Sat 08 Mar 2014

S A T U R D A Y

Benita Persisting Fuel Scarcity Of Nollywood Gets Her Dehumanising Groove Back Nigerians COVER 50

CELEBRITY 23

E D I T I O N

Chenge As An Agent Of Change WOMAN 21

PEOPLE 42

Briggs

Torrents Of Tributes For At 70

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth Saturday, March 8, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,854

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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Amid Boko Haram Onslaught, Gusau Pledges Secure Nation From Madu Onuorah, Abuja and Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri

• More Killed In Insurgents’ Attacks

S Nigerians ponder the war against Boko Haram insurgency and general insecurity in the country, and whether the armed forces are actually gaining the upper hand, Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, has pledged to work assiduously towards a safe and secure Nigeria.

This assurance came just as Police authorities yesterday at the Borno State Command headquarters in Maiduguri, confirmed that 17 residents were killed and houses torched in a second attack on Mafa town by gunmen sus-

pected to be members of the Boko Haram sect. Members of the sect had earlier on Wednesday visited mayhem on the same community.

The second attack, the police said, took place barely an hour after Governor Kashim Shettima paid a condolence and sympathy visit to victims of the insurgency that claimed 35 lives, including three policemen last Sunday.

On Thursday, suspected sect members attacked traders at Wala village on the Maiduguri-Gwoza road, killing seven and injuring of five others around 6.30am.

Wala is border village with

A

Cameroun and 125 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri, the state capital.

An eyewitness and resident of Gwoza, Tadah Hahe, said the traders were travelling in a bus and a tricycle when the gunmen ambushed them at the village.

Gusau gave the assurance yesterday when he formally resumed duties along with Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musliu Obanikoro, at the Ministry of Defence.

He said, after taking over from the former Supervising Minister of Defence and Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku: “The security

challenges are evidently daunting, but surmountable.

“With the help of Almighty Allah and our collective resolve and determination, we will get to the destination that will give Nigerians the confidence that the country is indeed a safe place for everyone.”

Maku, speaking just before handing over to Gusau, tasked the military to continue to work for democracy, saying Nigeria has no future outside democracy.

Admitting “serious security challenges in the country,” Maku stated: “Our armed forces have been doing a great

job. For many people outside, who see the sporadic killings taking place in the last two weeks, the impression is that the armed forces are doing nothing.

“Even a state governor had the misfortune of indiscretion when he said it would appear the armed forces of Nigeria are not capable of fighting the terrorists. I think that was serious indiscretion.

“And I can forgive that, because maybe he did not quite know the deeper work that was going on and is still going on in the Northeast.”

He added: “I am aware that in the last four weeks, there has been a lot of pressure on the terrorists, because the armed forces have been going direct-

ly to their bases, and that is why we are seeing a lot of those sporadic attacks, which comes sometimes out of frustration and anger.

“I know so much is going on and it is not something that we will talk on the pages of newspapers.

“I commend the armed forces for facing the challenges head on. And we must change the story as quickly as we can, because it is crucial for this country.”

Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tanko Lawal, said the actual number of causalities in Sunday’s attacks on Mafa could not be assessed until yesterday, when his men CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Govt Committed To Improved Power Supply By Dec, Says Nebo HE Federal Government has T reiterated its commitment to ensuring steady and improved power supply through large-scale infrastructure development.

Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo gave the assurance yesterday at a convocation lecture as part of activities marking the 5th convocation ceremony of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State.

In his lecture titled, ‘Energy and Education Development: Problems and Prospects,’ Nebo said Nigerians should expect increased electricity supply by December this year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported Nebo as saying the reform in the energy sector would industrialise the country, ensure greater productivity and higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The improvement in power supply, he stated, would also ensure increase in jobs, income and standard of living.

“The Federal Government has strengthened the capacity and Social Democratic Party Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, second right, displaying the party’s symbols with the National Secretary, Dr Sadiq Abubakar , fourth left; Third Republic Senator, Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina, right; Party Leader, Chief Supo Shonibare , third left; SDP Ondo State Chairman, Chief Korede Duyile, second left; and the National Treasurer, Nze Clarkson Nnadi during the PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 presentation of the SDP’s symbols at the party headquarters in Durumi, Abuja yesterday.

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2 | Saturday, March 8, 2014

Rivers Police Boss Vows To Tackle Kidnappers From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt IVERS State State Police R Commissioner , Tunde Ogunsakin, said yesterday that the command is battle ready to flush out all kidnappers in the state as he warned them and other evil perpetrators to desist from their nefarious activities or face the

Fire Guts PHCN’s National Control Centre Osogbo

wrath of the law.

Ogunsakin’s warning followed the recent upsurge of kidnapping in the state, particularly the abduction of politicians in the state capital.

The state police boss in an interview at the Police Command Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, affirmed that the police have been mobilized to rid the state of kidnappers, adding that there will be no hiding place for them anymore.

His words: “I have declared total war against kidnappers in Rivers State. Henceforth, there will be no hiding place

for kidnappers. We are sincere when we say no to kidnapping. Our men have been adequately briefed and mobilized to combat kidnappers”.

Ogunsakin explained that the command was concerned about the safety of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) stalwarts who were abducted on Wednesday, February 26, at Eagle Island in Port Harcourt, and released on Thursday, March 6, hence their calm approach to securing their release.

“We were actually very close on the heels of the kidnappers, but we are bound by our

duty to protect the lives of the victims not to disclose how far we have gone in tracking the kidnappers or our policing strategy. Please, don’t misconstrue our silence when we are on the trail of kidnappers or criminals.

“For your information, the police is always in the middle of it all: the families of the victims who want to cling to any piece of information that will lead to the release of their loved ones, as well as the kidnappers who, conscious of the crime that they have committed, are torn between collecting ransom and evading the police to avoid

arrest and prosecution for their crimes.

“In a complex situation like this, the police have to be very, very professional indeed. Yes, we feel for the families of the victims, but the police cannot on the strength of that divulge sensitive operational information which can even endanger the lives of the victims who are still in the possession of the kidnappers who are very dangerous and unstable characters,” he added.

The police boss noted that reducing the number of unli-

censed arms and ammunitions in circulation remains the best way to eradicate kidnapping and crimes in the society.

“You will be shocked at the number of illegal arms and ammunitions that our men have recovered in the past two weeks. In fact, you will be amazed. So, I ask: what are they acquiring these arms for? If it is to perpetrate crime in Rivers State, then they are in the wrong place”, he said.

Ogunsakin assured that the command would soon display the arms and ammunitions that were recently discovered and seized by the police.

From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo N early morning fire outA break yesterday engulfed a section of the National Control Centre of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Osogbo which distributes electricity to Osun, Oyo, Kwara and Ekiti states.

The Guardian gathered that the inferno started at about 2.am raising serious anxiety in the town as residents of the area scampered to safety before the fire was eventually put out at 9.am.

The actual cause of the fire was yet to be known as at the time of filing this report but sources said it was caused by technical hitch.

Residents in the neighbourhood were said to have fled to other parts of the town in the midnight when initial efforts to put the fire out did not yield positive results.

The state Deputy Governor, Titi Laoye -Tomori who visited the scene of the incident at about 3.30am allayed the fears of the people of the state that the incident was caused by members of the Boko Haram sect.

It took the combined efforts of the officers of the state Fire Service, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Army and the Police before the fire could be put out.

Men of the state Fire Service, it was learnt, had earlier complained of shortage of water, hence the delay in their attempt to put the inferno out.

None of the officers at the centre was ready to speak with the press on the incident but it was reliably gathered that property worth millions of naira were destroyed by the fire.

As at the time of filing this report, officers of both the Nigerian Police and Nigerian Army were strategically stationed at the centre mounting surveillance.

The incident has however caused total blackout in most parts of the state, and it was learnt that the situation may persists until the necessary repair is carried out.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (standing middle), in a group photograph with the celebrant, Alhaji Olatunji Odunsi (fourth left, front row) his children and grandchildren the celebration of Alhaji Odunsi’s 100th birthday in Ijebu-Ode yesterday.

‘Govt Committed To Improved Power Supply’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 credit worthiness of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company by injecting 800 million dollars into it.

“There is a deliberate plan by government to diversify the energy mix through the exploitation of our renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, hydro and bio-

mass.

“Currently, the Federal Ministry of Power is planning to replicate the successes in Operation Light Up Rural Nigeria to increase access to energy through renewable energy,” he said.

Nebo noted that with the support of all, government hopes to increase generation and meet the 6,000 megawatts projection by

December this year.

The minister called on Nigerians to support the fight against theft and vandalism of gas pipelines, as well as transmission and distribution infrastructure. He stressed the need to reform the education sector to focus on strategies that would ensure productive learning for educators and students.

In his address, Anambra State

Governor Peter Obi pledged to provide additional water schemes to the institution and advised the graduating students to contribute their quota to build a better country.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Fidelis Okafor, said the university had made a mark in the area of research and established academic cooperation with

some universities abroad.

Okafor enjoined the graduating students to always remain good ambassadors of the institution and engage themselves in honest and meaningful activities.

Pro-Chancellor of the university, Prof Elo Amucheazi, called for the strengthening of the cooperation among the three tiers of government to increase funding for universities.

More Killed In Insurgents’ Attacks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 in the field confirmed the death of 17 civilians and a security personnel.

He stated that the remaining few houses from last Sunday’s attacks were also torched by the hoodlums at about 4pm last Wednesday.

The Guardian also learnt that the double tragedy occurred when the police patrol team clashed with insurgents travelling to Marte council area of the state.

A top military officer said there was fierce battle between the terrorists and soldiers heading northwards that lasted for half an hour, just as another set of insurgents stormed Mafa town.

Some residents who fled to Maiduguri also told journalists that the terrorists had shortly after the first attack vowed to return.

“They told us that they would not only level Mafa, but would wipe it out completely, and it seems they have accomplished their mission,” said Usman Abba, a resident.

He added: “Thirty minutes after the traders boarded the bus and tricycle at Gwoza Motor Park, we were shocked and terrified that our people had been killed by the insurgents that emerged from the Sambisa Forest at dawn to terrorise our people here.

“The gunmen came in a Volkswagen Gulf car and two

motorcycles and opened fire on the traders, killing seven of them travelling to Barawa Market near the border with Cameroun.”

He revealed that some of the traders who attempted to flee were shot dead by the insurgents. The injured persons, he disclosed, were taken to the hospital in Gwoza for treatment, while the bodies of victims were deposited at the hospital morgue for identification before their burials Thursday.

Lawal confirmed yesterday that a gang of armed hoodlums ambushed and killed seven traders travelling to a border market in Gwoza council. He said no arrests has been made by either the

military

or

police.

Meanwhile, the military yesterday said it recovered some weapons while repelling an attack from the terrorists along the country’s border with Chad.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) confronted the terrorists as they tried to overrun markets in communities on the outskirts of Monguno and NNPC at New Marte in Borno State.

Olukolade said over 50 assorted grenades and 11 AK 47 rifles were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.

He said more assaults and encounters were in progress as intelligence sources confirmed the routes being used by the fleeing terrorists, noting that soldiers had been directed to sustain aggressive patrols in certain areas where terrorists’ actions were anticipated.

The Defence spokesman stated that cordon and search operations were ongoing and patrols had been increased to forestall further attacks.

He added: “Interrogation of captured terrorists from various locations has been yielding useful information as to their mode of operations.

“Among those in custody is a lead specialist in butchering human beings, who insisted he did not use firearms, but daggers and cutlasses for his assignment.”

Saturday, March 8, 2014 3

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NEWS

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, displaying their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) after collecting them from INEC officials at Esan-Ekiti yesterday.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (left); his wife, Sherifat; and the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Ambassador Rufus Akeju during the collection of their Permanent Voters’ Cards at Ward 8 in Ilesa East Local Council of the state yesterday.

B/Haram Trial: Court Refuses Kogi Varsity Lecturer, Others Bail From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE Federal High Court, T Abuja Division, yesterday rejected the bail applications filed by an alleged Boko Haram member and Kogi State University lecturer, Dr. Nazeef Mohammad Yunus and two others.

In a ruling on the bail application, the presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole upheld the arguments of the Prosecution Counsel, Mrs. Jones Nebo that the offence of the accused carried capital punishment and therefore, their release on bail would pose serious national security threat in general and Kogi State in general.

Justice Kolawole said: "The duty of the court is to assist the state and law enforcement agencies in their coer-

cive effort against terrorism, while being mindful of the fundamental human rights of the accused."

Justice Kolawole held that the upsurge in the wanton killings of students and destruction of property by the violent Boko Haram sect in Yobe and Borno States in the last six weeks has raised serious security concerns that the court cannot turn a

blind eye to, while acknowledging the discretionary powers of the court to grant bail to the accused persons who are presumed innocent until found guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction.

"In view of what has happened in Buni Yadi in Yobe State recently and Borno State in the last six weeks, it will be judicial naivety and an abuse of the court's

undoubted discretionary powers to grant the accused bail. It will send a wrong signal to the United States of America and the international community on Nigeria's effort at combating the "bad boys", Boko Haram sect".

The counsels to the accused persons had urged the court to use its discretionary powers to grant bail since there

EPUTY Senate President, D Ike Ekweremadu yesterday said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not a cult group whose membership could only be determined by its actors.

Ekweremadu described the PDP as a big political association that can contain anybody desirous to join it, stressing that politics is a game of numbers that must be played in the overall interest of the people.

Ekweremadu, who was responding to questions from reporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, on the opposition to the return of former governor of the state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani to the PDP by some elements in the party in the state, stated that no single individual had the right to stop anybody from joining any political party of choice in the country.

Stressing that Nnamani's return would add value to the party, Ekweremadu said members of the party in the state should be excited and grateful to him for the initiative rather than oppose his return, noting that all the

sel, Chief James Ocholi (SAN), the Judge said: "The second accused person shall have access to the National Hospital in Abuja and every other top medical facility in the country whenever the need arises."

He, however, assured parties in the matter of accelerated hearing.

The case was adjourned to March 10, 2014 for hearing.

Ekiti/Osun 2014: Fayemi, Aregbesola Urge Electorate To Pick Up Permanent Voters’ Card From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Ado-Ekiti) and Tunji Omofoye (Osogbo) S the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to eligible voters in Ekiti State, the State Governor, Dr.

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Kayode Fayemi, has urged the electorate to come out en mass and collect their cards.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State also yesterday urged Nigerians to see the exercise as part of the electoral process that will guarantee their rights to choose their

leaders.

Aregbesola made the call in Ilesa his hometown after collecting his PVC at Ward 8 Unit 01, Ifofin, Ilesa.

Governor Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, picked up their permanent voters’ cards at the Ogilolo polling unit

PDP Is Not A Cult Group, Says Ekweremadu From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

was no evidence that the accused applicants would abate justice, interfere with investigation or jump bail.

After examining the arguments of counsels in the matter, Justice Kolawole said: "I hereby remand the accused persons in Kuje Prison until the next adjourned date."

On the health of the second accused raised by his coun-

political actors in the state presently were products of the former governor.

He said: "This is democracy and we have freedom of association in Nigeria; it is not as simple as that. So, nobody can stop anybody from being in any political party; things don't work that way. It is not a cult; the PDP is a big party and will contain everybody. So, I will be surprised if anybody is opposing his coming back. He is actually going to add value and the more the merrier in this business. We should have an open mind in all these and to think about it, the major political actors in Enugu State

are all products of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani. They should be grateful to him because the worst thing that can happen to anybody is the sin of ingratitude. If you are ungrateful to any person, you cannot make any meaningful progress. The bible is clear

on this. If you repay good with evil, evil will never depart from your house. So, we expect that anybody who benefited from Chimaroke Nnamani should be happy with him and the least anybody can do is to wish him well."

009, Isan/Ilemeso Ward 11 in Isan Ekiti yesterday at the commencement of the exercise, which is being pioneered in Ekiti and Osun States by the electoral commission.

Fayemi, while fielding questions from journalists on his assessment of the exercise, said it was too early to give a definitive stance since the exercise had just begun.

He, however, said that available reports indicated that voters were being attended to in the 2,195 polling units across the state, adding reports also showed that many people had not turned up for the exercise following the fuel scarcity that has hit the country, which is hindering many people from travelling to their various

Falae Carpets Politicians On Corruption, As SDP Unveils Manifesto ORN-AGAIN Social B Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday unveiled its programmes in Abuja, blaming the country’s woes on corruption.

The party’s National

Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, who unveiled the manifesto, condemned the spate of cross carpeting that had seen prominent politicians migrate across party lines.

Speaking at the event,

which held at its national secretariat, Falae said the revived SDP had zero tolerance for corruption and warned politicians with such tendencies to steer clear of the grouping.

Stop Shedding Innocent Blood, Catholic Bishop Warns Boko Haram

By Odita Sunday HE Catholic Archbishop of T Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has appealed to Boko Haram insurgents to stop the wanton killing of innocent Nigerians in the North-eastern part of the country.

Martins, who made the appeal yesterday at the foundation laying ceremony of Formation House, Society of

places of registration.

Aregbesola urged residents of the state to keep and guard their PVC jealously when they collect it from the electoral umpire for the Osun governorship election and subsequent elections.

He reminded the people that acquisition of the PVC is the only way to ensure that they have a say in electing into offices of responsibility those who would lead them.

He said: “The greatest power we have in these contemporary times is the power to fearlessly elect leaders from the ward to the national level. We must also be ready to discharge our responsibilities as responsible citizens by participating actively in the electoral process.”

St. Paul in Iju, Lagos, said rather than shed innocent blood, the terrorists should sheath their sword and opt for a round-table discussion.

The cleric stated that much as the Boko Haram has some agitations, the group should not go to the extreme of killing innocent children who knew nothing about their grievances.

"I am making a passionate appeal to Boko Haram to

sheath its sword. Members of the group should respect the innocence of children and sanctity of human blood.

God frowns at the shedding of the blood of the innocent and is not happy with the killing of minors.

“The most agonising aspect of it all is that children are being killed in their sleep. It is unimaginable that something of that magnitude is happening in Nigeria.

“I want to say that it is better to sheath your sword and resort to round table discussion because the happenings in the North is killing the economy of the country.

Whether we like it or not, the international community is watching and no sane person would invest in an atmosphere of insecurity; destruction of lives and property is not blowing us good wind,” Martins said.

According to Falae, SDP returned to the political scene in order to bring sanity to the way politics is being practised.

“To those who have become disenchanted with politics and politicians, especially those who have retired prematurely because they could no longer tolerate the immorality and indecency going on in the polity, I say to you, you now have a chance to return to politics of principle and service where no godfathers will impose their friends, business partners or family members on the party and where internal democracy and respect for the individual prevails,” he said.

4 Saturday, March 8, 2014

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nEWS

Fulani-Tiv Crisis: Irate Youths Protest Killings, Barricade Makurdi-Lafia Road From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi HERE was pandemonium T in north Bank, a suburb of Makurdi, the Benue state capital yesterday as thousands of irate youths barricaded the Makurdi-Lafia-Abuja expressway in protest of the killing of Tiv farmers by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The protest, which lasted over

five hours, held travelers plying the route hostage until a team of armed mobile policemen was drafted to the troubled spot to restore peace and open the road for commuters.

The irate youths allegedly smashed people’s vehicles that attempted to pass through, chanting war songs and calling on the Fulanis to leave the state and allow peace

to reign.

In a related development, at Daudu, a boarder town with nassarawa state, it was gathered that a group of herdsmen attempted to invade the town in the early hours of yesterday but were repelled by the combined team of security operatives.

However, it was learnt that a woman who attempted to flee

the troubled spot fell from a commercial motorcycle, otherwise known as Okada and died instantly.

Meanwhile, a Reverend Father in Jato Aka, Fr. Vincent Ahaa was yesterday abducted by men suspected to be Fulani marauders who disguised in military uniforms and taken to an unknown destination.

The herdsmen in military

uniforms had suspected the Reverend Father of hiding some fleeing Tiv farmers in the parish but had refused to release them to be killed.

It could be recalled that the Fulani herdsmen in company of military officials on Thursday invaded Jato Aka, home of former Steel Minister, Chief Wantaregh Paul Unongo and burnt down many houses.

‘Why n5.75B Eurobond Facility Is Managed By Sovereign Wealth Fund’ From Karls Tsokar, Abuja HE Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is to manage the n5.75 billion Eurobond facility acquired for the nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (nBET) Plc to enhance their operations.

This is because of the confidence the Federal Government has in the company that it would have return for the investment.

The Board Chairman of nBET, Dr. ngozi OkonjoIweala who is also the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy at the maiden visit to nBET, where she was to preside over the first ever meeting of the Board, said the need to profitably invest the money for efficient administration as against the old order where it “ends to nothing” compelled government to look towards the

T

bulk traders.

Okonjo-Iweala stated: “The money is from Euro bond and most of the money from there is taken to support the power sector. This liquidity facility has to be managed in such a way that we should be able to pay back the loan, you therefore have to think of the best way to invest the money.

“The bulk trader in addition to the resources we have from the budget, have also received 350 million dollars (n5.75 Billion) as a liquidity facility being managed by the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

“You can’t just have it sitting in the central bank, which was what we were doing initially, and then it amounts to nothing, ends next to nothing. So our best opportunity, was to give it to a premier investment corporation of the government, and tell them you are managing lots of billions in assets, manage

this also so that we can get some decent returns, to enable us to defray the interest cost of the repayment of this facility,” she said.

It would recalled that the Minister of Power, Chinedu nebo while speaking on the issue of power generation and distribution in Abuja,

said “the nigerian Government is ready to buy all power generated through its agency - the nigeria Bulk Electricity Trader (nBET) and with the World Bank supporting through the Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) scheme, all power generated will be paid for 100 per cent

when produced.”

Okonjo-Iweala said it is the desire of the Federal government to ensure that decent returns to her investment is guaranteed, and considering that the Electricity trading company has the capacity to deliver on the mandate, she was chosen.

Orient Refinery Attack: Obi Puts Security On Alert From Chuks Collins, Awka OLLOWInG Monday’s armed attack by insurgents suspected to be from the neighbouring Kogi state on some Anambra communities and facilities of the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc at AguleriOtu, Anambra East council, Gov Peter Obi has ordered security agencies to move in immediately.

The governor charged the security agents to commence a 24-hour surveil-

F

lance and patrol of the whole area to forestall future occurrence.

The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Chief Joe-Martins Uzodike said the government was not happy with the security breach and was already appraising the situation. He assured that the extent of damage and casualties were still being collated with a view to addressing same soon.

Also, the traditional ruler of

Orient Petroleum host community, HRH Igwe Alex Edozieuno, who spoke to journalists yesterday, said he was shocked at the magnitude of damage to lives and property of the oil company and his subjects by the invaders.

According to him, “I personally visited the scene of the attack and was dumbfounded by the gross brutality to the citizens, Orient Petroleum staff and quantum of damage to property.

‘Africa Short Of Professional Accountants’ From Anthony Otaru, Abuja HE Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) nigeria has said that notwithstanding the unemployment situation in Africa in general and nigeria in particular, qualified accounting professionals are still in short supply. ACCA said that Africa would need additional 180,000 professionals Accountants by year 2020.

Speaking with newsmen at the 2014 ACCA Summit yesterday in Abuja, the Head of ACCA nigeria, Oluwatoyin Ademola said that if Africa will need at least 180,000 additional professional Accountants by year 2020, it is obvious that nigeria, being the most populated country in the continent with abundant resources would need no less than 100,000 additional professional accountants during the same period.

T

MTn Takes Medical Scheme To Abia From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia n line with its promise to nigerians at the inception of the MTn Foundation in 2004 to improve the quality of life in the communities, Mobile Telecommunications firm, MTn, on Thursday flagged off the MTn Foundation (MTnF) Y’ello Doctor Mobile Medical Intervention Scheme in Abia State, Umuahia, the state capital.

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TheGuardian SUnDAY, March 9, 2014 POLITICS

‘Docility Won’t Give Igbos The Presidency; They Must Fight For It’ nEWSFEATURE LIFE AFTER SPILLAGE:

The Guerilla Warfare Of Boko Haram

Ijegun Imore Remains Endangered Terrain BUSInESS

SURE-P: Slush Fund In States, How Much Have Been Squandered?

It’s simply revealing.

Don’t miss it!

IBRU: Oath-taking: Is It Biblical?

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

n the search for peace in northeastern nigeria, half measures, it would seem, have failed. But the alternative, which includes total declaration of emergency rule and full-scale military offensive, has far-reaching implications. This is the dilemma; and, as the Boko Haram Islamic sect pushes the Military to its limits, The Guardian serves you an exclusive of what stakeholders say on the way forward in the war against terror in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other neighbouring states on Sunday. Keep a date with us!

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Saturday, March 8, 2014 5

NEWS

Navy Bids Farewell To Ezeoba

By Odita Sunday OMP and military ceremony P greeted the final exit of Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba’s exit from the Nigerian Navy yesterday.

His successor and other service chiefs pulled out the retired Chief of the Naval Staff officially in a colourful parade held at the Naval Training Command Parade ground, Apapa, Lagos.

The event was attended by the four service chiefs: Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Amosu; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah and Ezeoba’s successor, Usman Oyibe Jubrin .

In his valedictory speech, Ezeoba said he considered his service to Nigeria as a rare privilege. Adding that his experi-

…As Nigeria, Cameroon Seek Joint Patrol of Bakassi Peninsula ence throughout his military career has helped him to clearly understand the critical role of leadership in the success of any organization.

“In Armed Forces, leadership is the projection of a clearly defined vision, personality and character that gets subordinates to do what is required of them and to engender within them the confidence that breeds initiative and capacity to think outside the box within the context of acceptable risk and responsibility taking into cognizance the dynamics and complexities of the operating environment,” Ezeoba said.

The Delta State indigene Naval Chief who speaks the 3 major

Nigerian languages (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba) fluently in addition to the English Language was born in Jos, the Plateau State Capital. He is a member of Course 22 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and has attended numerous military courses including the prestigious National War College (National Defence College of Nigeria). He holds a Master of Science Degree in Strategic and Defence Studies.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government would be seeking joint patrol of Ibaka area of Bakassi Peninsula with its Cameroonian counterpart to further protect citizens’ lives and property in the area and

avert crude oil theft.

The New Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin in Lagos disclosed this yesterday in Lagos.

The naval chief was reacting to a comment that the Nigerian armed forces need to do more to protect the interest of its citizens resident in the affected area. But Admiral Jibrin maintained that the Nigerian government could not unilaterally deploy troops to the area otherwise it would be violating the International Court of Justice pronouncement on the area.

Rather than unilateral action on the area, the naval chief said that the government of the two countries would seek for ways

to jointly maintain order and sanity in the oil-rich area.

His words, “We could only have joint patrol around Bakassi with Cameroon. If we go to Ibaka alone, it would be in violation of the ICJ verdict.”

Admiral Jibrin also maintained that his administration would ensure prudent management of naval resources while assuring Nigerians that the flagship, NNS ARADU would soon be back to sea, as discussions are already ongoing between the Nigerian Navy and some development partners on the warship.

The naval chief also disclosed that the Nigerian Navy has set free three Indian nationals whose ship was allegedly hijacked by suspected pirates around Burutu area of Delta State.

Aganga To Hold Talk With US Investors, Business Leaders

By Geoff Iyatse IGERIA’S foremost values N based leadership development organisation, the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) in collaboration with First Bank of Nigeria Plc will hold a Guest Speaker Forum in Washington DC, United States on Monday, March 10.

The Forum is expected to x-ray the current economic and investment environment in Nigeria; discuss how the present administration is executing policy frameworks that have effectively elevated Nigeria to a destination of choice for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Africa; outline economic strategies being put in place to diversify its economy to reduce dependence on oil.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, will make a presentation on the theme: Beyond Oil: the Investment Climate in Nigeria.

Other guests expected at the event include General Collin Powel, Mrs. Madeline Albright, US and African corporate executives, investors, US policy makers (from the Department of Commerce and Congress) and the Chamber of Commerce and NLI fellows and associates.

NLI’s CEO, Yinka Oyinlola, said the Guest Speaker Forum is aimed at bringing Nigeria to the fore in a more positive light in order to boost investment and reappraise the level of trade confidence other countries have in the country. He said it is also conceived to facilitate the transfer of experiential learning and knowledge from accomplished Nigerians to emerging Nigerians.

According to him, it has the potential of scaling up international attention and interest in the economic future and current investment.

Eating from dustbin: two women eating expired beef rolls being dumped at the Ojota dumpsite in Lagos.

Pa Doghuje Passes on At 100

Imo Holds CGC Election Today

A AKPOKORAYEN Doghuje, P the Okpako of Usiefrum, Ekresarho Quarters of

From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

HE Community • Opposition Alleges Irregularities T Government Council (CGC) Election holds today in • Govt Debunks Allegation the 637 autonomous communities in the 27 Local Councils spread in the three senatorial districts of the state (Imo East, Imo West and Imo North). The polls earlier scheduled for last week, was shifted.

The ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), will conduct the Option A4 elections (voters to queue on the back of their choice candidates). It is expected that all the candidates who had been screened were considered based on their qualifications.

CGC model was creative of Governor Rochas Okorocha on assumption of office in 2011. While it replaced the old Local Government Development Centres, it is working in partnership with the 27 Local Councils in the state, primarily to drive development in the grassroots.

Before now, the governor had appointed Government Liaison Officers (GLOs) in the communities on temporary bases.

The contests in each autonomous community, at

the end of the day, will produce President General (Secretary), Women Leader and Youths leader.

Expectedly, results of the polls will be announced the same day, after the exercise,

while swearing- in of the declared winners will take place on Monday.

Meanwhile some aspirants have alleged that they were screened out because they are not registered members of

the APC. They told The Guardian that they want the screening cancelled and done in line with the laws provided therein.

But both the Commissioners of CGC, Culture and Chieftaincy matters; and Information and Strategy, Chief Val Mbamala, and Dr. Theodore Ekechi, respectively have debunked the allegation,

stating that criteria had been set out for the polls, adding that any aspirant who failed to make the list was sanctioned due to non compliance with the criteria.

The Guardian gathered from police sources that security arrangements had been beefed up to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order in the state.

Usiefrum town in UghelliSouth Local Government Area of Delta State is dead.

According to a statement from the family, their Patriarch died on January 28, 2014 at the age of 100 years.

Until his death, the Okpako Orere was a community leader and a disciplinarian. Burial arrangements will be announced later.

DSSS Nabs Suspected Gun Trafficker In Bauchi From Ali Garba, Bauchi HE Department of State T Security Service (DSSS) Bauchi Command has paraded a thirty-two year old man from Kwalla village in kwanpan local government council of plateau state with 15 brand new AK 47 riffles in Bauchi.

Briefing newsmen in his office, the DSSS Command

Public Relations Officer, Kabiru Abdulsamad said that the suspect was arrested on February 28 along the roundabout near State Hotel, GRA Bauchi in a navy blue Toyota Solara vehicle with Lagos registration number HM 605 EKY. The Nigerian Army and Police aided the arrest of the suspect.

Abdulsamad explained that the suspect concealed the

guns inside door panel and boot of the vehicle.

He confirmed that the suspect, Bello Dakogol, has been travelling to Gambaru, a village in Borno State bordering Nigeria and Cameroon Republic from where he has been getting supply of AK 47 riffles that he later distributed to the men of the underworld.

Abdulsamad said that the cri-

sis in northeast has nothing to do with religious and political corrosion but the nefarious activities criminals.

The suspect in an interview told The Guardian correspondent that his boss used to give him, thirty thousand for fuel and one hundred thousand as his allowance in each of the business trip.

Doghuje

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6 Saturday, March 8, 2014

nEWS Obanikoro urges ITF To Blow Own Trumpet From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos HE Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has urged the management of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to beat their own drum as nobody will beat it for them if they do not do so, in terms of publicity of what the body is doing.

Obanikoro, who was swornin on Wednesday as a minister, stated this yesterday at the ITF headquarters in Jos during ITF Merit Award Ceremony.

Obanikoro was Chairman of ITF governing Council before his new appointment.

Obanikoro said that what the country needs now is creativity.

“Everybody cannot work for ITF. Everybody cannot work for the state government or local governments. But that is what is fashionable among the younger ones today. We must create a nigeria dream that everybody can lash on. And I think the leadership that the President of nigeria has provided is sufficient to ginger every nigerian to rise up and be something in life,” the minister said.

T

Ezekwesili, uS Envoy’s Wife, Others Praise Virtues Of Women

By Olawunmi Ojo OrMErVice President, World FMinister Bank (Africa) and one-time of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, wife of the Ambassador of the united States of America to nigeria, Pamela Schmoll and other prominent nigerians gathered yesterday to celebrate nigerian women in Lagos.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the 100 unsung Heroines project, Ezekwesili praisedtheindustryofnigerian

women, pointing out that the average nigerian woman is many things wrapped in one.

“She is a farmer, pretty trader and a teacher but her experience and knowledge are constantly ignored by successive governments dominated by men,” she noted.

She added that many of the women who are actually playing laudable roles in the society remain unseen and uncelebrated.

“They seem to be singing for the deaf and dancing for the

blind. We need to celebrate nigerian women, not for aggrandizement, but in line with the principle of motivation, which reinforces willpower,” she said.

Ezekwesili, who noted that the human capital represents the factor of a country’s productivity, also stressed the need for non-discrimination while investing in the citizenry, saying that the nation cannot afford to discriminate between investing in men and women.

“Investing in the productivity

of a girl child is a smart move.

We should ensure that girls have access to quality education, not just a means of transforming them to human capital, but for them to also make good decision. When a woman can make a good decision, it affects others in the community.”

Schmoll said a country can not grow if she failed to invest in her women, insisting that women have done great things all over the world.

“They do things because it is the

right thing to do. They do things in spite of intimidation, poor electricity, poor economy, among several other limitations,” she said.

The founder of the project, 100 unsung Heroines, Bayo Omoboriowo, said nigerian women have contributed immensely to the nation’s socio-economic development, and have increasingly become vocal and active in efforts to influence and shape the formulation of progressive policies.

Academy Holds Empowerment Programme AgnuS Film Academy M (MFA), a subsidiary of Magnus Film and Entertainment- Enugu-based institution- is conducting a career training programme for youths in film production, modeling and media presentation at its Enugu training centre from March 14 to19.

The academy with an affiliation in the united States of American and France offers internship training and associate degree programmes and courses on film production, cinematography, acting, directing, producing, screen writing, video editing, media presentation, creative design and modeling.

The training programme tagged: ‘Scholarship Certified Internship Course On Art And Film Production’ was preceded by auditioning/entrance examination conducted for prospects between February 28 and March 1, 2013. Qualified participants emerged in different categories based on the grades scored from assessment of judges comprising actors/actresses from nollywood, amongst whom were film director, Emeka Jonathan and nollywood actress, Mrs. Florence Owanta.

Wedding Website Debuts

By Anthony Chidubem Nwachukwu OSTS and wedding guests H in nigeria are in for interesting and hassles-free preparations with the recent hosting of GoWeddingDirect.com an online interface between would-be couples and wouldbe guests.

The online offers a platform that eliminates the burden of couples going home with “unwanted or unneeded” gift items, while also taking away from the guests the agony of imagining what gifts to present to celebrants.

Founder of GoWeddingDirect.com, Efe utomudo, said the website enables couples to “create their own free wedding website, which they can personalise as they wish.”

Retired Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba and wife during the ‘pulling-out’ ceremony at Nigerian Navy Ship Quorra, Apapa, Lagos.

Okogie Cautions Western nations On Anti-gay Law

By Chris Irekamba OT happy with the presn sure coming from united States of America and its Western allies to nigeria’s government to soft pedal on its current anti-gay stands, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has warned the Western world that no amount of intimidation would make the nation succumb to their wishes.

Speaking recently in the wake

of repeated calls by some officials of the united States (uS) and other international human rights groups for President goodluck Jonathan to rescind his signing into law of the antigay bill as approved by the national Assembly, Okogie cautioned them to mind their business and stop meddling in the nation’s domestic affairs.

In his words: “I don’t know what concerns the united On the possibility of nigerian being sanctioned by the international community as is the case with

uganda if it fails to bend to their wishes, Okogie said such a move, if contemplated, would be unfortunate as it would only make nigerians more resolute on their stands.

“I have said it before, and I will continue to say it; nothing can make us bend to their wishes.

If, as I gathered, over 83 countries across the world are currently opposed to homosexuality, it shows how unpopular the practice is. It is against our religious belief and custom, and these are very sensitive

areas that make us, who we are as a people and we cannot compromise them. If they so love the gay people in our midst, then they should consider giving them visas and evacuating them to their own country,” the cleric advised.

Meanwhile, Okogie has urged Christians to strive to draw nearer to their creator, during this Lenten season, saying that only god can offer lasting solution to all the problems plaguing the nation, particularly that of insecurity.

Amosun restates Commitment To Industrial Development From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta

• Braithwaite Takes Over Iwopin Paper Mill

HE Ogun State T government has reiterated its commitment to create

Federal government-owned Pulp and Paper Company to its new owner, Beulah Technical Services Limited (BETCO).

The multi-million naira Iwopin paper Mill was established in 1980 by the Allhaji Shehu Shagari led administration but it has remained moribund for several years now. represented by his Commissioner for Forestry,

the required enabling environment for genuine investors, particularly those showing interest in rejuvenating moribund industries.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun gave this assurance yesterday in Iwopin, Ogun Waterside Local government at the handover ceremony of the

Mr. Adebayo Fari, Amosun maintained that industrialisation is one of the five cardinal programmes of his administration aimed at generating employment and rebuilding the state.

Amosun said, “It is a laudable project and we are particularly pleased with this development because reviving the moribund industries is what we are very interested in Ogun State and we also part-

Anambra Warns Petroleum Dealers Over Price Hike From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka HE Anambra State T government has expressed concern over the current hike in petrol by marketers and filling stations across the state, warning that it is not acceptable at this point in time.

In an interview with The Guardian yesterday in Awka, the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Vincent Ezenwajiaku, who also super-

vises the state Committee on Procurement, Pricing, regulation and Distribution of Petroleum Products (ASCPPrDPP), strongly warned that any dealer found wanting would be severely dealt with.

He further urged marketers to be considerate and not suck consumers dry by selling fuel at exorbitant price of n150 and above, adding that n97 is still recommended pump price.

He said: “If they sell within the

range of n100 and n125 per litre, it is acceptable. They should not take undue advantage to punish members of public.

“We have equally received reports that marketers are engaging in sharp practices, including adjusting their metres, selling adulterated products and cheating consumers by selling above the pump price while creating artificial scarcity.”

ner with the existing ones for better productivity as this is one testimony of our commitment to industrialisation of the state.”

He commended the new owners for taking the bold step of acquiring the paper producing company, charging that they should maintain a cordial relationship with the host community to engender peaceful coexistence between them.

In his speech delivered by the Director-general, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, the Vice President, Architect namadi Sambo described the take over as another important milestone in the transformation agenda of President goodluck Jonathan’s administration which seeks to revive the nation’s paper manufacturing sector and make nigeria self-sufficient in paper production. responding, Chairman of the Company, Mr. Tunji Braithwhite expressed delight about the development describing it as a long held dream come true.

PHOTO: ODITA SUNDAY

Ibru Emerges niger-Delta Personality Of 2013

By Ajibola Amzat HE Executive Vice Chairman, T Ibru Organisation, Olorogun Oskar Ibru has emerged as the Most Outstanding niger Delta Personality of the Year 2013.

The national Association of niger-Delta Students (nAnDS), at a colourful ceremony in Lagos, presented the award to the Chief Executive recently.

Presenting the award, the national President of the students’ body, Comrade Lucky Emonele explained that the association decided to honour Ibru because he has contributed immensely to growth and development of the region.

Emonefe said that it was the desire to integrate the students of the region in order to tackle the immediate problems confronting the area that informed the formation of the association 15 years ago.

He said that Ibru was picked by a fact-finding committee of nAnDS “after a meticulous survey of your antecedents especially, your outstanding leadership qualities, your concern for good governance, your overall commitments to the service of our dear nation, your strong support for youths and students in their career building, as well as your strong advocacy for peace and sustainable development in the region, has qualified you: ‘Most Outstanding niger-Delta Personality of the Year 2013.’

Orogun Old Students Meet In Lagos rOgun grammar School, O Orogun, Old Boys Association meets tomorrow at Block 138, Flat 3, LSDPC Medium Estate Phase 4, Ostrictch Park, Ogba, Lagos. Time is 2pm. Call 08033314364 for further information

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Saturday, March 8, 2014 7

8 Saturday, March 8, 2014

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LASU: Controversy Over School Fees Rages Still

By Debo Oladimeji ECENTLY, Governor Babatunde Fashola(SAN) of Lagos State ordered the R reopening of Lagos State University (LASU),Ojo, Lagos. This came as a big relief to final year students of the institution who had their examinations which began on January 23, 2014 disrupted when the students went on rampage.

The students were disenchanted with the management of the school for closing the registration portal against about 1,292 of its students who had not yet registered for the second semester examinations. The students, who carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Obafunwa, open the registration or there will be no exams’, ‘Our late registration is no fault of ours, LASU tuition fees is expensive’, ‘Fashola, pity us, our parents are poor,’ appealed to the Governing Council and management of the university to have pity and allow them to register for their courses, so that they could partake in the second semester examinations scheduled for January 23 and February 5.

Even after the final year students resumed, there was still uncertainty in the school as security on the campus has beefed up with police armored vehicles stationed at the entrance of the school. The police have also been doing regular patrols even as the students go in and out of the university in twos and three.

Miss Mohammed Omolara, a final year student of Political Science Education (400 level) appealed to the Lagos State government to reduce the school fees. “We are not happy about the new regime of school fees.

They should reduce it to N50,000 or less. If the school fees had been so high, I would not have come to LASU. I would have preferred to go to a private university. But LASU is a state university,” she said.

She disclosed that if it were to be in a private university, she would have finished her course in four years. “But in a state university like LASU, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU’s) strike and the problem with the increment of school fees are affecting us. I am now going to spend five years for

Fashola a programme of four years.”

She lamented that the school fees in LASU is now at par with some private universities. “In private universities, they don’t pay less than N300,000.

My own sister wanted to come to LASU but my parents can’t afford the school fees. She now wants to write Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination for her to go to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State. I will prefer her to go there. They are paying about N60,000 for school fees there.”

Another student, Sandra, a final year Accounting student in the Faculty of Management, described the school fees as outrageous. “It is too much from N25, 000 to N200,000 or more! I would not have come to LASU if the school fees were as high that time. I came to LASU in 2009. It was N35, 000 for new students. We later stated paying N25,000 for our school fees,” she said.

She said although the new regime of fees did not affect old students, they sympathize with the new intakes who were affected by the school fees.

“Let the government reduce it to N35,000.

“They should look for elsewhere to raise revenue

for the school. It has affected a number of students. Some were able to pay initially, some were not able to continue with paying so much. LASU is no longer an option for students because they can’t meet up with the school fees,” she said.

Chairman of ASUU, LASU Chapter, Dr. Adekunle Idris, said ASUU will continue to appeal to Lagos State government to reduce the school fees. “We must think macro for the entire economy. The students of the downtrodden are not the ones that are creating problems in the school. Therefore, we must not deny them university education with high school fees. We are begging the state government not to listen to all these excuses by the noble rich to keep away the children of the poor from having university education. That the school fees be reduced.

“It is not only the money from the school fees that they are going to use to improve the infrastructure. No university is run with only school fees. That is what we are saying,” he said.

“It gives me the impression that the purpose of increasing the school fees is to keep away the children of the poor away from school. Honestly, those of us that are at the forefront of this fight are not directly affected. But we have cousins, we have uncles. We have sisters and aunties. I pray the Lord will touch the hearts of the people in government to do something about this school fees,” he said.

The LASU chairman, however regretted that the university, rather than looking for avenue for increasing revenue has closed several internally generating revenue projects in the last two years.

“We have foundation programmes which were generating funds they have been closed down. The part time programmes outside the university have been wound up or are being wound up gradually. Yes, you have a problem but you can resolve the crisis. You can find a solution to the problem rather than winding them down completely,” he said.

But the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga said that the crisis that happened recently in LASU

should not have occurred if the students were disciplined. “They asked for portal to be opened.

We all know that when a student enters a university, the day he enters, he must register courses he will do. And that is the case in any university.

“It is usually opened for two weeks. The essence of portal is to have proper record of courses that students will attend their classes, and thereafter, sit for examinations. But in the case of LASU, it has been the habit of the students to be asking for the portal to be opened and re-opened, and I think, there must be a stop to this. Students must know why they are in school.

“In the case of what happened, this portal was opened two times, from March last year to July, when Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) went on strike. When they called off their strike, it was also re-opened for one week for the students to register. Out of about 12,800 students, 11,000 students complied, with the balance of 1,800, not doing so. How can the students who resisted start fighting and destroying things? It shows lack of discipline and taking laws into their hands.

He also admitted that some of the students said that the school fees are too high, which he does not believe. “When the government took a decision on school fees, it put a cushioning effect on those coming in, by giving them something back. We have a list of about 1,300 students that were paid back between N80,000 and N100,000 even to N200,000, for those in Law and Marine Engineering. They were paid back and the old students were told to continue paying the old rate of N25,000 and N35,000,” he said.

Olukoga added that if the students want value for money and quality education, they must pay something and that is what is happening in LASU. “Even if the school fees is high, they are still getting it back in the form of bursaries and scholarship. At the time they were paying N25, 000 and N35,000, Lagos State indigenes were taking back that sum as bursary award. So, when this school fee was also increased, the bursary award was increased from N35,000 to N50,000, N100,000 and N200,000 depending on where the student falls in. And the first set who came in 2012, were all paid in 2013,” he said.

He said that fresh students will resume on Monday, March 10, 2014. Other categories of students will resume on April 1.

Abia Marks Law Week, Donate Bar Centre ECENTLY, the Abia R State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Umeh Kalu donated a Bar Centre to the Ohafia Branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the state as part of event to mark this year’s law week of the branch. Below are some prominent Nigerians and government functionaries that attended the Justice O. A. Otisi of the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division and the acting Chief Judge of Abia occasion.

State, Hon. Justice S. A. Nwakanma exchanging greeting

Kalu welcoming the Presiding Justice of the Appeal Court Owerri Division, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji and others to the event.

Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice of Abia State, Barrister Umeh Kalu, Justice Nwakanma, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, Hon. Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji; Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, (SAN); Chairman NBA Ohafia Branch, Barrister Ume Maduka and President Abia State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice A. O. Onwuchekwa during the cutting of the tape.

Justice C.O.C. Izima, Justice K. O. Wosu, Justice Onyeabor, Justice Nwakanma, Justice Ory Zik-Ikeorha, Justice Peter O. Ige of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, Justice O. A. Otisi of the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, Barrister Umeh Kalu, Barrister Ume Maduka, Guest speaker, Mr. Augustine O. Alegeh, SAN, Justice A. C. Chioma, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, Secretary General of the NBA, Barrister Emeka Obegolu and K.O.K. Ojike, NBA Ohafia branch secretary

Saturday, March 8, 2014 9

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Crunchies Rewards Customers, As 28-Year-Old Graduate Wins Car From Chuks Collins, Awka DILI Oputa, a 28-year-old O Accountancy graduate of the Enugu State

Okonkwo (3rd left) handing over the keys to Oputa (in native attire), surrounded by Afenokhai (2nd left) and other staff of Crunchies.

University of Science and Technology (ESUT), has become the proud winner of the star prize of a brand new Kia Rio car in the latest sales promotion by Crunchies Fried Chicken Limited in Awka, Anambra state.

The Awka-based selfemployed Information Technology (IT) expert graduated from the university in 2008.

The promotion, according to Crunchies’ Human Resources Manager, Tunde Afenokhai, was in part fulfillment of the group’s policy of rewarding its customers and its social responsibility efforts to the customers, who he thanked for patronising them and

urged them to keep the relationship going.

The draw, which was the high point of the promotion that commenced during the Christmas season, climaxed with the presentation of various gifts to the lucky winners.

Apart from the star prize, Onyedika Ogbunude of Awka, with ticket No. 7795, won a plasma television set.

Emeasor Ejiro of the Airforce Base in Benin, with ticket No. 6150 won a giant refrigerator, while Ekene Okafor of New-Haven, Enugu, with ticket No. 5494, won a generating set, among others.

The draws held at the premises of the eatery along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway President of the Awka Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Industry, Chief Ndubisi Nwobu, who was Chairman of the occasion,

lauded Crunchies for deeming it necessary to reward its customers annually.

Nwobu called on the federal and state agencies to harmonise their programmes, especially over poor power supply and multiple taxation to manufacturers, who provide employment to citizens.

While presenting the keys of the car to Oputa, Anambra State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Robert Okonkwo, urged him to put the vehicle to very good use.

He was happy that more business outfits now embrace customer and staff reward policy as a way of building enduring symbiotic business relationship.

Crunchies celebrated its 10th year of rewarding and active service to its growing customers last year.

Shell Cleans Up Ikarama Pipeline Vandalisation Site From Willie Etim, Yenagoa N spite of efforts made by I(JTF) the Joint Military Task Force to curb pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta region, the nefarious activities still thrive in some communities through a systematic and organised arrangement.

Recently, there has been a sudden upsurge in the activities of pipeline vandalisation in Ikarama community along the Biseni, Okordia-Zarama axis in Yenagoa council of Bayelsa state, and the targeted facilities are installations owned by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The oil giant, through the Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), has impacted on the communities in the axis, in terms of infrastructural development, and it is expected that the people would cooperate by protecting facilities that has brought so much development to their communities.

The Okordia-Zarama area is fast becoming a hotbed of pipeline vandalisation. A total of 20 spills were recorded in

the area between 2009 and this year, out of which 16 were due to deliberate cutting of SPDC pipelines and manifold.

The four other spills, which were caused by equipment failure, occurred at previously clamped sabotage point already weakened by repeated cuts.

Joseph Ollor-Obari, SPDC’s Head of Media, who spoke with The Guardian in Yenagoa, said despite all the challenges, the firm’s Oil Response and Remediation team was at the moment cleaning up the site of a spill that occurred on January 14, and remediation of the 2013 spill sites, which were recorded as incidents numbers 2013-987213 and 2013-1066157.

According to him, two of the spill sites could not be remediated due to the 2012 flood in the area, even when some of the portions of those particular sites that were remediated completely were further polluted by yet another spill in November last year.

Ollor-Obari lamented that while still battling with the clean up of the previous spills, another act of sabotage on the Ikarama Manifold (JIV Report

No. 1109543), resulting in the spill of about 302 barrels of crude oil onto the SPDC right of way and beyond.

He stated: “Some 0.74 hectres of the environment was impacted by the spill and almost all the spilled oil was recovered,” involving the collection of spilled oil in tanks for evacuation by vacuum trucks and taken to the nearest flow station for processing.

This, he noted, may have led to the insinuation that SPDC had resorted to using tankers to transport crude oil because of poor pipeline integrity, which he asserted was entirely false.

Chairman of the OkordiaZarama Cluster Development Board, a component of the GMoU, Timi Obonah, who is also an indigene of Ikarama, admitted that 90 per cent of the spills in the area were the result of sabotage.

While lamenting the adverse effects of the spills in the affected communities, Obonah explained that since the emergence of the Board, the communities had been fighting to bring the incidence of pipeline vandalisation to its barest minimum.

His Excellency Ambassador Mouftau Laleye representative of His Excellency Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin, presenting the key of a commercial bus (bought by Primate Ayodele) to a youth, Adeyemo Ogunselu at Primate Ayodele’s Moment of Gratitude recently in Lagos.

Primate Ayodele Remembers The Less Privileged

By Debo Oladimeji RIMATE Babatunde Elijah P Ayodele, the Spiritual Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos recently celebrated his birthday (Moment of Gratitude) extending his love to the less privileged in the society.

Many of the beneficiaries of his largess are widows and the orphans. Explaining the reasons for his gesture, Prophet Ayodele said that the occasion was meant to celebrate his birthday and to give thanks to God who has been so compassionate to him.

Nobody, he said, prodded him to give to widows. “It is one of the directives from God that one should take care of the widows. The widows and the orphans are part of the society. I love to assist them every year. I give bursaries to the youths and empowered them to become entrepreneurs as well. We need leaders who have feelings for others in this country. I love church leaders who

are servants of their followers,” he said.

He is happy that he had changed for better the lives of not less than 13,000 widows in Nigeria and in Republic of Benin. “Next year I am going to Ghana. I have made things better for the children of many widows, by making sure that they go to school.

“I take care of their health. I give them clothes. I am not a politician. All I am doing is for God. As the Lord directs me to do…” he said.

He regretted that the government and the politicians are not doing enough to help the public.

Ayodele said that he has a plan to build low cost houses for the less privileged as well.

“We are going to give a mini flat to the needy ones for N2,000 per month.

“A room and a parlor (self contained) will be let out for N1,000 per month. People will pay at their own convenience,” he said.

He also disclosed that he will

soon open his mega parish.

“Where we are going to site our IT and Health Centre, schools and other things. It is nice to serve God. “I have witnessed the goodness of God in my life. As a matter of fact, I have no regret working in God’s vineyard. I have no reason not to give thanks to God or not to appreciate God,” he said.

He explained that he has no any bad experience to share with anybody. Primate Ayodele is proud to say that his church is a white garment church, where he preaches the message of God to his members. “We believe in baptism and everything that other churches believe. If I am to live my life all over again, I will still be a pastor in a white garment church,” he said.

“I don’t think I need to travel to anywhere to serve God. I don’t need to consult anybody. I like to be alone because I love having personal discussions with God,” he said.

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Saturday, March 8, 2014

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Saturday, March 8, 2014 | 11

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWSINTERVIEW

‘Nigeria Is A Beautiful River That Filters Itself ’ The Founder and President of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association Incorporation, Rev. (Dr.) Uma Ukpai, believes President Goodluck Jonathan deserves a second term based on his performance. He averred that Nigeria is not only healthy but also working under Mr. President.

SEYE OLUMIDE reports.

FTER 100 years of amalgamation of Nigeria, ANigeria would you agree that the country is working? is not only working, it is very healthy. I will only say that one of our problems is pure ignorance. I am surprised that people would expect that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reason or act along similar lines in their political discharge. This is not, and can never be possible. All of us learn by the opposite views. APC should give its opposite views, they should give us an alternative to what that the ruling party is doing. While also doing that, there is the need for caution so that it wouldn’t look as mere criticisms. The opposition must be very objective and constructive in its criticisms.

We must also realise that any nation that has no problem has no future. Life has no trouble-free zone. I am yet to see a nation that has no problems. In fact, when we speak of corruption, people amuse me, and this is because corruption is in every nation as well. The degree of corruption may not be the same but certainly corruption is in every nation.

I think Nigeria at present has a teachable and humble leader in the person of President Jonathan and these are advantages and plus factors for him. He is also a very patient person and people mistake that attribute and humility to mean that he is weak. We can differentiate Jonathan and some of our past leaders who are bullies.There are political parties that are bragging of giving us better candidates and some of those candidates, as we know, are not better than bullies. What I am trying to say is that Nigeria is in a beautiful shape, life is made in way that we all grow by the lessons we learn, by the problems we solve.

Would you say that the emergence of the APC is a good political development in Nigeria?

It is good, for life without problems is useless; any man that has no enemy is an idiot. We need people who will push us so that we can do better.

Therefore, the emergence of APC is a beautiful and wonderful omen. God is in control and command of Nigeria. All the whistle blowers should please slow down and be more reasonable in their actions and reactions.

What is your scorecard for President Jonathan since he took over power?

I think he has performed creditably well. I will score him more than a pass mark looking at what he has done in about three years.Nevertheless, three years is too short for anybody to make a great impact. Those who are boasting today may not be able to achieve what Jonathan has done. I will therefore say that three years is too short a period. Let’s give him more time and stop the noise making.

Which of the sectors can you point to specifically that Jonathan has transformed?

He has really tried in reforming the power sector, probably one of the most difficult sectors to reform. I score him very high because something positive is certainly happening in that area. In the area of corruption, a country where you have so many unlettered people and abject poverty, there is bound to be corruption. I don’t know how others define corruption; but to me, corruption is just an attempt to find the shortest means out of every given trouble.

Refusal to follow the law to its logical conclusion and transmitting easy way out of problems, it is almost inbuilt in us all. Nobody likes trouble.

Remember the Bible says man is a sinner by nature, in criminal nature he enjoys crimes. It is only the Spirit of God that can correct an ordinary man and stop him from breaking the law. So, corruption is almost part of our second nature and only God can change us.

Another applause I will give to Jonathan is his ability to change those working with him. It is not easy to shut your own mouth but that is what he is doing lately and that means he is responsible and accountable to give a good account to God, to us, and to his own conscience. So to me, he is

Ukpai doing well in that area.

I also believe he is doing fine in resolving our economic challenges. The value of the naira has not depreciated. In the area of education, I may not know much why the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) keeps going on strike, but the little I know is that they don’t really have cogent or enough reasons why they keep going on strike. However, the establishment of new universities is another plus.

Security has improved a great deal at least where I live I don’t stay in Abuja. I don’t know what they are going through but where I live security has improved greatly. You hardly hear of kidnapping in Akwa Ibom State and that is a big plus for him, a very big plus.

Why is the stiff opposition to his second term ambition?

His second term is never in question. Those who are saying he is not qualified to seek second term should please go back and examine themselves and tell us their measure of honesty and sincerity. If they were in his shoes, would they have agreed not to run? Would they have been happy if they were asked not to re-contest? That he made a promise to do one term is arrant nonsense.

But some people are saying he should not

contest the 2015 elections.

Such sentiment amuses me. You shouldn’t forget the fact that this election we are talking about involves Nigerians and not Ghanaians. It will be done the same way we have always done things. Have we always been honest in the areas of elections? Can the first person that knows about election in Nigeria raise his hand and tell how elections are conducted? Those of them that know the secrets, the hidden things of election, can they please tell us how elections are conducted in Nigeria? Maybe they don’t know, but we know that there is no element of honesty in the whole game.

This is because we ourselves are not that honest. How do they expect a community of dishonest people to do things in an honest way? It is not possible. If we cannot repent, can we all shut our mouths, and stop noise making, continue with the way we have always been fooled by the organisers of the elections.

What do you suggest?

All the stakeholders should be honest, repent between now and 2015 and stop deceiving us because we cannot have credible elections without repentance. We have to

We must also realize that any nation that has no problem has no future. Life has no trouble-free zone. I am yet to see a nation that has no problems. In fact, when we speak of corruption, people amuse me, and this is because corruption is in every nation as well. The degree of corruption may not be the same but certainly corruption is in every nation

repent first and then practice honesty and sincerity before God and before our own conscience.

Can the planned National Conference resolve this issue?

It was the former American President Bill Clinton that said contact dissolves conflict. If contact dissolves conflicts, then let them meet and iron out our differences and maybe suggest how best to rule this country. It will help us.

Indications from the modalities drawn by the government for the conference show that it is likely to end up achieving nothing, particularly the no-go areas?

Whatever will bring confusion should be avoided; only what will help us and build us up should be touched and focused on for discussions.

Do you have any fear about Nigeria disintegrating?

Nigeria is a beautiful river that filters itself.

So these things people are doing in our view shall certainly be filtered out at the appropriate time.

Despite the state of emergency declared in some northern states, the spate of Boko Haram insurgency has been on the increase.

Why is this so?

We need to tell ourselves the home truth that Boko Haram is a prepared organisation, prepared to harm and destroy Nigeria. An enemy of that class cannot be wished away, an enemy of such magnitude couldn’t be destroyed within days. As long as God is on the throne, Nigeria is on the safe side and we shall overcome.

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On The Path Of Winners

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

Spiritual Keys To Answered Prayer

By Bayo Ogunmupe SK and you will receive that your joy may A be full – John 16:24. When your prayers are not being answered, ask yourself these questions: One, how is my relationship with Jehovah? If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear me – Psalms 66:18. Anything that adversely affects your relationship with God also affects your prayers. Friendship gives you favour, intimacy gives you access. The one who watches the wind will not sow seed and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap – Ecc 11:4. So, if you ask Jehovah what you desire, it shall be done for you.

Second, how strong is your faith? Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God’s deepest longing is to be believed. When you pray, put your heart and soul into it. Your priority should not be getting your needs met, but building your relationship with God. Three, am I showing patience? Until God’s time finally comes, He might test your patience. Joseph was tested by the very promise God gave him. Can’t you hear satan whisper, ‘’I thought your dream said you were supposed to be prime minister; what are you doing in prison?’’ But Joseph saw God’s promise fulfilled in God’s time.

Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always – Rom 12:12. This generation has been dubbed, the microwave generation. The reason was, we charge through life like we are on fire. But God has His own timetable and it cannot be rushed.

So when He puts you on hold: watch your words.

Like a rudder on a ship, what you say determines your direction and helps stop wrong thoughts from infiltrating your mind. The mind is a garden, thoughts are the seeds, harvest will be either flowers or weeds.

Ask Jehovah to help you control your emotions.

Be patient and prayerful always.

Complaining magnifies problems. Prayer turns negative energy to a powerful force for good. He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast, so said King Solomon of ancient Israel. Laughter dispels tension, lightens the burden and fills your soul with joy. Appreciate the chance to learn.

The Chinese view problems as prospects. In their culture, the symbol for problems and opportunities are the same. The diligent makes use of everything, so learn from your experience regardless of how hard it is.

Remember, most of the world’s greatest discoveries and breakthroughs resulted from crises. Love unconditionally, problems are caused by people and under pressure you might be tempted to lash out. Learn to see people through God’s eyes. Overcome evil with good. Be courteous and maintain your dignity when you are under pressure.

Let patience possess your souls. Make peace your priority. Look for life’s breakthroughs from unexpected sources. When you commit thy ways unto Jehovah don’t be surprised when the people and the circumstances He sent to your life aren’t what you expected. God spoke to Balaam through a donkey and used the Burning Bush to gain Moses’ attention.

Never be in such a hurry about anything. Ever notice that the faster you go, the more behind you get. Jesus said, ‘’By your patience possess your souls.’’ God’s timing is best. He may be

withholding directions to cause you to seek Him more intently.

Don’t try to skip the relationship and get on with doing. God is more interested in a relationship with you than He is interested in what you can do for Him. Don’t be too proud to ask for help. Solomon said – with humility comes wisdom – Prov. 11:2. But the ultimate source of wisdom is God. If you need wisdom talk to God in prayer, ‘’For Jehovah gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy – James 3:17. ‘’I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, i will guide you,’’ Psalm 32:8.

What it takes for your prayers to be answered are one, commitment. Real leaders don’t quit, they couldn’t even if they wanted. Two, you must be creative. Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant. Problems unlock your creativity. Finally, you must be compassionate.

You must love the people, rather than crowds. Don’t be greedy for worldly things, it is idolatry.

Our champion this week is Constantine the Great, also known as Saint Constantine, Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. He became sole emperor of both the East and the West of the Roman Empire from 324 to 337 A.D. Constantine was the first Roman emperor to profess Christianity.

By doing so, he profoundly influenced world history. His conversion set Christianity on the path that led to the formation of Christendom. Thus, the religion became the strongest social and political agent ever to influence the course of human history.

As emperor, Constantine claimed via a dream that the Christian God assured him of assistance in the battles to keep his empire. In 313, Constantine granted freedom of worship to Christians believing that they could unify the empire.

Then he held the pagan title pontifex maximus or chief priest and thought himself overlord of all religions. As a Christian, Constatine was appalled to find disputes over doctrine in the church.

With him the church had acquired both a protector and master. Constantine organised the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325 at which the doctrine of trinity was ratified.

The result of his alliance with the bishops was a church part Christian and part pagan.

This was because the emperor’s goal was religious pluralism, not the pursuit of truth.

To please both religious camps, he adopted a stance of conscious ambiguity in his governance, while championing Christianity, he kept a foot in paganism. Constantine postponed his baptism until a few days before his death in 337. He held back in order to retain the support of both Christians and pagans. Thus, the church Constantine legitimized became very powerful, but one that thus turned its back on Christ, and embraced the world. What this means is that we should not take the teachings of any denomination for granted but that we should examine them in the light of the Bible, 1 John 4:1.

Complaining magnifies problems. Prayer turns negative energy to a powerful force for good. He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast, so said King Solomon of ancient Israel.

Laughter dispels tension, lightens the burden and fills your soul with joy. Appreciate the chance to learn. The Chinese view problems as prospects. In their culture, the symbol for problems and opportunities are the same. The diligent makes use of everything, so learn from your experience regardless of how hard it is.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 8, 2014

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics ‘Aregbesola Cannot Islamise Osun’ ‘Otunba Lai Oyeduntan, Chairman of Osun Schools Infrastructure Development Committee (O’School), whose responsibility is to supervise education intervention programmes in the state, spoke to GODWIN IJEDIOGOR and JOSEPH OKOGHENUN on the re-classification of schools in the state, resistance to some of the efforts and allegations that Governor Rauf Aregbesola plans to Islamise the state.

Does this re-classification project also involve rehabilitating dilapidated schools?

HE need for new infrastructure is about the totality of revamping the education system.

Building of new schools is just one of the intervention mechanisms to revamp the sector and raise the education standards.

The cost of construction is high, and at a point, we began to look at our strategies. Half of what it costs to rebuild a new school can refurbish a school.

Refurbishing a school means replacing and renovating the ceiling, wall and floor. Before you do that, you must be sure that the building is still solid.

How far have you gone in doing that?

When we started, we knew that it was certainly impractical for a government to achieve all its goals, but we just had to start, as we could not have left things the way they were.

We still have schools that are still structurally dysfunctional, but the fact remains that we must start, and people must see the kind of standard that is desirable and befitting for our children.

When we achieve a standard that is acceptable for the public, they will not take anything less from whoever is coming into government the next time.

So, why are we doing what we are doing? By 2005, long before the governor became a governorship candidate, he had shown interest in education, borne out of his personal experience.

Having done six years of secondary education, he came to Lagos, but had to go over to JSS3 before he could make his papers.

Those of us who called ourselves friends of Rauf had to organise extra-mural lessons for 2000 students, which he paid for. The result that came from it, after he paid for the tutorials, school certificate and preparations, was an eye-opener.

So, we knew that the issue was fundamental and we needed drastic action. We started having consultations and retreats.

In this part of the world, education is such an important thing and it was unimaginable that any government would look away or allow the situation to have degenerated to the level where we are.

But by the time Aregbesola became governor, the situation could no longer be tolerated and required a drastic change in the approach of governance in the education sector.

The teachers were poorly motivated; the pupils in public schools were not keen.

Of course, the results could not have been better and the environment in which he operated could not have produced anything better.

When the governor came in, within 100 days, we had a summit, because so much preparatory work had been done even before he became a governor that within 100 days we could bring in Prof Wole Soyinka and other experts all over the world to come to proffer solutions.

We realised from the communiqué and recommendations that the ingredients in that sectorstudents and pupils- must be brought back to appreciate education, to value the opportunity they have and see it as a major aspect of their foundation.

They must be motivated to go back to school and the teachers, who had lost interest in teaching, needed encouragement.

There are so many issues that must come into play to motivate, including psychology. The

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society must be made to accept its responsibility for the social order and the re-engineering that will be coming.

If we are able to motivate the students and teachers, the environment in which all of these will come together must be that which will them happy to function.

That is how intervention started.

We needed to look at the things we needed to do to motivate the pupils. What do we need to do motivate the teachers and what do we need to do to make sure we bring back the glory of the education sector?

This is the underpinning of any social order and meaningful development for any kind of society we are going to have.

One of the things we are aiming at is to go back to be first point of call for people looking for critical manpower, which is the quality of the human person. We had to go back to the drawing board and asked ourselves which of these items needed to be attended to, first.

The larger society must be encouraged to begin to have self-respect. Things had gone awry that some people become cynical of government and unbelieving of anything that comes out from government.

We did lots of sensitisations and re-orientation of the remodelling we did to bring out that zeal from the average Osun person to see him/herself as part and parcel this change.

The Owolabi philosophy came in, the rebranding came in and more people came to realise the psychological link of the future we are looking at.

We went back to the schools and had to see pictures of our schools. One of the items that ran through everything else is the level of poverty in the state.

Osun is a basically rural, agrarian and modest state. You found pupils wearing buba on top of knickers to school. That brought in the issue of uniform.

To do the reclassification required in-depth situation analysis. That took us to all the schools and to acquire the age data of the students in the schools, in terms of enrolment.

It was embarrassing to see a school with 60 pupils from primary one to six with only three teachers. We knew effective teaching could not take place in that kind of environment.

Incidentally, we all went to school and the average person must have had average 15 years of schooling. That is enough for you to develop the model of what to write, either in the teaching function or learning.

Over the years, successive governments had seen this. When you looked at the cost of intervention to change the course of this deterioration, the average government would want to push it aside.

But at that point in time, we said we could not look away. It would have been irresponsible for this government to look away.

The average Osun child born in Osun State and attends public school is not likely to graduate before the age of 30. That has created a sort of disadvantage for him in competing with other pupils.

Yes, private school students would graduate 21 or 22 years of age, but the average Osun public school pupil will leave secondary with nothing and stay for another three years to get three/four credits to enable him/her go to the polytechnic to do pre-ND. By the time he gets his/her ND certificate, he is 26/27 and goes back for HND at 28.

Oyeduntan Remember, the young lady among them is already thinking about marriage, as the biological clock is running.

So, what we have is a crowd of diplomas and paper certificates that is unemployable, who cannot compete in the job markets.

The totality of any government anywhere in the world is the economy, which when buoyant, ensures that the citizens have resources to meet their daily needs.

We addressed the students, gave them uniforms from Primary One to four, which we re-designated as Elementary One to Four.

Again, there are lots of story behind that. The psychology of a six-year-old is different from that of a 10 -year-old. When you take average six-yearold to school, he/she wants you to take him/her into the classroom. But a 10-year-old is almost jumping out of your car by the time you are stopping, because he does not want his/her friends to see him/her being brought to school by his/her parents; he/she wants to be independent.

What we have done is to separate primary one to four and call it elementary. Those in primary five and six are moved to join the junior arm of the secondary school to form the middle school. And those in last three years of basic education are already advanced in their teenage years, so we call them the high school. That is the reclassification.

We have not gone to create new schools; it is about changing the name of a school and designation of where the child goes to within the same old school they were going to before.

So, when people talk of the difficulties that are or will be associated with the reclassification, we wonder what they mean.

You mean there has not been any disruption?

No disruption at all! We have ran the programme now between four to five months and what we should have now is feedback.

We are no longer at the state where we are projecting of what is likely to happen; we are at the stage where we are doing situation analysis all over again, to ascertain the results here and what is happening there.

I have been on radio and television and have challenged anybody whose child or ward had had to do more than what he/she was doing before the introduction of this new system to come forward and tell us.

What is this issue of mixing Christians and Muslims in the same school and the controversy around it?

That controversy is orchestrated, but we can’t just waive it aside. Of course, it is propaganda; it is not about fact or what is right. It is about somebody projecting a negative position.

In reality, there are no Christian school and there are no Muslim schools.

At the inception of UBE (Universal Basic

Aregbesola is one of four children from the same mother. Two of them are Christians, and indeed one of them is a pastor, while the remaining two are Muslims. His own Muslim colouration is different from his brother’s colouration.

He has not Islamised his own family or blood relations, not to talk of talking Islamising other people.

Education) in 1975, the federal government took over all existing schools, irrespective of who the proprietor was, whether private individuals, Christian and Muslim communities. Since then, government has been responsible for admission and taking teachers.

Oyeduntan

Saturday, March 8, 2014 | 15

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POLITICS

‘Governors, Security Agencies To Blame For Security Challenges Up North’ Secretary General of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kaduna State branch, Danjuma Bello Sarki has defended the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo against his critics who regard him as a political liability to President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Sarki also spoke on the lingering security challenges in the north, PDP-APC face-off, the transformation agenda and the contribution of Sambo to resolving the political and economic challenges in the north.

From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief There have been criticisms against the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo that he is a political liability in President Goodluck Jonathan’s effort to run for the 2015 Presidency. Some of the critics say that Sambo may not be able to deliver the North owing to his past election records. What are your views?

HIS is untrue, anybody giving that kind of impression is not correct in his assessment. I want to say very clearly that the Vice President and the President is a joint ticket. And you see, the Vice President and President Jonathan would actually want to go along together in 2015 despite the attempt by opponents to whip up sentiments. Let me say it emphatically that it was the Vice President Sambo that actually contributed positively and made Jonathan to have enough votes in the last general elections in the north. So, for anybody to

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say that the vice president cannot deliver is being very unfair to him.

As it is today, the Vice President, apart from his political leadership in the north, has also assisted the Government of President Jonathan tremendously in the area of economic transformation in the country. As the chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), Sambo has continued to use his business acumen to rob on the day to day running of government and the economy, thereby positioning the transformation on good footing.

And you can see that today, Nigerians are reaping from his wealth of experience. The Vice President was the chairman of the committee that brought about the SURE-P; see how that concept has transformed the whole society with its impact being felt.

Also, as the Chairman of the Power reform programme in Nigeria, Sambo has ensured that the power transformation agenda of Government is on course. If you look critically into the

sector today, the megawatts being generated has improved. And you can also see that public ownership of Power has been transferred to the private sector thereby improving the issue of efficient management of power in Nigeria. The sector is being liberalized and investors are coming from all parts of the world.

This is part of the purposeful leadership of Jonathan administration.

In the rail transport sector, you can see that the Vice President has also helped in contributing to its development as the chairman of the Railway Committee; the sector has almost been revived nationwide. For instance, the Kaduna-Abuja rail line is about 70 percent completed. It will be commissioned this year. If that project is finally commissioned, it will help in the transportation of goods and people from Abuja to Kaduna, and then make it very easy for other northerners in other states. This project will reduce the cost of transportation all over the country.

All these are the kind of innovations of Sambo.

Politically, in Kaduna State where the Vice President comes from, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been reaping fortune in terms of decampees. At least 23 political parties that were deregistered by INEC decided to come together and joined the PDP. They said they took the decision because of the purposeful leadership the Vice President is offering to the state and the people of the north in general. And of recent, some APC big wigs decamped to

the PDP. These are people like Oseni Dembo, Rebecca Nuhu, Samaila Sarki Gwandu and Aishatu Zalani.

Undoubtedly, President Jonathan would do good to his ticket for 2015 if he continues with his Vice President as a joint ticket. And with that, he will attract more support from the north.

You know that we have this deep opposition in the north, but when you look deeply into their allegation against the Vice President concerning his fortune in respect of the north in 2015, you will see that there is no substance in what they are saying.

People have also said that the Vice President as the political leader of the north has not done enough in ensuring that the menace of Boko Haram is tackled. What is really responsible for his inaction in this direction?

I think the major problem of the north is one, the security challenges; two, poverty ravaging the north and thirdly, the level of corruption which is virtually in all parts of the country.

You see, the Vice President is not the Chief Security Officer, he is not the Chief of Defence Staff, and he is not the Chief of Army Staff and so on. And you can see that this insurgency has become endemic in the Northeast most especially, where there are sitting governors and the governors in those states are mostly opposition.

That should give you a pointer that there is problem somewhere. Borno and Yobe States where this problem is intense are opposition states.

Danjuma So, any step he takes would not be so significant as it is expected or as it should be. And going by the Federal structure or Federalism that we practice in Nigeria, the constitution does not really allow the Vice President to perform major function, his duties are mostly delegated. So, we should understand things from this perspective with regards to his inability to resolve the challenges in the north. We should begin to blame the governors and security agencies in those areas in the north where the security challenges have not been addressed. I know that the President and the Vice President are doing a lot to overcome the challenges we are facing today. And going by the recent changes in the leadership of the armed forces, it has shown that government is ready to put the challenges in the north behind us.

‘There Is No Plan To Islamise Osun’ But the government of Osun has not handed over any school to any old proprietor; there are St. Stephens, there are Ansarudeens. We retained the names of the schools in recognition of the pioneering efforts of the proprietors.

But in terms of the actual management and operation of the schools, it is the government that bears the brunt. That has been the situation in recent years; it is not just starting.

I was the commissioner for Health in 2002 and had to deal with the issue of hijab in the state School of Nursing. It is one factor that average cleric, especially the young ones that want to make name that will instigate people about.

The luck we have had in Osun and Yoruba land in general is that the larger society is not really bothered by about that mild distinction between the religious sects. But someone who wants to make a name would want to prove to that he is bold enough to challenge existing authority to boost his business plan.

Of course, this time around, politics crept in and it become a lot murkier than it used to be, because they play around sentiments and propaganda.

The fact is that this noise has been coming from only one location. There are over 600 secondary schools in Osun and it has been only one location, one school that has created and remained recalcitrant when it comes to the issue of wearing hijab or not.

The government of Aregbesola has never made any comment or pronouncement on the wearing of hijab. A committee, whose secretary is a reverend father, carried out the design of the uniform.

Aregbesola has nothing to do with religious inclination or bias, but the issue of hijab has been on ground even before he became a governor. And they have gone to court, so we wait and see.

There is a body called NIREC (Nigeria InterReligious Council), which is the body of top Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun, set up to ensure that issues like these are resolved amicably between the two major faiths in the state.

This has been in existence and they have access to the government.

How come this issue never come up openly until this administration assumed office?

We can only hazard guesses. There is a psychological fear that the government moving into a site and spending billions naira to redevelop it is like a statement that government may not vacate that site.

In Osun, 60 to 70 per cent of schools had one or two things to do with Christians or Muslims; it has been so from time immemorial, and you can hardly move children away from these schools.

As I said, politics make it more virulent now. But the truth remains that it has not spread beyond a particular area in a particular town out of a whole number.

There were news reports in the past before Aregbesola became governor of people making statements about hijab in that same place.

When we were going to start the construction, I was privileged to have had meetings with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), with the top echelon of the Christian community,

including the bishops, and I did not see in them that hostility. They wanted assurances that we would not change the name, which we gave to them.

Even the schools that have been completed and the ones that are now being commissioned still retain their original names, in recognition of the pioneering efforts and legacy of those who started the schools.

But this time around, the noise is orchestrated and it found a fertile ground to grow it.

But then, you cannot run away from the person of the governor. Aregbesola is unapologetic about his personal religion, but it has nothing to do with his activities, either in private or in public.

He is a proud Muslim of his own mould, but when it comes to friendship, social linkages and official duties, he is very liberal in relationships.

He does not define his relationships with people on the basis of their religion. He has been accused of trying to islamise the state, which is impossible.

I find that interesting; it is a reflection of how gullible we are, as a people, that we have not developed that critical mindset to query that kind of thinking.

I am saying that because Aregbesola is one of four children from the same mother. Two of them are Christians, and indeed one of them is a pastor, while the remaining two are Muslims.

His own Muslim colouration is different from his brother’s colouration.

He has not Islamised his own family or blood relations, not to talk of talking Islamising other people. He can’t even Islamise his own neighbourhood.

If he could not Islamise his own immediate blood relations, how does he now go about his neighbourhood, his town and his state? It does not make sense.

I have a personal relationship with the governor dating back years and the issue of our religion has never come up. He had serve as a public officer in Lagos for so long, and it had never be an issue.

In taking the decision concerning the school at Iwo, did you consider the sensibilities of the people?

Of course, we did! Iwo Baptist High School was chosen as a location for the redevelopment into a High School. The basis for its selection was that it is the oldest school in the state, and it is solely government-owned and not by the church.

You will have noticed that it is not really the church that has been criticising the action, but a group of people instigating and manipulating the young students.

For example, the first elementary school that we have commissioned, which is in Ife, is Baptist.

There were only 162 pupils in the school when we took over, but today, there are about 1000, including those moved from other school in the neighbourhood.

Now, we have 25 teachers in the 25 classrooms and facilities for conducive learning all in one school.

The elementary school is still a neighbourhood school, no pupil is made to go more than two kilometres away from home to learn.

We also know that some people are yet to fully connect with society. In the major towns of Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Iwo, Ilesha, Ila, Ikirun, etc, the old primary schools were usually clustered in the old centre of town, while the secondary schools were ringed around on the outskirt.

So, there was never a time our children were not moving from the city centre to the outskirts to attend secondary schools.

The re-classifications have not created new school sites at all; it is about moving round the pupils within the same environments.

What are the main challenges in implementing this programme?

Seriously speaking, when you embark on a change, you must be ready to accommodate resistance.

We have done a lot and we are still doing a lot of sensitisation to win over those who are honestly challenged by this new system, which are basically managerial issues.

We must allay their fears and make them fully understand what we are doing and why we are doing it.

There are those, who though understand what we are doing, but they are still resenting.

So, it is our duty to continue to educate those that could be misguided into thinking that there is something ulterior in what we are doing.

We must understand that change is a continuous thing. We have embarked on this project, realising the importance of education. We must win back that pride of place, as a people with good value for education.

The quality of the human capital must be enhanced and it cannot be done overnight.

The objective is to reinstate hope, quality and competitiveness in the students, so that they have an edge in future.

Today, we can accommodate about 15,000 pupils in a brand new elementary school, all learning at the same time, with the state-of-the-art facilities.

We are going to do more in the coming years, with the support of the governor, who has provided leadership.

Already, the change is reflecting on the pupils and teachers, in terms of output.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

16| Saturday, March 8, 2014

SOCIETY The Ibusa community of Delta State celebrated their son, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba (RTD) who recently retired from service as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). Here are some faces that graced the occasion.

Celebrant, Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral dele Ezeoba (Rtd.) Chairman of the occasion, Rear Admiral, Alison Madueke (Rtd.) (left); and Rear Admiral Jubril Ayinla Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba (Rtd.) and his wife Vivian

Alfred Okoigun (left), celebrant, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba (Rtd) and Rear Admiral Tunde Ogundele (Rtd.)

Retired Commissioner Police, Frank Odita (left), and Chief Executive Officer, Melka (WA) Ltd. Chief Mike Uwaka

Peter Ndep (left), Sam John and Retired SS Director, Barrister Mike Ejiofor Olorogun Oskar Ibru (left) and Professor Frank Okezor

Mrs. Petty Mbu (left), Vice Admiral Victor Kari Ombu and Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike

Chike Nwanze and his wife, Wilma

Rear Admiral Jubril Ayinla and his wife, Abimbola

Olisa Agbkoba (SAN) and his wife, Lillian

Celebrant, Ezeoba and Admiral Jubril Ayinla (Rtd.)

TheGuardian

Saturday, March 8, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

SIMON Egbo 07032944123

Love Connections

IN THIS EDITION

Women seeking relationship/marriage My name is Ify Best. I'm 25 years 5:8inches tall, slim, chocolate in complexion, an upcoming actress and a producer based in Lagos. I need a sugar daddy for a relationship and he should be able to assist me in my career. Call 08182759806.

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True Confession:

‘I Had An Affair With My Wife’s Married Sister’

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Relationship What Makes Men Fall In Love Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)

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Love

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

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‘I Had An Affair With My Wife's Married Sister’ True Confession I

FEEL the need to get this off my chest. I have told no one and the only two people that know are me and my wife's sister. It's been going on and off for more than two years. In the meantime, me and my wife have had a child, and my wife's sister and her husband have had a child (more on that later.)

All of us involved are of South Asian heritage and Muslim, but that has no bearing on the story.

Let me first say that I love my wife, she is my soulmate. I think she is beautiful, even after seven years together, the last four of which we have been married. She has given me two beautiful children that I adore and base my life around. Me and my wife are 28 and her sister is younger than us by four years, having herself been married for almost three years.

Me and the wife's sister (WS for short hereafter) work in the same local area, and so have often traveled to and from work together if we run into each other at the train station.

This was great initially, it entitled me to endear myself to her when I was pursuing my wife and the WS gave my wife the thumbs up when asked for her opinion on me. From these journeys to work and through my wife's own mouth, I found out that my WS had trouble in her marriage 18 months in. It

was an arranged marriage, but one that she happily and willingly went forth with. She and her husband are a good fit, and very similar people and seemed very together for the first year of their union. She also knew him a bit beforehand but not in an intimate way.

Their stumbling block came due to problems conceiving with WS being told that it was highly unlikely but not impossible that she would conceive with her husband.

Me and WS have always gotten on and probably would be good friends even if I didn't know her through my wife. While I think my wife is beautiful, her sister is, to put it crudely, the better looking, slimmer and younger version of her and on the way home from work we would often get mistaken for a couple, or she would routinely get hit on by random men. I guess it started here, I felt flattered that I could be mistaken for her husband, and it would excite me. I started to linger on these thoughts at times when I was with my wife, or pleasuring myself. But I put it down to just being turned on by forbidden fruit. It was never serious and I didn't pine after her.

The affair itself just sort of happened. She was very down because of her marriage troubles and was in tears as she told me about her latest argument at home. Offering her a hug it somehow turned into a long kiss. We didn't speak for a couple of days and then we met up to talk about what happened, and then she told me she wanted a husband like me. The irony being I was about to embark on an affair with her. I'm not sure what else was said but it ended with us kissing and then her coming with me to my stop on the way home, getting to the car park where my car was and us kissing and fondling in the backseat. It felt electric, better than I had ever imagined when I lusted after her during masturbatory fantasies.

From there it became a full blown affair, texting each other discreetly, arranging a meet at a hotel before we had sex for the first time. My moods would swing between guilt and pleasure. I'd sit there hating myself for doing that to my doting wife, but then take that hate out on WS in the form of sex. We became braver, more risky, even having unprotected sex, doing it in public places like the back of a cinema, parks, car parks, even getting to the point where at family dinners or get-togethers I would pinch her backside when no one was around, or she would play footsie with me as we all sat at the table. This went on for six

months or so, and then she got pregnant.

When she told me, she was happy, relieved, elated that she was finally pregnant. I didn't know what to think and asked if it was mine and she said it probably was. She'd told me she'd been intimate with her husband for a few consecutive nights but she was pregnant before it happened. Our affair carried on as normal for a couple weeks. Taking long drives to hotels outside the city to have sex. Driving to the beach and parking up on the side in isolated places to continue. But slowly we stopped. She told me she was forever grateful I had made her pregnant but that she would say it was her husband’s son and I understood and felt that she should.

I felt as if the affair had made me love my wife more in some way. It was probably my own guilt. When WS became pregnant and “announced’ the news to us, I of course played the surprised brother-in-law, congratulating her husband. Fast forward nine months, in which we first dialed down and then stopped our affair but without acknowledging it, and WS had a healthy, adorable baby girl, who thankfully looks like a spitting image of her mother, and not many of her fathers traits, biological or otherwise.

Everything seemed to go back to normal, and I will not lie, I found it hard at first. I wanted to see WS all the time, and these passionate feelings came out while having sex with my wife which of course won me many brownie points with her. My wife then

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

18 | Saturday, March 8, 2014

LOVE&LIFE Love Dictionary Love Dictionary If I could be anything I would be your tear, so I could be born in your eye, live down your cheek and die on your lips I wrote your name in the sand but the waves washed it away I wrote your name on my hand but I washed it the next day I wrote your name on a paper but I accidentally threw it away I wrote your name in my heart and forever it will stay.

The day will come when you'll be mine But I'll just wait till that time If I have to wait forever, that's what I'll do Cause I can’t live my life without you You're my everything; Without you I'm nothing.

8 letters 3 words 1 meaning I love you!

If love was a rose I would simply pick it for you If it was a gift I give it to you If it was a perfume I would buy it for you But since love is a feeling I'll like to share it with you Life ends when you stop dreaming, hope ends when you stop believing and love ends when you stop caring. So dream hope and love...

Makes Life Beautiful Time will always fly, but our love will never die. Keep in touch and remember me

Love Quote: When u recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and bring joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.

Bolen, Jean shinoda

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True Confession became pregnant, about six months after WS had given birth, which happened to coincide with WS returning to work. We fell back into affair-rhythm, just without the physical intimacy. I told her since my wife's pregnancy we hadn't had any sex and I was frustrated. On a whim I kissed WS one day during a lunch date and she said all her feelings came back and we've picked up where we left off.

In present day, my wife and I's second child is now approaching his first birthday and I am currently still meeting WS a few times a week, once again at hotels outside the city.

We don't know how to stop.

Advice: Pls dear readers mail your comments or reactions to this

What Makes Men Fall In Love I

T’S a baffling question: Is there some specific moment or event that makes a guy suddenly decide “yes, I think I love her”? Well, the answer isn’t clear-cut, but there are some general principles. “Men have certain innate needs that must be met before they truly feel connected to you,” says Paul Dobransky, MD, author of The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love. “When a guy realizes, consciously or not, that you’re ideal on all these levels, that’s when he’ll commit.”

Boiled down, guys have four primal relationship desires that are sometimes sated by the tiniest of moves by you. Here, experts explain with examples so you can put these insights to use when your guy is at the brink.

The Desire: To Protect Believe it or not, the so-called stoic sex is hardwired to nurture.

Sheltering you from harm makes him feel studly, which makes him feel good. “Not that you should act helpless, but letting him see your vulnerable side will bring him closer because it unlocks his instincts to take care of you,” says David Givens, PhD, author of Love Signals.

So give him chances to take charge, and thank him after he does. When a guy associates you with feeling like Superman, of course he’ll want to couple up. These little things can draw out his hero side.

only feel easier — and open up more — around you, but he’ll also start to wonder what you’re doing and pursue you more.

attached to you,” says Dr. Dobransky. Here, things that show your high value and nudge him toward love.

Share Your Own Fears. Guys often hold back because they think most chicks are baby-hungry ringhunters. So if you feel nervous about committing, let him know.

He’ll be reassured that you’re navigating new waters too, not trying to trap him.

Make Him Happier. Laugh when one of you loses balance during sex.

Go to stupid movies. Drag him out when he’s crabby. If you can keep things light, even during stressful times, you’ll become indispensable.

Reinvent Yourself. Little changes in your appearance now and then — say, hair up in a ponytail one day, down the next, etc. — remind him that you’ve got zillions of facets to your personality too.

Read: no rut risks.

Be A Social Butterfly. Guys are good at left-brain stuff, like sales and sports, but can get awkward when it comes to social graces. Take the lead and charm the people you meet and he’ll be extra grateful to have you. But he may take credit for making those new friends...whatever.

Respect His Privacy. A physical space that’s totally his is a huge symbol of independence to a man.

Signal that you respect that by, say, staying out of desk drawers and not peeking at his caller ID when his phone rings.

The Desire: To Shine Maybe he’s cocky, but he’s still insecure. Trust us, guys need to know that they’re respected and appreciated. “When being around you increases a guy’s esteem, both internally and in the eyes of others, he’ll naturally want to be

Play Mind Games. Activities that require mental prowess — like Scrabble, puzzles, and chess — can prod his passion. It sounds nuts, but proof of your problem-solving abilities subconsciously shows him you’re a desirable choice for carrying on his genes.

Act Like The Grand Prize. Seeing you through other people’s eyes reminds him how special you are.

Invite him to an event where you’ll excel (whether it’s karaoke or a fun run), or have him stand between you and another man you think is

Give Him A Job. Ask him to fix or build you something. Performing concrete tasks is a way of bonding that enhances his sense of success.

getting too close at a bar.

The Desire: Comfort “Falling in love is a process of developing attachment, which happens when oxytocin floods the brain,” says Alan Hirsch, MD, neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation. You can unleash those love hormones by making him feel like you two just “fit.”

When he’s so comfortable with you that he stops thinking about your relationship and simply enjoys it, he’ll find himself nudged into love territory. Take these tips.

Let Him See You Primp. Grooming in front of him enhances intimacy because it’s something other guys don’t get to witness. Just keep it goddess-like (applying lipstick or powder), not gross (bleaching your moustache).

Cook Together. Being around food spikes oxytocin levels in males.

The more often you prep dinner à deux, the more he’ll associate you with the good feelings he gets from eating it.

Stock Your Pad. When buying groceries you don’t have a preference on, get a brand he uses. He’ll subconsciously feel at home at your place. Sleep with him. Catnap near him or let yourself doze off in his arms so he sees you in your most trusting, completely relaxed state.

What Yanks Him Back From The Brink Some factors can derail a guy who’s about to fall.

Ask His Opinion. Whether it’s about your 401(k) options or the best travel sites, it telegraphs that you value his brain as much as you do his brawn.

1) They Get A New Opportunity A promotion often means spending more hours at work or taking a schedule-chewing class. Instead of balancing that with their love lives, guys tend to prioritize their careers and believe that a solid relationship will endure the delay.

