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Residents Groan As Boko Haram Intensifies Attacks

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‘I Have No

Ekiti Governor Election: 33 Aspirants Jostle For PDP Ticket

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Problem Teaching Older People’

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Vol. 30, No. 12,847

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Gowon, Shagari, Obasanjo, Others Storm Abuja For Centenary Celebration From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja HE celebration of Nigeria’s T centenary anniversary continued yesterday in Abuja

Former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari; former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; President Goodluck Jonathan; and former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan at the Centenary Dinner and Awards in Abuja… yesterday PHOTO: NAN

with Presidential Awards to distinguished Nigerians and foreigners who have contributed to the making of modern Nigeria.

Some of the awardees include all the former Presidents and Heads of State, most of who fell under the category of outstanding promotion of unity, patriotism and national development, as well as contribution to the democratic transition in the country.

Among the past leaders physically present to receive a lifetime achievement awards at the occasion were Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Gens.

Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as Chief Ernest Shonekan.

The late Gen. Sani Abacha was represented by his wife, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

UN Body Calls For Justice Against Perpetrators Of North East Killings

Governor Nyako In Gun Attack Scare

NEWS 5

From Madu Onuorah, and Emmanuel Ande, Yola

Why Nigeria’s Out-0f –School

ARELY 34 hours after Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako declared that the aim of state of emergency in the three northeast states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe has been defeated following incessant and unchecked attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, he allegedly came under fire yesterday from yet unknown persons.

Nyako and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmed Umaru Fintri, were said to have been

NEWS 3

Children Profile Is Rising, By Experts NEWS 6

Court Hears Sanusi’s Case March 21

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• Defence Hqrs Reacts whisked away to safety by his security aides when sporadic shooting erupted close to a venue in Madagali Council during their visit to condole with families who lost their relations in the attack on the community last Wednesday.

The Defence Headquarters, however, denied reports that the governor’s convoy was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists, saying the reports were misplaced, alarming and capable of causing unnecessary anxiety and heighten-

ing tension in the area and country.

Nyako’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Sajoh, who confirmed the attack to The Guardian, quoted the governor as saying that he heard some people saying ga su (meaning see them) and the next thing was sporadic shooting near the venue where he was addressing the people.

The governor’s spokesman added: “When the gunshots started, everybody was run-

ning for his/her life. I don’t think there is anyone that will hear such massive gunshots and will stop to find out from where it is coming from. So we had to run out of the area into safety.”

Sajoh, who also confirmed that the gunshots came not too far from a military checkpoint, said the governor could not stop over in Michika Council, another area that was attacked by the insurgents on Wednesday night during which several people were killed.

When The Guardian contacted the Public Relations Officer of

the 23 Amoured Brigade in Yola, Capt. Nuhu Jafaru, he claimed ignorance of the attack on the governor and the speaker.

A top security officer, who was on the governor’s convoy, told The Guardian on condition of anonymity that the governor was ushered into a Toyota Hilux van under heavy security and his official black Toyota jeep left with the driver for fear that the vehicle could be the target of the attackers.

But Defence spokesman, MajGen. Chris Olukolade, said CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

2 | Saturday, March 1, 2014

NNPC Plans To Build Bio-Fuel Plant in 2017, Says GMD From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief OLLOWING plans by the Fboost Federal Government to fuel supply in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC’s) Renewable Energy Division is to build the first bio-fuel plant by 2017, the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Engineer

Andrew Yakubu has said.

Yakubu gave indication of government’s plans yesterday at the NNPC special day at the ongoing 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair, saying that necessary efforts are being put in place to meet the deadline.

The NNPC boss who was represented by the Acting Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company

(KRPC), Mr Alfred Enjugu also pointed out that the corporation is committed to working with the National Assembly to enact appropriate legislation that will encourage the use of bio-fuel as a source of energy.

He added that the NNPC has also made adequate arrangements to sensitize Nigerians on the advantages of making use of the product as an energy source before take-off of the project.

“As far back as 2007, a biofuels and inventive policy document had been initiated.

The policy provides a framework with incentives for would-be bio-fuels investors in Nigeria.

“Also, the Renewable Energy Division of NNPC has completed seven site-specific feasibility studies that include two oil palms, to bio-diesel projects in Ikom and Calabar, Cross River state,” he said.

Yakubu further stressed that the services of large scale mechanized farmers are much needed to advance the commitment on the development of renewable energy.

The GMD lamented the activities of pipeline vandals which he said have remained a constant threat to stable petroleum products supply across the country.

He continued: “The debilitating effects of the menace have led to colossal loss of financial resources which could be utilized to provide critical infrastructure and services by government.

“As at the last count, NNPC’s records show a total of $0.72 billion for products and crude oil losses and expenditure of $1.22 billion for pipeline management and repairs between January 2012 and July 2013”.

Presidency Flays N’Delta States, Oil Firms, Over Youth Empowerment From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja HE Presidency yesterday T decried what it described as the poor attitude of states in the Niger Delta and oil companies in the region to youth empowerment.

Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, told the Senate Committee on Niger Delta that the states and oil firms who have been the greatest beneficiaries of the amnesty programme, had played little roles in complementing the programme, particularly in terms of training the youth and empowerment.

Kuku lamented that instead of training youth in areas rele-

vant to oil business, oil firms only trained them in areas such as tailoring, shoe making and other less important vocations.

“I can say that the oil and gas industry has not in any way practically supported and helped this programme positively. Meanwhile, they were the first beneficiaries of the peace we have been able to create in the region. The best they have done is to come before us to say we should give them a list of 3,000 people that they want to train on their own.

“We did not demand any money from anybody. This programme has been successfully funded by the National Assembly and Mr. President on the Executive arm alone.

We have not got any kind of support from anybody before, be it financial or otherwise.

The best they could do is to train some of them as tailors.

So I asked them, ‘do you need tailors or drivers in your industry?’ No. So I stopped some of those programmes and took some of the people they claim to have trained and I am retraining them,” he said.

Kuku declared that states in the Niger Delta which he

noted were major victims of the militancy that overtook the region before the amnesty programme, had equally failed to assist the programme in coming up with viable youth empowerment initiatives.

He noted that at the peak of the restiveness when oil production fell below 700, 000 barrels per day, some states in the Niger Delta had their federal allocations slashed to as

low

as N4 billion.

According to him, the amnesty programme had boosted the daily production level of oil and some states now receive allocation as high as N23 billion, N17 billion and N11 billion monthly, adding that no significant youth empowerment programme was initiated by any of the states in the Niger Delta.

“What we urge them regularly as an intervention pro-

gramme is that they partner with us and consolidate in the area of post training because these individuals we are training are from communities, local governments and these states. Can’t they replicate what we are doing in their various states and engage and occupy the minds of those youths and the women because women are getting very strong now in the Niger Delta communities,” he added.

Gowon, Shagari, Obasanjo, In Abuja For Centenary Celebration CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Maryam.

Also in the category was Gen. Theophilus Danjuma.

Those recognised posthumously were the late Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Gen. J. T. U. Aguyi Ironsi, Gen. Murtala Mohammed, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Chief MKO

Abiola.

Queen Elizabeth 11 of England, Lord Lugard and his wife, Shaw were rewarded for their various roles in making of the present day Nigeria. Their awards were received by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria.

There were also awards for the first generation of Nigerian political leaders including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Prof. Eyo Eta, Chief Jaja Wachuku, Anthony Enahoro, Malam Aminu Kano, Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Hajia Gambo Sawaba among others.

In his opening remarks, President Goodluck Jonathan who apologized to those who might be qualified but who could not be accommodated in the award, acknowledged Former Heads of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, and President Goodluck Jonathan at the Centenary Dinner and PHOTO: NAN the task of selecting from the Awards in Abuja… yesterday awardees. He said it was difficult selecting from out 500 eminent Nigerians who were qualified for the awards.

Nyako, Adamawa Speaker In Gun Attack Scare

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 rather than an attack, Nyako’s long and armed convoy was mistaken for Boko Haram insurgents heading to attack the villagers, who scampered into the bushes, ostensibly to escape from the terrorists.

In a statement released in Abuja, Olukolade stated: “The alleged attack on the convoy of Governor Nyako, as presented in a breaking news report on some television channels this afternoon, is not true.

“The truth is that the governor visited Michika and Shuwa areas of the state to sympathise with the communities that were attacked by terrorists recently.

“While returning, the convoy came across a noticeable pandemonium, which resulted from the alarm raised by some people who had mistaken a convoy movement of troops on patrol at Kirchinga village, for another impend-

ing attack by terrorists.

“In the ensuing stampede and confusion, people scampered into the bush, ostensibly to escape from those mistaken for terrorists.”

The defence spokesman added: “The incident, which was presented as ‘breaking news’ and scrolled on television, is therefore not a true reflection of what actually happened.

“The report is capable of causing unnecessary anxiety and heightening tension. The military authorities, therefore, find it necessary to put the records straight and call on residents to go about their normal activities, while remaining vigilant.

“The operations in the Northeast are being consolidated and every effort is being made to stop the terrorists from continuing their atrocities in that part of the country.”

An earlier unconfirmed report had it that Nyako and Fintiri narrowly escaped bul-

lets fired by some soldiers stationed in Shuwa town in Michika Council during the visit.

The report quoted an eyewitness said to be part of the governor’s delegation as saying: “The governor had just finished his condolence remarks and prayers were being offered when suddenly sounds of gunshots rented the air and serious pandemonium followed.”

He also alleged that the gunshots came from some soldiers nearby, who were shouting, “the boys are coming” and shooting indiscriminately into the air.

This ostensibly prompted the reaction from Defence Headquarters.

Nyako had on Thursday while addressing the media in his office in Yola, criticised the Federal Government for its perceived failure to check the activities of the Boko Haram sect, saying the objectives of the state of emergency

declared in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states had been defeated.

He was reacting to Wednesday’s attacks by members of the sect in Madagali and Michika.

The governor also chided the country’s security agencies for failing to foil Monday’s attack on the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, where over 29 students were killed.

Nyako had said: “There is no excuse whatsoever. We want to know more from the authorities. By now, the authorities should be able to know what is happening.

“We should be able to know where these arms are manufactured and even the signatures of the weapons.

“We ought to know who ordered it, who paid for it, how did it come to the country, from where were they shipped, through which port in Nigeria they arrived and who cleared it.”

Saturday, March 1, 2014 3

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS

UN Body Calls For Justice Against Perpetrators Of North East Killings From Abosede Musari, Abuja recent news of FtheOLLOWING indiscriminate killings in North East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that the perpetrators of the violence are brought to book.

Making the call yesterday was the United Nations Independent Expert on minority issues, Rita Izsak, who addressed a press conference in Abuja to mark the end of her

research into minority issues in Nigeria and how these issues relate directly and indirectly to the current spate of violence in the country.

Izsak was particularly pained by the killing of almost 60 school children in Yobe State.

“Let me say that I was shocked by the recent killing of nearly 60 innocent school children in Yobe State. I offer my sincere condolences to the families and to the nation. I have been deeply moved by meeting personally several victims of violence. Those who incite or per-

petrate violence must not be allowed to succeed in deepening divisions between communities and must be held to account for their crimes,” she said.

The UN expert, who thanked the Nigerian government for inviting her to carry out the mandate, said the minority issues which have caused mistrust and fear in certain areas in the country though framed as ethnic and religious conflicts, lie more in competition for resources or unequal allocation of resources, land

issues, population movement and migration as well as the gradual but important impact of climate change.

She, therefore, canvassed for the enhancement of the capacity, training and resources of the security forces in the regions where violence has broken out.

“However, sustainable solutions to communal violence equally lie deeper than a heightened security response.

They must also address the long-standing and contentious political, economic

and social issues and inequalities that have been neglected,” she suggested.

Izsak, who said she met with a wide number of government officials, traditional rulers and local citizens in Jos, Kaduna and Port Harcourt during her 12daysresearch,addedthatthe indigene-settler dichotomy continued to rear its head in his interview with the people.

“This issue is said to have created tensions because it confers special status to those considered indigenous to a state

against those considered as settlers, thereby making them ineligible to contest elections in the areas where they have lived to generations or possibly have economic dominance.”

She suggested legal clarity to the issue and urged government to ensure that this dichotomy does not unfairly discriminate or exclude anyone from the right to participate fully in the economic, political and social life of their societies or to enjoy all of their rights.

Yobe Relocates Students Of Boko HaramAttacked College To Other Schools From Njadvara Musa, Damaturu S the Federal Government A considers the closure of eight Federal Government Colleges in Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa States in the Northeast, the Yobe State government has relocated students of the attacked college, where over 50 students were last Tuesday slain by suspected Boko Haram gunmen.

Speaking yesterday in Damaturu on the relocation of students of affected college, the Yobe State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Mohammed Lamin said the action was to enable them continue their educational pursuits and also prevent parents and guardians from withdrawing their children and wards from secondary schools at Buni/Yadi and Goniri Secondary School, 24 kilometres north of destroyed college.

He said the state government and the security agents were not taking any chances in its bid to protect the lives of students and their teachers in Gujba council area of the state.

He added that with the “fear and apprehension” already in the minds of affected students and their parents, surviving students of the college at Buni/Yadi and the stateowned secondary school at Goniri town would be relocated to other schools in the state.

He said the relocation exercise had become inevitable, as students in the council area could not continue to live and learn because of the fear and apprehension caused by insecurity of lives and property in the council area.

“Even though the military and other security agents have assured us of protecting lives and property in schools in the state, the relocation of students to other schools was to enable our children and grand children prepare for their examination, which is scheduled to take place in the next two or three months,” said Lamin.

Former Presidents, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon at the Centenary Dinner and Awards in Abuja… yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Jonathan Commends FRSC Over Improved Rescue Operations RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan yesterday commended the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for introducing a toll-free number and increasing the ambulance points across the country to enhance rescue operations.

The President, who was represented by Mr. Mohammed Adoke, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) made the commendation at the FRSC’s 5th Annual Lecture in Abuja,

said the measure would ensure faster services in rescuing road accident victims.

He also urged the commission to improve on the removal of obstructions on highways to ensure seamless flow of traffic and reduction in accidents.

The President assured that his administration would continue to demonstrate political will over safety management issues, adding that the establishment of the commission was a demonstration of government’s commitment to

road safety management.

He urged stakeholders to collaborate with government in that regard.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Guest Speaker, President John Mahama of Ghana, represented by his Vice, Kwensi Arthur, called on African countries that had not set up road traffic management organisations to do so.

The Ghanaian President said road traffic accidents were becoming alarming in the

continent and called for urgent steps by African leaders to address the problem.

“The situation (road traffic accident) is alarming in poor countries; Africa and the Middle East are mostly affected, even though they have fewer vehicles than the developed countries.

“The people that are mostly affected are people who are economically active, those between the ages of 15 and 44 years.

En Route Charges: Supreme Court Dismisses AON Appeal

By Ibe Uwaleke HE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) yesterday in Abuja secured a landmark victory over the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), as the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment, dismissed its appeal over the payment of en route charges.

NAMA had in 2006 floored the domesticairlineoperatorsover the same issue at the Appeal Court in Lagos, which declared that the airlines had no cogent reason not to pay for services rendered to them by the agency.

A panel of five judges headed

by Hon. Justice Mary Odili, while dismissing the appeal by

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AON, affirmed that NAMA is statutorily empowered to charge the domestic airlines on the controversial en route services like their foreign counterparts. The court thereafter awarded a cost of N100, 000 in favour of NAMA. NAMA on record loses an average of N500 million accruable revenue annually following the refusal of the domestic carriers to honour bills on en route services as they often claimed to have “godfather’s right” to evade payment.

Managing director of the agency, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, who was elated by the judgment, attributed the legal victory to the agency’s firm belief in due process in tackling con-

tentious issues like the navigational charges.

“From the beginning of this case in 2006, we have chosen not to disrupt the activities of the airlines, even when the Appellant Court in Lagos gave us the power to collect our charges. We were patient enough not to rock the boat and that is why we followed it up to theapexcourtwiththeAONand today (Friday) the panel of judgesinaunanimousdecision dismissed the appeal to our favour. ‘’This victory is part of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government and we really give kudos to the jurists who in their wisdom delivered thislandmarkjudgmentforthe

aviation sector to move forward,” Udoh said.

The NAMA boss consequently appealed to the domestic carriers to commence the process of liquidating their respective outstanding bills of more than N4 billion on the en route charges.

He reminded the airlines that the agency has been consistent in providing quality air navigation services, urging them to play their own part by paying their bills regularly as free launch is now over.

The NAMA boss added that the self-sustaining agency requires a lot of funds to run the system and create a peaceful industrial harmony through training of personnel and regular payment of salary.

Controversy Trails Nnamani’s Return To PDP From Kodilinye Obiagwu, Enugu RESHcontroversy has broFandken out over the return readmission of former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaraoke Nnamani to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

At the end of the monthly PDP meeting of the 260 wards in the state, the Agbani ward, yesterday, declared “as null and void the purported meeting and readmission of Nnamani into the party as due process as stipulated was not followed.”

In a statement signed by the acting chairman of the ward, Nnamani Ndubusi; the Secretary, Edeh Sunday Modacaih, and other ward members, the ward noted further that Nnamani “cannot be readmitted by an individual that has no locus.”

The statement noted that “Mr. Monday Ngene, the suspended PDP chairman in Agbani ward ceased to function as ward chairman since Friday, February 21, 2014, when the local government executive members of PDP ratified his suspension.”

4 Saturday, March 1, 2014

ThE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS UNFPA Commends Nigeria On 83 Per cent Coverage On Routine Immunisation

By Chukwuma Muanya hE federal government through the National Primary health Care Development Agency (NPhCDA) has been commended by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the record achievement of over 83 per cent coverage on Routine Immunization.

The Executive Director, UNFPA, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, made the commendation yes-

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• Country yet to record any polio case in 10 weeks

terday, during a courtesy call on the Executive Director, NPhCDA, Dr. Ado Muhammad.

Also, according to the latest edition of the Weekly Polio Update published yesterday by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the country has not reported any case of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) since December 15, 2013.

The GPEI report reads: “No new WPV cases were reported

this week. The total number of WPV cases for Nigeria 2013 remains 53, type one (WPV1). The most recent WPV1 case in the country had onset of paralysis on 15 December and was reported from Damboa, Borno.”

According to a press statement signed by NPhCDA Assistant Director and head of Public Relations Unit, Saadu Salahu, Osotimehin also

FG Commences Enforcement Of Standards In Electricity Firms From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja S part of the reforms in the sector and the successful handover of the generation and distribution companies to private investors, the Federal Ministry of Power has formally handed over its inspectorate services to the Electricity Management Services Limited (EMS).

Essentially, it has inherited the Electricity Inspectorate Services Department of the Ministry. Officials said the head of Service had given concurrent current approval for the transfer of existing technical staff from the department to EMS. The agency had earlier been mandated to take over the responsibilities of some noncore professional and subsidiary services of the defunct

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Power holding Company of Nigeria (PhCN) and its successor companies.

Also yesterday, EMS, which was set up to provide all needed ancillary and support services to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), commenced the process for the review of the National Electricity Pole Manufacturers, as it embarked on an intensive enforcement of standards in premises of pole manufacturers.

Managing Director of the Electricity Management Services Limited (EMS), Engr Peter Ewesor, who led a team of inspectors from his organization to some pole manufacturers in Abuja yesterday, stressed that EMS was still under the direct supervision of the

also acknowledged Nigeria’s success story on the Midwives’ Service Scheme (MSS) and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) interventions on maternal and child health, especially in the areas of provision of human resources for integrated Primary health Care (PhC) services.

expressed great delight on the Nation’s impressive progress towards polio eradication, stressing that Nigeria’s ability at reducing Polio crisis to just three states of Borno, Yobe and Kano States indicated a brighter prospect of a polio free Nigeria very soon.

The UNFPA Chief Executive

NLC Urges Change Of Tactics On Boko Haram, Terrorism From Anietie Akpan, Calabar

Ministry of Power, it would now give speed to its mandate of ensuring quality and standardization of materials, equipment and machines used for electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks in Nigeria.

On the relationship between EMS and the regulator, he noted: “In 2005, the reform actually brought about a regulator, to regulate the entire industry. But there was left the technical gap, which is technical inspection, testing and certification. But the inspectorate department at the ministry continued to do that enterprise until the Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo came in and felt that, this critical assignment should not be handled with levity.

ORRIED by the recent W killings of innocent students in Yobe state by the Boko Haram group, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to change tactics in the combat of terrorism.

Briefing newsmen in Calabar yesterday after the 4th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the National Union of Printers, Publishing and Paper Products Workers at Pyramid hotel, the NLC President, Abdulwaeed Umar, said, “it (Boko haram) is now getting out of hand. It is turning out to be something else, and we call on the Federal Government to have a rethink over what they do because we cannot afford to continue to do one thing every time when we are not getting the right result. We have to change pattern”.

he said, “I have always given example of the Sept. 9/11 episode. As soon as that happened, America knew that it was a monumental thing and a new dimension was taken in approaching and combating it.

“There is nothing wrong in the Nigerian government coming up with a special task force, coming up with special squad to unbundled and bring terrorism to an end.

“I think we need to train people specially in the area of Intelligence and combating terrorism.”

Speaking on the National Conference, he said, “Labour’s position will be unfolded at the dialogue. It is a whole lot of things and we are also being guided by quite a number of things, but the good thing is that, labour, like every other institutional organizations are going to be represented there”.

Military Attributes Killings To Lack Of GSM Service From Njadvara Musa, Damaturu UThORITIES of 3 Division A Special Operations Battalion in Yobe state have attributed last Tuesday’s attacks and killings of 59 students of Federal Government College, Buni/Yadi to lack of Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) service to alert soldiers while the Boko Haram insurgents were approaching the school to launch their deadly attacks.

Speaking yesterday in Damaturu, the spokesman of 3 Division Special Operations Battalion, Capt. Eli Lazarus said that the soldiers in the field could not be communicated that Monday night, before the insurgents launched their attacks through Gujba-Biu axis.

Obi Boosts Market Security With Patrol Vehicles From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka.

O boost security in various markets in Anambra, Governor Peter Obi has presented nine new security vehicles to markets in Onitsha and its environs.

Governor Obi who presented the vehicles at Odakpu, Onitsha yesterday, explained that the beneficiaries include, Bridge head Market, Ogboefere Market, Building Materials Market Ogidi, Onitsha Main Market, Marine Modern Market, Ogbaru Main Market, Ose Okwodu Market, Electronics Market Onitsha and Amalgamated Market Traders Association.

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TheGuardian SUNDAY, March 2, 2014 CITYFILE

SANUSI SAGA:

The Many Challenges Of Lagos’ Night Markets

S allegations of fraud and nonremittance of official revenues rage on, legislators, lawyers, economists, bankers and others are asking if it still makes good sense allowing the CBN and NNPC to remain on their own in the name of autonomy.

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IBRU:

Miracle Prayers At Motor Parks HIS Sunday, we bring you exclusive report on operations of ‘Men of God’ who take offerings for miracle prayers at motor parks, what motivates them and what renowned church leaders say about their ‘business.’

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POLITICS hE state of Federal Roads across the country T will always generate lengthy debates. Even with the Works Minister, Mike Onolememen, joining in the debates, it still takes good effort to make the point that the Federal Government does not have all the money to fix every Trunk A road in Nigeria. And offloading some of these roads to state governments may come handy as a solution, even as the Minister dropped hints of a public-private partnership that will create the difference. Join in the conversation this Sunday.

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

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Saturday, March 1, 2014 5

NEWS

Why Nigeria’s Out-0f –School Children Profile Is Rising, By Experts

By Joseph Okoghenun EVELOPMENT experts D have attributed poverty and inability by parents to meet “hidden costs” of education as part of the reasons why Nigeria’s out- of –school profile is rising beyond comparism.

The experts who spoke in Lagos during the preview of three short documentary films on the challenges facing out – of- school children living In Iwaya, a Lagos slum, by the Action Health Incorporated (AHI), noted that although the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme operates in

most states of the federation, Nigeria’s out- of school phenomenon was unbecoming.

The three films-Slipping Through The Crack, Girls Are Us and Make Every Girl Countrelate the experiences of outof-school girls in Iwaya community and what stakeholders need to do rescue girl -child from poor and disadvantage communities.

According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNECSO), Nigeria with 10.5 million out-of-school children has the highest number of school age children who are not in school.

AHI Co-Founder and Director, Dr. Uwem Esiet, said Nigeria has been unfair and unjust to her young people, a situation, he said has led the nation to be “clapping with one hand.”

The adolescent sexuality and reproductive expert added that corruption was frittering the future lives of young people away, as money budgeted for the education of young Nigerians ends up in pockets of corrupt politicians and education administrators.

Uwem said Nigerians have to come out and engage s those leading them and asking probing questions to make the needed change.

Harvard University trained population scientist and University of Benin (UNIBEN) retired Professor of Geography, Prof. Paulina Makinwa-Adebusoye,who led the research in Iwaya community for the three documentary films, said though government has put in place various policies to aid free education in Nigeria, there were hidden costs to be paid in accessing education in Nigeria.

The population scientist listed some of the hidden costs to include cost of transportation to and from school, cost of food, money to buy school

Boko Haram: Ajibola Canvasses Social Security As Panacea To Insecurity From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South West Bureau Ado Ekiti) ORMERWorld Court Judge, Fyesterday Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN) declared that for Nigeria to curb the trend of insecurity, Social Security Scheme must be introduced by governments at all levels.

Specifically, he linked the Boko Haram insurgency to deprivation and said, “if national and states governments had introduced a welfare scheme like Social security, we may not have to be contending with Boko Haram issue today”.

The former Attorney General

of the Federation and Minister of Justice spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday when he led the delegation of Senior Citizens Care Foundation to observe the Social Security Scheme of Ekiti State government for the elderly.

Ajibola who was also at Ikere Ekiti to supervise the payment of monthly stipend to the elderly said he was impressed that a government in Nigeria is taking seriously the issue of the welfare of the people and praised Governor Kayode Fayemi for the initiative.

The ex-jurist said since the death of the former Premier of

the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and “I can see another leader that has passion for the welfare of the people. We thought all we have been hearing about this scheme was propaganda but we are marveled to see it happening in Ekiti. I congratulate Ekiti people for this.

“Britain has been doing it immediately after the World War 11 and they have not stopped it and that is one of the reasons why nation is enjoying peace, I believe it is possible also here in Nigeria, in fact it is sine qua non to make both the elderly and unemployed youths happy in

Fallen Heroes Wives Protest In Owerri Over Welfare From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri CORES of wives of the fallen heroes of the Nigerian Legion, Imo State chapter yesterday, disrupted activities in Owerri, capital of Imo State, over what they called alleged continued infiltration into the Col. the of activities Unukwummadu Ogbuji (rtd.), by the faction of Lt. Col. Daminan Okafor.

Meanwhile, Okafor denied the protesters claim, saying he was in good books with members of the body.

The protesters numbering about 50 in their solidarity, at the Legion head office in Owerri, with their placards and led by Mrs. Paulina Osuala, said they were comfortable by the leadership of Ogbuji, demanding that Okafor faction should not meddle into their affairs.

She said: “We believe and we are convinced that the new executive will carry us along. They have shown us some measure of love and willingness to carry us and our children along”, adding that they had been “isolated, neglected and never benefitted anything as was the case before”.

They regretted that some members of the Legion were allegedly compelled to register in a particular political party, describing it as inconsistent with the Armed Forces Decree 37 of 1988, part 3, Section 5A, establishing the Legion, forbids any legionnaire from political partisanship directly or indirectly,

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APC Youth Wing Canvases For Support explaining that anyone wishing to belong to any party should do so willingly.

Ogbuji in his comment said any newspaper advertorial on the legion from another source other than his, should be disregarded.

He disclosed that training programmes for members had been articulated for execution, promising to carry members along.

Meanwhile, the youths of the party in the southeast geo

political zone under the aegis the South- East APC Youths, through the Interim Youth Leader, Festus Onyekwulisi, at the Friday ended zonal meeting in Owerri, capital city of Imo State, expressing their determination to ensure that they carry their message to all nooks and crannies in the zone, with intention to capture greater majority of the votes in 2015 and beyond. The states are Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia.

There Is No APC In Delta, Says Okubor From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba ITH a wave of the hand, a top member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Chief of Staff to Emmanuel Governor Uduaghan, Dr. Festus Okubor has described as slim and nonexistent the chances of the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Okubor said in Asaba yesterday that the budding main opposition party, which he likened to an agglomeration of strange bedfellows needed to first organise a convention and elect a national chairman before it can be taken seriously.

He said that the APC was an interim organisation, which

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is prepared to fight an established party like the PDP. Okubor who is believed to be eying Government House, Asaba said that as far as Delta State was concerned, APC does not exist save for its propaganda machinery.

While comparing the party to the PDP, Okubor said that way back in 1998 when the party was formed, it did not it take long to be on ground right from the councils to the federal level.

The Chief of Staff remarked that there is no way the main opposition party can use an interim organisation to fight against an established and formidable outfit like the PDP, advising that the party members to hold a convention and let Nigerians know who their presidential candidate is.

this country”.

Ajibola said he would write to the coming national conference to include social security scheme in their agenda as one of the best solutions to the insecurity problem in Nigeria.

In his reaction, Fayemi said his government commenced the programme about three years ago because of his desire to cater for the vulnerable in the society. He disclosed that three states have adopted Ekiti model of Social Security Scheme and expressed hope that it would soon be adopted at national level to fight poverty and insecurity.

books and bags as well as cost of obtaining adequate rest to study.

The internationally acclaimed researcher added that such costs were depriving school age girl from obtaining education. The implication?

She said Nigerians girls were loosing both their future and health at rapid rate.

ONDO Group Lauds Jonathan On Appointment Of C o S

By Abiodun Fanoro NDO State Eminent O Persons Group (OSEG) made up of illustrious Ondo businessmen and technocrats has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for what it called his ‘conscious determination to ensure that the Yorubas are not relegated when appointing qualified and competent Nigerians into position of authorities.’

The group gave the commendation at the end of an emergency Executive Council meeting in the Ondo State capital, Akure where it deliberated on the recent appointment of Brigadier General Oladeinde Arogbofa (Rtd.) as the new Chief Of Staff (COS) to President Jonathan.

Groups Want Equal Representation In Govt.

By Laolu Adeyemi IGERIAN women under the auspices of the Association of Professional Women Bankers (ACIB) and Centre for Gender Issues in Science and Technology (CEGIST), of the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure have demanded for critical examination of certain societal factors responsible for undermining the maximum utilization of their potentials in the country.

The groups admonished this yesterday in Lagos at a joint press conference held to herald a week-long activities lined up for the commemoration of the forthcoming International Women day on March 7-8 at Akure, Ondo State.

According to the groups, it’s unfortunate that people in position of authourities in the country have not practically done enough in providing a levelplayinggroundorremoving the hindrances responsible for women’s suppression in the country.

They argued that even the 30 percent women representationvowedbythegovernment are not sincerely implemented.

According to the acting Director, CEGIST, Dr. Mojisola Edema, women are not in competition with men. All we are agitating for is equal opportunity.

“And when we talk of equality, it is not an attempt for competition. We are simply demandingforthissoastoenhancebalanced development of both genders”.

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NEWS Nigeria Partners Israel To Develop Agro-Industrial Towns HE Federal Government has concluded plans to partner with Israeli and Israeli businesses and government to develop farming and agro processing and allied hubs to be known as Agro-Industrial towns.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina gave the indication yesterday in Abuja when the Federal Government and its Israeli counterpart made a joint declaration for bilateral co-operation in agriculture.

Adesina and the Israeli Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Yair Shamir, signed agreements on behalf of their governments.

Adesina stated that it was significant that the declaration of co-operation between Nigeria and Israel in agriculture and related business is taking place during the celebration of 100 years of Nigeria’s nationhood, where the Israeli agric minister represented the president of the State of Israel.

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Court Hears Sanusi’s Case March 21

By Bertram Nwannekanma OPE of embattled susH pended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to get quick relief from the Federal High Court in Lagos against arrest from security agencies suffered a setback, as the court adjourned till March 21 for hearing of the suit.

Sanusi had last Friday filed an affidavit of urgency, where he expressed fears that his free-

dom and personal liberty may be trampled upon.

In a fundamental human rights suit filed by his lawyers, Kola Awodien and Yemi Osibanjo, who are both Senior Advocates of Nigeria,Sanusi had sought an order of court restraining the respondents which include the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar and the State Security Service (SSS) from arresting him. The suit also had the Attorney General

of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke as respondent.

Justice Ibrahim Buba had also on that day, after listening from Sanusi’s lawyers and perusing the affidavit of urgency deposed to by Sanusi himself, restrained the IGP and SSS from effecting his arrest and adjourned till yesterday for mention.

The order was predicated on the lawyers arguments inside

Justice Buba’s chambers that the former CBN governor deserved to be protected by the court, so that his personal liberty would not be violated by agents of the federal government.

However, when the matter was called yesterday, the counsel representing the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Oscar Nliam, told the court that he needed a short adjournment to enable him respond as he

was yet to peruse the processes filed by Sanusi.

His submission was also canvassed by Chukwu Agwu, counsel representing the IGP, and Ahmed Musa, counsel to the SSS, who said they were yet to receive the processes in their offices.

In his response, Awodien, representing Sanusi, alongside Osibanjo, raised no objection on the ground that they are still within time to file their responses.

Agency Treats Water Wells With Chlorine To Curb Cholera From Ali Garba, Bauchi N an effort to control and avert re-occurrences of cholera, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA) has disclosed that 15 wells across the state have been chlorinated or treated with chlorine in most vulnerable communities.

The Chairman BSPHCDA, Dr. Naseer Aliyu, made the disclosure yesterday while briefing newsmen in his office on the fresh outbreak of the deadly disease,saying that hundreds of gutters and houses have also been chlorinated with the aim of curtail the raid spread of the bacteria.

Chlorine added to drinking water and swimming pools has revolutionised the safety of drinking water throughout the world.The gas dissolves in water and fatallly damages the cell walls of water born bacteria such as eschera coli (E coli) and cholera.

Naseer said that out of hundreds of people with the symptoms who are brought to the facilities for medical attention, 10 loss their lives, while the rest have been treated and discharged.

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Academy Mentors Students By: Ijeoma Opara TUDENTS of FESTAC Junior Secondary School were taken through motivational sessions by Damsel Academy, an arm of Deborah Initiative for Women (DIW), as part of activities to mark a special valentine hangout with young girls.

Actress and musician, Tomi Odunsi, said the session was aimed to encourage and motivate young girls to achieve their dreams.

Coordinator of Damsel Academy, Joy Ogbonnaya, added that the session is in line with the objective of the organisation of reaching out to young secondary school girls.

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Israeli Minister of Agriculture, Yair Shamir (R) and Nigeria Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, at the signing of the Joint Declaration for Bilateral Cooperation on Agriculture

Groups Urge Jonathan To Seek Re-Election In 2015,Carpet APC From Ezeocha Nzeh (Abuja) and Gordi Udeajah (Umuahia) HE call on President T Goodluck Jonathan to quickly declare his interest to run for re - election in the 2015 general elections has continued to draw more attention with three different groups in Abuja and Umuahia calling on the president to publicly declare for 2015.

Addressing the media at separate events yesterday in Abuja and Umuahia, the groups insisted that president Jonathan has the right just as any other Nigerian to vie for any elected position in

the country if he chose to do so, adding that it is only his party that will determine his eligibility to run for elections.

Chairman of Youth Initiative for Empowerment and Transparent Leadership (YIET), Mr. Fanny Iyasere Amun described as disturbing comments from some quarters that the president is not eligible to contest the 2015 elections.

Amun, who was a former chief coach of the national U17 football team as well as a former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football association (NFA) regretted that such calls are coming from people in

governing positions, noting that with the level of the Nigerian democracy and the transformations agenda of the president, he deserves the right like every other candidate to seek re-election in 2015.

In Umuahia, the South East Zone Coordinator Goodluck to Goodluck (G2G 2015) Project, Mr. Donald Iroham, a retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, said during the naugural meeting of the Abia State Chapter of the Jonathan re-run project that President Jonathan have performed creditably with his Transformation Agenda

APGA Eyes Lagos In 2015

By Moshood Aliyu HE All Progressives Grand T Alliance (APGA) has expressed its readiness to take over the mantle of leadership in Lagos State in the 2015 gubernatorial election.

The party made this known while unveiling the party’s new secretariat in Lagos recently.

The party chairman in the state, Mr. Umeh Campell, described APGA as the only

strong opposition party against the ruling All Progressives Party Congress (APC) in Lagos State, adding that the party is putting necessary measures in place to wrestle power from APC in Lagos State.

He advised all political stakeholders to abide with INEC regulations, adding that game of politics should not be a do or die affair.

The vice chairman of the party in the state, Mr.

Ifeanyichukwu Akata, advised APGA members to stand firm and work strategically to accomplish the party’s political objectives in 2015 in the state.

The woman leader of the party, Anthonia Umeh, urged every Nigerian woman to invest in politics and called on APGA members to work in unity towards 2015 gubernatorial election, so “that we can change the story in Lagos”.

and deserves a second term.

In a communique released after the meeting, the G2G Abia State Chapter resolved to firmly support and work for the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015 and by so doing join the president to promote peace,unity and progress of Nigeria.

In a similar development a coalition of youths organization yesterday warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) to henceforth desist from heating up the polity by instigating Nigerians against well thought out policies of the Federal government.

The group also called on President Goodluck administration to investigate the ownership of one of an Islamic bank called Jaize Bank, urging government not to relent in finding out the beneficiaries of facilities of the bank to determine whether its activities have conformed to national interest.

President of the council, Comrade Newgent Ekamon at a press briefing in Abuja accused APC, the leading opposition party in the country, of fanning the embers of disunity through sponsorship of faceless publications and hooliganism among youths.

Jonathan Visits Kwara March 3 HE Peoples Democratic T Party (PDP) in Kwara said it had constituted 140-member Committee to ensure the successful hosting of President Goodluck Jonathan on March 3.

Chairman of the Interim Committee of the party in Kwara, Chief Solomon Edoja, announced this at a news conference in Ilorin yesterday.

Edoja said the 140 members were in seven sub-groups of 20 members each. The groups are transport, health, social welfare, accommodation, venue, reception and security Meanwhile, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has called on politicians and their supporters in the state to avoid acts capable of disrupting the peace during the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The governor made the appeal in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr. Muyiddeen Akorede.

The governor urged all residents of the state to conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully at all times.

The governor said that regardless of political affiliation, Kwara people must remain mindful of the rule of law and shun all actions that contravene the law.

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics

Olubolade

Fayose

Bejide

Adeyeye

Ekiti Governorship Election: Anxiety As 33 Aspirants Jostle For PDP Ticket From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head Southwest Bureau, Ado Ekiti) INCE the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fixed March 15 for the conduct of primary election for the 33 aspirants jostling to fly the party ticket in the Ekiti State governorship election, there have been apprehensions among members over who will finally emerge as the candidate.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced June 21, this year for the election.

It has been a battle of wit among the aspirants, as they up their last minutes campaigns.

Almost all of them had in the last two weeks temporarily relocated to Abuja to intensify their lobby and convince the national officers on the ‘best’ approach to elect or select the candidate for the election analysts say will determine the future of the PDP, not only in Ekiti, but also in the Southwest.

Also, the leading the discussion among the analysts is how the candidate will emerge.

While some of the aspirants canvass for a direct primary election, some pitched their tents with the advice of President Goodluck Jonathan that the party should consider the consensus option.

But an aspirant, like former governor, Ayo Fayose, was not comfortable with consensus option and has been fervent in his argument that the most popular aspirant among the 33 should fly the party’s flag.

Besides, the issue of zoning may play a factor in deciding who clinches the ticket.

Ekiti Southern has been at the vanguard of the campaign for the zoning option and has predicated its arguments on the fact that the zone has not produce the governor since the creation of the state.

To them, it will be in the spirit of fairness, justice and equity that the Ekiti South, which has the largest number of councils in the state to produce the PDP candidate to confront Governor Kayode Fayemi, who hails from IsanEkiti in Oye Council in Ekiti North.

Perhaps the agitation by politicians from Ekiti South encouraged a large number of PDP members from there to pick nomination form to vie for the ticket, as out of the 33 aspirants, no fewer than 27 come from the zone.

But a school of thought within the party have argued that zoning is desirable when the party controls the government, but not when it is fighting an incumbent; hence he added that to

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defeat the incumbent, PDP should shop for its best material from any part of the state.

It is on this logic that aspirants like former Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, Fayose, Senator Ayo Arise and Mr. Deji Ajayi are still hopeful and continued to fight on.

But that also has not diminished the chances of strong contestants from the South, like former spokesperson of Afenifere, Dayo Adeyeye; former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Tunji Odeyemi; former Ambassador to Canada and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dare Bejide; former Deputy Governor, Abiodun Aluko; Gbenga Aluko and former managing director of Wema Bank, Bisi Omoyeni.

The politics of who gets the ticket is being fought fiercely in Abuja, because of their conviction that President Goodluck Jonathan will ultimately decide who emerges as the candidate or swing the pendulum to support whoever he endorses among the aspirants.

It is not uncommon to hear on the streets of Ado Ekiti, the state capital, how the President had purportedly endorsed one or the other aspirant.

Indeed, more than 10 of them have been claiming to be the ‘anointed’ candidate of the President even when some had the least credentials to win election in their wards.

But the time has come to separate the contenders from the pretenders. The N10 million nomination form the party asked its aspirants to purchase will separate the boys from the men, because some of them were said to still find it difficult to pay the N2 million imposed by the party at the state level on aspirants for the development of the party.

Political analysts in the state see six of the aspirants as serious contenders and believe one of them may finally get the ticket.

Although nothing is impossible in politics, but there are strong indications that Olubolade, Fayose, Adeyeye, Bejide, Odeyemi and Aluko are in the frontline.

Olubolade LUBOLADE will today in Ado Ekiti formally declare his intention to run and there will also be a grand reception to welcome him back home after his service to the country.

A former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, where he and the President met and became friends, Olubolade is believed to have resigned from Jonathan’s cabinet to pursue his governorship ambition.

He became a minister not as a nominee of the

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state PDP, whose executive at that time saw Olubolade as a “stranger,” but it is believed that he got appointed because of his personal relationship with the President.

In fact, his personal house, which he just completed in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of the state capital, is named after Jonathan, with the President’s giant pictures conspicuously placed on the roof of the building.

Olubolade is among the proponents of consensus arrangement and many see this as an option that will assure him of the ticket.

He has the ears of the President more than any aspirant and many suspect the President may skew the party machinery to favour his candidacy.

Both Olubolade and Fayose joined political forces to uproot former governor Olusegun Oni’s men from the party structure and install the Makanjuola Ogundipe-led executive.

That executive is sharply divided into two today. While some of them are believed to be working for Olubolade, others are Fayose’s men.

Olubolade is an unassuming gentleman with likeable personality and has been a major financier of the party.

Fayose AYOSE was impeached on October 15, 2006 but has been telling whoever cares to listen that he is returning to the Government House on October 16 this year, exactly eight years after he was pushed out.

Fayose has been working and looking ahead of the party’s primary election or consensus arrangement, but had argued that it is only a lazy and unpopular aspirant that will be canvassing for consensus or zoning.

He believes the party can only get the best candidate from the aspirants through a primary election and promised to work with any aspirant that defeats him in a free and transparent primary.

The former governor boasts of not just being able to win the ticket, but also the election.

Only three weeks ago, he stormed the state capital with over 30 new buses, branded for his campaign.

Fayose is also believed to be getting a stronger financial support from a PDP billionaire in the Southwest, as some of his supporters wear campaign vests with the inscription of the name of the businessman-turned politician.

Is Fayose a dreamer or what gives him the confidence? That has been the question on the lips of many observers and PDP members in the state.

But for discerning minds, Fayose is a serious

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politician, a grassroots mobiliser and a gamechanger that knows the arithmetic and calculus of Ekiti politics.

The way and manner he teemed up with Olubolade to defeat Oni’s candidates in the last congress of the party is still a mark of his political prowess.

Only last month, 150 of the 177 PDP ward chairmen openly declared their support for Fayose and endorsed him.

Besides, all the past council chairmen during his tenure have also vowed to support him.

Fayose also strongly believes in the prophesy of his wife, Feyisetan, that says “God has ordained him back as the governor of the state.”

Aluko LUKO’S background speaks volume of scholarship and erudition. His late father, the late Sam Aluko, was a renowned Professor of Economics, who commanded immense respect among Ekiti populace.

This actually gave the junior Aluko a leverage to win election in 1999 as the only PDP federal lawmaker in the Southwest that was heavily dominated by Alliance For Democracy (AD) at a time the party was treated like a pariah.

Besides, Aluko is a young, vibrant, cerebral and remains one of the most connected PDP aspirants with a means of turning the table and moving the mountain in any consensus arrangement or guided primary.

As Director of Government Business in Chevron Plc, representing the interest of the federal government, Aluko is placed in a vantage position to speak directly with people that can influence things in the Presidency and have things work in his favour.

Ekiti is considered a monolithic civil service state and as a way of bringing a paradigm shift and industrialising the state, even as a private person, Aluko built a multi-million plastic and toiletries industry in his Ode-Ekiti hometown, which employs over 100 indigenes, and this has also been the kernel of his campaign.

But his critics believe his family is too close to Fayemi, as his father, until his death, was one of the governor’s economic advisers and indeed the chairman of the Education Summit that prepared the blueprint for the turning around of the sector in the state.

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Adeyeye O his many supporters, Adeyeye is the hope for the resuscitation of Ekiti values and the

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ISSUES & POLITICS

What Obasanjo Saw, Appreciated, Declared In Rivers

Obasanjo commissioning the Ambassador Nne Kurubo Secondary School in Eleme.

By Godwin Ijediogor (who was in Port Harcourt recently)

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HEN former President Olusegun Obasanjo visited Rivers State last week to commission some projects executed by the Governor Chibuike Amaechi administration, many people, especially members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), read meanings to the visit.

Some even asked why Obasanjo and/or this time, considering the not-too-cordial relationships among President Goodluck Jonathan, Obasanjo and Amaechi?

But the former President was categorical that he was not there for politics, but to see development and commission projects.

He said: “I am not here to do politics; I am here to see development and to also acknowledge development. So far, I have seen a bit.

“And whatever thing I see, I will eye-mark, earmark and mouth-mark.

“So far, I have eye-marked and also ear-marked and will further mouth-mark.”

That was vintage Baba, as Obasanjo is fondly called. The wily, no-nonsense, straight-shooting old General remains his native self, referencing anecdotes, allusions and parables - some wisecracks say ‘speaking in tongues’ - even in the midst of very serious issues.

In doing that, he doesn’t fail to tell you that your mouth smells when it oozes, or that his mouth is odorous when it does, actually.

Thus, throughout the period of his visit, Obasanjo never let a moment that merited a joke or an idiomatic expression to slip by - to drive home his point.

