, and other top government functionaries on behalf of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.

Barrister Shehu who spoke to The Guardian on the modalities that led to their release said: “The Yobe State government had earlier contacted our officials in Borno state, asking its readiness to receive the detainees who were said to be indigenes CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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www.ngrguardiannews.com NEWS 3

23 Govs Behind APC, Says Lai Mohammed NEWS 7

Nigeria Has Met MDG Hunger Target, Says FAO SPORT 60

Confederations Cup Begins Today

Appeal Court Dismisses Oyinlola’s Appeal Against PDP

By Joseph Onyekwere HE Lagos Division of the Court of T Appeal yesterday dismissed an appeal filed by former National

Saturday Delight:

Tolulope ‘Toolz’ Oniru, presenter, Globacom X-Factor Reality TV show.

Secretary and National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Chief Bode Mustapha, respectively, over the withdrawal of PDP in a suit.

The PDP had earlier appealed against the judgment of Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/347/2012, delivered on May 2, last year in respect of Ogun PDP leadership crisis.

The party had filed an appeal challenging the lower court’s decision in a suit filed on behalf of the Ogun state executive committee of the PDP by Chief Adebayo Dayo, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo and three others.

The lower court had nullified the Southwest zonal congress of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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Fuel Subsidy Protest Victims Get N4m Compensation

By Bertram Nwannekanma N Ikeja High Court, Lagos A yesterday ordered the payment of the sum of N4 million as compensation to families of four protesters, who were shot by former Divisional Police Officer of Pen Cinema Police Station, Agege, Lagos, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, during last year’s protest against subsidy removal. Trial judge,Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile in her ruling held the police and Fabunmi liable for “recklessly shooting and inflicting bodily injury” on the appli-

cants. She also ordered that the police to apologise to the applicants on a national daily. Fabunmi, allegedly shot at the protesters at about 9.30am on January 9, 2012 in Yaya-Abatan Junction, Agege, Lagos, during the protest. The four applicants were said to have been injured while one other protester, Adedamola Daramola, allegedly died instantly. The applicants are Egbuzor Samuel (24), Alimi Abubakar (41), Joy Monday (21) and Chibuzo Udo (28) The suit dated March 13, 2012, was instituted on behalf of the four applicants by the

Lagos State Office of the Public Defender. Also on Friday, Fabunmi, who is facing, separate criminal trial arising from the incident, asked Justice Olabisi Akinlade, of the same Lagos High Court, for bail. Justice Akinlade, after hearing the bail application, fixed July 4 for ruling. But Justice Okikiolu-Ighile held in her judgment that the shooting violated the applicants’ constitutional rights to freedom of movement and human dignity. The court exonerated the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, who was joined as a

Flying Bike Takes Off in Prague

By Keith Barry FLYING electric bicycle?

A Yes. And it made its first public voyage hovering in the air around a Prague convention center this week, with a dummy on board.

Reminiscent of a budget speeder bike from Star Wars, The Design Your Dreams Flying Bike is the product of three Czech engineering firms, who collaborated to fulfill a shared childhood dream.

Six horizontally mounted propellers lifted the 220pound electric bike into the air, while an engineer on the ground controlled it with a hand-held remote.

According to Milan Duchek of Design Your Dreams, the

prototype will fly remotely with a dummy on the seat for now, but a version that can be piloted by a human will be ready this fall.

“While the prototype isn’t as sleek as the drawings we orig-

inally saw, the project is still in very early stage of development,” Ducheck said.

Most parts came right off the shelf, and the total project cost in the low five figures.

respondent. The judge said both the first and second defendants (the Police and Fabunmi) “wilfully and deliberately refused to participate in the proceedings” thereby rendering all the allegations of the applicants against them unchallenged.

Okikiolu-Ighile said, “In the absence of any counter-affidavit or any opposition, the court is bound to evaluate the facts placed before it and determine the case based on the available facts.” She added that the medical reports obtained by the applicants linked the injuries on them to gunshot. She said, “I hereby declare that the first and second respondents recklessly and maliciously shot at the applicants inflicting bodily injury in violation of their right to life, right to freedom of movement and right to human dignity. “It is hereby ordered that the first and second respondents offer apology to the applicants on a national newspa-

per. “It is ordered that first and second respondents, jointly and severally, should pay the sum of N1m to each of the first, second, third and

fourth defendant for the psychological trauma, bodily injury caused them by the acts of the first and second respondents.”

Court Dismisses Oyinlola’s Appeal Against PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 PDP, ordered the removal of Mustapha and his replacement with Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju, among others.

As a result, the PDP filed a Notice of Withdrawal from the appeal through its counsel, Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN).

But Oyinlola and Mustapha opposed the move and filed a Motion on Notice, asking the Court of Appeal to strike out the Notice of Withdrawal, because their consent was not sought before it (the Notice of Withdrawal) was filed.

Delivering its judgment, the three-man panel, headed by Justice M.B. Dongban-Mensen, held: “Upon the filing of the Notice of Withdrawal, dated 31st January, 2013, the appeal is deemed dismissed.”

The court further held that from the facts before it, the appellants/applicants (Oyinlola and Mustapha) are under the control of the PDP, hence, they cannot turn around to distance themselves from the actions taken by the party in respect of the appeal.

It also awarded a N30, 000 cost of litigation against Oyinlola and Mustapha.

JTF Releases Shekau’s Wife, Others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of this state. On the appointed date, the special adviser to Yobe State Governor brought the women and children as well as a covering letter which was signed by Yobe State Attorney-General, Barrister Ahmed Mustapha Goniri. I and some of my fellow commissioners received them on behalf of our governor who was unavoidably absent.”

He said the women were told to reintegrate themselves into the society and also take part in the peace process initiated by the Federal Government with active support of both the Borno and Yobe state governments.

The commissioner added that the eight women were also immediately enrolled into the skill- acquisition programme of the state government; while the state Ministry of Women Affairs gave them five sets of wrappers and 10 yards of brocade for each of the children.

Besides, he added, the sum of N100, 000 was also approved for each of them.

A similar gesture, according to Shehu, was extended to the six women and 14 children detained in Borno State by the JTF but later released.

Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof Comfort Ekpo; president of the students union, Lucky Inyang; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Paul Ekwere and Governor Godswill Akpabio during the governor’s inspection of damage caused by Wednesday’s students’ protest.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) with members of the IBM team during their visit to the governor… yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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NEWS

23 Governors Behind APC, Says Lai Mohammed

By Tunde Akinola ATIONAL Publicity N Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lai Mohammed has disclosed that no fewer than 23 governors are solidly behind the merger process of the country’s major opposition parties into the yet-to-be-registered All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said that although 11 governors have openly declared their support for the merger, 23 governors are already in the fold of the APC noting that

12 more governors had signified interest to join the party when the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) officially registers it.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday at Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Seventh Town Hall Meeting with constituents of Lagos Central Senatorial District which held with the theme “Making the Sacrifice for Development”, Mohammed said: “The governors will make their declaration after the party is registered, likely in two weeks time. We are likely to get our registration cer-

tificate by the end of June or second week of July.”

He noted that the setback in submitting the APC application to the electoral umpire was due to the complicity involved when several parties are trying to merge unlike when a single political party is trying to get registered.

“Merging is not an easy process; it is complicated.

Aside from the stipulated name, constitution and logo change, each of the merging parties must hold special convention of its party to

adopt the merger,” he stated.

Addressing participants of the town hall meeting, Senator Tinubu emphasised the need to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, noting that the APC was an assurance of hope for the country.

To her, the prevailing situation in the country can only be rescued by a storm of change in which everyone participates sacrificially.

According to Tinubu, “without the genuine change and development being advocated by our great movement,

APC, Nigeria risks further descent into the abyss of underdevelopment and backwardness.”

On the bill seeking special status for Lagos, Tinubu explained that “the bill is imperative when the Constitution Review Committee chose to treat our advocated Special Status for Lagos as an issue to be left out of the constitution.

“Consequently, the three Senators from Lagos have sponsored a bill pursuant to Section 164 (1) of the Constitution, which seeks the provision of financial grants to Lagos State in recognition of its role as the economic

nerve centre of the country.”

Tinubu used the event as a platform to distribute 220 General Certificate of Examination (GCE) forms free of charge to youths selected across the senatorial district that needed additional subjects required for admission into tertiary institutions.

Dignitaries at the event included the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; former Minister of State for Defence, Demola Seriki; Chairman, Lagos chapter of ACN, Chief Henry Ajomole; Oprah Benson; and Prince Tajudeen Olusi, among others.

Minister Expresses Shock Over Death Of NANS Officials HE Minister of Education, T Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, has expressed shock over the death of some officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday.

The sad event, which occurred during an auto crash on their way to Uyo, claimed the life of NANS Senate President, Mr. Donald Onukaogu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that in a statement by the Special Assistant, Media, to the Minister, Mr. Othman Aliyu, yesterday, described the deaths as shocking.

The statement reads: “The minister described the senate president as a committed leader who worked for the peaceful coexistence of Nigerian students at all levels. The Minister, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Rufa’i; Minister of State Education, Chief Nyesom Wike and the entire

Ministry of Education condole with the families of the departed comrades” The statement added that the minister also wishes the survivors, who are receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, speedy recovery.

The NAN reported that the officials died when their official mini bus was involved in a collision with a truck on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Sector Commander, Abia, Mr. John Meheux, who confirmed the incident, said it occurred at the Ariam-Ndioru Junction in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia.

Meheux said four of the victims died on the spot, one on the way to the hospital, while four others who survived the crash, were at the Intensive Care Unit of the FMC Umuahia.

Why We Recognise Jang As NGF Chairman, By Suswan From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi.

ENUE State Governor, Gabriel Suswam has described the recent election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum where Governor Chibuike Amaechi (NGF) of Rivers State was elected the chairman in controversial circumstances as a sham and the height of irresponsibility.

Suswam, who spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Makurdi yesterday, also lamented the polarisation of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) attributing it betrayals within the forum.

Suswan said the Forum had never conducted any election, stressing that Governor Amaechi was initially selected to lead the forum for a period of two years only.

He said the NGF is a voluntary forum that is aimed at peer reviewing the performance of governors in the country towards growth and development of the entire nation rather than selfish attainment.

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Driver of an overloaded vehicle pleading for leniency before a policeman at Suru bus-stop on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Lagos yesterday.

Jonathan, Onaiyekan, Oritsejafor Tie Nigeria’s Growth To Moral Re-birth From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja RESIDENT P Jonathan, Archbishop

Goodluck Catholic of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor yesterday decried the erosion of moral values in the society and called for moral transformation to restore the country on the path of development.

They spoke at the flag-off of the National Christian Campaign on Social Transformation in Abuja, with the theme, “I Be the Change You Want to See.” Jonathan noted that the

entire society had failed, adding that the result could be seen in incidences of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and ritual killing among others.

Urging Nigerians to return to God, the president said: “It would appear we have the society we deserve. In deed, we have lost moral values and principles; we have lost the values of hard work, respect for elders, truthfulness and contentment. So much has gone wrong in our family life, schools, churches and the society in general. Our priorities are misplaced.”

Represented by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amma

Pepple, the president said that a great responsibility is placed on the church to lead the campaign to restore our values and morals in order to bring about the much-needed transformation in the society. He described the campaign as the spiritual arm of government’s Transformation Agenda.

In his sermon, CAN President, Oritsejafor called for a new Nigeria where people are no longer judged by their tribe or religion and a Nigeria where mediocrity is exposed and hard work is rewarded.

He stated that the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was not by mistake, adding that God is behind the idea of the

country called Nigeria.

He said: “Some people criticise Lord Lugard for the amalgamation of Nigeria into Northern and Southern Protectorate in 1914 but the coming together of the different ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria was not by mistake, but by God’s design.

If God can change me, God can change Nigeria. If you look with the eyes of the spirit, you see a great Nigeria but if you look with a natural eye, you see a nation that is struggling and confused. There is a wrestling going on in Nigeria but the wrestling will soon be over. When values are twisted, people become pretenders.”

“We agreed that the position should rotate between the North and South. We don’t hold election. We, the northern governors, 18 of us excluding Yobe State governor who did not attend the meeting or send any representative resolved that Jang is our new chairman and we went to present him to the Forum only to discover that election was to be held.

“The whole process of the election was faulty. Our constitution, which was drafted

by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, was altered; the incumbent chairman adamantly refused to step down and he even went ahead to print ballot papers. It was the height of desperation.

When I observed this I walked out of the hall. We recognise Jang as the legitimate chairman of the NGF,” Suswam said.

Commenting on the NSGF, Suswam described some of the members as ‘traitors’, noting: “I can not sit in a meeting with such people.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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NEWS ‘We Have No Casualties In Our Troops To Mali’ From Bashir Bello, Kaduna HE Nigerian Army authoriT ty yesterday said it has so far recorded no casualty in Nigeria’s Peace Keeping operation to Mali.

Head of African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) Monitoring Team, Major General Chinedu Ugwu disclosed this while deploying another set of troops, which include 57 officers to replace

the previous troops deployed to Mali in January this year.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the troops’ predeployment training at the Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre (NAPKC), Jaji near Kaduna, Major General Ugwu said Nigeria’s performance in Mali has been excellent as he was quick to note that, Nigerian Army has not lost any soul in the ongoing operation.

According to the Head of AFISMA Monitoring Team, “the

Nigerian Army has been performing well and the host country, Mali is happy to have the Nigerian contingent. In fact, in the areas where the Nigerian troops are deployed, like Rere and Niara the people are always happy with them to the extent that they donate food items to them. They said they want Nigeria to be with them and that is why we have the Force Commander there.

They are all happy and our performance is excellent.

“The essence of the prede-

ployment training for NIBATT 2 is to rotate the present troops in Mali. They will be rotated after six months,” General Ugwu said.

Earlier, while addressing the 906 officers and soldiers, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Ahmed Jibrin warned the troops to avoid trafficking of illicit drugs as they embark on the trip and also respect the cultural and religious sensitivity of the

people of Mali.

He said, the nature of peacekeeping operations have changed and take place in complex environments characterized by challenging issues like destroyed infrastructure, economic collapse and human suffering.

The GOC further noted that despite the challenges, Nigeria would continue to live up to its commitment in safeguarding world peace as he told the troops to defend themselves when necessary.

Emergency Rule Has Enhanced Stability In Yobe, Says Speaker HE Speaker of the Yobe T House Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Dogo said in Abuja yesterday that the state of emergency had enhanced peace and stability in the state.

Dogo made this known at a sensitisation workshop on financial autonomy for state lawmakers, a NAN report said.

The event was organised by the Northern Youth Democratic Forum (NYDF) in collaboration with State Accountability and Voice Initiative.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for taking a bold step towards restoring law and order as well as harmony in the state.

“When the Federal Government proclaimed state of emergency in Yobe,

Adamawa and Borno, we welcomed the idea.

“Even before the declaration of the emergency rule, normalcy had returned to Yobe.

For nine months, there had been no gunshot,” Dogo said.

The speaker commended the state governor for supporting the president in ensuring a secure environment for citizens in the region.

He said that the sensitisation would go a long way in educating lawmakers on the significance of attainment of financial autonomy in their duties.

Dogo noted that the importance of financial autonomy for Houses of Assembly could not be over emphasised, adding that it was vital to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

According to him, “we in Yobe House of Assembly have already cast our vote in favour of autonomy for state lawmakers.

“Even at the level of the Conference of State Legislatures of Nigeria, we have resolved to speak with one voice to ensure the attainment of finance autonomy for

lawmakers in the ongoing constitution review. When we have our autonomy, it will protect us from the executives’ interference in all ramifications and enable us to check them, when the need arises.”

Dogo added that financial autonomy for lawmakers would promote good gover-

nance, transparency and accountability and deepen democratic culture in the country.

Earlier, Malam Lawal Burji, the National Programme Officer of the Forum, said financial autonomy for local government and state lawmakers was needed to ensure grassroots development.

FG, Jigawa Flag Off GES In Jigawa From John Akubo, Dutse HE minister of agriculture T Mr Akinwumi Adeshina has declared that the federal government has adopted the value chain approach to

rebuilding the agricultural sector. The minister made the disclosure at the flagging off of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) where fertilisers were given out to farmers at Ringim Local Council area of the State.

The minister, who spoke through his representative, Ekeh James at the occasion, expressed dismay over some of the problems associated with the decline experienced in the nation’s agricultural sector, ranging from lack of fertilizer to low investment despite the abundance of land.

He said it is sad that the country would be spending $11B in importing basic food such as wheat, rice, fish and sugar when we can produce better quality of the same imports. He queried the prevalent poverty in the north in the midst of good

land. agricultural Speaking in similar vein, the Jigawa state Governor, Sule Lamido said he flagged-off the Growth Enhancement Scheme GES with a view to providing agricultural inputs such as fertiliser and seeds directly to the small holder farmers through Mobile phone E-Wallet System.

Lamido, who was represented by the Commissioner of Agricuture, Alhaji Rabiu Isah Taura pointed out that the state had from inception in 2007 expended over one and half billion on procurement of assorted fertiliser and distribution to farmers at subrates. sidised The Governor explained that the GES programme is aimed at supporting farmers to have access to fertiliser at a subsidised rate in order to drive modern agriculture.

Group Empowers Community Leaders On Good Governance From Chuks Collins, Awka

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HE Civil Societies Organizations and Media Practitioners’ Advocacy Network (CSOMPAN) has organized series of forums where community/religious leaders, representatives of different community-based groups were taught on what to do to achieve good and improved governance.

The advocacy forum, titled, “Implementation of Community Action Plan,’ and organized at Ogidi, Idemili Nnorth Local Council Area for all communities in Anambra state, attracted about 300 participants.

The chairman of CSPOMPAN, Comrade Obunikem Asuzu in his remarks said the forum was a preparation ground to impact the required skills on rural com-

munities to enable them participate more actively in governance at all levels in the country.

He stated that the forum was prepared to assist the people to approach their collective needs strategically, as well as helping them develop community action plan that would stand as an advocacy tool for good governance.

The Programme Officer, Democracy and Good Governance, Mr Uche Madubuko said the Community Action Plan is a documented list of the needs of each of the communities, listed and followed strategically in order of priority.

He expressed optimism that the programme and its impact would spread across all communities in the state.

Jang Orders Accessibility To Journalists From Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos LATEAU State Governor P Jonah David Jang has called on all political appointees in his cabinet to always make their doors open to journalists. Jang stated this yesterday at the Governor’s Lodge in Jos during his midterm interaction with the media.

He urged the media to continue to work for the sustenance of democracy and a united Nigeria. According to him, “at this point in our history, what the nation needs is calming agitated nerves as well as promoting harmony and understanding in the body polity and not overheating it by encouraging and propelling those issues that divide us.

“As it has been said by many well-meaning Nigerians, let us promote those things that bind and build us as a people and nation.”

He appealed to journalists to continue to uphold high patriotic values, as they remain a moral compass for the society.

Unions Engage FG On Work Condition From Saxone Akhaine O avoid a faceoff, the T Federal Government has been urged to fully implement the Work Condition agreement it sealed with the Labour Union of Research Institutes across the country, last year.

The call was made at the just concluded meeting of the Committee of the Directors of Research Institutes and other stakeholders, held at the Conference Hall of the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

The meeting, was attended by more than seventy participants, including the Executive Directors of the research institutes, representatives of Head of Service of the Federation, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Minister of Labour and Productivity, research institutes labour unions members and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria.

Church Holds Free Health Seminar HE Throne of Grace Area T Headquarters of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 27, recently organized a health seminar titled, “Pursuit of Wholeness” to commemorate Global World Evangelism Day, a day set aside among Christians to reach out to their neighbors, and preach the word of God to them. It was meant to ensure good health and better living condition for Nigerians, particularly those living around Beesam community in Oshodi/Isolo LGA, Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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NEWS

Boko Haram Sacks 19, 000 Farmers From Wheat, Rice Fields In Borno From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE Managing Director of Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), Dr

T

Garba Abubakar Iliya, has alerted Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State on the sacking of 19, 000 farm-

Summit Holds In Abuja N International firm, A James Daniel Consulting (JDC), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in partnership with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health is to hold an international healthcare summit in Nigeria tagged ‘Nigeria Healthcare Infrastructure Investment and Finance Summit 2013’.

The summit billed for 17th and 18th June, 2013 at the International Conference Center Abuja, would be declared open by the Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu who isexpected to roll out new guideline for investment in healthcare sec-

tor in Nigeria.

The aim of the summit is to showcase the investments potentials in the healthcare sector in Nigeria and funding sources for healthcare projects from within and outside Nigeria as well as generate billions of naira investments into Nigeria from foreign direct investors.

Speaking with The Guardian, the Country Manager, James Daniel Consulting, Mr Emeka Ibe noted that the summit would help identify the investment opportunities in healthcare in Nigeria as well as sources of funding and finding out how these funds could be accessed.

ers from their wheat and rice fields by the armed Boko Haram insurgents; while harvesting 5, 000 hectres of wheat under the South Chad Irrigation Scheme (SCIP) of the Authority, leaving 3, 500 hectres of not harvested wheat destroyed and infested by straying animals and

Shema Bags Awards ATSINA State governor, Dr K Ibrahim Shehu Shema has received two awards this week from the Nigerian Union of JournalistS, Zamfara Chapter and the Nigerian Labour Congress, Katsina Chapter.

The NLC at the national level had earlier honoured him as the most labour friendly governor in the state.

The NUJ says the infrastructures development he has brought to Katsina can only be compared to what is happening in Lagos State.

Delta Lawmakers Pass Six Bills, 32 Motions In Nine Months From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba Nthe second anniversary of the fifth Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Victor Ochei, listed the achievements and challenges confronting the lawmakers.

Speaking with reporters at the Assembly complex on Okpanam Road, Ochei said the lawmakers have recorded some achievements by passing six bills out of the twelve that they received.

The assembly has also passed 32 motions into resolutions from September 2012 till date.

Out of this number, he said four were assented to by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan whom he described as “a great pillar of support”, while one is awaiting his assent.

The bills passed include the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission

O

• Consider Rumour Mongering Law (Amendment) Law; Delta State Motorcycle Commercial Uses and Protective Helmets (Amendments) Law; 2013 Appropriation Law; and Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Law. He added that only one bill, the Delta State Customary Court (Amendment) is yet to receive the governor’s assent while the DESOPADEC Re-alignment bill automatically became law as it does not require the governor’s signature.

He said: “He second session of the fifth Assembly also witnessed the greatest transformation of the House of Assembly environment and law making processes and procedures.”

The Speaker defended the controversial Delta State Anti-

Terrorism bill which prescribed capital punishment for kidnappers and the demolition of their properties but became law when more than two third of the lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto.

He expressed optimism that the scourge of kidnapping for ransom in the oil-rich state would be eliminated following the enactment of the law, adding that there would be no sacred cow in the enforcement of its provision.

He said that rumour mongering which damages the reputation of the legislators was the greatest challenge, saying that the House might be forced to follow the example of their counterparts in Lagos and Bayelsa states which have since passed legislation outlawing rumour mongering.

Final Home- Coming For Apostle Obadare • To Be Buried In A Gold Casket Like That Of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston

By Debo Oladimeji HE late Apostle Timothy T Obadare, founder of World Soul Evangelical Ministry (WOSEM) who died in March, is going to be interred in a gold casket like the type used for the burial of the late Michael Jackson (King of Pop music) and Whitney Houston at a mausoleum prepared for his final rest at WOSEM Conference Ground at Ilesa-Ife Expressway,Ilesa, Osun State on August 17.

Speaking during a press briefing on the burial arrangement of the late fiery preacher in Lagos on Thursday, one of the sons of the Apostle, Pastor Paul Obadare described Obadare as a renowned evangelist, teacher of the Bible, a great missionary, crusader and a devoted apostle of Jesus Christ.

“He deserved a befitting burial. He served man and God

before his passing to glory. We the children both biological and spiritual, have come together in unison to come to term with the fact that our father is a national figure and deserve a national burial,” he said.

The several committees set up

by WOSEM, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) and the sons of the Prophet, he said agreed that the burial arrangement of the late Apostle Obadare shall commence on August 15 with service of songs in Ilesha, Akure, Ibadan and Lagos. “On August 16 there will be a Lying-in-State at Ilesha. This will be followed by a wake-keep service and an interdenominational service before his burial at a mausoleum prepared for his final home-coming at WOSEM Conference Ground at Ilesa-Ife Expressway, Ilesa, Osun State on August 17.

“However, WOSEM Lagos

Chapter will be organising a revival at the National Stadium, Surulere on August 9 with Lyingin-State by 12noon to 2 pm and service of songs between 5 and 7 pm same day.

He said that over six Governors, Royal fathers and international sympathizers are expected to grace the occasion.

Apostle Obadare was a renowned televangelist and founder of WOSEM. Obadare, who was the second-in-command to Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola at CAC, died at an undisclosed private hospital in Akure after a protracted agerelated ailment in March. He was 83.

Obadare was popular for his monthly crusade, Koseunti that drew Christians from all denominations to Akure, Ondo State capital.

Baba Obadare, as he was popularly called, was formerly of the CAC.

thieves.

Farmers’ insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin Areas and farmlands under the irrigation scheme may also prevent the affected farmers from preparing their land for this planting season.

Dr Iliya raised the alarm at the weekend at CBDA grains silos in Marte, while briefing the governor on farming and irrigation activities of the Authority and farmers insecurity posed by Boko Haram recent attacks and killings in Northern Borno.

He said, until the security of farmers was guaranteed by Military Combat Force C led

by Lt. Col Gabriel Olufemi, the affected farmers would not return to their wheat and rice fields.

Responding, Governor Shettima assured the farmers of security both at their residences and farmlands, adding that with the presence of members of the Military Combat Force C, the target of state government was to cultivate 10,000 hectres of wheat by the affected farmers.

Imo To Bury Food Poison Victims, Directs Panel To Unravel Cause From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri OLLOWING several appeals FUmueze-Nguru by the members of the community in Ngor Opkala, Local Council of Imo for financial assistance in burying eight members of Nwosu family who died a fortnight ago after eating oil bean meal, the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has disclosed that the state would undertake the cost of burying the victims.

Also, the governor has set up an investigation committee to unravel cause of the deaths, which include a mother, Mrs.

Gladys Nwosu, his seven children and a grand child.

While on a visit to commiserate with members of the family and community on Thursday in Ngor Opkala, Okorocha urged them to remain calm and bear the losses with fortitude, adding that the state government would assist in the burial coming up soon.

Briefing the governor, remaining member of the family, Ikechukwu Emeana, recounted his experience of the incident, saying that the community had been thrown into confusion and agony.

Omawumi, Waje, MI, Flavour, Others In New Glo TV Commercial

By Sony Neme LOBACOM’S new musical video featuring nine newly signed Ambassadors has now gone viral and is generating unprecedented interest among youths in the country.

The new Ambassadors are Flavour, MI, Omawumi, Waje, Lynxxx, Bez, Naeto C, Chee the Voice and Burna Boy. Titled “Moving To Greener Pastures”, the TV commercial is already trending on social media with over 50,000 hits within two days of its release on Glo’s online media portals and on YouTube. The commercial that was shot on locations mostly in Lagos, features the artistes moving over to the Globacom network and urging their teeming fans to join them for a delightful experience on unlimited innovation and cost-effective value offer.

According to Globacom’s Regional Director, Marketing Communications (West Africa), Mr. Charles Jenarius, “The depiction of the new Glo ambassadors’ arrival at the “Glo Pearly Gates” symbolized the divine experience reserved for subscribers on the Globacom network through its qualitative services and value offerings.”

Jenarious said, “The TV commercial was a professional collaboration by the best music producers in the country with a good measure of support from the Creative Unit of Globacom and production house.

G

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 16, 2013

6

NEWS

MDAs Fail To Comply With FOIA Two Years After

By Ajibola Amzat ONTRARY to the provision of Freedom of Information Act, which stipulates that public institutions should publish information on the spending of public funds, Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies have consistently failed to provide this information, The Guardian Investigation reveals.

Section 2(3 and 4) of the act made it compulsory for public institutions to publish information about its activities, operations and businesses in different media platform including print, electronic and online platforms and offices as the media of publication.

The documents to be published should include “information relating to the receipt or expenditure of public or other funds of the institution, the names, salaries, titles and dates of employment of all employees and officers of the institution.” But a random check of the MDAs’ website reveals that none of the public institution adheres to the law.

The departments where such information is expected to be published are

C

Finance and Account Department or Internal Audit Unit but no such information can be found in the sections.

These departments are responsible for making all payments and collating all revenues for the ministries, render monthly statement of accounts to the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and prepare and monitor the ministry’s annu-

al budgets.

The websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Ministry of Agriculture and Development and others have other information except the information on the receipt and expenditure.

Compared to the website of South Africa Government Information (http://www.info.gov.za/view/ DynamicAction) which provides detail Annual reports of the MDAs activities, the information on Nigeria’s activities remain scanty in the digital archive.

It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan signed FOI bill into law on May 29, 2011.

Retired Soldier Hacks Wife To Death, Injures Son From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City HE sleepy Igarra community, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Edo State, was roused in the early hours of yesterday following the gruesome murder of Mrs. Onyonishoyi Ukana (Nee Akarutu) by her husband, a retired Warrant Officer (WO 2) of the Nigerian Army, Shakede Ukana.

Ukana was alleged to have killed his wife with a machete and slashed the ear of his 18-year-old son.

The Guardian learnt that the incident is alleged to be

T

connected with Ukana’s plan to marry his long-time mistress.

Report says Ukana killed and dismembered his wife at about 1a.m on Thursday.

Sources close to the family said Ukana’s 18-year-old son whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report also sustained several cuts in an attempt to rescue his mother.

The son was reported to have raised an alarm, which attracted neighbours in the night after he was woken up by the shouts of his mother.

It was gathered that the couple had been embroiled

in a dispute over Ukana’s plans to formally marry his long-standing mistress, a proposal to which the late wife had strongly objected.

It was also learnt that several attempts by family members and friends to resolve the crisis had proved futile.

Eyewitness said the remains of the body of the late Mrs Ukana has been deposited in a private mortuary in Igarra, while the accused, Mr Shakede has been arrested by the Police.

Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Eguavoen, when contacted yesterday said the command was yet to be briefed on the incident.

How Poor Leadership Engenders Poor Work Ethics In UNIABUJA, By Ogbemudia From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja HE Governing Council of T the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has described as deplorable and poor, the work ethics amongst the staff of the University of Abuja, all as a result of poor leadership, describing it as a major factor exacerbating crises in the institution.

To stem the tide, the Council rose from its 27th extra-ordinary meeting on Tuesday with a directive to the SERVICOM Unit of the institution to urgently present a paper to the Council within one week on how to ensure a compliance to work ethics by all the staff of the institution.

The paper should have attached to it a form, which should contain among others the name of the staff; College/Division/Section/Uni t; designation; time of arrival to duty post, time of departure and other times between arrival and departure as may be appropriate.

The head of the relevant office must sign, or where he or she is not available, the next most senior officer should do so at the appropriate intervals and on daily basis. The form should be signed four times a day by

each person, no matter how highly or lowly placed, and the returns sent to the Chairman’s office in separate folios on weekly basis.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, who unfolded the new directives in an address presented to the Council, a copy of which The Guardian obtained yesterday, noted that it had become necessary to curtail incidences of gross dereliction of duties which he said had become rampant in the institution.

Recalling his address to the second meeting of the Council last month, during which he harped on the need for all staff and students of the institution to observe dress codes and conduct themselves with civility, while dedicating themselves to their work and studies, Ogbemudia lamented that the situation had persisted, an indication that either the message did not get to them or that they have simply ignored it.

According to him, “Most, if all these issues are not being mentioned for the first time, but I needed to verify and corroborate them from third party’s point of view.

Nigeria To Produce High-Energy Food From Sorghum HE Federal Ministry of T Agriculture and Rural Development has said it is collaborating with the private sector to produce highenergy food that would reduce malnutrition and create foreign investment opportunities in the country.

The Minister in charge of the ministry, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said this at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja.

According to Adesina, the high-energy food, which will be produced from the combination of maize, sorghum and soybeans, will be sold to World Food Programme (WFP).

He said 98 per cent of all the high-energy foods used by the World Food Programme were imported by Asia into Africa but what Nigeria needed to do need to do was to

take maize, sorghum and soya; mix them together into high-energy foods.

“Nigeria, by the way, we are the largest producer of sorghum and we want be the largest processor of sorghum in the world, so we decided to focus on sorghum.

“If you look in the northwest and north-east of Nigeria, you will find out that we have the highest level of malnutrition in those areas.

“Those areas are also the highest producers of sorghum in the country. They account for 80 per cent of the production of sorghum.

“We are working with the private sector to take the sorghum and process it into the high-energy foods. We have already secured contract with WFP to buy the high-energy foods from Nigeria.”

Prophetess Urges Christians To Pray, Fast For Nigeria HE founder of The Sacred T C & S Church (St. Daniel), Kuole, Oju-Irin, Odo-Ona, Apata, Ibadan, Prophetess O. A. O. Yiolokun (JP) has called on all Christians to pray and fast for Nigeria to stop the indiscrimate killings in the country.

The cleric made this appeal during the 6th Year Anniversary of the church, which took place on Sunday June 9, 2013 at the church auditorium under the auspices of General Superintendent & Supreme Head of The Sacred C & S

Church, World-wide His Eminence S. A. Alao, (Baba Alakoso Imole II).

Yiolokun stated that all Nigerians must urgently engage in marathon prayer to avert more shedding of innocent blood.

“Our leaders, elders and political office holders should embark on marathon prayer with three days fasting to seek the mercy and protection of God over the loss of innocent lives of women, children and the aged in the country,” she advised.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

7

NEWS PMAN, COSON Mourn Fatai Rolling Dollar

Nigeria Has Met MDGs Hunger Target, Says FAO

By Sony Neme

From John Okeke, Abuja (with agency report)

HE Performing Musicians’ HE United Nations (UN) T Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has called on TFood and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has listed Nigerian musicians to join in mourning their departed senior colleague, Pa Fatai Rolling Dollars, who died on Wednesday, June 12.

This was contained in a statement made available by the union’s president, Kevin Luciano-Gabriel.

The PMAN boss, who described late Dollars as a legend, said the musicians would stand by the family of the late highlife musician.

Luciano-Gabriel said: “ With deep sense of loss and heavy heart we received the passage of Pa Rolling Dollars. Nigerian musicians have lost a legend that we look up to with so much respect. As a respected member of the interim committee of our great union, we will leave no stone unturned in standing by his family in a time like this.

PMAN will play an active role to accord our late hero a befitting burial. For us in PMAN, this is not a time to mourn, but a time to strive hard in ensuring that we live up to his dream of a formidable union that will represent the best interest of all musicians irrespective of age, class or religion.”

Nigeria among 38 countries that have already met the internationally set hunger eradication targets ahead of 2015 to halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.

The 38 countries will be honoured at a high-level ceremony at FAO headquarters in Rome

on 16, June.

In a publication on its website on Wednesday, the global body said with less than 1,000 days remaining for the achievement of the eight anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the 38 countries have met part of the first MDG which calls on member states to halve by 2015 the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.

In a statement issued by the media consultant to the Office

of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Desmond Utomwen, MDGs managers in Nigeria stated that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, with the support of President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to ensuring that the population of Nigerians living in poverty is further reduced before the 2015 deadline.

The other countries that met the anti-hunger aspect of the MDG include Algeria, Angola,

Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Cambodia and Cameroon.

Others include Chile, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Honduras, Indonesia, Jordan, Malawi, Maldives, Niger, Panama, Togo and Uruguay.

According to the DirectorGeneral of FAO, José Graziano da Silva, “ these countries are leading the way to a better future. They are proof that with strong political will, coordination and cooperation, it is possible to achieve rapid and lasting reductions in hunger,”

Akpabio To Build UNIUYO Hostels From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo OVERNOR Godswill G Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has pledged to build two hostels for the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) as replacements for those burnt by irate students during a recent riot by students of the institution.

He made this pledged after onthe-spot assessment of the destruction carried by the students in Uyo on Thursday.

Kwara Mourns NANS Officers From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin WARA State Governor, Dr. K Abdulfatah Ahmed, has described as shocking and unfortunate the death of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Senate President, Mr Donald Onukaogu and four others in a ghastly motor accident along the Ikot-Ekepere road in the Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, the governor said it was particularly painful that these young Nigerians were cut down in their prime.

Similarly, theNational Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared aseven-daymourningforfiveof its officers, who lost their lives to the road accident.

Imo To Bury Food Poison Victims From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri OLLOWING several appeals FUmueze by the members of the –Ngurucommunityin Ngor Opkala, Local Council of Imo, for financial assistance in burying eight members of Nwosu family who died a fortnight ago after eating oil bean meal, the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has disclosed that the state would undertake the cost of burying the victims.

Also, the governor has set up an investigation committee to unravel the cause of the deaths of a mother, Mrs. Gladys Nwosu, his seven children, including a grand child and a final year student of University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Miss Balogun Aminat Olayinka and the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, during the presentation of WAEC GCE Form to Olayinka as part of the 7th Edition of Lagos Central Senatorial Town Hall Meeting held at Lagos City Hall, Lagos…yesterday

PDP Accuses Al-Makura Of Planning To Bribe El- Rufai From Msugh Ityokura, Lafia HE Peoples Democratic T Party (PDP) has alleged that Nasarawa State Governor, Umar Tanko Al-Makura, has planned to confiscate 150 hectares of land located at Karu-Panda Road from villagers to donate as a gift to the

• It Is Lie, Says Government former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai.

This, according to the party, is a strategy by the governor to get the 2015 presidential ticket of the yet- to-be registered All Progressives Congress (APC)

Don’t Politicise Security, Olubolade Warns From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti HE Minister of Police Affairs, T Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, has warned Nigerians against politicising the security situation in the country.

He specifically warned politicians to consider the unity of the country whenever making public statements about the security situation in the country, especially in respect to emergency rule declaration in three states of the federation.

Olubolade said the declaration of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states by President Jonathan was targeted at keeping the unity of the nation and which he said was being threatened by activities of Boko Haram.

Speaking in Ipoti-Ekiti on Thursday while presenting a brand new Toyota Sienna Space Wagon to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists

(NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, Olubolade maintained that the emergency rule declaration in three states has yielded success.

The Minister said: “Security is what keep Nigeria together up to this day. So it should not be politicised. The issue of security is paramount to President Jonathan, and this prompted him to declare emergency in the three states. You can even see he did not rush into declaring emergency rule because he thought this sect could have a change of heart.”

The police minister added that Jonathan inherited a united Nigeria from his predecessors, adding, “ nothing will be spared by this administration to ensure that Nigeria stand united. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure unity and security of lives. That was what the president intended to achieve by the emergency rule declaration.”

when El- Rufai eventually becomes the secretary of the party.

PDP Chairman in Nasarawa State, Yunana Iliya, who disclosed this yesterday during media briefing at the party’s secretariat in Lafia, regretted the development, and described it as unacceptable to the people of the state.

But in reaction, Nasarawa State Chief Press Secretary, Illyasu Ali Yakubu, denied the allegation,

noting that PDP was only looking for ways to pull down the administration of Al-Makura.

Iliyaalsoallegedthegovernor’s plan to sell Nassarawa State Government’s assets, especially the guest house on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, inherited from Plateau State to his in-laws in Jos, adding that the move will be resisted as the property are the inheritance of the people of Nasarawa .

Iliya, who berated the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) led-government in the state for

Closed Roads Inflate Prices In Borno From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE military Joint Task Force T (JTF) has said that the two roads leading to the destroyed Boko Haram “training camps and hideouts” at the Sambisa Games Reserves Forest (SGRF) in Borno State, will continue to remain close to motorists and cyclists to prevent fleeing suspected terrorists into Maiduguri metropolis and seven communities bordering Borno forests.

The closed roads are the 187-kilometre Maiduguri-Biu and 135kilometre Maiduguri-Gwoza roads, linking 12 towns and communities of Damboa, Bama, Konduga, Askira and Gwoza- a

council headquarters and border town with Cameroon in the Northeast sub-region of the country.

Motorists from the affected towns and communities, The Guardian learnt, cannot travel to Maiduguri, the state capital and other destinations, except through alternative routes and desert tracks of Dikwa, and 835kilometre Gwoza-Damboa-BiuDamaturu-Maiduguri roads in Yobe and Borno states.

The bus and taxi fares on these alternative routes, however, have increased from N750 to N2, 000, while the BamaGulumba- Dikwa-Maiduguri route also rose from N250 to N1, 500 by 300 per cent.

performing below average, also called on security agencies to put a stop on the commencement of work at the proposed Lafia airport, as failure to do so would be putting the state on the path of violence.

Yakubu said: “I think the PDP chairman has lost his sense of reasoning. The governor has no presidential ambition; he has not even finished his tenure as a governor. The issue of allocating land to El-Rufai is a blatant lie. The government is not allocating land to El-Rufai.

Opobo Launches Association Today HE formal launch of T Vanguard of Opobo Nation (VON), Lagos Chapter, holds today at Sparkle Multipurpose Hall, Plot 118, Joel Ogunnaike Street, G.R.A, Ikeja, Lagos, at 1pm.

Idumu Ogwude Youths Meet Tomorrow DUMU Ogwude Youth IDelta Association, Ogwashi-Uku, State (Lagos Chapter) meets at Mr. Nweke OnwordiOkonji’s residence, 412 Road, opposite St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, tomorrow, at 3 pm prompt.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

8

METRONOTES

Survivors of the collapsed building

The collapsed building

‘A Block Hit My Baby...

And Blood Gushed Out’ • Over 300 People Rendered Homeless After Building Collapse In Mushin A three-storey building collapsed in Mushin after the downpour on Tuesday. Some of the survivors recount their ordeal and seek help.

By Debo Oladimeji WAS feeding my daughter, Ayomide, rice. It “I was raining. Suddenly came heavy thunder, I heard a strange noise at the backyard. I thought our neighbours were fighting again. Just then, the house came down —- within three seconds ... a heavy block hit my baby on the head. Blood started gushing out of Ayomide’s forehead, my two legs were trapped. My baby cried for a few seconds then Ayomide went silent, and her eyes closed…”

So recounted Emmanuella Francis, a survivor of the three-storey building that collapsed on No 353, Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos on Tuesday. She spoke as she lay critically ill at Calvary Hospital, Sliver Street, Mushin.

Ayomide, her one-year-old daughter was the only fatality.

Other survivors are scattered all over the neighbourhood with their children and relations. One of the survivors, Tina Duru sat on a sofa in the corridor of a neigbouring house. Her son, Onyedika was crying and she tried to pacify him with a suckle. But the boy refused his mothers’ breast. It seemed all he wanted was a place to lie down and sleep.

His elder brother, two-year-old Chibuzor, is in the hospital, receiving treatment for the bruises he sustained in the collapsed building.

Tina had gone to the church with Onyedika when the building collapsed.

They packed into the house two months ago.

Her husband, Uchenna, a trader had earlier paid an agent who disappeared with the money. “Our landlord asked us to pay another money. We paid another rent last month for one year,” she said.

The location of the collapsed building was a major challenge for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other rescue agencies in the state. It is difficult to access, sandwiched as it is, between three other defective buildings marked for demolition.

Another of the survivors, Justina Adikuru, could

only think of how to get her documents out of the rubbles.

“Since yesterday (Tuesday) we have been expecting them to do something for us to get our property out of the debris. My certificate and other documents trapped there are very important to me. My money, N11,800 is also in the rubbles,” she lamented, adding that her siblings and parents are squatting with friends and relations.

Adikuru received the distress call not quite long after the building collapsed.

“I had to rush down to the house. My elder sister, Emmanuella was badly injured. She is at Calvary Hospital. Her leg is broken and she lost her daughter, Ayomide,” she said. She recalled that her sister called her from the hospital asking about the condition of her baby. “I lied to her that her baby is fine,” she said.

Another victim, Taiye Tunde, a widow from Ondo State was also rendered homeless. “My husband is dead. I have been managing with my four children in one of my relations’ house,” she said.

Nojeem Bello, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Yaba disclosed that he was called around 3 O’clock on Tuesday that the building had collapsed. “When we got here, my friend told me that they were able to rescue my sister-in-law and her baby.” he said.

Bello, has been living in the collapsed building for the past eight years. “The house is owned by the late Baba Jebba. The house is over 50-year-old. If the tenants had not been maintaining the house with their money, it would have collapsed long time ago,” he said.

Sola Odumosu regretted that her sister had just renewed her house rent. “She paid N2,500 per month,” she said Another distraught victim, Bola Saheed, a caterer, recalled how one of her children, Saki called her that she should come back home after the house collapsed. “By the time I came home there was nothing to salvage from the rubbles. When I first came here, it was N1,000 per room, the house rent was later increased to N1,500 before I was given a quit notice six months ago by the landlord,” she revealed.

Unfortunately for her, the N50,000 she kept in

the house to look for another accommodation is now under the rubbles. “Let the government help us. We have no place to go. I was living in the house with my daughter, Saki. I don’t know where I will sleep today (Wednesday),” she said.

Bimpe Bello said the house was too old and the owner had not been taking care of the house.

Three other buildings in the neighbourhood owned by the same person are now to be demolished. The residents have been given quit notices. One of the victims, Blessing Okafor (from Imo State), has pitched her tent (with her baby) in front of the house since the incident: “Where do they want us to go? We knew that there was danger ahead. My husband, Sunday complained and the landlord’s son said ‘no problem’.”

“To get a house now is a lot of money. If I go to the village now there is no money for me to feed. I prefer to manage in Lagos,” she said amidst tears.

One of the good Samaritans who came to the rescue of the victims, Michael Segun, said that apart from the Mosque that collapsed in Buhari Street, six years ago, they have not experienced any major collapse in Mushin.

“The house that collapsed and other houses around it are weak. This is due to poor maintenance. Look at the environment of the house.

Waste water is not flowing. It is just stagnant.

“The problem is that nobody wants to live in Ifo or Sango (Lagos suburbs) anymore. This is due to poor road network. If the road network had been good, instead of living in a house like this, people will prefer to go to Sango to look for accommodation. Over 300 people are now rendered homeless ,” he said.

He urged the government to build low-cost houses in places like Badagry and Epe for the poor to buy.

Sub-Lieutenant Okunola Ebenezer of Nigerian Marine linked the collapse to the fact that the house was old and lacked of maintenance.

“Lack of proper drainage facility affected the foundation of the house,” he said. He urged the Lagos State Raw Materials Testing Agency to do the integrity tests of similar dilapidated buildings around the state. “Let people report cases of dilapidated structures to relevant government agencies,” he said.

Tina Duru

Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Olutoyin Ayinde, explained why the building collapsed: “The house cannot be less than 25 years old. You see the structure was already very weak. The environment was waterlogged. But people have continued to live in such houses that are not fit for habitation,” he said.

He listed other factors that can cause buildings to collapse: “People like to use any type of water to mix their concrete. But Lagos is very close to the sea and has salt water… eventually, the salt content is going to weaken the cement. Sooner or later the wall will begin to crack. Which we see in most of the buildings,” he said.

The commissioner said that the Lagos State government is now demolishing dilapidated structures and replacing them with new ones.

“We should not rely on government effort alone.

The private sector should partner with the government and everyone of us has to participate,” he said.

He warned that poverty is not a good reason for people to endanger themselves in a dilapidated structure.

“How do you define poverty? It starts first in the mind. It is about defining for yourself under which situation you will not live. It is not about cash. Poverty starts from the mind,” he said.

He explained that people are fond of risking their lives in dilapidated buildings. “A building is about to collapse and you see people asking where will they go? If the building collapses on you and you are dead, there is only one place that you will go: under the earth. Would you rather go under the earth or you move out and look for somewhere else to stay? Man is a surviving animal. We will always find where to stay.

He continued:” There is no place in the world where government alone provides accommodation for the people. Two, we must live within our own means. What government is doing in Lagos State is to provide affordable accommodation for people. Getting a mortgage in place so that people can buy those houses and then pay gradually for about ten to twenty-five years and owned them.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

|9

METRONOTES

Japaul Oil Celebrates Excellence In Safety In keeping with its motto of thinking safety and acting safety always, Japaul Oil celebrated excellence in safety on Thursday. The event, which brought together stakeholders in the industry, was quite remarkable.

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya APAUL Oil and Maritime Services Plc took time Jachieved out to celebrate excellence in safety it has in its operation. The event brought together members of staff of the company, its clients and various other stakeholders in the oil and maritime business.

The company said it has achieved 1, 000, 525 working hours without any form of accident in its activities, be it on the sea, in the ship and office during the event tagged, “Seminar Day” which held last Thursday in its office in Ikeja, Lagos.

Also, in keeping with its motto of thinking safety and acting safety always, it announced that it is embarking on a Technical Campaign from July 15, 2013 to November 13, 2013 to achieve zero target for breakdown and failure of its equipment and vessels.

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Paul Abiodun Jegede said at the seminar organised in conjunction with C. S. Offshore Integrated Services Limited that the company has been rated AA in terms of quality delivery of service in its engagement with the many oil companies it is working for.

Jegede noted that the organisation, which is an “epitome of local content” in its operations, achieved the rating through commitment to hard work, safety standards and teamwork, adding that it would continue to seek ways to improve on even the high level of performance it is known for.

He said: “We are epitome of local content in all our operations. We have been rated as AA com-

pany; that means we are rendering A level services, we are A rated in terms of local content because we are 100 per cent Nigerian company.

So, there is quality service, and local content in all our activities in the industry; that is why we are AA company.”

On safety, which was the theme of the day, the Managing Director said: “Safety is essential to life. The cost of safety is the cost of what you are saving. The cost of your life is the cost you spend not being mindful of safety. That’s how important safety is. It is a very important issue in all our operations, in our day-to-day activities on the sea, even in our offices.

The Executive Director, Capt. Sunil Chaudhary, in his presentation said that Japaul’s performance as the only indigenous public quoted company in that sector, so far, showed that it had benchmarked itself to compete with foreign companies in ensuring quality service delivery with safety in mind.