So if something big is brewing, he may hold himself back.

Wear Soft Materials. Delicate textures like rayon, silk, and fur trigger an intense response in men. These fabrics accentuate your softer, feminine nature, which heightens his amorous instincts.

Don His Clothes. It shows that you’ve chosen him over other guys — sexy.

2) You Never Fight Sure, guys hate arguing, but it’s worse if you don’t react negatively at all when he’s screwed up. A guy will worry that (a) you’re going to lash out later, (b) you’re a doormat, or (c) you’re not into him enough to care. Any of these will make him rethink your budding relationship.

The Desire: Freedom Even emotionally healthy men want assurance that their identities will stay put after they’ve become half a happy couple. “By making it clear that you don’t expect your guy to change, he’ll feel like you truly understand him but don’t threaten his sense of self,” says Dan Neuharth, PhD, author of Secrets You Keep from Yourself. “That leaves him feeling on sturdy enough ground to commit.” The following moves let him know you’re no ball and chain.

3) Pure Panic Many men worry that if they commit, they’ll have to give something up — friends, dart night, something. So when a guy realizes he’s fallen for you, he may freak out and pull away for a while. If you can weather his big-baby behavior without reacting in a way that confirms those fears, he should snap out of it.

Stories/comments to simonclar@yahoo.com.

Blow Him Off. Men hate the idea of being tied down socially, so turn down occasional plans. He’ll not

‘IHubby’ Want To Kill My Sister To Get Her Handsome I am a lady of 25-years, staying in my sister's house in Lagos. She paid my elementary, midd¬¬le and high school fees and she is even paying my university fees for me. Also, she gives me whatever I ask for. The problem is that I have developed a strong feelings (love) for her husband. I started dating her husband when I was in SHS 2. He loves me, I love him. We really love each other. He said he made a mistake of marrying my elder sister, but I

ond wife. What I want him to do is to divorce his wife (my elder sister). Not knowing, all what we were saying in the room, she heard it. Came in and threw hot water on me, fought with me, and bit my am the one he loves.

I love my sister's husband so much, and he is a ears. I just recovered four days ago. Still, the man real business man, physically strong, both in bed wants to be with me, but the obstacle is my sister. and money. Now, he wants me to be his second Please help me, what should I do ? I want to kill my sister to get her husband. I really love the man. wedded wife. But I also do not want to be a secThank you...

Life Story From Abroad

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 8, 2014 | 19

RELATIONSHIPS

By Alita Joseph Let dogs delight to bark and bite, for God has made them so. Let bears and lions growl and fight, for it is their nature too. But you children, your little … or so goes this old time poem.

I

T came to mind recently when I saw a street fight. The affray allegedly was the result of a broken side mirror of a commercial vehicle.

But the damage to the body and consequent flow of blood was shockingbroken noses and eyes.

The main actors were the driver of the vehicle and another man, who was identified as an area boy.

The area boy, who was with his friends, said the driver wanted to hit him with his vehicle; hence he broke the mirror.

So, within minutes, otherwise hale and hearty men had been reduced to bleeding masses.

The flow of blood was so much that the toughs themselves demanded that the matter be reported to police.

But since a station was some distance away, they dragged themselves to the local government area headquarters.

The drama, however, began when officials chided the driver for causing such grievous injuries because of a damaged side mirror.

Amid raised voices, some workers identified the injured man as an area boy and whisked him away to be treated and thereafter deflated the tires of the ‘offending’ vehicle.

I became concerned after the driver was chased away and a teenager, who said he was a passenger in the bus, said he was the one who broke the man’s nose and injured his eye.

“Everybody knows me as an area boy,” he said, adding that his area covers Oniru in Victoria Island proper, extending as far as the suburb of Ajah.

Full of regrets, he wailed that the other area boy had possibly not meant to break that mirror.

“Why could he not just say sorry? I hate to use my fists, because they

Violence, Area Boy And You course injury,” he lamented.

Before his outbursts, I would not have thought he belonged to that group of people. I would have thought he was a student, because he had books in his backpack. I would thought he was a young man of good training too.

Who Is The Area Boy? AS the name suggests, he should be a young man who is born and raised in a particular area.

Confusingly, however, hardly are positive things said of him. Crimes and hooliganism are actions that are constant with that toga. And they are to be found in many parts of this country, although their level of ferocity may differ.

He believes in the use of force. He is a pack animal-rarely is he alone. You may see one actively causing trouble, but his friends have his back, so that when he appears to be losing a situation, others to help him.

He is quite at home with knives and broken bottles. He knows where to strike to get the desired blow to incapacitate an opponent.

He long recognised the financial potentials possible in the bus routes, long before the government, but it is not clear why he has not made much good use of it.

It is possible that he wants to do well in society, but when there is a riot, the first accusing finger would point to the area boy; when there is a violent crime, who dun nit, but the area boy?

Until that partial treatment given the area boy by the local government, one had not heard of one being so tolerated.

I think if that young man could be so impressed as to want to identify with them, so could a number of you ladies be carried away by the notion that he can harass people without the fear of the law.

Now, there is evidence that he gets government perks, for these are evidence of unlimited power. But he is on his own.

The soldier, police and paramilitary forces have training and the knowledge of the law to guide them, but the area boy has only a natural intelligence-sometimes his thirst for violence and sometimes a genuine

need to contribute in building a just society.

But he can bite off more than he can chew because he believes in absolute power or thinks that hierarchy lies only in his group.

I have often heard it said, however, that the area boy makes a good spouse and a loving parent. I don’t agree though.

They say the behavior he shows at home is different from the violent person people we see outside. This is impossible.

He takes his anger out where he sees no resistance. His spouse annoys him at home; he takes his anger out at the public.

Ladies, beware, however, for their number will grow. Youths will be drawn to them because of their power.

A child that goes to meet his mother where she trades at Obalende bus-stop and watches in admiration as a man slaps a grown man who dares not cry out, not to mention retaliate, would dream of holding that endless power.

The one who sees a big boy seize people goods at Upper Iweka in Onitsha would look forward to that as an employment when he is through with school.

Caution is the word, if you marry one. If he deals with danger, you are not totally protected, even he does not want to involve his family.

Remember that his actions cause pain to other families most of the time.

A man, who gives danger to people, faces it too. So, he is not a relaxed man. He can turn on you.

They are known to be incapable of forgetting a grudge, which is a bad trait in a relationship.

Once, an area boy confronted a lady and told her unprintable things he could have done to her pretty face. When he left, the surprised lady stated her surprise.

According to her, the offence he referred to took place months before that day.

The Right Way To Talk To Your Man

By Kemi Amushan

M

OST ladies, if not all, always want to date a strong, attractive, witty, alpha male, but sometimes they simply do not know the first thing about making those kinds of men notice them.

Today, I will be teaching you a useful way to make an alpha male do anything for you.

You know what alpha males are, right?

In case you don’t, these are some of the most hardworking, most driven, most motivated guys on the planet. And with the right guidance and companionship, alpha males become the best husbands, fathers and leaders in history.

But what is the biggest flaw of an alpha male? They are so damn stubborn as heck!

Alpha males have a “my life, my rules” kind of mentality. And as a result, they can be some of the most annoying, most confrontational and most unfaithful troublemakers.

What alpha males need most is a woman who can contain, control and redirect all their energy into useful, productive, enjoyable pursuits.

Have you ever heard of the saying: “Behind every great man is a great woman?” It is like that! You can be that great woman. You simply need to know how the mind of these so-called alpha male works and how, by “pushing the right buttons,” you can make him do anything you want, no exceptions!

First of all, we will be talking about the mistake most women make when trying to “control” a guy.

Most women try to fight fire with fire. When an alpha male makes a dumb decision or statement, some women try to prove him

wrong by arguing with him, by hammering him with “logic,” by insisting that her way is “better,” and so on.

Remember that the biggest flaw of an alpha male is that he is stubborn as heck! The more you push him in a direction he does not like, the more he will resist you.

What is worse, nagging also gives him the im-

pression that you think he is intellectually challenged. So, he will also very quickly lose interest in maintaining a relationship with you. It will not even matter if you are right.

Remember, he follows his rules only!

So, how do you make an alpha male do something you want? Let me let you in on a secret. The alpha male has a weakness. Once

he sets his mind on something, he will not rest until he achieves it or until he exhausts all means trying to.

It simply has to be his idea, his choice, his decision and he will do whatever it takes to achieve it! That is the key.

If you want an alpha male to do something for you, you have to somehow make him think like it was his idea. Then, he will go do it, no questions asked, no reminding needed!

Let us say you want him to ask you out. He will not ask you out unless he feels like it is his idea. How do you make him feel like it is his idea to date you?

- By getting to know him better.

- By understanding him better than any other woman.

- By knowing his “love triggers” and pulling them.

- And finally, by inviting him to chase you.

Nothing puts an alpha male more into “love mode” more than the chase. And when he feels like it is his idea to date you, he is not going to stop until he gets what he wants.

Think about it, you, being pursued by one of the most attractive, most dedicated, most hardworking and most successful around.

Awesome feeling, right? It does not get much better than that, does it? It can be your life. It should be your life!

Your main challenge is simply to learn how to influence an alpha male’s mind and make him do whatever you want.

Remember: If you want him to do anything for you, it has to be his idea. Once you master influencing a man’s mind, then you are all set to win the love of the best guys this world has to offer! Sweep him off his feet this time.

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

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 8, 2014

08116706852 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

WEEKEND with AMARA

Husbands, Respect Your Wives OD has commanded a woman to be submissive to her own husband. I am one of those who believe that obedience to the word of God must be unconditional. I believe we have to obey and trust God at all times. But I also know that we are all human and we require some form of encouragement to keep doing the right thing.

What am I trying to say? My dear brothers, you need to wake up and help women. A wise woman builds her home; yes, but no matter how hard she tries to build a strong home, there will be no strong home until you are committed to making it work. Wake up and take your places in our lives.

How easy is it for a woman to submit to a man who does nothing else other than remind her that he married her with his money?

How submissive would she be to a man who constantly reminds her of his headship in the home? It’s even surprising to see men in this our generation telling a woman to shut up as she should only be seen and never heard.

Hear this: if you are in the habit of reminding your wife and putting it on her face that you are the head of your home, it speaks of one thing; you are yet to become the head indeed.

When a man is truly the head of his home, even a little child entering the home for the first time will know that there is order in there.

There will be so much peace and serenity in that home. When you are being piloted by a man who knows how to do the take-off and landing, you are relaxed. But when you know that this pilot cannot lead you safely to your destination, there is bound to be panic and chaos.

Husband, father, do your children and wife have faith in you? Do they see themselves arriving their destination safely with daddy as the head? Their lack of faith in you could be the reason why they are not submissive to you.

Are you one of those who want to be respected when they don’t even know what it means for one to respect himself? Sir, you don’t earn respect by being bossy and aggressive. Respect flows naturally from people to you when they see that you deserve it. Don’t think your wife respects you simply because

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she becomes a zombie each time she is around you. I marvel when I see some wives become their real selves in the absence of oga. Sir, don’t fool yourself into believing that you know your wife if you are not her friend. Have you wondered why some women love it when their husband is out of town? Do you know that a good number of women pray for oga to travel and stay away for months?

You call her your wife but you don’t know how much her bra is. And you have the audacity to complain about your wife not being fashionable. Sir, those women you see and admire on the pages of magazines look that way because they are well taken care of. Spend money on your wife; she is your glory. You remind her you are the head; a head that she cannot trust to cover her nakedness? You admire all the beautiful women out there but you refuse to make your wife to be admired by other men. Sir, if you have not married your wife to the point that she becomes the envy of her fellow women and the admiration of your fellow men, you have failed.

If people have not started saying that she has given you vegetable, you are not yet there. Even the strongest man becomes weak in the arms of a woman he truly loves. Don’t let your very low self-esteem destroy a woman you claim to love (that is if you married her for love and not for your aged mother to see her grandchildren). You cannot tell her to see you as the head when you don’t love her like your own body.

Some men are selfish to the point that they pamper themselves and do everything possible to look good, but their wife shouldn’t talk about enjoying her life. Men like this often make sure that there is no money with the woman. If he sees her with 20k, he must make sure that it leaves her hand. Oga, God is not happy with you.

You can be the chief elder in church, heaven is still very far from you.

When was the last time you appreciated her cooking? My people say that etoo dike na nke omere, omee ozo (when you praise a strong man, he does more). When was the last time you praised her for keeping the home in order? The Proverbs 31 woman was constantly praised by her husband. Stop reminding her of the attributes of the Proverbs 31 woman, look and see that

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela HERE are periods in the life of some of us that seem like God has a hard hand on us. Well, in many ways perhaps He does but it is nonetheless a loving hand above all. The Bible says that He restrains and corrects those Whom He loves (Rev 3:19).

The time in the wilderness is never pleasant for our flesh – no, as children, we desire all the comforts that we can have. And this is alright for a time, for it is needful that love be the foundation of whatever is to be built. But then, a time comes which is the journey of maturity and we have to put away childish things.

I read recently in an old journal of mine, these words: “People did say that life would be hard and I believed them. But they never said how hard it would be to encourage oneself!”

Now I say that I wouldn’t trade for the world all the hardship that God allowed me to pass through because He taught me wisdom through them. Through true hardship you learn that you need to go to the most inner place to make your petitions. You come to trust the love of God which is the greatest knowledge man can ever attain and you learn that even when He seems so far away, He never did leave your side.

I do not say that I have arrived at my resting place but I am nearer to it than I ever was. You see, without the refiner’s fire you can never see the brilliance of the gold or silver for what it is. This fire is what burns away all the childish things and reveals the glory of a mature man.

To us, it is a continuous journey, this goal towards perfection but the point is that we should embrace hardship as a challenge to be better men and women.

Embracing it doesn’t mean that you become

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her husband is in the habit of praising her. Your woman needs that oil of praise to keep running effectively.

She doesn’t have a child yet and so you go around misbehaving with your fellow foolish boys. Sometimes when she wants some cuddling from you, you see it as a waste of your precious time and semen; may God have mercy on you. Do you know how helpless she feels? Don’t you know that she depends so much on your encouragement and love to carry on? Are you aware that it will be tough getting pregnant and keeping it when she is under stress? Everybody is on her for a child and you who should be standing by her is now standing against her.

Think twice!

Today you are beating and battering her. She is taking it because she is hopeful that a day of reckoning is coming. Even if she doesn’t retaliate, her children are watching and they will fight for their mother someday when your strength is no more. Wondering why some children ignore their father at old age? Sir, look for the black goat now that it’s still day.

My brothers abroad, I know so many of our women are nasty. I know so many get influenced by oyinbo culture when they don’t even understand how true oyinbos behave. But I know that a good number of them were pushed into it by your own attitude. How do you expect a woman to respect you when you contribute nothing to her life? Sure, she can get a bedmate who warms her bed if that is all she needs. Even when she never wanted to become a nurse, you forced her into it simply because you want a machine to be vomiting money for the lazy you.

When you took her from Nigeria, you were in the habit of constantly harassing her with your paper. You always threatened to divorce her and stop her from getting her own papers. She was swallowing all your bitter pills just for things to work out. Now she has her papers; what do you think will happen? You are no longer a Nigerian man simply because you are over there and you still expect her to be that cultured Nigeria woman? It takes two to tango.

If you fail in your responsibility as a man, please don’t blame the woman. To be a real

man, you must provide and protect. If you cannot do any of this and you desire to do it, God sees your heart and your wife knows how much you love her. I know she prays for you to be blessed. I pray that God who sees your heart makes a way for you to become all what you desire to become for your wife. But when you cannot do these things and you are there, even on social media, defending your inadequacy, my brother, some psychological help is necessary.

The most annoying part is when a woman works tirelessly to make up for the man’s inadequacy and at the same time, the man makes life difficult for her. Her role is to run the home with the money you provide. But because you have failed in your own role, she has stepped out of hers into yours. The best you can do is to encourage her by your actions and words. You also shouldn’t expect her to be normal at all times because you have given her something bigger than her to carry.

Do you know what it means to shout at and talk down on her all through the day only to want her at night? She works her life out taking care of the children, the home, and her small business. She closes from work and rushes home to cook only for you to come home and refuse to eat the food and even when you eat it, no appreciation. This can kill a woman. You don’t show her love throughout the day but you want her to become Sharon Stone at night. Sir, you are deceiving yourself. It’s garbage in, garbage out.

Mothers, our men are losing it. Let us start raising our boys to be real men who know what it means to be a man. To be a man has never been and will never be a day’s job. Just because you have the two nuts dangling between your legs doesn’t mean you are a man; there is more to being a man than just marrying a woman and having children.

Parents, please raise your children to have very high self-esteem. No man with high self-esteem raises his hand on a woman. It’s only a mad man who beats his own body. Sir, your wife is your body, your glory; when then do you batter her? A good number of Nigerian women are living in hell on earth. It all starts in the home. Raise your children to know how fellow human beings should be loved and respected.

08116706879 (SMS only).

E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Challenges Refine The Image complacent or that you accept things the way they come – God forbid! Embracing it means that you do not stubbornly resist the lessons there are to learn but lean humbly on God who is the One who fashions us. True power and beauty don’t lie in outward decking but is the release of true beauty from within. It takes a challenge to bring them out.

There isn’t one moment, there are several of them – some more or less dramatic or private than others. These moments define or decide the quality of the next phase of our lives. It is an illusion to think or believe that one has “arrived”. If time has proved anything it is that it is always changing – this hasn’t changed.

Many have seemingly reached the top of the status ladder in which there was nowhere else to go but upwards. Oh, but how far and hard the mighty have fallen by their delusions! Yet, others seem to shoot up slowly or quickly after a long moment of seeming stagnancy and they stay there so much so that they become a city on a hill for many more long after them. (Example, the writings of the disciples, seemingly lost for a time and now they speak to countless many and continually do).

We are not the same people we were yesterday. We might appear to hold the same beliefs and walk the same systems but our character is constantly building or entrenching itself if not developing. .

Mind Each Challenge Where can you find these moments? At times when you seem to be growing in wisdom, love, faith, etc and yet there seems to be no outward manifestation of it. Shall we imagine, for example, that you have decided to attain a higher level of proficiency and you start the process; it demands so much of your time, mind and more, yet the results will not manifest as soon as you are done. The hindrances

before you seem insurmountable – age perhaps, funds – but most of all, it is that mountain of a mediocrity in your mind that keeps telling you that you are a fool to attempt it.

Don’t be afraid to be a fool if it would lead you to a greater manifestation of who you were created to be. Never let that accusation speak, not even for an hour. You might feel a little bit tired today but what you say yes to today you are more likely to say yes to tomorrow. It’s the law of habit.

Determine Your Image By Cultivating Your Character For some people, their calling requires the preparation of a lifetime. It was like that in the life of King David, in Esther’s case, in the case of Joseph and it is the same for us. However dramatic or private our callings are, the time of cultivation is inevitable. We have to become aware of these moments and make the right decisions each time – as far as it is possible to cultivate a character that would be ready for major moments in life.

A powerful and effective first impression or moment in time is as result of a meticulous and diligent lifestyle. You cannot take this away from the bearer. This is the character that will keep you on top and also carry others along with you for no true vision is complete without an inclusion of others.

Therefore, we shall look a little deeper into this picture of sophistication and charisma: Hold your head high – Start doing this even if you don’t feel confident. Work on those defeatist thoughts and replace them with healthy, positive and faith-building ones. It takes courage to keep your head up – it also takes courage to face your fears. Look them in the face and reduce them to the feeble threats that they are.

Align your spine/keep your back straight –

Have you seen a man consumed by (or tolerating thoughts of) anxiety? Have you seen one that is confused and already defeated in his thoughts? You can read his thoughts by the way he sits and carries himself – in a perpetual slouch. Let him be careful for a few days of that and he would add to his worries a strained spine and dysfunctional posture. When his moment comes he will choose the way of defeat instead of courage and victory. “And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life? If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.” – Luke 12:25-29 Smile – Yes, choose to be happy. Be of a cheerful disposition. Cheer makes friends, a scowl makes enemies. “In spite of all the sham and drudgery, it is still a beautiful world” – Desiderata. If you’ve got one life to live, live!

When we constantly choose the good, confident, courageous and noble, when our pivotal moment in time comes to pass, we will indeed have nowhere else to go but up.

Image and Etiquette addresses general perceptions, societal norms and expectations and personal expressions with the goal to cultivate social graces, suavity and a dignified presence for personal development and effective interpersonal relationships. If you have questions on Image and Etiquette please send them to SMS or askpamela@regalgraces.com 08116706879. For information on our workshops, please write info@regalgraces.com.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 8, 2014 | 21

WOMAN Dr. (Mrs.) Ada Chenge is the Managing Director of Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, Makurdi. An engineer by training, she is the first woman to head the agency and had served as the General Manager of Benue State Water Board. In this interview with JOSEPH WANTU, Chenge speaks on the activities of the agency under her stewardship among other issues.

On aspiration for the governorship seat of Benue State come 2015 considering that Tiv people might find it difficult to concede power to her as an Idoma woman although she is married to a Tiv man.

Well, by the Grace of God, I am not the one who is going for the office of Governor of Benue State, but God Himself. I am aware that Benue has a peculiar case — the Idoma nation and the Tiv that have lived together over the years. The Tiv and Idoma have never quarreled; there have never been Idoma/Tiv crisis in terms of war. But distribution of power politically has been a problem to the elders of the Tiv and Idoma nations.

However, across the world, marriage has been one unique unifying force. And for 24 years, I have been married to a Tiv man. By the grace of God, we are consulting and at the end of the consultation, when the PDP asks us to give the result of our consultations, we shall be able to do that.

The sector to pay attention if given the mantle of leadership as state governor.

Well, for an engineer like me, I want to tell you that an industrialized Benue would be my priority. You know that we have abundant raw materials in the state that are lying waste; we would turn them into finished products.

All over the world, we are aware that the value for raw materials is 10 times lower than the value for processed products. If you want to buy processed food, you are going to pay much, much more than the raw materials.

Benue is blessed and is called the ‘Food Basket’ of the nation but we must process them. We must change what we have for foreign currency to ensure food sufficiency in the state as well as create opportunities.

How to attain such industrial growth.

Well, there is a major programme worldwide that is called Public-Private-Partnership (PPP), which makes the government now to be the regulator of industries while the private sector becomes the engine room. I believe in PPP. We can achieve set goals if properly put in place.

Tackling the problem of power.

Lack of power can be tackled through PPP. If you bring in people and dams are constructed and micro-watts are generated, you will do off the power problem. The problem is that we are looking at power as one big source that must come from one place. By the grace of God, I have Master’s degrees in production engineering and these degrees are not meant to just be there; they are meant to be practicalised.

Many other governorship aspirants laying claims to the seat on ground of zoning.

The Jeichira are not just laying claim, but the people are saying completely that the zoning is theirs because their zone had Moses Adasu as the governnor in Benue during the military era and was truncated by the military. And across the country, it was agreed that these zones that had governors that were truncated by the military be given the chance to finish their regime. That was the reason why M. K. O. Abiola won the presidential election. But because he was unable to be sworn in when Nigeria came back to democracy, without asking for any other tribe, the Yoruba nation was assured to produce the next president during which our father, President Olusegun Obasanjo was brought in. He ran for eight years. And so, the Jeichiria people are saying they should complete their original turn that was truncated by the military before the MINDA will take their fresh turn.

And even as we talk about unity, Benue is made up of three geo-political zones and the Idoma as a whole zone. Since the creation of the state, we have not produced governor. So, we too have the right. By that too, Ada Chenge becomes completely the most favoured going by zoning. The whole Zone C is my own father’s land, which according to the Zone C tradition, the daughter’s inheritance comes to her in the father’s house.

That is why we have people such as Maria Akyulura, whose husband is Yoruba, winning

Chenge As An Agent Of twice as House of Assembly member from Okpokwu LGA. That is why we have people like Ewakoye Galuwa, elected chairman of Agatu, whose husband is Edo. We also have Mrs. Abeda whose husband is a Vandeikya man but she came to be the state woman leader on Zone ticket.

And for the MINDA, Ada Chenge schooled at University of Agriculture Makurdi for both Bachelors and Masters. I have been graciously awarded a street because of my achievements in Makurdi. I am qualified and so I am most favourable. And if you talk of zoning, women are saying we have never had it. So, I want to tell you that zoning is favourable to Ada Chenge come 2015.

Stepping into present position as the general Manager of Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority.

First of all, I want you to know that River Basins across the country are in charge of all rural transformation agenda of Mr. President and by the grace of God, I was made the General Manager of Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority. Before then, I was the General Manager of Benue State Water Board, where I was instrumental in the construction of the Greater Makurdi Water Works; the Katsina-Ala Water Works and the Otukpo Water Works, all during my tenure.

When Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was made the president, he asked his ministers to go round the country and look for hard working Nigerians who will support him in the transformation of Nigeria. And that team was led by the then former Minister of Water Resources, Hajiya Milafia and the Permanent Secretary of Water Resources, Ambassador Ghali. They came to Benue and they went round the Greater Makurdi Water Works which was under construction by Dr. Gabriel Suswam’s administration. When they asked Governor Suswam who was the brain behind this great work he was doing, he told them I was the one.

Again, when the 36 speakers of the House of Assembly from across the country came to Benue.

They visited the site to assess that job which was going on. His Excellency again told them that the person behind such great work was no other person than Engineer Dr. (Mrs) Ada Chenge. So, it was the governor by his grace that nominated me for any federal appointment the president would want to bestow on me. I believe that the minister went and reported to the president and on 4th of April, 2011. I was appointed the Managing Director, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority. And as we speak today, today I am the first female Managing Director of one of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities in Nigeria.

Achievements at the Basin Authority.

We are into drilling of motorized boreholes, hand pumps and construction of earth dams.

We have gone into staff welfare. Staff whose promotions were withheld for 10 years, seven years, within my administration, they have been effected; staff quarters renovated, staff bus was resuscitated to move about. We did a lot; we have been doing a lot in the transformation of the country.

I want to tell you that whatever we do in Lower Benue is according to the Rules and Regulations of procurement in Nigeria. As a mechanical engineer, my utmost concern is the fact that I need to do for my people a lot.

And so, everywhere I go, I consciously make sure that I go by the rules and regulations of the government. I was in the private sector before I joined public service. Immediately I graduated from the university, I worked in the private sector for 12 to 13 years before I entered into politics 2011. So, I have the opportunity of working once in the private

Benue is blessed and is called the ‘Food Basket’ of the nation but we must process them. We must change what we have for foreign currency to ensure food sufficiency in the state as well as create opportunities.

sector, once in the state government and now with the federal government.

Getting contractors in line with procurement law.

Yes, as a policy, the Federal Government Procurement law gives us the criteria to qualify contractors. There are different criteria in the procurement law and as soon as the company is pre-qualified according to those criteria, that company is declared pre-qualified. And once you are declared pre-qualified, you are established as pre-qualified contractor and pre-qualified contractors must have corporate registration; you must be tax-compliant. They must also be experienced in what they want to do in day to day running of River Basin, which is basically the drilling of boreholes.

As a fact, there are basically no engineering companies registered under the CAC, but before you register, there are conditions for your registration.

Few

dams are available in our River Basin and we do not go into contracts running in billions.

We are a rural instrument of the federal government and so we go into contracts that are basic to the rural population: the drilling of boreholes, erosion control and the dams. So, most of the companies that are given jobs, are treated according to the law. We do not give contracts to those who are not pre-qualified contractors; we give contracts to registered corporate companies.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

22 | Saturday, March 8, 2014

MARITAL SEX READ books as a hobby and for intellectual Iingdevelopment.

I want to know what is happenaround me, but more importantly, I want to know what is happening in me and to me.

When I read, observe or try to reason, I ask myself the old age question: ‘What is the truth?’

Every religion, faith and tradition seems to know something about morals and the truth, but not really the truth.

I appreciate brilliant minds, but oratory is not truth. Some words may be nicely presented, but has no weight on the soul or any arm at all to reach the depths of the heart.

One of the most confusing emotions is the feeling of love, which is more deceptive when we use human words to explain divine light.

I made my conclusion, using the Bible to make it simple and practical.

Valentine, for some, is over. But love shouldn’t be over yet, because it is the “new commandment” Jesus gave. It is the one commandment that sums up all others.

But when we are in a relationship, one of our greatest fears is to lose the love of the people in our lives. We may say we don’t care, but we can’t secretly deny the fact that everybody needs love.

We need to be sure if we are loved. Many people are not sure. Even Jesus hath to ask Peter same question after three years of being together. “…Simon, son of Jones, lovest thou me?”

(John 21 vs 16).

Sometimes, the people in our lives do not know if we love them or not. We may not even know if we are loving them or just saying it.

There are people who show love in ways they think is best for them to love: 1. Through words: There are people whose lips drop with honey, their mouth is most sweet.

They use tender words, quotes, romantic slangs and appealing tones and language to prove they love. And whenever they do that, they believe they have shown love.

Words are powerful, but they may just be ‘idle;’ they may not come from the heart. And it is just a matter of time before your spouse or whoever it is in your life realises it.

No one can be fooled forever. Even a fool sometimes acts wise. Then, you start having issues on how to prove ‘love.’

2. Through Sex: This is the most deceptive. Sex is beautiful and there are few things in life that feels as good as sex. It is what anyone could offer- rich or poor.

Because of the ‘good’ feeling of sex, we think it is love. It can be love though, but sex in essence is not love. It is a desire, not ‘to’ the person, but ‘for’ the person.

I know a lot of persons that have determined their level of love for someone by how much they really want the person in bed. We have

How To Love

watched movies that made us think that if a person is ‘unfaithful’ to her spouse, it is because he no longer loves the person.

So, having sex with someone else means loving someone else. Yet, they know that sex can’t take the place of love. If we communicate with sex, it will be difficult to know exactly what it means.

Some people get fascinated with some persons and would have sex with them till they exhaust the desire and there is nothing to do with them anymore. Then, they realise that love wasn’t there after all.

3. Through sacrificial giving: “The motives behind injudicious giving and destructive nurturing are many, but such cases invariably have a basic feature in common: the ‘giver,’ under the guise of love, is responding to and meeting

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his or her own needs without regards to the spiritual needs of the receiver,” said M. Scott Peck (M.D.).

Judgment requires more than instinct. It requires thoughtful and often painful decision-making. Some buy expensive gifts to make-up a quarrel or to lure their spouse to bed. Some give to prove a point or to show they care more or to prove they are responsible or to make themselves look good. Some even give to keep records against a day of reckoning.

Many of these giving are not because it will do the receiver any real good. Some of them want to show devotion, so that they won’t be a bad person, not because it is love motivated. It is a misguided love.

By Oyinkan Talabi (The Equilibrium Centre)

I Want My Body Back!

Bodyworks@ The Equilibrium Centre HOEVER owns this body needs to come get it and bring mine back.

What is going on? I have put on 8kg in 11 months. That is almost 1kg per month. Considering what I do for a living, that is just unacceptable.

So, I started reflecting on what I have been doing these past months to see how I put on 0.73kg per month.

New Friends I made a few new friends, who, like me, like food and most have a sweet tooth. One in particular (I won’t say her name in case she is reading) has a really sweet tooth and she strongly believes it should be indulged more often than not.

Unfortunately, I also have a sweet tooth, which I thought I had killed off, but alas, I found out it wasn’t totally dead yet.

So, the ice creams to pizza to biscuits as we worked on projects all became too friendly with my hips and bum.

Late Working Hours While working on our projects, my working hours became very

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irregular. The day would start and we didn’t quite know when it would end.

Also, the flow was intense that I would forget to plan my meals; hence the above was also able to happen easily.

I was equally never used to eat anything heavy after 7pm, but now I was seeking out pounded yam at 7pm after not eating all day. And I would get home and just pass out after that meal.

Needless to say my metabolism didn’t like that.

Not Moving Enough Here I was, working out of a gym on wellness-related projects, but not taking part in any cardiovascular workout regularly.

I would usually jump rope, go for a run or join one of the cardio sessions going on at the centre. I was, however, doing some strength training, about two sessions a week.

I also took part in various challenges at the centre, a squat challenge, a plank challenge and an abs, thighs and bum challenge with the ladies at the centre.

This was my saving grace, as muscle helps to burn fat. So, even though I was heavier, it wasn’t all

fat; I had also gained some muscle, which is always good.

My body type- pear-shapedneeds a lot of cardiovascular movements, like aerobics, brisk walking, dancing, swimming, cycling, etc.

Not Sleeping Enough I used to be in bed by 10pm and would wake up about 5am to get ready for my day. However, these past few months, I wasn’t getting to bed till about 12 or 1am on some nights.

Our bodies need at least six to eight hours of sleep to rest and to repair. If it isn’t getting enough consistently, it stays in a stressful zone, thereby releasing excess cortisols into the blood stream.

This imbalance could also have contributed to me putting on weight.

Notice how one bad habits leads to another? Not eating regularly leads to eating late and craving the wrong things.

Working late leads to not sleeping enough and not exercising enough.

A lifestyle that combines them all is really car wreck about to happen. So, what is the way forward?

It always helps to know what the root cause of something is. If you get to the root and sort that out, your results will flow out.

So, my journey now is to bring my life and body back to balance. Some steps I have been taking are: Eating Regularly I have to eat at least five times a day to keep my metabolism up, so I have resumed packing meals and snacks with me.

When you eat regularly, your blood sugar won’t drop low enough for you to crave carbs or sugar, nor will you have the need to eat late.

Working Late Hours And Resting A former boss of mine once said to me, ‘if you finish it all today, what will you do tomorrow? Work never finishes; that is why it is work.’

Working late hours on a project for a specific period is fine.

However, if working late is normal for you, you life and body will most probably be out of balance. Something (or someone) is paying for it as well. You are designed to REST. Draw a very bold line.

Some people hate ‘stinginess’ and so use excessive giving to prove something. It is not really love- or for the good of the person. It is sometimes motivated by their own needs to maintain an image of him/herself.

Love is more of an extension of self than a sacrifice of self. When we genuinely love, we do so because we want to love. It is not selfishness or unselfishness that distinguishes love from non-love; it is the aim of the action.

In the case of genuine love, the aim is always deep internal peace and growth. It is to create a harmony, a satisfaction and fulfillment of the beneficiary of our love.

E. C. Samuel Intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com 08027173447

TheGuardian

Saturday, March 8, 2014 | 23

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend

CELEBR ITY

By Shaibu Husseini NLY a finger-countable number of Nigerian screen actresses are timeless.

Popular Nollywood actress Benita Nnenna Nzeribe is in the number. The Ihiala, Anambra State born actress who has put in over a decade and half as a screen actress has not only remained relevant but she is one of those whose artistic contributions have retained for them an irreplaceable place in the artistic scheme of things. An actress of many credits, Bennie as she is popularly called is clearly in the category of actresses who rose through the ranks to become one of the popular faces on the Nigerian home movie turf.

The third child of a family of four born to Chief and Mrs. H. C. Nzeribe, acting for Benita who is well regarded in Nollywood came naturally. It was for her a child’s dream fulfilled.

Though the star of such critically acclaimed films like “Three Wise Girls”, “Stand By Me’, “A Step Too Far”, “Sister Enemy”, “Fire on the Mountain”, “Peace Maker”, “Crazy Circle”, “Agbonma’, ‘Street Life’, ‘Lagos Babes’, and Bitter Side of Love’’, never took acting that has made her so popular both at home and abroad seriously until she left early school. She recalled that it was an encounter with actors at work on a movie set, that ignited her passion for the world of make believe. Today, the English graduate of the Abia State University who recently grabbed an endorsement deal with the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) sits comfortably on the list of recognizable faces in the industry. The actress, whose hobbies include watching movies, traveling and listening to music particularly Rhythm and Blues speaks about the deal, her career and life.

Good deal with the National Airspace Management Agency. How long is the deal for?

Well, my deal will last as long as they deem me fit to be the face of NAMA. It is about preaching safe skies and you will agree with me that NAMA is doing a lot to ensure that our skies remain safe for flying and that is what we have tried to communicate in the commercial that is currently running. There are other things I am supposed to be doing as the face of NAMA, but we shall unfold them as times goes on.

Your fans complain that you have been missing in action in Nollywood?

That is not true. I have been working. I have two soaps running on television-Silhouette and Corper Shun and I have been filming on MNET’s set with Africa Magic Real Movies. I have also taken part in a couple of movies. But I get what they mean and all I can say is that they should just be patient with me, as they will get to see more of me on screen soon.

O

Benita Of Nollywood Gets Her Groove Back, Raves On Well some of your fans think that you took the back seat because you have outgrown some of the roles you used to play?

Come on, that is not the issue. No one outgrows Nollywood. Besides how long have I been here that someone will even suggest that I have outgrown Nollywood. I was just blessed to hit the limelight as a teenager and I am still here...14yrs and still going. I can only give God all the praise.

Someone also suggested that some new stars have been born which is why people like you took the back seat?

Oh well, in as much as I believe that there is time for everything, I also want to say that Nollywood is too big for anyone to take another

person’s seat or space. There are countless roles to play and countless production companies that have the capacity to employ as many new people that come in. So unless you quit the scene and so far you are good, you are sure to get a role to play. So no one can take my place.

You have kept this girlish look from the time you joined Nollywood till date. What is the secret?

My look is a special gift from God and I am grateful to Him for that. But my fans should not be deceived I don’t do anything extra to remain this way. It is just a heavenly gif.

Can you recall how all this started for you?

I think it started with my playing Annette,

CelebrityEXTRA ...

When Nollywood Converged On Ojez For Charles Inojie’s Birthday

T

HERE was much to Fiberesima said she had eat and drink and to cut short a scheduled even much to take trip to Ghana to be able to away when colleagues make it to the shindig, and friends of multi-tal- which lasted well into the ented Nollywood practi- night. ‘’Charles is a very tioner Charles Inojie committed practitioner. converged on the popu- He is someone who has lar celebrity hangout done so much and so well Ojez Restaurant in Sufor himself. He is a great rulere, Lagos on Tuesday guy. I am not surprised at to mark the birthday an- the turn out here’’ the niversary of the award AGN President said of Inowinning entertainer. jie who studied theatre CelebrityExtra gathered arts at the University of that what was intended Port Harcourt. Also Manas a ‘quiet event’ turned aging Director of the Ojez out a huge carnival as group Chief Joseph fans and colleagues of Odobeatu spoke glowthe actor, producer and ingly about Inojie describdirector came from far ing him as ‘one in a and near to rejoice with million’. He prayed for the Edo State born actor ‘long life’ and many more who is well regarded in years of artistic accomthe industry. plishments for Inojie who In fact the National Pres- anchors the monthly Ojez ident of the Actors Guild Entertainment Forum of Nigeria (AGN) Ibinabo award ceremony.

the spoilt daughter of Chief Odiete in the rested Nigerian television soap ‘Beyond Our Dreams’. It was what shot me up and made quite a number of people to reckon with me.

Till date people still call me by the name of the role I played in that soap. They still stop me to make good and sometimes very silly comments about how I played the role. I mean some say I over played it while some said I was too wicked and whether I was wicked in real life as I was in the soap. You know stuffs like that. But that’s how it started for me. It was from there that I switched on to the movie. And for me it was easy because quite a number of the producers have seen me feature in the network soap so the sort of know what I can do and all that So the TV soap should count as your most memorable work?

Yes and also ‘Alternative’ as directed by the Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun. Though all the movies I have done are memorable, that was different in it’s own way because l played a 17year old. Till date people still, talk about that movie because of how I changed my manner of speech and looks. At a point on location, Lancelot Imaseun who directed asked that my fee be raised. Those who know Lancelot know that he is stingy with remarks.

But he was impressed and made a special top up case for me. I mean people even made me sit down to watch it and I was like ‘hey so girl you played this’.

You seem not to be interested in settling down is marriage not on your mind?

Marriage is on every single African woman’s mind. When I will get married? Don’t worry, I promise you that l will give you that answer soonest. In fact sooner than you can ever imagine. Let’s leave it at that.

I asked you earlier in the year whether you made any resolution and you didn’t reply?

Sorry I didn’t get the message on time and so I thought since we are way down into the year, you wont need my response anymore.

But anyway, I don’t do New Year resolutions. I just strive to be better. Once you make resolutions, you don’t live through January with it, you fail it. So I look up to God for grace to be a better me.

24

Saturday, March 8, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

TRAVEL&TOURISM

Traditional chiefs paying homage to the paramount ruler, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo during the Lisabi Day celebration held recently at Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Kenya Assures Nigerian Tourists Of Safety

By Isaac Taiwo ENYA Tourism Board has assured tourists in Nigeria and others all over the world of their safety by asking them to put behind them the Westgate Mall terrorist attacks in Nairobi which occurred in September, last year.

According to Kimutai Ngeno of Tourism Board, during a training session organized for travel tours in Kenya Airways office at Victoria Island, Lagos recently, the unfortunate incident was not isolated to Kenya and the incident has even made Kenya to come out more resilient with support from all that condemn global terrorism across the globe.

K

He referred to successful general election of March 4, 2013 as an event that assured stability in Kenya, promising business hub more than before.

“It will also interest our numerous tourists that in the month of September 24 – 27, Kenya hosted two key events namely, the African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and the Eco Tourism & Sustainable Tourism (ESTC) Conferences that brought together over 500 delegates across the globe.

“In addition to that, on October 16, 2013, Kenya played host to the World Travel Awards (WTA) – Africa Category to recognize performers in travel

and hospitality industry while on October 18 to 20, the tourism industry also hosted trade and travel agents from close to 30 countries representatives during the 3rd edition of the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo (MKTE) at Safari Park Hotel” Ngeno said.

He disclosed that Kenya has continued to tap into new markets throughout West Africa as positive indices has continued to point to Kenya as a save tourism environment.

He named Nigeria as one of the markets that have shown resilience and potential for growth with record of 15,000 tourists from Nigeria alone in 2012 with every indication

Grading Of Hotels Will Enhance Competition, Says Holloway Ajibola Amzat LAGOS State Commissioner for Tourism and Inter- Governmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway has stated that the on-going hotel classification and grading would generate healthy competition in the hospitality sector.

Holloway made this comment during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Ministry for General Managers of Hotels in the State at

the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos recently.

According to the Commissioner, the exercise would not only provide a database for planning, research and development, it would also give visitors the opportunity to make choices.

Holloway said, “One of the reasons that may have informed your choice of hotel could be the size of your pocket. This will help you determine whether you want to stay in a

one or five star hotel. So we have decided to grade hotels and classify them according to their different status.”

He said that the introduction of grading would also create a lot of competition among the different hotel brands and help introduce market efficiency in the industry.

Holloway reiterated the present administration’s determination to sanitize the hospitality sector and make it more viable.

Abia Seeks Sponsors For Easter Festival From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia HE maiden Abia state CarT nival/Cantata slated to hold during the Easter period this year, has been thrown open for the Organized Private Sector ( OPS ) to collaborate for sponsorship.

Mr Cosmos Ndukwe, the Chief of Staff to the state gov-

ernor Theodore Orji , said that the Central Planning Committee of the Carnival has been mandated to reach out to members of the Organized Private Sector.

Ndukwe told The Guardian in Umuahia that the call on the OPS became necessary because of the unfavorable public reaction to huge financial implications of hosting

the event last year.

He said the Carnival would serve as another platform to promote the moral values, cultural heritage and showcase the large tourism and investment potentials of the state.

Cantata, he said, “ will be the second and final leg of the two day event designed to give praises to God.”

that travellers from Nigeria would soon reach the figure of 50,000 in the near future.

To assure Nigerians of readiness to welcome as many tourists as would take the ad-

vantage of smooth good air connectivity to Kenya from Nigeria, travel trade training was organized in three regions including Abuja, Lagos and Calabar with a view to sell-

ing Kenya to Nigerians from informed point of view as well as giving insight into different tourism products which Nigerians can sample during their visit to Kenya.

Awolowo Seeks Implementation Of Local Content Law For Hospitality Business Ajibola Amzat

• As Chesterfield Hotel Opens

IGERIA’S former AmbassaN dor to Netherlands and Executive Director of Obafemi

the sector for the good of the people of Nigeria.

“Nigerians should be encouraged to invest more in the nation’s hospitality business.

They should not sit on the fence while the foreign investors take control,” she added.

Awolowo-Dosumu’s counsel was premised against the growing concern that Nigerian’s key lucrative sectors, such as Oil and Gas, Maritime, are being gradually taken over by foreign investors, especially the Chinese, British and American investors, a development that is hampering the process of domesticating the nation’s wealth for the good of its peo-

Awolowo Foundation, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, has reminded the government of the need to implement local content policy by domesticating wealth in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector.

She made this call at the official opening of a luxury hotel, Chesterfield Hotel at Ikeja, which was formerly known as Regency Hotel.

Speaking as chairperson at the event, Dr. Awolowo-Dosumu said, globally, hospitality business is an enduring source of wealth creation that needs to be explored especially for massive job creation, poverty alleviation and promotion of the country’s cultural heritages.

She said to make this achievable; there is need for the government to assist the indigenes by implementing Nigeria Content Act. According to her, “ hospitality business globally attracts foreign investments. There is no way such a sector can be wholly restricted for indigenous investors only. But the point is that the government and the concerned stakeholders should do all within their powers to make sure that such opportunity is utilized to domesticate the huge wealth in Chesterfield hotel

ple.

In his speech, the Managing Director of Chesterfield Hotel, Mr. Abiola Jobi-fele, said the luxury hotel represents his continued dedication to some of his father’s philosophies on wealth creation through business investment.

“One of my father’s fond philosophies was that when a soup is prepared for someone, he or she should be able to warm it subsequently before eating. This implies that whatever heritage, wealth, education, wisdom and or values bequeathed to one, one should be able to sustain and strengthen them no matter what.”

WEEKENDBEATS /36

CELEBRITY /23

Benita

GLO

Evergreen Series 2

Nollywood Actress Gets Her Groove Back

MONDAYS–FRIDAYS IN THE GUARDIAN

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Students Queen FEDPOFFA Protest ASUP Vow To Oluwatobi Continue Strike Phillips S

By Adewale Kazeem

a marine science student of the University of Lagos, the 6th World Miss University Nigeria.

She represented Nigeria last December in Seoul Korea.

TUDENTS of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, on Thursday staged a protest over the ongoing ASUP strike.