The projects commissioned or sites touched during the three-day visit included the G. U. Ake Road; Okporo Road (East-West Road); ElekahiaRumumasi Road; Ken Saro-Wiwa Road; Model Primary Health Centre, Akpajo-Eleme; and Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School, Ebubu-Eleme.

Others were Songhai Farm, Bunu Tai; Model Primary School, Ban-Ogoi; Banana Plantation Farm, Tai; Afam Power Station; the 2 x 60 MV/132/33KWA Sub-Injection Station in Elelenwo.

Obasanjo was also at the No One Field (Mini Football Stadium); Rivers Monorail; St. Andrew’s Model Primary School in Mile One, Diobu; Kelsey Harrison Hospital on Emenike Street, Mile One, Diobu; and Buguma Fish Farm in Asari/Toru Council.

Amaechi disclosed that he tried to have Obasanjo come to the state last year, and had to “fight” extremely hard this year to have him around.

While commissioning the G.U. Ake road, Elekahia-Rumuomasi road linking the busy Port Harcourt and Trans-Amadi road, and the 2.4kilometre six-lane Ken Saro-Wiwa road that links part of the city to the G. U. Ake road and up to the international airport on February 17, Obasanjo stressed the importance of good roads to the smooth movement of goods and people, particularly in a city like Port Harcourt.

Hence, he dedicated the roads to the glory of God and for the benefit of all those who would use them to enhance their economic, social and political lives.

He said: “For democracy in this country, we

must remember that where we are today, we are not just there overnight; some people have made sacrifices and in different categories.

“And for this country to continue to be what we will want it to be, there will be more sacrifices to be made.”

At the Model Primary Health Centre in Akpajo, Eleme, the former President, impressed by the free health care system in the state, harped on good health in the life of any country. He said without politicking, it is about what directly affects the people.

Here, he told a story: “There are some names (of his) that you (the event organisers) put here that I don’t like. That name, Matthew, does not really mean so much to me, while the other names have meanings in Yoruba.

“And let me tell you the meaning of Matthew. On the 8th day after I was born, my parents hesitated that I must be given a Hebrew name, that I am a Christian, and they gave me the name, Matthew.

“When I grew up, even before I entered the secondary school, I looked at the name they gave to me and Matthew was the one I took away, for two reasons.

“It has no meaning in Yoruba, and then in the Bible, the man was a tax collector.”

At the Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School, Amaechi disclosed that while sojourning in Ghana after he was denied the PDP governorship ticket and being hounded in 2007, he came across a fantastic secondary school in the country (Ghana) and promised to replicate it if given the opportunity to be governor.

He said after doing so in Rivers, following his eventual assumption of office, “I took my children to those schools and when they came, they loved it.”

Among other facilities, the school, named after Nne Kurubo, the first female permanent secretary in the old Rivers State, has 25 students per class and the entire school is computerised, with each child having a laptop for him/herself. Everything is free, including uniforms, sandals, etc.

Amaechi noted: “My cabinet said, ‘let Baba come.

We know Baba very well; he will talk about the Kleg.’ I said I know Baba very well; if he is not satisfied, he will push the commissioning further.

“The only reason why I am pushing Baba to come is that few persons, whenever they tell Baba that we are working in Rivers State, he would say, ‘I have not been there and I don’t know what you are talking about.’

“So, I said the best thing for me to do is to bring Baba here to see for himself and if you know Baba very well, you will know that I am a smaller version of him. Baba will say his mind and innocently, he will walk away.

“So, if we are not doing well, he will say it, even in the car, he will mention it.”

Amaechi stated that the visit was thus to showcase Baba (Obasanjo) and see if he would be convinced, and showcase to the public what his administration has done or is doing, in spite of the political crisis in the state and distractions from his opponents.

“I hear they asked one of them (political opponents) about our education achievements and he said it’s only in the township that we have the primary schools.

“I have decided that we would commission one of the schools in the rural areas, so that they can see that whatever primary school you have in the township is the same that you have in the village.

“Same for our health centres. That is why we took

Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School in Eleme.

G. U. Ake road at night you to Akpajo in Eleme to commission the Model Primary Health Care, for you to see that the same things in the township are also in our villages.”

Amaechi stated that none of the secondary schools was sited in the township, “but we currently have about seven of them completed in the rural areas, such as Sakpenwa, Oyigbo, AsariToru, Okehi and Omuma.”

“Baba, we are grateful for your coming and wherever you are not satisfied, please, tell the public you are not satisfied.”

In response, the former President said: “I did not know that Amaechi will be making something like this here.

“I also did not know that he would try to challenge me although we know the young shall grow. What will I do to keep up with him? So, I decided to perform acrobatically.

“You have afforded me the opportunity to say my mind. When you invited me, many people said I should not come and I asked why? They said, security.

“There is virtually nothing too dangerous than fear. At my age, what should I fear, even if it is death? Amaechi, if I die tomorrow, make sure you buy a cow for the visitors who will be invited to the funeral.”

who did not contest an election, a man who had not been voted for, be declared the governor without being voted for?

“He went to the Supreme Court and won his mandate. That is the end of the K-leg.”

Obasanjo added: “If anybody is not satisfied about that, let the person wait for the judgment of the Supreme Being.

“So, the K-leg has been strengthened. Not only that, he also contested the election in 2011 and won. Then, what K-leg are you talking about it?”

On his visit, he said: “Some people also said, why did you honour the invitation when he (Amaechi) changed one road named after you?

“I don’t work for people to name roads after me.

If for any reason, anybody wants to name anything after me, good luck to that person.

“But I want my name to be written in the minds and hearts of Nigerians all over the world, not necessarily on a road.

“If he decides that a road should not be named after me, why should I quarrel about that?

“And if, in the course of that, he invited me and I didn’t come, then I am petty and does not deserve to be honoured, if that is the case.”

Facing the governor, Obasanjo counseled: “There are things you need to learn from me. I am older, with more experience and wiser; so, I THE visit provided former President Obasanjo have come to hear, see and to declare. the opportunity to finally resolve the issue of the “I have heard, I have seen and (I am) in the “K-leg” in Amaechi’s nomination in 2006 for the process of declaration.

2007 governorship election in Rivers State.

“Another thing that I have heard is people say While rationalising his denial of the ticket to some of the roads we are going to commission Amaechi, a typically frank Obasanjo said: “As a today had been there before they were born, leader, when I have something that requires even though they were narrow roads. action, that action must be taken. Otherwise, I “So far, I feel proud. By association, I am part of am not a worthy leader. what you are doing in the area of infrastructural “A report came about him (Amaechi) that indi- development, particularly road transportation cated K-leg and I said as a result of the K-leg, what infrastructure.” was will not continue to be.

Obasanjo urged political leaders to show and “But then, what was required in a democratic embrace the principle of love in playing politics dispensation was that he went to court to and Amaechi not to hold anything against his straighten the K-leg. predecessor (ostensibly Dr. Peter Odili), but hold “I am one of those, when he got judgment at the him (Obasanjo) responsible for whatever hapSupreme Court, found it upward, though I didn’t say it publicly, to the extent that how can a man CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Saturday, March 1, 2014 9

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ISSUES & POLITICS ‘I Would Reconcile People Of Ewu Kingdom’ After 17 years of intense legal battle, Jafaru Isesele 1, the Onojie of Ewu Kingdom in Eastern Local Council area of Edo State was recently declared by the Appeal Court, as the rightful and legitimate successor to his late father, Isesele Obiefo 2, who died in 1997. He spoke to SEYE OLUMIDE on how the crisis started, what happened before the final judgment and how he intends to move the Kingdom forward after the long battle. an you shed light on the crisis surrounding the Ewu C Kingdom succession since your father’s death?

IT started in 1997. My father, the Royal Highness, Isesele Ojeifo 2, was the Onojie of Ewu Kingdom. He had a first son, Prince Yesuf Ojeifo, who pre-deceased him. Yusuf, died in April 1997 while my father, Isesele Ojeifo the second, joined his ancestors on August 6, 1997.

After my father’s death, as the eldest surviving son, and in accordance with our custom and tradition, I performed his burial ceremony. But after the burial ceremony, some people were agitating that I shouldn’t have performed the burial ceremony, that they preferred the grandson, Rasak, to perform the burial ceremony of my father, which negates our custom and tradition.

After the burial ceremony, these people were aggrieved and they went to court in 1998.

Why did they go to court?

They claimed that they wanted a grandson to take over the throne. This has never happened in the town, and in fact, it is an abomination to the custom. Apart from what the custom says, there is a gazette under the Bendel State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs of 1997, which is now applicable in Edo State. According to the gazette, the eldest surviving son should survive the ruler after performing the burial ceremony of his father. That supports the customs and traditions of Ewu people.

So, after the burial ceremony, the aggrieved people insisted they will not comply with the law and then headed to court, to challenge my legitimate right to the throne.

Fortunately in 1998, I got the first judgment in a suit, which they filled against my installation. I won and was declared the legitimate successor to my father’s throne.

Unfortunately the government at the time did not show much interest in the matter because, to the best of my understanding,

the matter was hijacked by some self-centered politicians who were in support of Rasak.

We waited endlessly for the government to present me with the staff of office after the judgment, but that didn’t happen.

When we discovered that the government wasn’t forthcoming, we went to the High Court in year 2000 to ask for our legitimate right. We argued the matter till 2005, and again, I was declared the legitimate successor to the throne.

My opponents felt dissatisfied and went to the Court of Appeal.

Luckily again, on February 14, 2014, the Court of Appeal upheld the judgment of the lower court, ruling that I am the rightful and legitimate person for the throne and that I am the Onojie of Ewu Kingdom.

How did you get the judgment?

The Court of Appeal ruled in my favour despite the fact that the suit was filled since 2005.

But before then, while the matter was at an advanced stage at the High Court, the administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion went ahead to present the staff of office to Rasak, the grandson, in 2004. When we learnt that, my lawyer quickly filed a motion to counter government action, saying that it was unlawful for government to have done so, when the matter was still in court.

The presiding judge nullified the action and ruled that the staff of office presented to Rasak was illegal.

After the judgment, which came in our favour in 2005, we felt that the government would then do the right thing, but they did not.

It was not only that the Appeal Court in its judgment on February 14 this year declared me winner, the court further ruled that the unlawful edict promulgated by the government is an illegal act, invalid, null and void.

This means that, right now, I am the rightful successor to the throne of Ewu Kingdom and the true Onojie of Ewu. Did you suspect any political undertone from the beginning?

Yes. Like I said, some self-centered politicians were interested in the matter. I understand it was some politicians that influenced government to present the staff of office to Rasak against the normal procedure of the land.

What has been the situation in the Kingdom since this illegality started? Were there setbacks in any form?

What do you expect in a situation where there is injustice, contradiction to traditions and customs and situation where the people are not happy? Ewu has not been the same for a very long time now. The land has lost so much politically, economically and socially and things have not been going well.

The people are not happy at all but with this judgment there

Jafaru was relief because joy has returned to the land. Their joy is that truth has prevailed at last.

Was there any crisis within your family before your father passed on that led to the situation?

There was no crisis at all.

Why then did some people stand in support of a grandson against you?

Before my late senior brother died, he tried to raise some sentiments that my father loved me more than himself, who was the most senior son. But there was nothing like that.

When he died, some people felt probably our father preferred me to him (my late brother). But that was not the issue; it was death that took him. They even alleged I killed him; that too is not correct.

Now that you have been declared the rightful successor to the throne, what are your plans to ensure positive changes in the community?

The first thing is to reconcile the people. Like I said, we have lost so much. The first thing is to bring the entire community together so that we can forge ahead in the scheme of things.

No victor, no vanquish.

What are the things you would want Governor Adams Oshiomhole to immediately bring to your community in terms of development?

There are lots of things we lack at present. For instance, water and good roads. As we talk, there is no road to the headquarters, Iwu, which is Egwuare. Erosion has cut the road into two.

We need help in the area of education. We need health facilities, among others.

When Obasanjo Commissioned Projects In Rivers me, I have heard, I have seen and I am satisfied.”

At the Buguma Fish Farm, where they were met by well-dressed Kalabari people, Amaechi emphasised that the project, among others, was to create employment opportunities for the people, as “nobody was born a criminal or militant or born with a gun in his hand. Only society compels people to carry gun.”

He stated that government owes the people a duty because of the taxes they pay, noting: “If we cannot help you and provide the basic necessities of life, then we have no reason being in government. And that is why we have moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The Soku oil wells are yours; not even the President or PDP can take away your oil wells and deny you of your rights,” Amaechi stated.

Obasanjo described the farm as part of the developments he had come to see in Rivers, expressing joy that Amaechi, who five years ago did not dream of becoming a farmer, is now struggling to become one and urged his wife not to discourage him from attaining his desire.

He harped on the need to have a processing system and means of preservation in place, so that the species don’t get rotten when products increase.

Obasanjo being welcomed by a dancing maiden you can reach the moon; the sky is the limit.

“When I come back here, maybe after some years, I will meet some of you in secondary pened in the K-leg matter “because I was in schools, some in the universities, while others charge.” may have become teachers, engineers, nurses He commended the governor’s wife, Judith, “for and doctors, even wives of big people, like govertaming your husband and for what you are nors.” doing in his life and what you are contributing to For the six-lane Olu Obasanjo Road, which was his success and progress in this state.” initially billed to be commissioned by another At the Model Primary School in Ban-Ogoi, Tai head of state, because it was named after him Council, Obasanjo said good education, starting (Obasanjo), Amaechi explained: “When we took at the primary school level, “adds up to the over power, we felt this is an important road. We empowerment we need to give to our children rebuilt the road and named it, Olu-Obasanjo. for them to be ready as leaders of tomorrow; if “Nothing has changed, but when we heard that they are not prepared today, they cannot be fit critics said we had changed the name, we decidfor tomorrow.” ed to bring you here, so that you can commisTo the elated students, he said: “Bear in mind sion it yourself.” three things: whatever you want to be, you can Recalling his earlier comment, Obasanjo said be, and the beginning is education. he didn’t need any explanation on the issue, not“Here, you have very unique facilities and won- ing that it was the governor’s adversaries that he derful opportunities. Whatever is your ambition, (Amaechi) might explain things to, adding: “For

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

HE gala night, in honour of former President T Obasanjo was the icing of the cake. Amaechi bemoaned that he had been accused of all sorts of things, adding: “Luckily, of all criticisms against me, I am yet to see somebody accuse us of being corrupt.”

He pleaded with Obasanjo to, on behalf of the Rivers people, prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to allow the syringe factory in the state function by signing the necessary agreement with a foreign partner, “for the sake of the people, some of who are dying for using the wrong syringes.”

Amaechi also mentioned two helicopters for surveillance, bought at $30 million but parked in the United States (US) for two years now, incurring demurrage following alleged federal government’s refusal to allow them into the country.

“I just want to pass this message to you because I know you see him (President Jonathan) regularly,” the governor said.

Obasanjo’s response rattled some guests in the Banquet Hall and elicited laughter in others,

because of the uncanny manner he said it.

He repeated: “I am here to see development. I am here to hear development. I am here to talk development.

“I have come with my delegates. I have heard, I have seen and I have come to declare.

“Seeing is believing and what I see, I believe and what I believe, I will talk about. What we have seen in the rural areas of the state - the infrastructure - is worth believing and is worth declaring.

“On the basis of that, I will just say that you should not worry about people who do not like you; you should worry about your conscience and your God and the people who voted for you.

“If you are doing what your conscience says is right for the people of Rivers, keep on doing it.

Know that there is God who, if you do not satisfy Him, He has the final judgment.

“So, don’t worry about those who cannot kill the soul, they can kill the body if they like, or those who will try and pull you down; worry about God and the people you are voted to serve and your conscience.”

Obasanjo said in politics, you have adversaries and those who oppose you, but not enemies.

“I have no enemies and you should have no enemies,” he said. “If people oppose you, leave them in the court of God, provided you are doing the right thing. Let us have politics with principles, love and not politics with bitterness.”

On Amaechi’s request for Obasanjo to put in word for him to the President regarding the syringe factory and the helicopters, the former President urged the governor to take the message to the President himself, as that would be more effective.

Obasanjo told reporters and the crowd probing is political party status that he remained a cardcarrying member of the PDP, wondering: “How else do you speak English?”

Asked if he intended to support any particular candidate for next year’s presidential election, he said: “That is not a question for now.”

Then, he closed the session with admonition.

“Anything that you are doing and there is no opposition, you should take a second look at it,” he said.

“All good things must have some opposition, because too many people may not know what it takes and how it takes, but when they come to know, they will say, ‘well done.’”

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10 | Saturday, March 1, 2014

POLITICS

‘NNPC Is The Settlement House For The Good, The Bad And The Ugly’ Comrade Peter Esele, the immediate past President-general, Trade Union Congress (TUC) speaks on the current scarcity of fuel, why NNPC would always remain the conduit pipe for government officials, and other topical issues.

By Samson Ezea

W

HAT is your view on the recent suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi by President Goodluck Jonathan?

My views are quite clear on this matter. If I were Mallam Sanusi, my best bet would have been to resign. Once you disagree with the powers-that-be, and various figures were been brandished about what is missing or not, you and I know that something has to give way. We want the kind of life people live in Europe or America, but we are not ready for the responsibility and sacrifice it entails.

The main concern should be how do we strengthen our institutions to avoid various abuses by individuals who see the various offices they occupy as their personal property?

On whether the sack was political or not, most government decisions are taken from political standpoint. The President got the report on Sanusi’s alleged financial recklessness on February 23, 2013 and issued a query on April 4, 2013, got a response on the May 20, 2013. The president’s action showed that he wasn’t satisfied.

But why didn’t the president send the allegations to the various anti-graft agencies for further investigation and prosecution, if necessary. This would have put to bed the political coloration or the clashes of ego the sack has generated. On the legality of the action of the President I leave that to the court to decide.

The President will be doing a great dis-service to his office if they don’t get to the root of the missing money. The details of the funds must be made available to Nigerians, and those behind it be brought to book.

Nigerians will not be happy with the President, if he allows this to be swept under the carpet as usual.

Why has NNPC remained a conduit pipe for government officials especially those in the Presidency?

The structure of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has never

Esele made it independent. CBN governor has tenure of office, but GMD of NNPC has none.

He can be fired at anytime, so his loyalty therefore is to the President and not to the Act that established the Corporation.

The Minister of Petroleum is also the Chairman of NNPC board. Therefore, where are the checks and balances? The GMD dares not make any decision that will undermine the political interest of the politicians at the helm of affairs of the country, even if such decisions are in the long-term benefit of the country.

Again because NNPC is not commercialised, there is no motivation to work. The only thing NNPC does is to import petroleum products and also receive money for crude payment. Contracts for these imports and exports are given to cronies of our political elite.

I can say categorically that solving the problem of NNPC is akin to solving at least 45 per cent of the country’s problems. It didn’t start today; it has been like this for years now. Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which many see as catalyst for some reforms in the corporation, has not been passed into law.

NNPC is the settlement house for the bad, the good, and the ugly. I am still waiting for the Nigerian President/aspirant that will go against the cartel’s interest in oil industry.

Imagine the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala telling Nigerians that they want to carry out a forensic audit on the alleged missing money. What happened to the audit of 2011? All the current issues we all talking about now were highlighted then.

She should dust that report. The principles behind the abuses are the same and save the country the huge cost required for another forensic audit. The problem has never been that of audit, but implementation of the reports.

What is your opinion on the current scarcity of fuel and kerosene across the country?

This definitely is artificial. Though there is late release of import quota to importers, but we have always been told that there is 90 days stock in reserve. It will soon fizzle out.

People want to cash on the debate about missing money to probably take off subsidy, thinking that government will act on removing subsidy.

Is there any hope for positive outcome of the proposed national conference?

I always believe it is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war. If talking will make Nigeria function properly, it is better. Sincerely, the country is on a dangerous slope and we all need to drag ourselves out of it.

I won’t support a divided Nigeria, but will support anything that will make it work and

be competitive. Unfortunately, we are not.

We must have a country where you can dream and have the system and environment that will support the actualisation of your dreams, irrespective of region, tribe or religion.

Are you not worried that despite the state of emergency declared in some Northeast states, Boko Haram members have continued to kill innocent Nigerians unhindered?

One of our biggest challenges is that we act before we think. The Boko Haram menace has been around for a long time in different names, shapes and sizes. Let us group it as militancy. For over 15 years, we have armed gangs taking up arms against the country.

Is that not enough for us to develop a new security architecture to curb the insurgency?

I don’t think our approach in terms of intelligence gathering has been good enough.

When Gen. T.Y. Danjuma was Minister of Defence, he said: “We need a small, mobile and combat ready armed forces” which was a wonderful idea. Did we build on it? How can you have such a force without technology? How can we allow this armed bandits to hold us for ransom? What does it cost to have an aircraft for surveillance?

An unmanned drone will cost an average of $4.5m (N720 million), which will patrol the Northwest, and Northeast region and report to base about movements.

The military also requires helicopter gunship, which will act on the intelligence of the drone. The average cost of a good helicopter gunship is $12m (N2.5 billion). The country’s security vote can buy 10 of each or is that not what the money is meant for?

In this era of technology, these insurgents should have been small fries if only we are all committed to put a stop to it. I believe they also get insider information. If not, how would they knew and attack immediately the military roadblocks were off? The military must be given all the support needed to put an end to this. This is not a Northern problem, but a Nigerian problem.

Do you subscribe to the notion that 2015 will make or mar Nigeria?

I don’t subscribe to the negative permutations. Our life is a reflection of the choices we make. Whatever will happen in 2015 depends on what you and I will accept. We must not allow politicians who use religion and ethnicity to divide us to have their way.

I am very confident that 2015 will come and go.

The strength and character of the people is known in time of challenges and adversity – our true character will come to the fore in 2015.

Anxiety As 33 Aspirants Jostle For PDP Ticket In Ekiti CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 one that can turn the state to Eldorado.

But many are wont to dismiss the Ise-Ekiti-born politician, but they acknowledge him as experienced and trusted to lead the state.

Adeyeye, a lawyer and journalist, was chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) under Oni. He runs one the best outspoken campaign organisations in PDP, with a daily press statement tackling the government even when the party at the state level seems not to have the capacity to take Fayemi to the public court.

Adeyeye’s statement is a must read in Ekiti. Though many APC supporters will not agree with most of his positions, but he has done creditably well in strengthening internal democracy in the state and providing alternative information.

Besides, he was among the leading PDP aspirants that have toured all the 177 wards in the state to sell his candidacy.

As one of the beautiful brides from Ekiti South, Adeyeye is also known to belong to the Oni camp- Irewolede Group, whose chairman, Akin Omole, has decamped with some members to the Labour Party (LP), where he is currently the chairman.

As Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, he lost the senatorial election in 1999 to Aluko and became the only AD senatorial candidate in the Southwest to lose election.

Also in 2003, he lost to PDP’s Senator Bode Olowoporoku. Many believe his time has come, not only to win the par-

ty’s ticket, but also the election.

Bejide EJIDE, a lawyer, is a grassroots politician and one of the founding fathers of the PDP in the state.

He is one of the PDP leaders believed to be knowledgeable with the politics of the state, having participated in all elections since its creation.

Bejide, from Ilawe-Ekiti, is one of the leading lights with political experience and pioneer state secretary of the PDP, where he has remained since then.

Speaking on why he wants to be governor, Bejide said: “The basic motivation is service to the people. I have been around for a while in the state.

B

“Apart from the three years I spent outside Nigeria as a High Commissioner, I have been living with the people, I understand their problems, I know there is pervading poverty in Ekiti and I know that unless we have a governor who understands the feelings and sufferings of the people, it will be difficult to make a change.

“That is one of the basic reasons why I am in the race, and I know I can make the difference.”

Bejide in 2011 lost the party senatorial ticket to Sola Akinyede, who eventually lost to the ACN’s Tony Adeniyi.

So, this contest is another opportunity for Bejide to prove his weight and electoral values in the party.

Tunji Odeyemi DEYEMI was once an acting governor of the state from February 17 to May 6, 2009, spending 79 days at Oke Barake before the re-run election of 2009.

Within that period, Odeyemi made marks his as a welfarist, which makes him popular among the teachers and civil servants in the state.

He stabilised the state during his short tenure and proved his political prowess a Speaker of the state Assembly with both the ACN and PDP having equal numbers of legislators.

A gentleman and good negotiator, many would not be surprised if he eventually picks the ticket because of his antecedent.

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ISSUES & POLITICS Where Is The Leafy Culture?

Atiku

Ajimobi

Ibadan, running splash of rust and gold, flung and scattered among seven hills like broken china in the sun — JP Clark

tinue to give you the support that you need to continue to do this good work that you have been doing.”

Simply, what the former Vice President is saying here is that there’s been a difference between what obtained in Oyo State yesterday and what we see today. We had a dirty leafy culture in the past; now, under a new dispensation we are having a clean leafless culture characterized by healthy sanitary conditions and salutary orderliness in the streets.

It is not enough in the life of a society to have changing of the guard in government through periodic and obligatory elections. If that is all there is to democracy and governance, we would have learnt little or nothing from those who conceived democratic institutions as vehicles of development and progress.

There would also be nothing wrong with military coups that changed rulers (violently or bloodless) at will in our recent past.

But real wholesome change must come with change in government leadership. Even leaders who are retained at the ballot see the need to effect cabinet cleansing by way of dropping of some aides for the injection of fresh blood.

Above all, the supreme document driving our democracy, the Constitution, insists that the President and the Governor can’t go more than two terms regardless of how superlatively they perform.

So the point should be that along with leadership change, there must be a progressive pursuit of policies and programmes that bring in a better life for the people. It is no exaggeration then to claim that the change in Government House in Ibadan from one administration to another in 2011 has been accompanied by a philosophy and ideology uncompromisingly determined to put a full stop to a rowdy, unhealthy and life-threatening city life. Government is making a difference therefore.

Keen watchers say what the Ajimobi administration is doing is a long work in progress.

JP Clark’s “splash of rust… flung and scattered among seven hills like broken china in the sun” is still visible when you stand on Mapo Hill or atop Adeoyo cliff. But the “gold” is beginning to emerge in the clean neighborhoods, in the streets liberated from the iron grip of lawless motorists and passengers, in the new-look motor parks taken away from the control of violent factional gangs and finally, in the delivery of a new citizen now savouring long-denied dividends of democracy.

The leafy culture of Ibadan has become history!

Eweje is a traditional medicine practitioner in Erunmu, Ibadan.

By Ifadola Eweje HE politics of former Vice President Atiku T Abubakar’s recent visit to Ibadan, capital of Oyo State was drowned by his comments on a city that is fast shedding the tradition of filth.

Acerbic observers once called this lifestyle the leafy culture, on account of the leafbased way of packaging food in the area.

Almost every consumable and staples were clothed in leaf: semi-solid corn meal (eko), bean cake (akara), bean paste (moin-moin) etc.

It wasn’t only the food vendors and chefs who were guilty of this general bestowal of honour on the green stuff; housewives were also culpable. At home, the receptacle of food was ewe (leaf), unless the food had to go with soup usually abula (gbegiri and ila or ewedu). Still the amala would have merged from the leaf.

This resort to the leaf was not limited to wrapping food. The broad variants of ewe were spread on the floor for defecation and for cleaning the body after the act. At the end, leaves from the various businesses of the day littered the streets and homes, the same way used water sachets dot the landscape in our urban and semi-urban centres today. This constituted serious health and environmental hazards.

That was the leafy culture that existed some years back when Atiku was working in Ibadan as a Customs officer. But Atiku, returning recently to the Oyo State capital on a visit to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, was confronted with a shock find: the leafy culture had disappeared!

In its place, a new city is emerging to make room for the new vision of the day, where Oyo State would live up to its status as a pacesetter, thanks to an ambitious drive by Ajimobi to transform the state at breakneck speed.

The former Vice President said as much in his discussion with the governor. He declared: “What gladdens my heart is that I always see changes any time I come back to Ibadan; changes in additional infrastructure development; changes in city renewal; changes in quality of life; changes in orderliness on the streets and changes in cleanliness of the streets. That is what good governance is all about, and I want to commend you and praise you for these achievements, and I pray the good people of Oyo will con-

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Saturday, March 1, 2014

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Saturday, March 1, 2014 13

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JUSTHUMAN Nathaniel Obasefunmi is suffering from end stage kidney problem. Doctors say he needs N5million to undergo transplant in an Indian hospital but his parents cannot afford the money.

N April last year, Nathaniel Obasefunmi was INathaniel, diagnosed with end stage kidney problem. who clocks 24 on May 10 this year, was seeking admission into the University of Ilorin before the ailment was diagnosed.

He had earlier obtained a National Diploma certificate from the Department of Office Technology Management of Kwara State Polytechnic.

“We have been practically turned to beggars,” his mother, Grace Obasefunmi bemoaned. “My husband and I have exhausted our life savings and incurred loans to the tune of N4million”.

According to her, Nathaniel’s sickness was first noticed in April last year and since then; they have been running from pillar to post in search of cure.

“He just came back from Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination hall in April last year and started vomiting. Initially, we thought it was malaria and gave some drugs. It was later after several tests that he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease” she added.

Nathaniel started undergoing dialysis at the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State where he was referred to. His mother, a level 10 teacher with Ilota Junior Secondary School in Ilorin South Local Gvernment of Kwara State, recalls: “We actually started dialysis session around June last year and we have being on it since then. We initially started the dialysis on twice a week arrangement. But later, they had to increase it to three times a week.

Dialysis per month costs N420,000 And we have been on it for almost a year.

“The sickness has practically grounded everything in the family and turned my household to a family of beggars. As I’m speaking, we are feeding solely from food

Nathaniel Needs Help To Fight Stage Kidney Ailment stuffs donated to us by neighbors and sympathizers. Some people, including my own siblings, will donate beans, rice and garri and even some money among others to us so as to feed my children. This is too difficult for me.

“I attend Redeem Christian Church of God. The church has tried its best and supported me severally on dialysis. I’m even ashamed that church members are always contributing money to assist me for the dialysis. All my children were initially withdrawn from their private schools to public schools before we had to stop some of them totally.

“At the moment, I have incurred some loans to the tune of N1.5million on dialysis. My husband has also collected loans from several places. His may have surpassed my own”.

A medical report by the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti and signed by Dr. Fadipe O.E, said: “Nathaniel is being managed for end state kidney disease by our unit. He is on maintenance haemodialysis and also being worked up for renal transplantation.

“The patient had shown interest in kidney transplantation following counseling. However, this service is not available in our centre but the average cost of kidney transplantation in Nigeria is about N5million.

“For logistics, supporting partner and medication, he may also need another N5million.”

Mrs Obasefunmi is appealing to Nigerians to assist her financially. “I want Nigerians to please help me. They should not abandon me to this; they should please help and not allow this child to die. They should not let me lose this child. He will be 24 by May 10 and he is a very brilliant boy”.

Nathaniel’s father, Inspector Tunde Fred-

eric Obasefunmi is with the Health Division of the Nigerian Police in Tanke, Ilorin of Kawa State. He joined the force on April 1, 1983 and has four years to go before his retirement.

Speaking with The Guardian on phone recently, he said: “ If you realize what I have been going through, you will cry for me,” he said and burst into tears. It took another five minutes before he could compose himself.

“I receive help from my church and some of my neighbors, especially in the area of feeling my family. All my salaries and my wife’s

Nathaniel, on his sick bed

are expended on dialysis,” he said.

On his part, Nathaniel told The Guardian on phone: “I’ve been going through a lot of pains. I can’t breathe. My heart is heavy. And I’m going through unbearable pains all over my body. My parents and siblings are crying every day because this sickness has wrecked us and we have turned to a family of beggars.

“Nigerians should help my parents financially to sponsor the surgical operation so that I will not die; and so that they can have an extra hand in the quest to contribute to the development of the country.”

Readers willing to assist Nathaniel, can send their contributions to: Name: Obasefunmi Aaron Gbenga Bank: Guarantee Trust Bank Account Number: 0115914950, or contact the family on 07089929880, 08094214862 and

14

Saturday, March 1, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 15

16 Saturday, March 1, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

DIARY

Guest Speaker, Prof. Ikenna Okoli (left); President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Dr. Nelson Uwaga; Deputy Director, NIM Abuja Management Centre, Dr. Iyk Oji; and the Chairman, NIM North-Central zone, Dr. Raymond Ihenacho, at the induction, upgrading and re-certification of new members of the Institute at Merit House, Abuja …recently

The Chairman, Lexcel Group, Mr. Olajide Rosiji presenting trophy to the Managing Director, Supreme Distilleries, Mr. Bola Soyinka while others watch during the Grand Oak’s management retreat held in Lagos… recently

Arc. Musa Sada, Supervisory Minister, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, with Chief Olabode Afolayan, Redan President in Las Vegas, USA, at a Synergy meeting with NAHB on Artisans capacity development initiative…recently §

Mrs. Onyema Val Obiajulu (left), Manager Sterling Bank Owerri; Prof. (Mrs.) O. C. Nwana; Emeritus Prof. O. C. Nwana; Mrs. Ada Aguta, Registrar; Dr. Obidike N. Maduako, Chairman, Ark Publishers; Dr. (Mrs.) Blessing Ijioma, Provost; Mr. Nzelum, Librarian; Very Rev. E. O. Chukwu; and Mrs. K. O. Ugochukwu during presentation of books

by Ark to the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education in Owerri…recently

Captain and Mrs. Lawal Hayat during their marriage sword crossing held in Kaduna… recently

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio (right) and the Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, presenting award of Businessman of the Year to Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, Chairman of Chisco Group during the recently held Sun Newspapers awards In Eko Hotels, Lagos

Secretary-General to the Honorary Consul to Djibouti, Dr. Fola Rogers-Saliu; Representative of Hon Consul of Syria, Saeed Makari; Honourary Consul to Liberia in Nigeria; Chief Mrs. Oprah Benson; Honourary Consul to Malta in Nigeria, Hon. Oluwole A. Lawal, ; the Honorary Consul of the Consulate of Lithuania to Nigeria, Goodie Ibru; Hon. Consul of Turkey in Nigeria, Hon (Dr.) Mohammed Koguna and Honorary Consul of Greece in Nigeria at Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos at the meeting held yesterday in preparation for the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) summit slated for September 2014.

Executive Director, Mr. Chef, Chief Reggi Uduhiri (left); winner of Nissan X-Trail Classic in Mr. Chef Distributors Reward/5th anniversary, Amb. Eddison Ukeh; and the Executive Director, Lawal Idris during the Mr. Chef Distributors Reward/5th Anniversary held in Lagos…recently

Students of Ronik Comprehensive School during their orchestra performance while the school music Director Mr. Babatunde Ojelabi conducts at their end of the year valedictory ceremony of the school in Lagos…recently

Representative of President Boni Yayi of the Republic of Benin; Ambassador Mouftau Laleye, the Royal Fathers from Ile-Ife, Osun State who represented the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and other guests enjoying the performance of the cultural group from Badagry, during the birthday ceremony of Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos… recently

TheGuardian

Saturday, March 1, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

with SIMON Egbo 07032944123

Love Connections

Princess of

IN THIS EDITION

Women seeking relationship/marriage

Love

Fadila Umar needs a sweet, caring man in Abuja for a relationship. 08036931974.

Justy needs an Igbo guy of 30-35years. 08093617779 Treasure, 23, 5.5ft, slim, fair, bra size 32, student, from Abia, needs someone. 07034469809.

Ifechi, 32yrs, graduate self employed is searching for a God-fearing Igbo man, tall, educated, for a serious relationship. Pls call 08052366993

True Confession:

Blessing, 44yrs of working class in Lagos, needs a widower or legally divorced man for a relationship .

Pls call 08169622906.

Re: ‘I Can’t Help Being In Love With My Uncle’

Divine Favour, Igbo, single an orphan, needs a Godfearing Pentecostal, and educated Igbo man, a widower with little kids, not a divorcee, for marriage. Pls call 08137828007.

Call professor love on 07032944123 for relationship/marriage counseling & direct hookup.pls call before texting your request.

Are You The Type Of Woman That Men Desire?

Men seeking relationship/marriage Paul in S.A, fair in complexion needs a working class or graduate, btw 23-30yrs from Delta-Igbo speaking or anywhere in Delta State for relationship . Pls call 27737665308.

Kadi, a genius in womanology, humble and intelligent, needs a very mature, intelligent, hardworking lady . Pls call 08132081283.no flashig pls Jim, 39 yrs, dark, handsome and romantic. A top shot in the oil and gas sector, needs a romantic lady for a good relationship. Pls call 08033830065.

Life Story:

Jose Edwards, 28 based in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy age btw 35 / 60yrs who is ready to for fun and will spend for him. Call 08065427765.

‘My Journey Back To Sanity’

Elijah, 21yrs, residing in Lagos is seeking a mature woman who has a good sense of humour and knows what love is all about, for a serious relationship. Call 0703686926. No flashing pls.

Timi 27, tall, dark, handsome and hardworking needs a mature lady 45yrs above for a blissful relationship. Pls call 08188970747.

Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Mitchelle Federick Connections) (student)

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

Israel, a Liberian, 27yrs of age lives in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy 35yrs and above. Call 08108896943.

Francis needs a job. He has a B.sc in a social science discipline. He needs someone that can help him. Pls call 08124287764.

Are You The Type Of Woman That Men Desire?

IGURING out what men really desire is nevFtions. er easy, since men come in different variaHowever, regardless of what category a man falls in, there are standard things that every man is looking for in a woman. Are you the type of woman that men dream about being with? We all want to be an object of desire; the kind of woman that men talk about, dream about and long to be with. We all want to be chased and admired by men and to be appreciated, respected and admired for our existence, appearance, personality and accomplishments.

So what do men really desire in a woman and are you that woman? Well, the first and most important thing to remember is to: Be Real: be who you really are, rather than try to be what you think you should be or who you think people want you to be. It is easy to sense a real person from an artificial one and one of the main turn offs for a man is a woman who is not herself and gives off a fake vibe.

Have Confidence: Nothing is more attractive to a man than a woman who is confident and feels comfortable and happy in her skin. A woman who feels good about herself is a woman most likely with a good head on her shoulders, rational, focused and has good direction in life. If a woman does not have confidence in herself, then a man feels and

sees no reason to have confidence in her either and he will not want to invest his time and effort in a woman he will have to baby sit emotionally all the time.

Dress Fashionably: Wearing the most expensive apparel is not the most important thing to a man, but it is important that a woman keep up with her appearances. A woman who dresses sharply comes off as a woman who is successful and who treats herself with love and respect and therefore a man will not want to do less for her either: he will love and respect you too. So be sure to keep yourself updated with fashion and keep yourself well groomed. This will not only draw men to you, but you will also feel good about yourself- which is the first priority before you please anyone else! And remember, dress sexy, but classy as well – and always leave something to the imagination.

Express Intellect: Being desirable to a man is not just about having a pretty face or shapely figure. A woman with intelligence is important too and a man wants to be with a woman who will have something to talk about and who will teach him new things, just as he will teach you new things. Everyone is unique and has her own personal talents and areas of higher intelligence than others.

So be sure to express that side of yourself to prove that you do have the whole package-

an attractive appearance along with other intellectual surprises. Share your hobbies, share things you have learned through your life experiences and show what he has been missing out on before he met you!

Be Sweet and Feminine: Okay, today women are more independent and career oriented, but that does not mean we should have to give up and forget our feminine roots. Women are delicate creatures after all – we are sweet and giving and it is important for a man to see these qualities in a woman. It is not weak to show a man that you are sweet. After all, this is the type of woman a man dreams coming home to; someone who will lovingly welcome him home with a sweet feminine smile and take care of him. Never lose your special feminine roots- show him your sweet and romantic side.

Tell Him What You Want: It is understandable that you want a man who will treat you beautifully without you having to give him directions - and you should never lower your standards when it comes to this. However, you also have to remember that men cannot read minds and let’s face it - we women are emotionally unpredictable creatures and are not always easy to read. Men love it when a woman has the strength and confidence to tell him what she wants. Men want to please women, so do not be afraid to open up and let him know what it

is important to you.

Stay Glamorous: This does not mean that you should walk on eggshells and worry about your looks all the time. You should feel secure enough in your relationship to know that even when you are not made up, your man will still adore you and will not look at other women. However, this does not mean you should let yourself go and not care about the things that were once important to you.

Relationships usually start going downhill when one or both partners stop caring about the little things, such as dressing up for each other, little romantic gestures and so on. So, remember the little things and always keep your self-confidence in tune by taking care of yourself- and your partner will automatically keep admiring you!

Like Your Body: Men love a woman who loves her body. A woman who walks around feeling good about her body and knowing that her body is beautiful is incredibly sexy to a man and makes him curious and eager to get to know that woman. So be sure to build your physical confidence and focus on bringing out your best features. Nobody is prefect everyone has flaws, but that does not mean that you should advertise your flaws. Get to know yourself and find your strong physical points and bring them out for the world to see and admire. If there are parts of your body that you believe could use some help, then do something rather than complain. stories/comments to simonclar@yahoo.com.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

18 | Saturday, March 1, 2014

LOVE&LIFE Re: ‘I Can’t Help ‘My Journey Back To Sanity’ Being In Love With My Uncle’

HE had gone to the best doctors about her sympSsigns toms, yet for years no one had recognized the of her illness. This is the story of one woman's

True Confession

triumphant struggle with manic depression.

I had been married for two months when my husband committed me, his 27-year-old bride, to a locked psychiatric ward. In the 12 years since I was diagnosed as manic-depressive, I have never fully thanked or forgiven him. And I've never forgotten how frightened I was as I watched the man I love cast me off behind closed doors. Yet despite my fear and humiliation, I was relieved to think that at last, someone might be able to help me. Being involuntarily committed was the defining moment of my life.

Back then, in 1982, I didn't know that manic depression, also called bipolar disorder, is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain that can cause an individual to swing from states of manic excitement and energy to periods of overwhelming anguish and despair. I had no idea that this disorder affects more than three million Americans, that it can cause physical as well as mental symptoms, or that it can be life threatening if left untreated.

Looking back, it's a miracle that I survived long enough to get the help I needed. As a little girl, growing up in a loving and large extended Italian family in Chicago, I felt an emptiness, a sadness, I could never explain. The nuns at school didn't know what to make of me. I was either withdrawn or vivacious and I always had mysterious physical problems, such as unstoppable nosebleeds and blinding migraine headaches. I'd vomit. I'd have to lie in darkened rooms. If there was an ounce of light, I couldn't move.

When I was 14 years old, my doctors began to suspect I had a “female” problem, because I'd stopped menstruating. There weren't any noninvasive diagnostic tests like CAT scans then, so I had one exploratory surgery after another.

During my teens, I saw every type of physician except a psychiatrist. I was told I had neurological problems, endocrine problems, a blood disease, a brain tumor. I became a regular at the hospital's teen unit. I looked forward to Friday nights there because they served surf and turf - lobster and steak - for dinner. After every operation, my parents and I would feel such relief: It wasn't an ovarian cyst that was causing my menstrual problems, it wasn't a tumor causing my headaches. But recovery took weeks, even months.

I remember thinking that the desolation would never end, that I wouldn't live to be older than 40, that the doctors eventually would find something terribly wrong with me. And I felt that somehow it had to be my fault. I kept wondering, ‘What did I do to cause all this?’

As an only child, I didn't want to scare my parents with such thoughts. Anything that went wrong with me frightened them, because they loved me so much. My friends couldn't understand either. They were thinking about what they were going to wear on Saturday nights, where they were going to go on dates. So I eventually became more and more withdrawn.

By the time I graduated from high school, my parents had become so protective that they were treating me like a Dresden-china doll. I'd been dating a boy who was a few years older. We got married shortly before my 19th birthday. He knew I'd been sick a lot, but neither of us really understood what was wrong. I thought marriage might be an escape from all I'd been through, but it wasn't. We split up after a year and a half.

I continued to have headaches and menstrual problems, but at least I wasn't having operation after operation. I went to court-reporting school, specializing in aviation law. When I was 23 years old, I opened my own court-reporting business, which became very successful. On the surface, everything seemed wonderful. I lived in a beautiful high rise in Chicago. I vacationed anywhere I wanted. I got to ‘party hearty,’ something I'd never done before.

What I didn't realize was that I was becoming manic. I started spending money outrageously. I hardly slept - a classic symptom of mania - but that suited me fine. I'd type up notes from depositions until 2 or 4 a.m., sleep a few hours and be back at work by 8:30 a.m. I was radiating energy. Despite migraines and menstrual problems, I felt better than I ever had before.

But as I later discovered, mania makes you reckless and self-destructive. I overdrew my checking account, not realizing how deep into debt I was getting. I began to spend the corporate payroll. It was okay, I would tell myself, because tomorrow there would be more money. Not even Joanne, my business partner, knew. Yet despite how seemingly fabulous my life was, how invincible I felt, I realized something was not right.

I was dating an attorney, Dan Meenan. He couldn't understand why no one had ever found a reason for my medical problems. In 1981, the year before I ended up in the psych unit, I had $32,000 worth of diagnostic tests, because I was still having the same problems: migraines, menstrual troubles, difficulty sleeping. When the tests didn't show anything

T is not love but infatuation you Iwith are feeling. Some kids fall in love their father, mum, sister. There was a case of one kid who was madly in love with her grandfather. The thing here is for you to know that it is the wrong type of love or infatuation. In your case, you already know it is bad. Bad before God and man. It is called incest. You need help and the first person you should seek help from is your mum after prayers. If you do anything silly, it will hunt and hound you for the rest of your life. So approach your mum now!

Chris. Warri.

Advice: pls dear readers mail your comments or reactions to this email :simonclar @yahoo.com Download the Color Of Love App free at https://itunes.apple.com/ng/app/the -color-of-love-guidefree/id767393599?mt=8 Or search for Colour of Love in the Apple App Store on your IPhone or iPad and download The Color of Love guide today.

Love Dictionary Love is strong yet delicate.

It can be broken.

To truly love is to understand this.

To be in love is to respect this.

Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay Love isn’t love till you give it away There are three great things in this world.

The first thing is for you to love someone The second thing is for someone to love you back. And the third greatest thing is for the first and second thing to happen at the same time.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person An hour to appreciate them A day to love them But then an entire life to forget them.

Love is gentle Love is kind Love is when... ...two lives combine Do you love me because I am beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me?

You can fall from the sky You can fall from a tree But the best way to fall Is in love with me

Fertility Problems/ Miscarriages/Seeking Male Child Do you have Fibroid, sexually transmitted infection/disease, find it difficult to get pregnant, have any form of infertility problem, miscarriages or need a baby boy or girl? Call 07025350586, 08122352054.

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

Baby Sex/Gender Selection Decide the sex of your baby (male or female). Call 07025350586, 08122352054, 08131161840. * Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hook up.

Also call if you have engagement, marriage, wedding, anniversary or birthday announcements to make.

Life Story From Abroad wrong, the doctors suggested I must be working too hard and needed a good vacation.