According to Chaudhary, it had always delivered on its obligations and it is the only contractor company in that sector launching safety campaign to improve efficiency.

In his paper on how its operations is contributing towards a safe working environment, General Manager, Offshore, Mr. Shittu Olugbenga, appreciated the policies of government, especially the 2003 Cabotage Act that has promoted transferring technology and patronising players at the local scene of its operation.

Olugbenga noted that the three-month safety campaign the company embarked on in the past ensured that they visited their clients every month to find out how they were faring, noting that it enhanced close interaction and positive relationship with their clients.

The Technical Superintendent, S. C. Offshore (CSO), Mr. Adokiye Boywhyte, said that there was no magic in safety, stressing that a synergy from all departments is important for safety to be achieved.

According to him, Recruitment of the right personnel was critical in achieving safety.

“Safety is the business of everyone irrespective of departmental functions. There is always a synergy to achieve desired goal. There is no

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Japaul Oil and Maritime Services Plc, Mr. Paul Abiodun Jegede handing over award of good performance to a beneficiary at the event

magic in safety. We are always alert to dangerous and unsafe actions and ensure that all unsafe actions are not allowed to exist” Crewing Officer, CSO, Mr. Clement Ozeh highlighted that safety and crewing are intertwined because “you need the crew to achieve safety,” and therefore the right recruitment and equipment are imperative in ensuring safety. For instance, the department ensures that crews are medically fit prior to recruitment, and proper protective equipment are provided.

Awards were presented to people in its employ and other organisations that have performed their duties without getting involved in accident or taken issues of safety seriously.

Establishments represented at the seminar included Total, Addax Petroleum, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).

When Lagos, Mortein Led Efforts To Reduce Malaria

By Joseph Okoghenun O ease the plight of pregnant T women and children, Mortein in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has again intensified its anti-malaria campaign in the state, just as it is doing in some other states.

The initiative is aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge about the causes of malaria and the available control mechanism that could lead to the total eradication of malaria.

During the last World Malaria Day (WMD), Mortein, the non-toxic insecticide from the stables of Reckitt Benckiser, activated its anti-malaria campaign to further boost the fight

against malaria in Lagos State. With support from the malaria control department of the ministry, nurses and midwives and management staff of five of the state-owned General Hospitals in Ifako-Ijaiye, Gbagada, Lagos Island, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Surulere as well as leadership of local governments, knowledge about malaria as a serious health problem

Appex Nurse, General Hospital Ajegunle, Titilayo Aregbe-Ajayi; Reckitt Benckiser beneficiary, Uju Ezekwere; Assistant Brand Manager, Reckitt Benckiser, Edeje Abua with baby Ezekwere during a hospital visit to commemorate World Malaria Day, at General Hospital, Ajegunle, Lagos... recently

was heightened.

Speaking at the special event to mark this year’s WMD in Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olufemi Olugbile, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, enjoined residents to always maintain a clean environment by clearing their drains and drainage channels, more importantly now that the rainy season has begun, to avert occurrence of flood and prevent the breathing of mosquitoes.

He also reassured the people of the state of government’s commitment to sustainable investment in healthcare, stressing that such investment was a panacea for avoidable deaths and illnesses.

On the part of Reckitt Benckiser, the Marketing Director of the company, Sanjay Kashyap said that the Mortein has established partnerships with relevant stakeholders in a bid to help implement health programmes and malaria control initiatives aimed at stopping the scourge of the deadly disease.

“Reckitt Benckiser home, health and hygiene brands are sold in over 200 countries of the world. We are poised to provide innovative brands and foster partnerships that help build a healthier society”, he said. He added that in order to be successful, the fight against malaria must be allinclusive and comprehensive.

Other representatives of Reckitt Benckiser further explained that the

essence of the campaign was to impact lives and to encourage nursing mothers to have the right knowledge about how to protect themselves, babies and family members against untimely death caused by malaria attack on children and adult.

They added that increased communication with the primary target — pregnant and new mothers as well as their babies — would boost credible wordof-mouth support to win the malaria fight.

During the two-day event, pregnant mothers and new moms learnt the simple malaria prevention practices like sleeping under treated bed nets, keeping the environment clean and that using health and environmentfriendly insecticide could go a long way to stem the deadly scourge. There were also visits to the maternity wards of the select hospitals where new mothers and babies born on the World Malaria Day were presented with gifts. Five nursing mothers who delivered their babies on April 25 were named as lucky beneficiaries of fiveyear supply of Mortein products.

The mothers were Mrs. Kayode Oluwatosin who delivered at the Ifako -Ijaiye General Hospital; Mrs. Bunmi Ogunbanwo, Gbagada General Hospital and Mrs. Uju Ezekwere, Ajeromi-Ifelodun General Hospital, Ajegunle. The rest were Mrs. Lateefat Lawal, Island Maternity and Mrs. Abiola Yusuf, Randle General Hospital, Surulere. Other nursing mothers at the hospitals also received gifts. They all commended Reckitt Benckiser for the kind gesture.

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

10 | THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

Politics ‘Gombe Is Developing At A Fast Pace Despite Obvious Challenges’ Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo speaks on the challenges of governance and his administration’s efforts to revolutionalise education, agriculture and other sectors in the state. and we are doing so, especially in some of those areas where girls don’t go to school.

All these are things we would put HAT are your views on the 14 years together and implement. of democratic governance in the Are you thinking of sending some stucountry and its impact on the people? dents abroad on scholarship to study I believe democracy and the press go specialised courses, like Medicine and hand-in-hand, and the press has others? remained the means of ensuring that What kept prospective students out the dividends of democracy get to the of school before now was because people at the grassroots. there were no schools, but we are now My state receives almost the least allo- at an advantage, because we have cation, but we have achieved a lot with some schools around Gombe and stuit. Sometimes, we tightened the con- dents would be encouraged to go to trol parameters to generate revenue. those schools.

The most important thing is that we We have a state university, a federal are using the little resources we have university and a College of Education, to the benefits of our people. Our while also establishing a polytechnic objective is to secure the general wel- in Bajoga. fare of our people, irrespective of the May be the incentive then for them to politics and religion, and we will not go to school was not there then, but be distracted. now the schools are here. In those The federal government is bringing days, there were very few universities an office to the state and if they don’t and people had to go to Zaria and very have a secretariat, there will be too few parents, may be would allow, coumuch pressure on the few houses that pled with the traditional and cultural are around. We are saying that there things involved in sending a girl away should be certain facilities that ought from home, especially in a very highly to be provided to aid development in traditional place like Gombe. the state.

That is why some states that have all A federal government secretariat is those universities established long basically a working environment and time have greater advantages over should be made available and should some of us. be spread, so that everybody would For now, as much as possible we feel the impact of being one country. encourage them to study certain How have you been able to utilise the courses that are not obtainable in meagre resources at your disposal to these universities, may be like run and develop the state?

Medicine, but in the next two three We have a very pragmatic financial years, the faculty of Medicine, will be management system and we tie our fully accredited in the Gombe State projects to cash flow.

University.

We inherited a lot of debt, so we strucBut I still feel the resources that tured the debt to create space for devel- would be used to sponsor students opment, using a robust financial man- abroad can train a lot of people, who agement system. are less privileged in society, so that As at today, no single examination fee everybody will benefit from what the submitted to Gombe State is not paid. administration is doing.

Your have made giant strides in the What are doing to ameliorate the education sector by revamping and problem of water supply in the state? building schools and other instituThere are some places in the state, tions of higher learning. What are you even in the state capital, where you doing to salvage the other sectors? cannot get water even 500 metres in There are still a lot to be done, because when you dig the ground. So, the only there are still places in Gombe where solution is for you to get a dam or students still learn under trees and we treated water that would be piped. still have a very poor teachers/students Fortunately, we have a dam in Gombe, ratio and very poor science-arts ratio, which is about 50 kilometres from in terms of personnel in the schools.

Gombe town, so we are drawing the We still have a lot of gap, because all water little by little and it is a huge these will manifest in the future, with investment. additional cost of running the institu- When the water comes to Gombe, we tions. have to distribute it around the comIn the next one or two years, the munities at a cost of about N4.2 bilschools we provided may be due for lion, and also extend it to some other painting. So, it is a continuous invest- areas around the border of Gombe. ment in education, but the most We have succeeded in extending it up important investment I think we to about 78 kilometres of pipelines to should now go for is teachers’ training those places at an additional cost of and retraining.

N1.8 billion.

We are looking forward to a situation where we can collaborate with relevant organisations to help children in Gombe State. What is very different about Gombe is that in certain parts of the state, we would still have to attract the children to school and keep them,

From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief

W

Dankwambo What was the debt profile you met and how much have you been able to settle since then?

When I took over office, we tried to reconcile and know the exact liability, and this kind of reconciliation is continuous, because the financial management system was not as robust as it is now. What we have attempted to do is continue to reconcile as we progress.

Even then, I will soon inaugurate another committee to reconcile the pensions liabilities.

Getting the figures is not a problem, because we have structured our debts and we are within a very comfortable limit of debt-revenue ratio, so we are very comfortable with that.

Is it true that the government is planning to establish a gas power plant in the state?

I am not very familiar with the proj-

We have a very pragmatic financial management system and we tie our projects to cash flow. We inherited a lot of debt, so we structure the debt to create space for development, using a robust financial management system.

ect, because these are some problems that we sometimes have.

If it is a programme and project of the federal government, I may not be in a very good position to shed light on that. But I know also know that the federal government has deliberately taken effort to develop our coal reserve through some German experts.

I am not sure of the arrangement, but I know that it is one of the plans for about 1000 megawatts of coal power.

I am also aware that the Minister of State for Power came to inspect the Dadinkowa Water project and made some comments, especially on the way the people handled the project before, saying the federal government was determined to handle the project and complete it.

Your government embarked on the rehabilitation of some federal roads in the state. What effort are you making to get a refund for these projects?

If I am asked to submit my bill today, I will do so, but getting refund from the federal government is a multi-tasking affair. But I want us to reach a comfortable level and then we will put in the papers.

We carried the federal government along when we started the road and did the groundbreaking together. I supposed they know that they have a commitment with us, because we told them that we would do it.

Even if I should submit all the bills to them, I know the federal government does not really have the budget for it and would just add it up to the old stock of so many other kinds of debts.

However, what is important about that federal road is that it is the most fertile area in the state, where we have about three dams at a stretch.

That is an area we have about 50,000 hectres of irrigated land, with the channels and canals already there. If managed properly, that can maintain Gombe, in terms of food supply and whatever kind of agricultural productivity you want.

That is why it was very important for us to take over that road and do it.

We have seen improvement in farming with the road clearance that has already been done.

Last year, we had a lot of cotton that got spoilt because of the bad road.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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

On The Path Of Winners

How teamwork secures your success A

psychological truism is that the team is greater than the sum of its parts. This is illustrated pithily by the U.S. Academy award-winning movie, Rocky. In it, boxer Rocky Balboa describes his relationship with his girlfriend, Adrian: “I’ve got gaps. She’s got gaps. But together we’ve got no gaps.” That is a wonderful description of teamwork. It doesn’t matter how talented you may be, you have gaps in your character. There are things you cannot do well. Thus, the best way to conquer your weaknesses is to partner with another person.

Partners will shore you up and increase your proficiency. For greater projects, organize them as part of the team. However, a task does not have to be complex to require teamwork.

The first law of teamwork is the law of significance. It says, one is too small to achieve greatness. If you want to do something of value, teamwork is the answer.

Teamwork not only allows you to do what otherwise would be impossible for you, it also compounds all you possess —- talent, integrity and others. If you believe one person is a work of Jehovah, a group of men of talent working together is a work of art. Whatever your dream, teamwork enables you accomplish it.

Working with other people towards a common goal is a most rewarding experience of life. Two, teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect. Teamwork gives you better result from less work.

In his book, “Jesus on leadership”, Gene Wilkes describes why teamwork is superior to individual effort. Teams involve more people, thus affording more resources, ideas and energy than an individual. Three, teams maximize a leader’s potential and minimizes his weaknesses. Strengths and weaknesses of individuals are easily exposed. Four, teams provide multiple perspectives on how to meet a need or reach a goal, thereby devising many alternatives for each situation. Individual insight isn’t always broad and deep. Five, teams share credit for victories and blame for losses.

Whereas, individuals take credit or blame alone. And this fosters pride, if credit, and a sense of failure, if losses.

Teams keep leaders accountable for the goal.

Lone individuals can change the goal without accountability. Teams simply do more than individuals. Six, talents win games, teams win championships. Individuals play games but teams win championships. Harold Geneen, director, president and chief executive of ITT for 20 years, observed, “Leadership is the ability to inspire others to work as a team, to stretch for a common objective.” Engage a team if you want to perform at the highest possible level.

Seven, teamwork isn’t about you. Harvard Business School recognizes a team as a small group with similar skill, who are committed to a common purpose, goals and approach for which they hold themselves accountable.

Bringing a team together is often a challenge.

One person seeking glory does not accomplish much. Which is why only good leadership can create a team. The true measure of leadership is getting a team to work hard together. Teamwork requires that everyone’s efforts flow in a single direction.

Eight, teams create communications. They create places where relationships grow and teammates become connected to one another.

Members of a team keep commitments, maintain confidences and support each other. Nine, adding value to others adds value to you. People join a team for personal benefit. They want a support cast so that they can become stars.

But a former basketball great, Magic Johnson paraphrased President John Kennedy when he said, “Ask not what your teammates can do for you, ask what you can do for your teammates.”

People who take advantage of others inevitably fail in business relationships. If you want to succeed, then live by these words: add value to others. One is too small a number to achieve greatness. There has never been a person in the history of man who alone, without the help of anyone, made a significant impact on civilization.

Ten, include a team in your dream as teamwork gives you the best opportunity to turn your vision into reality. To succeed you need to get on a team and find your best place in it. Develop your team by empowerment and education. Give success credit to your team.

Author of “Good to Great”, Jim Collins. said, great leaders are characterized by humility and a tendency to avoid the spotlight.

Our champion today is Jeffrey Sachs, the American economist and the director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University. The youngest economics professor in the history of Harvard University. Sachs was adviser to the governments of developing east European countries during their transition from communism to market system or during periods of economic crisis. Thus, he has been known as an expert on the challenges of economic development, environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation, debt cancellation and globalization.

Sachs was raised in Michigan, the son of Joan and Theodore Sachs, a labour lawyer. Sachs graduated first class from Harvard College in 1976. He obtained his MA and PhD in economics from Harvard, becoming a member of Harvard Society of Fellows even while a graduate student. After being promoted Associate professor in 1982, a year later at age 28, Sachs became full professor of economics with tenure at Harvard.

During his 19 years at Harvard, he became Galen Stone Professor of International Trade and director of the Harvard Institute for International Development at the Kennedy Jeffery Sachs School of Government. Sachs became the director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University in 2002. At Columbia, he is the Quetelet Also, Sachs, with the IMF economist, David LipProfessor of Sustainable Development at Co- ton, advised the rapid conversion of all Polish lumbia’s Department of economics. As direc- property and assets from public to private tor, Sachs has made the Earth Institute home ownership. to cutting-edge research on sustainable de- In 1991, Sachs advised Slovenia and in 1992, Estonia in the introduction of new stable curvelopment.

In 1985, as adviser to the Bolivian Government rencies. Based on his success, he was invited which was undergoing hyperinflation, Sachs’ first by the Soviet President, Mikhail Gorbachev plan, later known as “shock therapy” to cut in- and then by Russian President Boris Yetsin on flation, liberalized the Bolivian market, end- transition to market economy. Since 1995, ing government subsidies, eliminating Sachs has been deeply engaged in alleviating impart quotas and linking Bolivian currency poverty in Africa. In his 2005 work, “The End of to the U.S. dollar. With Sachs’ plan, Bolivian in- Poverty”, Sachs wrote “Africa’s governance is flation fell from 110 percent to 15 percent per poor because Africa is poor.” According to year from 1985 to 1987. In 1989, as adviser to the Sachs, with right policies, poverty can be eradPolish Government, Sachs was the architect of icated within 20 years. He cited India and Poland’s successful debt reduction operation. China as examples.

Ekiti People Express Support for Fayemi Over Court Verdict

L

AST Friday pronouncement ending the prolong judicial battle over who won the 2007 governorship election in Ekiti state was no doubt significant to the people of the state. It is significant in the sense that the people of the state can now have their well deserved rest from the tension that has accompanied five year old struggle for the number one seat in the governance of the state.

Beyond this, the judicial pronouncement is equally significant for the governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi who despite the distraction the judicial battle has constituted to his two and half years administration has made a lasting impression on the people through his widely acknowledge feat he has achieved in the governance of the state.

Apparently to show the whole world that they are tired of the prolong judicial battle, they came out in their large numbers to celebrate not only the judgment which went in favour of Fayemi but also to say enough is enough of unending battle over the 2007 governorship election in the state. The people had been seated on the edge when the Court of Appeal which has the final say over the governorship election ruled in favour of Fayemi and Ex-governor Segun Oni who was thrown out of the government house, started another battle to reclaim the governorship seat.

It was a thing of joy to the people when the Supreme Court had ruled that what the former governor lost through the front door, it wanted to

Fayemi get back through the back door by asking the court to violate the constitution of the nation. The ruling of the Supreme Court followed that of the Court of Appeal which had earlier thrown out Oni”s case as lacking merit.

The celebration of the judgment no doubt underscore the fact that the people of the state are at peace with their governor who have put their problems on the front burner in the

governance of the state in the last two and half years So that the state capital was brought to a standstill by the huge turn out of the people to the streets did not surprise many. The people have been praying silently in their closets that the distraction brought about by the case be terminated and god answered them through the Friday judgment.

From Iyin road end of the state capi-

tal to Ikere road, traffic was brought to a standstill as people took over the roads in celebration The celebration continued on Saturday when the governor who was outside the state arrived the state capital. He was met at Akure Airport by senior government officials and party leaders who traveled in a long convoy of vehicles to usher him into the state capital Armed with the symbol of his party, CAN, the governor waved endlessly to the people thanking them for their support. He noted that despite the blackmail and the unfounded rumour orchestrated by the opposition, he refused to be distracted.

He pointed out that the befitting looks of the state capital pointed to the fact that he has been working for the good of the people. This is in addition to the massive road construction, employment generation, transformation of Ikogosi to a world class tourists centre, the social security for the elderly, massive renovation of public schools among others.

He vowed that he would not relent in his efforts at making a permanent dent on poverty in the state and sought the support of the people to his administration In his broadcast to the people, Fayemi who apparently was overwhelmed by the outpouring of encomium and praises said “we have worked assiduously to ensure a clinical implementation of our Road Map to recovery- the 8 point agenda.

Our success so far is evident in all the projects we have either delivered,

that are still ongoing or even the ones at the stage of conception “Inspite of the long drawn legal tussle, we were for once distracted in our avowed commitment to make a permanent dent on poverty. In doing this, it has not been smooth sailing and all rosy but am very happy today that the gains of those tough decision are beginning to manifest across the state “ Explaining why the people choose to celebrate their governor over the court verdict, chairman of the state chapter of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, Prince Tunji Ogunlola said Fayemi has been able to put smiles on the faces of the people in the last two years.

He pointed out that through his road construction, there is hardly any local government where good and quality road has not been constructed in the last two years.

He explained that over ten thousands youths have been yaken of the road through the volunteer corps, establishment of Ekiti State road management Agency adding that the establishment of Youth in Commercial Agriculture through hundreds of youth took to farming to solve the twin problem of shortage of food and unemployment is worthy of emulation.

Ogunlola who pointed out that CNPP is supporting the Governor because of what he has achieved in the two years adding that politics should be left for election time so that the people can get the best for a visionary man like Fayemi

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

12 |

POLITICS

Taraba: Playing Games With Suntai’s True State Of Health From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo AD Taraba State Governor H Danbaba Suntai heeded the counsel of the officers of the State Security

Wondering why they are preventing the ailing governor from speaking to the public, he said: “They should have allowed him to speak to the public, if they actually mean what they have being feeding the people.

“Bringing him back to the state is not the problem, but can he actually perform his functions, if they go ahead and execute their plans?”

As the plans continue to generate controversies in the state, security operatives, are not taking any chance, as they remain on red alerts to forestall any act of lawlessness.

The alleged plans fly in Suntai unheralded unnoticed, according to the leadership of the Save Taraba Group (STG), does not appear to be bothering the people.

Speaking to The Guardian in a telephone chat, state coordinator of the group, Alhaji Rasa Umar, said: “We are not worried about their going ahead to smuggle him into the state, but the question is whether he will be fit to carry out his constitutional assignments.

“Tarabans, I bet you, will not entertain that, because you don’t expect us, after eight months of his absence from office, to just be smuggle in and yet nothing positive comes out of him.

“We are all aware that the man is still sick. Forget about the pictures they recently displayed on Facebook and the video clips they showed on the screen of the National Television Authority (NTA) and other television stations.

“If he is actually fit to continue, as they claimed, why did they not allow us to hear his voice? Why is it that it is only a few of them that he has being communicating with, as they claimed?”

He added: “I am very much certain that if the governor is hale and hearty, as they claimed, we would have being hearing his conversations on daily bases from the US through communication technologies.”

Umar, who could not imagine why top government officials that ought to be trustworthy are now the ones feeding the people with “false information,” in spite of their promise to engage the governor in a teleconference with the press.

It was gathered that the alleged plans to fly in the ailing governor are being done without the knowledge of the family members.

“The only thing I can tell you is that we, the family members, are hearing

Service (SSS) and other security operatives within and outside the state, as well as some personalities, including family members to stop piloting himself in his aircraft while in office, the present confusion in the state due to his long absence from duty would not have arisen.

His absence has led to the fragmentation of the once united ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has now been fragmented into factions, with adherents of the two major religions throwing their weights behind their faithful with governorship aspirations in 2015.

Even PDP national secretariat’s effort to enquire into Suntai’s health hit the rock, following a court order stopping a committee it set up to do so from going ahead.

This is just as new photographs of the governor continue to circulate and rumour of alleged plans to ‘smuggle’ him into the state make the rounds, causing further uncertainty and apprehension among the people.

Unlike other parts of the country, where religion plays dominant roles in politics, Tarabans, irrespective of religion differences, often queued behind the candidates of their choice in any election.

What is, however, presently giving the people sleepless night is the continued refusal of government officials, including the Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, to make public the present and actual health condition of the governor, who was recently transferred from Germany to John Hopkins Hospital in the United States (US), in spite of the constant visits to him.

Their continuous silence about his true state of health has led to speculations, especially on the alleged plans by some top government officials to ‘smuggle’ him (Suntai) into the state in a chartered aircraft.

Whether the plans are true or not, keen followers of events in the state have criticised the state government and the Presidency for deliberately keeping Tarabans and Nigerians in the dark over the matter.

“Frankly speaking, the acting governor and the Presidency have to be blamed for the speculations going on now, because if they had deemed it fit to go on air and make the governor’s health condition known to the public, things would not have been like this,” one stakeholder told The Guardian.

A political analyst, Buba Hamad, further observed that the plans to secretly smuggle him back to the state will failed, except the Presidency is in support of it.

He added: “Of course, I am very much confident that President Goodluck Jonathan would not allow that.

“If it were possible, they would have as well done that to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua by smuggling him back to Aso Rock.

“Since that was not achieved, Suntai’s own would as well hit the rock.”

Also commenting on the issue, a PDP chieftain, Danjuma Mungal, warned those plotting to smuggle in the governor to desist, as “every Taraban knows that the man is sick.”

Suntai with his wife and their twins

Suntai the rumour just like any member of the public. Nobody cared to consult us,” said a member of his family, who did not want his name in print.

He added: “Most of those government officials that claimed they loved our brother are only paying lips service, because since the crash, many of them have not taken the pain to visit his people in Suntai village.

“They plan to bring him back because they still believe that with him on ground, they will still benefit a lot from the government.

“So, don’t mind them; they are trying to fight for their personal gains and not for the interest of the state.”

Unlike reports emanating from top government officials that Suntai would soon be discharged, the family member said: “Like I told you, they are fighting for their own interest. As far as we are concerned, we have no knowledge about his medical condition.

“We saw the pictures they have being displaying on social media, but as far as I am concerned, he has not spoken with any of us on telephone.

“So, I cannot comment on his health status. It is what we are reading on

Umar papers that we are working with, because no single government official has ever deemed it fit to come and brief the family on the development.

“You know why I don’t want my name to be mentioned? Because I believe the truth must be told.

“If really he is yet to recover, why should they be planning to bring him back?”

He went on: “Those behind such evil plans don’t have the interest of the family and the state at heart, because bringing him home unfit is to further compound his health condition and cause further problems in the state.

“If they seek for our opinions, we are going to tell them pointblank to let him remain there and continue with his medication. His health is what is paramount to us now and not the position he is occupying.”

The family member expressed support for those against smuggling him into the state, saying he will not encourage that because it might lead the people to something else.

According to him: “If they are convinced that he is hale and hearty and can carry on his official work, why won’t they bring him for us.

“On the other hand, if there are plans to bring him back to humiliate the state and the family, they should allow him to continue with his medication, so that the people will continue to pray for his recovery.”

Though the people are eager to see their governor back in the state, but many of them threatened to take to the streets should he be brought unceremoniously when he is not fit enough to carry out his functions.

“They should not bring him only end up keeping him indoors, thereby preventing the people from seeing him.

“This is because with the rumors we are hearing, the man is not yet fit to perform his function. It is better for them to leave him with his doctors there than bring him back and cause crisis for us,” one of them stated.

A lecturer in one of the tertiary institutions said it is just a matter of time, saying the true picture would soon be made public to the people.

“I believe in the saying of James Hardly Chase that ‘it is just a matter of time.’

After all, his tenure will be coming to an end soon.

“Before the commencement of political activities next year, we shall all have the true picture of his health.

“They may think that they are fooling Tarabans now, but at the end, they will be the fools. I don’t know what benefits they are deriving from peddling lies about his health.”

Meanwhile, a pressure group, known as Taraba Justice Forum recently accused the acting governor of collaborating with the wife of the ailing governor, Hauwa, and other prominent Tarabans to deceive the people.

In a statement signed by its secretary, Abulus John, the group called for the immediate application of Section 189 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

They accused the acting governor of hiding under the guise of loyalty to deceive the public, saying: “The public deserved to know the true situation regarding his health, especially as public funds are being spent on the governor.

“Why is Umar playing along with those trying to stop the state from moving forward? Why is he joining them in lying to the public?”

But the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, could not fathomed why some people continue to compare the governor’s health condition with that of Yar’Adua.

He stated that it is mischievous and downright evil to do so, “as our culture advises respect for the dead,” adding: “In the current situation, there is no basis for such comparison at all.”

In the same vein, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Matters, Mr. Sylvanus Giwa, described as unfounded, the rumour of plans to ‘smuggle’ the governor into the state.

He urged those peddling such rumour to as a matter of urgency, desist from it, as no such plans was being hatched.

For now, the waiting game for the return or confirmation of the true state of health of Suntai continues in Taraba State.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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Saturday, June 15, 2013 17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

With Michael Uchebuaku

IN THIS EDITION True Confession:

‘The Married Woman I’m Dating Doesn’t Want To Leave Me Alone’

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

Love Connections

Princess

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Love Adventure: ‘I Fed Dog Food To My Ex-Girlfriend’

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The Mambilla

Plateau: Jewel Of Taraba Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)

True Confession From Abroad: ‘My Boyfriend Had An Affair With My Dad’

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Love News Marathon Runner Gives Birth Unexpectedly

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

Call: 07031028714, 07032944123.

this is really pathetic, but I was so II’dKNOW angry and felt really used... been with my girlfriend for about six months. I was absolutely besotted with her. I have to admit with hindsight that I was obviously a rebound but at the time I didn’t see it.

They say love is blind.

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

I didn’t really think much of it, so we just arranged another day to meet up.

The following evening, as I wasn’t catching up with her, I decided to drive to town and meet up with some friends. When I got in my car, the battery was flat. How annoying.

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

As it was my girlfriend’s mum’s birthday, I thought it would be a great idea to drive up to her house, drop a birthday card through the letterbox, then drive into town. That way, the car would be running for a while and the battery would be fine by the time I got to town.

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

Name: Attrah Nath.

Tel: 08107202618.

Women looking for relationship/marriage: Kemi, 34, dark, works, wants a widower or divorcee of 40years in Lagos for marriage. 08115667034.

Rose, 26, graduate, from Oyo, in Lagos, CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

‘I Fed Dog Food To My Ex-Girlfriend’ Love Adventure was always drunk.

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

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

She then shouted upstairs to Sally (my girlfriend) and told her I was here. The woman was drunk again and there was no arguing.

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

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

I felt like I’d been stabbed in the heart. How could she do this to me? I turned around and walked back to my car and drove off. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. I’d hon-

estly not intended speaking to any of them and now this had happened.

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

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

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

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

I cunningly made two dishes -- one for myself and one for her. She didn’t see what was going on in the kitchen because I made it all before she got there. I mixed in a tin of dog food to some very cheap mince. Chopped tomatoes and onion. Made mine differently, mine was great!!

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

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

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

I then got out of her the truth -- she had slept with him but was feeling really guilty and was very sorry. At this point, I told her that I had no intention of getting back with her -- I just got her round so I could find out the truth. I asked her to leave (after she had eaten most of her food) and that I never wanted to see her again.

Stupid? Yes. But for those few minutes of watching her trying to eat this food that was obviously tasting pretty foul, I felt a lot better.

Needless to say that feeling didn’t last.

I never bothered telling her about what I did.

In fact, I didn’t bother contacting her again after that.

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

CULLED FROM: 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, June 15, 2013

18 |

LOVE&LIFE Dear Love Doctor, HAVE a new teenage girlfriend but my older married lover threatens to kill herself if I dump her.

I am 25. My new girlfriend is 19 and totally gorgeous. She is everything I ever wanted in a lover. She is always ready for sex and would see me every day if she could, but I have to keep seeing my other woman or she threatens me.

She is 42 and married. We met at a restaurant. She looked really beautiful and I had no knowledge that she was married. We were just friends at first and then things went further when she suggested I come to her place when her husband travelled. We had sex on the sofa that day. I’ve been seeing her for two years now.

When I met my new girlfriend, I told my married lover to go back to her husband, but she threatened to kill herself if I didn’t keep seeing her. I

I

Romantic Jokes Drunk Man In Female Toilet DRUNK man enters a female toiA let by mistake. One woman sees him and screams, “This is for the ladies.” The drunk man replies holding his manhood, “This is for the ladies too.”

Words Of Wisdom Kisses are not promises.

Love Dictionary

What Is Fibroid

Noun A benign tumor of muscular and fibrous tissues, typically developing in the wall of the uterus.

A uterine fibroid is a leiomyoma (non-cancerous) tumor from smooth muscle tissue that originates from the smooth muscle layer (myometrium) of the uterus.

Fibroids are often multiple and garner the designation of diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis if they are randomly located and many in numbers. There is a malignant form of a fibroid and fibroids can rarely (0.10.5%), undergo malignant degeneration into leiomyosarcoma.

Additionally, there are rare forms of fibroids where the lesions are capable of metastasising without malignant transformation and this process is called benign metastasising leiomyoma.

Other common names are uterine leiomyoma,[1] myoma, fibromyoma,fibroleiomyoma.

Fibroids are the most common benign tumors in females and typically found during the middle and later reproductive years. While most fibroids are asymptomatic, they can grow and cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and urinary frequency and urgency. Some fibroids may interfere with pregnancy although this appears to be very rare.[2] In the United States, symptoms caused by uterine fibroids are a very frequent indication forhysterectomy.[3]

‘The Married Woman I’m Dating Doesn’t Want To Leave Me Alone’ her husband. But if she threatens you about committing suicide again, one thing you can do is this: find out the church/mosque she attends and long before she met you.

If you know the one you want is your report her to her spiritual new girlfriend, tell your married lover director/priest/pastor. He will call her and talk to her. She will feel embarAdvice: as kindly as you can that it has been rassed by her priest/pastor or spirituYou can’t keep a relationship going wonderful, but it’s over for you. al director and thank God that her just because of emotional blackmail. All threats of suicide should be taken If your married lover is genuinely seriously, but don’t be drawn back into husband is not aware of her activities. suicidal, it will be because of issues that adulterous relationship. Don’t tell After that, she will leave you alone.

Your say: Do you have advice on this really worry she might commit suicide if she feels I have abandoned her. I feel trapped with this married woman. What do I do?

From Samuel, in Lagos.

True Confession

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

Visit www.romancestory.org

TRUE CONFESSION FROM ABROAD Y parents separated when I was M very young, and as I grew up, I realised it was because my Dad was gay. I stayed at my Dad’s place every weekend until I was about 17, so I had met and bonded with a few of his male partners over the years.

When I moved into an apartment with Uni friends, I began to see less and less of my dad.

In my first year of University I met Rob at a friend’s party. We bonded straight away over our taste in music and soon became really good friends.

Rob was gorgeous —- cropped dark hair, broad shoulders and bright green eyes -- he looked like a male model!

While I was usually extremely shy around good looking guys, I found Rob so easy to talk to and laugh with -hanging out with him was like hanging out with one of my girlfriends.

While I always thought Rob was very good-looking, I had never really felt a spark between us, and was content with our close friendship.

One day, we were both hanging out in my apartment, drinking cheap wine, and I began to feel a bit tipsy. I had just found out that a guy I really liked at my work had just gotten a girlfriend, so I was upset and pouring my heart out to Rob. He listened to me babble on all night, offering me hugs and telling me that I was beautiful and would find the perfect guy one day. Without thinking I leaned forward and kissed him.

At first he didn’t respond, like he was in shock. He looked really confused, but then kissed me back. We made out for a while, and although he was a bit awkward at first, he soon loosened up and we both seemed to feel very comfortable.

After that night our friendly coffee ‘dates’ turned into proper romantic dates. Rob was such a gentleman, always holding the door open for me, paying for my meals at restaurants and never acting sleazy.

After a few weeks we started referring to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend. At the age of 20 Rob was my first boyfriend, as I had always been way too shy to date boys While in high school.

As he was my first boyfriend, I didn’t really know what to expect from the relationship. I knew that all my friends who were my age started sleeping with their boyfriends after a few weeks, but Rob and I had been going out for a couple of months by this stage and he still hadn’t made that move. He never kissed me in public, and our make out sessions never lasted very long, but I assumed he just wanted to take things slow.

‘I assumed he just wanted to take things slow...’

Our relationship continued this way for many more months, and I began to feel rejected by Rob’s lack of physical affection. I never mentioned this to him because by this stage, I was very much in love with him and didn’t want to start an argument.

Christmas time came around, and Rob invited me to lunch at his parents’ house, while I invited him to dinner at my Dad’s house. I was really nervous about meeting his parents for the first time, as he gave me the impression that they were quite strict.

I tried my best to act confident during

‘My Boyfriend Had An Affair With My Dad’

lunch, but Rob’s parents soon proved to be very judgmental, making me even more shy than usual.

They made petty comments about their son’s appearance, and subtly criticised his choice of study (he was studying Teaching at the time).

While they weren’t outright rude, I could tell from their sly comments that they were very hard to impress, and poor Rob copped most of their criticism.

With lunch out of the way, we finally escaped, then headed to my Dad’s house later on for dinner. After having just broken up with his latest partner before Christmas, Dad was

currently living by himself, and it was obvious that he was pretty lonely.

When we arrived, Dad was really happy to see me, and very excited to finally meet my boyfriend.

Dad and Rob seemed to click straight away -- they both loved to travel, and spent the entire dinner discussing the places they had been and the places they wanted to go.

Dad was a high school Art teacher, and Rob was studying to become a teacher, so they had that in common too.

After dinner, we moved into the living room to continue chatting. It

was late and I soon fell asleep on the couch, but every now and then I would drift in and out of sleeping and Dad and Rob would still be immersed in conversation.

Rob and I didn’t end up leaving until well past midnight, and the whole way home he couldn’t stop commenting on how cool my Dad was and how young he seemed.

The next week, Dad invited us over again for lunch on New Year’s Day. Again, he and Rob chatted for hours, before Rob had to leave for work. I stayed to help Dad clean up and we started chatting about Uni and work, and of course Rob.

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Love Connection CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 needs an educated, responsible Christian man of 28-35years.

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Men looking for relationship/marriage: Owolabi needs a responsible woman for a relationship that can

* 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, June 15, 2013

| 19

LOVE&LIFE

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

HE Mambilla Plateau is in Taraba T State of Nigeria. This plateau, is Nigeria’s northern continuation of the Bamenda Highlands of Cameroun.

The cradle of the Bantu-speaking peoples, inhabited for over four millennia, is found in the southeastern part of Taraba State of Nigeria under Sardauna Local Government Area (the former ‘Mambilla Local Authority’ and ‘Mambilla Local Government Area’) .[7] The plateau has its south and eastern escarpments standing along the Camerounian border, while the remainder of its giant northern escarpment and its western slope are in Nigeria.

Climate The plateau is comparatively cold. Daytime temperatures hardly exceed 25 °C (77.0 °F) making it the coldest plateau in Nigeria.[8] Strong winds prevail during the daytime, and the rainy season lasts from midMarch until the end of November.[2] As a result of its high elevation, the plateau experiences temperate weather conditions but on a smaller scale due to its location in a tropical environment.

Rainfall The rainy season on the Mambilla Plateau is associated with frequent and heavy rainfall due to orographic activities on the plateau involving moist winds from the south Atlantic Ocean in southern Nigeria and the steep edges and escarpments of the plateau.The Mambilla Plateau receives over 1850 millimetres of rainfall annually.[9] Topography The Mambilla Plateau is hilly with deep gorges and travellers are constantly passing from one panoramic view to the other. The plateau is entirely covered by soil with occasional occurrence of granite.[10] Drainage The plateau is dissected by many streams and rivers; notable among them are the Donga River and Taraba River, with both having their sources on/from the Mambilla Plateau.

The Mambilla Plateau:

Jewel Of Taraba!

Vegetation Vegetation on the plateau comprises low grasses with trees being noticeably absent except for man- made forest planted by German colonialists during the period of German administration of the camerouns and other Nigerian government tree- planting programmes.

The eucalyptus tree is the dominant tree in these man-made forest as a result of the easy adaptability of the eucalyptus tree to the climatic conditions on the plateau.

The abundance of low lush green grasses on the plateau has attracted a large number of cattle, this has resulted in overgrazing of the plateau and has created problems between

Love News

the cattle herders, the Fulanis, and the indigenous people, the Mambila.

Towns The Mambilla Plateau constitutes one of Taraba State’s largest local government areas.

There are numerous towns on the plateau with populations ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 people except for Bommi (Gembu), which is a sprawling ancient Mambilla city with a much higher population. The latter contains the headquarters of newly christened “Sardauna” (formerly Mambilla) Local Government Area which is synonymous with the Mambilla Plateau. Other important towns on the plateau are Ndik (Kabri), Ndim (‘Mbamnga’), Saan, Bang, Mvurr (‘Warwar’), Gam (‘Wakude’), Ndarip, Mbugo (Tapnyia), Kara, Mang, Kuma, Barip, Kerke (Titong), Ngumbun(Bandin and Tem), Tin (‘Kilatin’), Mbar, Mbunip (‘Kakara’), Durafi, Old Mbungnu ‘Nguroje’, New Ndaga ‘Mayo Ndaga’, Benene (‘Maisamari’), and Mamala (‘Hainare’), beside Bommi itself, the Capital of the Mambilla Plateau. [Note that several place names on the Plateau have often been corrupted by non-native speakers and the foregoing is a correction of some of these errors].

The Mambilla Plateau has an average elevation of about 1,524 metres (5,000 ft) above sea level, making it the highest plateau in Nigeria.[1] Some of its villages are situated on hills that must be at least 1,828 metres (5,997 ft) high above sea level.[2] Some mountains on the plateau and around it are over 2,000 metres (6,562 ft) high, like the Chappal Waddi (Gang mountain) which has an average height of about 2,419 metres (7,936 ft) above sea level. It is the highest mountain in Nigeria[3] and the highest mountain in West Africa if the Republic of Cameroun’s higher mountains like the Mount Cameroon are excluded as mountains in west Africa, even though they are sometimes included among mountains found in the west African region.

The plateau developed on basement complex rocks. Tertiary basalts also occur on the Mambilla plateau and are mostly formed by trachytic lavas and extensive basalts, occurring around Nguroje.[4] The Mambilla Plateau measures about 96 km (60 mi) along its curved length; it is 40 km (25 mi) wide and is bounded by an escarpment that is about 900 m (2,953 ft) high in some places.[5] The plateau covers an area of over 9,389 square kilometres (3,625 sq mi).[6] Gang (‘Chappal Waddi’) Mountain is found at the northeastern flank of the Plateau.

Courtesy: Wikipedia.org Photos: tourism.gov.ng; naijatreks.com. *Are you going to get married soon? Do you want us to cover your wedding or to report on your hotel/resort next? Call 07031028714, 07032944123, 08023700641. *If you want to advertize or sponsor Love & Life call 07031028714, 07032944123.

Lovers’ Answers Game

Marathon Runner Gives Birth Unexpectedly

HEN aspiring marathon W runner and mother-oftwo, Trish Staine, started experiencing unbearable back pain, the last thing she expected was that she was pregnant. But just 24 hours later she was cradling a baby girl.

The 33-year-old US mum, who initially put the extreme pain down to a two-hour halfmarathon training session, said she had no idea she was pregnant and had gained no weight in the months before.

“I had a sore back Sunday evening. I had taken a hot shower and I was dealing with it,” Trish said.

“Monday morning, I woke up and had more back pain and as the day went on it got

worse. I thought I should go to the ER. I thought I had ruptured a disc or pulled a muscle.”

But Trish decided to continue on with her day. It wasn’t until later in the evening, when her pain became unbearable, that her husband called an ambulance.

“I felt like I was dying. I didn’t know what was going on,” she said.

Once in the emergency room, Trish and her husband were stunned to discover that the nurses could detect a foetal heartbeat.

“I said no, no that’s impossible,” Trish said of her reaction to the news.

Trish was taken to the delivery room and said in “what felt like

five minutes” her daughter was born, weighing 2.9 kilos and 48 centimetres long.

Born five weeks premature, the baby – named “Mira”, short for miracle – in about a week. Trish says both her and her husband are still in shock.

“He’s still in shock. Everybody is teasing him,” Trish said. “I definitely thought I was done having kids!”

The pair already have two children, a seven-year-old daughter and a son, 11. Trish is also stepmum to her husband’s three boys aged 17, 19 and 20.

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

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

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

Fertility Problems/Miscarriages/Seeking Male Child: Do you have a sexually transmitted infection/disease, find it difficult to conceive, have miscarriages or need a baby boy? Call 07025350586, 08122352054, 08131161840.

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Call Mike on 07031028714, 08023700641 to link up and for direct hook up. Also call if you have engagement, marriage, wedding, anniversary or birthday announcements to make.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

20

RELATIONSHIP

By Kemi Amushan ‘Nothing on this planet can compare to a woman’s love- it is kind and compassionate, patient and nurturing, generous and sweet and unconditional. Pure’.

F you are her man, she will walk on water and through a mountain just for you no matter how you’ve acted or mistreated her. If you are her man, she would talk to you till there’s no more to say, encourage you when you are at rock bottom, hold you in her arms when you are sick and laugh with you when you are back up. If you are her man and that woman loves you, I mean really loves you, she’ll shine you up when you are dusty, defend you even when she’s not so sure you were right and hang on your every word even when you are not saying anything worth listening to and no matter what you do and no matter how many times her friends say you’re no good, no matter how many times you slammed the door on the relationship, she will give you her very best and keep trying to win over your heart even when you act like everything she’s done to convince you she’s ‘The One’ just isn’t good enough.

That’s a woman’s love. It stands the test of time, logic and all circumstances. And that is exactly how we expect all men to love us in return. But to be true and honest with ourselves, expecting that kind of love from our men is just unrealistic. Plain and simple, because a man’s love isn’t like a woman’s love. Now it’s not that they are not capable of loving like that, it’s just that a man’s love is simple, direct, and probably a little harder to come by.

Now here’s a fact: While women fall in love almost instantly, men fall in love in “stages.” So what are these stages, and how do you move him from one stage to another?

Here’s a question to think about: When you fall in love with a new guy, how can you tell if what you’re feeling really is love or just infatuation?

Here’s the short answer: When it’s true love, it’s big. It lasts forever. It can forgive flaws and stand the test of time. But perhaps most importantly, True love is returned to you! On the other hand, infatuation is just another term for “huge crush.” It’s like true love, but only temporary and empty like a “quick fix.” And most times, infatuation is not returned to you. So here’s how to tell if you’re just infatuated, and not in love: You’re Doing All The Work If you are the one scheduling all your dates, making sure he’s happy, and suggesting activities to keep the relationship growing, it’s probably infatuation! Trust me.

Everything Moves Too Fast.

If your relationship started in a flash without a clear dating period, courtship period and all that, then it’s probably infatuation. What’s more, you’re probably in trouble if he wants sex right away and you give it to him within the first three months. But trust me, these days sex happens within the first two to three weeks. Everybody is in a hurry. And the reason this happens is ….

You Agree To A Friends-With Benefits Setup.

When a man has sex with you within the first two to three weeks/ months of your relationship, there’s a good chance it kills any romantic attraction he may have for you. And that means he’ll only want you for the sex and he might even ask if it’s “okay” with you.

If you say “yes,” you’ve fallen into a trap! A while back, I wrote something on friends with benefit. You can go back and fully understand what I’m talking about.

Why It’s Easy To Be Fooled By Infatuation Sadly, we women fall too easily into the infatuation trap. It’s simply because while we fall in love hard and fast by nature, men fall in love more slowly. While our feelings for him may already be on “Level 7” on a scale of 1 to 10, he might still be on “Level 3.”

And what usually happens is this: We get frustrated. We get impatient. We get tired of waiting for him! And it’s pretty hard not to get frustrated when you’re 100% invested in your new relationship, while he’s like indifferent about it. This frustration soon boils over into nagging, misunderstandings, and arguments. Eventually, the breakup happens and we’re left wondering how “true love” could be so fake!

Now guess what? This “imbalance” of feelings towards each other is actually the leading cause of breakups. And ac-

I

Make The Most Of Rainy Season

By Alita Joseph HE rainy season is here again. The downpour of Saturday, May 11 underscored the T benefits of a cool weather to a relationship. The rain of that Saturday which started very early in the morning and stopped in the afternoon was so heavy that it compelled people who had no urgent need to go out to stay indoor. I am thinking therefore that your guy was one such people who thought it better to chill at home?

While we acknowledge that rains bring much anxiety to people who have planned weddings, we still believe that rainy periods are a blessing to a relationship. Rain is a gift from Mother Nature to freshen and renew the environment .It makes the soil, which includes the grounds for healthy relationships, to be supple and “fertile-suitable” for planting after the hassles of the dry season.

Look at it this way, we work for most part of the year and look forward to playing at the end of the year when the rain comes in trickle or has stopped completely so that around the month of December, we take holidays from work and play hard. It is around this time therefore that many people meet ‘The One’ whom they marry. Thereafter, it is back to work. To make this tedium, the humidity experienced between February and April makes loving a bit difficult.

However, people have long seen the benefits of the rain in building a strong relationship and have taken the opportunity judiciously. But some have misused it. On that Saturday, for example, I heard many young men say they were rushing back home to be “with my baby because of this rain.” With some of them, there was no serious tone of a relationship, they only hinted at one thing -- cuddling with their girlfriends.

But couples should welcome the rain and make most of the rains while they lasted.

It Brings You Closer When you work five days a week, you have only the weekend left to meet up with family and friends. There is always a lot to do that you are to relegate your bonding needs because you know that you can see yourself when you want to.

But you have discovered that you hardly have the time to be together as much as you would like, that is why I think that the rain would strengthen your relationship. You should therefore welcome the cool weather with open arms instead of murmuring about ‘this rain again’ when a much anticipated weekend is ruined by flooded roads.

Pray for rain on a Saturday, listen to weather forecast and scope the horizon yourself to see if there is a hint of rain. Then cancel that visit to your mother-in-law without feeling guilty about it. She would feel sorry to know that you drove through heavy rain and flooded roads to visit her when you know that she is always available.

Bar Beach can wait until another Saturday. Curl up together, have breakfast in bed, talk together for once in a relaxed mood without arguing about money. Discuss those things that you have wanted to talk about but never had the time. Your renewed closeness will reveal the areas you have neglected in your relationship and which ‘this rain sef’ has opened your to.

Try For That Baby A relaxed mind procreates. A man who is not stressed will produce quality semen, so also will a woman who feels satisfied that her man is there at the time she wants him by her side. And there is no work to take your partner outside the home on Saturday.

So if there is no pressing need, draw the blinds to the blanket of rain outside, cuddle up and listen to the sound of thunder together.

For the yet to be married, a word of caution: if he is not ready, he is not ready. Yet, you can benefit from the rain and live together forever after. His decision to go for the long term would not be because of the bed-shaking experience made possible by that rain.

If you are cooped inside with him, use that moment to show him your culinary prowess. Watch movies, ask for titles you know he has not seen and engage his attention by telling him Omotola’s escapade in that movie.

Think of in-house games. Just as the rain subsides a little, start a pillow fight. When it gets heated up, grab your handbag and with one heavy throw, run outside. He will pray for more rain and you.

Men Don’t Love Like We Love cording to experts, couples break up because one partner wants more than the other partner can give. It’s usually that simple. Some women have asked: “Isn’t cheating the leading cause of breakups?” It’s easy to think that, but the answer is actually “no.” Cheating is just a symptom, a manifestation of the imbalance of love. So are the other relationship poisons: fear, anger, hatred, and so on. They all have the same root —- an imbalance of love for each other! It’s like being on a long road trip, and the driver is driving way too fast and when you ask him or her to slow down, they get mad at you. Trust me, that’s how guys feel when a woman rushes the relationship! So, how do you make a guy stay on the ride until you reach your destination? Drive at a speed you’re both comfortable with! Simple.