According the students, the strike has affected their academic lives.

Life Campus gathered the protest started about 8am, with intention to stop all the activities in the school, including all staff schools, however, the school security personnel pleaded with the students and promise to consult the school management in order to find solution to the strike so that students can return to back the classroom as soon as possible.

The students led by the SUG former President, Com Omuiyadun Hammed, stated in their placards, “No to divide and rule, ASUP strike must end; world suffer not because of the violence of bad people, but the silence of good people.”

Omuiyadun noted the brave step by some progressive students of FEDPOFFA was not a motive to undermine or weigh strength with the incumbent SUG Exco. “We want to show them (Exco) that all students are solidly on ground to reason together towards finding immediate end of the protracted ASUP Strike,” he said.

TWO WORDS /25

Fight It

By Daniel Ananzia

SHOWBLAST /34

Tracy Nwapa’s Reality Tv Access Adam

Talks CAREER /27

Youth & Graduate Jobs SHOWBLAST /34

MTV Salutes

LYFECAMPOffers Lifeline To Youths Lupita On OSCAR Win schedule to hold in Lagos from June 19-22, is an intensive proIFTING Youth and Fostering gram that would include pitchEntrepreneurship camp ing and sales workshops, mar(LYFECAMP), a youth keting initiatives, sector-speciffocused initiative has ic critiquing, and mentoring announced it first edition sessions with all-star sponsors LYFECamp, tagged 2014 and partners.

LYFECamp, a 3-day intensive Speaking on behalf of the conference designed specifical- team, Lawal said, “LYFECAMP’s ly to help promising Nigerian vision is to create an annual young entrepreneurs (underbootcamp, where the most graduates and postgraduates) promising high-tech Nigerian take their ventures to the next young entrepreneurs can come level. to learn how to pitch to angel According to a statement by investors and venture capitalthe founders and organisers of ists. During the conference, we the bootcamp — Sola Lawal, will help the entrepreneurs Chinedu Okoro and Temitope move to the next level by helpIsedowo, the bootcamp which is ing them solve their biggest

L

challenge, be it marketing, technical, or otherwise, giving them skills to grow their organisation, and introduce them to the connections they need to make things happen.

“During the conference, our ‘cadets’ (LYFECampers) would be invited to present their products in a competitive environment, including a pitch competition, attended by investors and other entrepreneurs. The five top pitches, chosen by our panel of esteemed judges, will receive grand prize package, and we would offer them the tools they

EMPOWERNIGERIA /31

FTER months of controversy over her acting capacity as Vice Chancellor of the state owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the university.

Oshiomhole, disclosed the confirmation when he received traditional rulers from Edo Central senatorial district, who were at Government House on a courtesy call. He said that government’s decision was borne out of the fact that Vice Chancellor has brought stability and development to the university.

“We are confirming the Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University. I believe she brought some stability to the institution. They tried to politicise the whole thing by bringing ethnicity into it, but Edo will be driven by merit because we recognize merit,” he said.

He added, “We will continue to do our best to make the point that Edo is one and the same. Politics of ethnicity is promoted by people who do not have ideas and there is nothing that is good for the Bini man that is bad for the Esan man and there is nothing that is good for the Esan man that is bad for the Bini man.

A

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AAU Ekpoma: Oshiomhole Confirms Prof. Agbebaku As Substantive VC

need to establish their startups,” the statement reads.

Lending his voice to collaborate what Lawal said, Okoro, explained the programme is open to graduate and undergraduate students under the age of 30 and resident in Nigeria. “Accommodation, transportation (to and from Lagos) and feeding of each participant will be taken care of. In addition, each LYFECamper will be given free PC tablets. Participation is absolutely free of charge,” he said.

Making Right Choices

WEEKENDBEATS /36

KEEP IT REAL / 41

BOOKSERIES /35

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26 Saturday, March 8, 2014

CAMPUS

YOUTHMAGAZINE

FG, cOEaSU discussion On Strike Ended in deadlock

MOUa advances Exam Ethics, inaugurates Marshals

The colleges of Education academic Staff Union (cOEaSU) on Tuesday in lagos, said its discussion with the Federal Government concerning its ongoing strike has ended in a deadlock. according to cOEaSU chairman, Federal college of Education (Technical), akoka, Mr. Olayanju abolaji, the union would continue with the strike until its demands were met.

He said the National Executive council met with Federal Government representatives, led by the Minister of labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, on Thursday, February 20, but could not reach a consensus with the Federal Government’s team because as what was offered was not appreciable. “cOEaSU is not ready to take empty promises. The Federal Government must be committed to implementing our demands to an appreciable level before we can call off the strike. We are ready to call off the strike, even if it is necessary today, but that is if there is a commitment on the part of the Federal Government.

We would not relent in its struggle to improve the standard of the colleges of Education,” he said. abolaji explained that government was yet to give the cash backing needed to cater for the needs of the colleges of Education as reported to it by the Needs assessment committee.

“The Needs assessment

“it is also worthy of note that the Enforcement of strict examination rules and ethics has taken a new dimension at administration of Vc Edeoga, has in less than three years in office, the Michael Okpara University of agriculture, Umudike (MOUa) abia State. fought examination malpractice This follows the inauguration and induc- and so far has expelled about 100 students found guilty of malpraction of 30 academic and non-academic tice,” the statement read. staff, who were earlier trained as Exam Federal Government (SGF) on November Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, 17, 2011.

Ethics Marshals and 35 students as pioneers of Exam Ethics club, MOUa chapter. where he was inaugurated as Patron of Founder and chief Executive Officer of in december 2013, the Vice chancellor of EEMi, Prof. Edeoga said, “the training, the Exam Ethics, dr. ike Onyechere, said equipment and inauguration of the Exam the essence of inducting lecturers and the institution, Prof. Edeoga was honEthics Marshals and students, will further non lecturers including students of the oured with the year 2013 Exam Ethics Marshals international (EEMi) award for advance entrenchment of ethics, integrity university is to encourage them to kick best practices in education in calabar and and best practices in the university.” He against all forms of examination malpraccross River States by EE Marshals in recog- added, “MOUa has been one of the universi- tice. ties in the country that have shown susnition for his outstanding He said, “Exam Ethics target is to have an achievements in transformation of physi- tained serious commitment to President education examination system devoid of cal and moral infrastructure of the univer- Goodluck Jonathan’s education transfor- fraud and cheating, and ensure that necmation agenda.” sity. essary punishments are meted out on the The Vc recalled that the implementation offenders. With the trend of ‘sorting’, according to a statement by EEMi, of particular significance is the Vc’s ability to of Exam Ethics Marshal’s ten-point agenda which is so rampant in the nation’s highwhich included enlistment, training and er institutions, the new marshals are now 100 percent fund, through internally Generated Revenue (iGR), the construc- deployment of Exam Ethics Marshals, was better armed with the necessary tools to tion of 10 students’ hostels at the cost of formally launched by the presidency watch out for offenders and report same through the office of the Secretary to the almost N1.5 billion. to the relevant authorities.”

committee set up by the Federal Government has visited the colleges, collated their needs and sent the cost implication to the government. We are yet to receive the cash backing to that effect,” he said.

The union had on december 31, 2013 declared an indefinite nationwide strike to press home its demands, following its complaint about the poor state of infrastructures in the colleges of education and their poor funding across the country.

The union had also rejected the integrated Personnel and Payroll information System (iPPiS) already operational in the Federal civil Service and the non-implementation of the 2010 Federal Government-cOEaSU agreement.

PAGEANT FOR CAMPUS QUEENS

OOU Medical Students Protest Fee Extortion

TWO WORDS

Uki Dare

powered by

Fight It..

After many more lessons, Chinedu’s birthday finally arrived and he announced that he wanted to play a love song for his mum. She was elated as he played “I will always Love You” by Whitney Houston. As he fin“Why is this thing so hard for me to achieve? it ished, tears welled in his mum’s eyes and she grabbed must be a sign that i should leave it.” Have you him for a big hug. After the applause died down, His ever said this in the face of a major disappointdad smiled and jokingly said, “I’m jealous oh? Could ment? are you on the brink of giving up on you play my favorite song? Did your teacher teach you something? let’s read chinedu’s story and talk how to play it too?” Chinedu had never played that about it. song before, but with a big grin on his face he searched “I am so tired of this” Chinedu thought, as he headed online for sheet music of his dad’s favorite song, ‘You into the car. He was on his way for Piano Lessons. He Raise Me Up’ and then he turned and cheekily replied, had been going for piano lessons for 5 weeks and he “Dad, lucky for you, I didn’t learn how to play songs, I learnt how to play the Piano.” still couldn’t play one song, his eleventh birthday was coming up in a few months and he wanted to Many times when something seems too difficult be able to play a song dedicated to his mum on that to achieve, we decide it is “because it was never day. He was surprised on his first day of class when meant to be”. it is true, that sometimes, good his teacher asked him to bring out a pen and paper things come with a little effort. Still, sometimes, to learn note names, finger numbers and so on the difficulty you face is the proof that you are before even touching a piano. The thing that doing something right. after all, it is easier to give annoyed him the most was that Tobi his classmate up then to keep fighting, it is easier to cheat, than started Piano lessons in another music school at to study and pass your exams. can anyone say that about the same time with him. “Tobi can already it is not easier to sleep than to wake up at dawn play 3 full songs while I have just started practicing every morning to get ready for work? it is even easmy first notes, it’s so annoying”. ier to offer ‘eye-service’ than to actually do your

Not in anger or frustration but with the assurance of victory… FIGHT IT

When he got to music school that day, He blurted out to Mr. Angus, “Tobi’s teacher is not bothering him with note reading and all these other complex things, he is just teaching him the songs directly, why can’t we make this short and do the same thing.”, “Mr. Angus replied, “Chinedu, Tobi is learning how to play a few songs, but you are learning how to play the piano.”

after you have done what i suggested in Fill iT, here is my advice:

Is difficulty making you to consider giving up on your dreams?...Fight it Is the fear of failure stopping you from reaching for the stars?…Fight it Are you considering a shortcut that will rob you of the opportunity to build yourself?...Ignore It If you want something and it is good and legitimate…Get It If no one will encourage you…Encourage yourself i need you to remember this: Even though some good things come smoothly, some require a lot of work. and when it gets hard or you face a setback, if discouragement comes and tries to make you give up on your goals…

FIGHT IT

job. Short cuts can be good but some shortcuts rob Do you need my opinion on anything? Write me at uki@poisenigeria.org and your message might be us of everything we should gain from an experichosen to feature in this column next week. ence, a job, a boss or a challenge.

Easy doesn’t mean better, neither does difficult.

What matters is that you know where you are going, and what you need to do in order to get there, whether it is easy or hard. Please, don’t give up, don’t let go and don’t look down on yourself.

Edical students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, ago-iwoye, Ogun State, on Tuesday, protested what they described as school fee extortion from the school authority. armed with placards with inscriptions like: ‘injustice is cruel and it breeds anger’, ‘We will not pay illegal school fees’, ‘Stop this unnecessary student extortion’, and ‘Who will pay for my 10 years fee in a sixyear course,’ the angry students in their number stormed the Ogun State House of assembly, demanding an immediate stoppage of the extortion.

Speaking on behalf of the students, President of the Medical Students association, Yemi adegbesan, said the Vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Sabur adesanya, had asked them to pay an extra two years illegal fee. He, however, pleaded with the Speaker of the House to urgently wade into the matter as time is not on the side of the final year students.

He said: “The medical school curriculum runs for six years, which automatically requires them to pay for six sessions with or without strike by academic or non-academic staff of the institution. is Prof. Saburi adesanya above the law? He has refused to allow final year medical students from OOU do their induction just because he wants them to pay extra two years school fees.

“This is illegality that is unprecedented in the history of university education in Nigeria. The students have extra time in school because of aSUU, SSaNU, NaSU and other union strikes. We had on december 17, 2013, written a petition to the House on the issue but up till now, nothing has been done and that is why we are back.”

M

uki@poisenigeria.org,

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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 9)

TRADE AND INVESTMENT continued

both cases of Portfolio Investment and Direct Investment they are even further sub divided into two categories again. And these include Foreign and Local. So you may have foreign direct Investment as well as foreign portfolio investment. You may also have local direct investment as well as local portfolio investment. So we put all the categories I have explained together you will have an investment coming into Nigeria for say Nigerian Breweries. And it may be defined as foreign portfolio debt investment. This is because the investment is coming from outside the country, it is funds that are invested in a bond that has been issued by the Nigerian Breweries and the debt or bond may be listed on the stock exchange. On the other hand Orange Drugs may equally get a new injection of funds which may be defined as local direct debt investment. This is because the investment is a loan which is going directly to Management, and it is coming from within the country.

by the National Association of Securities Dealers Over the Counter Market (NASD-OTC), both institutions are regulated by SEC. Investment in Land, investment in cars and investment in houses, buildings or real estate is not typically covered by the formal regulatory authorities however they are significant in terms of volumes and value and so I will deal with them in as we discuss solutions for the trade and investment industry.

Investment Mobilization: It is also on the minds of many In Paper 8 I spoke about the definition of Trade Governments around the as it will relate to Government Policy in order world to define effective for us to understand what kinds of policy we ways to mobilize investment can implement in Nigeria to stimulate the creas it has a direct relationship ation of Jobs across the board. I broke down the Regulation: with job creation. The penfact that Trade is much more complicated than The Securities and Exchange Commission sion reform of 2005, did an Development Strategy series. Presently we as a just buying and selling as many of us think it is, (SEC) is the apex regulator for the Investment excellent job of mobilizing investment for Nation are clearly not taking advantage of our and that fact that Nations around the World industry but they are more concerned with the Nigeria and the great thing about this invest- structures and natural endowments to boost depend largely on their Trade policies to stimu- portfolio investment industry and their conment is that the investment mobilized was our ability to trade with other Nations. We are late Growth and investment and in turn create cern is primarily for full disclosure of the facts long term in nature. So presently we have 3 to effectively not trading with ourselves for many Jobs. So if we believe that there are Nine Pillars as it pertains to the issuer of the investment 4 trillion naira that has been mobilized and I reasons which include the lack of structures of National Development as I so strongly instruments. Direct investment is not typically understand the leaders of the National and infrastructure which is onto itself a major believe. And if we believe that Government regulated however it is measured by SEC, and Pension Commission intend to stimulate even Pillar in the Nine pillars of National Policy is a clear driver of National, State and Central Bank and the National Bureau of more investment over the next few years driv- Development. Once the structures and the regional development, then we must accept Statistics. In order to formalize your drive to ing the collections and mobilization way that Trade and Investment is the corner stone of attract investment you may either get listed on beyond 30 trillion naira. This will be unprece- infrastructure are absent then it will be very difficult if not impossible for a nation to facilitate Government Policy. And if Trade and a securities exchange such as the Nigerian dented if they can achieve it and it will redetrade even within its own boarders. We must Investment is the corner stone of Government Stock Exchange or you may go to the Over the fine the ability to get businesses started in also use finance and money to fuel and oil the Policy then it means that our entire Economic counter market which in Nigeria is managed Nigeria, it will provide an excessive pool for wheel of trade and investment. As both trade policy, our entire economic blue print and our infrastructure investment and it will put and investment are defined by a means of entire National Development Strategy should Nigeria on a path to greatness. There are exchange which is usually money. In the be driven by our ability to increase the Trade indeed other sources of mobilizing investment ancient times they practiced trade by barter and investment in our economy which in turn in our Nation which we have not tapped and which meant the exchange of goods for other will create Jobs, stimulate economic activity and could be tapped if we are working with serious goods of equal value, however this practice is raise the standards of living of our people. And Leaders. However I will discuss them when I no longer fashionable as money is generally that has to be any and every Government’s ultiam discussing the solutions in the next few considered a good means of exchange for trade mate goal. papers on Government Policy as a pillar for as well as investment. Next week I will discuss National Development. solutions in the Trade and Investment industry Trade: and what our Government as well as our citiI have told you that trade is divided into local/ Trade and Investment is too important to zens can do to get this industry to the next level domestic and international/ global trade. In National Development, and they are both con- in an effort to create Jobs and open up opportuNigeria we are not even facilitating the local sidered a major plank on my National nities for our people. trade not to talk of being a major player on the international level. In fact Africa as an entire continent is responsible for less than 3% of total global trade. This is pathetic when you consider that Africa’s population is over 15% of the World’s population. Next week I will provide compacted sand are ok, but rock or large stones are not ok. But it just solutions to increasing Nigeria’s and subsehappens to be the case that hundreds of millions of people live in areas quently Africa’s share of Global trade and how which have just the right soil types. One such area of our country with we can equally grow the local trade to boost our the right soil type is Lagos, Southwest and some part of the South East Gross Domestic Product and enhance our abiliand South South. . ty to create Jobs.

A borehole is the generalized term for any narrow shaft bored in the ground, either vertically or horizontally. A borehole may be constructINVESTMENT: ed for many different purposes, including the extraction of water or Investment is divided into two board categories other liquid (such as petroleum) or gases (such as natural gases), as in the same way Trade is. And those are Portfolio part of a geotechnical investigation, environmental site, mineral exploInvestment and Direct Investment. Both ration, temperature measurement or as a pilot hole for installing piers Portfolio investment and Direct Investment are or underground utilities. The bore-hole drilling machine is a new, highsub divided into equity and debt based investly efficient and extensively applied open-air rock drilling equipment, ment. This means that in the case of portfolio which is extensively suitable for small and medium sized mines and for instance you may invest in a company by the projects such as communications, national defense, water conserbuying its stock or shares and this is regarded as vancy and stonework, in particular the rough and rugged terrains and equity because you are taking a risk alongside land forms where other drills are unable to operate normally. the promoters of the company. On the other The machine can be used for digging for water and to drill blast holes hand you or more than likely a Bank or financial on mines. It can also be used to drill under roads for cable lines. institution may invest in a company by lending it money through a corporate Bond. In the case F YOU want to make a borehole (the quickest way to make wells), you In many Nigerian communities the need for water can be the differof direct investments, equity is invested directly have two options. The first is hiring a big machine, which will arrive ence between life and death and so depending on the expensive truck mounted bore hole drilling machines may not be a solution for them. by investors who are taking the first line risk in on a truck from the city, and gets the business done in a few hours. the business by putting in money in a new ven- Quick, easy, and quite affordable. The second is doing it by hand, using EMPOWER NIGERIA has the simplified version, a modular sized manual ture or expanding their existing venture. Their a manual drilling technology. It takes longer, it is heavy work, but it also bore hole drilling machine that gets the job done. You can start your own bore hole drilling business in your community tomorrow if you investment is made directly to the managegets the job done. Now what do you think? Which is better? have one of our very affordable machines. Local Governments, ment of the company and used in the guidance Of course, manual drilling does not work everywhere. Clay, sand, and Constituency projects and many non-Governmental agencies will be and approval of the board of directors. And if happy you started this business as you will be very busy once you get the direct investment is debt, then the debt is started. made equally directly by taking a direct bank To find out about this and other business ideas, visit our showroom at W2, THE ARENA loan (not structuring a Bond), and the funds are Army Shopping complex, Bolade Bustop, Oshodi, Lagos. You could also contact our applied directly by the management of the sales representative info@empowernigeria.com or by calling 012771388 or company or the project as the case may be. In

BOREHOLE DRILLING MACHINES.

I

08172109095

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

32 Saturday, March 8, 2014

EMPOWERNIGERIA

GUIDE TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

YOUTHMAGAZINE CASE STUDY

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURAL LEADER

By Nicholas Okoye

nokoye@empowernigeria.com

Principles of Success I have been speaking about the guiding principles for life and for success, this is a continuation from yesterday’s list. I hope you find them useful as they have changed my life and I assure you they will change yours too.

Conquer your Fears: There are six basic fears that drive and sometimes terrorize people. And in most cases these fears stop people from doing what they are supposed to do in Life. You have to conquer your fears otherwise the fears will conquer you.

The six fears are a. Fear of ill health, b. Fear of old age, c. Fear of criticism, d. Fear of loss of love of someone e. fear of poverty f. Fear of death Hope for future achievement: There is nothing that drives you on further than the hope for future achievement. Once you have your sights set on a goal that drive will propel you forward towards your goals without you even knowing it. The hope for future achievement can sometimes take you to greater heights but it also keeps the old and aged people alive and well once they have new set goals to achieve. The worst thing you can do to yourself or to someone else is to take any their hope for future achievement. You will be cutting out that person’s heart and you may very well be killing him or her without even knowing it. Maintain a hope for future achievement and the world is yours.

Willingness to share blessings: the best way to ensure more blessings is to share your blessing with other people. You climb the ladder of success with two hands stretched out in two different directions, one hand is stretched forward to grab the hand of those you are helping you up, and the other hand is stretched behind you to help lift up those coming after you.

Open mind on all subjects: you must keep an open mind on all subjects. There is nothing more pitiful than a closed mind unwilling and unable to take advise. Once your mind is made up before you hear all the facts then you are setting yourself up for failure. All decisions must be based on facts and all fact must be accurate. Most closed minds are as a result of people who rely on inaccurate information and inaccurate facts. Practice accurate thinking with an open mind at all times and you will conquer your World.

EDWARD T. LEWIS DWARD T. LEWIS was born on May 15, 1940, in the Bronx, New York. In 1969, he co-founded Essence magazine, specifically targeted to black women. Propelled by the extraordinary success of Essence, he has become one of the most successful and respected magazine publishers in the country. He grew up impoverished in the projects of the South Bronx, a neighborhood plagued at the time by drug addiction and violence. Nevertheless, Lewis’s parents—his father a night shift janitor at City College and his mother a factory worker—instilled in him a strong work ethic and desire to succeed.

Lewis attended De Witt Clinton High School in the Bronx, where he excelled academically and was a star fullback on the American football team. Upon graduating from high school in 1958, he earned a football scholarship to the University of New Mexico.

Edward T. Lewis very nearly did not make it to New Mexico alive.

The cross-country flight on TWA airlines was the first Lewis had ever boarded and it was nearly his last: An engine caught fire in midair and passengers began bracing themselves for death. “I knew that my life was over,” Lewis later recalled, “and I had another fellow sitting next to me, and we held hands. We were reading the Bible because we knew that was it.” But it wasn’t. The plane made a miraculously safe emergency landing and Lewis arrived safely in New Mexico after all.

Upon beginning his studies that fall, Edward Lewis discovered that he was one of exactly 12 black students on a campus of more than 8,000 white people. “There’s certainly loneliness, but you have to adjust, you have to adapt,” he said. “And my adapting revolved around meeting some really, really wonderful people who became my friends and enabled me to continue to grow and to do well there.” Attending college at the height of the American civil rights movement, Lewis studied the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X and grew outspoken in his demands for racial equality. This expression of what the university perceived as Lewis’ “radicalism” resulted in the loss of his football scholarship during his sophomore year. Lewis was outraged but decided to stay in school anyway. He later recalled a friend counseling him, “If you stay in school you may be able to have even greater impact with regard to what goes on in your community.” Edward T. Lewis graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations in

E

1964. A year later, in 1965, Lewis landed a job as a financial analyst at First National City Bank in New York City. Lewis was steadily rising through the ranks at the bank, on track to become a loan officer, when in 1968 he attended a conference on blacks in the business world. He met many other ambitious young African-American professionals at the conference, leaving with a newfound determination to start his own uniquely black business.

A year later, Lewis, along with another young black businessman from the Bronx, Clarence O. Smith, founded Essence magazine, a magazine specifically targeted to black women. Lewis explained his vision for Essence: “We just had this desire to bring something into the world that black women could feel good about—to give hope, to provide jobs, to provide a voice for black women ... to begin to see their voices, to begin to see themselves in the pages of a magazine that they could call their own.” The first issue of Essence was published in May 1970 with a modest print run of 50,000 copies. Since then, Essence has grown into what the New York Times called the “pre-eminent voice for black women,” with a readership of more than 7.5 million. Propelled by the extraordinary success of Essence, Lewis has become one of the most successful and respected magazine publishers in the country. Over the course of the 1980s and 1990s, he expanded Essence Communications to include a weekly television show, fashion line and mail order catalogue, as well as an annual awards show and music festival. In 1995, Lewis also founded Latina magazine, a bilingual publication geared toward Hispanic women. In honor of his remarkable success, in 1997 Lewis became the first black chairman of the Magazine Publishers of America (now known as the Association of Magazine Media), the industry’s premier trade association representing over 700 publications.

Edward T. Lewis is one of the premier publishers and entrepreneurs of his generation and a pioneer in the field of minority journalism. He has been invited to the White House to consult with President Bill Clinton and counts such other luminaries as Bill Cosby and former New York City Mayor David Dinkins among his close friends.

Nevertheless, Lewis is not satisfied with his success so far in life. “I want to be like Time Warner,” he said. “If Time Warner can employ over 30,000 people, I want Essence Communications to employ over 30,000 people.” He added, “We’ve come a long way. We’ve got a long way to go.” Lewis married Carolyn Wright, a speech pathologist, in 1991.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

YOUTHMAGAZINE

Saturday, March 8, 2014 33

SHOWBLAST

The contestants during one of thieir group tasks

Battle Of The Sexes In Knorr Taste Quest Kitchen Adetola who was placed on probation, were contestants this week, by having a culinary given the privilege to choose their own team training session from the Judges.

OR years, the common assumption has members. Each team had six members, and In the first part of the training, Dr Roberts, been that the kitchen was considered to be a their first task as a group was to a appoint taught the contestants simple basic cooking woman’s domain. In fact, in many parts of leader for their teams. While Victor was seskills such as; knife skills, kitchen hygiene, the Africa, it is a common belief that ‘a woman’s lected team leader for his group, Doom was ap- use of cutting boards, the difference between education ends in the kitchen,’ though pointed team leader in Adetola’s team. Their kitchen and dish towels, and planning a meal. women groups have since moved against that ingredients included; rice, ugu leaves, raw egg, Plating, portion control and cooking terms line of thought, which they described as steak, assorted peppers and Knorr cubes. such as ‘Searing,’ ‘Sautéing’ and ‘Bleeding’ were derogatory for the female gender.

At the end of the cooking time, Victor’s team also among the things the judges taught.

But nowadays, it seems men are becoming made jollof rice topped with plain egg Next was Chef Renee, who showed the bigger fans of cooking than ever before. A criti- mmelet, warm salad and ugu salsa, steak proper way to prepare Jollof Rice using a Kencal observation in Nigeria shows that celebrity kebab with the peppers as a garnish, while wood Rice Cooker, as this was one of the previchefs, many of which are men, have made Doom’s team prepared jollof rice with Knorr ous tasks, which had really baffled the cooking much more popular over the last few pan fried steak on a roasted bell pepper sauce, contestants. Chef Fregz then proceeded to give years and it looks like this is finally rubbing off and a side dish of ugu egg sauce. the contestants exceptional knife and chopon guys. Cooking is no longer something reAfter strong criticisms for both teams from ping skills that really left an impression on the served for women or just a necessity but can the three judges, Victor’s team emerged the contestants. Dr Roberts also prepared a simple, be fun for both men and women. winner due to their creativity and were reyet original salad dressing using olive oil, Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the on- warded with N30,000. Doom’s team lost as the honey, lemon juice, black pepper, parsley, going Knorr Taste Quest is such an interesting judges complained they that it had too much Knorr classic and salt. The contestants however programme on TV. Ever since Knorr crowned pepper and was ordinary. Adetola ended up helped out with the preparations by doing Lagos-based chef Lalu Surdiham as its first being evicted as she was already on probation some of the chopping and cutting of the ingreKnorr Taste Quest winner, with amazing prize and was a part of the losing team. dients. of a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, N1million and The following week, contestants were tasked By the following week, heat returned in the kitchen equipment worth N300,000, cocking to ‘amuse’ the judges palate, by preparing 5 kitchen, as the contestants were reminded that has suddenly become fashionable for thouseparate tasters that can be eaten in one bite in the competition is anybody’s game with the sands of Nigerians, who entered for the ongo50 minutes using these five pieces of meat; eviction of self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, ing season two of the cooking contest. minute steak, rump steak, prime piece of pork, Victor Akpojovwo. The task of the day was Currently, it’s a sort of battle of the sexes in lamb and goat meat, tagged Healthy eatKnorr Taste Quest kitchen, as contestants battle with the following- cooking for a for fame and fortune. While the female coning ingredients; vegetarian, and testants are doing everything possible to cashew nuts, But nowadays, it seems men are becoming bigthe 11 contestants clinch the top prize this year, after the maiden beet, were asked to ger fans of cooking than ever before.

A critical edition was won by a male, the men on their aubergines, prepare a threepart seem not to be leaving anything to chance zucchini, carobservation in Nigeria shows that celebrity course meal in in a bid reaffirm that men are better cooks. rots, pumpkin Fifty minutes. chefs, many of which are men, have made The battle begun some weeks ago, under the and ginger of Fourteen Ingrewatchful eye of the three judges, when the 14 cooking much more popular over the last few which at least dients were profinalists were presented with their very first two of them vided, out of years and it looks like this is finally rubbing off task. In that episode, they were told to take must be feawhich, six was to on guys. basic rice to another level, with the following tured in each be used in all ingredients; rice, liver, tomato, green peppers, taster. three courses. The onions, sweet chilli peppers, Knorr seasoning After a really insix must use ingrecube and the key ingredient lemon. They had tense cooking time, the contestants finally pre- dients were; karela (Bitter Melon), mushjust 40 minutes to complete the task. sented their tasters to the judges; they mostly rooms, oatmeal, lentils, pawpaw and cheddar At the end, Victor emerged as the task wincomplained of either too much salt or too cheese. Other ingredients included, okra, zucner and was handsomely rewarded with much pepper in the dishes. However, Doom chini, radish, Knorr, carrots, green pepper, coTwenty Thousand Naira for his efforts. Kegot fairly good comments, while Chineze on coyam and baby cucumbers. hinde Adetola was however placed on probathe other hand was evicted. Nwando, Victor As the contestants scampered about the tion, while Antia and Veronica were sent and Moses were all put on probation and if eikitchen to get their dishes done on time, the packing for a very poor performance. ther of them should fall in the bottom 3 in the judges debated about the contestant’s familThe next episode was tagged Redemption next task, they will be evicted! iarity with most of the ingredients and they task, and the contestants were asked to take The next episode was an interesting and inwere positive that most of them would be able Jollof rice to a whole new level in 40 minutes, formative time, as the judges gave us a nice to pull it off. using a Kenwood electronic rice cooker. As op- sight, seeing them in their Chefs attire. After During the presentation of dishes, Chef posed to the individual tasks, the contestants four heated eliminations, which saw Chineze Renée liked Popoola’s mushroom soup but he were grouped into two teams for their task of as the last to leave the competition, the Knorr was reprimanded for not using all the ‘must the day. Victor, who won the previous task and Taste Quest decided to lower the heat on the use’ ingredients as instructed, Olabode also

By Chuks Nwanne

F

got mixed comments, as his dish didn’t turn out well because it was hurriedly made. On the other hand, a surprise performance came from the unassuming Dixon, as the judges had nothing but praises for her dishes, especially the dessert making her task winner of the day.

She was rewarded with the sum of N20,000 for her performance, along with Wando and Ojo, who came second and third, and got N10,000 respectively.

But for the Calabar recruit, Victor, whose dish according to Dr Roberts “was a hot mess,” it was end of the road; he subsequently was told to submit his knives, and was evicted from the show.

The battle for the title of Nigerian’s culinary best continues the following week with the theme, Cooking For a Loved One from the Heart.

In this episode, the contestants were given 90 minutes and a host of interesting ingredients to make a starter, main and desert dish.

After 90 minutes, Wando was first to present her pasta in coconut milk as her main dish, which Chef Fregz described as delicious.

However, her total presentation was “not pretty.”

Doom’s performance wasn’t too impressive, and her dish was referred to as a ‘hot mess’.

Chef Renee complained about Moses’ gizzard being too tough, but Dr Roberts believed his overall performance was “fine.”

The judges complemented Ojo on his performance, and liked almost all the dishes presented, while Olabode’s dish had few hitches.

Dixon, Bassey, Chinelo and Popoola all had mixed remarks and didn’t necessarily ‘wow’ the judges. Ojo unanimously emerged task winner task for the day and was rewarded with N20,000 by the Knorr brand.

On probation was Doom and Charles as their performances were far below expectations.

The ingredients are getting tougher and tougher with each week, and are sure to weed out the ‘cold’ contestants.

Prizes up for grabs this season include N2 million cash prize, a Ford Eco Sport SUV, and tons of Kenwood kitchen equipment for the first prize, while N1 million cash prize and tons of Kenwood kitchen equipment will go to the second place winner. The third position will get N500,000 cash prize and tons of Kenwood kitchen equipment for the third place winner.

However, all 14 contestants would go home with different Kenwood kitchen equipment and could also win cash vouchers if they win any of the special tasks in the show being Cosponsored by Coscharis Motors and Kenwood Electronics.

THE GuARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

34 Saturday, March 8, 2014

SHOWBLAST

YOUTHMAGAZINE

Yaw Drags Julius Agwu To The Street • MI, Kcee, Inyanya, Alibaba others on parade LL is now set for this year’s edition of Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu’s yearly drama series, Yaw Live On Stage. Billed for March 30, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the stage play for this year is The Street, featuring comedian Julius Agwu and host Yaw. Meanwhile, over 25 superstar artistes are on parade for the show. The long list includes MI, Sound Sultan, Kcee, Iyanya, J Martins, Dr Sid, Waje, Ill Bliss, Sean Tizzle, chidinma, Alibaba, Tee A, Gbenga Adeyinka and others.

According to the multi-talented Wazobia FM OAP and hilarious sit-com actor, it has been an amazing experience sustaining the project, which is now in the fifth year.

“The past four have been amazing; this year promises to be electrifying. My colleagues are excited to be part of this and we are already working to deliver never seen before performances,” Yaw hinted.

Describing the concept as

first of its kind in the country, Julius Agwu, who will be starring alongside yaw in the stage production, noted that, “it’s the kind of concert where you have a stage play, comedy and musical performances at once. I’m looking forward to showing the world other sides of me,” he said.

The much anticipated comedy event, which made its debut in 2009, has featured an endless list of Nigeria’s biggest comedy acts from Koffi, Jude Orhora, Mc Abbey, Owen Gee, Funke Akindele and others.

Last year’s show saw Yaw and Funke Akindele in a play, The Bar. This year, Yaw Live On Stage will follow a similar style with the foremost OAP playing alongside Ace comedian, Julius Agwu in a stage play, The Street.

Written and directed by Obi Martins and Emmanuel uduma, The Street is a satirical play piece centered on memorable events that has occurred in Nigeria from January 2013 to February 2014, rendered in a humorous manner.

Yaw

Julius

Stories By Chuks Nwanne

A

MTV Salutes Lupita On Oscar Win uSIc channel MTV Base is M celebrating the Oscar success of Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o after she triumphed in the Best Supporting Actress category at the 86th annual Academy Awards.

The talented Kenyan actress, who won her Oscar for her part of Patsey in the celebrated period memoir and Best Picture winner 12 Years a Slave, had her first professional acting role in a HIV

Lupita

and AIDS awareness drama, Shuga. Shot in Kenya

by MTV Base and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Shuga starred Nyong’o in the role of Ayira, a confident and vivacious Nairobi college student, who is forced to come to terms with the consequences of her reckless lifestyle.

To mark Nyong’o’s achievement as the first ever black African woman to win an Oscar, MTV Base is running news items across all its media platforms, while the Shuga TV series will be available to view on the MTV Base website.

“As a brand that has dedicated itself to promoting and pushing African talent both in Africa and internationally, MTV Base is delighted that Lupita is enjoying such success and critical acclaim.

Her win provides young Africans with an inspiring role model who shows them that anything and everything is possible,” Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, said.

Okosi with Snoop at the MTV Africa All Stars gig in Durban, South Africa

Spotlighting Alex Okosi, The MTV Africa Dreamer BOuT nine years ago, when A Alex Okosi muted the idea of setting up MTV Base Africa to cater for the black continent, many didn’t give that dream any chance of becoming a reality. But having worked with the MTV for seven years, Okosi had seen clearly the opportunities in the African market.

Determined to make a difference in his career, young Alex suspended his postgraduate studies to pursue the idea of an MTV channel for Africa; he sort for approval from the management and the dream came alive in February, 2005.

Today, MTV Base Africa has become a strong brand in the entertainment world, creating platforms for young African talents to showcase themselves to the world. Aside from helping to improve the quality of music videos in the continent, MTV Base Africa, under the leadership of Okosi, initiated the MTV Music Africa Awards, which helped to promote African artistes. And through programmes such as Shuga, and MTV Base Meets, the channel was able to help millions of African youths take charge of their lives and be involved in politics.

In an interview with the cNN African Voices two years ago on how he built the MTV Base Africa brand, Okosi simply said, “create content and experiences that people enjoy, localise them to make sure that

they cater to the attitude and tastes of African audiences.”

But being a humble fellow, he quickly added, “it’s not just because of my effort.”

He might not be as popular as the faces you see on TV, but Alex Okosi is an influential figure in youth empowerment in Africa, and a key figure in the creation and production of world class African TV content. currently, he is the Senior VP of Viacom Africa, reaching over 100 million viewers. No doubt, his leadership style, ‘lead by example,’ has really helped his vision to come to life.

Born in the coal city of Enugu as the youngest of seven children, Alex grew up in the united States. He graduated with great distinction in 1998 with a double major in Business Administration and Economics from St. Michael’s college.

Some of his contributions to the MTV Base Africa include the introduction of Nickelodeon Africa in 2008, a 24-hour Nickelodeon for African children.

Three years later, he brought comedy central, a comedy channel dedicated to Africa. He is also involved in developing Viacom brands such as BET, VH1 classic, and MTV across the regions on multimedia platforms.

A firm believer in empowering the African youth, Alex Okosi has spearheaded initiatives such as choose or Loose (a

youth voter mobilization campaign for the 2011 campaign in Nigeria), MTV Base Meets (an initiative where leading influencers connect with Young Africans), MTV Making The Video, a platform where international music video directors exchange skills with African filmmakers), and MTV’s Stay Alive campaign)- an HIV and AIDS awareness and empowerment campaign.

Fortunately, his hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Last year, the World Economic Forum elected him as a Young Global Leader.

“I am tremendously honoured to be named alongside some of the most impressive and visionary individuals in Africa and further afield, who like myself - are working in their different spheres to create a bright and promising future for the continent,” he said upon his appointment.

He was also chosen by New Africa Magazine as one of the 50 Trailblazers under 50, alongside the likes of uS President Barack Obama, Ivorian footballer Didier Drogba, fashion designer Ozwald Baoteng, and Hollywood actors Idris Elba and charlize Theron.

But Alex Okosi isn’t resting on his many accomplishments. In an interview with city Press last year, he stated that his vision is to continue expanding distribution across more territories and platforms, and to

Reality Access… A New TV Show From Tracy N a bid to capture African Isonalities celebrities and interesting perin their real elements, TV presenter, Tracy Nwapa, is ready to launch a new TV show, Reality Access.

In the programme, cameras penetrate the lives of these celebrities and showcase their works in the most realistic and spontaneous way. With Tracy as host, the show is produced by Idea Robot Productions, and will air debut on on HipTV on March 13.

Each episode is tied to a fun activity and constantly keeps everyone on his or her toes. The goal at

the end is for the viewers to witness another aspect of their favorite TV personalities; quite like an extended ‘Instagram’ video reel. You will find the likes of Burna Boy, Iyanya, Davido, Basket Mouth, Bovi, Eku Edewor, Lynxxx, Tonto Dikeh, and others on the programme.

You may remember Tracy from the controversial Mavin Records interview on Silverbird television; it was the first in-depth interview, shortly after the birth of the record label. Tracy was the co-producer in that show, as well as the anchor.

With the new production, the delectable lady seems to be taking her TV career to the next level.

Tracy

grow portfolio of channels, and establish the Viacom brands as the best against their target demographics.

“We’ve been quite lucky in being able to create a brand that we have taken from our international stable and bring into the continent to be able to create content and experiences that people enjoy, localizing them to make sure that they cater to the attitudes and tastes of African audiences,” he said.

In all his accomplishments, he credits his mentor Midge Monte for shaping his character and showing him the value of working hard to achieve your goals.

“Midge was such an important an influential part of my life as she served as my guardian the last two years of my high school career and has since remained a huge part of my life,” Okosi noted. “Midge also instilled in me the importance of hard work and commitment as one strives to be successful.”

As for the MTV Base Africa dream, “I just focused on the fact that there’s this great opportunity to do something that I believe would enable us and our youth culture to be projected in the most different way. The excitement and the passion to do what we’ve been able to do completely overshadowed everything that was there to consider,” he noted.

THE GUARDIAN

Saturday, March 8, 2014 35

BOOK SERIES

YOUTHMAGAZINE

Author Betty Ugona

T

Making Right Choices

HE BiBlE says in the book of Proverbs 2:11 “wise choices will watch over you, discretion will protect you, understanding will guide you.” it is God’s desire that we make choices that reflect our personal commitment to Him. Though we have the free will to do what we like it is up to us to align our emotions and wills with His word in order to make quality choices.

Most times choices should be based on information you have about the options available to you. This process under normal circumstances involves gathering the information, analyzing them, comparing the options by critically weighing the consequences of each of the options.

You must have genuine reasons to eliminate those choices that would not add value to your life and also be of negative impact on others. The process of gathering information, analyzing the information, comparing the options available and choosing the best option usually takes time. However, most times we are so much in a hurry to take decision.

What happens then?

• When you do not have enough information about the options available.

• When you do not have time to consider each option thoroughly.

• When you are wrongly informed.

• When you judge each option by their face value instead of in-depth value.

• When you are under pressure to take decisions.

• When you are desperate for solution to a need.

• When you are ignorant of the consequences of each option.

Where does God come in as we struggle to choose from multiple options?

Helen, Kenneth, Rebecca, Agnes and Eucharia all had dreams and visions of what they wanted to become in life, what did they do?

Did they invite God when considering the choices to make?

Some choices we consciously or unconsciously make in our lives daily include: how we act on situations, the purpose of our actions and the principles of our actions.

While we cannot always choose what happens to us, we have the freedom to choose our responses to situations as they come. We should not forget the ultimate and be enslaved to the immediate.

We must choose to keep our eyes on the big picture as we respond to situations. Oh the power of a picture.w e do on the outside what we picture inside. We must choose to be energized by a picture of a better tomorrow.

The choice to Act Helen, Kenneth, Agness and Andy made their choices to act only to find out that they made poor choices, choices that rendered them valueless to themselves and others with consequent pains and regrets. Therefore, before we act or react to situations, we must determine our purpose. What is my ultimate goal? is it aligned to my set goals and objectives? The choice to act spontenously is not sufficient on its own in making right choices. We must consider all necessary factors that lead to wrong choices before taking decisions on our actions.

The choice of Purpose Another important choice besides the choice to act is the choice of purpose. Did Helen and Kenneth consider the purpose of their actions? No, they were desperate and hasty to belong, they did not consider the importance of their fundamental objectives. Similarly, we see people desperately run from pillar to post yet achieving nothing meaningful and ending it all in disaster.

Rebecca and Eucharia on the other hand, proactively chose to puruse meaningful and honorable goals at a high risk and strenuous personal sacrifice. Their choices bring us to the lat of the three choices we make daily in life.

The Choice for Principles Do we live our lvies in accordance to the Kingdom principles which are proven, timeless and universal? Or do we rather do otherwise and suffer the consequences like Helen and Kenneth?

Kingdom principles are immovable, they are timeless and universal, they do not change, they are no respecter of age, race, gender or status and everybody is subject to them despite our inclinations.

According to John Maxwell, Principles provide permanent markers against which people set their directions in times of storm and calm, darkness and light.

Still on the three choices that provide the foundation of our life and future, the choice to act represents the energy we bring to life, our will power, our responses to situations bearing in mind that we do not have opportunity to choose what happens to us or what comes our way. However, we have the free will to choose how we react to or act on them.

The choice of purpose represents our destinations, goals and vision, where we are going and what we choose to accomplish in life. in dream and the big picture we have painted about our lives.

The choice for principles determines our means to get to our destination, how we will attain our goals, maintain and sustain them and how we can transfer them to add value to other peoples’ lives. living a life of good character, values and attributes is a matter of choice.

The Old Testament accounted how a godly king David inquired of the lord severally for guidance. He always desried to know what the lord wanted and once he discovered it, he set out to do it with God’s help.

David regarded inquiring of God as one aspect of the most important things in his life. in Psalm 27:4 he said: “one thing that i have desired of the lord that i will see, that i may dwel in the hour of the lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the lord and to inquire in His temple”.

“Therefore David inquired of the lORD, saying “Shall i go and attack the Philistines?” and the lord said to David, God and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah” Samuel 23:2.

“Then David inquired of the lord once again. And the lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For i will deliver the Philistines into your hand” Samuel 23:4.

So David inquired of the lord saying, “Shall i pursue this troop?

Shall i overtake them? And He answered him, Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all” Samuel 30:8.

David lived his life making choices based on God’s approval and assurances.

How many people are there today like David who inquire of the lord before they act, or before they make their choices based on purpose according to Kingdom Principles.

We are beset with chronic problems on a daily basis, distractions along the way in our journey of life, so many choices to make and several options to choose from. Friends and relations with their copious advises, dream killers and fire fighters with their seemingly ornamental suggestions. What do we do? in isaiah 53:2, God looks down from Heaven upon the children of men, to see if there is anyone who understands, who seek God. isaiah 55:6 says “Seek the lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

1 Chronicles 16:11 commands: “Seek the lord and His strength, seek His face evermore” Jeremiah 29:13 states “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your hearts”.

When we are faced with life threatening situations and prompt decisions to make, what do we do? Turn to God and not unto man.

Do not be led by your instincts and inner fear of the unknown.

Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us thus: “Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean no on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him. And He shall direct your paths.”

King David and King Saul are two good examples in the Bible whose lives were impacted by choices arising from circumstances surrounding them.

When faced with problems, King Saul’s first thought was “is this pleasing to me?” while David’s first thought was “is my choice pleasing to the lord?”

God wants to partner with us in all we do. He wants us to inquire of Him before we make our choices. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He owns us and He knows our end. isaiah 30:1-2 (KJV) reveals that the Jews at a point during isaiah’s time never bothered inquiring of God for His counsel and will.