On January 1, 1982, Dan and I decided to get married. The following week I saw a neurologist for my migraines. He gave me methadone and Elavil, a mood-elevating drug no patient with mania should ever take. It pushed me over the edge. I became psychotic and started hallucinating. I called Joanne and said, ‘I'm in the shower, and there are bugs everywhere. They're crawling up and down the ceiling.’ She called my parents, and when they arrived, I was nude, freezing cold, saying over and over, ‘Don't you see the cockroaches?’

My father gave me red wine and bread to help me throw up, until the drugs were out of my system.

At that point, I'd had it with doctors. I refused to see another one.

Over the next five months, the mania kept building, feeding on itself. I spent tens of thousands of dollars on clothes. If I saw a sweater I liked, I'd buy it in nine different colours. I flew from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to see friends a couple of times a week. I stopped eating. My wedding dress had to be sewn on my body because by June 5, the day of my wedding, I'd lost so much weight you could practically see through me.

I was getting concerned, and so were my parents and Dan. But at the same time, we were caught up in the momentum of the wedding. When Dan and I got back from our honeymoon, I left for a convention in New Orleans, where I did stupid, dangerous things like jogging along the river at four o'clock in the morning. I learned later that having no sense of fear can be a part of mania.

Back in Chicago, I started to lose touch with reality. I showed up for a deposition wearing blue jeans, gym shoes, a Cubs T-shirt and no makeup.

When the witness mentioned that his house had been bombed, I became paranoid about someone bombing our office. Dan was so alarmed that he called my mother. She came over and stayed up all night with me - just as she'd done when I was a kid and couldn't sleep.

The next day a lawyer friend said, ‘Everybody's worried about you. Let's go to the hospital and see what's wrong.’

I said, ‘Okay, I'll go, but I know the doctors aren't going to find anything.’

When I got to Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, I was talking 285 words a minute and slurring my speech - typical signs of mania.

The psychiatrist who interviewed me knew, just from the way I was talking and acting, what was wrong. He told me, Dan and my parents that I had a classic case of manic depression and that I should be treated with antipsychotic medication and lithium (a mood-stabilizing drug).

Before I knew it, I was being escorted to the hospital's locked psychiatric unit. I freaked out. I said to Dan, ‘If you leave me here, it's over. We'll never have a marriage.’ He said, ‘Susan, I'm not taking you home.’ I handed him my wedding band.

My parents were devastated because they had no say about my being locked up. They wanted to take me home, but my husband, Dan was in charge. I was so angry and so frightened. I remember sitting at the foot of my bed, wondering whether I would ever recover the full faculties of my mind.

I refused to take medication. I'd had so many wrong diagnoses; I wanted to know what made them think they were right this time.

Finally the head nurse in the psych unit called me into his office and said, ‘You're doing yourself a disservice. They've come up with the answer for what's been wrong with you for years.’ He talked to me about manic depression for three-and-a-half hours and gave me material to read. I thought, ‘This is it. This is truly it.’ The symptoms - euphoria, racing thoughts, sleeplessness, grandiose ideas described exactly what I'd been going through.

For me, mania was the primary problem, though for many others it can be depression. Once I accepted the diagnosis, I felt a sense of hope. I knew it would change things: that my marriage could end, that I might lose my business, but though all of this was scary, I couldn't help smiling to myself. We'd hit it at last.

Two days after I started taking the medication, I got my period - after three years without one - and I haven't missed a period since. I also haven't had a migraine headache. Most people don't realize that mental illnesses can cause physical symptoms.

But as I learned, the abnormalities in my brain chemistry may have been causing my headaches and menstrual irregularities all along.

I was hospitalized for 28 days, and it was demeaning, degrading, worse than all the things I'd been through. To have your rights taken away. To receive flowers from your friends and have them put in a paper carton because you're not allowed to have glass on a psych unit. To be threatened with being put in a ‘quiet room’ in restraints. I don't think I'll ever get over that. It's one of the reasons I work so hard to stay well.

The hardest thing for my family was learning that manic depression can be hereditary. In my case, the genetic predisposition comes from my mother's family, though it had not been recognized. My mother has felt a lot of pain and guilt, which I've tried to ease. While I was hospitalized, Joanne went through the books of our court-reporting business. They were a disaster. I didn't think I'd ever be able to face the staff again. But as I got better, my psychiatrist decided I had to do it. He said, ‘I want you to face your staff while we're here to support you.’

Dan brought me a suit, panty hose, a purse, my makeup - all the things that had been taken away from me when I was admitted. I couldn't stop crying.

Finally, I took the cab fare the hospital gave me - seven dollars, just enough to get to my office and back. I had the cabdriver let me off a block away. I started to cry again. I thought, ‘How am I going to face them?’

I walked into the office, and it wasn't easy. People were understandably angry because I had put their jobs, the whole business, in jeopardy. I'll relive that day in my mind a million times.

After my discharge, a lawyer advised me to file for bankruptcy and start the business under a new name. I said, ‘I am going to pay back every cent, no matter how long it takes.’ Within three years, I'd paid every bill. The firm is still in business, although I've sold my interest and stopped court reporting.

By the time I left the hospital, I was really angry. I'd been cheated out of so many years. I'd had classic symptoms of manic depression, yet the best doctors in Chicago had focused only on my physical problems. I found out about what is now the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (DMDA), at the time just a local support group, and two days after I got out of the hospital, I went to a meeting. Each sentence I started, someone in the group could finish. It felt wonderful to be among people who understood what I'd been through.

I'll be 39 years old next month, and I know I am going to have to take care of this illness for the rest of my life. Every day I take a total of 16 pills, including some for asthma. In 12 years I have never missed a dose. These drugs are not mind-altering but moodaltering. I keep a mood chart so my doctor and I can spot changes that may require an adjustment in treatment. I truly believe my illness is controlled day by day, dose by dose.

Psychotherapy has helped me tremendously, but had the therapy preceded the medication, I'd have been on the couch for the rest of my life. It wasn't until I was on medication that I could start dealing with the emotional issues.

Therapy helped me pick up the pieces of my marriage. Dan and I had four years of marriage counseling. We went over some real rocky road. I compare what happened to my being trapped in a burning building, with Dan as the firefighter who rescued me. I would have died if he hadn't thrown me out the window, but I got burned by the flames, and there was a lot of scarring. At times I still get angry at Dan for locking me up. But there's a real bond between us.

I would be lying if I said l have 365 good days a year.

I don't. When I'm going through a particularly bad time, the pain feels interminable. And I know that the ultimate threat with manic depression is suicide.

More than 15 percent of those who are seriously depressed and do not receive adequate treatment take their own life. What helps me most to get through the dark days is the support of the DMDA and my work as a mental-health advocate.

I didn't set out to become an advocate. But ever since I first spoke publicly about my diagnosis, I've been asked to address mental-health groups and to talk at different hospitals.

During my own recovery, I learned how important and effective self-help groups are for people coping with mental illness. The DMDA, which became a national organization in 1986, now has 275 chapters.

I became its first executive director in 1989. We are the only organization in health care run by patients.

My life today is made up of a lot of travel, a lot of speechmaking and a lot of fund-raising for research; of working with Congress, the media and advocacy groups around the world. It's very fulfilling. I've worked with wonderful people, like Tipper Gore, who has been a staunch mental-health advocate for years. Last year, the American Psychiatric Association presented me with a public-service award in recognition of my contributions to the cause of the mentally ill. That was very gratifying. But what matters most to me are the people I've helped get treatment.

It's wonderful to see how well they're doing.

The journey back to sanity and health isn't an easy one. I know. But in all my years of struggling with manic depression and being involved in the National DMDA, I have never felt so hopeful. The shame that once went with mental illness no longer exists. And I firmly believe that in my lifetime more effective treatments will be developed. Those of us leading the fight in public for more research, more recognition and more acceptance are not going to give up. A lot of days we wake up smiling. We know there's going to be a brighter tomorrow - for us and millions of others.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 19

RELATIONSHIPS

Can You Wear The Same Dress As Your Boss?

By Alita Joseph OSS/subordinate relationship B can get so difficult at times. Even trivial things have been known to bring a strain to the two people who are thrown together by work.

Take, for example, the following story: A senior executive and her junior met at a gathering. The calibre of the people was such that the executive thought her junior should not have been present was one thing.

To make matter worse, the junior wore a dress that was similar to that worn by the boss.

But in a charming manner, the executive invited her subordinate to sit by her side. The junior, who knew her boss well, had seen the signs of controlled anger.

She was looking for a funny thing to say and then leave when the executive whispered between clenched teeth. “Where did you get that dress from?” said my friend. I stammered and realised the awkwardness of the situation, but her fury caught me off guard.

I felt as if I had been caught committing an official blunder.

I kept quiet because I could not give her the answer that I felt was appropriate. I wanted to ask her several questions. One of them was that if she still wore her dress, I could not have stolen hers? Could I? I have not had the nerve to wear that dress since, because I keep feeling that I would get a memo. It is a dress I like and honestly can’t think why I can’t wear a cloth if I can afford to buy it.

This story made me remember similar incidents I have heard of. Here are some of them.

Eva: “I would give that dress one

mile apart. I have this boss who is so nasty to me. I know her attitude is caused by jealousy, but she makes work a nightmare.

“She would embarrass me in front of her male visitors, because they always took a second look at me.

“Yes, our manager is very beautiful, but she never wants any competition. So, she would eliminate any before there is a chance for it. And with her polished looks, I would think younger women stand a chance.

“They know her attitude in the

By Kemi Amushan F you have been single for a long time or if Iyouyou just came off a bad relationship, then are in a great position to understand what exactly I want to discuss in today’s newsletter.

At this moment, you have the one-in-a-million opportunity to reinvent yourself into a happier, sexier woman, who is irresistible to the right kinds of men. That should be your plan.

And if it is, then I suggest you take this advice I am about to give you.

I have two questions for you today. The first one is: What is your definition of happiness?

If you are like most women, then happiness probably means having a great relationship with a charming, devoted and honest man.

But that is not all. “Happiness” probably also means being successful at work, having enough money, being part of a wonderful family and being in the company of great friends and so on.

Now, here is my second question: Are you happy right now?

Again, if you are like most ladies, your answer would probably be, “well, I am okay, but I could be happier.”

Here is the thing. You probably know of women who seem to be very happy with their lives. They got great relationships, great careers, great friends, great families and more.

They seem to have it made, while the rest of us are still chasing happiness, clueless, wondering what we are missing.

And that is not all it seems like every year with these women, who enjoy even more happiness, more success, more fun, more money, etc.

So, then I ask myself what these happy, successful women know that we other ladies do not have a clue about? The secret is in today’s newsletter.

Let us start with a basic fact about love and happiness: Great things happen to great women and happiness happens to happy women. That is a fact of life and love.

whole organisation, which is why they refused to transfer me or take her complaint seriously.

“She has no choice, but to involve me when important male visitors come officially.

“Her style of killing morale is to criticise me in front of them. With this sugary smile, she will tell them that ‘Eva is pretty and smart, but with all the potential suitors tripping over themselves, she refuses to marry.’

“How does that concern her? To cut a long story short I can’t be seen to

If you are “chasing” happiness, you are doing it wrong. Happiness is a choice you make right now. Happiness is an inside job.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

That is the secret of happy, successful, wellloved women. They work very hard to “invite” more happiness, success and love into their lives.

But here is one thing you will notice about these women: They love themselves. They are

“I have seen some of her clothes while shopping, but the thought of her high-handedness makes them distasteful to me.”

Joy: “I am that type of person that love challenges. So, whenever my Oga, who by the way is very fashionable, launches a new dress in the office, I would memorise every detail and wear an exact copy the very week, not later.

“I thought it was a show of admiration and respect until our supervisor made it her duty to lecture us.

She claims that it was disrespect.

“I know that she is speaking for herself. That pompous ass! But I have come down on my show of admiration. And yes, the fact that our manager has the same dress makes me to buy it. What is in a dress anyway?

I am sure the manager gives her own out after some time, just as I give mine to another person when I am bored with wearing them.”

Tope: “Wear the same dress? It will take absolute will power not to burn down the shop if I see her type of dress there.”

Uche: “I will stand my ground, look her in the eyes, then spit. I will then resign from that office.

“I just want to make it known that I have been the one tolerating her.”

Ken: “I thought dress consciouswear the same dress as her. ness was a woman thing until I “I love my job despite the fact that joined a bank as a trained manager. she makes it hell for me. I am lucky “Our boss managed to look scruffy that I come to work before her. in very expensive suit. It did not “Also, I can see her as she comes occur to me to dress down like through the door before she sees me. If she is wearing the same dress, other colleagues in that department.

I will leave through the back door “So, it was hell for me. I would not and pretend to be sick. like to wear the same dress as my “I will take permission to go to the boss. hospital and then go home.”

The question now is: These days Oge: “The moment I see her comthat many organisations are identiing, I will run away because I don’t fying themselves with logo jackets, want to lose my job.

T-shirts, lapel pins and ties and tiepin, who is the boss?

confident. They have high self-esteem. And they can get along well with anyone on the planet.

And guess what? Guys love that. It is a huge turn on for men. Men love women who love themselves. And I am not talking about being arrogant or self-righteous; I am talking about being fearless about your goals, dreams, values, standards and beliefs.

I have heard some ladies say they are pretty

Irresistible Traits Men Look For In A Woman

confident and get what they want in life, except the love of a good man. They complain that they always have bad luck in that department.

So, what is it they are actually doing wrong? That is the second secret I would like to share with you today: There is “confidence” and there is “dating confidence.”

There are a lot of “love advice” books out there and on the Internet that teach women to be strong, confident and independent (You might have read some of them in the past, I have.)

These books argue that to find true love, women have to stand on their own two feet, because to men, confidence is the most attractive female trait of all.

But here is the thing: In a research I came across, more than 500 men were asked to say which types of women they found most attractive and least attractive. You know what they found out? Women who looked “confident and powerful” were “least attractive.”

I know what you are thinking, but that is just the simple truth.

What do men find “most attractive” are “women who smiled a lot.”

This recent finding confirmed what I have known for quite some time now, that confidence in life is not the same as confidence in love.

In other words, any woman can be confident, but not every woman knows the kind of confidence men find irresistible.

That is why it is not enough to be confident in life. If you want to be happy in love, you have to be confident in love too.

This is what I want for you. I don’t want you to be successful in life, but unhappy in love.

That is just no fun. I want you to have the whole package. I want you to be both successful and happy. I am sure you want the same thing.

Do not miss this chance to turn your love life around today. We all deserve happiness.

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

20

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014

WEEKEND with AMARA

08116706852 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

Women, Go Back To Nature ECENTLY, I spent time thinking about R our relationships and the way things are happening. We now have women all over the place complaining about the inability of the men to run things in the home. Men are losing the zeal to be men and make things better for their family.

Even when they can afford it, men no longer want to buy things for their women. They are gradually losing their place to women and I know that this is not God’s plan for our homes.

Women, on the other hand, are beginning to care less what happens in the home and how the life of their husband goes. Women are becoming more selfish by the day and now it’s all about them.

Women are now in competition with their men. We no longer see ourselves as the powerhouse of the home. We have stopped seeing ourselves as the pillar on which our man leans to face the world. We no longer see us as his strength. You call yourself his wife; I know you are. But have you asked yourself what he is going to miss when you are no longer with him?

Are you sure his life won’t get better without you? Are you sure you are not that woman who is making him act like a boy instead of being a man?

Here we are complaining about men not being men. Are we giving them the opportunity to be men? When you now feel he shouldn’t be in control; when you now see him as your number one opponent; when you now bother about your own success more than his, what do you think is the end result? When you, a married woman, care more about your father’s house than your husband and children, what do you think will happen?

He has stopped being the man you want him to be simply because you have stopped being the woman you were created to be. You want him to be the man

who rules his world; are you giving him the support he needs to be that man?

When was the last time you went on your knees and instead of saying “Father, bless me”, your prayer is “Father, please bless my husband and in return, cause him to love me”? When was the last time you found yourself worried about his career and progress? When was the last time you showed him that he is your lord? Sarah called Abraham Lord. Do you listen to him when he talks? Whose advice do you take when you are in need of one? Many of us now listen to the voices of our friends and mothers more than that of our spouse. We have many, so many speaking voices on our head and heart that we are now more confused than ever.

Ladies, we have missed it and that is where our problem started. We need to go back to the drawing board and do it God’s way. We have allowed ourselves to be carried away by the way and style of the world.

Materialism has taken the place of God in our lives. We have ignored our spouse and children for the things of this temporal life. Now, you believe you are successful when you get to the peak of your career.

The most successful woman alive is that woman who is a pillar to her husband and a joy to her children. The most successful woman alive is that woman whose children live in such a way that everybody who comes in contact with them says “God bless your mother”. The most successful woman is that woman who still spend hours on her knees interceding for her spouse and children. Stop thinking you are successful simply because you are all over the newspapers and magazines. The only thing that makes sense at the end of it all is family – our children and spouse.

If I may ask; when was the last time you personally served your husband’s meal?

When was the last time you cleaned the

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela HO doesn’t like W good camaraderie? And yet, friendship isn’t all about a good laugh, an expanding phonebook or an extra face on your Facebook wall. Truth be told, I think the meaning of the word “friend” has been watered down over the years via culture and language. The dictionary defines friends as 1. A person you know well and regard with affection and trust. 2. An associate who provides cooperation or assistance 3. A person with whom you are acquainted 4. A person who backs a politician or a team etc. (Wordweb).

Some of these definitions seem contradictory to one another, but we can safely say that in all definitions, when you call a person your friend you are affiliated with that person. The degree to which others perceive you in relation to your affiliation (or professed friendship) with another is largely dependent on their understanding or perception of the word friend.

Years ago, I met a friend of a friend and was more than a bit concerned about some of the questionable statements of ethics my friend’s friend had made. Now, it would not have bothered me had he introduced the person as a friend but it was emphasized that the said friend was a long time close friend. I would later ask my friend what he thought about the statements made.

Too much ado about nothing eh? Not so.

You see, the friends you have to a great degree determine the sort of people you meet, the kind of thought process you have, what perspective you have on life, how you see yourself and abilities, how far you grow and develop etc. You wouldn’t want unsanctioned tweaks in your psyche due to a lax attitude or ignorance. When it comes to friendship I believe you mustn’t stop with

house yourself? When last did you clean up his mess? When last did you spend your weekend soaking his underwear in Persil and washing them yourself instead of wearing aso ebi from one point to the other? When was the last time you had morning and night devotion with your family? Aunty house help has taken over every of your role and tomorrow you will start shouting “house helps are necessary evil”. You better chase the black goat while it’s still day.

We have left the real thing to be chasing shadows. You will retire from your job someday; you will be too weak to run your business someday, the only people who will carry you when you are weak are your children and spouse. If you fail to carry them now, they may not be there to carry you. One day, you will be looking at the wealth but there will be no one around to make you enjoy that wealth. Think again and go back to nature.

Enough of this “we are equal partners”.

Yes, we are partners but someone must be the leader and head for things to run smoothly. I advocate and speak for women’s rights because I was once in a relationship where I was nothing but another piece of furniture and was not allowed to excel. Don’t get me wrong; that’s not what I am talking about. My husband and I are one and because we are taking that ship called marriage to a safe place, someone must be the captain. He naturally, is the captain while I am his co-pilot. The very moment I start wanting to be the captain when I know that the owner of the ship has not made me one, there is trouble and confusion and there is bound to be a shipwreck. If things must run smoothly in our homes, we must do it the way of the Author of marriage.

Stop joining ignorant and arrogant girls who call themselves women to question

the headship of your man. Refuse to take in every thrash you read on social, electronic, and print media just because it’s coming from a woman like you or someone who calls herself a counselor. Some of them are agents of darkness sent out by the devil himself to ruin and destroy lives and relationships. When someone encourages you not to tell your husband everything, who do you think that person is? Agent of darkness, that’s what he or she is. When they tell you not to let your husband know what you own and how much you earn, they are out from the pit of hell to destroy you. Why live with him if you don’t trust him? I know there are boys (I don’t call them men) who get married to a woman, not because they love her, but because they want some soft landing.

Na you fall for am; carry your cross. In this case, you must protect yourself as he is waiting for a good opportunity to strike. But how long are you going to live with a stranger?

Let us go back to the Creator’s manual and ask our Maker to teach us His ways. Let women go back and become women to enable our men become what God created them to be. Stop competing with your man; become his pillar and strength. Learn to appreciate whatever your man gives you and never try to compare him with another. Godliness with contentment is great gain. He will be the best when you start seeing him as the best. He will be a changed man when you stop seeing him as the worst man on earth. Always speak positive things into his life. When you wake up in the morning, go before God on his behalf.

When you are through, walk up to him and call him those things you want him to be.

Your words are powerful and they form a greater part of people around you. Whatever you call your husband is what he will be. What you call your children and domestic staff is what they will be.

08116706879 (SMS only).

E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Be Mindful Of The Friends You Keep whether or not you click but you must be practical too about choosing your close acquaintances – ask practical questions.

The heart does deceive so you must have checks and balances.

A friend can build you up or pull you down. All you need to do is to ask the next person how he or she has fared with friends; we all have our stories. A friend can be your achilles heel or the one who invites you to climb higher on his or her shoulders. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of this or has the courage to do what needs to be done to keep only those who would uplift them close by. Now this is not to say that whoever has a questionable character you must leave behind. No, that will be to go out of the world. We should encourage and uplift each other.

However, just be mindful as to whether one is changing for the better, getting worse or just standing still! If we ourselves aren’t perfect why do we expect perfection from others?

We read that Jesus knew what was in the heart of certain men (believers) and therefore did not trust those men. “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man”. – John 2:23-24 (KJV).

Therefore, be mindful of those you spend time with and bring close to you. Jesus had a lot of disciples and yet he admitted only twelve into deeper intimacy with Him. Even among the apostles, there were sometimes three he took into deeper confidence. This is wisdom. If you are not influencing someone, they are influencing you. You must be certain of those whom you admit to know your mind and will

and even the privacy of your home. By all means be kind and merciful unto everyone. Jesus, while on earth, was the most kind, gentle, forgiving person who ever lived. He was never deceived and yet he kept Himself vulnerable enough to love us sinners unto death. We should learn from this.

With that foundation, we will cover some of the attributes in people you might not want to admit into your close confidence. Sometimes the best of men can, in a patch of weakness, act out some of these characteristics – I do not speak of this category of persons but of those whom it is safe to say that it is characteristic of them.

Loud and vexations persons – Confusion usually results with interaction.

Gossipers – Whatever you have said and have not will surely be twisted and broadcast abroad.

Quarrelsome and angry people – Destruction is always close by.

Desperate people – these often make decisions in a passion and push others to do so too. Hurried decisions go badly wrong.

Greedy persons – A greedy person can do about anything with no regard to conscience.

Judgmental/Condescending persons – these characters not only put you down but the very air around them is depressing.

Persons who love to argue – Such persons carry an air of negativity that always saps the life out of you. They are vexation to the spirit.

People with questionable beliefs – there is usually something seriously wrong somewhere.

People surrounded by YES men – they are most likely manipulative; either subtly or with aggression.

People who talk too much – Whether it sounds like gibberish or some authoritative discourse, it usually translates to a heavy burden.

Accusers – In religious settings or otherwise, they are always making you feel guilty about something – chances are their own self-interest are at the end of the line.

Demanding of personal time and resources – Obsession and control are at work.

Worriers – Paranoia and fear are no kind bedmates. It reeks of stagnancy and cowardice and can easily influence negatively.

Depressed people who are filled with selfpity; be careful or they would drag you in the pit with them.

Etc., You Make Friends by Being a Good One! “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother”. Proverbs 18:24 (KJV).

It is that simple. Be as good a friend as you wish people to be to you. If you have any of the attributes above, prayerfully work on it. Be forgiving if you want others to forgive you, be nice and kind, gentle and trust worthy – do unto others what you would have them do to you.

Image and Etiquette addresses general perceptions, societal norms and expectations and personal expressions with the goal to cultivate social graces, suavity and dignified presence for interpersonal relationships. If you have questions on Image and Etiquette please send them to askpamele@regalgraces.com or SMS 08116706879. Pamela also covers Online Correspondence Course, Workshops and Keynote speeches on Corporate Image and Etiquette. For online correspondence courses email info@regalgraces.com with the title “Online Course (Saturday Guardian)” for our promotional price.

Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 21

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

MARITAL SEX

The Manner Of Love EHOLD, what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God: Therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

(1st John 3 vs 1) We are commanded to love everyone, even enemies. And I am sure that just as everyone needs love, everyone can equally love.

A person’s moral weakness does not remove the ability to love. Even animals can love. Anyone who can have a strong hate, also can exhibit a tremendous capacity for love.

Everyone talks about love. Young people memorise special lines to woo the unsuspecting into a web of emotional tangle. People talk about “falling-in-love,” “being-in-love” and how it feels.

Yet, I wonder why there is break-up, divorce, and strains in a once-so-called ‘love tie.’ At a point, these people literally become enemies.

I have heard some people say they don’t believe in love anymore. And last month, it was Valentine Day. What on earth were people celebrating?

What kind of love is this that causes heartaches, breaks and sometimes suicide? What manner of love is this?

An aged mother once told me that love is wicked.

She told me her story of love. It was really pathetic. I felt her pain.

When I was younger, I sent a Valentine card to my mother and someone asked me to explain what kind of relationship I had with her. To him, Valentine is only for ‘lovers.’ Can’t I love my mother, my friend, my siblings, my leaders, my father, my team, my neighbour?

I think that is what is wrong with our relationships. When we define love, we link it to an emotionally erotic feeling.

For so many people, they don’t mind if their spouse were a liar or thief or wicked. But if it were being ‘unfaithful’ to mean having sex with someone else, forgiveness becomes very difficult. We literally substitute love for sex. Somehow, this essence of goodness and affection has actually been defined to mean fondling of the body and ecstatic orgasmic explosion. No wonder!

What kind of love is popular in the world today?

“B

If a man says he loves a fellow man, we assume he means sex, and we start labeling. If he says same thing to a woman, we don’t know exactly what he means. In fact, he doesn’t know himself.

The feeling is mixed beyond recognition. The girl doesn’t know whether it means marriage or sex or relationship or manipulation. This whole love thing seems twisted.

What manner of love is this that exalts sex and disregards respect? Rudeness and rashness kills love. What kind of love is this that makes us say our mind without minding what we say? What manner of love is this that fights to win someone’s heart, but can’t give his own heart?

What kind of love is this that makes a person a slave and totally insignificant, except for sex and babies? What manner of love is the world applauding? A blind love, lame one, deaf or dumb?

I know a friend who would listens to cool music, R & B, soul music and start saying he is falling in love. And I say to him, ‘what does this love do? What would it give? What does it represent? What does if offer? What does it mean?

When I asked what love gives, he thought I was saying without money love is useless. But I let him know that love is not about MONEY; it is just about GIVING. The two are not the same.

Some say they have given their heart, and I ask, ‘how does one give the heart?’ Is it real? Or is it one of those lines that get people thinking abstract until they forget reason and get lost in an empty space of thick smokey emotion? Then it fades, and you wonder what happened to you?

What is your manner of love? Anyone can love, but what kind of love do they have? It is the manner of your love that describes and qualifies the relationship. Love is not alone; it has ‘manners,’ expressions and characteristics.

If you say he is your husband, I agree, but does the love you give say the same? I want to stop asking people to show love. You can show people something you are not willing to give. That is what we do when we date or court. But when we eventually get married, there is nothing to give.

Some people are just for a show. They are flowers that are attractive, but not edible or nourishing.

What kind of love do you give to your life? Some people ‘beat’ their wives and ‘abuse’ their husbands and say it is the way they express their love. Some people’s love does not mean sacrifice; it has to be all gain and no loss. Some use emotion as a manipulative tool.

Where are kindness, forgiveness, sacrifice, long suffering, tolerance, humility, acceptance, sin-

BODIWORKS Detoxing The Body And Home T

cerity, respect, honour, tenderness and protection? Is our discipline love-motivated and love-directed?

What is your manner of love? Is it okay with your spouse or friends? How do you let your parents know you love them? What manner of love is between you and your boss or pastor?

How do you let your children know you love them? Are they seeing your discipline as love or punishment?

If love is something everyone wants; if it is something worth celebrating, then find a way around and through it. How do you make it real? How do they benefit from your love?

What will your spouse say at your back about your love for him or her?

There are no perfect parents, but the best parents are those the children can love. They can tell their friends how much you love them.

Have you touched them that significantly?

Are you easy to love?

These are days when people see those they should love as witches or enemies?

E. C. SAMUEL Intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com 08027173447 (SMS only)

By Oyinkan Talabi (The Equilibrium Centre)

HE last time, we talked about toxins and how they are everywhere and really unavoidable. The main thing is to arm yourself with information on how to reduce them in your homes, offices and your body. Below are some tips on how live a lifestyle that includes regular detoxing.

The Body Drink water- can you flush out without water? Don’t think so, also. The body is made up of 70 per cent water and needs around 6 to 8 glasses a day to keep it hydrated and help flush out toxins. However, try not to drink too much at night so as not to break you sleep cycle.

Sugary and caffeinated drinks dehydrate the body, so cut down on alcohol and caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea and cola. Again, drink as much water as you can, as often as you can.

Detox with drinks such as apple, cranberry, or red grape juice, and herb teas or hot water with fresh lemon juice in place of regular tea or coffee. Green tea is also a great detoxier due to its high concentration of anti-oxidants. Citrus fruits (with the exception of grapefruit), which contain limonene a natural detoxier Avoid heavily processed foods, and sugary foods – need I say more…

Cut back on your meat consumption.

Your body works hard to process meat, this is one of the reasons proponents high protein diets advocate it.

However, it also wears the system out so, give your digestive system a well-

earned break often. A friend and I are starting a one day a week protein free day. You can join us.’

Vegetables and fruits- eat more and more and more of these. If eating raw, make sure they are washed thoroughly.

You can use vinegar as a final rinse; some people use salt.

Start the day with hot water and fresh lemon. Lemon is very cleansing to the liver.

Tongue scraping cleans the mouth of bacteria accumulated while sleeping, and stimulates the bowels to empty first thing in the morning.

If you don’t have a tongue scrapper, you can use upside down teaspoon.

Simply scrape your tongue from back to front a few times before brushing your teeth in the morning. Be gentle, and don’t scrape too far back.

Make sure you are moving your body to keep circulation of blood and oxygen up around your body.

For The Home Or Office Research shows that the average home contains 500-1,000 chemicals and offices twice as much, many of which we are unable to see, smell or taste.

Although these chemicals may be tolerated individually in small doses, problems can arise when one is exposed to them in combinations or in larger doses. Everyone’s tolerance level is different depending on genetics and lifestyle.

Leave the air conditioners off and Air out the space. Some people are con-

stantly in air-conditioned spaces and end up breathing the same air that had become stale.

This can be very harmful especially if the air filters are not changed regularly. Try opening the windows and letting fresh air come in. Using a fan will also help circulation. This is great early in the mornings when it is cool outside, when food is being cooked, painting walls and cleaning.

Indoor plants- plants give off oxygen and use carbon dioxide while we use oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Is that not a perfect relationship? They also bring a calming effect to environments and help with stress relief.

No shoes in the house as most household dirt, pesticides and lead come in on your shoes. Take shoes off at the door and go barefoot or wear in house slippers. So these can be kept close to the front door.

Place floor mats at your entryways to wipe your shoes. This way more dirt and residue from your shoes stays outside on the mat.

Check out both your personal and home cleaning products. Go for those that are environmentally friendly.

You can also use basic ingredients you have around the house, like vinegar in place of bleach, baking soda to scrub your tiles and hydrogen peroxide to remove stains. Black soap can also to wash tiles and plates.

Dust regularly as more dust means more toxins and instead of sprays

(which add more chemicals to the air) or feathers dusters (which just kick up more dust), use dry, unscented microfiber cloths, which attract dirty particles instead of scattering them.

Mop all surfaces at least once a week.

Avoid excess moisture as it encourages the growth of mold and mildew.

So regularly clean surfaces where mold usually grows like around showers and tubs and beneath sinks.

Tell the dry cleaner not to use the plastic wrap or remove it as soon as possible (as the plastic traps the dry cleaning chemicals on clothes and in your closet). Let your dry cleaning air out before storing it.

I know you’ve probably heard about most of the above. However, regular re-enforcement helps it to sink in. We can reduce our risk of so much stress, which is also toxic to the body. chronic illness by reducing our expoThis is about being mindful and maksure to toxins but please, don’t let this become an obsession, which can cause ing little changes here and there. It all adds up. Love your body.

22

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014

PEOPLE

‘Leadership Is About Making Promises You Can Keep’ Prof. Benjamin Ola Akande is a Professor of Economics and Dean of Webster University’s largest academic unit, the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology. You’ll be pardoned if at first glance, you take him for an American. After all, he spent 36 active years in that country earning accolades as a leader, teacher, administrator and communicator. But scratch that surface a little and you’ll find intact, the ‘home boy’ of Ibadan parentage with heartstrings deeply attached to his fatherland, Nigeria. He’s committing the rest of his life to a crusade: transforming Nigeria through the reorientation of its educational, economic and political life. He spoke with DEBO OLADIMEJI. Why did you pick Economics?

ET me start by saying that whatever success I may have made in the U.S. pales in comparison to the joy of coming home and being among my folks and being able to engage and relate on the issues of the day.

It provides me an opportunity to speak on issues that I believe are critical to the future of this country.

I pursued the discipline of Economics mainly as an opportunity to provide answers to questions that keep coming up. That is, how do you transform individuals? How do you transform nations?

How do you move them to enable them to have significant impact on the economy, particularly in terms of the human dynamics and to enable them not just to succeed, but to thrive?

In the years that I have studied Economics, I have spent a lot of time also focused on the Nigerian dynamics; trying to understand why in spite of our richness of resources; the remarkable credentials of our leaders and over 50 years of independence, we have been unable to resolve the critical question of how do we become a nation that matters. A nation that is providing for its populace. More importantly, a nation that continues to grow and prosper? These are raging questions for which there are many solutions.

They are questions that we need to resolve to move forward. That is what Economics affords me the opportunity to do. But it is not only to ask the questions. It is also to offer solutions to the questions.

What exactly do you think we are getting wrong or that we are not getting right in Nigeria?

I think Nigeria is a classic example of the irrelevancy of government. Whatever has happened in this country, has happened in spite of government not because of government. When you look at the potentials of this country, what we have in terms of material and human resources, we should not be where we are today.

The very essence of government is not to give us what we don’t have, but to provide for us what is necessary for the economy to thrive: provide infrastructure. To provide the means to do businesses.

To regulate our activities. That is the challenge I see in Nigeria. What has happened is that the private sector has obviously decided that they are going to make these things work. And they are going to do whatever is necessary to enable this economy to function in spite of the lack of contribution of our government.

That is, the government be it federal or state, has become a spectator in this economic game that is essential for this economy to move forward. They are sitting on the bench. They are watching the game. And every now and then, they will come, look around, call time-out, interrupt the process of things going on just to be able to legitimize themselves. I think that is the biggest challenge in this country.

How do we get out of this impasse?

I think that government should stop making promises that they cannot keep. I believe in making very few promises and keeping all of them. If the promise is to provide consistent power supply to enable businesses to function, to be able to have an environment where we can get up and go to work in the morning and make a living and contribute to this economy; if that is all government does, it would ignite this country and enable it to go from where it is to where I believe it should be.

If President Goodluck Jonathan, at the end of this current term as president, can look all of us in the eye and say the power supply as he has promised four years ago is now a constant, he would have been probably the most successful president in the history of this country. Because he would have been able to provide for us something that is critical to our survival, critical to our functioning for which we have been deprived for so many years.

Leadership is not making promises, leadership is making promises that you can keep. I have spent 36 years in the US where politicians are constantly making promises; they are held to those promises.

We need to hold our leadership to the promises they make.

We need to challenge our government, publicly, privately. And also ultimately in the ballot box to be able to do the things that are basic, necessary, functioning entities that will enable the economy

L

Akande to function.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to tackle the power problem, yet the effort failed.

What are those factors, those forces behind the lingering power issue in Nigeria?

By the way, Obasanjo failed. Let us be very clear about that. He made promises that he was unable to deliver. Let us hold him accountable for that. He made an effort; he did his best. But at the end of the day you don’t measure people on efforts, you measure people by results. Secondly, we have always believed that resolving the power problem in Nigeria, is a government responsibility. I don’t believe that. Anywhere government has tried to go it alone, it has always failed.

It has to be a collective effort where everybody holds a piece of the game. We cannot resolve the power challenge in Nigeria by just the right hand, it must happen through collaborative efforts between the right and the left. Right been the government, left been the private sector.

It needs to be a very clear-cut collaboration between the two. It will give us the type of spectacular result we see with the telecoms sector, a classic example of an area where a joint venture between the government and the private sector is a resounding success, one of the resounding successes of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

How then do you see the recent privatization of Nigeria’s power company, the PHCN? I think we are in the preliminary stage of that. And it is a very old but good idea. It was probably in the late 90s when I wrote a paper in which I articulated what later became the segmentation of the power sector. I laid out a structure where we would privatize National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) as it was at

that time, and offer a formula that will look very similar to what we have in the United States today. That is, the power authorities are allowed to create investments within the regions to be able to provide power in those respective regions.

Power supply in the United States is not a national initiative. It is done on regional basis.

And since it worked in the United States for many years, it can be replicated in Nigeria which is a smaller country. It was during the regime of Babangida when the initial discussion began. It took us that long to privatize the power sector. What we have done is that we have privatized the power sector in a theoretical perspective. The implementation of that theory is yet to be seen.

What prevented the implementation you suggested way back then?

I think it was lack of urgency. What I will call lack of constructive impatience. That is, having a plan and having a sense of implementation with defined timeline. We didn’t have that. Also, the military did not really have a constituency. The power of democracy is that you have a constituency to which you have to be accountable. With this privatisation, the foundation has been laid, now we start seeing the construction of the house.

For us to get what we want, there is going to be investments made by those that have the resources. It will also be an opportunity for individuals like you and I to be able to buy equity within those entities so that we have a stake.

Nigerian leaders go abroad, see and enjoy the working systems, yet fail to replicate what they see there. Why do you think this so?

Most Nigerians who go to the United States are visitors. There is a clear distinction

between being a student or visitor and functioning within the American system. They come in, check into a hotel and enjoy the beauty and powers of America, but they don’t understand what gets those things there. And so they get back home and say “You know what, we are a younger country, just a bit over 50 years old, we can’t be what these people are.”

That is what is happening to our leaders. Yet countries like Singapore, Indonesia and more recently, China that were probably at the same level of development as we were when we gained our independence have been able to quicken the process of change in a way that is essentially mind-boggling to a lot of us.

Our leaders talk that way because they are not students of development or economic growth, they were visitors. Visitors don’t have the opportunity to be fully assimilated into understanding why these things happen and how they can happen.

In what ways are you different from the typical Nigerian visitor to the US? Ola Akande is an individual who was once a student of Economics in the United States. More importantly, he became a teacher of Economics in the United States. Still more importantly, I became a functioning member of that dynamic of being able to teach, dictate what we teach and implement it in the real sense. I have had the opportunity to serve as advisors to local, state and national leaders on issues of economic development and issues of education.

My roles have gone beyond ideas to include coming up with concepts that could be implemented to move organizations and our entities in the United States from where we are to where we want to be. I have got into the fact that I should be a contributor not just a benefactor of my presence in the United States. That has also taken place in terms of my role in the private sector where I have served on publicly held boards that are responsible for the production of consumer goods. I have served in the capacity of those that manage capital for individuals and I also served in the non-profit arena.

These are areas where you volunteer not because you are being paid but because you feel a sense of contribution to those organizations. As an educator, I feel a calling of sorts to make sure that I educate the next generation of leaders in the United States. Many of them are Nigerians and Africans for that matter, not just about learning but about having the capacity to take up what you learn and turn it around and impact society.

The Nigeria of the future should not be a Nigeria where young people are aspiring to be GMs and CEOs, to be working in organizations.

The Nigerians of the future should be individuals that will have entrepreneurship sensibility: that are going to create what does not exist. That they are going to create jobs, ideas, products, services that will not only be needed in Nigeria, but will be exportable to the world.

We must be able to change that sensibility and education dynamic that says that we need young people that see risk as a competency, people that see ideas as the way out. That they should no longer aspire to be GM of an established entity.

Or President of a functioning government parastatal. Their goals should be creating something that does not exist. I believe that it is going to happen through the private sector.

How do you plan to bring your experience to bear in starting this process in Nigeria? I turned 50 about a year and a half ago. When you turn 50, reality taps you on the shoulder that you are about 50 per cent done with your life. I began to think that the first 50 years of my life was about me. I want to make sure the next 50 years of my life is about others. It is about how I can empower others. How I can use my God-given talents and the resources that I have been blessed with to help transform my beloved Nigeria. I do it not because I believe something will come (to me) from it. No, I am okay. I do it because I feel a sense of obligation that I don’t want my life to be like a fish swimming through water for which there are no visible trails behind. And for me, I am in the process right now of thinking about how I intend to impact the Nigerian economy.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 23

WOMAN

‘I Have No Problem Teaching Older People’ Dr. Temitope Olabisi Adeyemi-Onuminya is a Molecular Systematics and Environmental Consultant at the Department of Botany, University of Lagos. She had the honour of being the youngest Nigerian ever to obtain a Ph.D from a Nigerian university at 25 years old two years ago.

By Ozo Mordi HE is young, cute and her melodious Scian.voice could sell millions were she a musiBut Dr. Temitope Olabisi Adeyemi-Onuminya, who is a Molecular Systematics and Environmental Consultant does not want to exploit her looks or her enchanting voice to make a living.

This well-rounded lady who declared, “I am a woman now,” is an academic genius who says she wants to raise the next generation of scholars.

Dr. Adeyemi-Onuminya at 27 is the youngest lecturer at the University of Lagos. She teaches at the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science. She is the youngest Nigerian ever to obtain a Ph.D at the age of 25. Not only was she successful, she emerged the overall best graduating Ph.D student and won the overall best thesis awarded at the 50th convocation ceremony of the university in 2011.

Her brilliant performance as a student was such that she was said to have been exempted from going through the Master’s degree programme.

But when The Guardian met her in her office, she explained that skipping the Master’s degree in Science was a choice that was open to even a student who would have passed the bachelor’s degree with a Second-Class Upper.

She had a First Class and therefore took the opportunity given her to do a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) programme instead. Although she chose to do the M.Phil, she did not see it to the end because she converted to Ph.D. “That way, I did not have to do a master’s programme,” she said.

When asked if she put in effort in her studies, she stated that she read and studied for it. “Whatever you do, you have to try your best. I am not a fan of reading at night, so I made good of the daytime.

“Eventually, I graduated with a First Class degree in Botany in 2006. That was why I was able to pursue the Master of Philosophy programme. That also took a lot of reading and studying to make sure that I got my entire course work done.

To

Temitope

the Glory of God, I got 5.0 out of 5.0. It took a lot of hard work,” she reminisced.

She finished the Ph.D programme within four semesters, but hastened to explain that some factors could delay other people from finishing in good time.

Agreeing that unavailability of finance can make someone go through the same course in a span of 10 to 15 years, she said they might take time off to make money and come back to school.

“Marital challenges”, she points out, “may force a student to take a break too”. She however does not rule out a poor relationship between a student and her supervisor, noting that if a student and her supervisor fail to communicate, that there would not be

progress.

She counts herself lucky in student/supervisor relationship, adding that she had in Prof.

Oluwafemi Ogundipe not just a mentor. “He is someone who is willing to help. He literally carries you on his shoulder so you can rise.

“He exposed me to opportunities that gave grants from different bodies abroad. I also had a graduate fellowship from UNILAG that lasted for the duration of the programme. All helped to fulfill the needs of research. When you have everything you need, you will be able to work things through, with God on your side.”

She has always been a brilliant student. “Brilliance is a family attribute”, she says. She had her secondary education at Girls’ Academy, Lagos. At SSS 3, she became the deputy head girl. She left in 2001 as the best graduating student. She left with six awards as the best student in various subjects.

In the secondary school, she was one of the first students to take part in the now popular Spelling Bees competition, where she represented her school. “It has been a wonderful experience,” she says.

Does she play? “A lot,” was the reply. “It is just that I have learned when to play and when to study. I learned early how to prioritize. I did not read when I was in the secondary school. But I made sure that I was present in class. I may not read the notes again but you could not take away what I have learned as the teacher spoke. When I observe a person, the words and demonstrations replay vividly in my mind”.

At her age, she teaches much older students. What is therefore her experience in this age-conscious society? “Respect is reciprocal,” was her crisp reply. But it can be said that she has truly earned that respect.

“When I enter a class, the initial reaction would be, ‘what is this small girl doing here?’ and when they see that I am the lecturer, it is something like ‘okay, what has she got to say?’

“But my experience is that when they know that you are there to share your knowledge and not read out of a textbook, they respect you.

“I teach older people, some are old enough to be my father, but they are pleasant and address me respectfully. They see that I am the figure of authority here, so they respect that office. I have no problem teaching older people”.

Can the genius tolerate less endowed people? “Generally, I am drawn to smart people, but I come down to the level of those who are not intelligent enough or as bright as I expect them to be.”

She likes to look good and simplifies the answer on her fads and fashion. “I am a Nigerian girl and a Lagosian.”

So, like many young women, she does not feel scared to wear killer heels.

She gives advice

to other youths: “If you have no vision, there is nothing to look forward to. Build a big picture of what you want to achieve, what you want to live for and pursue that dream.

Don’t try to get there fast. Do not compare yourself with the people around you. You are your unique self. Take one day at a time, look at your vision and concentrate on getting there; you will”.

In describing herself, she lays emphasis on the woman, pointing out that she is “married now.”

“I am God-fearing, friendly. I am not a party freak, although I enjoy hanging with people and sharing my time with them as a form of relaxation. I would say that I am a lady who was brought up to fear God Almighty. I have learned the virtue of hard work. That is why I am here today.”

Is Dr. Tope Adeyemi-Oluminya a strict teacher? She responds: “Many people think that I am strict, but I say that I am principled. There is a standard to maintain, so when people say that I am strict, I tell them that I to follow things to the letter; not just do the right thing, but that one must do the righteous thing at all time”.

She married Mr. John Oluminya in September 2013. And how he got the courage to propose, she revealed that they are friends.

Mr. Oluminya is a man who although respects his wife as a person and also appreciates her achievement, says his mind always.

“Proposing was not a big deal. It is either you accept or you refuse. If you do not ask, you will never know the answer.”

They dated for three years, and she says of his qualities: “He is intelligent, smart and handsome. He fears God. I say that he is a blessing to me from God Almighty.”

There are things she likes about herself. “I care for the needs of other people and not just myself. I believe in the power of people.

I do not think that it takes you alone to be successful. I also like the fact that God has captured me early so that I can serve him.