Now on moving forward together, the best way to guarantee a successful relationship is to have more or less the same level of love for each other from beginning to end. And admittedly, that’s a big challenge for women. It’s hard for us to keep our emotions in control when we’re truly, madly, deeply in love with him! My advice? As your relationship moves along, pace yourself. Focus on the moment.

Don’t think too far into the future, and guide him through the stages. That way, you’ll be hand-in-hand as your relationship grows and matures!

But here’s the big question: What are the “stages” that men go through when falling in love?

There are two actually: The “Attraction” stage and the “Love” stage. And the problem is that we women are experts at the “Love” stage but we’re not too skilled at the “Attraction” stage. You need to keep him interested at all times. So, why not be experts at both stages.

Once again let me repeat this very important piece of advice “Attraction Is Not Love! Don’t get it twisted, ok!

To the relationship we all deserve, good luck in love and life. Cheers.

LOVE & LIFE 21

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

WEEKEND with AMARA

08033832503 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

Why Do Women Cheat?

HEATING husbands used to outnumber C cheating wives; but not any more. Both genders cheat now; the only difference is the motivation. It is a known fact that in having extramarital affairs, men search for more sex or attention, but most times, women look to fill an emotional void.

As a counselor, I encounter different issues and people on daily basis and this is why I have decided to write this article. We often make excuses for the man when he cheats; you even find the cheated partner making excuses for the cheat. This is not because she is happy about it or that she doesn’t know the truth, but the society we are in has made us believe that a woman must take and accept everything.

Times are changed and we now live in the Twenty first Century where women see, hear, and do everything the man does. Mind you, I am not trying to make excuses for cheating or to encourage women to cheat. Cheating is an act that should be condemned by all. Nobody, male or female wants to be cheated.

I know our African society is one where I will be condemned for writing this, but it doesn’t matter. Guys, this article is for your eyes to be opened to the reasons why your wife do what she does. I want you to calm down, put away the male ego, and read this. If at the end of the day you find there are areas where you are guilty, please do everything you can to help your wife because the fact is that she may not be cheating on you now, but would, someday, if things are not placed in their right positions.

Now, let us look at some of their reasons for cheating: Sex addiction This is a case of some kind of abnormality.

There are women whose libido is very high and who want sex the way they want food. But ours is a society where men are left with so much burden of taking care of the whole family, including extended ones, he may not be able to meet up with her constant demand for sex.When this happens, the woman goes for sex from anyone around —- gateman and driver included.

Not enough sex A good number of our men are still very far from the truth. Men still believe a woman doesn’t need sex for anything but procreation. This makes men give her time during her child- bearing years only to ignore her once she is done with babies. I have also seen men who live outside the country or away from their family, punish their wife and starve her of sex. The man enjoys himself all year round with different kinds of girls and comes home to the wife just twice in a year. Now let

us ask ourselves this question: is the woman not a human being like the man? Does blood not flow in her? Doesn’t she have emotional needs that must be met? Why then do we punish the woman?

Self esteem Believe it or not, every woman wants to be told she is beautiful and sexy. Your wife could be acting like it doesn’t matter to her, but sir, please don’t accept that as true. We see men spend so much and say what they don’t mean just to woo a woman to marriage. But everything becomes strange and forgotten the moment she comes in and delivers one baby. This is actually the time she needs reassurance and appreciation. When last did you remind your wife how much you love her? When was the last time you took her out on a date? When was the last time you looked straight into her eyes and reminded her she is your queen? I advise you do that now and regularly before someone else does it for you.

Revenge/payback for past wrongs Women come to me for counseling and one thing I have realized is that truly, times have changed. These women now look straight into my eyes and tell me they must cheat. A woman whose infidelity is not hidden to anyone told me why she does what she does. According her, she used to be very decent and godly until the day her husband gave her the beating of her life over a girlfriend. This woman said the man beat her into unconsciousness and when she eventually recovered, she made up her mind to deal with him. Yes, they still live together and smile out there, but

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela HE desire of most T young people today is fame and fi-

nancial riches. They have as models and a beacons, a handful of show business personnel, a lot of whom can be termed as the blind guiding the blind. The world in general measures success on the yardstick of fame and money (which has never brought anyone true happiness). This kind of success becomes an end to achieve which any means is permissible...sadly. I believe we would have greater men and women if more people stopped looking outwards for the answer to their life’s question/s and looked inwards – into the will of the Creator engraved within their hearts.

Your place and purpose One person, compared to billions of others in the earth can be likened to a drop in a mighty ocean. How insignificant one person seems from this perspective —- this is a reality! How can anyone stand out? We have this evidence of the possibility of standing out; the fact that not one person, dead or alive, has the same fingerprint! This is God’s unique personal seal on every man born.

We are all distinct and special, wouldn’t you say? Albeit, we have not all been called into the spotlight, neither have we all been called to achieve great feats (for many measure success by this too). However, to every man God has given a portion of faith; to everyman some talents according to grace and therein lies our niche and responsibility.

trips from Paris to the Caribbean are all she needs for true happiness?

Dont worry, keep running after the money and friends, one little boy somewhere is filling the gap. Instead of you going home to your wife after work, you drive straight to the golf course and club where you spend time with friends till midnight. Whatever you do, always have this in mind: the woman is an emotional being who needs some emotional attachment to exist happily.

Lack of intimacy Where is the intimacy in your relationship?

Have you pushed her to that point where she can no longer depend on you emotionally? Every woman wants to feel protected and cared for emotionally. How much of your wife do you know? Are you aware she desires to share every moment and experience of her life with you?

This is one of the issues I have with our general hospitals where men are not allowed in the labour room. This is a very important stage in a relationship and should be shared. The man should be able to go in there to appreciate the woman the more. Some men don’t even care what she goes through during and after pregnancy. I respect men who attend ante-natal this very woman has been on rampage ever classes with their wives. Some men don’t care since. She is now into lesbianism. I spoke to get even when the woman is sick. Sir, ten mothers-inher to relieve herself of that hurt and u forgive- law can never fill that vacuum. If you don’t hanness for a new life, but she is not even ready to dle this well, an ordinary cleaner in the hospital let go because she claimed she suffered for the could be the one to help you with the job. wealth of this very man.

Bedroom boredom I am not making a case for infidelity, but when I wrote sometime about a woman who called you see women who do these things, try to find me telling me she was going to deny the man sex out why. Some Nigerian men do terrible things because he doesn’t even care about her in the to their wives that it can only take a woman bedroom. To a good number of men, women are with the heart of God to stay faithful. How there to satisfy them and never to be satisfied. many times have you beaten your wife just be- This woman told me how the man will always cause she had issues with your house help and make her give him a blow job only for him to resecretary? member he is a titled chief when the woman Feeling neglected asks for a suck. I tried to be sure it wasn’t because Our ‘great’ men of God and top executives are of some bad odour from her genitals, and to my mostly guilty of this. You jump from nation to surprise, he has never done that for her. Guys, nation and kingdom to kingdom preaching please keep your chieftaincy and religious titles and winning souls while losing your own away from your bedroom. The woman must home. We now have our preachers move about enjoy sex. Dont forget they see and read a lot town in convoy with their female assistants and when it comes to sex styles and it is their desire protocol officers who are sometimes other peo- to practice those positions with their man. If you ple’s wives. If you can move about with that are not ready to make this come to pass, the next woman, why not your wife? You keep giving thing is for your money to be used because she her a thousand and one reasons why she must has made up her mind to get it. be home. We agree she has to face the local Exit strategy church and the kids, but sir, is that a good Some women use this when they are tired of a enough reason to neglect a woman? relationship. They just want to be caught cheatMr. managing director, when was the last time ing because that is the only way they could you took your woman out on a date or to a spend time with that other man they have given good resort for a weekend getaway? Do you their heart to. think the fleet of cars and attendants at her Like I said earlier, cheating won’t end now and beck and call are enough to give her the attenthere are women who must cheat. But sir, make tion she desires? Do you think her numerous sure you are not the one leading her into that.

08167089656 (SMS only).

E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Great Drops In A Mighty Ocean It is when we compare ourselves with others; when we desire the attention and status of another that we often miss the mark.

This, I believe, is one of the great robbers of destinies – comparing ones self to others. It ought not to be so for we all have different purposes. It is a devaluation of ones potential and a discredit to ones capabilities to assess ourselves by the performance of others, for we are all judged by the yardstick of God. The value of contentment Here is an illustration. Although a laptop, when the lid is down, can serve as a means of support by reason of its smooth, flat surface, it was not made to be a place mat.

Though it might yearn to be arrayed as one of the place settings on a dining table, it was not made to be that. Using a laptop as a place mat only abuses its purpose and is near to being at the end of its purpose.

Sadly, this is the sort of life a lot of men live.

When we indulge the desires of our heart which is contrary to our purpose, it can only birth abuse, discontentment and bitterness.

We have each been called to a place, and there will always be greater persons than ourselves; we must learn to be content with this fact. This will be a check for us when we

has received, he is required to show himself faithful as well.

In whatever you have, be diligent and prove yourself a faithful steward in the sight of God and not man. It should console us that God hasn’t called everyone to be a Moses of his time, however, he requires us to be faithful, like Moses was, in all that He has given unto us (Hebrews 3:1-5).

God who sees in secret would reward you openly in this time and in the one to come. Whatever gifts or calling has been given to you, he has empowered you and has made provision for you to be faithful.

The Fourth Wise Man There is a story I read a long time ago called The Fourth Wise Man. He was scheduled to have met the baby Jesus with the other three wise men, however, he couldn’t make it because he stopped on his journey to help one in need. Three times in his lifetime he had the opportunity to meet the Jesus and three times he stopped in his journey to help one in dire need. Finally, when he died, he saw Jesus, who thanked him for the three times he was of assistance to him saying “When I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty you gave want to compare ourselves with others. Jealousy me a drink...” Astonished he replied “Lord when and/or envy is birthed in this way and when those did I help you?” Jesus answered “Verily I say unto emotions take firm root in our souls, we miss our you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my way and fall from grace. brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.”

The value of faithfulness Mathew 25:35-40 (ASV).

One man was born with a silver spoon in his Likewise, whatever we find we are empowered to mouth, much love and attention from family and do, we should do it faithfully. friends. Meanwhile, another man was born orImage and Etiquette addresses general percepphaned, very little love was given and opportuni- tions, societal norms and expectations and perties for his development were limited. However, sonal expressions with the goal of cultivating they both have this requirement in common; in social graces, suavity and a dignified presence for whatever measure you have been given, you are ex- interpersonal relationships. If you have questions pected to be faithful. To a rich man, so much more on Image and Etiquette please send them to is expected and much more will be required of askpamela@regalgraces.com or SMS him. Also, to the poor man, in whatever little he 08038240870.

22 LOVE & LIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

MARITAL SEX

Resolve To Be A Better Spouse

By Juliana Idoko VERYDAY is an opportunity to E amend your life and be a better you. Some wait for the New Year, when they will make resolutions, but frankly, the best time to change and live peaceably with your spouse, for the overall good and happiness of your marriage and family is now.

No woman wants a womanizer as a husband and no man wants a woman who nags. However, if you look closely, you’ll find that a woman doesn’t just nag and many a times, a man doesn’t just womanize.

Your actions and inactions may be the reason for their own reactions and actions. If you resolve to make a change, you are inadvertently changing your spouse and your family for good.

This can only happen if you are honest with yourself, bearing in mind that nobody is perfect. Only then would you discover your own areas of weakness and resolve to change them for good. So, even though we are half way into the year, we can still make these resolutions because the best time to change for good is now!

Resolve to be a more faithful spouse Those who have been at the receiving end of infidelity know how much it hurts. Of all the things that can tear a marriage apart, infidelity tops the list. Every marriage starts with joy, celebration and optimism. Infidelity is a betrayal of all things that marriage is supposed to be - a union of two lives bonded together for a lifetime.

You may or may not have reasons for cheating on your spouse but you may be deluded to think that the other person is better than your spouse. To avoid the ugly consequences, it is better to resolve to stick to your spouse. Ask God for His

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” – Isaiah 43 Vs 18-19.

grace and help, and avoid the occasions that lead you infidelity.

Resolve to have more and better sex The fact that sex is the oil that lubricates the wheel of every marriage relationship is yet to be disputed. In spite of that, married couples take that aspect of their marriage for granted. Having discovered that most marital problems stem from lack or inadequate sex, resolve to have more and better sex this year. Make it a priority, talk about how you can improve the situation and get the satisfaction you desire.

Resolve to communicate more with and listen more to your partner Communication is very vital in every relationship. The importance of listening also cannot be overemphasised. Using both verbal and non-verbal means of communication, resolve to get closer and share your thoughts and emotions with your spouse this year. Do more impromptu hugging, kissing and above all, talk and laugh together. Show your spouse that you care by listening to him/her.

Resolve to show more gratitude to your spouse – A recent research shows that the biggest difference between happy and unhappy couple is that the happy couples show gratitude for each other. Express gratitude to your partner for both the small and big favours, your spouse feels good and that makes you feel good too.

Resolve to show interest in your partners life, work and interests Show more interest in your spouse’s hobbies, investment plans and frustrations and successes at work. That small but positive comment makes a lot of difference and shows you care about their lives.

Resolve to have a life of your own Don’t let your whole life be wrapped around your spouse. Have hobbies, friends and experiences that do not revolve around your spouse. Be inde-

pendent and find happiness outside the relationship. It will do you a great deal of good.

There is no gainsaying the fact that resolution and goal-setting can make a difference in the way you live your life, the problem therefore is not with setting the goal or making the resolution but keeping it. These resolutions, if kept, can make a huge difference in your marriage relationship.

Research has also shown that it takes 21 days to form a habit. No matter the status of your relationship, your spouse would notice and reciprocate

Let’s Begin Again

OD likes a restart. He takes away G the old to establish the new. If you read the Bible, you would see New Covenants, New Commandment, New Heart, New Life, New Wine, New Heaven and New Earth. That doesn’t mean that the old things are bad, but He makes the old things in a new way.

Sometimes our relationship becomes boring. We wear out. We lose creativity.

We seek something new. But we think we shall find fun in a ‘new spouse’, ‘a new partner’, ‘a new relationship’ totally away from the person who already shares our lives. That’s not how it is done. God brings the new of the old.

Every relationship should be in constant repair. If we do not take care of our relationship, it will wear out and become outdated. Then we seek another relationship that will in time go sour if not properly attended to. Let your relationships, marriages feel fresh, new and healthy. You don’t need ‘another’; there is no better person out

there. Everyone you are married to is someone you can be with and take care of. There are simple things we can do to keep our relationship fresh and exciting.

1. Forget In life, memories are powerful we really don’t forget. But we can. Just as

we make effort to remember, we should also try to forget. To forget means that you shouldn’t give the memory a chance to awaken the emotion behind the event. Choose not to bring it to mind. To forget effectively, you need to remember.

Remember good times in that rela-

when he/she notices some good changes in you. Resolutions become difficult to keep if they are not precise and realistic or if they are not made for the right reasons. According to John Chrysotom, “when we once begin to form good resolutions, God gives us every opportunity of carrying them out.”

Making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self-evaluation and repentance that demands personal honesty and, ultimately fosters and reinforces humility. Procrastination may be your only enemy, but you can overcome if

tionship, it will gradually drown the bad memories. Life is too short. Don’t carry a baggage of wrongs and bad feelings all through. Remove things that should remind you; the letters, pictures, documents, texts that have wounded the marriage in the past. Put away some pictures deliberately. Focus on the good and expect better. There were once good times. Relive them.

2. Do old things in a new way (Mark 14 Vs 25). Jesus spoke of drinking the wine “new” in the kingdom of God. Celebrate your love again. Watch your wedding movies and pictures. Give your spouse surprise meals at work.

Send messages to the Internet, drop flowers, cards. Call a pastor to the house, renew your vows. Go on vacation. Go to places you have not gone before. Make love in a special new way.

You can even change the outlook of your home.

3. Speak new tonuses Use new language. Let the insults and abuses go. Don’t call each other bad, nasty names. Joke some more. Laugh some more. Smile some more. Change the entire vocabulary in your home.

Words can set the mood and atmosphere in your home. Develop the right language for situations. Even when you argue and want to correct a wrong, say it well. Let words be seasoned with grace. Call your spouse a special endearing pet name. Give a new name that redefines your relationship. God gives new names too.

4. Allow for human error There is no perfect person. Accept that

you map out your own plan of action, tell your spouse and others who care about your wellbeing about it, visualize where you are going and start relishing the outcome because you will get there.

As some other people look forward to the New Year for a new start of old habits, you that have seen that every day is an opportunity to change will fare better. According to Benjamin Franklin “be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each New Year find you a better man.”

first. Everyone in this part of the world wants to be a leader; no one wants to learn. Many books on leadership; little on loyalty and submission. That is the trouble in our world.

We are too ‘assertive’, we forget the benefits of being a follower.

Submission and loyalty is now a foreign word because we have ‘fantasies’ and expectations that must be met. That someone is your head is not merely a function of expertise, it is divinely arranged. No matter how bad our parents are, we are to honour them, treat them with love and regards, otherwise we may not live a fulfilled life. We want to make everything perfect and destroy good. We eventually do not have perfection because only God is. There are things we should simply ignore. In a bid to make a cloth clean, we wash it torn. Is it tears? Is a bitter realization in human relationships I hope we will understand.

5. Make a way in the wilderness.

Make difficult things easy. Make some efforts to be better. Develop your moral muscles. Beat expectations. Help your spouse solve a challenge. Don’t ask your spouse to make a way, you do. Divide the Red Sea so that they could pass. Provide rivers in the desert. Be creative, make things happen in your home. Bring in some innovations. Be the answer they need.

E. C. Samuel Intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com 08027173447 SMS ONLY

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

23

WOMAN

Kofoworola’s

Bargain For Women Barrister Kofoworola Oluwakemi Martins is an administrator at Opral Benson Beauty Training Institute, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos. A politician, she wants to use her background in law, education, business and experience in politics to promote the rights of women. She spoke with Olamide Olayiwola Fadare on her interests and activities.

HOUGH she studied Law in the university, Barrister T Kofoworola Oluwakemi Martins, administrator at Opral Benson Beauty Training Institute, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos, has an intimate relationship with fashion dating back to her growing up days. The only explanation she can offer in that respect is that it is a passion and an inborn inclination.

“The legal profession is something I studied in school, but fashion for me is innate. It is a passion and a Godgiven thing. As far as I can remember, I have designed my clothes for a very long time. I grew up recognising that I have a flair for it.

“My father used to buy lace materials very frequently while I was growing up and at that time lace used to come in 10 yards and he would always give me two yards and he would use eight. So, from that time, I would design what I wanted with the two yards. I would tell my tailor, “This is how I want you to do it.”

“I would design tops and people would see it on me and they would say “this looks very nice”, I would want to fix my hair and I would tell the stylist how I want it to be and by the time they were done, people would give me compliments and it just went on like that till today,” she says.

She read Law at the University of Ife and was called to the Nigeria bar in 1998. Her master’s degree was at the University of Lagos. In addition, she has gone through different trainings in administration and human resources, part of which was at the Lagos Business School.

Her involvement as an administrator in the fashion and beauty institute, however, started in December 2010. Before then, she had owned a fashion designing outfit from the early nineties, employing workers for the place.

“I used to own a fashion designing outfit and employed workers way back in the early 90s. At that time, the fashion industry was not as developed as we have it now, but because it was for me a passion. So I wasn’t really looking at the business side of it, it was just what I like to do ….

“Besides, the kids where growing up at that time. Later, I began to make beads, I was exporting that, I still do that now, but I did not have the opportunity to do it frequently because of my work. but I still design because its part of me.”

But even at that, she still finds time to design her clothes and beads, drawing inspirations from things around her.

Opral Benson Beauty Training Institute, she says, has trained thousands of people in its 28 years of existence, awarding various certificates such as diploma, ordinary diploma and advance diploma.

Kofoworola was an aspirant for the Kosofe Local Government chairmanship election in 2007/2008. Her motivation, she says, was to work for the recognition of the rights of women.

“I want to lend my voice to the fight for the rights of women. My training in law is an advantage. I have been involved and am still involved in business. I am married, so in all of the aspects of life that women engage in, I have the experience. So, I can say I have an understanding of the issues affecting women. I want to put all that background together in that regard.”

“There are still so many things that happen to women that should not. Women still do not have the voice that they are supposed to have. And when I say “women”, I’m not just referring to uneducated women; I’m talking about even the educated. So many things happen to the women at the home front, in the work place, even in business. I am concerned about these things,” she adds.

This has fuelled her quest to set up a non-governmental organisation, which is in the process of being registered. “I am trusting God that through the NGO, I would be able to do my own little things towards pro-

viding solution, creating more awareness concerning women’s rights,” she assures.

She says she is able to cope with the challenges of managing the different concerns by striking a balance between the home front and the work. “I am someone who believes in excellence. In whatever you set your hand to do, you must strive to do it excellently, otherwise you will just waste all the effort.

“For my home I endeavour to put in my best, to put in enough time, to spend quality time with my husband and children. I make sure there are no lapses; I am not an absent mother, I take interest in what my children are doing, I spent time with everyone of them.

“We go out together. We talk because I realise the challenges of the youth today is quite different from what it was when I was growing up and I try to get myself to understand what the challenges are now. I try to read to get myself enlightened and I try to be there for them. The same goes for my husband. You discover that you spend more hours at work than at home, but I ensure that I keep I cook, go to market and I spend quality time with my husband. I carry him along in what I am doing. He has been supportive.

Of her role model, she notes that being a politician, it would be a great woman that she has read about, watched over time, and seen the challenges that confront her as a woman in politics. She must have seen her overcome challenges in her marriage, in the political career and at the end of it she comes out standing firm on her feet.

The first of eight children, she notes that “being the first it is a position of advantage because in our environment it means that for a number of things you are reckoned with, your position as number one is acknowledged and respected, but it also comes with commitment and of responsibility.

“You have to be a good role model for those coming behind you, you have to live a life worthy of emulation, stand on your good moral ground to correct.

If you are not doing well, then you don’t have moral standing to call others to order. So, I like my position; it comes with responsibility, which I have accepted and is okay with me.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

PEOPLE

From Chewing Stick Selling To Owning A Conglomerate…

Chief Alexander Chika Okafor is the Executive Chairman and founder of Chicason Group of companies. A native of Umudim, Nnewi in Anambra State and fellow of many professional bodies, including the Institute of Corporate Administration (FICA), Nigerian Institute of Sales Management (FNISM) and Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE), he is a purpose-driven businessman and philanthropist.

Okafor’s venture in business started from small beginning as a chewing stick seller.

That business venture has now grown into three major arms - manufacturing, trading and mining, which as a group currently has over 4000 Nigerians in its employ. He spoke with EMEKA ANUFORO about his life and how he built his business conglomerate, and points the way to replicating the feat to the teeming unemployed youths.

Early childhood Y father died seven days after the civil war and my mother had to be indoors for one year mourning him. I was in Primary School then and was selling newspapers to pay my fees. I also tried my hands on lottery to support just to raise school fees. I then ventured into selling eggs. At some point, I was selling 15 to 20 crates of eggs every day. It was encouraging to see people queuing to buy eggs from me. I sold eggs before going to school, sell magazines and play lottery. I also sold newspapers at weekends and during holidays.

By the time I left primary school, I had 397 birds. That was how I started.

Journey into business I started the company 35 years ago, after graduating from apprenticeship from an uncle. I started on January 4, 1978; that was the day I left Nigeria for Ghana. My late mother gave me N1, 000 to start off.

My sister got married that year and there was a dowry of N300. So she added it, making the take-off fund N1, 300. I discovered that I could not do much with N1, 300 in Nigeria, so I moved to Ghana and bought some small things like chewing sticks and came back to Nigeria to sell them. God blessed the work of my hand and the business kept growing. By June that year, I was able to buy my first plot of land in Onitsha.

I moved to Liberia in 1979 and bought things from Freetown port because the goods were cheap. I started bringing goods to Nigeria.

While doing that, I saw some people who usually went to Hong Kong, China to buy wears and I decided to join them. Something worked in my favour; while those boys would go to Hong Kong to buy things and come back to look for somebody to clear their goods, I cleared my own goods myself.

From there, I started buying containers. But there was another thing that helped me a lot.

There was a company that was stuck in Lagos with fishing hooks. They had imported large quantities of fishing hooks, but they had no one to buy them because it was the type that was in high demand in Nigeria. But when I went to Ghana, I discovered that that was what they were using there. So I went to the company to buy the hooks from them. They sold them to me as 200 pieces in one box, only for me to get to the airport to repack and I found some cartons had 400 while others 500. I went back and refunded the company the balance of the money I got from the extra hooks.

They were surprised and when they asked what they could do to reward me, I pleaded with them not to sell the goods to any other person, to which they agreed. Because the items were in high demand in Ghana, I made a lot of money from that transaction within a short period. That was how I started buying goods by sea and air from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Business expansion on trust Despite the fact that I had made so much

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because of power problem, some because of insecurity.

Advice to youths Youths must have confidence in themselves and believe in whatever they want to do. When I see people looking for visas to go overseas, I laugh because they can start small and make it big in Nigeria. If a young graduate can afford to get visa and N200,000 to buy ticket to go abroad, that graduate could as well start a small venture with the money. We need to put pride aside.

There are lots of businesses they could start with. For instance, one can invest N200, 000 into a yam business. One could start buying yam from Benue to Abuja. One secret to selling could be to register with different associations then, God has been kind. at different markets and sell at discount prices.

Today, we have lubricant, plastic and soap While doing that, you may discover that Beans plants and we have two tank farms in Lagos is scarce in the south. You can then proceed to and another one in Port Harcourt. We have a Taraba and buy beans. While doing this, you petroleum product processing plant and a build up sizeable capital. tank farm in Ghana. In the upstream, we have Within one or two years, you can have some some blocks in West and East Africa. We are millions of naira. In no time, you can make so also into mining. much money. Most women doing this busiWe currently have 4,060 staff in Nigeria. By ness are not consistent. Family problems in 2015, our target is 10,000 jobs in Nigeria while most cases quickly eat up their capitals and also creating jobs in other African countries. they soon stop. A young graduate may not What government must do to encourage bud- have those kinds of problems that would ding entrepreneurs quickly eat up business capital. Energy and creIt is simple. The two most challenging probativity could also be added to the venture. For lems we have are those of insecurity and lack instance, while others sell with N3 profit you of infrastructure, especially power. Some of us can sell with N1.50k profit and do quick are paying dearly for it. Most of our factories turnover. I tell you, if you do this business for are in the Eastern part of Nigeria and we find two years with that N200, 000 you will start it very difficult to attract quality staff because counting millions and you will build capital to of the problem of kidnapping. Power is go into other businesses. next. In 1996, there were 56 different indusSadly however, our youths don’t want to do tries in my hometown, Nnewi. We don’t have that kind of business. They want quick deals. more than six of those There are so many opportunities in Nigeria industries left that most youths don’t have in other countries. today. Many That was how I graduated from a small seller closed to a small importer, to a big importer, and now shop to a very successful industrialist.

Giving back to society People often ask me what gives me joy; it is the joy of helping people. I tarred the roads in my community and everybody in my community has been enjoying clean water for the past 15 years. I brought some transformers for electricity. I have a scholarship fund that trains people from primary to university level. My people back home draw largely from the scholarship. Apart from that, I have another scheme for other people who are not from my immediate community. Those are some of the ways I give back to society.

Okafor’s Inspiring Story money, I did not have a car. I also converted the two flats at the ground floor of the house where I lived to a warehouse. Interesting, I did not have a television set neither did I have air conditioning units in my apartment, though these were items that I had started dealing in. I had only a table, a calculator and mats in my sitting room.

I was quite surprised when my business partners in Taiwan said they were coming to visit me in Nigeria. It was at that point that I quickly called an uncle to furnish my house and buy me a car. So they came to visit and even went to see my village. The house was mud house and there was nothing I could do about it at that time. My late mother cooked for them after which they went back to Taiwan. When I went to Taiwan the following week, they said they were very more comfortable doing business with me, especially as I was not ashamed to take them to my village. That was how they started giving me goods on credit. That was a major turning point for me. The gesture by my Taiwan partners became a reference point. All the other companies I had dealings with also started giving me credit. It got to a point that I could have up to 50 containers of different goods at the port every month.

Diversifying into other trade areas By the year 1987, I started thinking of what to produce. I applied to the then Ministry of Trade and Industries.

They were doing what was called locational approval, meaning they will tell each producer what to produce and where to site industries. This is unlike what is happening now that a manufacturer can site his industry anywhere. So when I wanted to `put up a salt plant, they said I had to do it in Port Harcourt or Calabar so I cancelled the idea because the event of the civil war was still fresh in my mind.

I later started producing vegetable oil. When manufacturing became too tough, I went into the importation of rice, sugar, cement and fertilizer until government came up with a ban.

We then ventured into oil and gas and started A-Z Petroleum.

Since

Okafor

Youths must have confidence in themselves.

When I see people looking for visas to go overseas, I laugh because they can start small and make it big in Nigeria. If a young graduate can afford to get visa and N200,000 to buy ticket to go abroad, that graduate could as well start a small venture with the money

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

PEOPLE

‘Nebo, A Change Agent For Power Sector’

By Uche Aneke O successful man ever allows himself to be distracted by frivolities or by the activities of the fifth columnist.

The recent unprovoked comments and unfair assessment of the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo by a Newspaper report of Monday 6, 2013, which ascribed the recent drop in power supply across the country to ineffective coordination and monitoring of activities in the six power generation and eleven distribution companies by the Minister is certainly not an exception to the “evil works” of detractors.

This group of people who are surprised at the rising profile of the erudite and first class professor in his national assignment will stop at nothing to distract his focus by sponsoring unsubstantiated reports against his achievements in the power Ministry, which he has manned for only three months.

There is no doubt that Professor Nebo’s presence in the Power Ministry in the last three months has brought visionary leadership to bear as there are obvious reinvigoration of activities within the sector. He was emphatic about his desire not only to succeed, but to bring positive and noticeable changes.

Saboteurs of government businesses within the sector were clearly given the warning signal that it would no longer be business as usual. He took steps to ensure that it was not an empty threat by summoning meetings of all Chief Executive Officers of the Generation, Transmission and Distribution Companies where he admonished them to either shape up or be shipped out. Since then he has kept them on their toes, which has yielded positive results in terms of industrial harmony and power supply. This action in no way

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depicts a man who has no grasp of the enormity of the task at hand as alleged.

Any discerning industry watcher would note that there has been an increase in the electricity supply in the last three months as many urban cities and even some rural communities could readily attest to.

Unfortunately, this is not the case now as the generation capacity has fallen for obvious reasons which in no way could be attributed to incompetence or naivety on the part of the Minister as claimed by the sponsors of the said publication. The recent power drop is caused by the cumulative effect of the failure to address critical emergency needs in the power sector, which were largely caused by the zero allocation in the 2013 National budget. Some of these needs include but are not limited to, the repairs, sand blasting and rehabilitation of the ventilation system as well as maintenance work on generators and turbines.

As a man of vision and determined to succeed, Professor Nebo last week sought and got the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan for immediate intervention in some of these critical emergency areas. The President gave approval to the Power Minister to access up to N10b from the US$50 million loan already approved by the African Development Bank for the Ministry and similar other funds that are due from Multi-Year Tariff Oder (MYTO) 11 Fund.

Soon, the emergency critical main- Nebo tenance works across the country will commence and will no doubt tinue pending when the new owners of once more bring back increase in the generation and distribution com- The Minister has also taken steps to power supply. This is expected to con- panies will fully take over operations. engage the Labour Union within the sector in meaningful discussions

aimed at promoting industrial harmony. His quick intervention in the rift that ensued between the labour leaders and the Transmission Company of Nigeria Management contractor - the Manitoba Hydro of Canada, led to the swift resolution of the contending issues, which resulted in the union’s refusal to allow them access to the TCN premises.

Also, the Minister in collaboration with other ministries and government officials have been involved in several late night meetings with the sector’s union leaders to resolve all outstanding issues relating to workers severance package before the final hand over of PHCN successor companies to the new owners upon completion of 100 per cent payment of the worth of the GENCOs and DISCOs. A few days ago, the Minister held a meeting with the entire Ministry staff in a convivial environment. At that meeting, the Minister assured the staff of a fruitful relationship with them and also prepared their minds for the way forward in terms of individual roles in achieving stable and reliable power supply in the country.

The Power Minister has continued to intensify efforts in attracting foreign investors to Nigeria’s power sector. Not long ago, he was in Japan to discuss and stimulate Japanese investors’ interest in Nigeria’s power sector especially in the transmission infrastructure. He was also part of President Jonathan’s official visit to South Africa where he took the opportunity to speak on the investment opportunities in the sector.

From the foregoing, the attack on the person of Professor Chinedu Nebo by his detractors using the platform of a National Daily is to say the least, unfair and misinforms the public about his success story. Indeed Nebo is a change agent and certainly has come to bring positive changes in the power sector.

A Fans’ Club As Tool For Touching Lives

By Olawunmi Ojo VERYWHERE in the world, fans’ clubs are E known to be run by fans who devote considerable time and resources to supporting their darling teams. In return, they revel in the immense pleasure and joy of their support, and the success it brings the team.

Penya Barca De Lagos Club is the official FC Barcelona member and fan club licensed in Nigeria to promote the club’s values of sportsmanship and social integration. Though, it has been in existence for about a year, its official inauguration last week at a well attended event, tagged, ‘Mes Que Un Club De Seguidors,’ meaning, ‘More Than Just A Fan Club,’ sparked off a chain of activities lined up to entrench the club ideals and values in the country. And those activities, club officials say, would endure, touch several lives and change society for good.

Formed by a group of well-meaning Nigerians, members of the club are not just fascinated

about supporting Barcelona and the opportunities it could bring their way, they are equally concerned about a lot of societal issues and are determined to use the Penya Barca platform to improve situations.

Led by Leslie Oghomienor as President, Board of Trustees, Penya Barca De Lagos Club would help to identify and develop talents. It would afford young footballers the opportunity of overseas trainings. It would, over time, facilitate FC Barcelona squaring up against teams in Nigeria, and also invite coaches from the club to train Nigerian coaches. But more importantly, is the fact it is poised to touch more lives outside the football fraternity.

According to Oghomienor, “The general idea is for people to think it is just a fans’ club but this is more than that. This is a club that has ideals, values and would help in youth and grassroots soccer development, help to groom leaders of tomorrow to innumerable programmes and on the long term, help develop our country.

The football aspect is there, it is a constant; but

President, Board of Trustees, Lagos Penya Club, Mr. Leslie Oghomienor and Senior Vice President, Board of Trustees, Mr. Kayode Adeleke, after the signing ceremony between 1000 Leaders Meeting Project Group and Lagos Penya Club in Lagos last weekend.

beyond that, we would be encouraging youths on the several opportunities they could explore to be successful instead of copying the efforts of others who may be bad role models. We believe that if we can have good models to guide the youth, they will understand they need not spoil their family name in the name of achievements.”

Penya Barca’s inaugural drew people from different walks of life, different age grades and stations from top level people to the average and then the less privileged. Special children from special schools were part of the event. And words of inspiration from guests and stars, who have made life out of football, went forth to the young ones and other guests.

Giving insight into some of the programmes lined up to affect the society, Oghomienor said the club would be reaching far and wide and partnering with organisations – private sector, government organisations and non-profit organisations – in order to make the desired impact on lives.

“We are going into grassroots soccer development. Football clinics would be organized in such areas where young children do not have access to such opportunities. To reach out to distant places and affect as much lives as possible, we are going to be partnering with Non-Profit Organisations who would then carry on with the gospel we preach in their spheres of influence. We are also working with UNICEF, NGOs that supports girls, women, widows and the like. So this is not all about football, we are not just going to be taking young lads to Camp Nou in Barcelona. Rather, this is aimed at improving the quality of life and living in our society. We are also going to give a lookin for people with disabilities. Our society has been structured in a way that only people that are strong can move around; a guy on wheelchair cannot move freely and this is not right. We are going to get this set of people to begin thinking differently; that they can be great irrespective of their status,” the club President said.

He added: “We are poised to engage the youths, give them a new lease of life through youth development, empowerment, leadership and education projects. In addition, we would improve and promote grassroots football via academies and

tournaments, career counseling and development. In doing this, we would also be helping to change the face of football in Nigeria by partnering with those involved in the game.

On his part, Senior Vice President, Board of Trustees of the club, Kayode Adeleke explained that members of Penya Barca De Lagos Club are also passionate about improving living standards in Nigerian local communities. He said to achieve this, the club would be suing the sports platform to positively re-direct minds and energies of Nigerian youths in order to walk the right path.

Adeleke stressed that, “aside coming together to have fun and socialize, we value helping people, most especially children - our future, and less privileged all around Nigeria to understand the substance of true humanhood and the potentials they have, provoking the positive side in them. This is aimed at letting them know that in spite of life’s odds, with self-determination and focus, they can live their dream, in pursuant of achieving a good life and for the interest of a peaceful and united Nigeria.”

Already, the club has attracted hundreds of fun loving and football enthusiasts with the heart of gold, and is geared at using sports as a veritable vehicle for mental development, fostering national unity, social and cultural integration, genuine humanitarianism and improving interpersonal relationships, all of which hinges on the tenets of acceptable global human society and democracy.

The novel idea of Penyes began in November 29, 1899, in Collasan as FC Barcelona, with the vision to promote intercultural identity, ethics, good public spirit, social inclusion, tolerance, sportsmanship and fair play in all areas of life.

And members are found in all the strata of society, all with a common trait - the zeal to help put a smile on the faces of others. Notable Penyens include the late Pope John Paul II and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain.

Among partners of the Penya Nigerian Project are Russell Smith Nigeria, a wholly indigenous oil and gas company, Aframero Limited, Skye Bank Plc, UNICEF and good spirited individuals.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

26 |

PEOPLE Adedayo Ojo is the Chief Executive Officer and Lead Strategist of Caritas Communications. He has wide experience in strategic issues, corporate communication and relationship management having worked in the media and corporate relations management for over 25 years. Ojo had earlier worked for 10 years as a journalist and journalism teacher. A public relation expert, Ojo talked to BUKKY OLAJIDE extensively on public relations in both the public and private sectors.

There has been so much misinformation about the role of PR practitioners in the economy, what do you think is responsible for this?

HERE is definitely no confusion about the roles of a public relations practitioner. The challenge is that many people are not clear about what exactly they need answers to.

Without doubt, there is a challenge with the standardization and regulation of Public Relations practice in Nigeria. Currently, the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) is planning how to engage critical stakeholders, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Legislators regarding what needs to be done to improve on the current level of regulation of the industry.

The first thing is that the term Public Relations Practitioner, is too generic, trite and has been overused and abused.

There is a significant difference between a Public Relations practitioner and a Public Relations professional.

The man who engages in publicity, the man who engages in protocol, the man who runs errands, all call themselves Public Relations practitioners. Fortunately, there is a difference and I think that there is a small group comprising individuals and agencies, who are Public Relations professionals. There is no confusion regarding what skill sets and competencies public relations professional should have. In addition, when we use the term “PR” to represent Public Relations professional practice, there is a challenge with that because it is nebulous and unclear.

There is also a deeper issue in terms of the historical use of the word PR. From experience, there is a difference between when you talk about “PR” as “private relations” and when it means “public relations”. If we examine and analyse an organisation and we are talking in terms of constituents such as analysts, members of the professional or workers union, employees, and so on that the organization has to relate with privately, that is private relations.

However, when we begin to think of an organization or a corporate body dealing with how public issues are managed, how policy issues are managed, how issues of public concern, issues of governance, issues of regulation and law-making, general public issues, including environment & health and how that would affect business and how government and the business have to position in order to be able to influence those things to assure that the outcome favours their business, then, we are talking about “public relations”.

If the discourse focuses on how you deal with employees or constituents in a small group, in my opinion, that is “private relations” which, in reality, is a small subset of public relations.

What this means is that a genuine commitment to communication and reputation must be at the core of strategy. Whether it is strategy for a nation, for an organization or for an individual. For example, if there is no genuine commitment to communication and relationship management, then the reputation will not be desirable.

For example, we have heard about the transformation agenda, which is noble. I doubt any-

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Adebayo

‘Public Relations Must Be Standardised’ body will look at the seven point transformation agenda and say those are not well thought-out ideas. Unfortunately, it is not certain that there is a communication strategy that underlines the agenda. There ought to be a think- through as to how communication issues, relationships that would emanate will be managed. This is what several socalled practitioners often fail to do. Is it the minister of information? Is it the senior special assistant to the president on media? Or is it the senior special assistant on public affairs? These are the things that matter either for government or even for a corporate body. A genuine commitment to communication and relationship management which

you want to call reputation must be at the core strategy if it will achieve the desired results.

Nigeria has had issues of perception management both in public and private sectors, do you think enough is being done to manage the perception gap?

There are three things that are important when you look at the evolution and survival of either a corporate entity or anybody which exists out of public sufferance: reputation, reputation and reputation. Reputation does matter at every level, corporate, national and at the individual level. Reputation doesn’t happen by accident, it requires a bold and visionary manager who has commitment and integrity.

Every nation or corporate body that would be

perceived in the light of desired reputation must work for it. It is something deliberate.

Having a Public Relations practitioner in any organization is not enough to shut out nightmares. So you could say well, Nigeria has the Minister of Information and a senior special adviser on media as well as a special adviser on public affairs. All of these offices are not enough to shut out nightmares for the government. What is important and what makes things work are fundamental issues like the structure of the organization. For instance, what is the structure of government? What is the reporting line of that individual? What are the responsibilities given to that individual?

How has that individual been empowered?

And more importantly, what is the capability (skill) of that individual? It is the totality of all of these, not just the title or position of the individual that determines whether things would work.

For example, the current Petroleum Industry Bill is being debated at the National Assembly.

While no one questions the noble ideals that have informed the PIB, not many people have taken time to examine the value in the argument of oil & gas producing companies that there’s need to take another look at the provisions of that draft law.

Despite the important role of the private sector in developing and growing the economy, the reality is that the private sector is generally regarded with suspicion. Frankly, over the years the private sector (banking, oil & gas or telecommunications, manufacturing and the like) have responded with genuine improvement in their involvement with social activities, their communication, their style, their performance and even their reporting. Yet today, the private sector still feels unloved.

Let’s use the example of the oil and gas sector.

The oil and gas sector remains highly criticized. The private sector needs to gain its feet and in order to gain its feet, public relations professionals are needed to help with that.

Whether it is in the public sector, or the private sector, it is a question of having the right people to bridge the gap between where the organization wants to be and where they are.

Over the years, there seems to have been too much focus on the media publicity side of either public relations or perception management or reputation management, whichever term you prefer to use.

Media fragmentation is deepening and audience behavioural pattern is becoming more unclear. Traditional or digital, the multiplicity is so overwhelming, are you raising your hands (up) or rolling your sleeves up?

Truly, media fragmentation is a reality that is here with us. The fragmentation affects both the traditional and the new media. No matter the scientific or rule of the thumb approach, one cannot be assertive as to state that either of the multiple medium is leading. The rules are changing. But then, in the midst of this plurality, clients want more efficient and judicious use of their money.

As PR professionals, we have to be ahead in distilling information, in knowledge acquisition, trends analysis and behavioural patterns, media consumption habits and the like. New media avails more of this, but control is generally lacking and difficult. There is no one monitoring the citizen journalism, and occasionally, what should not be in the public space finds its way there and there is chaos.

At Caritas, our sleeves are rolled up! We are learners. We are less than five years, but we have started focusing on reinventing our company —- to be ahead and get that needed value for our clients. Our re-inventing and retooling is continuous. We work with sleeves rolled up, if we raise our hands in the air, it is to celebrate another milestone achievement for our clients. More often than not, our heads are buried in reading, research, training and strategy sessions to get the best for our clients.

Today, we’ve started thinking of our future, a subsidiary; Caritas PR that focuses on generic public relations has evolved. Also, Caritas Communications that focuses on energy, oil & gas-specific strategy and communications delivery has set up the Reputation Solutions Faculty to focus on providing training and capacity improvement to that sector. So, except you move with the reality of the market place and improve capacity, you are going to be left behind. We don’t intend to be left behind and that’s why we are doing the reinventing right now.

TheGuardian

Saturday, June 15, 2013 | 27

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend CELEBR ITY

More Garlands For Yemi Solade, The Actors’ Actor @ 53

By Shaibu Husseini

was a high-octane event. The indubitable acactor of the stage and screen, Olayemi SoIladeTtors’ turned 53 this year, January 31 precisely, and so, family, friends, fans and colleagues of the actor who is reputed as one of the very few in the professional class, converged at an event powered by The Hydra Edge Foundation in conjunction with Heartlink Events to honour the leading actor.

Tagged ‘An Evening With Yemi Solade’ and held inside the belly of the African Bar at the upscale Lagos Oriental Hotel, the event afforded the high profile guests that were attracted to the shindig the opportunity to interact and celebrate the life and times of the University of Ife-trained actor.

Foremost filmmaker Ola Balogun is not one who will skip any item on his busy schedule to attend such gig around a ‘core’ Nollywood personality but he showed up last Sunday at Oriental and took a few friends there. Reason? “Yemi is one of Nigeria’s gift to the acting profession. He is very good.

Very professional”, he said of the very eloquent and articulate fiery actor who is a household name in the Nigerian acting landscape.

Talk of the author of the book about a professional who is at ease on stage and screen; who acts with an appropriate blend of poise and confidence, and who is winning the heart of viewers, mostly patrons of the Yoruba language flicks and the steady, down-to-earth and red hot actor, Yemi

Celebritygist…

That Sadiq Sani Sadiq’s Superlative Wedding E forgot to mention here how the ancient W city of Katsina literarily ‘stopped’ for a few hours some weeks back, when top Kannywood actor, Sadiq Sani Sadiq wedded Muria, the younger sister of the governor of Katsina State, Shehu Shema. It was an event that attracted the high and mighty, including top politicians and Sadiq’s colleagues in Kannywood. Celebritygist gathered that Sadiq and Muria who is an undergraduate of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University in Katsina met in a supermarket in Kano where they had gone shopping. Sadiq reached out first and the rest, as they say, is history.

Baba Suwe Won’t Give Up Popular comic actor Babatunde Omidina who is fondly called as Baba Suwe, wants his case against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) decided at the apex court, the Supreme Court. The Appeal Court in Lagos had three Fridays ago quashed the N25 million compensation earlier granted to him by a Lagos High court against the NDLEA. The court declared that the NDLEA had good reason to detain Baba Suwe, hence it set aside the damages awarded the comic actor by a Lagos High Court judge. However, Baba Suwe has vowed to appeal the ruling of Appeal Court. His lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, reportedly declared that Baba Suwe would head to the Supreme Court to seek redress. His fans say they await the final verdict.

Solade wrote the book. Indeed, it is with those attributes that the Ogun State born actor, who is often cited as a ‘trendy’ and ‘terrific’ actor, has risen to become a popular star. Not only is Yemi greatly sought after by producers both on stage and screen, he is perhaps one of the busiest actors yet that is working in the Yoruba home video sector grossing over a 300 movies in credit since he joined in a little near a decade ago.

Ironically, Yemi did not set out to become an actor. His passion was locked on what he said were a few of the flourishing disciplines then: Law, Engineering or Medicine.

But it was even not accidental that he chose to settle for a career in the arts.

Yemi’s first contact with acting was as a teenager growing up in the Surulere area of Lagos. He could skip a meal if only to watch a cowboy movie on television. He fell in love with the American star, John Wayne and on the local scene, he admired actors such as the late Hubert Ogunde and Duro Ladipo greatly. Those men of the tribe represented for him, the true essence of theatre practice.

Yemi also loved to dance. He exhibited some dancing bent that pointed to the fact that he was ‘later in life’ going to end up an entertainer. He picked dancing up, this time on a grand scale and almost jettisoned education. “I actually abandoned my education for some years but when it dawned on me that I was going to end up a nobody, I ran to Ife”, he recalled.

Yemi was born into a family that placed premium on academics. That was why it sounded ‘awful’ to the Solades when he informed them that he was going into the university to study drama. They just concluded that he was going to end up a ‘lay about’. According to him: “They complained but they later allowed me”. He chose dramatic arts when he got to Ife. It was whilst there that he got the opportunity to hone his latent skills and to be trained under the guidance of the noble laureate Prof Wole Soyinka and some other great thespians.

Yemi moved to Kaduna, then to Lagos after the compulsory youth service programme in Maiduguri. He returned during the reign of television soaps but he couldn’t readily fit in because the producers he met on ground then were not receptive enough. Even when acting on home video, especially English language movies became the in-thing, Yemi still found it difficult to cut in. “They felt if they gave me the chance I will take over because of my training”, he said. Provoked, he looked the way of movies produced in Yoruba language and the folks there embraced him wholeheartedly and that marked the beginning of his acting exploits on screen.

Not too many actors in the Yoruba movie industry are lucky to make it to the top as quickly as Yemi did. He agrees and adds that it was really not an easy road to the top. He stated that but for Chief Adebayo Salami who is popular as Oga Bello, it would have been difficult to cut through that industry. He says: “I associated with Uncle Bayo Salami for some five years working exclusively for him until the digital thing came fully and I said, let me open up to other producers. So the resistance came but I convinced them that we can

gain from each other and truly, I have been used to achieve some of the successes some of them have today. I have also learnt a lot from them. The Yoruba I speak today, I learnt from them because before now, my Yoruba was awful. Resistance came but today, I think we are more comfortable with one another”.

Star of Awo Ni Baku and Iseju Marun, Yemi has stopped keeping tab on the number of movies he has featured in. The last time he checked, he would have featured in well over 300 movies. Three hundred movies? That’s ridiculous.

He agrees it is and replies: “I know it is not ideal because my contemporaries in Hollywood may not have done up to 50 movies yet but you see, our operating environment differs. A Will Smith for instance, would shoot a movie once a year and collect $100 million, but when I hit location here, what I get most times is so ridiculous so why won’t I hit location every week? After all, we have bills to pay. Besides, Nigeria is such a great land mass and in order to circulate we have to do much more than we earn because the remuneration is just not commensurate with the energy we put in. Most of us are in it because we believe that posterity would find a place for us and we wouldn’t die in poverty”.