“Woe to the rebellious children, saith the lord, that take counsel but not of me, and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin.

That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharoah, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt”.

These self-reliant israelites made their own plan with no interest in what God wanted for them.

Are your choice based on God’s will for your life? What are the impacts of your today’s choices?

• in your relationship with God • in your relationship with members of your family • in your relationship with your spouse • in your relationship with People around • And your entire life, today, tomorrow and years to come Your hope and your faith to survive in the future are the power you need to live in the present as you make right choices You are the sum of choices, even though: • You did not choose to be born • You did not choose your parents • You did not choose the time and period in which you live • You did not choose your country, state and village of origin • You did not choose the circumstance of your up bringing • in most cases, you do not choose to die, neither can you choose the time, manner or conditions of your death.

Despite our limitations in making choices, we have the power to choose how we will live our lives and respond to situation.

Events 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 8, 2014

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YOUTHMAGAZINE

KSA jam with D’Banj on stage.

WEEKENDBEATS

Inset: Yemi Sax in action

Oldies Meet Hip-Hop At Glo Evergreen Series2

By Chuks Nwanne OFO Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, K Lagos, came under heavy traffic last week Friday, as fun-loving Lagosians from different parts of the city, both the old and young, stormed the Intercontinental Hotel on the street for the second edition of the Glo Evergreen Series. Dedicated to Juju music maestro and master guitarist, King Sunny Ade, for his consistency in the past 50 years and contribution to the juju music genre, the live music series has obviously created a new platform where oldies meet hip-hop.

Though conceived as an ‘old skool’ groove, especially with the caliber of artistes being celebrated, the organisers seem to have made extra effort to get the younger audience onboard, with the inclusion Koko Master D’Banj on the bill, while talented saxophonist, Yemi Sax, was also brought in to jazz up the evening. So, no matter your age or class, the Glo Evergreen Series 2 had something for everybody.

However, with the level of media hype on TV, radio and outdoor campaign, it was obvious the event would rock. Then, if you consider the buzz generated from social media networks and other online platforms, and then the financial strength of the organisers and the sponsors involved (Guinness Nigeria and Arik Air), then you begin to imagine the

caliber of guests being expected at the ‘strictly by invitation’ gig.

For those, who set out very early on the show day, there was no hassle getting a packing space; they were cheerfully ushered into the car park. But as from 7pm, when guests besieged the hotel, the car park was full with no single space left. You needed to see how guests struggled to squeeze in their cars into spaces, as KSA’s sound filtered out; it was survival of the fittest.

From the Idowu Martins Junction, to all the other adjourning streets in the area, the entire place was fully packed with different brands of cars; even residents felt the impact. As for those, who could not get slots, they simply sent their drivers away and practically walked into the hall to join in the groove, which lasted into the night.

Conceived as a live music platform for hounouring legendary Nigerian musicians for their outstanding performances and contributions to the development and growth of the nation’s music industry, the second edition of the Glo Evergreen Series was indeed a night of regal performance, as Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade (KSA), Koko Master D’banj and Sax Specialist, Yemi Sax gave a good account of themselves on stage; they thrilled the audience with tunes from their rich repertoires.

Anchored by comedian Gbenga Adeyinka, who spiced the evening with his jaw breaking

KSA receiving special gifts from the organisers at the event.

jokes that saw guests reeling with laughter, Yemi Sax set the tone for the evening. Dressed in a neatly fitted outfit, the dreadlocks-wearing artiste amply serenaded guests with classic tunes as he blew away on his golden saxophone.

But unlike your regular concerts, where the main act plays last, KSA was next on stage after Yemi. From the moment he mounted the stage with his music ensemble, the atmosphere became fully charged. With his performance that night, the King left no one in doubt that, truly, an old woman never gets old in the music he knows best. He displayed his guitar dexterity with enormous prowess and complemented his guitar wizardry with a well-choreographed dance routine that earned him applause from the audience.

Blending their rhythmic drumbeats, guitar strings, and firm, with melodious percussion to produce splendid vibes that evoked some African spiritualism, KSA’s band seem to have mastered their routine, having played on local and international stages; the boys showed class. Like the true legend that he is, KSA on his part held everybody spellbound, as he danced swiftly to the authentic African juju music sound. In a bid to carry the audience along, KSA taught guests a few unique dance steps before launching fully into his inexhaustible repertoire, which had guests nodding and swooning in ecstasy.

He opened with Eku Ikale a track, which formally welcomed guests to the show before running through his popular numbers. With his hands on his waist, and moving in sync with his band members, KSA swiftly switched the tempo to a more upbeat tune, even as some of the guests got on their feet in excitement. Later joined by his sexy female dancers, he took the audience into a thanksgiving mood with his song, Mafowo yin e logo, in appreciation of God for his blissful career.

KSA then cruised smoothly into his next song, Great to serve the Lord, with himself and the rest of his ensemble giving a salute, before doing I have a very big God. Alade ma Gbo and Call me, that’s my number, were among other hits the band delivered to the guests, who were taken down the memory lane, through a musical time machine of Sunny Ade and the waves of nostalgic feeling of his classic and evergreen songs of the 70s and 80s.

Yemi Sax returned on stage after KSA, with soothing classic oldies that paved the way for the coming of the Koko Master.

In his usual energetic style, D’Banj mounted

the stage with his full band, ready to deliver. As a showman, he flowed seamlessly into his performance with glitz and swagger, and some ‘kokolettes’ in the hall immediately joined him by swaying to hid groove.

From Olurun maje o to Suddenly, the Koko Machine rolled on, with both the old and young swinging to the beat. By the time he pulled out his harmonica and tuned to Mobolowo, the hall roared in excitement.

Like a big surprise, KSA returned to the stage and joined D’Banj in the track, backing the entertainer with some lines he delivered in Yoruba.

D’Banj finally wrapped up the session with his monster hit, Oliver Twist. There couldn’t have been a better way for him to end his performance, as members of the audience soaked in the unparalleled entertainment with gratitude.

King Sunny Ade got a befitting ovation from the appreciative crowd as he came back on stage to deliver more good music.

The legend thanked Globacom for the great honour done to him by featuring him on the Glo Evergreen Series platform. He commended the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, for the recognition and honour done to him.

While fielding questions from journalists after the event, KSA described Globacom as “the greatest supporter of the Nigerian entertainment industry.” He noted that, “the Glo Evergreen Series will take African music to the greatest height.”

In a documentary screened at the event, the Managing Director of Guinness, Mr. Seni Adetu commended King Sunny Ade for his outstanding contributions to the music industry and remarked that KSA remains an inspiration to millions of Nigerians.

On his part, a scion of the Soyinka Family, Mr Ade Soyinka, described Sunny Ade as a musical icon worth celebrating.

Speaking at the event, Globacom’s Head of Post Paid Sales, Mr. Kamaldeen Shonibare stated that the Glo Evergreen Series was initiated as part of the activities to celebrate Globacom’s success in the telecommunications industry in the last ten years.

“It’s a commitment to the promotion and sustenance of African music, arts and her-

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Saturday, March 8, 2014 37

YOUTHMAGAZINE

WEEKENDBEATS

Ebisole Goes Local In New Song HOUGH exploration is not T a bad idea, for Goodluck Chidiebere Alozie, otherwise

COSON Chairman Tony Okoroji being decorated in Liberia.

Okoroji Takes Copyright Gospel To Stories by Chuks Nwanne AVING gained ground in Nigeria, Chairman of the Copyright Society Of Nigeria (COSON) Chief Tony Okoroji is now spreading the copyright gospel to other part of the continent, with the aim of helping artistes harvest the fruit of their hard labour.

For instance, Thursday, February 20, 2014, will go down as a historic day for all artistes and creative people in Liberia; that was the day they all gathered at Monrovia’s Providence Island to jointly sign a document, which in many ways may start a revolution for the music, movie, literary and other creative undertakings in the country.

Termed the Monrovia Declaration, the document was loudly affirmed by the different artistes at the event, after the President of the Cultural Union of Liberia, Mr. Kerkula Kamara, had read the draft.

Providence Island is the historic place where freed slaves

H

from America first landed upon migration from the United States to Liberia.

The Monrovia Declaration is a major product of the one week visit to Liberia of Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), author of Copyright & the New Millionaires and one of Africa’s best known Intellectual Property change agents.

Okoroji had earlier held a two-day workshop for the diverse Liberian creative community at the YMCA Hall, Monrovia, where the artistes voted in unity to eschew all forms of bickering and work together to change the place of creative people in the society.

Accompanied by Mr. Ernie Bruce, Officer in Charge of the Liberian Copyright Office, Chief Okoroji visited the streets of Liberia, where he saw hundreds of thousands of copies of pirated Nigerian works in open display. He therefore sent warning to those, who engage in music

and movie piracy in Liberia, saying their days are numbered.

At Providence Island, the COSON boss was feted with singing and dancing, decorated with a robe by the artistes of Liberia and given the title of Chief Jallah-Lon, meaning the Lion King. He promised unrelenting support to the Liberian creative community in its desire to take its rightful place on the continent.

Before Leaving Liberia, Okoroji met with the Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia, Mrs. Chigozie Obi-Nnadozie, who expressed great happiness at the work being done in Liberia

by COSON and sought co-operation in ensuring substantial Nigerian investment in Liberia. He also met with Ambassador Tunde Ajisomo, Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS to Liberia, with discussions on how the ECOWAS structure in the sub-region can be used to

wage an effective war against piracy and other forms of copyright infringement across the sub-region.

The COSON Chairman also inaugurated an anti-piracy task force made of artistes from various societies and charged them to redeem that, which had been considered lost by the Liberian creative community. Among the many stars, who came out to welcome Chief Okoroji to Liberia were well known Liberian singers Miatta Fanbuleh and Zack Roberts.

Reacting to the developments, foremost Liberian musician and producer, Mr. Tony Karbedeh said, “I am very proud of Chief Tony’s visit to Liberia and his interaction with the artistic community.

He has brought us together and brought us hope. Suddenly, the train which engine appeared to have knocked is once again on the move.”

known as Ebisole, charity begins at home. After years of sojourn in Malaysia in search of greener pastures, the talented singer is back home to pursue his career in music.

With his latest single, Going Local, Ebisole is confident that his music would eventually find its way on music shelf across the country. Already, the Abia State native has been recognise by Da Boss Entertainment led by Justin Chigozie Chukwudiuche. He is under the management of Alex Ozone’s 03 Media Entertainment Limited.

“This is the future,” Alex Ozone noted. “Ebisole is one of the biggest faces to watch out for in the industry. I have shifted attention from established acts to Ebisole, who is a vibrant up and coming singer. I can tell you that he is my retirement plan and we are taking over the industry.”

Ebisole, who is ready to release official video of the wave-making song, started out as a bandleader of a music group known as Five Souls.

With a dint of hardwork, the group started playing around

major university campuses and became a force to reckon within a short spell.

Growing up in the Northern part of the country has added a multi-linguistic advantage to the highly talented singer.

“I was born to do music and that is what I have done all my life from childhood. With my music, Nigerians should get ready for a period of entertainment and fun,” he enthused.

Ebisole

Adams, The King Of Talks VER wondered what goes E down behind the scenes before your favourite TV personalities come live on your screens? All right, have you once wondered how these TV personalities prepare to host red carpet events?

To provide viewers insight into what happens behind the camera, Soundcity’s TV personality Adams Ibrahim has

launched a new Vlog series tagged King Of Talk. The programme focuses on giving insights on how the presenter prepares before hosting the celebrity red carpet at big events.

Using the Guinness Colourful World Of More Concert as a start up, the video shows VJ Adams, prepare from his hotel room, down to the red carpet and after the event.

Ministry Turns To Showbiz For Job Creation • Endorses All Africa Music Awards S part of his ministry’s effort to help Mike Dada pointed out that the award A improve the GDP of Nigeria, the Hon- project is not all about social engageourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga has revealed plans to target the booming entertainment industry in Nigeria for job creation.

Dr. Aganga disclosed this in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, when members of the International Committee of All Africa Music Award (AFRIMA) visited his office to seek the Ministry’s support for the 2014 edition of the project, which will be hosted in Nigeria.

According to Aganga, “the potential of the entertainment industry needs to be tapped to create employment/entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth and to improve the country’s economy”.

He added that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment will be glad to partner with AFRIMA in line with the ministry’s vision to formulate and implement policies and programmes to attract investment, boost industrialisation, increase trade and exports and develop enterprises in Nigeria “Therefore, the private sector must be encouraged to drive this process just like AFRIMA is planning to do through its proposed Africa Music Summit, which will in part address how to unlock the potentials in the entertainment sector with particular focus on the music industry,” he said, In his earlier presentation, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mr.

ments such as On the Way to AFRIMA, a music concert billed for cities around Africa and overseas and the On the Road to AFRIMA documentary bus tour of Africa to experience the music and culture of places along the bus route.

In addition to these mentioned activities on the six-month event calendar, there will be a one-day Media Workshop and a two-day Africa Music Summit themed The Economic Power of Music, which that will precede the main award ceremony slated for October 11, 2014.

The Summit, according to Mr. Dada, is to engage both local and international stakeholders in the industry on how to drive the industry in a business-like manner that will be enduring and sustainable. The event is expected to attract international music businesses like label owners and ICT solution providers to engage practitioners and stakeholders in pushing the African music industry forward for the posterity of the continent.

Other members of the AFRIMA team, who visited the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment are Director, Brand Communication and Sponsorship, Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi; Member, AFRIMA Media Committee (Nigeria), Mr. Loye Amzat and Chairman, Security and Protocol Committee, Ms. Marilyn Ogar.

The 2014 All Africa Music Awards will produce a star-studded, world-class

event to be held in Nigeria on Saturday, October 25, 2014, with live performances and television broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations around the

Adams

Marvel Sings Mr. President S part of his contribution to A the ongoing effort by the present administration to better the living condition of common man in Nigeria, gospel musician, Marvel Theophilus, is set to release a new album, Mr. President. The four-track work, according to the

Marvel

singer, is aimed at immortalizing President Goodluck Jonathan.

“He has done well so far and we need to celebrate him now that he’s alive not when he’s no more,” the singer said.

Though he had made several efforts in the past to produce an album, this latest work seems to working as planed.

“Before now, there has been several attempts, but of this sort of work, this is the first album.”

Producer by Churchill, with the assistance of Mr. KC, who is now in Europe, Marvel insists the album has nothing to do with 2015 election.

“No, it has nothing to do with the coming election at all. As a matter of fact, this is my second contribution to Nigeria. First was in 1988, during the military era, of which General Babangida commended me; he sent me a commendation letter with Nigeria’s official letterhead. I still have the copy to this day; it was through that letter that I got to know

Dodan Barracks,” he enthused.

Asked if he feels the present administration has done well for the masses, Marvel said, “yes, fairly well, in some areas. But we have to encourage them to do more.”

Though the videos are not our, the artiste intends to shoot as soon as approval is given.

“The video is not out yet; we will do that after we get permission of Mr. President to bring them out. Once we are done with the awareness, I will partner marketers to ensure the product get to every home in Nigeria.”

Also a pastor, Marvel started singing as far back as 1982. By 1987, he started playing commercially as Mr. Somebody.

“That used to be my stage name, but now, times have changed; I have transformed into a different person altogether. To God be the glory,” he concluded.

38

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Saturday, March 8, 2014

Meanwhile At The

Brit Awards 2014...

The 2014 Brit Award which was held on the19th of February was the 34th edition of the British phonographic industry. It was held at the O2 Arena in London, presented by James Corden for the fourth consecutive year.

Myles Igwebuike and Eku Edewor were present and they both thought this was one the worst dressed awards show they’ve had this year, so it was going to be hard to give compliments. Their comments on each feature… looking like Cinderella’s step sister.

By Myles Igwebuike(London) and Kemi Amushan(Lagos) A. Katy Perry: Finally!! Someone who actually looks like a star. Her Bodycon dress is a great fit on her and beautifully embellished. She’s clearly keeping in theme with her latest video where she plays Cleopatra, which she is changeling with the black bob and ornate clothes. I love the shoes and makeup, lovely styling head to toe. This may not be my favourite dress, but she stands out for all the right reasons.

D. Fearne Cotton: Her hair and make up was gorgeous and on point. She looked like Modern Marilyn Monroe, but the dress was too prom like. The little bag should just be ignored.

But she got me loving the feet tattoo which gave her that biker chic edgy look.

E. Danni Minogue in J’aton Couture: She looked absolutely stunning, best dressed for me. She may be wearing black but she is bringing all sort of sexy back, her waist looks tiny puncB. Nicole Scherzinger in Faith: Nicole definitely has a smok- tuated with that belt. Her pins look slender and shapely; the ing hot bod. But this look was too strappy. The way she flash of skin through the lace is naughty but the hemline of splashed the gold accessory from her neck down the skirt is nice. The off the shoulder blouse showcases her to the shoes was beautiful. The shoes beautiful strong shoulders and her hair and makeup is stunlooked like money if I must say. If she ning, those lips against all the black is so feminine and seducwore that outfit without that flimsy tive, and her blue eyes have never stood out more. She looked little cape, she would have made a smoking!! statement. The look was kind of kinky and she looked like a weapon. A F. Rita Ora in Prada: Her make up and hair was on point. The bit too dominatrix. Perfect cat eyes colour of the dress looked great on her tanned skin. Rita was tho. definitely shining bright!!! This full length deep V canary yellow gown was the definition of perfection. The green rhineC. Ellie Goulding in Vivienne stones embedded at the bust sides and down the open back Westwood: The top corset was beauti- were such a pure combination but the dress would have ful but from the waist down, it looked looked better if it were fitted. like an apron then to now completely ruin it, she wore platG. Tinie Tempa: The two-piece beige coloured blazer mixed form heels. She looked pret- with black pants and a slim tie definitely made him ‘The Man’ ty shabby if I must say. The but the length of the trousers didn’t really do it for me. This proportions of her look were British’ lad looked extremely classy, he definitely took home all wrong and she ended up

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Saturday, March 8, 2014 39

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FASHION

G

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F

K

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the best suit award, tinie is so far my best dressed male, Tinie has definitely proven to be one of the Uk’s most stylish men. Bravo Tinie!!

H. Kylie Minogue: For such a petite lady, one large bow at the shoulder would have done, as it would draw the eye up and elongate her. The second bow, is just an overkill but her shoes are nice though, but the dress gets her no style points, her hair makeup and jewelery however is beautiful, Kylie is simply ageless. I actually admire her boldness to wear such a gown and it being leather and all.

I. Lilly Allen: She looks like a dated less creative version of Gaga, in this outfit. Her Chanel clutch and nails, were fantastic. This look is just not cohesive however, sequins done like this is dated, that yellow hair is a no and the earrings are too long. She most certainly looked like a drag queen but luckily the Shezus singer isn’t afraid of controversy. A blonde Rihanna cut with fewer accessories would have been sophisticated J. Pharrell Williams: The thing I like about Pharrell is that he wears whatever he wants.

Remember the Grammys when he just showed up in jeans and a jersey jacket and how can we forget his massive Westwood hat. Personally this metallic suit was ‘okay’ by okay I mean ordinary.

The cropped trousers were a complete no no. He didn’t even have any socks on at all. Rolled down would have been fine. Well at least he wore a suit. This is a case of great man bad suit I must say.

K. Iggy Azalea in Elie Saab: Iggy looked so regal in this red Ellie Saab dress, she reminds me of Princess Diana, hair pulled back make up nude and simple. But the lack of styling is odd. She looked like she was fitting the dress and not wearing it. She could have taken it in a bit. This would have been my all-time best look but it was a little too plain for me. No jewellery, nothing. She should have considered a little bit of accessory if she was going to pull her hair back.

L. Laura Mvula: The idea of the dress is actually ok but it didn’t enhance her figure at all. It just looked like she was wearing a dramatic blouse.

She looked like she was one of the contestants in dancing with the stars. Too much oil on her legs I must say. The only accessory that looked good were her shoes.

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40 Saturday, March 8, 2014

FASHION

Ayo and Doyin Olatokunbo of Tokad International pose with the winners

Two Queens In One Night A beauty queen and a runway model walked away with mouthwatering prizes at the Pearl Look 2014 edition last Saturday

By Kemi Amushan ’VE worked so hard to win this com“I petition because I want to become as successful as my role model Grace Jones.”

And her runway dreams actually came true, as the judges deemed this Grace Jones look-alike fit to become the Pearl Look 2014.

In a keenly contested competition organized by Tokad International at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island last week Saturday, 19-year-old Olubukola Anthony emerged winner of the runway model competition at the Pearl Look 2014 event.

The second edition of the modelling competition, which debuted last year, was a two-in-one competition that also saw another set of 10 girls competing for the Pearl Look Beauty Queen crown where pretty Blessing Obi went home with the coveted crown.

Though the event started late, it was fun all the way the moment it took off with lots of music, comedy and runway stunts.

The aspiring models made more appearances than the beauty queens in different segments. Apart from the entertain-

Bukola, Pearl Look 2014 model cries for joy

ment in their black leotards, the wannabe model also strutted the runway separately in clothes designed by young and established designers- Weiz Dhurm Franklyn, Mikinda Couture, Rouch and international designer Frank Osodi.

The beauty pageant contestants only paraded in eveningwear after which the five finalists went through a question and answer session. As they were going and coming the hoot and cheers from the audience were apparent pointers to their favourites.

It was a show interspersed with lots of music and comedy including special appearance by Sulu of Big Brother The Chase, all the way from Lusaka, Zambia.

Documentary segment played back the tough grooming session the models had gone through before the grand finale and a feature on what Julia Otobo, winner of the maiden edition of the competition has been doing with her one-year contract with Ice Models in South Africa. The young lady has been gracing the covers of True Love magazine, Gracia, Destiny Magazine and others in the rainbow country.

Emerging as the Peal Look Beauty Queen after the number was finally pruned

down to three was Blessing Obi. She smiled home with N1million and other prizes.

Announcing the Pearl Look 2014 brought in a lot of suspense but Olubukola eventually emerged winner of a mouthwatering trip to South Africa (all expenses paid). She will also get a work permit with Ice Models Management, and contracts worth more than N2.5million in one year and more prizes.

Explaining that it was a daunting task for the trio of Reze Bona, Jane Celiers Director of Ice Models Management South Africa and celebrity fashion designer Yvone Nwosu to pick the winner, Bona, the celebrity photographer explained what they were looking for in the winner that made Bukola fit the bill.

“We wanted the girl who has got that look that can represent the country and the continent, the look that can sell products and also be the representative of our country,” he said.

Young Bukola was their choice, hoping to fulfill her runway dreams like her predecessor as she jets off to South Africa.

What a beautiful night at the Oriental.

Sulu of Big Brother Africa performing at the show Blessing Obi, Pearl Look 2014 beauty queen

Saturday, March 8, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

KEEP IT REAL...

Amushan Kemi

YOUTHMAGAZINE

Be In Charge Of Your Life

AST WEEK we discussed about finding that one thing that makes you tick. One thing that makes you happy on the inside. Happiness is one huge word that means so much. Happiness has been said to be related to well being. Happiness is an elusive commodity. Some people are happy because they have a successful career; many people are happy because they are in love. It varies for different people.

I am not going to bore you further on the subject because I think I’ve written about all there is to say. Today, I shall discuss something entirely different and thrilling here hoping you will learn from it. Over the next couple of editions, I am going to be sharing my experiences, offer counsel on relationship with a view to draw you into my world and keeping a definitive real with the guys.

My life has been interesting so far: falling in love, falling out of love, flings, heartbreaks etc. but in the middle of all these, I was never depressed. I was sad don’t get me wrong but I never let it get the best of me. If you can spring back up immediately after a fall, then you are a survivor and if you are a survivor, you are definitely a champion/winner. But in all, I learnt. There’s always a lesson to learn each and everytime isn’t there?

I want to talk about Lies, cheating and impatience and how it destroys a person and a relationship. I am 100 percent sure that everybody has been lied to and cheated on at some point in their lives. I most certainly have been lied to and cheated on a lot but each made me smarter and stronger.

I recently experienced a terrible cheating relationship. It went on for about 2yrs or so. I was so in love with this guy that it blinded me from seeing the terrible person that he really was; even when he said he loved me.

Everything he told me were lies. I over-reacted to some of the lies because I was just sick and tired of d frequent hurt. The reason why I stayed, I didn’t understand myself. Now that I know better, I knew it definitely wasn’t love. I was just scared of being alone and starting all over again. You know it gets tiring starting a relationship from the scratch.

Dating, courting, getting serious, then you are not sure about the relationship anymore then the ultimate break up. For me, that is a roller-coaster ride.

For each and everytime he lied and cheated, I forgave him and took him back. Now was I stupid or was I blinded by love? One quick question: Has a man ever lied to you? Do you sometimes worry that if a guy lies about the little things, he’s going to lie about the big things later on, too? I’m asking this because I’ve observed a disturbing behaviour among many of us today: We react to a man’s lies in a way that hurts our relationships even more. Now, don’t get me wrong - if a man lies about an affair, or about money matters, or about something he did that was criminal, then by all means, leave him as soon as you can. Because as the saying goes, “One who commits a crime and lies about it doubles it.” So you can, and in my opinion should, leave a guy who tries to cover up his crimes.

Now digressing from my own personal heartache, the plain reality is that men lie to women all the time. About small stuffs, important things, about things that do not seem to be of importance at all and then we wonder why men can’t simply tell the truth.

L

LEARNT over the months that there are two Iliestypes of lies. There’s what we call “harmless and then harmful lies”. The harmless ones are the little half-truths that men say to tease you, flirt with you, or show affection.

For instance: If you gained weight last Christmas, and he tells you: “You lost weight,” then he’s flattering you. He’s lying, but he’s really just showing his love for you. Right? These are the little lies that you should let slide. After all, he’s just being his silly self - and it’s actually good for you if you never stop flirting with each other, even well after

41

marriage and kids!

Now, here’s the disturbing behaviour i mentioned before. Between harmless lies and harmful lies is what i call “hesitant” lies. These are the lies that can either be harmless or harmful depending on how you react to them. And these lies are tough to figure out.

Here are a few examples i came up with.

- He fails at something, and lies to protect his ego.

- He forgets your birthday, and makes a vague excuse.

- He cancels an important date because he’s “busy.”

Do you now get the idea? These are the lies you can’t easily classify as “harmless” or “harmful.” Unfortunately, some ladies have been traumatized by lying men in the past, E.g Me. And when faced by these “hesitant” lies in their current relationships, they freak out and instantly assume they’re “harmful” lies. They instantly assume: “He’s hiding something from me” And they end up doing things they later regret.

Let me quickly tell you a short story of two of my friends Tade and Bukky who were longdistance lovers. Bukky lives in london, while Tade works in Nigeria. While they were tied down to their respective locations by work and financial difficulties, Tade made it a point to fly to london and spend a month with Bukky every year.

This went on for 3 years, and while Bukky was extremely appreciative of Tade’s efforts, she was also getting tired of waiting. That’s why she was very upset when she learned that Tade wasn’t flying to visit her on the 4th year.

In reality, Tade was secretly saving up to buy an engagement ring for Bukky, so he could surprise her with it on his visit on their 5th year of dating. But his (vague) excuse was that he was handling a big project at work that he couldn’t get away from that year. A “hesitant” lie. Right? Unfortunately, Bukky reacted as though it was a “harmful” lie.

Bukky had a bad experience with her exboyfriend before Tade came along. That exboyfriend also made Bukky wait for years - but back then, the jerk made her wait for nothing.

And it made Bukky very impatient and mistrusting all men in general. Tade pleaded with Bukky to wait another year but he simply couldn’t bring himself to reveal his plans of proposing to her. And sadly, Bukky decided she had waited long enough and broke off the relationship. Was it Tade’s fault for trying to keep his proposal plans a secret? Or was it Bukky’s fault for reacting to his “hesitant” lie like it was a “harmful” one?

I hope you see what I mean. Love is never easy to call. It’s never a black-or-white thing. And if you’re not careful, the way you react can make things worse. Trust me. Patience they say is a virtue. Don’t be too eager in making drastic decisions especially when you don’t have a valid reason to.

To our happiness. Cheers

JISTS/JIvES/JOKES Materialistic Man

Life God created the donkey and said to him, “You will be a donkey. You will work untiringly from sunrise to sunset carrying burdens on your back.

You will eat grass, you will have no intelligence and you will live 50 years.”

The donkey answered, “I will be a donkey, but to live 50 years is much. Give me only 20.”

God granted his wish.

God created the dog and said to him, “You will guard the house of Man. You will be his best friend. You will eat the scraps that he gives you and you will live 30 years. You will be a dog.”

The dog answered, “Sir, to live 30 years is too much. Give me only 15.”

God granted his wish.

God created the monkey and said to him, “You will swing from branch to branch doing tricks.

You will be amusing and you will live 20 years.

You will be a monkey.”

The monkey answered, “To live 20 years is too much. Give me only 10.”

God granted his wish.

Finally god created man, and said to him, “You will be man, the only rational creature on the face of earth. You will use your intelligence to become master over all the animals. You will dominate the world and you will live 20 years.”

Man responded, “Sir, I will be a man but to live only 20 years is very little, give me the 30 years that the donkey refused, the 15 years that the dog did not want and the 10 years the monkey refused.

God granted man’s wish....

And since then...

Man lives 20 years as a man, marries and spends 30 years like a donkey, working and carrying all the burdens on his back.

Then when his children are grown... he lives 15 years like a dog, taking care of the house and eating whatever is given to him, so that when he is old, he can retire and live 10 years like a monkey, going from house to house and from one son or daughter to another, doing tricks to amuse his grandchildren That’s LIFE

A very successful naija man parked his new lexus in front of his office ready to show it off to his collegues, as he got out a trailer passed too close and completety tore off the door, the man immediately grabbed his cell phone, called the police, and they arrived. before the officer could say anything the man was scereaming hysteriacally, my lexus!, my lexus!, will never be the same again no matter what the panel -beater did to it, the officer just loked at the man in disgust and shook his head, i cant beleieve how materialistic you are, he said, you are soo focused on your possessions that you dont notice anything else. how can you say such a thing? asked the man. dont you know that your left arm is missing from your elbow down, it must have been torn off when the truck hit you..........., oh my God replied the man, “MY ROLEX” wrist watch.

Akpos Joke: Wrong Father One night, Akpos passed by his son’s room and heard his son praying; “God, bless Mummy, Daddy, and Grandma. Bye Grandpa.”

Akpos didn’t quite know what this meant, but was glad his son was praying. The next morning, they found Grandpa dead on the floor after a heart attack. Akpos reassured himself that it was just a coincidence, but was still a bit spooked.

The next night, he heard his son praying again; “God bless Mummy and Daddy. Bye Grandma.”

Akpos was worried, but decided to wait until morning. Sure enough, the next morning Grandma was on the floor, dead of a heart attack. Really scared now, Akpos decided to wait outside his son’s door the next night. And sure enough, the boy started to pray; “God bless Mummy. Bye Daddy.”

Now Akpos was crapping his pants. He stayed up all night, and went to see the doctor early the next day to make sure his health was fine.

When he finally came home, his wife was waiting on the porch. She said, “Thank God you’re here, we could really use your help! We found the Milkman dead on our porch this morning!”

Stupid Question I was in the bar drinking and there was a dog in the ground close to where i was sitting,a man walk into the bar and sat close to me, he saw the dog.instead of the man to ask is this your dog,the man ask does your dog bite? i said no.the man stretches his hand close to the dog, the dog bites his hand, the man shouted and said but u said your dog does not bite,i reply that is not my dog,my dog is at home resting.

POEMS/LYRICS Be True To You As you set out on life’s road unsure of the path you’ll go, the most important thing you can do is to always be true to “you” Always remember who you are in moments of struggle or fear.

Never forget or give up on the hopes and dreams you hold dear There will be setbacks and rejection and moments of failure too, but you must overcome any frustration to achieve the potential of you.

Don’t forget to smile, or laugh, or to live in the present; no matter where life takes you make every memory pleasant.

As you travel along your journey, know that you’re never alone and I’ll always be here for you should you need the comfort of home.

Keyshia cole “Trust And Believe” When we were together, I held you down I gave you all of me, but look at us now Thinking of all your excuses, but they don’t add up Now it’s so easy to see you don’t deserve my love

And I’m so over you Go get lost Boy I don’t know Who do you think that you are?

You look so foolish With my best friend And she ain’t no better than you She’s a 3, I’m a ten So why are you calling my phone You ain’t got nothing I want Thought we were really in love But that was all a front You pushed me far...you brought me to it You had my heart...but then you blew it And I’m so over you, go get lost Boy who do you think that you are Trust and believe me, you’re gonna need me Trust and believe me, she’ll never be me And I’m so over you Go get lost Boy I don’t know Who do you think that you are?

Bridge How dare you try to clean it up Boy please just stop it now Don’t make a sound Cause you You pushed me far...you brought me to this You had my heart...but then you blew it And I’m so over you, go get lost Boy who do you think that you are

You pushed me far...you brought me to this You had my heart...but then you blew it And I’m so over you, go get lost Boy who do you think that you are

Believe me, you’re gonna need me Trust and believe me, she’ll never be me And I’m so over you Go get lost Boy I don’t know Who do you think you are?

Chorus Trust and believe me, you’re gonna need me Trust and believe me, she’ll never be me

I’m so over you Go get lost Who do you think that you are?

42 Saturday, March 8, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

PEOPLE

Torrent Of Tributes As Briggs Clocks 70

By Sunday Saanu

F

OR a one-time Vice-Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Emeritus Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs, March 1, 2014 will remain a red letter day in his memory following the torrent of tributes trailing the commemoration of his 70th birthday at the university campus in PortHarcourt.

Although, he attained the platinum age on February 22, he, however decided to celebrate the septuagenarian status with a book launch – a compendium of his selected writings and addresses between 2006 and 2013.

If the success of the celebration were to be judged by the quality of attendance, volume of tributes and the good lessons on display, then Prof. Briggs should simply organize a thanksgiving service in his church to offer praises to his Creator who has made his life a success story for the younger generation to draw inspiration from.

The ceremony which drew people from far and near including people from the diaspora, illustrated the fact that Prof. Briggs is

Briggs

indeed a stunning personality who has not only rendered quality service to his fatherland, but has touched many lives positively in his career progression.

With the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in attendance among other dignitaries, Prof. Briggs would not have wished for better honour than the occasion where he was described in several superlative adjectives by hundreds of his admirers and honoured by thousands of his lovers.

Being the fifth substantive ViceChancellor of Uniport between 2000 and 2005 with an impressive record of achievements, Prof. Briggs whose power of oratory, strength of character, will of purpose, cerebral adroitness, sagacity and administrative finesse, was widely applauded for uplifting the university beyond imagination during his tenure.

As one of the brightest academics, Emeritus Prof. Briggs rose from Head of Department to Provost of the College of Health Sciences, to Vice-Chancellor of the university. As a health professional, he soared from consultant of obstetrics and

gynaecology to a member of the Governing Board of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, to the Treasurer of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, to Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Hospital, Abuja and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Again, Prof. Briggs as a public servant has been the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission and now Chairman of the Rivers State Economic Council.

Delivering a birthday lecture entitled “The University Administrator and The Magician: The Nigerian Paradox”, University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole who enumerated some of the challenges confronting the university system in Nigeria noted that Prof. Briggs succeeded in office as a Vice-Chancellor because he comported himself as a magician.

Prof. Adewole whose lecture drew an intermittent applause from the audience , cited inadequate funding, weak infrastructure and policies, declining research cul-

ture and low level of town and gown synergy as some of the challenges militating against the system.

According to the University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor, “as opposed to the situation in Nigeria, the United States, Australian government and many countries in Europe and Asia expend hundreds of billions of dollars annually in academic institutions on teaching and research as well as capacity building”.

Prof. Adewole in a 22 -page lecture noted that in Nigeria, as it is in most other countries of Africa, the annual amount voted to cater to education is demonstrably far below acceptable and widely quoted benchmark of 26 percent of total government expenditure.

Prof. Adewole remarked: “In Nigeria, the Vice-Chancellor is the one who is expected to provide all services without any consideration for the resources available. The ViceChancellor is expected to provide funds for roads, electricity, water, teaching and learning facilities. The Vice-Chancellor is expected to produce electricity even when there was none from the national grid. Students who came from homes with prolonged period of outages would demand uninterrupted power supply. They expect water to flow from the taps in a city with difficult underlying rocky terrains and deep or impossible water tables.

The Vice-Chancellor must indeed be a magician”, he added.

Describing Prof. Briggs as an excellent mentor, the University of Ibadan boss recalled how he met the celebrant in 1985 at the Ovarian Cancer Unit at Royal Marsden Hospital, saying one star quality that attracted him to ND, as Briggs is fondly called, is his simplicity and unassuming character in spite of a good frame. Prof. Adewole noted that the retired don “continues to display his enviable qualities even in retirement, just as he continues to look young”.

However, as a way of rewarding him, Governor Amaechi announced that the state government has decided to name the new 100-bed model hospital on the campus of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) after Prof. Briggs.

Governor Amaechi disclosed that Prof. Briggs was one of those who have significantly contributed to the development of the state.

Apparently appreciative of Prof. Briggs, tributes, like torrential rain, poured in for the university administrator who was visibly overwhelmed with the substantial quantity of encomiums showered on him by representatives of broad spectrum of his well wishers.

Among those who praised Prof. Briggs were two former Vice-Chancellors of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Tekena Tamuno, Prof. Ayo Banjo and hypertension expert, Prof.

Akinkunmi Akinkugbe among others.

Authorities of the University of Port Harcourt indeed took up the ceremony as a way of expressing appreciation for Prof. Briggs’ contributions with soul-lifting rendition from the university’s choir. The university in a special bulletin observed that Prof. Briggs effortlessly turned the university’s raging storm to a calm tide and successfully positioned it while in office.

Emeritus Prof. Briggs had his early education at UNA School Port Harcourt, Nyemoni School Abonnema, Baptist High School Port Harcourt and Government College, Umuahia between 1948 and 1963. Thereafter, he was admitted into the Universities of Ibadan and Lagos ( the only two universities in Nigeria that offered courses in Human Medicine at that time), to study Medicine.

He also won the Federal Government, Eastern Nigerian Government and Niger Delta Special Area Scholarships to study medicine. He elected for the University of Lagos and utilized the Federal Government scholarship out of the three he had won.

He graduated Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Lagos in July 1969 with Distinction in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He won the Commonwealth Scholarship and proceeded to the United Kingdom .

Sunday Saanu is of the Directorate of Public Communication University of Ibadan

Saturday, March 8, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

43

PEOPLE After Surviving Autocrash, Imansuangbon Pledges More Service To People Proprietor of Abuja-based Pace Setters Group of Schools and Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon, spoke in Benin City shortly after his thanksgiving at the New Covenant Gospel Church to thank God for saving his life in a ghastly motor accident last November.

By Laolu Adeyemi You survived a ghastly accident late last year.

Did you have any premonition?

ES! I knew somehow that there were evil persons who were not happy with what I was doing for the masses. I felt somehow that they were not happy with the good I am doing, like sharing rice, giving scholarships, sponsoring essay competitions, football competitions in Edo and across the country, reaching out to widows and orphans and so on. I knew that some people don’t like such good things. But there are also some people that love it. Each time I do such things, it is because of my faith in God. The background I came from is very poor. I lost my father in 1983. From that point in time, my mother toiled day and night to provide for our needs. Mama trained me with black cloth (mourning attires). I am the first of six children. My mother, Elizabeth Imansuangbon is a wonderful woman; very resilient and courageous. When my father died, she didn’t abandon us to marry another man.

She was very beautiful. She stood by me. I actually benefited from the sympathy of the public.

So, that is why you see me giving. I can give my knickers, shoes and even pant and go naked without batting an eyelid. It is in my DNA to have sympathy on the poor. People think it is because of politics that I feed people, but if they know where I am coming from, they would know that nothing could be farther from the truth. My guiding principle is that politics should have face of humanity.

When I give, I give selflessly, even when I give in pain. There are certain giving you do, even when you don’t have. But you’re constrained to give because you could see the weakness and begging of the people with their eyes and with their body language. So, you’re left with no option but to bend over backward to give. At times, I feel pain. It is not easy to give. At times, I feel, this money that I am giving, is it not better I keep it for my children? Or why don’t I use it buy big cars, expensive wristwatches and to build a big house? This house I live in (in Benin) is a rented apartment.

Y

Imansuangbon, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Rev Omobude at the thanksgiving service were at the airport to welcome me. Everywhere was packed. For four hours, they waited - old, young, men, women, children. From the airport, they trekked with me down to my house (at GRA). It is only love that can make anybody do that kind of a thing. Those who I never knew prayed for me. Muslims prayed for me. Imams prayed for me. Christians prayed for me.

Everybody prayed for me.

In Edo State, they call you the Rice Man because of you philanthropy. What drives you?

What is dear to me is that I am Kenneth Imansuangbon. I am an ordinary man. I am like any ordinary Nigerian on the street. But That life is a vanity. It is like vapour.

November 14, I would have died were it not for what drives me is that one day, we would realize a country of our dream, where everyone the mercies of God. I must say that as a result would have jobs, peace, security, good water of the accident, two things have happened. I system, good educational system; a country have taken two decisions. As a result of this where we would not emphasise tribe, but that accident, I would hold on to God the more, serve Him better than ever, serve the commu- which strengthens us, where there would be justice, fairness and equity. That is my hope for nity and the people. I will serve Edo people, the country; that is what drives me.

Nigeria and indeed the world.

Let me also add that the accident has brought Each time people ask: ‘Ken, why are you in politics?’ I am in politics because I want a better unity to the state. It has synergised both PDP nation. I want a better life for fellow Nigerians. and APC. We should take politics beyond hatred. Politics is not hate. If you hate because What I have seen on the streets of New York, at Heathrow Airport, in Dubai, in South Africa can you’re a politician, then, you’re not a human happen in Nigeria if we have the men with being. Politics is love; and that was demongood heart in government, if we have people in strated by Edo people the day I arrived from government that would see themselves as serthe oversea treatment. Over 20,000 people

What drives me on is that one day, we would realize a country of our dream, where everyone would have jobs, peace, security, good water system, good educational system; a country where we would not emphasise tribe, but that which What are the lessons strengthens us you have learnt from that accident?

vants of the people rather than as Lord of the Manor.

Every chance we have in government is given

by God. God would ask questions. Life is very frail and temporal. On November 13, 2013, I was coming from Akure where I went for the burial of my very good friend, Deji Falae. Deji had died.

On my way back home, I was almost gone. But the finger of God stopped death and satan, and gave me life. God said, ‘No, touch not my anointed and do my prophet do no harm.’ That was what saved me. And because of that safety, Edo people are together now. The safety God granted me has bonded the two dominant political parties in the state. The governor and I are friends now. We are brothers. Everybody is one now. The accident that almost claimed my life has unified Edo people. What makes Edo strong is not PDP. What makes Edo strong is not APC. What makes Edo strong is not the rich oil or vegetation in the state. What makes Edo strong is the spirit of forgiveness, the spirit of unity, the spirit that I can criticize the governor, and the next day, he can come to my thanksgiving. That is love.

What strengthens us is that the Comrade Governor knows that I can be the next governor; that he can hand over the key of government house to me. And he said during my thanksgiving that God and the people would determine who would be the governor after him in 2016.

JUSTHUMAN

That Temitope May Be Saved From The Jaws Of Death Temitope Osoba, 21, is suffering from aggressive ossifying fibroma, a kind of aggressive tumor on the jaw bone, and doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where she is to undergo second stage surgery, say she needs N543,900. But left with no one except her mother who is a petty trader, the young secondary school leaver is seeking the assistance of Nigerians.

OUNG Temitope Osoba’s dream of becoming a fulY filled university graduate, is hanging in the balance no thanks to aggressive ossifying fibroma, an aggres-

Temitope

sive tumor growth on her left jawbone.

According to authorities of LUTH, Temitope, who lost her father some years ago, needs N543,900 for second surgery to remedy the jaw bone. The surgery is a follow up to the first surgery she had undergone some years ago at the same hospital.

With almost tearful eyes, she explained how the illness started. “I thought it was a boil at first in 2008 when the pain started. So, I went to the hospital and I was asked to remove a tooth, and the problem started after removing that tooth. I went through severe pain and the mouth got swollen and deformed permanently. I did not take anything aside from the salt and

water solution recommended by the doctors,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to Nigerians who had helped her in her first surgery.

Temitope, a former student of New Era Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos, lost her father few years ago and is left with her mother whose source of livelihood is petty trading at Mushin, Lagos. It is also note worthy that he has two other siblings who her mother is responsible for.

Kind Nigerians who wish to help Temitope should please send their contributions to her personal account as detailed below: Account name: Temitope Osoba Account number: 2061392566 Bank: UBA Or Reach her through 08185463481.

44 | Saturday, March 8, 2014

GARDENING

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

Dramatic Hibiscus IBISCUS flowers might be the most dramatic in the garden H and can bloom as large as a child’s head in gorgeous colours.

The bright, huge, trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus are prized by gardeners everywhere, who want to add a tropical feel to their landscapes.

The hibiscus plant itself is large and flashy and needs plenty of space to show off. Although the huge funnel-shaped flowers seldom last more than a day, they are continuous or repeat bloomers.

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the Mallow family (Malvaceae). The genus boast several hundred species, from dwarf varieties that grow to between two to three feet (0.6 to 0-9) to plants that can exceed eight feet (2.4m) in height.

Hibiscus esculenta species (the okra plant) is a member of the genus.

Members are native to warm temperate, sub-tropical and tropical regions throughout the world.

Member’s species are noted for their showy flowers and are commonly known simply as hibiscus or less widely known as rose mallow.

The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as woody shrubs and small trees.

The generic name is derived from the Greek word, given by Pedanius.

There are two types of hibiscus common to gardeners- tropical and hardy- while in temperate zones, the most commonly grown ornamental species is Hibiscus syriacus, the common garden hibiscus, also known in some areas as the ‘Rose of Althea’ or ‘Rose of Sharon.’

In tropical and subtropical areas, the Chinese hibiscus (H. rosasinensis), with its showy hybrids, is the most popular hibiscus.

Sometimes, life doesn’t work out quite as planned and dreams go unfulfilled. But don’t let that keep you down; create new dreams.