My passion is to bring up the next generation of scholars. I want to make an impact on people so we can build a better tomorrow. That is why I enjoy teaching.

“I teach not because of lack of job, but I enjoy imparting knowledge irrespective of the fact that people may see the salary as small. My friends wonder what I am doing teaching in a university when I can get a more lucrative job, but I tell them that I enjoy my work”.

Her parents are Mr. Anthony Obafemi Adeyemi who passed on in 2009 and Mrs. Idayat Adeyemi. She describes her mother as a goal-getter, adding that she has influenced her a lot.

“She is passionate about what she does and she encouraged me from the beginning. She sees the best in me and never focuses on the negative. That has helped in building my confidence over the years.”

Awards she has won include Explorer’s Club Grant in 2009; Lennox Boyd Grant in 2010; School Of Post Graduate Studies and Graduate Fellowship 2008-2010; and American Society of Plant Taxonomist Student Travel Grant in 2010.

Others awards are Best Thesis Award, University of Lagos in 2011; Nigerian Doctorate Thesis Award in 2011; Global News Role Model in 2012; Young Achievers Magazine Role Model Award in 2012 and Hallmark of Labour and Young Achievers Award in 2012.

I teach older people, some are old enough to be my father, but they are pleasant and address me respectfully. They see that I am the figure of authority here, so they respect that office. I have no problem teaching older people.

TheGuardian

24 | Saturday, March 1, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend

CELEBR ITY

Graceful Grace Ama Returns To Nollywood, Reaches Out

By Shaibu Husseini OTABLE Nollywood actress Grace Ama N who took a ‘short break’ off acting to as she explained ‘have my son Samuel and properly care for him’ is back on the turf and rearing to tee off. The native of Afikpo, Ebonyi State whose middle name Oma means beautiful, is set to make a big come back as she has been engaged to star in a big budget flick which will be shot in the UK and in Nigeria. Warm, smooth talking and a likeable personality Oma who was born and had spent all her life in Lagos, had her early education at the Yaba Model School and at the Stadium High School, Surulere, Lagos.

A product of the Creative Arts Department of the University of Lagos and star of Chains and countless other productions, Oma, who is undoubtedly a darling and heartthrob of most movie producers and fans, took time off work on February 23 to show love to the less privileged. It was Oma’s birthday and she felt that the best way to spend the day will be to spend it with the physically-callenged children at Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home, Akoka, Yaba. Celebrity caught up with her after the visit and the actress who has with her unrelenting will to excel lifted her talent to a level that deserves commendation, talked about her career and life.

Why are you not hosting friends and your colleagues on a day like this?

Well, I see my friends and colleagues often and most times when we see, we wine and dine. But these are people we hardly see. So I made up my mind that it has to be with the less privileged and I am happy that it happened. I am so fulfilled. It is the best birthday celebration I have ever had. For me, it is also like giving back to the society that has given me so much. Without them there will be no Grace Ama. So I am happy this happened and I am going to be visiting them as much as time would permit me to.

So are you fully back to the turf now?

Yes, I am back. I went to have my son and even after that, I decided that I should take time off to properly care of him. He is a big

boy now and he has gotten to a state that I can allow others to care for him while I work. So I have been working even though I have been in and out of the country. But I am fully back to the industry. I am back to what I love doing best. I am back to my career.

Any job at hand?

Yes, I was working on one and only took a break to have my birthday at this facility. I am back on set as soon as I am done here. But I have done a couple of movies that have not been released. I have been working and I look forward to taking on more jobs as they come.

Can you recall your first moment on a movie set?

My first ever movie appearance was in Chains. I had to attend so many auditions before I was lucky to be picked by the producers of Chains. Well, I didn’t find it difficult acting even though it was my first time in front of a camera. I was just myself and assured myself that it was possible. So that’s how I survived my first time on set.

After that I got a few jobs. I am sure that the producers saw my effort in Chains and so wanted to also see what I have got to offer. But it wasn’t really an easy climb here.

There was a time when roles were not coming. I almost got frustrated and at a

point I almost backed out. I recall telling myself that may be I was not cut out for acting. But on a second

CelebrityEXTRA ...

Ibinabo Fiberesima Gets Federal Appointment OPULAR Nollywood actress P and President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima has been appointed as a member of the Governing Board of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Culture. Ibinabo’s appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke. The inauguration of the board held on Wednesday in Abuja. Interestingly, her appointment came a few days after she led a powerful delegation of members of the AGN to see President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ibinabo who was present at

the inauguration of the board, described her appointment as “victory for the Nollywood family” and thanked President Jonathan for considering her worthy of an appointment. “We have a voice in Kanayo Kanayo, Sani Danja and Auntie Onyeka Onwenu who are all serving Nigeria in different capacities. I see this appointment as yet another voice for artistes and Nollywood. We still need more voices and so like Oliver Twist who will always ask for more, I will again humbly appeal to the grand patron of the AGN in the person of Mr. President to consider more of our members for federal appointments”, she said.

thought, I told myself that I should stay on. I was brought up to understand that nothing good comes easy. It was on that basis that I decided to stay on. That’s how I started going for auditions again.

You have remained the same graceful Grace. What is the secret?

I will simply say it is God. He has been so faithful. He has been the one responsible for the looks. When they talk about beauty, I don’t spend so much time in making up and trying to look good. I just do a little and set out. I don’t have any particular beauty routine. I just wear what I want to wear and I will say that it has been the grace of God. How is Samuel doing?

My son is doing great. I would say he is the best thing that has happened to me. In fact, being a mother is the best thing that can happen to any woman. I feel fulfilled. I see myself as someone who is more responsible. I am a happier person right now as a mother. Now I know there is someone at home I need to care for and that makes me responsible and that makes cut down on things I would have ordinarily spend monies on when I was single. I would say that the feeling and grace is enormous. I want to have more and more of my Samuel.

But how have you been able to combine work and caring for him?

It has not been easy but I thank God. It also has a lot to do with time management. Create more time for him than you create for yourself. That will just do it. Another thing is that if I have to be on location, I have people who will take care of him. But when I am around, it’s just me and him.

Have your list of memorable movies and food type changed?

No I don’t think it has changed much even though I consider all the movies I have done memorable. But I will choose Atlanta, Fishers and Men and Can’t Let Go as some of my most memorable movie credits. But I know that with my return to the industry, the sky will just be my starting point. As for food type, I eat anything even though I am more of a rice person. But I don’t take too much of it because I am watching my weight (laughter). I eat more of protein than carbohydrate.

Sometimes I just eat fruits and no food at all.

Have your career ambition changed? You mentioned the last time that you want to be able to break out internationally?

Nothing has changed. Except to add that I want to do more community work. I want to be able to help those in need. My dream is to make as many people as possible happy. We should not be thinking of ourselves alone. We should begin to give back to society and encourage others to live their dreams. So yes, I want to get to the top of my career and I want to break out internationally but at the same time, I want to be useful to society and help people.

WEEKENDBEATS /37

SHOWBLAST /34

Queen Ogechi

Alongos: A New Project From P-Square

Spreads Love To The Motherless

MONDAYS–FRIDAYS IN THE GUARDIAN

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014 TWO WORDS /26

Find It

Dead Foetus Found In UNICAL’s Female Hostel

WEEKENDBEATS /36

By Daniel Ananzia lifeless foetus was found A inside a bucket at the Hall Eight, Female Hostel of the

House Of Tara Opens New Studio CAREER /27

JAMB: E-Testing Will Stem Malpractice In Examination

By Daniel Ananzia

NOUN Matriculates 1,400

HE Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have said its adoption of Computer Based Test (CBT) was to stem the menace of examination malpractice.

This was made known in Kaduna at a one-day advocacy and sensitisation campaign on the use of CBS during Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Speaking at the programme, Kaduna State Coordinator of JAMB, Mr. Matthew Audu, said the etesting method would facili-

tate faster release of examination results thereby cutting down on the time candidates wait anxiously for results.

“The computer testing would release a candidate’s score immediately after the completion and submission of answers,” he said.

According to him, the board would phase-out the traditional paper pencil method of examination in 2015. “By 2015, no candidate will be allowed to write UTME through the traditional paper pencil method; it will strictly be computer based test.”

Audu, advised schools to

T

ensure that their students were properly trained on the use of computer to be able to write the UTME without stress.

During the sensitisation campaign, 100 students from 10 schools wrote a mock UTME to enable them become familiar with the new method of examination.

One of the students, Oluchi Okoli from Federal Government College, Kaduna said the new system was more accurate and would eliminate cheating during examinations. Also, Favour Jonathan from Dambo International School described the e-testing as

transparent.

Meanwhile, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has matriculated over 1,400 students who applied for various degrees and programmes.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Vincent Tenebe, who was represented by one of the directors, Margaret Boro, stressed the need for students to try the option of NOUN as against conventional universities which over time have disappointed candidates due to over stretched facilities leading to poor access.

Global International College Holds 4th Annual Fair

By Daniel Ananzia HE fourth annual UK, USA T and Canada fair organised by the Global International College held on February 20.

The event witnessed a large turnout of representatives from top UK Universities, Canadian and USA Embassy, parents and students.

Impressed with the achievement and progress of the school, representatives of the universities were discussed with students and parents about educational opportunities, admission criteria, facili-

ties, courses and fees.

Also in attendance were representatives of the American and Canadian embassies, who spoke glowingly on the need for parents and guardians to send their children and wards to study in overseas universities, especially in their countries because of the inherent advantages.

Chief Executive Officer of Global International College, Mrs. Osime, said, “GIC develops globally competitive students who are self-motivated, independent and are able to

adapt to different cultures and environment. Because of our high academic achievements we have been able to establish strategic partners with top UK, USA and Canadian universities all over the world, which allows seamless progression for our students into these Universities.”

She added, “This is very important for our students as corporate organisations today are employing only

EMPOWERNIGERIA /31

graduates who can engage globally and have high level skills that have been developed in our partner universities. This inevitably sets our students apart from their peers when applying for a job.”

Osime advised parents whose children are in SS3 in secondary school to visit the college website at www.globalinternationalcollege.org to apply for the September 2014 academic session.

WEEKENDBEATS /36

Youth & Graduate Jobs Powered by Jobberman.com CARTOON SERIES

In The Belly Of The Croc...

Debuts Next Week SHOWBLAST /34

University of Calabar. Sources estimated the foetus to be about five months old.

According to students, foetus was abandoned beside one of the bathrooms. A female student, who does not want her in print, said her attention was drawn when she saw other students running towards the hall direction.

“I was outside the hostel trying to surf the Internet when suddenly I saw some students running towards the hall. Initially, I thought it was a fracas, but on getting closer, I discovered it was not a fight, but a dead foetus, which had been abandoned in one of the bathrooms of the hostel.

The baby was soaked in a pool of blood,” she said.

“From the size of the foetus, it should be about five months old. The unfortunate thing is that nobody knows who did it, at least for now, but I am sure that the person is in this hall,” she added.

While confirming the incident, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof James Epoke, said he has the report, but the identity of the student is not yet known. “We cannot monitor how they (students) live their private life. If she had even come out to tell the school authority that she was pregnant, we

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

BOOKSERIES /35

Splash

Sings

Ego Uwa

Choice Amidst Necessities Of Life

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

26 Saturday, March 1, 2014

CAMPUS

YOUTHMAGAZINE

First Lady Calls For Girl-Child VC Commends Students’ Intellectual Engagement Judicial Council (SJC), in honour of His University to produce global comparaHE Vice Chancellor, Adekunle University Education ble graduates that would solve societal T Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Royal Highness, Oba DVF Olateruproblems.

Ondo State, Prof. Olufemi Mimiko, has Olagbegi, (CFR), the Olowo of Owo.

By Daniel Ananzia

IRST Lady, Dame Patience FNigerians Jonathan has said must ensure that a significant percentage of the country’s young people, especially girls, should acquire university education. She made this known during a visit to University of Lagos, UNILAG recently.

“There is a popular saying that if you educate a man, you educate a person, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation. Parents must pay adequate attention to the education and welfare of our children, because education is the key to human capital development and the basis for national development. This is an area that Mr. President and I are very passionate about, because we were once teachers ourselves,” she said.

According to Dame Patience, the call is crucial because of the sorry state of girl-child access to education in the country, even at the basic level. She noted that Nigeria has the highest numbers of out-of-school children with a population of 10.5 million, the highest in the world; six million of these populations are girls, and 70.8 per cent of young women aged 20-29 in the

North-West zone are unable to read and write.

She explained, research show that due to the fact that these girls are deprived so early of access to education (including the access to information and knowledge), they remain bereft of the purchasing power necessary for adequate diet, healthcare, skills, or even recourse to support in emergencies, all of which would enable them rise above abject poverty.

She said, “The building of the 15-storey female hostel is a worthy course because it will reduce the number of those living outside the campus. Education is the key to human capital development; hence, the quality of education will determine the type of leaders we will produce in the future. We must ensure that the girlchild acquires education, because when you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation. Education is the best we can give our nation. As you pass through the school, let the system also pass through you.”

Speaking further, she urged government to increase its funding in education in other to improve the quality of education in

TWO WORDS

Uki Dare

Experience is the best teacher, but the tuition fee is very high. I am Uki Dare, C.E.O of Poise’ Graduate Finishing Academy, mother of two and wife of one. I will share with you lessons I have learnt from my experiences around transforming from a young lady with big dreams to a young C.E.O with massive goals. I won’t bore you with long prose and philosophical arguments I promise to be real and answer all your questions in just TWO WORDS. Hello friends, Let me just say thank you for your emails. It has been amazing reading your thoughts on ‘Two Words’ and responding to your questions.

I am going to be talking about myself today. If you are doing something you love, studying a course you enjoy or if your job is in line with your pas-

commended the students of the institution for engaging in intellectual activities.

He gave the commendation at the Judiciary Day Public Lecture, titled, Judicial Activism vis-à-vis Social Justice: the Nexus, organized by the Student

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, the VC said, the school management is very pleased with the students’ intellectual activities and will continue to identify with them. He added that the initiative is in tandem with the aspiration of the

the country. “This would enable our children compete favourably with their counterparts globally. With sincere commitment, we can bring back the good old days when teachers were respected,” she stated.

The First Lady also called on the unions in the sector to resort to dialogue no matter how difficult they might be as a means of resolving issues. “There is nothing God cannot do; I am talking to you as a mother would advise the children whom she loves. Mr. President and I were once students; we want the best for all Nigerian students,” she stressed.

Speaking at the event, the Vice

“The University organises public lectures from time to time because we see it as a forum for interaction between the town and the gown. It is a forum where some topical issues can be debated for societal benefit.”

He thanked the guest lecturer, Justice Bode Adegbeingbe, for accepting to share his wealth of experience with the university community.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Judge of the SJC, Kehinde Jola, a 500-level student of the faculty of law, explained that the essence of the lecture was to cross fertilize with the crème de la crème in the legal profession.

He thanked the University for supporting students’ initiatives always. The students honoured the royal father, Oba Olateru-Olagbegi with the award of Distinguished Man of Development, and decorated seven others with awards in various categories.

Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Rahamon Bello said the institution’s 40,291 students have over the years, suffered accommodation problem apart from the over 16,000 Distant Learning students who scramble for the 8,500 available bed spaces in the institution.

Bello, while highlighting the importance of the 15-storey building to the institution, said it was designed to accommodate 1,900 out of the 17,934 female students. “The project will assist to reduce the number of female students who live off-campus,” he said.

powered by

uki@poisenigeria.org,

Find It.. sion, I am happy for you because that is the best situ- rest of your life, even if you wouldn’t get paid?... If you don’t, you have to Find It. The job I do could ation to be in. If you are not, then I have two words make someone else miserable because everyone for you… has something different that is their thing.

I am not referring Find It. to a profession right now, I am referring to your passion. You could be a customer service agent I love my job to pieces. I work with some of the most amazing people I have ever met and we’re like a family. who is passionate about singing, or a brand manager who gets fulfillment from teaching. There is As for my job itself, I can hardly think of a job I would nothing wrong with that, just Find It. Whatever rather be doing at this time of my life. I train people in your IT is, when you find it, you can chart a course the job market and help them get jobs. What could be from where you are, to where you are going and all more fulfilling? I enjoy my job because it is in line with of a sudden there is a purpose to everyday because my passion. with each new day, you are one day closer to your dream.

GUESS WHAT! As much as I love my job, sometimes I don’t feel like doing it. After many trips away from my family, spending my days and nights working myself to the bone, sometimes I just wake up and ask myself why I have to get out of bed. On those stressful days, I close my eyes for 2 minutes, take a deep breath and I remind myself of all the things I wrote above, in the second paragraph of this article. By the time I open my eyes, I feel revived and ready to move mountains. My passion drives my life.

Don’t loose sight of your passion or purpose: Remember It Don’t loose hope in your dreams: Chase Them If you don’t know the thing that can spur you on every day: Find It Please remember that even when you are doing something you love you can get tired, how much more when you are doing something just for the sake of doing it.

Don’t wait for life to hand you your dream:

Do you know what makes you Find it! tick? Many people who are sucLets discuss: How can you Find Your Dream? Drop a cessful say that they are succomment on my blog poisegfs.blogspot.com or send cessful because they are getan email to uki@poisenigeria.org ting paid for doing their hobby. Do you know what you wouldn’t mind doing for the

Dead Foetus Found In UNICAL’s Female Hostel CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 might have granted her maternity leave and she continues her education when she comes back after delivery,” he said.

He added, “We cannot expel any student from the school because of pregnancy. I suspect the student may have tried to abort the pregnancy and that was what led to this. The unfortunate thing is that we have not been able to trace the person.”

Meanwhile, the Chancellor of Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has promised to partner the university in the area of integrated agriculture. This was known while receiving the institution’s new Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Shehu Alhaji Musa.

Dangote said that already, he has directed the Dangote Academy to enter into dialogue with the authorities of the university with a view to collaborating in agricultural endeavours including sugar cane farming, fisheries, forestry management and poultry. He added that the move will enable youths to become self-employed in agriculture areas highlighted.

He directed the release of N100 million to the university, and promised to construct an industrial borehole with reticulation in the school, provide a generator, recruit professors for the institution, open channels of co-operation and collaborations between the university and other organisations, both within and outside Nigeria. He also promised to help in the area of staff accommodation.

Presenting the new VC, the ProChancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the institution, Prof. Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, said the new VC is an agricultural economist and an academic of high repute who has done a lot for education.

Mahmoud assured the Chancellor of his determination to ensure the rapid development of the university through ensuring effective management and academic excellence.

In a vote thanks, Prof. Shehu Alhaji Musa thanked Dangote for his interventions and commitment to the development of the university.

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28 Saturday, March 1, 2014

JOBS & CAREERS

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JOBS & CAREERS

28 Saturday, March 1, 2014

JOBS & CAREERS

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FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO

National Development Strategy

NICHOLAS OKOYE, Founder EMPOWER NIGERIA Initiative,

Nicholas Okoye’s The Nine Pillars of National Development Pillar One: Government Policy (paper 8)

routes and take a substantive positions in international trade such that they crowd the other nations out. This is effectively the practice at WTO and that is why most of the positions of African Countries never gets passed whereas the liberalization agenda of the Western Nations which swept through the World in the seventies and eighties won support all over the world and opened up poor nations to trade from Western Nations especially for goods and services that they could not afford. I will talk about the third World debt crisis on a different day, but the trade policies of the Western Nation gave rise to the Third World debt crisis which impoverished many African Nations including Nigeria.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT I cut my teeth in the Trade and Investment industry. So everything I am today, everything I say and everything I do and all the respect and influence I have been able to muster is because somewhere a long time ago I choose to become an investment banker and I got a job with MERRILL LYNCH in their Boston Office as a Financial Consultant. While I worked as Merrill Lynch I was exposed to a whole new world of international finance which I did not know existed and I marveled at how Nations raised money to fund projects using Merrill Lynch and other Investment Banks like us. I worked at the Merrill Lynch regional head office for the North East which was in Boston, USA area, situated at number One Financial Centre in Boston, I met a lot of entrepreneurs who got second stage funding and became internet billionaires, they used to come through our office on a daily basis. I learnt a lot, I was exposed to a lot and so decided that I could not just stay in the United States with all this knowledge, I felt that my country Nigeria needed to benefit from my experience and learning. That is the reason I decided to come home to Nigeria and make my own contribution to Nation Building. How I actually came home, broke into society and got a position in which I could make a difference is a different story for another day. However all I can say for now is that, President Obasanjo had a lot to do with my eventual coming home, introducing me to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which even though it was a private institution, took the President’s recommendation and placed me as its first ever Head of Strategy (Chief Strategy Officer), and gave me the free hand to redesign the operating and structural environment for attracting local and international investors to the Nation’s capital markets.

Before I go into how we can structure and implement key reforms in the Trade and investment industries and attract the kind of investment that will completely revolutionize this country, let me first of all define the Trade and investment industry for the benefit of those that may not understand it.

Trade: is referred to the exchange of goods and services within an economy. It is further divided into domestic trade and international trade. Local or domestic trade is captured by the retail and wholesale markets. Whereas international trade is subdivided into importation and exportation.

Import is when we buy goods and services from other countries and export is when we sell our goods and services to other countries. Now these definitions seem simple enough but it can get very complicated if we go deeper into the issues and the structures that surround trade whether local or international. For instance countries around the world look to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to regulate and support a smooth trade relations between Nations.

However due to the imbalance and the fact that every Nation around the world (except maybe the African Nations with our share of unserious Leaders) knows that Trade is directly tied to jobs growth. So Nations like to dominate the trade

Globalization: We cannot talk about trade without understanding the role of Globalization. If you talk to the people who camp outside every WTO meeting to protest against Globalization they will tell you that Globalization is killing poor people and it is taking jobs away and so on and so forth. They will tell you that Globalization is a modern day evil and Monster that must be dealt with. These same campaigners are anti-Global Markets, GLOBAL Government cooperation, and they hate the World Economic Forum. That is why the World Economic Forum is held in Davos, Switzerland every year. Davos is easily the coldest and most difficult place to get to if you are not on the guest list, you cannot gain entry and

if you do not want to freeze to death, you will not be protesting outside a meeting in Davos. However what these protesters will not tell you is that Globalization has been going on in this word for thousands of years. For as long as human being learnt how to travel, they have been trading with each other over vast distances. The great silk trade of ancient times which was promoted by the ancient Chinese was a clear global market trade. The slave trade which decimated Africa and for which over four hundred million Africans were traded like goats and sheep was also a global market trade. The Ancient Prussians, the Egyptians, the Greek all were involved in global market trading and so Globalization is a very old phenomena. The only difference today and for which the ancients did not have is TECHNOLOGY. Technology allows us to tell what the Thailand people are selling their rice and we can compare prices to the Indians.

Technology allows us to tell exactly what an entire Nation is buying, from who and in what quantities. Technology allows us to consummate trade transactions without leaving the shores of our own country.

Nations with very serious Leaders. Mexico, Brazil, India, China, UAE, many nations of the Caribbean islands, Mauritius, Korea, Turkey, etc are all Nations that owe their rise and sustainable economic growth to Globalization. In Mexico many of the consumer goods that are consumed in the United States are produced along the border towns under a project called the Maquiladora project. And after the signing of the North American Free trade agreement by President Clinton, trade between Mexico, Canada and the United States opened up into a new world of opportunities of new wealth and jobs. China and Korea with their great distance from the United States not withstanding were able to see Globalization for the benefits it promises and they positioned themselves to benefit by focusing their efforts on manufacturing the simple products and supplying the markets of the United states and Europe. In recent times though they are no longer satisfied with producing the simple products as they have moved up the line to making Cars, Ships, and even space technology such as Rockets and Satellites.

Global Market Trade: I still get confused when people blame Globalization for their problems.

I wonder what they want. Every Nation should be self-sufficient in everything they use, eat and wear? That is simply not possible. Global Market Trade is essential to modern living.

Goods get produced in the most efficient site, by the most efficient producers using the most efficient method of deploring capital, and labor, and that is Globalization at its best. So nations or people who complain about Globalization are doing so because they have very inefficient systems, structures and operating environment and so they seek to lay blame elsewhere for their inefficiency. On the other Tomorrow I will define Investment and then I will hand many nations have benefited from take us into the World of solutions for our trade and Globalization, and these are very serious investment industry in Nigeria.

BOREHOLE DRILLING MACHINES. which have just the right soil types. One such area of our country with the right soil type is Lagos, Southwest and some part of the South East and South South. .

A borehole is the generalized term for any narrow shaft bored in the ground, either vertically or horizontally. A borehole may be constructed for many different purposes, including the extraction of water or other liquid (such as petroleum) or gases (such as natural gases), as part of a geotechnical investigation, environmental site, mineral exploration, temperature measurement or as a pilot hole for installing piers or underground utilities. The bore-hole drilling machine is a new, highly efficient and extensively applied open-air rock drilling equipment, which is extensively suitable for small and medium sized mines and the projects such as communications, national defense, water conservancy and stonework, in particular the rough and rugged terrains and land forms where other drills are unable to operate normally.

The machine can be used for digging for water and to drill blast holes on mines. It can also be used to drill under roads for cable lines.

In many Nigerian communities the need for water can be the difference between life and death and so depending on the expensive truck mounted bore hole drilling machines may not be a solution for them.

EMPOWER NIGERIA has the simplified version, a modular sized manual bore hole drilling machine that gets the job done. You can start your F YOU want to make a borehole (the quickest way to make wells), you own bore hole drilling business in your community tomorrow if you have two options. The first is hiring a big machine, which will arrive have one of our very affordable machines. Local Governments, on a truck from the city, and gets the business done in a few hours. Constituency projects and many non-Governmental agencies will be Quick, easy, and quite affordable. The second is doing it by hand, using happy you started this business as you will be very busy once you get a manual drilling technology. It takes longer, it is heavy work, but it also started. gets the job done. Now what do you think? Which is better?

To find out about this and other business ideas, visit our showroom at W2, THE ARENA Of course, manual drilling does not work everywhere. Clay, sand, and Army Shopping complex, Bolade Bustop, Oshodi, Lagos. You could also contact our compacted sand are ok, but rock or large stones are not ok. But it just sales representative info@empowernigeria.com or by calling 012771388 or 08172109095 happens to be the case that hundreds of millions of people live in areas

I

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EMPOWERNIGERIA

GUIDE TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

YOUTHMAGAZINE CASE STUDY

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURAL LEADER

By Nicholas Okoye

Principles of Success Everyone wants to succeed but most of the time we are unwilling to do the work it takes to get us there. In most cases we give excuses for not getting things done and in the process we are giving excuses for our life. I have continued to provide you with the rules, the guides and the keys to living a successful and fulfilling life in this section and today I will give you a deeper look into the guiding principles of success as outlined by all the great minds that have come before us.

Positive Mental Attitude: you must have a positive mind set to succeed. If you think you are going to be thinking of failing all the time and somehow you will succeed then you are joking.

You have to believe that you are going to succeed first and foremost before you will eventually get there. And it pays to keep a positive mental attitude at all times, see the good in people, places and events, that way you will always be a solution provider and people will seek you out.

Sound Physical Health: How can you be successful, make all the money in the world, or get to the top of your career and then you find that you do not have the health to enjoy it? Your body is your temple of achievement and accomplishment so you must treat your body right. The only reason why Nigeria and many Africa Nations have such a low Life expectancy rate is because our people do not pay attention to taking care of their health while they are young and growing.

We eat the wrong foods, we do not exercise and we have poor sleeping and resting habits. So we hear that a young man or woman died suddenly and we say …awwww the Devil is a Liar…… how can he /she die so suddenly. Well if the truth be told there is no such thing as adult sudden death syndrome, there is infant sudden death syndrome but not for adults. All the so called sudden deaths in adults have happened because the adult in question neglected to do his or her exercise, they did not eat their vegetables or take their rest at the right time. And they went further to ignore the warning signs the body gave them.

So please keep healthy, it is a major part of succeeding in Life.

Harmony in Human Relations: you cannot achieve anything without peace. So you need peace for any form of human achievement. The best way to guarantee peace is to make sure you make an effort to maintain harmony in all human relations. Do not shout back when you are shouted upon, do not plot to finish him when he or she is plotting against you. And when you show that there is nothing in your heart but love you will melt some of the strongest and most determined enemies.

Kimora LeePerkins ODEL AND FASHION ICON Kimora Lee Perkins was born on May 4, 1975, in St. Louis, Missouri. Simmons was born to an African-American father, Vernon Whitlock, Jr., and Japanese mother, Joanne Perkins. At the age of 11, Kimora Lee’s mother enrolled her in a modeling class. Two years later, Kimora was awarded an exclusive modeling contract from Chanel.

Newly 14, the teen moved to Paris to work under the famous Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld. After closing one of Karl Lagerfeld’s haute couture shows as a child bride, Kimora Lee became a sensation within in the industry. Soon after, she forged a close friendship with fellow Chanel model Tyra Banks, and became a self-proclaimed muse of Lagerfeld. Kimora, along with three other models, were dubbed “the four Karlettes.”

At the age of 17, Kimora Lee met 35-year-old Russell Simmons after a runway show during New York Fashion Week. After their meeting, he sent her a large bouquet of flowers. The couple started dating on-again-off-again for several years. In 1998, however, love won out and Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons married at St. Bart’s. The ceremony was performed by Russell’s brother Joey “Rev Run” Simmons of Run-D.M.C. The reception was held on a 190-foot yacht. Kimora Lee Simmons’ fashion design career started shortly after marrying Russell. Her husband had begun creating baby clothing from his Phat Farm clothing line. Kimora Lee then took the project on herself, and Baby Phat was created in 1999. She was named creative director and president of the line, taking it from baby t-shirts to a full line of urban women’s wear.

In January 2004, Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons sold the apparel and licensing of the Baby Phat and Phat Farm brands to Kellwood Company for $140 million.

As a result of the sale, the couple started expanding the line, including the Simmons Jewelry Company, which included the “Diamond Diva” line. That same year, Kimora Lee and her husband signed a deal with Coty, Inc. to create a line of women’s fragrances under the Kimora Lee Simmons brand. The couple also signed with Vida Shoes International to create a line of women’s shoes under the Baby Phat line. In 2007, Kimora Lee Simmons was promoted by Kellwood to President and Creative Director of

M

Phat Fashions, which covered both Baby Phat and Phat Farm.

Kimora Lee expanded her talents to television in 2003, when she earned a Tony Award for working as executive producer of the Russell Simmons Presents: Def Poetry Jam. Simmons has also been a judge for many model and fashion-based television programs, including America’s Next Top Model and MTV’s Fashionably Loud.

Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane is a reality show that takes a look into the life of Kimora Lee Simmons that began in 2007 and is shown on the E! Channel and Style Network. She has also appeared in many movies, including The Big Tease in 1999, Beauty Shop in 2005 and Waist Deep in 2006. Kimora Lee also published her first book in 2006, entitled Fabulosity: What it is and how to get it. It was published by Harper Entertainment in February 2006. The book is set to function as a ‘lifestyle manual’ on everything from spirituality and finances to fashion and beauty. She has also launched five perfumes for women: Goddess, Golden Goddess, Seductive Goddess, Baby Phat Fabulosity, Love me, and the last fragrance she put out from her time with Baby Phat, Dare Me. Simmons sponsored the KLS Rushcard, which included her own line of purple Rushcards. Simmons established the Kimora Lee Simmons Scholarship Fund at her high school alma mater in St. Louis to provide college tuition support for academically successful girls with financial needs and is an active member of youth advocacy organizations including Amfar, The G&P Foundation, Keep a Child Alive, HetrickMartin Institute and Rush Philanthropic where she is on the Board of Directors.

The mayor of St. Louis presented Simmons the key to the city and named March 18, 2008 “Kimora Day” in St. Louis.

Saturday, March 1, 2014 33

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Darey Art Alade, Nneka Egbun, Yeka Onka, Moses Obi-Adigwe, Mercy Chinwo, Enitan Denloye, Mrs Ugochi Pedro and Dede Mabiaku at Nigerian Idol Season 4 press launch in Lagos

Excitement In The Air, As Nigerian Stories by Chuks Nwanne ATER today, fun loving Nigerians across the country will witness the launch of the season four of the music reality TV show, Nigerian idol. Already, Afrobeat exponent Dede Mabiaku, award winning signer/songwriter, Darey Art Alade and Nigerian-German singer-songwriter, Nneka Egbuna have been unveiled as this year’s judges to the delight of the audience at a star-studded media launch, which held on Wednesday, at the Rhapsody Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Not withstanding the changes with the judges, Ill Rymz continues his reign as host for the third time on the show.

Speaking at a media briefing to herald the show, C.E.O Optima Media Group, Rotimi Pedro, emphasised that the all-star panel comprising Dede Mabiaku, Darey Art Alade and Nneka Egbuna fully reflects the passion, synergy and true commitment to talent that has strongly resonated in Nigerian Idol in over three years of dominance of the Nigerian entertainment scene.

“The 4th season of the show will be an even more exciting television experience as we have three brand new judges this season.

The last three seasons of the show garnered enormous viewership, especially with the youth demographic, more than any other music reality show - re-emphasizing the power of the Idol brand across the globe.”

As a judge in the show, R&B singer, Darey Art Alade, who recently wowed Lagosians with the season tow of his valentine gig, Love Like A Movie, will be offering his wealth of experience as one of Nigeria’s most versatile performers. From all indication, Darey will be the nice guy on the panel.

“It promises to be one of the most exciting highlights of my career; you’re literally watching stars unfold and discover their greatest potential. It’s an extremely exhilarating and profound period for us alljudges and performers.”

He continued: “I’m looking for the things

L

from 4th to 10th place will also receive N100, 000, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod. The show, which is sponsored by Etisalat ceive N1million, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry Nigeria with support from Pepsi, will hit and an iPod. In addition, each of the finalists local TV stations across the country today.

• Dede Mabiaku, Darey, Nneka Step In As Judges that separate the true artiste from all others; diction, ability to own a song, exceptional and rare talent and I know I’m going to find it on the Nigerian Idol stage,” he said.

On his part, Dede Mabiaku is not new in the business of hunting talents; he was a judge in the first and only West African idol hosted in Nigeria. Besides being part of the production, his background as a theatre artiste, as well as his objective criticisms, will help the contestants develop their still on Idol stage.

“I’m happy to be on the show and I will give my best to help the talents develop,” he said.

As for award-winning international star, Nneka Egbuna, expect frank talks. For those, who know the guitarist very well, she’s not given to massaging ego; Nneka says it as it is.

Meanwhile, the launch party featured exciting highlights of the show, including a sneak preview of season 1-3 of Nigerian Idol.

This was followed by a performance by the first winner of the contest, Yeka Onka, who treated the audience to powerful acapella version of Lionel Richie’s Hello. The second winner, Mercy Chinwo showed sparks of creativity with her single, Testimony, while Nneka rendered an acoustic sample of her song My Home, which earned her a resounding applause from the excited audience.

Moses Obi-Adigwe, the reigning Idol, gave a good account of himself with an outstanding performance of Redemption Song, originally done by late reggae great, Bob Marley, before sampling his single, Number One. The grand prize for this season is N7.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry, an iPod and a brand new SUV car. The first runner up gets N1.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, Blackberry and iPod, while the 2nd runner up will re-

Nolly Silver Screen Magazine Berths, With OC. Ukeje On Cover OLLY SILVER SCREEN, a new N online magazine has been launched with award winning actor O.C. Ukeje being the first face to grace its cover. According to the editor Isabella Akinseye, the 16 page monthly publication serves up a mix of articles, interviews, pictures, reviews and news of Nollywood.

She said the magazine was another platform for fans and critics of Nollywood to engage with the industry and its people.

“Nollywood is growing in leaps and bounds every day.

People want to read about their favourite stars, see what they wore on the red carpet and find out the latest DVD releases. They want a companion that would keep them informed but also entertained.

Nolly Silver Screen magazine does that and much more,” sha said.

For those wanting to know how it all began, entertainment journalist Agina Eberechukwu offers her own version of ‘The History of Nollywood’. In Iredu by Abiola Sobo, Kunle Afolayan’s October

1 trailer and Awele’s Diary by Ronke Ogunmakin are some of the reviews by the editorial team. Olumuyiwa Awojide of award winning movie reviews site Sodas and Popcorn is this edition’s guest reviewer and he tackled the much talked about Confusion Na Wa by Kenneth Gyang.

In this edition, O.C. Ukeje talks to Isabella Akinseye about his work in Half of a Yellow Sun, what made 2013 special and the secret to his winning streak. Also featured is A Passion for Fashion: Actors turned Designers written by film critic Wilfred Okiche, where he x-rays seven Nollywood actors, who have turned their gaze from the camera to the spindle. The fashion and beauty ventures of Genevieve Nnaji, Jim Iyke, Chika Ike, Ernest Asuzu, Liz Anjorin, Stan Nze and Oge Okoye all come under the spotlight.

Deputy Editor, Innocent Ekejuiba makes watching Nollywood movies online a tad easier for those who want to by showcasing his top 6 list of websites, which include the more established Iroko TV

alongside the newer platforms such as Dobox TV and TvNolly.

“Nolly Silver Screen is a fun read for everyone. We engage with our readers through our Vox Pop and will reward them with prizes in the Nolly Pop Quiz. For those wanting to enter Nollywood, we have a section called Words of Wisdom from the Stars. There is something for everyone,” the edit o r said.

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CultureShift Award… A Perfect Birthday Gift For Kelani T was a perfect birthday celImaker ebration for renowned filmTude Kelani recently, as his outfit, Mainframe Productions, was announced as winners of CultureShift 3 hackaton - workshop organised by the British Council and Co-Creative Hub. Created to engage creative entrepreneurs and organisations to use technology to provide solutions for challenges, CultureShift started last year on the Ideation stage with 15 companies competing and six companies getting shortlisted to progress to the ‘hackathon’ stage and the selection of a winner.

Mainframe presented a plat-

form for Yoruba Global Content such as movies, trailers, musical videos, teleplays etc, across mobile, web and Internet TV. They also built an App called OPOMULERO, which would run on Android, Ios, blackberry and other operating systems.

With this announcement coming three days to his birthday, Kelani said “I am excited about this and this platform is like a birthday present to me, I am not planning any party this year, but I believe that it has been marked by this milestone. I wish to thank family, friends, benefactors, supporters and audience for your love and supp o r t . ” Unveiling a new logo on his birthday, the veteran cinematographer added, “I shall need you more in the next phase of my life. There are a lot of goodies in 2014; Dazzling Mirage, a new film set for release soon, Omuti P a l m w i n e Drinkard (stage re-adaptation), YEEPA Solaarin Nbo (stage) and the ultimate, OPOMULERO, a platform for Yoruba Global Content,” he said.

Splash Sings Ego Uwa

By Florence Utor HEN talented singer Gennevieve Nwadimma Ogbuewu, popularly known as Splash in the music arena, first hit the airwaves with her first single Church Agbasa, music lovers knew she has something fresh to offer.

After what seemed like a long silence, leaving fans wondering her whereabouts, Splash has returned with something even more interesting. Titled Ego Uwa, the song, which is currently enjoying airplay wil definetly put the singer of the spotlight once again. Known for her lyrical depth and smoothing blend of the Igbo language in her songs, Splash has yet again scored another hit with Ego Uwa. In a chat with the singer, she explained that she took a break from the vibrant industry for a while to work on new materials.

“I stepped off the scene for a bit to work on myself.

Now, I’m back to give my fans something fresh, deep and of course good music as usual,” she boasted.

While Splash went on break to work on her art, she also took some time to handle some business. She moved base from her former label, the HMan-led August Pee En-

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tertainment to join Brodock Music Group, home to the young talented kid, Vito.

Ego Uwa, which literally means the ‘world’s money’, is a feel of good music, with a socially relevant message. lyrically deep, with the entire recipe that makes a good hiphop music. The album is set to drop on March 6, 2014, with a video dropping 2 weeks after the release of the audio version. Shot on location in South Africa by Godfather Production, Splash in her own word said, “I’m here to stay for good.”

has dropped his latest single, Born Champion. Having featured top Ghanaian artistes back in 2010, with numerous shows Ghana, the artiste returned to the Gold Coast to collaborate the Beijing-based

Stories by Chuks Nwanne S stars and celebrities gear up for A the wedding ceremony between Paul Okoye of P-Square and his heartthrob, billed for Port Harcourt, the River State capital, the sensational music twins have release the muchawaited animated series titled, The Alingos.

Over the past few months, the multiple award-winning duo, have relentlessly been working on a groundbreaking and unprecedented family-oriented animated series, an innovation from the stables of P-Classic Entertainment. Founded and controlled by the P-Square brothers with Peter Okoye as head, the outfit is aimed at producing television contents, animation, discovering and grooming young musicians, and providing an array of entertainment to Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

In their usual style of raising the bar in the entertainment scene, the duo is taking it a notch higher. The Alingos was inspired by the need to create a unique content for children and fill the vacuum in the media sphere for this

demographic. Adults would also find the animated series appealing. The Alingos will be the first high quality animated series from Nigeria to fit local television while intelligently crafted to serve international audience as well. It will initially run as a weekly web series and then on TV. This family animated series is just one of many surprises the duo have stocked in their goody bags to revolutionise the entertainment industry. It’s no news that P-Square has become synonymous with top class standards, reflective in the quality of their song writing, dance and music videos.

To herald the launch of The Alingos, the brothers are releasing a teaser – an animated music video for their hit single Unlimited, which they described as the first high quality animated video in Nigeria and by extension the whole of Africa. The music video is 100% Nigerian; no foreign inputs and is created in High Definition with superior picture and sound quality, as expected from the duo. The production quality compares to anywhere in the world.

The public and fans of P-Square will get to watch the Unlimited animated

video as well as The Alingos (when it hits the screens) by first downloading the PSquare app (P2) due for release next week. The app is another novel and exceptional concept from the creative minds of the twin brothers, to connect and interact with their numerous fans and followers all around the world. Definitely, this app will transform the fan community and pioneer a new trend in the country’s entertainment scene.

The app will contain an archive of exclusive pictures of P-Square, gallery of latest musical videos including all the videos from past albums, compilation of all P-Square’s songs, behind-thescene videos, awards and concerts videos, concert tickets, events and tour dates as well as their flagship project The Alingos series. It will also integrates popular social media networks – facebook, twitter, youtube etc, into one space and serves as a platform to bring P-Square closer to their fans.

However, fans and the public will have endless access to all these materials and more awesome content from P-Square in the future by downloading the PSquare app for free on andriod, iOS and windows devices.

With Photo Exhibition, Yetunde Leads Campaign Against Breast Cancer ll over the world, cancer A has been identified as one of the major health challenges

Lil-Dizzie Drops Born Champion O announce his arrival on T the music scene, the bonafide rhymist, lil’ Dizzie,

The Alingos... A New Project From P-

emcee/VDJ/rapper, BJ-Mighty, on an Afro-Pop tune, which went viral all over China.

This feat saw the Nigerianbased rhymist, lil’ Dizzie, go on a China tour and on his return, he sought the services of the producer, GB Famous and the outcome of this working relationship birthed Born Champion.

facing mankind. In Nigeria, different groups and individuals are gradually joining forces to create awareness on cancer.

As part of her contribution to the campaign against the deadly disease, leading photographer, Yetunde Babaeko, will stage a first of its kind breast cancer awareness photo exhibition, geared to inspire the Nigerian public to join in the fight against cancer.

Titled battle Scar, the exhibition will hold on March 8, at the Goethe Institute, Onikan, lagos, starting from 2pm. It

will showcase photos taken by a group of independent professional female photographers Yetunde Babaeko of Camara-Studios and driven by a collective passionate vision to make a lasting impact through the lens of the camera.

“Breast cancer patients need to know that this does not limit ambition. Knowing this inspires the zeal to impact the lives of females to reach out and accomplish their dreams regardless of the health issues they have. Also being ‘breast aware’ plays a major role in early detection so I was especially pleased to be a part of this initiative which will make

ladies more aware and become proactive with breast examination and talking to their doctors,” she said.

“I am not going to run 5km or climb Kilimanjaro, but I need to do something. For me, choosing to take photos for the cancer support groups, albeit it is very short-lived is a personal challenge. It is so important to raise awareness of breast cancer and the work of our national charities who help women and

their families deal with the physical and emotional scars that this disease creates,” the photographer said.

This maiden edition will feature real life photos of breast cancer patients, survivors, their families and the strategies they employ in coping with

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014 35

BOOK SERIES

YOUTHMAGAZINE

Charisma Or Character?

Author Betty Ugona

Then he brought Him to Jerusalem set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “…if you are the son of God, throw yourself down from hear: for it is written, He shall give His Angels charge over you, To keep you and, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a tone” Luke 4:9-11.

N this final temptation, Satan took Jesus to the very pinnacle of Iwould the temple in Jerusalem, where in rabbinic tradition the Messiah appear. In essence, Satan was tempting Jesus to show off. But Jesus chose not to test God. Satan can and will tempt us in so many ways. What he does not know is how we would choose to respond. I do not know the situations you are facing right now, but one thing is certain, that your choice will determine how you will feel tomorrow. Our Lord Jesus Christ has left a perfect example and footprints in the desert sand for us to follow, that no matter the situation especially when confronted with basic needs and the options available are very enticing and gullible, we should resist because what Satan tempts us with is never what we are really longing for. It may appear to meet a need at the moment, but it will just take us deeper and deeper into the unknown.

Life is a matter of choice. What you will become, whom you will marry, what to choose as your career, where you will be in future, how much education you will get, what dress you want to wear today, who your friends will be and most importantly, who you represent, are all dependent on the choices you make.

The only true freedom each of us has is the freedom to choose, and once we choose, we become the servant of our choices.

Author and Professor C. S Lewis observed that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part that chooses something different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature.

Nobody ever wants to take the path that leads to destruction. Each of us aspire to become someone to be reckoned with and the only secret to get to that point comes in the individual choices we make on a daily basis.

Helen left the village with dreams but what happened? When temptations came, she chose to magnify her outward beauty that overwhelmed her character and eventually failed her. She was expelled from school, left her uncle’s house and couldn’t complete her education and consequently lost her childhood dreams. Kenneth as well chose to be deceived; his character failed him while Rebecca chose to uphold her values amidst immediate pains and discomfort.

Gifts and talents are given to us, but character which sustains these gifts and talents is developed by us. And this is a matter of choice.

To live by wonderful values and be successful depends on the aggregate choices we make daily. Our character is very crucial because it earns us the trust of others and communicates credibility and consistency. Our character influences our perspective. How do we see life? What do we magnify? What do we choose to see around us? How do we react to issues and situations around? Our character which we have developed over the years determines how we act or react to situations. It is a choice therefore to develop good characters with remarkable attributes. In making choices therefore, the following life attributes play very important roles: Attitude: Attitude is defined as the way of thinking and behaving.

It is the thing which draws people to us or repels them. It is an outward look based on past experiences.

Attitude is by choice, you decide how you want people to see you.