But has acting been rewarding? Yemi, who picked his role as Daniel, in that Tade Ogidan take on the pains of life Madam Dearest as one of his most memorable movie run, says it has and adds that the gains for him have been personal. “I have been able to express myself at least. I am more comfortable with the little I have done which I want to build on from here. Today I think my name and face should open doors. I mean, you get favours and get things done for you’’.

And the pains? Yemi says ‘none’ but he longs for a situation where the entertainment press would be more responsible in their coverage of activities in moviedom. Although he has over time gotten on well with them, some soft sell magazines and bloggers just won’t let him be. If they don’t allege that he is keeping extra marital relationship today, it will be Yemi versus a facebook admirer tomorrow. He says: “I think it is a disservice to some of us who are in the limelight. This is Nigeria where people believe some of these lies. I think they should be more responsive”.

An old boy of St.Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, and Birch Freeman High School, Lagos, who holds a Masters in Sociology and Anthropology and Masters too in International Relations, Yemi who relaxes by listing to good music, says being an actor has not deprived

Solade

him of his privacy at all. The actor says he has been able to “take charge of his own space’’.

He adds: “I do whatever I like to do. I eat in buketaria if I want to. I am just myself and I just want to remain Yemi Solade, a proud husband to my wife of inestimable value, and proud father of my children and proud son of my parents”.

Any regrets? The actor who combines acting with writing, directing and hosting shows submits: “I don’t regret the decision to engage the acting turf but I want to make a fortune from what I do. I want to be able to do this and have enough to cater for my people: immediate family, people around me and then do things around my community. I don’t want to be seen as that entertainer. I want to influence my environment, and I have been toying with the idea of politics but I don’t think I can play the kind of politics they play here because I am too blunt. But if I have the opportunity to serve my people or the people of Lagos, I will gladly accept it. I want to do more work, make more money to be able to live comfortably and then also engage in community service”.

28

FASHION

Tsemaye Binite Bridal Line Unveiled style”.

The designers Tsemaye Binite who disclosed the idea behind T was fun filled afternoon as the collection in relation with Didi Museum Victoria Island, luxury brand 5th + Quansah in Lagos witnessed the clad of the unveiling of his first bridal fashion lovers and admirers gathered to enjoy the unveiling debate collection in Nigeria said “ This is the first official of the London-based Nigeria launch of Tsemaye Binite fashion designer Tsemaye Bridal wear we would be Binite by the Luxury fashion store 5th + Quansah to mark his debuting since the birth of our fashion collection. Though new bridal debut collections. we have done quite a lot of The Tsemaye Binite’s Autumn/ best spoke fashion in the last Winter 2013 collection trunk few years but customers don’t show presented various opuget to see them. We decided to lent designs that deliver uniqueness alongside class that launch this new drape of stylish, rich design to make fits into every woman’s Nigeria women exhibit their wardrobe. style in extreme confidence.

Previewing looks from the According to Binite, class and designers 6th collection in style is the first thing we presNigeria inspired a relationship ent to our customers. “ Here, brand with the fashion induswe love to work with women it try to dress the women with is fun for me creating someclassy unique designs. thing unique and different for The unveiling of the Autumn her. So, most times I look collection according to the again and develop something designer “ This stylish wear is also designed to fit into Nigeria that is best for my labor in order to attract stunning dress culture, though there is attention for every of my cusnothing like winter in Nigeria, tomers”.

Tsemaye clothing line has “We make sure each design is designed collections to suit unique in style because we every fashionable woman for Autumn which is often referred want to be heard and appreciated separately from the presto as Hammatan season in ent trend in bridal line which Nigeria. Our line of collection are very flexible and can fit into is why we focus our strength work, casual and evening wears on creativity at TSEMAYE BINITE Designs”. providing great comfort at

By Ibukunoluwa Kayode

I

Homes & Fabrics New Showroom OMES & Fabrics inteH rior design and furniture store has announced its relocation from its Mega Plaza office to a larger location within Oceanbay Mall, on Idejo Street, Victoria Island.

The layout is designed to inspire customers by mixing the latest home trends with time honoured classics, allowing customers to buy as little or as much into a lifestyle as they wish. At the outfit, customers will find inspiration for their homes and commercial projects.

Homes & Fabrics also specializes in a number of complementary services across space conceptualization including; interior project management, layout and structural analysis, evaluation and analysis of colour coordination, selection and short listing of furniture in line with the theme or concept of the project, procurement of commercial and residential essentials.

The showroom offers superior client customized services, tailored to the taste of each individual customer.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

FOOD&DRINKS

Soy Milk:

By Chinelo Nwagbo

Good Drink For Everybody

OY MILK is a pleasant sweetish and nutritious beverage of Sduced white or creamy colour with a slight pleasant smell. It is profrom soaked, ground and steamed soybeans. As far as its food value is concerned, it is an ideal substitute for cow milk, especially in nourishment of infants as well as with the patients who have food allergy for dairy products of animal origin.

Soy milk is are an excellent source of protein and molybdenum B1, B2, B6, and E and folic acid, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients provide energy and keep your body functioning at its optimum level. Below are some health benefits of soy milk.

Healing power of Soy milk Good for reproductive system: The isoflavones in soy milk is effective in preventing women disorders by regulating the menstrual cycle and protects against breast and prostate cancers.

Prevents against skin disorders As a result of the high content of linoleic and linolenic acids (unsaturated fatty acids), this food is promotes healthy skin and tackles eczema.

Cancer prevention The isoflavones (daidzein and genistein) found in soybeans and soy products have been shown in epidemiological studies to be protective against breast cancer and prostate cancer. Regular consumption of soybean milk reduces the risk of developing breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Lowers elevated cholesterol Unlike dairy milk, which is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, soy milk fat is mostly unsaturated with zero cholesterol.

Regular consumption of soy milk reduces the total blood cholesterol level. This healing power is because of it high isflavones content which reduces the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, which is harmful to the body and increases the high-density lipoprotein which is beneficial and good to the body. This property makes soy milk an ideal drink for those that have high cholesterol or have a family history of coronary heart diseases.

Helps in building up of strong bones and prevents osteoporosis Osteoporosis is another age and hormone-related disease. The phytoestrogen in soy can help accelerate calcium absorption by the body and prevent the loss of bone mass. For the maximum

can inhibit intestinal absorption of fat, which is another great advantage for weight loss.

Prevents Postmenopausal (permanent cessation of menses)Syndromes During menopause, a woman’s natural production of estrogen drops to a minimum. The sudden reduction of estrogen creates a number of health problems for postmenopausal women.

Postmenopausal women have higher risks of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. They are also more vulnerable to depression, mood swings, insomnia and other psychological disorders. The phytoestrogen in soy is an effective estrogen replacement. Regular intake of soy is a great way to prevent and alleviate these postmenopausal syndromes.

Prevents kidney disease The high-quality protein contained in soy does not stimulate hyper filtration and proteinuria (protein in the urine). Soy’s ability to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood also helps to prevent kidney damage.

Ingredients Quantities soy beans 1 cup Water to cover beans Sugar (optional) Equipment for the preparation 1 litre Mason jar, large saucepot, blender, medium or large mixing bowl, strainer, cheese cloth or muslin for straining

benefit, make sure to buy the soy milk that is fortified with extra calcium and vitamin Coronary disease prevention Consumption of soy products reduces coronary artery disease risk because phytoestrogen (isoflavones) lowers blood lipids, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, homocysteine, and blood pressure, prevents arteriosclerosis thereby maintains a healthy heart and prevents heart attack.

Good for weight reduction Soy milk is naturally lower in sugar content than regular milk. In addition, the monounsaturated fatty acid in soy milk

Ryan’s Irish cream …

Perfect Addition To Any Wine Bar

By Bukola Apata YAN’S Irish cream is a natural blend of fresh cream, rich chocolate, Rcoffee and natural vanilla. One can appreciate the taste immediately after taking it because of its rich, creamy mouth feel quality that makes you want to take another glass. It means it is a perfect addition to any home wine bar.

This wine is excellent served on ice. It is also a perfect way to spice up one’s coffee.

It comes in a bottle size of 750 millimetres and contains 17 per cent of alcohol-based volume.

Ryan’s Irish cream raises any occasion ranging from birthdays, beach or pool party, graduation or wedding ceremony to a whole new level especially when chilled or with ice cubes.

The thickness of its body renders it highly mixable, adding a nice sweetness to many of one’s favourite drinks like cocktails.

Ryan’s Irish cream can be enjoyed by both male and female especially lovers of coffee and chocolate.

This wine is a delightful accompaniment to foods or pastries like barbeque, sweet potato fries, salad, cake and fried rice.

It can wine can be purchased at any wine store all over Nigeria at reasonable price.

Method of preparation Fill mason jar with 1 cup dried organic soy beans, cover with water and leave soaking over night. Beans will have doubled in size.

Rinse hydrated beans, place in blender and cover with boiling water. You should have about 2 cups. Blend until a thick paste forms – about 3 to 4 minutes.

Move paste to large sauce pan or dutch oven. Add 6 cups boiling water and heat over medium high until simmering. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes.

Strain bean mixture through cheese cloth suspended in strainer over a mixing bowl. After filtering five to 10 minutes, you’ve got soy milk. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar to taste.

Refrigerate immediately. It keeps up to 3 days.

E- mail: chineloeby @yahoo.com

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

HOME&DECOR

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya

G

EOMETRIC patterns have been used in interior design over the years. These are patterns in the look shapes such as square, hexagons, diamonds and triangles. They are striking, versatile and sit right at home in any space, ranging from traditional to contemporary. You can find them in fabrics and accessories.

There are many places that geometric patterns can be used. These include walls, shelves, furniture, tabletop, carpets and rugs. For instance, there are wallpapers, which come in geometric shapes that may be used to create a dramatic entryway.

You can showcase a geometric pattern you love in a big way using it on your furniture for a major impact. A sofa can be upholstered in a trellis fabric.

Bed coverings such as pillowcases, bed sheets and duvet are available in a wide variety of geometric designs that can make a space interesting.

Geometric patterns are ideal for area rugs because they hold a lot of visual weight. Let the rug be used to command attention against solid furniture and accessories, or balance complementing prints used throughout a room.

Lighting provides another great opportunity to

Working With Geometric Patterns incorporate geometric elements in a way that is distinctive but not overwhelming. You can change a plain-white lampshade for one in an edgy print. Get dimensional with a chandelier shaped like a star or a trapezoid. Bright little details like these will fill your home with character and light.

Paper Documents IRTUALLY every home has paper docuV ments be they schoolbooks, receipts and newspaper clippings. They are treasures and the key to preserving them lies well lies in proper handling and storage.

Damage to papers is caused by several factors. Papers made from wood fibres are vulnerable to heat, light, dampness, and airborne pollutants, all of which can speed up chemical reactions that weaken paper and cause it to change colour

and become brittle.

Dampness promotes the growth of mould and mildew, and can draw the attention of insects and pests such as silverfish and book lice.

Book lice feed on mould spores found on the paper and cardboard. These lice thrive in heat and humidity and although, they do not cause visible damage, their squashed bodies and excretions can stain paper and may also nourish other pests, continuing the cycle of damage.

Light (especially fluorescent light and sunlight) promotes chemical degradation and may fade inks. Light exposure from repeated photocopying, scanning, and flash photography can cause additional damage.

Frequent or careless handling can lead to tears, folds, creases, and abrasions. The oil

from human hands can stain or transfer dirt to the surface of paper. Lamination can be harmful. In addition, to the damage caused by the heat and adhesives used in the lamination process, many plastics will turn yellow, become brittle, and produce acids that attack paper.

Handling Wear clean white cotton gloves when handling old documents. Carry vulnerable papers on a slightly larger support like a folder.

Storage systems should safeguard documents while in storage and minimise pest activity.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer ANGING baskets make it easy to turn your H small space into a beautiful paradise where you can grow ornamentals and edible plants.

There are a lot of plants that can be grown in baskets, including annuals (flowering plants), small evergreen shrubs and trailing foliage plants that will provide all-year-round interest.

Most hanging baskets are planted at the top. If you are using moss or coconut fiber-lined baskets, you have the opportunity to plant through the sides.

If baskets will be hung at or slightly below eye level, follow a traditional planting scheme for ground containers. Locate upright or taller plants in the centre with shorter and trailing material towards the middle and edge.

If basket will be located above eye level, the tall centre can be eliminated and use mainly rounded or trailing forms of plants. Baskets planted with only trailing types of plants may take a while to achieve a “full” look but soon will hide the basket completely. Some trailing types to consider are petunia, bacopa, spider plant, heart leaf philodendron scavola, sweet potato, verbena, scindapsus aureus (devil’s ivy), verbena, calibrachoa, dichondra, Ivy and Iysimachia.

Planting through the sides has its advantages if you want a completely full looking basket and only want to use non-trailing type of plants.

Plants such as wax begonia, pansies, alyssum, brachyscome pelargonium, gloxinia, kalanchoe or impatiens can be used.

To plant into the sidewalls, the suggested method after you have lined the basket with moss or inserted the liner, cut holes into the sides of the liner spaced around the basket starting at the bottom. Fill with media into the bottom of the hole. Select plants for the sides of the basket and to prevent damage to roots and stems, individually wrap each in a tube of paper. From the inside of the basket, push the tube through one of the holes until the root ball is snug against the liner. Unwrap the paper and add other plants, firm soil around the root

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

Plants for Hanging Baskets balls.

Fill two thirds of the basket with soil and add another layer of plants. Continue to fill with compost, leave a 3 cm (0.75 in) gap between the top of the compost and the lip of the basket, and finish by planting the top. Water well.

Indoor Plants For Hanging Around Indoor hanging plants seen to come and go in style. Unfortunately, many people lose interest in them because they become bored with little more than green fronds hanging over their heads. But hanging plants can offer a great deal more; depending on how they are selected.

The Indoor Flower Garden One is often surprised by the plants people choose for their hanging baskets. Many of these plants would work much better if you were looking down on them instead of up, which is usually the vantage point you have when looking at a hanging basket.

There are a couple of ways to avoid this. First, figure out where you are going to hang your basket. If it’s really high up, you might want to consider just using plants that will cascade over the sides, sometimes called spillers, because that is what you are going to be looking at.

Select Flowering Plants For Eye Or Near EyeLevel Baskets There is a wide variety of dwarf species and the choice is yours. Some examples: Aphelandra Squarrosa (Zebra Plant) Azalea Simsii, Begonia, Kalanchoe Hydrangea Macrophylla, Pelargium, Gloxinia, Poinsettia, Capsicum Annuum (Xmas Pepper) Calceolaria (Slipper Flower) Companula Isophylla (Italian Bell Flower), Fuchsia, Cineraria Cruenta ‘Starlit’, Bromeliads such as Guzmania Lingulata ‘Scarlet Star’, Pot Rose or Miniature Rose; Zygocactus Truncatus (Christmas Cactus) Jasminum polyanthum (Chinese jasmine) and Boungainvillea glabra.

In pot form, they are usually pruned back.

Green Arrangements Small Foliage Plants Include Hedera – Ivy Modern cultivars are the most useful of all foliage plants for the home. They are quite hardy, and excellent for chilly damp spots and for a situation where the light may be poor. This makes them especially valuable, because it is often difficult to find plants suited to such situations. The ivies are very useful for beginners, as they are not demanding, and are generally easy to grow. They can sometimes be grown in bushy form, and have a wide range of pleasing leaf shapes and variegations.

Ferns Ferns thrive best in indirect or filtered natural light, in a position well perfected from draughts. They can tolerate a slight amount of

shade.In the wild, ferns grow in damp, shady places in tropical conditions.

Asparagus Plumosus ‘Asparagus Fern’ There are foliage plants with unusual and striking foliage patterns such as the Fittonia argyroneura silver net leaf, snake skin plant.

Green Arrangements There are variety of designs for green arrangements that range from arrangement in bottle gardens, to those in attractive pottery and ceramic containers and wicker baskets.

In the groupings of three or four plants discussion of house plants, you will have noticed frequent reference to the value of grouping plants together to provide a microclimate. By this method, each plant provides the others with moisture thrown off during transpiration and this ensures a stable level of humidity.

Plants chosen should complement and contrast with one another in terms of texture, colour, and growing habit, as well as to exploit the varieties of foliage shape and size. Plants which have a trailing habit such as the hedera varieties are suitable for the lower level of the arrangement, while the more upright varieties such as syngomum will provide a good height focus. Bushy plants such as pilea mollis make a good dense area for the middle level, while colour can be introduced with the codiaeums and marantas. Several plants are used in green arrangements.

Plants For Bottle Gardens There is something very special about plants which grow in the bottle garden. Viewed through the glass sides, they take on a vibrant intensity of colour and shape that is actually caused by the optical effect of the curved sides of the container. In their compact environment, the plants seem to inhabit a private and somewhat mysterious world of their own. You often get the feeling that you have transported a immature jungle into your home. The bottle garden is a special kind of green arrangement which is both attractive and creates a miro-climate in which selected plants grow in harmony.

Ficus Radicans Rooting fig, trailing fig. A member of the genus ficus which includes rubber plant and weeping fig. What is it doing in the bottle garden?

The answer in short is that it is providing a good source of ‘wandering’ greenery which makes useful ground cover and adds to the ‘jungly’ effect.

Hoya Carnosa (Wax Plant) Plants that do best in bottle gardens are usually foliage varieties and is therefore pleasing to find suitable flower to add to the collection.

GARDENING The cultivar to use is H. Variegata which produces delightful clusters of pale pink starry flowers. An extra bonus is its attractive leaves which are blue green with red shading and creamy white edges Hatiora Bambusoides An unusual looking cactus provides a novel feature in the bottle garden, a native of Brazil and epiphytic in nature, which means it lives on other plants. It does not live off its host however, it simply perches on an accommodating neighbour, its branches of club shaped joints about 4mm (1/6ins) in diameter jutting out in all directions and angles. The flowers are star-shaped and orange or yellow in colour. It adapts well to the bottle garden setting.

Vriesea splendens flaming sword is a bromeliad and an absolutely stunning plant; providing dramatic impact in the bottle garden. It is a bromeliad which means that is consists of a rosette of leaves spraying out from a central crown at ground level. The leaves grow around each other to make a vertical tube before they fan out and the plant uses this tube to collect rain water. Unlike most plants, roots are not so important. They are merely used to anchor the plants securely. Most bromeliad, are epiphytic in habit. Cryptanthus (Bromeliaceae) Earth Star This is another bromeliad, but unlike Vriesea, it is usually found on the ground, rather than perched on a tree. The cultivar for the bottle garden is called ‘Tricolor’ which has leaves striped in creamy yellow and green, tinted pink from the centre which makes a welcome splash of colour in the green arrangement.

Enonymus Japonicas (Celastraceae) Spindle Tree The forms used in the bottle garden are compact varieties, enonymus japonicas ‘Aurea’ and ‘Microphyllus’ the leaves of both are basically spoon shaped and slightly serated. The ‘Aurea’ variety has the larger leaf, which has a pretty golden sheen, and the ‘Microphyllus’ variety is smaller.

Care Of Bottle Gardens Position: Place the arrangement in good natural light but not in direct sunlight, otherwise the glass will act as an intensifying medium for the sunlight.

Hanging basket of annuals

3-tier basket garden Red wax begonia

Hanging flower garden

Hanging basket arrangement with petunia and millionbells

Greenery collection for dramatic monochromatic effect

Colourful foliage of Coleus plants

Basket for colour and textural echoeing

Tuberous begonia baskets

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

SOCIETY Faces at the funeral of (Chief) Mrs Colette Ojirhomu Ben Obi (Nee Ejumudo) wife of Ojeligbo High Chief, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, last Friday at Awka, Anambra State.

Cross Section of Ndi Ben Obi’s family during the service

Senator Ken Nnamani and Alhaji Isyaku Ibrahim

Chief Tom Ikimi and Former Vice president, Atiku Abubakar, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu and Jim Nwobodo

L-R Chief Matthew Nwankwo, Mr. Arinze Raphael Anyadiegwu –Maryland USA; Dr Charles Agunobi-Oharlotte North Carolina, Mr. Emeka Izeze, Managing Director of The Guardian Newspapers and Mr. Frank Akinjobi-Egere, Toronto Canada

Governor Liyel Imoke, Gov. Peter Obi, Gov. Theodore Orji and others

R-L Senator Uche Chukwumerije , Senator Ajegbo, Dr. George Obiozor and others

Chief Obi with his children and grand Children

Sen. Ben Obi and Chief Arthur Eze

Most Rev. Peter Okoh, Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rev. Ayo Oritsejafor and other officiating ministers

Cross section of the congregation

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

33

SOCIETY

Former INEC Chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu and former Governor of Central Bank, Chukwuma Soludo

Governor, Anambra State, Peter Obi and his wife, Margaret Obi, Senator Ike Nwachukwu

Sen. Emmanuel Agboti, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, Dr Okey Anueyiagu, Mrs Josephine Anenih snd Sen. Hope Uzondinma L-R Chief Hope Erutie, the Oviemo of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Portwriht Akaighe, the Orhumukuvwie of Uvwie kingdom of Delta State and Mr. Moore Ologigere during the burial of late Mrs. Colette Obi, the wife of the Special Advicer to the president Sen. Ben Obi

Former Ebonyi State Governor, Dr Sam Egwu (left) and former PDP National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh

Hon. Chukwuemeka Ihedioha (left) Deputy Speaker, House of Reps Emeka Ihedioha

Cross section of traditional Chief in Delta State

President CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (left), and Rt. Rev. Ken Ifenene

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Bianka Ojukwu and former Governor of Old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo

Officiating Ministers

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

SOCIETY At NIM Forum, World Bank Officials, Stakeholders Brainstorm, Network The event, the inaugural edition by the institute, presided over by the President and Chairman of Council, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, was aimed at promoting quality deliberations between experts on how best to improve the management profession and the nation’s economy through the adoption of globally-inclined strategies and methods in professional engagements.

The theme of the event, “the Impact of World Bank/ IFC Initiatives on the Nigerian Business Environment,” was delivered by the Senior Investment Officer, Manufacturing and Services, Africa Department, International Finance Corporation, a subsidiary of the World Bank, Ms. Gravette Brown.

Besides lecture and brainstorming, the parley was also explored for high level networking between the participating Nigerian business stakeholders and the World Bank representatives.

Pictures of the event are presented below…

Guest Speaker, Gravette Brown (Left), President and Chairman of Council of NIM, Chief (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole, and his wife Mrs. Adebola Olawale-Cole.

Registrar and Chief Executive, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Mr. Maurice O. Lakanu, World Bank official and the Guest Speaker, Ms. Gravette Brown, President and Chairman of Council of NIM, Chief (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole, and the Deputy President, Dr. Nelson Uwaga.

The President and Chairman of Council, Chief (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole, presenting a plaque to the Guest Speaker, Gravette Brown. Looking on are The Registrar and Chief Executive of NIM, Mr. Maurice O. Lakanu and Deputy President of the institute, Dr. Nelson Uwaga.

Executive Director, Mainstreet Bank, Roger Woodbridge (left), Principal Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Kenneth Osei and Director, Capacity Building, NIM, Sola Obadimu.

From left, Anyanwu Anowi, Kevin Ugwuoke and Roger Woodbridge; Executive Directors from Mainstreet Bank.

Former President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Bashorun JK Randle (left), and his counterpart at Institute of Directors (IoD), Chief Olusola Dada, exchanging pleasantries with other participants

Council Member, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms. Shade Bambatoun (left), Representative of NSITF, Asaba, Delta State, Chiemeke Magdaline, Alh E. Abubakar and another participant at the event.

Chairman, Lagos Chapter of NIM, Pastor (DR.) C.I Akinola (left), Managing Director, Alpha Morgan Capital, Ade Buraimo and another delegate from Alpha Morgan Capital, Mrs. Tosin Ilesanmi at the event.

HERE was a high-level corporate leaders breakfast meeting organised for private sector stakeT holders recently by the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

35

JUSTHUMAN

She Needs N5 Million For Kidney Transplant…

By Joseph Okoghenun ISS Adebukola Adeyemi, an orphan, is in dire need of assisM tance to raise at least N5 million for kidney transplant.

A citizen of Lagos State from the Oluwa family, Adebukola is a graduate of Mathematics from the University Of Lagos (UNILAG) and a National Diploma (ND) holder in Estate Management, Yaba College Of Technology (YABATECH).

She has been diagnosed with acute kidney/renal failure and urgently requires a kidney transplant procedure.

At presently, she’s undergoing dialyses twice every week at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and experts recommend kidney transplant as top priority for her to survive.

Adebukola had lost her father at 15 and her mother earlier this year. Thus acquiring university education has been an uphill task.

The diagnosis is coming just few months after she secured her first job since her National Youth Service (NYSC) in 2010.

According to the medical report signed by LUTH’s consultant nephrologist, Dr. C. O. Amira, Adebukola would require N5 million for the kidney transplant.

Adebukola’s relatives are calling on Nigerians, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and religious institutions “to please come to her aid and help this young African woman to realize her dreams and impact on the society.”

Help can reach Adebukola through: Adeyemi Ademola Razak (Brother), Adeyemi Mobolaji Olayinka on: BBM 2600e997 08038511623, 08023591538, 08033440913 or through: Account Number: 3061412656 FirstBank Plc. Account Name: Adeyemi Adebukola Risikat.

Adebukola

Erioluwa Needs Your Help To Survive University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), shows that Erioluwa has congestive cardiac failure with severe hypertension and chronic kidney disease stage 5.

According to her medical report from LUTH, “she has symptomatic congenital heart disease, which was confirmed by echocardiography to be atrial septal defect for which she traveled to India for repair at 11 months. She was stable until last month when she presented in congestive cardiac failure with severe hyperBy Debo Oladimeji tension.

“Erioluwa requires chronic dialysis and IME is running out for Erioluwa ultimately kidney transplantation. She Olabisi, five -year -old daughter of Rev. Zechariah and Mrs. Bosede Olabisi also requires further cardiovascular evaluation and possible open heart surgery of Christ Life Baptist Church, Ejigbo.

She is down with a kidney disease. This to correct her heart abnormality in order to forestall irreversible and life-threatenpromising girl in spite of her travails ing complications from developing. said she wants to be a medical doctor.

Although she could talk and still play Unfortunately, open heart surgery for children is currently not available in our around but the sickness has retarded hospital.” her growth. She was looking smallish like a two –year- old girl. The condition Therefore, she has been referred for a of her health is now a major concern to corrective surgery in China at the cost of USD50, 000 amounts to N8, 000,000 her parents and relatives.

(Eight Million Naira). Other bills such as She was confirmed to have a hole in flight tickets, visa procurement, accomthe hearth when she was two months old. Upon further evaluation and med- modation and miscellaneous amounts to USD10, 000 which is N1, 600,000; making ical personnel’s recommendation in the total cost to be N9, 600,000.

India (2008), the hole that was visible Her parents is humbly soliciting for in her heart closed up. Thus, possible financial assistance to make Erioluwa surgery and anti-failure medications bounce back to life. was discontinued.

You can send your donation to: Erioluwa was doing well in school, Effort Will Nursery and Primary School, Olabisi Olusola Zechariah Ejigbo. She was in nursery 2 before her 2742016070 Eco Bank present ordeal started in May. At presEjigbo Lagos. ent, clinical evaluation from Lagos

Five -year-old Erioluwa Olabisi has a kidney disease and she needs N9, 600,000 for a corrective surgery in China for her to live a normal life.

T

Olabisi

TheGuardian

36 Saturday, June 15, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Entertainment

Sony Neme nemesony@yahoo.co.uk 08111813096

Comedy For Me Is About Passion And Talent, Says Okey Bakassi NY moment with Okey McAnthony, popularly A known as Okey Bakassi, is like paying to watch a comedy show. That situation played out on Wednesday when he took time out to speak with The Guardian on a profession that has brought him fame and wealth. He also gave an insight into what his comedy clan is doing to have a united and focused group for the benefit of both the established clowns and the upcoming acts.

He said: “A standup comedian is someone who stands before an audience and performs jokes.

Then we have a professional comedian who does it as a career. But in Nigeria, what has happened is that due to the unique nature of our situation.

Talking about lack of employment, hardship and poor access to quality education, people have found themselves with very limited options. So whatever that looks like a means of livelihood becomes a way to go.

“What happens of recent is that we have some people who, based on what they see that lifestyle that showbiz people live, figure that this is something worth doing for a living. Some of them don’t have the talent; some don’t have the passion, just basically survival and business, while some of course have the passion and are backed up by talent. You know they will have the staying power to excel.”

From showbiz to government appointee and then back to the entertainment industry, what is your advice on career?

Having been in government and also in showbiz, it has helped me to be my own boss, do my own thing and also be under someone in a capacity where you have to serve the public. They are two different choices. And the experience that you gather from public service, I bet you no university can teach you that. It is overwhelming.

With hindsight now, if I am to advice anybody on career path, I will say, ‘stay on your lane, do what you have the passion for and do what you are equipped to do’. Equipment here means education, on the job training and the rest of it. Informal and formal education as well as talent are areas anyone desirous of a progressive career must focus on.

If you are equipped enough to be a hair dresser, please follow it. If you are equipped to be an actor, musician, engineer or any other career that you find passion, fulfillment and joy, please pursue it.

Everybody knows his or her area of weakness and strength, so do not deceive yourself but follow your path.

As far as standup comedy is concerned, if any young man intends to become one, beyond what your family thinks, go out there and test your skill.

Standup comedy is where you get instant result. If you are good, there and then you will know. If you are good, you will see an instant result. The outcome may not be as huge as that of an accomplished comedian. But someone who is good is good. The rest will be on mentorship where established comedians will come in to help.

Another advice is that you don’t have to be in Lagos to make it as an entertainer. Your start point is your immediate environment. There are people there and there social lives there; and there are people who are hungry for show businesses in all parts of Nigeria. When you become a master of your environment, any day a big shows comes there, there will be a name that would be sought for and that name is yours and they will come looking for you.

But when you come to a place that is already overcrowded, there is the chance that you may not succeed.

When you are on stage, what goes through your mind?

From the moment I am called upon to go on stage I prepare myself to go and have fun. That is my phi-

losophy. Some will goes there to entertain people, but for me, if I am not having fun, then I can’t entertain you because I believe that it is only a happy man that can transfer happiness. If any artiste on stage is not having fun, if you are struggling to please the audience, they will know. Once I begin to have fun, it translates into what goes to the audience and they feel it. That is my psychological preparation. I put myself in a frame of mind where the audience will not intimidate me, even if they are over 10, 000 people there. I look at the people and get a feedback. Everything about the environment, the stage and the people will motivate.

What is happening to the plans to have Comedians of the Federal Republic, (CFR) in place?

Not fine-tuned properly, we are struggling to put one in place. Right now, we are just operating as a family or colleagues, not a properly registered one yet. Apart from a group, Comedians of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that we call ourselves, we don’t have a legally recognized group yet. I don’t want to give details here as we are meeting soon and still fine-tuning. And you will be the first to know, I assure you.

At what point do you distinguish between acting and performing as a comedian? We are not too far apart. A comedian is some sort of an actor but he does a solo performance. Between him and the audience, he is a story teller. So also is an actor who uses the combination of mannerism, story line and action which the comedian does. An actor interprets a story that could be tragedy, comedy or whatever, but a comedian sets out to make you laugh.

For Tochi, It’s X-Factor Audition Or Nothing

Toolz

… Stages Miraculous Comeback

An Offer for Musicology And Drama

UNIVERSITY of Abuja Masters stuA dent, 30-year-old Tochi Elo who failed to qualify at the Glo X-Factor

NTERNATIONAL Research Journal of Musicology and Imusicology Drama (IRJMD) is set to reward editors and reviewers on and drama. According to the organizers, IRJMD,

audition in Abuja weeks back, has bowled the world's biggest reality TV show's judges over at the Accra, Ghana audition shown across Ghana and Nigeria last weekend.

Unlimited Tochi who rejected failure, managed to overcome her insolvency and took a bus ride lasting about 14 hours to attend the X-Factor audition in the Ghanaian capital.

Tochi whose second chance opened the doors, said she was heartbroken when she got a ‘no’ from the judges at the Abuja audition. She however took all the advice on how she could improve on her voice and performance by practicing hard and reinforcing her belief in her ability to qualify for the next stage of the competition and even win the star prize. At the Accra audition, Tochi gave a superb rendition of C.C Winnans’ ‘Alabama box’ but one of the judges, M.I., asked her to sing the legendary Happy Birthday song to gauge her voice quality and range.

According bto the event organizers: “In a classic case of being second time lucky, Tochi got three yeses from the judges who commended her raw determination, never-

say-die spirit and focus while advising her to work harder to progress in the singing reality television show debuting on the African continent for the first time courtesy Globacom.”

The release added: “Another outstanding qualifier for the boot camp from the episode was the Liberian Victor Gray, resident in Ghana, who knocked the audience out with his outfit and vocal power, while voluptuous Kokui blew everybody’s mind with her rendition of ‘Halo’ by Beyonce.

The therapeutic quality of music was brought to the fore by light skinned Ruth Williams who said she used music to express happiness in a world that had been cruel to her as she had been severally raped while growing up.

Some of the singing lessons learnt from the programme include the need to maintain voice control by not allowing notes to slip, watching your breath by singing music genre compatible with voice quality and generally displaying more confidence and less nerves.

X-Factor, the world’s biggest singing reality television show, is being broadcast every weekend on select Nigerian and Ghanaian television stations and over 5,000 talents are contesting for the star prize of N24 million and a career-enhancing Sony Music Contract.

a multi-disciplinary peer-reviewed journal that is published monthly by International Research Journals, is dedicated to increasing the depth of the subject across disciplines with the ultimate aim of promoting and expanding knowledge of the subject.

According to Francis .O. Ekevere, Editorial Assistant: “Editors and reviewers, IRJMD is seeking energetic, qualified and high profile researchers to join its editorial team as editors, subeditors or reviewers. Interested journalists are requested to send their resume to: irjmd.manuscript@gmail.com.”

Already, request all for research articles/manuscripts is on and those interested can send theirs online to ( h t t p : / / w w w. i n t e r e s j o u r n a l s . c o m / I R J M D / C o n tents/2013%20Content/April.htm). It will cover all areas of the subject.

Ekevere added: “The journal welcomes the submission of manuscripts that meet the general criteria of significance and artistic excellence, and will publish: Original articles in basic and applied research; Case studies; and Critical reviews, surveys, opinions, commentaries and essays. We invite you to submit your manuscript(s) to: irjmd.manuscript@gmail.com for publication. Our objective is to inform authors of the decision on their manuscript(s) within two weeks of submission.”

“Following acceptance, a paper will normally be published in the next issue. Guide to authors and other details are available on our website; http://interesjournals.com/IRJMD/Guide%20to%20Authors.htm, which is an open access journal.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

37

ENTERTAINMENT

Nigeria Shines At Ivory Coast Film Festival …Last Flight To Abuja Carts Home 3 Awards ARELY few months after making a clean Bsweep at this year’s African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Last Flight To Abuja has done Nigeria proud again in far away Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. This was achieved at a colourful ceremony organized by GPACT Golden Crown Awards in Abidjan. It was reliably gathered that the film directed

by Mr. Obi Emelonye won Best Feature, Best African Film and with United States-based Jennifer Oguzie as the Best Actress to cap a blossoming career.

According to Jennifer: “First, I was lost during the time of presentation as I had to wait for the translator to tell me what was said. Then minutes later, I had the crowd chanting my name. I was speechless, confused and very emotional when I realized

Jennifer

that I had won the Best Actress award. I literally raced up to the stage; and went on my knees to say ‘thank you to the city of Abidjan’.

I felt on top of the world to have been named the Best Actress at the most talked about awards winning movie, Last Flight To Abuja.

The weeklong maiden event which held from June 5 was directed by Arantes De Bonali. It had notable movie people like Majid Michael of Ghana, Ray Reboul, France-based actor, and Mayo Danho Paulyn Claude among others that graced the night of blitz. Jennifer who returned to Nigeria last weekend with bagful of awards, said of the event: “The atmosphere

was very sensual and pure tradition was exhibited with lots of local stage performances and unique table décor on display.”

It is already looking good for Jennifer as she has three major projects lined up. Her words: “I have officially been informed that I will be playing Deputy Riggs on one of the most anticipated Hollywood horror films set to be shot in 2014 on Hidden Valley the Awakening. My second movie is Tarmun. It’s about violence against women. I am one of the lead stars playing the role of Sera.

And my last film is called Sisters (Nwannem) produced by me and Sahndra Fon Dufe. I will be playing the role of Ginka.”

Entertainers Mourn Fatai Rolling Dollar USICAL legend and Won Kere Si Number Wa M crooner, Fatai Rolling Dollar struck his last chord on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. The 85-yearold musician breathed his last at Marritol Hospital, Sam Sonibare Street, Surulere, Lagos. His death, reportedly from lung cancer, according to his promoter, has brought to an end a memorable career. He got his break in 1953 when he collaborated with master guitarist, J.O. Araba and tenor sax, Ishola Willie Payne to play at the exclusive Island Club in Lagos. He enthusiastically described the era as a golden one when he resurrected at the Jazzvile almost a decade ago.

From O’Jez stable came a screamer, ‘We lost a legend’. In a statement signed by its media company, Media Image Managers (MIM), Chief Joseph Odobeatu, Chairman of O'jez Entertainment Limited, owners of O'jez Music and chain of celebrity restaurants, said: “It’s very sad to hear the news of the demise of the legend Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar. The O'jez family is still in shock because Rolling Dollar was very much part of the family for over 12 years now. He had been with us from inception at Iwaya Road outlet down to the National Stadium outlet. He had been performing every Friday and every last Sunday of the month for over a decade now...

“Its a big loss for us at O'jez and a bigger loss to the Nigerian entertainment industry and the entire country in general. He was a personal friend, a father and close confidant. This is a man who, despite his fame and age, remained very humble till his demise. I feel pained but also seek solace in

the fact that he came, made his mark (despite achieving fame at his old age) and left in a blaze of glory. The industry will sure miss him.”

Okey Bakassi who struggled to terms with the news of Fatai’s passage, said: “He was one entertainer whose act was able to transcend through different generations. He symbolised longevity because before his passage, he was old and strong. His energy on stage concealed his true age. Another icon whose immense experience would have continued to benefit the younger generation is gone. I will miss him dearly”.

Efforts to speak with both Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade was not successful as they were at the late crooner’s home on Wednesday to commensurate with his family and see areas of participation and a befitting burial for their former boss and mentor.

On his part, Ola Balogun sighed: “Oh, what an end. We spoke three days ago and he said he was getting better. What a pity. May his soul rest in peace”.

For starters, Afro Skittle Band had adapted Ghanaian palm wine music to Yoruba highlife sounds, a fusion that deeply influenced up-andcoming artists such as Fela Kuti, Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey (whom he taught to play the guitar). In the early days of independence, the Afro Skittles recorded several 78-rpm vinyl songs for Philips, spurning hits like Ranka Dede and Ogba oya ya. Rolling Dollar however disappeared from the music scene for about 25 years before making a come-back in 2003.

His death was confirmed by one of his surviving wives, Funmilola (Jamiu's mum) who said in a telephone conversation: “Yes, Baba is dead.

I was called this morning (Wednesday) that he is dead. I was in the hospital till late yesterday night but I was not allowed to see him. I'm on my way to the hospital again.”

Before his death, there were rumours that he could not pay his hospital bill, but his second wife debunked the rumour just as it went viral online. His family also frowned at the reports that he was in dire need of money to settle his medical bills.

Often described as Come Back King, Fatai got his famed nickname from his days in the secondary school when he had the ability of rolling silver dollars expertly, as he was always called by his school mates to roll dollars to choose sides for football teams at leisure periods. He was born in Ede in 1926 to the family of late Chief Olagunju.

He benefitted immensely from the magnanimity of former Lagos State governor, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who pulled him out of abject poverty with a new home in an estate at Oko Oba in Agege, amongst other things.

Ambassador Charity Comedy Concert Unveiled RGANISERS of the maiden O Ambassador Charity Comedy Concert are set to use the

Roland

event as their corporate social responsibilities. In a chat, the boss of Equity Concepts Entertainments, Mr Rowland Okorie, said: “The event is the company’s philosophy in giving back to the society, which is our ultimate priority, while promoting artistes, event management and PR is our core competence.

“The event, billed for Oriental Hotel, Lekki, on June 29, is packaged for the less privileged

The legendary singer fell ill on June 5 and was rushed to the hospital by his wife. He however succumbed to death on Wednesday morning. He leaves behind, above all else, a legacy of determination. He is survived by three wives, including a German and 16 children.

in the society. This concept was borne out of passion by Peter Ebuka, also known as Ambassador and an awardwinning comedian who will be performing alongside other comedians drawn from across the country. It is going to be the biggest comedy concert ever to be organized for the less privileged. They will be coming together to chat with their fans, artistes and meet with their favourite celebrities. We are inviting everyone coming to come with a gift. That is why our logo says, ‘But the greatest of these is charity’.”

He said the theme of the event is ‘Every Opportunity Counts’, “because it is time to show love for more than 10 less privileged homes, motherless ba-

bies’ homes, abandoned children, and Autism Centre. Among them are Bethsida Homes For The Blind, Little Saints Orphange Home, and Kuth Foundation. Others are So Said Charity Home, Heart Of Gold, Fountain Of Hope Motherless, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Modupe Cole Autism Centre, Joy Success Less Privilegde Foundation, See Joy Foundation to mention but a few.

He further thanked the Chairman of occasion, MD/CEO, First AluminiumNigPlc, Chief Host, Captain August Okpe ,Chairman of Equity Concepts Entertainments and the Special Guest of honour Chief Austin Izagbo, both of who he said are committed to the success of the concert.

Yes International! Magazine Marks Second Anniversary N Wednesday, June 19, 2013, YES International!

O magazine, will mark its second anniversary.

According to a release made available by Azuh Arinze, Esq. Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, top rated artistes have been lined up to spice up the event with Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Former Minister of External Affairs as the chairman of the day.

Advertising guru, Mr. Udeme Ufot, was the maiden Guest Speaker while erudite scholar, Prof.

Pat Utomi and Ogun SSG, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, served as our Chairman and Guest of Honour respectively.

“Guest Speaker for this year is Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Computers. The event will hold at The Coliseum Events Centre (on 34, Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos) on the above date and will tackle the topic: ‘Running A Successful Business In Nigeria: My Experience,’” Arinze said.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

38

City People Entertainment Celebrates Sadare

Sadare (left) and friends ITY People Entertainment celebrated InC spiro Productions CEO and NAIJAZZ (Nigerian Jazz Project) Founder, Ayoola Sadare for his contribution to the jazz in particular, and entertainment in general. The event tagged ‘An Exclusive Evening with Ayoola Sadare and His friends’ was an eclectic time of live jazz, spoken word, comedy, art and more at the culture hotspots, Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos.

On parade were performances from Deni, Irawo the female talking drummer, Nesta, Smooth Jazz guitarist Femi Leye, OBA, Ayodele the lyrical poet, Afro Jazz pianist Dapo Dina, ace trumpeter/percussionist, Victor Ademofe, Imole Afrika and Nigeria’s number one bassist/Director of the SPAN Academy of Jazz and Contemporary Music, Bright Gain amongst others.

The event turned out to be a mini-jazz festival. The stage was professionally designed, set up and well-lit with crystal clear sound from ace sound engineer ,Sesan Kazeem (Pangolo).

A sizeable society people were at hand to celebrate with ‘Shaddie Bobo’.

In his welcome address, the convener of the event and publisher of City people Media group, Seye Kehinde said they chose to celebrate Ayoola Sadare for his activities. “Always mobile, enthusiastic and trying to connect people and make things happen. He is truly a man of many parts and has succeeded in making friends and acquaintances in music, media, arts and culture, entertainment, business and life generally.

“His passion and identity remains jazz and jazz-related music, a genre of music which he is successfully promoting and making popular through his companies, Inspiro Productions and NAIJAZZ – The Nigerian Jazz Project.

He is also strongly connected with other African countries starting with South Africa, pursuing the Tale Of Two African Cities project – Nigeria South Africa week. NAIJAZZ is his baby which he is tireless working to promote; a project with an objective of returning and restoring Nigerian music to its glorious position; promoting authentic and indigenous Nigerian music and musicians for global rele-

vance in a classic and contemporary format.

“It is a worthy cause which is set to bring honor to this great country, Nigeria, which we call home. We at City People are bound to support such a vision because of its legacy value.

Sadare believes Nigerian music can be more prominent on the global stage positively and we also believe and urge him on in this quest,” Kehinde said.

In his response, Sadare expressed appreciation, adding that the celebration was a platform to recognize all who have one way or the other contributed to helping him on the journey to fulfilling his dreams. He said no man is an island, no man can succeed alone, no man can afford to stand alone. He also gave reasons for pursuing the NAIJAZZ dream.

His words: “I believe that for long we have pursued other forms of music to the detriment of developing our own kind of music rich, diversified and instructive. NAIJAZZ music is refining and restoring Nigerian music to its glorious position. There was a golden era of Nigerian music and the diver-

Challenges of Managing Hotels In Lagos, By Braimoh OR fans of Niteshift Coliseum, a Fname celebrity hangout in ikeja, Lagos, the Ehi Braimoh remains indelible. Not only as a president of the Glamour Boys, but his ever regular attention to the needs of the teeming members of the upwardly mobile members of his group. Interestingly, he has moved on to a bigger challenge within the entertainment industry as the Chairman/CEO of Adna Hotel located at the serene Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

In an exclusive interview, ebullient Braimoh, he said: “Since we started operations here in about a year and half now, it has been as interesting and as challenging expected from operating in a business environment in our dear country. Our strength remains in the beautiful ambience that we have created here with pre-

mium facilities and needed privacy that the hospitality industry can boast of. Our services are comparable anywhere in the world that we can boast of, especially in the area of security which is 24 hours round the clock.”

He said apart from the glowing picture painted above, multiple taxation and cost of diesel is almost a chocking experience.

His words: “Though our environment is serene and safe, our challenges have remained high cost of diesel, multiple taxation from both the state and local government officials who come up with all manner of levies.” Another major area of worry, he pointed out, is access to funds. “Interest rates are so high otherwise I can reproduce what I have here in all the cities of the federation. That is how

it is done elsewhere, like cottage hotels.

Banks here are not friendly. I don’t even mind banking with only a bank that provides such fund. But they are not friendly at all to business initiatives, which are supposed to be providing needed jobs for our teeming youths across the country.”

He said without incentives to invest and generate employment, small businessmen and women are being discouraged as what is sustaining them is just the elementary role of engagement.

Adna Hotel is a 20-room edifice that is strategically located to provide needed entertainment and hospitality needs of travelers.

sity was our strength. Beautiful music was being made all over the country from Lagos to Lokoja, Kankia to Okrika.

“Other countries have musical ambassadors to the world playing music in their mother tongue refined, packaged and presented to the world. This has brought not only the musicians fame and recognition, but their country’s image has been enhanced. You can’t beat others at their own game, bring on your own game. We too can play our music and get global acclaim to the glory of God and for our country Nigeria. This is the NAIJAZZ dream, this is what we are pursuing, this is what we will achieve in Jesus’ name. I believe one day in the near future, NAIJAZZ artistes will bring home the Grammy to honour Nigeria and glorify God.’’ The event , supported by Freedom Park and its management and others, was graced by the Consul General of South Africa, Ambassador Monaisa and his wife, staff of the South African High commission in Lagos, T-Mac, Yinka Davies, Keziah Jones and a host of others.

TheGuardian

Saturday, June 15, 2013

39

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture Alaafin’s Talking Drums Colour Bill Clinton Centre

By Tunde Akingbade (who was in Little Rock, Arkansas) AM a first-timer in Arkansas,” I told the cab “I driver even though I had visited the United States a couple of times and travelled from coast to coast. As we drove from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, the cab driver talked about the beauty of Little Rock city, the capital of the State of Arkansas.

“That’s The William J. Clinton Presidential Center,” he announced pointing to the direction of the sprawling edifice as one wondered what it has to offer.

Few days later after one had recovered from the jet lag, Tunde jnr and Aisheik, (my children) encouraged me to visit landmark places in Little Rock. One of the places to my delight turned out to be The William J. Clinton Presidential Centre, which also houses a Museum. Aisheik drove on the day of the visit to the historical edifice. We bought our tickets and well-trained security personnel showed us the way into the gallery after security checks.

Many of the objects of the Clinton administration were kept in the gallery.

The materials and exhibits were put into segments grouped under such categories as: the early years, life in the White House, temporary exhibit gallery, Oval Office and the work continues.

There is an orientation theatre where one can watch a 12-minute documentary, which details the life of the former American president.

There are exhibits from the President’s campaign in 1992 and 1996. For those who are willing to learn how the Clinton administration took decisions on local and international issues, the cabinet room provides an insight into this as well as how the White House staffs were organized when President Clinton ran the government in the United States.

The exhibits’ section, it was later discovered, houses just three percent vital documents out of 80 million pages of documents in the archive of the former president.

My mind went to President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Presidential Library in Abeokuta which one had the honour of visiting last year through contacts with Dr. Dotun Malomo who introduced me to Mr. Vitalis Ortese.

This kind of initiative, if properly handled,

Portrait of Clinton

would bring pride to Abeokuta and Ogun State the same way the President Clinton Centre is bringing pride to Little Rock and Arkansas.

And suddenly, we reached a corner where gifts given to President Clinton by local and international friends and celebration with his family and friends are on display. Here, there are two talking drums. One is the “Iya Ilu” (mother drum) while the other was smaller.

The thought that “This must be from Nigeria,” flashed in my mind, as I moved closer to have a look at the drums. Alas, the drums were actually from Oyo in Nigeria.