In this case, if life fails to deliver you to a comfy chaise lounge in a warm, breezy local, with the ocean a few steps away and a cabana boy feeding you sweet grapes, chocolate improvise.

Grow your own delightful escape site.

Hibiscus establishes good-sized clumps, about the height and breath of small shrubs, and can be used to screen a part of the yard to create a little secret get away.

These flower-filled, woody perennials grow denser and produce more bloom until they reach maturity in about three years old. Then, the leafy plants start to unfurl their huge flowers.

If you plan things right, you will have a secret hideout in a quiet corner of the yard where you can stretch out on a chaise and relax.

Hibiscus can be planted singly or grown as a hedge plant.

They can also be pruned into a single stemmed small tree.

The flowers attract butterflies and humming birds.

How To Grow Hibiscus Outdoors Soil BOTH tropical and hardy hibiscus have similar soil needs.

Hibiscus need plenty of water, so grow it in rich, loose, well drained soil where you can water it easily and regularly in dry spells.

Ideally, plant your hibiscus in well-drained soil, amended with organic matter, as it prefers acidic soil. Mix sphagnum moss into your garden soil.

If your garden has heavy clay soil, growing hibiscus in a raised bed helps eliminate water build up.

Hibiscus needs plenty of fertilizer, high in potassium and low in phosphorous, and too much phosphorous will kill hibiscus.

At the beginning of the growing season (rainy season), give our hibiscus an application of 10-4-12, 9-3-13 or 10-10 fertilizer.

Every two to three weeks, apply fertilizer of half strength.

Outdoor Beds FIND a location where the soil drains well. If there is still water puddles five to six hours after a hard rain, scout for another site or amend the soil with the addition of two to three to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available.

Hibiscus like an average amount of moisture and require at least 1 inch of rain (or equivalent each week).

They like to be constantly moist and will reward you with more flowers and denser foliage if given a little extra moisture, but will not be happy in soils that are water logged.

Also, if you have acidic soil, it is advisable to amend to bring back to neutral before planting hibiscus, as they do not care for acid environments.

Temperature TROPICAL hibiscus needs warm, steady temperatures to thrive. Temperature fluctuations, when extreme, can shock and kill the plant.

Light SITE your plants where they will receive full sun to light shade.

All types of hibiscus do best in full sun. They will grow in partial shade, although growth and flowering will suffer.

Choose a site with a bit of shade in parts of the country with strong sun. Give your hibiscus at least six hours of sun per day.

In areas very hot and bright areas, with strong sunlight, you may need to provide shade for your hibiscus during the hottest part of the day.

If growing indoors, put your hibiscus in front of a sunny, south-facing window for adequate light. Use supplemental lighting, if no direct light through your windows.

Blue hibicus flower

Hibiscus flower rosa sinensis

Hibiscus ‘pink’

Dwarf Hibiscus potted

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 8, 2014 | 45

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In association with

Food&dRINKS

veem

Overcome hangover with Citrus fruit salad

By Chinelo Nwagbo The term hangover refers to a constellation of unpleasant and painful symptoms that can develop after drinking too much alcohol. There is no set amount of alcohol that will cause a hangover, since each individual reacts to alcohol differently, but generally, the more you had to drink, the more severe the hangover symptoms. Most of the unpleasant symptoms like headache, body pain and dry mouth experienced during a hangover are caused by two factors: the diuretic alcohol effect that causes the drinker to become dehydrated, and the toxic effects of alcohol poisoning of many systems of the body. There are many traditional practices that are thought to alleviate hangover symptoms, but some of them are unfounded myths that really don’t help much at all. You can prevent hangover by taking citrus fruit salad after taking alcohol or by mixing alcoholic drinks with orange juice or grapefruit juice. The vitamins and minerals in these fruits helps slow down the dehydration of the body and keep the body running efficiently. Also citrus fruits contain folate,

potassium, vitamin c, carotenoids and flavonoids, which have been identified as having protective cardiovascular effects. The high level of vitamin c in citrus fruits is vital to the function of a strong immune system and help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon. Intake of this salad helps increases the natural cleaning power of the liver to get all of those foul substances out of your body faster. You can get all stock ingredients and the already made fruit salad at oveem Store.

Spotting A Good Wine

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya

E

SPEcIALLY for the uninitiated in the business of wine drinking, making the choice of a good wine may not be an easy task. Just as experts in various areas of life give insights on issues relating to their specialisations, wine enthusiasts offer tips on how to spot a good wine.

They say that besides the general tasting rules of swirling, sniffing and sipping for a start, there is a lot more to do to resolve if a wine is worthy of your taste buds and money.

Note that the good bottle is not the one that bears the highest price or is the oldest brand. You can know a good one because it is deep and complex in taste, and stays long in the mouth after tasting it.

While bottle labels may be enticing, get to know the full information. Some clues about the wine such as fruits, flavours, the aging process, importers and region of the production could prove to be useful.

Search for reviews as these will point to awards it has won, and by extension pointers to its goodness.

Asking a friend who knows more about wines or even the wine steward, if in a bar or restaurant, to give you a recommendation will also be helpful. Be mindful that taste is subjective; when you find the one you like, stick to it.

Ingredients Red or pink grapefruits oranges Lime Garlic Shallot Thai chili peppers Fish sauce organic sugar cilantro

Quantities 2 medium size 2 medium size 1 1 clove 1 1 or 2 medium size 1 tablespoon 1 teaspoon ½ cup

Method of preparation Segmented and cut grape and orange fruit into bite size pieces. In a bowl, mix together grapefruit and orange segment pieces.

Add lime zest, lime juice, garlic, shallot, chili peppers, fish sauce and sugar, and toss together. Refrigerate for half an hour, and up to 8 hours.

Before serving, add cilantro and toss gently.

E-mail: chineloeby@yahoo.com Website: www.oveem.com.ng, Blog:www.oveem.com.ng/blog Twitter: @OveemNG

Suffering from a hard dinking night out?

This fruit can help you overcome a hangover

AVOCADO

By Chinelo Nwagbo vocAdo sometimes called A "avocado pear" or "alligator pear” is the fruit of the avocado tree (‘Persea Americana’ Miller), an evergreen tree of the botanical family Lauracese. This fruit is considered the world's healthiest fruit, because of its nutrient contents such as vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin c, vitamin E, copper, and reasonable calories . Avocado is therefore a concentrated fruit with high nutritional and calorific value. Preferably avocados are

eaten fresh raw but it must be ripe. It can also be eaten with lemon juice which keeps them from turning black because of oxidation of the iron salt they contain. Avocado can also be substituted for butter and margarine by spreading them on breads and biscuits. Eating avocados helps the body produce glutathione, which helps the liver to get rid of toxic substances that results from excessive alcohol consumption.

Studies have shown that people who regularly eat avocados have better general liver health.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

46 Saturday, March 8, 2014

HOME&DECOR

Preserving Cutlery Beauty

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya

A

T an age when beauty consideration is attached to every bit of item in the home, the cutlery, apart from its functionality in modern dining, is chosen with beauty in mind.

That is why some people spend some fortune to acquire it. How they retain their beauty is a function of the care and maintenance they receive.

Common among the types of cutlery used today are stainless steel, silverplated and sterling silver. They are adversely affected by foodstuffs, water and air which all contain common corrosive substances, such as salt, acids, mineral salts, fats and meat juices that can cause staining and pitting, if certain precautions are not taken.

Some tips will help to keep them in good form and retain their beauty.

Stainless steel While stainless steel is stain resistant, it is not stain proof.

Cleaning • Wash separately from silver and sterling silver plated cutlery. This is because any contact while wet can lead to a chemical reaction that can cause damage to the silver.

• Restore shine with stainless steel polish.

• Take special care with knives because the higher percentage of chrome, the more they are prone to corrosion.

Silver-plated Silver coating is applied to cutlery made from a mixture of copper, zinc and nickel. Silver-plated cutlery are corrosion-resistant, but can be tar-

nished by sulphides in the atmosphere and in certain foods like egg.

Cleaning • Wash separately from stainless steel as any contact while wet can result in a chemical reaction that can damage the silver.

• Restore the shine with a soft dry cloth, and store in an anti-tarnish roll.

Sterling-silver Silver is a soft metal, which scratches easily, but with proper care, over time it comes out with a beautiful sheen.

Cleaning • Wash separately

from stainless steel to avoid damage.

• Use a silver polish to clean tarnished silver, heeding manufacturers’ instructions.

Storage For Clothes H

OW we store our clothes will affect the beauty of our space, especially when it is small and also preserve them them.

Try the following ideas.

High wall storage: Do not be afraid to build really high wall shelves. Use it to store things that are not used frequently like sweaters.

With clothes organisers, you can make the most of your wardrobe or drawers and always know where even the smallest things are. Have boxes for every conceivable need and taste, so you can make your wardrobe function the way you want it.

For kids, label the areas containing specific items.

Figure out exactly how many hangers you need and get rid of extra ones.

Stash more than clothes in cubes.

Extra cubes can stash bags and toys.

Fold sweaters and knits to prevent them from stretching out of shape.

Clothes should not be stored in a humid, musty basement. They will absorb the smell of such a place and attract bugs and insects to feed on them.

Do not store clothes directly on the floor. It is advisable to remove all ornamental jewelry or pins from clothing. Also, remove items from pockets so the fabric is not weighed down with time. Clean clothes before storing them. Ensure that stains are removed as best as you can before storing them. Some stains, such as sugar-based stains (red wine, juice and lemon) can spread through the fibres over time.

Use plastic, wood or padded hangers for hanging garments.

Use mothballs in your storage but do not let them touch the clothes. Rather hang the mothballs in netting, nylons or even an old pair of socks. This will keep clothes from being ruined by them. Place acid free tissue paper over the top of the hanging garments to keep dust off the shoulder area.

Fabrics such as silk and wool should never be stored in airtight containers or chests. Such fabrics need to breathe.

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Saturday, March 8, 2014 47

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535, 08111813032

PR Provides More Value Than Advertising, Says Afam Edozie

By Abiodun Obisesan ARKETING Communications experts have M in recent times been taking bold initiatives in re-evaluating and reviewing the strategic impact of Public Relations (PR) and other genres of brand communications in the entire marketing mix. This is because PR’s role of deploying planned, deliberate activities in fostering symbiotic relationships between the client and their publics has really soared to new heights in contemporary times.

Sharing in this growing awareness, the former Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer of a leading telecommunications company, MTN, Afam Edozie has revealed that PR generates greater public awareness and interests even more than advertising and should be given more attention in the whole marketing communications process.

The marketing egghead made this assertion while delivering a speech as the guest speaker at a public lecture put together by some eminent PR experts to mark the 60th birthday of former Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of C&F Porter Novelli, Mr. Emeka Maduegbuna.

The lecture, which was titled “The Role of PR in Corporate Success”, was held at Muson Centre, Lagos. The event drew a vast pool of communications experts in the country.

Edozie hinged his assertion on his working experience. His words: “While I was in MTN, Richard Brandson advised us to devote 10 per cent of our advertising budget and spend it on PR. When we followed his counsel, we got twice of the value that accrues to us from advertising and our advertising was more effective. Also, I have found out that when PR fails, nine out of 10 times, it is the fault of the clients. This is because the role of the client is critical in that PR is an enabler and not a creator. It is also sad to note that nine out of 10 times, it is the agency that gets the boot.”

Earlier in his opening remark, chairman of the occasion, Mazi Mike Okereke, lauded Maduegbuna’s exemplary contribution to the growth of PR in Nigeria. He also set the tone for the intellectual discourse by challenging practitioners to develop a more proactive leaning to their duty of public relations, which he noted had been more reactive lately.

“PR practitioners should pay more attention to the strategic role of PR; we have failed to pay greater attention to the technical aspects of PR. I also like to see PR consultants being advisers to governors on issues, monitoring trends and predicting their consequences on the issues,” he affirmed.

In his capacity as a panel discussant, the CEO of Mediacraft Limited, John Ehiguese, submitted

Group Managing Director, Media Craft Associates, Mr. John Ehiguese (left); Chairman of the occasion, Mazi Mike Okereke; the celebrant/Managing Director, C and F Porter Novelli, Mr. Nn’emeka Maduegbuna, his wife, Augusta; and Guest Speaker/Co-Founder, GrowAfrica, Mr. Afam Edozie, during the 60th birthday Lecture of Mr. Maduegbuna in Lagos…recently.

While I was in MTN, Richard Brandson advised us to devote 10 per cent of our advertising budget and spend it on PR. When we followed his counsel, we got twice of the value that accrues to us from advertising and our advertising was more effective. Also, I have found out that when PR fails, nine out of 10 times, it is the fault of the clients. This is because the role of the client is critical in that PR is an enabler and not a creator. It is also sad to note that nine out of 10 times, it is the agency that gets the boot

that the marketing communications landscape is fast-changing hence, the need for PR experts to follow suit and engage the reputation management business with more professionalism.

“Today, the editors are no longer the gatekeepers of information. With the rise of Internet penetration in Nigeria, information consumption pattern has changed drastically. Clients are also keen to know how PR is imparting their business objective through empirical measurement. We need to also take advantage of globalisation. In 2012, a report was released listing 250 top PR agencies by fee income. Sadly, no Nigerian firm made that list. It was only a firm in South Africa that made the list. Increasingly, it is becoming very real that there is no longer a Nigerian standard but a global standard. We have to become globally competitive.”

There was also outpouring of tributes to Maduegbuna, who is viewed by many as the colossus of PR in Nigeria. For Muyiwa Akintunde, “Maduegbuna is ‘the devil in detail.’ He has an

Analytics And Social Media Use: Experts’ View NALYTICS was the focus of the speA cialist session put together by Simon Page Business School at the recently concluded Social Media Week in Lagos.

Titled ‘The Future through Social Media Analytics,’ the occasion drew a large, highly engaged and inquisitive audience from diverse professional backgrounds. The desire to clearly understand what the numbers really mean from analytics was readily dealt with at the workshop.

The workshop was a tour of important analytics: Facebook, YouTube, Google Insights. It also examined key metrics for these sites.

In the words of Princewill Omorogiuwa, Lead Conversationalist of the session, “when it comes to evaluating social media, you cannot fake it because everything you do online leaves a trail which is called data.”

He goes on to ask: “What then do we do such amount of data? He noted

that “because social media analytics has lots of data, it can be extrapolated for sound business decisions.”

The success factor for social media measurement should be strategy driven. The key performance indicators for measurement by brands or businesses should be predicated on the chosen platform, which is intrinsically tied to their business goals and objectives.

The highpoint of the session was the deployment of an analytic tool called ‘Smart Social’ which allows brands and businesses to scan a range of social networks and Internet portals for mentions of brand names, products competitor names and market terms. A brand name was inputted and participants were able to see in real time online traffic associated with the brand across Nigeria.

Smart Social is a proprietary tool of 3rdFloor Limited, a digital marketing consultancy which partnered with Simon Page Business School to deliver

an effective and practically driven session.

Measurement on Facebook included ‘likes,’ ‘fans reached,’ ‘click through rate’ and ‘link clicks’ and people talking about it (story tellers). Analytics also provides insights into negative feedbacks, and as was noted, before nonsense goes viral, analytics helps you deal with it.

According to an expert, “the real value of analytics comes from the use of comparative data. When is the best time to make a post, what are the best posts, which is the best page? It also helps in understanding that for posts or content to resonate with people (fans) there is the need to test it, measure and tweak it, which ultimately is the key to staying relevant. At the end of the day, people are the centre of attraction; they are not just statistics. Posts/content should be about people.”

opinion of every issue, but if you are able to persuade him with superior argument, he would bow to your position.”

Another speaker, Emeka Okereke, affirmed that Maduegbuna is a man of immense knowledge, discipline and ability. “He believes in the rigour of the mind and given detail.”

Other frontline experts in attendance included Chairman, National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter, Joseph Okonma; Dr. Phil Osagie, and a host of others.

In his response, Maduegbuna appreciated the intellectual discourse, which, according to him, is the best way to reflect and brainstorm on a special day.

He, however, enjoined practitioners to invest more in talent development. “The institutional arrangement of PR is very vital to its corporate existence. It is an anomaly that NIPR is both a regulatory and a trade association. Hence, these two functions should be separated for the practice to be respected and attain global reckoning.”

UAC Food Unveils New Gala Tinkies

By Henry Otalor N what could be described as a Imarket bold step towards sustaining its leadership position in the snack brand category, UAC Foods Limited, a joint venture between UAC of Nigeria Plc and Tigre Brands Limited, has launched Gala Tinkies, as a new product line extension.

Speaking at the event held at Balmoral Events Centre, Lagos, the Managing Director of UAC Foods Limited, Dr. Twanda Mushuku, explained that the new Gala Tinkies roll is one of the positive results of the strategic alliance between UAC Foods Limited and Tigre Brands Limited.

Mushuku disclosed that the new Gala Tinkies, which are available in strawberry, peanut and fruity filling, are specially produced to create unlimited fun and adventure with a special appeal to children.

“The launch of the new Gala Tinkies is another significant milestone in the annals of our company, as we have created another

class in the category specially designed for kids between the ages of five and 12,” he stated.

Also speaking on the new product, the General Marketing Manager, UAC Foods Limited, Mrs. Joan Ihekwaba, noted that the new product was carefully and nutritiously produced to excite the taste buds of the target consumers who are the children between the ages of five and 12.

“The new Gala Tinkies is fortified with minerals that are not only nutritious to the kids but also offer them a wholesome snack experience,” she said.

The Secretary-General of Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr. Hanson Iyawe, commended UAC Foods Limited for the initiative that would create a new nutritious experience for the Nigerian child, stressing that the choice of strawberry, peanut and fruity filling variants are healthy alternatives to the conventional Gala sausage roll available in the market.

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Saturday, March 8, 2014

BRANDNEWS Etisalat Launches First ‘Gold Series’ Experience Centre In Lagos ELECOMMUNICATIONs giant, Etisalat Nigeria, has taken cusT tomer experience to a different level with the launch of the first ‘Gold Series’ experience centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The new state-of-the-art gold series experience centres are targeted at Etisalat’s customers and will provide an environment that encourages customers to explore and immerse themselves in the essence of the Etisalat brand.

At the media briefing held at the experience centre recently, Director, Brands and Communication, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Enitan Denloye, said the centres were designed to enable customers explore and experience the products and services offered by the brand in a highly interactive and exciting environment that stimulates the senses and educates the customer on what’s possible with the brand’s technology.

Denloye said: “The new gold series centre encapsulates the essence of our brand and brings it to life for our customers. The retail touch point is a very important ‘moment-of-truth’ area in the telecoms industry.”

In his speech, the Director of Retail Sales at Etisalat Nigeria, Charles Ogunwuyi, stated that “in putting together this concept, we wanted to focus on creating a world-class experiential environment that makes technology more approachable, fun and interactive for our customers.”

The Gold series experience centre showcases the latest high tech 3.75G enabled devices, in addition to the high-resolution interactive displays. The centre also has an authentic Geek Force bar loaded with “Small bytes and App-etizers” apps menu where customers can ask questions, try out new apps and see how the latest mobile devices can enhance their lives when paired with the right applications.

Etisalat Nigeria has about 200 retail touch points across the country.

In another development, the search for Africa’s most prolific debut fiction writer culminated last Sunday at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos, with the announcement of NoViolet Bulawayo as the winner of the maiden edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature.

At a befitting celebration of first time writers of published fiction books, Bulawayo with her We Need New Names, beat two other finalists, Yewande Omotosho with Bom Boy, and Karen Jenning with Finding Soutbek.

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

Sharp, Dajcom Unveil New Partnership For Nigerian Market

By Usukuma Ntia ULTI-BILLION dollar global conglomerate, Sharp, and leading electronics and home appliances manufacturer, distributor and retailer in Nigeria, Dajcom Limited, have unveiled a new strategic partnership that will see Dajcom assemble, distribute and retail different Sharp home appliances in the Nigerian market.

Sharp and Dajcom strongly believe this strategic alliance

M

will excite consumers in Nigeria. Sharp, a global brand renowned for its innovative Japanese technology will through this partnership extensively make its high quality products available in the Nigerian market at competitive prices. This will be backed up by Dajcom’s first class after-sales service and excellent distribution network within the country.

Director of Sharp, Middle East

and Africa, Mr. Tagami Yasuharu, while expressing excitement over the partnership, said: “For Sharp, Nigeria is an extremely important market, and with Dajcom Ltd as our partner we are committed towards enriching every Nigerian household with our one-of-a-kind technology and products.”

In his response, Managing Director of Dajcom Limited, Mr. David Safa, revealed that

the strategic partnership between his company, Dajcom and Sharp was an integral part of his organisation’s long-term vision in Nigeria.

“Together, we are confident of a bright and mutually rewarding future with our consumers. I am confident about the collaboration, and Sharp products would become popular among Nigerians in the near future,” he stressed.

Nigerian Foods And Drinks Exhibition Debuts, Holds In April

Dajcom Limited General Manager, Mr. Nicolah Farah (left); Sharp Corporation, Japan Group Deputy General Manager, Mr. Mitsuo Nkashima; Dajcom Limited Managing Director, Mr. David Safa; and Sharp Middle EastFZE, Dubai Managing Director, Mr. Fumio Yamaguchi, at the press conHE first-ever Nigerian Foods and Drinks Exhibition tagged ference to announce the partnership between Sharp and Dajcom in Lagos…recently.

T

‘Naija Food Fiesta’ is set to debut in the fast-growing fair and exhibitions segment of the Nigerian business circle.

The project, which is being packaged by Aresveepee Limited, an event management company that specializes in organising corporate and social events, in conjunction with Keskese Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading agencies in experiential marketing and brand activations, is scheduled to hold in Lagos from April 24 to 27, 2014, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).

According to the Managing Director, Aresveepee Limited, Miss Kemi Koyejo, the Nigerian Foods and Drinks Exhibition is dedicated to promoting various kinds of foods, beverages, confectioneries, condiments, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria with a view to growing the immense potentials of the sector.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to announce the plans for the inaugural edition of the exhibition, recently, Koyejo disclosed that the participation at the exhibition is open to manufacturers of various kinds of foods, beverages, confectioneries, condiments, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria as well as providers of food and drinks processing machines, and government parastatals.

She noted that the ‘Naija Food Fiesta’ offers unique and huge marketing opportunities to exhibitors, as it provides them an excellent platform for showcasing and growing their businesses through massive brand awareness and brand visibility with consumers.

Mr. Chef Rewards Loyal Distributors With Cars, Other Prizes

By Abiodun Obisesan N a bid to show its commitment to the brand promise, Eat Isoning Better, Live Better, Bayswater Industries, makers of Mr. Chef seacubes, has rewarded its loyal distributors across the country with the presentation of 11 cars, cash prizes and other consolation prizes in appreciation of their patronage.

The event, which was held at Grandeur Hotel in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, was also the celebration of the brand’s fifth anniversary, where the company’s General Manager, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, disclosed that the growing patronage testifies that ‘Mr. Chef’ seasoning is now an accepted brand leader for Nigerian consumers.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Chief Reggi Uduhiri, said: “Bayswater Industries, makers of Mr. Chef, has instituted the ‘Distributors Reward Scheme’ as a high value incentive to our dedicated distributors who have demonstrated commitment and loyalty to the brand.”

He added that the company always belief that the three parameters behind Mr. Chef Brand success are quality, quality and quality. He explained thus: “Quality in terms of product, quality in terms of manpower and marketing and quality in fulfilling our promise.”

He disclosed that the secret behind Mr. Chef seasoning success was in its natural ingredients which help in giving nutritional benefits to consumers.

Zija International Berths In Nigeria With Moringa-based Products IJA International, a United Z States-based company that manufactures Moringabased weight management, liquid nutritionals, energy and performance, and skincare products officially launched its presence in Nigeria last weekend.

The event, which was held at the Welcome Centre Hotel, International Airport Road, Lagos, was attended by some of the top management team of the company who were in the country to witness the ceremony and address its network of distributors across Nigeria.

Director of Research Sciences at the company, Dr. Joshua Plant while addressing the audience highlighted the nutritional benefits of consuming Zija’s Moringa-based products, noting that the company went the extra mile to develop them.

“We’ve analysed numerous Moringa farms from across the world and utilise only the most healthful Moringa available. Zija has maximised the nutritional content of the Moringa tree with a proprietary blend of different parts of the tree. We’ve also assembled a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, designed specifically to preserve and enhance Moringa’s natural nutrition,” Plant said.

Also speaking, Vice President, Global Sales, Zija International, Ryan Palmer explained that Zija Moringa products are distributed on a networking basis that comprises the Basic, Starter and

Builder systems, which allows marketers of the products to make more money by bringing in new entrants.

“Our focus is to support those individuals who are willing to work for growth.

We have set aside over $1 million to promote the products in the Nigerian market, knowing it is going to be a gateway to all Africa,” Palmer said.

He added: “I believe our progress here is with our independent distributors. We

would like to work with people on ground, get behind them, support them with new incentives and new programmes so that they can demonstrate to people how Zija can be influential in changing their lifestyles.”

LG Electronics Introduces Chest Freezer With 10-Year Warranty quiet operation.

LOBAL leader in consumer mercial needs.

Speaking at the product G electronics and home The LG Chest Freezer is fitted appliances, LG Electronics with a powerful compressor launch, General Manager, (LG), is unrelenting in its quest to making life comfortable and convenient for its numerous consumers with the introduction of the new LG Chest Freezer.

The event, which held at the LG showroom in Lekki, was aimed at making safe and healthy foods readily available to households and businesses as the Chest Freezer has various capacities to meet both household and com-

that boasts a 10-year warranty.

It also comes with the superfast B blast freezing feature and the low voltage stabilizer (LVS). The LVS is a truly practical piece of technology that allows the chest freezer to function properly, even when local electricity supply is unstable. Specifically made for Africa, LG’s latest chest freezer offers efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, an easyto-open handle-less door and

Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics, West Africa Operations, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung, said: “At LG, we understand that durability is just as important as strong performance. The compressor of our new chest freezer, which comes backed by a 10-year warranty, ensures worry-free operation year after year.

G’s model is the first in this product category to offer a compressor with a decade-long

Firms, French Embassy, Others Collaborate On French Education

By Lawrence Amaku HE bond between the T French academic and business community and the Nigerian academia was further strengthened at a recent education fair organised by the Embassy of France in partnership with TrippleLink Global Solutions Limited and Campus France.

The fair was basically for

prospective Nigerian students seeking to pursue university education in France’s universities to meet representatives of some French universities.

Sponsored by French-owned companies such as Lafarge, Bouygues Construction, Total, Airfrance, Accor, Spie and Bolloré, the education fair, entitled ‘Study in France’ Exhibition 2014, which took place recently at the Eko Hotel

and Convention, Victoria Island, Lagos, was conceived as a platform to promote education opportunities in France where education providers and institutions from all over France could directly interact with Nigerian students. The fair enabled Nigerian students to directly seek information about the study opportunities in France.

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Saturday, March 8, 2014

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50 | Saturday, March 8, 2014

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Queue at a filling station in Surulere Lagos on Wednesday

Yakubu

Fuel Scarcity: When Will Nigerians Get Fuel?

By Samson Ezea T a time tongues were wagging over the A missing oil money that was allegedly unaccounted for by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerians were confronted with another round of biting fuel scarcity that has taken a huge toll on the lives of the people nationwide in the last one week plus.

Obviously, the current fuel scarcity in the country is not new to Nigerians; it has become part and parcel of the Nigeria society despite the fact that the country is the highest producer of crude oil in Africa. But happening at a time there is ongoing probe of the activities of NNPC over the missing money has raised more questions than answers. The development has made many Nigerians to insinuate that the current fuel scarcity is an attempt by the government to divert attention from the missing oil money.

Former President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele told The Guardian in exclusive interview that the major cause of the scarcity was the failure of the government to release the 2014 import quota to major marketers.

The major marketers and government are yet to debunk the claim. That brings us to the question: Why the late release or does it mean that government does not know the implications of such delay?

It has also been reported that the delay was due to the bureaucratic bottlenecks in government circle.

Expectedly, the management of the NNPC led by the Group Managing Director (GMD), Andrew Yakubu told the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) on Wednesday in Abuja that fuel scarcity across the country was caused by breaches in the pipelines, which affected its supply network. He said that NNPC has over 20

depots linking the pipelines, but because of the breaches, it had to rely on 1,000 trucks to ferry the product to filling stations.

According to Yakubu, this type of fuel scarcity only occurs when the distribution network is breached, promising, however, that the challenge is temporal as effort is being made to fix the pipeline.

“The best way to distribute fuel is through the pipeline network to our various depots that are all over the country. We have over 20 of them and about 5, 000 kilometres stretch of pipelines and that is the best and the most efficient way to distribute petroleum products. But when they are breached, then you have this kind of challenge.

“Making use of 1,000 kilometres per day to distribute fuel across the country is usually not the best but when we are faced with this situation, then the fall back will be the truck and that should be temporary. As soon as we fix the pipelines, normalcy will be restored,” he said.

The NNPC boss also said in the corporation’s bid to address the security breaches, which usually culminate in fuel crisis, exploration of seven other basins besides the Chad basin is ongoing.

Disclosing that such basins are located in Yola, Dahomey, Bida, Sokoto and three other unnamed places, Yakubu added that the NNPC had already acquired data for the exploration and currently on the sixth phase of the project.

He said: “The projection of a daily crude production of 2.44 million is realistic. However, with the security challenges occasioned by the breaches, we have the capacity but we need additional investment to address the security breaches that we continue to have.

“There are seven other basins apart from the Chad that we are exploring. What we did last year was to acquire the aero magnetic data

from the Geometric Survey Department. We have Yola, Bida, Sokoto, Dahomey and others.

“The main focus now, which was a result of an extensive geological study that was done a couple of years ago is on the Chad basin. The data for the other basins had been acquired and as we progress with the Chad basins - it has 13 phases and we are now in phase six.”

He also attributed low performance by the Chad basin to increasing spate of insurgency in the region, adding that in government’s commitment to address the problem has continued to open up basins for exploration with contracts awarded four years ago.

“The low performance in the Chad basin was as a result of insurgencies in the region.

However, work is progressing in line with government’s aspiration of opening up all known sedimentary basins for exploration. A seismic acquisition contract was awarded in 2010 in respect of Chad basin,” he had added.

He, however, said the agency in collaboration with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Pipeline Products and Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the Pipeline Products and Marketing Company (PPMC) had deployed an ad hoc team to Lagos with the assignment to find lasting solution to the menace.

While expressing hope that beginning from yesterday, the crisis would begin to fizzle out, he said so far, over 1,000 trucks had been dispatched to Lagos and other areas.

“We have a full team right now in Lagos. Last week, the team was in Abuja. We went round the clock to clean it up; to get strategic reserve released to the stations and we are able to reduce the fuel queues. We shifted to Lagos at the weekend and we have injected quite a lot into the Lagos market.

“All the marketers, the DPR, PPRA, NNPC and PPMC have a very strong team out there to

ensure that the deliveries are made. Offshore, we have some vessels that had not been offloaded into the tank farms in Lagos and a lot of supplies have gone into most filling stations.

In the last couple of days, we have close to 1,000 trucks that had been loaded out of the various depots and jetties in Lagos and the entire fuel is being supplied to the various stations in Lagos and beyond.

“As at the close of business on Tuesday, most filling stations in Victoria Island and Ikoyi were dispensing fuel and we expect that other parts of Lagos will be impacted by the increase in the fuel supply strategy that the combined team has been doing. Hopefully by the end of work today (Wednesday), we would begin to see a change in the fuel scarcity situation in Lagos,” he had said. However, NNPC’s claim that the scarcity was caused by breach in network was in contrast with the submission of DPR on Tuesday.

DPR’s Zonal Operations Controller, Aliyu Halidu, equally told the committee during its budget defence that the current fuel scarcity was caused by non-renewal of contracts of some independent marketers who import the product as well as non-payment of subsidy fund to other marketers by the Federal Government.

Despite all the assurances and postures by the management of the Corporation, there were still long queues in most of the filling stations in Lagos as at Thursday evening. Some of the stations that had fuel were selling at between N120 and N130 per litre.

The nauseating experiences of Nigerians in search of fuel in the last one week has once again brought to fore the need for functional refineries in the country, whether private or government-owned. Nigeria’s over dependence on imported petroleum products is a shame on the nation and will continue to dwindle the country’s economy.

After Initial Scarcity, Fuel Supply Improves In Calabar From Anietie Akpan, Calabar the past week, motorists and FeasyOR commuters have not found it moving around as most filling stations were shut down due to the scarcity.

However, the situation has improved tremendously yesterday as the long queues in NNPC and North West Petroleum mega stations had reduced drastically.

Black market operators have taken control of the situation, making brisk business, as they sell a litre of fuel between N250 and N300. Few filling stations like Santos and Tonimas, which had supply, sold for between N140 and N150 per litre.

However, the Calabar situation was worsened when the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory (NNS Victory)

arrested and detained M.T. Diddi vessel, which is suspected to be involved in irregularities in its process of movement of 15,000 tons of premium motor spirit (PMS) products into Calabar.

The Federal High Court 1 in Calabar had last week order the Nigerian Navy to release the vessel and its products, an order Navy defied.

However, top naval sources in Calabar said the product in the vessel was discharged on Wednesday to alleviate the fuel crisis in Calabar, even though the vessel is still being detained.

Moreover, the Navy filed an appeal for a stay of execution on Monday on the order, but no date has been fixed on the matter.

The detention of the vessel for

almost two weeks caused untold hardship to motorists and commuters in Calabar, resulting into queues and black markets sales, which Calabar had not witnessed for a very long time.

Although fuel scarcity is nationwide, Calabar with its peculiar advantage of having supplies from private tank farms, the scarcity would have been averted.

Saturday, March 8, 2014 51

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‘Scarcity Has Brought Untold Hardship On Lives In Rivers’ From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt WO weeks after the Department T of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Port Harcourt assured that the long queues noticed in most filling stations across the state would soon vanish, the situation has rather become worse.

In the State capital, major marketers like the Mobil and Oando filling stations openly sell a litre of fuel between N120 to N130. But irrespective of the hike in price, long queues still persist in such stations thereby causing traffic on roads where the few stations with products are located.

The Guardian’s investigation revealed that the independent marketers sell PMS for between N180 to N200 per litre while the black marketers who wish the situation continues, sell between N300 to N500 per litre. Even women and children were sighted doing the brisk business.

Motorists, who could not afford the product at such exorbitant rate or withstand the long queues, had to park their vehicles thereby paving way for easy traffic in the city capital.

It was however worrisome that no one could ascertain the exact reason for the scarcity and the hike in product price as at the time of filing this report.

Some filling station operators, in an interview, attributed the scarcity to the lingering problem between Petroleum Tankers' Drivers and the Eleme Local Government Task Force on parking space, which forced the drivers to embark on strike while the DPR Zonal Operations Controller in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Oyebuchi Sibeudu, told journalists during an inspection to some stations in the state that there was shortage of supply of petroleum products in the country.

However, some dealers in the city blamed the scarcity on Federal Government’s inability to fix the prices at which petroleum products were purchased at various depots.

Expectedly, the lack of petroleum products in the state has increased the prices of foodstuffs.

A bowl of garri that was formerly sold at N300 is now selling for N350. The same applies to red oil, meat and fish, among others.

Artisans are also taking advantage of the situation: a simple hair style that goes for N700 is now N1000 while a hair-cut that was formerly between N150 and N200,

depending on the quality of the saloon, now goes for between N250 to N500.

Motorists would not want to be at loss as well, as they have increased their transport fares by 30 percent depending on the distance and the route.

For instance, a trip from Emenike Junction, Mile One to garrison junction that was usually N50 is now N70.

Angered by the situation, a lawmaker representing Port Harcourt Constituency I, Victoria Nyeche described the situation as very unfortunate and a deliberate attempt by government to increase the price of PMS.

She said, “I see this fuel scarcity as an artificial crisis as the reasons for the scarcity is not yet clear up till now, and considering a country that produces such vast volume of oil, we are not supposed to be experiencing this fuel crisis; it is disheartening, the situation has really put us in serious hardship.

“Even as I feel for my people, I am also suffering it a lot because I now regulate my movement.

Government needs to wake up to its responsibilities and I hope that the PIB bill will be speedily passed into law because that would go a long way in addressing certain issues, especially in our environment,” she added.

For Mr. Evans Dipriye, “It is unfortunate that we found ourselves in this type of country that is so rich but the citizens are suffering and dying in hunger yet the government is not bothered. Before now, Mile three to Rumuokoro goes for N100, it is now N150.”

Meanwhile, DPR during its inspection two weeks ago, sealed two filling stations in the state for various offences.

The stations shut down include Tonnino Investment Company Limited located on Ada George Road for hoarding fuel and refusing to sell to customers at the approved pump price.

Also affected was Forte Oil located

along the Eastern Bypass, which was sealed off for selling premium motor spirit (petrol) above the approved pump price of N97.

Sibeudu said that the department decided to carry out the surveillance following allegations of sharp practices by marketers.

She explained that the inspection was necessitated to checkmate some petroleum marketers who were determined to take advantage of the fuel scarcity.

She said, “Our intention is not to seal any fuel station, but to insist that they sell with the government approved price and to make sure fuel is available.”

A woman with a baby on her back selling fuel at black market price to a motorist in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday PHOTO: Ann Godwin

More Worries In Gombe, Taraba, As Fuel Scarcity Bites Harder From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo HILE a large percentage of private car owners have decided to park their cars and walk to their respective places of assignments daily due to the ongoing acute fuel shortage, commercial car drivers and operators of tri-circles popularly known as Keke NAPEP in Taraba and Gombe states have been seeking alternative means of livelihood pending when the situation would abate.

The ongoing scarcity of fuel in the two states, The Guardian observed, has increased the hardship being suffered by people as it has crippled business activities. Small-scale industries are worse hit.

According to one of the small-scale industry operators, “we used to blame the Public Holding Company of Nigerian (PHCN) for our inability to perform, but since its privatization, we have witnessed tremendous achievements except now that the federal government is trying to frustrate us.

Though a little improvement in the activi-

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ties of PHCN have been noticed in the states, but the sudden disappearance of fuel has now made it impossible for those using generating sets to support their businesses.

This is because the product is totally out of sight even when people are willing to buy at any amount.

The situation, which has led to almost hundred percent hike in transportation, has now compelled travellers, especially those going for business outside the states to lie low.

Apart from the hike in transportation, prices of foodstuffs and other goods in the various markets have been inflated.

School children are not left out in the hardship. They are now forced to stay back at home due to lack of fuel to convey majority of them to their various schools, which our are several kilometers away from areas of domicile.

Unlike some parts of the country where vehicles are seen in long queues, the reverse is the case in most parts of the two states as

no vehicles are seen in most of filling stations.

One of the commercial drivers who bared his mind to The Guardian on the sad situation in Kaltungo Local Government of Gombe state, expressed sadness that the product “is not available at all.”

According to him, “all our filing stations are empty, so why go to queue there?”

The driver, who gave his name as Bala, wondered why government at the federal level could not continue making available the product. “This is a country where there is no stable policies.”

In most of the mega stations visited, both the fuel attendants and station managers declined comments.

According to Ebuka Uche, a businessman in one of the markets, “the essence of going into business is for one to make profit. What do you expect from us now that the prices of fuel and transportation have gone up? This is the situation that has forced us to increase the price of our goods.”

A civil servant who treks several kilometers to the state secretariat in Taraba state, observed that the situation has not only compelled him to abandon his car, but has also made him and some of his colleagues to lose faith in both the state and federal government.

“Do you know that for the past one week I have being trekking from my house to the office? It is not because I cannot afford the money to fill my tank but because the fuel is not even there at all in our filing stations.

Tell me, what type of government is this?

“You and I know that we are abundantly blessed in this country, but the unfortunate thing is that we lack leaders at both the state and federal government levels that have the good interest of the people at heart. All they are good in is to starch our monies into their foreign account. God will one visit them.”

The fear generally is that, if not timely addressed, the situation may heighten crime rates both in Gombe and Taraba.

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52 Saturday, March 8, 2014

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PIB Holds Ace To Fuel Scarcity From Collins Olayinka, Abuja

deregulation still in place?

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is seen by industry operators as the magic broom that will reposition the oil and gas sector in the right perspective, as there is no room for regulation of the industry when the bill becomes operational. Will the National Assembly seize the momentum by increasing the wheel of legislative process by passing the PIB before expiration of the present Assembly?

Meanwhile, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has introduced an integrated monitoring strategy as parts of step to arrest long queues for fuel in the country.

Diezani Alison-Mmadueke The Abuja Zonal Operations Controller of DPR, Aliyu Halidu, who disclosed this in Abuja said, though queues for fuel have made by successive governments between 1999 and now.”

Omar declared that the Congress believe the government can reduced drastically in the Abuja, the DPR is introducing the do better by immediately bringing supplies of products to its measure to ensure the queues do not return.

Also, he explained that the department is collaborating with normal status because the economy may be halted soon the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Abuja should the scarcity continues.

But industry operators have also accused both the Nigeria Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to raid black marketers who often flood the Abuja city centre once there are Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of double standard. queues at the filling stations.

A source said: “There is no way both NLC and TUC absolve He added that while the incidences of diversion are still a concern, the growing demands for fuel have reduced diversion in themselves of blames in the mess Nigeria has found itself.

First, it sounds good to blame the NNPC for everything that recent weeks.

His words: “While I cannot speak for other zones of the coun- does not work in the sector, because it is now profitable to crittry, the Abuja zone that comprised Lokoja, Nasarawa and icize the NNPC. “In fact, those who also superintended over the governance of Minna plans to introduce an integrated monitoring strategy to ensure there is no diversion within the zone. We intend to the country few years ago and served in government that study the trend and movement of products to track their dis- increased fuel price for about 10 times within a space of eight tribution. Normally, there is diversion when products are in years are now castigating the current government.

“When the government wanted to deregulate and free the secsurplus. But the diversion tends to reduce when supply struggles to meet demands. So, now there is little tendency to divert. tor of corruption, it was the same labour movement that We have teams that have been raised to ensure there is no stopped it. Now they turn around to blame the NNPC for all the ills affecting the sector. diversion throughout this period.”

“It is politics time in Nigeria and therefore, people say things While acknowledging the bourgeoning black marketers phenomenon in Abuja, Halilu highlighted that the DPR will soon to suit their political dispositions. May be after politics of 2015, all Nigerians will sit together and proffer solution to this combegin to raid spot where petrol is sold in containers.

Adhering to its well-known tradition, the Nigeria Labour mon problem. The way it is now Nigerians buy fuel more than Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have flayed they would have bought under deregulated atmosphere. Let the industry unions come out clean on their roles in the corgovernment for inaction over the scarcity.

TUC stated that over the years, workers in the oil and gas sec- ruption that have characterized the oil and gas sector. Whose tor have repeatedly bemoaned the state of the refineries and interest is labour still serving with their hard line posture?

Meanwhile, Industry operators have also called for the speedy called for new ones to be built, but successive administrations passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) saying, the law will have paid deaf ears to the calls.

On his part, the President of NLC, Abdulwahed Omar, accused provide clear-cut policy direction that will once again attracts government of inefficiency, saying, “it is bad enough that our investment back into the downstream of the nation’s oil seccountry have to be importing products it produces, and scan- tor. dalous that government have not been able to fix the rots in the petroleum industry, despite promises publicly Interestingly, it was discovered that many of

By Laolu Adeyemi N Lagos, the residents have been feeling the the people found at various filling stations heat of the prevailing fuel scarcity. Yet, brisk came to buy fuel to power their generators, a had been going on in the black market. situation that highlights epileptic power supPremium Motor Spirit (PMS) was sold at an ply in the country. per litre when there is product to sell. Getting exorbitant price by black marketers who Speaking with one who identified himself as the product from these stations, however, is Elijah and a resident of Ijegun, he said he was managed to buy through the back door. often a problem as car owners have to stay in tired of a country where basic things of life are When the Guardian visited different fuel stalong queues just to get petrol. The stations, tions in Lagos, it was gathered that some few still a problem. “We have oil, yet we are still sufhowever, as much as possible, try to maintain filling stations were hoarding their supply, fering. No, light, no power, no fuel. Tell me, orderliness,and avoid selling in jerry cans to preferring to sell to black marketers at an what else can a country provide for her citiblack marketers, at least during the day. zens?” exorbitant price.

The Guardian, however, learnt that some staDisappointingly, commercial buses and pri- To another person who gave his name as tions move the product with jerry cans durvate car owners who needed fuel had no Gabriel, “Nigeria is just a country without ing night to black marketers, who sell option than to buy from black marketers at vision, since we still suffer fuel scarcity. When between N180 to N190 per litre to end users. an unreasonable amount, and commuters last did we hear that in any part of the world? I Mr.Tony Ikechukwu told The Guardian on think we are not just serious,” he lamented. had to pay through their nose.

Thursday that he spent N5000 between At Igando, Ikotun, Ijegun, Isheri, Idimu, Another man who preferred anonymity said Monday and Wednesday to fuel his Mercedes Egbeda Iyana Ipaja and some other areas of that constant availability of fuel was the only Benz car to enable him go to work at Oji River Lagos State, a litre of petrol was being sold good story that could be credited to the curfrom Enugu city, adding that he decided to between N110 and N130 per litre as at the time rent administration, and if it fails in this area, queue at NNPC mega station in Emene on there would be nothing for it to point to. of filing this report.

Thursday, as he could no longer continue to Despite the sanctions placed on about 27 fill- Papa Sodik told The Guardian how he was pay such an amount on fuel from his meagre ing stations by Department of Petroleum forced to buy 20 litres of petrol at N3000, all salary.

Resources (DPR) during the week, it was also because he was traveling. He lamented that “ I decided not to go to work today to see discovered that a few filling stations that had this country is in a shambles if nothing is done where I can get fuel,” he said.” On Monday, I fuel in Lagos still hoarded it, selling mainly to urgently to check all the ugly trends. “I don’t spent N3000 to buy fuel at N150 per litre. On people buying with kegs and motorcycle know what else we can enjoy at citizens,” he Wednesday, I bought another N2000 worth said. (okada) riders. of petrol. But this time, I was lucky to buy at Waleola Filling Station on Liasu Road sold a John, a mechanic said he had been paying N140 per litre. The ugly thing here is that litre at N130 during the week while Omolade, N200 as fare from his house to Iyana-Ipaja, an even when you buy this much, you are not along Governor Road in Ikotun sold a litre at amount he claimed doubled the original fare. likely to get the right quantity from the fuel Another simply said, “What is there that needN120. pumps. I cannot continue this way. After all, Along LASU-Igando Road, vehicles queued ed to be said that has not been said about good how much is my salary? up at different filling stations even when governance? Please, just tell government to do “I left my house as early as 5:30am, it is now nothing was being sold. Dapsey filling station the needful and stop politicking.”