It is more honest and more consistent than words. The way you relate to people and the way you act on circumstances tell who you truly are. On a daily basis, you can choose to wear a wonderful attitude that would shape your life.

Values: Values are the fundamental beliefs of a person or organization. The core values are the guiding principles that dictate behavior and action. Core values can help people to know what is right from wrong, they can help people to determine if they are on the right path and fulfilling their dreams and set goals, and based on these, they create an unwavering and unchanging guide.

Our parents try to instill positive core values in us as we grow up.

But what happens when we are old enough to choose how to live our lives? The choice is ours, and the ultimate is to choose right and live well.

Some Types Of Core Values There are countless types of core values. You will need to choose the ones that are right for you and apply them accordingly: Dependable Reliable Loyal Committed Open-minded Consistent Honest Efficient Innovative Creative Humorous Fun-loving Adventurous Motivated Positive Optimistic Inspiring Passionate Respectful Athletic Fit

Courageous Educated Respected Loving Nurturing These values when adopted can form the building blocks that keep us standing during the storms of life. These values therefore, are like Anchors – they hold you steady during rough times Friends – they stay with you and comfort you The North Star – they are always dependable to guide you A fresh wind – they give you refreshing encouragement.

Albert Einstein says: “Try not to become men of success, rather become men of value.” Kenneth lost it. He was carried away by the immediate dream of becoming a successful man rather than patiently holding on to good values and kingdom principles. What happened to his values and principles? His values and excellent result would have gotten him a good job.

Self-Discipline: Self-discipline can be defined as the ability to motivate oneself in spite of a negative emotional state. It is an ability to say yes or no in the face of danger. It is self-reliance, independence and self-control.

People who practice self-discipline are known for the following: They complete their assignments They stay focused They are patient They work toward personal and community goals They try again and again until they succeed They ignore peer pressure and believe in themselves They choose productive rather than destructive activities They control their tempers They are contented with what they have and where they come from They believe that the goals they have set for themselves are the best, hence they are never jealous of other people’s dream.

“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves” – Sir Edmund Hillary (the first man to climb Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world in 1933). “If we do not discipline ourselves, the world will do it for us,” says William Feather.

Commitment: Commitment is defined as an act of binding oneself to a course of action. It can also be referred to as keeping a promise and working towards an agreed goal.

“You will invest your life in something or you will throw it away on nothing.” Haddon Robinson: “The choice is yours, you have to pay a price, everything in life exacts a price and you will have to decide whether the prize is worth the price.

Passion: Passion is the energy that comes from bringing more of you into what you do. Simply put, it’s being who you are and doing what come naturally. When what you do is in alignment with who you are, you get energy from doing it. It’s like water flowing along its natural riverbed. It actually gains energy from the path it’s taking (compare that to what most people experience in their work, which is more like trying to force it up and over a mountain). It is a matter of choice to be you in everything you do. Do not live somebody else’s life. When you are passionate about your course, your dreams and vision, you can never be pushed around and deceived.

Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion, you must first set yourself on fire”.

Passion is the first step to achievement and willpower that changes lives. Vision does not ignite growth, passion does. Passion fuels vision and vision is the focus of the power of passion. Choose to find your passion and wrap your career around it.

Courage: Courage can be defined as ability/strength to do something in the face of pain and grief. It is doing the right thing when the wrong thing seems to produce better results that would give temporary joy and leave trails of regrets behind. It is an act of pursuing one’s goal against all odds and obstacles.

“Courage is resistance to fear. Mastery of fear, not absence of fear” – Mark Twain “It is not because things are difficult, that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare things that are difficult” – Seneca.

Your courage is a choice. We need courage to say no and express our convictions when others challenge us. We need courage to seek the truth despite the fact that it may be painful. We need courage to overcome obstacles since progress will come no other way. It is a matter of choice.

Responsibility: Responsibility can be defined as an act of Taking care of your duties Answering for your actions Being accountable and Trustworthiness Responsibility is very important because it is a core value for living honorably, being accountable for your behavior and being dependable when you have things to do.

It is a choice to be responsible in all your actions. Responsible people: Understand and accept consequences for their actions and try to correct their mistakes Complete assignments and tasks Clean up after themselves Do the right thing and apologize if wrong Help others in need Follow through without giving up Understand the effect they have on others The price of greatness is responsibility.

In association with

Event management and decoration training Date(s): 28/02/2014 Location: Bode Thomas Street 39 Bode Thomas Street, Surulere. Lagos Promoter: Finesse TICKETS: 50,000.00 www.afritickets.com

Queen of the night Date(s): 28/02/2014 Location: FREEDOM PARK Hospital Road, Lagos Island, Lagos Promoter: M-IKAZ TICKETS: 2,500.00 www.afritickets.com

GidiCulture Festival Date(s): 02/03/2014 Location: Elegushi Beach, Elegushi Bus stop, Lekki-Ekpe expressway Lekki, Lagos Promoter: Eclipse Live Ltd TICKETS: 3,500.00 www.afritickets.com

Finger Foods and Drinks Date(s): 07/03/2014 Location: Bode Thomas Street 39 Bode Thomas Street, Surulere. Lagos Promoter: Finesse TICKETS: 50,000.00 www.afritickets.com

Presentation Skills Training Workshop in Lagos Date(s): 22/03/2014 Location: Precinct Comfort Hotel Yaba-Surulere, Lagos Mainland Promoter: LiveSpeech Coaching MORE INFO: www.afritickets.com

Eko Nite Date(s): 29/03/2014 Location: Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Marquee Tafawa Balewa Square , Lagos Island Promoter: Jim Timmy Nig Ltd TICKETS: 1,000,000.00, 500,000.00, 30,000.00 BUY TICKETS HERE: www.afritickets.com

36 Saturday, March 1, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

YOUTHMAGAZINE

WEEKENDBEATS

Photo: Bella Naija

A cross section of guests at the AMVCA Brunch in Lagos.

Lights, Camera, Action…

AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Award Reloads Stories by Chuks Nwanne HEATBAKER Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, was the W place to be on Wednesday, as celebrities, Nollywood stars and stakeholders in the motion picture industry, gathered at the classy hotel for a brunch with the nominees, ahead of this year’s Africa magic Viewer’s Choice Award (AMVCA). Anchored by Ozzy Agy and Sika Osei, the session, which lasted for about an hour, saw the formal unveiling of the nominees, who will battle for honour at the ceremony proper holding next week.

According to the head judge, Femi Odugbemi, the panel received a total of 800 entries and actual judging lasted for about five days.

“We thank Amstel Malta for energizing this competition and I’m excited because they were the first to key into the development of the arts and has remained steadfast with that resolution. Also, we thank Africamagic for being the primary driver for the creative industry of Africa; the capacity to introduce Africa’s cre-

ative industry to the world, is something that deserves commendation.”

While unveiling the nominees, Odugbemi urged them to see the nomination as an opportunity to strive for excellence in the business of filmmaking.

“This is an amazing moment for the nominees; you should celebrate it. This gives you the opportunity to do the same thing you did before and even do them better. It’s important to also think of how to get to the top and stay on top. Some people, who were nominated for this award last years, are not here today; excellence is something you should commit yourself daily, prize or no prize.”

The filmmaker, who is responsible for the iRep Documentary Film festival, tasked the nominees to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the award to aspire for excellence.

“Your success is very important to AfricaMagic and Amstel Malta because they believe that they are celebrating you so that you in turn, will help grow the motion picture industry of Africa,” he said.

In his message, which was screened at the event, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria John Ugbe observed that MultiChoice, through its premium entertainment channel, M-Net, has made extensive investments in the development of original African programming as well as currently showcasing the best African content across the continent. He noted that that over the years, M-Net has developed the programmes and channels on the DStv platform.

“M-Net has grown its local content offering to eight quality premium channels, accessible in over 50 countries on the continent through DStv and GOtv services,” he noted.

Ugbe, who explained that MultiChoice has continued to prioritise its investment in promoting local film and television entertainment, while collaborating with talented local filmmakers in creating authentic African stories, stated that the company together with M-Net/AfricaMagic, has changed the face of African entertainment by promoting and harnessing quality productions.

In an effort to enjoy these quality productions,

House Of Tara Set To Opens New Studio AKEUP and beauty brand, M House of Tara, will be launching its studio number 14 tomorrow, at the Centro Mall in Lekki, Lagos. The formal opening will witness a VIP event, with notable fashion icons and celebrities on the guests list.

According to the Managing Director of the outfit, Tara-Fela Durotoye, gone are those days when African markets were saturated with foreign make up brands.

“With 14 studios in eight states and emerging footprints in Ghana, Kenya and South-Africa, the new studio is strategically located at the Mall, in the heart of

Lekki’s thriving lifestyle community, built to be the premier provider of shopping, food, event and fitness space. House of Tara is also set to launch 29 new stores across 12 cities in 2014.”

Explaining the economic benefits of the studio to Nigerians and foreigners, Tara said, “we are particularly excited with this store as it gives an expression to the wholesome make up experience we want to create. Because we have mastered the art of retail management with our 14 studios and over 300 representatives, we are scaling up our distribution

channel management by presenting other brands with our retail opportunities.”

She further explained that African make up are globally acclaimed to be the best in the world.

The Retail Experience Manager, House of Tara, Rhema Akabuogu, also noted, “we possess the education, infrastructure and distribution channels that allow for a soft landing for other international and local make up brands. The studio will host Tara Make up, the company’s in house brand, as well as some of the world’s most exciting brands.”

Tara

the platform, which has maintained the lead in cutting-edge technology in television viewing, would soon launch the DStv Explora BoxOffice.

“We acknowledge the role our subscribers have played in making M-Net/Africa Magic channels a success, this is why we believe that the DStv Explora BoxOffice will provide a window for our subscribers to rent new Nigerian and international movies from the comfort of their homes,” John declared.

The first edition of AMVCA, which held in March 2013, provided movie and film audiences with a voice to say their minds and to honour the stars for the roles they have played in making the African film and television industry what it is today.

On the upcoming AMVCA awards and the significant investment made by MultiChoice in the development of skills and talent in television broadcast in the continent, the Managing Director of M-Net Africa, Mrs. Biola Alabi said, “our mission at AfricaMagic is a continued investment in African film & television and to continuously lend our support to developing homegrown African content. The AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the people in front and behind the cameras, who make African story telling truly beautiful and compelling to watch. At AfricaMagic, we are truly delighted with the list of nominees, we believe every nominee is a winner and we wish you all best of luck on the big night.”

MultiChoice Africa pioneered the first Africa Magic channel in 2003, which has since grown into 8 channels including AfricaMagic, AfricaMagic Entertainment, AfricaMagic Movies, AfricaMagic Movies 1, AfricaMagic World and dedicated language channels AfricaMagic Hausa, AfricaMagic Swahili and AfricaMagic Yoruba. Africa Magic channels are accessible to over 50 countries on the continent through our DStv and GOtv services.

Some of the nominees at the event include Nkiru Sylvanus, Bimbo Manuel, Michelle Bello, Funke Akindele, Ivie Okujaye, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Carl Raccah and others.

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Saturday, March 1, 2014 37

YOUTHMAGAZINE

WEEKENDBEATS

Queen Ogechi Spreads Love To Motherless Babies “My charity works are HILE most young Nigesponsored by Friesland NigeW rians stayed with their ria Limited and my inspiraloved ones to mark this year’s Valentine Day, Ada Imo, Ogechi Eucharia Onyeoyibo, spent the day at a Motherless Babies Home in Emekukwu, Owerri, Imo State.

Onyeoyibo, who was the pioneer Queen of the MTNsponsored Queen Egbema Cultural Beauty Pageant and currently the First Runners Up of Ada Imo Cultural Beauty Pageant, said her priority is to touch the lives of people, especially children.

tion is to touch the lives of people positively through presentation of gifts items to the less privileged in the society.”

While at the Home, a Rev. Sister, who takes care of the children, commended Onyeoyibo for her kind gesture and urged her not to relent on her good works. She also prayed that God will continue to bless her and open more doors for her to continue with the charity move.

Kanayo O Kanayo, Kenneth Okonkwo and Nobert Ajaegbu at the AMAA Award 2013 in Bayelsa

After Second Screening, AMAA Panel Okays 65 Films Stories by Chuks Nwanne HEAD of its traditional Nomination A Party billed for South Africa later this month, the College of Screeners has con-

The Queen with some motherles babies

Nagode, Dodorima… New Vibes From Peruzzi

By Florence Utor FTER years of fine-tuning his works in the studio, Delta State native, Tobechukwu, otherwise known as Peruzzi, has registered his presence in the industry with two singles, Nagode and Dodorima. With his lyrical prowess, as well stagecraft, the singer appears set for the industry.

Explaining the meaning of the songs, TC as he is fondly called by close friends said, “Nagode is an appreciation to God for the deserved talent he has bestowed on me; it makes all music lovers to have a glimpse of who a typical artiste should be. In that sense, I used my self to address the issue of self-definition and determination, and appreciating God for the zeal that continues to burn in me.”

On the other hand, Dodorima talks about love and how it depends on self-expression.

“In the song, I painted some

A

Peruzzi

romantic imagery to drive home the message of love.

The song equally goes to highlight the efficacy of strong worded appeals in a love situation.”

The last child of family of five who is an undergraduate student of Medicine and Surgery in Ukraine, Peruzzi recalled how music started for him.

“I can’t remember a time in my life where I wasn’t singing or making music; everyone in my family sings, including my Dad. It has always been about my music, writing songs, recording and producing,” he said.

Currently, he is signed to Dellis Music Entertainment and will also be dropping his debut video soon.

“The music video of Nagode, one of the new singles that was directed by the ace director, Mex, will be premiered on a couple of popular music channels on Saturday, March,” he informed.

cluded the first and second levels of screening for films that were entered for the 2014 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). As it stands, a total of 65 movies have crossed the hurdles to the third level of screening, which will start on March 2, 2014, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

According to hints from the Chairman of College of Screeners, Shaibu Hussein, the panel received a total number of 428 films from different parts of the world.

Some of the films received by the AMAA Secretariat in Lagos, came from Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa (which topped the list of submissions), Algeria, Togo, Gambia, Sudan, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Uganda, Congo, Zimbabwe, Chad, Cameroun, Liberia, Malawi, Togo, Benin Republic, Egypt, Morocco,

and from Diaspora like the US, UK, Venezuela, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Peru and the Netherlands. The secretariat also received films from Africans living abroad from such countries as China, US, United Kingdom and France.

Giving the breakdown of the entries Hussein, a film critic said the College received 24 animations, 174 short films, 20 Diaspora features, 10 Diaspora documentaries, 50 African documentaries and 180 feature films. He informed that 15 professionals drawn from the media, academics and the motion picture industry, selected the 65 films, after a rigorous 5 days camp at Ibis Hotel, Airport Road, Mafoluku, Lagos.

Meanwhile, the next screening camp will also have members from Ghana, Cameroun, Malawi, Kenya, DRC Congo, Benin Republic and Nigeria, who will camp for seven days in Yenagoa.

“The films that will go to the Jury will

be decided at the 3rd level of screening; about 35 films will go to the Jury. The Jury works begins after the College has given them the films they will work on to determine which film makes it to nominations for the different categories. After the nominations, the Jury will meet again to decide the final winners,’’ said Hussein.

Speaking generally on the quality of the films that came to AMAA for consideration, he noted that the members of the Second Level Screening Panel, in their communique issued after their camp, recorded a remarkable improvement in the quality of entries, cutting across the African continent and beyond. It also observed that there is need for improvement on content, storytelling and scripting; that about seventy-five percent of entries require proper interpretation by cast and crew; and that the quality of entries in the indigenous language category has improved.

Ishola Spices Hajj Operations With Music HOUGH he started playing general music as a schoolboy, Abdul Rasheed Omopariola Ishola’s participation in the Oyo State Festival of Art & Culture in 1979 changed his style of music.

“That was when late Bola Ige was still in government; I came second in the singing competition. So, when I left secondary, I decided to make my music Islamic for people to benefit from me.”

As a poet and musician, Akewi Adinni, as he’s fondly called, has always made effort to contribute to the growth and development of the Islamic religion. Through his songs, which are usually spiced with messages about Islam, the Osun State native has touched a lot of lives.

“From day one, I’ve been a Muslim; my parents are Muslim. However, it got to a stage when some of my relatives started leaving Islam. So, I was wondering if there’s something we are not doing right.

Because of that, did a research on Islam and got the knowledge and I decided to propagate it through my music to help other Muslims grow in faith.”

With three CDs to his credit, the poet recently released the third work, Irin Ajo Mimon (Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca), which is centered on Hajj Operations.

“At a point, I realised people’s problems concerning Hajj Operations; sometimes, people get the opportunity of going for Hajj, but they end up not performing it well due to lack of knowledge. So, decided to look for a way to put these things into a CD. Without even going to Hajj, listening to this CD alone, you should be able to know what is expected of you during the Hajj. For me, I’m glad that through my talent, which is music and poetry, I’ve been able to help Nigeria to perform the Hajj

T

well,” he enthused.

On the contents of the CD, Ishola informed, “it contains information about Hajj Operation from beginning to end; from the points you have to go, the prayers you have to say and the places you have to visit, every stage of Hajj Operation is covered in this CD. It took me almost a year to gather the information, but I thank Allah; it’s not an easy task.”

Thouhg the CD is useful for every Muslim, first time visitors to the Holy land will find it a great companion.

“This CD is useful for every Muslim, especially those preparing to go to Hajj; every Muslim must know about Hajj. If you have this CD, you don’t have problem with Hajj Operations. Most importantly, this work will be useful for people travelling for the first time; those who go every year will know about the procedures.”

Ishola, who is working on his new CD, said he’s open to partnership with individuals, groups and state governments.

“I spent a lot of money to produce this work because I believe it will be useful for every Islam. But I’m open for partnership with anybody on this; I would like to partner with Pilgrim Boards in the states to help Muslim perform Hajj properly,” he said.

Currently, Ishola is working on a new work, which focuses on indecent dressing and marriage in Islam.

“I actually motioned it in my first album, but I want to emphasise on it in my new work. Its on ground, I’m just looking for a sponsor.”

On why he chose the topic, he said, “if you look at the way people dress today, it is very disturbing. In fact, one Muslim Scholar noted in his music that, ‘with the

kind of dressing in the society, only God can accept the fasting of Muslim, ’ because of the kind of things we see around us. So, I decided to use my music to correct that behaviour,” he concluded.

Ishola

38

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Saturday, March 1, 2014

FASHION Ethnic chic

By Nike Sotade VER since our colourful E fabric hit the runways, it has continued to soar in popularity at local international fashion shows, coming in creative classic and modern styles.

And this is another year of the Ankara print.

Expect Ankara prints to come in various shapes, shades and textures as African designers go for a heady mix of printed inspiration.

However, be warned that wearing Ankara prints stylishly is no easy ride.

Like most perennial trends, there are rules that must be followed in styling, mixing and matching the ethnic print with other fabrics, accessories and embellisments.

Dress To Thrill

In Ankara Prints It Is Still The Fabric Of The Moment

Interestingly, Nigerian luxury brand- Ella & Gabby has a dreamy selection of Ankara printed pieces which, if worn properly, will raise your fashion status to no end.

If you tend to teeter on the edgy side, add more contrast and stand out in any of the selection here by Ella & Gabby most of which have been embellished with real crystals and beads to make them extra glamorous.

10 Contestants For Pearl Look 2014 Modeling Competition Today HE atmosphere at the contestant participating will win a trip to South in the competition will be Africa (all expenses paid).

T Oriental Hotel, Lekki would be electrified today trained and ready to face She will also get a work peras 10 aspiring runway models strut their stuff at the second edition of the Pearl Look Model Search.

The model search competition, which debuted in February last year, is being organized by Tokad International, a company that desires to groom a new generation of models in the country.

Pearl Look is an initiative borne out from a burning desire to give back to the society by empowering young ladies. It is a platform for young aspiring models to achieve their dreams.

This event has been set up in such a way that each

the challenge of the modelling industry.

The finalists have gone through intensive training on catwalk, style, poses, and all the multi-facets of the gruelling world of modelling. Today’s finale will see them strut the runway where the winner will emerge.

Ten other contestants will also jostle for the title of the Pearl Look Beauty Queen tonight, making it 20 contestants for two different competitions Two winners will emerge- the best runway model and Pearl Look beauty queen.

The best runway model

mit with Ice Models Management, and contracts worth more than N2.5million in one year and more prizes.

The Pearl Look beauty queen will go home with N1million and other prizes.

The event promises to be a night of comedy and lots of music with special guest appearance by Sulu of the BBA fame and the Chase will perform Ruby Ruby live on stage.

The maiden edition was won by Julia Otobo, who has moved to South Africa to realise her dreams of becoming a world-class model.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

39

FASHION

The Man Bags There are many stylish bag options for today’s men. Here are some to suit your professional lifestyle

By Nike Sotade VERY career profesE sional needs a reliable work bag- for his papers, electronics, wallet, your umbrella, glasses or even snacks.

It is all about stylish, professional and practical workbags.

And with the sales of men’s bags on the rise, these handy accessories won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Here are some of the best fashionable bags for men to lug around to work.

Briefcase A briefcase is the most popular of all work bags, and for a good reason, too. Its classic shape, sturdy build, and polished appearance are a sure-fire way to look the part.

Messenger Bag The messenger bag is the briefcase’s younger, cooler brother. It will hold just as many documents (and a laptop, too), but with a shoulder strap and some pretty stylish design options out there, it’s the go-to for today’s trendy work force.

Backpack The backpack is making a comeback, and how

could it not? It’s easy to throw over your shoulders, and if you were able to stuff 10 textbooks into one in college, you’ll definitely be able to get good use out of one now. Note: Do not use your college backpack.

The Tote Perhaps the most basic of all the bags, totes do just about everything you need them to. Your work papers, bagged lunch and umbrella will perfectly fit in. And even better, they’ll double as the perfect weekend bag.

Tech Bag If you don’t want to lug around a huge bag, or if you just aren’t ready to jump on the briefcase train, thankfully, there are tech cases made solely for your tablet, laptop, and smartphone or, if you’re a true techy, all three.

Duffel If you’re planning on hitting the gym after work, a duffel bag is the perfect option. But be careful, there is a definite line between casual and professional here, so please ditch your old, cumbersome bag and opt for a more refined version.

Africa Fashion Week Nigeria Debuts In May ITH preparations already in full W swing for the 4th edition of Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) on August 7-9, organisers of the annual event have announced that they will also be hosting the first Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) on May 17 and 18.

Established in 2011, AFWL was borne out of the urgent need to support young and emerging African inspired designers in the UK and globally providing them with a professional and affordable showcasing platform that enables them to create awareness, visibility and exposure for themselves, a platform that celebrates their own kind of fashion sense and themes.

The event is fast becoming the biggest African inspired fashion event in the UK, combining runway and fashion exhibition shows in three days of perfectly paced illuminating expos. AFWL as a platform has hosted the creations of over 200 African and African inspired designers from across the African continent and the Diaspora.

From the success of the AFWL and the influx of creativity from Nigerian From the runway of Africa Fashion weak London designers presented during the past editions, the organisers have decided been discovered, yet have a lot of creativity to to host the Africa Fashion Week in show the world.

Nigeria (AFWN) as there are still talAFWL has also launched the first Reality TV show ented young and emerging designfor designers in Nigeria, Nigeria’s Next Top ers who have not been privileged with the opportunity to showcase on Designer, a competition series.

A magnificent platform for emerging designers, an international platform. it is a talent-hunt show, aimed at bringing togethAFWN intends to provide the er various fashion designers from across the counopportunity of wide exposure to up and coming designers who have not try to showcase the richness of the Nigerian fash-

ion culture and fabrics.

Hundreds of young designers turned up from different states in Nigeria for the NNTD auditions, where they were narrowed down to 21 contestants who will be going into the NNTD house. The winner goes home with prizes including an all expense paid trip to showcase at AFWL 2014.

Created by Ronke Ademiluyi, AFWL aims to be the single, biggest African-inspired fashion event

in the UK. More information about AFWL and AFWN can be gathered on www.africafashionweeklondonweek.com AFWN is being hosted by in collaboration with Abiola Okoya of Mibod Global Resources in partnership with FADAN and Evelyn Okere of St Eve’s media and produced by Sola Oyebade of Mahogany productions.

40 saturday, March 1, 2014

tHe GUaRDiaN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FasHiON

Your Fashion Guide, Hot From Gidi Culture

By Kemi Amushan

Gidiculture festival teams up with Style HQ to bring you the ultimate festival fashion guide

F

estivals are tons of fun and can be quite adventurous. With temperatures peaking at a scorching 35oC during the Gidi Culture Festival, the style HQ have put together a little style Guide on what to wear. From the comfort conscious bohemian chic, the street style veteran and the front row fan, our festival style ambassadors thesohosister and taniaOmotayo play dress up to show which fashion guide matches your festival personality.

Saturday, March 1, 2014 41

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KEEP IT REAL...

YOUTHMAGAZINE

Compiled by Kemi Amushan

Happiness: Amushan Kemi

It’s From Within

HEY SAY “HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB” and that has been my motto for years now. You need to look for whatever makes you tick and happy and go right ahead and do it. I am not saying there wouldn’t be those moments that you will not feel down but all I am saying is to always stay positive at all times. For me, music is the only thing that gets my mind off everything negative. It has been like that for years and it keeps me going. And it also gives me ideas on how to find solutions to those problems.

Most times I just dance it off and most times, I lay in bed with a glass of brandy and coke just to ease off the tension while also listening to some good music. And before I know it, it is morning and I am all bright and shiny like a new day.

In fact, right now writing this for you I’m probably happier than I have been in a couple weeks. Why? Well, for key number one in our “3 Key List.”

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Remember, Happiness Comes From Satisfaction, Not Idleness.

Tell me something, have you ever met a “trust fund” kid? (That’s what they call them these days) You have probably seen these kids before. They are young and rich, because their parents or grandparents did something amazing of some sort. Have you ever noticed how many of these kids are addicts, assholes and generally entitled and miserable wastes of space? It’s not the money that ruined these kids (and they are truly ruined,) it’s the idleness.

So many parents (especially outside the country) seem to think that happiness comes from idleness. If you ask most of them what they would do if they won the Mega Millions and they would emphatically say “NOTHING.” But doing nothing (or spending your day doing things that mean nothing even if they take up a lot of time) is a great way to end up hollow and bitter and very, very sad. Trust me.

The fact is the happiest people in the world are not the ones with the most time on their hands, they are the ones who do something satisfying with their time and who see concrete results from the work they do.

For me, my personal happiness went through the moon as soon as I started writing love and life newsletters and it is for two reasons:

if you want to be happy, do not fantasize about nice cars, hunky guys, big houses and long formless days. Just try to give yourself 15 minutes a day where you work on something that satisfies you. Something that makes you feel like you are making some kind of mark (no matter how small) on the world.

2. Love More, Care Less We live in a world of constant connection where every bad thing in the world is delivered to our eyeballs in hyped up and obnoxious stereo. We hear about every death, every shooting, every car crash, every environmental disaster, every scam. And under that crush of misery and anger our synapses and adrenal systems go haywire, our brains get flooded with chemicals and all we want to do is stuff our heads under the pillow and wait for it all to be over. So here’s what I want you to do: Stop caring. Not about everything, but about most things.

The fact is that you personally cannot have any impact at all on 99.9999% of the world’s problems. You simply do not have the time or the bandwidth to fix the environment and excel at your job and be the perfect husband or wife and raise incredible kids and also keep up with the Kardashians. Lool. So stop trying.

Absolutely stop caring (and stop paying attention) to 99.99% of everything you read about now and just pick 3 things that you’re passionate about. For me it is my music, my column and my man.That’s it. I just do not have the bandwidth for more.

And finally the hardest part is: 3. Be Grateful For Your Tragedies, They Make You Who You Are.

I was reading a magazine I picked up the other day and found this great quote from someone: “A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships.”

Damn that is just beautiful.

We all have tragedies. We all have horrible things that have happened in our lives that have melted our resolve, brutalized our hearts and made us want to give up. For me, getting my heart broken into pieces sometime back and many others I would not want to bore you with. And believe me, it sucked. And I wouldn’t wish any of this on 1. I get incredible satisfaction out of helping anybody. But I’m grateful for it too. I’m grateful for the emotional roller ladies like myself who are going coaster because when a through one pain or hurt or friend is going through a the other. loss I know exactly how 2. I get to help my colto hold on to them as legues who follow they sob and moan my newsletters grab and let it out. I am on to things they grateful for the body never would have had ailments I have gone otherwise. through because it makes me appreciate Now, not everybody natevery healthy (or urally likes talking about close to healthy) day. relationships or help We all go through solving most issues. crap. All of us.

But I had to look for Yours is worse something that than some and a would catch people’s lot better than othattention and on ers. You can either the other hand live life as a victim give me the satisor you can pick up faction that I am your chin, be gratelooking for. So if ful, help others and you have a job survive. you hate but need to keep to pay the bills I totally understand (I totally was bored to bits before I started writing about relationships). But

So that’s that for today. To our happiness, Good luck, Cheers.

JISTS/JIVES/JOKES Pastor’s Crazy Prayer Akpos’ pastor added him on facebook and he innocently accepted. Two minutes later his message came in: 1. Thank God for a brown new day!

Pastor: How are you?

Akpos: I’m fine, my daddy.

2. My god is upsome!

Pastor: May the building of heavenly favour col3. Why are people so weekend? lapse on your head 4. Not all dat glitters are goats!

Akpos: (no reply) Pastor: May the thunder of Blessing strike you 5. Majority carries the volt and your family.

6. May your name be highly exhausted!

Akpos: (no reply) Pastor: May God slash you with the axe of life 7. My waste is paining me!

Akpos: (no reply) 8. Thank God for spearing my life Pastor: May God stab you with the knife of rich9. What is strong with you? es 10. Lord! You are the killer dat holds my life! Akpos: (no reply) Pastor: May you be sentenced to life imprison11. Pls, how much is ur age? ment in the eternal jail of success Akpos: (no reply) 12. Look to the window, the principal just Pastor: May the World Trade Centre of happipassed away ness collapse on you and your family 13. I am not priding, pls Akpos (no reply) Pastor: Are you there?

14. Lord let ur wheel be done…

Akpos: Yes, my daddy Pastor: You should be saying amen to claim the Apkos Valentine Day’s Dream blessings.

Akpos: Okay, may the over-speeding trailer of After she woke up, Akpos’ wife him: “Honey, I blessings jam and crush you and your family. just dreamt you gave me a diamond necklace May the earthquake of happiness swallow you for Valentine’s Day. What do you think it and your family members. May the sea of mirameans?” cles drown you and your family members in Akpos: “You’ll know tonight.”

Jesus’ name.

That evening, Akpos came home with a small Pastor: (no reply) package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she Akpos: You should be saying ‘Amen’ to claim opened it, only to find a book entitled “The these prayers Meaning of Dreams.”

Pastor: May thunder fire you! Idiot!

Ibadan babes don come again

Professor Akpos Medical Class First year medical students were attending their first anatomy class. They had all gathered around the table with a real dead body.

Akpos, the professor started the class by telling them two important qualities of a doctor. “The first is never be ‘Disgusted’ about anything in the body for example, he inserted his finger in the dead body’s anus and put the finger in his own mouth and tasted it. He told the students to do what he did.

The students hesitated for several minutes, but eventually everyone inserted their fingers into the body’s anus and tasted it. When everyone has finished tasting their fingers, they were all frowning… Then Professor Akpos looked at them and said: The most important and second quality is ‘Observation’. I inserted my middle finger but tasted the second finger….Now learn to pay attention!

All the students went crazy!

CARTOON SERIES

Armed Robbery at Akpos’ House “THERE was a robbery at Akpos’ neighbour’s house and he called 199 Next thing he heard was: ‘Welcome to Nigeria Police Emergency Centre, for English press 1, for Igbo press 2, for Yoruba press 3, for Hausa press 4.

Akpos pressed 1, and another voice came. For car accident press 1, for armed robbery press 2, for Boko Haram please hang up… He pressed 2, and another voice came up… If they’re with knives press 1, pistols press 2, AK47 press 3, machine guns press 4, bombs press 5, all of the above press 6…

Akpos checked and saw that the armed robbers were with all of them, so he pressed 6… then a voice came up saying… “Hmmmm…!

My friend, if your brother is a policeman, will you let him go?”

Courtesy of www.funnyakposjokes.com

42

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

Bridal bouquet

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

Gloriosa superba species

Gloriosa lily in pink floral arrangement with roses, protea, and baby tears.

GARDENING

Gloriosa cultivar with white and green flowers

Tropical Exotics: Gloriosa ‘Flame’ Lily various preparations in traditional medicines for various complaints in both Africa and India, so it is cultivated on farms in India, but most plant materials sold into the pharmaceutical trade comes from wild populations.

This is one reason for its decline in parts of its native range.

In Sri Lanka, it has become rare and thought to be nearing extinction, in Orissa due to excessive uprooting by the herbal medicine producers.

On the other hand, it has been introduced outside its native range and has become weed, which may be invasive in some countries, such as Australia, Singapore, Kiribati, Cook Islands and French Polynesia.

Vibrant Vertical Interest HETHER your gardening space is limited or you are just determined to make the most of every available space, planting varieties that grow upwards is smart. And for the beautifully exotic, gloriosa or flame lilies are among the best.

Growing to a height of about three metres (about 6ft), these lightweight vines are excellent choices for growing in large containers as spectacular feature plants climbing up an obelisk, or through a trellis or weaving through open fences and borders.

Give them full sun and a little weak fertiliser and they will provide just the kind of gardening adventure that is universally enjoyed.

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Description LORIOSA are perennial herbs that climb or scramble over other plants with the aid of tendrils at the tip of their leaves and can reach three metres height.

They have showy flowers in dark red or orange. The perianth segments rise and develop yellow edges to perfection and then they reflex downwards once again.

While the edge of the flower is yellow and dark red in the median portion, the bases are sometimes yellow. The margins may be quite wavy. The six stamens also are long, up to four centimetres, each bear a large anther at the tip that drops large amounts of yellow pollen.

The style may be more than six centimetres long and one flower may weigh over 2.5 grammes. The fruit is a fleshy capsule up to between six and 12 centimetres long containing red seeds.

They have glamorous flowers, many with distinctive and pronouncedly reflexed petals, like a Turk’s cap lily, ranging in colour from a greenish-yellow through yellow, orange, red and sometimes a deep pinkish red.

Gloriosa is a genius of 10 species (ignoring the hybrids, varieties and cultivars) in the plant family, Colchicaceae.

It is native to much of Africa and temperate and tropical Asia (where it occurs in China, Indochina and from Indian sub-continent to lesser Sunda Islands).

It is widely naturalised (including in Europe Australia and the United States and the Pacific).

It is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant for its stunning flowers.

It is the national flower of Zimbabwe (where it is protected from illegal harvesting under the Parks and Wildlife Act).

The common names of Gloriosa include ‘flame lily,’ creeping lily, fire lily, gloriosa lily, tiger claw, glory lily.

It grows in many types of habitat, including tropical jungles, forests, thickets, woodlands, grasslands and sand dunes.

It can also grow in nutrient poor soils and can be found as high as 2,500 meters elevation.

In general, this plant is common in the wild, where it is likely pollinated by butterflies and sunbirds.

Cultivars of this popular garden plant may vary from the wild-type characteristics to the cultivars ‘Lutea,’ which has allyellow sepals, ‘Citrinia,’ that has yellow with red markings, and ‘Nana,’ a dwarf.

Whitish forms are known as well.

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Conservation And Invasion S already mentioned, the plant is common in the wild. It is in great demand for

A

Gloriosa superba rothschildiana in spectacular floral arrangement.

Gloriosa superba var.

Cultivation PROPAGATION generally occurs sexually from seeds, or vegetatively from mature plants that can be divided and grown from the rhizome.

Human Uses LORIOSA lily is a popular herb and medicine. It has a wide variety of uses, especially within traditional medicine, as practiced in tropical Africa and Asia (including Ayurvedic medicine in India).

It contains the alkaloid colchicines, which has been used effectively to treat acute gout, intestinal worms, infertility, bruises and sprains, pimples and other skin problem, as an antidote for snake bite, as laxatives and to induce abortion.

It has proven useful in the treatment of chronic ulcers, arthritis, cholera, colic, kidney problems and typhus and also used as arrow poison in Nigeria.

Colchine is widely used as an experimental tool in the study of cell division, as it can inhibit mitosis (a type of cell division), induce polyploidy (cells containing more than two sets of chromosomes) and has been used in the treatment of cancer.

Gloriosa is widely cultivated as an ornamental in gardens.

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Gloriosa pink hybrid Gloriosa vines, fast scrambler,flowering all over a tree

Toxicity LL parts of the plant, especially the tubers (swollen underground stems), are extremely poisonous and toxic enough to cause human and animal death and other fatalities.

It has been used to commit murder, suicide, to induce abortions and to poison people and animals, especially cats, dogs, horses and livestock.

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Gloriosa yellow flower with characteristic prominent stamens

Gloriosa lily bouquet floral design

Gloriosa growing in the wild

Yellow gloriosa flower

Symbolism OME cultures consider this plant to be magical. The flowers are part of religious rituals.

It is the state flower of Tamil Nadu and Tamil Eelan in India, and as such is displayed during their festival of Maaveerar Day. A diamond was given to Queen Elizabeth II of England on a visit in 1947 for her 21st birthday when she was still the Crown Princess and Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia, later Rhodesia).

There is a postal stamp issued by the Postal Department of India.

The generic name Gloriosa means ‘full of glory’ and the specific epithet ‘superba’ means ‘superb’ alluding to the striking flowers which are a pleasure to cultivate as an ornamental.

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Saturday, March 1, 2014 43

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FOOD&DRINKS

Sweet Corn And Pepper Salad (Excellent Food For The Intestine And Liver)

By Chinelo Nwagbo are some of the most easily and SrawALADS quickly prepared dishes involving use of or cooked vegetables. Whether you are a trained cook or have a little knowledge of cooking, you will find it easy to prepare a great salad. Sweet corn and pepper salad is one of simplest salads that can be prepared within some minutes.

It is a healthy, nutritious recipe that is based on sweet corn and vegetable. This dish is one of the healthy foods that is designed to maintain a healthy intestine.

From a nutritional stand point, you cannot beat corn salad and pepper salad as a low calorie food because it is an excellent source of potassium, thiamin (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), folate, dietary fibre, phosphorus, manganese, fibre, beta carotene (vitamins A), vitamin C and E. These vitamins are powerful antioxidant vitamins that help prevent free radicals that cause clogged arteries (arteriosclerosis), heart disease, cataracts, blood vessel damage, inflammatory diseases, arthritis, asthma, and even cancer.

Vitamin C plays a big role in the formation of collagen, which is important for the growth and repair of body tissue cells, gums, blood vessels, bones, and teeth. It helps to keep the

skin young and supple. Vitamin E also slows the aging process, maintains positive cholesterol ratios, protects lungs from pollution, prevents various forms of cancer, and alleviates fatigue.

Consuming sweet corn and pepper salad helps to promote intestinal transit and frequent evacuation of the bowel due its high fibre content. Regular consumption of this dish is essential to keep the intestine healthy and prevent many health problems. Take this nutritious dish today and enjoy all its health benefits.

Recommendation Sweet corn and pepper salad is highly recommended to those that want to maintain a healthy intestine and prevent some nutrition related diseases.

Ingredients Get A Royal Treat At Leila’s Place Quantities Sweet corn kernels cooked Or canned sweet corn 400g Onion 1 small bulb Red pepper (tatashe) 1 medium size Green pepper 1 small size

Vegetable oil 2 table spoons Wine vinegar 1 table spoon Tomato ketchup 1 table spoon Green vegetable (optinal) Method of preparation Peel and dice the onion.

Wash, de-seed and dice the peppers.

Drain sweet corn kernels or cool if cooked.

Pour oil into a mixture bowl.

Add vinegar, ketchup, salt, pepper, and mix well.

Add onion, peppers, green vegetable, sweet corn and fold the mixture together.

Leave for one hour before serving it chilled.

Get A Royal Treat At Leila’s Place

By Ibukunoluwa Kayode T Leila’s Place, it was an A evening of romance for both couples and singles on Valentine’s Day. Located on Okeho Street, Ire-Akari Estate Isolo, Lagos, Leila’s is one of the best relaxation bars after a busy day at work because of its beautiful ambience.

Leila’s Place is a stylish upper class bar lounge built to cater for over 100 people.

The interior is aesthetically rich with furniture, paintings and well-structured walls that blend well in colour and texture to present a very classy, opulent

feel. And what’s more, it has a roof top section.

At Leila’s, you get served by well-trained waiters and waitresses who are always on standby to give the royal attention you deserve. Whatever your preference – from red, white to pink wines – you will get served with your choice brand in a very cautious manner.

The bar is loaded with different kinds of grape wines such as Cabernets Sauvignon, Chardonnays, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, brandies and gins. But it is not only alcoholic drinks that are served.

Soft drinks and cocktail varieties for those who do not

enjoy the taste of alcohol, are available.

This is a bar lounge where the value you experience outstrips the charges you pay for. With little budget, you get an impressive treat.

Managing Director of the place, Mrs. Rosalyn Shaibu says: “At Leila’s, our hospitality is not only limited to bar tending. We also manage corporate and individual events like annual general meetings, weddings and all.

“Also, we run a gym in order to give our customers a healthy lifestyle alongside sauna sessions to get a wellbalanced hospitality from our lounge.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

44 Saturday, March 1, 2014

HOME&DECOR Comfort With Lounge Chairs

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya HEN the blazing sun marks the day and human body perspires because W the temperature is high, then it is time to begin to think about what to do to keep people in the home comfortable.

This is where home or apartment owners who have devoted some space for gardening will have no regrets in the real worth of their time and energy devoted to installing nature around them. To enjoy some comfort whether indoors or outdoors requires making some plans to get the things that go with managing hot season atmosphere.

The outdoors is a natural draw especially after being cooped up in an office for the best part of the day. Getting a lounge chair can set the tone for a comfortable time in the home environment whether it is in the garden or even on the balcony. The lounge chair is furniture that allows for full stretching out which other seats may not permit. So, even for old parents at homes, a lounger is useful in letting them have a treat of fresh air at the balcony and outdoors by making room for reclining.

There is a wide range of lounge chairs to suit every need and match unique tastes, decor needs or style choices. They come in different designs and materials. Among these are wrought iron loungers that showcase good engineering and aesthetics. The seating area of the steel structure is covered with foam for comfort and pleasure.

Hardwood lounge chair is another option for a season in the sun.

Some have cushion as well for comfort. Some can be adjusted to various heights or even folded for compact storage. Some others are made of leather.

Children’s Room Decorating LANNING children’s room P requires taking care to get the best that will blend with their fantasy and at the same time observe safety measures.

The difference between an adult and child’s room lies in the more rapid changing ideas of kids and therefore the need for flexibility in their own space. As a result, children’s room decor needs to be less expensive and easy to change.

Note that children need separate areas for sleeping, playing and studying. They need more elbow space compared with adults. In similar manner, very small ones need a lot of floor space to spread out while playing.

A typical children’s room needs a bed, study table and storage furniture. It is a good to invest on timeless furniture to make them to be in use for some time without feeling that they fit into changing ideas of kids.

However, some décor ideas will bring out the best in their space without spending much.

Pre-schoolers and toddlers love

primary colours. The bright and complex colours engage their attention for a long time. Painting is a way to decorate their room. But because their taste changes very fast, painting the wall of their room in primary colours may not be a good decision.

Instead make large murals on poster boards and them hang on the wall.

Saturday, March 1, 2014 45

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TRAVEL&TOURISM

One Of The Tourist Destinations In Philipines

10 Places To Visit While They Are Still Cheap HERE are countries with T rich tourism value but are affordable to visit. These destinations may not be so affordable in the years to come.

Here are few of those places Philippines Bargain hunters, outdoorsy types, and the food obsessed should look to the Philippines. The country’s combination of cosmopolitan affordability and splendid nature make it a destination that offers a lot for the money.

Lonely Planet recently named it one of the top value destinations for 2014, and according to CIO Wealth Management Research’s Prices and Earnings report, Manila has some of the cheapest shopping and upscale dining in the world. For example, a couple can buy a new wardrobe there for about $410 — seven times less than what you’d pay for similar items in Tokyo. And the average cost of a three-course meal in a good restaurant is a mere $18, compared to about $95 in Geneva or Oslo (two of the cities featured in our recent story on the world’s most overpriced destinations).

If you’re concerned about whether a visit to the Philippines is appropriate so soon after Typhoon Haiyan, know that the country considers tourism to be an important part of its recovery. Large portions of the country — and the majority of popular vacation destinations — were undamaged.

Greece Like an ancient epic adapted for modern life, after years of strife, Greece is once again on a quest. The economic crisis that racked the country also dampened tourism — a serious blow to a destination that depends so heavily on holiday seekers. Now, Greece hopes to be the place that launches a thousand ships, airplanes, and trains, all carrying visi-

tors back to its ancient ruins and famed beaches. Beguiling budget travelers with a siren song of lower prices and smaller crowds, Greece’s only real question is: Are you listening?

Dominican Republic Can you afford azure waters and silky white-sand beaches?

In the Dominican Republic, you can. While the Caribbean isn’t known for its affordability (we recently wrote an entire story on the region’s most expensive islands), the Dominican Republic remains — at least for now — a bastion of value in a sea of high prices.

With service from low-cost carriers including AirTran, Frontier, and JetBlue, and airand-hotel vacation packages from not only a slew of airlines but also discount providers like CheapCaribbean.com, the Dominican Republic seems to have an endless supply of affordable options. Prefer to head off the beaten path once you arrive? The Guardian recently rounded up 10 great budget beach hotels in the Dominican Republic.

Mexico City, Mexico Two key aspects score Mexico City a spot on this list: You can generally find very affordable flights from the U.S., and once you’re there, you can enjoy luxury for a whole lot less than in other major cities. And

while that makes it a slightly different style of “cheap,” it’s certainly one worth embracing, particularly if you’re focusing more on maximizing value than on paying as little as possible. According to the Prices and Earnings report, Mexico City is one of the cheapest places in the world to stay in a five-star hotel: The average rate is $210 per night.

Compare that to $730, the average rate at a luxury hotel in New York City, and upscale Mexico City starts to seem dazzlingly within reach.

Lisbon, Portugal Lisbon is as easy on the eyes as it is on the budget.

Stretched across a series of hills, the city is a captivating combination of friendly locals, picturesque winding streets, and affordable pursuits. How affordable? According to the Prices and Earnings report, Lisbon’s mid-range hotels are the cheapest among the 72 cities surveyed, with an average rate of $80 per night — a whopping 50 percent lower than the global average. And Lisbon is also home to not one but two of the properties we featured in last year’s 10 Hostels Too Upscale to Believe.