The bold inscriptions on the drums indicated they were actually presented to President Clinton by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. The drums and the dangling metals shone under the array of bulbs, which brightened the Presidential Museum. The attention of Aisheik, who has never visited Nigeria before, was drawn to the drums and she was also briefed about the role of the talking drum in Yoruba’s music. What gladdened the hearts of the visitors to the museum is the fact that both the donor (Alaafin) and the recipient (President Clinton) are showcasing the African culture to those who may not have the opportunity to visit Nigeria.

Talking drum makers often referred to it as “The-dead-goat-that-speaks-like-humans.” This is because the major raw material for making the talking drum is from the skin of a dead goat!

Right there, a message was sent to a colleague, Aliu Mohammed who appears to be close to Alaafin, to inform him about the encounter.

One of the most interesting exhibits at the Oval Office is a replica of the White House’s Oval Office when the president was in office in Washington D.C. Exactly 20 years ago, I had visited the White House’s Oval Office when President Clinton was in office in Washington D.C. and the image of the original copy struck me forcefully.

All the items used by President Clinton while in office including biros and pencils were put on display. Not far from the talking drums was a photograph of President Clinton dressed in a “Babanriga” garment of the Hausa in

Alaafin’s talking drum Northern Nigeria.

More poignant and emotional were the photographs of the famous “Little Rock Nine.”

The Little Rock Nine were a group of very intelligent African American Students who passed the exams to enter the Little Rock Central High School in 1957 but were prevented by white supremacist groups and the Governor of the State from entering the school which was an all-white institution. It took the intervention of the President on the strength of the Brown Vs Board of Education’s Supreme Court Judgment who used soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division to escort the young African American students into the school.

A critical look at each of the faces of The Little Rock Nine shows they are now getting old. But they have become great achievers in their chosen fields.

I imagined I could have been one of them, or one of those trapped in racial discrimination elsewhere in America in those years my grandparents had been captured and shipped into America. I would have suffered some psychological inertia just like The Little Rock Nine.

What if the segregation policy had continued till date, my children would have been educated in a segregated school because of the colour of their skin and not their knowledge and their character.

Momentarily, there was flashback on what was ready in books on how The Little Rock Nine were physically and emotionally abused in those years. They were spat at. One of them even had acid thrown at her in the school premises. I reflected again on Africa, West Africa and those years of slavery. The story of these nine students gripped America in the late 1950s and when President Clinton in whose Museum I was standing came to power, he ensured that the Little Rock Nine were honoured in 1999 with Congressional Gold Medal each. The award is the highest award given to civilians by the American Congress. Six years ago, The Little Rock Nine were again honoured with a “Silver Dollar” made by the United States Mint to pay tribute to their strength, determination and courage in the face of threats, abuse and acid attack by separatists during their school days.

Importantly, The Little Rock Nine were invited to attend President Barak Obama’s inauguration as the first African America to get to that office.

It is pertinent to mention that as I stood, watching the young High School students who made history I remembered that they were also honoured by Marquette University with the institution’s highest award previously given to Apollo 11 crew (Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Edwin Aldrin), Mother Teresa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and Karl Rahner.

Spontaneously, one remembered a woman known as Daisy Bates. Bates was an African American. Coincidentally her story was a sad chapter in racism. Her mother was raped, murdered and thrown into a pond by white men. Her father who was terrified and feared for his life had to give her away to a couple who raised her. Bates through divine providence became President of National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) and ironically fought for the integration of The Little Rock Nine into Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

From Daisy Bates came the flash of Maya Angelou, the poet and author of; “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.” She was raised in Stamps, Arkansas not far away. She went through her own trauma too. I was carrying a copy of her book with me. Maya Angelou too was a towering figure during President Clinton’s inauguration when she read some of her poems.

The Clinton Centre and Little Rock and Arkansas as a whole are just a huge house of history. It can be regarded as watching history ‘unplunged’.

At the William J. Clinton Centre, there is an aspect in the tour known as; “A walk with President Clinton in which the former president takes people on a tour of how he governed while in office. We walked through Clinton Presidential Park Bridge, the old bridge, which was over Arkansas River was reconstructed through donations and help from several volunteers whose names are inscribed on the concrete floor of the long bridge. Amongst the list of donors was a Yoruba name we spotted.

40 ARTS

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, June 15, 2013

National Troupe… Centenary Storytelling Through Children

By Gbenga Salau was an exhibition of the abundant creative IjustTtalents the country is endowed with at the concluded National Schools Dramatised Storytelling Competition organised by National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) in collaboration with Beeta Universal Arts Foundation. It had as theme, ‘Nigeria: A hundred Years of Existence-Our Story so Far’; it was rounded off in Lagos after the Abuja final. There were two categories, primary and secondary.

For the Lagos edition, six schools made it to the final in the primary section. They were University of Lagos Women Society Nursery and Primary School, Ijero Baptist Church Nursery and Primary School, Liham Preparatory School, St. Bernadette Nursery and Primary School, Mindbuilders Nursery and Primary School and GoldenBells Nursery and Primary School.

For the secondary category, Kings College, Starfield College, Grandmates Secondary School, Majos International College, Muritala Muhammed Airport Nursery and Primary School, Brilliant Child College and Marywood Girls College got to the final.

At the end, Liham Nursery and Primary School was pronounced the best in the primary section while Brillant Child College smiled home as the overall best in the secondary category. Ijero Baptist Nursery and Primary School and University of Lagos Women Society Nursery and Primary School came second and third respectively in the primary category while Marywood secondary school and Starfield College, Agege were first and second runners up respectively in the secondary contest.

In the primary category, the Best Actor trophy went to Elisha Obaji of University of Lagos Women Society Nursery and Primary School; Best Actress was won by Ayomide Isiaka of Golden Bell Nursery and Primary School; Ijero Baptist Nursery and Primary smiled home with the Best Storyline Award while Leham Nursery and Primary School was judged the school with the Best Costumes, Props and Set Design and Stage.

For the secondary school, the Best Actor was won by Israel Aduru of Muritala Muhammed Airpost Secondary School; Best Actress went to Zode Oaikhina of Brilliant Child College; Muritala Muhammed Airpost Secondary School was adjudged the school with the Best Costumes; Marywood Girls Secondary School was awarded the school with the best props; Grandmates secondary School smiled home the Best Set Designs and Stage Award while Brilliant Child College and Starfield College were declared the schools with the Best Storyline and Theme Song respectively.

All the schools built their story in line with

the theme of the competition though differently interpreted. Pupils of University of Lagos Nursery and Primary School gave a historical chronology of Nigeria, narrating the history of Nigeria from the era of colonial masters to the amalgamation of the South and North Protectorates, with varied scenes, seamlessly presenting the scenes in a historical chronology. The costumes completed the presentations, while it also spotlighted some of the ills in the society. Its presentation highlighted that in spite of the fact that the citizens united and collectively fought to gain independence from colonial masters, not quite long after independence the different regions formed themselves into blocks to antagonise one another.

In its presentation, Ijero Baptist Nursery and Primary School embellished its performance with Fela’s song with the character dressing in a typical Fela style. It also highlighted some of the ills in Nigeria, noting how a judge pardoned somebody who stole N50 million from the public purse because the accused was his friend, yet sentenced the man who stole N50 to jail.

In its presentation, Liham Preparatory School talked about how the name Nigeria was formed by the wife of Lord Luggard in a conversation between her and her husband. It painted the social ills, the negative impact of erratic power supply and rigging of elections.

In the secondary category, the presentations were not really in line with the theme of the contest, but dwelt more on the ills and challenges facing the country unlike the primary section performances that gave the historical birth of the country while also underlining some of the challenges the country is grappling with.

A teacher of University of Lagos Women Society Nursery and Primary, Miss Itoro Okpokpo, spoke on her experience preparing the children for the competition. She said it was really tasking but with patience, she and others who groomed the children were able to put them through. Okpokpo, who is a youth corps member, said because they were children, it sometimes took cajoling to make them fall in line or take to instructions.

Idara Efanga said when she was about writing the scrip, she felt the need to build the story around the country’s historical journey while embellishing it with the positive and negative developments.

Chairperson of the day, Mrs. Emilia AigImoukhuede, who commended the National Troupe of Nigeria for organising the competition, said it would help prepare the children for greater participation in arts, and called for more support from government and private sector to help in developing children’s artistic skills She said, “It encourages learning and interaction among the youth and also encourages

Winners of the secondary school category, Brilliant Child College, Lagos celebrating their feat… at the Lagos final held on June 5, 2013

Children artistes performing at the event public speaking for them to express themselves. We do not want our children to stumble, so we have to prepare them for the future and it is through this medium”.

Aig-imoukhuede adjudged the performances as very high and beyond her expectation, adding, “But then I was not surprised because the National Troupe has a history of good performances and perhaps a number of these children are participants in their holiday training. By the outcome of today, it shows there is great hope for Nigeria. There are talents in this country; every one of them that participated spoke with understanding and delivered their lines well.

“And we could see what has transpired in this country and what is going on. What they have emphasized are things that would bring Nigeria close, that unite us and they seem to be accusing adults, politicians and leaders.

“It is a cliché that the future of the country is in the hands of young people, so if they have the right orientation because these ones are looking at Nigerians as nationals, as citizens of Nigeria. They see themselves not as Ibos, Hausas, Yorubas; they see themselves as Nigerians. The problem we are facing is that many see themselves first as citizens of where they come from rather than as Nigerians.”

Chief Operating Officer, Beeta Universal Arts Foundation, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, said her organisation partnered with the troupe for the project because it is an art and culture-focused body, noting, “For us at Beeta Universal Arts Foundation, we are very focused on theatre, preserving our culture, history as storytellers, artisans. It is a fantastic platform to get children involved from the incubation stage and create an enabling environment for them to express themselves as artistes.

Censors Board Reduces Licensing Fees For Film Distribution

By Florence Utor HE National Film and Video T Censors Board (NFVCB) has reduced the fees payable by film distributors in a move aimed at breathing a new life into its New Distribution and Exhibition Framework (NDEF). The cheering

Bala

piece of news was announced recently to stakeholders by the Acting Director General of the board, Ms Patricia Bala in a meeting convened in Lagos to retool the NDEF. The fees, the Acting DG stated, apply to all categories of licenses and take immediate effect. Specifically, Bala noted that National Distributors shall

henceforth pay a license fee of N200,000.00, as against the previous N500,000.00 only, a decrease of 150 per cent. Similarly, Regional Distributors will now cough out only N100,000.00, as against N250,000.00, a 60 percent reduction, while Community Distributors will pay N10,000 from the previous fee of N25,000.00. Bala noted that the board decided to streamline the categories, hence the elimination of state distributors which now dovetails into community distributors.

Bala went further to also announce new license renewal fees as follows: National Distributors, N100,000.00; Regional Distributors N25,000.00 and Community Distributors N10,000.00.

The marketers, who were present at the meeting, commended the board for the right decision taken by drastically reviewing downwards all categories of licenses. But they also implored the board to ensure that their licenses work for them by making the operating environment

favourable for film distribution.

They tasked the board to attack head on the issue of piracy, which they said had hampered their business.

In her reaction, Bala assured them that the board would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that the operating environment was made conducive for their business, citing the downward review as a sign of the things to come in the future.

She also told the distributors that the board, in concert with Nigerian Film Corporation, Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation and Nigeria Copyright Commission, are partnering to fashion out common ground to look into some of the pressing challenges that had hampered the growth of the film sector.

While responding to questions from the media, Bala categorically noted that the board was not unmindful of the influx of pornographic movies into the country from neighbouring Ghana. She said such indecent movies were never

got to the board and so were never censored by the board. She disclosed that plans were afoot to rub minds with Ghanaian film regulators to address the development, adding, “We are very aware that pornography is creeping into our industry. We don’t approve pornography, so any pornographic film you see in the market is illegal. It is an uncensored and unapproved movie”.

According to her, there was a department in the board charged with tracking these pornographic films and confiscating same. The department usually goes out with law enforcement officers such as the police to raid the shops and seize films considered unwholesome for consumption. Bala stated that technology had made tracking pornographic movies difficult because most of them were downloaded from the Internet. She disclosed that the board intended to contact YouTube and other sites to compel them to block such indecent movies from the Nigerian territory.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

41

SHORT STORY

By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) HAT can break one’s heart in a relationW ship? What is it really that would bring tears to the eyes of a lover? ‘Some broken hearts never mend, some memories never end, some tears would never dry,’ goes the rhythmical saying. A journey into this story would touch your heart as it did mine.

Otunba Lakunle was 50 years old when he fell in love with Funke, a 19-year-old ravishing beauty. At first, Funke felt reluctant to accept the love advances of a man old enough to be her dad, but after much persuasion, Cupid’s arrow struck her heart and she fell in love with the handsome and ebullient multi-millionaire businessman.

It wasn’t that Funke came from a poor background; her parents were also rich but she had a passionate and sincere feeling of love for the generous businessman. Otunba Lakunle had never been married in his life and he was yet to be a father despite his age. Although Funke’s parents kicked against the relationship at the initial stage, telling her to look for a young suitor, Funke had already made up her mind.

She told her parents that she was deeply in love with Otunba and there was no going back.

Within a short time, Funke dropped a couple of men who were also interested in marrying her and stuck wholeheartedly to Otunba. It was Otunba and nobody else; and he had promised never to disappoint or break her heart.

After dating for 10 months, they had a society wedding and became husband and wife. Funke and her husband enjoyed conjugal bliss as the years progressed. There was no cause for alarm as Otunba spoilt Funke silly with money and showered her with love and adoration. Funke travelled all over the world, both for visiting and business trips. Dubai, the United States and Europe were places she frequented on weekly basis. Her globetrotting trips were sponsored by her ever-loving husband. Theirs was a marriage sealed and consummated in heaven, or so it seemed. Six years in the relationship, Funke bore him three lovely kids.

Sometime in the month of July, Otunba was down with malaria fever and he had to see his doctor. The doctor gave him some drugs and he was placed on injection for three days. This development opened a new romance saga in the life of Otunba as he fell in love with the nurse on duty who incidentally gave him the injection.

Nurse Abiona had somehow found a place in Otunba’s heart. She was also a beautiful young lady who had something up her sleeves immediately she set her eyes on Otunba. Otunba was quick to know she meant ‘business’; what with the profuse pleasantries and curtsies every now and then. Before very long, they exchanged phone numbers.

Nurse Abiona knew from the outset that Otunba was married with children but she was very ready to damn all the consequences. She went headlong into the relationship not minding whose ox was gored.

Abiona was really happy that Otunba fell for her antics. She was the ultimate seducer. A couple of weeks in the relationship, Otunba mesmerized her senses with cash.

“I have hit it big, Mosun!” she said to one of her intimate friends one night.

“What’s it?” Mosun asked.

“I’ve caught a big fish this time around, and nothing is going to stop me from eating it anyhow I like!” she replied with a self-satisfied grin on her face.

“You mean the new man you’re dating?”

Mosun replied.

The Diabolical Husband-Snatcher

Three years after packing into the house, Abiona had a heinous and devilish plan in mind: to kill Funke through food poisoning.

She had been nursing this wicked and satanic plan for a long time...

She wanted to take over the house so that her children and herself could inherit the properties and assets of the stupendously rich Otunba.

“Of course yes, and very soon I’ll take over his house.”

Abiona said sarcastically. She continued: “I know he is married. I even know his wife but she’s no hindrance for me to actualize my goals. I have caught a big fish!

And I have a big plan in my mind.”

Otunba kept his romance affair with Abiona secret from Funke didn’t have any reason to believe her husband was seeing another woman because he continued to shower her with the usual love.

Five months in the bigamous affair, Abiona became pregnant. Otunba still kept the relationship secret and dear to his heart. He gave the pretty nurse the key to a brand new Lexus Jeep and rented a duplex for her in a rich neighbourhood with all the trappings of wealth.

Nine months later, Abiona was delivered of a bouncing baby boy. Secretly, a low-key traditional wedding ceremony took place between Otunba and Abiona.

Funke was unaware that her husband had become a father to another child out of wedlock.

Three years later, Abiona took in again. Before one could say ‘Otunba’, the nurse had been delivered of her second child – a baby boy too. After the christening ceremony of the new baby, Otunba felt he should let the cat out of the bag, open the secret and bring in Abiona as the second wife, to meet with Funke.

After thinking over it for a while, Otunba felt his family should come in to break the news to Funke because anything could happen. The following day, his immediate family called Funke for an impromptu meeting, and the bombshell was dropped. Otunba himself was in attendance.

The family pleaded on his behalf, and begged Funke to welcome the new wife and her kids with love. For a moment, tears streamed down Funke’s eyes. She was shocked and lost for words. She continued to cry even as she stood up and headed for the bedroom.

Otunba followed her, petting and consoling her in the process. The elders of Otunba’s family came into the bedroom too, to lift the heartbroken lady out of her obvious sadness and melancholy.

Between sobs and heartrending tears, Funke bared her mind: “I bear no grudge or hatred for the new wife,” she said, “but I’m a human being with feelings…and it’s painful when the man you love turns around to stab you in the heart. She’s welcome into the house and I accept her with open arms.”

In a jiffy, Otunba went on his knees, hugging her affectionately, with tears dropping from his eyes. He said: “Please, I beg you in the name of love, don’t be angry with me or feel bad. I really can’t explain how this whole thing happened…please darling…”

That was it. Funke welcomed the new wife with utmost sincerity, love and magnanimity.

Three days later, Abiona packed into Otunba’s expansive mansion with her kids. This development gave Abiona great joy because she could now hatch whatever plan she had on her mind.

Three years after packing into the house, Abiona had a heinous and devilish plan in mind: to kill Funke through food poisoning.

She had been nursing this wicked and satanic plan for a long time. She wanted to take over the house so that her children and herself could inherit the properties and assets of the stupendously rich Otunba.

She reasoned that if Funke should die, Otunba would have no any other option than to will his properties to her and her kids. To carry out her demonic plan, she went to the market and bought some sweet apples, then she injected them with a very potent poison.

Funke thanked her on getting the apples and she put them inside the refrigerator, with the intention of eating them later. She didn’t suspect anything evil. About an hour later, she took out two of the apples to eat. She was about eating them when she got a call from a friend based in London. She put the apples on the dining table as the call persisted.

While receiving the call Abiona’s two children strolled in happily towards her. They requested for the apples. Funke paused during the call and gave them one apple. The innocent kids took a bite each. It was a most gruesome and shocking scenario! The two kids collapsed instantly and started convulsing and foaming through the mouth.

Funke dropped her call and screamed for help. Before she could get help, the two kids were stone dead! Abiona herself rushed into the living room in trepidation. She was transfixed with morbid shock when she saw her kids on the floor, completely dead, and the apple beside them.

She wailed in pains: “God, I killed my own children! What have I done? I killed my own children!” she cried and confessed to the people around.

Funke was overwhelmed with surprise. She opened her mouth in utter disbelief and sighed continuously. When Otunba came back from his business outing, the whole tragic episode was narrated to him. He shook his head many times and he was dumbfounded.

The following day Abiona was arrested for murder after the police did a thorough investigation. She was charged to court and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering her innocent kids. Otunba swore she would never step into his house after serving her jail term.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

42

DIARY

Members, House of Representatives, Olamilekan Solomon (left); Femi Gbajabiamila; Otunba Yomi Ogunnusi; Dr. Samuel Adejare and Prince James Faleke celebrating June 12 at the National Assembly lobby during the week

Vice Chancellor, University Of Ibadan, Prof Folorunso Adewole, Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, Pro - Chancellor, University Of Ibadan, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo [Rtd], Member, University Governing Council, Senator Doguwa ElJibril, Ambassador Lawrence Ekpebu and other members Of the University Of Ibadan Governing Council during their visit to OyoState Governor in Ibadan.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Astroturf 2000 Aderoju Ademoroti (left) exchange signed partnership agreement with the Managing Director, 2AT Limited during the official signing of the MoU between 2AT-Astroturf 2000 for the Starting New At Golf (SNAG) initiative… recently Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, Chairman of Triumphant S&P, Barrister Ukeni Samuel-Ogbonnaya and Managing Director of the company, Mrs. Samuel-Ogbonnaya Priscillia, during the commissioning of Triumphant S&P Limited by Bishop Okonkwo on Obafemi Awolowo way, Ikeja, Lagos… recently

President of Rotary Club of Abuja Metro; Chuka Oboli (left), new Inductee; Barrister (Mrs.) King-Chibuzor Lilian Njideka and Rotarian Joshua Hassan doing the decoration in Abuja Sheraton on Thursday Managing Director, Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Akshay Kumar (left), Sales Rep of the company (Highest growth territory – Kabba/Offa) Lekan Olabanji; and Commercial Director, Aare Fatai Odesile during the company’s distributors conference held in Lagos recently

Co-ordinator, 1000 Leaders Meeting Project Group, Mr. Nsikak Daniels (left); President, Board of Trustees, Lagos Penya Club, Mr. Leslie Oghomienor and Senior Vice President, Board of Trustees, Mr. Kayode Adeleke, after the signing ceremony between 1000 Leaders Meeting Project Group and Lagos Penya Club in Lagos...at the weekend

Couple. Mr. and Mrs. Akinrinlola and daughter, Kayikunmi Akinrinlola during Mrs. Akinrinola’s 40th birthday in Lagos…recently

Chairman/CEO, Virgo Nigeria Ltd, Chief (Dr) Oyegunle Oyegbade; Managing Director of Accolade Communications Ltd, Dr Luke Okojie; and Bauchi State First Lady, Her Excellency, Hajia (Dr) Abiodun Hauwa Isa Yuguda, when Dr Oyegbade and the First Lady were honoured by European -American University, Commonwealth of Dominica, in Lome, Togo… recently

Pupils of De Magarette School, Onitiri, Yaba in Lagos during the school’s Career Day recently

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

43

HEALTHFEATURE

Group Plans 37 Mobile Cancer Centres Nationwide Disease Kills 240 Nigerians Daily

on a Sunday afternoon, a rare date for offiIByTcialwas engagement. about 2:30pm, the attendance had risen to an appreciable number of dignitaries and journalists as these concerned Nigerians gathered at the banquet hall of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Victoria Island, Lagos, to perfect their strategy in a privately driven combat against one of the world’s deadliest diseases, cancer.

The initiative, launched under the aegis of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), according to organisers, is primarily aimed at saving over 80,000 preventable cancer-related deaths yearly in the country, due to absence of, at least, a single specialised and well-equipped comprehensive Cancer center in the country.

To achieve their objective, the organizers at the occasion, which was also to commemorate the world’s Cancer Survivors Day, marked every June 2, shortlisted the names of about 150 prominent Nigerians who will serve as its lifetime cancer ambassadors to drive the campaign.

The essential obligation of the cancer ambassadors, selected across all sectors and constitute of people who knew the disease quite well, would be to drive campaign across all nooks and crannies of the country and to assist in attracting enough donor to the quest to raise enough funds for the procurement of 37 mobile cancer treatment centers for emergency treatment across the country.

The cost of one mobile cancer center is N95million. A mobile cancer center is a mini clinic on wheels, in which screening, follow-up and several forms of treatment (including surgeries), can take place. It includes facilities for mammography, colonoscopy, cryotherapy, and sonology.

With supports from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and all the existing telecommunications networks and as well as Interswitch Nigeria, the group has opened short code platforms for voluntary donations.

By sending sms “CANCER” to “44777”, compassionate individual can contribute the sum of N100 to the multi-billion naira campaign; or make a cash donation via Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to a dedicated code 77526 established with the help of Interswitch Nigeria.

In an attempt to paint a clearer picture of how challenging and overwhelming the situation was, the organisers played a five-minutes documentary on prominent Nigerians who have succumbed to the disease. The tape was rolled shortly after the opening speech by the host and chair-

man of the occasion, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole.

It was a very pathetic situation, which painted an absolutely hopeless escape for the hundreds of thousands of poor Nigerians suffering from the disease, if nothing is done.

From the former President of the country, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (lung cancer); to former Vice President, General Augustus Aikhomu (prostate cancer); former Chairman of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Pa Anthony Enahoro; human right lawyer, Chief Ganiyu Faweyinmi (lung cancer); former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Abel Guobadia; Kwara State elder statesman, Dr. Olusola Saraki (prostrate); Baba Adinni of Nigeria, Alhaji Iyanda Folawiyo; and the former Minister of Commerce and Former Chairman, The Guardian Newspaper Limited, Dr. Alex Ibru among others, the video showed how cancer keeps falling the best of Nigerian people.

There are also female casualties: former First Lady of Nigeria, Hajia Mariam Babangida (breast cancer); wife of the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Mrs. Clara Oshiomole (breast cancer); Akwa Ibom former first lady, Allinson Attah (breast cancer); with the latest victim being the former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, the late Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olayinka (breast cancer).

In her address, the coordinator of the programme and Secretary of CECP, Dr. Abia Nzelu, said cancer is a global phenomenal, which can be contracted through unhealthy lifestyle, including excessive smoking and consumption of alcohol, air pollution, and exposure to toxic wastes or chemical radiation.

Nzelu said poor investment in specialized medical researches and sophisticated medical infrastructures have made many sufferers of the controllable disease in the country highly susceptible to death. “ Globally, one out of every three to four persons are being diagnosed with cancer. One out of every four to seven persons are dying of cancer. In 2008 alone, 7.8million people died of cancer, and about 12.4million new cases are diagnosed each year. “…the burden of cancer doubled globally between 1975 and 2000 and is set to double again by 2020 and nearly triple by 2030. In 2010, cancer overtook heart disease as the number one killer worldwide, mainly due to a steep rise in incidence and deaths in developing countries like Nigeria. Cancer kills more people than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined,” she added.

According to Nzelu, among the 100,000 Nigerians diagnosed of cancer infection yearly, 80,000 people will eventually die due to either late discovery of the infection or lack of access to standard medical treatment.

She noted that over 240 Nigerians die daily of the disease, including over 30 women with breast cancer.

This figure, she said, is absurdly high compared to other countries with adequate medical facilities.

For instance, Nzelu said, there are over 90 per cent survival rate among breast cancer patients in America and almost the same statistics in

Jonathan

Prof Chukwu

India. “ To make matters worse, Nigeria has no medical facility which specializes exclusively in cancer treatment and research. India has over 120 of such centers and America 2,000. Nigeria has less than five radiotherapy machines—all of which are either broken down or outmoded, representing a ratio of one machine to about 30million people. This is against the recommended one machine to 400,000 people. No medical oncologist has ever being trained in Nigeria. There is no oncology department in any Nigerian hospital (public or private).

She noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) statement of July 3, 2002 said of all cancer cases occurring yearly, one third can be prevented, another one third can be effectively cured with early diagnosis, and palliative care can improve the quality of life of the last third.

But given the fact that Nigeria does not have the adequate structure on ground to take full advantage of the second and third (Cure and Care), it is important to focus first and foremost on the first: prevention which is better, cheaper and surer than cure. Hence the need for the mobile cancer treatment centers (MCCs).

The target, she added, is that within a yearn of acquiring the 37 MCCs, half a million people would have been screened nationwide.

Nzelu advised that besides imbibing the culture of routine health checks, Nigerians should also do away with excessive smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol, unprotected sex and exposure to pollution and medical radiation.

In her submission, the Technical Adviser to the

Nigeria has no medical facility which specializes exclusively in cancer treatment and research. India has over 120 of such centers and America 2,000. Nigeria has less than five radiotherapy machines—all of which are either broken down or outmoded, representing a ratio of one machine to about 30million people.

‘

‘

Statistics show that 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer yearly. Of these, 80,000 die eventually due to late detection of the disease and lack of access to sound medical treatment. Unfortunately however, the government seems unperturbed (as evident in its failure to establish cancer treatment centers in the country) by the soaring index. But at an event marking World Cancer Survivors Day recently, cancer survivors, victims’ relatives, medical experts and volunteers assembled under the aegis of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), to mount an allout campaign against the killer disease. BANKOLE SHAKIRUDEEN ADESHINA was there and writes.

CECP’s anti-cancer initiative and the Managing Director of JNCI, Turnkey Medical Equipment Services Organization, Clare Omatseye, put the financial implication of establishing a comprehensive specialized cancer diagnosis and treatment center at $30million.

According to her, “looking at all the factors involved, there is no doubt, it is a long way ahead. But we will not be daunted by the … challenges. We must start now and act now by joining hands in this quest to save many lives. By the implication of the disclosed statistics here today, it means ten Nigerian woman dies every hour of the day; this person could be your mother, wives, sisters, daughter or relative. This is why we must start now,” she said Omatseye explained how her late mother fought and won against the scourge. “ For example, my mother also suffered from cancer.

Although she is no more today, it wasn’t cancer that killed her. She survived the killer disease for good 15 years; and this was simply because she had access to quality medical treatment. She was traveling to England regularly for treatment. But how many women and young girls will have the same opportunity my mother had? This is why we must join hands now to fight against cancer in Nigeria,” she added.

In his earlier address, the chairman of the occasion and the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management, implored other well-meaning Nigerians to support the campaign by submitting themselves as volunteer ambassadors of the programme.

Olawale-Cole said the cause was a worthy one because of the pains and sorrow the disease causes daily.

According to him, “Nigeria has the thirteenth lowest life expectancy in the world. Most Nigerians do not live to retire, to attend their children’s graduations or weddings, to see their grandchildren, or to enjoy the fruits of their labours. Cancer is a major contributor to the untimely death of these Nigerians. According to global statistics, over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer every year, and 80,000 die (10 every hour!).”

TheGuardian

44 | Saturday, June 15, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

YourMoney ‘NRC Is Being Re-branded To Play Pivotal Roles In The Economy’ Aminu Gusau is the Director, Administration and Human resources of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). A former don at the Department of African American studies, Kansas University, United States of America, he spoke with LILLIAN CHUKWU in Abuja on strategies adopted by the new management to revitalise and rebrand the 112-year-old conglomerate.

HE railway as a mode of transportation fizT zled away gradually from the country in the mid 80s. What is happening presently at the NRC? The re-branding efforts of the NRC started from the inception of the new administration about three years ago under the leadership of the Managing Director, Engr. Adeseyi Sijuwade. We aim to emerge as the leader in the Nigerian landbased transport system, using well-motivated work force with modern technology to offer high quality and reliable rail transport services with guaranteed customer satisfaction.

The railway system has recently been undergoing some rehabilitation and modernisation with the full political support of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transport.

The rehabilitation of the Railway System includes track spot renewal of Lagos to Kano and Maiduguri to Port-Harcourt; supply of 25 new locomotive engines from Brazil, South America, to boost the existing motive power base of the Corporation; upgrading of the signalling and telecommunication system from manual to semi automatic; rehabilitation of carriage and wagon workshops; re-equipping the workshops; supply of service support (spare part consumables); strategic rebranding of the corporation; and rehabilitation of stations and marshalling yards. Also, new railway lines are

being constructed in standard gauge.

The NRC having completed its phases of rehabilitation of its vast assets is expected to play an increasingly pivotal role in the economic and social developments of the country in this millennium. The NRC management has also imbibed corresponding quest for the challenges ahead by ensuring improved and efficient services to the freight owners and the teeming commuting publics with watermark measures in safety and operational performance.

Can these rebranding efforts ensure that the railway system competes favourably with the road, sea and air transportations in the country?

We don’t just want to dwell on competitiveness but while adding value to the revenue base, the NRC also wishes to contribute to the transformation agenda of the President.

The corporation started the mass transit operation of the Lagos to Kano route and the haulage of petroleum products from Lagos to the North in December last year.

We just commenced the first cargo operation in 10 years with 675 tonnes of cement arriving Minna from Ogun State after 48 hours, about 12 hours quicker than its usual operation in the past. Apart from the less cost intensive nature of the train haulage services, the cargo train has the capacity to create job opportunities for the youths and also enhance economic activities.

Also, the service would mean less pressure on the roads and would reduce carnage.

We also have the NRC property management company. The NRC seeks investors for public-private participation to aid development and the continuous motivation. I told you about training; we are now looking at other incentives of equipping our staff.

What do you have to say about the security and safety measures for the tracks, commuters and freight activities especially on the ‘hanging’ Lagos commuters?

The NRC has the Railway Police Command,

Gusau which has the constitutional responsibility to provide security and surveillance to train stations and in trains along routes to and from various destinations to protect wherever train services are rendered. We have strategic area commands at Enugu, Zaria, Ibadan, Bauchi and Lagos States.

But I want to stress that the railway system in this country belongs to all Nigerians. So, we are

all stakeholders of the NRC. The people need to understand that if the train is coming and they see an act of sabotage on the tracks, it is imperative for them to report to the law enforcement agencies.

What other challenges are confronting the agency?

There are many. In the area of funding, we need adequate funding to achieve our set objectives.

So, we encourage investors to partner with us.

NTC Bill And Economic Regulation Of The Transport Sector

By Adewale Ogunlana RANSPORTATION is a basic activity of T civilised existence, which binds a society together. So, transport infrastructure is often a barometer used to judge a nation’s prosperity.

Hence developed economies have great obsession with it and build and maintain a variety of transport facilities across all modes: from road to rail to sea and air. Transport, therefore, is intricately woven into the living pattern of people and nations and influences the health and vitality of the economy. Government, therefore, has a responsibility to ensure that transport is available, accessible, affordable and operated without unfair discrimination against its users.

It is on this premise that historically, governments have intervened to regulate transport for reasons of equity, safety and environmental standards, and to ensure that market forces do not produce undesirable goals. There is, therefore, a strong public interest to ensure that the transportation sector operates efficiently, safely and to ensure that fair competitiveness is guaranteed.

In Nigeria’s transportation sector, there are four broad areas of concern that require oversight or regulation. These include economic, technical, environmental and social/administrative. However, the current version of the National Transport Commission (NTC) Bill under consideration by the National Assembly seeks to deal with economic regulation of the transport sector in Nigeria. It is, therefore, important to have a clear understanding of what economic regulation entails.

Economic regulation typically involves intervention in the functioning of markets in terms of setting or controlling tariffs, revenues or profits, controlling market entries or exits; and

Minister of Transport, Idris Umar overseeing that fair and competitive behaviour and practices are maintained within the sector.

In the absence of economic regulatory oversight in the transport sector, anti-competitive practices are encouraged which increase costs to users and the economy at large. It also brings about lack of level playing field in the sector, which discourages investment and growth.

The pertinent question one may ask is whether there is any economic regulation in the transport sector in Nigeria today. To answer this question, there is need to look at the constituent elements of economic regulation as enumerated above.

In the maritime sector, the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), the seaport/off dock terminal operators, shipping companies and freight forwarders all set their own tariffs and charges. There is no agency that regulates them to ensure that their

charges and tariffs are competitive. The only attempt at regulating tariff within the maritime sector was through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in 1997 between providers and users of shipping, port and related services. This, however, has not been quite effective because the role of NSC in this regard is mainly based on consultations and persuasion. In the rail sector, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) also sets its own tariffs but there is no regulator. The situation is even worse in the road sector because there is no central authority on tariffs. The various associations and unions in that sector set tariffs. However, the Shippers’ Council from time to time does meet, negotiate and agree on such tariffs with some individual associations and unions, especially some truck owners and workers.

Good service delivery entails reliability, availability, accessibility and adequacy of services rendered to a user. In practice, there is no agency in Nigeria that liaises with transport services providers to monitor or ensure that the services rendered in the sector meet best practices. It is simply left to the services providers to decide what quality of service to provide.

As indicated above, there is indeed an economy regulatory vacuum in the transport sector in Nigeria and there is need to fill that vacuum for the country. The proposed National Transport Commission (NTC) is meant to fill this vacuum.

In setting up the Commission, the Federal Government has two options. It could either build up the new Commission from the scratch or it can transform one of its existing agencies to perform the intended functions of the commission.

A cursory look at existing Federal Government agencies would show that the NSC is best suited to perform the much-needed economic regulatory functions in the transport sector due to its

experience in the area of regulation of local shipping charges, negotiation and confirmation of freight rates and other relevant economic regulatory functions under its extant law. The option of setting up an economic regulator from the scratch would amount to a duplication of functions of the NSC and constitute an unnecessary cost burden on the government.

There are two ways to transform the NSC into the economic regulator agency. One way is to do it through the National Transport Commission Bill before the National Assembly. The other way is to pursue the amendment of the extant Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act to give the Council express economic regulatory functions.

One may want to ask how Nigerian Shippers’ interest (importers and exporters) will be protected if the NSC transforms into an economic regulator. The simple answer would be that shippers would in fact be better protected. This is because the economic regulator will monitor and enforce standard of service delivery, ensure stability, accessibility and adequacy of services; and provide guidelines on tariffs (setting minimum and maximum levels) in order to guard against arbitrariness, reduce high cost of doing business and prevent inflationary effect on the economy, among other benefits.

Moreover, the NSC has already created Shippers Associations which contribute remarkably in solving part of shippers problems. It has also set up an appropriate vehicle for the additional strengthening and protection of shippers’ cargo interests, including the cargo protection and indemnity outfit i.e. the Cargo Defence Fund. So, saddling it with the role of an economic regulator in the industry will be of high significance for the transport sector in particular and the economy in general. .Ogunlana, a maritime analyst, wrote from Abuja

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

INTERVIEW

Power Sector: Tasks Before The Ministry Of Power Post Privatisation ‘ A LL things being equal, the privatisation of the power sector in Nigeria will have been completed by the end of July 2013. By this time, and going by the timeline set by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the power generation and distribution companies would have been handed over to the private investors whose bids were successful in the process for the sale of the companies.

The general expectation after the privatisation of the sector is that power supply will begin to improve and subsequently stabilise.

Going by the power sector road map and the huge capital injection expected from the owners of the successor companies of the privatised Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), it will be reasonable to conclude that power supply will surely be much better in the post privatisation era.

But are there challenges towards realising this expectation? Certainly. One of the challenges is the lingering issue relating to the settlement of severance benefits of workers of the various companies of PHCN. The authorities say they have gone a long way in the resolution of the labour issues. Specifically, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, recently revealed that the pay off of workers is to be concluded by the end of June. Unless this process is concluded, it will be impossible to hand over the companies to the buyers.

Another challenge is the bridging of the metering gap. It is no longer news that metres, which were paid for by electricity consumers months ago, have not been supplied. To bridge the gap and ensure right pricing of electricity bills, the Minister of Power stated that N77 billion is required to put in place Smart Metres to about three million people across the nation. Similarly, the Nigerian Elec-

Nebo

tricity Regulatory Commission took some steps to address this problem by giving orders to PHCN’s distribution companies to commence immediate supply of metres, paid for by customers dating back to January 2011. The order is to be complied with in the next 44 days, and failure to do so will attract a sanction on the chief executive officer of any defaulting distribution company.

Perhaps, one of the greatest challenges is that of strengthening the power infrastructure before the handover date. Of course, the government has expressed its desire to ensure that the distribution and the generation companies are healthy and buoyant before they are handed over to their new owners. The big question is:

‘

How realisable is this target given the enormity of the decay of the power infrastructure across the country and the quantum of the capital needed to upgrade them?

Although the government insists it has already made huge investments towards strengthening the transmission, generation and the distribution infrastructures, many are skeptical about how much result such efforts can yield before the expected hand-over date of July. Obviously, the Month of July 2013 is very close, and it is feared that government’s efforts to heal the sector may actually not materialise fully by the end of the month.

There is no doubt that one sure way of ensuring that the ailing companies are not handed over to the new owners is to focus on addressing the issues already identified as major challenges. What is exciting is the general consensus that a seamless transmission from the public sector control of the power sector to private sector control ensures that power supply is improved and is available for use.

This is because the private sector control of the power sector is expected to bring about best practices in the sector. It also ensures that power that is generated gets to the people in a competitive manner. The story of dead transformers will be over, as the private investors will take adequate steps to ensure that the electricity sector is revamped, revitalised and energised for more electricity supply to the end users. In that way, the use of generators as alternative means of providing electricity by many homes will begin to diminish.

It is also encouraging to see tremendous interest shown by private sector players in power sector privatisation. Their interest is an ample proof of their endorsement and confidence in the Nigerian government’s privatisation programme. It is also indicative that Nigeria’s electricity sector unarguably com-

The government has expressed its desire to ensure that the distribution and the generation companies are healthy and buoyant before they are handed over to their new owners. The big question is: How realisable is this target given the enormity of the decay of the power infrastructure across the country and the quantum of the capital needed to upgrade them? The government has expressed its desire to ensure that the distribution and the generation companies are healthy and buoyant before they are handed over to their new owners.

The big question is: How realisable is this target given the enormity of the decay of the power infrastructure across the country and the quantum of the capital needed to upgrade them

‘

By Uche Aneke

mands prime attention as a preferred longterm investment destination in Africa. This goes a long way to boost the growing market confidence in the sector.

Government must do what it can to ensure that Nigerians have access to reliable power supply. Every obstacle in the way of achieving this goal must be strongly addressed. The prospective new owners of the generation and the distribution companies have to ensure that they meet public expectation by ensuring that steady power supply is available for domestic and commercial use in the country.

China, My Experiences And Lessons For Nigeria FTER visiting China for six times in various years that took A me to various Chinese cities — Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Ningbo and Hangzhou — my prior perception of the country before the visits changed completely. Before my visits to China that commenced in 2006, I was made to believe some wrongful notions by the Western media and some other sources, which showcased China as a dreaded communist state, hostile to foreigners and offering a very poor living standard to her citizenry. I was also made to believe that there is no freedom in China and with such a preconceived notion, however wrong they were, I was extremely cautious and nervous during my first visit.

As soon as I landed in China and passed through the Immigration and Customs and headed into the cities, the high level of infrastructural development I witnessed in these cities shocked me. So, instantly, all the preconceived notions about China failed to convince further against the visible evidences that I was able to experience in person. The airport is massive and ultramodern; the highways and many of their roads were about eight to 10 lanes with horticultural decorations on both sides and in-between, in addition to streetlights and traffic control lights at every junction. The cities are adorned with numerous skyscrapers, many of them serving as resident towers and are called “Gardens” by the locals that live in them.

The Chinese housing units are all well equipped with air conditioners, cooking gas, furniture, constant electricity supply and with every other living facility and yet they are so inexpensive.

The nation of China is so accommodating that they have facilities for all class of people to exercise their basic human rights to movement. While the rich can fly with airplanes, the less privileged Chinese would make the same trip comfortably by train or metro lines at very affordable costs.

All over China, there are underground trains here and there, and on the land, so many heavily subsidised buses, light rails, well organised cabs (taxis) and some locals assisting with tricycles and motorbikes, making sure that the movement of people and goods are done with ease.

When it comes to food, the Chinese works so hard to make sure that food or edible agricultural products are supplied in sufficient quantities and inexpensive.

To me, if there is any nation of the world that has bridged the wide gap between the poor and the rich, it is China. The local Chinese people are very hardworking people, friendly, welcoming, mostly smiling to foreigners they meet and treat foreigners with great deal of respect. On some occasions in Beijing, I boarded a bus and the seats were fully occupied and so I had to

I dream the day my dear country Nigeria will rise to the occasion and follow the footsteps of the Chinese and make hunger a thing of the past, provide affordable, effective and safe public transportation system, initiate a sound healthcare delivery to all, make housing affordable, unify all our people, close the gap between the rich and the poor, minimise corruption and set the feet of the nation on the platform of the top five economic nations of the world.

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By Charles Udeogaranya

stand with the roof hand held rope. But a Chinese local seated in the bus gave up his seat for me and I was very delighted at that.

In some occasions, the bus conductor asked a youngster to offer me a seat if all seats were occupied and willingly the youngster complied. When missing your way, Chinese people will do everything possible to help you find your way even though in most cases, language barriers do not help matters.

The Chinese people likes going out in the evening in big company of families and friends or colleagues to restaurants, where they wine and dine, conversing in a very vociferous manner.

They seem to prefer Western clothing against Chinese traditional dresses and love to speak and hear English or French language.

When I visited the “Forbidden City’ right opposite the office of Mr. President or Chairman as it is called by the local Chinese in 2009 during the China – Africa Forum, I marveled at the length the Chinese government went to preserve this great cultural heritage. The Forbidden City happened to be where an Emperor ruled old China and common people were forbidden from entering the place. Therefore, it was called the Forbidden City. Not too far from there is also the Great Wall in Beijing, one of the wonders of the world. One can easily say that China has too many tour sites in all her Provinces and municipalities.

China has many big and great cities, but sometimes their cultural leaning varies from city to city. Shanghai is the most sig-

Jonathan

nificant when it comes to this. Shanghai city is well respected and Shanghai can be regarded as the Most westernised Chinese City. There are more people interested in foreign affairs in Shanghai than any other Chinese city. Shanghai has many westernised Hotels, Nite-Clubs, Restaurants, Shopping malls and from my observation, Shanghai has many European and American citizens as residents or frequent visitors due to high volume of multinational companies that are domiciled in Shanghai city.

While I admire Shanghai City, I can never forgo the delicious taste of Beijing roasted duck, or the availability of goods in the great merchant city of Guangzhou, or the great technological products made in Shenzhen, neither would I forego the heavy duty equipment products of Ningbo City nor the serenity of Hangzhou City. These unique and specialisations of various Chinese cities and the ability of the Chinese people to integrate their differences into a unified national outlook, speak volume of a country that has turned their differences into a national asset rather than liabilities, where all the people welcomes a foreigner with great hand of hospitality, friendliness and warm reception. .Udeogaranya is the secretary, Goods Made in China Importers Association (GMIA).

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

46 YourMoney

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535

Heineken’s ‘Race To The Final’ Winners Recount Experience At Wembley UCL Finals

By Henry Otalor AR beyond financial gains, the goal of every Ftionship marketer today, is to build a sustainable relawith its consumers. To this end, brands embark on different initiatives to engage as well as build an emotional connection with their audience, which ultimately leads to an enduring relationship. Gone are the days when focus was more on a product and its features. A closer look at contemporary trends suggests that businesses have to move beyond basic benefits provided by their products and services.

Marketers have come to realise that understanding and focusing more on how consumers “experience” their brands is critical for developing effective strategies. A brand must offer its consumers that unique experience in every interaction. The more compelling the experience, the faster brand loyalty is built. Brand loyalty comes with tremendous rewards for a company. More than at any point in the history of mankind, brands all over the world today are in fierce warfare to gain the hearts of consumers. But only few brands have been able to provide that desirable experience and connection with their consumers. These brands have gone on to dominate the category in which they operate.

One of such brands that have been quite exemplary in building great relationships with consumers is Heineken. Regarded as the world’s most international premium beer brand, Heineken has been able to provide consumers with wonderful experiences across the world.

The brand is a major sponsor of sporting events across the world. It is a major sponsor of the world’s most-watched annual sporting event, the UEFA Champions’ League.

Recently, Bayern Munich took on their fellow Bundesliga counterpart, Borrusia Dortmund at the 2013 UEFA Champions League finals in Wembley stadium. It was estimated that the finals attracted hundreds of millions of fans across the globe. The match was aired in more than 200 countries to an estimated global average audience of 150 million and a projected global unique reach of over 360 million viewers. The final attracted a peak of 23.78 million (average 22.5 million) viewers in Germany, a record for a UEFA Champions League fixture in the country.

For the millions who desired to watch the match live at Wembley, it was a herculean task getting match tickets. For those that eventually saw the match live at Wembley, it was an awesome experience for them. Match tickets were available in four price categories: £330, £230, £140, and £60, but due to the high demand for tickets, allocation was determined by a lottery.

The two finalists were allocated 25,000 tickets each. Borussia Dortmund received 502,567 requests for tickets, while there were approximately 250,000 orders for tickets from members of Bayern Munich. Both clubs used raffle draws as the means of awarding tickets to fans.

In spite of the difficulties, Heineken made sure it gave some lucky consumers an all-expense paid opportunity to watch the finals live at Wembley stadium in England. Here in Nigeria, five lucky fans got the opportunity of a lifetime when they were taken on an all-expense paid trip to watch the finals in Wembley, courtesy of Heineken.

The five lucky Nigerians had emerged from the Heineken “Race to the Final” contest where 350 consumers showed their skills, wit, and inventiveness to win tickets and join thousands of other privileged football fans that saw the match live in Wembley. The fans were invited for this once in a lifetime race that started from the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. At the end of the day, only first five contestants were able to solve riddles, overcome obstacles and complete the race and thus won tickets to the Final.

The mechanics of the challenge was designed not only to choose winners, but also to bring out the “Man of the World” in every participant in relation to the premium brand, Heineken.

Recounting his experience in Wembley recently, Mayowa George Opayemi, a 31-year-old insurance professional, said the trip to Wembley was still a dream. “The Wembley experience was absolutely fantastic. We were treated to a worldclass experience. The reception of our host, Heineken, was unbelievable. It was simply out of this world. I got more than I anticipated with the whole gesture. I have never travelled out of Nigeria before this trip and this unique experience is a pointer that better things are in stock for me.

“Before I left for the final in Wembley with five other lucky winners of the ‘Race to the final’ competition, I realised that my status has improved; especially in my family and among my friends. Since I resumed work, my colleagues have been calling me ‘the lucky chap’ and I can only thank God and the brand, Heineken, for making us to live our dream.

Heineken has indeed made us fulfilled with this once-in-a-life-time trip to Wembley,” he said.

Mayowa also pointed out that, “on the day of the final, I enjoyed every bit of the game.

Although, I wished Borrusia Dortmund won, one cannot take anything away from the eventual winners, Bayern Munich. They are deserved winners. However, this gesture by Nigerian Breweries has proven to me that dreams come true if one can only believe in oneself and stick to it. Never in my wildest

Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Jacqueline Van Faasen (left); one of the five winners of the Heineken ‘Race to the Final’ Challenge, Diana Nwajiaku-Smart; and Brand Manager, Heineken, Kehinde Kadiri at the Heineken’s champions planet...recently. dream would I have believed that I would have gone to London in style and glamour. Now I can aver that if you want something so bad, you can achieve it. Heineken was true to its brand promise and we all will be eternally grateful for the trip to see the live final match of the UCL,” he enthused.