10:09am and I am yet to get the product.I will along the route sold mostly to people with It was noticed that darkness characterised the continue to wait until I get.” kegs. Along Ijegun, one filling station at Lagos environment at this period as the public Another resident, Mrs. Joy Ugwu,who stays at Prince Bus Stop sold for N120 per litre during power supply was epileptic and the option of Gariki, said she works at Emene. For five days providing power through generating sets was the week. she parked her car to join commercial buses. difficult as fuel scarcity hit the land.

ROM West to East, North to the South where oil is drilled, the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol hovers between N110 and N175 per litre.

Perhaps the only city where petrol is sold for N97 per litre is Abuja, the seat of power even that comes with queue for many hours.

The reality of price of petrol is the urgent need to revisit deregulation as a policy.

While the labour and its allies in the civil society have insisted that deregulation must be in place, events have shown that Nigeria loses more in terms of investment inflow into the downstream sector of the oil and gas sector.

Various reasons, which have been advanced for the present fuel scarcity include push by the marketers for an improved margin, delay in the approval of importation of petrol by marketers, delay in the payment of subsidy claims among others.

However, The Guardian gathered in Abuja that there is disquiet among stakeholders as worry continues to mount on the level of sharp practices that the present deregulation regime has foisted on the country.

Indeed, the position of labour on deregulation has elicited more questions on the real motive of labour. Presently, there is no rural area in Nigeria where petroleum products are sold at the deregulated prices even in peace time. If petrol is not sold to the poor masses at the regulated price, in whose interest is

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Pains Of Lagos Residents Over Fuel Scarcity

Mark

Fuel Scarcity Takes Toll On Enugu Residents From Lawrence Njoku(Enugu) IKE other states of the federation,Enugu is Linconveniences not speared of the hardship and other associated with the current scarcity of fuel as residents, motorists and businesses have adversely felt the impact.

In the last two weeks, petrol stations that have the commodity have been experiencing unusual long queues.

From the regulated pump price of N97 per litre, the price has suddenly jumped to N150 in the few petrol stations that the product exist.

The situation has, however, affected transport fares, as transporters have increased transport price by 50 per cent. Inside the city, a bus trip that used to go for N50 has risen to N80 and above.

Several commuters were seen at bus stops waiting for the few available buses during the week.

Some car owners who could not afford the new rate of petrol price abandoned their vehicles at home to walk or take public transport to their destinations.

Also, while some school children now walk to school, others queue at bus stops for a long time to wait for few available buses.

The cost of doing business in Enugu is not spared; it has risen dramatically.

Therefore,Consumers now pay higher prices for goods and services to “help” business operators defray cost of buying petrol to service generators for business.

But NNPC mega stations and other major marketers sell at the regulated price of N97

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Saturday, March 8, 2014 53

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture Empowerment Creative Writing Workshop…

Catching Them Young In Warri

Students at work during the Empowerment Creative Writing Workshop… in Warri, Delta State

By Anote Ajeluorou HEN Associate Professor of Literature at Texas State University, U.S., Dr. Ogaga Iwofodo conceived the idea of organising Empowerment Creative Writing Workshop for secondary school students in Warri, Delta State, his aim was to stimulate the minds of the young participants towards expressing themselves creatively the way poetry and fiction allows. He had his own poetic epiphany that way back in the 1980s at Federal Government College, Warri. Today, he’s an awardwinning poet, as a result.

So, he’d stated simply, as his objective, “ While a workshop may not match the amnesty programme through which the federal government has tried to palliate the youths of the Niger Delta, the hope is that it will emphasise and help inculcate an important skill for sublimating feelings of anger and frustration into an aesthetically and socially productive form of art.

“Through the habit of keen observation and deep reflection on their society in order to write about their experiences (personal or imagined), the participants will be encouraged to appreciate the value of self-expression by way of the cultivation of good writing skills, especially as such skills need not be limited to creative writing but can also lead to careers in journalism (print or electronic, including blogging) and in the public relations and technical communication departments of corporations”.

Vexed by inability of leaders in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole to effect positive changes in the fortunes of his people, Ifowodo had sourced for a small grant from International Institute of Education, U.S., with support from Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to hold the workshop. Now, Ifowodo is already exploring avenues of collaboration with other supporters of youth talent to take the workshop to other parts of Delta and beyond so as to spread its enriching knowledge.

But little did the Texas State University, U.S. don realise just how close he’d actually instinctively touched the core yearnings of these young ones.

And as each student stood up to state why they’d volunteered to participate in the workshop at

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Morgan Smart Women and Y o u t h Empowerment Resource Centre, Oki Street, Okere, Warri, it was apparent that Ifowodo’s mission couldn’t have been more timely.

The students said they enjoyed reading novels and books and wanted to also write and express themselves. In so doing would they better grasp their world, they each argued. Moreover, they wanted to be better writers and users of the language of communication – English – and no better opportunity existed than the one the workshop offered. On and on they expressed their individual enthusiasm for making a better start by equipping themselves for the exciting world of writing.

Ifowodo nodded and keenly felt the more the burden he’d put on himself. But the lawyer-turned-literary don and poet wasn’t only aware of the enormity of the task before him, he was ready to also discharge it admirably.

Not even the dampener of the usual inability of top government functionaries (this time the Hon. Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha, himself a writer) to turn up for the workshop opening, an event that would have further stimulated and challenged the 20 selected students to aspire more, mattered after all. The students’ overall performance at the workshop was a study in youth thirst for knowledge that is ever so lacking in environments where education commissioners treat young people with disdain. Not even Eghagha’s counterpart in Basic and Secondary education sec-

tion, Prof.

Patrick Muoghare, showed up for the closing either. But the three female staff at Warri South Education office were uncommonly efficient in coordination that ensured a hitch-free 3-day event.

Two students came from each participating school, including Oghior Secondary School, Ekete Secondary School, Ogbe-Udu Secondary School, Urhobo College, Army Day Secondary School, Ugborikoko Secondary School and Federal Government College. Others were Hussey Boys Model College, Nana Girls Model College and Delta Secondary School.

TARTING with poetry, a genre he has won prizes, Ifowodo took the students through its Srudiments and highlighted the importance of the language of communication – English in Nigeria – as a tool to master first before any meaningful writing could take place. With the simple rhyming poem: Two and two Are rather blue Ifowodo unfolded before them elements of poetry and how the genre works. He used JP Clark’s ‘Ibadan’, Christopher Okogbo’s ‘Watermaid’ and Gabriel Okara’s ‘One Night at Victoria Beach’ as examples and teaching texts.

The students were greatly inspired as they discussed, argued, asked and answered questions freely. From poetry, the discussion moved to fic-

tion the next day, with the short story as starter. As in poetry, Ifowodo explained elements of fiction with ample examples and they studied two texts – Wole Soyinka’s Ake: The Years of Childhood and Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes. They are two texts that deal with childhood and school experiences. The students found the texts exciting, as they deal with experiences within their age range.

Students were asked to write a short story about any memorable experience they remembered in their childhood, as workshop assignment. In about an hour they turned in stories that amazed workshop facilitator, Ifowodo. The stories were reviewed together, which the students did with keen interest; it showed their eagerness to learn.

On the third day, Friday, February 28, the participating students received certificates and three impactful books capable of transforming their raw talent into prodigious ones: The Art of the Poetic Line by James Longenback, Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott and the classic, The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. Ifowodo had a roundtable with five of the English and Literature teachers, who exposed the rot in the school system to the facilitator’s amazement.

At the presentation, English and Literature teachers and some schools’ principals were in attendance, including Warri South Chief Inspector of Education, Mr. Mike E. Emeshili, who advised the students to take advantage of the workshop to horn their skills as writers. He also advised them against the use of pidgin, as it had “no place in our education system. You should impact your society with the training you’ve received here from the professor”.

While commenting on the performance of the students after the workshop and his over all impression, Ifowodo lamented, “My observation is that our students are being so poorly served. They are very eager, very keen to learn. But they haven’t had the best preparation. They are focused. In such a short time, they learnt so much and gave back so much. If back in their schools they have resources, they will do far better. But I’m encouraged. If they don’t let the spirit of the workshop die, they will go far.

“We all know that things are bad, and some governments like Delta State’s are trying to do something. Having good infrastructure, the atmosphere should give a sense of seriousness. But the software – books, teachers, revised curriculum that help solve 21st century problem – are lacking. Some students who came for creative writing workshop said they don’t have English teacher for two years.

Some in secondary schools don’t know the alphabets; it’s so shocking you are agape. You don’t know where to start.

“But sporadic interventions like this alone cannot solve all the problems. Education is number one priority of any nation looking to advance. We’re in dire straits in the use of English language in Nigeria. Students literally transliterate from poorly understood spoken English or mother tongue to English. They don’t have a grasp of the basic elements of English language; it’s a sorry situation. We all have to be advocates in our communities to make things work!”

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Saturday, March 8, 2014 55

a

Change of Name ABAYOMI: I, formerly known as Miss Fatima Olabisi Abayomi now addressed as Mrs. Fatima Olabisi Kuku. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

ABBA: Formerly Abba Cecelia Ogwa now Mrs. Achanya Cecelia Ogwa.

Former documents valid. Public note.

ABEREAGBE: Formerly Miss Abereagbe Oluwatoyin Christhy now Mrs Okeowo Oluwatoyin Christy.

Documents valid. Public note.

ABOAJA: Formerly Miss Aboaja Oluchi now Mrs. Ojinta Peter Oluchi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ABOLAJI: Formerly Miss Iyabo Abolaji now Mrs Iyabo Botiromi. Former document valid. Public note ADABA: Formerly Miss Adaba Sandra Chibuzor now Mrs Emenike Sandra Chibuzor. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADAKOMOLA: I, formerly known, called and addressed as Adakomola Oyindamola Ijeoma Valentina now wish to be addressed, known and called Martins Oyindamola Ijeoma Valentina. All documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADEBANJO: Formerly Miss Adebusola Adebanjo, now Mrs Adebusola Adeyemi. Former documents valid. Public note.

ADEDAYO: Formerly Miss Adedayo Lydia Oyegun now Mr.s Adedayo Lydia Oladapo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEDIGBA: Formerly Miss Adejumoke Adedigba, now Mrs Adejumoke Benson. Former documents valid. Public note.

ADEGBAJU: Formerly Miss Omolara Esther Adegbaju; now Mrs Omolara Esther Johnson. Former documents valid. Public note.E

Mrs. Okhiria Olasumbo Adewunmi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADELEKAN: I, formerly known as Miss Adedoyin Adelekan which is also Miss Adedoyin Bethel Adelekan now wish to be known as Mrs. Adedoyin Bethel Adeboyeje. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEMOSU: Formerly Miss Folake Sikirat Ademosu now Mrs. Afolake Ajoke Kuku. All documents remain valid.

General public note.

ADEOGUN: Formerly Miss Adeogun Temitope Christianah now Mrs Subuloye Temitope Christianah.

Documents valid. Public note.

ADEOTI: Formerly Miss Adeoti Mosunmola Theresa, now Mrs Binde Mosunmola Theresa .

Former documents remain valid . Public note.

ADERHAMAN: Former Aderhaman Lateef Oriyomi now Abdurahman Abdulateef Oriyomi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADESANYA: formerly Miss Olusola Chizaram Adesanya,now Mrs Olusola Chizaram Adetayo.

Former documents valid. Public note.

ADESANYA: Formerly Miss Adesanya Toyin Olayinka now Mrs Okeke Toyin Olayinka.

Former documents valid. Public note.

ADESIDA: Formerly Adesida Kudi Bukky now Mrs. Ekeremor Kudi Bukky. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Oluwaseun now Mrs. Iyanda Kafilat Oluwaseun.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AFOLABI: Formerly Miss Grace Funmilola Afolabi now Mrs. Grace Funmilola Akosile. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AGBEDETSE: Formerly Miss Agbedetse Esimaje Ruth now Mrs. Erinle Esimaje Ruth. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AGHATISE: Formerly Miss Osayimwense Evita Aghatise, now Mrs Osayimwense Evita Ifinedo.

Former documents remains valid. Public note.

AGUORU: Formerly Miss Ngozi Theresa Aguoru Now Mrs Odoemelam Theresa Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. Local Government Service Commission, Abia State, public note.

AGUTA: Formerly Aguta Uchechi Ihuoma now Nzeka Uchechi Ihuoma.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AGU: Formerly Miss Agu Genevive Chinwendu now Mrs. Benneth Genevive Chinewndu.

Former documents remain valid. Imo Poly, NYSC, general public note.

AGWU: Formerly Miss Agwu Chinedu Divinegift, now Mrs Olive Ibeabuchi Chinedum.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADETORO: Formerly Miss Adetoro Rebecca Remilekun now Mrs. James Rebecca Remilekun. Former documents valid. Public note.

AIGBIMHANLU: Formerly Miss Aigbimhanlu Victoria now Mrs Awi Victoria. Former Documents valid.

Public note.

AJAYI: Formerly Miss Oluwaseun Noimat Ajayi, now Mrs Oluwaseun Noimat Ishola. Former documents valid. Public note.

ADEWALE: Formerly Adewale Borode Temitope now Opeyemi Borode Temitope. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AJEDE: Formerly Miss Ajede Oluwabusayo Adijat now Mrs. Adeoye Oluwabusayo Adijat.

Documents valid. Public note.

ADISA: Formerly, Miss Temitope Abiodun Adisa now Mrs. Temitope Abiodun Afegbah. All former documents remain valid.

Public note

AJEWOLE: Formerly Miss Karis Yemi Ajewole now Mrs. Karis Yemi Attah.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AJIBOYE: Formerly Miss Ajiboye Shakirat Opeyemi now Mrs Ajiboye-Adisa Shakirat Opeyemi Former document valid. Public note.

ADEGOROYE: Formerly Miss Adegoroye Temitayo now Mrs. Adeyemo Temitayo. Former documents valid. Public note.

ADESIYAN: Former Miss Felicia Ademidun Adesiyan now wish to be addressed as Mrs Felicia Ademidun Anjorin. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADISA: Formerly Adisa Adeniran Folake now Mrs. Adeniran Foloshade Folade. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEJUMO: Former Adejumo Olasumbo A. now

ADEYEMI: Adeyemi

Formerly Kafilat

AKAM: Formerly Miss Akam Nde Ruth now Mrs. Egweni Nde Ruth.

Former documents re-

Public note.

main valid. Hygeia Julius Berger Nigeria.

Public note.

now Mrs Cecilia Denis Ife. Former Documents valid. Public note.

AKAN: Formerly Miss Tiumo Etim Akan now Mrs. Tiumo Praise Mcbassy. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKUBA: Formerly Akuba Onyinyechi Genevieve now Mrs. Nwana Onyinyechi Genevieve.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKASILI: Formerly Miss Akasili Obiajulu Audrey now Mrs. Daniel Aniekan Obiajulu Audrey. Former documents valid. Combine Energy Technical Solutions and GTBank take note.

ALEGBE: Formerly Ruth Osuare Alegbe now Ruth Osuare Dimowo.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANOPUEME: Formerly Miss Anopueme Emmanuella Ezinne now Mrs Aniekwuna Emmanuella Ezinne. Former documents valid.

NYSC, public note.

ALEWI: Formerly Miss Abimbola Elizabeth Alewi now Mrs. Abimbola Elizabeth Fasoranti.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANUMBA: Formerly Miss Anumba Nneka Blessing, now Mrs Oholu Nneka Blessing.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINLADE: Formerly Miss Akinlade Mojisola Olamide now Mrs Olusunmade Mojisola Olamide. Former documents remian valid.

Public note.

AKINNAWO: Formerly Miss Oluwatoyin Abiola Akinnawo now Mrs. Abiola Oluwatoyin Awoyemi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKINOSHO: Formerly Miss Oladoyin Saudat Akinosho now Mrs. Oladoyin Saudat Gbagba. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKINSANYA: Former Miss Akinsanya Adejumoke Tawakalitu now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Olutayo Adejumoke Tawakalitu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINTADE: Formerly Miss Akintade Olubunmi Opeoluwa now Mrs Oyesile Olubunmi Opeoluwa. Documents valid. Public note.

AKINWALE: Formerly Miss Akinwale Bolanle Basirat now Mrs Odedina Bolanle Basirat. Documents valid. Public note.

AKINYEMI: Formerly known as Akinyemi Olaide Fatima wish to be known and addressed as ImonicheBenson Olaide Faith. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

AKINYEMI: Formerly Miss Itunu Ibilola Akinyemi, now Mrs Itunu Ibilola Durosinmi-Etti. Former documents valid. Public note.

AKPAN: Formerly Miss Agnes Monday Akpan now Mrs. Agnes Akan Otong. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKPAN: Formerly Miss Cecilia Umoren Akpan

ALUFE: I, formerly known as Miss Elizabeth Nkem Alufe now ro be known as Mrs. Elizabeth Nkem Akonafua. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Capital Territory Service Commission & general public note.

AMAGA: Formerly Miss Amaga Chioma Happiness, now Mrs Nweke Happiness. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AMESI: Formerly Miss Amesi Precious now Mrs. Precious Wada. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANENE: Formerly Anene Onyinye now Mrs. Biose Stephanie Onyinye. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANIH: Formerly Miss Anih Charity Chiebonam now Mrs. Ezeonyeka Charity Chiebonam.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANI: Formerly known as Dr. Miss Nneoma Kwemtochukwu Ani now wish to be known as Dr. Mrs. Nneoma Kwemtochukwu Okechukwu. All former documents remain valid. MDCN, UNTH, general public take note.

ANI: Formerly Miss Peace Ukamaka Ani now Mrs Peace Enyidede Ugochukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANI: Formerly Ani Sandra Adaeze now Ukawuba Sandra Adaeze. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANIUKWU: Formerly Miss Aniukwu Ngozi Maryrose now Mrs Ojukwu Ngozi Maryrose. Former documents remain valid.

ANIMOKE: Formerly Miss Animoke Amoge Emilia, now Mrs Eze Amoge Emilia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANUNIRU: Formerly Miss Oluebube Nwamaka Anuniru now Mrs. Oluebube Nwamaka Akah, Former documents remain valid. Public note ANURADHA: Former Anuradha now Anuradha Dhawan. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANYIAM: Formerly Miss Ijeoma Onyinyechi Anyiam now known as Mrs. Ijeoma Onyinyechi Maduakolami. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AP EH: Formerly Apeh Isaac Godwin now Apeh Ishaq Godwin. Documents valid. Nigerian Police Force, public note.

APUAMAGA: Formerly Miss. Christiana Glory Apuamaga now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Christiana Glory Okereafor. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

ASAKE: Formerly Miss Asake Opeyemi Faderera now Mrs. Ayoola Opeyemi Faderera. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ATTE: Formerly Miss Atte Enun Ukweni now Mrs Umera Atte Enun.

Former document remain valid. Public note.

AYONUGA: Formerly Miss Ayonuga Oluwaseun Kafilat now Mrs Aluko Oluwaseun Kafilat.

Documents valid. Ogun Tescom, public note.

AZIE: Formerly Miss Azie Chidubem Onyinye now Mrs Ekwunife Chidubem Azie.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BABABUNMI: Formerly Miss Bababunmi Toluwalope Mary now Mrs Okusanya Toluwalope Mary. Documents

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

56 Saturday, March 8, 2014

Change of Name valid. NYSC, public note.

BABALOLA: Formerly Miss Ololade Omowunmi Babalola now Mrs. Ololade Omowunmi Akinrinde.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BALOGUN: Formerly Miss Yetunde Adebike Balogun now Mrs. Yetunde Adebike Imeokparia.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BANWO: Former Miss Olayemi Esther Banwo now Mrs. Olayemi Esther Lawal. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BELLO: I, formerly Miss Bello Aminat Omolola now known as Mrs. Adisa Aminat Omolola.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC, general public take note.

BELGORE: Formerly Miss Nofisat O. Belgore now Mrs. Nofisat O. Ajia.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BIERE: Formerly Miss Biere Chinenye Celine now Mrs. Nnaka Chinenye Celine Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BOLARINWA: Formerly Miss Bolarinwa Adebanke Olusola now Mrs Omolade Adebanke Olusola.

Documents valid. Public note.

BURI: Formerly Buri Batanani now Zubair Alabi Fatai. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

CHIKE: Formerly Nneoma Victoria Chike now Mrs. Nneoma Victoria Chiemela. Former documents valid. Public note.

CHUKWU: Formerly Miss Chukwu Anthonia Chinaza, now Mrs Okechukwu Anthonia Chinaza. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: ADO: The same person bearing Ado Ronnie Amechi and Ado Ronnie Ronald, that my correct full names are Ado, Ronnie, Ronald Amechi. Documents remain valid. Public note.

DADA: Formerly Miss Dada Oluwatosin Alice, now Mrs Akinjishe Oluwatosin Alice. Former documents valid.

Public note.

DIKE: Formerly Miss Dike Faith Ogechi now Mrs Orji Faith Ogechi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

DIKE: Formerly Miss Joy Abiewense Dike now Mrs. Joy Abiemwense Andrew-Ibe. All documents remain valid.

General public note.

DURUOLUOMA: Formerly Miss Chinelo Vivian Duruoluoma, now Mrs Chinelo Vivian Attamah. Former documents remain valid. public note.

EBELECHUKWU: Formerly Mrs. Obinwa Ebelechukwu Justina now Mrs. Obinwa Ebele Justina. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EBERE: Formerly Miss Ebere Esther now Mrs Esther Kenneth Ohuoba.

Former document remain valid. Public take note.

EBHALEME: Formerly Miss Evelyn Omonigho Ebhaleme now Mrs. Evelyn Omonigho Ijiekhuamhen. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ECHEFU: Formerly Miss Echefu Chioma Maria now Mrs Nnaji Chioma Maria. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note.

ECHEFU: Formerly Miss Echefu Maryrose Chinenye now Mrs Odu Maryrose Chinenye. Former document valid.

NYSC, public note.

ECHEIJA: Formerly Dorcas Echeija now Dorcas Obi. All documents remain valid. Public note.

EGBOKA: Formerly Egboka Ujunwa Miracle now Mrs. Osigwe Ujunwa Miracle. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EGUNWALE: Formerly Mr Egunwale Fiyinfoluwa Cornelius now Mr Oluwale Fiyinfoluwa Cornelius. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

EJOKWU: Formerly Miss Maureen Nkem Ejokwu now Mrs. Maureen Smart Okafor. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EKE: Formerly Miss Eke Esther Agnes now Mrs Kasim Esther Agnes. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EKUNDAYO: Former Mrs. Flora Onome Oyorwie Ekundayo now Miss Flora Onome Oyorwie Omosevwerha. Public note.

EKWELEM: Formerly Ekwelem Chioma Theresa now Mrs. Nwaneri Chioma Theresa. All for-

mer documents remain valid. General public note.

EKWELUNDU: Formerly Miss Ekwelundu Ogochukwu Miriam now Mrs Muonwe Ogochukwu Miriam.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ELEAZU: Formerly Miss Nwanyibeke Nkechi Alice Eleazu, now Mrs Nwanyibeke Nkechi Alice Okonkwo. Former documents valid. Public note.

ELECHI: Formerly Miss Queen Elechi now wish to be addressed as Mrs Queen Elemchukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note ELEWA-IKPAKWU: Formerly Ngozi Elewa-Ikpakwu now Mrs. Ngozi Levious Ngerebara. Former documents remain valid. Rivers State University of Science and Technology, University of Sterling, Shell Petroleum Development Company and public note.

EMEGWAMUO: Formerly Emegwamuo Rita Nonyelum now Mrs. Anachebe Rita Nonyelum. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EMMANUEL: Former Miss Emmanuel Comfort Idongesit now Mrs. Samuel Comfort Idongesit. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ENAHORO: Formerly Enahoro Akhigbe now Enaholo Akhigbe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Achuama Chinyere Juliana. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EZEKWE: Formerly Miss Ezekwe Vivian Chinomso now Mrs. Maduekeh Vivian Chinomso. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EZEANYAGU: Formerly Miss Ezeanyagu Juliet Munachi now Miss Mba Juliet Munachi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FAMILUSI: Formerly Miss Familusi Olufunke Olubunmi now Mrs Aregbeyen Olufunke Olubunmi. Documents valid. Public note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME: NWAYOTALU: We, formerly Mr Kevin Sunday Onwudinjo Nwayotalu, Lilian Ndidi Nwayotalu, Calistus Chukwujekwu Nwayotalu, Nwanneka P. M. Nwayotalu, now known as Nze Kevin Sunday Onwudinjo, Lilian Ndidi Onwudinjo, Calistus Chukwujekwu Onwudinjo, Nwanneka P. M. Onwudinjo.

Former documents valid. Public take note.

FAWUNMI: Formerly Fawunmi Olusola Oyedele now Afolayan Joshua Olusola Oyedele.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

GABRIEL-ALASE: Formerly Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ayoola Gabriel-Alase now Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ayoola Alase. All former documents remain valid.

OOU Ago-Iwoye, LASU Ojo, NYSC, Embassies and public to note.

ENE: Formerly Miss Ngozi Sussana Ene, now Mrs Ngozi Sussana Asimonye. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

GABRIEL-ALASE: Formerly Ayorinde Daniel Gabriel-Alase now Ayorinde Daniel Alase. All former documents remain valid. WAEC, NECO and public note.

ENENEHI: Formerly Miss Augustina Happiness Enenehi now Mrs. Augustina Happiness Olatunji. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

GARBA: Former Safiya Garba Ndama now Safiya Nadama Sama.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ENWELIKU: Formerly Miss Eunice Nkechi Enweliku now wish to be known as Mrs. Eunice Nkechi Ajayi. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

GEORGE: Formerly Miss George Stella Uloma now Mrs Nwabugwu Stella Uloma. Former documents valid. Public note.

ENWEREM: Formerly Miss Enwerem Sophia Chioma Now Mrs Chukwudebelu Sophia Chioma. All documents remain valid. NYSC and public notice.

GODSON: I, formerly known as Nwachukwu Chukwuemeka Godson, now wish to be known as Nwachukwu Chukwuemeka Ezeikpe. All former documents remain valid. University of Calabar and public note.

EKWUOGO: Formerly Miss Chinyere Juliana Ekwuogo, now Mrs

GILBERT: Formerly Miss.

Arumno Ideki Gilbert now wish to be ad-

dressed as Mrs Arumno Ideki Goodnews Ighirigir. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

IBRAHIM: Formerly Miss Ibrahim Kehinde Adedoyin now Mrs. Oladimeji Sikirat Kehinde. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC and public note.

IFARAJIMI: Former Ifarajimi Stephen Oluwakoya is now Oluwafemi Stephen Oluwakoya. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IFEANYICHUKWU: Formerly Ifeanyichukwu Owerre now Thompson Ogaraya. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IGBEKELE: Formerly Igbekele Augustine now Akindumusire Kola Austine. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IGWE: I, former Miss Patricia Diro Igwe now wish to be Mrs Patricia Diro Lebari All former documents remain valid. Public note.

IHEZIE: Formerly Miss Mary Chisara Ihezie now Mrs. Beatrice Chisara Orioha. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IJEOMA: Formerly Ms Chinwendu Ugochi Ijeoma now Mrs. Chinwendu Ugochi Ehibudu.

Former documents valid. Sanofi Nigeria Limited, Imo State University, University of Ibadan and public note.

IKECHUKWU: Formerly Miss Ikechukwu Irene .O. now Mrs Emmanuel Irene Okeh. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IKE: Formerly Miss Ike Sandra Ifeoma, now Mrs Udenta Stanley Sandra. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC, Public note.

IKEOGU: F o r merly Miss Ikeogu Blessing Chioma, now Mrs Nwana Blessing Chioma. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IKWULEGBU: Formerly Miss Joy Chizaram Ikwulegbu now Mrs. Uchechukwu Joy Chizaram. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ILODIGWE: Formerly Miss Nduka Uchenna Ukamaka or Ilodigwe U c h e n n a Ukamaka now Mrs Obumneke Uchenna Ukamaka. Former docu-

ments remain valid.

Public note.

ILOUNO: Formerly Miss Ilouno Ogochukwu Maryann now Mrs Ogbonnaya Sunday Ogochukwu Maryann.

Former documents valid. Public note.

ILUPEJU: Formerly Miss Ilupeju Morohunmubo Ayanlekan now addressed as Mrs. Abikoye Morohunmubo Feyishayo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

INAM: Formerly Miss Uwem Mfon Inam now Bar (Mrs.) Uwem Akanimo Okure. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

INAM: Formerly Miss Ofonime Mfon Inam now Mrs. Ofonime Kufre Ukpong-Udo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IROKA: Formerly Miss Iroka Grace now Mrs Chibunna Grace. Former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

ISANG: Formerly Miss Rita Dominic Isang now Mrs. Rita Idongesit George. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IWUCHUKWU: Formerly Fidelis Iwuchukwu now to be addressed as Fidelis Ekechukwu. Public note.

JACOB: Formerly Miss Jenny Jacob, now Mrs Jenny Adegboye. Former documents valid.

Public note.

JAMES: Formerly James Nwaobilor now Mr Nwankwo James Obilom. Former document valid. Abia-Poly, public note.

JIMOH: Formerly Miss Jimoh Faith Subedetu now Mrs Mohammed Faith Subedetu. Former documents remain valid Public note.

JOHN: Formerly Miss.

Margaret Ntong John now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Margaret Emem Saminyang.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

KALU: Formerly Miss Uzoma Uduma Kalu now Mrs Uzoma Uduma Olua. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

KAPPO: Former Miss Kappo Shakirat Oluwatoyin now Mrs. Smith Shakirat Oluwatoyin.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 8, 2014 57

Change of Name KAYODE: Formerly Kayode Eyiseye Glory now Mrs. Osayi Eyiseye Glory.

Former documents remain valid Public note.

KRISHANSH: Former Krishansh now Krishansh Dhawan. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

KUKU: Formerly Kuku Basirat Oluwafunmilayo now Kuku-Kasim Baseerah Oluwafunmilayo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

KUTELU: I, formerly Miss Tomilola Mosunmola Kutelu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tomilola Mosunmola Kolawole Fayemi.

Former documents remain valid. Lagos State Ministry of Education and general public take note.

LAWAL: Formerly Miss Gloria Oluwabunmi Micheal now Mrs. Lawal Oluwabunmi Gloria.

Former documents remain valid. African Prudential Registrars Plc, public note.

LAWAL: Formerly Miss Lawal Sherifat Bolanle now Mrs. Ojo Sherifat Bolanle. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

LAWANSON: Formerly Miss Lawanson Omolola Modupe, now Mrs Ugwumba Omolola Modupe. Former documents valid. Public note.

LAWSON: Former Miss Edith Temitope Lawson now Mrs. Edith Temitope Oluwaseun Lawson-Abimbola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

LINDA: Formerly Mrs Linda Uloma Alamina now wish to be addressed as Mrs Annie Uloma Alamina. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

MABAYOJE-BALI: I, formerly known and addressed as Mabayoje-Bali Olabisi Comfort now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinlabi Olabisi Comfort. All documents remain valid. General public note.

MADUEKE: Formerly Miss Ifeyinwa Chinelo Madueke, now Mrs Ifeyinwa Chinelo Okosodo.

Former documents valid. Public note.

MARCUS: Formerly Miss Christiana Marcus now wish to be addressed as Mrs Christiana Ese Akidon Former documents remain valid. General

public note.

MARTHINS: Formerly Miss Martins Taiwo Adesola now Mrs. Okunola Taiwo Adesola.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MBELEDE: Formerly Stephanie Chimamaka Mbelede now Stephanie Chimamaka Osegbe.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MEGBOWON: I, former Miss Megbowon Olufunke Elizabeth now wish to be known as Mrs. Yaya Olufunke Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MENDIE: Formerly Margaret Mendie now Margaret Mendie-Sawyerr.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MESELE: Formerly Mrs. Sarah Bosede Mesele now Mrs. Sarah Jesulolami Aladeloba. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

METIBEMU: Formerly Metibemu Amuwa Grace now Mrs Olusegun Amuwa Grace. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MICHAEL: Formerly Miss Courage Chinwe Michael now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Courage Lekpa David.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

MICHAEL: Formerly Miss Mary Ene Michael, now Mrs Mary Ene Gbenga-Wins. Former documents valid. Public note.

MOMOH: Formerly Miss Florence Oghiosomi .O. Momoh now wish to be addressed Mrs Florence Oghiosomi Moses Ofugar Oghieakhe. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

MORTUNE: Formerly Miss Mortune Obianuju Pamela, now Mrs Okafor Obianuju Pamela. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NASIRU: Formerly Miss Nasiru Kafayat Folasade now Mrs. Okunlola Kafayat Folasade. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, public note.

NDIDI: Formerly Miss Maryjuan Nkemuamuna Ndidi now known as Mrs. Maryjuan Nkemuamuna Asieru. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

NDUDIM: Former Miss Ndudim Chinasaokwu Ann now Mrs. Akande Chinasaokwu Ann. Former documents remain valid. Nigerian Police Force and public note.

NKEONYE: Former Nkeonye Ijeoma Innocentia now known as Mrs. Onuchukwu Ijeoma Innocentia. All documents remain valid. General public note.

NNOLI: Formerly Miss Ngozi Chizube Nnoli, now Mrs Ngozi Chizube Nkpa. Former documents valid. Public note.

NNOROM: Formerly Miss Nnorom Uchenna Oluchukwu now wish to be addressed as Mrs Adeniji Uchenna Oluchukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public note NWABUNIKE: F o r merly Miss Nwabunike Nkiruka Chika, now Mrs Arinze Nkiruka Chika.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWACHUKWU: Formerly Cathrine Nwachukwu now Mrs. Nwachukwu Cathrine Asueni. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWAJAGU: Formerly Ngozi Nwakaego Nwajagu now Ngozi Nwakaego Sunday Anyanechi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWANKIRE: Formerly Miss Nwankire Esther Ihuoma now Mrs Otuechere Esther Ihouma. Former documents valid. Abia-Poly, public note.

NWANNA: Formerly Miss Nwanna Nkechinyere Chinanu now wish to be addressed as Mrs Nkechinyere Emmanuel Akpoabio. All former documents remain valid. General public note NWANYANWU: Formerly Miss Nwanyanwu Comfort Nkechinyere now Mrs Ugwoegbu Comfort Nkechinyere.

Former documents valid. Public note.

NWOBODO: Formerly Miss Nwobodo Chinonso Sandra, now Mrs Ama Chinonso Sandra.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWAUZOR: Formerly Miss Nwauzor Akuchidinma Raymonda now Mrs Mgbeahuru

Akuchidinma Raymonda. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWEDE: Formerly Miss Nwede Elizabeth Nnenna now Mrs. Onuigbo Elizabeth Nnenna. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWEKE: We formerly Nweke of Umuaghara Onicha Ezinihitte Mbaise are now Dennis.

All documents remain valid.

NWOBI: Formerly Miss Nwobi Chiamaka Helen now Mrs. Nnake Chiamaka Helen. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOKOLO: Formerly Miss Nwokolo Onyemaechi Gloria now Miss Uzoh Gloria Onyemaechi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWOKO: Formerly Miss Eziafa Loretha Nwoko now Mrs Loretha Eziafa Olenloa. Former document remain valid. Public note NWOKOLO: Formerly Miss Nonyelum Constance Nwokolo now Mrs. Nonyelum Constance Nwakacha Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOKOUKWU: Formerly Miss Ifeyinwa Queeneth Nwokoukwu now Mrs. Ifeyinwa Mashal Friday. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOSU: Formerly Miss Nwosu Chinenye May Mrs. Dave-Robinson Chinenye May. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOSU: Formerly Miss Modesta Kelechi Nwosu now Mrs Ezinwa Modesta Kelechi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWUSEREAKA: Formerly Miss Onwusereaka Cynthia Oluchi now Mrs Nwachukwu Cynthia Oluchi. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWOSU: Former Miss Nwosu Christiana Nwamaka now Mrs. Ogalagu Christiana Nwamaka.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBIOMAH: Formerly Miss Joy Obiomah is now Miss Joy Panam Percy Paul. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ODIETE: Formerly Miss

Hope Ogaga Odiete now known as Mrs. Hope Ogaga Osiemete. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ODUBAYO: I, formerly Miss Odubayo Oyeyemi Adebosola now Mrs. Adeniyi Oyeyemi Adebosola. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ODUNTAN: Formerly Miss Oduntan Ireti Afolasade now Mrs. Ajagbe ireti Atinuke. Documents valid.

FMC, Abeokuta, public note.

ODUWUSI: Former Miss Ifeoluwa Adetayo Oduwusi now Mrs. Ifeoluwa Adetayo Shabi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGBOGU: Formerly Miss Ogbogu Tochukwu Theresa now known as Mrs. Omekam Tochukwu Theresa. All former documents remain valid.

OGBOLU: Formerly Miss Ogbolu Priscilla Ogechukwu now Mrs Ayowole Priscilla. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGBONNA: I, formerly Nwachi Israel Ogbonna now wish to be known as Nwachi Christian Ugwu. Former documents remain valid.

Federal Ministry of Interior and public note.

note.

OGUM: Formerly Ogum Chibuzor Jacinta now Agugoesi Chibuzor Jacinta. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNDELE: Formerly Ogundele Damilare Abiodun now David Oluwadamilare Lemuel.

Documents valid. Public note.

OGUNDIPE: Formerly Known As Miss Margaret Sinmiloluwa Ogundipe now Mrs Margaret Oluboyeji Adeyinka. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNDOKUN: Formerly Miss Abimbola Oluwatosin Ogundokun now Mrs. Abimbola Oluwatosin Alao. All documents remain valid. General public note.

OGUNSAKIN: Formerly Miss Foluke Victoria Ogunsakin, now Mrs Foluke Victoria Fashola.

Former documents valid. Public note.

OGUNWOLE: Formerly Miss Ogunwole Grace `Funmise now Mrs Oladipupo Grace ‘Funmise. Documents valid.

Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, public note.

OJARIKRE: Formerly Miss Ojarikre Efeoehene Faith now wish to be addressed as Mrs Efeoghene Faith Agoh.

All former documents remains valid. General public note.

OGBONNA: Formerly Miss Glory Chikamnario Ogbonna now Mrs. Glory Chikamnario Abibeh. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

OJEIGBE: Formerly Ojeigbe Blessing Atake OGBONNA; Formerly now Nnamoko Blessing Ogbonna Obinna Atake. Former docuGbonna now Ogbonna ments remain valid.

Obinna Henry. Former Public note. documents remain valid. Abia-Poly. Public OJO: Formerly Miss note.

Mayokun Stella Ojo, now Mrs Mayokun Stella OGIGI: Formerly Miss Oluwatuyi. Former docColette Roli Ogigi, now uments valid. Public Mrs Colette Roli Mordi. note.

Former documents OKAFOR: Formerly Miss valid. Public note.

Okafor Perpetua Nneka now Mrs Adibe Perpetua OGUCHE: Formerly Nneka. Former docuOguche Blessing ments remain valid.

Ojonugwa now Mrs. Afo- Public note. layan Blessing Ojonugwa. Former doc- OKAFOR: Formerly Miss uments remain valid. Okafor Ibeto Florence Public note. now addressed as Mrs. Offor Nwadimma FloOGUNBANWO: Formerly Ogunbanwo Olubunmi rence Favour. Former remain Kolawole Timothy now documents valid.

Public note.

Banwo Olubunmi Kolawole Timothy. Documents valid. Public note. OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Osoaku now OGUNLANA: I, formerly wish to be addressed as known as Mr. Wahab Mrs Oparah Osoaku Ogunlana now wish to Chukwudi. All former be addressed as Mr. documents remain Wahab Babalola. Former valid. General public documents remain note. valid. General public

58

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Saturday, March 8, 2014

Change of Name OKEAKPU: Formerly Miss Obiageli Martha Okeakpu now Mrs. Obiageli Martha Okafor. Former documents valid.

New Crystal Communications Ltd and public note.

OKECHI: Formerly Ngozi Mary Okechi now Mrs. Ngozi Mary Adukwe.Documents valid. Public note.

OKE: Formerly Miss Oke Tinuola Nike now Mrs. Oguntomi Tinuola Nike.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKECHUKWU: Formerly Miss Francisca Chinwendu Okechukwu now Mrs Francisca Chinwendu Nnacheta. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKEKE: Formerly Miss Ijeoma Ezinwanne Okeke, now Mrs Ijeoma Ezinwanne Oyegunle.

Former documents valid. Public note.

OKEKE: Formerly Miss Okeke Esther Ifeoma, now Mrs Ugwu Esther Ifeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKENLA: Formerly Miss Oluwaseyi Seun Okenla, now Mrs Oluwaseyi Seun Laleye. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKEREKE: Formerly Miss Anurika Chinenye Okereke, now Mrs Anurika Chinenye Nwizu. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKORIE: Formerly Miss Okorie Stella Ifeoma now Mrs Egbu Stella Ifeoma Stephen. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKORONKWO: Formerly Miss Uzoma Okoronkwo now Mrs Uzoma Eric Chinda. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKORO: I, former Miss Modupe Kehinde Olupo now wish to be known as Modupe Kehinde Ogundele. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OKOYE: Formerly Miss Okoye Nkiruka Scholastica now Mrs Ekweozor Nkiruka Scholastica. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKOYE: Formerly Ifeoma Doris Okoye now Ifeoma Doris Emmanuel. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLABODE: Formerly Miss Olabode Dorcas Olasunkanmi now Mrs Ogunronbi Dorcas Olasunkanmi. Documents

valid. OGSHMB, NMCN, public note.

OLAKANMI: Formerly Miss Olakanmi Ololade Abosede, now Mrs Banjo Ololade Abosede.Former documents valid. Public note.

OLANISA: Formerly Miss Olanisa Mary Bolanle now Mrs. Taiwo Mary Bolanle. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC and public note.

OLAONIPEKUN: Formerly Miss Olaonipekun Latifah Iyabo Ojuolape now Mrs Sogoye Latifah Iyabo Ojuolape. Former Documents valid. Public note.

O L A R E W A J U : Former Miss Abimbola Olarewaju wish to be addressed as Mrs Abimbola Ihaza. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLATEJU: I, formerly Miss Olubunmi Olateju now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olubunmi Olateju EmelaJacobs. Lagos State Government and the general public should please note.

OLISE: Formerly Doris Onuuwa Olise now Doris Onuuwa Enubuzor. Former documents remain valid. Ministry of Defence, Nigeria Airforce, public note.

OLOBAYO: Formerly Miss Olobayo Olayinka Florence now Mrs. Oluwafemi Olayinka Florence. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

Aderonke now Mrs. Shodele Aderonke. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONUEKWUSI: Formerly Miss Onuekwusi Chinasa Constance now Mrs Oraneto Chinasa Constance. Former documents valid. Public note.

ONU: Former Miss Amarachi Grace Onu now Mrs. Amarachi Grace Ayuba Chinwendu Paul.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONWUNZO: Formerly Miss Vivian Christiana Onwunzo now Mrs Vivian Christiana Oguadinma.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

ONYEKWELU: Formerly Blessing Chukwujioda Onyekwelu now Mrs. Blessing Chukwujioda Nzekwe.

Documents valid. E.S.U.T, NYSC, public note.

ONYEMA: I, formerly Onyema Daniel Onyekachi now Jonathan Daniel Onyekachi. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

ONYIAIKE: Formerly Miss. Onyiaike Millicent Tobechi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Agbaka Millicent Tobechi.

Former documents remain valid.G general public note.

Mojisola Oluwaseun Osimosu now Mrs. Mojisola Oluwaseun Alere. All documents remain valid. Public note.

OSINUBI: Formerly Miss Olubusola Kehinde Osinubi, now Mrs Olubusola Kehinde Olaleye. Former documents valid. Public note.

OSISANYA: Formerly Miss Omosolape Comfort Osisanya now Mrs. Omosolape Comfort Akinpelu.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OTENAIKE: Formerly Miss Adesola Alaba Otenaike now Mrs. Adesola Alaba Odujirin. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OUMA: Former Miss Ouma Ezinne Joy now Mrs. Ezinne Joy Adefila.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OYELADE: Formerly Miss Oyelade Oluwaseun Ajibola now Mrs Makinde Oluwaseun Ajibola. Documents valid. Public note.

OYEYEMI: Formerly Miss Oyeyemi Omotayo Racheal now Mrs Ijaduola Omotayo. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OZOEMENAM: Formerly Miss Ozoemenam Kelechi Comfort, now Mrs Nwanebu Kelechi Comfort. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ONYIBOR Formerly Miss Onyibor Matilda Ifeyinwa, now Mrs Ikediugwu Matilda Ifeyinwa.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

PAUL: Formerly Ndidi Paul now Mrs. Ndidi Kenichi Shibapa. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OPADIRAN: Formerly Miss Oluwaseun Mary Opadiran now Mrs. Oluwaseun Mary Akande. All documents remain valid. General public note.

POPOOLA: Formerly Oluwakemi Adetoun Popoola now Oluwakemi Adetoun Dada. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OPIE: I, formerly known as Miss Nkechi Opie Ubiaru now Mrs. Nkechi Bertram Njoku. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

RAMOTA: Formerly Mrs. Ramota Aduke Popoola now Mrs. Grace Jesutoyin Popoola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OMADIMHE: Formerly Miss Omadimhe Mabel Ilamosi now Mrs. Patrick Mabel Ilamosi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ORIDOTA: Former Miss Oridota Mayokun Olutoyin now Mrs. Ogundipe Mayokun Olutoyin. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

RAPU: Formerly Miss Rapu Evelyn Ifeoma Bridget now Mrs. Isidahomen Evelyn Ifeoma Bridget. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OMOTOSHO: I, formerly known as Ayoola Oluwabusola Omotosho (nee Ogunrewo) now wish to be called Ayoola Oluwabusola Oke. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OSENI: Formerly Oseni Fausat Omotoyosi Omobolanle now Mrs. Famurewa Omobolanle Omotoyosi Sarah. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ROTIMI: Formerly known as Rotimi Oluwatoyin Susan now known as Mrs Adekeye Oluwatoyin Susan. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OSIMOSU: Former Miss

SALAMI: Formerly Miss

OLOKODE: Formerly Olokode Serifat Odunayo now Mrs Adewole Serifat Odunayo. Documents valid. Public note.