Bucharest, Romania Still harboring the scars of more than two decades under the Communist rule of Nicolae Ceausescu, Bucharest’s

melancholic edge is offset by its metropolitan verve. And while more and more visitors are discovering the unique appeal of the city once known as “Little Paris,” it’s still a very affordable destination and a great place to go upscale for less. In fact, its luxury accommodations have an average rate of $190 per night, making Bucharest among the cheapest cities in the world to stay at a five-star hotel. And according to the Prices and Earnings report, Bucharest is the least expensive city for a weekend getaway that includes accommodations, a meal with wine, taxi and public transport, a car rental, and extras: The average cost of $370 is a mere fraction of the cost of a similar holiday in Paris, estimated at $1,100.

India If you can absorb the higher price of airfare to get all the way to India, you’ll be rewarded by a favorable exchange rate, inexpensive accommodations, an abundance of free attractions, and wildly affordable dining and shopping. Both Frommer’s and Lonely Planet named India a top destination for budget travel this year, and the Prices and Earnings report put Delhi and Mumbai at the forefront of the world’s most affordable major cities. This is especially true when you start

looking at the prices of goods, services, and food. However, keep in mind that violence against women has become a high-profile issue, so while a trip to India can be incredibly rich and memorable, travelers should factor safety into their plans.

Sofia, Bulgaria Mid-range and budget travelers rejoice: Sofia is still a bona fide affordable destination.

Bulgaria’s capital has the cheapest mid-range hotels among the 72 world cities surveyed in the Prices and Earnings report: At around $80 per night, they are 50 percent less expensive than the global average. The city also scored the number one spot on Price of Travel’s annual Europe 3-Star Traveler Index, with an average daily cost of about $49 for accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities. It’s not just Sofia, either; Lonely Planet recently recognized all of Bulgaria as a great deal.

Nicaragua Every few years, a new Central American country gets crowned “the next Costa Rica” — meaning it’s relatively safe and bursting with natural beauty, but it’s not yet expensive and overrun with tourists.

This year, Nicaragua is working hard to earn the title. Volcanoes, rainforests, rivers, and Caribbean beaches lure travel-

ers looking for off-the-beatenpath adventure on the cheap.

But as the term “the next Costa Rica” implies, if Nicaragua becomes more popular in the years to come, it will likely become more expensive as well.

Until then, expect to be able to spend as little as $20 per day, or live the high life for not a whole lots more. Note that many see the recent constitutional amendment that removes term limits on the presidency as a potential threat to democracy, but it seems unlikely that there will be any immediate effect on travelers.

Riga, Latvia Riga remains affordable in part because it’s still relatively undiscovered. But that may be about to change as Riga takes its place on the world stage as a 2014 European Capital of Culture. For now, though, travelers can still stay, play, and eat on the cheap. In fact, Riga scored a spot in the top 10 on both Price of Travel’s Europe 3Star Traveler Index (with an average daily cost of about $74 for accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities) and its Europe Backpacker Index (with an average daily cost of about $33).

Source: Huff Post Travel (Christine Sarkis)

Medical Tourism: Why Jonathan Opens Nigeria-Turkish Hospital Ajibola Amzat RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has on Thursday commissioned the Nigeria-Turkish Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja, saying the establishment of the new hospital would boost the inward flow of medical tourism and enhanced foreign exchange earnings.

At Present, many Nigerians prefer to go abroad for medical care as the National President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Godswill Okara recently observed.

According to him, about N150 billion is spent annually on medical tourism because Nigerians have lost

confidence in the health sector of the country.

But President Jonathan has said the state-of-the-art medical diagnostic equipment available at the new hospital would encourage more Nigerians to seek healthcare service at home.

He added that Nigeria has also signed a country-tocompany investment mem-

orandum of understanding, with General Electric (GE) in order to further stimulate investment in the health sector.

“Under this platform, a number of world-class diagnostic and treatment facilities are currently being developed in Abuja, Lagos and other locations across our country.”

He said the growing investment in the sector would expand job creation and training opportunities for Nigerians.

“If our citizens are not healthy, then the efforts and resources we have expended in transforming our country will be in futility. Therefore, investment of this nature deserves to be encouraged.”

TheGuardian

46 | Saturday, March 1, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture Okoye’s The Fourth World Plumbs Privations In Urban Ghettos

By Anote Ajeluorou ASANGA Avenue. Chiralum. This pair forms K the vicious world of grinding poverty that Commonwealth Prize winning novelist Ifeoma Okoye forces down the consciousness of her readers. And for good reasons, too.

Too often those who have managed to escape that grotesque world forget too soon. For those who haven’t even walked that path, it might as well be mere fiction. But Okoye balances out the equation somewhat in this harrowing novel The Fourth World (The Rising People’s Press, Enugu; 2013) set in a typical slum in a third world country. The slum is the universal ‘fourth world’ in which Okoye’s imagination ranges.

Even the title is symbolic of her focus. The third world refers to the poorest countries of the world located in Africa, South America and parts of Asia.

Now, with these countries, Okoye has located a grimmer fourth world, whose unrelenting poverty on its inhabitants leaves you reeling in its viciousness. In this Okoye is a mistress of graphic portrayal of grim reality lived out by a majority of citizens for whom there is no redemption from the poverty they are mired in by wrong social-economic systems erected to keep them down forever.

In The Fourth World, Enugu’s Kasanga Avenue is another name for grinding poverty. It’s the name for urban slums where life’s prospects are small and opportunities are too slim for its inhabitants, especially the restless young, who want to escape from it for a better life elsewhere. It’s the abode for the unskilled, uneducated workers, a place for those without any means of advancing themselves in the social ladder. It’s the home of the wretched of the earth.

Chiralum, or Chira for short, is one of the bright girls living on Kasanga Avenue. Her father, Akalaka, though poor, believes in her daughter and wants her to go far in life, farther than his limited horizon allows him. In spite of his abject poverty, as a precarious labourer for hire, he starves himself and his wife just to see that Chira gets good education, as the only ticket to the bet-

ter life his ill fate cannot fetch him. With the little he has, Akalaka sends his daughter to the prestigious Federal Girls’ Secondary School, Owerri.

On his hospital sick bed and unable to buy medicines required to treat him, Akalaka tells his only daughter the sum total of his hard, fruitless life and his ambition for her, “My life has been a struggle. I don’t want you to go down the same path, my daughter… I have five portions of land in Umuba… My plan is to sell outright one of the remaining three portions to raise money for you to finish at FGSS next year. What is left I will use to start you off at university”.

Unfortunately, Akalaka dies within a few hours after making this crucial provision for her daughter’s future. With the death of Akalaka, Chira is unable to continue her education. Her uncle denies her access to her father’s lands; she drops out of school a year before she finishes. If life has been hard before her father’s death, Chira finds things far worse after. She doesn’t just drop out of school, she and her mother are unable to fend for themselves. Akalaka’s death drains her mother of her vitality and she gradually succumbs to hypertension.

Having dropped out of school, Chira has no other option but to look for a job. But jobs, as in other places and Enugu, are hard to come by. She tramps the streets endlessly. Her friend, Ogom, is from an affluent home, whom she met at FGSS. Ogom is the lightheaded type and so Chira helps her out. In return, Chira gets help from Ogom to supplement her lean purse, as she does not get enough from home.

Not even the prospect of marrying Maks, a rich man, to rescue Chira and her mother from the grip of poverty changes anything.

Maks is as mean as they come; his chauvinism is such that denies women any form of personal development. He is uneducated and so does not see any need for his wife to go to university, as Chira aspires. But Chira is

Images from Etisalat Prize for Literature event at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos

The three judges for Etisalat Prize for Literature – Kenyan Billy Kahora; chair of judges and South African Dr. Pumla Gqola and Nigeria-British Sarah Ladipo at the event

Veteran actor, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett and other dignitaries having a nice time at the event

a of proud female stock, who believes in personal development; she has her teacher back at FGSS, Miss K to thank for her independence of mind that Maks seeks to deny her. In spite of her poverty, Chira sticks to her guns. Unlike her friend, Ogom, she will not marry any man just to escape poverty. Marriage, according to her, should be made of more than a man’s dubious riches.

Her friend, who precipitously rushes into marriage to escape school, finds to her horror in the United States the other side of life; her man, Chikeson is married to an arranged American wife, who threatens to report Chikeson to the authorities if he ditches her. Ogom is stranded on arriving Washington but for a fellow woman, who had her own dark past with her man, and who eventually rehabilitates Ogom.

In spite of her mother’s pressure, Chira refuses to marry Maks for his overbearing nature. But Chira is a determined young woman, made even more astute by the poverty that is threatening to annihilate her and her mother. She finds redemption in Dr. Agali, who believes in her and offers her a job in a computer place.

Chira would have to be taught first before she can perform her duties. Dr. Agali is Chira’s Godsent.

It’s also through Dr. Agali that Chira eventually finds a ray of hope for a future she has dreamt so much about. It comes at the crucial moment of her mother’s death.

Okoye’s The Fourth World is a searing indictment of the world’s warped socio-economic arrangement that leaves the world’s vast population in abject want and without any means of improving themselves. Kasanga Avenue in Enugu is the Ajegunle slum in Lagos and several other such ghettos and shanties the world over, where the inhabitants are at the mercy of an unfair economic order that they cannot understand or overcome.

As the author notes, “The residents of Kasanga Avenue came from different parts of the country. They were no longer divided by their different languages. They were no longer divided by their different religions. They were no longer divided by their different ethnic origins. They had learnt from experience - sad and enduring experience – that their enemies were not one another; their real enemies are unemployment, meager earnings, hunger, disease, an unhealthy environment and poor housing.

They had learnt that their survival depended on their solidarity and so they had fused into one indivisible community”.

Hunger, diseases and untimely death from natural calamities are some of the daily routines, as people watch their lives wasting away before their own eyes. Two children of Chira’s next-door neighbor are knocked down by hit and run vehicle, when they went hawking banana to supplement their mother’s meager earning; the only son of another woman is swept away in floodwater. Life is hard, short and brutish on Kasanga Avenue, as in all such communities.

For Okoye, however, it’s Chira’s indomitable

spirit that calls for celebration. Her ambition to go farther in life is all-consuming; it’s what matters and the driving purpose of her life.

But her challenges are enormous – hunger dodges her heels like fate. In all her travails, Dr. Agali and Mirror Head and Jude, the patent medicine dealer on Kasanga Avenue, are her signposts that a better future is possible. They embody the hope that she carries in her heart.

One other salient point in Okoye’s narrative The Fourth World is the use of proverbs. While legendary Chinua Achebe pioneered the use of proverbs, as forceful narrative ingredients, Okoye takes the art to certain level of philosophical aplomb. Akalaka uses proverbs deftly to situate his luckless life; his daughter, Chira, usually recalls her father’s proverbs, using the wry humour in them to explain the complex and difficult world of poverty she finds herself mired.

Okoye’s simple narrative structure is alluring and makes The Fourth World accessible to all levels of readers. However, her use of the past participle ‘had’ is too frequent and sometimes drags down the narrative. For instance, ‘had’ in this sentence is avoidable: “Chira remembered the situation that had made her father quote this proverb to her mother”, but perfect in the part of the next sentence, “He had been talking about their landlord…”

This minor infraction, however, does not affect the down-to-earth narrative Okoye has given her readers. This novel is highly recommended for all levels of political leadership, these denizens, who pretend to rule the rest of us so they know the many bright dreams

Holy city

By Balogun Abraham Adebayo Trembling floors and the tambourine flaws making an empty noise..

Hailing these shy stars in the back of these ailing grey roofs.

Pride of the royal gate firmly rooted When all riches of the flesh is all looted What remains is all remains! listen, these skies must not fall on us until we are ready for the holy City.

Because in a fortnight a thief might come Because in a fortnight the grieved might run. blinding lights to aid the invisible paths camouflage.

Many would be lost finding the golden key.

Dreaded it would be in the market place when it’s only me.

Forget not your shoes when you leave these sandy homes..

Scores of whores by the shores lured us to bath in their filthy pools For years, we posed not a threat we fifty fools!.

Twenty four by twenty four we shall line pushing and shoving won’t help.

Stay on your judgmental queues!.

For when the owner of the morning takes it...

In our palms is nothing to live in!

In our mouth would be nothing to pray for.

Under these feet would be nothing to walk on.

For now work on you strong armed and weak hearted Paint on, you week ‘arted’.

For the end of seven days draws near A coven of saints and cribs of stillborn Inside these graves the restless still turn Still waiting for the day he really dies Make a thought of twice before your very eyes in these short time.

I see the bull, lion and eagle resurrecting from their forgotten carcasses Aggressive, even more they shall be when they form part of the formidable chariots.

Get ready for the last voyage, for few are going to the new city!

Saturday, March 1, 2014 47

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESSINTERVIEW With the ban on importation of fish by the Federal Government, DEBO OLADIMEJI spoke to Alhaji Riliwan Adebisi Ajimagbo, a successful fish farmer in Enilolobo via Oke-Aro, Ogun State on what the government can do to help fish farmers to grow their businesses.

VEN before the ban on importation of fish E by the Federal Government, Alhaji Riliwan Adebisi Ajimagbo, 70, the CEO of Riliaas Nigeria Limited, has been a hardworking fish farmers.

After he started the business in February 2008, he could only hatch just over 400 fishes in a day, but today, he can hatch 10,000 fishes in a day.

He disclosed that he started with 2,200 fishes in 2008. “I bought them before I started hatching on my own. I had to go from pillar to post to learn the ropes of my business. I went to the Ministry of Agriculture, Lagos State and other places to learn about the business. I was going around to get new ideas. I later combined those ideas to be a successful fish farmer,” he said.

He beats his chest to say that he has mastered the business of fish farming and even in bad weather, he doesn’t have problem with hatching fishes.

“I can now hatch 10, 000 fishes just from a female and a male fish. Weather used to affect us, but even in bad weather, I will hatch not less than 1,000 fishes,” he said.

He is proud to say that the elite such as medical doctors and engineers now learn fish farming from him.

His clients have been regular since 2008.

“Some can buy 2,000, 1,000 fishes at once.

Once it is after eight weeks, they usually call to find out whether our fishes have reached juvenile stage. I don’t sell fingerlings but juvenile fishes that are eight to nine weeks old.

All the people buying juvenile from me have no regrets.”

People who are buying juvenile from him know that every two months, he will get new ones for sales. “As for table size, we used to sell from N440 per kilo to middlemen. I can sell matured table-size fishes like five times in a year. I can stock at a go about 4,000 fishes in my farm. I stock according to the space I have,” he said.

Ajimagbo admitted that there are challenges in the industry, which he has always been coping with. “I used to borrow money when I started in February 2008, to buy feed for my fish. Now I don’t borrow money again even though the components we are using to feed the fish are too expensive”.

When he started in 2008, he used to buy fish meal at N150 per kilo, but now it is N500 per kilo. As for maize, he used to buy N28 per kilo but it is now N90 per kilo.

Like a lot of businessmen, he depends a lot on generators because electricity is still a problem. “I always wake up in the night once there is electricity supply in our area, to change the water of my pond. The government should support fish farmers because the challenges we are facing are too many”.

Ajimagbo opined that fish farmers also need a stable market for their fishes and regretted that middlemen cheat fish farmers.

“Unfortunately, government is yet to come to our aid,” he said.

He recalled that there was a time that he attended a seminar at Oko-Oba in Lagos. “At that seminar, the government said that they were going to help fish farmers. They were going to buy generators for those with earthen ponds and build roads for them. Since then, we have not seen any improvement.”

He noted that there was a time that a first generation bank did a programme on farmers. “I went there to the Fagba branch, Lagos State of the bank. The Bank Manager said I should bring my collateral like shares’ certificates. I was only asking for N300,000 then.”

The bank declined to give him the loan, saying that he must produce collateral before the loan will be made available to him. “They did not give me the money because I cannot use the house I built more than 20 years ago to stand for a loan of N300, 000,” he said.

Ajimagbo lamented that the people that are benefiting from the government loans are pen farmers. “The loans are not getting to the real farmers. The people that are benefiting from the government loans, as we read in the newspapers, are pen farmers, “he reiterated.

‘Only ‘Pen’ Farmers Are Benefitting From Govt Loans’

Ajimagbo at work

He is ready to collect loan to expand his farm provided the bank will use his farm as collateral.

Fishes, he said, eat a lot. “Sometimes if we prepare N100,000 worth of feeds, it does not last two weeks,” he said.

It is from the proceeds from his farm that he has been able to send his children to school and pay the salaries of his employees.

Ajimagbo

At 70, Ajimagbo said he is still strong. “I am strong by the grace of God. I wake up every day, pray and take my herbs because of my name Ajimagbo (a man who wakes up to take his herbs). “I thank God that I know the job.”

He disclosed that the fishes don’t die because he is giving them the right treatment and medication. “I change their water as at when due. I give booster to

boost their growth at the right time. That is why I can say that my fishes are good.”

He averred that people are not interested in fish farming because it is very expensive to take care of the fishes. Then some people are afraid of losing their fishes to bad weather.

“That is why they are crying. But I believe that if you devote your time to care for your fish pond, you will laugh,” he said.

Ajimagbo said proper ventilation is also important for the fishes. “The fishes need oxygen. They will do better in open field than when they are inside a building. Then pollution and noise can affect their performance. Here, I am producing fresh cat fish without odour”.

Human beings, he said, cannot get all their heart’s desires. But he has no regrets at all. “I am very happy that God is my shepherd,” he said.

He started farming in the old Western Region. “We had a family farm in Osun State where we planted maize and cassava. We had cows. We planned to have an earthen fish pond then. Since then I had the mind that I was going to be a farmer,” he said.

He added that when he came to Lagos, he was an external candidate of National School of Salesmanship, London. “I registered with Manchester Technical School, London for a while. But simply because there was no helper, I could not go far. But I have been using the experience I garnered over time.”

The fish farmer later became a building contractor. He was doing well as a building contractor in Abuja until 2008 when he decided to go into fish farming.

He said that the Federal Government has fish farming project in his town, Oluponna, Osun State which can be better developed.

48

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Saturday, March 1, 2014

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535, 08111813032

Political Communication: APC, PRCAN On War Path Over AKPD Contract

By Abiodun Obisesan TRATEGY is fundamental in politics. In essence, it is often SStrategists, the defining factor on whether an election is won or lost. whether military, business or otherwise, give clear-cut directions that often lead to fruitful outcomes. So, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its bid to strategise for the 2015 elections hired the American firm, AKPD Media Messages, to help formulate strategies it believed it had struck a masterstroke. However, its decision to hire a foreign firm did not go down well with the Public Relations Consultancy Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).

PRCAN, in questioning APC’s resolve to hire the foreign communications firm, viewed it as tending towards the West and neo-colonialism.

Buoyed by its bright prospects of turning the election tables around against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 elections, APC seems motivated to take the highway to achieve a resounding success. This explains its costeffective contract with the U.S-based firm to replicate in APC the Obama-brand success in the United States of America (USA), which has also been tried in Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana. Expectedly, PDP has also condemned APC’s decision to contract a foreign organisation to bolster its chances in 2015. The ruling party feels APC is trying to drag Nigeria back to the era of colonialism.

While it may be plausible to state that Nigerian firms imbued with such professional competence as AKPD could have been cleverly snubbed on account of the slow pace of technical capacity and structural development, APC, through its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has justified the move to hire the U. S. firm.

Speaking with The Guardian, Mohammed stated that “there is a lot of misconception as to what AKPD stands for. This misconception arises from the name AKPD Media Messages.

They are not reputation managers, PR consultants or even media consultants. AKPD is a political consultancy firm that deploys research. Their role is to provide data about the major challenges in Nigeria based on certain indices. For instance, some of their survey could state that Nigerians between 18 to 35 years believe that unemployment is the major challenge. These facts will help us to tailor campaigns and ascertain the right kinds of messages to deploy to each segments of the population sample.”

Despite Mohammed’s claims, the President of PRCAN, Chido Nwakanma, feels the claim that APC hired AKPD for research purposes is not true. He said: “APC spokesman is dissembling when he turns around now to say they hired AKPD for research purposes. That is at variance with their initial statement. That firm is known for political communication. More importantly, what does it matter if it is

Lai Mohammed

Nwokanma

research or communication?”

A PR consultant, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, accused the APC spokesman of being economical with the truth as AKPD’s website states otherwise.

The websites states: “We involve ourselves thoroughly in each campaign to develop a winning message and the most effective strategy to deliver it — through speeches, free press coverage, debates, print materials, and top-notch paid media. From the development and analysis of research and targeting; to the production of written materials, radio ads and television commercials; to the efficient deployment of media dollars through strategic time-buying, AKPD Message and Media helps campaigns plan and execute their most effective case.”

Based on the clarification, many Nigerians, especially within PRCAN circle, believe that hiring of AKPD is as an indictment on the professional capacity of PR and strategic communication experts in Nigeria. Some analysts also feel that it would be insensitive to expect APC to jeopardise its

chances in 2015 due to nationalistic considerations.

Even Mohammed expressed this view. “If I’m a patient, I will determine the kind of doctor I want. We cannot fool ourselves; we all know that in certain areas, some people have developed special expertise. It is even a means of transferring knowledge to our own people. They are working with our own people day and night. That way, they are transferring knowledge to us in those areas. The 2015 election is too crucial for APC; hence we cannot afford to experiment. We believe that only the best is good for Nigerians,” he said.

Some analysts are of the opinion that the latent and deepseated issues regarding home-grown PR practitioners’ lack of proactive communication solutions and pedestrian approach in the overall reputation management process is a signifier to its low global ratings. They believe that AKPD Media and Messaging has earned its global reputation on account of setting agenda in the media and demonstrating exemplary proactive whim during Obama’s presidential

Amarula Rewards Key Dealers In Style

Cannes Lions National Competitions Jury Announced

N furtherance of its quest to remain a its taste cannot be imitated”.

“Amarula is the Spirit of Africa. Its appeal RGANISERS of the Young Badejo-Okusanya, Managing Icream leader in the Nigerian market, Amarula To the Managing Director of Next lies in its combination of exotic African Lions Competition in Director CMC Connect; and O fondly known as ‘The Spirit of International Limited, Mr. Ndibe Obi, “the mystery and cosmopolitan sophisticaNigeria and representatives Mike Obiajulu Meze, CEO

Africa’ once again hosted its trade partners consisting of key dealers and major distributors to a memorable Customers’ Recognition/Awards Forum.

The event, which took place recently at the Rockview Hotel G.R.A Apapa, Lagos, saw many outstanding and high performing key dealers go home with mouth-watering prizes.

The star prize of a brand new Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle was won by the Managing Director of Chigotex Royal Link, Mr. Chigozie Anagu, who was commended for his astuteness, business acumen and loyalty to the Amarula.

The second prize of a Toyota Saloon Car was won by the Chief Executive Officer of Uzems Limited, Mr. Emeka Onyenanu, who was described as a dedicated and consummate marketer of Amarula cream in Nigeria.

Other winners went home with assorted prizes which included brand new generators, flat screen television sets and refrigerators.

Manufactured by Distell International, Amarula is marketed in Nigeria by Next International Limited.

Country Manager of Distell International in Nigeria, Richard Lucas, noted that “Amarula is unique in taste as it is made from marula fruit that grows exclusively in the wild in sub-Saharan Africa, where nature remains unspoiled”.

According to him, “the marula tree grows in no other part of the world and

marula fruit has an ancient history going back many thousands of years. The fruit is greatly loved by elephants and other African wildlife. It is held in the highest esteem by many African communities as it is an important source of food and has many health-giving and curative properties. The tree is regarded as a symbol of fertility and unity”.

“Marula trees and the fruit” he stated “are bound up in African mythology and legend. Marula is harvested by hand and no part of the fruit is wasted. It is an example of the natural wealth of Africa”.

According to Next International Limited Marketing Manager, Ms. Lizzy Iroha,

tion. It is entirely African in origin but its popularity is universal.”

In his own remarks, the National Sales, Manager Mr. Sunny Ukpaka, noted that, “Amarula is the essence of African luxury.

When you think of Amarula, you think of glamorous, romantic African safaris and the closeness to Africa’s ancient, powerful and noble creatures, especially elephants.”

A cross section of the key dealers and major distributors at the event opined that “Amarula is a discovery. To drink Amarula is to experience the sophisticated side of the continent known only to those with a taste for adventure and the exotic.”

Mrs. Blessing Anagu of Chigotex Royal Link (left); CEO of Uzems Limited, Emeka Onyenanu; Country Manager, Distell International; Richard Lucas; and National Sales Manager, Distell International, Sunny Ukpaka; at the Amarula Dealers Forum held in Lagos…recently.

of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, CHINI Productions, have released the list of jury members for the 2014 competitions.

This year, Nigeria is expected to present teams in six categories of the competition, namely Cyber, Design, Film, Media, PR and Print.

The aim of the local competition is to provide a transparent and credible system for selecting teams that will fly the flag for Nigeria in Cannes during the international competition. In this regard, the organisers only provide administrative framework for the competition, leaving the actual decision-making to representatives of the respective industry sector.

The PR Competition is being introduced in Cannes Lions for the first time this year and the first national jury president is Nn’emeka Maduegbuna, Chairman/CEO of C and F Porter Novelli.

Other members of the team are Muyiwa Akintunde, CEO, Lead Consultant Leap Communications; Chuddy Oduenyi, MD Compact Communications; Yomi

Winning Concepts.

The creative jury will be saddled with the enormous responsibility of judging work presented by the Cyber, Design, Film and Print teams.

The2014 president of the creative jury is Chima Okenimkpe, Creative Director of Insight Communications.

Other members are Tunde Sule, Creative Director DDB Lagos; Sule Momoh, Creative Director, 141 Worldwide; Oje Ojeaga, Headof Creative X3M; Ranti Atunwa, Creative Director TBWA; Adereti Tiny, Creative Director Yellow Brick Road; and Abolaji Alausa, Creative Director Noah’s Ark Communications.

The Media Jury will be led by Jayne Okoronkwo, Executive Director Media Integra as president, while members of the team will include Dozie Okafor, Head Planning and Strategy, PHD Nigeria; Oge Maduagwu, Deputy Manager, Media Strategy and Planning media Reach OMD (who are both past winners of the competition); Etim Ekanem, Senior Media Planner Globacom; and Ezinne Mbonu, Executive Director, Capital Media.

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Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 49

TheGuardian

50 | Saturday, March 1, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Nigeria side of the border with Cameroon

Cameroon side of the border with Nigeria

Lamentations As Commercial Activities Nosedive in Adamawa Over Border Closure From Emmanuel Ande, Yola USiNESS activities have been completely B paralysed in Mubi, the headquarters of Mubi council area of Adamawa state, since the total closure of Cameroon border, which is a few kilometers away from the council headquarters in northern Adamawa.

Mubi council area has the biggest cattle market in West Africa, and the majority of the traders patronising the market are from Cameroon.

The Guardian gathered that over 3 million cows are sold in the market every market day.

Apart from the cattle market, export and import business has also suffered serious set back, as prices of goods like clothes, building materials and other house commodities have increased astronomically, because of the fact that they are being imported from Cameroon.

Mallam Abubakar Umar, a currency exchange dealer in Mubi, told The Guardian that since the total closure of the border, his business has collapsed, adding that there was no alternative way for him to feed his family.

He said that the closure was worse than the activities of the insurgents, adding that more lives would be lost as a result of hunger war since majority of the businessmen in the area transact their businesses with Cameroon

merchants. “ i am appealing to the Federal Government to have a rethink over the closure of Cameroon border in the interest of Nigerians who are living at the border, or prepare a grave yard for mass burial because the people here cannot survive the action for a month.

“Our lives depend on the lawful businesses we transact with Cameroonians”, he stated.

Mr. Godwin Okafor, who operates a cosmetics super market in Maiha, another Adamawa border town, said the Federal Government did not only close the border, but has also succeeded in closing the mouths of Nigerians living at the border.

“Before taking the harsh action, government should know through its security agents that it is the trans-border businesses with Cameroon that is keeping us alive here, so with these action between Boko Haram and government who is out to kill or protect lives? “ he asked.

He urged the security agents to properly advise government on situation at the border.

Alhaji Salihu Mohammed, a cattle dealer in Mubi international cattle market and who criticised the closure of the border accused the Federal Government of working out modalities to impoverish the people of the area.

Mr. Godwin Okafor, who operates a cosmetics super market in Maiha, another Adamawa border town, said the Federal Government did not only close the border, but has also succeeded in closing the mouths of Nigerians living at the border.

“Before taking the harsh action, government should know through its security agents that it is the trans-border businesses with Cameroon that is keeping us alive here, so with these action between Boko Haram and government who is out to kill or protect lives? “ he asked.

He said that government did not consider the economy implication of its action, which will threaten the peace of the region more than the activities of the insurgents. “it is better for government to revisit this decision in order not to add salt on injury, because we cannot afford to sleep with our

families in an empty stomach”, he said. the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmed Sajoh, who is also a resident of the Cameroon border, told The Guardian that the action of the Federal Government has not only divided some families, but has also created social and business disconnections at the border.

“What the Federal government don’t know is that in this part of the country some families are in Cameroon, while others are in Nigeria.

Government should not claim to be ignorant of this, because before the 1914 amalgamation majority of us from this area were under Cameroon. So you cannot expect the entire families to be in Nigeria,” he said.

Sajoh, who lamented the collapsed of business activities at the border towns, pointed out that the action was not only anti-NorthEast residents, but that it was targeted at crippling the economy of the region.

“When the president makes his declaration in nationwide broadcast declaring state of emergency in the three states of the NorthEast (Adamawa, Borno and Yobe), he said that the Cameroon border is also closed. But last week, the military command in Yola announced the closure of the border again.

So, i am confused. i don’t know how many Cameroon borders we have from this axis”, he said.

Behavioral Analysis Of Boko Haram Members Should Be Conducted, Says Ekhomu

By Laolu Adeyemi ECURitY expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu has called on Nigeria security agencies to conduct behavioral analyses of Boko Haram terrorists in order to predict future attacks and prevent the tragic events.

According to him, behavioral analysis gives security psychologists or profilers deep insight into the mind, phenomenology, idiosyncrasies and patterned-behaviors of

S

sociopathic and psychopathic serial offenders.

Reacting to the killing of over 50 students in the Boko Haram attack on Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State, Ekhomu, said that since Boko Haram terrorists were serial killers, it is possible to predict their choice of targets, timing of attacks, success rate and methods of attacks – even before they strike.

Ekhomu called for the setting up of Behavioral Analysis Units as part of our security infrastructure. He said the war against the sect was not a conventional warfare and that Nigeria security agencies have to be retooled faster in order to meet extant challenges.

According to him, Boko Haram had repeatedly attacked schools in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states with huge fatalities.

He referred to school attacks in Mamudo quarters and Gujba in Yobe State and opined that 90% of school attacks occurred at night with the terrorists employing the same methods of AK-47 rifle shootings, throat slashing and burning of students to death in their dormitories. He said that the terrorists had “left enough signatures that can assist behavioral analysts to predict their future moves with certainty,

thereby thwarting their nefarious plans to kill innocent students.”

He decried the new practice of seizing female students apparently to serve as sex slaves in terrorist camps. He called the growing abduction of women by the terrorists a crime against humanity stressing that it is the same as using of rape as a tool of war. He urged security agents to be more challenged by this unacceptable change in tactics.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014 51

COVER

‘Boko Haramism Is Not Only A Nigerian Problem, Nigeria Is Just The Platform For Their Activities’ cuss the implications of allowing Al Qaeda to settle in their area because Boko Haram is not a Nigerian problem. It is a problem for Nigeria and its immediate neigbours in particular, and the whole of Africa in general. It is a threat to humanity. That is the way we should see it.

But the Boko Haram sect usually operates in the night.

There are many reasons why it is easier for them to operate at night. If they operate during the day, they are likely to be met with resistance. Secondly, they do not always pass through where there are frontiers, as we have What are the implications of the closure of the said the borders are porous. More significantNigeria’s northern borders with Cameroun? ly, President Jonathan has rightly pointed out think the closure is perfectly in order. It is a that at the end of the day, there are many very good decision. It is a good calculated stratBoko Haramists in government. They have egy which clearly shows that the government their accomplices, supporters within Nigeria. wants to deal with Boko Haramism from its So you can begin to imagine why those peofoundation. Whenever the Nigerian military ple are going to areas that you don’t have the embarks on hot pursuit, in other words chasing military. They always go to new areas. You can the Boko Haram, they always run into neighjust imagine Boko Haramists going to bouring countries like Cameroun. schools, killing children that are sleeping. Are And those neigbouring countries have not the children combatants? How will you always cooperated with the government of expect any soldier to be posted to secondary Nigeria. Implication one: they are aiding and schools and all that! abetting; implication two: because we assume You see, what we are witnessing is not a full that they are aiding and abetting the Boko scale war that will require the Nigerian Army Haram, it means that the neigbouring countries to go into a full combat. Our government is are not operating on the principle of good more cautious of the fact that there is no neighborliness. They are not operating on the beauty in killing civilians, innocent people. basis of peaceful co-existence. And they do not Because of that, they have been more careful also follow the rule of community citizenship. If in handling the situation. government now says that they should close the It is not a conventional war. So if people borders, it is in order. come at midnight under the pretext that they Additionally, Boko Haram has operational are travelling in or out and only to go to bases in neigbouring countries but they don’t attack people, it is a major problem. That is attack those countries. If the neighbouring why for instance, the government has to take countries are condoning their military and Akintevinwa a more drastic measure and should disregard operational bases from which attacks are being the local opponents hiding under humanitarlaunched on the government and people of among them. The herdsmen, for instance, know that it may be Boko Haramism in ian law but aiding Boko Haramists. All those Nigeria, that raises question about the internaNigeria today, it may soon be Boko Haramism move across borders in such a way that they who are asking government not to take the tional responsibility of the neigbouring coundon’t go through where frontiers are. Even elsewhere. measures it is currently taking are certainly tries. there is no visible delineated line of borders The problem with Cameroun is not just as sympathizers. It is as simple as that.

In other words, they are aiding insecurity. where people are moving. So they are complete- Do you think that dialogue with Boko Haram simple as we are still talking. The Bakassi Globally, they are working against the purpose ly ignorant of any international border. problem is still there. The people of Nigeria is part of the way forward? for establishing the United Nations (UN). They What is the implication of that? living there, they are likely to revolt against If people are not attacking soldiers or military are working against peaceful resolution of conIt is within the framework of this free movethe government of Nigeria for selling them barracks but they go to secondary schools to flicts. ment that people have been carrying light be killing people, the government should When you look at that and you now look at the out. This is an area people are not looking at arms. And since borders in the West African simply be allowed to deal with the matter implication of Jonathan’s policy to close the bor- for now. If the government of Cameroun does region are generally porous, especially Nigeria’s militarily and fully. In that case, the message not look at Boko Haramism as a potential ders with Cameroun, I think the government is international borders, people have been comproblem, in future, Bakassi can become will be sent to the appropriate quarters. That now for the first time dealing more critically ing in anyhow. People who left Libya after the another theatre of Boko Haramism in a new is the only way out. There is no negotiation and seriously with Boko Haramism in Nigeria. demise of Col. Muammar Gaddafi came in with any Boko Haram, because it won’t work.

Boko Haram is able to perpetuate all its activities form. Why they have not been cooperating through the desert. Nobody is policing the There is no need to grant any amnesty to anybecause they have a safe haven somewhere. If we we don’t know. desert. And all the weapons they came out with one of them because they have said that if it is You have Al Quaeda everywhere, the only are able to cut off access to the safe haven, I from Libya, they brought them to Mali, Niger the issue of amnesty, they are the one to grant think to a great extent, it will help the Joint Task thing is that Al Quaeda in Cameroun, Chad and some of them came to Nigeria. Free moveand in Niger; they have not been attacking amnesty to the government of Nigeria and its Force (JTF) in its mandate to curtail effectively ment, as good as it is, must go with effective people there. They only have Nigeria as their people. When does a group of people become the excesses of the sect. control of arms. another sovereign entity that will be chalSo, in my own considered view, I think the gov- target. So, those countries must be more cauWhat do you think the government can do tious and be careful that after Nigeria; they lenging Nigerian state? No. What the ernment should not just close the borders with about that?

Nigerian military is currently doing should the neigbouring country of Cameroun, the gov- too can be a target. That is why they have to seek understanding of the Nigerian situation There is the need to consider aerial surveillance. be supported by everybody. Every Nigerian ernment should simply extend the closure to and collaborate with Nigeria in dealing deci- There is the need for the use of more sophistishould become another intelligence officer.

Nigeria’s international borders from the North cated technological equipment. The way it is sively with Boko Haram.

Most of these Boko Haramists are not East to the South East. By the end of the day, let done in more developed countries through the Nigerians, that is what I want to believe. No We have many illegal routes in the affected us see whether Boko Haram can operate. If they borders. How are the security agents going to satellite. What is happening is that there will be Nigerian person, with Nigerian blood will are still operating, they will now be the Boko prevent illegal entry after the border closure? need to put additional frontiers along the borwant to kill recklessly. You have people comHaramists that are within Nigeria. We will then ders in such a way as to compel people to go You see, when we are talking about the ing from outside of the country, using the be in a position to know where the problem is through established frontiers. porosity of Nigeria’s international borders, canopy of the Nigeria to destroy, to destabicoming from. lize the country. That one should not be We know that Boko Haram has supporters/ fol- what we should understand is what makes it How can the government address that chalporous. It is not that the law enforcement lenge? accepted. When we have succeeded with the lowers internationally, but we have not been Boko Haram, if we want to forgive them, we able to identify who these supporters are. So, by agents, the Immigration, the Customs are not What can be done basically will include reachworking. No, the first causal factor is that the ing an understanding with the neigbouring can forgive them. But you don’t talk about the time we close borders, if any attack now countries without which Nigeria should take it forgiveness, negotiation, when for instance occurs aerially, then we will know that this time borders are very extensive. Nigeria’s border with Niger runs into over 1,000 kilometers. So more seriously and apply the principle of recithe battle is very hot. It is at its hottest level. it is not just Boko Haram in Nigeria. And if anyOn a daily basis they are killing people. That is body is coming to attack us by air, we would ask in this case, it has been difficult to police from procity. If Nigeria is not at peace with its neigthat perspective. There is a difference bouring countries, they should not expect not acceptable. the Nigerian Air Force to explain why they are between a border and a frontier in terms of peace as well. Because there is no way the JTF What is the impact of the US declaring Boko not able to curtail them. So, it is a very critical concept even though people use the two to will not be compelled to pursue anybody who Haram as terrorists organization? point we need to address. mean the same thing. is threatening our peace. If any Boko Haram The implication of the US declaring Boko Why is it that those neigbouring countries like The frontier is where you locate your office comes from Cameroun and he is running to the Haram as a terrorists organization is simple.

Cameroun have not been cooperating with to check passports, visas, that you have the presidential seat in Yaounde, why should the That they have the right when their own Nigeria? control.

You don’t have all these offices everyJTF not go there? We must pursue the enemy to interest is threatened to pursue them. They That is why the government has decided to close anywhere they want to stay. The same thing if don’t need to take permission to come and the borders with Cameroun. Closing the borders where. The second causal factor is that on both sides of an international frontier, you anybody is running to Niger Republic. Unless fight them here in Nigeria. If they want to use will enable us to know whether or not Cameroun is assisting or not. But we know quite have the same community living there. Now, the government of Niger accepts that the threat drone to deal with them, they will do that. if you have the Fulani people constituting a to Nigeria is also a threat to them. And thereAnd when we are talking about solutions, well that when the JTF wants to arrest Boko community but divided by a common interfore they assist in curtailing and dealing with how do you deal with these people? Probably, Haram suspects, they run into neighbouring national frontier, that frontier does not prethose people. If we don’t do it that way, there you wouldn’t need to put soldiers in armored countries. And when they report to the local vent the movement of the Fulani in Republic will not be any solution. There should be joint cars on the road. Many people may now have authorities there, they quote international law. patrol by the government of Nigeria and the to accept or condone the use of drones in Even after the Camerounian government arrest- of Niger from crossing to do his farming work here in Nigeria. neigbouring countries of Cameroun, Chad and fighting. Because as I have said, Boko ed some suspects, they told us that those susWhat is actually happening is that the peoRepublic of Niger, especially in curtailing trans- Haramism is not a Nigerian problem by whatpects escaped. What type of explanation is that? ple in the community and the Fulanis they national crime. This is very critical. ever definition. Nigeria is just the platform The cooperation of the neigbouring countries have the same tribal marks.

You cannot know And more significantly, the neighbouring for their activities. It is an international terroris indispensable. The only way you can now who is a Nigerian and who is not a Nigerian countries must sit down with Nigeria and disist question that has to be addressed. make them to appreciate this fact is to let them

Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos spoke to DEBO OLADIMEJI on the implications of the closure of Nigeria’s northern borders with Cameroun, and the solution to the Boko Haram menace.

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THE GUArDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

52 Saturday, March 1, 2014

COVEr

Border Closure: Smuggling Activities Heighten In Taraba From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo HILE residents of Borno, W Adamawa, Cross river and other states of the federation sharing common border with the neighbouring Cameroon republic are presently groaning in pains, following the recent closure of the border between the two countries, the reverse seems to be the case in Taraba state as the closure has led to increase of business activities in the border communities.

Although such business activities which, include massive smuggling of petroleum products, are not presently being carried out in a broad daylight, most residents of the five council areas namely Sardauna, Gashaka, Kurmi, Takum and Ussa which share common boundary with the republic of Cameroon, viewed the sudden closure as a blessing in disguise.

Speaking to The Guardian on the development, one of the community leaders in the area said the lukewarm attitude of the Federal Government to herald the muchneeded growth to the border communities has also paved way for free movements which has encouraged the smuggling of all sorts of things into Nigeria.

According to him, “even though I have not seen or heard that arms and ammunition come into Nigeria from this axis, I will not doubt that because we only have few security Badeh personnel mountings the numerous are having a field day.” check points here.

Sad that the closure may have “ The closure now encourages busiadverse effect on Taraba state, the ness activities between the two countries, especially in the night when source urged “both the state and Federal Government as a matter of everybody must have gone to bed.”

The community leader blamed the urgency increase surveillance in the Federal Government for taking such area so as to discourage the importaaction without adequate consulta- tion of arms” He said: “My fear now is that the tions.

“I think the major problem we have ways and manner smuggling activiin this country is that our so called ties are going on at night now, Boko leaders, majority of whom have not Haram men, may end up taking visited this part of the country, advantage of these various porous would just sit back in Abuja and roads in these our border communimake pronouncements without tak- ties.

“I am saying this because, most of ing into consideration the implications it would have on the people of the goods coming in are not always the communities and the country at being search by the security operatives in these border. large.”

“Though smuggling here is no Before now, these smugglers would longer news, but I must confess to arrive with their trucks of contrayou that the closure of the border band goods, park several kilometers has increased smuggling activities away from the checkpoints and here. This is because Federal direct their boys to settle officers on Government attention is only in duty. Without knowing the types of Maiduguri where Boko Haram men goods these smugglers are carrying,

Dasuki the officers will in turn grant them express passage into the country.”

According to one Suleiman Yusuf, “the closure is not favourable to us because some of us have our businesses in the neighbouring villages and towns of Cameroon,” adding that “with this development, our movements to and fro have greatly been restricted.”

What the Federal Government ought to have done, according to Yusuf, was to increase the security personnel manning the various borders, instead of outright closure.

The closure as further made known to The Guardian by some residents of the border communities would bring an untold hardship on the people.

According to one of the residents, Njita Ardo, had the government put in place relevant infrastructures such as hospitals, schools etc in the border communities, “we would not have being groaning in pains.”

Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Taraba state chapter, Ibrahim Effiong, believed that the action would not in any way have negative effects on the people, stating that since it is for the security of the people and the country, “the action is proper.”

Economically, Senior Special Adviser to Governor Danbaba Suntai on Media and Publicity, Sylvanu Yakubu Giwa, agreed that the closure would definitely affect trade, but went ahead to call on government to as a matter of urgency embark on roundtable dialogue and open the borders as, according to him, would reduce the sufferings of the people.

Giwa, who hails from one of the border communities, said that government should check the activities of persons coming in, and going out of the country through the five council areas without necessarily closing the borders.

Saraki Urges Opposition To Cooperate With FG In Tackling Terrorism

By Tunde Akinola OrMEr Governor, Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki has appealed to the governors of Borno and Yobe states and all opposition leaders to cooperate with Federal Government in tackling terrorism, emphasising the need for Nigerians to rise above ethnic and religious difference so as achieve common success.

Saraki, who is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, tied the success of Nigeria in tackling terrorism to leadership structure and cooperation among political stakeholders.

Saraki in a statement issued yesterday by

F

his Special Assistant on Media and Advocacy, Bankole Omishore said the fight against Boko Haram and terrorism in general is dependent upon two issues, “One is leadership and the other is political cooperation. The first one lies squarely on the doorstep of His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan, while there should be political cooperation among the political class, irrespective of party affliations.

“We must rise above our political, ethnic and religious differences to forge together to find solution to national problems. I appeal to the Governors of both Borno and Yobe states, all leaders from northern

region and all opposition leaders to cooperate with Federal Government in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. It is only when these two issues are properly addressed can we see results.

“We all know that we are approaching election period, but in my humble opinion this is one area that should be above politics. We from the opposition parties must continue to play our role by showing maximum political cooperation to finding a permanent solution to this menace. This is necessary for the sake of innocent lives and for the sake many who look up to us for hope and salvation” Saraki said.

Saraki

Not pleased with the action of the Nigeria government, a Cameroonian Gendam (Customs) told The Guardian that Cameroon government is not pleased with the Nigerian government over the action.

“We intermarry; we do things in common. We even share some cultural resemblance. This closure has affected our government greatly.

Our revenue target as I am talking with you now is already being affected.”

“I think what your government suppose to do is to increase their security men in these borders. As you have rightly observed, we don’t play with our people security in our country, and that was why our government always make sure that our borders are equipped with enough men and security gadgets. So, I think there is need for your government to do the same and stop depriving the people of their rights,” the Cameroonian

Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 53

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

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

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

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

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

Overlapping Word Game ‘45’

Solutions To Overlapping Word Game ‘44’

1. Fortune-teller in Nigeria 2. Exceedingly pleasing 3. Achieve something 4. Against the law 5. Photosynthetic organisms 6. Celtic language of British Isles 7. Refrigerator 8. Element essential for breathing 9. Have as consequence 10. Shaggy-coated long-necked mammal 11. Islamic learned man 12. Mutter 13. Plant part 14. Flow 15. Photocopying process using xerography 16. Beautiful place 17. Move sinuously like water 18. Artist’s studios 19. Arena with tiered seats 20. Offence 21. Mild 22. Unintentional gradual escape 23. Type something on PC 24. Speed

1. Gunship 2. President 3. Enter 4. Resident 5. Entire 6. Tireless 7. Lesson 8. Online 9. Neptune 10. Never 11. Erudite 12. Tender 13. Eros 14. Ostrich 15. China 16. Alhaja 17. Alhaji 18. Immutable 19. Legacy 20. Yakowa 21. Ablaze 22. Zerohour 23. Urinal 24. Alar

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

On The Path Of Winners

How To Nurture The Leader In You

By Bayo Ogunmupe

HAT do you think of the word service?