Gbire Boyo, a surveyor was one of the lucky winners; he was also at Wembley to see the finals. He was visibly brimming with pure excitement and ecstasy after the trip back from London. “I am still speechless and thankful to God and Heineken, the organisers of this wonderful trip to Wembley. The Wembley experience was top-notch because we were given a five star treatment. We were chauffeurdriven and given VIP treatment all the way to

Reforms, Nomination Of New APCON Head To Dominate AAAN Congress HE stage is now set for the 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Congress of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), where advertising practitioners are expected to deliberate on very salient issues that will shape the future of the industry in Nigeria.

According to sources from AAAN secretariat, the agenda for deliberations at the congress will include strategic issues like discussions on the current Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) reforms that have created some rancor in different quarters within the industry, as well as the nomination of a representative into the board APCON that would be submitted to government.

Previously, the AAAN nominee goes on to become or retain the position of APCON Chairman. However, some industry observers believe this year’s process of nomination might not be as seamless as

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previous ones.

The AGM/Congress is slated to hold from the July 27 to 30, this year, at Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The AGM/Congress, which coincides with the 40th anniversary celebration of the association, will also bring to front burner the pitch fee issue that has been received with cold hands by most advertisers.

Other concerns for discussions will include training and manpower development of members.

At a recent media briefing to announce plans for the Abeokuta congress, Mrs. Bunmi Oke, the 17th president of the AAAN and the second female president in the history of the association promised that “the AAAN Executive Board will continue to keep its door open to dialogue with all the sectoral groups in arriving at a mutual understanding of industry issues. We will strive to forge ahead with inter-sectoral harmony, while championing uni-

ty and togetherness amongst all industry players.”

As regards pitch fee, she said that the battle was far from being over as some advertisers reneged on paying the fee. She said: “It is sad to note that some advertisers reneged on the payment of pitch fees to our members who participated in various pitches at different levels.

AAAN President, Bunmi Oke.

After a letter from our association, some of the concerned advertisers honoured the pitch fee policy and agreed to pay the agencies that lost out in the pitch process. Some new clients are still finding it challenging to comply with the payment of pitch fees which is the proper global business practice in our line of business.”

the day of the final in Wembley. We did not encounter any difficulty during our entire stay in London. The food was excellent and the shopping spree was totally unbelievable, he recalled.

It would be recalled that shortly before the departure of the five lucky winners, Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Jacqueline van Faassen revealed that the “Race to the Final” challenge was to reward consumers who have displayed inspiring and imaginative character to earn them the tickets to the UEFA Champions League Final in Wembley, London.

“Heineken invited open minded Nigerian UCL fans to take part in a race to win five tickets to UEFA Champions League Final in Wembley as a way of interacting and rewarding their loyalty to the brand,” he said.

2013 Cannes Lions Entries Reach Record Level RECORD 35,765 entries like Creative Effectiveness, PR A from 92 countries have and Branded Entertainment been submitted to the Cannes Lions 60th International Festival of Creativity, the largest and most prestigious global international annual awards for creative advertising and communications.

For a fifth year in a row, entries have increased at a steady rate with this year seeing an overall growth of four per cent across 16 different awards categories: Branded Content and Entertainment, Creative Effectiveness, Cyber, Design, Direct, Film, Film Craft, Media, Mobile, Outdoor, PR, Press, Promo and Activation, Radio, Titanium and Integrated, and the new Innovation Lions categories.

“As the industry continues to evolve, Cannes Lions entries evolve with it, with work coming from more countries than ever, and the newer categories

showing significant growth,” CEO of Cannes Lions, Philip Thomas said.

He added: “Sixty years ago, 187 films were shipped to Venice to be judged by the first jury, and it’s extraordinary to think that in 2013 more than 300 jury members will judge nearly 36,000 pieces of work. But one thing has remained the same over the years: the winners will represent the best of the best, and show the way forward for creativity in our industry.”

He noted that all entries could be viewed in the Palais des Festivals in Cannes during the Festival week. Also, for the first time ever, delegates can attend live judging sessions of the new Innovation Lions category where shortlisted entrants will present to the jury panel.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

BRANDNEWS Primeau Filter Debuts To Offer Water Solution EVELATION Water Technology Inc, an American-based company has introduced its portable water filter into the Nigerian market.

The primary objective of this technology is to help people get safe water in a consistent and affordable manner. It was launched by the Nigerian franchise owners, Revelations Water Technologies Nigeria Limited at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, recently.

Speaking at the event, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Ron Moser emphasised that there is nothing more important than the business of life, adding that water is about the most crucial component of life.

“There is not much anyone can do without water, yet millions of people all over the world do not have access to safe drinking water. Some who have access do not consistently enjoy safe drinking water,” he said.

Primeau, the filter water has 11 stages of filtration using the most advanced form of nano-technology. Water filtered through these 11 stages is guaranteed safe to drink as the filter removes taste and odour as well as kills 99.99 per cent of bacteria and other micro-organisms which can cause typhoid, cholera and other water-borne diseases.

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BRANDINTELLIGENCE Heritage Bank, Customs Partner Towards Improved Revenue HE Nigerian Customs T Service (NCS) has appointed Heritage Bank as a designated Customs Duty Collecting Bank in a move designed to further strengthen the Services’ renewed drive for improved revenue generation.

The partnership is sequel to a signed agreement between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Heritage Bank Management in Abuja, the nation’s capital recently.

Commenting on the appointment, Heritage Bank’s Executive Director, Niyi Adeseun, promised a revolution in duty collection administration in the country. He noted that “Heritage Bank is established on the

premise of innovation, partnership and sustainability and this is a cardinal idea we bring to bear on all our engagements”.

Speaking further, he said: “As a timeless wealth partner that seeks to help our customers build, transfer and preserve their wealth, our recently signed partnership with the Nigerian Customs Service will not only deliver maximum value to the Customs Service but more importantly, revolutionise how duties, tolls and fees are collected in the country. The paying public will enjoy more ease, zero time wasting and absolute support that our highly technology driven environment and systems are built around.”

Glo African Voices Features Yityish Aynaw HIS week, Glo African Voices features an outstanding individual whose achievements are an inspiration to youths and the underprivileged. She is Ytyish Aynaw, an Israeli of Ethiopian origin who became the first from the Ethiopian-Israeli immigrant minority to be crowned Miss Israel in 2013.

As the first black Miss Israel winner, Aynaw was invited in March this year by US President Barack Obama and the White House administration to attend a gala with Israeli President, Shimon Peres. At the gala, Obama stated that he appreciated Israel crowning a black woman as Miss Israel.

Aynaw, 22, who became an army officer after graduation,

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Managing Director, Ogun-Oshun RBDA, Eng. Bayo Alayande (left); CEO, Revelations Water Technologies Inc, USA, Ron Moser; Prof. Oladapo Afolabi; Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu; Senior Adviser to the President, Prof. Dan Adebiyi; and Mrs. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, at the launch of Primeau Water Filter recently.

Women Empowerment: Ebonyi First Lady Commends Guinness HE First Lady of Ebonyi T State, Mrs. Josephine Elechi has praised the recent efforts made by Guinness Nigeria to empower women for entrepreneurship in the state.

She made the commendtion during the commissioning of the Guinness Distribution Centre which took place in Ohauku Community in Ebonyi State recently.

Mrs. Elechi, who attended the commissioning with other dignitaries, said that women play an integral role in socio-economic development of the state in spite of the numerous challenges that they face as a gender.

She said that women, espe-

cially in the rural and semiurban areas need empowerment in order to be able to contribute more meaningfully to the society. She opined that without proper empowerment, women would not be able to give their full potential in contributing to the society and economy.

According to her, the initiative ties in directly to the efforts that her office has been making in the area of women empowerment, noting that if other corporate bodies followed the example of Guinness Nigeria, the fortunes of women within the state would be better.

Fumman Restates Commitment To Quality

was working as a sales clerk when a friend entered her name into Israel’s beauty pageant. She has lived in Israel since she was 10, when she was orphaned and went to live with her grandparents.

A trailblazer, Aynaw confessed to having Obama, who was also raised by his grandmother, as her role model.

This week on Glo African Voices, Sara Sidner sits down with Yityish Aynaw as she tells her inspiring story of growing from an Ethiopian orphan to an Israeli beauty queen.

Viewers should tune in to Glo African Voices on CNN on Friday at 8.30 am, Saturday at 3.30 pm and Sundays at 9 am and 6.30 pm to watch the programme.

British Airways Bonds With PolioSurviving Children In Lagos

NE of Nigeria’s top O telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria, recently thrilled the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife, community with the easycliq seminar laced with entertainment, called Cliqfest.

During the two-day campus activation which took place recently, many students smiled home with several prizes including the grand prize of a car.

Speaking at the event, Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Idiare Atimomo made it known that Etisalat is committed to creating maximum opportunities

to give an all-round development to Nigerian undergraduates in order to help them achieve their potentials.

“Cliqfest is designed to connect with users of our youth package, ‘Easy Cliq’, a product that makes them stand out from the rest and become ‘cooler’ than their peers because of its unique selling points of fun, friendship and youthfulness. Etisalat Cliqfest is a combination of entertainment and knowledge acquisition that enlightens and encourages students to identify their personal strengths, while building their career in life,” Atimomo said.

Renovation Begins At Tantalizers LEADING indigenous fast A food company, Tantalizers Plc, is set to actualise its outlet renovation, business expansion strategy and completion of its Information Technology (IT) platform. This is the result of the strong financial support from one of its partners, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank.

According to the Managing

Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Bose Ayeni: ‘The money from IFC, which had taken an eight per cent equity stake in the company, would be used to renovate outlets and build new outlets as well as consolidate the deployment of the Tantalizers’ IT platform that links online all its stores throughout the country.”

CSR Awards Admits Promasidor, Shell, 29 Others RGANIZERS of Nigerian CSR Awards, TruContact Ltd, has O announced some of the firms who beat the May 2013 submission deadline for the seventh edition of The SERAs. These include: Promasidor, Shell, Olam, Total and Diamond Bank, amongst 27 others.

The Nigeria CSR Awards (THE SERAs), the biggest corporate awards in Nigeria and West Africa, promotes corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

According to Managing Partner of TruContact, Ken Egbas, “This year, we are increasing the stakes by promoting innovative thinking and strategies that explore the less trodden paths. We are looking for businesses that are creating value while differentiating their brand; and who are bold, deliberate and not afraid to stand apart in a bid to rewrite history.”

LOBAL aviation brand, British Airways proved that it was G committed to the care of its host community, Nigeria, when Mitsumi Wins IT Distribution it joined forces with Nigeria-Britain Association (NBA) to put smiles on the faces of polio-surviving children, during this year’s Children’s Day party.

The event, which was organised in collaboration with the Shuga Limb Foundation, took place at the Ikeja Saddle Club in Lagos.

Part of the celebration for the children included train rides, face painting, bouncy castles and several other games. There were also music and quiz competitions, after which prizes were given to the top three homes and schools. The Centre for Destitute Empowerment International picked the star prize, which included a cash reward, a brand new wheelchair, and an opportunity to sing in a real music studio.

Other items including mosquito nets were presented by the airline to the National Orthopedic Special School, Modupe Cole Child Care and Treatment Home, Atunda Olu School for Mentally and Physically-Challenged Children, and LG Igando Inclusive Unit School, among others.

UMMAN Agricultural Ltd, manufacturers of Fumman brands Fquality of fruit juice, has reaffirmed its commitment to top class for all its product range.

According to the Managing Director, Mr. Layi Adeyemi, the company is poised to sustain its pedigree as an organization that is strongly focused on the production of quality products.

Adeyemi, who stated this in a chat said, “we want our consumers to know us for the quality we offer”. He said that it is the vision of the company to see other organisations should trail behind Fumman, which is a quality-centric organisation.

He noted that right from the onset, Fumman brands were produced on the strong pillars of quality, which can never be compromised in any form.

“Quality has been built into the Fumman brand since inception and our competitors have started to follow the path we charted.

“The quality of our brands manifest in the emotional connection that translates into a unique experience for our consumers.

Our brands have appealing taste and they align with the yearnings of the consumers for natural taste of fruit juice. Quality has indeed become a compelling proposition that drives our resolve as a brand to enhance consumers’ satisfaction,” he added.

Etisalat’s Cliqfest Thrills OAU Students With Prizes

Company Award ITSUMI Distribution, one M of Africa’s largest IT & CE distributors, has won the ICT Distribution Company of the year award at the recently held 4th Annual Beacon of ICT Awards 2013.

The Beacon of ICT Awards, which is an annual industry wide celebration of deserving talents, contributions and commitments to the growth of the industry, was held at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria. And over 55,000 Nigerians voted for Mitsumi

in this year’s edition of Beacon of ICT Awards.

Speaking shortly after he received the award, the Managing Director, Mitsumi Distribution, Mitesh Shah said, “we are delighted that Nigerians have recognised us and we are proud to receive this honour. Mitsumi has a long history in the African market and we always demonstrate our ability to diversify our business model and add value to partners.”

Eva Soap Re-launch Buoys Its Market Share VA Soap has continued to grow in popularity among soap E consumers since its recent re-launch, market survey has revealed.

Corporate Sales Manager (Nigeria), British Airways, Adetutu Otuyalo (left, back row); Honorary Secretary, Nigeria-Britain Association (NBA), Diana Johnson; President, Shuga-Limb Foundation, Akinloye Tofowomo and Secretary, Shuga Limb Foundation, Maria Lara Tofowomo, with some polio-surviving children at this year’s Children’s Day celebration.

A market survey of major provision market in Lagos revealed an increase in display and patronage of the brand by soap consumers whose confidence in the product were re-enforced by the recent campaign of the brand owners, Evans Industries Limited.

The company embarked on a vigorous campaign running on TV, radio, outdoor (including BRT buses) and social media aiming at refreshing the brand image and further building consumer awareness around the brand while positioning it as ‘wholly Nigerian’ brand.

Speaking on the differentiating qualities of Eva Soap, Marketing Manager, Ekulo Group, Emeka Oramadike noted that Eva soap is made with no fillers and contains top quality perfume and mineral extracts which are body conditioners.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

48

NEWSINTERVIEW

‘I Have Never Taken A Bribe Or Committed Fraud In My Public Career’ Professor Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, is in the news again.

Despite his monumental achievements in office as VC, Oloyede, among others, has been accused of granting undue favour to his child and a relative.

Tracking down Prof. Oloyede was difficult because he is so busy. Apart from his sabbatical at the National Open University, he is also preoccupied with many national and international commitments. His role as a global player in the African education sector makes him hop from one airport to the other. He spoke with ABIODUN FAGBEMI in Ilorin on the barrage of allegations and criticisms against him.

HE Unilorin Stakeholders Group accused you T of manipulations in the appointment of your successor, Professor Abdul Ganiyu Ambali.

‘

Oloyede

PhD from Nigerian and foreign Universities.

This initiative was instrumental to the high ranking the University of Ilorin enjoyed in the recent assessment of human capacity of Nigerian universities with over 60 per cent of its staff having the highest academic qualification and the University being best staffed in Nigeria.

Right now, there are over 140 staff on such SDA and there is no academic staff member of the University that applies for Salary Supplementation SDA that is not given because it is automatic. The University also publishes its income and expenditure every week.

The various editions of the

‘

What is your response to this allegation?

The issue of succession remains contentious in many Nigerian universities with protests now well known to be the norm whenever any ViceChancellor is appointed by groups and interests that believe they lost out in the race. The hoopla about the appointment of Prof. Abdul Ganiyu Ambali, the current Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, is even insignificant compared with what obtains in some other universities.

Therefore, the issue of succession and appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor is considered undeserving of serious attention. This is because an outgoing Vice Chancellor is not a member of the Selection Board. I did not participate at any level in the selection process. I will only urge those who lost out to take solace in the fact that there is another day.

But that was not the only point raised by this group, how about the issue of the pension deduction leveled against you, which your successor seemed to have refunded?

What I did was what the law of the land and ICPC directed all universities to do. That is 7½ per cent of the gross pay to be deducted from staff salary and credited to the PFA’s account.

We were deducting 7½ per cent of basic salary before the clarification and we met with the unions and ensured that the PFAs credited the pension account of every staff member with full 7½ per cent.

It was this under-deduction that is being spread for repayment in a 24-month installment. Some people want their accounts to be credited in full and yet not pay. I did what was required of me and the new VC is in the position to defend the action credited to him, which the university has refuted.

What is your response to the allegation that you gave a multi-million naira scholarship to your son, Ayopo Oloyede, even before he became a staff of the University?

It is not true. Isn’t that even absurd to you? Let me state that there is no iota of truth in it as no University scholarship was given to Mr. Abdulkarim Ayopo Oloyede, the alleged beneficiary.

The Governing Council of the University, in May 2007 before I became Vice-Chancellor, decided to suspend the requirement that a newly recruited academic staff should spend a minimum of two years before he could go on study leave. Consequently, lecturers of the University were released on Staff Development Awards (SDA) scheme, which only consisted of paying their salaries, to pursue their PhDs anywhere in the world. About 100 staff have benefitted from this initiative with many of them having returned to the University with their

In Nigeria, any public officer who is upright must be ready for a fight with corrupt elements, unless you compromise with them. I never did and I have no regret. Mischievous spectators deserve the sympathy of upright actors.

newsletter, Unilorin Bulletin, which are also on our website, reveal the names of lecturers awarded scholarships and how much each is receiving. You can’t find Mr. Oloyede’s name there. The gentleman is enjoying a competitive scholarship, which has nothing to do with the University. PTDF scholarship is awarded independent of whether or not the beneficiary is a University worker. In other words, the University has no role in the PTDF scholarship, which is open to all Nigerians.

Besides, he designed, developed, donated and installed the transmitter for the University radio station (Unilorin 89.3 FM) when the test transmission began in 2009. It was this same transmitter that was being used before the University commissioned the bigger one two years later. The young man did not request and was not offered anything as a result of my well-known strict posture as his father.

What I am saying is that the University did not pay a kobo for the supply and installation of the transmitter, which the NBC applauded on visit. It was the Department of Telecommunication Science of the University that sought him to join the system because of his acknowledged expertise. He was ranked second out of the four candidates that were recommended and subsequently appointed as lecturers. The issue of applying for an award before employment is a figment of someone’s imagination, which could not even be countenanced as remotely possible.

The University attracts scholarships such as that of TET Fund for other academic staff of the University irrespective of the length of service of such academic staff. In his own case, this is not even applicable since he did not apply for any University scholarship and none was given. He is on SDA, which is given to every member of academic staff who applies.

I think the accusation by a group of mischiefmakers hiding under anonymity to commit slander is a miscalculated attempt to tarnish my image. It fails because facts are sacred. This faceless group (though I know them) are jesters.

Let me add more, it was even rumoured that I have a school in Ghana and a mistress. The truth is that I have never taken a bribe or committed any fraud in my public career. Where would I get the money from? I have only one house (my residence) in Ilorin, but the rumour is that I have houses in Ilorin. It is a product of sick minds. I have no pin outside Nigeria and I have never committed adultery in my life. I choose to have a wife when I am permitted to have up to four. What then do I need a mistress for? It is a mischievous campaign of a group destined for perdition. I must however admit that I enjoy the pseudo-drama. I expect an intelligent attack not this joke. In Nigeria, any public officer who is upright must be ready for a fight with corrupt elements, unless you compromise with them. I never did and I have no regret. Mischievous spectators deserve the sympathy of upright actors.

But there was the case of one Dr (Mrs) Odumosu, claimed to be your daughter who was allegedly employed on your influence rather than on merits?

You see, when the lady was being interviewed, I asked to be excused of the interview session because I shared a distant relationship with her mother. As ignorance is a misfortune, this faceless group said the lady is my daughter.

She is instead a daughter of a prominent Oloyede in the banking industry in Ilorin. His own Oloyede is not from Abeokuta, but just because I opted to go out of the interview panel and the “discovery” that the lady’s maiden name is “Oloyede”, it was assumed by those who cry wolf, where there is none that she is my daughter. The Oloyede she bears is a sheer coincidence as her father is not even from the same state as myself. The second Oloyede is the son of a former Vice-Chancellor from Offa in Kwara State (Prof. O. B. Oloyede) who is not in any way related to my own Oloyede from Abeokuta.

TheGuardian

Saturday, June 15, 2013 49

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Abubakar

Four undergraduates of University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state allegedly killed in Aluu community last year by some people who tagged them armed robbers

Decadence, Criminal Tendencies Take Hold, Amidst Rising Cases Of Homicide

By Godwin Ijediogor ENULTIMATE Friday, June 7, the Supreme P Court, in a judgment in Abuja, affirmed the life sentence verdict on dismissed naval officer, Lt. Felix Odunlami, formerly at NNS Beecroft in Apapa, Lagos by the lower courts for the July 25, 2005 killing of Peter Edeh who was a staff of WAHUM Group of Companies in Ikeja, Lagos.

Odunlami had approached the apex court to appeal the sentence passed on him by the Court of Appeal in Lagos, as well as his dismissal by a General Court Martial.

Odunlami was travelling from the Lagos State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja to Apapa on the fateful day when at the Allen Avenue Roundabout, also in Ikeja, Edeh who was riding a motorcycle hit his car from behind.

Edeh had after the accident reportedly knelt down to beg Odunlami for forgiveness, but the naval officer ignored his plea, drew his service pistol and shot him in the mouth. Edeh died instantly.

The naval officer managed to escaped being lynched following the intervention of the police.

He was, however, arraigned before a General Court Martial on January 27, 2006 on three counts of manslaughter, loss of service item, for not being able to convincingly account for four rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and conduct to the prejudice of service discipline, contrary to and punishable under Sections 68(1)(a), 103(i) AFA 105 and 106 of the Armed Forces Act Cap A 20 Laws of Nigeria.

At the conclusion of his trial in July 2006, the Court Martial convicted him on counts one and two, and sentenced him to life imprisonment for manslaughter and equally dismissed him from service on count two.

Odunlami approached the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which on January 31, 2011 upheld the decision and dismissed his appeal.

Akolade Arowolo, an unemployed graduate, is currently standing trial for allegedly stabbing his wife and mother of his child, Titlayo, to death on June 24, last year at their at Akinseyinde Street, Isolo, Lagos residence.

The then spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Samuel Jinadu, said Arowolo would be taken to a psychiatric hospital for examination to ascertain his mental state.

Arowolo denies killing his wife, claiming he even struggled to collect the knife from her so that she would not kill herself, as she threatened to. He untied a bandage wrapped around his right hand and showed his stomach to drive

home his point when he was paraded by the police.

“She even injured me as I tried to collect the knife from her. Please, talk to my lawyer. The investigation is going on and he will talk to you in due time. You are talking about my wife here and not any other person. I am undergoing medical check-up and I am not in the right mood to talk to anybody. Please, talk to my lawyer,” he said, weeping.

Trouble broke at Abatan area of Ogba, Lagos when a police officer identified as Segun Fabunmi, said to be the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogba Police Station, was reported to have shot into the crowd of protesters against government’s removal of fuel subsidy, killing one person and wounding four others.

The deceased was said to be at a newsstand with others reading newspapers when they were hit by the bullets.

Jinadu later confirmed his arrest and hand over to the state Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Yaba for thorough investigation.

Fabunmi, according to recent reports, has since been dismissed from service and is being prosecuted at a High Court in Lagos by the Office of the Public Defender for the offence.

One of the worst cases of extra-judicial murders by the police is the July 25, 2005 killing of six Igbo traders in Apo village near Abuja.

The victims were Ifeanyi Ozo, Chinedu Meniru, Isaac Ekene, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwokike and Tina Arebun, aged between 21 and 25, and now known as the ‘Apo Six’.

After the killing, policemen proceeded to bury their bodies in a bush in the same Apo District where the deceased had their shops.

However, one of their (deceased) colleagues who was in the bush at the time to answer the call of nature, saw the policemen and recognised the bodies they were getting ready to dump in the shallow graves and raised an alarm.

The killings sparked two days of riots in Abuja and the then Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tafa Balogun, was forced to set up a special investigation panel headed by Mike Okiro, a retired IGP on the matter.

The federal government also in August 2005 set up the Justice Goodluck Olasumbo Judicial Commission of Enquiry to examine all issues connected with the killings.

During the commission’s sittings, the other five officers and eight other police witnesses were emphatic that Danjuma ordered the

killings.

A police armourer who appeared before the commission, and a police photographer admitted that guns were planted on the corpses of the six deceased and pictures taken of them in the grounds of Garki Police Station to solidify the lies that they were killed during gun battles.

The Okiro panel also presented a 31-page report to the commission in which it indicted Danjuma and nine other officers of complicity.

The panel also stated that the Apo Six were not armed robbers as claimed by the police and that the locally-made pistols and other exhibits allegedly recovered from them were actually brought out to them on the instruction of Danjuma by the Garki Village Police Station armourer, Inspector Ishaya Nyaiwak.

The panel added in the report that the pistol and two unexpended cartridges were used to frame the deceased persons, noting that the ammunitions were items recovered by the police a week earlier at the Rita Lori Hotel located at Garki Village in Abuja.

The commission, in the course of its sittings, ordered the exhumation and post-mortem examination of the bodies of the deceased men to determine the cause of their death and as a further confirmation of the testimonies from witnesses.

The report of the autopsy confirmed that the Apo Six died of injuries due to “high velocity missile,” consistent with the AK 47 rifle.

The commission found the policemen guilty and affirmed that the robbery allegation the indicted policemen had tried to hang on the neck of their victims was false.

The President Olusegun Obasanjo administration accepted the report and issued a draft White Paper on it, with each of the families paid N3 million as compensation by the government, while the police apologised and provided ambulances for the bodies to be carried to their hometowns for proper re-burial.

Obasanjo assured in August 2005: “The full weight of the law will be brought to bear on all who are found to have been involved in the perpetration of this heinous crime.”

But eight years after, that promised appears to be a mirage as there is no justice yet for the Apo Six and their families are still wondering if their killers would ever be brought to justice.

The trial of the murderers – Danjuma Ibrahim, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP); Othman Abdulsalami (still at large), an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Corporals Nicholas Zachariah, Emmanuel Baba, Emmanuel

Acheneje and Sadiq Salami – has been on at a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, presided over by Justice Isaq Bello, since January 18, 2006 with no hope of justice in sight for the bereaved.

The trial has suffered several adjournments based on the antics and stalling of the accused who were unusually granted bail, an action that attracted public condemnation, especially given the fact that one of the principal suspects, Abdulsalami, who was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Garki Police Station at the time the crime was committed, escaped from police detention facility and remains at large.

“When Danjuma was released, I forgot everything about the case. The only way justice will be delivered is from God,” Elvis Ozor, younger brother of one of the deceased, told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) two years ago.

“A murder trial of this nature involving six innocent youths should not linger for four years.

This is one case that has exposed the poor administration of the nation’s criminal justice,” Amobi Nzelu, counsel to the slain men said two years ago.

Chris Uche (SAN), who is the prosecution counsel, noted that the trial was moving smoothly and speedily until the defence lawyers introduced the issue of bail.

An Abia State High Court not quite long ago sentenced Theophilus Ajakaiye, a banker, to death by hanging for killing his wife, Theodora, also a banker and mother of his two children, on October 12, 2009 at Azumini Ndoki in the Ukwa Judicial Division of Abia.

Justice T.U. Uzokwe said in his judgment: “Though the accused was not seen killing the deceased, I find that the accumulated circumstantial facts found proved that the accused indeed murdered his wife, Theodora Ajakaiye.

“Theophilus Ajakaiye, the sentence of this court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead and may the merciful Lord have mercy on your soul.”

Cynthia Osokogu, a postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University, Keffi and only daughter of retired Major-General Frank Osokogu, was on 21 July strangled in a hotel in Festac Town, Lagos after being allegedly tied to a bed with a chain by her murderers whom she met on the social media, Facebook.

The following day, one of the suspects, using an anonymous number, phoned the hotel to tell the staff to go into the room and pick up her

CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

50

COVER

Worrisome Rise In Cases Of Homicide Station, allegedly led by the DPO, Carol Afegbua.

Momodu was shot dead on May 27 and buried the next day by his killers even before his family could determine his whereabouts.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Eguavoen, told journalists that Momodu was an armed robber, adding that a gun, bullets, two mobile phones and a bag were found with him.

Momodu’s mother, Osas, not satisfied with that explanation and angered by the hurried burial, looked up to Governor Adams Oshiomhole for justice, who promised to set up an enquiry into the incident.

Afegbua and her orderly have been redeployed to pave way for proper investigation, according to the Police, but justice is still far off and being awaited.

The cases of homicide are not restricted to extrajudicial killings and assassinations, but also domestic, as some suspects killed their relatives for sundry reasons.

Twenty-five-year-old Kamar Yusuf was arrested not long ago for killing his mother, Hafsat, and siblings at their family residence at Daladala area of Sabon Gusau, Zamfara State and is now being interrogatSix Igbo traders popularly known as “Apo Six” that were allegedly killed by some policemen in Apo village near ed by police detectives.

Abuja in 2005 Kamar, who was nabbed in Kaduna following a tip-off, was said to be aggrieved by the sharing of ty on the Internet thought they were going to be CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 commended, they were definitely wrong, as the his father’s inheritance among his mother and sibvideo went viral and attracted all-round condem- lings, as he had wanted to have what his father left body. behind all to himself.

The police, with the aid of the communications nation, not just in Nigeria, but also across the He had allegedly threatened to kill and actually world. network used, were able to identify the number attempted to do so on severally occasions in the Ugonna Obuzor, Lloyd Toku Mike, Tekenah of the girlfriend of one of the suspects after a Elkanah and Chiadika Biringa were lynched by a past. painstaking examination of the call log of the In Kwara State, 20-year-old Ibrahim Sanni Maimob on October 5, last year on the wild alleganumber to identify a consistent one.

Gunjo was arraigned before a magistrate’s court Through her, one of the suspects was arrested in tion that they were thieves or robbers even when Ilorin, the state capital, for allegedly killing his Anambra State who led them to the home of the no weapon were found on them. The police were father with a machete and was ordered remanded said to have watched on as the crime was being prime suspect in Festac Town. at Mandala Federal Prison, Ilorin by Magistrate J.O. In all, and quite unlike in the past and other cas- committed.

Michael.

Just recently, students of the University of Benin es, it took the police less than a month to unravel Ibrahim, from Woro Fulani Camp, near Kaiama in (Uniben) disrupted vehicular movements along the circumstances surrounding the murder.

Kaiama Council of the state, allegedly accused his major roads in Benin City, the Edo State capital, Some of the suspects are currently facing trial. father of being a drunkard, saying his father was in protest against the killing of Ibrahim If those who posted the video of the brutal bringing shame to the family.

Momodu, said to be a final year student of the killing of four students of the University of Port He had on March 31 allegedly waylaid his father Harcourt (Uniport) in Omuokiri-Aluu communi- institution by officers from the Ogidan Police

Homicide Is Product Of Frustration, Power Tussle, Says Akinsola

By Joseph Okoghenun CONSULTANT Developmental and A Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Esther Akinsola, said causes of homicide could be different from situation to situation, adding that frustration and power tussle in society could be majorly responsible for the rising phenomenon.

“We can’t attribute homicide to blanket cause,” she said, adding: “We have to analyse each homicide situation, especially the people that are involved.

“Where we have homicide between husband and wife, for instance, the cause may be different from what obtains in a situation where a passer-by is killed.

“We can look at frustration and power tussle in the case of homicide between husband and wife. If the wife accuses the husband of infidelity and the husband is not taking it lightly, that could result into power tussle causative.

“If it is the other way round, we look at frustration and dehumisation. When some men sense that their wives are not faithful to them, they feel their power has been challenged and their ego injured.

“On the basis of that, they can do anything. They may not plan specifically to take her life at the onset, but they can injure her to the extent that the woman would die in the process.

“One thing we have to know is that some men have blotted ego in this part of the world and do not want anything to hurt that ego.”

On the case of the (former) naval officer who killed a motorcyclist who hit his car, she said he could be a victim of the kind of training he had.

“Remember that people in the force are trained to kill. Because they have killed in the past, they can always kill; something can always aggravate that killing instinct.

“We do not know the way the naval officer got his car, and the value he attached to the car might be the thing that aggravated his killing instinct at that instance. The truth is that frustration and anger work hand in

Akinsola hand.

“I think the basic reason for most of the homicide cases in Nigeria is frustration arising from different sources.”

For the naval officer, she averred that frustration arising from the value he attached to his car might have been the cause, as he might have thought of how to get money from the motorcyclist to repair or replace the car; hence the summary death sentence he ‘pronounced’ on his victim. Besides, she noted that security forces have the mentality that people are out there to try their power.

“We also blame power tussle between harmless protesters and armed police officers for homicide resulting from protests.

Generally, policemen do not like protests.

Police rule says use rubber bullets to disperse protesters, but the Nigerian policemen prefer using live bullets on protesters.

“I think there is a conflict between ordinary citizens and policemen who are supposed to protect them.

“As I said earlier, homicide and extra-judicial killings could be power-driven, like in

the case of political assassination. In the cases of the unresolved murders we have, power tussle is always an issue.”

The clinical psychologist said frustration is not a trait traceable to the unemployed only, adding that society has become so frustrating to everyone that some people don’t realise when they go to the extreme.

Akinsola lamented that frustration is a common denominator in the Nigerian psyche today, and that those who murder others act out of control at that moment.

The psychology teacher, however, acknowledged that sometimes, in family homicide, one needs to look beyond frustration and power tussle as causative factors by examining past traumatic conditions.

“For children that murder their parents, they need psychological attention. Maybe when they were growing up, they went through trauma in the hands of their parents. Something in their adult life must have brought to the fore the trauma in their childhood life.

“Sibling rivalry can make a brother to kill his brother. When it comes to family homicide, we have to dig deeper on the way the family members were brought up; whether there was family harmony or disharmony at the onset.”

Contrary to popular belief, she said: “In psychology, we say that some traits lie dormant when there are no favourable environment to bring them to the fore. It is not that we did not have the disposition for homicide in the past; everybody feels big in his or her position. It is the Nigeria mentality.

“The only difference is that some people are humble enough in displaying their power to put a human face into it.”

On the solution to homicide, she recommended societal sensitisation to let people know that they are not the only ones facing frustration, as everybody is susceptible to it.

She also called for the re-orientation of security operatives on the need for self-control, adding: “Those who train policemen need to impress on them that the ordinary citizens are harmless and they should do everything in their power to protect, not to kill them.

on his (father’s) way to the farm and butchered him in the presence of his younger brother who was unable to rescue their father, according to the Police First Information Report (FIR).

Olanrewaju Kayode-Aremu,18, was recently arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for stabbing his 46-year-old father, Victor, to death.

On the one hand, he said killing his father was a mistake, but on the other said he did not regret his action, saying he decided to stab him to death on May 15, this year at their home located at Langbasa in Ajah area when he could not lay his hands on poison or a gun.

He was reported to be a former Geology student of the University of Ilorin who was booted out over poor performance. He is now being detained at the state Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

“My father forced me to go to the school and after I failed, the school asked me to leave. I started working with my father afterwards and I used to follow him to work. He did not want to send me to school anymore,” he told a newspaper.

He added: “On that day that I killed my father, I was ill and I told my parents but they ignored me. I do not really know what came over me.

“I took a knife and followed my father upstairs and stabbed him repeatedly. He ran downstairs and I chased him downstairs and stabbed him once more. My mother saw me when I stabbed him to death, but she did nothing.”

He claimed that his father’s marrying a second wife strained their relationship and he had sent him out of the house on some occasions and relatives did nothing when he reported the incidents to them.

Olanrewaju disclosed that he killed his father thinking that he would not be arrested due to his young age and that the the murder would be treated as a family affair.

The list is endless and keeps rising, making many Nigerians and experts to wonder what has become of moral, human feeling and love for one another, with some proffering solutions on the way out.

‘People Take Actions They Later Regret’

By Laolu Adeyemi TO Ade Ajakaye, a retired Commissioner of Police, it is wrong for any security agent to kill civilians, more so as they sometimes regret their action afterwards.

“It is difficult for an outsider to understand this, but sometimes people’s actions could be better x-rayed through critical examination of mind.

“I strongly believe no reasonable human being would kill his fellow being without something wrong. It is difficult to judge anybody for any action without critical examination of mind,” he said.

While not condoning any such acts by any security agent or police, the former police chief noted that perpetrators should be properly investigated before concluding on the next line of action.

“The reason for killing a fellow human being may be criminal, stupid and even in the defence of law, but such fellow should be subjected to closer investigation before concluding on punishment to ascertain whether the policeman has a sound mind or not.

“As a matter of fact, government should always establish a parallel panel to investigate such cases for proper transparency,” he counseled.

When asked how rampant were cases of extra-judicial killings during his time in service, he said: “I can’t possibly compare my time with the current time, because the police force increases day by day. It is impossible to do any comparism because the population of the force has increased from what it used to be when I was in service.

“I don’t have much details about happenings in the police force at the moment; I only rely on the information available on the pages of newspapers.”

On what could be done to check the trend, Ajakaye, who has served in many capacities in the police, said government should improve the recruitment process into the force, saying the process should be made more rigorous.

“After selection of a few policemen with sound minds, government should also spend more Ajakaye on training them,” he stressed.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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Homicide: The Spiritual Angle

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya

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AYSMAN Ikwuegbu, Pastor, House of the Living Bread, Ogba, Lagos, and Team Leader, Kingdom Initiative International, an intercessory and missions’ coalition, first dissects the issue of the growing incidences of homicide from a spiritual point of view.

For him, nothing can be more germane than the biblical reference of “perilous times,” which the Holy Spirit led Paul to see and describe of the future human society in the book of Second Timothy chapter Three.

Ikwuegbu contends that the “perilous times” Paul, previously not a Christian but a lawyer, great philosopher and a Pharisee talked about, means “dangerous times, evil times, times of trouble,” and he went down to enumerate the points Paul mentioned, which he latches unto to offer explanations for what is currently going on.

He says that one of the major things is that men will be lovers of their own selves. “What that means is that people will be more fond of themselves and if you relate it to what we see these days, it engenders people to be selfish,” he said.

The pastor also attributes the phenomenon to covetousness. He explained that covetousness, which is derived from the Greek word, ‘philarguros’ means, ‘love of money’, and people would love money that they will do anything to get it.

“This is closely linked to the point that people will be lacking in natural affection. As such, they will be callous and inhuman.

“When people are driven by money gains, they become inhuman, and in their desperation, they can do anything. They can vent their anger on their wives because of competitiveness they see around them, like their mates have built a house, their mates are occupying high offices in establishments, and they feel lost out in life. So, they take out their grievances or frustrations on people that are close,” he avers.

Traditional beliefs, Ikwuegbu opined, are part of the reasons relatives kill themselves. “A lot of times in Africa too, people tend to believe that either their wives are witches or husbands are wiz-

By Ajibola Amzat

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HE three major religions – Islam, Christianity and Traditional – practised in Nigeria, where the people are deeply religious, abhor violence.

Yet, the rate of homicide in the country is on the increase, making observers to wonder what is actually wrong and whether religion is failing to arrest the demons in the Nigerian society or the forces of darkness are taking hold of society.

But the Archbishop of Lagos, Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, exonerates the church, saying: “We can’t blame the church because the church plays its own role. We guide as much as possible. It is just that some people are not being faithful to the tenets of their faith.”

According to Martins, one must also recognise that the people who come to church live in cultural context within a country that also promotes different kinds of values.

“So, sometimes you find a contradiction between what you hear in the church and what is being practised in the larger society, which you belong.

“But we are saying that the sociocultural influence also affects the behaviour of people. People who perpetrate violence are not being faithful to the truth preached in the church.”

Olarewaju... allegedly killed his father

ards. I agree they exist but most times, people become sentimental or they get one false prophecy to cover up their action.”

Blood sacrifice is another perspective that can lead one to kill even a relative. It means “shedding of blood for a purpose.” He explains the reason thus: “A man may want money and join a fraternity or a group and they will demand blood sacrifice. If you are in that group and have sworn that you will never leave them, you have taken some initiations and oaths binding on you, most times if you fail in this, it will carry death penalty. And you know naturally, nobody wants to die and so those who have done it before will tell you it doesn’t matter.

“For instance, if you use your wife for blood sacrifice, you marry another wife. If you use your mother, you give her a befitting burial. If you lose a son, you get another one. So they have many ways to explain it that you lose natural affection by allowing another spirit from outside to overwhelm that person. When that happens, you will be taking actions that are abominable.”

“Frustration arising from social pressures also pitches relatives against one another, leading them to react irrationally. For instance, many parents are career men and women who go in search of money to the detriment of the spiritual life of their children.

“We are looking for schools to send our children and we pay N1 million and we are okay. You see that parents even become frustrated with the children when they wander off the right path.

They want them to marry and leave the home because the parents themselves refused to be guided by what is right.”

Globalisation, he points to, impacts on this. “Globalisation is one of the challenges we are facing. Globalisation without checks has become one of the problems. They are being distracted by many things, the Internet, phone. They see so many things everywhere. In the past, it was easier but right now, they see corrupting everywhere. If young people like the American lifestyle and they think that’s how it should be done, they go for it. Even in our politics, we refer to America in what we do. So our children

Homicide Is A Sign Of End-Time, Say Clerics He however added that the church still has the responsibility to continue helping people recognise what is right and what is wrong, saying: “One cannot have a good relationship with God if you do not have a good relationship with your neighbor.”

To the prophetess of a Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Idimu District, Ikotun Branch in Lagos, the growing rate of violence in society is a sign of endtime.

“The scripture has alerted us to the incident of this social crisis. In the end, children will kill parents, parents will molest children, neighbour will sell neighbour to ritual killers and government will rise up against government.

“It is all part of the doom that the Bible has predicted. So, the true Christians are not surprised, as not all who call the name of God are indeed believers,” she stressed.

Ikwuegbu think everything there is good and if they see things coming from there, they may be lured into believing that it is the right thing.”

Stemming the tide, he says, calls for seriousness on the part of parents in the upbringing of children. “The home is key. The home is the foundation of good life. Family relationship is the strongest foundation.

‘We Must Educate Nigerians On The Sanctity Of Human Life’ Human rights activist and former Kaduna branch Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Festus Okoye, spoke on the spate of extra-judicial killings in the country and the way forward.

From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief HAT could responsible for the W high rate of extra-judicial killings?

Varied and variegated reasons accounts for the high incidents of extra-judicial killings and executions in Nigeria.

There are executions by security agents, especially the police and there are executions by the military Okoye that have been drafted to assist civil authorities as a result of the challenge of insurgency, militancy and um we place on human life and reflect the values and or lack of it in kidnappings across the country.

There are cases of extra-judicial the Nigerian society. killings by vigilante groups. We also How were your experiences like as a have cases of extra-judicial execu- rights activist and a lawyer, in hantions by private individuals and mili- dling issues related to extra-judicial tias kept by powerful individuals killings?

Reported cases of extra-judicial exeand politicians.

A number of reported cases of cutions in Kaduna State suffer from extra-judicial executions are as a institutional cover up and lack of result of lack of faith in the judicial seriousness. Till today, the cases of the extra-judicial killings in Kaduna system and the security agencies.

While the ordinary people do not have been buried in rubble of files.

The execution and burial of 19 sustrust the police and prefer to mete out instant justice on suspects, the pects by the police at the Bachama police on the other hand prefer to Road Cemetery in Kaduna on carry out extra-judicial executions October 18, 2004 has not been rather than rely on the courts that addressed. may likely waste their time before a The execution of over 10 suspects at Garun Kurama in Kaduna State on conviction is secured.

Moreover, the rise in crime and July 18, 2004 has not been criminality makes people impatient addressed.

The extra-judicial killing of one with the system and leads to high Elisha Anjorin, a printer in Kaduna level of impunity.

Impunity also thrives because the on October 13, last year has not been institutional mechanisms for addressed. accountability are weak and sanc- Letters written to police authorities tions are meted out to transgressors on the issues were responded to and the police authorities promised to in an opaque manner.

The high incidents of extra-judicial carry out thorough investigation executions also underlie the premi- and the story ended there.

So, the cases gather dust, while relatives of the victims leave things in the hands of God. However, they bid their time and source their own victims and it becomes a vicious circle.

What do you think could be done to curb the trend?

Police officers and other security agencies will persist in extra-judicial executions unless they know that their excesses will not be condoned and that anyone that engages in extrajudicial execution will be apprehended and prosecuted.

People believe that they can kill at will and nothing will happen because law enforcement institutions are weak. They also believe that the processes and procedures of the judiciary are weak and slow.

We must, therefore strengthen our institutions if we are to be seen to care about human life, the rule of law and due process.

The police authorities must also be seen to care about the lives of the people they are paid to protect. When you run to the police for protection and you become a victim, others will seek for protection elsewhere.

We must also educate Nigerians on the sanctity of human life and the virtues of the rule of law and due process.

More fundamentally, government must make the provision of the welfare and protection of the security of the people as its primary purpose.

People will only have fidelity to the government and the security forces when they are sure that they will be secured in their homes and businesses.

Are you satisfied with the way and manner government is handling cases of extra-judicial executions?

The Nigerian government has been touchy, dodgy and defensive in relation to reported cases of extra-judicial executions.

The government is quick to deny cases of extra-judicial executions, rather than making efforts to ascertain the veracity of cases of extra-judicial executions.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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COVER

Curbing Extra-Judicial Killings

Manko

Nwanguma

“EXTRAJUDICIAL killing in the police remains a shocking common occurrence,” Eric Guttschuss, Human Rights Watch researcher for Nigeria, was quoted in a BBC report in May 2009, four years after the June 7 and 8, 2005 cold-blooded murder of five young male traders and a female student (the Apo six) by the police in Abuja. Eight years after this most infamous case of extrajudicial killing in Nigeria’s history, the criminal trial of the identified killer-police officers has gone nowhere. Families of the victims appear to have given up hope for justice, especially after the prime suspect was granted bail in 2006 by the trial Judge, Justice Isyaku Bello, on dubious health grounds. Othman Abdulsalam, the then DPO of Garki Police Station where they were killed, also ‘escaped’ from police custody and has remained at large till date. The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, in his report, said: “If the Apo 6 were an isolated incident, it would be a tragedy and a case of a few bad apples within the police force. “Unfortunately, many of the ingredients – the false labelling of people as armed robbers, the shooting, the fraudulent placement of weapons, the attempted extortion of the victims’ families, the contempt for post-mortem procedures, the falsified death certificates, and the flight of an accused senior police officer – are all too familiar occurrences.” In 2009, Amnesty International (AI) reported that hundreds are killed each year by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), or disappear while in custody, and few police officers are held accountable.

In most cases, there is no investigation into the deaths in custody, extrajudicial executions or enforced disappearances.

By Okechukwu Nwanguma Police Hierarchy Acknowledges The Problems IGHT years after the Apo 6 killing, not a great deal has changed. In January this year, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, then acting IGP, admitted publicly that the “Police is corrupt and it commits extrajudicial killings.”

Among others, he singled out the Special AntiRobbery Squads (SARS) as having “become killer teams engaging in deals for land speculators and debts collection…”

He warned: “As Police, we must take into cognizance, the fundamental human rights of every citizen, which must not be infringed upon, so as to gain the confidence of the public.”

In spite of the IGP’s oft-repeated sermons and admonition to officers, extrajudicial killings by police (and personnel of other law enforcement and security agencies) remain a routine and the list of unresolved cases continues to grow day after day.

Daily news and documented reports have been consistent in returning damning verdicts on the state of human rights performance by Nigerian governments since the return to civil rule in 1999, with every successive report singling out the Nigerian Police as the worse violator of human rights.

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Nasarawa State University by soldiers and policemen.

Owing to the buck-passing on this killing between the police and the soldiers, NOPRIN called for a judicial panel of inquiry to unravel those responsible, so that they could be brought to account and the families of the victims adequately compensated.

In Retrospect, Founded Fears HE fears of the family are not unfounded, as the police have in many past instances employed some gimmicks to shield perpetrators from justice.

Back in 2006, another female DPO, then at Fegge Police Division in Onitsha, Anambra State tried to compound felony by covering up a police corporal, Daniel Ayuba, who shot dead a lady, Nkechi Obidigwe, at a police checkpoint somewhere along Zik’s Avenue in the town.

The truth later emerged when at the intervention of the then Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) at State CID in Awka, the state capital, an impartial investigation was carried out, following a petition by the family members and public outrage it generated, which led to the identification of the killer cop, who indeed, confessed during an orderly room trial to the crime.

The DPO had earlier denied that her men were responsible and claimed that it was members of the Movement for the Actualisation of a Sample Recent Cases Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) that shot N February this year, the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) expressed serious the girl. concern over the never-ending incidents of extra- Three officers at the checkpoint were fished judicial killings by law enforcement and security out, arrested and detained, while an autopsy revealled that a police bullet AK47 killed the agents in Nigeria. victim.

It condemned, in particular, the February 25 But the DPO continued to deny and even alleged gruesome murder of two students and attempted to intimidate the family until a balgrievous injury on four other students of listic examination confirmed that the bullet

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nonetheless underscores the comparative willingness by military authorities, as opposed to police authorities, to investigate and punish abuse and misconduct by their personnel, which is essential to deter and check impunity.

The then 70-year-old Agu was brutalised and rendered blind by an army officer, one Sgt Ogar attached to 82 Division of the Nigerian Army for ‘blocking his way.’

Today, the soldier is facing trial in an Enugu Not The Police Alone…

High Court after he was court-marshalled and T is not only the police that have been dismissed from service. engaged in this, as personnel of other uniformed services – the Army, Navy, Air Force and Judgment is due to be delivered on this case even paramilitary agencies – are also occasional- any moment the trial judge gives a date. ly involved in use of excessive force and extrajuA Cheering Departure From The Pattern Of dicial killings.

The 2011 reprisal attack in which soldiers from Stalling?

ECENT media reports indicate that Olusegun 242 Battalion in Ibereko, along Lagos-Badagry Fabunmi, the DPO in charge of Pen Cinema Expressway, ambushed and murdered Saliu in Agege, Lagos, who shot one Ademola Samuel (CSP), the DPO of Badagry Police Division and his District Crime Officer (DCO) on Aderinto during the January last year fuel subtheir way to the barracks on a peace mission, is sidy protests has been dismissed from the police and facing prosecution in a Lagos High one recent example of a pattern of reprisal Court. killing by members of the armed forces.