OLUDU: Former Miss Oludu Funke Olufunmilola now Mrs. Akindiya Funke Olufunmilola. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OLUWABUNMI: Formerly Adekoya Emmanuel now Adekoya Emmanuel Oluwabunmi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONI: Formerly Miss Oni

Odunola Oluwadamilola Salami, now Mrs Odunola Oluwadamilola Adekunle. Former documents valid. Public note.

SAMUEL: Formerly Miss Samuel Nwakego Happiness now Mrs. Eke Nwakego Happiness.

Former documents remain valid. Abia Polytechnic, public note.

SANYA: Former Sanya now Sanya Dhawan. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SHEDRACK: Formerly Miss Shedrack Ihechiluru Now Mrs Ihechiluru Amarachi Jude Onuoha.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

SOBALOJU: Formerly Miss Sobaloju Sakirat Modupeola now Mrs Sofela Rebecca Modupeola. Documents valid.

Public note.

SOLOMON: Formerly Miss Solomon Ruth Olabisi, now Mrs Oseghae Ruth Olabisi. Former documents valid.

Public note.

SOSANYA: Formerly Miss Sosanya Ololade Oluwamayokun now Mrs. Taiwo Ololade Oluwamayokun. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

SU LE: Formerly Oluwatoyin Bilikis Sule now Mrs. Oluwatoyin Bilikis Sule-Ibrahim. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SURULERE: Formerly Miss Orimisan Agnes Surulere now Mrs Orimisan Agnes Omoyele.

Former documents remain valid. Public note UBAH: Formerly Miss Ubah Chinonso Loveline now Mrs Chinonso Loveline Jacob. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

UBAH: Formerly Ubah Promise Ogechi now Ofojebe Ogechi Promise.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UDEAGBALA: Formerly Chikodi Martina Udeagbala now Mrs. Chikodi Martina Uche-Ugwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UDEH: Formerly Miss Udeh Chizoba Grace now Mrs. Onyenso Chizoba Grace. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UDEZE: Formerly Miss Udeze Ogochukwu Rosemary now Mrs. Moutanya Ogochukwu Rosemary. All documents remain valid.

UNIZIK, UNILAG & general public note.

UDUEBHOLO: Formerly Miss Esther Osoria Uduebholo now Mrs. Esther Osoria Uduebholo – Odigwe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UFOMADU: Formerly Miss Gladys Chiamaka Ufomadu now Mrs Gladys Chiamaka Iheaka.

Former documents valid. Public note.

UGWUANYI: I, known as Miss Ugwuanyi Eugenia Kelechi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ugwuona Eugenia Kelechi.

All former documents remain valid. Public take note.

UGWUANYI: Formerly Miss Ugwuanyi Bibian Oluchukwu, now Mrs Ugwuoke Bibian Oluchukwu.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UJAH: I, formerly known as Ujah Job Samuel now wish to be called Mr. Ochela Samuel Job. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

UMEGBOSIMBA: Formerly Miss Umegbosimba Blessing Chioma, now Mrs Umeokoli Blessing Chioma. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UNEKE: Formerly Miss Uneke Njideka Eucharia, now Mrs Udeokpala Njideka Eucharia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

YAHAYA: Formerly Miss yusuf salimatu yahaya, now Mrs Salimatu Azeez.

Former documents valid. Public note YAKUBU: Formerly Miss Yakubu Wajeeat Toyin now Mrs. Ayeleso Wajeeat Toyin. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IF

FOR

THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHANGE OF NAME YOU WANT TO BUY A COPY PLEASE CALL 0802 306 4437

Saturday, March 8, 2014 59

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DIARY

L-R: 2013 Winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Tade Ipadeola; Professor Emeritus, J.P Clark; Chairman Advisory Board for Literature, Professor Emeritus Ayo Banjo and MD, Nigeria LNG Limited, Babs Omotowa, at the public presentation of Mr Ipadeola in Lagos yesterday.

L-R: Hon. Michael Adegoke, Hon. Ajayi Nicholas, Chief Mbanefo representing Chief (Dr.) Osita Okereke, founder African Child Social Empowerment Centre, (ACSEC) Bonaventure Enemali, HRH Oba Timothy Olusola Akinsanya, Chairman, Isolo LCDA, Hon. Shamsudeen Abiodun during African Child Seven Projects fundraising and award presentation in Lagos… recently

Principal, Caleb British Academy, Mrs. Colette O’Hehir; Educational Administrator, Caleb Group of Schools, Dr. (Mrs.) Funmi Oboye; Wife Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola and Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Professor Ayodeji Olukoju during the visit of the Wife of Lagos State Governor to Caleb Group of Schools…recently

DG NTDC pays courtesy visit to PTD: The Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo exchanging pleasantries with the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Dr Oluwole Oluleye during a courtesy visit to the PTDF office yesterday in Abuja.

L-R: MD/CEO City Covenant Insurance Brokers Ltd., Mike Oyeniyi; Representative of the President CIIN, S.A Adegbesan; the celebrant, Chairman City Covenant Insurance Brokers Ltd.,Colson Oladapo Fatanmi and Representative of the MD/CEO NEM Insurance Plc. at the 70th birthday ceremony of Fatanmi in Lagos…recently

The couple: Mr. Oyewole Badmus Aderehinwo and Mosunmola Elizabeth Disu (now Aderehinwo) during their wedding in Lagos…recently

TODAY’S EVENTS Oluwatolani Weds Oluseun Today

L-R: Newly installed Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye; Mrs. Abiola Laseinde; Treasurer, Mrs Faustina Igwebuike; Vice Chairman, Mrs. Nkechi Onyenso; Social Secretary and Vice President of ICSAN, Dr. Nat Ofo, at the chapter’s investiture in Lagos…recently

The families of Alfred Olumide Ibironke and Gabriel Oyelowo Akinrinoye will be joining their son, Oluwaseun and daughter, Oluwatolani, together in holy matrimony at the Redeem Christian Church of God, City of David, Victoria Island, Lagos today. According to the statement made available to the Guardian, the solemnization of holy matrimony starts by 11.am while reception takes place at Air force

Officer’s Mess in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Adenike And Olalekan Sign The Dotted Lines Today Families of Adetunji Omogoroye and Kehinde Akonko will be watching their children as they take their marriage vow at Vicpark Events Centre in Igando today. According to the statement made available to The Guardian, the wedding ceremony starts by 10.am today.

60 Saturday, March 8, 2014

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TRANSITION

Cletus Ibeanusi Nzeduru (1927 - 2013) ORN on the April 3, 1927, to Nze James NzeB duru Nwoke and Philomena Oyiridiya Nzeduru of Umuakagu Nsu in Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Nze Cletus Ibeanusi Nzeduru was the second of five children and first son of their parents. At his birth, his parents were not just proud but had great expectations of him as any couple would of their first son. He exhibited great wisdom as he grew up and his father promptly enrolled him into St. Columba’s Primary School, Umuakagu Nsu in 1937 where he excelled in both academics and extra-curricular endeavours.

However, this promising venture came to an abrupt end while in Standard Four when he lost his father to the cold hands of death at a tender age of 13. Things became really tough for the family as the burden proved so hard for his mother to bear that he had to drop out of school. The aphorism ‘when one door closes another one would open’ became real for the Nzeduru family when Papa’s pretty elder sister, Daa Nwogure, soon attracted the attention of a Port Harcourt based wealthy merchant from Nkwerre, Nze James Nzewuba Okparaocha, to who she got married.

From thence Nwogure took custody of Cletus and consolidated the strict moral upbringing started by their parents. In addition, his brotherin-law whom he served instilled great discipline in him. His honesty and due diligence endeared him to his master who saw great potentials in him. He was later enrolled into a reputable driving school from where he obtained the Trade Test Certificate in Driving and Mechanics that enabled him to secure appointment into the

Nzeduru Civil Service in the then Public Works Department (PWD), and later Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in 1950.

His career in the Federal Civil Service took him to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria in-

Remembering Gazzal Fadeju Adeniga Inasa-Thomas ATURDAY, February 15, exSanniversary actly marked the 10th year of the demise of High Chief Gazzal Fadeju Adeniga Inasa-Thomas (JP, C.C.M.), Agba-Akin of Oshodi Land and Olori-Ebi (Head), Arota Ologun Ruling Family Council of Oshodi Land.

For what started as a mere symptom of usual asthmatic attack, which he had lived with in his 83 years sojourn on earth, we never imagined that the end had come. Although he made spirited effort to live, the giver of life Himself had decided that it was time for a return journey to the heavenly abode.

A committed community leader, philanthropist and a true believer in progressive youth development, InasaThomas was at various times a teacher at his alma mater, Ilesha Grammar School in the old Western Region. He was also a Senior Clerk with the building construction giant, G.Cappa & Dalberto, from where he ventured into private building contracting business. He was later appointed by the Lateef Jakande administration as a member of Oshodi Grade A Customary Court.

However, the quest to impact positively on his community led him to take up the mantle of leadership as the General Secretary of both Arota Ologun Ruling Family Council of Oshodi and Agoro Oloro Descendants Family of Mafoluku. Through these positions, he played a key role in the development of a master plan/layout of Oshodi land, which today explains the organised arrangement of its road network as well as the strategic location of such infrastructures as the market, post office, schools, the airport, LSDPC scheme, and factories, among others. He was

cluding Kano, Jos, Makurdi, Oturkpo, Calabar, Uyo, Aba, Umuahia, Owerri, Awgu, Enugu, to mention but a few. He worked with both expatriate and local professionals involved in the construction of many Trunk ‘A’ Roads and other structures across the country. He won several awards while in service and retired on January 1, 1985, meritoriously.

Papa got married to his soul mate, Mrs. Lydia Chinahota Nzeduru (nee Igwe Kenkwo), the daughter of Chief G. Igwe Kenkwo from Agbaghara Nsu, Ehime Mbano, Imo State on April 1, 1956. They were blessed with 10 children.

Papa’s interaction with professionals made great impression on him and he brought this to bear on the family. His 10 children are all graduates comprising two medical doctors, three engineers, a lawyer, a biotechnologist, a town planner, a linguist and a botanist/Reverend Sister. Similarly, the grandchildren have towed the line and already have amongst them three engineers, an architect, and an Economist/Financial Analyst, amongst others.

Cletus valued societal development and cherished ambient and orderly environment as obtains in civilised societies. Indeed he was visionary in this respect.

He was very contemporary, yet never compromised family/societal values. He listened to all arguments but based his decisions not on bandwagon consideration but on sound reasoning and hard facts. His philanthropy had no boundary. His benevolence transcended his immediate and extended family.

During the Nigerian Civil War, he deployed his experiential expertise to single-handedly provide pipe borne water from where Umuakagu and many neighbouring communities obtained potable water free of charge. He trained many young people in the community in various trades according to their ability. He touched the lives of many people in different but memorable ways.

Papa was a great man and a hero who never got celebrated due to his unusual humility.

His life typified the biblical injunction ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto

you’. His modest achievements underscore the fact that whatever you wish others would be accorded you in multiples.

The late Cletus had a kind and humane heart indeed and those whose lives he positively touched in his lifetime, especially his children, dearly loved him. This was evident in the outpouring of tributes during his funeral, recently.

His third child and daughter, Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe, described him as a distinguished Nigerian.

Ezeigwe, a public health physician and National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) said: “As a family, we believe he deserved a national recognition and honour given his modest achievements and service to humanity. I am, therefore, grateful for those who turned up en-mass from all parts of the country to accord him the last respect. For me, this is a symbolic honour that he was not given during his lifetime.

“Nze Cletus was a rare breed of father and husband to the family. He was unusually selfless and habitually made sacrifices for the benefit of the family. He spared nothing within his power to protect and provide for the family. Many people have questioned the secret behind the survival of his 10 children to adulthood. The answer lies in his lifestyle and values, which collectively promote family health by minimising exposure to risks of accidents and diseases.

“He was also innovative with nutrition and often introduced food from other cultures that he deemed nutritious to the family. Similarly, he defied harmful cultural practices with regards to nutrition. For example, contrary to the cultural practice in most parts of Igbo land not to give children eggs, my father often bought us boiled eggs on his way back from work as fathers would buy biscuits for their children. Even gizzards that females are forbidden from eating my father freely shared his portions with us, knowing that these are of nutritious benefit to children.

With hindsight now as a public health physician, I believe these attributes of my father, as well as his unshakable faith in the Lord, explain to a large extent the healthy family he was able to raise to adulthood.”

Adieu, Esther Nwokuabalu Nwokolo HE late Mrs. Esther T Nwokuabalu Nwokolo was born some 86 years ago and

Oviasu the community representative who defended its memorandum before the Mbanefo Committee on local government creation leading to the creation of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government and further influenced the location of its headquarters in Oshodi town.

The late High Chief showed keen interest in youths’ activities as he was at different times Local Association (LA) Chairman and later LA President, Boys Scouts of Nigeria, Oshodi/Isolo LA; Patron, Nigeria Civil Defence Corp; and Grand Patron, Egbe Omo Ilu Oshodi.

He was also instrumental to the training and job placement opportunities for many who were not his biological children.

Although he was never an extremist, the scion of the Oba Akinsemoyin Family of Lagos and a grandson of Yesufu Jose Inasa, the late Bajulu of Lagos provided the land and partly funded the building of Zumratul Ganniyi Inasa Mosque in

Oshodi.

Inasa-Thomas lived a rounded life as he was also not found wanting on the social scene. He was a member of the Dart section of the prestigious Ikeja Club and also enjoyed generous mentions from popular musicians.

One of his most cherished earthly dreams, which was never realised in his lifetime, was to see one of his children become a lawyer. But today, it gladdens the heart that while his eldest daughter is already a Barrister at Law, his youngest son is set to attend the Nigerian Law School. Besides, one can find among his children, grand children and great grand children historians, economists, accountants, engineers, microbiologists, academics and sociologists.

Certainly, death, for some, is never the end as the memory of their good deeds lingers on. Needless to say here that 10 years on, High Chief G. F. A. Inasa-Thomas lives on.

for the hope she exuded before her parents and the love of her birth, her parents named her Nwokuabalu meaning “a child of wealth”.

Due to the prevalent social norms of her time, ‘Ogbuagu’ as she was called among the social circle had little of western education. Despite this educational handicap, she was endowed with the wisdom of the elders which she exercised in informed decision-making and counseling services that endeared her to all who came around her.

“Missis” as she was fondly called by her one and only beloved husband got to know Christ through the courtship and marriage to her late father’s junior friend, Mr. Sylvester Nwokolo at the age of 20 and later got wedded to him 6 years later in the year 1953.

The late Nwokolo was a homemaker. In addition to her primary profession of a housewife, she undertook other economic ventures such as buying and selling of poultry and palm oil products which she stored and resold later. She was a quintessential hostess; everything she touched turned into gold. You could see that in her cocoyam ban, bags of melon, pepper etc. She did everything with precision and to perfection. It was not as if life was without strife and down turns. Oh! She had a lot of those, but she

bore it all with love and faith.

She was an active member of the Legion of Mary, Block Rosary Association and the Catholic Women Organisation (C.W.O). She was the President of C.W.O at various times until she voluntarily resigned when she could not combine it with the home front as her late husband was the Chairperson of Local Church Council at the same time. She was appointed a Treasurer instead, a position she held for years. She was the women leader of St. Mark’s Zone Efulu Ugwuoba for years. Her only regret before her death was not worshiping inside a St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Efulu in her lifetime.

As we are more liable to catch the vices than the virtue of our associates, Mama was at times misunderstood because of

Nwokolo

her tenacity and readiness to defend a cause she believed in especially on issues of her faith. She believed and lived a life of human solidarity and communalism that endeared her to relations and friends far and near and all that came in contact with her.

She enjoyed good health until about 20 years ago when she was diagnosed of hypertension. She was managed until her death at Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, Awka, on December 29, 2013.

With unparallel fairness of body and soul as a woman you were radiant as the sun in full strength. Your elegant stature evoked dignity.

A mother like ours is more than a memory. Adieu ‘Missis,’ Adieu ‘Igweike’, Adieu ‘Ogbuagu’, Adieu ‘Ochiora’.

TheGuardian

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Saturday, March 8, 2014 61

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports

By Gowon Akpodonor T a time when many Nigerians are skeptical on stepping their foots in some parts of the North, following insurgence by the dreaded Boko Haram, renowned Athletics Coach, Tobias Igwe, has decided to take the bull by the horn.

Igwe’s contribution to the success story of Nigeria’s sports, especially athletics, remains unbeaten, having discovered the best crop of athletes at different times for the land and led the nation to victories at various continental championships, including the Olympic Games, Commonwealth, All Africa Games and the Afro-Asia Games.

But the coach is a sad man following many frustrations he had encountered in life, especially in the hands of his employers.

Toblow was sent away when Abia State carried out a massive disengagement of non-indigenes from the state’s civil service three years ago and all his efforts to get another job has been futile.

His wife, who was working at Ohafia Local Council of Abia State, was equally swept away during the exercise and the family has been ‘living from hand to mouth’ for about three years now.

The coach cried to his people, pleading with Imo State government to employ him, but all appeals to Governor Rochas Okorocha has not seen the light of day.

To avert a looming calamity in the family, Toblow has decided to accept a ‘contract coaching job’ in far away Gombe State so as to keep body and soul together. He had been waiting endlessly for the government of Abia State, which promised recently that it would re-absolved all non-indigenes that were disengaged from the state’s civil service three years ago.

So on Wednesday, Coach Toblow began his sojourn to Gombe by road. The journey from Umuahia to Jos took a whole day and despite arriving Jos late in the night, the coach was forced to board a night bus to his destination in Gombe.

While he voyaged from Umuahia to Jos, the news of the sack of Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi broke out, and as usual, many sports journalists, including The Guardian made several efforts to speak with Toblow, who is one of the few top grade athletics coaches in the country.

The stress of traveling such long journey by road had taken a toll on Toblow along the way. He slept off with his mobile phone securely locked up in his bag.

While waiting for other passengers to join him in the night bus from Jos to Gombe, the coach decided to reach out to his wife through his phone. There were several missed calls and SMS waiting for answers.

He decided to put a call through to The Guardian. “I have been on a long journey and I just saw your missed call. What is happening in the sports industry? Is the Presidency ready to host us now?” Toblow asked.

“No news about the hosting yet. I was trying to get your reaction on the sack of the sports minister,” The Guardian replied.

“Oh, you mean the sports minister has been sacked? Who is the new man? Hope he is not going to be another ‘football’ minister? Anyway, I am heading to Gombe to resume duty. The people actually contacted me some weeks ago, but the death of my brother stopped me from traveling down. It is a contract job and I have to accept it because I have waited so long for the government of Abia State to re-absolve me. I can’t live up to my responsibilities as head of the family any longer because there is no money and help from any quarter. Please help us remind the new sports minister about the reception for the junior athletes who won the African Junior Athletics Championship in Mauritius last year,” he stated.

To coach Toblow, picking up a coaching job in Gombe was the last resort. “Some of my family members are so worried about my decision of accepting this job in far away Gombe State, but I just have to go. Everything about life is risk. The people have assured me that Gombe is safe. I put my life in God’s hand,” Toblow said in an emotion-laden voice.

The sack by Abia was the second time Coach Toblow would suffer such calamity in the hands of his employers, as he was earlier disengaged by the government of Enugu State about 16 years ago on the same reason that he is not an indigene of the state.

During last year’s Workers Days celebration, Coach Toblow refused to join other Nigerians in the activities. “I am supposed to be part of the Workers Day celebration going by my contribution to this great nation, but here I am gnashing my teeth in agony with members of my family.

“I did not expect that my pathetic condition will stretch close to two years in this land of plenty. I did not also believe that people in high places in my state and national level would keep quiet waiting for my demise before raising their voices. Today is Workers Day and it is so sad that my colleagues all over the world are celebrating and the man, who led African athletes to two World Cups is languishing somewhere.

“I want to meet people like former sports ministers, Chief Alex Akinyele and Jim Nwobodo, who enjoyed my output as a coach at various Olympics Games. I won Olympics medals during their tenures as ministers and here I am today. I was voted the best coach after Nigeria hosted and won the 2003 COJA All Africa Games in Abuja due to my contribution to Team Nigeria’s success.

“I produced many great stars for this country including the likes of Mary Onyali, Davidson Ezinwa and I also produced the fastest world cup athlete, Uchenna Emedolu and fastest girl in the maiden World Junior Athletics Championship at Athens

A

Coach Tobias Igwe (right) on national duty…He decided to pick up a contract job in Gombe State after three years of waiting for Abia State government to recall him

Coach Toblow….

Takes ‘Life Struggle’ To The Desert ’96, Tina Iheagwam.

“How best could a man contribute his quota to the development of his fatherland? I am dying in silence and our great Ibo leaders are watching. Someone should come to my rescue.

People should help me plead with Governor Rochas Okorocha to save my family from this great embarrassment,” Coach Igwe had pleaded in a chat with The Guardian.

Coach Toblow is a goal getter as far as the business of athletics is concerned and he is optimistic of turning Gombe State athletes into national champions in a not too distant future.

“I believe in my ability and I have promised the government and people of Gombe that I will take their athletics to a greater height. My prayer is to have a conducive environment to carry out my duties. There is a football team in Gombe and the people live a happy life. I am sure the insurgence by Boko

Haram is not in the state. I pray they don’t come.”

In August last year, when Nigerian junior athletes won the African Junior Athletics Championship in Mauritius, coach Toblow accounted for five out of the nine gold medals won by Nigeria. He achieved the fate in the short sprints (100m and 200m) and the relays.

Like other members of the team to Mauritius, Toblow has been looking forward to a red carpet reception from the Presidency, the same way it had been treating footballers and their coaches, even if they fail to excel in international competitions.

The waiting game could not produce any meaningful result under the administration of Bolaji Abdullahi and Toblow is praying and hoping that the new sports minister, Danagogo, will use ‘his good offices’ to turn their dream into reality.

How best could a man contribute his quota to the development of his fatherland? I am dying in silence and our great Ibo leaders are watching. Someone should come to my rescue. People should help me plead with Governor Rochas Okorocha to save my family from this great embarrassment

62 Saturday, March 8, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

The Return Of Stationary Stores – A Revolution In The Making! testify that something Iticcan good is happening to domesfootball in Nigeria. If there was any doubt in the past about the possibility of Stationary Stores Football Club of Lagos returning to Nigerian football, such doubts evaporated two weeks ago when the re-born club played its first match at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos.

There could not have been a better and more authentic setting than the one put together by fate – a match at their famous old ground (the King George V stadium), against one of their oldest and fiercest but friendly rivals, Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan.

Stationary Stores FC, aka

‘Flaming Flamingoes’, ‘Adebajo Babes’, was not your ordinary football club when it existed from the 1960s to the 1990s.

This phenomenal movement of the people and inhabitants of the city of Lagos was destroyed by the internal squabbles that plagued the team between the children of the founder.

Every effort through the years to revive the club failed and it was left to rest-in-pieces for several years until the restless bones of founder, late Chief Israel Adebajo, could take it no longer and ‘woke up’ through one of his children, Tilewa Adebajo, to resuscitate the club.

Stationery Stores’ Festus Aja celebrating his goal against Shooting Stars of Ibadan during a recent Nigeria National League game at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

Until its demise, Stationary Stores FC had, perhaps, the most fanatical football supporters in the history of the game in Nigeria! They could do anything for the club. At a point in those days they went as far as raising funds to pay players’ wages and allowances, travelled everywhere with the team at their own expense, and even supervised training and players conduct outside the field of play.

Their return to the league is creating ripples already even though they are not in the Premier League that has still not resumed in Nigeria yet.

Stationary Stores FC are in the league just below that – the Nigeria National League! That league, which ordinarily played second fiddle to the Premiership in previous years, and largely went on unnoticed by the public, in the past three weeks since it resumed, is attracting unprecedented attention, media followership and spectatorship largely due to the participation in that division of some extremely famous clubs in the country, including, particularly, the incomparable Stationary Stores FC. This was manifested by the unusual return of football followers and the fanatical army of Stationary Stores FC supporters to their original home ground.

Two weeks ago, on a Thursday evening, Onikan Stadium hosted an unusual turn out of people from all walks of life, including many that had not

Emulate Sambo, Osaile Urges State Governors On Provision Of Sports Facilities

By Gowon Akpodonor O build a solid sports founT dation for athletes at the state level, sports promoter, Martin Osaile has charged the various state governors to emulate the sports foundation laid by Vice President, Namadi Sambo, in his days as governor of Kaduna State.

Osaile is of the opinion that the nation’s sports can only achieve better results at the grassroots level, if the governors can contribute their quotas, especially in the area of quality sports facilities. He equally charged the new Sports Minister, Tamuno Danagogo to carry everyone along so as to ensure that the country records more success in international sports.

“Today, most sports federations in the country frequently run to the Kaduna State Ministry of Sports to borrow

sports equipments for use in their competitions It is so because Kaduna is the leading states in the area of sports facilities.ItistheonlystateinNigeria that can boast of modern sports facilities in all its stadia.

“When Sambo was governor, he made sure that all the stadia in the state, including the old Zaria City Stadium, the Ranchers Bees stadium and the Kanfachan stadium were equipped with modern sports facilities. Namadi surprised everyone during the preparation for KAGA Game in 2008 with the class of sports facilities he provided.

“So, my suggestion at this point in time is for all state governors to borrow a leaf from the good work of Namadi Sambo by putting in place quality sports facilities for sports to grow at the grassroots level. The new sports minister has a duty to perform by ensuring that no fake sports

facility is smuggled through the back door into the country.

During the preparation for KADA Games, Sambo ordered all the consultants to prepare all the venues with the same sports facilities provided for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The athletics track he installed at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium is the same track installed for the Beijing Games.

“The hockey pitch installed at the ABS Stadium was installed by the best hockey pitch installers from the United States of America. Also, the volleyball, basketball and badminton equipments are the same used for the Beijing Olympic Games.

“The boxing equipments are USA brand, which is best in the world. He installed Olympic size swimming pool, six lawn tennis courts as well as four outdoor volleyball courts among others,” Osaile stated.

Babalakin Battles Probitas/B. Ayorinde, As 12th BankoleOlumide Aluko Tourney Kicks Off HE Astroturf 2000 football T facilities will come alive tomorrow when gladiators from the legal profession shed their gowns to begin a battle for football bragging rights.

It is the Bankole Olumide Aluko football tournament, a competition held annually in memory of the notable lawyer, Late Bankole Olumide Aluko, a founding partner in the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode, who passed on 12 years ago.

To kick off this year’s competition, the 12th in the series, is a battle between Babalakin Chambers and the warriors

from Probitas/B. Ayorinde firm.

The match comes up by 4.00 p.m. and would be followed by a clash of titans involving The Law Crest and Aluko & Ayorinde.

Also billed to hold tomorrow is the match involving the runners up in last year’s edition of the competition, Olisa Agbakoba & Associates against Pinheiro Chambers.

Aelex will meet Tayo Oyetibo, Banwo & Ighodalo will clash with Falana & Falana, while Lagos State Ministry of Justice will tackle Tokunbo Orimobi in the last game of the opening week.

Over the last six years, Astroturf 2000 football facilities have hosted the tournament and five years ago, wit the parent company, Astroturf Soccer Nigeria Limited, formed a partnership with the firm of Aluko & Oyebode to professionalise the planning, features and organisation of a successful tournament.

Last year’s edition was won by Banwo & Ighodalo, with Olisa Agbakoba & Associates as runners up, while Probitas/B. Ayorinde won the bronze medal.

The teams are divided in two groups of A and B and will play

visited the former King George V Stadium for decades.

There was also a large turn out of sports writers and others that set aside the frightful stories of molestation by thugs, plus the filth and unfriendliness of the Onikan Stadium environment in order to check out the veracity of the return of their beloved club.

The good news is that it happened. Stationary Stores, as reported extensively by Mumuni Alao in his pre-and post-match reports, came back to the limelight of Nigerian football in their full yellow and maroon regalia, their now-ageing but faithful followers, and their battalion of singing fans.

The stadium terrace was full of spectators and was decorated in the flags, banners and buntings of their old club. On top of all that, their return was marked with a well-celebrated victory of one of their fierce rivals from the past – Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan.

It was indeed a great match to herald a new dawn not just for the club but also for Nigerian football!

The return of Stationary Stores FC also portends new prospects of a major football revolution in Nigeria.

I admit that all of this optimism may go up in smoke, but in the past two weeks in particular, even though the ongoing league is not the Premiership, stadia around the country have been ignited by the reputation and history of Stationary Stores and several other clubs currently in the Nigerian National League.

There is the real possibility that the second-tier Nigerian league would attract greater attention and interest than the Premiership this season.

The signs are there already.

The two major stadia in Lagos,

Segun Odegbami Onikan Stadium and Agege Township stadium, have been increasingly filling up every week since the league began with old and a new generation of spectators.

Last week, a few people actually brought their children to watch the match played in Agege involving an also rejuvenated First Bank Football Club of Lagos. It was a great sight to behold – children in the stadium watching football heroes!

For the first time in a long time, Lagos, once the home of Nigerian football, with a 12 to 15 million population of football ‘crazy’ and ‘hungry’ fans, now has four clubs in the National League vying for promotion to the elite Premiership in the next season.

Apart from the competition between the clubs within Lagos, other visiting clubs include some of the wellestablished clubs from the early days of Nigerian football.

The list is long and impressive – Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan, a club that used to represent the movement of the Yoruba people worldwide and one of the most celebrated in Nigeria’s football history; Bendel Insurance FC, one of the great historical teams of Nigeria that represented the

entire people of the former Mid-Western region; Gateway United FC of Abeokuta, an offshoot of the great Abiola Babes FC; UNICEM Rovers FC that metamorphosed from Calabar Rovers FC, the great team of old representing that part of the country; and so on.

Even the northern conference of the National league, Division A, is populated by teams such as Mighty Jets FC of Jos, Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi, Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna, Ranchers Bees FC of Kaduna, amongst others.

These are all teams with a deep and rich history in Nigerian football, now playing in the Nigeria National league that Stationary Stores FC have ignited with their flamboyance, their passionate and colourful followership and their effervescent attitude.

So far, I am told, several of the matches have been truly exciting, free of hooliganism with a level of fair officiating that gives some hope that some morally upright officials still exist in this climate of extreme poverty and perpetual struggle for economic survival.

One tree definitely does not make a forest, but Stationary Stores FC have shown already that they can make a huge contribution to the fortunes of Nigerian football. The signs are already in the air.

Orubebe Invitational Golf Competition: Uniting Nigerians Through Golf HE Sapele Athletic Club came alive recently when former Minister of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, engaged the people of Sapele, Delta State, in an historic golf outing to support the need for Nigerians to be united through sports and also in the spirit of the country’s centenary celebration.

In this era of unprecedented development, Orubebe did not shy away from the urgent need for Deltans and Nigerians at large to take their destinies into their hands in using what is around them to shape and manage the change that is currently enveloping the nation in terms of exceptional transformation and developments.

The Sapele Athletic Club, which witnessed the renaming of Hole 1 after Elder Orubebe, saw an uncommon gathering of champions, who have over the years shown readiness in contributing to the development of sports and tourism in Nigeria. As it is well known, Elder Orubebe is an epitome of good governance, development and people centred individual whose passion in life is to see that people’s lives are transformed to reflect the true reality of the wealth God has blessed

T

Nigerians with.

The Orubebe Invitational Golf Competition has come and gone, but its impart will last forever as many who attended are still counting their gains for availing themselves in participating in this unusual sporting activities.

It is worthy of note that Sapele, being the first Golf Course in Nigeria since 1913 with the first trophy Elder Demspter Cup, is still standing. The event drew golfers within Delta State and across Nigeria to Sapele; and it was targeted to lift the social economic activities of the

town and also bring back the lost glory of Sapele.

The guest included Dr Deshi, President Nigeria Golf Federation and Special Adviser to Senate President, Chief Peter Igho, Dr. Pat Ogboru Uloho, Pro Festus Makelemi, Chief Sunny Okperue (rtd Custom Boss), Tex Egbedi (Texen), Alabo Capt Ben Briggs, former Minister of Aviation, Rev Mrs Shola Williams, Eng. Egigbah (former Managing Director, Agip Nigeria), Wing Commander Shitu, Olorogun Lucky Omoru and Terry Noah.

Sapele Golf Club Captain (left), A. Banki; Elder Godsday Orubebe; President, NGF, Dr. Deshi; and Wing Commander Salisu Aliyu (rtd) of Kaduna Golf Club at the final of the Orubebe Invitational Golf Tournament held at the Sapele Sports Club…recently.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 8, 2014 63

European Football

Moyes Thanks ‘Loyal’ United Fans In ‘Difficult’ Season ANCHESTER United M manager David Moyes has thanked the club’s fans for their loyalty in what he admits has been a “difficult” first season.

Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson, who ended his 26 years as United boss by winning a 13th league title, on 1 July.

United lie seventh after only 13 wins from 27 Premier League games.

“I have absolutely no doubt we will see great winning sides here again” In a magazine sent to United

season ticket holders, Moyes wrote: “The difficult season we have experienced was not something that I envisaged.”

Moyes, 50, replaced fellow Glaswegian Ferguson, who won 38 trophies during his reign at Old Trafford, which also included two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

United lost only five league games in their title-winning season of 2012-13, but have already lost eight times in the current campaign, including home defeats by West Brom, Everton, Newcastle and

Tottenham.

They were also beaten 2-1 at home by Swansea in the FA Cup third round and are trailing 2-0 after the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie with Olympiakos.

“You are accustomed to seeing a successful Manchester United and the backing you have given the players and me throughout the season has been incredible,” Moyes continued in his letter.

“Away from home the travelling fans have remained the best in the country, while at Old Trafford your unwavering faith has been noticeable and hugely welcomed.

“Supporting your team when they are winning is easy, but much harder when things are not going as well, and the loyalty you have shown us has been magnificent.

“I have absolutely no doubt we will see great winning sides here again.”

Moyes, who began his managerial career at Preston before spending 11 years with Everton, added: “Everything we have been through will make us a better, stronger team and club in the future.”

Messi

Messi Vomiting ‘Not Normal’, Says Barca Coach ECENT episodes of vomitR ing suffered by Barcelona forward Lionel Messi are “not Moyes

Birmingham City Owner Jailed For Six Years IRMINGHAM City owner B Carson Yeung has been jailed for six years by a Hong Kong court for money laundering.

The businessman, 54, was convicted of five charges relating to HK$720m (£55m) passing through his bank accounts between 2001 and 2007.

He claimed he had accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars through stock trading, business ventures in mainland China, a hair salon and gambling.

Judge Douglas Yau said the sentence must be a deterrent to others.

His was a rags to riches and, now, back to rags story.

Carson Yeung’s rise from humble hairdresser to wealthy owner of a British

Injured Wilshere (Middle)

football club has attracted much media attention.

The international press pack bore witness to his fall from grace at the end of a three-year legal case.

His legal team has declined to say whether there will be an appeal. This has been a closely watched case, coming just two years after the city introduced new laws against money laundering and terrorist financing.

It is still unclear exactly how the sentence will affect Yeung’s British football club, Birmingham City.

‘Full force’ The former hair stylist’s trial was told he had lied about how he made his money and Yeung was described by Judge Yau as “not a witness of truth”.

normal” but they do not affect his performance and there is no cause for alarm, coach Gerardo Martino said yestertday.

Messi was sick during Argentina’s 0-0 draw with

Romania on Wednesday and the four-times World Player of the Year said it was something that had occurred several times at Barca but was nothing to be concerned about.

“It happens to him regularly and he has even gone to see specialists at certain times,” Martino told a news confer-

Wilshere Will Be Fit For World Cup, Says Wenger RSENAL manager Arsene A Wenger will do “absolutely everything” to ensure Jack Wilshere is fit for the World Cup. The midfielder, 22, was ruled out for eight weeks after breaking a bone in his left foot during England’s 1-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday.

England’s World Cup campaign begins against Italy on 14 June.

“To go to a World Cup for a player is immense and I will do absolutely everything so that he can get there,” said Wenger.

Wenger expects fellow midfielders Kim Kallstrom and Aaron Ramsey to be fit within a week.

Ramsey last played on 26 December, while Kallstrom has yet to feature since joining on loan in January.

Wilshere sustained the injury early on in the win over the Danes in what Wenger believes was an “accidental” challenge

by Liverpool’s Daniel Agger.

A six-week absence was diagnosed but Wenger expects a further two will be needed to recapture full fitness, though he believes a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup is not in jeopardy for Wilshere.

“A fracture is a fracture, it is not muscular or a ligament,” said Wenger, 64. “Once it is healed, you do not have to have any restriction in your preparation.”

Wilshere, who missed Euro 2012 with an ankle injury, made his senior debut in 2010 but has only earned 15 caps, with injuries limiting his opportunities with the national side.

In 23 league appearances this season, Wilshere has scored three times for Arsenal. He has made four assists, half that of Mesut Ozil, who has created more goals for the Gunners than any player in their 2013-14

ence ahead of Barca’s La Liga game at Real Valladolid today.

“They haven’t solved the problem but it isn’t a cause for concern. It doesn’t affect him at all in terms of doing his job,” he added.

Champions Barca, chasing a fifth title in six years, can pull two points clear of Real Madrid at the top with a win at Valladolid, who are battling relegation down in 18th.

Real are at home to eighthplaced Levante tomorrow, while Atletico Madrid, three points off the top in third, play at Celta Vigo, who are 11th, today.

Martino has Gerard Pique back after the Spain defender was declared fit by club med-

ical staff yesterday.

He missed the world and European champions’ 1-0 win at home to Italy on Wednesday due to a minor calf problem.

With an eye on Barca’s packed calendar in March, including Wednesday’s Champions League last 16, second leg against Manchester City, Martino said he had decided to rest left back Jordi Alba for the Valladolid trip.

Alba was out for more than two months with a hamstring injury before Christmas and was briefly sidelined by a similar thigh problem last month.

Barca lead City 2-0 from the first leg.

English Premier League Table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Chelsea Liverpool Arsenal Man City Tottenham Everton Man Utd Newcastle Southampton West Ham Aston Villa Hull Stoke Swansea Norwich Crystal Palace West Brom Sunderland Cardiff Fulham

28 28 28 26 28 27 27 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 27 27 26 28 28

30 38 24 42 4 11 12 -2 3 -4 -7 -5 -14 -4 -22 -18 -8 -16 -30 -34

63 59 59 57 53 48 45 43 39 31 31 30 30 29 28 27 25 24 22 21

English Premier League Fixtures West Brom Cardiff Crystal Palace Norwich Chelsea Man City

Vs Vs Vs Vs Vs Vs

Man Utd 12.45 Fulham 15.00 Southampton 15.00 Stoke 15.00 Tottenham 17.30 Aston Villa (Postponed)

Vs

Everton

FA Cup Sixth Round Arsenal

12.45

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

World Cricket League Division Five Championship

Nigeria Revives Promotion Hopes, Beats Guernsey By Two Wickets

By Christian Okpara, With Agency Reports FTER Thursday’s opening A day loss to Jersey, Nigeria revived their hope of gaining promotion to the Division Four League when they defeated Guernsey by two wickets at the on-going Malaysia 2014 World Cricket League (WCL) Division Five Championship.

It was a nerve-wrecking game for Nigeria, as they had to wait till the last over to win the game with Olajide Bejide one of the heroes of the day.

Bejide scored a sixer off Matthew Stokes first ball of that over in the game played at Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur.

But Endurance Ofem was the man-of-the-match for Nigeria as he recorded three wickets and helped the team to limit Guernsey’s runs to 192 runs.

Speaking after his heroic performance, Ofem said: “I am happy we won, but I thought we would have been able to win it earlier. We gave too many wickets away at the end, but the good thing is that we won.

“Saheed Akolade was impressive with his bowling and we hope that this momentum will continue in the coming games.”

Though they lost, Guernsey’s captain Jamie Nussbaumer was pleased with his team’s work ethic on another tough day for the side.

“It was hot out there. We possibly missed out on the batting but the guys didn’t give

up the last minute and I can’t fault them for that.

“It was a cracking game between two very even sides and Nigeria fully deserved the win. I wish them luck for the rest of tournament,” said Nussbaumer.

Nussbaumer said he has fond of Bayuemas Ground and he hopes that his side would be able to beat Tanzania in the next game.

Oladatun Olatunji (40) and Olajide Bejide (31) were the top runners with the bat, while Ofem and Saheed Akolade got three wickets each for Nigeria as they toppled Guernsey’s batting order.

Lucas Barker scored 45 runs for Guernsey while Lee Ferbrache scored 27 runs.

Nussbaumer impressed with three wickets but it was not enough to beat the Africans.

In other matches played yesterday, Malaysia’s veteran batsman, Sheikh Nasir Shafiq, scored a whopping 151 runs to lead his side to 213 runs victory over Cayman Islands.

Today is rest day for all the teams, but action resumes tomorrow with Nigeria facing Caymans Islands in a battle that will determine whether the Olisa Egwuatu boys still have the chance of picking a promotion ticket from this championship.

If Nigeria failed to beat Cayman Islands at Kinrara Oval, it means the team would in the next couple of games concentrate on retaining their position in Division Five of the league.

Chelsea Parade ‘Killer’ Squad Against Spurs • United Target Full Points Against West Brom HELSEA'S Eden Hazard C should be fit despite suffering a minor ankle injury whilst playing for Belgium in midweek.

Samuel Eto'o played 90 minutes for Cameroon against Portugal, so Fernando Torres, who was not called up by Spain, may start up front.

But Tottenham playmaker, Christian Eriksen, may miss out with a back problem that ruled him out of Denmark's defeat by England on Wednesday.

Spurs will assess defensive trio Kyle Walker, Younes Kaboul and Zeki Fryers.

"March is the month." That's a quote from Arsene Wenger just before his Arsenal side were deservedly beaten at Stoke, ensuring a dreadful start to that make-or-break period.

Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood would have enjoyed Arsenal's defeat, but would probably agree with his rival's sentiment.

Tottenham have Premier League games against Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool to fit around a twolegged Europa League tie against Benfica, all following

this test of their mettle at Stamford Bridge. March is indeed the month.

"The title race is getting very interesting. With Manchester City playing in the FA Cup this weekend, a Chelsea win would open up a nine-point gap between them and Manuel Pellegrini's side, who will be fourth.

"City would go top if they won their games in hand but Chelsea still have the upper hand because you are always better off having the points."

If Spurs can qualify for the Champions League, or win the Europa League, Sherwood would surely be allowed to stay for the start of next season. If not then the much touted rumours suggesting Louis van Gaal's arrival at White Hart Lane may become a reality.

West Brom midfielders Chris Brunt and James Morrison were both injured on international duty and will be assessed before the visit of Manchester United.

Nicolas Anelka begins a fivematch ban and Billy Jones is injured but Stephane Sessegnon and Claudio Yacob are fit.

CHAN Superstar, Ejike Uzoenyi of Rangers (left), trying to outwit former Lobi Stars’ defender, Terna Suswam, in a past league game.

Uzoenyi is one of the stars expected to light up the 2013/2014 season.

Glo Nigeria Premier League Returns From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja FTER the long wait, here A comes the Glo Nigeria Premier League. The fourth best league in Africa will resume today across the country, with the clubs jostling for the opportunity to join the elite teams of the continent by finishing among the top three sides in the championship.

Going into the championship, some of the sides will also be occupied with the battle to retain their status in Nigeria’s elite club championship, so this season promises a lot of thrills and frills at both ends of the ladder.

Part of the ingredients in the anticipated interesting times for football lovers are the innovations put in place by the League Management Company (LMC), organisers of the competition.

Some of these new deal is the agreement between the clubs and the LMC that the least paid player in the league will earn N150,000, a

decision that have given rise to expectations that the players would rise to the challenge and deliver their best on the pitch.

Aside the salary incentive, the clubs have also agreed to sign proper contracts with players and file each player's contract agreement with the LMC as against the vague contracts they had with the stars of the game.

The LMC has assured all the clubs of equal opportunity to aspire for the league diadem beginning with the television broadcast of all the team’s games to ensure fairness and competitiveness in the competition.

In the fixture for the season, new comers, Abia Warriors will be up against Kaduna United in Umuahia in their first taste of elite action, while Akwa United will host Gombe United in Uyo. Heartland will host Dolphins in Owerri, while another new team to the elite division, FC Taraba, will tackle Nasarawa United,

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with Lobi Stars meeting Crown of Ogbomosho in Makurdi. .

The games involving Warri Wolves against El Kanemi, Bayelsa United versus Sharks and Sunshine against Enyimba have all been postponed to Thursday next week to allow Wolves, Bayelsa and Enyimba settle their continental engagements. .

Meanwhile, the LMC has dropped the only two privately owned football clubs in the league, Nembe City and Giwa of Jos, following their inability to meet the club registration requirements. .

The LMC Chief operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, stated in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday that the clubs were deemed not fit to participate in the new football season because they failed to substantially comply with the minimum registration requirements.

Abubakar, who disclosed that the other 18 clubs substantially met the requirements and received provisional approvals to compete in the league, noted that all the matches involv-

ing Nembe City and newly promoted Giwa FC has been withdrawn, stressing that the number of participating clubs in the 2013/2014 Glo League season has been reduced from 20 to 18.

“Since the deadline for submission of registration form closed 48 hours ago, we have been scrutinizing the registration materials returned by the clubs and can now state that Nembe City and Giwa FC are in substantial default of the minimum requirements to participate in the Glo Premier League this season.

“They have consequently been withdrawn from the fixture and all matches involving both clubs are cancelled,” Abubakar said in Abuja. .

The LMC insists that the registration requirements are based on licensing principles that promotes the development of the league for the benefit of the clubs.

“This is the first step towards bringing our clubs to meet the conditions prescribed in the Nigeria Football Federation Club Licensing Regulation, which recently came into force,” he added. .