W Our false definition of the word is reflected in the Sarcastic Beatitudes by John Phillips, who also wrote a paraphrase of the New Testament Bible: ‘’Blessed are the pushers for they get their way. Blessed are the hard-boiled for they never get hurt. Blessed are those who complain, for they get all the attention. Blessed are the blasé, for they never worry about sin. Blessed are the slave drivers, for they get results. Blessed are the greedy, for they get what they want.’’

Which is why Jesus introduced himself as ‘’The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life,’’ Mark 10:45.

And Jesus practised what he preached. He says, ‘‘He who is greatest among you shall be your servant.’’

Caleb wasn’t into safe living, for as a youngman he came back from Canaan standing with the minority. He said with God on their side they will take it. At 85, he was still slaying giants and claiming mountains. That was because he had a leadership spirit, the incurable optimist. The great essayist, Richard Edler wrote: ‘’Safe living generally makes for regrets later in life.’’ You were given talents for your own greatness. You were born to nurture your dreams for all they were worth.

Leaders don’t allow themselves to be pressured into thinking your talents are for hire.

They were meant to bring you joy and fulfil-

ment, you are not limited by your Intelligence Quotent – (IQ). You can only allow yourself to be limited by your will. Fate or destiny begins where free will ends. Life’s battles don’t always go to the fastest. The man who wins is the man who believes he can win. The spirit of Caleb is the can do spirit. It is the spirit of leadership.

Think carefully about ‘‘walking with God.’’ In whose company are you walking? Since you are angling for higher status, the higher your calling, the lower you must become in your own eyes. Apostle Paul had one of the greatest callings in the world.

Can you imagine the Bible without the Epistles? We would know far less about church functions without Paul.

If you believe God has called you to leadership, your response should be to fall on your face before Jehovah. That is how every great leader in scripture responded. When an angel appeared to Zacharias telling him he would have a son named John, Zacharias fell to the floor and didn’t move, to the point that people wondered if he was dead. Prophet Ezekiel said that in the presence of Yahweh and at the vision God gave him, he collapsed on the floor. God had to tell him to get up saying: Son of Man, stand upon thy feet and I will speak unto thee, Ezekiel 2:1.

When John the Revelator saw Jesus standing in the midst of seven churches, he wrote: ‘‘And when I saw Him, I fell at his

feet as dead,’’ Revelation 1:17. Those who exalt themselves are humbled by God. Those who humble themselves are those whom Jehovah raises up. Humility isn’t debasement.

It just means thinking of yourselves less. ‘‘The discerning heart seeks knowledge,’’ Prov. 15:14. If you are talented, you may have difficulties when it comes to staying teachable. Gifted people often act like they know it all. That makes it hard for them to keep learning. Being teachable isn’t about competence. It is about attitude. It is the hunger to discover and grow. It is the willingness to learn, unlearn and relearn.

When you stop learning you stop leading.

Only as you remain teachable will you keep growing and continue making an impact.

Beside being an astonishing painter, Leonardo da Vinci was a genius in more fields than any scientist of any age. His notebooks were centuries ahead of his time. He anticipated helicopters. In one, he wrote that inaction saps the vigour of the mind.

You don’t need to have the talent of Leonardo. You just must have the right attitude. To remain teachable, the most important skill is for you to continue learning. Life long learning is the prescription for greatness.

Our champion this week is James Callaghan: in full – Baron James Callaghan of Cardiff. Born in England in March, 1912, Callaghan became British Labour Party politician who was prime minister from

1976 to 1979. Owing to poverty, he entered the civil service as a tax officer at age 17. By 1936 he had become a full time trade unionist.

After serving as a lieutenant in Naval Intelligence in World War II, he entered Parliament in 1945 representing the Welsh constituency of Cardiff South. Between 1947 and 1951, Callaghan was a junior minister at the Ministry of Transport. When Harold Wilson became prime minister in 1964, Callaghan was named Chancellor of the Exchequer. In 1967, he helped secure the system called Special Drawing Rights, which created a new kind of global money.

Callaghan resigned as chancellor when he was forced to devalue the Pound Sterling in 1967. He then served as Home Secretary till 1970. In Wilson’s second ministry in 1974, Callaghan served as Foreign Secretary and in 1976 upon Wilson’s resignation, Callaghan succeeded him as Prime Minister. But during his ministry, as a moderate within the Labour Party, Callaghan tried to stem the tide of the demands of the trade unions. When a series of strikes paralyzed health care, he was dubbed complacent, and was dethroned by a vote of no confidence in the Parliament, the first since 1924.

When his party was defeated in 1980 he resigned as party leader and was replaced by Michael Foot. He was created a life peer in 1987 and published an autobiography: Time and Chance in 1987. He died in 2005.

54 | Saturday, March 1, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SHORT STORY

By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) IE, you crazy, stupid witch! Husband snatcher! I’ll kill “D you today!” Those were the terrible, biting and angry utterances of Mrs. Iyabo Adejobi as she continued beating and battering Sikira, the housemaid.

Sikira’s ‘sin’ was that she was pregnant for Mr. Adejobi, who was her boss’ husband. All the while Sikira was just weeping and sobbing like a little kid. She cried and cried as the fat, saucy and boisterous boss descended on her, beating the hell out of her.

Mr. Adejobi himself had gone to his office when all this took place. The poor girl was stripped naked and pushed inside the heavy rain. What was left on her body was her bra and underwear. Iyabo tore her clothes to shreds. The young lady was shivering inside the rain.

What actually happened was that Iyabo had travelled to visit her aged parents in far away Kogi State and she spent three weeks with them. Before she came back from her trip, her husband had impregnated the young, hardworking and beautiful maid.

Time without number, Mr. Adejobi used to engage his wife in argument over domestic issues. Iyabo’s handling of her matrimonial responsibilities was really bad and unsatisfactory. Mr. Adejobi always complained about her cooking, rude manners and general conduct which he didn’t like.

Iyabo didn’t manage her home very well. The family’s meal would be served late and when her husband complained, she would get angry and rain abusive words on him. She had three kids. She wouldn’t wash the clothes of her children but let them pile up, very dirty and unkempt. Her meals were not always sweet and tasty.

So, it was a welcome relief when she employed the young Sikira to help with home chores. Mr. Adejobi took personal interest in the young lady who was charming. Before the whole family woke up Sikira was already awake, cooking the meal. She was a good cook. She would make sure there was water in the tank. She would do the laundry and the children were always neat, ditto Mr. Adejobi who looked spick and span.

Gradually, Mr. Adejobi started developing amorous interest in the young lady. She was also obedient, courteous and respectful. So, when Iyabo travelled, that was the only opportunity her husband had been waiting for. He seduced and lured Sikira who had ostensibly won his heart.

That eventful afternoon, Iyabo paid N30,000 to some thugs and hoodlums to deal with Sikira. Out in the cold, the merciless thugs molested the girl and dragged her in the mud while she begged for mercy with tears dropping from her eyes.

“Die, you bitch!” the leader of the hoodlums hollered threateningly.

“We were invited to deal with you till you have miscarriage!” There was nobody to rescue Sikira from the hands of the heavily armed thugs. People fled the scene for fear of being attacked if they intervened. The young girl was in the pool of her own blood when Mr. Adejobi arrived from office at about 6.30p.m. He was shocked and dumbfounded. The sight of Sikira on the bare floor with blood on her head, arms and thigh really moved him to tears.

“Who did this to you?” he asked for the umpteenth time.

He was shaking with anger and fuming.

“It’s madam ... thugs ... and huh” she was weeping uncontrollably.

Mr. Adejobi rushed in to meet his wife. “What have you done to Sikira?” he asked. “You want to kill the poor girl? Is it her fault?”

At that moment, Iyabo lashed out at her huband. She was boiling with rage.

“You can go to hell! You useless womanizer. You can take me to court if you like! I’ll make sure I kill that husband snatcher of a girl!” she thundered.

“Iyabo, do you realize that your actions could lead to the death of the innocent girl and you’ll be charged for murder?

Whether you like it or not, she’s having that baby by God’s grace,” he said.

“She won’t have that baby while I’m alive! She and the unborn baby will rot in hell! Is that right, oko iyawo?”

She got up and spat with derision. Instantly, Mr. Adejobi went out hurriedly and rushed Sikira to the hospital. She spent a week at the hospital under intensive care. When she was discharged, she took her belongings from her boss’ house to live in Sango Otta, Ogun State. Mr. Adejobi gave her N100,000 to start a trading business and begged her not to abort the baby.

Once in a week, he made sure he paid Sikira a visit. She was always happy to see him whenever he called. Iyabo didn’t change her behaviour despite the hard lesson she ought to have learnt from her former maid.

Sikira became very religious and spiritual as the months progressed. She always prayed to God to give her former boss the spirit of patience, forgiveness and love. However, Iyabo was still her old self, very vengeful and full of venom.

She cursed Sikira every day whenever she woke up in the morning. Mr. Adejobi always pleaded on the girl’s behalf that it wasn’t her fault but instead she would curse them both, using terrible and unprintable words.

Nine months later, Sikira gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. The boy looked exactly like Mr. Adejobi. The very day she gave birth, Iyabo somehow got to know. She fought with her husband that very day, tearing his clothes to shreds. She even took a knife with the evil intention of stabbing him.

Mr. Adejobi couldn’t attend the naming ceremony of the baby but he sent a text message to Sikira to name the little

The Magic Bottle boy Sunday, because he was born on Sunday, in the afternoon. That very morning, Iyabo went inside her room, stripped herself naked and started raining evil curses on the baby boy and her mother.

She continued her salvo of curses thus: “The snake emits poison, may the life of Sikira and her little baby be poisoned as from today! May she face disaster and calamity in her life! May her child suffer and not be happy! May Sikira and her baby die suddenly! May the young baby not live to old age! I command the evil forces and deities to deal mercilessly and wickedly with Sikira and her baby! Ase! Ase!!

Ase!!!”

Asshe rained those terrible curses, something untoward happened to her body instantly. She started shaking and trembling. Her tongues and eyes were twitching. Before long, her legs and arms had become lifeless as if there was no blood and bones inside it.

“Yee, I’m dying, Baba Itunu!” she screamed.

“What’s the matter with you?” her husband said and came running towards her. At that particular moment she couldn’t raise her left arm and legs again. Her eyes and tongue had become totally unmovable and were twitching continuously.

“My God, Iyabo, you have stroke and palsy! Let’s go to the hospital! This is an emergency!” Mr. Adejobi said.

Iyabo couldn’t lift her left leg and arm again. Tears streamed down her eyes uncontrollably. She was feeling terrible and excruciating pains all over her body. When she was rushed to the hospital, she couldn’t walk on her legs, she was carried by Mr. Adejobi and a kind neighbour into the vehicle.

That was how Iyabo suffered stroke. It got to the hearing

of Sikira a couple of weeks later that her former boss was suffering from stroke. She felt concerned and touched. She remembered that her late dad knew the medicinal remedy for such health problems. When Mr. Adejobi visited her the following week, she gave him a bottle containing the best remedy for Iyabo’s problem.

“Take this medicine,” she said “give it to her to drink. Once she drinks it, her health would improve gradually.”

Mr. Adejobi was so happy and optimistic that the drug would work. On getting home, he gave the medicine to his wife but she collected it reluctantly when she heard it was from Sikira. She thought she (Sikira) wanted to poison her.

She drank the medicine after much pressure from her husband.

Two days later she was cured of the deadly ailment. She was surprised and overwhelmed with joy that she could raise her legs and arms again and had a clean bill of health. She was so happy that she begged her husband to bring Sikira home to her so that she could thank her for saving her life.

On the D-day, Sikira came as promised. Iyabo hugged her in joy and begged her to forgive her for all she did to her.

After much apologies and prayers, Sikira said it was God that healed her former boss and not her.

Iyabo welcomed her back into her home if she was willing.

She agreed willingly. Mr. Adejobi had two plots of land that were very close to each other. He built Sikira a beautiful bungalow that houses only her and her handsome baby boy on the second plot of land.

That was how Sikira’s life changed for the better. She was a beautiful young lady whose parents were long dead but who fought tooth and nail to survive the hardship that life sometimes has to offer.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 55

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

56 Saturday, March, 1, 2014

a

Change of Name ABAGUN: Former Miss Abigael Oluwatosin Olayemi Abagun now Mrs. Abigael Oluwatosin Olayemi Bello. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ABU: Formerly Miss Abu Kelimat now Mrs Momoh Jimoh Kelimat. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ACHUBIE: Formerly Miss Achubie Kate Ifeoma now Mrs. Amuh Emmanuel Ifeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADDITION OF NAME: SMARI: Formerly Samari Victor now Samari Victor Ehinlaro Sunday. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADEGOKE: Formerly Miss Florence Mojirade Adegoke now Mrs. Florence Mojirade Olusola-Omole.

Former documents valid.

Sterling Bank and general public note.

ADEKOYA: Formerly Miss Adekoya Adeola Motunrayo now Mrs. Imoru Adeola Motunrayo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADEKOYA: Formerly Miss Adekoya Mary Oluwakemi now Mrs. Olojo Mariam Oluwakemi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADELAYI: Formerly Adelayi, Adebukola Omolara now Mrs. Bobo-Jama, Adebukola Omolara. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADENIJI: Formerly Miss Ademidun Adeola Adeniji now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ademidun Adeola Orege. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

ADENIRAN: Formerly Miss Omobolanle O. Adeniran now Mrs. Omobolanle O. Oziegbe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADENIYI: Formerly Miss Adeniyi Adedoyin Modupe now Mrs. Adeleye Adedoyin Modupe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADESANOYE: Formerly Adesanoye Comfort Lizzy now Mrs. Adelaja Comfort Lizzy. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADETUNBERU: Former Adebola Olufunke Adetunberu now Mrs. Adebola Olufunke Akinlonu.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEYALO: I, formerly known as Adeyalo Rukayat Aramide now known as Mrs. Adeyinka Rukayat Aramide. NYSC

and public note.

ADIM: Formerly known as Miss Adim Ifeoma now wish to be known as Mrs. Wokoma Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. Babcock University and public note.

Arinola Daniella now Mrs. Ayo-Adeyemi Arinola Daniella. National Commission for Museum and Monuments and general public take note.

ADUBA: Formerly Ifeyinwa Kizito Aduba now Mrs. Ifeyinwa Kizito Amore. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AJILEYE: Formerly Miss olamide elizabeth Ajileye, now Mrs Olamide Elizabeth Ola-Daniels. Former documents valid. Public note.

AJISAFE: I, formerly Miss Ajisafe Olufunke Oluwaseun now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Durosinmi-Etti Olufunke Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid.

National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) and general public note.

AFE: Formerly Miss Omobolade Susan Afe now Mrs. Omilabu Omobolade Susan. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKAN: Formerly Miss Tiumo Etim Akan now Mrs. Tiumo Praise McBassy. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AGABRI: I, Formerly Etheldrida Izegboya Agabri now to be known as Uduehi Izegboya Etheldrida. The Nigerian Ports Authority and public note.

AKHIMIEH: Former Miss Christiana Omouyi Akhimien now Mrs. Christiana Omouyi Onyeacholem. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

AGBO: Formerly Miss Agbo Nnenna Olivia now Mrs. Mbadiugha Nnenna Olivia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINDURO: Formerly Ms Mayowa Dorcas Akinduro, now Mrs Mayowa Dorcas Yakubu. Former documents valid. Public note.

AKINTADE: Formerly Victoria Modupe Akintade now Mrs. Victoria Modupe Joki-Lasisi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADISA: Formerly Miss Adisa Adenike Abiola Olusola now Mrs. Durojaye Adenike Abiola Olusola.

All former documents remain valid. General public note.

AGBONKHESE: Formerly Agbonkhese Evelyn Eghonghon now Mrs. Agbiwe-Efe Evelyn Eghonghon. Documents remain valid. Public note.

AGBOR: I, formerly Mr. Agbor Okim Agbor now known as Mr. Israel Okim. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AGHAHOWA: Formerly Nekpen Iyobor Aghahowa now Mrs. Nekpen Iyobor Longe. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AGWOEME: Formerly Miss Maryanne Adaku Agwoeme now Mrs Orji Maryanne Adaku. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AIDOKHAI: Formerly Elizabeth Aidokhai now Mrs. Elizabeth Egwunyenga.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AIMANLOHI: Formerly Miss Aimanlohi Russel Blessing, now Mrs Alonge Russel Blessing. Former documents valid. Public note.

AJAYI: Formerly Miss Oluwademilade Oluwagbemisola Ajayi, now Mrs Oluwademilade Oluwagbemisola Olukitibi. Former documents valid. Public note.

AJAYI: Former Miss Ajayi

AKINTUNDE: I, formerly Mr. Akintunde Saka Sheriff Abiodun now Mr. Lawal Sheriff Abiodun.

Former documents remain valid. German Embassy, general public take note.

AKINWALE: Formerly Miss Akinwale Olufunmibi Oluwadamilola now Mrs. Salami Olufunmibi Oluwadamilola. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKINWALE: Formerly Miss Akinwale Temitope Ponle now Mrs. Sodeinde Temitope Ponle. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKINYEMIJU: I Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omotara Oreoluwa Akinyemiju, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Omotara Oreoluwa Olanitori. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

AKPA: Formerly Akpa Anthony now Onuigbo Anthony.

Former documents remain valid.

Eco Bank Plc, public note.

AKPOSHERI: I, formerly Miss Vera Oghenemaro Akposheri now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Vera

Oghenemaro Daniel. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Longe Oluwakemi Idiat.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKPUDO: Formerly Miss Akpudo Eucharia Uchechukwu now Mrs Iloama Eucharia Uchechukwu.

Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ARIYIKE: I, formerly Tolani Ariyike Adeshina now to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tolani Adeshina-Adekoya. Former documents valid.

Public note.

ALAGBE: Formerly Miss Alagbe Oluwaseun Pelumi now Mrs. Oluwale Oluwaseun Pelumi. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

ATOBATELE: Formerly Atobatele Olubusola Wunmi now Mrs. Ajayi Olubusola Wunmi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ALONGE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alonge Olaide Oluwabukola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kuforiji Olaide Oluwabukola. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

AMADI: Formerly Ijeoma Angela Amadi now Mrs. Ijeoma Angela Ozowara.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

AMBEKEMO: Former Miss Omolara Ruth Ambekemo now Mrs. Omolara Ruth Isoa. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AMEDU: Formerly Miss Amedu Joy Ojochona, now Mrs. Alfred Joy Ojochona. Former documents valid. Public note.

AIMANLOHI: Formerly Miss Aimanlohi Russel Blessing, now Mrs. Alonge Russel Blessing. Former documents valid. Public note.

AINA: Formerly Miss Oluwakemi Oluwafunmilayo Aina, now Mrs Oluwakemi Oluwafunmilayo Ayantayo. Former documents valid. Public note.

ANEKE: I, formerly Miss Aneke Beatrice Nwamaka now known as Mrs. Ohahuna Beatrice Nwamaka. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANI: Formerly Miss Ani Mercy Ogonna , now Mrs Ochulor Mercy Ogonna. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANINZE: Formerly Miss Aninze or Arinze Celestina Ngozi, now Mrs Chinyelugo Celestina Ngozi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANJORIN: Formerly Miss Anuoluwapo Taibat Anjorin now Mrs. Anuoluwapo Taibat Anjorin Adebayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ARIORI: Formerly Miss Ariori Oluwakemi now Mrs.

ASO: Formerly Miss Enifome Orute Aso now Mrs. Enifome Orute Coker.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AWE: Formerly Awe Adedotun Alex now Awe Adedotun Adesoji Alex. All former documents remain valid. Public take note.

AWHEWHEJIRI: I, formerly known as Awhewhejiri Grace Okiemute now Mrs. Orugbo Grace Okiemute. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AWOLAJA: Formerly Awolaja Kayode Simon now Adelaja Kayode Simon. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AYENI : Formerly Oluwaseun Deborah Ayeni now Mrs. Oluwaseun Deborah Oladimeji. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AYAMBEM: Formerly Miss Favour Mbana Ayambem now Mrs. Favour Ayambem Boniface. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AYODELE: Formerly Miss Ayodele Omolayo Justina now Mrs Erinfolami Oluwadare Omolayo.Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AZUOGU: Formerly Miss Azuogu Chinaza Glory now Mrs. Ayo Chinaza Glory. Former documents valid. NYSC, AIFPU and public note.

BABAJIDE: Formerly Miss Folashade Olubusola Babajide now Mrs. Folashade Olubusola Ojuroye. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BADRU: Formerly Miss Badru Ololade Rukayat now Mrs. Badmus Ololade Badru. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BAKWENYE: I, formerly known as Miss Nnemdi Bakwenye now addressed as Mrs. Nnemdi Idiaghomon. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BALOGUN: Formerly Miss Yetunde Adebike Balogun now Mrs. Yetunde Adebike Imeokpara. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BALOGUN: Formerly Miss Balogun Tawakalitu now Mrs. Yusuff Tawakalitu Modupe. Former documents remains valid.

Public note.

BAWA: Formerly Miss Bawa Aishat now Mrs. Ahmed Aishat Akujobi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BENGALAMA: I, formerly Talatu Bengalama now Talatu Joseph Joel Omokhagbor. Former documents remain valid.

General public, note.

CHU-OKEKE: Formerly Miss Chu-Okeke Onyinye Stella, now Mrs Umeasiegbu Onyinye Stella. Former documents remainvalid. Public note.

CHUKWUMA: Formerly Chukwuma Chigozie Cordelina Kathryn Mrs. Obi Chigozie Cordelia Kathryn. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

CHUKWU: I, formerly Miss Chukwu Uju Agatha now known as Mrs. Okonkwo Uju Agatha.

Former documents remain valid. NYSC, general public note.

COKER: I formerly Miss Yewande Efunremi Coker Now Mrs Yewande Efunremi Ayinmode. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH: BABALOLA: I, Babalola Bolanle Oriyomi and Babalola Bolanle Rihanat is the same person.

My correct date of birth is 1987. Former documents remain valid. YABATECH, public note.

COMFIRMATION OF NAMES: Names Oko Friday Chukwuemeka and Oko Elijah Chukwuemeka refer to one person. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: OLADAPO: I, Mrs. Oladapo Bunmi is the same as Mrs. Oladapo Elizabeth Olubunmi. Former documents remain valid. First Registrar and general public note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES: SOLOMON: Mr Obumselu Chimudi Chima/Solomon is the same person as Mr Obumselu Chimudi Solomon. Former documents remain. Public note.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March, 1, 2014 57

Change of Name DADA: I, formerly known as Miss Christianah Adeola Dada now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Christianah Adeola Idemudia.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

DAVID: Formerly Miss David Chidinma Cecelia now Mrs. Chidinma Cecelia Okereh. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

DIBIE: Formerly Mr Dibie Ebele Stephen, now Mr Chukwudi Ebele Stephen. Former documents valid. Public note.

DUKE: Formerly Archibong Duke Peter now Archibong Peter Duke.

All former documents remain valid. General public note.

EDEKI: Formerly Miss Idianemi Taiye Edeki now Mrs. Idianemi Taiye E. Anifowoshe. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EFFANGA: Formerly Miss Glory Effanga, now Mrs Glory George. Former documents valid. Public note.

EFEKIMO: I, formerly Miss Agatha Oghale Efekimo now known as Mrs. Agatha Oghale Anene. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EGBUMOKEI: Formerly Mrs. Ifeoma Careen Egbumokei now addressed as Ifeoma Careen Uzah.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EGENTI: Formerly Miss Nkechinyere Barbara Egenti now Mrs. Nkechinyere Barbara Adegboyega. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EGUNWALE: Formerly Mr Egunwale Fiyinfoluwa Cornelius now Mr Oluwale Fiyinfoluwa Cornelius. All former documents remain valid.

General take note.

EJIMA: I, formerly Ejima Stephen now Ugwunze Chijioke Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

EKELOBE: Formerly Miss Elizabeth Ogechukwu Ekelobe now Mrs Anajemba Elizabeth Ogechukwu. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

EKPO: I, formerly Miss Archibong Angela Ekpo now Mrs. Agwu Angela.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ELEANYA: Formerly Miss Eleanya Owoh Elizabeth now Mrs. Nwokocha Elizabeth Ezinne. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ELIKE: Formerly Miss Elike Ogochuku Yvonne now Mrs Evwerhamre Ogochuku Yvonne. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ELOBUIKE: Formerly Elobuike Nnamdi Joseph, now Benjamin Favour Nnamdi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EMARAH: Formerly Ebika Tracy Emarah now Mrs. Ebika Tracy Paul-Oyewo.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EMEGBU: I, Formerly Miss Emegbu Onyemaechi Onyinyechi, now Mrs Ngerem Onyemaechi Onyinyechi. All Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

EMEOZOR: I, formerly Miss Blessing Emeozor now known as Mrs. Blessing Oghenero Alozie. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, general public take note.

EMMANUEL: Formerly Emmanuel Owodehe Doran Agajere,now Emmanuel Owodehe Agajere . Former documents remain valid. General public note.

ENEARO: Formerly Miss Faith Udoka Enearo now Mrs. Faith Udoka Onyia.

Former documents valid.

General public note.

ENEMO: Formerly Dr (Miss) Obiamaka Nwando Enemo now Dr (Mrs) Obiamaka Nwando Anyachebelu.

Former documents remain valid.UCH, WASC, MDCN and general public note.

ENIYE: Formerly Miss Racheal Eniye now Mrs. Racheal Nkemena. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ENU: Formerly Miss Enu Onyinye Agatha now Mrs Anueyiagu Onyinye Agatha. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ENYI: Former Enyi Chijoke Godwill is now Ayuba C. O. Godwill Paul.

All former documents remain valid. Public take note.

EIROBOYI: Formerly Miss Eiroboyi Grace now Mrs. Oluwole Grace. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

EZEH: Formerly Miss Ezeh Edith Amarachukwu, now Mrs Onyia Amarachukwu Edith. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EZEMA: Formerly Miss Ezema Gloria Nwanyinkwo, now Mrs Ayogu Gloria Nwanyinkwo.

Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EZIKE: Formerly Miss Ezike Ozioma A. now

wish to be known as Egbusibe Ozioma A. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC, public note.

EZIRIM: Formerly Ezirim Chidmma now to be addressed as Mrs. Dozie Chidimma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FADOJU: Formerly Miss Fadoju Ajoke Kehinde now Mrs. Yussuf Amaris Kehinde. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

FAIGA: Formerly Mojisola Oluwabsola Faiga now Mojisola Oluwabusola Abayomiopeolu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

FARAYOLA: Formerly Miss Farayola Nafeesah Oluwadamilola, now Mrs Akinde Nafeesah Oluwadamilola. Former documents valid. Public note.

GOLOJO: Former Miss Golojo Ibukun Comfort now Mrs. Afotan Ibukun Comfort. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

GREEN: Formerly Miss Olaitan Olayinka Green now known as Mrs. Olaitan Olayinka Gilbert. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

HAGGAI: Formerly Elizabeth Haggai now Mrs. Elizabeth Manasseh Shitta. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

IDOLOR: Formerly Miss Felicia Avwerosuoghene Idolor now Mrs. Felicia Avwerosuoghene Afiemo.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IDOWU: I, formerly Miss Idowu Abosede Omowunmi now known as Mrs. Edunjobi Omowunmi Abosede. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IFEANYI-MBANU: Formerly Mrs. Ifeanyi-Mbanu Anastacia Ogechukwu now Mrs. Nwokeji Anastacia Ogechukwu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IFOH: Formerly Miss Ifoh Maryann Ogechukwu, now Mrs Mbah Maryann Ogechukwu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IGBINOBA: I, formerly Miss Igbinoba Evelyn Ehiewema now to be known as Mrs Osarenkhoe Evelyn Ehiewema. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IGWE: Formerly Miss Udeaku Igwe now Mrs Udeaku Ojike. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IKUESAN: Former Miss Ikuesan Olubunmi Olaronke Christiana now Mrs. Obiora Olubunmi Olaronke Christiana. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

IROADUMBA: Formerly Miss Iroadumba Angela .N. now Mrs Anosike Angela Nkiruka. Former documents valid. Public note.

ISHUUR: Formerly Miss Ishuur Dooshima Rhoda now Mrs. Abeda Dooshima Rhoda. Former documents remain valid.

Kano State Polytechnic & public note.

IWU: I, formerly Miss Iwu Awele now Mrs. Mekoma Awele. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

IZU: Formerly Miss Ovievure Ibiso Izu now Mrs. Ovievure Joseph Ekpaiyo.

All former documents remain valid. VON, general public note.

JIMOH: Formerly Miss Jimoh Afsat Olayeni now Mrs. Famakin Afsat Olayeni. All documents remain valid. Public note.

JOHN: John Chinedu Uka is the same person as Uka Chinedu. All my documents are valid. General public take note.

JOKODOLA: Formerly Jokodola Eunice Oyekemi now Oladiji Eunice Oyekemi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

KAFFO: Formerly Kaffo Titilope Abiodun now Mrs. Adebukola Titilope Abiodun. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

LAWAL: Formerly Miss Lawal Tejumade Aderonke now Mrs. Adelanwa Tejumade Aderonke. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

LAWAL: Formerly Miss Omolola Fatimat Lawal now Mrs. Omolola Fatimat Akinde. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

LLIKA: Formerly Miss llika Chinenye Ngozi now Mrs. Okpala Chinenye Ngozi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MBA: I, Formerly Miss Mba Joy L. now Mrs Okorocha Joy Lewechi. All Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

MADUEGBUNAM: Formerly Miss Maduegbunam Florence Obiageli now Mrs Maduka Florence Obiageli. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

MGBEAHURU: Formerly Miss Mgbeahuru Bertha Ngozi now Mrs Nnamdi Bertha Ngozi. Former doc-

uments valid. Abia-poly, UBN, Public note.

NADI: Formerly Adeoti Cecilia Nadi now Adeoti Cecilia Akinyemi. Former documents remain valid.

Kakawa Discount House, RCCG, UNAAB and general public take note.

NAMUNA: I, formerly Miss Namuna Esohe now Mrs Oriakhi Esohe. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

NGENE: Formerly Miss Ngene Chidera Felicia now Mrs Ene Chidera Felicia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NLEMULZOR: Formerly Miss Nlemuzor Chidalu Judith now Mrs Ahanotu Chidalu Judith. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NNOROMELE: Formerly Miss Ugochi Nnoromele now Mrs. Ugochi Okezie.

All former documents remain valid. Abia State Health Management Board, public note.

NOBLE: Formerly Noble Ekeoma Nwokoro now Joshua Eke Elendu. Former documents remain valid. UBA, Zenith Bank.

General public note.

NWACHUKWU : Formerly Miss Nwachukwu Obianuju, now Mrs Nnadi Obianuju. Former documents valid. Public note.

NWACHUKWU: Formerly Cathrine now Mrs. Nwachukwu Cathrine Asueni. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWAIWU: Formerly Blessing Ngozi Chukwu Nwaiwu now Blessing Ngozi Okoroafor. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWANZE: Formerly Miss Fatimah Ebele Nwanze, now Mrs Fatimah Ebele Aiteobhor. Former documents valid. Public note.

NWAOGU: I, formerly Miss Edith Chizomam Nwaogu now known as Mrs. Edith Chizomam Nwachukwu.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NWOKE: Formerly Miss Nwoke Stella Chiamaka now Mrs. Enwereuzo Stella Chiamaka. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWOSU: Formerly Miss Nwosu Ogechukwu Mary, now Mrs Amuh Ogechukwu Mary. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWOSU: Former Miss Cellia Nwosu now Cellia Berembo Harry. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OAMEN: Formerly Oamen Benahil Augustina now Mrs. Akinola-Oamen Au-

gustina. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBAMISO: I, formerly Miss Osarenoma Obamiso now Mrs Osarenoma Sonia Oyegue.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OBI: Formerly Miss Obi Adatugo Chinyere, now Mrs Oyebanji Adatugo Chinyere. Former documents valid. Public note.

OBIOJI: Formerly Miss Awele Vera Obioji also known as Awele Veratracy Obioji now wish to be called Mrs. Awele Vera Adibi. Former documents remain valid. General public please note.

OGBEBE: Formerly Miss Philomina Ogbebe Obaruakpo now Mrs. Philomina Obaruakpo Ubiebi. Old documents valid. Public note.

OGBENI: I, formerly Miss Ogbeni Patricia Tessy now Mrs. Adeosun Patricia Ejehioakhan Tessy.

Former documents remain valid. Skye Bank, general public take note.

OGBEYI: I, formerly Miss Ogbeyi Peace Onyowo now known as Mrs. Onoja Peace Onyowo. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGBONNA: Formerly Miss Chizurum Ginika Ogbonna, now Mrs Chizurum Ginika Nnanna. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGBONNA: Formerly Miss Ogbonna Ejiuwanaka Justina now Mrs. Onuora Ejiuwanaka Justina. Former documents remain valid. University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Ibadan, UBA, Stanbic IBTC Pension, First Bank, Diamond Bank, general public note.

OGUNDIPE: Formerly Miss Ogundipe Bolanle Temitope now Mrs. Akinbode Bolanle Temitope.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNGBEMI: I, formerly Miss Ogungbemi Afusat Oluwatosin now Mrs. Lawal Afusat Oluwatosin.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNLENDE: Former Ogunlende Olalekan Mohammed now addressed as Toluwani Olalekan Elijah. Former documents remain valid. Yaba College of Technology, ICAN, public note.

OGUNSHOWO: I, formerly Mr. Ogunshowo Lukman Olayinka now known as Mr. Oladapo Lukman Olayinka. Former documents remain valid. General public take

58 Saturday, March 1, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Change of Name note.

OGUNSONA: Formerly Miss Adenike Adunni Ogunsona now Mrs. Adenike Adunni Yekini.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNWUSI: I, formerly known as Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ogunwusi now wish to be addressed as Miss Olufunmilayo Ajagbe. All documents remain valid.

General public please note.

OGUNYEMI: I, formerly Miss Ogunyemi Bunmi Tosin now to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olojede Bunmi Tosin.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

Ruth Tunrayo now Mrs. Adegoke Ruth Tunrayo.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKEGBENLE: Formerly Miss Motunrayo Oluseye Okegbenle now Mrs. Motunrayo Oluseye Babalola.

Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OKEOWO: I, formerly Miss Okeowo Olubukola Temidayo now Mrs. Adeosun Olubukola Temidayo. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKEY: Formerly Miss Imelda Iyera Okey now Mrs. Imelda Iyera Oko. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OHANELE: I, formerly Miss Uzoamaka Pamela Ohanele now Mrs. Uzoamaka Pamela Opara. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKOLI: Formerly Miss Okoli Ifunanya Juliet, now Mrs Uzoigwe Ifunanya Juliet. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OHIARA: Formerly Miss Chioma Ohiara now Mrs. Chioma Amaraizu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKOLI: Formerly Miss Chinenye Okoli now Mrs. Chinenye Obinali Okoli.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OJEDOKUN: Formerly Miss Ojedokun Islamiyat Olabisi now Mrs. Olajide Islamiyat Olabisi. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKON: Formerly Miss Blessing Udom Okon now Mrs. Blessing Joseph Eshiet. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OJIKUTU: Formerly Miss Abolanle Suliat Ojikutu, now Mrs. Abolanle Suliat Awofunmilayo. Former documents valid. Public note.

OJUKWU: Formerly Miss Ojukwu Chinwendu now Mrs Ejieke Chinwendu.

Former documents valid.

NYSC, public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Chidimma Priska now Mrs. Anthony Chidimma Priska. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Elizabeth Aduke Okafor, now Mrs Elizabeth Aduke Akporotu. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Chioma Cynthia Okafor, now Mrs Chioma Cynthia Nweke. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKAGBA: Formerly Miss Okagba Obianuju Maryanna now Mrs. Ezenyi Obianuju Maryanna. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKE: Formerly Miss Oke Olanrewaju Christiana now Mrs. Oni Olanrewaju Christiana. Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

OKE: Formerly Miss Oke Opeyemi Bukola now Mrs. Bamigboye Opeyemi Bukola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKE: Formerly Miss Oke

OKORO: I, formerly Miss Okoro Precious Ngozi now known as Mrs. Chukwu Precious Ngozi.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKOYA: Formerly Miss Grace Oluwakemi Okoya now Mrs. Grace Oluwakemi Omolewa.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLA: Formerly Miss Oluwabukola Veronica Ola now Mrs. Ojolo Oluwabukola Veronica.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLA: Formerly Miss Olusola Elizabeth Ola now Mrs Olusola Elizabeth Josa. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

OLADOTUN: Formerly Miss Oladotun Temitope Titilayo, now Mrs Onafowora Temitope Titilayo. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLAKUNLE: Formerly Yisa Olakunle Ramon now Folarori Yisa Ramon. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLALEYE: Formerly Miss Olaleye Mary Omowunmi, now Mrs Ameye Mary Omowunmi.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

OLASEHINDE: Formerly Miss Olasehinde Oluwabunmi Titilope now Mrs. Mate Oluwabunmi Titilope.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLAWALE: Formerly called Olabode Tayo Olawale now wish to be called Olayiwola Rasheed Ajibade. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OMOLEYE: I, formerly Miss Omoleye Oluwaseun Hannah now known as Mrs. Hassan Olanrewaju Oluwaseun Hannah. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OMOTAYO: Formerly Miss Mojisola Elizabeth Omotayo, now Mrs Mojisola Elizabeth Asala. Former documents valid.

Kogi State University & public note.

OMOZ-OARHE: I, formerly known as Akintunde Omoz-Oarhe now wish to be known as Akintunde Izevbekhai Omoz-Oarhe.

All former documents remain valid. Public please note.

ONI: I, formerly Miss A d e w u n m i Oluwakemisola Oni now Mrs. Bankole Oluwakemisola Adewunmi. Former documents remain valid.

IPMAN Satelite Microfinance Bank Ejigbo, public take note.

ONUOHA: Formerly Miss Onuoha Chioma Jane now Mrs Nwokie Chioma Jane. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note.

ONUORA: Formerly Miss Chidinma Esther Onuora, now Mrs Chidinma Esther Ikejiaku. Former documents valid. Public note.

ONWUKA: Formerly Miss Adaku Chinwe Onwuka, now Mrs Adaku Chinwe Nnoli. Former documents valid. Public note.

ONYEIWU: Formerly Onyeiwu Chidiebere now Samuel Chidi Peter. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONYISHI: F o r merly Miss Onyishi Maryann Nwakaego, now Mrs Nzekwe Maryann Nwakaego. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ORIFA: I, formerly known as Miss Mimi Oluwatosin Orifa now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Osomimhe Oluwatosin Clifford-Toluhi. All former documents remain valid. University of Benin, NYSC, Zenith Bank Group and the general public take note ORIGBE: Formerly Miss Sandra Odiri Origbe now Mrs Sandra Osemudiamen Ehiagbonare. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSASONA: I, formerly known addressed and called Osasona Oluwayowa Samuel now wish to be known addressed and called Olusona Olumayowa Samuel. All documents bearing the former names remain valid. General public take note.

OSEMEKE: Formerly Miss Osemeke Cordelia Obiageli now Mrs. Daniel Cordelia Obiageli. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

OSEMEKHIA: I, formerly Mrs. Ken-Nwamara Tessy O. now Miss Ikhihibhojere Tessy Osemekhia.

Former documents remain valid. IKEDC, general public take note.

OSILADE: Formerly Miss Osilade Adesola Damilola, now Mrs Owoyomi Adesola Damilola. Former documents valid. Public note.

OWOFOLAJU: Formerly Miss Owofolaju Moyosore Abisola now known as Mrs. Owodunni Abisola Moyosore. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OYEBANJI: Formerly Miss Oluwatobi Helen Oyebanji, now Mrs Oluwatobi Helen Lahanmi.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

OYELEKE: Formerly Miss Adebola Adebunmi Oyeleke, now Mrs Adebola Adebunmi Ogunsakin.

Former documents valid. Public note.

PETER-HINNUDE: Formerly Peter-Hinnude now Peter Francis. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

POPOOLA: I, Popoola Olunkunle Oluwafemi David am the same and of one person as Olukunle Oluwafemi David as written on my 2011 and 2013 WAEC Certificates and Popoola Oluwafemi David as written on my 2013 JAMB result now to be addressed as Popoola Olukunle Oluwafemi David. All documents valid.

MAPOLY and public note.

PREYE: Formerly Miss Igere Edith Preye now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jones Edith Igere. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

SAMSON: Formerly Samson Efuah Loveth now Folarori Yisa Loveth.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SARUMI: Formerly Miss Sarumi Adebola Fatima now Mrs. Okedoyin Adebola Fatima. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

SHOBOWALE: I, formerly Miss Shobowale Adenike Khafilat now known as Mrs. Yusuf Adenike Khafilat. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, LASPOTECH, general public take note.

SHODEINDE: Formerly Miss Olubukola Felicia Shodeinde now wish to be known as Mrs Olubukola Felicia Oluropo Faleyimu. All documents remain valid. Public note SHOKUNBI: Formerly Miss Shokunbi Titilope Anuoluwapo now Mrs. Meruwoma Titilope Anuoluwapo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

SHUAHIB: Formerly Miss Nana- Fatima Shuahib, now Mrs Nana- Fatima Yusuf. Former documents remain valid. National Assembly (NASS) & public note.

SOZAH: I, formerly known as Miss Sozah Catherine now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kadiri John Sozah Catherine. Former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SUNDAY: Formerly Miss Gift Chikodi Sunday now Mrs Ugwuegbu Gift Chikodi. Former documents valid. Public note.

TAYO: Formerly Tayo Paul-Oyewo now Olutayo Sunday Paul-Oyewo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

THOMAS: Formerly Miss Adetoun Esther thomas, now Mrs Adetoun Esther Olukolade. Former documents valid. Public note.

UBEH: Formerly Imaobong Anthonia Ubeh now Mrs. Imaobong Anthonia Dennis-Rafuah. Former;y documents remain valid.

Public note.

UBOGU: Formerly Isioma Krystal Ubogu now Isioma Krystal Chigboh.

Former documents valid.

Atlas Copco and public note.

UDEDIBIA : Formerly Miss Udedibia Justina Ogochukwu now Mrs Osonwa Justina Ogochukwu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UDEH: Former Miss Udeh Stella Nnenna now Mrs. Onyiaji Stella Nnenna. All documents remain valid.

Ministry of Education, public note.

UDEOGU: Formerly Miss Udeogu Uzoamaka Virginia now Mrs Ezenobi Uzoamaka Virginia. Former documents valid.

Public note.

UDO : Formerly Miss Udo Joy Onyinye now Mrs Nwosu Joy Onyinye. For-

mer documents remain valid. Public note.

UDOSEN: Formerly Miss Florence George Udosen now Mrs. Florence Nsa Offiong. All documents remain valid. General public note.

UGOH: Formerly Miss Ugoh Esther Chima, now Mrs. Uche Emmanuel Esther Chima. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UGWUOKE: Formerly Miss Ugwuoke Adaobi Stephanie, now Mrs Eneali Adaobi Stephanie.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UKEFI: Formerly Miss Ukefi Confidence U. now Mrs Ndubuisi Confidence Mba. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

UKE: I, formerly Miss Oluchi Cynthia Uke now known as Mrs. Oluchi Cynthia Ohaezukosi. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UKOBA: Formerly Miss Priscilla Ukoba now Mrs. Priscilla Nkemdilim Emeka-Enwere. Former documents remain valid. public note.

UKOH: Formerly Ukoh Blessing Chioma now Mrs. Duru Blessing Chioma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UKWU: Formerly Miss Ukwu Geraldine Ogechi, now Mrs Orji Geraldine Chinedu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UWAEZUOKE: Formerly Miss Tonia Chimankpa Uwaezuoke now Mrs. Tonia Chimankpa Eneh Nwabuike Emmanuel.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UZOZIE: Formerly Miss Chioma Uzozie now known as Mrs Chioma Chima-Egere.

Former documents valid. Public take note.

WILLIE: Formerly Miss Ruth Edet Willie now Mrs. Ruth Mishael Akpabio. All former documents remain valid.

Lagos State Polytechnic, public note.

IF FOR

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Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 59

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

NaturalHealth Natural Health With G. C. Ihesie

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

The Healing And Medicinal Powers Of Pure Honey N the infinite wisdom of the Most High, all Icalthat man requires to take care of his physibody in the right and wholesome manner were inexhaustibly provided and orderly arranged in nature even before his coming into being here on earth.

In nature, there are manifold healing and nourishing gifts that the Creator bestowed upon man and other creatures for their general wellbeing.

It is the man’s duty to discover these gifts and make wise use of them for the nourishing, caring, strengthening and healing of the physical cloak (body) entrusted to him as a loan for his sojourn in this part of the world (Creation) and for the attainment of his earthly and spiritual goal.

In “nature’s pharmacy”- forest, grassland, soil, sea, etc, there is no “out of stock.” There is no disease known to man that has no “drug” and such “drugs” are usually so simple to use and very cheap and available at the times when they are needed most.

The sweet honey of the bees is one of such nourishing, strengthening and healing gifts of nature that the ancient people, with their simple and childlike dispositions, once regarded as a “miraculous substance,” and like any other gift they received, everything with grateful thanksgiving to the Lord Almighty, the Creator of all.

To the ancient people, honey was seen as a symbol of wealth and happiness. It was associated with strength, beauty and longevity.

It is mentioned in all the religions known to man. Even in the Bible, the Promise Land was described as the “land flowing with milk and honey.”

Honey is one of the purest sweeteners ever known to man and is also one of the oldest medicines used all over the world.

The ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Egyptians prescribed honey as a potent medicine for all manner of diseases, including wound healing, stomach problems, respiratory system diseases (coughs, asthma, tuber-

culosis and bronchitis), etc.

History has it that Hannibal the Great fed his men with honey daily to give them strength to cross the Alps.

Unfortunately, this is no longer so in recent years with the advent of science and technology, which led to the loss of understanding of the true concept of wholeness and the art of living based on nature’s wise principles and over-dependence on manmade products and synthetic drugs that are known to create long-term discord and dis-ease.

Also, the so-called “modern man” has manufactured many substitutes for honey, in the form of refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, etc, which have replaced honey on our tables today.

However, no honey substitute has ever come nearer to pure honey, which still remains the most incomparable natural wound healer and life-giving sweetener.

The modern man is today faced with numerous health problems and tragedies resulting from over-dependence on synthetic drugs, product of human technology and aggressive therapeutic procedures and many health conscious individuals’ are expressing great concern over the hitherto unnatural ways of living and the artificiality of our modern lifestyles, which is already creating havocs on our general wellbeing.