Since this incident occurred about 15 months ago, NOPRIN had issued a number of public Culture Of Cover Up And Stalling… calls seeking from the police hierarchy and the UT it appears the culture of cover up of Police Service Commission (PSC) update on this crimes and stalling of prosecution is case without any response. entrenched more within the Nigeria Police If indeed, Fabunmi has been dismissed and than in other uniformed services. now facing prosecution for murder, that will be Comparing the above three cases (the Apo 6, the Benin and Onitsha killings) with similar cas- a cheering and welcome departure from the es in which personnel of the armed forces are pattern of stalling and indifference in the NPF involved in misconduct and abuse makes this in cases of serious violation such as this.

Usually, the police hierarchy would prolong obvious, the case of Lieutenant Felix ‘investigation’ and allow public attention to Olanrenwaju Odunlami being an example. shift. At best, the affected police officer would be transferred, making it difficult to locate The Will To Check Impunity LTHOUGH the case of one Okechukwu Agu, him/her in the system, and in the end, the inveswhich happened in 2009 in Enugu, did not tigating agencies would often give up.

It is curious that it took the PSC under Mr. result in death, but permanent disability, it

was from a police gun and the three officers were subjected to orderly room trial.

The particular officer that fired the shot later owned up, was charged for murder and remanded in Onitsha Prison.

The DPO was not made to face the legal consequences of her misconduct, but was immediately posted out of Fegge Police Station.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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In Nigeria Parry Osayande close to 15 months, just a few days to the end of its tenure, to decide on this serious violation during the commission’s plenary meeting held on April 3, this year in Abuja.

This failure by the PSC to discharge its constitutional mandate of enforcing discipline and accountability within the police accounts for the impunity that protects perpetrators.

It is encouraging that the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender is prosecuting Fabunmi at the Lagos High Court. It is hoped that this would not end up like the ‘Apo 6,’ in which the principal suspect ‘disappeared’ from police custody, and eight years after, not a single suspect has been effectively prosecuted and brought to account.

could easily be used by aggrieved citizens seeking redress for police misconduct, as well as using data emanating from such mechanisms in tracking police officials who are subjects of unusually high numbers of citizens’ complaints.

There is also the need to strengthen external oversight of the police. One of the principal external police oversight mechanisms is the PSC, which under the Constitution and the PSC Act of 2001 is an independent and impartial institution.

Waiting For Justice Or Waiting In Vain?

N September 20, last year, 36-year-old Ugochukwu Ozuah was shot and killed unlawfully, according to eyewitnesses, by a policeman five days after his wedding along the Gbagada Expressway in Lagos after dropping off a classmate at the junction.

His killers are yet to be brought to account, more than nine months after, despite promises by the IGP that the killers would be fished out and prosecuted.

Ugochukwu’s widow, Joan, and other members of his family are still awaiting the outcome of investigation by the special investigative team set up by the IGP to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death and bring the perpetrators to book.

“I can’t forget that fateful night of September 20, when the police shot you in the chest and left you to die in cold blood…’

Joan lamented in a tribute to her husband.

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Stemming Rampant Police Killings: What To Do AILURE to bring perpetrators of abuse to account sustains the climate of impunity that encourages others to commit abuse.

There is the need to streamline the various internal disciplinary procedures in the NPF into a manageable framework that

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By Joe Okei-Odumakin HE case of police extra-judicial killing is very T rampant in Nigeria and has assumed a very worrisome dimension.

Findings showed that not less than 7, 108 persons were killed by the police between 2009 and last year, out of which 2,500 were detained suspects, according to the Minister of Justice and Attorney general of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), on the Human Rights Day commemoration on December 10, last year.

Police kill an average of 4.6 per cent persons per day, according to statistics provided to Human Rights Watch in April 2004 by Tafa Balogun, then Inspector General of Police (IGP).

In November 2007, Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, during his first 100 days in office, claimed the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) killed 785 people. One week later, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua promoted him.

In 2006, the police reported killing 329 robbers and injured none, suggesting a kill-to-punish policy, said Open Society for Justice Initiative.

Records show that in the same year, 111 police officers were killed and 53 injured.

Osokogu

‘Extra-Judicial Killings, Homicide Now Very Rampant In Nigeria’ In July 2009, while responding to violence instigated by members of the Boko Haram sect in Borno State in northeastern Nigeria, the Nigerian Police killed hundreds of suspected sect members, including its leader.

What we need is a civilian-led PSC that has the courage to investigate all public complaints and cases of police abuse, and appointing a retired IGP to head it undermines and subverts this mission and renders the PSC ultimately into another department of the NPF and defeats the whole essence of its establishment as a civilian oversight body on policing in Nigeria.

The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Summary Executions in the report of his mission to Nigeria in 2006 bemoaned that “…the Police Service Commission is charged with police discipline, but has opted to refer all complaints of extrajudicial killing back to the police for investigation.”

Force Order 237 authorises the use of firearms if a policeman cannot “by any other means, arrest or re-arrest any person, who is suspected or already has been convicted of an offence punishable by death or at least seven years imprisonment.”

This has often been used as justification by law enforcement agents to arbitrarily shoot to kill suspects, particularly those accused of capital offences.

There is the need to continue the process of reorienting the Nigeria Police away from the doctrine and mentality of the colonial and military era that emphasised force, violence and brutality, to a democratic mindset that emphasises service and partnership with the community they serve.

It is also impetrative to sanitise the recruitment process, adequately train, fund and equip the Police with modern crime intelligence and investigative infrastructure that would make resort to violence unwarranted, or at worse, a rare option.

It is also important to boost morale, discourage corruption and humanise the service by improving the conditions of service in the police.

The Nigeria Police as presently constituted is large and too unwieldy to be managed from the centre; hence it must be decentralised, depoliticised, professionalised and freed from undue political interference and control.

-Nwanguma is Programme and Advocacy Coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN)

The Nigeria Legal Defence and Assistance Project found 2,987 extrajudicial executions by police in 2004, but no force member was convicted.

NPF Order 237 uses vague language regarding extrajudicial killings by police: “These rules practically provide police carte blanche to shoot and kill at will,” the UN Special Rapporteur said in the 2006 Presidential Commission report on police reform.

Every major police station has an ‘Officer in charge of Torture,’ according to a researcher at the Network of Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), a civil society organisation.

Homicide is also very rampant now in Nigeria and in the last five years, the situation has become more so. Every day you open the newspaper or listen to the news, you hear of murder and violence on human persons. Most of the time, it is murder committed by relations against relations; husband murder wife; son murder of father, etc.

Ahmed Academics, human rights activists and media sources say homicides are common throughout Nigeria. It is a known fact that the attention given by the Nigerian press to the issue of killings by relations suggests that it is a phenomenon, which is widespread from the South to North, East to West.

There are the cases of Titilayo Arowolo, a Skye From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin Bank official, who was allegedly murdered by OMICIDE cases are not common in the her husband, Akolade, in Lagos; Cynthia Kwara State and this is attributable to the Osokogu, who was killed by her Facebook friends; Bello Garba, who killed his father, moth- very low crime rate in the state. er and three siblings in Sokoto State; Kamar The commonest crime in the state remains Yusuf, who murdered his mother and two sib- that of bank robberies, especially at Omu lings in Zamfara State; Ibrahim Mohammed, Aran, the headquarters of Irepodun council murdered by the police in Benin City; 25-year- area. Occasional cases are also recorded at old bricklayer, Akinloye Anuoluwapo, who Offa and Share the headquarters of Ifelodun slaughtered his girlfriend in Ogijo area of council area.

Ikorodu; and the case of the 18-year-old Available statistics at the Criminal University of Ilorin dropout, Olarenwaju Investigative Department (CID) of the state’s Kayode Aremu, who stabbed his father, Victor, to Police command showed that the Fulanis livdeath on May 1, this year in Langbasa area of ing in some parts of the state are mostly involved in homicide or homicide-related casAjah, Lagos, just to mention a few.

The homicide rate in Nigeria received wide- es. spread media coverage from 2011 to this year, A police source who pleaded anonymity, said: after about 2, 875 cases were reported, leaving “Some of the Fulanis living here are more prone to homicide. It appears that many of the homicide matter on an alarming rate.

Known causes of high prevalence of homicide them often over- react to issues and in the include high poverty rate; bad economic poli- process, the deed would have been done. cies; unemployment; loss of values; high rate of “Interestingly, they are not violent against corruption; insincerity of government; lack of persons who are not of their tribe. When some of them are intoxicated, they commit social insurance; and government negligence.

-Okei-Odumakin is President, Campaign for homicide, maybe due to the light weapons Democracy (CD) and Women Arise for Change they often carry. Besides, they engage themselves in fisticuffs over women”.

Initiative

In Kwara, Homicide Cases Are Rare H

Okei-Odumakin

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

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POLITICS

Implications Of Heightened 2015 Political Outbursts From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki

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NY pretensions that concerns for the 2015 general election have taken the centre stage in Nigeria’s polity is akin to attempting to deny a six-month-old pregnancy. The signs are there. However, one thing politicians have not come to terms with is the implication of 2015 politicking on governance and the mandate already given.

Just as the dust raised by the disputed chairmanship election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF) has refused to settle, the Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, (BoT) Chief Tony Anenih, brought in a new dimension to the contentious developments about 2015 in the polity.

Anenih had told the audience at a special dinner for selected PDP stalwarts that the answer to divisive primary elections that attend the party’s effort to select governorship and presidential flag bearers, is a consensus arrangement. Anenih believes that allowing serving governors and presidents on PDP platform automatic second term tickets would banish recriminations and schisms that trail primary elections involving incumbents. Ever since he made that assertion, reactions have remained mixed, with other political parties describing the formula as PDP’s badge of dishonor in internal democracy.

Perhaps it was in expectation that such a consensual position could be adopted by PDP that the Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial zone, Sonni Ogbuoji, cautioned the leadership of the party to guard against the politics of predetermining the candidates who would occupy certain political offices contrary to the wishes of the people in the 2015 general election.

Although Ogbuoji did not talk about the idea of giving incumbents automatic tickets, he called on politicians not to be carried away by the ongoing hullabaloo about the 2015 general election since, according to him, it would be in their interest and those of their constituents to focus on delivering democratic dividends to the people. He declared that concerns for the next election could deprive elected representatives of the opportunity of ensuring that they impact positively on the socio-economic wellbeing of their people.

His words: “For me, there is no reason for this hue and cry about 2015; everybody

Ezeife

should be focused on giving his best today so that by 2015, the people can adjudge you from what they have seen about your antecedent. The party will be making a lot of mistakes if for any reason, it predetermines who should emerge and if the person doesn’t have a good track record, the party is already doomed because it is going to be an election based on the quality of candidates.

He added: “It is unfortunate that in politics, most times, we don’t find statesmen who are politicians because as they say, politicians are always interested in the next election but statesmen are interested in delivering democracy dividends”.

But blaming the development on the outcome of the NGF election, Publicity Secretary of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) Mr. Osita Okechukwu, with a sense of exultation, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has demonstrated its ability to change the dynamics of power in the country. Refering to Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s triumph at the election, Okechukwu said: “It is APC merger at work; it is the first clear sign that the political equation has changed because all the forces, both latent and potent, and tendencies that make up the APC, voted for Amaechi.

“The 19 votes he had, 11 were the potent while the eight are the latent members who would sooner or later join the APC. So, when you look at the 19, 11 are with APC and you know that the eight that fought President Goodluck Jonathan will not go back to stay with him. So sooner or later they would be in APC. It has shown that the political equation has changed”.

Speaking further on what the pro-Amaechi group could do to contain the pressure when the pro-Jang group fights back, the CNPP publicity scribe explained: “Any governor that voted for Amaechi is very much aware that as it stands, he has joined the part of the fight and that they are not used to forgiving anybody. Their character is not to forgive anybody, so it is not a question of whether they are going back to reconcile”.

Okechukwu said President Jonathan should understand that immediately there are two dominant political parties in any liberal democracy, no party rules because it weighs on the people’s needs and compromise, since it is no more one party ruling. “In the past 40 years in the United States, it is difficult for any party to decide what happens because the two parties have known that. So

Perhaps it was in expectation that such a consensual position could be adopted by PDP that the Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial zone, Sonni Ogbuoji, cautioned the leadership of the party to guard against the politics of predetermining the candidates who would occupy certain political offices contrary to the wishes of the people in the 2015 general election. before you go anywhere, you must go into bipartisan. So the president should not take it as a fight, he should take it that we have gone into the bipartisan stage of liberal democracy.

“It is not a fight, it is a bipartisan stage whereby the president or governor must consult,” he surmised. Extending his narrative to what lessons the state governors could take from the election, especially against the background of their readiness to plant successors, the CNPP chieftain added: “It is a momentum. When in a liberal democracy it comes to a bipartisan position, it means that you are forced to, not like when Obasanjo opened what they called the natural resource fund and was withdrawing money at will from there.

That is the stage we are trying to close, the one party stage; and when you leave one party stage you are entering into proper democracy”.

He stressed that it is only in such situations that responsible governance comes to bear, pointing out that “if you are in a bipartisan stage, you must be responsive to what the other person is saying, you must be responsible in your behavior”.

Okechukwu maintained that henceforth, “it is no more going to be the Obasanjo era when you open a N1.5 trillion slush fund and take money at will. That is the consequence; it is a compromise consequence

which is the best side of liberal democracy all over the world. In any liberal democracy that has succeeded, it means the electorate has the opportunity of choosing one or the other and no one of them can subject any how again. The evidence of that is Ghana. Ghana has entered into the bi-partisan stage, so no one party in Ghana has won with more than 51 or 52 percent. But in Nigeria, you can talk of 80 percent, which is a one party stage. So that is the difference; it doesn’t call for fight.

Initially, Jonathan minders might brag, it is not going to be a brawl but it ought to be the reality of a bipartisan state where you must consult, where you must be responsive, where you must be responsible in your behavior”.

But taking a middle lane, Director of Tropical Watch, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) advocating for citizens’ rights and anti-corruption, Barrister Sam Mbah said the supremacy battle between President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi which gave rise to the hoopla over 2015 and the NGF election, lacks ideological premise.

His words: “What I would say is that the faceoff between Amaechi and the presidency leaves concrete impressions to all that is wrong with our democratic governance. In the first place, the face-off is not based on any issue, it is not based on any principle, and it is based on vaulting egos on all sides. There is constitutional division of power between the centre and constituent units. Governance is a system of independence and interdependence as well, but instead of fighting for this principle of giving meaning to our federalism, the state and federal actors are just waging battles that do not have any benefits for the ordinary people of this country.

“If I am asked on whose side I am, I would say that both sides are playing the same stakes of elevating themselves above the people. Amaechi is culpable just as the president is culpable. He is elevating himself against the citizenry of Rivers State like the issue of private jet would portray. 2015 is still going to pass us by that our politicians are not yet doing things the way they do it in civilized countries”.

Mbah regretted that instead of doing a postevent analysis of what transpired during the NGF election, the President’s minders “will of course handle it the way they have by grandstanding and refuse to come to terms with the fact that this is a federal system where the states and federal government share certain responsibilities that if they live up to, would impact meaningfully on the lives of our people”.

Explaining how the NGF election expedited concerns for 2015, former Anambra State governor, Dr. Ezeife, noted that “sometimes, actions and reactions cancel out,” adding that the whole scenario shows element of betrayal and seems to portend a similar occurrence in the near future.

“Now that it has happened this way, somebody has begun to re-strategize to meet emergencies. It means that some of the people they are hoping on may not be able to play ball. I heard there was a change of candidate along the line, at the 11th hour as you suggested. If I were a governor and we have bestowed one candidate for a cause, that person should give me credit that I am a human being and that I have a right, a preference to change my taste in a jiffy as I am not a robot. It can be understood from that perspective”.

He posited that instead of accusing the Southeast governors of lack of accurate reading of the political temperature of the nation, it would rather be wise to accuse them of “inaccurate reading of our interest, the interest of the Southeast”.

Yet, a group of former legislators in Ebonyi State chapter of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) known as the New Frontiers, (ANPPNF) led by Mr. Patrick Mgbebu, said Amaechi’s ‘victory’ shows that the sanctity of the ballot could upstage the tyranny of potentates.

The former legislator regretted that the backlash of the governors’ election would tend to throw up intense politicking and concerns for the 2015 election, thereby slowing down governance both at the federal and state levels. He lamented that PDP governors are short changing the masses who gave them mandate to serve.

55

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June 15, 2013

TRANSITION

A Tribute To Mamman Tsoho Kontagora (1944-2013) as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1967, Kontagora fought in the civil war that lasted from 1967-1970. Within T was early morning of February 3, 1990. A that period, he enrolled at Ahmadu Bello Unigroup of 21 was travelling with the then Min- versity, Zaria, to pursue a career in engineering, ister of Works, Mamman Kontagora from Lagos majoring in civil and electrical engineering in to Mambilla Plateau, a distance of over 1,100 1972. He had risen to the rank of Captain by the kilometres. The convoy of four vehicles, which time he completed his degree programme, included four journalists, had a brief stop at and was promoted to the rank of a Major, a year Shagamu. A journalist from Newswatch mag- later. Thus, he began a journey that would take azine asked the Minister why he chose to travel him to the height of a two star General and nuby road instead of by air. Kontagora responded: merous achievements. In 1988, the hardwork“…I believe I’m the Minister of Works and I ing General retired from the military but should be seen as such. I am not the Minister of continued his service to the nation in various Aviation.” It was his second tour of the area in capacities. two months to ensure that the road contract In 1978, he was appointed the Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Military Engineerawarded along the route was duly executed.

This was the vintage Kontagora, a man who ing (NASME) in New Bussa, where he achieved rose from the plains of Anguwan Nupawa of remarkable milestones. Also, soon after his apKontagora local government to become one of pointment as Minister of Works and Housing Nigeria’s most successful public servants. Born in 1987, he quickly mapped out a strategy of on April 20, 1944, to a peasant farmer and Is- personal tours to assess the situation and delamic teacher, Mallam Alhassan Mamman termine the condition of the roads. Thereafter, Baban-Antu and his wife, Amina; his father who he worked tirelessly to ensure proper execulater rose to become the head of his clan, in- tion of contracts and implementation of polistilled the virtues of hard work, discipline and cies. He understood that successful leadership required mastery of the intricacies of business. self-dependence in his children.

Kontagora began his formal education at Cen- Some of the landmarks he was instrumental to tral Primary School, Kontagora, in 1952 and achieving during his tenure were: establishgained admission into Government Secondary ment of the Federal Environmental Protection School, Northern Nigeria, in Kaduna upon Agency (FEPA); promulgation of the National completion of primary education in 1959. In Housing Decree; establishment of the Federal the secondary school, he was nicknamed Land Registry; promulgation of the Mortgage ‘Doki’, because of his studious nature, a name Institutions Decree; review of the Land Use Dewhich means horse in Hausa. He later joined cree; establishment of the Urban Development the Military in January 1964, attracted to the bank; and completion of the Third Mainland barracks by the life of Spartan discipline he ob- Bridge, among others. served in the rank and file. He began his train- The late Kontagora loved challenges, abhorred ing with the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) failure and strove to succeed even if it took in Kaduna, amongst the first set of officer sleepless nights to achieve his objectives. He cadets to be admitted in NDA. Commissioned was a soldier with a puritanical devotion to

By Ogechi Adeola

I

Kontagora duty and an abiding love for work, marking him out as a doer and an achiever. His vision for success motivated him to work to achieve results.

He also had a sense of responsibility for every task assigned to him. In 1987 when ex-President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Minister of Works and Housing, Kontagora strove to justify this confidence reposed in him. In an interview with Newswatch magazine, he declared: “…since I know he has confidence in me, this has contributed to my sleepless nights. I want to justify the confidence reposed in me.”

He also expected this sense of responsibility from his staff. Punctuality was important to him. On a surprise visit in May 1989, he locked out about 800 workers who reported to work

late at the Ijora main workshop of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. His public relations officer confirmed that he ensured he was at least five minutes earlier than scheduled. An organised person, he was also a stickler for protocol.

By the time I met him in 1994, I had heard so much about this indefatigable technocrat and gentleman. I was contacted to write his biography, a task I took pride in. Kontagora was then the Chairman of the Presidential Monitoring Committee of the Under-20 World Cup Competition tagged “Nigeria ’95”.

I watched him work assiduously day (under the sun) and night (under floodlights) to ensure the grasses on the pitch grew green and rich. He spent virtually all his weekdays including weekends and holidays on the pitches and personally supervised the tending of the grass and ensured all amenities were in place. He ensured that modern scoreboards were installed, beautiful press centres were completed; galleries and standardised medical centres were also in place. The roads leading to designated centres were upgraded and hotels and teaching hospitals were standardised and well equipped. The nation witnessed the transformation of dilapidated stadia into modern structures. A hard worker, Kontagora once explained, “I have been like this all my life, I have gotten used to it that my body does not mind it.”

Kontagora set a track record and left an enduring legacy. The conferment of the title of Garkuwa Kontagora (Protector of Kontagora Emirate) by the traditional council headed by the Emir of Kontagora, showed the high esteem he was accorded in his local community. His other awards of distinction included International Fellow, United State Army War College (USAWC); Outstanding Public Service Award and recognitions from Nigerian Society of Engineers; Success Digest Forum 1988; Commander of the Order of Niger (CON), amongst others. He was appointed the Administrator of the Federal Capital Territory in 1998, a task he also discharged creditably. His last known official position was Deputy Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), a post he held till his demise on May 29, 2013.

Adieu, Florence Olawunmi Fagboyegun

By Olamide Olayiwola-Fadare HEREVER the contributions of W women in the economic and developmental transformations of Africa, and indeed the emergence of a structured economy for the continent and that of its most populous country, Nigeria, is told, the unique, yet silent efforts of Florence Olawunmi Fagboyegun, (nee Olafimihan) would not be downplayed or ignored. A paragon of beauty, slim frame, an unmistakable face of the continent, missing in the runways of major capitals of the world, yet important not just as an auxiliary quantity but the denominator in the phenomenal and meteoric rise of the Fagboyegun family and highly successful business brands.

Just how a woman completely loyal and dutiful as a housewife was able to strike a balance between making the home and keeping the books on a multibillion-business empire is the stuff that would attract the curiosity of social science researchers and historians as well. The late Fagboyegun could not explain her interesting role as a front seat occupier in the evolution of the “J.O.F. Ideal Family Farms Ltd”, a sole proprietorship enterprise that has now become a distinct household name in the manufacture of organic soy oil, cashew processing, citrus farming, produce merchandising, poultry and livestock feeds, table water production, construction, commodities brokerage and haulage interests.

From the humble beginning of the family business as J.O. Fagboyegun and Sons until it metamorphosed into what has been rightly appreci-

ated as a leading employee of labour in Nigeria, the late Fagboyegun stood solidly as an equal partner with her husband, the late Reverend Canon Johnson Olajide Fagboyegun.

Jide Fagboyegun was the Chief strategist and visioner while his wife, Olawunmi was the eagle-eyed financial handler who ensured that the well known palmerworm and cankerworms who usually ruin businesses in Nigeria did not gain the upper hand in the enduring vision to succeed and then employ many Nigerians, who in turn were able to put food on the table, clothe and shelter their families.

In the assigned role of balancing the business books, the late Mrs. Fagboyegun, would put many University and Polytechnic-trained accountants to shame. She was ever meticulous and careful to find where leaks could occur and prevent wastages.

The kind of love and close bond she enjoyed with her husband purposely showed in this attribute. Her husband, Canon Fagboyegun, was an unequalled resource manager.

When the couple shared a common destiny that often resulted in the striking of master strokes in almost every endeavor including issues of faith and philanthropy, Mrs. Fagboyegun took care of the biological children and several other adopted family members to a superlative dimension often difficult to come by in Africa. She paid attention to every developmental issue in the life of all the children adopted. She was the matriarch of 30 biological offsprings, including grand and great grand children. All of her direct chil-

dren and adopted ones are excelling in industry, leadership (secular and spiritual) and government. They can be found outside and within Nigeria.

It is the essential nature of the Fagboyeguns.

Some of those children are Professor (Mrs.) Olu Olorundare, Mr. Olatunji Fagboyegun, Justice (Mrs.) Lanrewaju Akeredolu, Mr. Segun Fagboyegun, Mr. Rotimi Fagboyegun, Mrs. Omolola Adekeye and Mr. Dayo Fagboyegun.

The late Mrs. Fagboyegun was born on August 29, 1929. Interestingly, she

Fagboyegun

was an only child to her mother, Mrs. Hannah Olafimihan, who grew old to the ripe age of 105 in 2006.

Mama Olafimihan had married Mr. Titus Olafimihan with whom she lived in Kano, the ancient commercial city in northern Nigeria. Theirs was a happy home as Olawunmi’s father practiced as an accountant and professional photographer. He was clearly one of the few middle class persons around. His wife, Hannah, wove clothes and traded. Unfortunately, Mr. Olafimihan died and his wife, now a single mother, bore the

entire responsibility of raising her only surviving daughter.

After the funeral rites for the late Olafimihan had been concluded in Kano, his wife and the little daughter, Olawunmi then aged six, returned to their ancestral home at Ijebu Quarters in Owo. She enrolled at the Government School, Owo, and stayed until she earned her Standard Six Certificate.

She was at the stage struggling to keep her versatility in the Hausa language, which she once spoke fluently, but the effort proved futile.

She was compensated with her brilliant performance in her exams and then proceeded to teach at St. Francis Catholic School, Owo. She was a school teacher when her lifelong partner, Jide, spotted her and started sending a friend as a go-between in 1949. In 1952, opting for a low-key engagement and traditional ceremony, they became husband and wife. Mrs. Fagboyegun explained that “we chose a low key ceremony because I was my mother’s only surviving child and we did not want the attention that a loud celebration would bring.” In 1956, their union was blessed in the Anglican Church.

Even in death, Reverend Canon and Mrs. Fagboyegun were inseparable.

Wrongful attacks on their businesses at Owo in early 2000, the death of her husband in July 30, 2008, and more attention for Christian spiritual devotions led to gradual withdrawal from public events and active business engagements for Mrs. Fagboyegun. She died in the early hours of Friday May 17, 2013.

She was 83 years old. She would be buried on June 20 and 21, 2013.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June, 15, 2013

56

Change of Name ABDULAZEEZ: I, Bakare Olalekan Abdulazeez is the same person as Bakare Lekan Azeez. All documents remain valid. Public note.

ACHU: Formerly Miss Achu Nnenna Augustina now Mrs. Ugwu Nnenna Augustina. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADARALOYE: Formerly Miss Adaraloye Asisat Morenikeji now Mrs. Olayinka Asisat Morenikeji. Documents valid. Public note.

ADEBOWALE: I, formerly Miss Jimoh Mariam Adebowale now known as Mrs. Soetan Adebowale Mariam. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADELAJA: I, formerly Miss Adelaja Tawakalitu Moj i b a d e now Mrs. Folorunso Tawakalitu Mojibade.

Former documents remain valid. NACETEM South/West, DLC University of Ibadan and public note.

ADENEYE: Formerly Miss Adeneye Iyabode Dorcas now Mrs. Sholanke Iyabode Dorcas. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

ADENIYI: Formerly Miss Adeniyi Adejoke now wish to be known as Mrs. Ogunleye Adejoke. Former documents remain valid. EKSU & public note.

ADEPOJU: Formerly Miss Modupe Gbemsola Adepoju now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Modupe Gbemsola Oguntoye.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

ADESANYA: I, formerly known as Miss Adesola Adesanya now wish to be known as Mrs. Adesola Fashina. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADESEKO: Formerly Miss Adeseko Yetunde Oluwadamilola now Mrs. Adeosun Yetunde Oluwadamilola. Former documents remain valid. {NESREA} and general public note.

ADESUYI: Formerly Adesuyi Olaoluwa now Adesunloro Adebola Olaoluwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEYELU: Formerly Adeyelu Titilola Adebola now Ogunsehinde Titilola Adebola.All Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AFFIRMATIOM OF NAME: I, Mr. Adebayo Oluwaseyi Joseph now known as Adebayo-Oredola Oluwaseyi Joseph. All documents remain valid. General public note.

AFFIRMATION OF NAME: I, Mr. Momodu Abraham Steven now known and addressed as Momodu Wonderful Abraham Steven. All documents valid. General public note.

AFOLABI: Formerly Miss Kehinde Oluwatoyim Afolabi now Mrs. Kehinde Oluwatoyin Folarin.

Previous documents valid. General public note.

AGBAJELOLA: Formerly Miss Doyinsola Ololade Agbajelola, now Mrs Doyinsola Ololade Rapheal. Former documents valid. Public note.

AGBETI: Former Miss Agbeti Adenike Rebecca now Mrs. Imolehin Adenike Rebecca. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AGETU: Formerly Miss Clara Nwamaka Agetu, now Mrs Clara Nwamaka Uwadia. Former documents valid. Public note.

AGHULOR: Formerly Nkem Ruth Aghulor now wish to be known as Mrs. Nkem Ruth Nwachukwu. All documents remain valid.

Public note.

AGUNWA: Formerly Miss Agunwa Chika Chinoyerem now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Owuje Chika Chinoyerem. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

AGU: Formerly Miss Agu Ngozi Lynda now Mrs. Chioke Ngozi Lydia. Former documents remain valid. Local Government Service Commission, public note.

AJAGBULE: Formerly Miss Ajagbule Kudirat Oladunti now Mrs. Omoloja Kudirat Oladunti. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC, public note.

AJAKAIYE: I, formerly Miss Ajakaiye Erimakpemu Esther now to be addressed as Mrs. Ofie Esther Erimakpemu. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AJAO: Formerly Miss Fadeke Ajao now wish to be known as Mrs. Fadeke Osibajo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AJINOMISANGHAN: Former Miss Ajinomisanghan Victoria now Mrs. Ede Orighoye Victoria.

All former documents remain valid Public note.

AJINOMISAN: Formerly Miss Ajinomisan Alero Oluwabunmi now Mrs. Aina Alero Oluwabunmi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AJUOGU: Former Miss Priscilla Ifeoma Ajuogu now Mrs. Priscilla Ifeoma Oseji. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKANDE: Formerly Oyebode Aderemi Akande now to be addressed as Oyebode Aderemi Oyegoke – Akande. Former documents valid. Public note.

AKANDE: Formerly Miss Akande Ifedolapo Victoria now Mrs. Olawoye Ifedolapo Victoria. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINBOLA: Formerly Miss Mopelola Oluwayemisi Akinbola, now Mrs Mopelola Oluwayemisi Kola-Lawal.

Former documents valid. Public note.

AKINDEINDE: Formerly Miss Adeola Oluwafunmilola Akindeinde now Mrs. Adeola Oluwafunmilola Adenaiye. Former documents valid. Public note.

AKINDURO: Former Miss Akinduro Olukorede Onikepo now Mrs. Aderemi-Atewogboye Olukorede Onikepo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINFE: I, formerly Mr. Bukola Oluwashola Akinfe now known as Mr. Bukola Akinfe Ogunbodede. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINNUSIMI: Formerly Miss Motunrayo Morenike Akinnusimi, now Mrs Motunrayo Morenike Alaran. Former documents valid.

Public note.

AKINSADE: Formerly Miss Akinsade Abosede Omowunmi now Mrs. Bello Abosede Omowunmi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINSOLA: I, formerly Miss Akinsola Omolola Temitayo now known as Mrs. Temitayo Omolola Omolabi. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AKINSOLA: Formerly Miss Omotunde Aishat

Akinsola, now Mrs Omotunde Aishat Bakare. Former documents valid.

Public note.

AKINWUNMI: Formerly Akinwunmi Ebunoluwa Grace now Akinbode Ebunoluwa Grace. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKOGUNRIN: Formerly Abosede Abimbola Akogunrin now Mrs. Abosede Abimbola Adegbenro. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKPAKA: Formerly Miss Elizabeth Raymond Akpaka now Mrs. Elizabeth Uwemedimo Friday. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ALALE: I, formerly known as Miss Padebi Goodness Alale now wish to be known as Padebi Goodness Ojomo.

All other documents remain valid.

ALAMUTU: Formerly Miss Alamutu Ayoola Sururat now Mrs. Allibaba Ayoola Sururat. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ALAUSA: Formerly Miss Alausa Jumoke Yetunde now Mrs. Olawunmi Jumoke Yetunde. Former documents valid. Public note.

ALBERT: Formerly Mr. Albert Idowu now Mr. Bolade Idowu Israel.

Former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission, general public note.

ALIYU: Formerly Aliyu Rahmat Toyin now Mrs. Abubakar Rahmat Toyin.

All former documents remain valid. General public note.

AMAESHI: Formerly Miss Amaeshi Maudlyn Ndidi now Mrs. Tomilawo Maudlyn Ndidi. Former documents remain valid. UNILAG, public note.

AMADI: Formerly Miss Peace Chinwendu Amadi now Mrs Peace Chinwendu Anosike.

Former documents valid. NYSC, public note.

AMAJUOYI: Formerly Mrs. Anita Amajuoyi now Miss Anita Ogbonna-Nwoha.

Documents valid. Public note.

AMALE: Formerly Amale Oluwaseun Charles now Olabode Oluwaseun Charles. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANABA: Formerly Miss Chinwendu Georgenia Anaba now Mrs Chinwendu Georgenia Ibeawuchi. Former doc-

uments valid. Public note.

ANI: Formerly Miss Ani Mary Amuche now Mrs. Nwaebiem Mary Amuche. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANI: Formerly Miss Ani Rachael Amuche now Mrs. Ozoadu Rachael Amuche. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANTHONY: Formerly Anthony Ifechi Timothy now Anthony Ifechi Timothy Anaedu. Former documents valid. Public note.

ANUGWALU: Formerly Miss Anugwalu Chinenye Maria-Gorati now Mrs. Ezenwanne Chinenye Maria-Gorati. Former documents remain valid. Nursing Council, public note.

ANYANWU: I, formerly Miss Anyanwu Chioma L now known as Mrs. Chioma Asomugha L. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ANYEBE: Formerly Miss Naomiadiku is now Mrs. Naomi Peter Anyebe. All documents remain valid and public take note.

ANYIBE: I, formerly known as Miss Nkechi Norah Anyibe now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Nkechi Norah Ugwuezumba. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ARAOYE: Formerly Miss Araoye Oluwafunmilayo Abosede Opeyemi now Mrs. Sanya Funmilayo Bosede. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AROGUNMASA: Formerly Ogunlaja Oluwatoyin Ajoke now Mrs. Arogunmasa Oluwatoyin Ajoke. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AROKOOLA: I, formerly Mr. Arokoola Michael Olaoluwa now Mr. Abraham Michael Olaoluwa.

Former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank, GTBank, Firstbank, general public take note.

AROWOLO: Formerly Miss Sadiat Afolake Arowolo, now Mrs Sadiat Afolake Raji. Former documents valid. Public note.

ASALA: Formerly Miss Nkiruka Joy Asala now Mrs. Nkiruka Joy Aimienoho. Former documents valid. Public note.

ATANDA: Formerly Miss Atanda Kafayat Oluwakemi now Mrs. Galadima Atanda Kafayat.

Documents valid. National Board for Technology Incubation, public note.

AWOBOTU: I, formerly Miss Olufunke Olubunmi Omolara Awobotu now Mrs. Odebiyi Olufunke Olubunmi O. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AYANLERE: Formerly Miss Ayanlere Ronke Ayanfunke now Mrs. Aboyeji Ronke Ayanfunke.

Documents valid. Public note.

AYODELE: I formerly Miss Ayodele Helen Oluwayemisi now Mrs. Adedokun Helen Oluwayemisi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AZEEZ: Formerly Azeez Muibat Omobolanle Arike now Mrs. Aigba Muibat Omobolanle Arike. Former Documents valid. Chapel of Victory lnc, Sagamu, public note.

BABALOLA: Formerly Miss Babalola Oluronke Esther now Mrs. Famuagun Oluronke Esther.

Former documents remain valid. Universal Basic Education Commission and general public note.

BABALOLA: Former Miss Babalola Abosede Omobola Falilat now Mrs. Dayo-jeje Abosede Omobola Falilat. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BADERO: Badero Olabowale Adefunke now to be known as Opafuye Olabowale Adefunke. Public note.

BAKARE: I, formerly Shakirat Jokotade Bakare now known as Mrs. Wuraola Shakirat Eke. All former documents remain valid.

LUTH Idiaraba and the general public should take note.

BALOGUN: I Formerly Miss Balogun Abibat Titilope now Mrs. Adegboyega Abibat Titilope.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

BALOGUN: I, formerly Mr. Taofiq Babatunde Balogun now known as Mr. Taofeek Babatunde Balogun. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

57

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June, 15, 2013

Change of Name BASHORUN: Formerly Miss Adeola Sherifat Bashorun now Mrs. Adeola Sherifat Bolaji. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

BELLO: Formerly Miss Bello Sikirat Monisola now Akinlotu Sarah Monisola. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BEN: I, formerly Miss Celestine Ekaette Ben now Mrs. Akindun Ekaette Kate. Former documents remain valid.

FAAN, UNILAG, general public take note.

BENSON: Formerly Miss Adetilewa Afolake Benson now Mr.s Adetilewa Afolake Olorunnisola.

Former documents valid. Public note.

BETIKU: Former Miss Oluwatoyin Adenike Betiku now Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adenike Gbadura.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BOLADE: Formerly Miss Serah Oluwadamilola Bolade now Mrs. Serah Oluwadamilola Winsett.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

CHINEDU: Formerly Obiegbu Chinedu B. now Obiegbu Ifenna Emmanuel. Former documents valid. General public note.

CHINEKE: Formerly Miss Chineke Lilian Ukamaka now Mrs. Chibuzo Lilian Ukamaka. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: IBE: Miss Lorine Ogechi Ibe, Is also Miss Godstime Ibe. Former documents valid. Public note.

CHRISTIAN: Formerly Miss Tina Ifeyinwa Christian now Mrs Destiny Ifeyinwa Christian.

Former documents valid. Public note.

CHUKWU: Formerly Miss Ugo Chukwu now Mrs. Ikeh Grace Ugo. Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

DANJUMA: Formerly Miss Soniya Jedidiah Danjuma now Mrs. Soniya Tondo Atedoghu Pepple. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

DIKE: I, formerly Miss Dike Ndimele Ifeoma Beatrice now Mrs. Nwamo Godwin Ifeoma Beatrice. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EBOH: Eboh Obiora Anthony whose original WAEC Certificate mis-

takenly bears Ebo Obiora Anthony is one and the same person.

WAEC, public note.

EBOH: Formerly Aikhulegbe Chicky Ijeoma Eboh now Mrs. Chukwurah Aikhulegbe Chicky Ijeoma. Former documents remain valid. UNIBEN, NYSC and public note.

EBHOJAYE: Formerly Miss Ebhojaye Blessing Joy now Mrs. Akinyele Blessing Joy. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EDOCHIE: Formerly Miss Edochie Blessing Nwakaego now Mrs. Chinagorom Blessing Nwakaego. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC, public note.

EDOKO: Former Miss Edoko Nneka Ebele now Mrs. Udoye Nneka Ebele.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EGEREGA: Formerly Miss Egerega Evelyn Kesiena, now Mrs Ndego Kesiena Evelyn. Former documents valid. Public note.

EJEKWOLU: Formerly Miss Oyinyechi Nonye Ejekwolu now Mrs. Oyinyechi Nonye Brenda Ashikwe. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EJIMOFOR: formerly Miss Amarachi Grace Augusta Ejimofor now Mrs Amarachi Grace Augusta Ahiwe-Geoffrey. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note.

EJIMOFOR: Formerly Ejimofor Nkechi Akunna now Dennis-Umukoro Nkechi Akunna. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

EJIMUDA: Formerly Ejimuda Ifeyinwa Eulalia now Mrs. Onubogu Ifeyinwa Eulalia. Former documents valid. Public note.

EKWELIBE: I, formerly Miss Ekwelibe Pamela Uzoamaka now known as Mrs. Chukwu Pamela Uzoamaka. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

EMEKA: I, formerly Miss Emeka Gift Onyinyechi now known as Mrs. Darlington Ezenwa Gift Onyinyechi. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

EVWIOMA: Formerly Miss Eseroghene Emily Evwioma now Mrs. Eseroghene Emily Omoyine. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EZE: I, formerly Miss Eze

Rita Onyinye now to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugwu Rita Onyinye. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

EZEOKOLI: Formerly Ezeokoli Irene Chika now Mrs. Chika Irene Goodluck-Ogazi. All documents remain valid.

Public note.

FALAJIKI: Formerly Miss Falajiki Christy Bosede now Mrs. Amudipe Christy Bosede. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

FASAKIN: Formerly Miss Fasakin Elizabeth Oluyomi, now Mrs Adediran Elizabeth Oluyomi. Former documents valid.

Public note.

FAYEMI: Formerly Miss Fayemi Bosede Grace, now Mrs Ohimaimen Bosede Grace. Former documents valid. Public note.

FONA: Former Miss Fona Celine now Mrs. Imarhiagbe Celine. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FUJA: Formerly Miss Fuja Temitope Brsirat now Mrs. Durosinmi-Etti Basirat Temitope. Former documents remain valid. Lagos State Government and public note.

GANKON: Formerly Joy Gankon now Mrs. Joy Iyere. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

GBADAMOSI: Formerly Miss Gbadamosi Sekinat Omowunmi now Mrs. Ojalumo Omowunmi Sekinat. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

GBANA: Formerly Gbana Elvis Tobor now Tobor Elvis. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

HAMMED: Formerly Hammed Tosin Christianah now Akingbehin Tosin Christianah. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IDOWU: Formerly Miss Idowu Olubukola Abosede now Mrs. Alimi Olubukola Abosede. Former documents remain valid. Management of Olorunda Local Government, Igbona, Osogbo, Osun State Local Government Service Commission, Osun State and public note.

IGBO-OBI: Formerly Miss Igbo-Obi Ijeoma Felicitas now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Amagba Ijeoma Felicitas. Former documents remain valid. General public

note.

IHEANACHO-UWA: Former Chiemerie Obialo Nnamdi Iheanacho-Uwa now Chiemerie Obialo Acho. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

IHUOMA: Formerly Miss Hulda Ihechi Ihuoma now wish to be known as Mrs. Hulda Ihechi Uwom.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IKEKA: Formerly Miss Ikeka Gloria Chinasa now Mrs. Miriukwv Gloria Chinasa. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note.

IKUSIKA: Formerly Miss Ikusika Omolara Victoria Kikelomo now Mrs. Ganye Omolara Victoria Kikelomo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IKWUEKE: Formerly Miss Ikwueke Victoria Onyedikachi now Mrs. Okafor Victoria Onyedikachi.

Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

INIOWUARI: Formerly Miss Telema Iniowuari now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Telema Flagg Sanipe. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

ISAAC: I, formerly known as Adeola Omosholape Isaac now wish to be known and called Mrs. Adeola Omosholape Ojo. ISHOLA: Formerly Miss Ishola Mariam Titilayo now Mrs. Sanusi Mariam Titilayo. Former Documents valid. Public note.

ISHOLA: Formerly Abisola Olubukola Ishola now Sotikare Abisola Olubukola. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ISUEKEBHOR: Former Miss Isuekebhor Bridget Ekelekhose now Mrs. Onatade Bridget Ekelekhose. All former documents remain valid.

High Court of Lagos State and general public take note.

IWUAMADI: I, formerly Miss Osojenwunne Iwuamadi Agnes Nnenna now known as Mrs. Iwuamadi Agnes Osojenwunne. Former documents remain valid. General public take note JEMIYO: Formerly Miss Jemiyo Ayotunde Abimbola now Mrs Akintajuwa Ayotunde Abimbola. Former documents remain vaid. Public note KANU-OJI: Formerly Miss Chinweugo Kanu-Oji now Mrs. Chinweugo Nwafor. All former docu-

ments remain valid. General public note.

LASISI: Formerly Miss Lasisi Tawakalitu Omolabake now Mrs. Akinosun Tawakalitu Omolabake. Former Documents valid. Ikosi Isheri LCDA, public note.

MADU: Formerly Miss Madu Nwaneka Tochukwu now Mrs. Amadi Nwaneka Tochukwu. Former documents valid. Public note.

Nweze Adaeze L. now Mrs. Okafor Adaeze L. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWIGWE: I, formerly Miss Maria Nwigwe now Mrs. Maria Ogbonna Chukwu. All documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOKEDI: Former Miss Nwakaego Nwokedi now Mrs. Nwakaego Johnson. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

MANZO: Formerly Miss Manzo Titilayo Fatimo now Mrs. Aroboto Titilayo Fatimo. Documents valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, public note.

NWOSU: Formerly Miss Nwosu Calista Ogoegbunam now Mrs. Paul Favour Ogochukwu. Former documents valid.

Public note.

MATTI: Formerly Matti Temitope Martha now Mrs. Bamigbele Temitope Martha. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OBADIMU: Former, Miss Oluwatobi Beulah Obadimu, now Mrs. Oluwatobi Beulah Adeyemi. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

MOLADE: Formerly Molade Aminat Folashade now Mrs. Okojie Aminat Folashade. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBAS: Formerly Mrs. Laura Obas now Ms. Laura Oare Kakulu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MOMOH: Formerly Miss Maria Momoh now Mrs. Maria Onuoha. Former documents valid. Public note.

OBIAKO: Former Miss Augustina Chichi Obiako now Mrs. Augustina Chichi Nwanna. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NNADOZIE: I, formerly Miss Nnadozie Chioma Nebechi Elizabeth now known as Mrs. Offiaeli Chioma Nebechi Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OBINWA: Formerly Miss Chizoba Maureen Obinwa, now Mrs Chizoba Maureen Okafor. Former documents valid. Public note.

NNAMANI: I, formerly Miss Chinenye Martha Nnamani now known as Mrs. Chinenye Martha Obu. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NNAMANI: Formerly Miss Nnamani Chinemeremogo Ogechukwu Sonia now Mrs. Nwankwo Chinemeremogo Ogechukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWAKAEZE: Formerly Nwakaeze Ifeoma Charity now Mrs. Orih Ifeoma Charity. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWANKPA: I, formerly Miss Nwankpa Pleasure Amarachi now Mrs. Nwankwere Pleasure Amarachi. Former documents remain valid. University of Nig. Nsukka, general public take note.

NWAOGWUGWU: Formerly Miss Nwaogwugwu Udochi Adamma Constancia now Mrs. Akpan Udochi Adamma Constancia. Former documents valid. Public note.

NWEZE: Formerly Miss

OBISON: Formerly Lizzeth Akudo Obison now Mrs. Shittu Lizzeth Akudo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ODAZIE: Formerly Miss Odazie Nneka Emelda now Mrs Nwagu Nneka Emelda. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ODOFIN: Formerly Odofin Yewande Subuola now Mrs. Awotula Yewande Subuola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ODUSANYA: I, former Miss Odusanya Agnes Temitope now wish to be known as Mrs. Adekanle Agnes Temitope. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OGAM: Formerly Miss Chinenye Lovelyn Ogam now Mrs Queen David Ani. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGBODO: Formerly Miss Ogbodo Onyiyechi Christiana now Mrs. Pius Onyiyechi Christiana.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, June, 15, 2013

58

Change of Name OGBUE: Formerly Mr. Ogbue Onyekachi Ikedinachukwu now Mr. Benaiah Onyekachi Ikedinachi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGBUNUGAFOR: Formerly Miss Chinelo Christiana Caroline Ogbunugafor , now Mrs Chinelo Caroline Chukwuma-Onwujei. Former documents Valid. Public note.

OGUNLADE: I, formerly Mr. Ogunlade Sunday Emmanuel now known as Mr. Oduwole Gabriel Yinka. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OGUNLARI: Former Miss Olapeju Ogunlari now Mrs. Olapeju Okeowo.

UBA Plc and public note.

OGUNSANU: I, formerly Mr. Ogunsanu Adetola Amos now known as Mr. Oluwasanu Omotola Amos. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OGUNSHINA: Formerly Miss Rike Ola Ogunshina now Mrs. Rike Ola Akintayo .Former Documents valid. Public note.

OJO: I, formerly Miss Ojo Mufuliat Adenike now known as Mrs. Lawal Mufuliat Adenike. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OJO: Former Ojo Modupeola Victoria now to be addressed as Mrs. Adebisi Victoria Modupeola. Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Chinwendu Ebele Okafor now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Chinwendu Ebele Anisiobi.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Theodora Chidera now Mrs. Obitulata Theodora Chidera.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKEKE: Formerly Miss Okeke Ifeoma Judith now Mrs. Oguejiofor Ifeoma Judith. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKEKE: Formerly Miss Okeke Ogoma Josephine, now Mrs Ofokajah Ogoma Josephine. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKEREKE: I, formerly known and addressed as Okereke Edith Chidinma , now want to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Asika Edith Chidinma. All documents bearing both

names remain valid.

Public take note.

OKEREKE: I, formerly known and addressed as Chioma Patience Okereke now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Patience Orikara. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. Public take note.

OKHUASOGIE: We the family of Okhuasogie now wish to be known as Felix, Mrs. Maria Imuwahen Felix, Osaretin Faith Lynn Felix, Pamela Imuetinyan Felix, Ogie Curtis Felix, Etinosa Joshua Roger Felix, Eghosa Gavin Felix. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKOLIE: Formerly Miss Okolie Joyce Mercy Ify now Mrs Sampson Rejoice Mercy Ify. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKOLO: Formerly Okolo Chukwuebuka Elvis now Richard Elvis Chukwuebuka. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OKORO: Formerly Miss Okoro Chioma Happiness now Mrs. Abbe Chioma Happiness. Old documents valid. Public note.

OKOROIGWE: Formerly Miss Ifeoma Eboh Okoroigwe, now Mrs Ifeoma Eboh Eboh. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKPALA: Formerly Miss Okpala Vivian Ijeoma now Mrs. Ojukwu Vivian Ijeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKWUOGU: Formerly Miss Okwuogu Maureen Ifeoma now Mrs. Okpala Maureen Ifeoma. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, public note.