Fortunately, nature is always desirous to help man in times of greatest needs, and just as man ignorantly rejected the healing gifts of nature that the Creator provided for him, which led to his creating disharmony, discord, and disease for himself, he is also free and capable of turning back to nature in time, since the liberation from the hitherto existing unnatural ways of living and the numerous health challenges lies absolutely in observing and obeying the Natural Laws, which are inseparable from the Laws of Health and Healthy Living.

Recognising these facts, many concerned scientists, physicians as well as some health-conscious individuals are now looking for safe, easily available and less expensive more gentle and less aggressive natural therapies that are available in nature.

This has resulted in the increased revival of interest in some of the long-forgotten ancient systems of healthcare that are primarily based on foods, honey, herbs, water, etc, all of which were known to sustain our forefathers for thousands of years before the advent of modern technology.

In this write-up, we are looking at the nutritional and healing benefits of this “miraculous substance” called honey.

To start with, what is honey? Pure and unadulterated honey is a pleasant and sticky (semitranslucent) complex mixture of substances produced by the worker bees from the nectar of (wild) flowers.

Nectar is a weak natural sugar (sweet) solution that is produced in glands located in the centre of plant flowers.

The bees collect the nectar by sucking up the liquid sweet solution into their stomachs and fly back to their beehives and regurgitate a mixture the nectar and enzymes in their saliva into the empty cells of the honeycomb and through an enzymic processes honey are formed.

Other bees then evaporate the water contained in the honey by buzzing of their little wings until it becomes one-quarter of the original size.

Still, other bees produce wax and seal the cells after the evaporation process.

The honey thus produced contains other ingredients characteristic of individual plant species and because of this, the chemical composition of the honey, texture, colour, flavour and taste varies and this depends on the source of the nectar, the weather condition, the season of the year and the method of harvesting the honey.

Today, many commercial beekeepers or

honey growers supplement their bees' food with refined table sugar, which may dilute the medicinal effects of the honey.

Most of the so-called “pure honey” that is available in most commercial outfits is produced by extracting it from honeycomb through centrifugation, heating and purifying, and this reduces all the healing and nutritional values of honey.

Refining honey results in the loss of valuable vitamins (Thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, ascorbic acid, etc).

Therefore, the raw, pure, unstrained and unheated honey produced and harvested in the wild still remains the best, because such honey contains bee wax, bee pollen and royal jelly intact and in their natural balanced proportions and state.

It is important to note that honey has a waterattracting (hygroscopic) quality, which together with the high potassium content withdraws the essential moisture from microbial agents and this property does not permit the growth of any kind of microorganisms in pure honey.

The reason why pure honey is a natural bacteriocidal is not yet fully known. However, it has been shown recently that certain bacterial spores, e.g. those of Clostridium botulinum, can retain their viability in honey when it is contaminated during processing.

Such bacterial spores are capable of germinating later in the sensitive and immature intestines of infants or newborn and might cause a disease called Botulism, which is like food poisoning.

This is the main reason why some researchers discourage giving honey to infants who are under one year.

The qualities of pure honey, like wine, improve with keeping. The honey that has been left for one year or more to nature is the best of therapeutic purposes.

It was found that honey excavated in a tomb more than 3,000 years ago, was still perfectly usable.

To be continued.

PetLife With Dr.Tunji Nasir N the sixth day of creation God O created plants and animals including grass among other

Animal Welfare Is Human Responsibility

things to serve as food for the animals. He instructed man to take dominion over the earth and its creatures therein. For He looked at His works and behold they were beautiful.

In Genesis 2:19-29, He solely gave man the responsibility of naming his creations including the animals, and till this day whatever man called the creature remains its name.

The biblical fact cited ab initio places man as the de-facto caretaker of all the creations of God. Because of his divine placement, man has been saddled with the responsibility of caring for animals.

Some scholars contend that without man’s intervention, animals can survive; as God has provided them resources in their natural habitat-Agreed! However, the uninhibited incursion of man into this natural ecosystem and the demands of modern living have punctured those balls of argument and placed them flaccid to an extent that humanity must take full responsibility for the care of animals.

Just as we know, man in a bid to survive has plundered the earth’s resources including the animals

and has abused the essence of the relationship that should normally exist between man and animals.

The reason for the acquiescence of dominion is that God places in man on animal is not for any other reason other than to help care for his creation which he regarded as beautiful. For now, this has largely been jettisoned as men have given a new meaning to the concept of care that God intended for animals.

Man’s need for animals as pets, beasts of burden, food and as agents of protection has made him to domesticate a large number and variety of animals.

Currently, animals push a premium place in their roles as servants and slaves of men. To this extent, it may be pertinent to ask how man has fared in discharging his responsibility to animals in return.

And this is what brings to fore, the issues of animal welfare in our society today. Our society is largely impoverished and animal welfare is more or less at the base of the ladder. It is considered elitist to dwell on these matters and that is the reason why an organisation such as the Society for Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals does not

have a grip on life in Nigeria. To us, it is a colonial relic that must be pulled down and confined to the dustbins of history.

But animal welfare should ordinarily be very topical when one considers that these animals once taken out of their natural habitats become completely depend-

ent on us for survival.

It will then mean that any man who needs an animal should also plan to take responsibility for the survival of same.

How would any one acquire a pet and not plan to feed, house and provide adequate medical care?

How would any one acquire

domestic chickens, cattle, sheep, pigs and goats and them allow them to take degrees in scavenging exposing them to vagaries of inclement weather and to our ever careless drivers on the highway and then plan to eat them some day? Doesn’t that manifest cruelty?

How can anyone ever think of transporting animals especially cattle in the cruel manners that we see on our roads daily, where they are herded together, packed like sardines, head wringed, limbs chained, subdued and stressed?

How can anyone ever think of bull fighting, dog fighting, and ram fighting competitions, bird pecking competition and all other dangerous games that animals are forced to engage in to massage the ego of uncaring men?

How can anyone think of sexually abusing animals as a matter of advantage? Quite absurd! You will say. But it happens every time.

How, just how?

I am of the opinion that the responsibility that God has placed on our hands to take care of his creation goes beyond mere lipservice; it should be a devotion, a total commitment to Him as we have rendered these animals incapable of taking care of themselves by our need and greed.

60 | Saturday, March 1, 2014

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TRANSITION Tribute To Samuel Johnson Chukwuemeka Ojiyi (1936 –

By Victor Chukwudi Ojiyi

turn in 1966 was very well heralded.

Already well accustomed to life in the Western Region, he commenced his working life in Lagos with an internship in a Lagos hospital. His last workplace was the Island Hospital, Lagos, before the burgeoning civil crisis caused him to drift back to the East in1967.

With the close of war hostilities, Ojiyi moved to Enugu to stay with his parents, Samuel and Priscilla, at 137 Zik Avenue, Uwani. The option of a base at their Nise hometown was completely ruled out with the total destruction of Pa Samuel Ojiyi’s massive residential home at Nise. Thus began a life-long sojourn in the Enugu City.

The late Ojiyi’s public service assignments took him across several Medical Care centres in the Eastern States.

At different times, he worked at the UNTH, Parklane Hospital and Polyclinic, Asata. He also worked at Awgu General Hosptial where he rose to officiate as the Chief Medical Officer before he was moved to Amaku Specialist Hospital from where he retired as the Chief Medical Director.

Throughout those public service years, he maintained a Medical Home Clinic at the old Pa Ojiyi Bungalow at 137 Zik Avenue, Enugu. This facility most times served as a Medical Home Care Charity Centre, as countless associates, including family members, nephews, extended relations, inlaws, towns people and host of compatriots benefited from his generous and lavish medical care.

A former President of Nise Community Assembly, the late Ojiyi led the organization to actualise uncountable community development projects, which include among others, the present Ngeneoka Market.

The late Ojiyi, Uzochiwalu, has run the race, handed over the baton and breasted the tape. Evidently, he never resisted the Heavenly invitation certain that he had since completed his earthly assignments.

A service of songs would be held at his residence No.7 Carter Street, Enugu, on Monday March 3, 2014 while commendation service would hold at the Cathedral Church of Good Shepherd Enugu on Tuesday March 4, 2014. His remains would be laid to rest on Thursday March 6, 2014, after a burial service at St. John’s Anglican Church, Nise, Anambra State.

He is survived by his wife, Barr. (Mrs.) Grace Ojiyi, eight children and many grand children.

HE late Dr. Sir Samuel Johnson Chukwuemeka (SJC) T Ojiyi was born in Udi, Enugu State on September 24, 1936, into the family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel (Uzochiwalu Snr.) and Pricilla Ojiyi. His father was a civil servant with the British Colonial Administration, while and his mother was a kindergarten and Sunday school teacher.

He commenced his Primary School education in 1942 at CMS School, Udi, which he completed at CMS Central School, Umuabi, after a brief stint at CMS, Udi Abia. It was in those Udi in-crowds in the course of regular visits to the Lawn Tennis Courts that he encountered a namesake, a personage who was to later become an icon in national leadership, General Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who at the time was serving as Assistant District Officer (ADO) in Udi. His early exposure to the modern world of his times, with the support and inspiration of his dad led him to opt to seek admission into the old British founded Edo College, Benin City. It was yet in his Edo College years that his talents and versatility found uncountable expressions.

His Edo College years were eventful ones. There, he encountered characters of civility and nobility, some as direct classmates and others as academic seniors. The list is a long count and includes Prof. Emovon, erstwhile Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Science/Technology; Dr. Osuide, once presided at NAFDAC; Henry Molokwu, the Onitsha-born Geologist; Simon Okeke of the Antiquities, the celebrated designer of the Biafran Flag; High Chief Sam Igbe, the retired Police General and member of Oba Benin’s cabinet, and the erstwhile Administrator of EastCentral State, Dr. Ukpabi Asika, among others.

Following a most successful Cambridge School Certificate outing, young Emeka proceeded to Government College, Ughelli for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) pursuit. After the HSC, he did not rush into higher institution immediately in pursuit of academic/professional education. He worked for a while in Ughelli as a teacher. He was later admitted at the Lord Kitchener College of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan, in 1959.

Being the first qualified Medical Doctor from Nise, his re-

Ojiyi

Martin Agwu Ohadiugha (KSM), A Tribute

By Chukwuemeka Ohadiugha Y father was born on DeM cember 31, 1928, to Mazi Ohadiugha Onyeodi and Ejimego Ohadiugha. He was the last of six sons.

It was Shakespare who said “parting is such a sweet sorrow, that I find it difficult to say good bye’’. How do I start saying eternal goodbye to my loving father?

I came in from a trip to Lagos, tired and needed to sleep. I saw my younger sister, Dora’s call, and called back.

She told me what the problem was; I spoke to my Dad, and later got a doctor to look in on him. The doctor wanted to admit him, but we decided he should be stabilised, and the next morning taken to Port Harcourt. Thus began his journey of no return.

In Port Harcourt, he was admitted in a hospital where he received treatment until he passed on the following morning. All my life, my Dad was never admitted to the hospital. This first recollected admission, admitted him into heaven. We are grateful to God for letting us share in the life of such a wonderful man. May his soul find repose in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.

I, however, take solace in the words of Ecclesiastes “there is a time for everything under the sun, a time to be born, and a time to die’’. Martin Agwu Ohadiugha (KSM), blazed into glory about 11.45am on February 17, 2014.

And the man died!

Nobody actually knows the

day, nor the time. If indeed he had any premonition of his death, maybe, he would have told me certain things when we spoke last on Saturday, the 15th. But he didn’t, because he didn’t know his end had come. Neither did I, for I would have travelled to see him. Alas, December 27, 2013, was the last time I saw my father – the only one who calls me Chuks Daddy.

One of his favourite songs, which bedrocked his life was “He that is down needs fear no fall, he that is low no pride; he that is humble ever shall, have God to be his guide. I am content with what I have little be it or much; and lord contentment still I crave, because thou sayest such. Fullness to such a burden is, that goes on pilgrimage; here little hereafter bliss, is best from age to age.’’

The second stanza of this song, which is one of my dad’s favourite, typifies his person.

Contentment was the watchword of his life. A glaring example is that even with an only son, he was assured in his heart that God’s will, will be done. Today his trust and faith has been rewarded.

My father imbued in me discipline, hard work, dedication – whatever your hand finds doing, do it well. He believed so much in education that he denied himself of pleasures to see us through school. He was wont to say, “ your education is the only investment that I have.” Thank God that this investment has yielded ample dividends! I grew up surrounded with books, books

and more books. That I turned a voracious reader today is thanks to him.

He was an advocate of responsible spending. He always admonished about that.

I took it to heart and today I’m a better manager of resources.

He taught me independence.

His teaching was by word and deed. He never spared the rod. That I was an only son never mattered much. All sexes are gifts from God and should be treated same.

I really don’t know what to say about my father. Sounds very strange, isn’t it? Maybe, I can say that, he is the only one who could have been my dad! Warm, loving, caring.

My father brooks no nonsense. A man of integrity and impeccable character! A man with a very serious, scary mien, but with a HEART OF GOLD. My dad was fun to be with.

There was no dull moment with him. He was used to whistling or singing his favourite songs when coming in from morning mass, which was a permanent feature in his daily living.

If his senior brother, the late Ezinna Lawrence Ikwuakolam Ohadiugha, lit the flame of education, my dad fed the flame.

The light that shines in Ohadiugha family can be singularly attributed to him. He sacrificed his comfort and pleasure to help out with the education of his siblings’ children. He believed so much in education.

He taught me a lot of life’s

philosophies – whatever you can’t do for yourself, nobody will do for you the way you would have wanted it done; life is a personal thing; retributive justice must take its course; with God, all things are possible; anybody who allows what he eats to control him, is not worthy of living; if the mind can forewarn the owner, a lot of things won’t happen.

These words of wisdom, I have found to be truisms, and have formed the guiding principles in my life.

Above all else, my dad was an exceptionally religious and Godly person. His faith was like the rock of Gibraltar.

Whenever, my father called me, Emeka, then there was trouble. But when he was in the right mood, am Chuks Daddy.

Daddy, the way I feel now – forlorn, is the way I will feel, even if you had lived to be a hundred. As a civil servant, I remembered looking forward to your weekend homecoming. We will eat a lot of bananas and groundnuts, and play rounds of scrabble.

Ha, this life.

This wonderful man will be committed to mother earth amidst family and friends after a requiem mass at Holy Trinity Parish, Umule, Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State on Monday March 3, 2014, at 11am.

Daddy, now that the INEVITABLE HOME CALL has come, I don’t have a choice than to say, cheerio. Fare thee well my one and only dad. May God grant your soul repose until we meet to part no more.

Shodipo

Samson Oluyinka Shodipo Passes On HE death has occurred of T Pa Samson Oluyinka Shodipo, a retired senior Police Officer and head, Soji dynasty of Igbore, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was 87 years old.

His remains were laid to rest on Friday, February 21, 2014, after a funeral service at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, Sango Ota, Ogun State.

The late Shodipo had a flourishing career in the Nigeria Police, which he joined on July 1, 1949, and served in various Police formations across the country’s six geo-political zones as Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO) and MOPOL

Unit Commander, among others. He was also in the Nigeria Police contingent to Congo Leopoville on peacekeeping mission in 1962.

He retired from the Nigeria Police on April 1, 1988. He would be well remembered as the first Officer to be honoured with the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) merit award for restoring peace and protecting lives and property during the famous Badagry Water Disaster in 1955.

Pa Shodipo’s death leaves a huge vacuum not only in the Soji dynasty and Shodipo family but also in Egbaland at large.

He is survived by a wife, children, grandchildren and

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday,­March­1,­2014 61

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports ­ xciting­Time E awaits­Teams, Fans­in Repackaged DStv Basketball League­ Williams Malu, (No 9) of Police Baton goes for a dunk, while Dennis Ebikoro of Islanders attempts a block during the 2012/2013 DStv Basketball League game played at the Indoor Sport Hall of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Islanders won 79-67.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI playing­14­games­in­the­regular­season­before­the­Final­Eight­play off.­ HESE­ are­ exciting­ times­ for­ the­ basketball­ family.­ The­ DStv Observers­are­of­the­view­that­the­new­format­will­keep­the­teams Basketball­League­dunked­off­yesterday­without­the­rancour fresh­for­the­weekend­games,­while­it­will­also­reduce­the­finanthat­usually­ushered­in­the­season,­but­the­gist­is­that­everybody cial­burden­on­the­management­of­the­various­outfits.­However, seems­to­be­on­the­same­page­in­the­quest­to­reposition­the­game.­ others­ fear­ that­ it­ may­ take­ away­ some­ excitement­ from­ the Shortly­before­the­league­started­yesterday,­stakeholders­met league.­ last­month­to­provide­the­platform­for­all­interested­parties­to President­of­the­NBBF,­Tijani­Umar­allayed­such­fears­and­called make­contributions­toward­the­success­of­the­league.­And­now, on­stakeholders­to­support­the­federation­in­taking­basketball­to the­game’s­faithful­are­excited­because­they­believe­the­Nigeria an­enviable­height.­Umar­said­the­administrators,­players,­coachBasketball­Federation­(NBBF)­are­finally­ready­to­leverage­on­the es­and­officials­must­come­together­to­ensure­that­the­game­takes enormous­potential­for­growth­the­game­has­in­Nigeria. a­prominent­position­in­the­country.

After­yesterday’s­ceremonial­game­between­Oluyole­Warriors While­admitting­that­it­was­impossible­for­the­board­to­move and­Police­Baton­at­the­sports­hall­of­the­National­Stadium,­Lagos, the­sport­forward­alone,­he­called­on­everyone­to­put­personal the­battle­for­points­will­begin­at­different­venues­across­the­coun- interests­aside­and­look­for­ways­to­take­the­sports­to­an­enviable try­next­weekend.­ height.

As­ usual,­ the­ teams­ have­ been­ divided­ into­ the­ Atlantic­ and He­said­rancour­among­the­stakeholders­would­only­bring­the Savannah­Conference­from­which­the­best­four­teams­of­each­con- game­to­disrepute­and­called­on­any­one­with­opinions­that­can ference­will­have­the­opportunity­to­assemble­in­one­location­in help­grow­the­sports­to­come­forward­with­them.­ the­play­offs­that­would­decide­the­eventual­champions. ­ “The­board­is­not­saying­that­we­have­all­the­ideas­to­move­the Last­year’s­champions,­Kano­Pillars­Basketball­Club­will­contend sport­forward.­What­we­do­is­to­ensure­that­stakeholders­involved with­seven­other­teams­in­the­Savannah­Conference.­These­are in­the­game­get­what­is­due­to­them­when­we­run­the­leagues.­So, the­ newly­ promoted­ Gombe­ Bulls,­ Kada­ Stars,­ Immigration, we­call­on­everyone­to­come­up­with­ideas­that­can­help­us­grow Plateau­Peaks,­Bauchi­Nets,­Mark­Mentors­and­Niger­Potters.­ the­sport,:­he­added.

The­Atlantic­Conference­has­last­season’s­first­runner­up,­Union The­NBBF­boss­noted­that­bickering­among­the­interested­parBank­Basketball­Club,­Kwara­Falcons,­Islanders,­Customs,­Oluyole ties­in­basketball­might­lead­to­loss­of­sponsorship,­as­corporate Warriors,­Police­Batons,­Royal­Hoopers­and­Dodan­Warriors,­who bodies­would­not­want­to­associate­their­brands­with­an­associafinished­third.­Dodan­Warriors,­who­had­their­best­regular­sea- tion­in­crisis.­ son­two­years­ago­by­winning­all­their­games,­will­hope­for­a­bet- He­said:­“It­is­impossible­for­everyone­in­a­group­to­agree­on­every ter­time,­as­they­chase­the­elusive­first­title.­ issue,­but­where­dissent­exists,­I­would­implore­such­to­be­done The­newly­promoted­teams,­Gombe­Bulls,­who­were­the­division constructively­without­mudslinging.­It­is­clear­that­we­need­to­distwo­champions­and­Kwara­Falcons­will­test­their­might­against agree­so­that­we­can­learn­from­each­other.” established­ teams­ in­ their­ respective­ conferences.­ Bulls­ and He­pleaded­with­aggrieved­stakeholders,­who­love­the­game,­to Falcons­replaced­Yelwa­Hawks­and­Comets,­who­were­relegated close­ranks­and­forget­whatever­challenges­the­last­sports­federlast­season.­ ations’­polls­might­have­caused,­adding:­“The­elections­are­over, For­Comets,­it­would­be­the­first­time­they­would­be­competing so­we­call­on­everyone­to­come­on­board­with­ideas­that­would in­the­lower­division,­but­the­Ayo­Bakare-led­team­has­the­where- help­us­better­the­fortunes­of­the­game.­We­are­not­on­the­board withal­to­bounce­back­next­season.­ to­take­what­belongs­to­the­teams,­but­to­contribute­our­quota­to To­alleviate­the­stress­of­last­season’s­grueling­campaign,­which the­development­of­the­sport.” saw­teams­playing­back-to-back­games­at­same­venue,­the­Nigeria The­ NBBF­ boss­ said­ that­ the­ partnership­ between­ sponsor, Basketball­ Federation­ (NBBF),­ organisers­ of­ the­ league,­ have MultiChoice­Nigeria­and­the­federation­would­avail­the­league reverted­to­the­home­and­away­format,­which­will­see­each­team and­the­national­teams­great­benefits.­

By Adeyinka Adedipe

T

“We­thank­DStv­for­guaranteeing­to­improve­the­league,­as­evidenced­by­the­new­floor­they­have­installed.­It­is­a­step­in­the­right direction.­ “We­are­also­looking­at­other­avenues­to­increase­the­income­of the­clubs,­partner­with­insurance­companies­to­insure­players, and­with­FIBA­(The­International­Basketball­Federation)­to­train statisticians­to­enhance­the­profile­of­the­league.­And­with­guaranteed­ additional­ broadcast­ of­ live­ and­ recorded­ matches­ by Supersport,­the­league­is­moving­higher.”

Looking­forward­to­the­2014­season,­the­players’­representative on­the­NBBF­board,­Olumide­Oyedeji,­predicted­a­good­competition­for­both­players­and­their­clubs.­He­told­The Guardianthat­the players­are­the­major­actors­in­sports­and­must­be­ready­to­prove their­mettle­at­all­times.­ “I­am­sure­we­are­going­to­have­a­good­basketball­season.­The­players­are­aware­of­what­is­at­stake­and­they­would­surely­give­their best­to­make­it­an­exciting­season.”

He­lamented­the­pruning­of­the­games,­stating­that­playing­more games­would­bring­out­the­best­in­the­players­adding­that­the competiveness­in­the­league­would­have­been­reduced­with­the home­and­away­format,­which­brings­the­regular­season’s­game to­14.­ “I­would­have­loved­a­situation­where­we­would­play­more­games, but­since­the­NBBF­and­the­teams­have­agreed­on­slashing­the games­due­to­financial­constraint,­I­guess­we­would­have­to­abide by­that­agreement,”­he­said.

He,­however,­commended­MultiChoice­Nigeria­for­their­continuous­support­for­the­league,­saying­the­exposure­given­to­the­game in­the­country­through­broadcast­on­Supersport channels,­would go­a­long­way­in­exposing­the­country’s­potential­in­the­game.­ To­make­the­season­more­exciting,­a­bumper­package­from­the title­ sponsors­ awaits­ clubs­ and­ fans.­ Among­ the­ initiatives announced­for­the­new­season­are­live­broadcasts­of­at­least­60 games­on­Supersport,­new­courts, weekly­magazine­shows­that would­focus­on­players,­matches­and­attractions,­among­many others.

Martin­ Mabutho,­ General­ Manager,­ Marketing­ and­ Sales, MultiChoice­Nigeria,­said­that­several­strategy­sessions­between MultiChoice,­the­NBBF­and­other­stakeholders­in­the­country­were held­with­the­objectives­of­enhancing­the­quality­of­games­in­the league,­making­the­game­more­attractive­to­fans­and­ultimately, boosting­the­national­team.­

62 Saturday, March 1, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

The Dwindling Chances Of The Super Eagles! am in trouble. A very close Iviews friend has been reading my about Nigeria and the country’s chances in the 2014 World Cup in Rio. He has decided to invest a fortune in attending his very first World Cup because, as he alarmingly told me, I have painted such a positive picture since after the exploits of the Super Eagles at the last African Cup of Nations championship in South Africa in 2012, that he now truly believes with all his being that Nigeria will win the Word Cup! He has saddled me with the responsibility to make all the arrangements for his trip there.

I readily admit that I have paid the Super Eagles and their manager, Stephen Keshi, such glowing tributes that I may have inadvertently painted such a picture – that Nigeria would do very well during the World Cup. But to win it? That is a completely different story.

Some months ago, I could have wagered that Nigeria would get very close to such a

lofty height, but right now, such hopes are becoming faint.

A few months in the life of a football team are a very long time indeed. The past few months have not been the perfect arrangement for a team that is destined for winning! I have my humble experiences from the past as my authority to say so.

1994, of course, stands as a historic anchor. It was an extraordinary year. The Super Eagles could very easily have got to the semi-finals (and probably beyond) of the USA ’94 World Cup but for the unfortunate slip up against Italy in a second round match they dominated but let slip through their fingers in the dying minutes of the game, due to inexperience.

That team was loaded with individually brilliant players.

In 1998, Nigeria, with a depleted team from 1994, and a build up to the championship marked with confusion and a new coach that was more of a tourist than a coach, that did not know his left from his right

Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi.

Fashola, Others For NOGIG Game Final HE grand finale of the 2014 T Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games comes up today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos with Governor Babatunde Fashola leading a host of dignitaries expected at the occasion.

The Minister of Petroleum, Deziani Allison Madueke, top government officials, as well as chief executives of the oil and gas sector will be there to witness their respective athletes fight for honours.

Today’s activities will feature the final of the soccer event, which will be preceded by a third place match, as well as the final of the 4x100 relay race.

Meanwhile, Team Chevron dominated the stakes in swimming as its representatives topped the medals table with five gold, two silver and two

bronze medals.

ExxonMobil placed second with two gold, two silver and one bronze medal while Team Total placed third with two gold and one silver medal.

Team NOAC with one gold and one silver medal placed fourth while Team SPDC with one gold and four silver placed fourth.

PTI came sixth with one gold, one silver and five bronze medals. NNPC garnered two silver and two bronze medals to finish seventh, while Team DPR took the rear with two bronze medals.

The star of the event was Kate McMillan of Team Chevron, who won two gold and one bronze medals.

Team Shell continued its dominance in the Basketball event with a 66-10 victory over NAOC Wednesday.

about Nigerian football, and had no solid plan to compete for the trophy, put up one of its most remarkable performances ever, as well as its worst!

Such was the level of the inconsistency of the team that they defeated pre-tournament favorites, Spain, by 3-2, and lost scandalously to Denmark by 4 -1, only two matches later! The team was a mish-mash of a few great players, but not a team!

2002 was a year to forget in a hurry. The team was so ‘good’ it deservedly did not win a single match during its group matches. The team had neither great individual players nor anything that looked remotely like a team.

2010 was Nigeria’s last outing at the World Cup. The confusion in the team about who would lead it to the World Cup rendered any meaningful preparation impossible, and the team lost even before setting out for South Africa. The team also had an ageing team of a few good players but no team!

Through all the four World Cup championships that Nigeria had participated in since inception, I had been consistent in building up hope that the Super Eagles would re-enact their 1994 shock-and-awe character.

So, in my usual optimism that the Nigerian spirit would prevail against the tide of the facts on ground, I have been singing like a canary that Rio 2014 holds great promise.

That is why I am in trouble.

That is why Engineer Nat Ikem, my good friend, a fanatical lover of Nigerian football and the Super Eagles, is bristling

with enthusiasm to invest in going to his first ever World Cup! Nat says he recklessly shares my optimism and intends to go to Brazil and return with the Super Eagles holding the 2014 World Cup. What a dream!

So, as we approach Rio 2014, with about 100 days to go, what do I see?

Nigerians are raising high the banner of hope. They have risen in one voice to support Stephen Keshi to lead the national team he has been building for the past two years to Rio. Nigerians have rejected any form of interference from any quarters in Keshi’s work.

Finally, the core of the team is already in place, even though a few new and old names still come up occasionally in media conversations.

Friendly matches have been lined up. A camping site has been chosen in America for the last lap of preparations.

Indeed, the road to Rio is laced with hope!

Suddenly, Clemens Westerhof’s old theorem about Nigerian football has crept up to send early warning signals: ‘When everything is going well and quiet and smooth the Nigerian team falters.’

I have started to sense some tingling of apprehension in the air. It has nothing to do with Stephen Keshi, or anything untoward about the team. The matter is really outside anyone’s control.

The Nigerian team is not loaded with outstanding players. Its strength is in the team –teamwork, physical and athletic attributes of the players, and their fighting spirit.

Segun Odegbami Winning or going far in the World Cup requires playing at a very high level consistently through all the matches, with plenty of luck as a bonus. But to play consistently at a high level against strong oppositions requires that players are not only good individually but also that their level of performance must be high, and they must be sharp and at their peak!

That’s the cause of my new apprehension about the present Super Eagles. The most important ingredient to prepare the players and put them at their peak is missing!

Almost all the key players in the team have not been playing regularly in their clubs!

They have not accumulated enough match time, match fitness and consistency to make them ready for the World Cup. The critical one-month camping period before the championship is never enough to provide the essential edge that players need to perform optimally.

These are the key players.

Vincent Enyeama is the safest pair of hands in the team.

Kenneth Omeruo is the key man in the heart of the Nigerian defense. He is the cool customer, using his head all the time.

Mikel Obi is the team’s main anchorman in the centre of the park.

Victor Moses provides the creativity up front.

I do not know much about how the other main players are faring, but of the above four, only Vincent has been playing consistently and amassing invaluable match experience, fitness, sharpness and confidence.

Nigeria may have some good players but they have not been playing regularly enough in their domestic clubs in the past few months to give the kind of confidence that would justify my oft-painted picture that the Super Eagles will triumph in Brazil.

I really do not know what can be done other than start to reduce expectations, and fast and pray!

MTN/GTB Lagos International Polo Tournament

Naeto C, Banky W On Stage, As Teams Go For Final Glory

By Tony Nwanne HE Lagos Polo Club, venue of T the on-going Lagos International Polo Tournament, has assumed a carnival atmosphere this weekend with suchg notable artistes, Naeto C and Banky W, among the entertainers billed to spice the polo action with good music and dance.

With the tournament rounding off this weekend, hip-hop artiste, Naeto C, was expected to spark the groove yesterday in an atmosphere charged by Asado’s Night Traditional Argentine BBQ, while this night will see the popular MTN Night in its full colour, with the MTN Ambassadors on hand to

thrill participants.

A twin-activity is scheduled for tomorrow, the last day of the 10-day dual-phased tournament, including the President’s Lunch at the Lagos Polo Club VVIP Marquee, while Banky rounds off this year’s activities.

But before all that, the gladiators will take tom the field to seek glory for their various clubs.

Lagos Goodfellows beat Petrosmith 5-3 and Kano Aitek also defeated Ibadan Oluyole 6-5 to book their places in the semifinal of the Low. Another Kano team, Titans also bagged a win in day eight of the 10-day twin-phased tournament, beating Lagos HST 6-

2½ to enhance their chances of progressing from the stream Two, while Ibadan Eleyele lost 6-5 to Raven Rojo in the eightteam cup.

Titans were defeated 6-5½ by city rivals, Susplan, in the first match and knowing they needed a win to avoid an exit, they opened score through Ibrahim Audu in the first chukka only for Mohammed Mudeihli to hit back for HST, who ended the chukka leading 1½-1 due to their handicap inferiority .

Audu scored two quick goals -the second of which was a belly shot- to give Titans a comfortable 4-1 lead to end the chukka.

Further goals by Sani Umar and Jamilu Umar in the third

chukka puts daylight between the sides.

Audu signed off his man-ofthe-match display when he finished off a breakaway move for his side’s sixth goal making Ali Safieddine’s goal for the Lagos side academic.

Two more trophies are up for grab today as Kano Keffi Ponies and Lagos Ironclad/ Fifth Chukker vie for the Italian Ambassador’s Cup, while two of the teams in the semifinal of the Low Cup will battle for the Lagos Governor’s Cup. The championship ends tomorrow with the Beginners Cup, Open Cup and Majekodunmi Cup up for grabs.

Polo Limited Appointed Official Timekeeper For Lagos Polo Tournament IGERIA’S foremost luxuN ry goods company has won the right to be the official timekeeper for the Lagos Polo Tournament, which kicked off on February 19 until March 2, 2014.

Confirming Polo Limited’s appointment, President of the Lagos Polo Club, Habeeb A.B. Fasinro stated that “The Lagos Polo Club is delighted to have the number one luxury watches company in Nigeria serve as the official timekeeper of the 2014 Lagos International Polo Tournament”.

Fasinro continued that “

Polo Limited’s practice of precision and respect for tradition aligns with the Lagos Polo Club, which is why we are excited about Polo’s involvement in this tournament”.

In accepting the official appointment, John Obayuwana, Managing Director of Polo Limited responded that, “Polo Limited is honoured to be the official timekeeper of one of the most prestigious Polo clubs in Africa”.

Obayuwana further expressed pleasure in being a part of the Lagos International Polo tourna-

ment, which he described, “as a tournament which outstanding players from all over the world display unparalleled performance”.

In concluding his acceptance speech, Obayuwana emphasised that ”Polo Limited has a long-standing history of supporting the game of Polo. As the number one purveyor of luxury goods in Nigeria, we understand the importance of precise timing during a match, as such, Polo Limited is bringing back our expertise and tradition to the Lagos Polo Club”.

Corporate Affairs Manager, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Dr. Sam Adenekan (left), Marketing Services Director, Iquo Ukoh, Managing Director/CEO, Dharnesh Gordon, Category Business Manager, Nestle, Adedoja Ekeruche, President, Nigeria School Sports Federation, Ibrahim Mohammed and the representative of Nigeria Collegiate Sports Federation, Lanre Balogun at the unveiling of the 16th Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship in Lagos…recently.

Saturday, March 1, 2014 63

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SPORTS Recently, the president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE), Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, was in Nigeria as part of his assessment visit of African countries, a process that started with Angola.

Nigeria once hosted the international chess tournament in 1992 and under Ilyumzhinov’s watch Emmanuel Omuku became the first Nigerian in the FIDE executive board in 1997. Also, during the same period, international Chess master, Odion Aikhoje, became Nigeria/Sub-Sahara Africa’s first and only individual in the gold list at the World Chess Olympiad in Elister, the chess city in Ilyumzhinov’s home region of Kalmykia, Russia.

Today, the number of internationally rated Nigerian chess players is about 500, at an all time high! Flanked by leading lights in the Nigerian Chess Federation, Ilyumzhinov spoke to a team of select media in Abuja. The Guardian’s Foreign Affairs Editor, OGHOGHO OBAYUWANA, was there. Excerpts: Why He Is In Nigeria.

LAD for me, it is a great moment to visit again your great and beautiful country. I represent the Kalmekia in the Russian Republic. I was selected as the FIDE president in November 1995. As you know, I started to play chess when I was five years old. My grandfather taught me to play chess.

And as a seven-year-old I became champion of Kalmekia Republic among children and when I was 15, I became champion of Kalmekia Republic among Older people. I love Chess.

Chess is my life. Chess is my hobby. All my life has been about Chess. ... And 100 per cent of Kalmekia children can play chess.

In1995, I was elected the International Chess federation president when the chess world was divided. That was in Paris, the headquarters of world Chess federation. Then in 1997, I asked delegates at the FIDE congress to nominate… to elect a citizen from Nigeria (Emmanuel Omuku) to the board and from 1997 until 2004, following the nomination; he represented Africa as executive director of FIDE and also as an officer of Council.

That is one of the highest positions in the organisational set up. Also in 2003, FIDE took part in the Pan African Summer Olympic Games and Chess was included in the games. Our goal now is for FIDE to be included in the Olympic programme, which is why we asked the leaders of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and all leaders to support Chess.

FIDE has organised three presidential board meetings here in Abuja. This is our third visit to Nigeria. In 2011, we also visited for the inauguration of your newly President Goodluck Jonathan and during that visit, we met with the International Olympic Committee members.

This morning, I came from Angola; tomorrow, I am going to Togo and to Cameroun and to other countries. In the past two months, I have visited South Africa, next week I will be in Mexico, Latin American and Caribbean country.

As FIDE president, I usually visit about 100 countries per year.

Now the 181 member countries of FIDE make it the biggest international sport federation. Every year we organise more than 1000 chess tournaments and I want to say that more than six million people around the world can play chess or know about chess.

In 1995, Omuku and other delegates elected me as FIDE president, at that time the Chess world was divided. No unity because the former Chess champion, Garry Kasparov with-

G

Nigeria’s Emmanuel Omuku (left) and Kirsan Ilyumzhinov during the FIDE President’s chat with journalists in Abuja…recently.

Action recorded during the recent Lagos International Chess Classics.

Chess Can Help Breed Intelligent Generation Of Nigerians drew and went out of FIDE. In 1993, he created his own Chess Association in New York and organised his own chess championship. FIDE was divided.

But I decided to unite FIDE in 2006. In Kalmekia, FIDE organised a unification match between Vladimir Kramnik, the world chess champion and Vucinic Kaparl of Bulgaria and after this match, FIDE became united again.

Last November, Magnus Karlsen became world Chess champion. In 1999, FIDE was recognised by the IOC as the only federation to organise chess in the Olympics and other international sporting events and movement. I think this is also the achievement of Mr. Emmanuel Omuku because he was an executive director of FIDE and was in Lausanne many times to meet with Antonio Samaranch. He talked with many of the high officials of the IOC. Coming back to Nigeria, the chess federation has some achievements and results. About 416 players are now in FIDE rating list, 17 title players. In this visit, when I now meet, discuss with members of the Chess federation, I will explain how I want to support Nigerian Chess.

One of them is building chess in schools with support from FIDE. We will give textbooks, methodological literature, computer programme to schools and sign agreements between FIDE and Nigeria’s Ministry of Education. We have such experience in many countries.

FIDE has agreements like that with countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Mongolia, among many other countries, where chess have been introduced as part of the schools programme.

According to this agreement, we can organise seminars for trainers, for arbiters here in Nigeria. We also want to organise some international Chess tournaments here in Nigeria. The second purpose of my visit is to meet with the president of the National Olympic Committee of Nigeria to solicit support for FIDE so that Chess could be included in the Summer Olympics.

Chess would be included in the winter Olympics programme.

Now many national Olympic committees supported us.

Yesterday, president of National Olympic Committee of Angola

promised to send a letter to Lausanne, the International Olympic Committee headquarters asking to include chess in the winter Olympic programme. Also as the FIDE president, I want to support young talented Chess players, to invite them to take part in international chess tournaments.

How Can Chess Put Nigeria On The World Map Like Other Sports, Such As Football Nigeria has big population, about 200 million people. Nigeria is a rich country in terms of resources with oil money and others. But I think the main resource of your country is your people, the young generation. Yes, your country as many others has its problems, financial, economical, some problems, but in my opinion, because I have some experience as president of Kalmykia.

When I was elected president in 1993, Kalmykia was one of the poorest republics in the former Soviet Union, one of the poorest. We had taxes only of about $2 million… the entire republic had only $2 million... No money for education, factories, roads, to build other infrastructure and so on.

I announced the main target to support young generation was to include Chess in schools. Why chess in school? Yes, we like to play football; our football team became the champions of Russian federation. And our footballer from Kalmykia was captain of the football team of the Russian federation. But I thought that we should invest money on the young generation through chess because chess is not a rich game! We don’t need to build big stadium… this is not hockey, football or basketball… this is one of the cheapest sports. Chess is a democratic sport. Everybody can play chess, young people, rich people, everybody. My strategic policy was to raise the economy for Kalmykia to rise in education like other regions. To breed very clever young generation… We had eight regions and among these eight, the education of Kalmykia children became the highest among the regions and when the minister of education for the Russian federation sent the commission specialist, after two weeks work, they said, because of chess, and that’s why my proposal to your country is to support chess because you have talented students and children. I think this would not be a short investment. We can see Nigeria not only in Africa, but also on the map of the world. This is a Chess centre, Nigeria. It is our feeling. You can hear from former president of the federation, master chess player Omuku on this. We have one family. If we will work together, we will achieve all these targets.

I want to also meet the president of your country, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan and explain like I did last year in South Africa to President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma has opened a Chess academy and also chess school for children in South Africa.

Aiding And Promoting Chess In Nigerian Schools We have a programme in FIDE that helps schools build the game in their children. My foundation will also help in building the game in Nigerian schools.

Already, I have a proposal to organize and produce Chess equipment here in Africa. Usually, you get it from China and from Poland. We can organise factories here to produce it. It is not very complicated.

For chess in schools, we need trainers. In Angola, we decided that we will help them to send students who want to study in Moscow because in Moscow we have one Russian state social university and we have also the Moscow institute for sports and in these two universities, we have special chess cathedral.

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Man City Gun For First Trophy As Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool Battle Away Odds ANChESTER City can win M the first trophy of the English season this weekend when it plays Sunderland at Wembley in the League Cup final.

City is three points away from the top of the league with a game in hand, while Sunderland is in the relegation zone and faces a battle to secure its status as a Premier League club.

“A cup final is always special and this one is a chance for us to take a very positive step forward this season,” said City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, who is trying to win his first piece of silverware for the club.

The rest of the top four are all away from home in the league: Chelsea takes on London rival Fulham, Arsenal travels to Stoke and Liverpool plays Southampton.

Manchester City is the favorite going into the League Cup final on Sunday, but Sunderland has a history of springing an upset.

In the last four seasons, Sunderland has won 1-0 in every game between the two at the Stadium of Light. Its victory last November, when defender Phil Bardsley scored the goal to separate the two sides, will give hope that it can surprise City again.

“That game in particular gives us that belief that it is possible,” Sunderland manager, Gus Poyet, said. “If you lose against a team all the time, it is very difficult to convince a player that this is going to be the right time to beat them.”

Sergio Aguero could play for Manchester City after returning to training Tuesday following a hamstring injury.

Stoke has beaten Chelsea and Manchester United at home this season, as well as drawing with Manchester City, and it will look to add another upset to its list against Arsenal today.

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, gave his players two days off this week to rest, and he believes his players will be mentally fresher for it.

“We came out of a very heavy schedule. Sometimes it is not only physical, it is mental,” Wenger said. “You are always

under pressure to perform.”

Wenger’s team could be without left backs, Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs, so Thomas Vermaelen could play there.

Wenger has also said that Mesut Ozil is back in the squad after being left out of the 4-1 win over Sunderland.

Liverpool travels to ninthplace Southampton looking to keep up its own title challenge, but will hope for an improved display from last weekend’s 4-3 win over Swansea.

The four goals it scored meant it overtook City to become top scorer in the league, but looked defensively vulnerable and twice surrendered the lead.

“If you want to be in the top four or win the league, you need to defend well,” Liverpool defender, Kolo Toure said. “We are scoring a lot of goals but for sure we need to get a better balance.”

Felix Magath’s first home game as Fulham manager is against city rival, Chelsea, as he looks to guide his team to Premier League safety.

Chelsea knows a win keeps it at the top of the league and even a point for Fulham, in last place, would be considered a surprise.

But with Sunderland playing in the cup, it gives an opportunity for the teams at the bottom to put pressure on the finalists to pick up points when it returns to league play.

Aston Villa has not scored in its last three league games and is only four points clear of the relegation zone. It faces Norwich, manager Paul Lambert’s former club, knowing defeat could push it nearer to the wrong end of the league table.

With Norwich defeating Tottenham 1-0 last week, Villa’s opponent will be full of confidence but captain Ron Vlaar believes his side will be safe at the end of the season.

“Obviously, we know the situation we are in,” Vlaar said.

“We have 11 games left and we need to get the results we need. We know we can do this.”

•Culled From AP.

Chelsea’s Mikel Obi tackles Man City’s David Sylva during a past league game. Chelsea meets Fulham in the EPL today, while Man City battles with Sunderland in the League Cup…tomorrow.

PHOTO: AFP.

NSC Gets N4B Commonwealth Games Lifeline From Presidency From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja hE National Sports T Commission (NSC) has received a big boost to its preparations for the Commonwealth Games and other competitions slated for this year, as President Goodluck Jonathan has approved release the sum of N4 billion special fund to the Commission.

The money would enable the NSC begin full preparation for the Commonwealth Games, African Youth Games

and Youth Olympics, as well as the ECOWAS Games.

NSC director General, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said yesterday in Abuja that the approval would solve the problems the Commission had following the delay in the passing of the 2014 budget.

The NSC director general, who praised President Jonathan for his continuous support to Nigeria’s sports development, noted, however, that the special fund did

LMC Approves Umuahia Stadium For Glo Premier League ATISFIEd by the condition of facilities at the Umuahia Township Stadium, the League Management Company (LMC) has approved the arena for matches of the Glo Premier League this season.

A letter signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the LMC,

S

Salihu Abubakar, dated February 24, 2014 and addressed to the Chairman of Abia Warriors, Emeka Inyama, said the “Umuahia Township Stadium met the required standard to host Premier League Matches” following a recent inspection by the LMC carried out on the

stadium.

In expressing its pleasure over the development, LMC reminded the club that it would conduct routine spot checks during the season to ensure that minimum criteria for facilities, security and crowd control were sustained and congratulated

Abia Warriors for passing the test as they debuts in the Premier League.

Abia Warriors Football Club gained promotion to the Glo Premier league last season and would host Kaduna United at the stadium on March 9, 2014 in their first match at the elite league.

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TAIWO AKERELE

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not cover the preparation and participation of the Super Eagles for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Nigeria registered for eight sports in the Commonwealth Games billed to run from July 23 to August 3, 2014.

The Africa Youth Games and the ECOWAS Games are slated for May 23 to May 31 and

July 2014 in Gaborone, Botswana and Cote d’Ivoire respectively.

Elegbeleye also assured that with the president’s approval of the special fund, the Commission would commence the camping of athletes for the games, adding that some federations had already begun preparations for the games.

CAF Confederation Cup

Bayelsa United holds AS Kondzo In Congo AYELSA United yesterday advancing to the second B held Congos’ AS Kondzo to round of the second-tier cona goalless draw in a CAF tinental club competition.

Confederation Cup tie despite a delayed arrival in the East African country.

Bayelsa were in danger of suffering a walkover in the first round first leg clash in Brazzaville due to a delay in the release of funds for the trip.

But the Yenagoa club finally departed Nigeria late on Thursday and hours later held their hosts to a scoreless draw.

Bayelsa reached the semifinal of the competition in 2009.

Cash was released to the Yenagoa club by the Bayelsa State Government late on Thursday for them to fly out through Lagos.

Bayelsa would have been walked over by AS Kondzo yesterday had they failed to honour this first round, first leg match.

Last year, another Nigerian The return leg match is slated club, heartland, were walked for Sapele in a week’s time over by US Bitam of Gabon with the overall winners after they failed to arrive in