OLADAPO: Formerly Dr. Miss Oladapo Olubukola Arinola now Dr. Mrs. Arikawe Olubukola Arinola.

Former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Medical and Dental Council and general public note.

OLADEJO: formerly Oladejo Kafilat Olabisi now Mrs. Animashaun Kafilat Olabisi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLAGUNJU: Formerly Miss Olagunju Rashidat Ibironke now Mrs. Keji Rashidat Ibironke. Documents valid. Public note.

OLATUNDE: Formerly Miss Olatunde Olaide Modupeola, now Mrs Eremiokhale Olaide

Modupeola. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLEKAMMAH: Formerly Miss Vera Olekammah now Mrs. Vera Osuagwuh. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OLOGBONSAIYE: Formerly Miss Ologbonsaiye Oluwabunmi Oluwatobi now Mrs. Adeoye Oluwabunmi Oluwatobi. Documents valid. Public note.

OLOYEDE: Formerly Oloyede Adeola Rukayat now Bukoye Adeola Rukayat. All former documents remain valid.

General Public note.

OLUSANYA: Formerly Olusanya Oluwatoyin Omobolanle now Mrs. Adekunle Oluwatoyin Omobolanle. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLUSHOGBE: Formerly Miss Olushogbe Titilayo Lola now Arogunmati Titilayo Emilia. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OLUWASHEMIRE: Formerly Miss Oluwashemire Folusho Omotayo now Mrs. Oluwaloni Folusho Omotayo. Former documents valid. Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, public note.

ONAYIGA: Formerly Miss Mopelola Temitope Onayiga now to be addressed as Mrs. Mopelola Temitope ‘Kunle-Ashafa. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONIMIYA: Formerly Miss Bernice Omarari Onimiya, now Mrs Bernice Omarari Mordi. Former documents valid. Public note.

valid. Public note.

ONYEGBUCHULAM: Formerly Miss onyegbuchulam Stella Nkechi now Mrs Njoku Stella Nkechi.

Former documents valid.

Public take note.

ONYENWERE: formerly Miss Maudline Onyenwere now Mrs Treasure Chinwe Onah. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

OPARA: Former Miss Victoria Ngozi Opara now Mrs. Victoria Ngozi Badejo. Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

OPARA: Formerly Miss Opara Sylvia Akuchinyere now Mrs. Chukwuji Sylvia Akuchinyere.

Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OPARAEKE: I formerly Miss Oparaeke Chioma B. now Mrs. Kelechi-Ejiogu Chioma Blessing. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ORUKOTAN: I, formerly known as Miss Lydia Adunola Orukotan, wish to be known and addressed now as Mrs. Lydia Adunola OrukotanOke. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSAJI: Formerly Osaji Felix now Osaji Felix Ifeanyi Ikogwe. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OSUAGWU: I, formerly Miss Osuagwu Chiamaka Jennifer now known as Mrs. Mordi Chiamaka Jennifer. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OSUKOYA: Former Miss Osukoya Deborah Oluwakemi now Mrs. Okunuga Deborah Oluwakemi. Public note.

ONOMAKPOSE: Former Sunday Onomakpose now Jenkins Okeremute Watakpo. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OWOLABI: Former Miss Owolabi Adebola Omotayo now Adebola Omotayo Franklin – Okhai Okhawere. Public note.

ONUCHUKWU: formerly Miss Onuchukwu Vivian Chinenye now Mrs Wenke Vivian Chinwendu. Former documents valid. Public note.

OWATIMEHIN: Formerly Miss Owatimehin Moyinoluwa Abigael now Mrs. Olatunji Moyinoluwa Abigael. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONUOHA: I, formerly Miss Onuoha Precious Nwakaego now known as Mrs. Tony Precious Nwakaego. Former documents remain valid.

Unilag, general public take note.

ONWUEKWEM: Formerly Miss Onwuekwem Martha Uzoamaka now Mrs. Ugwaegbunam Martha Uzoamaka.

Former documents remain

OWUYE: Formerly Mr. Owuye Noah Olugbenga now Mr. Ganye Noah Whesenu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OYEWOLE: Formerly Mr. Oyewole Sunday Lawrence now to be known and addressed as Mr. Isreal Paul Oluwaseun. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OYIBOKA: Formerly Miss Ifeoma Jennifer Oyiboka now wish to be Mrs Ifeoma Jennifer Olumide-Fasae. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UKAEGBULE: Formerly Miss Ukaegbule Cynthia Ada now Mrs Chukwunenye Cynthia Ada. Former documents valid. Public take note.

PIUS: Formerly Juliana Omoti Pius now Mrs. Ughiobhe Juliana Omoti.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UKEH: formerly Miss Ukeh Deborah Ugonwa now Mrs Ibuchim Deborah Ugonwa. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note.

ROLAND: I, Roland Evburokhai is the same person as Roland Friday Evburokhai. All documents remain valid. Embassies and public note.

UKIRI: I, formerly Miss Ukiri Ruth Ufuoma now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ademola Ruth Ufuoma. All former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

SAMUEL: I, formerly known as Esther Abiye Samuel now wish to be known as Mrs. Esther Abiye Adeyanju-Bello.

Former documents remain valid. Centre for Management Development (CMD), University of Lagos, Distance Learning Institute public note.

SEREOGUN: Formerly Miss Sereogun Esther Oluwadamilola now Mrs. Adebanjo Esther Oluwadamilola.

Former Documents valid.

Public note.

SHITTU: Formerly Alhaja Shittu Silifat Abike now Alhaja Olatunji Silifat Abike. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SODJE: Former Miss Sodje Rutejiri now Mrs. Rutejiri Akpovona Dominic Odiete. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

SOKUNBI: I, formerly Miss Sokunbi Moninuola Victoria now known as Mrs. Farinloye Moninuola Victoria. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

SOTUNDE: Formerly Miss Bolanle Adenike Sotunde now Mrs. Bolanle Adenike Awoyomi. Former documents remain valid. CAC Abuja and general public note.

SULAIMAN: I, formerly known as Miss Sulaiman Rukayat Oluwakemi now wish to be known as Mrs. Odugbesan Rukayat Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid.

Enterprise Bank Ltd and general public take note.

TANIMU: Formerly Miss Aishat Tanimu now Mrs. Eke Nwaka Aishat. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UBIAZA: Formerly Miss Patricia Ubiaza now Mrs. Patricia Ubiaza-Eze. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

UCHE: Formerly Chinyere Beatrice Uche now Mrs. Chinyere Beatrice Oseafiana. All former documents remain valid.

UTHAKPA: Formerly Miss Uthakpa Ogheneyole Becky now Mrs. Onanuga Ogheneyole Becky. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

UWAKWE: Formerly Miss Abigail Nnanah Uwakwe now Mrs. Abigail Enobong Adaiden. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UMEZURUIKE: Formerly Miss Lilian Chiamaka Umezuruike now Mrs. Lilian Chiamaka Nwabuisi. All former documents remain valid, the public take note.

WALTER: Formerly Eddie Walter now Eddie Ehi Akhibi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

YEKINI: Former Miss Tolulope Maryanne Yekini now Mrs. Tolulope Maryanne Oyekunle. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

YUSUF: Former Miss Raliat Mosunmola Yusuf now Mrs. Raliat Mosunmola Tiamiyu. Public note.

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TheGuardian

Saturday, June 15, 2013 59

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports Brazil 2013 Confederations Cup

Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa (right) and Anthony Ujah celebrate Musa’s goal against Kenya in a 2014 World Cup Qualifier in Kasarani football Stadium, Kenya…last week. The duo is expected to spearhead Super Eagles’ attack in the Confederations Cup.

By Christian Okpara, With Agency Reports FRICAN champions, Super Eagles of Nigeria, A is expected in Brazil tomorrow to join the other continents’ champions in a festival of football aimed at deciding the best soccer-playing nation in the world before the 2014 World Cup. Spain are the reigning world champions, but this game will test if they could still lay claim to the title they won at the World Cup in South Africa three years ago.

Among the countries represented in the World Cup dress rehearsal are hosts, Brazil, South American champions, Uruguay, Oceania kings, Tahiti, Asian champions, Japan, Italy, who qualified courtesy of their final appearance at the Euro 2012, world champions, Spain, Nigeria and CONCACAF champions, Mexico.

All of these teams, except Tahiti, have at one time or the other participated in the championship, but the competition is significant as it would give the countries first hand experience of what awaits them when the real deal, 2014 World Cup, comes around next year.

As expected, Spain, Brazil and Italy are the bookmakers’ favourites for the crown, but some observers believe that it would be risky to dismiss Mexico, Uruguay and Nigeria’s challenge for the trophy owing to the unpredictable nature of the game.

While all the teams fancy their chances of going home with the cup, all is not well with the Super Eagles, who begin their campaign against Tahiti on Monday.

The Super Eagles were supposed to leave Namibia, where they meet with the Brave Warriors in a World Cup qualifier, for Brazil en route South Africa on Thursday, but the team did not leave the Southern African nation until this morning following a dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over their match bonus.

The issue was resolved was partially resolved yesterday with both parties agreeing to bury the hatchet until after the Confederations Cup. Having lost three crucial training days to the crisis, the Super Eagles have only tomorrow to prepare for the first game against Tahiti. But officials of the team say the situation was not that bad as the team have been today since the end of the European season.

Super Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, told The Guardian yesterday that the team would go into

Spain’s midfielder Xavi Hernandez (left) vies with forward, Juan Mata (right), during their first training session in Brazil ahead of the Confederations Cup at the Wilson Campos Training Centre near Recife… on Thursday.

PHOTOS: AFP

incredible feeling if we could score against Spain at the Maracana.”

Last time around, for example, Spain were considered strong favourites for the title, only for Vicente del Bosque’s men to suffer a wholly unexpected 2-0 defeat against the USA in the semi-finals, bringing an abrupt end to La Roja’s record run of 35 matches unbeaten.

Spain are not the only ones out to break records, however, with their Brazilians hosts aiming for their fourth Confederations Cup title, while also attempting to become the first side to win the event three times running.

Just like the Spanish, though, Brazil have also been surprised at the tournament before. In 2003, they became the first reigning world champions to crash out in the group stage (a “feat” repeated by Italy four years ago) and they will face some familiar opponents as they try to avoid the same fate in Group A this year.

As well as being reunited with the Italians – in a “rematch” of the 1970 and 1994 FIFA World Cup Japan have already made sure of their place at finals – the South Americans must take on a Brazil 2014, just as Spain and Italy are also likely Mexico side who boast a 2-1 record from their to have at least one eye on their World cup three previous Confederations Cup encounters preparations – with the Spanish having edged with Brazil, including the Mexicans’ epic 4-3 win ahead of their main rivals, France, in European in the competition’s 1999 final. qualifying Group 1 and the Italians currently sit- Japan cannot point to quite as good a record ting comfortably at the top of Group B. against the Brazilians, having lost seven and Mexico, Nigeria and to some extent, Uruguay, drawn two of their nine previous meetings with are just a few paces off the last rounds of their the Selecao, but they might take heart from the various qualifying series. fact that those two draws both came at the At the other end of the scale from Brazil, Tahiti Confederations Cup. The first came in 2001 are the only other team not concerned about when a goalless draw with Brazil in the group World Cup qualification, although only because stage preceded a Japanese run to the final. Then, they are already out of the running for next in Germany in 2005, the two teams shared a 2-2 year’s extravaganza. draw to finish the group stage in joint second The Tahitians’ exit, during the final round of place – although Brazil went on to the knockout Oceania qualifying, has at least ensured that the stage on account of their superior goal differamateurs from the Pacific Islands are now fully ence. focused on the Confederations Cup and relishWhile records are there to be broken, and hising the opportunity of causing an upset – even tory does not always repeat itself, one of the smallest kind.

Confederations Cup statistic stands out in par“It’s amazing for us, a little country of 250,000 ticular, namely the World Cup “jinx” whereby people, to be going up against Uruguay and the none of the tournament’s previous winners Spanish world champions,” said Tahiti coach, have yet gone on to win the following edition of Eddy Etaeta, after learning the identity of his the FIFA World Cup. team’s group-stage opponents at last year’s tour- The eventual winners of this year’s nament draw.

Confederations Cup will no doubt be confront“Winning the OFC Nations Cup sparked incredi- ed with that statistic as soon as they have ble joy in Tahiti, but we have to be aware we are stepped off the podium – offering a timely playing with the big boys now. As for our objec- reminder that once the festivities of Brazil 2013 tives, we need to be realistic, but it would be an are over, the next challenge will already be clear.

Eagles On The March Again,

As Continental Champions Go To Battle the match against Tahiti with the aim of getting the three points as the foundation for a successful campaign.

“Although we would have loved to arrive in Brazil at least three days to the game, we are still in a position to do well because this team has been together for sometime now.

“Granted that we will miss some of our top stars like Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses and Ogenyi Onazi, we have some players here who want to use the competition to cement their positions in the team. We will not disappoint Nigerians,” he promised.

This ninth edition of this competition combines the footballing passion of the Brazilian hosts with a historic line-up that includes no fewer than four FIFA World Cup winners, including Brazil, Spain, Italy and Uruguay.

While six of the other teams are still in the hunt for the 2014 World Cup final ticket, Brazil, who are not involved in the qualifiers, see this competition as an opportunity to test their might against the best teams of the world before the big event on home soil next year.

“The Confederations Cup is vital for us to determine how we will play (in 2014) and which players to select,” the team’s technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira acknowledged in April.

“During the competition, we hope to determine at least 80 per cent of the squad that will be playing at the World Cup next year.”

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, June 15, 2013

60

SPORTS Confederations cup

How They Will Play

Suarez

Mikel Group A Brazil BRAZIL may well be the most successful nation in the history of football, but you wouldn’t always know it from listening to the constant arguments among the country’s fans and media concerning the current state of the national team. Debates are always raging over what it would take for the Selecao to return to the greatness of the old days – even if those “old days” refer to what many outside of Brazil would consider the very recent past.

Within all the passionate criticism, however, lies one common assertion about Brazilian football: it’s got history. Supporters of the five-time FIFA World Cup winners cling onto their team’s glorious past primarily as a me3ans to bolster national pride, but also to exert pressure on the current crop of players, in the hope of ensuring an equally bright future.

The extent of the pressure to succeed became apparent in November 2012, when head coach Mano Menezes was sacked just a few months after taking a young Brazil team to the final of the London 2012 Olympic Football Tournament.

Menezes had come close to ending Brazil’s lengthy wait for the only major international title still to elude them, but their 2-1 defeat to Mexico was enough for the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) to rethink their plans.

Given the country’s rich footballing history, there was the little surprise when the CBF decided to delve into that past and appoint not just one but two former FIFA World Cup-winning coaches – handing the top post to 2002 FIFA Wrold Cup winner Luiz Felipe Scolari, with Carlos Alberto Parreira (Brazil’s head coach at USA 1994) also coming on board as Scolari’s technical director.

“They’ve gone for Brazil’s last World Cup-winning coach and the says an awful lot,” said Barcelona’s Brazilian wing back Dani Alves of Scolari’s reappointment. “I hope he can come in and give us the stability we have perhaps been lacking. To my mind, the kick you get out of playing for your country in such big competitions more than makes up for any problems it might involve.”

One of the potential problems to which Alves

may have been alluding is the relative youth of the current Brazil line-up. Scolari is likely to head into the FIFA Confederations Cup relying on two 21-year-olds – Santos forward Neymar and Chelsea playmaker Oscar – as his main attacking threats. The rest of the squad contains only a few players with previous World Cup experience, and Brazil’s automatic qualification as tournament hosts means that they have not played a competitive match since crashing out in the quarter-finals of the 2011 Copa America.

With the added pressure of now preparing for two major tournaments in front of their loving but demanding home supporters, Brazil’s young guns know it’s time to start firing. “We need to make the most of the Confederation Cup by building a team with a new coach and getting used to a totally different approach,” says Neymar. “For the good of the team, we need to do that as quickly as possible. Some of the stars to watch out for are Thiago Silva, Oscar, and the much talked about Neymar.

Japan It has now been almost 10 years since Japanese football fans were basking in the glory of their “golden generation” of national team players who lit up major tournaments at the turn of the new century. In a dazzling six-year spell, Japan celebrated two senior continental titles, an AFC U-16 Championship victory, a runners-up spot at both the FIFA U-20 World Cup 1999 and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2001 and a first appearance in the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup finals.

After those intoxicating times, however, came the hangover, with the following six years failing to produce any major titles.

It was dubbed, somewhat poetically, by Japan’s long-suffering supporters, as the “cold foot era,” but signs of a thaw are now thankfully emerging.

Since the appointment of Italian coach Alberto Zacheroni, the Japanese have gone on to win their fourth Asian Cup title-ending a seven-year wait for continental glory – and finish fourth at the London 2012 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament. As Samurai Blue prepare to head for Brazil for this year’s FIFA Confederations

Cup, some are already describing Japan’s current squad as the “new golden generation.”

Born out of the highly professional Japanese football academy system and nurtured within the country’s domestic J. League, the current crop of stars boasts a level of technical ability that has already enabled the majority of them to move to some of Europe’s top divisions. As well as encouraging these young talents, Zaccheroni seems to have instilled a sense of confidence and resilience that had appeared lacking from the squad in previous years. The 2011 Asian Cup victory, for example, was no simple stroll, with Japan fighting back from 2-1 down to beat Qatar 3-2 in the quarter-finals, overcoming Korea Republic on penalties in the semi-finals, and then beating Australia in the decider thanks to a Tadanari Lee winner scored in the 19th minute of extra time.

As with any young team, questions still remain over Japan’s relative lack of international experience, with almost half of the side’s regular starters having been brought in since the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But it is exactly that type of experience that Zaccheroni’s players will now have the chance to acquire at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, with group-stage opponents Brazil, Italy and Mexico certainly providing a stiff test of the Asian champions’ abilities ahead of next year’s main event.

Japanese fans expect Maya Yoshida, Shinji Kagawa and Yasuhito Endo to light up the competition.

Mexico Mexico are old hands when it comes to the FIFA Confederations Cup. As one of the “giants” of the CONCACAF region, El Tri are preparing for their sixth appearance at the tournament – a record bettered only by seven-time participants, Brazil. They are also former champions, having beaten the Brazilians 4-3 on home soil in the thrilling finale to the 1999 edition, and boast the joint top goal scorer in the history of the competition, with Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s nine-goal tally putting him on top alongside Brazil’s Ronaldinho.

The North Americans secured their latest return to the tournament by overcoming arch-

rivals the USA 4-2 in the final of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. That victory was just one of many recent highlights, with Mexico also winning that year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup and then going on to even greater glory last year with their triumph at the London 2012 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.

The senior team’s march towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup also seemed unstoppable last year, as Jose Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre’s men ramped through CONCACAF’s penultimate qualifying round, with six wins from their six games against Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guyana.

Things have been going less well in 2013, however, with Mexico’s first three matches in the final six-team “hexagonal” round yielding just three draws, and leaving the team languishing in fifth place. The first half of June could now prove vital for De la Torre’s team, who are set to play three more qualifiers in the space of eight days – away to Jamaica and surprise early leaders Panama, and at home against Costa Rica – before heading to Brazil for the Confederations Cup. Having always taken the “Festival of Champions” very seriously, the Mexican fans will be hoping that their team can get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track before being able to focus fully on the Brazil 2013 campaign.

De la Torre has already announced his desire to win the tournament, despite seeing his side drawn in a highly competitive group, alongside the Brazilians, Italians and Japanese. Even against such stiff opposition, the coach knows he can rely on a potent combination of veteran players, including Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Salcido and Andres Guardado, Carlos Salcido and Andres Guardado, and the younger players of the “golden generation,” such as Giovani dos Santos, Hector Moreno and Javier Hernandez.

The top stars of the mExican team are Javier Hernandez, Hector Moreno and Giovani dos Santos.

Italy Under Cesare Prandelli, Italy are currently undergoing a spectacular transformation, a process that started following the country’s disastrous campaign at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. Before that, the Azzurri had primarily been known for their pragmatic defensive style of play, which they had elevated to an art form. Gently, but with a real sense of purpose, Prandelli is in the throes of starting a new chapter with an objective that he is not afraid to express: “My aim is to get results playing attractive football.”

Reaching the final of UEFA EURO 2012 was a surprise, since Prandelli had initially announced his desire to “create a team of the people” by “educating the players and teaching them to be humble,” while stressing that “results are not a priority.” He also asked clubs to make more of an effort to utilize the country’s many talented young players, rather than just relying on bigname foreign “imports.”

“Investing in young players is the most important thing,” is how II Mister sums up his philosophy. “I am happy with the way things are going but there is still plenty of room for improvement. We must trust in the new generation, who give us optimism and enthusiasm.

Prandelli has certainly been practicing what he preaches with the Italian national team, particularly up front, where his main strikers – Stephan El Shaarawy and the gifted but difficult to manage Mario Balotelli – are just 20 and 22 years old respectively. Despite their tender years, the pair are starting to create a formidable-looking partnership, which should grow even further in strength now that they are both also team-mates at AC Milan.

The coach clearly values experience too, however, with veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon and experienced midfielders, Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi, still essential to Prandelli’s plans. The team’s formation also seems to have been settled now, with a previous experiment with 4-3-1-2 now abandoned in favour of a more adventurous 4-3-3, which relies heavily on players from Juventus and Milan.

With Italy’s qualifying campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup running smoothly, Prandelli has great expectations of the FIFA Confederations Cup, which he sees as a fullscale dress rehearsal for the main event. His only regret is that the tournament overlaps with this year’s UEFA EURO U-21, for which he is leaving Italy’s young starlets in the hands of coach Devis Mangia.

Italy trust Stephan El Shaarawy, Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo to deliver the goods.

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, June 15, 2013

61

SPORTS Confederations cup Group B Spain Looking back now, it seems almost unbelievable that Spain were once derided as Europe’s perennial footballing under achievers.

A formidable four year spell in which the Spaniards won back to back European titles, either side of their 2010 FIFA World Cup triumph, has ended all talk of Spain underperforming, with Vincente del Bosque’s men having now won nearly everything there is to win.

Nearly, but not quite everything, because there is still some unfinished business for La Roja. The FIFA Confederation Cup is the one tournament that this talented generation of players have yet to win, falling short in South Africa in 2009 when they made their first and only appearance to date in the Festival of Champions.

Four years ago, Spain were seen by many as heavy favourites for the title, only to see their record run of 35 matches unbeaten come to a surprise end with a 2-0 defeat to the USA in the South Africa 2009 semi finals. This time around, they will no doubt still be many people’s favourites, but once again, Spain may not have things all their own way.

Since taking charge of the squad following the UEFA EURO 2008 victory, Del Bosque has made very few changes to his basic line up. But with the backbone of the side (the likes of Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Xavi and David Villa) all now in their thirties, the coach knows that he has to look to the future.

Del Bosque’s emphasis on midfield play has also been questioned of late. While the team still boast an impressive array of top class midfielders, Spain’s trademark style based on short passing, swift combinations and skilful ball retention seems to be proving less effective than in the past.

A good example of this is their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. While Spain are still top of European Group1, they have managed only one emphatic win, over Belarus. Their other mathes have been home draws (against France and Finland) or narrow 1-0 away wins (over Geogia and France). Certainly no case for panic, but a long way from the ten straight victories and 28 goals that saw Spain curies through their South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign.

Del Bosque may well use the FIFA Confederations Cup to try out some different options, but will also be aware of the fans desire to fill this rare space in Spain’s trophy cabinet. Neutrals will meanwhile be relishing the possibility of seeing this historic generation of Spanish players measuring themselves against Brazil in the tournament’s later stages – with the two sides still not having played each other this century.

Despite his troubles in Real Madrid, Spain still rely on Captain, Iker Casillas, to lead the troop. Other stars of the world champions are Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.

Uruguay Two time former world champions, Uruguay, have long been accustomed to punching above their weight. And while they no longer dominate the international football scene in the way they did during the early years of the FIFA World Cup, it’s unlikely they’ll be underestimated by any of their opponents at this year’s FIFA confederation Cup. The Uruguayans will, of course, be making the short trip north to neighbouring Brazil as the reigning South American champions, having followed up their run to the semi finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a convincing triumph at the following yea’s Copa America. That tournament also involved a trip to one of the continent’s traditional powerhouses, with hosts Argentina among the sides conquered by Uruguay during their unbeaten

Pirlo

march to the title.

Coach Oscar Tabarez is widely seen as the architect of the team’s current success. Appointed in 2006 following Uruguay’s third World Cup qualifying failure in four attempts, he has crafted a stable and balanced squad who are solid in defence and lethal in attack, and all without losing an ounce of the country’s legendary garra or frit.

Uruguay head to Brazil in something of a tailspin, however, with their impressive start to the latest World Cup qualifying campaign having gone dramatically away in recent months. After winning three and draying two of their first five qualifiers – as part of an impressive 18-match, 14 month unbeaten run – Tabarez’s men have now failed to win any of their last six, losing four times and drawing twice.

Currently lying outside even the South American play off spot, La Celeste will play one more qualifying match (away to Venezuela) in June before turning their attention to the Festival of Champions, knowing that another defeat could seriously jeopadise their chances of making it back to Brazil in 2014.

Uruguayans pride themselves, however, on their ability to find strength in adversity. In that sense, the FIFA Confederations Cup could provide great motivation just when it is most needed. A strong run of results in the coming weeks – perhaps even culminating in a new addition to the team’s trophy cabinet – could just be the tonic needed to get Uruguay’s World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.

The South American champions boost such firepower as Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan and the controversial, but lethal Luis Suarez.

Tahiti Asked recently how his side would cope with being comprehensively outgunned at this year’s FIFA Confederations Cup, Tahiti goalkeeper Mikael Roche simply shrugged and said, “if you don’t have a tank, then you do what you can with your knife.” It’s a colourful metaphor, but also one that aptly summarises the challenge facing the French Polynesians – and their resolve to meet that challenge.

To qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup, the Tahitians have already had to succeed against the odds, albeit on a far smaller scale than what now awaits them in Brazil. When the islanders proudly walk out onto the Belo Horizonte pitch on 17 June to face Nigeria, it will be just over a year to the day since Tahiti’s improbable triumph at the 2012 OFC Nations Cup. Overcoming higher ranked opponents and the debilitating heat of the Solomon Islands, Eddy Etaeta’s team exceeded all expectations – including their own – by making it all the way to the final and then eking out a 1-0 win over Franchophone rivals New Caledonia. Tahiti’s historic win marked the first time that any nation had managed to break the 39-year stranglehold on the competition of New Zealand and former Oceania Football Confederation members, Australia.

Though remotely located – they are the most easterly of Oceania’s member nations – Tahitians have a rich footballing history, thanks in part in part to their French roots. While always operating in the shadow of the big two during their early days, the national team finished runners up at the first three editions of the Nations Cup (1973, 1980 and 1996).

They were also the second Pacific Island nation to take part in a FIFA World Cup qualifying competition, with their 1992 debut preceded only by Fiji. They have not yet, however come anywhere close to reaching the finals, and have already had their hopes of reaching the 2014 FIFA World Cup dashed – with four straight defeats at the start of the region’s final qualifying round ruling out a quick return to Brazil. Still, Tahiti could perhaps benefit from being the only team at this year’s tournament not distracted by thoughts of next year’s main event. And while their amateur status might seem like an anomaly in the modern game, they will certainly not lack for team spirit and unity in the face of their technically superior opponents.

The Islanders believe in the ability of Nicolas Vallar, Marama Vahirua, and Steevy Chong Hue to steer them to an impressive outing in Brazil.

Nigeria As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria has had designs on joining the elite of international football since first making a splash on their FIFA world Cup debut in 1994. They have certainly kept themselves in the mix since then, qualifying for three of the four subsequent World Cup finals and performing consistently at continental level. Until recently, however, they had failed to make the kind of major impact that their fans had expected following their dramatic goal medal win at the 1996 Olympic Football Tournament in Atlanta.

Now, though, Nigerian hopes are on the rise once more, buoyed by the appointment of no nonsense coach Stephen Keshi at the end of 2011 and by the team’s Africa Cup of Nations victory in South Africa earlier this year – a triumph that ended a wait of almost two decades for continental glory.

Keshi, known affectionately in Nigeria as Big Boss, gambled bravely on the omission of several established international stars for the South Africa campaign, relying instead on a young squad, a surprising number of whom were domestically based. The gamble paid off, of course, with previously unheralded figures such as tournament top scorer, Emmanuel Emenike, and final match goalscorer, Sunday Mba, proving themselves ready for the big stage.

Like many of the teams who have qualified for the FIFA Confederations Cup, Nigeria have not had things all their own way since winning the continental title. Their 1-1 draw at home to Kenya during World Cup qualifying in March – secured thanks to an 88th minute Nnamdi Oduamadi equalizer has kept them top of their group.

Before heading to Brazil for the Festival of Champions, Nigeria

Xavi

Kagawa

Neymar played another two qualifiers this month, a 1-0 away win in Kenya and a 1-1 draw with Namibia. The Confederations Cup offers an important chance for the team to fine tune their tactics ahead of their potentially decisive home tie against the Malawians in September.

The tournament will also offer Nigeria the opportunity to test themselves against the leading teams from around the world ahead of their hoped for return to Brazil next year. Against the minnows of Tahiti in their opening game, the Africans will no doubt be looking to make a statement of intent. The real tests are likely to come only in the following groups stage matches against Uruguay and world champions Spain. If Keshi’s men can hold their own in those encounters, then Nigeria fans will really start to believe that a new dawn is breaking.

In the absence of the injured Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, and Ogenyi Onazi, the Super Eagles will rely on the skills of Goalkeeper/Skipper Vincent Enyeama, John Obi Mikel, Sunday Mba and Ahmed Musa to challenge for the trophy.

Culled from FIFA.com

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, June 15, 2013

62

SPORTS

Basketball Rumble In Sportscity – First Bank Versus First Deepwater?

AM venturing into the world of basketball this week. This ILagos evening at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in an epic basketball match is likely to take place. The match is significant because of the prospect of a likely change of guard of the leadership of female basketball in the country. The two clubs that will slug it out to determine who would be the national champions of 2013 are the same two teams that have contested and dominated the national league in the past four years, particularly since First Deepwater Discovery Club emerged on the national scene to challenge and even overtake their main rivals, First Bank Female Basketball Club, ‘the Elephant Girls’, that had ruled Nigerian basketball for most of the past almost four decades.

In the past four years, therefore, between First Deepwater and First Bank there has been no love lost. Whereas the first club has been riding the crest of their recent successes (champions of 2011 and 2012), the other has been lamenting their fall from grace to grass.

Three seasons ago in 2009, First Deepwater came on the scene, noticed the complacency of their main opponent, recruited players from amongst the bank of several retired or retiring First Bank players, provided incentives for them to raise the spirit and

inspire winning, and took over the leadership of the Nigerian league. The club has grown stronger and stronger since then, creating a big gulf between themselves and all the other teams, including the Elephant Girls.

Last season, the two clubs met three times during the course of the league. First Deep Water won the first two encounters and led the rest of the league until the very last match of the season.

In that final match, with the league already in their pocket and the result of the match no longer relevant to the final placing on the league table, First Deepwater played against a First Bank team of wounded lionesses, whose pride appeared to have been at stake and lost.

That victory was very significant for First Bank Club. It was the reminder the team needed about the ‘cost of defeat’ as compared to the ‘reward of victory’. That match has now become a psychological morale booster for the Elephant Girls. First Deepwater can be beaten!

The girls and the bank itself, through its newly installed Sports Governing Council, once again tasted the sweet nectar of victory after a two-season famine. The difference between winning and losing is now very clear again!

As the final showdown of 2013 happens this evening the Elephant Girls want to return very badly to the top again as champions. That’s why there will be sparks and fireworks tonight in the city of Lagos.

Historically, First Bank Female Basketball Club are not new to this kind of resurgence or resurrection.

Through the years since 1978 when the club was formed and dominated the Nigerian league scene, a few teams had appeared to interrupt their dominance. But these have been short-lived. At a time the Benin Queens Basketball Club came from the blues to shatter the myth and the monotony of First Bank.

Another time, Eko Flyers Basketball Club also emerged and did a similar thing. Both times, the bank went back to the drawing board, sprung back with a vengeance and vaporized the pyrrhic victory of the two teams.

This season it appears the team to be returning to that old, tested and trusted path. The club has reinforced its squad (just as

Segun Odegbami First Deepwater has also done) by recruiting some new players, including two professional players from outside Nigeria into their squads. Both teams, with this move, have been significantly stronger this season.

In their two different league groups, in matches played in Abuja and Asaba in the first two phases of the league, neither team has lost a single match up to this final match. Both teams will be meeting for the first time in this final match this entire season if they both win their semi-final matches. That’s why the whole basketball community, and, indeed, the entire country’s sports community, will watch with very keen interest what happens tonight at the ‘rumble in Sportscity.’

With the battle line drawn, any way which way, one of the two teams will lose its ‘undefeated’ status.

Will it be First Deepwater Discovery Female Basketball Club, current national champions, or will it be the First Bank Female Basketball Club, the most successful club in the history of female basketball in Nigeria?

Postscript: Never count your chickens before they are hatched. That’s a very wise saying that has become the reality of the ‘basketball rumble in sportscity’.

A few hours after I had sent my column to the editor, First Bank basketball club lost their semi-final match against Dolphins Basketball Club of Lagos. Everyone, including yours truly, had assumed and taken it for granted that First Bank club would easily win the match.

However, the substance of my article is still not lost, for the Elephant Girls shall still bounce back to the top very quickly and very soon. Mark my words!

Mimiko International U-18 Soccer Tournament

ODSFA Academy Battles Tiwa Warriors Tomorrow FFICIALS of the Ondo State agement of the club sacrificed O Football Academy ‘so much to see that we suc(ODSFA), Akure, believe noth- ceed.’

A First Deepwater Basketball Club player tries a basketball during a recent game. First Deepwater will meet Dolphins of Lagos in the final of the Zenith Bank Basketball League… this weekend.

Emirates Begins FIFA World Cup Countdown With Confederations Cup MIRATES, one of the E world’s fastest growing international airlines and an Official FIFA Worldwide Partner, welcomes passengers to Brazil for the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, as the one-year countdown to the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup begins.

Just as Emirates brings together people from the 77 nations served worldwide, the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 brings together football teams from Brazil, Japan, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, Tahiti and Nigeria, to fight for the cup between from today to June 30, 2013, in the cities of Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro.

During the tournament, Emirates will host VIP Skybox hospitality suites; connecting fans with the excitement of the matches in Brazil.

Additionally, in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, Emirates will host the exciting ‘Destination Challenge’ game. Ticketholders to the matches in these stadiums will have the chance to join in the football action by participating in one of three

games.

Participants will compete against each other to see if they can kick the football onto the destination wall – featuring one of three Emirates’ spectacular destinations of Haneda (Japan), Delhi (India) or Dubai (UAE) – testing their football skills while engaging in some competitive fun with fellow fans.

ing would stop them from winning the maiden Mimiko International Soccer Tournament’s trophy when they meet Tiwa Warriors in the final tomorrow.

ODSFA qualified for the final by beating Fountain Youth Club 5-4 via a penalty shoot after the regulation time had ended 2-2, while Tiwa Warriors edged out Magate Football Club of Ibadan 2-1 with Christian Igho getting both goals.

Speaking on his team’s preparedness for the final game, Ondo State Football Academy Coach, Henry Abiodun, said his boys were primed for the trophy, adding that the man-

“The lads have worked so hard to qualify from the group, quarterfinal and semifinal stages and I am glad they have succeeded.

“It will be a great one if we lift the trophy because every professional wants to have his name written in gold, but we must work hard at every step to achieve that,” he added.

He said the Academy was a good platform to produce soccer talent for the state and beyond within a short time, positing that “the academy can provide quality players for the state-owned teams such as Sunshine Stars, Rising Stars and other professional football clubs.”

Enyimba players celebrating a goal during a recent game against Enugu Rangers. The ‘Peoples Elephant’ will host Heartland in another oriental derby tomorrow in Aba.

Glo Nigeria Professional Football League

Sponsor Urges Teams To Sustain Tempo, As League Enters Week 19 S week 19 matches in the Glo A Premier League hold this weekend, signaling the end of

Skidmore College Coach, Jeremiah Kneeland, a coach from Berkshire School, United Kingdom, Jon Moodey, Head Client Service, Peculiar People Management (PPM), Kikelomo Atanda Owo, and PPM’s Operations Manager, Lekan Ogunjuyigbe and a coach from Western Reserve Academy, United Kingdom, Herb Hnller during the final selection of players for the MTN Football Scholars programme in Lagos… on Tuesday.

the first stanza of the 38-week season, official sponsor of the league, Globacom, has called on the stakeholders of the league to sustain and enhance the tempo already attained in the ongoing season.

The teams will proceed on a two-week recess to return on July 3 to enable the players take some rest.

In a statement in Lagos on Thursday, Globacom noted the interest of Nigerians in the league has increased since the company resumed the sponsorship of the league this season, adding, “We are impressed with the momentum the

League Management Company has created and wish to appeal to all stakeholders to sustain the tempo by coming out in large to number to cheer the teams at the various stadiums.”

Meanwhile, one of the star matches of Week 19 will come up in Aba tomorrow with Enyimba hosting Heartland in a crowd-pulling oriental derby.

Another derby will take place in Yenagoa between Nembe City of Bayelsa and their Niger Delta neighbours, Sharks of Port Harcourt, while northern rivalry will be rekindled in Maiduguri when El Kanemi Warriors host Kano Pillars.

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, June 15, 2013

63

SPORTS European Round-Off

Suarez Not Focused LBale Perfect For Real, Says Modric On Reds Exit IVERPOOL striker, Luis Lthinking Suarez insists he is not about using the Confederations Cup as a means to enhance his chances of leaving Anfield.

The 26-year-old striker will lead the line for Uruguay in the tournament in Brazil over the next fortnight.

World champions Spain, who contain many of the Real Madrid players Suarez has previously spoken publicly of wanting to join at the Bernabeu, are Uruguay’s first opponents this weekend.

And while he is already one

of the best strikers in the world a good showing in this tournament would only improve his reputation.

But the South American stressed he is only focused on help his national team do as well as possible.

“Here I come to play for Uruguay and not thinking what I can do to benefit a transfer,” he told reporters at a press conference ahead of the match against Spain.

“My only goal is to win the cup.”

Suarez added that “for now there is nothing” in relation

to any potential transfer and there was no deadline, although he admitted “family issues” - his wife Sofia moved to Barcelona to study as a teenager which was followed by his transfer to Europe to play for Dutch side Groningen - meant he had an affiliation with Spain aside from the language.

Liverpool have yet to be informed by the player or his agent of a desire to leave but it is likely they are waiting for Real to make their approach in order for loyalty bonuses not to be sacrificed by making a transfer request.

Suarez, who has six matches of a 10-match domestic ban still to serve for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in April, has spoken at length of his unhappiness at the way he is treated by the British media.

UKA Modric believes Gareth Bale would ‘fit perfectly’ at Real Madrid were he to follow him from Tottenham Hotspur to Spain.

Modric left White Hart Lane for Santiago Bernabeu last summer, with the Croatian playmaker pushing for a switch as deadline day loomed.

There is a possibility that path will be trodden again in 2013, with Real making no secret of their admiration for Spurs forward Bale.

Florentino Perez - recently re-elected as Real president has claimed that he would have no problem sanctioning a record-breaking move for Bale, with £80million bids mooted.

Modric believes a transfer would be beneficial to all concerned, with the Bernabeu providing an ideal stage for a player of Bale’s ability to showcase his talent.

He told Marca: “It is a complicated issue for me because I was at Tottenham with him.

I can tell you that we’re friends and that he is an exceptional player.

“A club like Real Madrid, Tottenham or anyone else can only benefit from having a player like that.

“If he signs or not is a matter for the clubs, but if he ends

Messi Desperately Needs Rest, Fitness Coach Cautions Barca Signorini, Fat ERNANDO Argentina’s fitness coach the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has warned that Lionel Messi is in desperate need of rest if he is to make it to next year’s World Cup in Brazil in top condition.

The Barcelona star has been plagued by physical problems in the past few Suarez

Transfer Gossip ANCHESTER United boss, David Moyes is ready to spend a world-record £85m to land Tottenham midfielder - and double Footballer of the Year award winner - Gareth Bale, 23.

And Moyes is refusing to give up in his pursuit of £40m-rated Barcelona midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, 26.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Premier League is a step closer after the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward dismissed reports that he had signed a new contract with Real Madrid.

West Ham hope to complete the permanent signing of £15.5m striker Andy Carroll, 24, from Liverpool as early as next week.

Tottenham boss, Andre Villas-Boas has told midfielder Scott Parker, 32, and striker Jermain Defoe, 30, that they are among 10 players who can leave this summer.

Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Odil Ahmedov, 25, claims he is wanted by Arsenal.

Swansea are tracking Espanyol defender, Jordi Amat, 21, as club captain Ashley Williams is poised to leave the Liberty Stadium.

Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho has moved a step closer to signing Vitesse Arnhem’s 20-year-old midfielder Marco van Ginkel after rivals Ajax admitted they could not compete with the Londoners.

Schalke’s German playmaker Julian Draxler, 19, has issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to Chelsea and Manchester United after admitting it would be hard to turn down a move to either club.

Goalkeeper David Stockdale, 27, insists his future lies at Fulham despite interest from West Ham and Hull.

Midfielder Stephen Ireland, 26, has been told he is free to leave Aston Villa as manager Paul Lambert bids to slash the club’s wage bill.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has told manager Mark Hughes he will not be restricted to bringing in young players.

West Brom hope to reach a deal with midfielder Zoltan Gera, 34, over a contract extension. The Hungarian will become a free agent this summer but could yet stay at The Hawthorns.

Manuel Pellegrini’s appointment as Manchester City manager is being held up by a £3.2m contract dispute with former club Malaga.

City, though, are adamant that the deal is not under threat and that Pellegrini will be confirmed as their manager shortly.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan will decide on his new manager on Friday, with former England boss Steve McClaren and exBurnley manager Owen Coyle understood to be the leading contenders.

M

Messi

Schuster Becomes Malaga Boss ALAGA have appointed former West Germany M and Barcelona midfielder Bernd Schuster as their new coach on a five-year deal, the La Liga club have confirmed.

Schuster replaces Manuel Pellegrini who left at the end of last season and is expected to be confirmed as the new manager at English Premier League side Manchester City.

Schuster started his coaching career in Germany and has since managed in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk before spells at Levante, Getafe and Real Madrid - who he guided to the 2008 La Liga title - before moving to Turkey and a oneyear spell at Besiktas.

Schuster will be presented to the press next week and Malaga said on their official website: “The Andalusian club trusts the German coach to develop a sound long-term project, so they have agreed a deal for the next five seasons.”

months, and Signorini feels the attacker needs a prolonged holiday in order to leave his fitness issues behind him.

Bale

up at Real Madrid that can only be good for us.

“As Real Madrid is a team of stars, Bale would fit perfectly.

He would give us a different dimension. He can shoot, has strength and speed and is the type of player who could help us take a step forward.”

TheGuardian

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Nigerian Athletes Floor Americans, As Warri CAA Grand Prix Ends US-based Ndu Celebrates First Win for Nigeria, Egwero, Asumnu Pick 100m Titles From Gowon Akpodonor, Warri NE of the most celebrated O American athletes at the Warri 2013 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Grand Prix, Nichole Denby, could only settle for a bronze medal at the end of the women’s 100m hurdles event yesterday.

She was beaten by new kid on the block, US-based Nigerian athlete, Ugonna Ndu, who won the gold in a time of 13.52 seconds. It was Ndu’s first major win for Nigeria.

Another Nigerian, Amaka Ogoegbunam, was also ahead of the American, picking the silver in a time of 13.65 seconds. Ogoegbunam returned to the track last year after serving a ban by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF), which she got during 2009 World Athletics Champpionship in Berlin, Germany.

The gold medalist, Ndu, was full of smiles as she celebrated her victory over the American at the end of the race. She hung everyone that came her way inside the VIP area of Warri City Stadium.

The one-day event, which had many incentives for the winners, was attended by athletes from 14 foreign countries, 113 local athletes and about 20 Nigerian athletes based abroad.

The defeated American women hurdler, Denby, was highly favoured to win the

race going by her record this year. She has a season’s best (SB) of 13.08 seconds, but could only manage 13.69 seconds yesterday.

Old timer, Patience Okoro, who ruled Edo 2002 National Sports Festival, finished sixth in the race in a time of 14.43 seconds, while Nigerian junior athlete, Efe Favour was seventh in 14.62 seconds.

It was another disappointment for America in the men’s 110m hurdles, where Team Nigeria’s Nurudeen Selim beat America’s Andrew Brunson in the race.

While the Nigerian captured the gold in a time of 13.69 seconds, the American returned at 13.86 seconds, with Martins Ogieriakhi of Nigeria taking the bronze in a time of 14.01 seconds.

The men’s 100m race was won by Ogho-Oghene Egwero at a time of 10.18seconds, while US-based Gloria Asumnu captured the women’s 100m gold in a time of 11.35 seconds.

Chibuike Harry took the 100 metres men’s silver in 10.47 seconds, ahead of US’ Mathieu Pritchett, who got bronze in 10.50seconds.

In the 400m women’s final, US-based Nigerian, Regina George, was too hot for other challengers, as she won the gold, just as Ajoke Odumosu won the 400 metres hurdles in 55.10 seconds.

Malawi Will Upset Nigeria, Coaches Boast ALAWI Flames, coach M Eddington Ng’onamo and his deputy Patrick Mabedi, have predicted an upset of Nigeria when the two teams meet in September’s decisive 2014 World Cup qualifier.

Ng’onamo told MBC Radio that the pressure is on the hosts in this Group F match.

Nigeria lead the group on nine points, two ahead of Malawi, with only one team advancing to the final qualifying phase of the series.

He said the fact that Nigeria barely survived at home against Kenya and away in Namibia suggests they are vulnerable.

On his part, Mabedi said Nigeria’s draw in Namibia was a miracle for Malawi.

“We might have a poor away record in Nigeria but things do change. We will do our homework thoroughly. I am very certain we will do well.

The pressure is on them and with the pressure of them playing in front of home crowd, they will struggle.

After all, we go there as underdogs,” Mabedi told Supersport.com.

Malawi against all expectations could only manage a 2-2 home draw against Kenya in their qualifier on Wednesday, on the same day that Nigeria held Namibia to a 1-1 draw in Windhoek.

Murray Beats Becker To Queen’s Semifinals ORLD number two, W Andy Murray, booked his place in the semi-finals of the Aegon Championships with a straight sets win over Germany’s Benjamin Becker yesterday.

Murray started well but struggled to find his form in the second set as he claimed a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) victory.

The British number one now faces either fourth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or American Denis Kudla at

Queen’s Club.

Murray told BBC Sport: “He started playing much better in the second. I just had to hang tough to get the win.”

Defending champion, Marin Cilic, ended second seed, Tomas Berdych’s involvement and four-time champion, Lleyton Hewitt, claimed a surprise win over Juan Martin del Potro.

Cilic and Hewitt will face each other in the other semifinal.

Brazilian national football team players Neymar (right) and Fernando vie during a training session in Brasilia. Brazil will face Japan, Italy and Mexico in the Group A of the Confederations Cup. PHOTO: AFP

Brazil 2013 Confederations Cup

Tahiti Dreams Upset Against Super Eagles HILE Japan will open the Japan, Brazil Kick Off Tourney W Brazil 2013 Confederations Cup with a

shocks have happened before in these kind of tournaments and we don’t want to be the vicAdejo were on target. game against hosts today, the Will the extra preparation tims this time.”

Nigeria are one of two undetime benefit the islanders?

Super Eagles and their Meanwhile, in Japan, which feated sides in the FIFA Nigeria will be looking to Tahitian counterparts have recently became the first take an early lead at the top of Confederations Cup, the other been preparing for a game nation to book its ticket to the being Denmark. The west that could shape their partici- Group B by giving their goal 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, Africans went unbeaten in difference a significant boost pation in this competition. their previous participation in expectations have grown that Following Spain’s clash with against a team, who are 107 the Samurai Blue have a good 1995, earning one win, two places below them in the Uruguay, the champions of chance of emulating their draws and losing only on FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Oceania and Africa go head-toshowing at the previous edipenalties to Mexico in the With Uruguay and Spain head in Group B’s second tion in South Africa, where they match for third place. lying in wait, Stephen Keshi’s game in Belo Horizonte on reached the Round of 16.

“For an amateur player it is a side will be looking to put Monday.

In an exclusive interview with dream to face the best players 63 years ago, the Brazilian city their part-time opponents to FIFA.com, attacking midfielder in the world. However for it not was the location for one of the the sword.

Shinji Kagawa and left-back to become a nightmare we Tahiti, meanwhile, are daring biggest upsets in footballing Yuto Nagatomo explained how have to keep working really to dream. history, USA’s win over the tough qualifying process England during the 1950 FIFA This is the pair’s first meeting hard so we are ready for the and the upcoming FIFA first game,” Tahiti at international level, World Cup. Should Tahiti emuConfederations Cup Brazil were forward, Steevy Chong Hue, although they did square up late that result, shockwaves important stepping stones in told FIFA.com. at the FIFA U-20 World Cup will be felt across world footJapan’s next quest for FIFA To Super Eagles’ defender, 2009 in Egypt.

Nigeria preball.

World Cup glory.

Ambrose Efe, “It is a match we vailed 5-0 on that occasion, a Eddy Etaeta’s Tahiti have been After a solid first season with know we need to win and, to first-round match held in in Brazil since June 7, while Manchester United, Kagawa do that, we need to be fully Cairo when Obiora Nwankwo, Nigeria are expected to arrive has made himself an integral concentrated. We cannot Ibok Edet, Kehinde Fatai, tomorrow, eight days later.

Nurudeen Orelesi and Daniel afford to take any chances. Big part of the national squad.

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FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU

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